Antarktis `Klassisch´ - mit National Geographic

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

With this rich and varied programme, discover the highlights of the attractive and pulsating capital of Argentina, explore the spectacular glacier of Perito Moreno, and admire the wilderness of Patagonia in the nature reserve of Torres del Paine.

Day 1 - Buenos Aires

Meet and greet at the airport arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. After being welcomed by our local representative, you will be transferred to the Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta 5* (or similar).

Morning and lunch at leisure.

In the afternoon, start your panoramic city tour of Buenos Aires. The metropolis is famous for being the “Paris of South America” and the visitor will quickly figure it out by looking at its architecture. Mainly in down town and in the central neighbourhoods, you will find testimonies of its glorious past. You will visit the heart of the city, May Square (Plaza de Mayo), with the Government House (Casa Rosada) on one side and the cathedral on the other side, and the City Hall. The Cabildo is right across the street, it is the Town Hall of colonial times. The square is also known as the “Mothers of May Square” (Madres de Plaza de Mayo), with their mute protests they started during the military government. From there, the coach drives you through San Telmo (a tango district) to La Boca, with its most famous colourful and picturesque houses on Caminito Street. La Boca is the oldest harbour of Buenos Aires and in the early 20^th century, most Italian immigrants made here their first steps in their new homeland. Today, it is the favourite neighbourhood for these Italian families' descendants. At the end of the tour you will visit the northern part of Buenos Aires. The Recoleta neighbourhood with its French style wide avenues, parks and residential houses contrasts with the “Barrio de La Boca”. Here, you will visit the unique monumental cemetery, where Evita Perón and other historical people are buried.

At the end of the day, you will enjoy a typical early dinner in a local steakhouse restaurant in Puerto Madero. After tasting the famous grilled meat, part of the Argentine national identity, you will return to your hotel.

Day 2 - Buenos Aires/El Calafate

Transfer to Buenos Aires airport.

Flight Buenos Aires/El Calafate.

After being welcomed by your local English-speaking representative, you will be transferred to the Hotel Posada Los Alamos 4* (or similar).

Lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will go to the spectacular Perito Moreno glacier. This extraordinary tour will bring you to the biggest and most important highlight of the Argentine Patagonia region, the spectacular glacier Perito Moreno. The glacier is about 50 miles (80 km) from El Calafate. During this tour, you will notice the dramatic change in landscape. While in El Calafate everything is dry, harsh and flat, at the park entrance you will see trees, mountains and green vegetation. Soon you will see the breath-taking Perito Moreno glacier, the centrepiece of the national park. Due to unusually favourable local conditions, it is one of the few advancing glaciers on the planet. The Moreno glacier merits a visit and you will be highly impressed standing only a few meters away from its 200 to 260-yard high (60 to 80 m) walls. The deep blue colours of the ice and the shape of the glacier with all its small columns are unbelievable. You will have enough time to explore this marvellous spectacle by yourself, before returning to El Calafate.

Dinner at the hotel or in a local restaurant.

Day 3 - El Calafate/Torres del Paine National Park

You will drive towards the Chilean border at Cerro Castillo (about a 4-hour drive). After the border formalities, you will change to another coach and meet your Chilean local driver.

Located South of Coyhaique, this National Reserve is found in the Aysen Region of Chile, and offers some of the best hiking in the region. The reserve has an area of over 247,000 acres (100,000 ha) and is home to some of the largest mountains in the Patagonian Andes, most notably Cerro Iglesia, 5,741 feet (1,750 m) and Cerro Castillo, 7,611 feet (2,320 m), a mountain shaped like a castle of stone and ice.

Lunch in a local restaurant

Then you will drive towards the Torres del Paine National Park (about another 1 ½ hour). Located just 95 miles (154 km) northwest of Puerto Natales and 248 miles (399 km) from Punta Arenas. On the way, you will have a photo stop before arriving at your hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 - Torres del Paine National Park/El Calafate

Today, visit the Torres del Paine National Park, which provides wonderful views onto the Torres Massif and its jagged peaks, as well as of Grey Lake and Grey Glacier. Several short hikes enable visitors to reach the most beautiful viewing points in the park and to become acquainted with the wealth of flora and fauna found in the area. This 561,665-acre (227,298 ha) sanctuary was founded under the name of Lago Gray National Tourism Park on 13 May 1959, when the main activity of the area was still livestock, and tourism were relegated to a few adventurers. Just on 30 of April 1970, the park adds 27,180 new acres (11,000 ha) to its protected terrain and is baptized as it is known today: Torres del Paine National Park. The park encompasses ancient forests, glaciers, lakes, rivers and fjords, and fauna including guanacos, foxes, pumas and a diverse array of birds.

Lunch box with beverages.

By mid-afternoon, drive back towards the Argentine border. Border formalities followed by change of coach. Drive to the Chali Aike farm at Esperanza. Here, you will have dinner with a small demonstration of the Gaucho life.

After your dinner, you will be transferred to El Calafate (about 2-hour drive) at the Hotel Posada Los Alamos (or similar).

Day 5 - El Calafate/Ushuaia

Transfer to El Calafate airport in time for flight El Calafate/Ushuaia.

After being welcomed by our local English-speaking representative, you will be transferred to a local restaurant for lunch.

Enjoy some time at leisure in the city centre of Ushuaia, before your transfer to the pier in time for embarkation.

Your hotels:

The Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta 5* - Buenos Aires (or similar) 

In the sophisticated neighbourhood of Recoleta, known for its neoclassical architecture, The Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta stands out thanks to its contemporary style and imposing brick façade. The hotel offers easy access to the main tourist attractions in Buenos Aires and features elegant, spacious rooms, a pool, restaurant and bar, ensuring a luxurious, authentic and exclusive experience for our guests.

Hotel Posada Los Alamos 4* - El Calafate (or similar)

The Hotel Posada Los Alamos is situated in the heart of El Calafate, close to Argentino Lake. It has spa facilities, an indoor pool and free Wi-Fi in all areas. The guest rooms feature heating, as well as a mini bar and cable TV. Rooms have views over the organic garden and the mountains beyond.

Hotel Lago Grey - Torres del Paine (or similar)

Located in Torres del Paine, Hotel Lago Grey offers accommodations where guests can enjoy rooms with large windows overlooking Grey Lake or the forests. Free Wi-Fi access is available. Rooms here are all fitted with heating, private en suite bathroom and satellite television. Additionally, they offer great garden, mountain or lake views.

Your programme includes:

• 1 night in Buenos Aires, at the Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta (or similar), with early check-in on day 1 (from 11 a.m.).
• 2 nights in El Calafate, at the Hotel Posada Los Alamos (or similar).
• 1 night in Torres del Paine, at the Hotel Lago Grey (or similar).
• Domestic flights Buenos Aires/El Calafate/Ushuaia in economy class.
• Meals and beverage package (mineral water + 1 soft drink or 1 beer or 1 glass of wine + 1 tea or 1 coffee) as mentioned in the programme.
• Transfers and visits mentioned in the programme.
• Entrance fees for national parks and reserves.
• Services of local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

• Lunch on day 1.
• Tips for the guide and the driver.
• Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.

Note:

• By choosing this exclusive programme, please note that the embarkation day programme as mentioned in the "Cruise package" tab is not compatible nor cumulative with this Patagonia, a land of contrast (4 nights) tour.

  Please contact our travel agents for more information and to buy this 4-night tour.

• The local currency in Argentina is the Argentinian Peso. You will be able to make most of your purchases in USD (in small denominations) or by credit card, accepted in most hotels, shopping centres and boutiques. You will also be able to retrieve Argentinian Pesos from the ATM’s.
• The local currency in Chile is the Chilean Peso. Foreign currencies are generally not accepted. You will be able to make most of your purchases by credit card, accepted in most hotels, shopping centres and boutiques. You will also be able to retrieve Chilean Pesos from the ATM’s.
• At the Argentine/Chile borders on day 3 and 4, after border formalities, you will change coach.
• Lunch on day 1 is at leisure and is not included in the program. If you wish to have your meal at the hotel, the corresponding price will be added to your hotel room account, to be paid upon check-out.
• During your journey to Torres Del Paine National Park, we suggest you leave your main luggage at the hotel at El Calafate. It will be stored in a safe room and you will take it back at your return.
• Travellers are advised to check all the information with the authorities concerned prior to the departure date. We advise travellers to consult the country fact sheets relating to the chosen destinations.
• The luggage allowance is maximum 23 kg.
• This program includes a visit to the Chilean side. No visa is required for border-crossing by land.
• In Chile, the import of food is strictly regulated. For further information, please check with your local guide.

Hotels contacts:

The Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta 5*

Posadas 1232

1011 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Phone number: (+54) 11 4819 1100

Hotel Posada Los Alamos 4*

Ing. Hector Mario Guatti 1135

El Calafate, Santa Cruz, Argentina

Phone number: (+54) (0) 29 0249 1144

Hotel Lago Grey

Sector Lago Grey S/N

8320000 Torres del Paine, Chile

Phone number: (+56) 6 1271 2190

Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed.
To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme. 

You will discover the capital of Argentina, renowned as the “Paris of South America”.

This pre cruise programme in Buenos Aires is compatible with the 1-night stay in Ushuaia Premium offer, limited availability - Welcome to Ushuaia. 

Day 1 - Buenos Aires

Meet and greet at the airport arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. After being welcomed by our local representative, you will be transferred to the Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta Hotel 5* (or similar).

Morning and lunch at leisure.

In the afternoon, panoramic tour of Buenos Aires. Mainly in down town and in the central neighbourhoods, you will find testimonies of its glorious past. You will visit the heart of the city, May Square (Plaza de Mayo), with the Government House (Casa Rosada) on one side and the cathedral on the other side, and the City Hall. The Cabildo is right across the street, it is the Town Hall of colonial times. The square is also known as the “Mothers of May Square” (Madres de Plaza de Mayo), with their mute protests they started during the military government. From there, the coach drives you through San Telmo (a tango district) to La Boca, with its most famous colourful and picturesque houses on Caminito Street. La Boca is the oldest harbour of Buenos Aires and in the early 20^th century, most Italian immigrants made here their first steps in their new homeland. Today, it is the favourite neighbourhood for these Italian families' descendants. At the end of the tour you will visit the northern part of Buenos Aires. The Recoleta neighbourhood with its French style wide avenues, parks and residential houses contrasts with the “Barrio de La Boca”. Here, you will visit the unique monumental cemetery, where Evita Perón and other historical people are buried.

At the end of the day, you will enjoy a typical dinner in a local argentine steakhouse restaurant. After tasting the famous grilled meat, part of the Argentine national identity, you will return to your hotel.

Day 2 - Buenos Aires

Morning at leisure

Transfer to Buenos Aires airport, in connection with the flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia.

On arrival at Ushuaia, you will be transferred to the pier to embark your ship.

Your hotel:

Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta Hotel 5* (or similar)

In the sophisticated neighbourhood of La Recoleta, known for its neoclassical architecture, The Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta Hotel stands out thanks to its contemporary style and imposing brick façade. The hotel offers easy access to the main tourist attractions in Buenos Aires and features elegant, spacious rooms, a pool, restaurant and bar, ensuring a luxurious, authentic and exclusive experience for our guests.

Your programme includes:

• 1-night accommodation at the Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta Hotel (or similar), with early check-in on day 1 (from 11 a.m.), including breakfast.
• 1 dinner including the beverage package: bottled water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer or 1 glass of wine + 1 coffee or 1 tea.
• Transfers and visits mentioned in the programme.
• Services of a local English speaking local guide.

Your programme does not include:

• Tips for the guide and the driver - we suggest the amount of USD 1 per person per day, as per local custom.
• Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.

Notes:

• The local currency is the Argentinian Peso. You will be able to make most of your purchases in USD (in small denominations) or by credit card, accepted in most hotels, shopping centres and boutiques. You will also be able to retrieve Pesos from the ATM’s.

Contact of your hotel:

Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta Hotel

Posadas 1232

1011 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Phone number: (+54) 11 4819 1100

Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed.

To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.