Patagonia is an extremely vast and diverse region, with scenery ranging from dramatic mountain formations to flat barren pampas and expansive ice fields. On this comprehensive journey through Argentine Patagonia, you will enjoy authentic experiences and breathtaking landscapes. Your journey begins in Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, where you will explore the city and visit the San Isidro and Tigre districts and the nearby Parana River. From here you will travel along the Atlantic coast to Bahia Bustamente, a unique “seaweed village” that offers a variety of great activities, including bird watching, sailing, trekking, and mountain biking. You can enjoy seasonal wildlife spectacles at the Valdes Peninsula, a true sanctuary of fauna and marine life. In Ushuaia, the “end of the world,” you will explore the famous Museum of Paleontology “Egidio Feuglio,” hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park, and see Harberton Ranch and Gable Island. Continue onward to El Calafate and experience the majesty and might of Los Glaciares National Park, including a trek on the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world’s largest continental glaciers. This trip truly encompasses all Patagonia and its spectacular natural wonders!
Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, you will be transferred to the hotel. The “Paris of South America,” as Buenos Aires is called, is a superlative introduction to the exploration of Argentina. This cosmopolitan city, European in appearance, can keep any culture-oriented visitor busy indefinitely.
This afternoon, enjoy a half-day city tour. Explore Buenos Aires’s major tourist attractions on this tour that hits all of the highlights of this cultural metropolis. Guided by a knowledgeable guide, learn about Porteño’s lifestyle, vibrant culture, and music. We will visit important historical monuments on your way to Plaza de Mayo and take a moment to admire significant buildings such as the Casa Rosada or the Congress.
We will experience the European flair that has given the city its fame strolling around eclectic neighborhoods; from antique San Telmo and colorful working-class La Boca to fancy and chic Recoleta with its famous Cemetery, representing the elegant and historical Buenos Aires and containing the graves of many Argentina’s emblematic figures, such as Eva Peron.
At the end of the tour, you will have a transfer back to your hotel.
Lodging
Palo Santo Hotel or similar
BDay 2Tigre Bike & Kayaking
Today you will explore one of the most beautiful zones of Buenos Aires’ surroundings, the northern riverside district of Tigre. In the morning, we will meet in our meeting point in San Telmo neighborhood to visit the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires in an adventurous way.
After a short briefing session, we will take the train for about 20 minutes to access La Lucila. From there, we will begin our bike ride up to Tigre, along which we will be telling you stories and general information about the neighborhoods we will be passing through, such as La Lucila, Rio de la Plata, San Isidro, and San Fernando.
After riding through Tigre and visiting the famous Puerto de Frutos and Paseo Victorica, we will get off our bikes and will paddle our way to an island where the table will be set to enjoy a delicious Argentine barbecue.
After enjoying lunch by the river and kicking back for a while, we will paddle our way back to get on our bikes again. After taking the train back to San Telmo we will call it a day!
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Palo Santo Hotel or similar
CDay 3Patagonia's Atlantic Coast
You will be transferred to the airport in order to board the flight to Comodoro Rivadavia. You will be met at the airport and transferred about 180 km/111 mi northeast to Bahia Bustamante, a seaside village entirely surrounded by nature. This place invites you to enjoy a deep blue sea contrasting with red rocks, a petrified forest, sea and steppe birds, sea lions, killer whales, dolphins, guanacos, and Patagonian hares as well as lighthouses, starry skies, and aboriginal working areas.
Since 1952, the village has been exclusively devoted to the harvesting of seaweed. Today some 40 inhabitants live in Bahía Bustamente, all of whom are devoted to seaweed production, which makes this place world’s unique “seaweed village.” It is a great place to experience life as it has been for the last 100 years. The sunsets here (you can see them from the back fence and over the Patagonian Steppes) are more than spectacular.
Please note that the town has electricity from sunset until late night supplied by an electric generator. Once the lights go out each house is still illuminated by battery lights, but we still recommend using flashlights.
Depending on the time, you might have the opportuity to enjoy activities such as sailing along Malaspina Cove, panoramic trekking, bird watching, fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, visiting archaeological sites such as aboriginal areas and cemeteries, and learning about the workings of the seaweed industry.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging
Bahia Bustamante Lodge or similar
DDay 4Bahia Bustamente
Enjoy a full day of unforgettable activities in Bahia Bustamente. You have a choice of activities, all of which are ideal for nature lovers, and included in your itinerary. You just pick the one that you like best!
Options include activities such as bird watching / sea lion watching, a visit to the Petrified Forest or the local seaweed industry. You may also choose to visit the traditional Patagonian sheep ranch or walk along the coast for some spectacular views. A list of included activites:
• Visit and Sailing along Malaspina Cove visiting Sea Lion and Seabird colonies:
After eating breakfast, we will meet at the grocery store and assess the weather report and the tide tables to determine whether sailing is possible. We get on the boat and sail along the seaweed fields where we come across vessels working on the seaweed harvest. Later we sail on to the mussel harvest and tell you all about the online breeding system we use. Finally we will visit islands in the bay to see the Sea Lion colonies (3,500 animals during the breeding season), Penguins (100,000) and colorful Marine Bird colonies. Then we moor the boat and return to the village.
Estimated time: 4/5 hours approx.
• Visit to the Petrified Forest:
After breakfast, we will drive across our beautifully remote land for nearly 18 miles (30 km) till we reach the Petrified Forest. Here we will travel 60 million years back in time as we explore the forest.
Estimated time: 4/5 hours approx.
• Visit to the Seaweed Industry and Archaeological Sites:
In the morning, we visit the traditional seaweed harvesting community to learn about the seaweed industry. During the trip, we can also visit nearby archaeological sites such as aboriginal working areas and cemeteries.
Estimated time: 4 hours approx.
• Visit to a Typical Patagonian Ranch:
Bahía Bustamante is part of a group of three Estancias (ranches) that all together add up more than 80.000 hectares. In each of the Estancias you may learn about the production process of wool and meat, and according to the season, you may participate in a day ́s work at one of the Estancias. Visit the corrals and learn about the different activities: shearing, weaning, classification or marking of the sheep.
When shearing begins in early August, animals need to be rounded up. The group of workers gathers up in one of the Estancias and then, after the job is done they move on to the next Estancia. A very intense month work! All of our guests visiting Bahía Bustamante during the month of August will be able to participate in this typical Patagonian activity. We shear around 20.000 sheep! As from August the Estancias activity calendar is very varied, and is in constant move until the end of April. Shear in August, marking in November and December, weaning in January and February, classification of the animals towards the end of February and insemination in May, are part of the main attractions. Estimated time: 4/5 hours approx.
For an additional cost (paid locally) horseback riding, mountain biking and boating may also be available.
Of course, you could also choose to just relax and read a book while enjoying the private sandy beaches and crystal-clear water.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Bahia Bustamante Lodge or similar
EDay 5Cabo Dos Bahias / Puerto Madryn
Farewell Bahia Bustamante!
It is time to say goodbye to this lovely Lodge! At the appropriate time, you will have a transfer to Puerto Madryn.
En route visit Cabo Dos Bahias Natural Reserve. From November to April in the reserve, you can view the penguin colony. About three kilometers away, rocky slopes afford views of the first fur seal colony on the continent. This species is currently protected by the reserve. The site also offers an incredible view of the steppe, and you can also see some guanacos.
Later, you will have lunch at Camarones, a small port that displays Patagonian architecture.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Hotel Dazzler or similar
FDay 6Valdes Peninsula and whale watching
Your full-day enjoying the beautiful landscapes of this area begins with a drive along National Route Nº 3 to reach the entrance of the Valdes Peninsula. After crossing the Ameghino Isthmus, where you can view Golfo San José and Golfo Nuevo, you enter the Peninsula and the road leads you to Puerto Piramides.
On the way, you will be able to see some of the local wildlife, including guanacos, lesser rheas, Patagonian foxes, hairy armadillos, maras, and important rookeries protecting large colonies of South American sea lions, dolphin gulls, and kelp gulls.
Puerto Pirámides is a beach that, with its gentle slopes, is protected by cliffs resembling pyramids, where there are fossilized invertebrates more than 9 million years old.
Enjoy a whale watching navigation that departs from Piramides Port. The whale watching trip starts going along the coast in both directions and then getting one or two miles into the sea, to get in touch with the Southern Right Whales. The first stop is generally at La Lobería (sea lion colony). The sailing along the coast allows one to also watch many cormorant colonies. They build their nests against the cliff and there they also breed and raise their babies. You can also observe other specimens of the coastal bird fauna.
We will continue our navigation to meet the whales. Once we meet them, magic will start. The boat will stop the engines and silence will begin to reign, interrupted only by the sounds of the sea and the occasional bird. In this scenario, the whales will appear next to the boat and we will manage to live together in harmony in the same space for as long as they decide. It will be a unique moment where, if we are lucky, we will be able to see them very close to us. The estimated sailing time will be 1:30 hs depending on the time of year, weather conditions and the number of animals in the area.
In order to get close to the whales, the “Patagonian Technique” will be used, which allows specialists to navigate and live with them. We will be able to see how the whales pass underneath the boat and approach at impressive distances. Whale watching is completely safe for two reasons: these mammals are extremely peaceful, and the boats have the appropriate safety equipment.
We will continue touring the southern part of the Peninsula, crossing wide landscapes of grasslands and undulations, passing through the Salinas Grande and Chica, and outside Punta Delgada, which constitutes the southern end of the peninsula. We will continue to Punta Cantor to admire the Atlantic coast and the fascinating geological formation known as Caleta Valdés. These beaches are usually inhabited by southern elephant seals, depending on the time of year. (Depending on the season and the availability of marine fauna, we can replace the southern area of Las Salinas and Caleta Valdés with Punta Norte.)
From there we will start our return making a stop at the Carlos Ameghino Interpretation Center, a compendium of the natural wealth of the peninsula. During the excursion we will have great chances to observe terrestrial wildlife, such as guanacos, rheas, foxes, maras, armadillos and skunks.
After enjoying the last views of the day, we will take you back to your hotel.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Hotel Dazzler or similar
GDay 7Puerto Madryn / Ushuaia
Enjoy the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport in Trelew for the flight to Ushuaia. In the southern end of Argentina, on the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, lies Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Located on the Beagle Channel and an impressive array of the sea, forests, lakes, and mountains, Ushuaia is a picturesque city that offers unexplored, untouched territories that invite visitors to discovery and adventure. The Yamanas, its first inhabitants, called it Ushuaia which means ‘protected bay’ in their language. It was officially incorporated into the Republic of Argentina in 1884, and it soon became a penal colony, in order to establish a permanent Argentine settlement.
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Cilene del Fuego or similar
HDay 8Tierra del Fuego National Park
Today you explore Tierra del Fuego National Park. The full-day excursion around the park includes an easy trek and a canoeing expedition. After traveling 10 km we will arrive and hike an 4-mile-long undulating coastal path. As you continue to walk down this path you will be in constant contact with nature and will be able to admire beautiful views from the lakes, sea, and surrounding mountains.
After the hike, near the banks of the Lapataia river, we will enjoy a comforting hot lunch with a great panoramic view from inside a heated dome.
Afterwards, you will be equipped with rubber boots, coverpants and lifejackets. The excursion will continue from Lake Acigami down the freshwater of Lapataia river aboard inflatable canoes (duckies) until reaching the sea in Lapataia Bay. The tour will end at the mentioned bay, where the National Route No 3 meet its southern end.
From there, you will be driven back to your hotel.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Cilene del Fuego or similar
IDay 9San Pablo Cape and Rolito
Every land has its own secrets but not everyone is chosen to know them. A lighthouse in a lonely cape, a mysterious sunken ship for 40 years, and a distinguished antique estancia are some of the icons that reveal the unknown stories of Tierra del Fuego.
Very early in the morning, leave Ushuaia with other guests following National Route 3 and crossing The Andes through the Garibaldi Pass. Stop by the little town of Tolhuin, heart of the island, to visit La Unión Bakery. This is a traditional meeting point for both locals and visitors and it is part of the charm of this village. By midday we came to the Provincial Route “A”, where we took a gravel road heading toward the Atlantic Ocean and the San Pablo Cape. At this point, we hike up to an isolated mountain with an abandoned lighthouse at the end.
Climbing to the top of this beacon, you can appreciate The Desdemona, an abandoned ship for almost 40 years ago which invites us to sail through time. It happened on a cold winter morning in 1983; when this enormous craft ran aground on the shores of the Argentine Sea. After exploring this mysterious giant, we visit the Estancia Rolito. This lovely ranch, that keeps the spirit of a family business based on sheep farming tradition, is the first ranch to open its gates to rural tourism.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Cilene del Fuego or similar
JDay 10Ushuaia / El Calafate
Enjoy the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to the local airport to board the flight to El Calafate. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
In El Calafate, you will find yourself at the gateway to the majestic world of glaciers. This town is near Lake Argentino, a green water surface covering 1,600 sq km. El Calafate connects you with the most interesting and magical features of Argentina’s geography. Some of the most beautiful landscapes in the western hemisphere are found in the Patagonian Andes. Numerous lakes fed by glacial run-off reflect the majesty of the snow-capped peaks, and the mountainsides are covered by primeval forests of sub-antarctic beech trees.
Welcome to Nibepo Aike Ranch
The estancia is located inside of Los Glaciares National Park. With a maximum capacity of 22 persons in its ten rooms, exclusiveness and warmth are guaranteed. The main house is a typical Patagonian construction converted into a Hostería de Campo, which preserves its original features and offers the greatest warmth. The stay allows you to experience the authentic life of the Patagonian estancias: rural activities, horseback riding, hiking, bicycles, everything before the imposing view of the Andes mountain range.
After checking in, the host will tell explain the activities planned for the next couple of days. They vary according to climatic conditions and the calendar of rural activities in which it is possible to participate: work in the corrals (taming, milking), harnessing and shearing. In other words, you will be part of the rural activity that does not stop throughout the year.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging
Nibepo Aike Hosteria or similar
KDay 11 South Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park
Today you will visit Los Glaciares National Park, located in the Patagonian Continental Ice-cap.
At the appropriate time, we will begin enjoying the “Pioneros” experience that Estancia Nibepo Aike has to offer, meeting at the Glaciar Sur dock in the afternoon.
Once there, we will embark on a boat trip to the Brazo Rico and disembark at Playa de las Monedas, where we will take a gentle walk through a lenga forest until we reach a lookout at Las Rocas, offering a privileged first view of the Perito Moreno Glacier.
Afterward, we will reboard the boat to sail in front of the south face of the Perito Moreno Glacier, enjoying a whisky on glacier ice and chocolates. We will disembark and head to the glacier walkways to appreciate all its fronts and ice falls, away from the crowds.
Once the tour ends, we will return by boat from the Bajo de la Sombra dock to the Glaciar Sur dock for you to continue your stay at Nibepo Aike.
Note: If, for any reason, the boat ride (either in full or partially) or the return to Estancia Nibepo Aike cannot be provided due to weather conditions, the alternative plan consists of driving to the Perito Moreno Glacier from the estancia and, if possible, taking the boat trip in front of the glacier, as well as returning to the estancia by land. No refunds will be made.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Estancia Nibepo Aike or similar
LDay 12Nibepo Aike
Relax and enjoy a full day of activities at Estancia Nibebo Aike. (Activities may vary with the weather.) Horse-riding, hiking and rural work at the estancia are just some of the activities you may enjoy.
Various trails allow you to explore the corners of the ranch, discover its flora and fauna. Twelve thousand hectares of mountains and natural pastures with a privileged landscape on the shores of the South Arm of the Argentino Lake. The Cachorro River valley, with its ñires and lengas forests that precede it; the shore of Lake Argentino and La Angostura, where its glacial waters bounce off the rain from Lake Roca; the milestone border, which is exciting when arriving; the positions distributed by the mountains; the slopes of Cerro Cristal. All these are some of the routes that can be done on foot, on horseback, or by bicycle. As if that were not enough, from certain panoramic points you can see the Perito Moreno Glacier and the Hidden Glaciers, the southernmost of the National Park.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Estancia Nibepo Aike or similar
MDay 13Return to Buenos Aires
You will be picked up from the hotel to be transferred to the local airport and board the flight to Buenos Aires, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Palo Santo Hotel or similar
NDay 14Buenos Aires / Onward
At the appropriate time, you will be transferred from the hotel to the international airport for your onward flight.
Meals
Breakfast
Anticipated plan; actual route and program may vary.
Patagonia is an extremely vast and diverse region, with scenery ranging from dramatic mountain formations to flat barren pampas and expansive ice fields. On this comprehensive journey through Argentine Patagonia, you will enjoy authentic experiences and breathtaking landscapes. Your journey begins in Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, where you will explore the city and visit the San Isidro and Tigre districts and the nearby Parana River. From here you will travel along the Atlantic coast to Bahia Bustamente, a unique “seaweed village” that offers a variety of great activities, including bird watching, sailing, trekking, and mountain biking. You can enjoy seasonal wildlife spectacles at the Valdes Peninsula, a true sanctuary of fauna and marine life. In Ushuaia, the “end of the world,” you will explore the famous Museum of Paleontology “Egidio Feuglio,” hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park, and see Harberton Ranch and Gable Island. Continue onward to El Calafate and experience the majesty and might of Los Glaciares National Park, including a trek on the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world’s largest continental glaciers. This trip truly encompasses all Patagonia and its spectacular natural wonders!
Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, you will be transferred to the hotel. The “Paris of South America,” as Buenos Aires is called, is a superlative introduction to the exploration of Argentina. This cosmopolitan city, European in appearance, can keep any culture-oriented visitor busy indefinitely.
This afternoon, enjoy a half-day city tour. Explore Buenos Aires’s major tourist attractions on this tour that hits all of the highlights of this cultural metropolis. Guided by a knowledgeable guide, learn about Porteño’s lifestyle, vibrant culture, and music. We will visit important historical monuments on your way to Plaza de Mayo and take a moment to admire significant buildings such as the Casa Rosada or the Congress.
We will experience the European flair that has given the city its fame strolling around eclectic neighborhoods; from antique San Telmo and colorful working-class La Boca to fancy and chic Recoleta with its famous Cemetery, representing the elegant and historical Buenos Aires and containing the graves of many Argentina’s emblematic figures, such as Eva Peron.
At the end of the tour, you will have a transfer back to your hotel.
Lodging
Palo Santo Hotel or similar
BDay 2Tigre Bike & Kayaking
Today you will explore one of the most beautiful zones of Buenos Aires’ surroundings, the northern riverside district of Tigre. In the morning, we will meet in our meeting point in San Telmo neighborhood to visit the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires in an adventurous way.
After a short briefing session, we will take the train for about 20 minutes to access La Lucila. From there, we will begin our bike ride up to Tigre, along which we will be telling you stories and general information about the neighborhoods we will be passing through, such as La Lucila, Rio de la Plata, San Isidro, and San Fernando.
After riding through Tigre and visiting the famous Puerto de Frutos and Paseo Victorica, we will get off our bikes and will paddle our way to an island where the table will be set to enjoy a delicious Argentine barbecue.
After enjoying lunch by the river and kicking back for a while, we will paddle our way back to get on our bikes again. After taking the train back to San Telmo we will call it a day!
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Palo Santo Hotel or similar
CDay 3Patagonia's Atlantic Coast
You will be transferred to the airport in order to board the flight to Comodoro Rivadavia. You will be met at the airport and transferred about 180 km/111 mi northeast to Bahia Bustamante, a seaside village entirely surrounded by nature. This place invites you to enjoy a deep blue sea contrasting with red rocks, a petrified forest, sea and steppe birds, sea lions, killer whales, dolphins, guanacos, and Patagonian hares as well as lighthouses, starry skies, and aboriginal working areas.
Since 1952, the village has been exclusively devoted to the harvesting of seaweed. Today some 40 inhabitants live in Bahía Bustamente, all of whom are devoted to seaweed production, which makes this place world’s unique “seaweed village.” It is a great place to experience life as it has been for the last 100 years. The sunsets here (you can see them from the back fence and over the Patagonian Steppes) are more than spectacular.
Please note that the town has electricity from sunset until late night supplied by an electric generator. Once the lights go out each house is still illuminated by battery lights, but we still recommend using flashlights.
Depending on the time, you might have the opportuity to enjoy activities such as sailing along Malaspina Cove, panoramic trekking, bird watching, fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, visiting archaeological sites such as aboriginal areas and cemeteries, and learning about the workings of the seaweed industry.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging
Bahia Bustamante Lodge or similar
DDay 4Bahia Bustamente
Enjoy a full day of unforgettable activities in Bahia Bustamente. You have a choice of activities, all of which are ideal for nature lovers, and included in your itinerary. You just pick the one that you like best!
Options include activities such as bird watching / sea lion watching, a visit to the Petrified Forest or the local seaweed industry. You may also choose to visit the traditional Patagonian sheep ranch or walk along the coast for some spectacular views. A list of included activites:
• Visit and Sailing along Malaspina Cove visiting Sea Lion and Seabird colonies:
After eating breakfast, we will meet at the grocery store and assess the weather report and the tide tables to determine whether sailing is possible. We get on the boat and sail along the seaweed fields where we come across vessels working on the seaweed harvest. Later we sail on to the mussel harvest and tell you all about the online breeding system we use. Finally we will visit islands in the bay to see the Sea Lion colonies (3,500 animals during the breeding season), Penguins (100,000) and colorful Marine Bird colonies. Then we moor the boat and return to the village.
Estimated time: 4/5 hours approx.
• Visit to the Petrified Forest:
After breakfast, we will drive across our beautifully remote land for nearly 18 miles (30 km) till we reach the Petrified Forest. Here we will travel 60 million years back in time as we explore the forest.
Estimated time: 4/5 hours approx.
• Visit to the Seaweed Industry and Archaeological Sites:
In the morning, we visit the traditional seaweed harvesting community to learn about the seaweed industry. During the trip, we can also visit nearby archaeological sites such as aboriginal working areas and cemeteries.
Estimated time: 4 hours approx.
• Visit to a Typical Patagonian Ranch:
Bahía Bustamante is part of a group of three Estancias (ranches) that all together add up more than 80.000 hectares. In each of the Estancias you may learn about the production process of wool and meat, and according to the season, you may participate in a day ́s work at one of the Estancias. Visit the corrals and learn about the different activities: shearing, weaning, classification or marking of the sheep.
When shearing begins in early August, animals need to be rounded up. The group of workers gathers up in one of the Estancias and then, after the job is done they move on to the next Estancia. A very intense month work! All of our guests visiting Bahía Bustamante during the month of August will be able to participate in this typical Patagonian activity. We shear around 20.000 sheep! As from August the Estancias activity calendar is very varied, and is in constant move until the end of April. Shear in August, marking in November and December, weaning in January and February, classification of the animals towards the end of February and insemination in May, are part of the main attractions. Estimated time: 4/5 hours approx.
For an additional cost (paid locally) horseback riding, mountain biking and boating may also be available.
Of course, you could also choose to just relax and read a book while enjoying the private sandy beaches and crystal-clear water.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Bahia Bustamante Lodge or similar
EDay 5Cabo Dos Bahias / Puerto Madryn
Farewell Bahia Bustamante!
It is time to say goodbye to this lovely Lodge! At the appropriate time, you will have a transfer to Puerto Madryn.
En route visit Cabo Dos Bahias Natural Reserve. From November to April in the reserve, you can view the penguin colony. About three kilometers away, rocky slopes afford views of the first fur seal colony on the continent. This species is currently protected by the reserve. The site also offers an incredible view of the steppe, and you can also see some guanacos.
Later, you will have lunch at Camarones, a small port that displays Patagonian architecture.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Hotel Dazzler or similar
FDay 6Valdes Peninsula and whale watching
Your full-day enjoying the beautiful landscapes of this area begins with a drive along National Route Nº 3 to reach the entrance of the Valdes Peninsula. After crossing the Ameghino Isthmus, where you can view Golfo San José and Golfo Nuevo, you enter the Peninsula and the road leads you to Puerto Piramides.
On the way, you will be able to see some of the local wildlife, including guanacos, lesser rheas, Patagonian foxes, hairy armadillos, maras, and important rookeries protecting large colonies of South American sea lions, dolphin gulls, and kelp gulls.
Puerto Pirámides is a beach that, with its gentle slopes, is protected by cliffs resembling pyramids, where there are fossilized invertebrates more than 9 million years old.
Enjoy a whale watching navigation that departs from Piramides Port. The whale watching trip starts going along the coast in both directions and then getting one or two miles into the sea, to get in touch with the Southern Right Whales. The first stop is generally at La Lobería (sea lion colony). The sailing along the coast allows one to also watch many cormorant colonies. They build their nests against the cliff and there they also breed and raise their babies. You can also observe other specimens of the coastal bird fauna.
We will continue our navigation to meet the whales. Once we meet them, magic will start. The boat will stop the engines and silence will begin to reign, interrupted only by the sounds of the sea and the occasional bird. In this scenario, the whales will appear next to the boat and we will manage to live together in harmony in the same space for as long as they decide. It will be a unique moment where, if we are lucky, we will be able to see them very close to us. The estimated sailing time will be 1:30 hs depending on the time of year, weather conditions and the number of animals in the area.
In order to get close to the whales, the “Patagonian Technique” will be used, which allows specialists to navigate and live with them. We will be able to see how the whales pass underneath the boat and approach at impressive distances. Whale watching is completely safe for two reasons: these mammals are extremely peaceful, and the boats have the appropriate safety equipment.
We will continue touring the southern part of the Peninsula, crossing wide landscapes of grasslands and undulations, passing through the Salinas Grande and Chica, and outside Punta Delgada, which constitutes the southern end of the peninsula. We will continue to Punta Cantor to admire the Atlantic coast and the fascinating geological formation known as Caleta Valdés. These beaches are usually inhabited by southern elephant seals, depending on the time of year. (Depending on the season and the availability of marine fauna, we can replace the southern area of Las Salinas and Caleta Valdés with Punta Norte.)
From there we will start our return making a stop at the Carlos Ameghino Interpretation Center, a compendium of the natural wealth of the peninsula. During the excursion we will have great chances to observe terrestrial wildlife, such as guanacos, rheas, foxes, maras, armadillos and skunks.
After enjoying the last views of the day, we will take you back to your hotel.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Hotel Dazzler or similar
GDay 7Puerto Madryn / Ushuaia
Enjoy the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport in Trelew for the flight to Ushuaia. In the southern end of Argentina, on the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, lies Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Located on the Beagle Channel and an impressive array of the sea, forests, lakes, and mountains, Ushuaia is a picturesque city that offers unexplored, untouched territories that invite visitors to discovery and adventure. The Yamanas, its first inhabitants, called it Ushuaia which means ‘protected bay’ in their language. It was officially incorporated into the Republic of Argentina in 1884, and it soon became a penal colony, in order to establish a permanent Argentine settlement.
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Cilene del Fuego or similar
HDay 8Tierra del Fuego National Park
Today you explore Tierra del Fuego National Park. The full-day excursion around the park includes an easy trek and a canoeing expedition. After traveling 10 km we will arrive and hike an 4-mile-long undulating coastal path. As you continue to walk down this path you will be in constant contact with nature and will be able to admire beautiful views from the lakes, sea, and surrounding mountains.
After the hike, near the banks of the Lapataia river, we will enjoy a comforting hot lunch with a great panoramic view from inside a heated dome.
Afterwards, you will be equipped with rubber boots, coverpants and lifejackets. The excursion will continue from Lake Acigami down the freshwater of Lapataia river aboard inflatable canoes (duckies) until reaching the sea in Lapataia Bay. The tour will end at the mentioned bay, where the National Route No 3 meet its southern end.
From there, you will be driven back to your hotel.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Cilene del Fuego or similar
IDay 9San Pablo Cape and Rolito
Every land has its own secrets but not everyone is chosen to know them. A lighthouse in a lonely cape, a mysterious sunken ship for 40 years, and a distinguished antique estancia are some of the icons that reveal the unknown stories of Tierra del Fuego.
Very early in the morning, leave Ushuaia with other guests following National Route 3 and crossing The Andes through the Garibaldi Pass. Stop by the little town of Tolhuin, heart of the island, to visit La Unión Bakery. This is a traditional meeting point for both locals and visitors and it is part of the charm of this village. By midday we came to the Provincial Route “A”, where we took a gravel road heading toward the Atlantic Ocean and the San Pablo Cape. At this point, we hike up to an isolated mountain with an abandoned lighthouse at the end.
Climbing to the top of this beacon, you can appreciate The Desdemona, an abandoned ship for almost 40 years ago which invites us to sail through time. It happened on a cold winter morning in 1983; when this enormous craft ran aground on the shores of the Argentine Sea. After exploring this mysterious giant, we visit the Estancia Rolito. This lovely ranch, that keeps the spirit of a family business based on sheep farming tradition, is the first ranch to open its gates to rural tourism.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Cilene del Fuego or similar
JDay 10Ushuaia / El Calafate
Enjoy the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to the local airport to board the flight to El Calafate. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
In El Calafate, you will find yourself at the gateway to the majestic world of glaciers. This town is near Lake Argentino, a green water surface covering 1,600 sq km. El Calafate connects you with the most interesting and magical features of Argentina’s geography. Some of the most beautiful landscapes in the western hemisphere are found in the Patagonian Andes. Numerous lakes fed by glacial run-off reflect the majesty of the snow-capped peaks, and the mountainsides are covered by primeval forests of sub-antarctic beech trees.
Welcome to Nibepo Aike Ranch
The estancia is located inside of Los Glaciares National Park. With a maximum capacity of 22 persons in its ten rooms, exclusiveness and warmth are guaranteed. The main house is a typical Patagonian construction converted into a Hostería de Campo, which preserves its original features and offers the greatest warmth. The stay allows you to experience the authentic life of the Patagonian estancias: rural activities, horseback riding, hiking, bicycles, everything before the imposing view of the Andes mountain range.
After checking in, the host will tell explain the activities planned for the next couple of days. They vary according to climatic conditions and the calendar of rural activities in which it is possible to participate: work in the corrals (taming, milking), harnessing and shearing. In other words, you will be part of the rural activity that does not stop throughout the year.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging
Nibepo Aike Hosteria or similar
KDay 11 South Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park
Today you will visit Los Glaciares National Park, located in the Patagonian Continental Ice-cap.
At the appropriate time, we will begin enjoying the “Pioneros” experience that Estancia Nibepo Aike has to offer, meeting at the Glaciar Sur dock in the afternoon.
Once there, we will embark on a boat trip to the Brazo Rico and disembark at Playa de las Monedas, where we will take a gentle walk through a lenga forest until we reach a lookout at Las Rocas, offering a privileged first view of the Perito Moreno Glacier.
Afterward, we will reboard the boat to sail in front of the south face of the Perito Moreno Glacier, enjoying a whisky on glacier ice and chocolates. We will disembark and head to the glacier walkways to appreciate all its fronts and ice falls, away from the crowds.
Once the tour ends, we will return by boat from the Bajo de la Sombra dock to the Glaciar Sur dock for you to continue your stay at Nibepo Aike.
Note: If, for any reason, the boat ride (either in full or partially) or the return to Estancia Nibepo Aike cannot be provided due to weather conditions, the alternative plan consists of driving to the Perito Moreno Glacier from the estancia and, if possible, taking the boat trip in front of the glacier, as well as returning to the estancia by land. No refunds will be made.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Estancia Nibepo Aike or similar
LDay 12Nibepo Aike
Relax and enjoy a full day of activities at Estancia Nibebo Aike. (Activities may vary with the weather.) Horse-riding, hiking and rural work at the estancia are just some of the activities you may enjoy.
Various trails allow you to explore the corners of the ranch, discover its flora and fauna. Twelve thousand hectares of mountains and natural pastures with a privileged landscape on the shores of the South Arm of the Argentino Lake. The Cachorro River valley, with its ñires and lengas forests that precede it; the shore of Lake Argentino and La Angostura, where its glacial waters bounce off the rain from Lake Roca; the milestone border, which is exciting when arriving; the positions distributed by the mountains; the slopes of Cerro Cristal. All these are some of the routes that can be done on foot, on horseback, or by bicycle. As if that were not enough, from certain panoramic points you can see the Perito Moreno Glacier and the Hidden Glaciers, the southernmost of the National Park.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Estancia Nibepo Aike or similar
MDay 13Return to Buenos Aires
You will be picked up from the hotel to be transferred to the local airport and board the flight to Buenos Aires, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Palo Santo Hotel or similar
NDay 14Buenos Aires / Onward
At the appropriate time, you will be transferred from the hotel to the international airport for your onward flight.
Meals
Breakfast
Anticipated plan; actual route and program may vary.
Rates Per Person
Need to Know
Rates Per Person -
Land Cost
$8,800
Single Supplement
+ $1,600
Domestic airfare not included; December holiday surcharge may apply
The Patagonian climate:
The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the winds that circle the Antarctic land mass. Also, both the strong marine influence and the South Patagonic Ice Field influence makes the weather hard to predict. During the spring or early summer, fine weather may deteriorate without much warning, bringing unexpected rains and sometimes snow. Even in the summer (December to March) you should be prepared to find strong, cold winds and rainfall. The average summer temperature is 11ºC/52ºF.
Recommended packing list:
Day pack, trekking boots, comfortable shoes, warm parka and windbreaker, sweater, light pullover or sweatshirt, gloves, hat, bandanna, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle, camera and extra batteries.
We are happy to have you participate in a Journeys International program!
Please read these terms and conditions thoroughly. They contain information that will be important to your planning and guide how we will handle any circumstances that may change in the midst of planning or while a program is underway. If after reading our materials and talking with our staff you decide to participate in a Journeys International program, please send us your deposit along with your completed Reservation Form and Explorer Information Forms. Important: Your booking is only complete once we receive your deposit, completed Reservation Form, and completed Explorer Information Form, and once we have confirmed that space is available.
Pricing and Payment
We will confirm your reservations once we receive a non-refundable booking deposit, a Reservation Form signed by each person responsible for payment, and an Explorer Information Form signed by each participating adult or the guardian for each participating child, and if space is available. Custom programs during holiday seasons may require a deposit prior to confirmation. The deposit contributes to non-recoverable costs of holding space and servicing your booking through the stages of preparation, execution, and follow-up and cannot be refunded if you choose to cancel.
We charge an additional planning fee of $250 per program for preparing customized proposals. This fee may be credited to your total cost upon booking, but it is non-refundable if you choose not to finalize your reservation.
Prices are stated in U.S. Dollars, based on double room occupancy, unless otherwise noted. We will send an invoice for your total estimated cost when we send your reservation confirmation. The balance as shown on your invoice is due 60 days prior to your program start date regardless of whether any arrangements are still pending. Although we do our best to avoid increasing prices after we receive your deposit, in some cases it may be necessary to adjust pricing after we receive payment to allow for changes in group size, rooming status, currency exchange rate fluctuations, fuel surcharges and/or other circumstances attendant to the challenges of adventure.
Late payments may jeopardize confirmation of your program participation and in some cases may result in additional fees. If we have not received final payment 30 days prior to departure, then your reservation may be canceled subject to our Cancellation & Refund Policy stated below.
Payment for airfare is required at the time of ticketing. Discounts that may be available are not available toward bookings made through third-party travel agencies, advisors, or planners.
We accept payments by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or check drawn on a U.S. bank account. Paying by credit card offers you certain consumer protections, including the ability to initiate a chargeback if you believe we have committed consumer fraud. You may not use credit card chargeback as an alternative to compliance with your agreement with these terms and conditions.
Late Signups
Early reservations are encouraged! Some programs and flights fill several months in advance. We can confirm your space once we receive your deposit and signed Reservation and Explorer Information Forms. We try, but cannot guarantee, to accept late signups. In the event that we are able to accept reservations fewer than 60 days before a program’s start date, additional fees may apply to cover administrative costs necessary to expedite your reservation confirmation and transmit your program materials. For reservations made fewer than 60 days in advance of your program’s start, full payment is due at the time of booking.
Program Changes
We understand that circumstances arise that lead you to inquire about changes to your custom program, and we aim to satisfy your requests. Once activities and accommodations have been confirmed, we charge a $50 change fee, in addition to the difference in costs for the services booked. When changes are requested less than one week before your program’s start, the change fee is $100. For changes requested after a program has begun, the change fee is $200.
Journeys International reserves the right to change or reprice any program due to acts of insurrection, strikes, weather, road conditions, acts of God or government, or any other force majeure or cause beyond the company’s control. Journeys International cannot guarantee conformity with the provided program plan at any point in time. Among other things, if necessary Journeys International may change the scheduled dates of a program; omit or alter sections of the plan; substitute lodgings, leaders, or conveyances; or change meals, activities, or waypoints; all without notice and without allowance for refunds and with participants bearing the responsibility for increased costs, if any. Should this become necessary, Journeys International will not be liable for extra costs that participants may incur as a result of changes, including but not limited to flight change fees, additional meal costs, or additional accommodations. We strongly recommend that participants purchase Travel Protection Plans, or travel insurance, adequate to cover such costs.
Cancellations & Refunds
If you must cancel before your program begins, please notify Journeys International in writing by emailing info@journeysinternational.com or writing to your adventure specialist directly. You may request a refund according to the following schedule. Some programs require additional non-refundable payments beyond this schedule, as noted in the program description. In the case of cancellation, such amounts are withheld in addition to the amounts listed here.
Days Prior to Departure
Cancellation Penalty
61 or more
Non-refundable booking deposit and planning fee, if applicable
31-60
Non-refundable booking deposit and planning fee, if applicable, plus 50% of total land costs above amount of initial deposit
0-30
100% of total land costs
Please note: cancellation of airfare, other transit, lodging, and ticketed tours and activities is subject to the policies of the individual carriers or providers and is not included in the schedule above. Additional cancellation fees are the responsibility of the traveler. We strongly recommend that all participants purchase Travel Protection Plans, or travel insurance, that includes coverage for trip cancellation or interruption and that may reimburse you for cancellation penalties and extra expenses should a circumstance force you to cancel or interrupt your participation.
Departure is defined as the date on which travelers will leave their home state, province or city, or the program start date as indicated on the program description, whichever comes first. Cancellation date will be considered the date that we receive written notification of your intent to cancel according to the local time observed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Payments due at the time of cancellation remain the responsibility of the participant. No partial refunds are possible for unused hotel rooms, air or land travel, program days, or other sight-seeing arrangements included in the land cost.
If Journeys International cancels or postpones a program before the program starts for reasons completely within its discretion, such as but not limited to insufficient group size, all money for services described in the program description will be refunded in the form of credit towards a future program with Journeys in the same location originally planned, less unrecoverable fees and penalties already paid to airlines, accommodations, or other service providers, or the client may submit a written request for a refund to the original form of payment. If a program’s cancellation is necessary due to acts of insurrection, strikes, weather, road conditions, acts of God or government, or any other force majeure or cause beyond the company’s control, credits and refunds will be issued according to the standard cancellation schedule, less unrecoverable fees and penalties already paid to airlines, accommodations, or other service providers, without regard to whether client or company initiates cancellation or postponement. Once a program begins, there are no refunds for unused goods or services.
Air Fares
We can help you to secure air travel arrangements for Journeys International programs. We work with an airfare consolidator to assist in booking the flights that suit your needs. Journeys International and/or the airfare consolidator may charge a ticketing fee for this service. For group programs, if you prefer to fly on dates other than those listed as program dates, or if you arrive at your destination other than at the group arrival time, then you may incur additional fees to cover the separate transfer, contingency, and coordination costs which frequently arise from arrival and departure on flights different from our regular bookings. We will let you know about these fees ahead of time, if they apply. If you must change your air routing after ticketing, there is a charge of $50 per change, in addition to change or cancellation charges levied by the airline.
If you decide to make your own flight arrangements, you must provide Journeys International with a complete copy of your itinerary showing departure and arrival flights and times. You should plan to arrange your own air travel if you are using mileage credit or originating outside North America, but please be in touch with our office before you finalize ticketing so that we may help you to coordinate the correct arrival and departure dates and times. If you arrange your own flights, we can book ground transfers to meet you on arrival in your destination if you wish, and you agree to pay additional costs, as applicable.
Transfers Between Programs
You may transfer between some programs upon written request. More than 60 days before your program start date, the deposit transfer fee is $100 per person plus any cancellation fees charged by airlines, hotels, or ground service providers. 60 days or fewer before the program start date, full cancellation penalties from the original program apply. In the event that Journeys International cancels a program, you may transfer the full amount of your payments to another program without penalty, subject to availability.
Expenses Covered
Normally, our stated total costs include the costs of all guides, leaders, facilities, permits obtained after arrival, lodging accommodations, costs of described activities, food as specified, and all surface transportation associated with the activities described in the itinerary. We do our best to avoid increasing prices after receipt of your deposit, but factors beyond our control might require us to change our prices without prior notice, even after you have signed up.
Expenses Not Covered
Costs not included in the price may include: meals not indicated as included in program descriptions; meals prior to arrival in starting cities; transfers, if not arriving or departing on the scheduled group flights; soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages; medical expenses, costs of hospitalization, or evacuation from remote areas; laundry; airport departure taxes not included on your airline ticket; accommodations en route to starting cities; visas; airfares; gratuities; and insurance.
If a program must be modified due to medical emergency, acts of insurrection, strikes, weather, road conditions, acts of God or government, or any other force majeure or cause beyond the company’s control, then the participant may incur additional costs that are not included in the program price. We strongly recommend that all participants purchase Travel Protection Plans, or travel insurance, to cover these risks.
Travel Insurance
Journeys International strongly recommends that you purchase a Travel Protection Plan, or travel insurance, sufficient to protect your investment in travel, personal assets and health during your program. Doing so will mitigate a significant amount of financial risk and decrease your need to worry about things beyond your control. We do not require you to purchase such travel insurance; however, we know many travelers who have benefited from purchasing travel insurance because the insurance carrier assumed risks that would otherwise have been the risk of the traveler. Travel Protection Plans often cover things like theft, baggage loss, trip interruption or cancellation, emergency evacuation, emergency medical treatment, flight delay or cancellation, airline or service provider bankruptcy, jury duty, personal or family sickness leading to cancellation, U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings about terrorism issued for the destination, and other risks as described in the insurance policy. In particular, consider the availability of higher-cost “Cancel for Any Reason” and/or “Interrupt for Any Reason” policies that may allow policy-holders to recoup a significant portion of trip costs under a much wider range of circumstances than standard policies may allow; we have seen travelers benefit from this selection when public health crises, personal turmoil, and civil unrest arose in their destinations. Please note that while we at Journeys will do our best to help you to have a pleasant and successful experience, Journeys International assumes no liability for many of the types of losses described above. If you choose not to purchase travel insurance and you suffer a loss, then you will be responsible for the associated costs.
For your convenience, we will provide a recommendation for an insurance carrier that offers competitive rates and has proven reliable, fair, and prompt in responding to claims, but we can offer no guarantee that our recommended carrier will meet your needs and you are welcome to contact any insurance carrier that you prefer. It is important to obtain insurance immediately upon signing up for your program in order for problems arising from pre-existing conditions to be covered.
All participants must be covered by a current major medical insurance policy that covers you while in your travel destination for the duration of your trip. For some individuals or for some destinations, it may be advisable to purchase a supplemental policy. Contact your provider for coverage details.
Group-Sized Pricing & Group Minimums
Many programs are guaranteed to depart at prices published on our website with as few as two participants. In some cases, it may become necessary to increase prices depending on the size of the group. We do everything we can to make a program operate as planned even with a single participant. Additional costs for small groups vary from program to program. When pricing for a group program is based on the number of participants, staff and guests of Journeys International (such as topic experts, journalists, photographers, leaders-in-training, or others) are not included in the numbers counted to determine the price. Final decision to cancel a program due to insufficient signups is made at least 60 days prior to departure.
Lodging Accommodations
Lodging accommodations are usually double occupancy in hotel rooms, tents, or other facilities as described in trip itineraries. Please contact our office to discuss pricing and availability of alternative accommodations, if desired. We try to honor specific requests for lodging, but in some cases, we may have to book and confirm equivalent-standard accommodations. In rare cases it may become necessary to make same-day or out-of-class substitutions.
If you are joining alone for a group program but would prefer a roommate, then let us know! We are often able to match solo participants. If a roommate is not available or if you prefer single accommodation, then you must pay the Single Supplement, if one applies. For some programs it is not possible to guarantee single accommodations.
Assumption of Risk
Throughout any program of Journeys International, certain risks and dangers may arise. These include, but are not limited to, travel by train, foot, automobile, aircraft, raft, boat or other means of conveyance; the hazards of traveling in rough or mountainous terrain; high altitude; undeveloped areas; the forces of nature; civil unrest; terrorism; labor interruption; close proximity to fellow program participants; exposure to illness or virus; and accident or illness in remote areas without means of rapid evacuations or availability of medical supplies and facilities. The unique nature of adventure programs entails inherent risks that may be involved in unique program activities and travel away from home and, in fact, the specific nature of these activities is often a reason for participation. Even if a trip or program is rated “easy” these dangers and risks are present. Journeys International and its agents and operators will have no liability regarding emotional distress, equipment, access to, or adequacy of medical care, evacuation plans, or emergency supplies that may be provided. When you sign the Explorer Information Form, you agree to participate in these activities with full knowledge of the dangers and risks involved and agree to assume all risks, including trauma, sickness, injury, and death.
While Journeys International intends that your experience be safe and comfortable, Journeys does not have legal or operational control or ownership of facilities, staff, services, or transportation providers and acts only as agent for the owners of such facilities, staff, services, and transportation. Journeys International is not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act by any such person or entity, nor for any act or inaction of any third party not under its control.
In consideration of the right to participate in Journeys International programs and the service arranged for you by Journeys International and its agents and representatives, you unconditionally and fully assume all risks of bodily injury, death, emotional trauma, property damage, and/or theft, however caused, including those mentioned above, as a result of participation, and release Journeys International, its agents, and its representatives from any and all liability, actions, causes of actions, suits, debts, demands that you may have, including for bodily injury, death, or property damage, loss of income, and other claims.
Fitness to Join
Good physical and mental health are essential for the enjoyment of Journeys International’s programs. It is your responsibility to select/design a trip appropriate to your own abilities and interests. You are responsible for being in sufficiently good health to undertake your trip, and for consulting with your physician for medical advice regarding travel. On some Journeys International programs, participants travel in rugged areas remote from modern medical facilities. Good physical conditioning is recommended as preparation for all programs, especially those involving hiking or trekking. Most programs require some walking. By signing the Explorer Information Form, participants certify that they are fit for rigorous activity and do not have any physical, mental, or other condition that would create a hazard for him/herself or other participants. It is essential that any participant with a medical condition requiring regular treatment or which may be affected by vigorous activity, prolonged travel, high altitude, heat, cold, natural phenomena, or particular foods, notify Journeys International in writing prior to booking. We assume no responsibility for medical care, and we cannot guarantee meeting special dietary requirements or vegetarian needs. Participants may be required to furnish a physician’s statement of good health for some programs.
Journeys International’s or the individual group leader’s or guide’s judgment shall provide the ultimate determination of an individual’s fitness to embark upon, or to continue, a program. Journeys International reserves the right to refuse reservations or deny participation to anyone whom it deems unsuitable for a program or certain activities. Once a reservation has been confirmed, medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. All participants must be covered by a current major medical insurance policy for the duration of their participation. Proof of such coverage may be required.
Personal Conduct
You are responsible for acting in a manner considerate and respectful of fellow group members and local culture in areas visited.
You are responsible for reading all health-related information provided in advance of the program, adhering to all guidance given by guides and site staff, and conforming to the established standards of personal hygiene to minimize risk of disease. This may include a requirement to wear a face mask when in proximity to other people, whether indoors or outdoors, or other measures intended to limit the spread of disease; failure to do so when requested may result in your dismissal from the program.
Certain activities included in your program may require specific safety precautions. You are responsible for listening to instructions, adhering to guidance, and following the protocols provided for safety throughout the program. If you are unsure about safety precautions, you are responsible for seeking advice. If guides or staff perceive your behavior as risky, uncooperative, or otherwise unsafe, they may remove you from an activity for the safety of yourself and others.
Smoking or vaping are not permitted in buses, cars, below decks on boats, in tented camps, in designated non-smoking areas, or during guided tours and activities. Participants agree not to consume cannabis for the duration of the program and understand that possession or use of cannabis may be illegal and subject to severe punishment in some destinations. Participants agree to follow all local laws in the jurisdiction(s) where the program takes place and acknowledge that Journeys International cannot be responsible for ensuring participants’ compliance nor for any costs or consequences of non-compliance.
Sexual harassment or misconduct of any sort by Journeys program participants is not tolerated. You may not make jokes or sexually suggestive comments or gestures regarding the bodies or bodily activities of fellow participants, program staff, site staff, or any people you encounter during your program. You may not touch fellow participants, program staff, site staff, or any people you encounter during your program unless invited. You may not solicit sexual services during the dates of your participation in a Journeys program.
Environmental Stewardship
Journeys International believes that we have a responsibility to protect the earth for future generations. Tourism may be responsible for up to eight percent of annual worldwide emissions of greenhouse gasses. Journeys International advocates that adventure travelers who make environmentally conscious choices when selecting their destinations and activities should also make the environmentally conscious choice to offset the carbon footprint of their travel to compensate for their personal contributions to global climate change. Every Journeys International invoice includes an optional donation to the Earth Preservation Fund’s carbon offset program to be used to purchase and permanently retire certified carbon credits to offset the carbon footprints of Journeys’ program participants. The Earth Preservation Fund purchases carbon credits that have been certified under a reliable third-party standard. Participants who choose to make this donation may also be eligible to claim a tax deduction. There is no penalty for opting out of this donation.
Recording
Journeys International may take photographic, audiographic, and videographic recordings during your program, and may use your image and voice for promotional and commercial use without compensation.
Planning & Preparation Services
We look forward to working with you! After we receive your deposit, we will send you a planning packet containing things like medical and immunization information, visa and other permit forms, a recommendation for travel insurance, packing checklist, reading list, cross-cultural information, and an initial invoice for the balance due. About 3 weeks before your program begins, we will send you a final notes packet including last-minute reminders and contact information for your program. You are responsible for reading all information provided, and for bringing all clothing and equipment noted on the packing list. If you are leaving home before the scheduled trip departure date, please let us know how we can best reach you in case any details change in the days immediately prior to your program’s start.
Please call our office at any time if you have questions about your trip or for additional information.
Duration 14 Days
The number of days, or duration, in a destination corresponds with the itinerary as published. This is the time period covered by the land cost.
Group Size From 2 - 12
The stated range indicates minimum required for guaranteed departure and maximum accepted on the scheduled dates. Exceptions can often be made for private departures.
Comfort Level
Superior
Activity Level
Active
Easy hiking and adventure activities with overland travel
Why Journeys International
Our purpose is to understand the journey you are on – not just the vacation you want to take – and to help you on your way.
We are here to help you plan the trip that will move you closer to your goals and help you fulfill your dreams.
We are here to help you plan a more inspiring, more provocative, more breathtaking, more transformational adventure.
We say “adventure” and not “trip” because, for us, a trip is just going someplace else, but an adventure is an experience that takes you someplace beyond your comfort zone – and therefore maximizes the potential for wonder, discovery, and potentially transformation.
Why trust Journeys to plan that kind of experience with you?
Journeys is an award-winning industry-leader with more than 40 years in business planning creative and thoughtful adventures in interesting places around the world
Our staff is professional and devoted, with adventure specialists in Ann Arbor and guides in the field who take pride in traveler satisfaction; many stay with us for decades
Our Ecological Code of Ethics has long stood as a model for others, and our Earth Preservation Fund puts our money where our mouth is
We go to the farthest corners of the earth – you’ll see some pretty remote destinations on our list, and if you want to challenge us with something new, we’ll likely be willing (though we’ll make sure you know if we’ve never experienced it firsthand)
We’re real people like you, starting with the real person who will answer the phone, right through the owner, Robin Pollak, who you can talk to any time you want (or even her parents, Joan & Will Weber, who started the company!)
We ask lots of questions and get to know you as well as possible to we can design the best experience for YOU
Your unique itinerary includes sites, accommodations, activities, and meetings with people hand selected for personal goals, passions, interests and abilities
Your personal adventure specialist stays with you from trip planning through departure to answer all your questions – promptly – and make sure every detail is handled so you are well prepared for your trip
Our partners on the ground in your destination will welcome you as a friend of a friend; we’ve been working with many of them for ages
We’re open and clear, and offer a complete picture of what you can expect while traveling. We don’t want to make an easy sale; we want to make an honest one.
24-hour emergency phone support while traveling
We’ll be excited to hear about the trip when you get back, and take all feedback seriously
Our travelers come back again and again, for five, ten, or more adventures — and they trust us enough to send their friends to us, too
We love what we do, and we love sharing our common passion with you.
Match the trip’s intensity to your ability and motivation.
Gentle
Easy walking, with opportunities for low-key physical activity.
Active
Energetic exploration with optional day hikes, leisurely cycling, or light canoeing.
Vigorous
Day-long active excursions and options for demanding activity in varied environments.
Challenging
Strenuous hiking or other intense activity that may be at high altitude or over rough terrain.
Demanding
Multi-day trekking and other activities requiring endurance or strength. Steep trails. No technical expertise necessary.
Comfort Level
Choose accommodations and amenities that fit your personal style
Simple
Our most natural accommodations. Bath facilities often shared, sometimes rustic.
Delightful
Comfortable and especially personal. Small to mid-sized lodges, typically with private bath.
Superior
Lodges and hotels with additional amenities, refined artistry, or extra-special settings.
Deluxe
Exclusive or luxury lodges, hotels, or safari camps with fine dining options.
Uncommon
The most indulgent accommodations arranged specially for private trips.
Single Supplement
The single supplement is applicable if a roommate is not available or if single accommodation is specifically requested. While single accommodation is not available on all trips, we will try and honor this request whenever possible.