Treasures of Argentina and Chile

From $5595.00, per person, plus airfare and V.A.T., based on double occupancy.

Operated by Alumni Holidays International (AHI)

Explore the majestic natural and architectural diversity in Argentina and Chile!  Don’t miss this unique travel experience—a perfect blend of picturesque land and cityscapes, authentic South American cuisine and luxurious accommodations.

ITINERARY

Day 1
Depart your gateway city for Buenos Aires, Argentina, aboard scheduled jet service. (Provided for Air Package participants only.)

Day 2
Arrive at the Buenos Aires airport and transfer by deluxe motorcoach to the Caesar Park Hotel. (Transfer provided for Air Package participants only.)

Independent Exploration:  The afternoon is at leisure.

This evening, attend a Welcome Reception.

Day 3
Lecture: Culture and History of Argentina and Chile.

Excursion: Highlights of Buenos Aires.  Explore this cosmopolitan city, including the Plaza de Mayo, where you will see the famous Casa Rosada. Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and see the Colon Theater, Avenida de Mayo and San Telmo’s antique shops and flea markets. Then, stop at La Boca, a charming Italian harbor district, the Palermo district and La Recoleta.

Day 4
Independent Exploration:  The day is yours to explore, shop or relax.

Optional Excursion: Tango.  This evening, enjoy a performance of exciting tango dancing and music.

Day 5
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, in Patagonia at the foot of the Andes Mountains. Upon arrival, check into the Llao Llao Hotel & Resort.

Day 6
Excursion: Andean Panorama.  Travel along the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. The largest of the area’s lakes, Nahuel Huapi’s peaceful inlets and lagoons provide amazing views of the Andes Mountains.

Day 7
Excursion: Andean Lakes Crossing.  This full-day crossing of the Andean Lakes takes you from Argentina to Chile and is one of the most unique travel experiences in the world. Cruise amid the beauty of the Andes and their volcanoes, rivers and waterfalls! The cruise ends in Puerto Varas, where you will disembark and transfer to the Hotel Cabañas del Lago.

Day 8
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Punta Arenas, Chile. Upon arrival, transfer to the MV Mare Australis.

Day 9
Excursion: Ainsworth Bay and Brookes Glacier.  Upon arrival in Ainsworth Bay near Martinelli Glacier, disembark the ship and walk to see a colony of elephant seals and a beaver dam. Later, you’ll also visit the habitat of a colony of Magellanic penguins. At Brookes Glacier Bay, marvel at the walls of ice and walk near Brookes Glacier.

Day 10
Excursion: Pia Glacier and Glacier Alley.  The ship navigates through the Beagle Channel to enter Pia Bay. Disembark and travel to a lookout point to view the mountain range where the Pia Glacier originates. Sail through majestic Glacier Alley to see the Spain, Romance, Germany, Italy, France and Holland glaciers.

Day 11
Excursion: Cape Horn and Puerto Williams.  This morning, disembark the ship in Cape Horn National Park to see Cape Horn, the 1,391-foot cliff where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans merge. Continue to Puerto Williams.

Day 12
This morning, the ship arrives in Ushuaia, where you will disembark.

Excursion: Ushuaia.  Spend the morning exploring Ushuaia. Surrounded by the Andes Mountains, coastal forests and the Beagle Channel, this city is the starting point for Antarctic voyages.

Later today, transfer to the airport for a flight to Buenos Aires, where you will board your return flight to North America. (Flight to North America provided for Air Package participants only.)

Day 13
Arrive at your gateway city.

Your Northwestern Host

Katie Wesner 

Katie Wesner, Assistant Director of Student Services for the Northwestern Alumni Association, was a senior income development representative for the North Shore Region of the American Cancer Society (ACS) prior to her arrival at Northwestern in July 2006. While at ACS, she worked on Northwestern University's “Relay for Life.” In 2003, Katie earned her undergraduate degree in journalism and mass communication with an emphasis in advertising from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.