Behold the natural beauty so prevalent throughout the Andes mountains that sprawl across Chile and Argentina, the highlight being a series of lake crossings by catamaran. Although you will explore cities such as the Chilean capital of Santiago, the focus will be the great outdoors, especially in the national parks. Much of that landscape is volcanically formed and absolutely pristine with majestic mountains, thundering waterfalls and dense forests being the dominant features. The guide will describe their attributes to enhance your appreciation for these natural wonderlands.
Special Note: Guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour.
DAY 1
After flying from Australia to the Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in Santiago, Chile, you will meet a representative and transfer to The Singular Hotel for check-in and to spend the evening. Although lunch will be on your own, dinner will be served at the hotel.
DAY 2
After breakfast at the hotel, you will begin a highlights tour of Santiago, Chile’s capital city. As you drive through the winding streets and grand avenues downtown, you will view numerous architectural styles, including 19th-century neoclassical, Art Deco, neo-gothic and newer modern styles. Landmarks along the way include the presidential palace La Moneda and the cathedral that overlooks the Plaza de Armas.
You will pass through newer residential areas on the way to Los Dominicos, a handicraft market in the district Las Condes. As you stroll about the market, you will see artisans working in copper, wool, ceramics, lapis lazuli semi-precious stone and other indigenous materials.
After visiting, you will return to the hotel for dinner and to spend the evening.
DAY 3
After breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will transfer to the airport for the flight to Puerto Montt. Upon arriving, you will transfer to Puerto Varas for check-in at Las Cumbres Hotel to spend the evening. Dinner will be served at the hotel.
DAY 4
After breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will begin a Lakes Crossing experience that combines scenic drives with cruises across pristine Andean lakes.
While driving to Petrohué, you will pass Lake Llanquihue and admire the views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes that dominate the landscape. A stop in the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park will allow you to see the waterfalls and volcanic rock formations at Saltos del Petrohué.
You will then sail by catamaran to Peulla, navigating across Lake Todos los Santos. If the weather permits, you will enjoy different perspectives of the Osorno, Puntiagudo and Cerro Tronador volcanoes.
After arriving in Peulla, you will check in at the Natura Hotel and enjoy lunch. The afternoon will be at leisure. Dinner will be served at the hotel, where you will spend the evening.
DAY 5
After breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will drive to Puerto Frías, passing through Customs at the border between Chile and Argentina.
You will cross the Andes Mountains, sail across Lake Frías, and head to Puerto Alegre. There, you will take a bus to Puerto Blest followed by lunch. Afterwards, you will enjoy yet another cruise across Lake Nahuel Huapi to the city of Bariloche.
Upon arrival, you will check in at the hotel for the evening. Dinner will be served at the hotel or at a nearby restaurant.
DAY 6
After breakfast, you will enjoy a scenic sightseeing tour with an easy hike in Bariloche surroundings with impressive vistas and stunning landscapes. The guide will describe the flora, fauna and history of Nahuel Huapi National Park. There, in a secluded area around a naturally beautiful bay, you will enjoy a delightful lunch al fresco accompanied by Argentinian Malbec wines.
Dinner will be served at the hotel, where you will spend another evening, or at a local restaurant.
DAY 7
After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Once you arrive, you will transfer to the pier and embark the cruise ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step
• The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed.
• Itineraries with the most up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with updated details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
• The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
• A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
Fly into the Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport
Transfer to the hotel for check in at approximately 3:00 pm.
Lunch on your own
Dinner at 8pm at The Singular Hotel
Overnight at The Singular Hotel or similar
DAY 2
8:00am Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Tour Santiago
Lunch and afternoon at leisure
8:00pm Dinner at The Singular Hotel
Overnight at The Singular Hotel or similar
DAY 3 – timings below are subject to actual flight details
8:00am Breakfast at the hotel and check out
8:15am Transfer to the Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport
10:25am Fly to Puerto Montt (flight details TBA and subject to change)
12:15pm Arrive in Puerto Montt
Transfer to Las Cumbres Hotel in Puerto Varas
2:00pm Check in at the hotel and lunch
Afternoon at leisure
8:00pm Dinner at the hotel
Overnight at Las Cumbres Hotel or similar
DAY 4
7:00am Breakfast at the hotel and check out
8:00am Drive to Petrohue to visit Osorno Volcano and Llanquihue Lake
10:30am Catamaran cruise to Peulla through Todos los Santos Lake
12:30pm Arrive at Peulla Eco Village for lunch
8:00pm Dinner at Natura Hotel
Overnight at Natura Hotel or similar
DAY 5
7:00am Breakfast at the hotel and check out
9:00am Drive to Frias River . Catamaran across Frias Lake and drive to Puerto Blest
You will cross the border from Chile into Argentina
10:00am Catamaran to Puerto Pañuelo across Nahuel Huapi Lake
12:00pm Lunch and drive to Bariloche
3:00pm Visit Bariloche. Check in at the hotel
8:00pm Dinner at the hotel
Overnight at El Casco Hotel
DAY 6
7:00am Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Easy hike within Bariloche with lunch
Afternoon at leisure
8:00pm Dinner at the hotel
Overnight at El Casco Hotel
DAY 7 – timings below are subject to actual flight details
7:00am Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Transfer to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires
12:00nn Fly to Buenos Aires (flight details TBA and subject to change)
2:30pm Arrive at Buenos Aires and transfer to the pier for embarkation
Extra Nights
• All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.
• If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 7 of the program.
Transfers
? All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up-to-date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
? Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
? Should you have a flight that departs late in the day, you may wish to book an extra night so that you can occupy your room until departure. Otherwise, you must vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Expected Weather
Seasons in South America are exactly opposite of those in North America. Rain can fall at any time of the year. Hot humid climate should be expected during the summer (December-March). Nevertheless Patagonian destinations might be cooler.
Average High 90°F
Average Low 65°F
Mean 74°F
What to Bring
Comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunglasses, layered clothing, wind/water-resistant jacket. Passport, Camera, sunscreen, cash, credit cards and local currency. Do not bring unnecessary items such as keys or large electronic devices that might get lost or damaged.
Currency
The official Argentine currency is the Argentinean Peso. USD are widely accepted.
Electricity
220 volts A.C. (50 Hz). We recommend bringing your own travel adaptor if required.
Luggage
As you will be flying on a domestic flight, the luggage restrictions are as follows:
• 5kg/11lbs of carry-on luggage (1 carry on)
• 15kg / 33lbs of checked-in luggage
Any excess luggage will be stored at the hotel in Buenos Aires, where you will receive it upon your return. Be sure to bring necessary medications, valuables and documents with you.
Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations)
1. Guests must obtain a doctor’s certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.
2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type).
3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at Oceania Cruises at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).
4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which the cruise line nor our local ground operator be responsible for.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A passport that is valid at least 6 months after travel is required. Please check with your local embassy for any visa requirements for your nationality.
VERY IMPORTANT – The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase, otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.
Failure to have the required documents ahead of time will result in denial of travel and guests will have to pay for any expenses incurred in order to not proceed with the program.
Aircraft type (subject to change):
Boeing 737/800 (116-134 seats)
Airbus 320 (120-180 seats)
Boeing 737/700 (136 seats)
Accommodations
The Singular Hotel
Merced 290 A 294 B Ltc 8320000 Santiago
Phone: +56 2 2306 8800
Las Cumbres Hotel
Av. Imperial 0561 5551595 Puerto Varas Los Lagos
Phone: +56 65 222 2000
?
Natura Hotel
Peulla s/n Puierto Varas 5550000 Peulla
Phone: +56 9 4020 6526
El Casco Hotel
Av. Bustillo Km 11.5 R8400GHH San Carlos de Bariloche
Phone: +54 294 446-3131
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.
Land Cost Includes
? 2 nights at the The Singular Hotel or similar hotel and breakfast
? 2 nights at the El Casco Hotel or similar hotel and breakfast
? 1 night at the Las Cumbres Hotel or similar hotel and breakfast
? 1 night at the Natura Hotel or similar hotel and breakfast
? Transfers and tours as indicated in the itinerary
? Meals as indicated in the itinerary
? 2 days of lake crossings
? Economy-class flights between Santiago de Chile and Puerto Montt and Bariloche and Buenos Aires. Direct flights are not guaranteed.
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Land Cost Excludes
? Any hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
? Any meals or beverages not mentioned above
? Gratuities to drivers and guides
? Visa fees
? Excess or overweight luggage fees
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change.
Land programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability.
