Land
of Fire and Fjords:
Patagonia Aboard Via Australis April 18 ~ May 1, 2007 Includes 4 nights at the Explora Lodge
Itinerary U.S. / BUENOS AIRES
Dear Museum Traveler:
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 and THURSDAY, APRIL 19
Since 1899, when AMNH paleontologist Barnum Brown explored more than 800 miles of pampas collecting fossilized mammals, AMNH scientists have sought to illuminate the region’s scientific treasures. Ornithologists Rollo and Ida Beck sailed around Cape Horn to categorize the region’s hundreds of waterfowl; anthropologists Junius and Margaret Bird uncovered human fossils in South America; and evolutionary theorist George Gaylord Simpson collected fossils that shed light on the continent’s prehistory. The area’s geology of pampas, lakes, mountains, and glaciers, and its wealth of fossils, from prehistoric creatures to ancient humans, make Patagonia a natural wonder unlike anywhere else on earth. This year the American Museum of Natural History continues its exploration of this remarkable area. Begin in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, South America’s cultural melting pot and birthplace of the tango. Fly to Ushuaia and embark Via Australis, one of Tierra del Fuego’s top two expedition ships, for a four-night cruise through a labyrinth of channels, fjords, waterfalls, and glaciers. Spend three full days in Torres del Paine National Park—Patagonia’s crown jewel—surrounded by windswept steppes, monolithic granite peaks, and sheer, frozen cliffs. Enjoy accommodations in the heart of the park at the luxurious Explora Lodge, where every room features views of Macizo del Paine or the Salto Chico waterfall. Indulge in the Explora’s gourmet cuisine and five-star amenities, and choose from a daily menu of expert-led excursions throughout the park, which are organized by activity level. Our program concludes in the modern metropolis of Santiago, with a farewell lunch featuring Chile’s famous seafood and fine wines. Throughout the program, marvel at unique wildlife such as guanaco, rhea, Patagonian hare, and Magellanic penguin. Experienced study leaders Howard Topoff and Carol Simon, along with local naturalists and guides, enhance our appreciation of this astonishing region. Austral autumn is the ideal time to visit, when the winds have abated and the forests are tinged with russet and gold. Pristine because of its isolation, compelling for its natural beauty, Patagonia never fails to enchant. I hope you will join us on this remarkable program and discover the pleasures of Patagonia, a world unto itself. Warm regards,
Alicia V. Stevens Director, AMNH Expeditions American Museum of Natural History For more information, call 800-462-8687 or 212-769-5700, or fax 212-769-5755. Visit www.amnhexpeditions.org.
Magellanic Penguin
Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires. Arrive Thursday morning and transfer to the hotel. The morning and afternoon are free to rest or enjoy the nearby galleries, museums, and theatres. Gather at the Lola Restaurant this evening for a special reception and dinner. Loi Suites Recoleta Hotel (Meals aloft; R, D)
BUENOS AIRES FRIDAY, APRIL 20
Explore Argentina’s international melting pot, where even the architecture is multilingual. Tour the unusual Recoleta Cemetery, burial site of beloved populist Evita Peron. Stroll through the Plaza de Mayo and see the cathedral and Casa Rosada, the presidential palace. Visit the colorful artists’ district of La Boca, the birthplace of tango. Loi Suites Recoleta Hotel (B, L)
BUENOS AIRES / USHUAIA / EMBARK VIA AUSTRALIS SATURDAY, APRIL 21
Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. From the city’s picturesque harbor, embark Via Australis and set sail this evening through the Beagle Channel. Via Australis (B, L, D)
CAPE HORN / WULAIA BAY SUNDAY, APRIL 22
Navigate across the Beagle Channel, famously chartered by Captain Fitzroy and Charles Darwin in 1831. If weather permits, disembark at legendary Cape Horn, the last promontory of South America and turning point for ships sailing to the Pacific during the golden age of maritime exploration. Visit beautiful Wulaia Bay, a historic indigenous settlement. Via Australis (B, L, D) PIA GLACIER MONDAY, APRIL 23
Following in the wake of Magellan, cruise the Beagle Channel through Cover photo of Guanaco © Art Wolfe/DanitaDelimont.com Mail panel photos of Elephant seal pup, © Wolfgang Kaehler and Torres del Paine, Chile © Robert Harding/Getty
Itinerary continued
CHICO INLET / AGUILA GLACIER TUESDAY, A P R I L 2 4
Watch for penguin, dolphin, and South American sea lion swimming below, or Andean condor gliding overhead as Via Australis navigates the Magdalena Channel. Explore Chico Inlet by Zodiac craft and take a lakeshore walk to view the impressive Aguila Glacier.
Paine.” Additionally, more than 40 mammals make their home here, including guanaco, puma, and Patagonian gray fox, as well as some of the world’s rarest bird species—Andean condor, crested cara cara, and black vulture. Choose from a menu of daily excursions organized by activity level, and enjoy walking, hiking, and horseback riding activities throughout the park. There is
Chile
SHIP
Argentina
LAND AIR from Buenos Aires
Torres del Paine
Magdalena Island
Pacific Ocean
Punta Arenas Ushuaia
Atlantic Ocean
Pia Glacier
Cape Horn © Wolfgang Kaehler
the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Admire the sheer, densely wooded cliffs of the Cordillera Darwin Mountains, still partly unmapped and unexplored. Take a Zodiac boat excursion to the massive Pia Glacier. Via Australis (B, L, D)
to Santiago
Via Australis (B, L, D)
PUNTA ARENAS / TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK WEDNESDAY, A P R I L 2 5
Early in the morning, Via Australis calls at Magdalena Island, home to a colony of 120,000 nesting Magellanic penguin. Continue to historic Punta Arenas and disembark the ship. Drive across the southern pampas looking for herds of guanaco, a fine-boned cousin of the llama, and ostrich-like rhea. Red fox, Patagonian hare, black-necked swan, duck, geese, flamingo, and condor are also common to this region. Continue to Torres del Paine, South America’s largest national park, and check in to the worldrenowned Explora Lodge, your home for the next four nights. Explora Lodge (B, L, D)
TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK THURSDAY - S AT U R D AY, APRIL 26-2 8
Wake up to breathtaking views of the Macizo del Paine peaks or Salto Chico waterfall. The park contains nearly 1,000 square miles of natural wonders, from Grey Glacier’s brilliant blue ice sculptures; to Salto Grande, a glacial waterfall set against the 11,000-foot Grand Paine Mountains; to the famous “Towers of
La Boca, Buenos Aires
time to relax or explore the park on your own. At the end of each day, return to the Explora to enjoy sauna and massage services, and savor gourmet meals featuring local ingredients and Chile’s fine wines. Explora Lodge (B, L, D) TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK / SANTIAGO S U N D AY, A P R I L 2 9
This morning, transfer to Punta Arenas airport for an afternoon flight above the Andes to Santiago, with magnificent views of Chile’s Pacific coastline. Upon arrival, transfer to the elegant hotel in Santiago’s stylish Providencia neighborhood. Stroll at leisure among the statuestudded gardens, Spanish colonial homes, and numerous shops, galleries, and international restaurants. Santiago Park Plaza Hotel (B; meals aloft)
Study Leaders
Rhea
Howard Topoff has spent 30 years researching the social behavior, interrelations, and community structure of animals. His field research has been conducted in South and Central America, North America, and Africa. He is also a professor of biopsychology at City University of New York at Hunter College. A veteran of numerous tours, he and his wife, Carol Simon, are extremely popular lecturers and program leaders. Carol Simon’s research on the social behavior of lizards, plus her general interest in animal behavior and ecology, has taken her to many areas of South, Central, and North America. Over the past few years she has concentrated on possible functions of the “pineal eye” located on the roof of the skull in some lizard species. When not in the field, Dr. Simon teaches biology at New York’s City College.
SANTIAGO / U.S. MONDAY, APRIL 30 and TUESDAY, MAY 1
Set dramatically at the foot of the snowcapped Andes, Chile’s modern capital city still maintains its Old World charm. Discover Santiago’s vibrant mix of cultures in this morning’s city tour, which
includes La Chascona, former home of Nobel poet Pablo Neruda. After a festive farewell lunch of local specialties, transfer to the airport for an overnight flight to the U.S. Arrive in Miami on Monday morning to connect with flights home. (B, L; meals aloft)
Getty
Augusto Domínguez
Cerro Santa Lucía, Santiago
Explora Lodge
Torres del Paine, Chile
Optional Extension to Easter Island May 1- 4, 2007
Norberto Seebach
Located on the shores of Lago Pehoe in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, the luxurious Explora Lodge brings the magnificent natural world of Patagonia into intimate contact. Designed by noted Chilean architects German Del Sol Guzman and Jose Cruz Ovalle, all rooms offer views of Macizo del Paine or the Salto Chico waterfall. Amenities include a heated indoor lap pool, two outdoor Jacuzzis, sauna, exercise corner, massage salons, game room, dining room, and bar. Public spaces are also designed to showcase the marvelous scenery of the park.
Extend the program to Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, which features untouched volcanic landscapes and pristine beaches. Tour the Rano Rarku quarry where the astonishing moai were carved. Observe, in the company of an expert archaeologist, several ahu (stone platforms) with restored moai. Visit Orongo, the ceremonial center of the island’s birdman cult, where an intricate series of pictographs and petroglyphs relate the history of the cult. Extension details and rates will be provided with your program information mailing.
above: Explora Lodge and Cordillera de Paine category guestroom
Program rates per person based on double occupancy. For single accommodations, add $2,000 to Category B or A. Availability is limited. Categories B, A, and AA refer to cabin categories on the ship; see deck plan. Rio Paine, Salto Chico, Cordillera Paine, and Explorer’s Suite refer to room categories at the Explora Lodge. Air arrangements Tour rates do not include international airfare. Group flights will be offered from Miami to Buenos Aires with return from Santiago; as of June 2006, the cost of round-trip, economy class airfare is $1,300 per person. This fare is subject to change without notice. Our tour operator is happy to assist you in making individual air travel arrangements.
415
413
411
418
416
414
412
407 409
417
CABO DE HORNOS
417 415 413 411 409 407
DECK
SKY LOUNGE
418 416 414 412
TIERRA DEL FUEGO
Program Rates Include: All accommodations, meals, and activities as indicated in the itinerary ■ On-tour airfare from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, and from Punta Arenas to Santiago ■ Comprehensive AMNH educational program of lectures and excursions ■ Entrance fees for all group activities ■ Bottled water throughout program ■ Gratuities to porters, guides, and drivers for all group activities ■ Transfers and baggage handling for participants on recommended flight itinerary ■ Port taxes and government taxes ■ Pre-departure information, including packing list, map, and reading list ■ Services of a professional tour manager to assist you throughout the program Program Rates Do Not Include: International and U.S.-domestic airfare ■ Passport fees ■ Immunization costs ■ Meals and beverages other than those specified as included ■ Transfers and baggage handling for those not arriving or departing on recommended flight itinerary ■ Excess baggage charges ■ Trip-cancellation/interruption and baggage insurance ■ Personal items such as email, telephone and
fax calls, laundry, and gratuities for non-group services Reservations and Payments A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to confirm all reservations. Participants may confirm spaces immediately by calling or faxing American Museum of Natural History Expeditions with a MasterCard, VISA, American Express, or Discover Card credit card number. Checks, payable to the American Museum of Natural History, should be sent with the attached registration form. Check payments for reservations made by phone or fax must arrive within one week to confirm space. We cannot confirm reservations without a deposit. Final payment, payable by check, is due December 19, 2006, 120 days before departure. All tour prices and airfares quoted in this brochure are based on tariffs, costs, and exchange rates of the United States dollar that were in effect at the time of publication. Consequently, prices herein are subject to change. American Museum of Natural History Expeditions and the Tour Operator reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a participant at any time.
321 319
317 315 313 311 309
YAMANA LOUNGE 328 326 324 322 320
231 229 227 225
221 219
318 316 314 312
217 215 213 211 209 207 205 203 201
MAGALLANES 230 228 226 224 222 220
PATAGONIA
KITCHEN
One of the top two expedition ships in Tierra del Fuego, the comfortable, modern Via Australis was designed specifically for cruising the Patagonian waterways. The ship has 64 outsidefacing cabins, each with double or twin beds, panoramic window, en suite bathroom, individual temperature controls, and closet. Other amenities include ample deck space, two lounges with bars, library, game room, and single-seating dining room featuring regional and international cuisine served with fine local wines.
327 325
DINING ROOM
Via Australis
218 216 214 212
208 206 204 202
113 111 109
118 116 114 112
Category B ~ Rio Paine Rio Paine rooms are 193 sq. ft. with view of Salto Chico waterfall.
$6,890
Category A ~ Salto Chico Salto Chico rooms are 264 sq. ft. with view of Salto Chico waterfall.
$7,890
Category AA ~ Cordillera Paine Cordillera Paine rooms are 264 sq. ft. with famous view of Macizo del Paine peaks.
$8,890
Category AA ~ Explorer’s Suite Explorer’s Suite rooms are 396 sq. ft. with famous view of Macizo del Paine peaks.
$9,890
Cancellation Deposits are fully refundable if a written notice of cancellation is received by American Museum of Natural History Expeditions within 30 days; after that, they are 100% nonrefundable. Cancellations after final payment: 100% penalty. An application for cancellation insurance will be mailed with your confirmation. For your protection, cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. Refunds cannot be made to passengers who do not complete the tour for any reason at all. American Museum of Natural History Expeditions and the Tour Operator reserve the right, without penalty, to withdraw the tour announced (i.e., cancel a tour), to decline to accept any person as a participant in a tour, or to require any participant to withdraw from a
tour at any time at his/her own expense, when such action is determined by tour staff to be in the best interest of the health, safety, or general welfare of the tour group or the individual participant, and is subjected only to the requirement that the recoverable portion of the tour price that corresponds to the cost of unused services and accommodations be refunded, if any. Health All participants should be in good health and capable of walking over sometimes uneven, rough terrain. By forwarding the deposit for passage, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any physical or other condition of disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers.
Reservation Form
Land of Fire and Fjords
Patagonia April 18 ~ May 1, 2007 Aboard Via Australis Includes 4 nights at the Explora Lodge
Please send your completed reservation form and deposit to American Museum of Natural History Expeditions, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192. [ ] Enclosed is a check for $ ($1,000 per person) payable to the American Museum of Natural History. Please charge my deposit of $ ($1,000 per person) to my [ ] VISA [ ] MasterCard [ ] American Express [ ] Discover Card (Note: Credit cards are accepted for deposits only. Final payments must be made by check.)
ACCOUNT # /
/
EXP. DATE
SECURITY CODE
SIGNATURE
NAME 1 (PLEASE PRINT) NAME 2 (PLEASE PRINT) STREET CITY
STATE
(
)
(
ZIP )
HOME PHONE
WORK PHONE
FAX
(
)
Accommodations:
Category preference: 1ST CHOICE
2ND CHOICE
Single Applicants only: [ ] I prefer single accommodations. [ ] I plan to share accommodations with: [ ] Please arrange a share for me (not guaranteed). I am a [ ] non-smoker [ ] smoker.
Travel with AMNH Expeditions is a beneďŹ t of AMNH membership. If you are not already a member, please include a separate check with your deposit. [ ] Please enroll me as an Individual member ($70). [ ] Please enroll me as a Dual member ($90). [ ] Please enroll me as a Family member ($115). [ ] Please enroll me as a Contributor ($195). [ ] I am currently a member of AMNH.
.
Explora Lodge horseback expedition to Rio Serrano
Responsibility To ensure ethical behavior toward local ecosystems and peoples, American Museum of Natural History Expeditions (AMNHE) selects tour operators who have a demonstrated history of responsible tourism. It is clearly understood that AMNHE will provide the educational enrichment program and is in no way responsible for the operations of the Tour Operator (TO), local agents, and other transportation companies. AMNHE and the TO act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation, hotels, and all other related travel services and assume no responsibility, howsoever caused, for personal injury, damage, loss, accident, expense, delay, act of God, or military action beyond their control. AMNHE assumes no liability whatsoever for negligence by the TO or its agents. The passage ticket issued by the carrier is the sole contract between the passenger and the carrier. AMNHE and the TO are not responsible for unexpected transportation delays and changes, nor liable for additional expenses or loss of time that may be incurred. The airline/ transportation companies concerned are not responsible for any acts, omissions, or events that may occur during the time passengers are not on board their vehicles. AMNHE and the TO reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a participant at any time, or to require any participant to withdraw from the tour at his/her own expense when such an action is determined appropriate by the tour staff to be in the best interest of the participant’s health and safety, and that of the tour group in general. AMNHE shall not be responsible for any inadvertent errors in this brochure or other descriptive materials. The itinerary is subject to change at any time without notice and for any reason without allowance of refund. On advancement of deposit to AMNHE, the depositor agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions here mentioned. Note American Museum of Natural History, a world leader in scientific exploration, established AMNH Expeditions, the first museum educational travel program in the country, in 1953. The goal of AMNH Expeditions is to present educational travel programs that reflect past and current areas of interest and exploration by American Museum of Natural History. The tours provide a combination of study, adventure, and leisure activities. AMNH Expeditions, the educational travel department of the American Museum of Natural History, is a registered service mark of this institution.
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage
PAID Permit No. 173 Sunnyvale, CA
Land of Fire and Fjords
Patagonia April 18 ~ May 1, 2007 Aboard Via Australis Includes 4 nights at the Explora Lodge
above: Torres del Paine, Chile and top: Elephant seal pup