EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Soaring mountains, islands and a historic lighthouse are the perfect backdrop for a scenic wildlife cruise on this southernmost tip of South America. Your narrated trip takes you into the Beagle Channel, past Bird Island, where many species of birds gather, including a colony of cormorants. Cruise around Sea Wolves Island, a rocky outcrop that is home to seals and sea lions. The catamaran cruises close to the shore, offering you some great photo opportunities.

The land portion of this tour takes you through Tierra del Fuego National Park. From the rugged peaks, pristine lakes and ancient forests of the Andes to the glacier-draped shores of the famed Beagle Channel, the world's southernmost national park offers picture postcard scenes. Photo stops are made along the way, including one at the milestone marker for the End of the World (fin del mundo).

Observe the abundant wildlife in the naturally beautiful Patagonian steppe, highlighted by a leisurely walk among a large colony of Magellanic penguins.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for an immensely scenic drive along the New Gulf and on to rugged Punta Ninfas on the Patagonian steppe. The vegetation here is shrubby, wind-blown and an ideal wildlife habitat. Gray fox, llama-like guanacas and various species of seabirds, including oystercatchers and albatrosses, are found in this dry landscape.

Even so, penguins are the star attractions in this part of Patagonian, as you will discover from your base at El Pedral Lodge. Perched on a cliff, the lodge was built in 1904 and some of the period furnishing still remain, including the mahogany dining table.

From here, you will head to a nearby Magellanic penguin rookery for an extended walk among these highly social birds. If you hear the penguins braying like donkeys, it is simply the way they seek mates.

You can expect to see the penguins tottering about, tending to their young, interacting with each other, and perhaps hunting small fish just offshore. A group of penguins floating in the ocean is called a raft; a group on land is sometimes called a waddle because of their awkward walk.

Lunch at the lodge follows, after which you will return to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Discover a world of indigenous flora and fauna at Bertha’s Beach, including numerous endemic plants and a large colony of Gentoo penguins. To reach this isolated stretch of sand, you will ride through the starkly beautiful flatlands. Stone runs comprised of boulders that have naturally accumulated in stripes are the landscape’s most prominent feature. The flatlands are home to some of the island’s most elusive waterfowl and you may spot dabbling ducks such as Chiloé wigeons and silver teals, whose characteristics the guide will describe. Seeing hundreds of Gentoo penguins that live year-round on Bertha’s Beach will be quite the spectacle, as you will see them close-up. They swim underwater faster than any other bird in the world and can reach speeds up to 22 miles per hour. However, like all penguins they waddle awkwardly on land. You may also spot sea lions and seals resting on the rock-strewn beach.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride through the hauntingly beautiful flatlands west of Stanley.
• See stone runs, a geological phenomenon prominent in the flatlands.
• Walk among a colony of hundreds of Gentoo penguins at Bertha’s Beach.
• Look for other birds such as steamer ducks, which are endemic to the Falklands.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover Punta Tombo, home to the world’s largest nesting colony of Magellanic penguins and a place that attracts wildlife researchers and conservationists from around the world.

This is the largest penguin nesting ground in continental South America and from September through April this vast rookery and breeding area hosts hundreds of thousands of Magellanic penguins. With two nurturing parents foraging at sea and taking turns with their care, chicks thrive and start fledging in January.

Magellanic penguins mate with the same partner year after year and live approximately 25 years. Males reclaim the burrow from the previous year and wait to reconnect with their mates. You’ll have time to walk among the thousands of nests and marvel at this wonder of nature and these unforgettable birds. A boxed lunch is provided.

Begin with a scenic drive to Central Station for an unforgettable trip on the Tierra del Fuego Southern Railway, Train to the End of the World. This railway uses the original narrow-gauge line that was part of the small train for prisoners that ran until 1947.

Upon arrival at the Park Station, board your coach for a drive through Tierra del Fuego National Park to Lapataia Bay, marking the end of the road which is 2,010 miles from Buenos Aires. Here, a catamaran awaits you for your return to the ship via the Beagle Channel. En route, you will see the historic lighthouse, Les Eclaireurs, as well as Seal Island, Isla de los Lobos and Island of the Birds, whose names clearly express the rich wildlife you can view from the deck on your journey back to the ship.

Following your Iguazu Falls adventure, you will fly back to Buenos Aires and transfer to your hotel booked through NCL or independently within 8 mile radius. Guests who depart from Buenos Aires on the day of the tour cannot participate as they will not make it on time to connect with any international fight. This is an overnight tour and hotel is not included. Fly to a national park on the border of Argentina and Brazil and behold the staggering power and beauty of Iguazú Falls by walking along trails and cat walks that give you extraordinary views of this amazing natural wonder. After departing from the pier, you will transfer to the airport in Buenos Aires and fly directly to Iguazu, which lies inland near Iguazú National Park. The falls were discovered in 1541 by Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca and established in 1984 as a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Situated in Iguazú National Park, the falls are shared by both Brazil and Argentina. The massive cascade is made up of 275 separate waterfalls that thunder down sheer cliffs in a majestic display of nature’s power. The falls are nearly twice as high and three times as wide as Niagara Falls, a fact not lost on Eleanor Roosevelt who reportedly said, “Poor Niagara,” when she beheld roaring Iguazu. You will observe this staggeringly beautiful, natural phenomenon by walking a path either above or below the falls. Both trails are extraordinary in their own way. The surrounding rainforest is equally impressive, as it is home to about 2,000 plant species and 400 bird species, including toucans, parrots and peregrine falcons.

Travel by 4x4 to a remote beachside nature preserve to observe and walk among a colony of King penguins, Gentoo penguins and Magellanic penguins. After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a scenic two and one-half hour’s drive north to Johnson’s Harbour and then on to Volunteer Point via a 4x4 vehicle. Along the way, you may spot remnants of the 1982 Falklands War, the result of the Argentine invasion of the British-owned islands. Still, it is the natural beauty and abundant wildlife of this rugged landscape that are most impressive. Birds in particular are the attraction at Volunteer Point, a nature preserve that supports the largest concentration of King penguins in the islands. Volunteer Point is also home to a multitude of Gentoo penguins, Magellanic penguins and dozens of other avian species. As you walk along the beach, you will observe these birds interacting in their native habitat. At up to three feet tall, king penguins look regal even waddling about. Their size and bright orange coloring on their heads and beaks make them easy to distinguish from the other penguins. Gentoo penguins are smaller and sport white feather caps, while Magellanic penguins feature two distinct black stripes across their chests and often bray like donkeys. You may also see ruddy-headed geese, black-throated finches and peregrine falcons, which can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per mile. Before rejoining your vehicle and traveling back to Stanley, you will be provided a boxed lunch.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an introductory look at two towns that are vastly different in size yet share a common history. Although Puerto Madryn boasts a population 10 times that of Gaiman, Welsh immigrants founded both towns to escape cultural and religious persecution in the latter half of the 19th century. That Welsh influence is still highly evident in Puerto Madryn through attractions such as the Welsh Settlers monument and the street names, many of which honor prominent Welsh immigrants. Chances are, you will spot the Welsh flag flying on many of the buildings or perhaps just the flag’s iconic red dragon on the signage. The Welsh heritage may be even more noticeable in Gaiman as the red-brick town is more compact. Patagonian Welsh is widely spoken as you will likely discover while pausing for cakes and pastries at a Welsh tea house. To enhance the experience, a Welsh choir will perform traditional songs. A walking city tour is done over the city of Gaiman. Once back to Puerto Madryn, there is a short drive through the city to see the Municipality, Main Square and the Welsh Women's Monument and then return directly to the pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover the surprisingly strong Welsh heritage of Puerto Madryn and Gaiman.
• See Welsh-influenced attractions and perhaps hear Patagonian Welsh being spoken.
• Enjoy tea and tasty pastries at a Welsh tea house in the town of Gaiman.
• Hear a Welsh choir perform traditional, heartfelt songs about the Welsh heritage.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Observe the bountiful wildlife in Tierra del Fuego while cruising the Beagle Channel in a catamaran that will take you to islands full of seabirds, sea lions and Magellanic penguins.

After departing from the pier, you will soon board a catamaran and sail into Beagle Channel, the strait that separates Argentina from Chile. The waterway is named for the HMS Beagle, in which Charles Darwin explored the area in 1833-1834.

Islands dot the channel and the rocky coast is wild and wonderful with forests to the water’s edge and the southern Andes in the far distance. Few places on earth are so pristine and unaffected by what little civilization there is.

Seabirds are abundant in most every direction. You may spot black-capped albatrosses, flocks of seagulls and grayish skuas, an aggressive bird that often attacks other birds in mid-air to steal the fish they have caught.

Approaching Sea Lions’ Island, you will see dozens of the namesake mammals clustered on the rocks. The males are typically twice the size of the females and weigh nearly 800 pounds. While pausing for photos at nearby Bird Island, you will notice that the main inhabitants are Imperial Cormorants and Magellanic Cormorants.

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse is another photo-worthy site, as is the colony of Magellanic penguins on Martillo Island. These highly social birds will often come up to the catamaran as they hunt for cuttlefish and squid. It’s the perfect opportunity for a close up shot, after which you will return to the pier.

Discover Punta Loma Natural Reserve where you will have the opportunity to see a sea lion sanctuary. Young sea lions, which are not sexually mature, may be seen during the entire year, and, from April onwards, you can view the sea lions that migrate from Puerto Piramides. Before returning to the ship, we visit the Puerto Madryn Ecocentro Museum, the first center of its kind in Argentina, dedicated to the study of marine ecosystems.

OVERVIEW

Explore the historical capital of the Falkland Islands and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty, an experience that will leave you with a remarkably complete understanding of the area. While driving through the British-influenced city of Stanley, you will hear enlightening commentary about landmarks such as Christ Church Cathedral – the world’s southernmost Anglican cathedral – the Government House and the massive arch made from the jawbones of two blue whales, a monument erected in 1933 to mark the centennial of the British administration of the Falklands. At the tip of Cape Pembroke, you will see the lighthouse on the islands’ easternmost point. To reach nearby Gypsy Cove, you will walk the nature trail that leads to a breeding ground for Magellanic penguins, a species named for Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. These birds are easy to identify by the two distinct black stripes across their chests and the fact that they often bray like donkeys.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for an enlightening drive through Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands.
• See the city’s main landmarks and gain an understanding of the British influence.
• Take in the gorgeous views from the lighthouse at the tip of Cape Pembroke.
• Walk a nature trail to observe a colony of Magellanic penguins.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy nature at its best on a combination bus and train ride in the world’s southernmost national park. You’ll travel on the Southern Fuegian Railway in train cars that were modeled after earlier prison trains. During your narrated journey on the Train at the End of the World, you’ll discover a part of Tierra del Fuego’s legendary history. Cross the Pipo River, stop at the panoramic viewpoint of the Macarena Cascade, pass reconstructed Yamana and Shelkman Indian camps, and ride through the Del Toro Glen within the Tierra del Fuego National Park.

Your coach ride takes you through the national park, for you to admire some of scenic highlights, and makes a short stop at Ensenada Bay. This pristine reserve protects the southern area of the sub-Antarctic forest, offers stunning scenery carved by the massive glaciers that once covered the region offering dramatic views. Towering mountains draped in Ice Age glaciers, rivers bordered by virgin forest, and sapphire lakes circled by peat bogs and beaver-dam ponds. The park offers one breathtaking sight after another and you’ll stop for photos at some of the major attractions.