CHILE + ARGENTINA
February 10-23, 2023
Deposit deadline: September 1, 2022

14 Day All
Inclusive
Superior First
Class Tour

Tour Host
from USA
Marijka Helbig

Santiago, Puerto Natales, Puento Arenas,
Al Calafate and Buenos Aires.

    Experience the beauty of mountain landscapes, crystal blue lakes and massive glaciers on this amazing tour. We start in Santiago, Chile, then continue to Punta Arenas and Punta Natalee, enjoying the scenery and experiencing their culture. We visit the Magdalena Islands to view the Magallanes Penguins, and then embark on a full day boat excursion along the picturesque Ultima Esperanza Sound. We continue on a short hike into the Andean forest to see the grand Serrano Glacier. At Torres del Paine National Park – a defining feature of Patagonia – we venture out to admire the snowcapped mountains, tranquil lakes and incredible wild life. Enjoy the town of El Calafate, a boat voyage to Glaciers National Park and a Perito Moreno Glacier excursion on Lage Argentina. End this wonderful journey in Buenos Aires.

Tour cost:                   $4499 Land rate per person double room
                                    Deposit deadline $600 September 1, 2022
Single supplement:   $1200
Gratuities:                  $250
Arriving:                     Santiago
Departing:                  Buenos Aires

LAND COST INCLUDES

• 12 nights stay in the following Superior hotels:

  • 02 nights at the Hotel Hyatt Centric Santiago 5*

  • 01 night at the Hotel Cabo de Hornos Punta Arenas 5*

  • 03 nights at the Hotel Costaustralis Puerto Natales 5*

  • 03 nights at the Hotel Xelena Hotel & Suites El Calafate 5*

  • 03 nights at the Hotel Intercontinental Buenos Aires 5*

• Services of private vehicle with English-speaking guide.

• Accommodations: Standard rooms. Check in time (3 pm).Check out time (12 noon).

• American buffet breakfast, served daily at the hotel’s restaurant.

• Meals & Tips where indicated: Lunch|Dinner daily and Box Lunch where indicated

• Porterage at the Airport and the Hotel in Santiago.

• Porterage at the Hotels in Punta Arenas & Puerto Natales.

• Mineral Water bottle per person daily.

• Cable Car in San Cristobal Hill in Santiago.

• Internal Air from Santiago to Punta Arenas and from El Calafate to Buenos Aires

• Entrance to Punta Arenas Museum, Milodon Cave & Torres del Paine National Park.

• Navigation of Lago Grey SIB (subject to change due to weather conditions).

• Entrances to the Nautical Safari, native park, boat cruise, and National Parks.

• Tango Show in Buenos Aires

• Rate is based on minimum of 20 paying passengers

DOCUMENTS:   USA and Canadian citizens DO NOT require visas for Chile or Argentina 

COVID – Vaccination required.   Masks are NOT mandatory in airport and on airplanes.

Depart USA – CANADA for Santiago - Chile

Arrival in Santiago Airport Arturo Merino Benítez – Flight TBD (to be determined)
After the immigration procedures, reception from our staff and transfer to your selected hotel.
(Early check-in not included).
Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Hotel Hyatt Centric Las Condes (Standard Room) Check-in. Remainder of the day free. In the evening, Welcome Dinner in the Hotel.

Arrival in Santiago Airport Arturo Merino Benítez – Flight TBD (to be determined)
Panoramic View of Santiago

After breakfast, half-day tour in Santiago. Proceed through the main avenue of the city, Alameda del Libertador General Bernardo O’Higgins, passing by the San Francisco Church, the oldest monument of the country built in 1568 housing a convent. Visit the Santa Lucía Hill, where the Spanish Conquistador Pedro de Valdivia founded the city on February 12th, 1541. After a quick visit to its top, descend to visit the Lastarria Neighborhood, located right below the hill. This recently renovated neighborhood houses cafes, exquisite restaurants and a couple of museums worth visiting (if time permits). From here, you will be taken to the La Moneda Palace, today the neoclassical style government palace, but originally constructed to house the Mint of the Spanish Crown during the 18^th century. A few blocks away, walk along Paseo Ahumada until reaching Plaza de Armas (The Main Square). When Pedro de Valdivia founded Santiago in 1541, he laid out this square as the heart of the newly formed city. This bustling spot houses the oldest buildings of the capital: the Cathedral Church of Santiago, rebuilt in 1748 on the very site where four previous churches were destroyed by fires and earthquakes, the Central Post Office, and the National Historical Museum, the former “Real Audiencia” or Spanish Royal Court.

We then cross the Mapocho River and travel towards the Bellavista neighborhoods, a lively place, center of the night and artistic life, where pubs, cultural centers and international gastronomy can be found. Lunch at Local Restaurant. Return to your hotel in Santiago. In the evening depart from your hotel to discover a very different city. Drive around the streets full of lights and magic. Experience the architectural appeal of the capital. Dinner in local restaurant. Return to Hotel Hyatt Centric.

Santiago Palace la Moneda

After breakfast, Check-out, Reception at the hotel and private transfer to Santiago Airport. Board your next flight (not included). Arrival in Punta Arenas Airport, reception, and private transfer to the hotel in Punta Arenas. On the way (Half- Day Tour), our first stop will be the Main Square (Plaza Muñoz Gamero), lined with cedars and surrounded by beautiful buildings such as the cathedral, the government building, the beautiful Sara Braun Palace, among others. In its center, find a bronze statue on a high pedestal, a Memorial to Hernando de Magallanes. It is popularly said that the person who kisses the foot of the native will return to the city. Next, we continue to the De la Cruz Hill, from where a magnificent panoramic view of the colorful roof tops, the Strait of Magellan and, in the background, the large Tierra del Fuego Island can be seen. Our local guide will give us further information about this southernmost city of the Americas. Lunch served in local restaurant. Afterwards, we continue our visit at the Salesian Museum “Maggiorino Borgatello” founded by the Salesian Congregation in 1893, one of the oldest of its kind in Chile. This museum displays a complete collection of Patagonian aboriginal works, flora, fauna, history, and economy. Upon completing our tour, we head to our hotel, Hotel Cabo de Hornos (Standard Room). Check-in. Dinner served in the Hotel.

Panoramic Punta Arenas View

After breakfast, Check-out, Reception at the hotel and departure from hotel, and we drive to Puerto Natales. On the way, enjoy lunch served in Local Restaurant. After lunch, arrival and check-in at Puerto Natales Costa Australis hotel. (Sea View Room) In the evening, dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.

After breakfast, reception at the Hotel and depart to the Milodón Cave. The Natural Monument Milodón Cave is formed by three caves and a rock conglomerate called “Silla del Diablo” or Devil’s Chair. The largest of these caves contains the replica of an extinguished animal called Milodón. This was a giant herbivore that probably disappeared during the Pleistocene period. Then, we visit Torres del Paine National Park and its main attractions: Amarga Lagoon, the Horns of Paine, Salto Grande and Grey Lake. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we sail from Hotel Lago Grey to view a glacier of the same name, a natural wonder of imposing dimensions that forms part of the southern extreme of the Continental Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur).

Half day Excursion to Navigation Grey Lake (SIB). On this journey, lasting three hours, we will board the “Grey III” vessel which allows us to enjoy the unique landscape with floating icebergs, towering mountains and lush vegetation. Among the numerous floating icebergs, the boat will sail right in front of the Grey Glacier, which is divided by a central island, a place where we are allowed to descend and from where it is possible to appreciate the size of the glacier. After our long day, we will enjoy our stay at the hotel in Puerto Natales. In the evening, dinner in the hotel’s restaurant. Accommodation at Hotel Costa Australis – (City View Room)

After breakfast, half-day excursion Navigation Serrano & Balmaceda (SIB), tour Torres Del Paine National Park, Reception at the Hotel and departure (around 08:00 am) from our hotel to the pier. Once all passengers are onboard, we set sail through Puerto Bories and the Last Hope Fjord (Fiordo de Última Esperanza) and appreciate the beautiful mountains, falls, farms (estancias) and Patagonian birdlife. The trip continues along the Balmaceda Glacier. We will be able to enjoy the impressive vegetation and the contrast between clean skies and floating icebergs. Next, we visit Estancia Perales for a delicious Lunch in local restaurant, “Asado al Palo” (typical Magellan barbecue). Then we set sail to Puerto Natales where we will disembark around 17:00 hrs. Return to hotel. Dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.

Navigation Serrano & Balmaceda (Lake Grey) Milodón Cave

After breakfast, Check-Out, reception in the hotel and private transfer to your hotel in El Calafate, Argentina. Enroute (includes Box Lunch), customs procedures at the border and drive to El Calafate hotel. Meet and greet in hotel by our Argentinian local operator partner. Check-In at Hotel Xelena Hotel & Suites (Standard Room). Dinner served in the hotel’s restaurant.

After breakfast, half- day excursion to Perito Moreno. Starting off from El Calafate, about 80 km separate Perito Moreno Glacier, the last 26 km journey within the National Park Glaciers. The trip has pleasant surprises. Already in the outskirts of El Calafate, you can see the Argentine Lake with its round Bay, populated with a variety of birds. Standing out are the swan of black neck, flamenco, duck steam, gallareta, cauquén. For the first 40 km travel across the patagonic steppe. After the entrance to the National Park, observe the arboreal vegetation formed by ñires, sour cherries, lengas and flowers of diverse colors. The outstanding one is “notro” with its intense red color that belongs to the Patagonic Andean Forest. In front of the Glacier, everything is majestic. You can go around the footbridges to catch different views of the Glacier. Lunch in Local Restaurant.

Perito Moreno Glaciers

The Nautical Safari is an expedition cruise by the “Brazo Rico” of the Argentine Lake that allows us to appreciate the ice floes of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Arriving close to the south end of the channel of ice floes, the boat is situated at a reasonable distance to the wall of the glacier, travelling across in all its extensions and allowing us to view the loosenings that take place. We board at the dock located in the Bay “Under the Shade”, approximately 7 km from the outline of the Glacier. This offers us an impressive view of the walls of the Perito Moreno Glacier and its knockings on the Lago Rico´s waters. We end the tour at your hotel. Dinner served in the hotel’s restaurant. Accommodation at Hotel Xelena Hotel & Suites – (Standard Room)

After breakfast, depart from Punta Bandera port - 47 km away from El Calafate to All Glaciers. We sail through Argentinian lake North Arm. We cross Boca del Diablo to the Upsala channel, sailing among the large icebergs that emerge from Upsala Glacier front. Then we enter the Spegazzini Channel from where we will get the first view of Seco Glacier. We continue sailing to the front of the Spegazzini Glacier where we will also see the Heim Sur and Peineta glaciers. We disembark at SPEGAZZINI BASE; the visit begins with a walk through the “Forest Trail” until reaching the Spegazzini Refuge. This 300-meter path is very accessible; through the different angles we will get beautiful views of the entire Glacier Bay. There we have lunch (Box Lunch), visit the shop or enjoy the landscape. For those who like to walk, you can do the “Mountain Trail”, a 700-meter long, medium-difficulty route through a wooded path, with natural panoramas. This path ends at the landing point. Return to Hotel. Dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.

Spegazzini Glacier View Point

After breakfast, Check-out, Reception at the hotel and depart to El Calafate Airport (FTE). Board your flight to Bueno Aires (not included). Arrival in Buenos Aires, domestic Airport (AEP), reception, and private transfer to the hotel. Check-in. Accommodation at Hotel Intercontinental Buenos Aires (Standard Room). Dinner in the Hotel.

After breakfast, our half-day tour of Buenos Aires portrays the many faces of the city: we will visit the town symbol - the Obelisk, squares such as Plaza de Mayo, Plaza San Martin and Plaza Alvear; Avenida De Mayo, Corrientes and 9 de Julio among other avenues; La Boca and San Telmo, historic neighborhoods, the magnificent Palermo and Recoleta areas and modern neighborhoods like Puerto Madero. Lunch in Local Restaurant. Afterwards continue to Lezama Park and Tres de Febrero (Palermo) and the commercial and financial areas of the city. Return to Hotel to prepare for an amazing Tango Show in the evening. Enjoy an unforgettable experience at one of the famous Tango shows (Dinner Included) that Buenos Aires offers every night, with classic orchestras that revive the original style with melancholic rhythms reminiscent of the 1940’s. Typical food, served with the best wines, excellent service and warm atmosphere enhance the show.

Panoramic Buenos Aires Downtown 9 Jul Avenue (Colón Theater)

The show features many professional artists: first rate musicians, dancers and singers join to offer you an unforgettable show. Witness more than a hundred years of history of Buenos Aires. Return to hotel.

Caminito (La Boca)

Breakfast at Hotel. Free day for leisure and exploring. Dinner in the Hotel.

Puerto Madero

Tango Show

After breakfast, Check-out, Reception at the hotel and transfer to Buenos Aires Airport for your flights to USA – CANADA.

Thank you for traveling with Scope Travel.

1. BULGARIA TOUR
   September 14 – 27, 2022
   Deposit deadline: May 1, 2022

14 Day All Inclusive
First Class Tour

Tour Host

from USA

Marijka Helbig

Bulgaria is a Balkan nation with diverse terrain encompassing the Black Sea coastline, a mountainous interior and rivers, including the Danube. A cultural melting pot with Greek, Slavic, Ottoman and Persian influences.  It has a rich heritage of traditional dance, music, costumes and crafts. At the foot of Vitosha mountain lies the capital city, Sofia, dating back to 5th c.BC

PLOVDIV (3) SOZOPOL (3)  VARNA(1) VELIKO TARNOVO (2)  SOFIA (4)
plus; Batchkovo,  Kazanliuk,  Nessebar, , Arbanassi, Troyan, Rila
Cultural programs:  Plovdiv, Varna, Sofia and Folklore Festival in Lovech

Tour cost:                   $2980 Land rate per person double occupancy
Single supplement:   $500
Gratuities:                  $160
Arriving:                     Sofia
Departing:                  Sofia

FLIGHTS: We will assist you in obtaining your international flights from any USA or Canadian gateway city.   Land only rates do not include international flights from USA.

INTER-CITY SIGHTSEEING TRANSPORTATION: From arrival at Sofia airport through entire itinerary by    deluxe AC coach.  Round trip airport/ hotel transfers will be provided for all.

HOTELS:

In Sofia: Hotel Crystal Palace 4* https://www.crystalpalace-sofia.com/  

In Plovdiv: Grand Hotel Plovdiv 4* https://grandhotelplovdiv.bg/en/  

In Veliko Tarnovo: Hotel Yantra 4* https://yantrabg.com/en 

In Sozopol: Hotel Viva Mare-Santa Marina 4* https://www.santamarina.bg/en 

ін Varna: Hotel Modus 4*https://www.modushotel.com/ 

SIGHTSEEING: As per itinerary including all entrance fees.  No extra charges. 

ESCORT:  Fully escorted from USA throughout the entire itinerary by Scope tour director.  English speaking local guides throughout itinerary, specializing in Bulgarian history and art.

MEALS: As indicated on itinerary.  12 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 9 dinners, 1 Welcome Dinner, 1 dinner in winery with wine tasting.1 Farewell dinner with private concert

CULTURAL PROGRAMS/CONCERTS: Entrance fees included

TOUR DOCUMENTS: USA and Canadian citizens DO NOT require visas for Bulgaria.

COVID: Vaccination required with a hard copy of QR code for airport check-in and entry to Bulgaria.  Masks mandatory in airport and on airplanes.

Please be at your gateway city of departure from USA or Canada at least 3 hrs  prior to departure time. You must have your original vaccination certificate and a hard copy of your QR code.  Check your baggage to Sofia.

Upon arrival in Sofia, you will meet your guide at the airport for the group bus transfer to your hotel in Plovdiv.  It’s approximately  1.5 hr ride from Sofia to Plovdiv.  Enjoy your first impressions of the  city and surrounding area.

Welcome dinner and cocktail.   (D)

After breakfast, we explore on foot the sites of Plovdiv, founded by Philip of Macedon. With its innumerable art galleries, winding cobbled streets and bohemian cafes, we can surely call Plovdiv the Paris of the Balkans. It is Bulgaria’s second largest city, smaller and less hectic than Sofia.
In Plovdiv, we will visit the Forum of Philippopolis, the Roman Odeon and the Late Roman mosaics in the recently opened for visitors Christian Basilica.
Free time.
17.30h (5:30) Departure to the Villa Yustina winery. Visit and have dinner accompanied by a wine tasting. (B, D)

Excursion to the Batchkovo Monastery. About 30km south of Plovdiv stands the magnificent Batchkovo Monastery, founded in 1083. Much of the complex dates back to the 17th century, with the Church of Sveta Bogoroditsa (1604) as its colourful centrepiece. The church is decorated with 1850’s frescoes by renowned artist Zahari Zograf and houses a much-cherished icon of the Virgin Mary. Even more beautiful murals you will see in the former refectory.

Return to Plovdiv and free time. Dinner.
Performance – concert or opera at the open air stage of the Ancient Theater – depending on the program . (B, D)

Departure to the ‘Valley of the Thracian Kings. On the way, stop at a rose oil ddistillery. We then visit Kazanlak (World Heritage Site), with its eponymous tomb (a replica can only be seen), decorated with beautiful 4th century BC frescoes. Also see other remarkable tombs of Ostrusha, Golyama Kosmatka. Tour the archaeological museum in town.

Lunch in Kazanlak. Departure to Sozopol. Dinner. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, tour of the old town of Sozopol.
Sozopol is the oldest settlement on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, founded and colonized by the Greeks 6BC. Ancient Sozopol, a charming, cobbled old town crammed onto a narrow peninsula, is one of the coast’s real highlights. With two superb beaches and good transportation links, it has long been a popular beach resort.

Sozopol is divided into two parts: the old town, where all the relics and ancient buildings are located, and the new area, situated further up the hill. Here we find our hotel, overlooking a lovely beach. Lately, the area has increased in popularity and has been dubbed the Bulgarian St. Tropez.
Beach day. Dinner. (B, D)

Departure for Nessebar. On the way, stop in a recently restored old fishersmen village; short walk and boat ride on one of the canals.
Arrival in Nessebar for lunch.

The ancient town of Nessebar, which has been declared a reserve, is located on a small rocky peninsula. It has retained many ancient monuments from the Thracian, Greek, Roman and Byzantine periods. The two sections (old and new) are full of life with music and entertainment. Sightseeing of old Nessebar by foot, including some of the ancient and medieval churches and the archaeological museum.
Free time and return to the hotel. Dinner.
(B, L, D)

Departure to Varna.
Sightseeing of the Sea capital of Bulgaria. It’s a cosmopolitan place and a nice one to scroll through: Baroque, turn-of-the-century and contemporary architecture pleasantly blended with shady promenades and a handsome seaside garden.
We visit the Cathedral and the Roman Thermae.
Check into the hotel and free time for lunch.
Visit the Archaeological museum, where the oldest gold of the world and a lot of interesting founds from the Thracian civilization on the Black sea could be seen.
Dinner in the hotel.

Depending on the cultural calendar of the city, we can enjoy a perfomrance.
(B, D)

Departure to Veliko Tarnovo. Visit the UNESCO The Madara Rider, representing the figure of a knight triumphing over a lion, is carved into a 100-m-high cliff near the village of Madara in north-east Bulgaria. Madara was the principal sacred place of the First Bulgarian Empire before Bulgaria’s conversion to Christianity in the 9th century. The inscriptions beside the sculpture tell of events that occurred between AD 705 and 801.

On the way stop in a winery for visiting and tasting and lunch.
Arrival in Veliko Tarnovo and check in the hotel.
Dinner in the hotel.
(B, L, D)

City tour of Veliko Tarnovo – one of the moste ancient cities in Bulgaria. It has a history of more than five millennia. The ancient part of Veliko Tarnovo, the king’s palace from the time when it was a capital of the country at the time of the second Bulgarian kingdom ( 1187-1393).
Departure to Arbanassi – a famous Bulgarian museum town. Austere houses that resemble minor fortresses on the outside, with high walls and heavy gates,iron grids and secret hiding places.
Lunch in a local family.
Visit the oldest of the Arbanassi’s five churches is The Birth Christ (1637-1649) is a genuine art gallery with over 3500 stunningly realistic figures and Biblical scenes, painted by unknown artists throughout the ages.
Return to Veliko Tarnovo.
Dinner.
(B, L, D)

Lunch with a local family.
Visit the oldest church in Arbanassi, The Church of the Nativity (1637-1649). It houses well over 3500 stunningly realistic figures and Biblical scenes, painted by unknown artists throughout the ages.
Return to Veliko Tarnovo.
Dinner.
(B, L, D)

Departure to Lovech and walk around Varosha, the old quarters of Lovech and pass through the Covered Bridge.
Lunch
Enjoy the Folk festival
Late afternoon arrival in Sofia. Dinner. (B, L, D)

Sofia, Bulgaria’s largest city and Europe’s most accessible capital city. First settled by the Thracian tribes in 8th c. BC, than Macedonians in 4BC, the city, as it is known today, was founded by the Romans, who conquered this region in 29AD. The Ottoman Empire held this city for 500 years and left its biggest imprint on the city’s architecture and culture.

There was no national unity until the Soviets “liberated” Sofia in 1944. While rebuilding the heavily damaged city from WWII, the Soviets literally smothered it in Socialist architecture. In 1989, Bulgaria witnessed the fall of the communist government. Serious problems still exist, but EU membership in 2007 brought a new sense of stability to the city.

Most of Sofia’s sights are located in the city center. You will not have to do much walking to see them all.
Sofia highlights include: Sveta Nedlia Cathedral, Alexander Nevsky golden-domed Cathedral, St. Sofia church and museum, one of the oldest churches in Europe that is still active, 4th c. Church of George, the Royal Palace, the Mineral Baths and the Banya Bashi Mosque – a valuable example of Islamic architecture.
Free time for lunch.

In the afternoon we will visit the National History museum and the UNESCO designated Boyana church.
Dinner in a cozy restaurant.

Performance in the Opera of Sofia – depending on the program. Oer
Concert of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestera – depending on the program
(B, D)

Departure for the Rila Monastery.
Bulgaria’s largest and most renowned monastery emerges abruptly out of a forest valley in the Rila Mountains. This is the most impressive monastery compound in the country, whose architectural and artistic magnificence has earned it a due place in the list of the world cultural and natural heritage. 

Founded during the 10th century, the monastery underwent different stages of construction. Its founder is believed to have been Ivan Rislki [John of Rila], the revered Bulgarian hermit and healer, a patron saint of the Bulgarian people. Together with his disciples and followers, he established a community of monks, the core of the Rila Monastery. Rebuilt, deserted, reduced to ashes by Turks and built anew, the monastery has been witness to and symbol of the rich Bulgarian history. It was proclaimed a national museum in 1961 by the communist government and made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.
Lunch near the monastery and return to Sofia.
Free time.
Privae concert in the Crypt of the Alexander Newski Cathedral of the Cosmic voices followed by a Farewell dinner.
(B,L,D)

Transfer to the aairport (30 minutes from hotel).