Colombia to Patagonia: Peregrine Finds New Adventures in Latin America
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Covering the balmy beaches of the Colombian Caribbean coast to the ice fields of Cerro Fitz Roy in Patagonia, Peregrine has released its new, 2011 range of Latin American adventures.
Colombia has emerged from its dark years to become the hot new adventure destination. Peregrine’s new Colombia’s Coast and Craters tour distils the country’s extraordinary diversity, from the golden beaches of the Caribbean, to the colonial beauty of Bogota and Cartagena, to the
glaciated peaks of Los Nevados National Park.
The starting point is the vibrant capital, Bogota, which is quickly becoming renowned for its fever-pitch nightlife. Deeper into the mountains, the cathedral at Zipaquira is carved out of a salt mine, 60 metres underground. Its purple-blue lighting, multiple chapels and dome are a dazzling subterranean expression of faith that accommodates 8400 people at its Sunday service.
A short flight lands the group in Manizales, by Los Nevados National Park. Historically, the local native people were famous for their elaborate gold work and for using wooden slats to re-shape their babies’ skulls. Olleta Crater is the centrepiece of the Park, complete with yawning craters and fumeroles, and there is an optional short ice trek to the Glacier del Ruiz at 5125m, on Columbia’s frozen rooftop.
The tour then heads to the coast, to Santa Marta, Columbia’s oldest colonial town, and on to Tyrona National Park. The park is situated in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the highest coastal mountain range in the world, reaching a height of 5775m. It’s home to wildlife including black howler monkeys, iguanas, jaguars – as well as abundant tropical marine life just off-shore from its beautiful beaches. Accommodation in the park is in luxurious and distinctive ‘Ecohabs’, set on the jungle-covered hillside overlooking the ocean.
The 11-day trip ends in the magnificent colonial city of Cartegena. It costs $4675 per person, twin share, and departs monthly, year-round. This includes all accommodation, transport, Peregrine local leader, entry fees, some meals and internal flights.
A far more challenging adventure is Peregrine’s new Patagonia Ice Trek Expedition, which ventures deep into the Patagonian ice fields – the largest outside the Polar regions – trekking among the staggeringly dramatic spires and buttresses of the Fitz Roy massif.
The base for the six-day trek is El Chalten, the trekking capital of Argentina, at the foot of Cerro Fitz Roy in Los Glaciares National Park. Day two of the trek is the toughest, with an 800m ascent on the snow and ice of the Marconi Glacier, using snow shoes, crampons and safety ropes to cross crevasses and traverse icy slopes.
The Marconi Pass (day three) is the gateway to the great expanse of the southern Patagonian ice field. The views from the pass extend over the Paso de los Cinco Glaciares (Pass of Five Glaciers), which is backed by the active Lautaro Volcano and the impressive Cordon Mariano Moreno. Crossing the ice field brings the group to camp, and one of the most spectacular places on earth: Circo de los Altares (1250m) at the foot of the western face of Cerro Torre.
The descent takes the group through green valleys and lush jungle, with a final climb to a viewpoint looking over Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy Massif, to finish in El Chalten. The six-day trek is contained in the 11-day Patagonia Ice Trek Expedition, which includes two weather contingency days and time in El Chalten. The trip starts in El Calafate, Argentina and departs on November 14, 2011 and February 20, 2012. It costs $5245, per person, twin share, including accommodation, Peregrine leader, transport and meals. No prior snow-shoe or crampon experience is necessary.
For more information contact your travel agent or Peregrine Adventures on 1300 854 500 or visit www.peregrineadventures.com
