1901 E. South Campus Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84112
1-801-581-6461
Please be informed that our office will be closed for the holiday break starting Friday, December 20th. We will resume operations on Monday, December 30th. Additionally, we will be closed on January 1st in observance of the New Year holiday. For any urgent matters, please email us at register@continue.utah.edu, and we will return your message as soon as we can. Happy Holidays!
Patagonia: 12 Days & 11 Nights in the Land of Inspiration
Alumni Discount Available - Call 801-581-6461 (option 8) to Register
December 05-17, 2024
Double Occupancy: $9495 per person
Single Occupancy: $9995 per person
Airfare is not included.
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Travel with us to the end of the world to explore the sites, ecology, and animals of Patagonia. We’ll travel from Buenos Aires all the way down to Ushuaia (nicknamed “the end of the world” because it’s the southernmost place in South America). You’ll get the chance to see penguins in Isla Pingüino National Park, explore Perito Moreno Glacier that has glaciologists stumped, and visit Puerto Deseado—where Charles Darwin first began thinking up his theory of evolution!
Join us in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the most beautiful flora and fauna that Patagonia has to offer. Get your feet wet (literally and figuratively) and dive into this adventure!
Welcome to beautiful Buenos Aires! We begin our Patagonian journey in the big city. Known for its eclectic European architecture and its rich cultural life, Buenos Aires is the perfect place to spend time getting to know Argentina. Our hotel is perfectly located to be within short distances of not only historical landmarks but also excellent shopping!
You’ll make your way to the hotel where we’ll meet for a group walk around the neighborhood, see some of the local color and historical site before having a lovely Welcome lunch at a nearby restaurant.
Then the rest of the day is yours to explore further or go to bed early, because jet-lag.
Hotel: Hotel Dolmen opens a new window
Meal: L
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous
This is your day to explore Buenos Aires! You can visit the presidential palace: Casa Rosada, which means Pink House; the gorgeous pink of the building makes it a distinct architectural must-see! If you are an “Evita” fan then you’ll certainly recognize the iconic balconies, the real-life place where Juan and Eva Peron addressed the masses. After that, you should also seek out these other notable places of interest: La Confitería Ideal, Café Tortoni, Colon Opera House, and El Ateneo bookstore.
In the evening you can enjoy more free time or you can join us for an optional tango show and dinner at an additional cost. The Go Learn team is happy to answer questions!
For those staying in, enjoy your evening, we’ll see you in the morning!
Tomorrow we are heading to Patagonia!
Hotel: Hotel Dolmen opens a new window
Meal: B
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous
Today we’ll breakfast at the hotel and then we are off on our Patagonian adventure! We’ll make our way, as a group, back to the airport to board a plane to Comodor Rivadavia. Following our 2 ½ hour flight, we’ll be met at the airport by private coach and then make our way to Puerto Deseado; through our journey you’ll begin to sense how vast and windswept the Patagonian steppe is. We’ll travel South and then East to Puerto Deseado, which is where Charles Darwin first began thinking about the theory of evolution. Maybe along the way we’ll be lucky enough to spot a hairy armadillo or Patagonian hare. The vegetation here is low and thorny but the keen eye may spot some flowers along the way.
This is a full day of travel; Argentina is a big place!
Once we check in to the hotel, you’ll have time to relax and settle in for the next three nights. Later, we’ll meet for a group dinner, then afterward you are free to spend your time as you wish.
Hotel: Hotel Los Acantilados opens a new window
Meals: B, L, D
Activity Level: Moderate
Today we’ll breakfast at the hotel before setting off for our first wildlife adventure. We’ll take a boat (weather-depending) to the Isla Pingüino National Park to spend our day in search of penguins and other wildlife. We’re planning to see the nesting ground of the rockhopper penguins as well as Magellanic penguins, south polar skuas, and other birds. A picnic lunch will be the perfect break in the day before continuing on our penguin adventure.
Once back at the hotel the rest of the evening is yours.
Hotel: Hotel Los Acantilados opens a new window
Meals: B, L
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous
Ria Deseado boat trip. It’s a half-day activity in search of Commerson’s dolphin, nesting red-legged cormorants, and rock cormorants, stopping at an island with many nesting Magellanic penguins, gulls, and oystercatchers; enjoy sitting on the beach to watch them come and go to the water. We’ll have a lecture by a local researcher during the afternoon.
Afterwards, we’ll return to the hotel where the rest of the evening is yours.
Tomorrow we are moving hotels, so get packed!
Hotel: Hotel Los Acantilados opens a new window
Meals: B, L
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous
We’ll have breakfast at the hotel before departing for our next town. We will drive to Puerto San Julian, visiting Jaramillo Petrified Forest National Park. The moon-like landscape scattered with huge petrified Araucaria trees are testimony of a tropical climate which existed long before the Andres Mountain Range rose. Darwin’s journal devotes several pages to San Julian and the Rio Santa Cruz valley, where he discovered a vast fossilized seashore, remarkable for its giant oyster fossils, extending for more than 500 miles along the coast and then inland to at least 3,000 ft. in the Andean foothills. The nearby lagoon has many swans, maybe flamingoes, and it will give us the chance to observe local flora. We’ll have a box lunch so we can spend as much time outside as possible.
After we’ve had our fill of wildlife watching, we will check in to our next hotel where the rest of the evening is yours.
Hotel: Hotel Miramar or similar
Meals: B, L
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous
After breakfast at the hotel, we’re on the move again as we drive to El Calafate, a must-see destination! The breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier (which we’ll explore tomorrow) is one of the most famous attractions of El Calafate. Named after the explorer Francisco Moreno, it began as a sheltering place for wool traders, but today is the gateway to some of the most beautiful scenery Patagonia has to offer!
After we check in to our new home away from home, the rest of the evening is yours.
Hotel: Hotel Mirador del Lago opens a new window
Meals: B, L
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll prepare for a full day exploring Perito Moreno Glacier. Located in Los Glaciares National Park, Perito Moreno is one of the most famous glaciers in the region. This is one of 48 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and is the world’s third-largest reserve of fresh water. One thing that makes this glacier fascinating to glaciologists is the fact that, unlike so many glaciers around the world, it maintains its size—meaning that it accumulates mass at the same rate it loses it (instead of losing at a faster rate than accumulating).
Once we return, the rest of the evening is yours.
Hotel: Hotel Mirador del Lago opens a new window
Meals: B, L
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous
We’ll breakfast at the hotel before heading back to Los Glaciares National Park. Once there we’ll take the Glaciares Gourmet tour where we’ll visit three to four glaciers by boat! The Patagonian ice field is the 3rd largest concentration of ice on the planet. Its glaciers descend from 1,500 to 200 meters above sea level enabling unique access and viewing of the glaciers. Los Glaciares National Park offers a magnificent combination of forest, lakes, fauna, mountains, ice and steppes with hundreds of glaciers. If possible, we will disembark at one of the glaciers and then we’ll get to experience the majesty of this place firsthand.
Afterwards, the rest of the day is yours.
Hotel: Hotel Mirador del Lago opens a new window
Meals: B, L
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll say goodbye to El Calafate and fly to Ushuaia. Ushuaia is located in the southernmost tip of South America and is nicknamed the end of the world. Our 1 hour and 15 min flight will take us over Chile and then to the very tip of Argentina. Once we land, we will be met by a private coach that will transfer us to our hotel. Your hotel is almost on the shores of the Beagle Channel from where you can view Navarino and Hoste Island as well as an old historic ship, the Saint Christopher. Kelp Geese, Steamer ducks, and Dolphin Gulls can be seen along the shore. The name Ushuaia comes from the language of the yámanas or yaghanes aborigines, its native canoe inhabitants, and means “the bay that penetrates westward.”
The rest of the day will be spent exploring this beautiful city at the edge of South America. Grab some food, chat with the locals, and just enjoy the view. We have more adventuring yet to come tomorrow.
Hotel: Hotel Albatros opens a new window or similar
Meal: B
Activity Level: Moderate
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll head to Harberton, the oldest estancia in the Argentine sector of Tierra del Fuego. From Harberton we’ll make our way, by boat, to Isla Martillo to see Gentoo penguins and possibly King penguins, as well as other animals. We will enjoy home-made lunch with incredible views and finally visit the Acatashun Museum, an amazing collection of whale and sea mammal skeletons.
Once we return to the hotel, the rest of the day is yours.
Hotel: Hotel Albatros opens a new window or similar
Meals: B, L
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll make our way to Tierra del Fuego National Park. This breathtaking park is known for its scenic landscapes, we’ll get to see beautiful coastlines, forests, glaciers, lakes, mountains, and waterfalls all in one location! We will discover the sub-Antarctic beech forest with the different ecosystems - evergreen forest, deciduous forest, peat bog. We walk several short trails looking at birds, indian middens, and different fungi; all this in the only National Park in Argentina where you can find the forest in contact with sea. We visit several bays, Bahia Redonda, Bahia Lapataia, Lake Roca and view several others and rivers.
Once we return to the hotel, the rest of the evening is yours.
Hotel: Hotel Albatros opens a new window or similar
Meals: B, L
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous
After breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to bid farewell to Patagonia. Today we return to Buenos Aires by plane and then on to U.S. or your next location. Our flight will take about 3 hours and 45 mins so you’ll be able to get in a quick nap on the way. You will take home memories of a grand Patagonia adventure along with new connections and learnings that can only come with a Go Learn experience.
We look forward to seeing you again at the reunion where you will receive your own David Meikle Patagonia poster.
Meal: B
Nate Furman is a professor of Outdoor Recreation at the University of Utah and a mountain guide. His PhD in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism from the University of Utah focused on the durable impacts of experiential education programming. His current research regards decision-making in high consequence environments. In addition to his work as a professor, Dr. Furman is an accomplished climbing, mountaineering, and ski guide. His experience as a guide has provided him opportunities for international travel - from the beaches of Thailand to the fjords of Greenland to the wilds of remote South America. He has lived, worked, taught, and traveled extensively in Patagonia.
Pre-Departure
Like all Go Learn journeys, the adventure begins at home. We'll make sure you have all the information you need before you arrive in Argentina—we'll answer questions about what to pack, how to get around, and our daily itinerary. We want you to arrive in Patagonia ready to learn!
Post-Departure
A trip reunion about a month or so after returning will be the perfect conclusion to our journey. We’ll exchange pictures and stories while remembering the highlights of our tour. Go Learn expeditions are designed to be small, boutique experiences where one returns with a group of friends for life. Good food, drink, and company await us at this reunion.
Weather
December is generally a beautiful weather month in Argentina and Patagonia. We will be there for the beginning of the summer season. Average daily temperatures in Buenos Aires will see a high around 77 F and with cool but not cold evenings around 65F. Patagonia will most likely be chillier and vary between 64 for the highs and 45 for the lows. You will most likely experience Patagonia’s high winds as well. You will want to pack good shoes and layers!
Activity levels and restrictions
This trip includes multiple walking tours and hikes of various towns and National Parks. There will be multiple group flights and boat rides. You will explore glaciers on foot and observe wildlife in their natural habitat. You will be exposed to the elements during the day as you explore Patagonia and should be prepared to experience all types of weather.
We may average 5 miles of walking per day, some with a significant incline or uneven surfaces. All group travel is by plane or private coach (included in the trip price), and participants should be able manage their own luggage. Our exciting itinerary and daily learning adventures will keep you happily exhausted.
This is an Activity Level 3 trip. Learn More about our .
Traveling in a group is enriching and fun. It also requires consideration for everyone’s well-being and for reaching our daily goals set forth in the itinerary. Before registering, we ask all participants to carefully consider the activity. Due to differences in country-specific laws and regulations, many sites visited are not handicap accessible. Go Learn staff can talk to participants in person for assessment and to answer questions. Participants will be responsible for transporting and handling their own luggage through cities and on and off of public transit.
Level 1
At this level of a tour, trip participants will encounter up to three hours of activities. We may walk and stand for large portions of the lectures or excursions. Extensive breaks and adequate time to relax makes this our lowest activity level. Like all Go Learn adventures, active listening and participation is fundamental to learning and exploration.
Level 2
Level 2 requires more stamina for walking and standing. In the course of a day one can expect to reach and/or exceed 5 miles of walking, multiple stairs, and prolonged periods of standing. We will take breaks and a certain standard of comfort will be maintained. While the journey might stay in a hotel in one location, avoiding extensive travel, public transportation and exploring on foot will most likely be the main form of transportation. Happy exhaustion is part of this activity level.
Level 3
Extensive excursions and challenging terrain will be encountered at Level 3. Days with a number of hours on foot is the norm. At this activity level, we may embark on hikes, physically strenuous site visits, and distances reaching and exceeding 10 miles per day. We may be visiting remote locations, areas with poor infrastructure, wild animals, unsafe tap water, or extreme temperatures/weather. Elevators may not be available and you may be required to climb stairs with your luggage. Go Learn will always maintain safe and comfortable conditions, incorporate breaks, sometimes a day off, but this level is as strenuous as it is fun.
Starting in 2025, U.S. travelers will need an ETIAS 'visa' for many European countries and a UK ETA 'visa' for travel to or through the UK, including transfers and layovers.
Dates
December 5-17, 2024
Size
Group Size is limited to 20 participants
Cost
Double occupancy: $9495 per person
Single occupancy: $9995 per person
Payment options are available upon request. Contact golearn@utah.edu for information.
See for payment and cancellation details.
A $250 deposit is required upon registration to hold space. The $250 deposit is fully refundable for cancellations occurring within 2 days after registration. After 2 days it is not refundable. A first payment of 50% of the total trip cost is due 31 days after the trip meets participant requirements. Go Learn will determine trip status no later than 120 days before departure.
Remaining payment is due 95 days before departure. Payment amounts and frequency of payments can be arranged on an individual basis. If registration for a program occurs at or within 95 days prior to departure, the entire program cost is due. Program price is based on rates in effect at the time the trip opens for enrollment and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges.
Payments are refundable up to 4 months prior to the departure date. We advise all travelers to subscribe to cancellation insurance within 15 days of booking the trip (see the insurance information below). Please contact us if you would like to arrange a special payment plan.
We reserve the right to cancel any trip because of inadequate enrollment that makes the trip economically infeasible to operate or because of good-faith concerns with respect to the safety, health, or welfare of the participants. If a program is canceled prior to departure, Go Learn will provide you with a full refund of monies paid to the University of Utah. If we cancel the trip in progress, you will receive a prorated refund based on the number of days not completed on the expedition. Participants are encouraged to purchase refundable airline tickets in case of trip cancellation. Airfare and any other costs incurred by participant beyond moneys paid to the University of Utah will not be refundable under any circumstance.
Travelers’ passports must be valid six (6) months past the return date of the Go Learn experience. Travelers whose passports expire prior to those six months will be unable to board an international flight leaving the US.
Traveling in a group is enriching and fun. It also requires consideration for everyone’s well-being and for reaching our daily goals set forth in the itinerary. Before registering, we ask all participants to carefully consider the activity. Due to differences in country-specific laws and regulations, many sites visited are not handicap accessible. Go Learn staff can talk to participants in person for assessment and to answer questions. Participants will be responsible for transporting and handling their own luggage through cities and on and off of public transit.
Level 1 - At this level of a tour, trip participants will encounter up to three hours of activities. We may walk and stand for large portions of the lectures or excursions. Extensive breaks and adequate time to relax makes this our lowest activity level. Like all Go Learn adventures, active listening and participation is fundamental to learning and exploration.
Level 2 - Level 2 requires more stamina for walking and standing. In the course of a day one can expect to reach and/or exceed 5 miles of walking, multiple stairs, and prolonged periods of standing. We will take breaks and a certain standard of comfort will be maintained. While the journey might stay in a hotel in one location, avoiding extensive travel, public transportation and exploring on foot will most likely be the main form of transportation. Happy exhaustion is part of this activity level.
Level 3 - Extensive excursions and challenging terrain will be encountered at Level 3. Days with a number of hours on foot is the norm. At this activity level, we may embark on hikes, physically strenuous site visits, and distances reaching and exceeding 10 miles per day. We may be visiting remote locations, areas with poor infrastructure, wild animals, unsafe tap water, or extreme temperatures/weather. Elevators may not be available and you may be required to climb stairs with your luggage. Go Learn will always maintain safe and comfortable conditions, incorporate breaks, sometimes a day off, but this level is as strenuous as it is fun.
On international trips, Go Learn provides all travelers who are U.S. or Canadian citizens with minimal medical, accident and evacuation coverage under our group-travel insurance policy, CISI. We strongly recommend that you subscribe to optional baggage and trip-cancellation insurance.
Go Learn, University Connected Learning, and the University of Utah and our operators act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and ship arrangements and exercise every care possible in doing so. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity in connection with the service of any automobile, motorcoach, launch or any other conveyance used in carrying out this program or for the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the program. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, force majeure or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to make such alterations to this published itinerary as may be deemed necessary. The right is reserved to cancel any program prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the program. No refund will be made for an unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. Baggage is carried at the owner's risk entirely. It is understood that the ship's ticket, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the cruise company. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. Neither Go Learn, University Connected Learning, or the University of Utah nor our operators accept liability for any carrier's cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket in connection with the tour. Program price is based on rates in effect at the time the trip opens for enrollment and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges. As a condition of participation, all confirmed participants are required to sign a Release of Liability.
Accommodations and meals as indicated in the itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner); pre-departure information; entrance fees, expeditions, and sightseeing noted as included in the itinerary; all gratuities, unless otherwise noted on the itinerary page; ground transportation during the program.
Air transportation and related fees; activities noted as optional in the itinerary; passport and visa expenses; baggage/ cancellation insurance; personal expenses, such as laundry, telephone calls, and alcoholic beverages; and any other items not specifically noted as included.
A limited number of single rooms/cabins are available at an extra cost on a first-come, first-served basis. We will assist persons requesting a roommate. Participants will be notified if a suitable roommate is not available, in which case the single rate will be charged.
The itineraries and staff presented in this catalog are subject to modification and change by Go Learn. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but alterations may still occur after final itineraries are sent.
Other Terms and Conditions may apply to some expeditions and will be provided with pre-tour mailings. By registering for a Go Learn program, the participant agrees to the Responsibility statement and the Terms and Conditions herein.
Included
Not included