Looking at Life from Both Sides of the Andes Possible on Three 2012 Austin-Lehman Adventures Spanning Argentina and Chile

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Three New Adventure Vacations From Austin-Lehman Will Visit Chile and Argentina's Wine Regions, Highest Mountains, Driest Desert and The Two Faces of Patagonia

New Adventure Vacations Visit Wine Regions, Highest Mountains,
Driest Deserts and Two Faces of Patagonia

Billings, MT, Aug. 24, 2011 – Award-winning tour operator Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA - http://www.austinlehman.com/), the active travel company setting adventure vacations standards in The Americas, Europe, Africa and beyond, announces three new itineraries for 2012 embracing the diversity, culture, cuisine and natural wonders of both sides of the Andes in Argentina, Chile and south to Patagonia.

Wine aficionados will appreciate Argentina & Chile - Wine Country, a 9-day multi-sport (trekking, horseback riding, cycling) program at $5,098 per person, double, that begins in Mendoza and ends in Santiago. The 2012 tour dates are Feb. 13-21, Mar. 5-13 and Dec.24-Jan. 1. See: www.austinlehman.com/winecountry

This itinerary encompasses the Uco Valley of Argentina and Mendoza´s wine regions (Malbecs and Torrontés) in a dry desert at the foothills of the Andes as well as Chile’s vines (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Carmenere) that grow in the Colchagua Valley, a lusher colonial-flavored landscape near the Pacific. The scenic drive across the Andes takes guests along the base of Mt. Aconcagua (22,841 foot elevation), the highest peak of the Americas and anywhere outside of the Himalayas.

Dan Austin, ALA’s founder and owner said that the enjoyment of these trips is enhanced by “engaging guests on bike, horseback and on foot in the living cultural experiences available in these two extraordinary countries.”

“We completely avoid the “factory” winery tour,” says Austin. “At one winery we will blend our own wine; at another there’s a superb culinary experience.” One stop is for a five-course lunch planned around Argentina wines at Chef Lucas Bustos’ restaurant at Rica Malen Winery. Another is an overnight stop at a Colchagua Valley (Chile) vineyard.

“Our choices for lodging are boutique hotels at the vineyards, haciendas and estancias (authentic working cattle ranches) that become true highlights of the trip,” he says.

Two other new trips for 2012 that span both Argentina and Chile:

Argentina & Chile - Patagonia is a 10-day, moderately paced mountaineering adventure with hiking trips and horseback tours priced at $5,498 per person, double, that begins and ends in El Calafate (South Patagonia) for transfers to Buenos Aires and covers much of the territory of Bruce Chatwin’s In Patagonia. The 2011-2012 tour dates are Dec. 19-28, Feb. 20-29, Mar. 12-21 and Dec. 31-Jan. 9. See: www.austinlehman.com/2012patagonia

Highlights include (in Argentina) trekking to the best views of the Southern Face of Cerro Torre, its lake and hanging glaciers, and the Egger and Standhard spires plus views of the Fitz Roy massif, Mt. Saint Exupery, and Poincenot peaks. There’s also a glaciologist-led ice hike over the Perito Moreno Glacier to observe its surreal formations of ice peaks and blue crevasses.

Crossing into Chile participants take in Torres del Paine National Park including Lago Grey Beach for iceberg viewing, Grey Glacier (a 3.75-mile-wide wall of ice), and Lago Pehoe where Andean Condors are regularly seen soaring above.

A third new tour is Argentina & Chile – Salta to Atacama a 10-day cycling, horseback and hiking adventure priced at $5,298 per person, double, that begins in the northwest Argentine city of Salta and ends at the Atacama town of Calama with air transfers to Santiago, Chile. The 2012 departures are offered year-round.
See: http://www.austinlehman.com/chile-argentina---salt...

Highlights include cycling Los Cardones National Park, wine tasting at local bodegas, museum visits, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Humahuaca Canyon and three full days exploring Chile’s Atacama, the driest desert in the world.

About Austin-Lehman Adventures
Austin-Lehman Adventures, with a 37-year legacy, provides adventure vacations on five continents, has built an international reputation for small group active travel to destinations in North, Central and South America, Europe, the Pacific Rim and Africa. The company specializes in adult and family multi-sport, hiking, biking vacations that emphasize history, culture and nature’s charms. Trips are limited to 12 guests (18 on family departures) and feature excellent regional dining, distinctive accommodations and all-inclusive rates and services. In addition to scheduled group departures, ALA offers customized trip planning. ALA offers each traveler a money-back satisfaction guarantee.

For a comprehensive 2011 catalog and to get on the list for the 2012 edition (available in the fall) call toll-free 1.800.575.1540, or e-mail info@austinlehman.com. To review current trips, schedules and itineraries log onto: http://www.austinlehman.com/.

Austin-Lehman Adventures Company Contact:
Dan Austin, Director / Dan@austinlehman.com / 800-575-1540 / 406-655-4591
www.austinlehman.com

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Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / sara@widnesspr.com
Dave Wiggins / 303-554-8821 / dave@travelnewssource.com
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