2019 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Eclipse of 2020

ECLIPSE ADVENTURE ACROSS THE ANDES WITH NASA ASTRONOMER RICHARD TERRILE, PHD DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2020

KEVIN SCHAFER TOP: TODD RYBURN ARTHUR DRESSLER

For our land-based 2020 eclipse program, we’ve selected a site on the eclipse path in the Andes that combines good viewing prospects, the length of totality—around two minutes and eight seconds —and a spectacular region of the Andes studded with scenic lakes and volcanoes. Our eclipse adventure begins in the scenic mountain town of Bariloche, Argentina, and brings us across the Andes to our private viewing site close to Pucón in Chile’s Lake District. Our special guest, astronomer Richard Terrile, PhD, of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will guide us through this spectacular phenomenon and provide presentations on eclipses and astronomy during the trip. Dr. Terrile is a veteran of seven total solar eclipses as well as an expert on eclipse photography, planetary exploration, and artificial intelligence.

Our Itinerary December 9-11 Bariloche, Argentina / San Martín de los Andes Arrive in Bariloche, a mountain town set on the shores of Lago Nahuel Huapi. We’ll have panoramas across snow-capped Andean peaks from Cerro Campanario, then gather for a Welcome Reception and Dinner. A boat journey brings us to Isla Victoria, and we’ll head to the Bosque de Arrayanes for a walk in this rare forest of native myrtle trees, then enjoy an eclipse presentation by Dr. Terrile. A beautiful drive on the “Route of the Seven Lakes” brings us to our hotel outside the charming mountain town of San Martín de Los Andes. We’ll stop along the way for photography and a hike, then gather in the evening for an astronomy presentation.

December 12-13 Volcán Lanín / Pucón, Chile / Hiking and Cultural Activities We’ll enjoy a hike at the base of towering, snow-capped Volcán Lanín and a walk in a native araucaria forest in Lanín National Park before we cross into Chile. Our Chilean hotel is in Pucón, set at the foot of Volcán Villarrica in the Chilean Lake District. In Pucón, we have a choice of hikes, excursions to hot springs, and an exploration of Mapuche culture as well as continuing astronomy presentations. December 14 Eclipse Day! We view the Total Solar Eclipse from a private location close to Pucón, and this exciting day ends with an eclipse slide show and festive Farewell Dinner. December 15 Temuco / Santiago / Depart Transfer to Temuco for a charter flight to Santiago and connect with homeward-bound flights.

Our Guest Speaker Dr. Richard Terrile is a Voyager scientist who discovered several moons of Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. He is a frequent lecturer on Total Solar Eclipses and also offers science consulting for the movie industry. Dr. Terrile was featured in The Farthest, a Voyager documentary shown on PBS. Program Cost: TBA This program can be combined with a variety of extensions and trips in Argentina and Chile.