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Darwin’s Route: Cruising through Patagonia

Exploring Legendary Cape Horn and the Chilean Fjords aboard the Ventus Australis or Stella Australis

We also offer 5-day versions of this itinerary for those with limited time, or want to add on as an extension to one of our Patagonia itineraries: Cruise from Punta Arenas: Patagonia Extension or Cruise from Ushuaia: Patagonia Extension

Overview

Retrace the route of Charles Darwin aboard HMS Beagle on an expedition cruise through the secluded Fuegian Archipelago at the bottom of South America. The adventurous itinerary includes legendary Cape Horn and historic Wulaia Bay, the spectacular fjords that harbor Pía and Águila glaciers, the boisterous penguin colonies on Tuckers and Magdalena islands, as well as impressive Glacier Alley. You'll also encounter massive ice fields, lush sub-polar forests, and secluded beaches on islands that remain refreshingly remote and barely touched by civilization, a rare glimpse of what planet Earth must have been like before mankind. This journey is available roundtrip from Punta Arenas or Ushuaia.

Note: This cruise is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as agent in booking your reservation with the ship operator. The itinerary, lecturers, and all other arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of the cruise line.

Itinerary

Day 1
Ushuaia / Embark

Arrive in Ushuaia, the southernmost town in the world, and board the M/V Ventus Australis (or M/V Stella Australis, depending on departure) at 6:00 pm. After a welcoming toast and introduction of captain and crew, the ship departs for one of the most remote corners of planet Earth. During the night you'll traverse the Beagle Channel and cross from Argentina into Chilean territorial waters. The lights of Ushuaia disappear as the ship turns into the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands.

Day 2
Cape Horn / Wulaia Bay

Around the break of dawn, the ship crosses Nassau Bay and enters the remote archipelago that comprises Cape Horn National Park. Weather and sea conditions permitting, you'll go ashore on the windswept island that harbors legendary Cape Horn (Cabo de Hornos). Discovered in 1616 by a Dutch maritime expedition—and named after the town of Hoorn in West Friesland—Cape Horn is a sheer 1,394-foot-high rocky promontory overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. For many years it was the only navigation route between the Pacific and Atlantic, and was often referred to as the “End of the Earth.” The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2005. The Chilean navy maintains a permanent lighthouse on the island, staffed by a lightkeeper and his family, as well as the tiny Stella Maris Chapel and modern Cape Horn Monument (currently awaiting repair after being damaged by fierce winds).

Sailing back across Nassau Bay, the ship anchors at fabled Wulaia Bay, one of the few places in the archipelago where the human history is just as compelling as the natural environment. Originally the site of one of the region’s largest Yámana aboriginal settlements, the bay was described by Charles Darwin and sketched by Captain FitzRoy in the 1830s during their voyages on HMS Beagle. This area is also renowned for its mesmerizing beauty and dramatic geography. After a visit to the Australis-sponsored museum in the old radio station—which is especially strong on the Yámana people and European missionaries in the area—passengers have a choice of three hikes (of increasing degrees of difficulty) that ascend the heavily wooded mountain behind the bay. On all of these you stroll through an enchanted Magellanic forest of lengas, coigües, canelos, and ferns to reach panoramic viewpoints overlooking the bay.

Day 3
Pía Glacier / Garibaldi Glacier

Sail overnight around the western end of Tierra del Fuego via the very narrow Gabrial Channel, Magdalena Channel, and Cockburn Channel. After rounding the remote Brecknock Peninsula, the ship tacks eastward and enters the Beagle Channel again. By morning you are entering Pia Fjord and boarding the Zodiacs for a shore excursion to Pia Glacier. After disembarking, take a short hike to gain a panoramic view of the spectacular glacier, which extends from the mountaintops down to the sea or a longer much more difficult walk up a lateral moraine of the old Pia Glacier. No one knows for certain how the hulking mass of snow and ice got its feminine moniker, but one theory says it was named for Princess Maria Pia of Savoy (1847-1911), daughter of the Italian king.

Making your way further west along the Beagle Channel, enter another long fjord and drop anchor near Garibaldi Glacier for another shore excursion. Garibaldi is one of only three glaciers in Patagonia gaining mass rather than staying the same or slowly shrinking. This time you'll hike through virgin Magellanic forest to a glacial waterfall, a towering wall of ferns and moss, and spectacular viewpoints looking down on the glacier and fjord. The walk is demanding—very steep, negligible trail, rough footing—and not for everyone. For those who choose to stay onboard, the captain will point the bow toward the beautiful sky-blue Garibaldi Glacier so everyone can enjoy the panoramic view from the upper decks.

Day 4
Agostini Sound / Águila Glacier / Cóndor Glacier

Early in the morning, sail through the Cockburn Channel and enter Agostini Sound. From there it is possible to see the glaciers that descend from the middle of the Darwin Mountain Range, some of them reaching the water. This morning, you will disembark and go for an easy walk around a lagoon, which was formed by the melting of the Águila Glacier, and reach a spot right in front of that glacier with stunning views.  In the afternoon, you will approach the Condor Glacier via Zodiac, and hopefully see some of the abundant Andean condors in the area.

Day 5
Magdalena Island / Punta Arenas

After an overnight cruise through Magdalena Channel and back into the Strait of Magellan, the ship anchors off Magdalena Island, which lies about halfway between Tierra del Fuego and the Chilean mainland. Crowned by a distinctive lighthouse, the island used to be an essential source of supplies for navigators and explorers and is inhabited by an immense colony of Magellanic penguins. At the break of dawn, weather permitting, go ashore and hike a path that leads through thousands of penguins to a small museum lodged inside the vintage 1902 lighthouse. Many other bird species are also found on the island. In September and April—when the penguins dwell elsewhere—this excursion is replaced by a ride aboard Zodiacs to Marta Island to observe South American sea lions. After a short cruise south along the strait, arrive at Punta Arenas, where there is plenty to keep you busy for the day in the city. (Note: Camera extension poles are prohibited on Magdalena Island.)

Reboarding the ship, the lights of Punta Arenas fade into the distance as you cross the Strait of Magellan and enter the Whiteside Canal between Darwin Island and Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego.

Day 6
Ainsworth Bay / Tuckers Islets

By dawn the ship is sailing up Admiralty Sound between the snowcapped peaks of Karukinka and the fjords of Alberto de Agostini National Park. Go ashore at Ainsworth Bay with its copious bird life and elephant seals. Two guided hikes are available, both with excellent views of Marinelli Glacier and the Darwin Mountains. Leaving Ainsworth Bay, sail west to the Tuckers Islets for a close-up encounter with the 4,000 Magellanic penguins who nest there. Many other bird species also frequent the tiny landfalls. In September and April—when the penguins live elsewhere—this excursion is replaced by a beach walk to a glacier at Brookes Bay.

Day 7
Pia Glacier / Glacier Alley

On an overnight sail, the ship retraces its route around the western end of Tierra del Fuego via the very narrow Gabrial Channel, Magdalena Channel, and Cockburn Channel. After rounding the remote Brecknock Peninsula, the cruise tacks eastward and enters the Beagle Channel again. By morning you are entering Pia Fjord and boarding the Zodiacs for another shore excursion to Pia Glacier. Back onboard the ship, continue east along the Beagle Channel through an area called Glacier Alley. Living up to its name, the passage features a number of impressive tidewater glaciers flowing down from the Darwin Mountains and Darwin Ice Sheet on the north shore. Most of them named after European countries—Holland, Italy, Germany, Spain, and France.

Day 8
Wulaia Bay / Cape Horn

During the early morning, navigate the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands and drop anchor at historic Wulaia Bay, one of the few places in the archipelago where the human history is just as compelling as the natural environment. Originally the site of one of the region’s largest Yámana aboriginal settlements, the bay was described by Charles Darwin and sketched by Captain FitzRoy in the 1830s during their voyages on the HMS Beagle. This area is also renowned for its mesmerizing beauty and dramatic geography. After a visit to the Australis-sponsored museum in the old radio station—which is especially strong on the Yámana people and European missionaries in the area—you have a choice of three hikes (of increasing degrees of difficulty) that ascend the heavily wooden mountain behind the bay. On all of these you will be strolling through an enchanted Magellan forest of lengas, coigües, canelos, ferns, and other endemic fauna to reach a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the bay. Before leaving Wulaia Bay, drop something into the wooden mail barrel inside the museum—letters or postcards meant to be hand delivered by future travelers—an ancient mariner tradition revived by Australis.

In the afternoon, cruise across Nassau Bay into the remote archipelago that includes Cape Horn National Park. Weather and sea conditions permitting, go ashore on the windswept island that harbors legendary Cape Horn (Cabo de Hornos). Discovered in 1616 by a Dutch maritime expedition—and named after the town of Hoorn in West Friesland—Cape Horn is a sheer 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. For many years it was the only navigation route between the Pacific and Atlantic, and was often referred to as the "End of the Earth." The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2005. The Chilean navy maintains a permanent lighthouse on the island, staffed by a lightkeeper and his family, as well as the tiny Stella Maris Chapel and modern Cape Horn Monument.

Day 9
Ushuaia / Disembark

Sail into Argentine waters and dock in Ushuaia, with an arrival between 8:30-9:30 am. Disembark the ship.

Itinerary-in-Brief
Roundtrip from Punta Arenas

Day 1   Arrive in Punta Arenas / Embarkation
Day 2   Ainsworth Bay & Tuckers Islets
Day 3   Pia Glacier / Glacier Alley
Day 4   Cape Horn & Wulaia Bay
Day 5   Ushuaia
Day 6   Cape Horn / Wulaia Bay
Day 7   Pía Glacier / Garibaldi Glacier
Day 8   Agostini Sound / Águila Glacier / Cóndor Glacier
Day 9   Magdalena Island / Punta Arenas / Disembark

Darwin’s Route: Cruising through Patagonia route-map

Darwin’s Route: Cruising through Patagonia

Darwin’s Route: Cruising through Patagonia route-map

Highlights

Highlights

Discover the extraordinary landscapes and fascinating wildlife of the Chilean Fjords
Explore legendary Cape Horn National Park
Enjoy excursions to mighty glaciers and a cruise through "Glacier Alley"
Visit the Magellanic penguin colonies on Tuckers Islets by Zodiac
Cruise to Ainsworth Bay, home to southern elephant seals and a myriad of birdlife

Details

Length: 9 days
Cost From: $3996  
Full pricing
Arrive: Ushuaia, Argentina
Depart: Ushuaia, Argentina
Lodging: 8 nights aboard a 210-guest expedition vessel
View Lodging
Meals: All meals aboard ship, with most beverages included
Activity: Wildlife and Natural History, Photography, Small Ship Cruising
Trip Level:

8-day cruise, nature walks, day hikes, Zodiac excursions
What the Trip is Like

Trip Levels

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

Easiest

Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Examples:
  • Royal Rajasthan
  • Indochine
  • Small ship cruises

Easy to Moderate

Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Examples:
  • New Zealand: South Island Adventure
  • Our African safaris
  • Costa Rica Wildlife

Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Examples:
  • Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
  • Great Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
  • Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
  • Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.

Moderate to Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Examples:
  • In Patagonia
  • Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees

Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Examples:
  • Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
  • Everest Lodge to Lodge

Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
Examples:
  • Everest Base Camp
  • Climb Kilimanjaro!

Trip Cost

2022-23 Low Season
Per person, double occupancy
CategoriesPrice
B $3996
A $5256
AA $5616
AAA $6156
AA Superior $6876
AAA Superior $7236
Port charges, per person: $110
2022-23 High Season
Per person, double occupancy
CategoriesPrice
B $5265
A $7065
AA $7605
AAA $8145
AA Superior $9405
AAA Superior $9945
Port charges, per person: $110

Departures

2022
Sep 25-Oct 3, 2022   *
Sep 29-Oct 7, 2022   *
Oct 3-11, 2022   *
Oct 7-15, 2022   *
Oct 11-19, 2022   *
Oct 15-23, 2022   *
Oct 19-27, 2022   *
Oct 23-31, 2022   *
Oct 27-Nov 4, 2022   *
Oct 31-Nov 8, 2022   *
Nov 4-12, 2022
Nov 8-16, 2022
Nov 12-20, 2022
Nov 16-24, 2022
Nov 20-28, 2022
Nov 24-Dec 2, 2022
Nov 28-Dec 6, 2022
Dec 2-10, 2022
Dec 6-14, 2022
Dec 10-18, 2022
Dec 14-22, 2022
Dec 18-26, 2022
Dec 22-30, 2022
Dec 26, 2022-Jan 3, 2023
Dec 30, 2022-Jan 7, 2023
2023
Jan 3-11, 2023
Jan 7-15, 2023
Jan 11-19, 2023
Jan 15-23, 2023
Jan 19-27, 2023
Jan 23-31, 2023
Jan 27-Feb 4, 2023
Jan 31-Feb 8, 2023
Feb 4-12, 2023
Feb 8-16, 2023
Feb 12-20, 2023
Feb 16-24, 2023
Feb 20-28, 2023
Feb 24-Mar 4, 2023
Feb 28-Mar 8, 2023
Feb 28-Mar 8, 2023
Mar 4-12, 2023
Mar 4-12, 2023
Mar 8-16, 2023
Mar 12-20, 2023
Mar 16-24, 2023
Mar 20-28, 2023   *
Mar 24-Apr 1, 2023   *
Mar 24-Apr 1, 2023   *
Mar 28-Apr 5, 2023   *
Apr 1-9, 2023   *
Apr 5-13, 2023   *

* Low Season

Deck Plan

Cabin details:

  • All Standard cabins are 177 sq ft.
  • Category B cabins have twin beds.
  • Category A, AA and AAA cabins have either twin beds or double beds.
  • AA Superior cabins and AAA Superior cabins are 220 sq ft and have Queen bed only.

Trip Cost Includes

  • All accommodations
  • All meals on board the ship
  • Open bar when on duty (wine, beer, liquor)
  • All shore excursions
  • Onboard entertainment

Trip Cost Does Not Include

Airfare from your home city to Ushuaia and return; optional land tours before/after the cruise; port taxes and National Park Fees; excess baggage charges; airport arrival and departure transfers; passport and/or visa fees; travel insurance; lunch in Punta Arenas; items of a personal nature such as laundry, alcoholic beverages (other than listed), and other incidentals; personal telephone charges.

Trip Payment Schedule*

At time of reservation: $300
70 days prior to departure: Balance

*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

Cancellation and Transfer Fee Schedule*

Up to 120 days prior to departure: No charge!
60-119 days prior to departure: $300 per person
50-59 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost
40-49 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost
30-39 days prior to departure: 75% of trip cost
29 days or less: 100% of trip cost

*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

Arrival & Departure Information

Please review the following information before confirming your flight arrangements to Buenos Aires/Ushuaia. Many travelers like to begin their journey by spending a few days in Buenos Aires to get over jet lag and also to allow for any possible weather delays en route. Note that cruises are not like other trips—if you arrive late, you miss the sailing and you can’t catch up.

It is always an overnight flight to reach Buenos Aires from the US, so you will have to book your flights to depart the US a day prior to the start of the trip. Buenos Aires has two airports; please book your flights to EZE, Buenos Aires’ international airport.

Please do not purchase your tickets until you are confirmed on the trip. Once your tickets have been purchased, please send us a copy of your airline schedule so we can reserve your airport transfers. It is your responsibility to ensure your flight times coordinate with the arrival and departure logistics for this trip.

Fall 2022-Spring 2023
Ushuaia to Ushuaia
Arrival & Meeting Place
Ushuaia, Argentina
Date: Day 1
Time: by 1:00 pm

Suggested Airport for Arrival
Ushuaia (USH) via Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE/AEP)

If you are connecting in Buenos Aires to a flight to Ushuaia, you should allow at least four hours connection time, as a transfer between the international airport (EZE) and the domestic airport (AEP) can take up to two hours.

Check-in at downtown Ushuaia between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm on Day 1.  Board at 6:00pm.
Departure
Ushuaia, Argentina
Date: Day 9
Suggested departure time: After 11:00 am

Suggested Airport for Departure
Ushuaia (USH) to Buenos Aires (AEP/EZE)

You will disembark in Ushuaia at about 9:30 am on Day 9. Transfer on own from the ship to the Ushuaia Airport or downtown Ushuaia. Taxis will be available at the dock.

If you need to transfer in Buenos Aires from the domestic (AEP) to the international airport (EZE), allow at least four hours connection time in order to accommodate required customs and security checks. The international airport can be congested and the lines very long, especially in the early evening as most flights to the US depart between 10:00 pm and 12:00 am.
Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas
Arrival & Meeting Place
Punta Arenas, Chile
Date: Day 1
Time: By 1:00pm

Check in at  the Punta Arenas pier between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm on Day 1. Board at 6:00 pm

Suggested Airport for Arrival
Punta Arenas (PUQ)
Departure
Punta Arenas, Chile
Date: Day 9
Suggested departure time: After 2:00 pm

Suggested Airport for Departure
Punta Arenas (PUQ)

You will disembark in Punta Arenas about 11:30 am on Day 9. Transfer on own from the ship to Punta Arenas Airport or downtown Punta Arenas. Taxis will be available at the dock.

Stella Australis or Ventus Australis

Tierra del Fuego, Chile

Tailor-made for exploring the remote southern tip of South America, the state-of-the-art 210-passenger Stella Australis or Ventus Australis each have the extreme maneuverability necessary to navigate narrow fjords and channels where few cruise ships can venture. Specially designed for Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego cruising, each ship offers cabins in six categories, all with a picture window and private bathroom. Enjoy regional and international cuisine in the dining room, along with Chilean and Argentine wines and wide-ranging views. With spacious lounges, sky bars, cozy passenger cabins, and spectacular views from the open top deck, these are the perfect ships for exploring Patagonia’s waterways.

Our Trips using this Lodging

  • Darwin’s Route: Cruising through Patagonia
  • Patagonia: Tracking Pumas and Cruising the Fjords
  • Tierra del Fuego Cruise, Punta Arenas to Ushuaia
Stella ventus australis 01
Stella ventus australis 02
Stella ventus australis 03
Stella ventus australis 04
Stella ventus australis 05
Stella ventus australis 06
Stella ventus australis 07
Stella ventus australis 08

Trip Level

The trip is rated Level 1, Easy, and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Zodiac landing crafts are used to explore the coastline and transport passengers ashore for walks to wildlife sanctuaries, glaciers, and local points of interest. There are several options for more challenging hikes. Some agility is required for getting in and out of the Zodiac landing crafts.

Explain Trip Level

Trip Levels

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

Easiest

Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Examples:
  • Royal Rajasthan
  • Indochine
  • Small ship cruises

Easy to Moderate

Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Examples:
  • New Zealand: South Island Adventure
  • Our African safaris
  • Costa Rica Wildlife

Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Examples:
  • Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
  • Great Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
  • Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
  • Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.

Moderate to Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Examples:
  • In Patagonia
  • Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees

Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Examples:
  • Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
  • Everest Lodge to Lodge

Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
Examples:
  • Everest Base Camp
  • Climb Kilimanjaro!

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.

Email Area Manager

References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

Email Area Manager

Resources

Travel Insurance
WT Gear Store

What to Know Before You Go

PASSPORT

A valid passport is required for traveling on this trip. Be sure to check the expiration date. Your passport must be valid for six months after the conclusion of your trip. It is a good idea to carry photocopies of your passport photo page in case your passport is lost or as an additional piece of identification, as well as two extra passport photos.

VISAS

No visa is required for US Citizens traveling to Argentina or Chile.

MEDICAL

We recommend checking the Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov should you have any international health concerns.

INOCULATIONS

Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before your trip.  Also, the CDC does have suggested vaccines to consider when traveling to Central America. Be sure to consult with your physician or a travel doctor about it.

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Wilderness Travel Awards
1102 Ninth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
California Seller of Travel Registration No.: 1007696-40
Wilderness Travel Awards
1102 Ninth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
California Seller of Travel Registration No.: 1007696-40
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