Argentina is a vast country – the second largest on the South American continent – and like neighboring Chile, its longitudinal extent provides a variety of climate and landscape. The magnificent Andean Cordilleras Range is the natural western edge and rivers separate it from Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay to the north and east, leading to the long South Atlantic coastline down to its part of Tierra del Fuego. This diversity makes Argentina a destination to fascinate and enthrall any visitor.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Buenos Aires
After our arrival to Ezeiza International Airport, we meet our guide and have transferred to our Hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: American Park Hotel, Buenos Aires (2 nights). Includes: (D).
Day 2: Buenos Aires
Our half-day city tour of Buenos Aires starts shortly after breakfast. This tour will give us an insight of a multi-faced Buenos Aires, from its origins as an European colonial city and Port, trough the development of its buildings and the influence of the 80’s Generation – when important buildings were made – up to Buenos Aires’ nowadays, as one of the most important South American capital cities. We will visit different squares (plazas), such as Plaza de Mayo, Plaza San Martín, Plaza del Congreso, wide representative Avenues like Corrientes, de Mayo, 9 de Julio and Historical neighborhoods: La Boca, San Telmo & Montserrat. Also see elegant neighborhoods such as Palermo and Recoleta, and the modern: Puerto Madero, followed by Lezama Park, Tres de Febrero Park and an Ecological Reserve. For amateurs: Boca Juniors Soccer Stadium is next. Our afternoon will be kept at leisure. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 3: Buenos Aires / Iguazu Falls - Argentina (flight)
After an early breakfast we are transferred from our hotel to the Airport and reach our flight to Iguazu. Upon arrival to Puerto Iguazú, we meet our guide and driver who will take us from the airport to our Hotel. Balance of the day is kept free for rest and personal activities.
Overnight: Hotel Cataratas, Iguazu Falls (2 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 4: Iguazu Falls - Argentina
Today we are going to visit the Iguazú Falls on the Argentinean side. The Falls on the border with Brazil are one of the world's natural wonders and a well-known World Heritage Site. Lined with dense forests, the Iguazú River flows into 275 waterfalls, plunging more than 70 meters with a deafening noise. As this huge volume of water reaches the bottom, spray rises, and lots of rainbows are formed. An incredible variety of fauna and flora completes the perfect setting for the waterfalls within the protection of the Iguazú National Park. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 5: Iguazu Falls / Buenos Aires (flight)
We return today to Buenos Aires and once here we are taken again to our hotel. We have kept this afternoon free for you to wander around and for personal visits.
Overnight: American Park Hotel, Buenos Aires (1 night). Includes: (B).
Day 6: Buenos Aires / El Calafate (flight)
We fly today to El Calafate, Patagonia Argentina - the gateway to the majestic world of glaciers. El Calafate is called the capital of the glaciers given its vicinity to the National park Los Glaciares that was created in 1937 and declared by the United Nations in 1981 ‘World Patrimony of the Humanity’. This Glaciers National Park embraces 450,000 hectares where 13 glaciers descend in the Viedma and Argentino Lakes. All are beautiful but that of an extraordinary and imposing beauty is without doubts the glacier Perito Moreno located in the arm Rico of the Argentino Lake, which presents a wall of ice 60 meters high. After our arrival and transfer to the Hotel, we’ll have a short rest followed by a walking tour.
Overnight: Hotel Alto Calafate, El Calafate (3 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 7: El Calafate
We depart from Calafate to the main entrance of the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Glacier’s National Park) to visit Perito Moreno Glacier. This is the only glacier on the Planet still growing every single day and it is now 5 km wide (about 3 miles) and 80 m high (266 ft). Perito Moreno Glacier appears immense and majestic and the glacier and its surroundings officially became Perito Moreno National Park in 1937, with the aim of protecting the lenga forests and two important lake systems that include glaciers, waterfalls and a portion of the Patagonian steppe. Ice blocks of different sizes continuously detach from Perito Moreno glacier and fall into the waters of Lake Argentino, causing spine-chilling sounds and amazing waves on the surface that make of this view an unforgettable sight. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 8: El Calafate
Our (optional) full-day Glaciers sailing tour will complete our experience at the Argentino Lake, while visiting the Upsala, Onelli and Bolado Glaciers. In 1981, UNESCO declared these glaciers a Natural World Heritage Site, due to the their attractiveness, scientific interest and endangered wildlife. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 9: El Calafate / Ushuaia (flight)
After breakfast we are transferred to the airport and take a flight to Ushuaia. On arrival in Ushuaia we will meet our local representative, who will assist and transfer us to our hotel. Afternoon, we start on an excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park. This incredible park, offers a landscape dominated by high and irregular mountains, with glacier valleys and ‘virgin’ forests. With borders defined by Chile to the East and the Beagle Channel to the south, the Tierra del Fuego National Park offers a unique blend of Patagonian landscapes. Within the park, we'll find mountainous ranges, deep valleys littered with chilled lakes and rivers, picturesque coastlines, and captivating forests. Stark cliffs frame tranquil bays, and glacial moraines meet mossy foliage amidst this true Argentine treasure. During our stay we will visit places like Bahía Lapataia and Lago Roca. Later we return to Ushuaia.
Overnight: Hotel Los Yamanas, Ushuaia (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 10: Wednesday, Ushuaia - boarding M/V Mare Australis (cruise)
After our check in at San Martín 245, Ushuaia, we’ll have some free activities around. The Cruise ship boarding is from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Captain and crew give a welcome cocktail reception on board. Immediately afterward, the ship departs for the uttermost part of the earth. Our journey will take us through the Beagle Channel and the Strait of Magellan to explore one of the most captivating wilderness regions in the World: Southern Patagonia, and Tierra del Fuego. We have just embarked on a Great Adventure!
Overnight: Onboard M/V Mare Australis (3 nights). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 11: Thursday, Cape Horn / Wulaia Bay (sailing & visiting)
We sail through Beagle and Murray Channels to reach and disembark in Cape Horn National Park (weather permitting). Cape Horn, on Hornos Island, is a sheer, 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory. This mythical place is known as the “End of the Earth” and a visit here is a singular privilege. The park has been declared World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in June 2005. In the afternoon, we go ashore into historic Wulaia Bay, once the site of one of the region’s largest aboriginal settlements. This area is also renowned for the mesmerizing beauty of its vegetation and geography. We walk through a ‘Magellanic’ forest of Lengas, Coigües, Canelos, ferns and other native vegetation to reach a lookout point. We later return to our ship, which will start its overnight sailing toward our next destination. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 12: Friday, Gunther Plüschow Glacier (sailing & visiting)
Today afternoon, we’ll view the awe-inspiring Gunther Plüschow Glacier, named after the region’s pioneering German aviator. Then we sail toward Chico Sound, where we disembark in Zodiacs (smaller motorboats) to closely observe the majestic Piloto and Nena Glaciers. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 13: Saturday, Magdalena Island / Punta Arenas (sailing & visiting)
We’ll continue today our majestic journey through the fiords and inlets of the South and early in the morning, we go ashore on Magdalena Island. The island is home of an immense colony, of more than 120,000 Penguins, that we can watch during our walk to a lighthouse, which guides ships on their way through the Strait of Magellan. The island’s penguins migrate in April and in case of their absence and as a tour-replacement we might visit Marta Island, to observe a sea lion colony. After our visit here, we sail to Punta Arenas and disembarking around noontime. We’ll then have a transfer from the pier to our hotel in Punta Arenas. Time to relax and visit the town by your own.
Overnight: Hotel Cabo de Hornos, Punta Arenas (1 night). Includes: (B).
Day 14: Punta Arenas (Rio Gallegos) / Buenos Aires (flights)
After breakfast we are transferred from Punta Arenas to Rio Gallegos Airport, the closest airport in Argentina, to fly back to Buenos Aires. When we arrive, we’ll go to the International departures, in time to reach our flight back home. Includes: (B).
Tour Highlights and World Heritage Sites (WHS):
- Teatro Colon and Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires
- Iguazu National Park (WHS)
- Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (WHS)
- Tierra del Fuego National Park
- Cape Horn National Park (WHS)
- The Gunther Plüschow Glacier
- Magdalena Island
Tour Price Includes:
* Hotels as mentioned or similar category
* All transfers by car or minivan, tours and sightseeing (some on SIC basis)
* Entrance fees to all Sites and Parks as mentioned
* Services of English-speaking local guides
* Road taxes, parking fees, drivers’ wages
Tour Price Excludes:
* International flight tickets and airport taxes
* The M/V Mare Australis cruise / 03 Nights! (Prices vary by season, availability, deck and cabin options).
* Visa fees and any kind of insurance (visas for both Argentina and Chile)
* Domestic flights & local airport taxes (est. USD: 618.00)
* Personal expenses, bar-bills, laundry or phone bills
* Any drinks or beverages with meals
* Tips or other such costs
* All other services not mentioned or marked ‘optional’.
Departure dates for 2008/2009 seasons:
Jan 14 & 28, Feb 04 & 18, Mar 03 and again Oct 27, Nov 03 &17, Dec 01 & 15, Jan 05 & 19, Feb 02 & 16, Mar 02.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour cost for 2008/2009 seasons (land only):
Jan 2008 – Apr 2008: USD: 2,080.00 / CAD: 2,100.00 - per person in double occupancy. Single supplement USD: 795.00 / CAD: 810.00
Oct 2008 – Apr 2009: USD: 2,200.00 / CAD: 2,220.00 - per person in double occupancy. Single supplement USD: 860.00 / CAD: 875.00
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Argentina
Cultural Journey
National Parks
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