Day
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Buenos Aires
BUENOS AIRES ARRIVAL
Welcome to Buenos Aires. It is a metropolis of eleven million people and one of the most important in the world. It is considered one of the most elegant and most active cities in South America. It is also the city that best sums up the diverse and heterogeneous essence of Argentina. Despite a modern and dynamic activity, it has preserved all its ancient traditions.
Start your City Tour after checking into your hotel. Begin wit the Plaza de Mayo. Around this square is the Avenida de Mayo, which is Buenos Aires's historic avenue; the Casa Rosada, seat of the Government; and the white Cabildo, a historic place of administrative power and now transformed into a small museum of the history of the city, and finally the imposing cathedral. Continue to San Telmo, which was the neighbourhood of the great families of the city and the cradle of the tango. Its cobbled streets are now occupied by artisans and secondhand goods dealers. This neighbourhood is very popular for its colonial architecture and history; it is also very famous for the craft fair on Sunday. You find the typical and colourful neighbourhood of La Boca in front of the river Riachuelo, where the nostalgic image of the arrival of European emigrants, mainly Italian still lingers. Last stop for today is Puerto Madero, which is a pioneer project for the rehabilitation of the old docks of the city that emerged in the 90s. In an ultra-modern world, but remaining loyal to its maritime merchant past; restaurants, bars and luxury buildings mix together.
Overnight: Buenos Aires
Day
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Buenos Aires
BUENOS AIRES: GAUCHO DAY AT A LOCAL RANCH (B, L)
Spend the day outside of the city at a typical large farm in order to attend a “Fiesta Gaucha”. The “Estancias” have preserved their ancient living spaces, including big mansions where the owners live and the facilities for living in the country side. The term “gaucho” refers to the old shepherds of the South American pampas. Nowadays, the real gauchos don’t exist any more but many people in the countryside have kept the gaucho traditions and customs, including the way of dress. Enjoy not only a demonstration of equestrian games and the possibility of taking a short horseback ride, but also enjoy the fantastic grilled meat – the famous Argentinian “asado” - for lunch.
Overnight: Buenos Aires
Day
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Ushuaia
BUENOS AIRES – USHUAIA (B)
Fly over to Ushuaia in the morning. Ushuaia, which in Yámana language, means "Bahía que penetra hacia el poniente" (bay which enters into the sunset), is the capital of the Tierra del Fuego Province and of the islands of the South Atlantic. Upon arrival discover the Tierra del Fuego National Par, which covers an area of 600 square miles. The forest is home to many species of trees and shrubs; it is also the home of important wild animals like: red wolves, beavers, rabbits or foxes. More than 90 species of birds have made this park their habitat. During your tour, visit the Ensenada Bay, Roca Lake, Lapataia Bay and the beavers’ habitat as well.
Overnight: Ushuaia
Day
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Ushuaia
USHUAIA: BEAGLE CHANNEL NAVIGATION & CITYTOUR (B)
Enjoy a relaxing boat trip at the Beagle Channel. Here, you find the Sea Lion Island and Birds Island. In the afternoon, take a CityTour through Ushuaia and visit the Maritime Museum as well as the Museum of Prison – an old penitentiary centre that operated until 1947. The Military Prison that used to operate in Isla de Los Estados, first in San Juan de Salvamento and later in Puerto Cook, was transferred to Ushuaia in 1902 for humanitarian reasons. There were barely 40 houses in Ushuaia at that moment.
Overnight: Ushuaia
Day
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El Calafate
USHUAIA – EL CALAFATE (B)
Take an early morning flight to El Calafate, which is a small town at the foot of the mountains and on shore of the Argentine Lakes. Upon arrival, drive in the direction to Perito Moreno Glacier. Follow the route that borders the Argentine Lake and then at the Los Glaciares National Park. Due to its easy access, the Perito Moreno Glacier is the best known glacier on the Argentine side on the southern part of the Andes. It is named after the Argentine explorer Francisco Moreno Pascacio who participated in many scientific missions in the late 19th century in order to demarcate the border between Argentina and Chile.
Overnight: El Calafate
Day
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El Calafate
EL CALAFATE: BOAT TRIP ON THE ARGENTINO LAKE (B, L)
Today, observe the different glaciers from the waterside. Although this glacier is melting significantly (like almost all glaciers), the Upsala is the largest in this park and the longest in South America. The trip continues towards the Spegazzini Glacier. Its slope of 440 feet at the highest point characterizes and distinguishes it as the glacier with the highest altitude in this national park. Lunch Boxes are included in your boat trip. The afternoon is free at leisure in El Calafate.
On Option: If you do not want to spend the afternoon on your own, take a trip to the Nibepo Aike Ranch. This place retains the essence of the old Patagonian estancias. Upon your arrival, the host guide welcomes you to the Estancia and takes you to the “Quincho” where you will be invited to have a hot drink (tea, coffee or mate) accompanied by home-made cakes and pastries. The walk starts around the main building, the perfect example of a typical Patagonian estancia which was formerly devoted to sheep rearing and nowadays has become the most prestigious Hereford breeding ranch of these latitudes, while still retaining a small herd of sheep. Dinner included at Nibepo Aike (lamb grilled on a traditional Patagonian cross stake).
Overnight: El Calafate
Day
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Buenos Aires
EL CALAFATE – BUENOS AIRES (B, D)
On Option: Start your day with an exciting morning by 4x4 cars and discover the panoramic view of El Calafate and the Argentine Lake.. Visit the Laberinto de Piedra (stone labyrinth) and geological formation from the Cretaceous period, as well as the Piedra de los Sombreros.
In the afternoon, fly back to Buenos Aires. In the evening, you can enjoy a traditional and spectacular Dinner-Tango-Show at “El Querandi”.
Overnight: Buenos Aires
Day
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Puerto Iguazú
BUENOS AIRES – PUERTO IGUAZÚ (B)
Continue your trip to Puerto Iguazú, which enjoys the tranquillity of a country town. Its semi-tropical climate with a high humidity has helped with the development of a dense tropical fauna. The red brick houses that characterize the city are surrounded by large gardens in full bloom throughout the year. The Iguaçu National Park offers a panoramic view of the incredible Iguazú Falls from the Brazilian side. From the interpretive centre, “double-decker” buses drive visitors through a journey of three miles into the forest along paths in the middle of the forest and providing a view of the falls.
Overnight: Puerto Iguazú
Day
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Puerto Iguazú
PUERTO IGUAZÚ: ARGENTINEAN WATERFALLS (B)
Iguazú Falls are taller than the Niagara Falls and twice as wide. While visiting Iguazu National Park, you can see 160-260 different cascades. The surrounding subtropical rainforest has over 2,000 species of plants and is home to the typical wildlife, such as tapirs, giant anteaters, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and caymans. The Argentinian park allows to get the closest to the Iguazú Falls. Multiple paths have been constructed in the middle of the forest along different parts of the river which allow you to be only a few meters away from the falls. At the entrance to the Park, a train takes visitors to different starting points for visits.
On Option: If your are more adventurous, take the interactive trip in special vehicles through the forest, navigation on the river in speed boats in order to get as closest as possible to the falls. Emotion and adrenaline are guaranteed! Recommendation: you will get wet! So you should bring extra clothes.
Overnight: Puerto Iguazú
Day
10 -
Buenos Aires
PUERTO IGUAZÚ – BUENOS AIRES (B)
Back in Buenos Aires, discover the Northern Part of the City with a tour. First, visit Recoleta – without a doubt it is the city's most elite neighbourhood. Its cemetery is one of the most famous in the world and the body of the celebrity Evita Peron rests here. The tombs, built in different artistic and architectural styles tell the story of the city and the country. The Carlos Pellegrini Square has its name after a president of the late nineteenth century and creator of the Jockey Club. The Embassies of France and Brazil are located at this place in mansions previously owned by well-known families of the city.
Overnight: Buenos Aires
Day
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Buenos Aires
BUENOS AIRES DEPARTURE (B)
After breakfast and depending on your flight schedule, you are transferred to the airport for your flight back home or onward journey.
National Congress Building, Buenos Aires
