Special 6: Discover Argentina

• Pickup at the airport and transfer to your comfortable Buenos Aires hotel.
• You will have the rest of the evening to relax after a long international flight.

• During your city tour you will visit: May Square & Avenue, the Congress, Corrientes Avenue, the Obelisk, 9th of July Avenue, Colon Opera House, Retiro, Palermo, Recoleta, San Telmo, La Boca, Caminito, and Puerto Madero.
• You will have a free evening to enjoy an array of restaurants, bars, coffee shops and boutique stores in Buenos Aires at your leisure. We have the best recommendations so you can make the most of your evening.

• Transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguazu.
• Pickup at the airport and transfer to your comfortable Iguazu hotel.  You will have the rest of the day to enjoy Iguazu at your leisure.

• You will take a tour of the Argentine side of the Iguazu Falls, including an ecological train ride to the Devil’s Throat. During this tour to the Argentinean national park, you will pass the Iguazu River. Trails through the 55.500 hectare reserve provide a different, complete view of the falls, especially the biggest one, the Devil's Throat. Lower and upper walkways permit a closer look at the waterfalls.

• Transfer to the airport for your flight to Puerto Madryn.
• Arrive in the city of Puerto Madryn and be transferred to your comfortable hotel.

• Take a tour of the Valdez Peninsula and visit Puerto Pyramids, Caleta Valdez and Punta Delgada, where you will see many sea lions sunbathing on the rocks.
• Optional whale-watching cruise available June-December.

• Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ushuaia.
• Arrive in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, and be transferred to your hotel.

• In the Tierra del Fuego National Park tour, you will enjoy a ride in the southernmost train around the National Park and a short guided trek.
• In the afternoon, visit the Beagle Channel that separates the islands of the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago.

• Transfer to the airport for your flight to El Calafate.
• Arrive in El Calafate and be transferred to your hotel where you can relax for the night.

• The Perito Moreno Glacier is located 70km from El Calafate. You’ll have time to enjoy this 60-meter tall river of ice as you walk along the footbridges or take the optional navigation tour to arrive in front of its south wall.
• Late afternoon return to your hotel.

• Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bariloche.
• Arrive in Bariloche and take a tour of the surrounding area.

• Located in the center of Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, Bariloche is the real center of the northern Lake District. This charming city with an Alpine atmosphere offers cozy fondue restaurants, Swiss-style chalets and exquisite chocolates. The city’s ceramic producing factories downtown are worth a visit as well as the surrounding lakes, forests and mountains.

• Transfer to Airport or Bus Station.

** See hotels included in our prices.

• Hotels based on US standards.
• All tours stated in the itinerary.
• 2 hotel nights in Buenos Aires; 2 nights in Puerto Iguazu; 2 nights in Puerto Madryn; 2 nights in Ushuaia; 2 nights in El Calafate; 2 nights in Bariloche.
• All transfers and entrance fees.
• All breakfasts.
• English speaking tour guides.

You will be taken to enjoy a “porteña” musical evening in one of the most exclusive tango houses in Buenos Aires: Esquina Carlos Gardel, located in the Abasto neighborhood where Carlos Gardel spent several years of his life. During dinner the orchestra will play a well-known tango repertoire while several couples will amaze you dancing this sensual music style. From several tango houses, our company made its selection based on the quality of the food, atmosphere and show in relation to prices. Shall you prefer any other recommended places such as Señor Tango, El Viejo Almacén, La Ventana or El Querandí among others, just let us know.

When the Spanish arrived in Argentina, they found an immense area of tall coarse grass, extending for hundreds and hundreds of miles. The cattle and horses they brought with them were soon put to roam wild and over time they transformed the native Indian way of life. The Spanish replaced the natural vegetation with European grass and built huge "estancias" (ranches) in their homeland style. It is in these estancias that the romantic world of the gaucho was born, the traditional horsemen of the Pampas. This full day excursion will take you to the Pampas countryside, and provide you with a unique opportunity to experience the gaucho lifestyle, its music, dances, games and cuisine. The exhibition is held in a former estancia where you will be served a typical "asado criollo" (barbeque) while a folkloric show featuring music, dances and gaucho skills is demonstrated. After the show, those interested in horseback riding can take a ride around the estancia.

On the way to Tigre, 30km (20 miles) from Buenos Aires, you will enjoy views of Buenos Aires most exclusive residential areas, private neighborhoods, sailing clubs, marinas and slips. Your tour starts with a bus ride along Libertador Avenue to Maipu train station, passing by the presidential residence in Olivos (Quinta de Olivos). On arrival you'll board the Riverside Train for a pleasant journey which skirts the Rio de la Plata (River Plate); the train offers some delightful views of the surrounding natural scenery as well as the charmingly renovated English railway stations. At San Isidro, the largest station, you'll leave the train for a visit of the first outdoor mall in Argentina, the Cathedral and surrounding historical residences. After the last ride (13min) arriving in Tigre, you will board a modern panoramic catamaran from which the exotic subtropical forest can be appreciated whilst sailing the Parana River delta, a 14,000 square kilometer area comprising thousands of islands and islets. Return to the hotel.

Buenos Aires is well known in Latin America for its rich cultural offerings, of which its museums are an integral part. This customizable tour will offer the chance to have an art-expert guide escorting you to three Museums of your choice, according to your interests. Peru For Less' recommended choice is formed by the following institutions:

• Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Fine Arts Museum) inaugurated in 1896 and located in Recoleta, which hosts an important collection of Argentine, Latin American and European artists. Website: http://www.mnba.org.ar
• Museo de Arte Hispanoamericano Isaac Fernandez Blanco (Hispano-American Art Museum), where there's an exhibition of silverware and paintings from the last three centuries. Website: http://www.museos.buenosaires.gov.ar/mifb.htm
• Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, MALBA (Buenos Aires Latin American Art Museum), inaugurated this century based on the numerous Constantini Collection, whose mission is "to collect, conserve, study and disseminate Latin American art, dating from the early 20th Century to the present day" with the main goal of stimulating the interest in Latin American art. Website: http://www.malba.org.ar/web/en/mission/index.php

  Museums Tour

  $ 96

Cross the Rio de la Plata (River Plate) to Uruguay, and experience a little of the 'charrua' style of life with any of the following available day tours.

Colonia
7.00 am Hotel pick up. Transfer to the pier.
7.45 am Check in/immigration.
8.30 am Departure by ferry to the UNESCO Human Heritage town of Colonia.
9.30 am Arrival in Colonia del Sacramento. Sightseeing: historical neighborhoods and museum. Drive along the riverside to visit the Real de San Carlos Bullring. Lunch in restaurant (no drinks). Time at leisure.
8.15 pm Transfer to the pier.
9.00 pm Departure to Buenos Aires.
9.45 pm Arrival in Buenos Aires and transfer to hotel.

Cross the Rio de la Plata (River Plate) to Uruguay, and experience a little of the 'charrua' style of life with any of the following available day tours.

Montevideo
6.30 am Hotel pick up. Transfer to the pier.
7.15 am Check in/immigration.
8.00 am Departure by ferry to the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo.
10.10 am Arrival and transfer to the historical center
12.00 am Lunch in typical restaurant (no drinks).
2.00 pm Sightseeing: Highlights of Montevideo and shopping center. Time at leisure.
6.00 pm Transfer to the pier.
7:00 pm Departure to Buenos Aires.
9:00 pm Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

This is the easiest, safest and most problem-free option for taking in one of Argentina’s exciting soccer matches. You can choose the match (River Plate, Boca Juniors or Argentina) according to the available schedule. Depending on the game schedule, you will be picked up at your selected hotel and taken to the stadium where privileged seats are waiting for you. A bilingual guide will be escorting your group throughout the whole tour.

After crossing to the Brazilian side of the river via the International Bridge “Tancredo Neves,” you will tour the Brazilian National Park with a 45 minute mini trek through the rainforest which offers some spectacular panoramic views of the falls.
** This tour can be combined with an optional Macuco Safari and cruise.
*Minumum 2 persons

Prices Valid April- August

Prices Valid September- March

This optional cruise can be done from Puerto Piramides as a compliment to the Peninsula Valdes excursion. The tour starts along the coast before heading out to sea to look for cetaceans. The Captain will then stop the engines and silence reigns except for the interruption of a few seagulls.

This tour starts at 8:30am and begins by traveling along 120km (75 miles) of desert dirt road during which time there’s chance to see birds, armadillos, guanacos, choiques and grey foxes among other animals. Eventually you’ll arrive at Punta Tombo, the largest of the continental Magellan penguin colonies in South America with more than 200,000 couples of birds arriving during the period of September to mid-April. The penguins build their nests in caves hidden by bushes and are found close to the coast where the soil is softer for digging. Both males and females incubate the eggs and feed the young pigeons with fish and squid. Located on a privileged area, hundreds of couples compete amongst themselves looking for a good nest, the best position, the best partner and even for land and protection. During the tour, a guide will be explaining the behavior of the birds. Return to the hotel late in the afternoon.

Puerto Madryn is considered the Capital of Diving in Argentina and is visited all year round by local and international divers attracted to its clear waters and varied sea-fauna. There are different options for diving, either from the beach with easy access or on boats. In this tour, you will first get dressed in your diver outfit, take a boat to the submarine park and after an introduction and safety brief you’ll descend with your instructor into the crystalline waters of the Golfo Nuevo, where you’ll see a wide variety of flora and fauna. The length of the tour is about 3h. No previous experience is needed (you don’t even have to know how to swim).

Departure from Puerto Madryn at about 8am along Route 25 (that connects the coast of Chubut with the Andean area) to arrive to the Florentino Ameguino Dam. This engineering feat produces most of the region’s energy. Here, you’ll have time at leisure to walk some of the paths or to enjoy other available activities. On the way back to Madryn, you’ll visit Dolavon, another town founded by the Welsh, where Chubut’s first mill is located. Return to the hotel at about 6.30pm.

At the chosen time, you will be picked up at the hotel by the guide carrying your US Shimano bike with front suspension. There are four different itineraries to follow:

1. Punta Este ~ 25km ~ 3 to 4h ~ Difficulty Easy ~ You will head east to the Indian Monument, on your way, you’ll have the chance to get inside the Patagonian Steppe and see typical flora and a panoramic view of Puerto Madryn.
2. El Doradillo ~ 38km ~ 5 to 6h ~ Difficulty Easy ~ El Doradillo was declared a municipal protected area in 2001, as it is one of the few places where whales may be watched from shore during June to November.
3. Punta Loma ~ 40km ~ 5 to 6h ~ Difficulty Moderate ~ Punta Loma was the first reserve in Chubut, created in 1967 with the purpose of protecting the only permanent South American sea lion colony. A colony of cormorants and South American terns, are among other sea and land birds, whilst reptiles and mammals also dwell this protected area.

Prices Valid May- September

Prices Valid October- April

From Ushuaia, you’ll take National Route 3 heading about 60km north, from where you’ll be able to enjoy the landscape of the Carabajal and Tierra Mayor Valleys. You’ll continue up to Paso Garibaldi, a panoramic spot with an impressive view of the Escondido and Fagnano Lakes. You’ll then arrive at the shores of Fagnano Lake from where the tour will continue off-road along the coast for about 10km. After skirting Bombilla Lagoon the vehicle gets back into the woods and following a secondary road eventually rejoins Route 3, from where you’ll head back to Ushuaia. The whole ‘safari’ takes about 8 or 9 hours, and is considered to be of low difficulty.

This tour is an introduction to Tierra del Fuego's history, wildlife and traditions. It starts from Ushuaia driving eastward to Harberton’s small dock from where you’ll board a zodiac boat and cross the Beagle Channel to Gable Island, the largest island in the channel. Wild, isolated and uninhabited, the island features an old sheep-shearing storehouse and some traces of the native Yamana Indians. While enjoying a warm and healthy breakfast in a comfortable hut, you’ll prepare for the 2-hour hike crossing the south of the island to reach the Beagle Channel. On the island, you’ll hike through some old native settlements and see many birds such as gulls, steamer ducks, petrels, cormorants, albatrosses and Magellan Penguins. After lunch your cruise continues to the Penguin Rockery at Martillo Island, home of a colony of Magellan Penguins and some Gentoo Penguins. The unique location of this island (close to the point where the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean waters merge) allows for the existence of an incredible variety of rich sub-aquatic life, in turn making it an amazing spot for bird watching (petrels, skuas, cormorants, sea gulls and albatross). Return to Harberton and an estancia which belongs to the descendants of the first British Missionaries that reached Tierra del Fuego, and was managed for many years by Ms. Natalie Goodall, one of the area’s foremost naturalists. After a short visit you’ll return to Ushuaia. Important note: Penguin tour available from November to March.

Heading to the National Park, you’ll start your trekking in Ensenada Bay, where you’ll see a wide variety of local flora and fauna, as well as some evidence of old Yamana settlements. After a 3-hour walk you’ll reach Lake Roca where lunch will be served before beginning the 1-hour kayaking adventure in Lapataia Bay. Return to Ushuaia.

Beavers are completely herbivorous mammals living on twigs, bark and leaves (to which they add grass in spring and summer). They build dams for protection and as a winter reserve of food. The departure from Ushuaia for this tour takes place during the summer evenings entering a private ranch and crossing the Andean Range in a comfortable Land Rover. After a 25 minute ride, you’ll be deep inside the Sub-Antarctic Beech Forest and the home of the beaver’s dams. You’ll be able to see the beavers at work as, due to a lack of predators, they have become extraordinarily abundant. Late evening return to Ushuaia after a dinner consisting of a healthy stew, with wonderful views of the city at night.

Prices Valid April 10- August

Prices Valid September- March

You will board at the floating dock located in Bajo de las Sombras Bay, 7km from the glacier lookout point. You will enjoy 40-min cruise on Lake Rico which will bring you closer to the southern wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier.

The excursion will take you to Bahia Bajo de las Sombras, 7km from the glacier, from where you’ll take a 30 minute boat ride to the southwestern edge of Lake Argentino, and a view to the southern wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier and Canal de los Tempanos. Once on land, a guide will welcome you and give a brief introduction about the park and some security measures while ice-trekking. Then in small groups (max. 10 people) you will start the 20-minute walk to the glacier previous. From here you’ll enjoy a wonderful 2-hour walk on the surface of the ice. Return to the hut for lunch (you can take your own box lunch or request it as an additional service). Return to the hotel.

Early morning departure from your hotel in El Calafate for a ride to Punta Bandera where you will board the yacht. After a beautiful cruise over Lake Argentino, you will reach the Upsala Glacier, the largest one within the continental Patagonian ice-field. The height of its walls ranges from 197 to 262 ft (60-80m) and it is 37 miles (60km) long, and 3-4 miles (5-7km) wide. The tour will then continue before landing in Onelli Bay, from here you’ll find yourselves surrounded by typical Patagonian forest where lenga and guindo trees are found all over, covered by the ‘old man's beard’ usnea (lichen). After crossing the forest, you will reach the Onelli Lagoon, where glaciers Onelli, Bolado and Agassiz meet. The lagoon is usually full of icebergs. Depending upon the season, you’ll continue to the Spegazzini and Seco Glaciers. Late return to Calafate.

Estancia Cristina welcomes you to a day in Patagonia filled with unique sensations and experiences. Starting off with a cruise amongst impressive icebergs you’ll have imposing views of the Upsala Glacier. Our modern and comfortable boat Upsala Explorer will take you towards the estancia. The excursion has two different mutually exclusive options. Depending on weather conditions, the guides will prepare different activities: walks or hikes of different difficulties and lengths to explore the historical estancia and its surroundings.  Full lunch including beverages is included in price.

4x4 Exploration
08.00 am Departure from Puerto Banderas.
10.30 am Cruise amongst icebergs in front of Upsala Glacier.
11.30 am Arrival to Estancia Cristina, Unimog ride to Upsala Glacier lookout point.
02.30 pm Lunch (Patagonian Lamb).
05.00 pm Visit of the historical estancia and its surroundings.
05.30 pm Departure towards Puerto Bandera (snack on board).

Horseback Riding Exploration
08.00 am Departure from Puerto Bandera.
10.30 am Cruise amongst icebergs in front of Upsala Glacier.
11.30 am Arrival to Estancia Cristina, Horseback riding through forests, hills and valleys to Lake Tannhauser panoramic lookout point.
02.30 pm Lunch (Patagonian Lamb).
05.00 pm Visit of the historical estancia and its surroundings.
05.30 pm Departure towards Puerto Bandera (snack on board).

This excursion gives an insight into the lives of the area’s first inhabitants, the regional flora and fauna and other interesting secrets of El Calafate. On board of a comfortable bus, you’ll visit different sectors of the village and its surroundings, such as Redonda Bay and the Nimes Lagoon. The trip starts in the Historical Interpretation Centre, close to the shores of Lake Argentino, where the visitors learn interesting facts about the area’s past and its former inhabitants. You’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the town from different lookout points and finally be guided to the painted rocks in the Gualicho Caves, just 9km from El Calafate, where paintings dating back to 4,000 years BC can be seen. This archaeological site is located in an outstanding geological formation of sedimentary rocks and steppe vegetation.

Just 20km from El Calafate you will find the Estancia Alice where the kind staff welcome you with delicious home made jams, cookies, scones, bread and hot tea or coffee. The adventure starts at the antique sheep shearing shed where the walking tour follows trekking paths that lead to the lagoon ‘Laguna de los Pajaros’ and the lake ‘Lago Argentino’. The expedition to the nature reserve includes bird watching of over 40 migrating species. The tour continues to an ancient Indian camping ground where archeologists have been involved in excavations and studies of the local culture. In the shearing shed you will learn how sheep are shorn and how wool is baled. The tour ends with a delicious Patagonian lamb barbecue, fresh salads and homemade desserts at the cozy restaurant overlooking ‘Lago Argentino’ and the ‘Cordillera de Los Andes’.

Prices Valid September- June

Prices Valid July- August

Lying less than 20 km from the city, this ski and winter-sports resort caters to all levels, from beginner to advanced. The highly modern infrastructure allows for participation in a variety of winter activities. The villa is located at an altitude of 1,000 meters and offers spacious and comfortable lodging in a spectacular setting.

After a 2-hour boat ride, you will reach the Arrayanes Forest, a unique place in the world made up of ancient cinnamon-colored trees. From there you will sail to Victoria Island, where you will be able to walk some of its trails and explore the surroundings by yourself. You will return to San Carlos de Bariloche in the evening.

Morning departure from Bariloche heading south following Route 258, which passes Lakes Gutierrez & Mascardi, up to the entrance to Mt. Tronador After crossing the Rio Manso bridge, you arrive to Pampa Linda, with amazing views of Tronador Mountain. After lunch, you continue to Ventisquero Negro (Manso Glacier). Here you will see the three main peaks of Mount Tronador: Argentino (3410m), International (3554m), and Chileno (3414m). If the weather allows, after the visit, you will head to Cascadas Los Alerces, a beautiful waterfall close to Lago Hess. Return to Bariloche in the late afternoon.