Amazing Argentina - Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls & Patagonian Glaciers

From the cafes of Buenos Aires, where impassioned tango dancers swirl through the night, to the magnificent spectacle of imposing Iguazu Falls and the breathtaking Wilderness of Patagonia.  Argentina offers an experience unmatched anywhere in the World.

Our tour encompasses many of Argentina’s incredible contrasting highlights, starting with a tango show in sophisticated Buenos Aires and experiencing gaucho life on an estancia before flying up to see the 275 cataracts of the mighty Iguazu Falls as it gushes 90 metres over its horse-shoe shaped precipice.

  We fly to  Welsh-speaking Puerto Madryn to visit the wild isthmus of Península Valdes, home to penguins, elephant seals, armidillos and killer whales, then finally south to Glacier National Park, where the magnificent Perito Moreno glacier calves vast ice sheets into the stunning lake landscape. Prívate extensions to Salta, Bariloche, Chile, and other destinations in South America can be arranged.

Overview

Dates:

2 - 13 March 2012

Price:

From £3995* per person sharing

Trip Lecturer

Chris Sharpe.
Chris is an ecologist who has lived and worked in Latin America for over twenty years. Read more

Itinerary

Day 1
Overnight flight to Buenos Aires on Aerolineas Argentinas.
Day 2
Transfer to the Américas Towers Hotel in the Recoleta district, one of the most elegant areas of Buenos Aires. Afternoon city tour of Buenos Aires. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the Américas Towers Hotel.
Day 3
Full day visit to Estancia El Ombú de Areco, a 19th century Italian designed historical ranch just over an hour's drive from downtown Buenos Aires and a wonderful way to enjoy the Pampas. It is located near San Antonio de Areco, birthplace of the gaucho tradition. In the evening Dinner and Tango Show at Esquina Carlos Gardel. Overnight at the Americas Towers.
Day 4
Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport for morning flight to Iguazu Falls, one of the largest in the world and a most astounding sight. Half day tour of Iguazu Falls on the Brazilian side. Overnight Amerian Portal del Iguazu Hotel.
Day 5
Full day tour of Iguazu Falls on the Argentine side. Numerous islands along the 2.7 kilometre long edge divide the falls into about 275 separate waterfalls and cataracts, varying between 60 metres (and 82 metres high. Overnight Amerian Portal del Iguazu.
Day 6
Transfer to Iguazu airport for flight to Puerto Madryn, a city on the Atlantic Coast of Patagonia founded by Welsh settlers in the late19th century. Overnight at Hotel Peninsula Valdes, Puerto Madryn.
Day 7
Full day excursion to Punta Valdes, an important nature reserve which is listed as a World Heritage Site. The coastline is inhabited by marine sea lions, elephants seals and fur seals found in Golfo Nuevo and Golfo San José, in protected bodies of water located between the peninsula and the Patagonian mainland. There are also Magellanic Penguins here. Inland are guanacos. Overnight at Hotel Peninsula Valdes, Puerto Madryn.
Day 8
Afternoon flight from Puerto Madryn to El Calafate. Transfer to  Imago Hotel El Calafate.
Day 9
Full day visit to Perito Moreno Glacier in the Glacier National Park. This is the most dynamic glacier in the world. Formed in a low gap in the Andes, the glacier moves forward at two metres a day. Overnight Imago Hotel.
Day 10
Full day visit by catamaran through the North Arm of Lago Argentino until it approaches the front wall of the Upsala Glacier, crossing the amazing barrier of icebergs constantly floating in front of it. Upsala is the largest glacier within Los Glaciares National Park amongst stunning mountain scenery. Overnight Imago Hotel.
Day 11
Transfer to the airport for flight to Buenos Aires and on to London.

NOTE: Itinerary may be changed at short notice due to weather or other conditions out of our control, but every effort will be made to adhere to the itinerary published.

Tour Details

DATE:
2 - 13 March 2012
PRICE:
From £3995 per person sharing based on Amundsen Cabin
INCLUDES:
airfare from London, twin or double bedded rooms with private bathroom, full board, all excursions with local guides, all entrance fees, UK departure tax, transfers, expert leader. Single supplement £460.
NOT INCLUDED:
are regional connecting flights if not departing from London, other airline taxes (UK passenger service charge, security tax, insurance, foreign departure tax, fuel surcharges), drinks, tips to drivers & local guides.
ACCOMMODATION:
This tour uses the best available 4-5* accommodation in each location and all will be comfortable – eg en-suite rooms throughout In Buenos Aires the Hotel Americas Towers is a 4/5* 100 room hotel situated in the heart of Buenos Aires, close to Plaza Libertad, Teatro Colon, and Plaza San Martin. Also nearby are Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada. At Iguazu Falls, the Hotel Amerian Portal Del Iguazu is a modern 5* hotel. Although this hotel is a little farther from Iguazu Falls (12 miles) than most of the others in the area it is in a beautiful location overlooking the confluence of the Iguazu and Parana rivers. The Hotel Peninsula Valdes in Puerto Madryn is 4*, very centrally located, right at the coast and a few kilometres from the Nature Reserve. In El Calafate the Imago Hotel and Spa, the most luxurious hotel in the area, is a new fifty four room 4* hotel located in El Calafate, The hotel is about 15 minutes from the airport and is a good base from which to explore the National Glacier Park.
FITNESS LEVEL:

Moderate - We have graded the fitness level required for participation in this tour as Moderate. No long walks are required, however it is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchair users or those who routinely use a walking aid including crutches or a frame. If unsure, please check with us.

Trip Lecturer

Chris Sharpe was educated at the University of Cambridge, Chris is an ecologist who has lived and worked in Latin America for over twenty years.  He had led over 100 specialist wildlife tours throughout the region.

Fast facts

  • Sovereignty: Argentina is officially a Republic and is the second largest country in South America.
  • Currency: Argentinian Peso
  • Immunisations: None required. *Note this advice is intended to be a guide only, as we are not qualified to give out medical advice. Travellers should always consult their own GP before they travel to get up-to-date information which is relevant to their own circumstances.
  • Visas: Visa not required by any nationality.
  • Flying time: 16+ hours to Buenos Aires including change of planes in Madrid
  • Will my phone work:Yes, but you will need a tri or quad-band phone (1900 or 850 MHz).

Extensions in South America

Call us to disscuss exciting extensions in South America we can design to fit with the dates of this tour. After all, you’re already there!