ARGENTINA ACTIVE TOURS - ECOTURS

Transcription

1

2 ARGENTINA ACTIVE TOURS - ECOTURS Our proposal of tours includes highlights in Argentina allowing an active relationship with nature. Any combination of these packages offers the experience of discovering and exploring while travelling, with adventurous spirit, through privileged and remote landscapes. Trekking, horseback riding, mountain biking and four-wheel drives are not only part of our excursions but also means of transportation to admire and be delighted by natural landscapes of incomparable beauty. Each traveller and ourselves must respect nature, protecting and "only leaving footprints and taking memories", not modifying the landscape at all. These tours allow unforgettable experiences exploring the natural and cultural ambiences of Argentina, including emotion and fascination on your trips!!!

3 USHUAIA This is the ultimate adventure to the End of the Earth!! From magnificent granite outcrops, to unique flora, everything you see in this unmatched part of the world will enhance your appreciation for the forces of nature. Take this enchanting trip to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia, and experience the beauty of Tierra del Fuego National Park and Lapataia Bay area trekking along its amazing paths. Enjoy an unforgettable day sailing the Beagle Channel to admire the charming sea-lions and cormorants. Explore Lake Fagnano s region in a 4 x 4 vehicle getting through incredible forests with the most varied flora species. An adventurous trip not to be missed! Departures: daily Day 01: Ushuaia Meeting at Ushuaia airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation for three nights. In the afternoon, we will experience the Patagonia Adventure Navigation sailing the marvellous Beagle Channel in a small boat. We will sail to the spectacular Sea lions Island, the Birds Island, and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. Sailing in this small boat we will get close to the beautiful species of the southern part of our country. Finally, and the most interesting part of the tour, we will make a walk on an enchanted deserted island which belongs to the Bridges archipelago. Birdwatching, fishing and tasting King Crab are some of the activities you can practice on this beautiful island. Day 02: Ushuaia Trekking and Navigation in the National Park Ideal excursion for nature and hike lovers. We will leave early in the morning and head westwards to reach Tierra del Fuego National Park where we will enjoy the magnificent fuegian woods in contact with the sea. We will take the beautiful coastal path and admire its incredible vegetation (High Deciduous Beech, Low Deciduous Beech, Evergreen Beech, Winterbark, Firebush, etc.) and fauna stopping in the most interesting points. Then we board a Zodiac boat and sail along the spectacular Beagle Channel bordering the Sea Lions Island and Redonda Island where we will have a wonderful view of Imperial Cormorants that nestle in a rocky wall of the isle. We will disembark on the island and have lunch in a refuge. After lunch you will have some free time to walk around this natural reserve and explore its virgin beauties. In the afternoon we will head to Lapataia Bay and along this trip we will see some of the most beautiful seabirds of the Argentinean South (Albatrosses, Petrels, Snowy Sheath Bills and sometimes Penguins). We will arrive at Lapataia Bay, end of the Panamerican Road, end of the world, pure beauty. From there we will walk along two stunning short paths: Lapataia and Las Lengas lookout to end near Laguna Verde. Return to Ushuaia. Day 03: Ushuaia Lakes off road Reach unique spots only accessible by a four wheel drive vehicle. We will depart in the morning northwards to enjoy the magnificent views of Carbajal and Tierra Mayor Valleys. We will then reach Garibaldi Pass, where we will make our first panoramic stop. We will go on to Bronzovich Sawmill where we ll take a fascinating secondary road, follow a path to Lake Fagnano and in an extraordinary forest we will have breakfast. The adventurous off road lasts for approximately one hour following Lake Fagnano s coast, sometimes through the forest, sometimes through the water. Before we arrive to Bombilla Lagoon you can take a 40-minute-hike to the refuge located by the lake with the best views of Tierra del Fuego. After lunch you will have some free time to walk around or just rest and enjoy the landscape. We will then follow an off road that borders the enchanting Lake Escondido, we ll go on further to the tip of the lake, where Hosteria Petrel is situated. There, you will have some free time again (around 1 hour) to walk, drink a coffee at the Hostel or enjoy the beauty of the place. At 5 PM we will start our journey back to the city of Ushuaia. Beavers encounter We leave late in the afternoon and head westwards to get 5 km away from the city of Ushuaia into a private lot and cross the cordillera in a Land Rover Defender. We will drive 25 minutes off road in a really beautiful landscape. At the end of the track we begin a 25 minutes hike along an extraordinary forest, enchanted, filled with orchids, daisies and wild strawberries after which we arrive at a beaver s dam, an untamed view. There, we will watch these charming rodents, experts in hydraulic engineering. We then go back to the truck and from there we head towards the Valley of Río Chico where a large campfire, a snack and a tasty stew awaits us. We will wait for the night to come (in summer at 11:00 PM) around the fire and then we will return to Ushuaia. The way back is unique, the off road by night in the forest is unbelievable, the terrific view of Ushuaia at night from the top of the mountain is marvellous. Day 04: Ushuaia Transfer to the airport to board the local flight.

4 EL CALAFATE Los Glaciares National Park covers more than 6000 sq. km. of southern Argentina and offers a remarkable combination of spectacular mountain ranges, breathtaking glaciers, vast emerald green lakes and rare plants and animals. The adventurous minitrekking, highlight of this expedition, take in the most spectacular views to be enjoyed in this National Park, home of the millenary Perito Moreno Glacier, declared by UNESCO Universal Mankind s Heritage. You will be able to admire the most spectacular scenery on Earth!!! The adventure goes on in 4 x 4 vehicles which will drive you to the astonishing Upsala Glacier Lookout. After this unforgettable experiences, let your spirit be delighted hiking or horseback riding at Estancia Cristina. Departures: daily Day 01: Rio Gallegos / El Calafate Meeting at Rio Gallegos airport and transfer by regular line bus to the hotel in El Calafate. Accommodation for three nights. Day 02: El Calafate FD Minitrekking on Perito Moreno Glacier Depart from the hotel towards the stunning Los Glaciares National Park where we will take a 30 minutes boat ride to the southwest margin of "Lago Argentino". Upon arrival expert guides will assist us to put on crampons and will explain us and guide us on how to walk on ice. In this one-of-a-kind adventure we will enjoy one of the most thrilling experiences on a 2 hours walk on the surface of Perito Moreno s Glacier exploring the huge masses of ice, crevasses, cascades and caves, a world away from the world that seems to have been held back in time. Return to the Refuge. Free time for lunch (we suggest bringing your lunch box). In the afternoon, free time at leisure to hike, horeseback ride and explore the charming forest, its flaura, lush vegetation and fauna and the most incredible sights of the National Park. Day 03: El Calafate FD Estancia Cristina Estancia Cristina opens its doors for you to enjoy a full day of unique experiences. Located on Cristina Channel, near the Upsala Glacier, this ranch has the privilege of being the best land access to the spectacular Glacier and the Continental Ice. We will cruise majestically among enormous icebergs and beautiful sceneries till we reach this incredible place. Upon arrival the safari adventure continues on an unimog vehicle which will take us up to the Upsala Lookout, the ideal spot for viewing the largest glacier in the National Park. For the most adventurous, Estancia Cristina offers horseback rides and hikes of different levels of difficulty and duration. On foot or on horseback, you can explore different points of interest in this historical and amazing ranch and its surrounding area. Lunch is included. Day 04: El Calafate / Rio Gallegos Transfer to Rio Gallegos airport by regular line bus. FITZ ROY This adventure combines strenuous hiking, awesome horseback riding and challenging mountain bike rides. It takes you on an unforgettable adventure across the majestic Mount Fitz Roy (or Chalten) formation after which you will become experts mountaineers and explorers. You will admire the fascinating views of the "Patagonia s giants" trekking at "Laguna de los tres". Horseback riding to Torre Hill and Torre Lagoon will be an incredible experience. Cycling around the spectacular landscape of this area will allow you to experience a land of rugged enchantment where the dictates of nature rule and few men have been before you. Departures: daily Optional Tour from El Calafate Day 01: El Calafate / El Chalten Transfer from El Calafate to El Chalten by regular line bus. Accommodation at Hosteria del Pilar for three nights. Day 02: El Chalten Breakfast at the hosteria. FD Trekking "Laguna de los Tres" This 12 km. adventurous trekking takes in the most spectacular views of the "Patagonia s giants" where every turn on the trail offers new and impressive landscapes. Along this 7 hours hike we will explore the amazing sights of the Andean Patagonic region We start bordering the White River and get to "Laguna de los Tres" where we will have time at leisure for resting or taking pictures. A box lunch is included. Day 03: El Chalten Breakfast at the hosteria. Horseback ride to "Laguna Torre" This stunning horseback ride through the forest and upwards will take us to one of the world s nicest mountains, the Cerro Torre (Torre Hill). The unmistakable silhouette of this mountain is the best symbol of Patagonia. After a 6 hours ride we will get to the beautiful lagoon on its base, a spectacular place with great landscape and marvellous scenery. A lunch box is included. Day 04: El Chalten / El Calafate Breakfast at the inn. In the morning we will enjoy an awesome 3 hours mountain bike ride to "Lago del Desierto". Biking along spectacular trails we will be in direct contact with the wild vegetation and fauna of the region. This ride will offer you an astonishing Patagonic scenery. Transfer to El Calafate and connection to Rio Gallegos by regular line bus.

5 PUERTO MADRYN Ideal destination for fauna and wildlife lovers... On this trip you will explore Peninsula Valdes, the largest peninsula of the Atlantic coast and home of the magnificent Southern Right Whale. You will be amazed with its rich wildlife (elephants, seals, sea lions and penguins) and varied fauna (armadillos, rheas, foxes, guanacos, hares, etc.) which you will admire hiking along the incredible Patagonian landscape. You will be lodged in the middle of the peninsula from where you will be able to take hiking excursions to watch the sea elephants. You will also visit an amazing "Estancia" where you will be delighted by the view of the coast and the spectacular colony of Magellan penguins. This incredible penguin s paradise can also be discovered biking and being in contact with the spectacular countryside. We will also watch them in Punta Tombo Penguin Reserve with the largest Magellanic penguin colony in the Continent with more than 2 million penguins during the peak season. Departures: daily Day 01: Trelew / Puerto Madryn Meeting at Trelew airport and transfer to the hotel in Puerto Madryn. Accommodation for one night. Cerro Avanzado 4x4 In the afternoon, visit the amazing "Cerro Avanzado", located 17 km Northeast from the city of Puerto Madryn, on 4 x 4 vehicles. This incredible excursion synthesizes the natural beauties of northern Patagonia, a site where the severity of desert and the wealth of marine coast meet. Being the last step of the Patagonian plateau that gets into the sea forming the Cerro Avanzado (Advanced Hill), the landscape presents an array of displays in varied and interesting topographic forms: beaches, streams, cliffs, scarps, the plateau. The adventure begins from the very moment the Land Rover Defender approaches and advances in a cross-country crossing old cart tracks where only our vehicles can travel. The "ecoadventurers" will feel and live Patagonia in a different way. The interpreters (generally biologists) will explain to you the formation of the desert, its plants, its animals, the ground and the water and the history of Patagonia over 30 million years back. You will be able to explore the magnificent region and walk among marine fossils 10 million years old, also recognize the fabulous marine fauna that lives there. The complete route has 50 km in which interesting explanations, amazing long walks and stops in panoramic points are alternated Return to the hotel. Day 02: Puerto Madryn / Punta Delgada Transfer to Península Valdés You will be introduced into the fascinating ecological world of Península Valdés located a few kilometers away from Puerto Madryn. In the morning departure for a magnificent excursion to the Wild Life Reserve, passing by the Nuevo and San José Gulfs, spotting the incredible Bird Island, arriving finally at Puerto Pirámide, habitat of the amazing sea lions. We will have free time for walking up and exploring the sea lions rookery. From July to December we will be able to take an optional boat ride to see the spellbinding whale gathering for the mating and birthing season. Continuation to Punta Delgada. Accommodation. Afternoon at leisure for trekking along the beautiful beach, 2 km. cliffs and dunes to admire the awesome sea elephants, sea lions and fauna. Dinner at the hotel. Day 03: Punta Delgada / Puerto Madryn In the morning, visit to Estancia San Lorenzo, on the Northeastern extreme of Península Valdés, to see its famous penguin rookery. Inside the estancia and in front of San Matias gulf we can find a unique colony of more than Magellan penguins apart from wild fauna such as "guanacos", "choiques", "maras", hares and lots of different marine birds and mammals. We will be able to explore this extraordinary scenery on 4 x 4 vehicles. Other activities in the hacienda include hiking circuits, horseback riding and mountain bike. In the afternoon, continue to Caleta Valdés to visit the wonderful Wild Life Reserve of sea lions. Return to Puerto Madryn passing by "Gran Salitral". Accommodation at the hotel. Day 04: Puerto Madryn / Trelew In the morning, departure towards the spectacular Punta Tombo Fauna Reservation, where every year from September to April millions of Magellan penguins meet for mating and birthing. Penguins arrive at this place to build their nests, incubate the eggs and feed the nestling with fish and squid to prepare them for living in the sea. We will have a great time admiring the complex behavior of these swimming migratory birds. We will also be delighted by other bird colonies such as cormorants, seagulls, etc. Finally, we will continue to Trelew airport.

6 SAN CARLOS DE BARILOCHE Also called the Capital of the southern Lakes, San Carlos de Bariloche is the gateway to the imposing natural landscapes of Patagonia. Almost 30 lakes and important mountain chains makes it an ideal destination for adventurous travellers. You will be surprised by the magic of the first National Park of Argentina. San Carlos de Bariloche is more than a charming mountain village by the lake, offering the highest international level. Departure: daily Day 01: Bariloche Arrival. Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Small Circuit In the morning departure for a wonderful half-day sightseeing of Bariloche and its outskirts. We will drive along Bustillo Ave. bordering the beautiful Nahuel Huapi Lake towards "Playa Bonita". Continue to Campanario Hill, where a cable car will take us to the summit of the hill wich has a spectacular overview of Nahuel Huapi Lake, the mountain peaks of the Andean range and the city. Then, we will drive towards the enchanting San Pedro and Llao Llao Peninsulas. We will visit San Eduardo Chapel, have a view of the historic Llao Llao Hotel & Resort and "Puerto Pañuelo", the departure point of most lake excursions. We will cross the bridge that connects the Nahuel Huapi and the Moreno lakes and proceed to Bahia Lopez. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Nahuel Huapi Lake from the panoramic point, a natural balcony facing Moreno Lake. Return to Bariloche. Day 02: Bariloche Rafting Manso River In the morning departure to the beautiful Steffen lake, located a few miles away from Bariloche city southwards, travelling along a very narrow route passing through "Pampa del toro" to start our adventure. We will get to the eastern board of Steffen Lake, where the road ends. From there, we will continue to Manso River where the rafting adventure down this amazing river begins. Surrounded by an incredible vegetation and impressive variety of animals which are possible to watch along the "rapids", such as Patagonian woodpeckers, condors, teros, wild ducks, ibis, hares and foxes, this exciting rafting ends at the Manso valley, from where we will drive back to Bariloche. Return to hotel. Day 03: Bariloche Estancia Fortín Chacabuco This beautiful hacienda is located 20 km. away from Bariloche and 23 km from the airport in Neuquen province. It was built in 1883 when General Villegas ordered to build the Chacabuco Fort, in the fight against the Indians. It has 5000 has. dedicated to sheep breeding (they were the first ones to use frozen sperms for artificial insemination). As it is located in the transition between the pre-cordillera and the steppe, this outstanding place offers different and varied flora, fauna and soils which gives a very interesting and amazing landscape. In this attractive estancia it is possible to watch wild stags, different kinds of birds and reptiles, go hiking or horseback riding through the awesome hills, valleys and streams enjoying spectacular panoramic views of Bariloche city and its outskirts, go fishing, hunting or observe the sheep shear. You can also go for a relaxed walk admiring the incredible 15 years old pine trees plantation or the 300 years old cypress forest. Day 04: Bariloche Safari on four wheels vehicle through the Patagonian steppe Adventurous safari where we will discover the most incredible geological formations, colourful flowerings and most characteristic birds of the steppe. We will depart eastwards to the spectacular "corredor Pichileufu" area, having short stops to admire and contemplate remarkable archaeological sites, rupestrian art and fossiliferous deposits (petrified woods). After a short rest and lunch we will continue through Villa Llanquin using a raft to get back to the route. This excursion will allow us to experience the quiet steppe roads of one of the most fascinating and unique areas in the world and understand how the steppe developed through thousand of years, forming the most incredible geologic formations. Day 05: Bariloche Transfer to Bariloche airport.

7 NORTHWEST Also called the Capital of the southern Lakes, San Carlos de Bariloche is the gateway to the imposing natural landscapes of Patagonia. Almost 30 lakes and important mountain chains makes it an ideal destination for adventurous travellers. You will be surprised by the magic of the first National Park of Argentina. San Carlos de Bariloche is more than a charming mountain village by the lake, offering the highest international level. SAFARI TO THE LAND OF THE INCAS Departures: Wednesdays Day 01: Salta Arrival. Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Day 02: Salta / Tilcara Breakfast at the 4 x 4 vehicle. Traverse on four wheels vehicle Early in the morning departure on an exciting safari. We will leave Salta along the fascinating "Road to the Clouds" following the tracks of the famous "Train Journey to the Clouds".We will travel through the spectacular Toro Canyon to San Antonio de los Cobres on the puna (flat part of the Andes) and then we will cross the stunning Puna to get to the saltflats (Salinas Grandes) in the province of Jujuy. We will then descend through the magnificent "Cuesta de Lipán" to the picturesque Purmamarca, a colonial village dominated by the Seven Colours Hill. Finally we will get to Tilcara, a typical village in the Humahuaca River Gorge, one of the main communication routes between the Puna and the plain. Accommodation. Day 03: Tilcara / Iruya In the morning we will visit Tilcara Pucará, the extarordinary fortified precolombian settlement and its Archeological Museum. We will then continue our Safari through the Humahuaca River Gorge travelling along roads formerly used by the Incas and small villages which still keep touches of the Pre-Hispanic cities to Humahuaca, founded in the 16th Century. We will walk through its beautiful narrow cobblestone streets with its sun dried clay brick houses, we will see its remarcable Cathedral, Town Hall, the Northern Carnival Museum and the craft fair. We will then continue our way to Iruya, set within a landscape full of magic at 2730ms. Accommodation. Day 04: Iruya / Salta In the morning we will walk around this enchanted town. Later we will continue our adventure back to Salta across imposing valleys and high plateaus where adobe houses and cultivated fields can be seen. Accommodation. Day 05: Salta City tour Departure from your hotel to visit Salta city, one of the most picturesque cities in the country with its narrow cobblestone streets and colonial style architecture. We will visit its main highlights: San Francisco Church and Convent, the old Town Hall, San Bernardo Convent, the Italian style cathedral and its imposing tower. We will then drive toward the suburbs to visit San Bernardo Hill for an impressive panoramic view of the city and the river Lerma Valley. Our sightseeing will end at the Craft Market. Return to the hotel. Transfer to Salta s airport. TRAIN TO ATACAMA Departures: Fridays Day 01: Salta Arrival. Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Day 02: Salta / San Antonio de los Cobres Breakfast at the 4 x 4 vehicle. Traverse on four wheels vehicle Very early in the morning transfer to Salta s train station to board the famous and unforgettable "Train to the Clouds". This extraordinary engineering masterpiece connects Salta city with La Polvorilla Viaduct located at 4200 mts above sea level. In this fascinating tour we will travel through the imposing scenery of the Puna, cross bridges, tunnels, zig zags and loops along 214 kms trails before reaching the final destination. We will get off the train in San Antonio de Los Cobres to board a 4WD vehicle that will take us to visit the spectacular Tuzgle Volcano, with its astonishing thermal waters. San Antonio de los Cobres is known as the "Door to the Puna", and used to be Argentina's mining capital (3800 m of altitude) where copper, silver and other minerals were extracted. It is located in a wide depression that goes along San Antonio de los Cobres River and finally flows into Salinas Grandes in Jujuy province. Acommodation at Hosteria San Antonio de los Cobres. Dinner at the inn. Day 03: San Antonio de los Cobres / San Pedro de Atacama Breakfast at the inn. In the morning, visit to a very interesting mine located near the inn where we will submerge into the "middle of the earth" walking through awesome galleries, chimneys and tunnels. After lunch, we will board the Minitrack (our 4WD vehicle) to Sico Pass, which will take us over the breathtakimg Andes Range to Chile. The route takes us up 4700 m high through spectacular saltlakes and fascinating mountain formations. We will then arrive at San Pedro de Atacama in Chile, a beautiful Precolombian village, totally built in "adobe" (sun-dried mud bricks). Accommodation at Hotel San Pedro de Atacama. Dinner at the hotel. Day 04: San Pedro de Atacama In the morning you are free to walk around this little picturesque village and to visit the interesting archaeological museum. Afterwards we will visit the enchanting Quitor ruins in San Pedro s suburbs. At noon we will go to the "Salar de Atacama", placed in one of the most arid deserts on the Planet, where we may see some flamingos. Return to the hotel. Day 05: San Pedro de Atacama Today we start at 4 AM, to reach the famous Tatio Geysers at dawn and watch the impressing steam columns with the volcano's landscape in the background at the light of the first sunbeams. After this nature show, we ride back to San Pedro de Atacama. In the afternoon we will cross the Atacama Desert over a little pass to "Valle de la Luna" (Moon Valley), where a consistent wind and water erosion created a moon-like landscape unique in form and colour. Return to the hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. Day 06: San Pedro de Atacama / Salta We will go back to Argentina, this time over the northern pass, "Paso de Jama". We will first travel along impressive volcanoes, some of them still active, then we will cross the Puna highlands with their astonishing saltflats and dispersed herds of llamas. After the Big Saltlakes "Salinas Grandes" in Jujuy province, we will leave the Puna and go down on an unforgettable slope "Cuesta de Lipán" to the little village of Purmamarca. We will visit this small town at the foot of the Seven Colours Hill with its handicraft market and get back to Salta passing through San Salvador de Jujuy. Accommodation at the hotel. Day 07: Salta City tour Departure from our hotel to visit Salta city, one of the most picturesque cities in the country with its narrow cobblestone streets and colonial style architecture. We will visit its main highlights: San Francisco Church and Convent, the old Town Hall, San Bernardo Convent, the Italian style cathedral and its imposing tower. We will then drive toward the suburbs to visit San Bernardo Hill for an impressive panoramic view of the city and the river Lerma Valley. Our sightseeing will end at the Craft Market. Return to the hotel. Transfer to Salta airport.

8 Viamonte 486 (1053) - Buenos Aires - Tel Fax correo@eurotur.com.ar web