15 days
Quotation ref CLAR Trip Consultant Tour Highlights The sizzling Argentinian capital of uenos Aires Hiking capital of Argentina, El Chaltén The magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier eautiful lake district region surrounding San Carlos de ariloche Phenomenal Iguazú Falls Gauchos and grasslands of the Pampas Places visited ID 2526 - P a g e 1
El Calafate El Chaltén Perito Moreno Glacier San Carlos de ariloche Iguazú Falls The Pampas What's included Arrival & departure transfers Ground transport with driver Domestic flights Accommodation (refer to itinerary for meal plan) English-speaking guides Entrance fees to sites & parks What's not included not mentioned in itinerary Drinks Visa fees Tipping Camera / video camera fees Personal items (laundry, telephone, etc.) Medical expenses Any services not mentioned in itinerary All accommodation subject to availability. Final accommodation choices will be confirmed after booking. ID 2526 - P a g e 2
Your Itinerary Explained Date Place visited : The first part of the text in each day is the itinerary schedule and will explain what you will reakfast normally see/do during this day of your itinerary. --L: The part of the day s text in italics (and comes after the three dashes --- ) is background Lunch information on the places or sites on that day of your itinerary. It is not part of your D: itinerary and may mention places that will not be visited on your itinerary. If you have any Dinner questions please ask us. Travel times where noted are only meant as a guideline. Tour Itinerary Day 1 Arrival - uenos Aires Arrive into uenos Aires where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore uenos Aires at your own pace. Overnight in uenos Aires. uenos Aires Day 2 Recoleta Cemetery N/A Please note: your hotel room will be available from 3 p.m., but if you arrive earlier, you can store your luggage at the hotel until you check in. --Stylish and sensuous, the Argentinian capital of uenos Aires has a distinctly Parisian feel with wide boulevards and pavement cafés, but dig a little deeper and you will discover a city with a unique cultural identity. The city breathes to the rhythm of captivating tango beats and you re never too far away from a parrilla (traditional Argentine steak house) the perfect place to sample the local cuisine with a sumptuous glass of malbec. uenos Aires Enjoy a guided tour around northern uenos Aires, beginning in the glamorous area of Recoleta. Visit the Recoleta Cemetery and its numerous surrounding parks. Drive to the district of Palermo and explore the design boutiques in the trendy neighbourhoods of Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood. Return to the hotel for dinner followed by a tango show at El Viejo Almacen. Overnight in uenos Aires. --Recoleta Cemetery was formed in 1732 around the convent and church, Our Lady of Pilar. Visitors can see elaborate marble mausoleums designed in a variety of architectural styles including Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Neo-Gothic. One of the most impressive tombs belongs to the former actress-turned-first Lady of Argentina, Eva Perón (also known as Evita) and the final resting places of several of Argentina's most prominent figures can be found amongst the 'streets' of tombs. D ID 2526 - P a g e 3
Palermo is uenos Aires' largest neighbourhood, and one of its most trendy. With development in the area booming over the last 15 years, it is a prime location for new businesses; barely a week goes by without a new restaurant opening. Palermo Soho is the fashionable heart of Palermo, boasting streets lined with cafés and designer boutiques, while Palermo Hollywood is so called because of its high concentration of TV and film production studios. Day 3 La oca uenos Aires Today, enjoy a city tour of southern uenos Aires, exploring the famous Avenida de Mayo and the important buildings surrounding the Plaza de Mayo, before visiting the Metropolitan Cathedral. Drive to the historical district of San Telmo and walk around the antique shops at the Plaza Dorrego. Continue to the colourful area of La oca and its famous Caminito street, lined with tango dancers and painters. Drive by the Puerto Madero area, enjoy the views from the Puente de la Mujer (Woman's ridge) and explore the underground tunnels of Zanjón de Granados. --The Plaza de Mayo is one of the main city squares in uenos Aires. It was formed in 1884, and has since been the scene of some of the most momentous events in Argentinian history. There are many buildings of significance surrounding the square, including the Cabildo, the Casa Rosada and the Metropolitan Cathedral. The Casa Rosada (Pink House) is the executive mansion and office of the President of Argentina and is officially known as the Casa de Gobierno (Government House). Located on the culturally and politically important Plaza de Mayo square, the building is famed for its pink colour, which has become an iconic symbol of uenos Aires. Dating back to the 17th century, San Telmo is the oldest neighbourhood in uenos Aires. Once a poor area, it was first home to dockworkers and brickmakers. The establishment of the Parish of San Pedro Gonzalez Telmo in 1806 boosted the economy, with many mansions and imposing houses consequently built. Today, the area's history is evident in its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture, while the bohemian vibe and tango dancing in the plazas attract many tourists. In particular, visitors flock to Plaza Dorrego in San Telmo on Sundays for its vast, bustling antiques and flea market. La oca is a neighbourhood in the Argentinian capital of uenos Aires. Many of the early settlers in La oca originate from the Italian city of Genoa. The pedestrian street Caminito is famed for its tango performances, whilst colourful houses and Italian taverns provide an insight into the cultural history of La oca. The district of Puerto Madero lies along the Río de la Plata riverbank. It is considered one of the most stylish neighbourhoods in uenos Aires, yet retains a sense of its history, which spans back over 100 years. In the late 19th century, the shallow waters of Río de la Plata prevented large cargo ships docking, so Puerto Madero was constructed to solve this problem. However, with even larger ships coming into use, the docks soon became obsolete and fell into disrepair. In recent years, the region has been redeveloped with an injection of culture and investment, leading it to become an elegant and exclusive part of the city. ID 2526 - P a g e 4
Hidden beneath a 19th century mansion, the Zanjón de Granados underground tunnels are one of the most important archaeological sites in uenos Aires. They were discovered in 1985 by resident Jorge Eckstein, who purchased the abandoned mansion before noticing a sinking patio during its renovation, which later revealed almost 2 km of subterranean passageways. elieved to have been built around 1780, the tunnels were an intricate drainage system used to reroute a stream that caused flooding in the city streets. Today, the mansion is a museum, housing items found during the excavation and acting as an entryway to the refurbished tunnels. Day 4 uenos Aires - El Calafate - El Chaltén In the morning, head to the airport for your domestic flight to El Calafate where, on arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in El Chaltén (approximately 3.5 hours). The rest of the afternoon is free to spend at your leisure. Overnight in El Chaltén. El Chaltén Day 5 Note: this transfer may be shared with other international travellers. --Known as the hiking capital of Argentina, the colourful village of El Chaltén is a hub for backpackers and trekking enthusiasts alike. Located in the ruggedly beautiful Los Glaciares National Park, close to Argentina s border with Chile, adventurous visitors come from afar to experience world-class trekking in the shadow of the looming Mount Fitz Roy. Please note there is only one ATM in El Chaltén, which is often out of order, so we recommend withdrawing cash before your arrival. El Chaltén Today is free to enjoy the self-guided walks at El Chaltén. Overnight in El Chaltén. Note: An optional guided trek to the Laguna de los Tres is available (8-9 hours), which will take you past impressive mountain scenery and reward you with spectacular views of Mount Fitz Roy, the Glaciar de los Tres and its lagoon. Please ask your Travel Specialist if you would like to add this tour on at an additional cost. Mount Fitz Roy Day 6 El Chaltén - El Calafate In the morning, transfer to El Calafate. The rest of the day is free to spend at your leisure. Overnight in El Calafate. El Calafate Note: this transfer may be shared with other international travellers. --Heralded as the gateway to the magnificent Perito Moreno and Upsala Glaciers, El Calafate is often the first stop for visitors intent on discovering the wonders of Argentine Patagonia. Situated on the southern shore of Lago Argentino, the country s largest freshwater lake, El Calafate was founded in the early 20th century and is a great base from which to explore the surrounding Patagonian steppe and Los Glaciares National Park. ID 2526 - P a g e 5
Day 7 Perito Moreno Glacier Day 8 San Carlos de ariloche Day 9 El Calafate After breakfast, enjoy an excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier and admire the breathtaking views from the walking trails. oard your cruise ship at ajo Las Sombras and sail across Lake Rico, passing beside icebergs that have detached from the front of the Perito Moreno Glacier, until you reach the Icebergs Channel where you will have a spectacular view of the glacier's high wall of ice. Overnight in El Calafate. --Located in the Los Glaciares National Park, the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the most famous geographical attractions in Argentina. The glacier spans 30 kilometres, appearing like a great field of ice between striking dark mountain peaks. It is one of the few glaciers in the Andes that is advancing as well as receding and is an awe-inspiring sight to behold. El Calafate - San Carlos de ariloche In the morning, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to San Carlos de ariloche where, on arrival, you will be taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore ariloche at your own pace. Overnight in ariloche. --Situated in the heart of northern Patagonia, the charming Swiss-style city of San Carlos de ariloche (commonly known as ariloche) is a nature lover s dream. The town enjoys a privileged location on the shores of Lago Nahuel Huapi with trout fishing and watersports aplenty and the surrounding mountains provide ample opportunity for scenic walks, hiking and mountain biking. During the winter months, ariloche transforms into the largest skiing resort in South America. San Carlos de ariloche Enjoy the stunning natural scenery on an easy hike along the Circuito Chico (4h 30min), which will take you through an ancient native forest to beautiful views over the lakes and mountains. Overnight in ariloche. ariloche Day 10 San Carlos de ariloche Today is free to spend at your leisure. Overnight in ariloche. Note: An optional kayaking and hiking tour is available, which will take you across the Nahuel Huapi and Moreno lakes to discover its hidden bays, before hiking to the viewpoints of Tristeza. ariloche ID 2526 - P a g e 6
Day 11 Puerto Iguazú Day 12 San Carlos de ariloche - Puerto Iguazú In the morning, head to the airport for your connecting flights to Puerto Iguazú. On arrival, transfer to your hotel where the rest of the day is free to spend at your leisure. Overnight in Puerto Iguazú. --The town of Puerto Iguazú lies on the Argentinian side of Iguazú Falls, looking across to razil and Paraguay. It sits at the confluence of the Paraná and Iguazú Rivers, just ten miles from the falls. The town has a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of dining options and is the perfect base from which to visit Iguazú Falls. Iguazú Falls In the morning, enjoy a visit to the Indian village of Tekoa Yriapú to meet the GuaraniMbyá ethnical group. Learn about their history, traditions and hunting techniques. End your visit in the village courtyard where you can browse the locally made handicrafts on sale. Continue to the Argentinean National Park and board a train to the upper falls circuit and the Gardanta del Diablo ("Devil's Throat"). Marvel at the majestic falls from the viewpoint before walking to the beautiful Iguazu river canyon. Overnight in Iguazu. Iguazú Falls Note: An optional tour is available to take you through the jungle to the river banks, where you can board a boat and get up close to the base of the Iguazu falls. --Guarani-Mbya community is an indigenous community who live close to the Iguaçu National Park in razil. The area was only recently recovered in part by native locals after a long history of colonisation. The locals farm and raise animals on the land, and create and sell handicrafts to supplement their income. Straddling the border between Argentina, razil and Paraguay and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the phenomenal Iguazú Falls (Iguaçu in Portuguese) are a sight to behold. Forming the largest waterfall horseshoe in the world, the falls are set within dense Atlantic forest and are one of South America s most impressive attractions. Day 13 The Pampas Puerto Iguazú - The Pampas Transfer to the airport for your flight back to uenos Aires. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed at the airport and taken to your "estancia" in San Antonio de Areco. The rest of the day is free to spend at your leisure. Overnight in San Antonio de Areco. --The flat, fertile grasslands that cover almost a third of Argentina are known as the Pampas. Home to South America's original cowboy, the hardy 'gaucho', it is one of the largest and richest grazing areas in the world, with a mild climate and rich soil that make it the ideal environment for agriculture and farming. Unfortunately, constant grazing, cultivation and frequent fires have threatened the ecosystem of the Pampas, and it is now considered one of the world's most endangered habitats. LD ID 2526 - P a g e 7
Nestled within the grasslands of the Pampas, the peaceful and picturesque town of San Antonio de Areco provides an insight into traditional gaucho life. Founded in the early 18th century, many gaucho traditions remain in the town, including silverwork and saddlery workshops, horseback demonstrations, and old 'pulperías' (gaucho bars). In November, gauchos from across the Pampas gather in the town for the Fiesta de la Tradición, parading down the historic streets on their horses. Day 14 The Pampas Today is free for you to take advantage of the optional excursions available at the estancia, including horse riding or riding in a horse-drawn carriage, swimming, cycling and walking. LD The Pampas Day 15 Departure - uenos Aires At a suitable time, transfer to the international airport for your flight home. --- uenos Aires ID 2526 - P a g e 8 Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)