+44 (0)20 8741 7390 The ultimate Argentinean adventure, this spectacular three week odyssey takes you from the bustling streets of the country s capital to the southern shores of Patagonia, on a journey of remarkable contrasts. Beginning in Buenos Aires, you will have an opportunity to embrace the rich vibrancy of the Paris of the South, before heading into the rich wine growing regions of Mendoza. After a chance to enjoy the fruits of some of the country s finest vineyards, you ll then begin the next leg of your adventure, as you drive yourself along the iconic Ruta 40 and through the scenic landscapes of the beautiful Lake District. From Barlioche your journey then continues by air, as you head south towards Patagonia and the majestic glaciers around El Calafate and El Chalten. A fitting climax to this incredible journey then sees you in Ushuaia, the southernmost town on the planet, from where you will venture into the mountains and forest of Tierra del Fuego, home to Andean condors and some of the most pristine panoramas on earth. The journey then ends full circle, back in Buenos Aires, where you will have a final night in the capital to reflect on a monumental adventure. HIGHLIGHTS: Discover the cosmopolitan charms of Buenos Aires Explore the High Andes on bike or horseback Self-drive through the magnificent Argentinean Lake District Hike, kayak and raft through some of the most stunning scenery in Argentina Experience some of the country s most majestic national parks TOUR INCLUDES: 20 nights in boutique accommodation or lodges
Four domestic flights in economy class 20 breakfasts, 4 lunches Private transfers and car hire for self-drive portion Sightseeing programme with English speaking guides including all entrance fees Please note the price shown above is based on 2 persons sharing one room
ITINERARY DAY 1: BUENOS AIRES On arrival in Buenos Aires you will be met by your guide at arrivals and transferred to your boutique hotel in the heart of one of the chicest parts of the city. DAY 2: BUENOS AIRES A day at leisure provides the perfect opportunity to explore Argentina's vibrant capital at your own pace. You could pay a visit to the bustling waterfront district of Puerto Madero, before continuing on to explore the traditional houses of La Boca. San Telmo is the city's oldest barrio (neighbourhood) and is filled with bohemian charm, tango rhythms and antique churches, whilst a visit to the upmarket districts of Recoleta provides a perfect end to the day before enjoying a traditional tango show this evening. (B) DAY 3: BUENOS AIRES - MENDOZA A mid-morning flight on to Mendoza today brings you into the stunning landscapes of north-western Argentina, home to some of the country's finest vineyards and famed for its Malbec wines. On arrival, you'll have a free afternoon to settle in to your charming accommodation. (B) DAY 4: MENDOZA With a full day to explore the region's renowned vineyards, today provides an opportunity to discover some of the country's most prized vintages. You will visit some of the area's most famous wineries, travelling through idyllic Andean countryside to the Luján de Cuyo or Maipú regions to enjoy some included wine tasting. Ranging from the traditional to the contemporary, these varying establishments afford a chance to see how wine production has changed over the years. (B)
DAY 5: MENDOZA A day at leisure to indulge in a number of activities including rafting and horse riding. Your hire car will be dropped off at the hotel later this evening. (B) DAY 6: CHOS MALAL Your self-drive adventure begins in earnest today, as you embark on an incredibly scenic eight hour drive to the town of Chos Malal in the country's Neuquén Province. Chos Malal's name derives from the Mapuche word for 'yellow coral', an aptly descriptive term that highlights the distinctly yellow rock that predominates the hills surrounding the city. (B) DAY 7: CHOS MALAL - SAN MARTIN DE LOS ANDES Slightly shorter than yesterday's drive, the next leg of the journey will take you around six hours, eventually ending up in the picturesque lakeside town of San Martin de los Andes. Set at the foot of the Andes, amongst the glittering landscapes of the Lake District, the town nestles in the Chapelco Valley, once home to the indigenous Puelches. Today it is renowned as one of the country's most important skiing centres. (B)
DAY 8: SAN MARTIN DE LOS ANDES - VILLA LAS ANGOSTURA Two hours to the south, along the Ruta 40, lies the town of Villa La Angostura, sitting on the northwestern shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Nicknamed 'The Garden of Patagonia' on account of its thick surrounding forests, it occupies the northern part of the Nahuel Huapi National Park and is considered one of the most beautiful locations in the region. Close to the Chilean border, the town's captivating wooden architecture is one of its most prized attractions. (B) DAY 9: VILLA LA ANGOSTURA - BARILOCHE A short drive today completes your road trip and brings you into probably the most well known town anywhere in the Lake District. The town of San Carlos de Bariloche sits overlooking Lake Nahuel Huapi, framed against the stirring backdrop of the snow-tipped Andean mountains. Considered the adventure capital of the region, Bariloche is also noted for its chocolate and Swiss-style architecture. (B) DAY 10: BARILOCHE A free day offers a chance to make the most of Bariloche's many attractions, with a number of excursions available to trek, fish and kayak amongst the sweeping mountain scenery. (B) DAY 11: BARILOCHE - EL CALAFATE Dropping your hire car off today, your journey continues with a domestic flight on to El Calafate, in southern Patagonia. Gateway to the spellbinding landscapes of Los Glaciares National Park, the town sits on the southern shore of Lake Argentino and is named after the small berries that, as legend would have it, if eaten ensure your return to Patagonia. (B)
DAY 12: EL CALAFATE A full day mini-trekking on the glacier provides you with one of the highlights of the journey today, as you don crampons for an exhilarating hike across the awe-inspiring El Perito Moreno Glacier. Fed by the waters of the vast Southern Patagonia Ice Field, the glacier is one of the few left in the world that is still expanding and you'll finish off this remarkable hike by watching great blocks of ice calve into the water from the glacier's viewing balconies. (B,L) DAY 13: EL CALAFATE - EL CHALTEN Transferring on to the village of El Chalten today you'll enjoy views of Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy. Known as the trekking capital of Argentina, the town sits amidst a breathtaking panorama of lakes, ice and mountains and provides a spectacular base from which to enjoy some of the most beautiful and remote scenery in the country. (B) DAY 14: EL CHALTEN Today you will join a local guide for a trek to Laguna de los Tres, taking in the spectacular views of Piedras Blancas Glacier and the iconic Mount Fitz Roy as you go. Considered one of the region's classic treks, this is no walk in the park, but you can be assured some truly unforgettable views of the surrounding granite peaks. (B,L) DAY 15: EL CHALTEN Another full day in El Chalten offers the chance for a self-guided trek along some of the well signposted trails. (B)
DAY 16: EL CHALTEN - EL CALAFATE Making the return journey back to El Calafate today, on arrival the rest of the day is free to enjoy at your leisure. (B) DAY 17: EL CALAFATE - USHUAIA A flight down to Ushuaia today brings you to the southernmost city on the planet. Located in a bay on the southern coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, the town lies sandwiched between the Martial mountain ranges and the Beagle Channel and is the embarkation point for many of the cruises down into the southern oceans and on to Antarctica. (B) DAY 18: USHUAIA Discover the true nature of the Tierra del Fuego National Park with a hike through the forests. A dramatic landscape of waterfalls, forests, mountains and glaciers, the park covers some 630 square kilometres and is home to Andean fox, guanacos, beavers and Andean condors. Later you will have an opportunity to canoe down its rivers and take a boat ride out to Redonda Island with an expert guide. (B,L) DAY 19: USHUAIA Your last day in Ushuaia affords a chance to head off on a 4x4 off-road excursion around the nearby lakes. Enjoying views of Lago Escondido and the vast Lago Fagnano (the largest lake in Tierra del Fuego), you'll stop for a traditional asado barbecue lunch en route. (B,L)
DAY 20: USHUAIA - BUENOS AIRES Fly back to Buenos Aires today, to enjoy a final evening in the Argentinean capital. (B) DAY 21: BUENOS AIRES The adventure ends with a transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
ACCOMMODATION BARILOCHE POSADA LOS JUNCOS Magnificently situated on the shore of the mighty Lake Nahuel Huapi, 20km away from the town of Bariloche, this intimate boutique option is a real find. With just 5 rooms this lake house is a stunningly renovated Patagonia jewel. Comfort and elegance combine in this rustic lodge surrounded by verdant countryside and you will be extremely well looked after and well fed. BUENOS AIRES KRISTA HOTEL This boutique hotel is situated in a privileged area, in the bohemian and charming neighbourhood of Palermo, surrounded by very good restaurants and boutiques of Argentine designers. Krista's 10 exclusive en-suite rooms lead out to patios which get a lot of sunlight. The elegant decoration, the height of the ceiling, the combination of colours, textures and wood reflects the fine distinction and warmth of the hotel. Overall one of the top picks in Buenos Aires. CHOS MALAL TERRA MALAL Terra Malal is located in the small town of Chos Malal and is a decent stopover between Bariloche and Mendoza. There are 16 modern air-conditioned rooms with ensuite. Chos Malal was the first capital of Neuquen province, so the town has a few historic buildings, as well as the natural attractions including volcanoes that lie not so far away. EL CALAFATE
KOSTEN AIKE Set in an impressive Alpine-style building featuring a spa and a fitness centre, Hotel Kosten Aike offers 80 comfortable rooms with stylish decor. The hotel is well located a stone's throw from the town centre. Spa facilities include a hot tub, a sauna and a massage room. You can relax in the garden or on the terrace after a day exploring the glaciers. EL CHALTEN HOSTERIA SENDEROS Set at the foot of the amazing surrounding mountains like Mount Fitzroy, this rustic boutique hotel is of typical Patagonian architecture, inspired in antique farms from 1920 and with all the modern hotel comforts of an intimate lodge. The 21 rooms have been designed with warmth and privacy and are a great place to relax after mountaineering. There is also an inviting wine bar and some fine cuisine to enjoy. MENDOZA LARES DE CHACRAS Lares de Chacras is a quaint little hotel in the suburb of Chacras de Coria on the outskirts of Mendoza. With just 10 rooms, each with its own bathroom and a maximum of 25 guests, the hotel offers a personalised and welcoming place to stay. The rooms on the ground floor have doors that open to the garden and the first floor rooms have private balconies overlooking the garden. There is a swimming pool and a restaurant serving breakfast and dinner. Chacras de Coria is a great area to stay in Mendoza because you are just 15km from Mendoza itself and it is the meeting point for the wine routes. Every Sunday afternoon there is a crafts and antiques market in the square and the streets are tree-lined with the mountains as a back drop. SAN MARTIN DE LOS ANDES
LA CASA DE EUGENIA La Casa de Eugenia is a lovely little hotel on the edge of the town of San Martin de Los Andes in the Lake District. The hotel offers a cosy, personalised stay in the area with just 9 guest rooms, a small breakfast area and welcoming living space with a an open fire. Each of the rooms has an en-suite bathroom, wi-fi access and a television on request. This really is a lovely boutique option with character and charm and is just a few minutes walk from the Lacar Lake beach and the main town, where there are a variety of restaurants to choose from for your evening meal. USHUAIA PATAGONIA JARKE Patagonia Jarke is a simple yet comfortable alpine-style lodge with 15 cosy rooms featuring panoramic views of Ushuaia Bay and the Beagle Channel. The rooms have wooden furnishings, parquet floors and rugs creating a warm ambiance. The breakfast area has a modern glass panelled ceiling and here you will find complimentary tea and coffee available throughout the day. VILLA LA ANGOSTURA LUMA CASA DE MONTANA Overlooking Nahuel Huapi Lake, this upscale design hotel has eight colourful, refined rooms with modern amenities and views of the lake and Andes. The hotel has a fine dining restaurant, a wine bar, and a lounge with a fireplace. Other facilities include a spa, a partly covered heated pool and a sauna. Guided hikes and activities such as sailing, snorkeling and skiing (in season) are available for a surcharge. Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel Ltd Tel +44 (0)20 8741 7390 Fax +44 (0) 20 8741 3610 Email info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website wildfrontierstravel.com