BEST OF ARGENTINA
Itinerary Overview This lodge-based natural history exploration takes you to the most impressive parks and wildlife reserves of Argentina including Los Glaciares National Park, Tierra del Fuego National Park and the Peninsula Valdes, habitat of giant elephant seals, migrating whales and Magellanic Penguins. Cruise the Beagle Channel and hike on Gable Island, enjoy day hikes with local guides, observe wildlife and photograph spectacular Patagonian landscapes based from local inns and estancias. Popular trip extensions include Iguazu Falls, Mendoza wine country, Torres del Paine, Chile and extra days in Buenos Aires. DAY OVERNIGHT HOTELS MEALS HIGHLIGHTS 1 BUENOS AIRES Moreno Hotel 2 TRELEW 3 TRELEW 4 USHUAIA 5 USHUAIA 6 USHUAIA 7 EL CALAFATE 8 EL CALAFATE Posada Los Mimbres Posada Los Mimbres Hosteria Los Fuegos Hosteria Los Fuegos Hosteria Los Fuegos Hotel Kau Yatun Hotel Kau Yatun BLD BLD 9 BUENOS AIRES Moreno Hotel B 10 DEPARTURE B B BL BL B BL Arrival into Buenos Aires, Costanera Sur Nature Reserve Fly to Trelew and visit Penguin colony Peninsula Valdes wildlife viewing Fly to Ushuaia Estancia Harberton and Martillo Island Tierra del Fuego National Park Fly to El Calafate Perito Moreno Glacier Walk Free morning, afternoon flight to Buenos Aires -2-
Itinerary in Detail DAY 1: BUENOS AIRES Buenos Aires airport reception and transfer to overnight at the Moreno Hotel. Today we explore the Costanera Sur Nature Reserve, just miles from the heart of the city. Accompanied by a local conservationist we venture through a beautiful area of the Puerto Madero River which has remained largely untouched during the expansion of Buenos Aires. Overnight at the Moreno Hotel. DAY 2: TRELEW PUNTA TOMBO Early morning transfer for the flight to Trelew on the Atlantic coast. Our local naturalist guide meets us upon arrival in Trelew before we embark on a visit to Punta Tombo, the most important breeding colony of Magellanic penguins in the world. Walk on trails among nearly a million penguins approaching within a few feet for excellent close-up photographs and observation. Kelp gulls, Skuas, Cormorants, Giant petrels, Dolphin gulls and Chubut steamer ducks are among the many birds that inhabit the reserve. On the way back to Trelew, visit Gaiman, a Welsh settlement for tea (not included). We overnight at the Posada Los Mimbres with our lovely hostess and local guide, Marcela, who is passionate about Patagonian life, culture and cuisine. She can assist you with additional activities including a visit to the Geological Park Bryn Wyn and the Egidio Feruglio Museum that exhibits many of the findings of the paleontologists working in Patagonia in search of the giants of the Mesozoic (highly recommend, not included). [BLD] *Note: See Magellanic penguin natural lifecycle schedule below. DAY 3: PENINSULA VALDES Full day excursion to explore Peninsula Valdes for the finest wildlife viewing in Patagonia. The planktonrich Falkland Current provides food for the peninsula's large colonies of South American sea lions and Southern elephant seals. Visit breeding grounds of sea lions and elephant seals, observe flocks of migratory shore birds and watch for guanacos, rheas, maras, hairy armadillos, Elegant-crested tinamous and fox running freely across the plain. Overnight Posada Los Mimbres. [BLD] Note: Add optional whale watching boat trip to see Southern Right Whales from July through December. DAY 4: USHUAIA Your morning is free to walk the trails near the Posada or just relax in the hammock and enjoy the peaceful environment. Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Time permitting, enjoy a 2-hour city trek with amazing vistas of the town, surrounding peaks and Beagle Channel. Learn about the development of the city and its importance in the maritime history of these southerly latitudes. Overnight at the Hosteria Los Fuegos. [B] DAY 5: ESTANCIA HARBERTON / MARTILLO ISLAND This excursion is the perfect introduction to Tierra del Fuego and its magnificent natural history and traditions. Drive east towards Puerto Almanza, a small fishing village to reach Estancia Harberton. This estancia belongs to the descendants of Rev. Thomas Bridges, one of the first British Missionaries to reach the area. Following an overview visit of the estancia, board a zodiac boat for a hike and lunch at Gable Island, the largest in the Beagle Channel. Navigate to the Penguin rookery at Martillo Island, the domain of the Magellanic Penguin and a small population of Gentoo Penguins. The unique location of this island (close to the point where the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean waters merge) allows for an incredible variety of rich subaquatic life, making it an amazing spot for birdwatching (petrels, skuas, cormorants, sea gulls and albatross). Return to Harberton for tea and then back to Ushuaia for overnight at the Hosteria Los Fuegos. [BL] -3-
DAY 6: TIERRA DEL FUEGO NATIONAL PARK Full day visit to the Tierra del Fuego National Park in a private vehicle. Upon arrival at the National Park, hike 8 kms (about 3.5 hrs on uneven terrain) to reach Ovando River. Hiking through the beech forest offers opportunities to spot the Magaellanic woodpecker (the largest in South America), Austral parakeets, black-chest buzzard eagles and Andean Condors. At a breathtaking over-look the panoramic view includes Lago Roca, Lagunas Verde and Negra, Rio Ovando and Rio Lapataia and Bahia Lapataia. Embark on a zodiac navigation to Isla Redonda, enjoy lunch and wildlife viewing before returning to Lapataia Bay to disembark. Return to Ushuaia. Overnight at the Hosteria Los Fuegos. [BL] DAY 7: EL CALAFATE Morning free to explore Ushuaia on foot or visit the interesting End of the World Museum. Transfer to the airport and fly to El Calafate. El Calafate is the base for explorations of the Patagonian Continental Ice Cap and Los Glaciares National Park. The ice cap runs 560 miles from North to South between the 48 and 51 parallels. It is the origin of 47 major glaciers, including the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Overnight at Hotel de Campo Kau Yatun, formerly part of the Estancia 25 de Mayo, the beautiful hotel offers excellent facilities and peaceful rural location with easy access to town. [B] DAY 8: PERITO MORENO GLACIER WALK Drive to a spectacular lookout of Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. Permanently advancing along its 3-mile-front, columns of ice over 20 stories high peel off the face and crash into Lago Argentino creating massive icebergs. We cross Lago Argentino along the front wall of the glacier to the edge of the Patagonian Ice Cap. Watch and listen as the glacier calves enormous shards of ice into the lake. Disembark and after a safety briefing strap on crampons for a two hour easy walk over the uneven glacial landscape of streams, lagoons, gullies, crevasses and deep blue ice formations! Watch for Andean condor and Buff-necked Ibis. Overnight at the Hotel Kau Yatun. [BL] Note: The Moreno Glacier Walk is a group excursion of up to 20 persons conducted by a local park concession for ages 12-60 (exceptions may be granted in Calafate). Ask about our Big Ice Exploration, an alternative, longer, 6-hour hike with a smaller group that ventures deeper into the depths of the glacier for ages 18-50. DAY 9: BUENOS AIRES Transfer to El Calafate airport for afternoon or evening flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival transfer in to the Moreno Hotel for overnight. [B] DAY 10: DEPARTURE Enjoy the day exploring Buenos Aires by your own arrangement or request our Four Balconies of Buenos Aires half-day city tour. Your hotel room is available until check out this morning, after which you can store your luggage at the hotel (or request a day room at extra cost) until your transfer to the international airport in time for your evening departure. [B] Optional Tour: On our unique Four Balconies of Buenos Aires half-day city tour, a university scholar uses four parks and plazas to introduce visitors to the city, its history, its style, and the peculiar psychology of Porteño residents. You visit historical sites such as the Barrio Norte with its splendid old homes; San Telmo where the artist and musicians live and work; La Boca, a neighborhood of brightly painted Italian family homes and restaurants; and the Avenida 9 de Julio with its towering obelisk as much a symbol to Buenos Aires as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. Ask about optional cycling and kayaking tours as well, especially fun for families. END OF SERVICES Actual routes and activities may vary. Local trip coordinators reserve the right to change accommodations to similar quality alternatives. -4-
PRICING LAND COST PER PERSON COST Double Room $3150 Triple Room $2070 Internal airfare* $800 Single Supplement $495 *Airfare cost subject to confirmation at time of reservation. Departures including Dec 24 and Dec 31 have a $60 per person surcharge for a special Christmas Eve/New Year s Eve dinner. Oct 29 is a special birding departure and carries a $250 per person supplement. Mar 3 rd is a special culinary departure and carries a $250 per person supplement. INCLUDED SERVICES Local airfare Santiago-Trelew, Trelew-Ushuaia, Ushuaia-El Calafate, El Calafate-Buenos Aires (listed separately) 9 night hotel and accommodation as indicated English-speaking naturalist guides Guided tours and excursions Airport-hotel transfers and land transportation Meals as specified [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner] Services of in-bound land operator for airline reconfirmation, and tour operations Wildland Adventures travel consultation and pre-departure services. NOT INCLUDED SERVICES International air transportation Airport taxes ($131 reciprocity fee arriving Argentina, $5 Trelew, $11 El Calafate, $3 Iguazu, $29 departing Argentina). Airport taxes can be paid in Argentine Pesos or USD cash, or by debit card. Perito Moreno Glacier entrance fee Tips and gratuities Drinks, alcoholic beverages, and meals other than listed above Personal expenses for extra services, optional activities, or changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control Travel insurance for trip cancellation, medical services, or evacuation Any other items not mentioned above You will need to carry about $500 extra cash (must be in US dollars cash, not travelers checks nor credit cards) to cover the fees, taxes, tips and meals not included in your itinerary. *PENGUIN LIFECYCLE AT PUNTA TOMBO January: Chicks leave their nests, grow swimming feathers and start learning to swim in the sea. February: Young molt, take the beaches in swarms. March-April: Molting season ends for the young and starts for adults; birds start their northward migration. May, June, July and August: No Magellan penguins are visible, because they are always feeding out at sea. August-September: Adult males and females arrive, mark their territories and build their nests. October-November: Brooding and hatching season lasts between 30 and 45 days. December: Chicks grow, intensive activity on the beach, seagulls and skuas hover to pillage nests. -5-
Accommodations HOTEL MORENO A landmark art deco building restored into a posh playground, Moreno perfectly captures the city s vibe and its brilliant reflection of haute bohemian heritage. Unique features include the 130 lounge seat on-site theater hosting live tango and music performances by renowned local and international artists, a dazzling bar and restaurant heart of Buenos Aires nightlife and 39 unusually large bedroom lofts. POSADA LOS MIMBRES Dating from the 1870s, this historic posada was the original farm house of Welsh settlers and has been painstakingly restored to its original character with period furnishings, a bright garden room and an outdoor brick oven for evening barbeques. Marcela, the owner and manager, creates wonderful local dishes in the kitchen and is a welcoming hostess. With close proximity to Peninsula Valdes and the penguin rookery at Punta Tombo, Posada Los Mimbres is an excellent base for exploring wildlife-rich Chubut. HOSTERIA LOS FUEGOS Nestled in a Lenga forest on the edge of the Olivia River, Hosteria Los Fuegos is an intimate and welcoming lodge. Each en suite guest room features hand-hewn wood furniture and luxurious linens. The restaurant offers delicious regional cuisine and tea and pastries are served at 5 pm daily. A large living room is the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine or catch up on your travel journal. EL CAMPO KAU YATUN, EL CALAFATE With the passing of time the 25 de Mayo Ranch has been transformed into one of the most traditional hotels in El Calafate, Kau Yatun, retaining its country style and hospitality of the first settlers. At Kau Yatun, large rooms and suites overlooking the garden combine the style of the typical Patagonian ranches with the comfort of a four star hotel. Located a few blocks from the town centre of Calafate, the hotel sits in a small valley surrounded by trees, at the foot of the Calafate Hill on the Kau Yatun stream. -6-
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