Argentina is a vast land; even without the titanic wedge of Antarctica that the authorities like to include in the national territory, it ranks as one of the world's largest countries. The mainland points down from the Tropic of Capricorn like a massive stalactite, tapering towards the planet's most southerly extremities. Consequently, the country encompasses a staggering diversity of landscapes, ranging from the hot and humid jungles of the Northeast and the bone-dry highland steppes of the Northwest, via the fertile Pampas and windswept Patagonia, to the end-of-the-world archipelago of Tierra del Fuego.
Argentina has many attractions that could claim the title of natural wonders of the world: the majestic waterfalls of IguazÚ; the spectacular Glaciar Perito Moreno; fascinating whale colonies off Península Valdés; or the mountains around the holiday resort of Bariloche - indeed, Patagonia in general. Yet many of the country's most noteworthy sights are also its least known, such as the Esteros del Iberá, a huge reserve of floating islands offering close-up encounters with all sorts of birds and mammals; or Antofagasta de la Sierra, a remote village set amid frozen lagoons mottled pink with flamingoes; or Laguna Diamante, a high-altitude lake reflecting a wondrous volcano.
Here are the photogenic Iguazú waterfalls and Jesuit missions whose once-noble ruins are crumbling into the jungle - with the exception of well-preserved San Ignacio Miní. Immediately west of the Litoral stretches the Chaco, one of Argentina's most infrequently visited regions, a place for those with an ardent interest in wildlife, the scenic Alta Montaña route climbs steeply to the Chilean border, passing Cerro Aconcagua, now well established asa fantasy challenge for mountaineers. Just south, Las Leñas is a winter resort where skiers sometimes end up on the pages of the continent's glamour magazines, while the nearby black-and-red lava wastes of La Payunia, one of the country's hidden jewels, are all but overlooked.
Argentina has the lion's share of the wild, sparsely populated expanses of Patagonia and boasts by far the more interesting half of the remote archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. Certainly include the savage granite peaks of the Fitz Roy massif in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares in your itinerary, but also the less frequently visited araucaria, or monkey puzzle, forests of Parque Nacional Lanín or the trail network of Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi.
Iguazu, Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia, El Calafate
Arrival into Iguazu. Transfer to hotel. Accommodation.
The Argentine Falls tour takes longer since the inauguration of the new facilities for the Upper, Lower and the Devil's Throat Circuits. Visitors first arrive to the New Visitors Center where you walk the Nature's Interpretation Center. From the Visitors Center you can board the train that goes first to Cataratas Station in about 8 minutes or take a short walk through the 'Green Trail' that leads to the beginning of the path towards the Upper and Lower trails. Otherwise the same train goes on to Garganta Station. Once you have finished the circuits, you must go back to the Visitors Center where the vehicles are waiting for the transfer to the hotels or the Airport.
Upper Circuit: The 800 meters of catwalks are detached from the jungle's surface so as to protect the fauna by preventing disruption of their natural trails. From this circuit you have an upper view of the falls, enjoying their magnificence with a panoramic view. Duration of the tour: one (1) hour
Lower Circuit: 1,600 meters of catwalks, also detached from the jungle's surface, enjoying a view from below and around the falls. This circuit provides a unique experience of feeling part of the natural surroundings, watching and sensing their magnitude from close. Duration of the tour: two (2) hours
Devil's Gorge: Departing from Cataratas Station, the train goes up to Garganta Station in about 18 minutes. Then a walk along the catwalks, Some 1200 meters over the islands, take you to enjoy the most spectacular sight from the most important balcony: the Devil's Gorge. Time required: two (2) hours
Transfer to the Airport. Arrival to Trelew. Transfer to hotel in Puerto Madryn. Accommodation.
You will visit one of the places selected as Natural Patrimony of the Humanity by UNESCO, a variety of terrestrial and marine fauna not usually seen in a same place are its unique characteristics.
We will pick you up early in the morning to let you discover the natural reserves and the tourist points of the protected area of Peninsula Valdés, like the Centre of Interpretation Istmo Ameghino, the Island of the birds, the colony of sea lions in Punta Pirámides, the tourist village of Puerto Piramides, where is optional to do the Whale Watching (from June to December), the Small and Large Salt lakes (which are among the greater depressions of America), the colonies of sea elephants in Punta Delgada, Caleta Valdés and Punta Cantor.
During the way, possibility of seeing a lot of terrestrial fauna: as lamas guanacos, patagonian hare, grey foxes, patagonian piche or armadillos and Darwin's rheas. During all the day you will be assisted by our guides, experts of patagonian nature.
Whale Watching (included)Once you all have your lifesavers with you, everybody can get on the boat. The trips are made in authorized powerboats that have the security measures required for this encounters. The boats will also give you a scenery tour so you can appreciate the coastland and the natural attractions. In a few mnutes the boats get far from the coast and shut off the engines. We just lay there and all of the sudden a gigantic silver body bursts out of the water. The whale stays suspended in the air for a second and then falls into the water flat on its back. He or she will probably take a dive beneath the boat and appear again on the other side.
These whales weigh somewhere between 3 to 55 tons and measure from 15 to 50 feet.
Full Day Excursion, going through 400 Km. approx. (Departure time around 8.00 Hours)
It is carried out all the year, according to the season, our tour may suffer some changes in the itinerary and the reserves visited according to the fauna.
Transfer to airport. Departure to Ushuaia. Transfer to hotel.
Tierra del Fuego Nacional Park is located 11 km away from the city. We will be able to appreciate lakes, lagoons and rivers within its limits, and their exit towards Beagle Channel, characteristic that makes the difference with the other national parks of our country. Departing from the Maipu Avenue towards the southwest by the national route nro 3, we will drive out of the city passing by the slope of the Susana Mount, witness of the work of the prisoners of the old prison, where now the Southern Fuegian Railway is located. Here we will stop for this optional tour.
Continuing through the valley to the deviation that take us to the Ensenada Bay, where we will be able to contemplate the Redonda and Estorbo Islands and on the other coast of the Channel of Beagle, the snow-white mountains of the Sampaio Chain (Chile).
Back again on the national route nro 3 with the fuegian forest and its flora close to the road we will go to the Roca Lake to do a long walk by the lake coast and by the lapataia river, originated in the lake. From this point we can see the Condor Hill natural border with Chile.
We will go towards the other end of the park, where finalizes the route nro 3 at Lapataia Bay, on the way to the mentioned bay we will observe the Green Lagoon and the Black Lagoon, large growing peat bog. Finally we will pass by the beaver dams, whose footpath will lead to Lapataia Bay.
Transfer to airport. Departure to El Calafate. Transfer to hotel.
It's said that a visit to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares is a 'must' in a life time.
There is no doubt that the Perito Moreno Glacier is the most beautiful of Los Glaciares National Park. It originates at the Continental Ice field and descends through colossal mountains, to penetrate into waters of Argentino Lake. This unique landscape is framed by the greenest of forests, and the most colorful flowers. Our exclusive glacier excursion will allow you to devote all the time you want to explore this incredible place. We leave El Calafate and after an 80km drive we arrive at the eastern side of Magallanes Peninsula where there are the footbridges (viewpoints). We will walk along the tracks and will make stops to take photographs. From this point we will clearly see ice blocks of different sizes continually detaching from the glacier and falling into the water, causing a tremendous sound and amazing waves, which makes this view an unforgettable sight.
Transfer to airport. End of our services.
Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Cataratas del Iguazú
Arrival, reception and transfer with local guide to the hotel. At the time scheduled with the guide, half day City tour through Buenos Aires. You will visit Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Cabildo. Then you will arrive at La Boca neighbourhood to walk around Caminito Street and see how the first immigrants who arrived in Buenos Aires used to live. Overnight.
Breakfast. Day at leisure. Optional tour: Delta del Tigre. Sailing in a modern boat along the different arms of this delta, to discover Paraná River and thousands of islands all around. Overnight.
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport to take the flight to El Calafate. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. It is a small village located on the south coast of Lake Argentino, in the southwest of the Province of Santa Cruz. It was named after a typical thorny bush of southern Patagonia. The Calafate blooms in the spring with yellow flowers and in summer with purple fruits. According to tradition those who eat this fruit will always return to Patagonia. El Calafate is an important tourist destination as the hub to visit different parts of Los Glaciares National Park, including the Perito Moreno Glacier (one of the most visited in the world), Cerro Chaltén and Cerro Torre. Overnight.
Breakfast. Full day Perito Moreno Glacier tour. The majesty of nature at its best. Departure from El Calafate bordering the southern arm of the Argentine Lake to get to Los Glaciares National Park (90 km away) and reach the paths to the Glacier. Perito Moreno Glacier is about 30.000 years old. Its surface is 192 km2, the front wall is 5 km long and some of its peaks are 80 metres high. The deep blue base is almost as dark as the water that surrounds it. The deep silence is suddenly interrupted by the tremendous noise of huge pieces of ice that crack from the glacier and fall into the lake to float on the Canal de los Tempanos (Icebergs Channel). Overnight.
Breakfast. Optional tour: Full day navigation Upsala and Onelli Glaciers. Overnight.
Breakfast and at scheduled time transfer to the airport to take the flight to Buenos Aires and the connection to Iguazú. Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight.
Breakfast. Half day excursion to Cataratas del Iguazú (Brazilian side), to enjoy a panoramic view of the Falls during a walking tour through the passages that connect the different observation points.
Cataratas del Iguazú are located at the northern extreme of Misiones Province in the border with Brazil. The Iguazú Falls are the highlight of the Argentine / Brazil rainforest. The falls are the widest and most imposing water falls on Earth. Their name in the native tongue, guaraní, means Big Waters and this is, undoubtedly, the perfect name for them. Overnight.
Breakfast. Full day excursion to Cataratas del Iguazú (Argentinean side). The Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) is the most impressive of all the falls, and marks the border between Argentina and Brazil. On the Brazilian side there is a long walkway along the canyon with an extension to the lower base of the "Garganta del Diablo". The Argentinian access is facilitated by the Tren Ecológico de la Selva (Rainforest Ecological Train), which brings visitors to different walkways. Optional tour: La Gran Aventura. Overnight.
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Buenos Aires. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. At the evening pick up at the hotel to attend a dinner and tango show. Overnight.
Breakfast and at the time scheduled transfer to the airport to take the flight back.
Image Credit: David / Flickr / CC-BY 2.0
Buenos Aires, Iguazú, Ushuaia, El Calafate
With the south cross as a guide you fly over the Atlantic Ocean to live an unforgettable experience in Argentina with its incredible scenery and wild nature. Enjoy your quiet flight over the ocean to take rest, and to prepare for what comes next.
The city tour lets you discover the great city located on the Rio de La Plata banks. Buenos Aires captures her visitors at first sight, specially its numerous cultural options. Highlight: 'La Reina del Plata' as it was referred to in tango, casts a spell on her guests. Theaters, restaurants, cinemas, bars and coffee shops. You will discover Buenos Aires's identity.
Near the city, you can find different lifestyles. On a special country day, you can be indulged with a famous 'asado criollo' and a typical horse show as a part of a 'fiesta gaucha'. In short, an option you can not miss.
In Iguazu, nature offers you an unforgetabble sight. 900 meters of bridges over Rio Iguazu, and the breathtaking Iguazú falls will astonish you.
On the 'Jungle Train' you begin the ride to the heart of the Iguazu falls. A walk along the bridges allows you to stray among the water - falls till reaching 'Garganta del Diablo'. The possibility of having a baptism by these spraying waters, on a short trip by boat, is an optional excursion that is very difficult to resist!
Enjoy the Iguazú falls from the Brazilian side through 900 meters of bridges.
A very short flight from Iguazú to Buenos Aires allows you to reach the most southern place in the world: Ushuaia, a treat to enjoy throughout the year.
The excursion to Fagnano Lake on special 4X4 off road trucks, from Ushuaia city traveling across the Southern Andes, to Garibaldi lake to taste some delicious grilled meat.
This day you sail along the waters of the Beagle Channel, and visit the uninhabited Gable Isle. You sail arround 'Isla de los Pájaros', the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and 'Isla de los Lobos' where you can observe seals of one and two hair, and enjoy the great variety of marine species.
The Glacier air touches your face softly as soon as you get off the plane bringing you from Ushuaia. You arrive in El Calafate city, the access to the Perito Moreno Glacier.
You reach the glacier walking along the bridges that let you contemplate the magnificent view of the glacier, it is a soundless white river, with blue tones that wait patiently to fall into the 'Lago Argentino'.
This region offers lots of options to enjoy The Glaciers National Park. We recommend the visit to Cristina Ranch situated in the middle of the hills, near Upsala Glacier.
The plane brings you back to Buenos Aires. Our package includes a tango show dinner, for you to discover the secrets of the most famous Argentine dance.
You can have a different day taking an excursion to Delta, in Tigre, sailing on a special boat through the channels among the island, and having lunch near the river. Otherwise you can spend the last day doing your last shopping.
Along your trip you have visited the most amazing regions of this planet. Ezeiza airport is your last stop before boarding your international flight.
Image Credit: guillebot / Flickr / CC-BY 2.0
Buenos Aires, Iguazú, Bariloche, El Calafate, Ushuaia
With the south cross as a guide you fly over the Atlantic Ocean to live an unforgettable experience in Argentina with its incredible scenery and wild nature. Enjoy your quiet flight over the ocean to take rest, and to prepare for what comes next.
The city tour lets you discover the great city located on the Río de la Plata banks. Buenos Aires captures her visitors at first sight, specially its numerous cultural options. Highlight: 'La Reina del Plata', as it was referred to in tango, casts a spell on her guests. Theatres, restaurants, cinemas, bars and coffee shops allow you to discover Buenos Aires’s identity.
Near the city, you can find different lifestyles. On a special country day, you can be indulged with a famous 'asado criollo' and a typical horse show as a part of a 'fiesta gaucha'. In short, an option you can not miss.
In Iguazu, nature offers you an unforgetabble sight. 900 meters of bridges over Rio Iguazu, and the breathtaking Iguazú falls will astonish you.
On the 'Jungle Train' you begin the ride to the heart of the Iguazu falls. A walk along the bridges allows you to stray among the waterfalls till reaching 'Garganta del Diablo'. The possibility of having a baptism by these spraying waters, on a short trip by boat, is an optional excursion that is very difficult to resist!
Enjoy the Iguazú falls from the Brazilian side through 900 meters of bridges.
A very short flight from Iguazú to Buenos Aires allows you to reach one of the most beautiful mountain villages: San Carlos de Bariloche, on the banks of the Nahuel Huapi Lake.
Sailing along the picturesque Nahuel Huapi Lake, you reach Isla Victoria and a dreaming forest of arrayan trees. This trip begins at 'Puerto Pañuelo', 25 km. from the city, sailing on a very modern boat.
On a rented car you can become your own guide, appreciating places that otherwise you would not be able to see. Villa La Angostura captivates you with its amazing little port, and with its Andes architecture.
The Glacier air touches your face softly as soon as you get off the plane bringing you from Bariloche. You arrive in 'El Calafate' city, the access to the Perito Moreno Glacier.
You reach the glacier walking along the bridges that let you contemplate the magnificent view of the glacier, it is a soundless white river, with blue tones that wait patiently to fall into the 'Lago Argentino'.
This region offers lots of options to enjoy The Glaciers National Park.
A very short flight from El Calafate allows you to reach the southern furthest place in the world: Ushuaia, a treat to enjoy throughout the year.
The excursion to Fagnano Lake on special 4X4 off road trucks, from Ushuaia city traveling across the Southern Andes, to Garibaldi lake to taste some delicious grilled meat.
This day you sail along the waters of the Beagle Channel, and visit the uninhabited Gable Isle. You sail arround 'Isla de los Pájaros', the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and 'Isla de los Lobos' where you can observe seals of one and two hair, and enjoy the great variety of marine species.
The plane brings you back to Buenos Aires. Our package includes a tango show dinner to discover the secrets of the most famous Argentine dance.
You can have a different day taking an excursion to Delta, in Tigre, sailing on a special boat through the channels among the island, and having lunch near the river. Otherwise you can spend the last day doing your last shopping.
Along your trip you have visited the most amazing regions of this planet. Ezeiza airport is your last stop before boarding your international flight.