Description

Day 01 – Friday Buenos Aires (D)
Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, transfer from the airport to the hotel.

Buenos Aires – is not only the capital of Argentina; it is also one of the 10 most important metropolises in the world and the centre of the political, economic and intellectual life of the country. This cosmopolitan city – with great European cultural influence – displays a refined taste in its cooking, in its ”boutiques” and in the elegance of its inhabitants. Almost 12 million people live there and can enjoy the plentiful night life visiting ”tango” bars, cabarets, discotheques, restaurants or eternally open bars. During the day, a wide variety of attractions is offered: museums, art galleries, tasteful shops, fascinating antiques, large green areas, parks, wide tree lined boulevards, clubs and sporting events. The Italian-Spanish descent of the inhabitants has formed this modern metropolis. Feel the flair, above all in the Italian old quarter La Boca and in the wide streets with cafes from the turn of the century. At the Plaza de Mayo, in the political centre of town, is the starting point of this tour through this exciting capital. The widest street of the world, the very famous opera house and also the shopping street Florida make Buenos Aires unforgettable.

In the evening you will be taken to the tango house La Ventana, because visiting a Tango Show is a MUST when you are in Buenos Aires! La Ventana is one of the most authentic tango houses and is located in the San Telmo neighborhood, the heart of the tango scene in Buenos Aires.

The Tango tradition started at the end of the last century, developing from a mixture of various rhythms, which were originally danced in the poorer quarters. In the beginning Tango was only danced by men, accompanied by flutes, violins and guitars. The flutes were later replaced by the “bandoneón” (a type of accordion), which gave the tango its distinctive flavor.

During the excursion you can opt between a tango lesson with specialized teachers or a wine tasting session of different Argentinian wines.

Afterwards you will enjoy dinner (which includes three courses and non-alcoholic beverages as well as half a bottle of wine or two glasses of beer per person) and a tango show.

After the tango show return back to the hotel. Arrival at the hotel around midnight

Moderate: Hotel Loi Suites Esmeralda or similar
Superior: Hotel Grand Brizo or similar

Day 02 – Saturday Buenos Aires (B)
Get in touch with the birth city of the Tango!
During your city tour in Buenos Aires you will drive along 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest avenue of the world, you will pass close to the Colon Theatre, one of the world’s best known opera houses and the cultural pride of the “bonaerenses”.

Visit the famous Avenida de Mayo that runs into the Plaza De Mayo, surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Government House), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo (first City Hall, built during Spanish rule). At the other end of Avenida de Mayo the cupola of the Congress building can be seen.

Stop and inside visit of the Metropolitan Cathedral, this imposing neo-classical building is Argentina’s main catholic building. The mausoleum of General San Martin (our National Hero) is located inside the Cathedral, and Pope Francisco used to celebrate religious services in this Cathedral when he was cardinal of Buenos Aires city.

We will stop at the famous Café Tortoni, the oldest literati café of the city. Enjoy a cup of coffee & snack followed by next stop at La Boca, a most colorful area with the famous street Caminito.

Continue to the north area and visit the Recoleta area, one of the city’s most glamorous spots. Here you will see elegant boutiques and excellent restaurants, surrounded by centennial trees.

The heart of the neighborhood is the Recoleta cemetery. The cemetery is the centre of this aristocratic neighborhood, and the most relevant personalities of Argentina’s history rest in this place. The mausoleums and pantheons reflect the architectural diversity emerging from the different cultural tendencies Argentina incorporated in its formation as a nation. The cemetery is considered to be one of the most impressive monuments of Argentina. 30min stop includes visit of Eva Duarte`s grave, known as Eva Perón (Evita).

Afternoon and evening free at leisure.

Optional: Argentina culinary experience.

Day 03 – Sunday Buenos Aires – Ushuaia (B)
Transfer to the domestic airport for the flight to Ushuaia. Upon arrival at Ushuaia airport transfer to your hotel.

On your way to the hotel you will do a short orientation city tour with a photo stop at one of the panoramic viewpoints of Ushuaia.

Ushuaia is the capital of the territory and the southernmost city in the world. Like Rio Grande Ushuaia has grown fast in the last few years, thanks to immigration and the electronics industry in the area. You should not miss the End of the World Museum, the old prison and to explore some restaurants to try the excellent spider crabs. A walk around the harbor is interesting too, where some old boats can be seen. Ushuaia and its scenery inspired the research and fantasies of Jules Verne, Fitz Roy, Charles Darwin and Emilio Salgari.

Moderate: Hotel Patagonia Jarke or similar
Superior: Hotel Cilene del Faro or similar

Day 04 – Monday Ushuaia (B/L)
In the morning you will go on a half day tour to the Tierra del Fuego National Park, where you will get the impression as if time goes slower than anywhere else.

The long stormy winters and the width of the sky formed a very simple and modest way of living. The National Park is crossed by many rivers which flow into the Beagle Channel.
Drive through the park to enjoy the landscapes and have a little walk.

In the afternoon transfer from Ushuaia city in northeast direction along National Road 3 and provincial route J to Estancia Harberton, it’s a rustic way with unpaved roads in some sections of the trip.

Estancia Harberton is located 90km (56mi.) from Ushuaia city and on the shores of Beagle Channel. Upon arrival at Harberton you can take a look around the farm and learn something about its origins. The estancia was founded in 1886 by the Anglican missioner Thomas Bridges and it is the oldest building on the island.

Later on, you will take a short sailing trip (15min one way) aboard semi rigid boats in order to cross to Martillo Island. At this point you will have the chance to watch a colony of Magellan and Gentoo penguins and walk close to them. First penguins arrive at Isla Martillo by late October (just few couples can be seen). Best penguin season is by mid-November till mid-April.

Penguins share their habitat with different birds, so you will see during the walking tour: skuas (main penguin predator), albatrosses, petrels, cormorants, and other birds from the area.

Return back to Estancia Haberton and aboard the semi rigid boat (15min navigation trip). You have some time at leisure to visit the birds and sea mammals museum before returning back to Ushuaia city by land (2h), 90km (56 mi.).

Before leaving the local harbour, you will have lunch at a local restaurant near the harbour. Afterwards you will board a catamaran and navigate along the Channel, passing Isla de los Pájaros, good spot for watching albatrosses, ducks, skuas, petrels, cauquenes and seagulls. You will be passing by Isla de los Lobos (Sea Lion Island), both islands De los Pájaros and De los Lobos belong to the Bridges archipelago.

Upon arrival at Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, you can see the colonies of cormorants. Continuing the trip to the east enjoy a beautiful landscape of the channel and the surrounding mountains.
From there you will see over the Argentinean coast Puerto Almanza and over the Chilean coast the naval base of Puerto Williams.

Upon arrival at Martillo Island you will have the chance to see a colony of Magellan penguins and some penguins from Papua.

Return back to Ushuaia navigating close to the north coast of the channel appreciating the typical flora of the area and some historical sites such as the Estancia Túnel and Estancia Remolino, in whose coast lies the hull of the cargo and passengers vessel Monte Sarmiento sunk since 1912. Finalizing the journey you will see the marvelous landscape that surrounds Ushuaia city with its mountains.

Day 05 – Tuesday Ushuaia – Calafate (B)
Transfer to the airport and flight to El Calafate (not included). Pick up at the airport by our local guide and transfer to the hotel.

El Calafate – The village of El Calafate on Lake Argentino, is an expensive and developing Tourist Centre. There is a chapel dedicated to Santa Teresa in the centre, behind it Perito Moreno Street gently climbs the large hill south of the town, from which one can see the silhouette of the south end of the Andes, the Redonda Lake and Soledad Island on Argentino Lake. It is the southern gateway to the Los Glaciares National Park, which is 50 km (31 mi) away. On the alluvial plain by the lake there are many interesting birds, and in the other direction there is scope for good hill walking. Colourful cave paintings are also captivating.

Moderate: Hotel Sierra Nevada 3 or similar
Superior: Hotel Kosten Aike 4* or similar

Day 06 – Wednesday Calafate – Perito Moreno – Calafate (B)
Today guests will go on a full day tour to the Perito Moreno Glacier.

After a drive through the National Park Los Glaciares one arrive all of a sudden in a forest full of colours, before one sees – equally unexpected – the glacier Perito Moreno. This is one of the few glaciers that are still growing. Every 4 to 5 years it covers the gap between the mainland and itself and grows into the Lago Argentino. Eventually the ice cannot resist the enormous pressure of the water and crashes with a frightening noise. One can watch this glacier spectacle every day when single ice blocks fall into the lake. Considering that the glacier is 5 km long and 70 m high one can imagine the noise this makes. Here we will have 2 hours to experience the glacier before driving back to Calafate.

Day 07 – Thursday Calafate – Buenos Aires (B)
Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Buenos Aires (not included).
Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.

Moderate: Hotel Loi Suites Esmeralda or similar
Superior: Hotel Grand Brizo 4* or similar

Day 08 – Friday Buenos Aires (B)
Transfer to the international airport of Buenos Aires for your onward flight.

---

DEPARTURE DATES 2019 – 2020

---

GROUP DEPARTURE CALENDAR 2019 – 2020