Description
Day 1:
This Tour starts at the Buenos Aires airport, where we’ll be meeting to transfer you to your hotel in Buenos Aires (in Private service). Accommodation. Free time.
Day 2:
In the morning, after breakfast, we’ll pick you up for the Buenos Aires City Tour: This tour will allow us to trace back the city’s historical evolution, visiting the city’s most distinctive landmarks, and getting acquainted with the uses and customs of its inhabitants.
Our journey starts at Plaza de Mayo, the city’s foundational site and witness of our country’s political history. There we’ll visit the Pink House, our Presidential Palace, the Cabildo, our primitive town hall, and the Neoclassical-styled Metropolitan Cathedral, the final home of Argentina’s founding father, José de San Martín.
We’ll then head for San Telmo, home of many artists and artisans who came to San Telmo to install their workshops. Nowadays, thanks to its amazing architecture and convenient location, this ancient neighbourhood is really blooming. We’ll walk its cobbled streets and will make a stop at Plaza Dorrego, best known for its traditional antiques fair, held every Sunday.
Leaving San Telmo behind, we’ll continue southwards to La Boca, one of the city’s most authentic and charming neighborhoods. It is a working class district, heavily shaped by Italian immigrants who came to our country in large numbers during the last quarter of the 19th century. We’ll make a special visit to the mythical Caminito Street, which sums up everything that gives La Boca its distinctive spirit: the strong passion for soccer, the heavy presence of art and color, and the tango-esque atmosphere.
Heading back north across the river, we’ll pay a visit to Puerto Madero, a rather contrasting port district. In 1991, its huge warehouses and silos where remodelled and redesigned, to finally integrate the river to the city and to create a new corporative, residential, hotel and gastronomically district, which is rapidly expanding southwards following our country’s growth, and has become the playground for the pretty Porteños and the international jet-set.
Once in La Recoleta northern neighbourhood, we will be able to observe in their elegant buildings the dream of the aristocrat families of the late 19th century and early 20th, when they sought to build a small-scale Paris in the heart of Buenos Aires. We’ll walk down Avenida Alvear, chosen by the world’s most distinguished brands to install their exclusive boutiques, looking up to see the many wonderful French style palaces which nowadays house a number of embassies.
The approximate duration of the excursion is 4 hours. The order of the visits and stops may be subject to change.
Here is a piece of the place’s whole history: the date of construction is not exactly known; however, it was certainly one of the first constructions of the colonial settlement. After first serving as a general market, it was turned into the Hospital “Británico”, then the National General Customs, then a shelter for the sick in times of plagues, and finally it was abandoned.
During the year 1900, it was reopened as the restaurant “El Volga”, by a Russian immigrant woman, thus initiating the stage of leisure and entertainment spot. It went through several hands and names, until Edmundo Rivero founded “El Viejo Almacén” in 1969. With its dim half-light, it welcomed the most emblematic tango figures, like Troilo, Pugliese, Goyeneche and Salgán, and the most distinguished guests, such as the Spanish king and queen, Josephine Baker, Fangio and Marcelo Mastroiani. It escaped demolition in the ‘70s, due to the widening of Independencia Avenue, even though it surrendered 140 square meters. It remained in the hands of the Rivero Family until 1993, when it closed down. Fortunately, this did not last long, as it reopened in 1996, in a renovated bet on tango.
The dinner menu consists of a variety of appetizers, main courses and desserts, Argentine steak is the speciality, even though international dishes are also available. The drinks offered are water, soft drinks, fruit juice, beer and white or red wine. These drinks, plus whiskey, coffee and champagne, are offered during the show.
Note: To allow for the dinner and show, the pick up time is 7:30-8 pm. The show ends around midnight, when we'll return you to your hotel.
Day 3:
Half day excursion to San Isidro, Delta, San Isidro and Northern Buenos Aires: We'll discover new landscapes of the Delta sailing from or to the Metropolitan coastline. We leave from Buenos Aires, visit San Isidro (with stop), and upon arriving at the Delta we embark to discover new horizons. On the tour we will see the access to the yacht clubs on the banks of the Luján River; the surprising houses and mansions located in the ravines and their magnificent views of the Plata estuary. Among the main references located on the coast we highlight the Cathedral of San Isidro, the Port of Olivos, the Monumental River Soccer Stadium, the Presidential house, the University City of Buenos Aires.
Day 4:
Breakfast at hotel, and, at scheduled time, transfer to domestic airport to take the flight to El Calafate. Reception at El Calafate airport and transfer to hotel. Accommodation. Free time. According to your arrival time you can add an optional excursion, or simply walk around the beautiful town.
Day 5:
In the morning, you will depart on the Full Day Excursion to Glaciers National Park and Perito Moreno Glacier: This is one of Patagonia’s most extraordinary excursions. Some moments etch themselves into memory, and seeing the grandeur of the Perito Moreno Glacier is undoubtedly one of those life-defining experiences.
The departure from the hotel is due at 8 am. You will start the way bordering Bahía Redonda of the Argentino lake, from where you’ll observe the Solitaria Island. After a short while you’ll be touring around the steppe, in which you will get to visit several interesting locations such as: Comisión or De Los Elefantes hill, the Centinela river, Frías hill; some Patagonian estancias, ‘Alice’, among the famous ones.
Once you crossed the Mitre river, you will enter the Glaciers National Park. Thence a 35 km passage begins, it goes through the coasts of Rico branch of the Argentino Lake found in the middle of abundant vegetation. You will find this passage in the middle of the forest amazing. There are many immense tree specimens such as ñires, lengas, notros and sour cherry trees. The famous Curva de los Suspiros, along the road, will show you the first panoramic view of the Perito Moreno Glacier, thus making it a must stop (in order to take photographs). A short while after, you will reach the viewpoint of the glacier and there will be a new chance of getting amazing shots of the landscape with your camera.
Towards the end of the tour, you will come across the footbridges which are very close to the ice wall. There will be enough time for you to enjoy the spectacle of the glacier, and you will also get to witness the famous ice detachment phenomena, hear the hollow sounds of ice falling and thus becoming smaller floating glaciers.
The approximate time you will spend in the footbridges is two hours.
Note:
Even though the visit to the footbridges is unrestricted, it is important to point out that a big part of the bridges have steps, so people with reduced mobility can tour through the balconies and the parts with ramps, but not the whole structure of the footbridges.
The departure may vary from 8 am in summer, to 10 am in winter and depending on climate conditions. The return is due approximately at 5 pm. Lunch is not included. Near the footbridges area there is a small bar where you can buy a light snack, and there is also a restaurant offering more complete menus. You could also ask us for the inclusion of a boxed lunch at a small charge.
It allows you to observe, from a completely different perspective, the stunning walls of the glacier and the permanent detachments of blocks of ice, which later become icebergs and float by, very close to the boat, tingeing the reflexes of the channels and lakes with that peculiar blue color they have had since immemorial times.
The craft, which offers room for up to 70 people, takes a prudential position, close enough to the wall as to be able to cover its whole extension.
Duration: 1 hour.
Day 6:
A full day of navigation among Glaciers and icebergs, at the splendid Gourmet Glaciers Experience: This fabulous excursion consists of a full day aboard the María Turquesa Cruise. Two pleasures are combined: to sail between glaciers and to enjoy excellent cuisine in the same navigation with incredible views.
The departure starts early in the morning from your hotel where we pick you up to take you to Punta Bandera where at 09:00 hs. you embark on the Private Port La Soledad. This tour of the majestic Lake Argentino allows you to "live" unique landscapes of Los Glaciares National Park, from another perspective, almost in contact with the glaciers. Crossing the Escuadra Bay and the Wall of Condoreras, the first two glaciers found on the slopes and mountain tops appear and this feature is called "hanging": Seco Glacier and Heim Glacier. Then, we continue through the Argentino lake heading south so as to take the Canal Spegazzini to reach the glacier of the same name. The navigation allows a striking approach to this glacier that has front walls between 80 and 135 meters above the level of the lake. We later continue to Puesto de Las Vacas - an extremely calm bay in the Spegazzini Canal, where the Captain silences the engines to allow passengers to share an interesting walk coordinated by our team of guides.
Later, the ship will stop in front of the barrier of icebergs that prevents the entrance to the Upsala Channel, and if the weather conditions allow, we admire the Upsala and Bertacchi glaciers in the distance. Lunch time with unforgettable panoramas (Gourmet lunchbox with non-alcoholic beverages included). Then we navigate through Los Témpanos Channel towards the north wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier where the boat also stops to watch and listen to the constant detachments of huge blocks of ice.
Return to Port is set to 6PM, from where we take you back to your hotel.
NOTE: When booking you can request access to the Premium sector of the María Turquesa Cruise (capacity only 20 passengers max.), which includes full lunch with alcoholic beverages plus cafeteria services without cost during the entire navigation. Ask us for this option.
Day 7:
At the scheduled time, transfer to airport for your flight to Ushuaia.
In Ushuaia, reception at the airport and transfer to hotel. Accommodation and free time.
Day 8:
You will depart for the Half Day Excursion Tierra del Fuego National Park: This is a half day excursion to the only National protected area of the Island. The park is located 12 kilometres to the west of Ushuaia city, near the international borderline with Chile.
While leaving the city towards national Route Nº3, the guide will go over the best details of the past and present of Ushuaia.
Inside the park you will appreciate the local flora composed of beech trees and different kinds of bushes and flowers. Fauna is represented by native and introduced animals, such as fuegian reddish foxes, beavers, rabbits and many species of birds (more than 90).
Ensenada Bay, Roca Lake and Lapataia Bay are the tourist attractions you will visit; including some short walks near the lake, where you will see beaver dams
At Lapataia Bay, at the end of the National Park, you will reach the end of the National Route Nº 3 (Panamerican Highway) located 3.063 kilometres far from Buenos Aires. One of the attractions in Ensenada Bay is the post office that certifies the passage through the "End of the World" and from where you can send postcards.
After 4 hours of excursion you will return to Ushuaia.
For the transport of materials, a XILORAIL was mounted, that is to say, a train which circulates upon wooden rails. At the end of 1909 the first railway movements were recorded. The “Decauville” rails with a 60 centimeter gauge were put into service and the work of the “Prison Train” began.
In 1952 the “Prison Train” was decommissioned and with it the rude voices of those inmates faded away. Forty two years after its last service, in 1994, the southernmost train in the world, the “Prison Train”, retakes its historic path.
The "Ferrocarril Austral Fueguino" (FCAF) is situated outside the city of Ushuaia, continuing on National Route nº3 (15 minutes from the city center), on the way to the Tierra del Fuego National Park.
The "Estación del Fin del Mundo" (End of the World Station) is the headquarters of the railway and is situated in a valley between Mount Susana and the Le Martial mountain range, next to the Pipo´s River. The End of the World Station is located at the beginning of the railway. It is found continuing National Route Nº 3, 8 km. west of the city of Ushuaia. It is made up of an 450 m2 area, housing ticket offices, boutique, waiting area, bathrooms and offices.
The tour is as follows: departing from the port of Ushuaia towards Isla Alicia, which shelters a colony of sea lions, later visiting Isla de los Pajaros (Bird’s Island), where it is possible to see royal and imperial cormorants. Navigation continues to Isla de los Lobos, where there are Southern elephant seals and South American sea lions (which differ especially in the fur), ending at Les Éclaireurs lighthouse, built in 1919.
Here the return starts, along a slightly different route, disembarking at one of the Bridges Islands, where you will walk along a path in order to do some interpretation of the flora and bird fauna. There is an account of the Yamanas’ history as well, as the most important “concheros” of the area inhabit the island. Afterwards, already on board and on the way back to Ushuaia, tea, coffee and liquor, or the typical mate with some cookies are served.
Duration. 4 hours approx.
Timetables: 2 daily departures, at 9:30 am and 3 pm.
Day 9:
A fun-packed adventure towards the heart of the Tierra del Fuego island and Fuegian Lakes, crossing the Andes mountain range in 4WD vehicles: Off road Lakes: The tour starts at approximately 9 in the morning, with the departure from the hotel, taking National Route N °3 northbound. When leaving the Beagle Channel, the landscape reveals Mount Olivia and Mount Cinco Hermanos on the horizon, as well as the Carbajal Valley where the peat is exploited. The road leads to the Tierra Mayor Valley, where you can see mounts Bonete and Alvear and some cirque glaciers. Then you cross the winter center "Cerro Castor", place where in winter thousands of tourists and many residents practice their favorite winter sports (Ski in all its modalities, Snowboard, Sledges with dogs, etc.)
You then continue along the route until reaching a height of 450 meters above sea level to cross the Andes Mountains, and from the viewpoint "Paso Garibaldi" you can enjoy the most incredible panoramic views of Lake Escondido and Lake Fagnano. The trip continues to the Bronsovich sawmill and from there the provincial route 119 to travel about 10 km and find the Off Road circuit, an old footprint of lumberjacks that leads, going through a centenary
Lengas forest (and some obstacles!), to Lake Fagnano. There, in the middle of a beautiful forest, at mid-morning, the guide will propose a break with coffee or tea and biscuits. The off-route journey takes about an hour along the shore of the lake, sometimes along the coast, sometimes through the forest ... and also through the water!
At the end of the Off Road part, the excursion continues to a beautiful place located near the lake, to enjoy a tasty lunch and wonderful views. Finally, after a magical day, we begin the return to Ushuaia where we arrive around 5 PM.
Day 10:
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to fly to Iguazú.
Reception at Puerto Iguazú airport, transfer to hotel. Accommodation and free time.
Day 11:
After breakfast, you will depart to the fabulous Argentine Waterfalls: It is a full-day excursion that will take you on various walks through the Iguazú National Park. Departure is scheduled for 8 in the morning and return is at 5 in the afternoon. A guide will be with you all the time.
Upon arriving at the park, you will take part of the excursion on the Jungle Train, a circuit of ecologic trains that goes through ecological wonders of the park and borders the river, allowing visitors to walk through the park and access different footbridges. This train makes two stops: the Falls and the Devil’s Throat (*), the latter being the farthest situated, and giving access to the footbridge from where you can observe the impressive fall of the same name. From the station, it is a 1,000 m. walk winding through islands, until you arrive at the balconies in front of the Devil’s Throat. The total duration of this walk is two hours. It is an easy walk, without stairs.
Cataratas stop gives access to two trails: Superior and Inferior.
Even though the order in which you take them may vary, they are generally taken in that order.
Paseo Superior (Upper Path)
The path covers 1.1 km. This path has no climbs but it allows visitors to access the highest footbridges above the main waterfalls. You will enjoy a panoramic view of the falls as well as the delta of the Iguazú River, with its islands and lush vegetation. This path is the one that requires the lowest level of effort of the three main paths.
Paseo Inferior (Lower Path)
This circular path covers 1.2 km in total, and allows you to observe the majority of the falls, from different perspectives: including from the front and from below the falls themselves; with wide views or in direct contact with the water. You can even feel the spray from the Bossetti waterfall. These footbridges also allow you to experience the jungle up close. Keep in mind that there are many stairs to climb, the equivalent to 8 floors.
From this Paseo Inferior you get to the Safari Gran Aventura, which you can choose to take, meeting with the group at the entrance of the park afterwards.
Note:
The entrance fee to the park is not included.
There is some free time given for lunch. You may either eat at the food court of the place, or take your food from the hotel.
Optional:
Those who wish to visit San Martín Island, may do so during lunch time. There is no access fee, and it has a self-guided trail. There is a free boat service leaving from the Paseo Inferior. The view point of the island offers a marvelous view.
(*) access to Devil's Throat is currently closed due to works in progress.
Day 12:
This day you will discover the Waterfalls on the Brazilian side: This excursion is shorter than the one on the Argentinian side, as it consists of only one path, which allows a panoramic view of the Falls.
You will be able to observe the Argentinian Falls, as well as to get a side view of the Devil’s Throat and to observe the four falls that belong to Brazil (Benjamin Constant, Deodoro, Floriano and Santa María).
Note:
- This excursion can be done either during the morning or the afternoon. Please ask us about the timetables.
- The Visa entry requirements in Brazil are different than in Argentina. Please, check your country’s situation.
Rare and colourful birds fly in the huge aviaries which have been built to blend in with the humid subtropical florest. Visitors are able to enter these aviaries and view the birds at close quarters. They will also see alligators, anacondas, pythons, marmosets and butterflies.
Our work is based on a high regard for our animals and appreciation of our visitors.
Come and see us and learn a little more about the Bird Park.
Day 13:
Breakfast and, at scheduled time, transfer to Iguazú IGR airport (or to IGU airport at Brazilian side on request), and end of our services.
