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21 Days South American treasures - featuring Indescribable Iguazu Tour Package Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, is our first port of call on this 21-day tour of Argentina and Chile, and we give the cosmopolitan city the time it deserves as we explore the abundant bounties of the surrounding area. A perpetual reminder that it was once one of the richest countries in the world, the grand public buildings and palaces of Buenos Aires continue to stand proudly centuries after their construction, adding an air of stateliness to the colourful and varied architecture around the city. Leaving the fabulous city, we travel south to Patagonia, stopping off in various fascinating historic towns along the way, and seek to get face-to-face with spectacular wildlife that can normally only be seen in zoos, such as whales, elephant seals, sea lions and penguins. Some of the most dramatic sceneries in the world are to be found in Patagonia, and we pay a visit to arguably the finest national park in South America, Chile's Torres del Paine National Park, before checking out the bustling capital, Santiago, and spending time in numerous other places of interest.
Tour Itinerary Day 1 Arrival in Buenos Aires Arrival in Buenos Aires. Nearly 40% of the country's 33 million citizens live in Gran Buenos Aires (Greater Buenos Aires), which at first makes the city almost as imposing as New York or London. However, after a brief orientation you will find that the compact city centre is accessible and easily explored on foot, by bus, taxi and underground. Overnight in Buenos Aires. Dinner if required. Day 2 Buenos Aires - Iguazu Falls This morning we transfer to the airport for our two hour flight to Iguazu Falls. After transferring to our hotel we have time to relax and have lunch. This afternoon we have a guided tour of the falls on the Argentine side (upper balconies). Here we are at the confluence of the River Iguazu and the deep flowing Parana. This place is known as the "Hito de las Tres Fronteras" because at this point Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay converge. The national park here is home to more than 21,000 plant species and 400 bird species. The waterfalls disgorge 1700 cubic m (1,853 cubic yards) of water per second from a height of 70 m (230 feet) in 275 different falls, most of which are in Argentina. On the frontier with Brazil there is a gully--La Garganta del Diablo (The Devil's Throat) which is 150 m (490 feet) wide and 700 m (2,290 feet) long. Overnight at Iguazu Falls. Breakfast and dinner. Day 3 Iguazu Falls - Buenos Aires You have a half-day free to revisit the paths along the upper and lower parts of the falls (optional 15 pesos per person, local bus 3 pesos) and the path that goes along the river from the observation point of the Bosetti Falls to the quay. The plunging falls throw a fine drizzle up to 30 m (98 feet) into the air, weaving countless rainbows in the sun. Be sure to take rain-proof clothing. The United Nations has declared Iguazu Falls a protected area of worldwide importance. You can also take an optional boat ride to the base of the falls (100 pesos / 35 USD per person), or the local bus to Iguazu Town where you can explore and observe where Argentine, Brazil, and Uruguay come together. You will need to be back in the hotel this afternoon to be ready for your transfer to the airport; please verify the check-out time from your hotel reception desk. Later this afternoon we fly to Buenos Aires and transfer to our hotel. Overnight in Buenos Aires. Breakfast and dinner. Day 4 Buenos Aires: City Tour Today we see the sights of this cosmopolitan city. In the early part of the 20th century, Argentina was one of the richest countries in the world. The grand public buildings of Buenos Aires reflect this opulent era. The city is known as the "Paris of South America" because of its wide boulevards and European-style architecture. Buenos Aires was founded for the second time in 1580 by Juan de Garay, just north of Mendoza's encampment. In accordance with Spanish law, he laid out the large Plaza del Fuerte (Fortress Plaza). It acquired its present name of Plaza de Mayo after the month of revolution in 1810. Our tour focuses on the major public buildings. Catedral Metropolitana, built on the sight of the original colonial church was not completed until 1827. Not only is it considered a major religious landmark, but also a historic site of great importance. Here lies the tomb of Jose de San Martin, the man who (along with Simon Bolivar) liberated South America from Spanish rule in the early 1800's. The Plaza de Mayo is also home to Museo del Cabildo, the Presidential Palace (Casa Rosada), and the National Congress (Palacio del Congreso). We also visit the Recoleta Cemetery where Buenos Aires' richest citizens are buried in magnificent marble tombs elaborately decorated with statues. The most internationally-famous person buried here is "Evita" Peron. Later this afternoon you may choose to visit in the artists' quarter of San Telmo. Ask your Tour Leader about the possibility of seeing an optional Tango Show this evening. Overnight in Buenos Aires. Breakfast and dinner. Day 5 Buenos Aires: City Tour Today we have a half-day WALKING tour. Our first stop is the Centro Naval, one of the city's most exquisite buildings and a masterpiece of cast stone architecture. The building was opened in 1914 and was designed by Swiss architect Jacques Dunant. It's not generally open to the public, but sometimes they let you into the circular lobby. The Kavanagh Building, at the time of its construction in 1936, was the tallest building in South America, standing at about 120 m (400 ft.) with over 30 stories. Designed as a residential structure, it took more than 16 years to sell the apartments in this Art Deco building. Now it is only the third-tallest building in the city. Palacio Paz is perhaps the most beautiful of the Beaux Arts mansions in Buenos Aires; the Circulo Militar looks plucked from the Loire Valley. It was the home of the Paz family and took almost 12 years to build; the patriarch who commissioned it died waiting. The General Jose de San Martin Monument celebrates General Jose de San Martin, who battled against Spain in the wars of independence and is known as the founder of the Argentine nation. The Palacio San Martin is another of the grand mansions that line Plaza San Martin, this was the home of the powerful Anchorenas family whose prestige dated to colonial times in Argentina. The Islas Malvinas-Falkland Islands Memorial honors the more than 700 Argentines who died in the war over the Islas Malvinas/Falkland Islands chain in the brief war with Great Britain in early 1982. The Torre Monumental (British Clock Tower) is a 1916 gift from the British community in Buenos Aires, along with all other things British, was renamed in response to the Islas Malvinas/Falkland Islands War and is called the Argentine Big Ben by some. Decorated with British royal imperial symbols, the base was partly destroyed by an angry mob during an Islas Malvinas-Falkland Islands memorial service. Inside the tower you'll find a small Buenos Aires City Tourism Information Office, as well as an elevator that you can ride to the top for an excellent view of the city. The tower was placed here to celebrate the completion of the nearby Retiro station, built with British technology. Retiro Station was opened in 1915 and was built with British technological assistance. Four British architects designed it, and the steel structure was made in Liverpool, England, and shipped to Argentina to be assembled. Our tour ends in the Galerias Pacifico in time for your lunch break. This is the most famous shopping mall in Buenos Aires, opened in 1891. The building was designed to recall the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, with its long halls, glass cupola, and several tiers of shops. Overnight in Buenos Aires. Breakfast and dinner. Day 6 Buenos Aires - Trelew - Puerto Madryn This morning we say goodbye to Buenos Aires and fly to the Welsh town of Trelew in the Chubut Province of Patagonia. This morning will be spent touring this historic town. Founded in 1886 as a railway junction, Trelew takes its name from Lewis Jones who promoted expansion of the railway system -- 'tre' means town in Welsh, and 'Lew' is short for Lewis. Immigrant workers flooded in from Europe as the railway network expanded. Both Welsh and Italian languages and traditions are still very strong here. We also visit Punta Loma, the first nature reserve in Chubut. It was created in 1967 with the purpose of protecting the only permanent South American sea lion colony. A colony of cormorants, South American terns, other sea and land birds, reptiles and mammals live in this protected area. The colony is made up of 600 South American sea lions. While in Pto Madryn we will visit the Museum of Oceanography and Natural History. NOTE: Our activities in the Trelew and Puerto Madryn area may vary depending on flight schedules and seasonality (especially re. penguins). Our Trelew town sightseeing will be unaffected. Overnight in Puerto Madryn. Hotel Tolosa or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 7 Puerto Madryn: Peninsula Valdes About 120 km (75 miles) north of Puerto Madryn is Peninsula Valdes, one of the finest wildlife reserves in South America and a UNESCO site. Sea lions, elephant seals, guanacos, Magellanic penguins and many other rare seabirds are present in large numbers on the beaches and headlands. We will visit the Estancia San Lorenzo, located at the northern end of the Peninsula Valdes since early in the 20th century. The main house, with its verandas, its cladding of corrugated zinc, and its sheep shearing shed, is set amidst the landscape of the steppe, in one of the most impressive places on the Patagonian coast. The owners of San Lorenzo continue to carefully guard this land full of life and history. During different times of the year a variety of fauna choose Peninsula Valdes to mate. The estancia is privileged because of its characteristics and location. It is the most exclusive place to observe the southern right whale (June - mid-December); colonies of sea lions (Dec-Jan breeding season); elephant seals (all year, breeding season late Sep/early Oct); and Magellanic penguins (Aug-Apr). We can walk the dunes to visit a penguin colony. Overnight in Puerto Madryn. Hotel Tolosa or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 8 Puerto Madryn - Ushuaia This morning we fly to Ushuaia on the island of Tierra del Fuego. Ushuaia is considered the world's southernmost city. In 1520, Magellan passed through the strait that now bears his name, in search of a sea route to the spice islands of Asia. The Yahgan Indians built the fires that inspired Europeans to give this region its name -- "The Land of Fire". At first, very little attention was paid to this rocky and glacial shoreline, and its indigenous Indian population. It was not until the demise of Spain's colonial domination of the region in the late 1800's, that other Europeans began settling here. Ushuaia lies on the north shore of the Beagle Channel, at the very heart of the archipelago, and just east of the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego. Since 1950, the town has played host to an important naval base, supporting Argentine claims in Antarctica. Ushuaia has one of the world's most dramatic settings: surrounding jagged glacial peaks rise from sea level to nearly 1500 m (4,500 ft). In 1870, the South American Missionary Society, a British-based organisation, made Ushuaia its first permanent outpost in the Fuego region. Today we will begin exploring the area in earnest. This afternoon, we will enjoy a tour of the town, beginning with a visit to the town's museum. Filled with interesting artifacts, the museum catalogues the history of this rugged territory. In Ushuaia we are so far south that it is broad daylight until well after 10 pm. Overnight in Ushuaia. Hotel del Bosque or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 9 Ushuaia: Tierra del Fuego Lake Fagnano, the third largest lake in South America will be the focus of this morning's exploration. The drive to the lake is one of unparalleled beauty. Over millions of years, mighty glaciers have carved deep valleys that are now interspersed with deep fjords and extensive pine forests. The surrounding snow-capped mountains contrast sharply with the crystal clear waters of the lake and forests. Overnight in Ushuaia. Hote del Bosque or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 10 Beagle Channel Cruise Today, weather permitting, we include a cruise on the Beagle Channel, named after the ship on which Darwin sailed through here in 1832. The island of Tierra del Fuego is divided between Argentina and Chile and the Beagle Channel forms part of the border between the two countries. In addition to spectacular scenery, we should see many species of marine mammals and birds. This afternoon will be spent in the Tierra del Fuego National Park. Just a short drive from town, this pristine nature reserve is home to hundreds of species of birds, in addition to bountiful varieties of plant life. At Lapatoia Bay we reach the southern end of the Pan-American Highway, which starts in Alaska and runs all the way down through Canada, the USA, Central and South America. Please note: As Tierra del Fuego is so close to the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by water, the weather here is extremely changeable hour by hour. In order to maximise our sight-seeing, we may have to alter the sequence of our activities. Your Tour Leader will do his/her best to ensure that you see all the items listed on these days but, in the event of extreme weather, other activities may have to be substituted. Overnight in Ushuaia. Hotel del Bosque or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 11 Ushuaia - Calafate Today we fly from Ushuaia to El Calafate, a resort town on Lake Argentino situated at the entrance to the Glacier National Park. Overnight in Calafate. Breakfast and dinner. Day 12 Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier We leave the shores of Lake Argentino, travel across the lowlands and begin ascending to the sub-Antarctic forest which marks the gateway to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Its centre-piece is the Perito Moreno Glacier which, because of unusually favourable local conditions, is one of the world's few advancing glaciers. Huge icebergs on the glacier's 60 m (180 foot) high face calve and collapse into the Canal de los Tempanos as it advances about 100 m (300 feet) a year. The roar of the gigantic ice wall as it crashes into the surrounding channel is an unforgettable experience. NOTE: Though weather may seem fine in Calafate, the weather near the glacier can be completely different. Generally the nose of Perito Moreno is characterized by cold wind and highly changeable conditions. You should be prepared with layered clothing and a warm hat. This afternoon we return to Calafate. Overnight in Calafate hotel. Breakfast and dinner. Day 13 Calafate: Upsala Glacier This morning, we depart early from our Calafate hotel to drive the short distance to the boat dock at Puerto Bandera at the western end of Lago Argentino. Here, we board our boat for a picturesque trip across the pristine, exquisite turquoise waters to the Upsala Glacier. The boat lingers in front of the vast wall of ice that is the front of this massive glacier. There are several outside decks that offer excellent views. Cold weather clothing is suitable today. We return to Calafate late in the afternoon. Overnight in Calafate. Breakfast and dinner. Day 14 Calafate, Argentina - Torres del Paine National Park, Chile Saying farewell to Argentina, we leave Calafate and make our way to the border. Once in Chile, we will drive to Torres del Paine National Park. The Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine) are spectacular granite pillars which soar almost vertically more than 2000 m (6,000 feet) above the Patagonian landscape. The park in which the high peaks sit may be considered the finest national park in all of South America. With turquoise lakes, roaring waterfalls, rivers and creeks, dense forests and sprawling glaciers this is an unequalled destination. Overnight in Torres del Paine National Park. Hotel Torres or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 15 Torres del Paine National Park Today we spend the entire day at Torres del Paine National Park. Some say Paine was an early settler. Others say the name comes from an ancient Indian word meaning blue--hearkening to the intense blue of the area's lakes. Whatever the name comes from or means, this is a spectacular park, comparable to Yellowstone or Yosemite in the US. Founded in 1959, Torres del Paine takes in 180,000 ha (450,000 acres). In 1978 UNESCO gave the park World Heritage status, recognizing it as a biosphere especially worthy of international recognition. The park is part of the Paine Massif, which lies inside the continent from, or east of, the high central Andean spine. The massif are medium high mountains emerging suddenly from the plains of the Patagonian steppes. The mountains are granite, capped by crumbly sedimentary rock that used to lie on the valley floor. Before the park was acquired by the Chilean government, it belonged to ranchers who overgrazed and also burned down forests to increase pasture area. The park is still recovering from this devastation, and will be for a while, but it's a chance to see what nature will do, if given a chance. Natural recovery can also be seen, though the glaciers of the park are in quick retreat--up to 17 m (56 ft) a year for the last 90 years, creating a fascinating study of plant succession and soil build-up from bare rock to forest. The flora of the park ranges from grassland to southern beech forests. Many parts of the park were too remote for the cattle ranchers, and exist today in a pristine state. The animal stars of the park are the Guanacos and the Rheas. Rheas are an ostrich-like bird. Guanacos are wild South American cameloids, related to the domesticated llama and alpaca. Native peoples hunted both across the plains, using every part for food and sheltering hide and feathers. When the Europeans came, the Guanaco were slaughtered to make way for cattle, and almost became extinct. We will travel through the park in our coach stopping at various points of interest and scenic viewpoints. We will also have an opportunity to walk one of the many easy-going trails that afford expansive views of the mountains and glaciers for which Patagonia is famous. Overnight in Torres del Paine National Park. Hotel Torres or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 16 Torres del Paine - Punta Arenas This morning we leave the Torres del Paine National Park and continue our journey on to Punta Arenas at the foot of the Andes on the western side of the Straits of Magellan and facing the island of Tierra del Fuego. This is a port which attracts commerce and shipping from all over the South Atlantic. Founded in 1848, the city was originally a military garrison and a penal settlement. Port facilities soon became established as a stop over for shipping en route to California during the Gold Rush. The population increased and the town developed as a result of the wool boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During the last quarter of the 19th century, 300 purebred sheep were imported from the Falkland Islands. Such was the success of subsequent breeding that by the turn of the century there were almost two million sheep in the territory. Immigrants from all over western Europe were attracted to the area, bringing with them major developments to fishing and farming. Overnight in Punta Arenas. Breakfast and dinner. Day 17 Punta Arenas - Puerto Varas We leave our hotel in Punta Arenas and transfer to the local airport before joining a flight north to Puerto Varas. Considered the major gateway to the southern Lake District, Puerto Varas is one of southern Chile's most important cities. The city has a spectacular setting at the north end of the Golfo de Reloncavi. We spend the afternoon visiting the colourful and interesting local market. Overnight in Puerto Varas. Breakfast and dinner. Day 18 Puerto Varas Area The area around Puerto Varas is a region of spectacular lakes and mountains. We drive along the shore of Lake Llonquihue to the Petrohue waterfall (Salto del Petohue), an amazing series of oddly twisting water chutes. These chutes were formed by a crystallized black volcanic rock that is particularly resistant to erosion. The water at Rio Petrohue is bright green due to the presence of algae. On a clear day this drive is spectacular with the snow-capped peak of the Osorno Volcano looming above us. From the town of Petrohue we take a boat ride on the azure-blue waters of Lago Todos los Santos to the town of Puella, a small village that serves as a stopping point on the route to Argentina. We will spend a short time here; the Cascada de Los Novios (a waterfall) is a short walk from the village. We return to Puerto Varas. Overnight in Puerto Varas. Breakfast and dinner. Day 19 Puerto Varas - Santiago de Chile This morning we travel from Puerto Varas back to Puerto Montt where we fly to Chile's capital, Santiago. From its inauspicious beginnings, Santiago has become one of South America's most important cities; Santiago is Chile's largest and South America's fifth largest city. Founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia, it was attacked and overrun by Mapuche Indians just six months later. Spanish troops fortified the summit of Cerro Santa Lucia, and made immediate plans to rebuild the settlement. For almost 2 years, Santiago remained all but a settlement under siege. By the end of the 16th century, the settlement was made up of just 200 houses, with a population of no more than 2000. Today Santiago is a large cosmopolitan city although its central core is relatively small. After transferring from the airport to our hotel, we have time to freshen up before taking a brief look at Santiago. Overnight in Santiago. Hotel Fundador or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 20 Vina del Mar & Valparaiso Today we travel out of Santiago past the vineyards, farms, orchards and olive plantations of the Curacavi and Casablanca valleys. At the coast, we drive along the beaches of Las Salinas and Renaca to Vina del Mar, a town Chileans refer to as Ciudad Jardin due to its parks, flower beds and gardens. The beach is the resort's main draw, however, and visitors and locals alike make use of Costanera Avenue and the oceanfront promenade in the shadows of the imposing Casino Municipal. We follow Espana Avenue to neighboring Valparaiso, a port christend by the Spanish in 1536. The tour proceeds to the heart of the city, the Plaza Sotomayor, a pleasant sanctuary, opposite the Maritime Authority. Inside the plaza is the Monument a los Heroes de Iquique, a memorial for those killed during the War of the Pacific. Just beyond this is Muelle Prat, the pier complete with small crafts market. This afternoon we visit La Sebastiana, another of poet Pablo Neruda's homes-turned-museums, and ride one of the city's many elevators, an effective mode of moving about this largely vertical port back at the turn of the century. Ascendor Artilleria, built in 1898, is one of the oldest still in operation and offers a beautiful view of the ocean. Finally we enjoy a drive through the financial and commercial districts before setting out for Santiago through the Curacavi Valley where traditional Chilean sweets and snacks are for sale. Overnight in Santiago. Hotel Fundador or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 21 Santiago - Departure Today is free to explore and enjoy Santiago. Departure from Santiago (most flights depart Santiago in the evening). Breakfast. BUEN VIAJE!
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