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ARGENTINA’S WILD GEMS: JUNGLE & GLACIERS

from USD$ 4,990 / 10 days

Summary

Day 1: Buenos Aires – Arrival
Day 2: Buenos Aires – Calafate – 4×4 adventure through lakes, caves and cliffs.
Day 3: El Calafate – Kayak on the Perito Moreno Glacier
Day 4: El Calafate – Southern Glacier Adventure Experience
Day 5: El Calafate – Iguazú
Day 6: Iguazú – Argentine Falls Full Day
Day 7: Iguazú – Yaguareté Trail by Bike & Brazilian Falls
Day 8: Iguazú – La Lorenza Reserve Visit & Flight to Buenos Aires.
Day 9: Buenos Aires – Half-Day City Tour of Buenos Aires & Dinner Tango Show
Day 10: Buenos Aires – Departure

Overview

Discover the incredible natural wonders of Argentina and the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires on this 10-day itinerary that will take you from jungles to glaciers.

Experience the striking contrasts of Argentina as you visit the impressive Iguazú Falls in Iguazú National Park and the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. You’ll start your journey exploring ancient glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and the Patagonian forests of El Calafate, to then immerse yourself in the lush Misiones Rainforest with its abundant vegetation.

We will end in the captivating city of Buenos Aires, often referred to as the most European city in Latin America. A unique fusion between the old and the new continent where Latin and European cultures come together, giving rise to a city bursting with history and personality. Famous for being the birthplace of Tango, Buenos Aires boasts its passion for soccer, the art of “asado” barbecues, and stunning architectural beauty. This is definitely a city with a lot to explore that will leave an imprint on any visitor.


Itinerary Details

Your adventure begins with your arrival in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires. Once you arrive at the international airport, your driver will meet you to take you to the Palo Santo Hotel, located in the heart of Palermo Hollywood. The area gained its name thanks to the production companies and television channels that called this place home since the beginning of the nineteenth century. Today it is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, highlighted for being a gastronomic hub and foodie-magnet, offering a range of options from fine dining restaurants and bars to casual cafes, wine bars, and breweries.

Once at the hotel, after checking in, you will have the afternoon to rest or go for a walk to explore the neighborhood.

 

Meals: Not included.

Hotel

Hotel Palo Santo

Today you’ll head south to start your adventure in El Calafate, land of glaciers. After breakfast, your driver will take you to the domestic airport of Buenos Aires for your flight to El Calafate.

Once you arrive in Patagonia, your transfer will take you to drop off your luggage at the hotel. Once you’re settled, it’s time to prepare for your first activity! At the agreed time, your guides will pick you up to begin the 4×4 tour along the Lake Argentino Coast, until you reach the cliff Lookout point from where you can enjoy some spectacular panoramic views of the lake and the Andes Mountains.

Then you’ll descend to the coast, where you will immerse yourself in the historic world of the indigenous peoples through an archaeological site that protects the cave paintings. These endemic cultures left their mark on the rock for interpretation allowing you to travel in time. The experience culminates in a cave, with a dinner that will transport you to those distant years.

Finally, you’ll return to the hotel to rest.

 

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Hotel

Hotel Los Ponchos

Early in the morning you’ll begin your journey to Los Glaciares National Park to see the Perito Moreno Glacier from a different perspective. You’ll get to know the ‘King of the Glaciers’ at sea level. This peculiar glacier owes its fame to a very unique quality; it is one of the largest and best preserved glaciers in the world thanks to a cyclical phenomenon of growth and regression. This mass of ice is one of the few glaciers in the world that is still advancing, and is also known for its breathtaking beauty.

Upon arrival, you will have the opportunity to take a moment to enjoy the sights and sounds from the different viewpoints. Walk along the walkways that surround it to appreciate its immensity from its different angles. Then, you’ll head to the meeting point to begin your kayak experience.

After putting on the necessary equipment and receiving detailed safety instructions, the  kayak experts will explain how to paddle safely in these amazing glacial waters. Once prepared, you’ll set sail from Los Témpanos beach to begin your approach towards the glacier from the water. You’ll paddle parallel to the north wall, reaching a maximum proximity of 600 meters away from it, while you enjoy the environment and the impressive landscape around you. Stop to capture this picture postcard moment while the guides tell you more about this fascinating place.

 

Meals: Breakfast & Box Lunch

Difficulty: Intermediate (no previous experience necessary)

Hotel

Hotel Los Ponchos

Today, you’ll visit the southern edge of Los Glaciares National Park in an experience that combines hiking, navigation, glaciers and remote nature.

Leaving El Calafate, you’ll sail to the southern end of Lake Argentino, entering the Andes. Upon disembarking, you will begin the walk towards Lake Frías, which can only be accessed on foot. You will venture through a lenga forest until you reach the Lago Frías Lookout point, with pure water and hidden glaciers.

From there, you will head down to the shore of Lake Frías and board the Fitzcarraldo boat to sail about 5 km through crystalline waters of a stunning emerald color. From the other shore, you’ll begin a 6 km walk through the valley of the Frías River. Little by little you will approach a pristine area of ​​Los Glaciares National Park, with a valley of changing environments that ends in an amphitheater, made up of the Grande, Cubo and Dickson glaciers. The glaciers release their ice towards the Frías Superior Lagoon, which were originally all part of a large glacier: the Frías.

If the wind allows, you’ll have time to admire the landscape and enjoy a delicious picnic on the shores of the lagoon. If the weather doesn’t allow for this, you’ll return to the dome to have lunch inside. 

After lunch, you’ll return to the starting point along the same route.

 

Meals: Breakfast & Box Lunch

Difficulty: Intermediate

Hotel

Hotel Los Ponchos

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up to go to El Calafate airport for your flight, swapping the impressive Patagonian landscapes for the tropical rainforests of Misiones. Upon arrival in Iguazú, your private transfer will take you to your hotel in Puerto Iguazú.

Puerto Iguazú is located in the northeast of the province of Misiones and your base for visiting the Iguazú Falls. Iguazú means “Big Waters” in the Guaraní indigenous language. The falls are an iconic spectacle of water and jungle within the incredible Iguazú National Park, nominated a Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984 and one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World since 2011. It harbors half of the bird species registered in Argentina’s territory and the greatest diversity of orchids in the country, to cite just a few examples.

You will have the afternoon at leisure to settle in, enjoy the hotel or go for a walk around the center.

 

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel

Hotel Virgin Lodge

Today you will visit the Argentine Falls, located within the Iguazú National Park. This wonder has more than 275 falls along the cliffs and islets that can be explored through different path circuits.

Once in the park, you will take the ecological train to get closer to the Falls’ circuits. The route may vary, depending on the conditions in the park, but without a doubt you’ll visit the Upper Circuit to take in the magnificent panoramic view of the Falls with the Iguazú River Delta and of course, the Devil’s Throat, where you can get off the train to observe the great cascade of water and heart of the Falls. Your guides will accompany you throughout the walk, telling you stories and teaching you about the place.

During the tour you will be able to admire the most impressive waterfall of all the Iguazú River to enjoy an incredible view. 

 

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel

Hotel Virgin Lodge

On your second full day in Iguazú, you’ll take part in a picturesque bicycle private tour along a beautiful natural trail in the Iguazú National Park.

During the excursion, we’ll learn about the jungle environment and how we can help by preserving it as well. Keep an eye out for the rainforest’s wildlife, including parakeets, toucans, tapirs, anteaters, and butterflies. Look out for jaguar pawprints too!

After pedaling for about 3.5 km along a red dirt road, we’ll turn off onto a path that will take you to the Iguazú River and a beautiful view of the old Puerto Canoas that used to be the starting point to sail to the Garganta Del Diablo, ‘The Devil’s Throat’. The falls here can’t be seen, but we’ll be able to hear the sound that characterizes them. At the end of the walk, you’ll return to the hotel.

After lunch, the guides will pick you up again to cross the border and the Tancredo Neves International Bridge to reach the access to the Brazilian Park*, about 20 km away from Puerto Iguazú.

Once in the Park, you can see a panoramic view of the waterfalls setting that form the Iguazú Falls. Along the way, you will also stop to contemplate the main viewpoints that allow a closer view of some waterfalls. Towards the end of the path is the access to the Devil’s Throat, the most dazzling of the waterfalls, approximately 90 meters high. On the walk, be sure to look out for the beautiful wildlife and colorful plants along the way. 

Once the visit is over, you’ll return to the Access Portal in an elevator as you say goodbye to this wonder and return to the transfer vehicle to the hotel.

*Please note that some nationalities require a visa to enter Brazil.

 

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel

Hotel Virgin Lodge

Before leaving for Buenos Aires, you will spend the morning visiting La Lorenza, a small native forest reserve intended to preserve a portion of the richness of the Atlantic Forest in Northeastern Argentina. It is a space to have an authentic experience with the jungle, the river and the local culture, discovering the magical universe that exists beyond the Iguazú Falls.

At La Lorenza, you can enjoy an interpretive walk along the jungle path discovering the abundant species of plants and birds, as well as the natural processes that make the ecoregion so dynamic and unique.

After the walk, you’ll visit a typical missionary house, which is the perfect place to introduce ourselves to the local culture and learn about the national drink: El Mate. You can learn to make this popular infusion from the plant as you hear about its history, the Guaraní, the influence of the Jesuits and the production of yerba mate today, as well as the social codes that govern this tradition and the importance it has for Argentines. You will end the visit looking out from the deck towards the imposing Paraná River, sharing something fresh to drink and snack on.

Now, you are ready to continue heading towards Buenos Aires. After this enriching experience, your driver will take you to the airport to return to the capital. When you arrive in Buenos Aires again, your transfer will take you to the hotel, where you can rest or go for a walk in the neighborhood and its surroundings.

 

Meals: Breakfast & Snacks

Hotel

Hotel Palo Santo

Today you will discover the magical city of Buenos Aires on a half-day private city tour. You’ll walk through the various neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, where you can see the diversity of the Argentine capital, from the most historical part to the most popular areas, as well as its large, luscious green parks.

You’ll visit emblematic places such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Plaza de Mayo, the Recoleta Cemetery, and the Palermo neighborhood. You’ll learn about the traditions and secrets of the city as well as some of the most important Argentine personalities such as Carlos Gardel, Evita, Maradona, and many others. If there’s anything you would particularly like to see, just mention it to your guide who can adapt the tour to your preferences!

Then, in the afternoon, you will have free time to enjoy the city. Ask your guide for any recommendations, revisit any of the sites from the tour, or explore on your own!

As the sun sets, get ready to experience a live Buenos Aires tango show. This brilliant experience delves into the fascinating culture of tango, a dance that combines sensuality and nostalgia with a lot of passion and drama.

During the Show will also enjoy a traditional dinner before heading back to the hotel to rest. 

 

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Hotel

Hotel Palo Santo

You have reached the end of this adventure that visits the main gems of Argentina! After breakfast and checking out, your driver will pick you up at the hotel to go to the airport. If your flight is later, you can leave your luggage at the hotel reception and continue to explore the city until the agreed time to go to the airport.

 

End of Ecochile services.

2023-2024 SEASON RATES

Land Portion Pricing: Group of 2 people

Price per person
>> from USD 4,990 per person 

* Please note that international and domestic flights are not included in this price. Price based on double occupancy.

Included

  • Accommodation as listed in the itinerary or similar
  • Activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Meals as listed above

Not included

  • International and national flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • PCR or antigen tests
  • Voluntary gratuities
  • Personal use items
  • Any other item (food, drinks, activities) not mentioned in the itinerary

ARGENTINA’S WILD GEMS: JUNGLE & GLACIERS

Duration: 10 days

Price: from USD$ 4,990 / person

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