Argentina Tour: Patagonia 360, Atlantic Coast, Beagle Channel, Andean Glaciers - 14 days

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PATAGONIA 360˚ - ATLANTIC COAST - BEAGLE CHANNEL - ANDEAN GLACIERS

Highlights: Buenos Aires * Bahia Bustamente * Gaiman * Valdes Peninsula
Ushuaia * Calafate * Perito Moreno

Join a small group to take part in an extraordinary journey to Atlantic Patagonia. 360º degrees of nature, with an itinerary covering both active and contemplative days.

Day 1 | Arrive in Buenos Aires
Transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy an exclusive visit of the city, in which a professor of the University, uses four parks and plazas of Buenos Aires (Plaza de Mayo, Parque Lezama and La Boca, Plaza San Martin and Recoleta) to introduce you to Argentina, its history, its contrasts, its contradictions and the characteristic psychology of the “porteños”, the inhabitants of Buenos Aires. Hotel

Day 2 | Tigre and Delta
Morning departure from Buenos Aires to visit the northern riverside districts of Tigre and San Isidro including Pueyrredón Farm, San Isidro Cathedral, several colonial mansions, and Victoria Ocampo's Mansion. Enjoy a boat trip through the islands of the delta of the Parana River. Hotel (B)

Day 3 | Buenos Aires - Atlantic Patagonia
Transfer to the airport to board the flight to Comodoro Rivadavia. On arrival, transfer to Bahia Bustamante, a small seaside village dedicated to harvesting seaweed. Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 4 | Bahia Bustamente
A day to enjoy the activities that Bahia Bustamante has to offer.
• Discover the remaining fossils of forests that existed in Patagonia 60 million years ago.
• view huge petrified tree trunks that have become rock with its glow of opal.
• Participate in daily ranch activities such as marking, weaning, shearing sheep.
• Birdwatching. The coast of Bahia Bustamante and Malaspina Cove has the greatest diversity of seabirds in all of Patagonia.
• Visiting Sea Lion and Magellan Penguin colonies on the islands and beaches.
• Mountain biking, horseback riding and trekking. Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 5 | Bahia Bustamente - Gaiman
Visit Cabo Dos Bahias Natural Reserve, where a colony of penguins stays from November to April, then visit the first Fur Seal Colony on the continent, a species currently protected by the reserve. The tour continues to Gaiman, a small village sprinkled with farms, typical chapels and Welsh-style houses. Hotel (B,D)

Day 6 | Peninsula Valdes & Golfo Nuevo
A full day to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Golfo San José and Golfo Nuevo, en-route to the Valdes Peninsula and Puerto Piramides. At Puerto Piramides you will board a ship to navigate the sea and view the shore & wildlife of the area. Lunch. Continue to Puerto Madryn through El Doradillo beach, which has significant cliffs and natural lookout points.

On arrival at Puerto Madryn city, visit Ecocentro. The house, strategically located on a cliff, has large windows which shows different facts of the fascinating sea world. Leaving Puerto Madryn you may see an elephant seal colony at the foot of the cliff. At Punta Ninfas, walk along the cliffs and paths, observing flowers, butterflies, the spectacular landscape, en-route to view the Punta Ninfas Lighthouse. Return to Gaiman by late afternoon. Hotel (B,D)

Day 7 | Gaiman - Ushuaia
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to the Trelew airport with a visit to the Egidio Feruglio Museum en-route. Fly to Ushuaia, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. Hotel (B)

Day 8 | Ushuaia
Full day visit to Tierra del Fuego National Park, including a canoeing expedition. On arrival at the park, you start a 7 km trek (3.5 hours) to a wonderful scenic point overlooking Lake Roca, Lagunas Verde and Negra, Rivers Ovando and Lapataia and Bahía Lapataia. Lunch. Afternoon paddling in the National Park. Hotel (B,L)

Day 9 | Haberton Ranch & Gable Island
Early morning departure from Ushuaia. View the famous "Flag Trees" en-route to Haberton Ranch. From the estancia you will board a small boat to visit the penguin rookery at Martillo Island. Continue to Gable Island for late lunch. The view over the Beagle Channel is breathtaking. After a 2 to 3-hour hike, you return to the refuge, stop for tea and return back to the continent. Hotel (B,L)

Day 10 | Ushuaia - Calafate
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport to board the flight to El Calafate, the gateway to the majestic world of glaciers. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Hotel (B)

Day 11 | Glaciers National Park
Full day visit to Los Glaciares National Park. At the pier, you board a boat to cross Brazo Rico. During the navigation enjoy magnificent views of the southern wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier. There is a moderate 2-hour hike on an icy, irregular but firm and safe surface. Hotel (B,L)

Day 12 | At leisure
The following optional excursions (not included), are suggested:
1) Estancia Cristina, for a 4WD Expedition to the Upsala Glacier lookout, a hike to Fossils Canyon or a horse ride to the Upsala Glacier lookout.
2) Horse riding at Cerro Frias, reaching the ridge for spectacular views of Lagos Roca and Argentino.
3) 4x4 Land Rover Defender drive to Calafate Balconies, an easy and panoramic drive to a lookout point in El Calafate to enjoy an aerial view of the city and Lake Argentino. Hotel (B)

Day 13 | El Calafate - Buenos Aires
Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Tonight, you will enjoy a Dinner & Tango Show at one of the most prestigious and historical houses in Buenos Aires. Hotel (B,D)

Day 14 | Depart Buenos Aires
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for your continuing flight. (B)

2009 rates
Category	SGL CA$*	DBL CA$*	SGL US$	DBL US$
Deluxe
First Class				please
Standard				inquire

ACCOMMODATIONS

Standard: Elevage Hotel (Buenos Aires), Bahia Bustamente (Comodoro Rivadavia), Los Mimbres Inn (Gaiman), Los Fuegos Hotel (Ushuaia), Kau Yatun Hotel (El Calafate)

WHAT'S INCLUDED

- Accommodation in superior tourist class (combination of 4 & superior 3 star hotels) all with private facilities and breakfast. Accommodation in Bahia Bustamante is in two bedroom house, where you will share the bathroom
- Round trip transfers between airport and hotels in every destination
- Private services in Buenos Aires, Atlantic coast (Valdes Peninsula and Bahia Bustamante) & El Calafate
- Services shared with other passengers during: mini-trekking, whale watching navigation in Puerto Piramides & excursions in Ushuaia
- Assistance of expert naturalist guides in Ushuaia, Valdes Peninsula and Bahia Bustamante
- Meals as indicated (without beverages)
- Entrance fees to parks and reserves

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THIS ARGENTINA TOUR PACKAGE

- International airfares
- Domestic airfares, approximately US$ 850 and up
- Airline, airport departure taxes
- Tips for luggage handling and optional gratuities for guides and crew
- Items of personal nature
- Bar services
- Tours, accommodation, meals and services not mentioned as included
- Cancellation / Medical insurance - Health insurance, including emergency evacuation, is mandatory

DURATION

Rates are per person, in US$ and CA$ * The Canadian dollar rates shown above have been calculated at an exchange rate of 1.20 and are subject to change until time of payment.