Luxury Private Journeys - Introduction to Argentina ULAR01

12 Days : $5,982 per person inclusive of superior rooms in superior hotels, all meals, personal guides and private car and driver. Airfare is additional and we can assist you. Business Class airfare at special rates is available and highly recommended Argentina is a country of contrasts from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires, its capital to the tranquility of its Lake District. From the thunderous noise of Iguazu Falls to the cracking of ice at the Perito Moreno Glacier, you will experience it all along with superb hotels, meals and personalized service.

Day 1 Depart USA

You board your overnight flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital and one of the world's most sophisticated cities. Dinner and Breakfast served on board.

Day 2 Arrival in Buenos Aires

You arrive in Buenos Aires where your driver is waiting to take you to your deluxe hotel situated in the picturesque downtown neighborhood of Retiro and nestled amongst the art galleries and antique shops of Arroyo Street. You have a chance to explore the neighborhood or just relax. This evening you will go to one of the city's better steak houses and that means one of the best anywhere since Argentineans take their beef seriously.

Day 3

A City of Contrasts… and the Tango Buenos Aires is, undoubtedly, the Latin American city that best resembles the cosmopolitan and aristocratic atmosphere of the big European capitals both Paris and Madrid come to mind. But beyond this Buenos Aires there lies another one, holding the small colored houses of La Boca and the popular tango that lives in San Telmo streets. This is the mixture that makes the city an original and irresistible metropolis. With your private guide you view the city's highlights and delve into its history and culture. In the evening you dine at El Viejo Almacen the location, where, it is said, the Tango was born. It has also been said that only in Buenos Aires could the Tango be born. Only in this haunting city of immigrants could music of such emotional depth spring forth and take hold of a population Tonight you enjoy a musical ode to feelings of longing, passion and love as the sights and sounds of the Tango fill your senses.

Day 4 Departure for Iguazu Falls

After breakfast your driver is waiting to take you to the airport for the flight to Iguazu Falls which sits at the convergence of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Your five-star hotel is situated in Argentina and, in addition to being about ten minutes from the falls is also a world class resort in its own right with a cabaret theatre and a casino. After arriving you have a chance to relax and enjoy the resort's amenities including its art collection. After dinner you may want to attend the cabaret or try your luck at Roulette?

Day 5 The Iguazu Falls Experience

The falls can be approached, viewed, felt and experiences from countless angles. First you will visit the upper circuit for a first immersion into the exuberant rain forest home to more the 2,000 identified plant species, mammals and reptiles. Animals in the area include the howler monkey, capybara, jaguar and the puma. As you take the walking paths, you are likely to see coatis, charming raccoon-like animals, monkeys jumping from branch to branch and many parrots. You will then take the lower circuit, a thousand yard walk noted for its natural beauty, showing close detail of the individual falls plunging before us, broken midway by ledges of rock, and of the forest with its wildlife and butterflies. Views from below the tumbling water is only enhanced by surroundings of begonias, orchids, ferns and palms. Toucans, flocks of parrots, cacique birds and over 500 different species of butterflies add to the magic.

After your magical walk you will board a Zodiac boat to experience the falls close up (be prepared to get drenched) and continue downstream over the rapids of the Parana River. After passing the rapids you will stop at the river bank and board an army style "unimog" open truck which will allow you to enter the jungle along the Yacaritia Trail where your guide will describe the various layer within the rain forest. Finally you board the park train to experience the one-in-a lifetime view of 275 falls plunging into a deep gorge called the Devil's Throat. After this day of adventure you return to your resort for an evening of relaxation.

Day 6 From the Falls to the Lakes

After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Bariloche located in the Lake district of Patagonia. Upon arrival you are met and driven to your hotel. The Llao Llao Hotel is situated in one of the most scenic spots in Patagonia. Located between the lakes Nahuel Huapi and Moreno it is also surrounded by mountains, This afternoon you have a chance to enjoy the scenery and the resort's many activities.

Day 7 Exploring the natural wonders of Bariloche

This morning you embark on a walking tour that allows you to take a broad look at Bariloche, its surroundings, lakes and history. The aim is to enjoy the woodlands first hand, one of the main attractions of the region. With your personal guide you hear the sounds of the forest such as the trill of the chucao or the regular pecking of some woodpecker. You even have the chance to taste some of the herbs that grow in the wild. This afternoon you can take a swim in the pool or the lake, try some mountain biking or just relax at the spa. Did we mention that the resort also has a magnificent golf course?

Day 8 Sailing in Tranquil Lake Waters

After a leisurely breakfast you depart for the dock where you board your sailing boat for a cruise on the lake. As you cruise on the tranquil waters you are surrounded by mountains and woods. You disembark at Victoria Island where the chef will prepare a gourmet lunch for you. Later you will walk off lunch by exploring the Arrayanes forest with your guide and learning about the properties of trees and roots. Fishing and swimming in the lake are also good options before sailing back to the resort.

Day 9 Journey to Southern Patagonia

Today you journey further south in Patagonia down to the point of South America shared with Chile and close to Antarctica. You will land at Calafate where you are transferred to your accommodations maintaining the quality enjoyed so far. You have a chance to  rest for the exciting day ahead tomorrow.

Day 10 Exploring the Perito Moreno Glacier

After a hearty breakfast you begin your full day exploration of the Perito Moreno Glacier. You will start by driving to the catwalks where you can view the glacier and hear ice crack and roar as it "calves" from the main glacier into the lake. You then board a boat for the short ride from Bajo de las Sombras across the Brazo Rico to disembark on the other side. After a short walk through birch forests along the lake shore, your guides will help you put on crampons prior to starting your unforgettable walk on the glacier itself. Your specialized guides will take you across the glacier viewing crevices, underground rivers cascades and ice caves of iridescent blue hues. Soon you will get to the shelter where lunch will be served. Finally you return by boat navigating very close to the Southern Face of the glacier listening to the crack and roar of the ice...

Day 11 Return to USA

After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires where you connect with your return flight to the US.Day 12 Arrive in USAYou arrive back in the US at breakfast time.

Services Included

•       Transfers and sightseeing by private helicopter or aircraft as indicated on the itinerary

•       Superior Rooms at the properties indicated in the accommodations area (We reserve the right to substitute a property of equal quality in advance of departure should the designated hotel be unavailable)

•       Private Transfers to and from the airport at destination

•       All meals as indicated on the itinerary by B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner

•Entrance fees to all museums, attractions and other venues as indicated on the daily itinerary

•       Private guides for city explorations and private driver/guide while traveling.

•       Baggage handling at all hotels and camps

•       All applicable taxes and service fees

Services Not Included

•       International airfare (round-trip from hometown departure gateway to destination)

•       Beverages with included meals (unless otherwise indicated on itinerary page)

•       Any meals not indicated on the Itinerary page

•       Items of a personal nature e.g. minibar, film, postcards etc.

•       Gratuities to Guides and Driver/Guides (we provide suggested guidelines for your selected destination in your pre-departure material)

•       Any passport or visa fees or government departure taxes (It is the traveler’s responsibility to secure the latest information regarding passports and visa requirements)

Available Year Round