Travel to Argentina: Argentina Wildlife Adventure

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Argentina Wildlife Adventure

			DAYS: 11 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $2775 per person * Internal airfare approx $935 additional * HIGHLIGHTS: Penguins at Punta Tombo Peninsula Valdez Perito Merino Glacier Walk Iguazu Falls ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Travel in Argentina to the most impressive parks and wildlife reserves including the Perito Moreno Glacier, the Peninsula Valdes, habitat of giant elephant seals, migrating whales and Magellanic penguins, and the spectacular tropical rainforests of Iguazu Falls.  Accompanied by local naturalist guides we enjoy easy day hikes, observe wildlife and photograph spectacular Patagonian landscapes based from local inns, estancias and boutique hotels of Argentina. This easy Argentina tour is ideal for active wildlife enthusiasts who also want to experience the heart and soul of Argentine culture. We can easily adapt it to the special interests of families and create a romantic Argentina honeymoon itinerary with hotel upgrades, wine tasting and more.

DAY 1 :  BUENOS AIRES
Buenos Aires airport reception and transfer to overnight at Hotel Moreno or similar.

Punta Tombo is the most important breeding colony of Magellanic penguins in the world.

DAY 2 :  TRELEW PUNTA TOMBO
Early morning transfer for the flight to Trelew on the Atlantic Coast. A local naturalist guide will meet us upon arrival in Trelew to drive to Punta Tombo, the most important breeding colony of Magellanic penguins in the world. Walk on trails among hundreds or thousands of penguins for excellent close-up photographs and observation. Kelp gulls, Skuas, Cormorants, Giant petrels, Dolphin gulls and Chubut steamer ducks are among the many birds that inhabit the reserve. On the way back to Trelew stop to visit for tea at Gaiman, a Welsh settlement. Time permitting we suggest a visit (not included) to the interesting Paleontology Museum Egidio Feruglio. Overnight at Posada Los Mimbres. [BLD]

	Southern Right whale mothers teach growing calfs to deep dive.

DAY 3 :  PENINSULA VALDES
Full day excursion to explore Peninsula Valdes for the finest wildlife viewing in Patagonia. The plankton-rich Falkland Current provides food for the peninsula's large colonies of South American sea lions and Southern elephant seals. Visit breeding grounds of sea lions and elephant seals, observe flocks of migratory shore birds and watch for guanacos, rheas, maras, hairy armadillos, Elegant-crested tinamous and fox running freely across the steppe. Overnight Posada Los Mimbres. [BLD]

Note: Add optional whale watching boat trip to see Southern Right Whales from July through December, approximately $50 per person.

DAY 4 :  EL CALAFATE
Transfer to the airport for flight to El Calafate, a small mountain town that serves as a base for explorations of the Patagonian Continental Ice Cap and Los Glaciares National Park. The ice cap runs 560 miles from North to South and is the origin of 47 major glaciers, including the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Overnight at the former estancia Kau Yatun Hotel or similar. [B] 

Perito Moreno glacier walk is an unforgettable experience using crampons as you trek over solid ice.

DAY 5 :  PERITO MORENO GLACIER WALK
Drive to a spectacular lookout of Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. Permanently advancing along its 3-mile-front, columns of ice over 20 stories high peel off the face and crash into Lago Argentino creating massive icebergs. We cross Lago Argentino by catamaran along the front wall of the glacier to the edge of the Patagonian Ice Cap.  Watch and listen as the glacier calves enormous shards of ice into the lake. We disembark, walk through the beech forest and have a safety briefing before strapping on crampons and hiking up onto the ice pack. Watch for Andean condor and Buff-necked Ibis. Overnight at the former estancia Kau Yatun Hotel or similar. [BL]

Note: The glacier walk is a local group excursion of up to 20 persons operated by a specialized outfitter. Alternatively ask about our Big Ice Exploration, a 6-hour hike with a smaller group that ventures deeper into the depths of the glacier. Must be between the ages of 18 and 50 for Big Ice.

DAY 6 :  LAGO ROCA AND CERRO CRISTAL
Enjoy a half-day excursion to Lago Roca, a thin lake known for its fly fishing, and to Cerro Cristale (1268 m / 4160 ft). We hike or ride horseback to the peak where condors often fly overhead and you can see Torres del Paine, the various arms of Lake Argentina and the Patagonia Ice Cap.  There is also free time to walk, shop and enjoy local restaurants in town. Overnight at the former estancia Kau Yatun Hotel or similar. [B]

DAY 7 :  FLY TO THE IGUAZU FALLS
Transfer to El Calafate airport for morning flight to Iguazu. Transfer to the hotel for overnight at Starwood Iguazu Resort & Spa in a Falls View Room (or similar). This restored boutique hotel has the best views of Iguazu Falls. [B]

DAY 8 :  IGUAZU FALLS
The Iguazu Falls are over a mile wide, plunge 260 feet in a thunderous roar and are surrounded by lush tropical rain forest. Explore the tropical rain forests and falls on this Iguazu Falls and National Park tour with a naturalist guide hiking on trails and to lookouts among misty forests of giant ferns, vines and orchids looking for butterflies, monkeys, peccary, deer and abundant birdlife especially parrots, toucans, hummingbirds and guan.  Overnight at Starwood Iguazu Resort & Spa in Falls View Room. [B]

DAY 9 :  FREE DAY AT IGUAZU FALLS
Enjoy a second day hiking, photographing and exploring amazing Iguazu Falls National Park on your own, or join a local excursion including a naturalist led bird watching hike, or a wet and wild boat trip up to the base of the falls (local tours are not included and can be booked directly at the hotel). Overnight at Starwood Iguazu Resort & Spa in a Falls View Room. [B]

The neighborhood, La Boca translated "The Mouth", is the birthplace of tango and can be explored on the Four Balconies Tour of Buenos Aires.

DAY 10 :  DEPART IGUAZU FALLS TO BUENOS AIRES
Free morning to walk the trails, relax at the tropical environs of the hotel or join another excursion. Transfer to the airport for afternoon flight to Buenos Aires. Overnight at Hotel Moreno or similar. [B]

DAY 11 :  BUENOS AIRES
Free day for walking and shopping in this vibrant city, join a bicycle tour, kayak on the Parana River delta, or ask about our Four Balconies of Buenos Aires tour for an in-depth look at the city with a local university scholar who introduces us to the city, its history, its style, and the peculiar psychology of Porteo residents (tours not included). The hotel room is available until check out this morning, after which you can store luggage at the hotel (or request a day room at extra cost) until the transfer to the international airport in time for your evening departure. Or, consider a trip extension to wine country in Mendoza. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Kurt Kutay 1(800)345-4453 C o n t a c t Gregg Burke 1(800)345-4453