Travel to Argentina: Argentina Wildlife Adventure

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Argentina Wildlife Adventure

			DAYS: 13 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $4525 per person 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 of Los Glaciares National Park; the Peninsula Valdes, habitat of giant elephant seals, migrating whales and Magellanic penguins; the spectacular tropical rainforests of Iguazu Falls; and the vast wetlands of Ibera Marsh in Corrientes Province, where forests and lagoons merge creating one of the most exciting spectacles of wildlife in South America including, giant otter, marsh deer, jaguar, tapir, caiman and hundreds of bird species. As the third country in the world to establish National Parks, preservation of wild places has long been at the heart of Argentine culture and policy despite periods of drastic political change. From seemingly-impenetrable walls of ice to dense jungle buzzing with butterflies and bird life, this itinerary explores the distinctive landscapes and ecosystems of two national parks and two nature reserves and offers travelers a glimpse into Argentina's endless array of habitats.

Accompanied by local naturalist guides and gauchos we enjoy easy day hikes, observe wildlife and photograph spectacular South American landscapes based from local inns, estancias and boutique hotels. This Argentina adventure is ideal for active wildlife enthusiasts who also want to experience the heart and soul of Argentine culture and cuisine. We can easily adapt it to the special interests of families or design it as 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 Awwa Suites or similar. Afternoon guided exploration of Costanera Sur Nature Reserve, just a few minutes from the heart of the city. Accompanied by a local conservationist, walk through this beautiful area and urban wildlife habitat that has remained largely untouched by the city's expansion.

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. Our 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. Guanacos and rheas wander freely among the multitude of penguins.

After lunch, continue north to the isthmus of the Peninsula to the town of Puerto Piramades, a small and colorful shore side enclave and point of embarkation for whale-watching excursions. Time and interest permitting, we stop in Puerto Madryn en route and visit either the Museo Hombre y El Mar or the EcoCentro, which offers young naturalists a hands-on introduction to the region's marine fauna. (Visits are at an additional cost.) Overnight at Hosteria del Nomade. [BL]

	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. Between mid-February and April, orcas patrol the shores near Punta Norte for young sea lions. Here we can observe the technique of 'intentional-stranding', a hunting style practiced only by the orcas of the Valdes Peninsula. Overnight at Hosteria del Nomade. [BL]

Note: Add optional whale watching boat trip to see Southern Right Whales from July through December, approximately $75 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 TREK
You'll be collected from your hotel in the morning and travel by motorc oach 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 NIBEPO AIKE
Enjoy a half-day excursion to Lago Roca, a beautiful mountain lake, and Estancia Nibepo Aike. Set within Los Glaciares National Park, this traditional estancia dating from the beginning of the 20th century-offers an impressive view over Lake Argentina and an introduction to the activities of a sheep-breeding ranch. After a delicious and traditional lamb asado cooked over the open flame for lunch we have options to hike along the coast of the lake, opt for a horseback ride through the vast property, or climb the Crystal Mount lookout point where condors often fly overhead. On a clear day you can see Torres del Paine in Chile, 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 Hotel Kau Yatun. [BL]

DAY 7 :  FLY TO THE IGUAZU FALLS
Transfer to El Calafate airport for morning flight to Iguazu where we are greeted and escorted to the Panoramic Hotel for overnight in a River View Room. This restored boutique hotel is a popular gathering place for local residents from around Misiones province and is located within town, a short distance from a fun, open-air exchange market for Brazilian and Argentine goods. Stroll the streets on your own and take in the scene or enjoy the tropical weather poolside, overlooking the meeting point between the Iguazu and Parana Rivers. Overnight at the Panoramic Hotel. [B]

DAY 8 :  IGUAZU FALLS

Today we explore the tropical rain forests and multiple waterfalls of Iguazu National Park with our naturalist guide. Iguazu Falls consists of 275 separate waterfalls along a nearly two mile long fall line along the Iguazu River on the border between Argentina and Brazil.  Spectacular falls plunge 260 feet in a thunderous roar of mist and rainbows among giant ferns, vines and orchids. Today will be our introduction to the rainforest ecosystem full of butterflies, monkeys, caiman, peccary, deer and abundant birdlife especially parrots, toucans, hummingbirds and guan. There are miles of trails, a train to the Devils Throat overlook, walkways with foot bridges, and a boat crossing to more trails. Vantage points around the falls let you photograph the cataracts and rainbows from many different angles. Overnight at Panoramic Hotel in River View Room. [B]

DAY 9 :  SAN IGNACIO AND IBERA WETLANDS
We leave Puerto Iguazu in the early morning for a full day of adventure driving through some of the most beguiling regions of Argentina. [8 hrs total drive time over some unpaved roads] Traveling south through Misiones province to San Ignacio Mini we explore the ruins of a beautiful mission founded by the Jesuits in the early 1600s and protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Threatened by the political and economic power that the Jesuits seemed to hold, the Spanish and Portuguese crowns expelled the sect from their kingdoms in the late 1700s (as portrayed in the movie The Mission) and the ruins were nearly reclaimed by the jungle. We explore the rich architectural complex with our resident guide before continuing into Corrientes Province and the Iber Wetlands, the second-largest wetland in the world after the Pantanal in Brazil, often referred to as the Serengeti of South America. From the town of Posadas we transfer to Rincon del Socorro, a historic hosteria set amidst a 30,000 acre wildlife refuge and haven. Overnight in Rincon del Socorro. [BLD]

DAYS 10-11 :  IBERA WETLANDS
The Ibera Wetlands offer one of the most exciting spectacles of wildlife in South America. Howler monkeys, huge caimans, large groups of capybaras, anteaters and marsh deer are commonly seen, along with over 300 species of birds including Greater Rheas standing as tall as humans. The endangered maned wolf and Parana otter also find refuge here.

Once a working cattle ranch, former gauchos turned naturalist guides at Rincon del Socorro share their history and knowledge of the pampas leading us throughout this diverse habitat by boat, 4WD vehicle, on foot and on horseback while observing wildlife and learning about the settlers and natural history of the protected reserve. There is also an opportunity to be a gaucho for a day with the seasonal cattle round-up at certain times per year. Well of the beaten-path this hidden gem presents ample opportunities to relax, reconnect and discover the true nature of Argentina. Overnight at Rincon del Socorro. [BLD]

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 12 :  BUENOS AIRES
Transfer to the Posadas Airport for an afternoon flight to Buenos Aires. Airport reception and transfer in to the Awwa Suites hotel, well-located in the Recoleta neighborhood. The famous Recoleta cemetery, the Evita Museum (have lunch here!) and the zoological park and gardens are all within a few blocks. Overnight at the Awwa Suites in a balcony room. [B]

DAY 13 :  BUENOS AIRES AND DEPARTURE
Enjoy a free day to walk or shop 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 experts who introduce us to the city, its history, its style, and the peculiar psychology of Porteo residents (tours not included and are available at an additional cost). The hotel room is available for day-use until your evening transfer to the airport for flight departure. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Kirsten Gardner 1(800)345-4453