Itinerary
10 September 2012 - 14 days
What a country! Argentine encapsulates in its length the incredible Iguazu Falls to the north, the land of the gauchos in the pampas mid-country, the stunning wild landscapes of Patagonia including Mount Fitzroy to the south and at its very tip, the evocative region of Tierra del Fuego. And what an amazing and varied itinerary we have following in the footsteps of Eva Peron
ITINERARY
Day 01 10 September 2012
Depart from London or your airport of choice to Buenos Aires
Day 02 11 September 2012
Arrive Buenos Aires where you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Mansion Vitraux, located in the San Telmo district, for two nights on a bed and breakfast basis
Day 03 12 September 2012
4 hours City Tour including a visit to the Evita Museum (tickets included)
visit the historical centre and stop at Plaza de Mayo with the Government House, the historical Cabilo and the Cathedral; the Congress building; the old San Telmo and La Boca quarters; the Obelisk; the Colon Theatre (Opera House); the beautiful parks and gardens in Palermo; the Recoleta area and the famous cemetery.
Evita Museum
The Evita Museum exhibits the life and message of a remarkable woman in Argentinian history. The museum was inaugurated on 26thJuly 2002 on the fiftieth anniversary of Eva’s death and is located in a petit hotel built during the first decade of the 20th century. In 1948, the large house on Lafinur Street was purchased by the social assistance foundation called Fundación de Ayuda Social Eva Perón to house the 2nd Transition Home, a site that would lodge women from the provinces during their pass through Buenos Aires.
Across thirteen permanent exhibition rooms and one temporary display room, the museum reviews the history of Eva Duarte from her childhood to her youth as an actress, and then her life as the First Lady, next to Juan Perón, and her struggle for female civil rights and the social work she developed in the foundation until her resignation and death.
Exhibits include subtitled videos in Spanish and English, photos and journalistic articles, as well as Eva’s personal belongings. Favourite exhibits include the former First Lady’s dresses, especially the one created by the designer Paco Jamandreu. There are costumes and working tailleurs worn by Evita, shoes, hats, a funeral mask made by artist Juan Carlos Pallarols, the first Argentinian female DNI (identity card) - which belonged to Eva. There are also translated copies of the book La Razón de mi Vida (The Reason for my Life). Lovers of architecture will enjoy the beautiful Andalusian patio dating from 1923 and history lovers can see extracts from Leonardo Favio’s movie, Perón, Sinfonía del Sentimiento (Perón, A Symphony of Feeling), at the auditorium which seats 80 people. The Eva Perón National Institute of Historical Research operates inside the museum, where the library and the newspaper library may be consulted. Facilities include a café-restaurant with an independent entrance on Juan María Gutiérrez Street and souvenir shop.
Day 04 13 September 2012
Today you leave by flight bound for Ushuaia
On arrival, you will be transferred to the Lennox Hotel for three nights on a bed and breakfast basis
Lennox Hotel
Located in the heart of Ushuaia, the hotel offers comfortable rooms with flat screen TV, minibar, safety deposit box, individual heating and Jacuzzi. Facilities include a breakfast room with amazing views of the Beagle Channel, entertainment room and reading room and business centre.
Day 05 14 September 2012
Full day Beagle Channel Navigation & Tierra del Fuego National Park
Depart from Ushuaia sailing along the Beagle Channel waters passing Ushuaia Bay, the north coast of the channel, the archipelago and the Eclaireurs Lighthouse where it is possible to visit different sea bird nests, seal areas and several types of coastal and sea birds such as petrels, albatrosses, cormorants, oyster catchers etc. After approaching the Lighthouse, the tour returns the same way to Ushuaia.
The entrance to Tierra del Fuego National Park is only 12 km away from Ushuaia. It occupies a surface of 63,000 hectares where we can find firebushes, beech trees, ñires, box-leafed barberries, and flowers such as orchids, violets and another native species. Following a road around the mountains we will see peat bogs and beaver dams before arriving at Lapataia River. Once we cross the river, we will have a nice view of Laguna Verde and the upland geese and ibis that come here every summer. One can take a long walk along a path up to Laguna Negra or the Beavers Path, to know the work of these curious animals. In Lapataia Bay (the end of the National Road N. 3) it is possible to see the area where the old inhabitants of the Island left their testimony: the Yamana kitchen, an interesting archaeological place. Before returning to Ushuaia we are going to stop in front of Roca Lake, whose color varies according to the weather.
Day 06 15 September 2012
Full day Birding Tour including box lunch and specialist expert guide
Day 07 16 September 2012
Today, we leave Ushuaia by air bound for Trelew
On arrival, we transfer to the Hotel Rayentray for three nights on a bed and breakfast basis
Hotel Rayentray
Located in Puerto Madryn, the hotel offers 182 room and 4 suites, all with sea views, balcony, Wi-Fi and hairdryer. Facilities include a lobby bar, restaurant, swimming pool, gym, games room, casino and meeting rooms.
Day 08 17 September 2012
Full day Peninsula Valdes tour including Whale Watching
We set out early in the morning for the Península Valdés Nature Reserve. After a one-hour drive, we take a boat to go whale-watching . It is advisable to board very early in the morning in order to have good weather conditions or to have the whole afternoon ahead in case it happens otherwise. Once the boarding is over, we set out for the South of the peninsula going through Salinas Grande y Chica. On arriving at Punta Delgada, around midday, we have lunch in the El Faro Resort (Lunch is optional – It is not included). There we have the opportunity to go down the cliffs and walk near the sea-elephants. Afterwards, we go to Punta Cantor to see the external coast of the peninsula and get to Caleta Valdés (Valdés Inlet). We interpret geological formations there and then we go back to the Ameghino Isthmus. On the way we have good chances of coming across wild land-fauna such as guanacos, rheas, foxes, maras (Patagonian hare), armadillos, skunks, etc. Finally, we get to the city of Puerto Madryn at sunset.
Day 09 18 September 2012
Full day tour to Punta Tombo with Chubut River Valley
Tombo + Trelew + Gaiman
Departure time: between 0730 and 0830 hr
We set out early in the morning towards the Punta Tombo Penguin Reserve. After a two-and-a-half hour journey along Patagonian roads, we will get to the penguin colony. We will walk around the paths among the penguins for about an hour and a half to watch their behaviour.
Later on the tour, we will visit Gaiman, where a group of Welsh people settled down in the past. The tour guide will explain the events that took place during the settlement while historical interest points as well as the building style of the village are observed. An optional stop at a typical tea-house is offered to enjoy a traditional tea service. We continue on our way to Trelew, with a visit to its main attraction, the Egidio Feruglio Palaeontologic Museum visit. We return to Puerto Madryn at sunset.
Tea at Gaiman NOT included
Day 10 19 September 2012
Transfer to airport for flight a morning to Iguazu
Arrival transfer to Hotel Sheraton Internacional for two nights on a bed and breakfast basis in rooms with a view of The Falls
Hotel Sheraton Internacional
Situated inside Iguazú National Park on the Argentinean side, the hotel is within walking distance of the falls with a view of the Devil’s Gorge. The hotel offers 176 rooms and four suites with private balcony and a view of either the falls or the jungle. The hotel’s new spa features a variety of treatment options both indoors and outdoors and for couples. There are also spacious Zen relaxing areas as well as a Vichy shower, sauna, steam room, whirlpool, modern and fully-equipped gym, and indoor and outdoor rooms for Yoga, Pilates, and stretching.
Afternoon tour of the Brazilian side of the falls
This tour offers fabulous opportunities to enjoy the panoramic view of the falls only seen from the Brazilian side. It is a 1½ km walk which runs part of the way down the cliff near the rim of the falls, giving a stupendous view of the whole Argentine side of the Falls. There are walkways along the banks which take you almost under the powerful Floriano Falls. From here an elevator carries visitors to the top of the Floriano Falls and to a path leading to Puerto Canoas. There are also smaller access paths for those who prefer to walk. This whole area is now a Unesco World Heritage Site and the incredible humidity generated by the falls creates the perfect environment in which the lush vegetation and fauna thrive in this subtropical rainforest.
Day 11 20 September 2012
Tour of the Argentinean side of the Falls
A fascinating half-day walking tour of the Argentine side of the Falls along the lower and upper paths takes in a closer view of this breathtaking marvel. At the entrance to the park the group will divide into smaller groups to visit the park. Guests walk down the well-maintained paths with stops at selected points along the way where the guides will be able to explain about the Falls and the eco-system of the area. There will be plenty of opportunities to take photos. At all times guests can enjoy different views and aspects of the Falls and the amazing views across to the Brazilian side. This tour is entirely on foot, and is suitable for all levels of walkers.
Devil’s Throat
Iguazu Falls are in fact divided into separate waterfalls by a number of different islands. One of the most spectacular is Devil’s Throat. As part of the tour of the Argentine side of the falls, the group will board the small train which runs to Devil's Throat Station where there is a suspended walkway with spectacular views.
Day 12 21 September 2012
Transfer to airport for your flight to Buenos Aires
On arrival, you will be taken back to the Hotel Mansion Vitraux, for three nights on a bed and breakfast basis
Day 13 22 September 2012
Morning shopping tour with English-speaking guide
Florida Street and Santa Fe Avenue are the busiest shopping streets ideal for bargains whilst luxury boutiques are located in the neighbourhood of Recoleta. Other peripheral shopping areas are on Cabildo Avenue (Belgrano), Mitre Avenue (Munro) and Avellaneda Avenue (Flores). Textiles and clothing at very good prices can be found in the many shops located in the neighbourhood of Once.
In recent years a number of modern shopping malls have been built, such as Patio Bullrich on Av. del Libertador and Galerías Pacífico on the corner of Florida and Av. Córdoba. These are stylish and well designed and tend to have branches of all the main stores. There is also the Unicenter Shopping Mall situated on the outskirts of Buenos Aires.
Evening Tango lesson followed by dinner a local restaurant and a visit to a Milonga
The class consists of an introduction to the tango, learning the basic concepts of the tango dance whilst enjoying a pleasant and amusing time. After the practical exercise, the teachers will give a demonstration of the dance. Photos and video recordings are allowed. The class lasts for 1 hour from 2000 to 2100, and is following by dinner from approximately 2115 to 2230. Then on to the Milonga from approximately 2245 until 0030. At which point there will be a transfer back to the hotel.
Day 14 23 September 2012
At leisure for optional tours and activities
Evening Dinner and Tango Show at Esquina de Carlos Gardel
Depart from your hotel at 2030 to enjoy superb cuisine and fine wine followed by an authentic tango show.
“Esquina Carlos Gardel”, is located on the spot of the famous “Chanta Cuatro”, synonymous with Argentina’s most famous man of Tango, Carlos Gardel. This beautiful 1940s-style club is decorated in Art Nouveau style recreating the elegance of the most luxurious dining rooms of a bygone era. A fabulously glamorous venue for your farewell night in Buenos Aires!
Guests will enjoy superb cuisine and fine wine before the tango show begins. Worthy of a London West End show, the latest technological equipment enhances the great sounds of the band. The dancing is superbly choreographed and the performance of the artists is simply flawless.
Day 15 24 September 2012
Sadly, the holiday draws to a close with an airport transfer
