Highlights of Argentina

Day 1 - Day of arrival

Private transfer on arrival to the Sofitel Buenos Aires Hotel in Recoleta for 2 nights on bed and breakfast. The 4 star Sofitel, Aires hotel is located in the upmarket district of Recoleta and is the perfect hotel where to relax after a long transatlantic journey. Trendy cafes, boutiques and restaurants abound in Recoleta. The hotel’s 175 stylish, spacious rooms and suites all have complimentary tea and coffee making facilities. It has a very good heated indoor pool, a health club and a secret garden. We understand from our clients that the breakfast here is excellent. From the hotel it is an easy stroll to the cemetery of Recoleta where you will find the tomb of Eva Peron.

Overnight at The Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta Hotel.

The Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta Hotel, Buenos Aires

Day 2 - Half day guided tour of the city

After breakfast, a half day guided tour of the city. Located on The River Plate, it’s the sophistication of this capital city that is most noticeable. Noble buildings, wide avenues, gracious squares and parks are everywhere. People in Buenos Aires have style, they dress well and they care how they look. The Plaza de Mayo at the city’s centre is fringed with 19th century buildings including Casa Rosada, the presidential palace. The Teatro Colon and the Metropolitan cathedral are also magnificent. The district of San Telmo is where you will find Spanish colonial architecture and in complete contrast the brash, multi coloured, corrugated iron buildings of the district of La Boca are fascinating. Buenos Aires, with an urban population of almost 3 million and a metropolitan population of 14 million, is an enormous melting pot of cultures, dialects and different ethnic groups. This is the most diverse city in the Americas. In the afternoon, do take time to relax in one of the wonderful cafes and just watch the people come and go.

Overnight at The Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta Hotel.

La Boca, Buenos Aires

Day 3 - Travel to the Iguazu Falls

Private transfer to Buenos Aires airport to fly to Puerto Iguazu (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.)

On arrival, private transfer to the Mercure Iguazu Hotel Iru (approximately 25 minutes) for 2 nights on a bed and breakfast basis. Set in the Irayapu jungle close to the Argentine/Brazilian border, this modern and comfortable hotel is located a 20 minute drive from the falls. There are 100 rooms with contemporary furnishings. All rooms have private balconies with jungle or pool views. The hotel has a stylish restaurant with terrace, lobby bar and an outdoor pool and bar. Set in the Misiones Province of Argentina and the Brazilian state of Parana, the Iguazu Falls defy description - they simply have to be visited. This is the largest waterfall system in the world. The longest waterfall drop is 82 metres. There are 275 individual waterfalls over a total width of 1.7 miles. The average flow rate is 62,010 cubic feet per second. For those who are interested in the fate of the 16th century Jesuit missions in the Misiones province of Argentina, there is an excellent film called ‘The Mission’ starring Jeremy Irons, Robert De Niro and the Iguazu Falls of course, with a magnificent soundtrack by Ennio Morricone of ‘The Good The Bad and The Ugly’ fame. Private excursion on this day to the Brazilian side of the Falls.

Overnight at the Mercure Iguazu Hotel Iru

Mercure Iguazu Hotel Iru, Iguazu Falls

Day 4 - Iguazu Falls.

The falls also have to be seen from the Argentinian side where they present a different aspect and allow you to get closer to the "Devil's Throat". Today you will have a private excursion of the Argentinian side.

Overnight at the Mercure Iguazu Hotel Iru

Iguazu Falls

Day 5 - Fly to Bariloche

Private transfer to Puerto Iguazu Airport for flight to San Carlo de Bariloche Airport via Buenos Aires and then private transfer to the El Casco Art Hotel (approximately 35 minutes)

Set on the shore of Lake Nahuel Haupi, this 33 room art hotel is an elegant property that features Argentinian artwork from all over the country. The journey to Bariloche would have taken much of the day, but there are short walks available from the hotel and it’s setting is ideal for a spot of relaxation. Or, if you feel more energetic, take a taxi to the town of San Carlos de Bariloche which is 15 kilometres away.

Overnight at the El Casco Art Hotel

El Casco Art Hotel, Lake District

Day 6 - Bariloche

After breakfast a half day group guided tour of Bariloche’s scenic surroundings. Bariloche is known for its Swiss style alpine architecture. It is located in the foothills of the Andes within Nahuel Huapi National Park and on the shore of Nahuel Huapi Lake. It is a major base for skiing, trekking and mountaineering and surrounded by stunning alpine scenery. With a population of around 110,000 it has many restaurants, cafes and bars and a great many chocolate shops for which the city is known. Bariloche is the tourist centre for the Argentine Elite. Your afternoon is free to relax in your hotel or book one of the many activities on offer or take a taxi into Bariloche itself.

Overnight at the El Casco Art Hotel

Bariloche

Day 7 - Travel to El Calafate

Private transfer from the hotel to Bariloche Airport to fly to El Calafate (approximately 1 hour and a half) and then a private transfer to the Kosten Aike Hotel (approximately 20 minutes).

The Kosten Aike Hotel is in a quiet area just two blocks from the town centre of Calafate. It is a simple but comfortable hotel with a warm feel. Its restaurant serves international and Patagonian cuisine. It is your base from which to visit the famous Perito Moreno glacier.

Overnight at the Kosten Aike Hotel

Kosten Aike Hotel, Calafate

Day 8 - Perito Moreno Glacier

The small town of Calafate is the gateway to exploring the Upsala Glacier, Onelli Bay and Los Glaciares National Park where the unique Perito Moreno Glacier is located. From Calafate one can access El Chalten (3 hours drive away) which is at the northern tip of the National Park and the base camp for some spectacular treks into the Andes, locally dominated by the imposing peaks of Mount Fitzroy. The full day group excursion with lunch visits the Perito Moreno Glacier (78 kilometres from Calafate) which is 250 square kilometres in area, 30 kilometres long and 5 kilometres wide when it enters Lake Argentino. The Perito Moreno is, uniquely amongst glaciers, still advancing. There are a great many viewing platforms and easy trails from which to view the glacier which is one of the wonders of the world. The front of the glacier is as tall as a block of flats and the noise, when a section breaks off, is akin to an explosion. After lunch, the glacier is approached by boat (1 hour) through the icebergs that have broken off - a wonderful afternoon excursion.

Overnight at the Kosten Aike Hotel

Perito Moreno Glacier

Day 9 - Fly to Buenos Aires

Private transfer from the hotel to Calafate Airport for a flight to Buenos Aires (around 3 hours in total) and private transfer to the Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta hotel in Recoleta.

In the evening we have included a tango show. To many of you this may sound a little ‘naf’. We can assure you that this show is electrifying, exciting and the sheer skill will take you by surprise. Do not miss it!

Overnight at The Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta Hotel.

Tango, Buenos Aires

Day 10 - Day of departure

Private transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK

Morning at leisure to explore Buenos Aires independently.