The name Argentina comes of the Latin word "argentum" which means silver. The origin of this country comes from the time that the Spanish conquerors made their first journeys to the Rio de la Plata. This expedition was conducted by Juan Diaz the Solis, but on their way back their vessel capsized. The survivors nevertheless wanted to go on and they met local people who offered the conquerors silver objects. The news about a legendary “Sierra del Plata” - a silver mountain – reached Spain round 1524. From then, the Portuguese replaced their original name of the river, Solis, to “Rio de la Plata” (silver river). Two years later Spain did the same. In 1853, after modifications of the constitution, the name of Argentina was changed to "Republica Argentina" (the Argentine republic).
This is a journey through one of the most captivating countries of South America; Argentina defies every possible description of beauty. In the up-town districts of Buenos Aires, life sparkles and gets you acquainted with a rich cultural and colonial past during visits to superb cathedrals, monumental churches and impressive convents. You taste the Argentinean wines and see enormous colonies of penguins, walruses and sea elephants on the Valdes Peninsula. Your visit to El Calafate is one of many highlights, with a boat excursion over the Lake Argentina toward the Uppsala Glacier; yet another breathtaking experience. Prepare for an unforgettable time, traveling through high-contrast landscapes of pampas, rock formations, lakes, waterfalls, icebergs and glaciers…
On her 15th birthday Maria Eva Duarte arrived in Buenos Aires to make name as an actress. After a laborious period as a tango singer, she met the influencial radio-show colonel, Juan Peron. By his side, and with his eternal support, she made herself heard by the masses and became immensely popular because of her commitment to the poorest of people in the country. She married Juan Peron in the church of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, a jewel of colonial architecture from 1732. A historical highlight is the balcony speech she held on the 17th October 1945 from the Casa Rosada, welcomed by a multitude of about 200,000 people on the Plaza de Mayo. The Eva Peron Foundation was housed in the General Labor Union Building. When Evita died in 1952, at the age of 33, she was laid in this building to rest for the evenings to come. The mausoleum of the family Duarte is located on the cemetery of Recoleta, and to honor Evita, several plaques have been attached to the tomb. In memory of this legendary woman and her indelible contribution to the history of Argentina, the Evita monument was erected in the district of Palermo. |
Itinerary
1 |
Arrival in Buenos Aires |
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Upon your arrival in Buenos Aires, we will provide assistance at the airport and a transfer to your selected hotel of preference. In a city of old traditions and atmosphere, especially in the districts La Boca, La Recoleta and San Telmo, you will have the rest of the day at your leisure to relax or walk the streets. In the evening you will be attending a magnificent Tango show and dinner, here you will begin to experience how the Porteno's breathe romance into the air. |
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2 |
Tour of La Boca, Palermo and La Recoleta |
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Breakfast at your hotel, and a morning tour in the Mines of Sucre, this tour will give you the opportunity to go into the world of the native miners to see the way they worked, also to hear their opinions and beliefs. In the afternoon we will return to your hotel in Sucre the evening. |
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3 |
Northern Buenos Aires and the Tigre |
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Today we will take you for a drive along Libertador Avenue which will familiarize yourselves with the northern part of the city, here you will visit the neighboring areas of both Martinez and San Isidro. San Isidro is an old colonial town with a beautiful view of the river (Rio de la Plata). In the evening you will arrive in Tigre. Due to it being situated at the Paraná River Delta, makes this one of the most beautiful experiences of the day, today you will be exploring the delta from a boat. The delta is composed of a myriad of innumerable small and large rivers and channels, overgrown by subtropical trees and plants.
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4 |
The Argentine Northwest - Salta |
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After breakfast, you will have an early transfer to the airport in Buenos Aires for your flight to Salta. Upon arrival in Salta, you will be met at the airport and begin the experience of traveling to this wonderful colonial city with a tour through its some of it's main highlights. Founded in 1582 as a stopover on the commercial route from Lima to Buenos Aires, it is with no doubt the most interesting of the northwest capitals. It's life takes place around the central square or Plaza where local people gather for a "cafecito" (little coffee) before or after the "siesta". You will find plenty of interesting colonial buildings can be visited such as the very rich Cathedral, Jesuit churches, the Crafts Market, and the Cerro San Bernardo (a good option for a short hike). In the afternoon we will have lunch at La Leñita restaurant, later checking into the hotel Solar de la Plaza. (former home of and owned by one of the most traditional families in Salta). Here we will have dinner at the hotel, which is well known for it's excellent cuisine. |
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5 |
Into the Clouds |
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Early morning departure to reach the clouds, where we will follow the road that runs parallel with the Train to the Clouds, one of the highest in the world. We will cross its tracks about fifteen times during our journey, and through the spectacular Toro canyon we will reach the archaeological site of Santa Rosa de Tastil, one of the oldest pre-Columbian ruins in the country. This route is one of the most spectacular entrances to the Puna Highlands. The drive will take us to San Antonio de los Cobres and we will visit the viaduct "La Polvorilla" (69 m high and 269 m long), a wonderful work of engineering.
That afternoon, we will enjoy lunch at the Hosteria de San Antonio de los Cobres, as we continue on to the Salinas Grandes (Great Salt Beds) to observe the rudimentary exploitation of the salt. We will then make our drive down through Cuesta del Lipan and arrive to the most beautiful colonial town of Purmamarca, well known for the Mountain of Seven Colors. Here we will stay overnight at the Manantial del Silencio, dinner at the hotel is provided. |
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6 |
Humahuaca, Humahuaca Canyon, and San Salvador de Jujuy |
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Today you will enjoy a full day visit of the colorful Humahuaca Canyon, which combines a visit to the remains of indigenous cultures (like the PucaPucara de Tilcara, a stone fortification on a mountaintop) with the later Spanish colonial architecture present in 16th Century churches and other buildings. The multi-hued canyon walls serve as a breathtaking backdrop for the lively manifestation of indigenous culture: the music, the street fairs, native markets, and the gastronomy of the local people. In the afternoon we will have lunch in Tilcara, in the Refugio del Pintor. Our visit will include the village of Humahuaca, the city of San Salvador de Jujuy, and back to Salta for an overnight stay in Solar de la Plaza Hotel. Dinner will be provided at the hotel. |
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7 |
Heading South to Puerto Madryn |
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After breakfast, we will provide a transfer to the airport for your flight to Trelew. Upon arrival you will be taken to your hotel in Puerto Madryn, where you will have the rest of the day to enjoy at your leisure. If your scheduled flights permit, there you will have the possibility to make a visit to the Estancia San Guillermo, making your return through Punta Loma. At noon you will enjoy a typically argentine Barbecue on the ranch, and on the way back visiting the nature reservation in Punta Loma, where you have the possibility to see sea lions and become acquainted with the breath-taking animal and plant world of the area. |
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8 |
Valdes Peninsula |
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Today we will have a full day trip to the famous Valdés Peninsula, one of the most peculiar nature reservations which offers protection to many different animal species. The main land and the peninsula are linked with each other by the Carlos Ameghino Isthmus. This narrow strip of land separates to the San José Gulf and the Nuevo Gulf, where between June and December the so-called 'southern right'-whales can be seen. You visit the Punta Norte Wildlife Reserve and Punta Caleta where a lartge habitat of sea elephants reside, and later continuing on to Puerto Pirámide, where you can observe a large sea lion community. In the evening, we will return you to your selected hotel of preference. |
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9 |
Tombo and the San Lorenzo Estancia - Arrival in Puerto Madryn |
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On the San Lorenzo Estancia you will visit the only penguin reserve on the peninsula. Less visited than Punta Tombo, here one can enjoy a colony of over 100,000 Magellan penguins, here there is a path you can observe the colony from up close. Afterwards, you visit a colony of sea elephants. During the entire 4WD tour you are accompanied by expert naturalist guides, at noon you arrive in Puerto Madryn. |
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10 |
Southbound to Ushuaia |
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This morning you will have free to spend at your leisure, after lunch we will provide you with a transfer to the airport of Trelew for your flight to Ushuaia. Ushuaia is known as the most southern city in the world, at the foot of the Martial Mountains, you will find beautiful views of Ushuaia Bay and the Beagle Channel. The landscape is a unique combination of mountains, sea, and glaciers. |
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11 |
Train at the End of the World |
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In the morning you will take a beautiful ride with "El Tren del Fin del Mundo". This steam enging train ride will take you through the Tierra del Fuego National Park, giving you breathtaking views of its natural beauty. Upon your arrival in Cañon del Toro (Bull's Canyon), the remainder of the excursion is continued by bus, this particular area characterizes itself passing through hills, beaver dams, and marshes. After lunch in Ushuaia you make a catamaran cruise over the Beagle Canal, named after the ship which Charles Darwin passed through the canal during the expedition of Captain Fitzroy. The boat excursion takes you past the Lobos Island, with its colonies of sea lions, the bird island with sea birds such as albatrosses, cormorants, petrels and shrieking sea gulls. |
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12 |
Visiting the town of Ushuaia |
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In the morning we will take a short visit throught the town of Ushuaia, with many steep little streets and beautiful views over the green waters of the Beagle Canal. Later that afternoon, you will fly to El Calafate, located by Lake Argentina, and surrounded by snow-covered mountains, icebergs and glaciers. |
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13 |
Los Glaciares National Park and the Bay of Onelli |
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Today we will take you on an excursion over Lake Argentina, which reaches a depth in some areas of more than 1000 meters! The lake lies in the Los Glaciares National Park, the area is partially covered with ice, descending from the last ice age, the Quartair. The boat navigates between eroding icebergs and glaciers, which gives way to a fantastic experience only to be dreamt of. We will then visit the Uppsala-glacier, the largest continental glacier of the Southern hemisphere, and on to the Bay of Onelli where we will visit the very impressive Onelli and Spegazzini glaciers. |
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14 |
Perito Moreno Glacier |
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Today we will have a full day excursion to the Perito Moreno glacier. In the national park of the same name, this glacier is the most accessible one, the white ice giant moves with a lot of noise in the direction of the main land, thus regularly blocks the canal. The water pressure on the glacier can get to be extremely unstable, and large scraps of ice will fall off and launch themselves in the lake with a violent noise. |
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15 |
Your return to Buenos Aires |
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After breakfast, we will provide a transfer to the airport in Ushuaia for your flight back to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your selected hotel of preference, in the evening you will have dinner at a fine restaurant in the district of La Recoleta. |
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16 |
Day at Leisure in Buenos Aires |
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A full day to enjoy this sparkling city, beginning with a morning city tour through Buenos Aires, in which the life of Evita Peron take a central role around every corner. The remaining time of the day is at your disposal. At night you have dinner in one of the splendid restaurants close to your hotel. |
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17 |
Departure from Buenos Aires |
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Morning and afternoon at your leisure. We will provide a transfer to the airport for your departure flight home, or onto another destination if desired. |
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