HIGHLIGHTS OF ARGENTINA - FAMILY ADVENTURE

HIGHLIGHTS OF ARGENTINA – FAMILY ADVENTURE

Description

Argentina’s highlights await: take a once-in-a-lifetime trip with your family to the star destinations of the country. From the incredible jungle trails of Iguazú Falls to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, tour Perito Moreno Glacier and discover Buenos Aires’ tango shows as you soak up the local Argentine culture on this 12 day family adventure.

Day 1 – Welcome to Argentina: first day in Buenos Aires

Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the city and you’ll have the rest of the day to enjoy Buenos Aires at your own pace.

Take your time to rest and use the facilities of the hotel. Spend some quality time with your kids discovering our “Argentina Adventure Kit”, a tool designed to make this journey an experiential learning travel experience. Following the Adventure Kit’s cards instructions, which will challenge your kids throughout the tour to engage with locals, collect fun facts and express their creativity to win a prize (delivered directly to your house once you get back).

Buenos Aires is a marvelous, furious, cosmopolitan city, full of plenty of colours and different kind of architecture. Capital of Argentina and described as the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires proudly embraces this title, as well as showing off plenty of its own culture!

Argentines are usually eager to host visitors: if you walk the streets with a map, someone will surely stop and ask if you need directions. That’s our spirit! So, for this first day, be free to wander the cobblestone streets lined with outdoor cafes, enjoy the the mouthwatering aroma of prized Argentine beef sizzling on an open “parrilla” (barbeque), and browse the local antique and artisan markets that offer plenty of bargain shopping.

Say Hueque tips

So, you don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, che! (“che” is our “hey”), take a look at our Buenos Aires travel guide and check out our recommendations on where to eat dinner and the can’t-miss places to visit in town:

Day 2 – Discover Buenos Aires: city tour & tango show

In the morning you will be picked up at your hotel to enjoy our traditional Buenos Aires city tour. During 5 hours you will be swept away by the highlights of our beloved Buenos Aires.

Over the course of a half day you will have the chance to visit the historical and political center of the city around May Square (Plaza de Mayo) and the Pink House (the presidential house). Walk San Telmo with its cobblestone streets, the oldest residential neighborhood, and La Boca where Buenos Aires turns colorful and tango is ever present: walk Caminito street with your kids and dare them to dance with the locals. The next stop will be the chic and aristocratic Recoleta, where the big palaces remind us that Buenos Aires was once the “Paris of the South”. At the end of this enchanting city tour you’ll be driven back to your hotel to rest and prepare for your next immersive experience.

In the evening we’ll picked you up from your hotel to take you to a mystical place where you’ll discover one of our most ancient traditions.

Tango is more than our national dance. Tango is: our immigrant origins, the talent of our local artists, the sensuality of the Argentine woman and our way to deal with a broken heart, dancing our way through tragical and yet eternal love stories. Tonight you will enjoy a 3 hour long professional display of tango and music with a group of local artists onstage immersed in an elegant and alluring place. The manners, ambience, clothes and dance steps which tango lovers used to practice 100 years ago will come to life again and you will travel in time for a night.

This spectacular demonstration of the finest local dancing will be accompanied by delicious Argentine and international cuisine. Dinner is à la carte, beverages included so you can lose yourself in the ethereal taste of Malbec wine. At the end of the evening, around midnight, you will be driven back to your hotel, fully in love with the bohemian spirit of our beloved Buenos Aires.

Why you will love this day: it will be a full cultural and architectural immersion. The private tour will allow your family to discover the city at your own place, and you will enjoy a relaxing dinner in one of the finest tango corners of Buenos Aires.

Why your kids will love this day: the tour guide will answer all their questions in a didactic and professional way. Encourage their curiosity! They will be amazed by the outstanding technical skills of tango dancers, the costumes and staging. Would them be able to copy their tango steps? What a challenge!

Day 3 – Patagonia trip: from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia

Today we’ll drive you to the airport to take your flight to Ushuaia, the famous “end of the world” most popular destination.

Ushuaia is a small town, really easy to get around on foot. The Yamanas, its first inhabitants, called it Ushuaia which means “protected bay” in their language. It was officially incorporated into the Republic of Argentina in 1884, and it soon became a penal colony, in order to establish a permanent Argentine settlement.

Take the afternoon to explore the town or visit one of its curious museums—discover the Thematic Gallery of the “Historia Fueguina” (a kids favorite!) where more than 120 character life size figures will tell you all about the history of Ushuaia or unearth the story of the most scary and dangerous criminals at the Prison Museum. And please, don’t forget the local gastronomy! Ushuaia is the best place to eat seafood—try the finger-licking Blake Hake.

Say Hueque tips

You’ve got farther than ever in the globe…take a look at our Ushuaia Travel Guide for useful tips on restaurants and unmissable places to visit:

Day 4 – Ushuaia: hiking & canoeing in the National Park

Today we’ll pick you up at your hotel to visit Tierra del Fuego National Park, just 12 km away from the city and lying on the shore of the famous Channel sailed by Charles Darwin.

This 8-10 hours trip starts at Ensenada Bay where you will have time to enjoy the view over the Beagle Channel before start hiking along the coast. Six kilometers of wild trail await you where you’ll discover native flora and wild fauna. Discover the remains left by the Yamanas, the native inhabitants of the área. After this 3 hour-long hike, you will reach Lake Roca where lunch will be served.

After a full homemade picnic you will start the second part of this adventure. Take your oar and plunge to start a 1 hour 30 canoeing trip (only available for children over 5 years old) along Lapataia River. Make all the way till Lapataia Bay, where the Panamerican Highway and National Route 3 ends at an awe-inspiring landscape. After discovering the unique vastness of the setting, you won’t regret a second of this haunting journey.

Why you will love it: this is a very special place for most travelers. Standing up at Lapataia Bay, starring the Beagle Channel you get to feel the greatness of all good endings…play with your kids in the wild and tell them they’re far away from home—more than ever, at 10.000 miles of Alaska! If Paddling seems a bit too adventurous for you, you can switch for a ride in the Tren del Fin del Mundo (the End of the World Train), a kids favorite.

Why your kids will love it: they will be in contact with nature the whole day, exploring the park—rabbits jumping everywhere and full rainbows are natural inhabitants of this place. They will learn about the nature, ecology and geology in an exciting and engaging way, all while unearthing some of the most photogenic sites in Argentina.

Day 5 – Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Cruise

In 1833 Charles Darwin sailed the Beagle Channel and discover something great. Today is your turn: become another explorer of these historic waters primitively called Onashaga Channel by its first sailers, the Onas.

After breakfast, you’ll make your way to the tourist pier (at downtown) to embark on a 3-4 hour-long boat trip along the famous Channel. You will gain panoramas of Ushuaia Bay where the city lies proudly crowned by the Martial Glacier. Unearth the diverse marine wildlife, such as cormorants (flying birds, closely related to penguins) and fur seals which frolic its time away on Alicia Island. Argentina standing at your left and Chili at your right, you’ll sail this natural border till reach the end-of-the-world lighthouse, the ancient guard of the bay. Don’t miss this iconic photo opportunity!

On your way back, you’ll stop at Bridges Island to walk a wildlife interpretative path, learn about Yaman’s history and see the largest shelly deposits of the region. During the trip, you can enjoy a delicious hot chocolate with cookies or try the mate, the favorite Argentine drink. Once you return at the turistic pier you’ll make your way to your hotel.

Why you will love it: this is a relaxing trip for adults and kids aim to enjoy Ushuaia from a different perspective. Have fun with your kids spotting wild animals from the deck and discovering the singular vegetation of Bridges Island (similar to the famous Malvinas Islands)

Why your kids will love it: challenged your kids to see how many different kind of birds they can spot and identify at Isla de los Pájaros! Then, tell them to take the best picture of a yawing sea lion before taking a hot Argentine coco.

Day 6 – Fly from Ushuaia to El Calafate

On this day we’ll drive you to the airport to take a short flight to El Calafate, another favorite of adventurous families who chace to unearth the most spellbinding natural wonders, like the Perito Moreno Glacier.

The Perito Moreno glacier is one of the only glaciers in the world that’s still advancing. Though it’s not the only glacier in the area is the one that made the city of El Calafate worldwide famous. For many years now, El Calafate has been considered capital of the glaciers. Located at the shore of Lago Argentino (the southernmost, largest Patagonian lake) it’s also home of the Spegazzini glacier, which forms the natural border between Argentina and Chili, and the Upsala glacier, named Glaciar del Gigante (Giant’s glacier) upon its discovery and the biggest glacier that sits at the mouth of Lake Argentino.

Is El Calafate all about the glaciers? Well, yes and no…glaciers are main attractions that you can visit via hiking or a boat ride. But you have lot more to discover about Argentine rural culture. From Calafate you can also visit a typical Patagonian finca (ranch), learn all about the gaucho culture and enjoy a great asado (barbecue). You’ll soon realize that Calafate is much more than the gateway to the Perito Moreno glacier.

Upon arrival you will be taken to the hotel and have the rest of the day to relax or explore the areas around the town.

Say Hueque Tips

Our advice: if you feel like exploring a bit on your own, go on the 1 km hike out to Laguna Nimez for a beautiful Patagonian sunset. If you want to know more about El Calafate, take a look at our Calafate Travel Guide to find more practical information about the city:

Day 7 – El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Tour

In the morning, we’ll drive you to Glaciers National Park to take the 6 hour long Perito Moreno Glacier tour. Get prepared to play with the giants!

Glaciers National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981 and home to 200 glaciers approximately. Half of this park is occupied by the campo de hielo patagónico (Patagonian ice field), the largest ice field after Antarctica . You will travel 40 km (about 25 miles) from El Calafate to the park, enjoying the views of the Patagonian steppe. During about one hour, a bilingual guide will provide you with all the information you might want to know…and things you might have never thought about.

Once inside the park you will take the walkways to explore the different viewpoints—you’ll feel really close to the Perito Moreno Glacier. If you’re lucky, you may get to see a piece of ice break off and fall from the glacier wall to sink forever into the lake.

After this visit you will take a boat ride that will take you close enough to fully appreciate the 80 meter (262 feet) high ice walls of Perito Moreno! You’ll never feel closer to this gigantic and impressive natural masterpiece. At the end of the day we’ll take you back to your hotel.

Why all of you will love it: today, everyone will share the utter wonderment and joy of childhood as you discover the surprises of Los Glaciares National Park. Get excited to see floating icebergs, take tons of family photos, and see who can spot the funniest shapes depicted by the ice reflections. For even more adventure, you may want to consider taking either the “Big Ice” (age restriction: 18-50 yo) or “Mini-Trekking” excursion (age restriction: 10-65 yo), available at an extra cost. Both allow you to hike on the glacier—It’s an intrepid excursion for thrill-seeking families!

Day 8 – Your free day at El Calafate

“If we got this further, why stop now?”—that’s what most travelers say, willing to make the best of their time in Patagonia. Go ahead, here is an idea to keep on exploring Glaciers National Park in a different way!

We recommend that you take a full day tour to Estancia Cristina (located inside the park and only accessible by boat) to learn about Patagonian rural culture, gauchos and, most important of all…eat asado. Some of the activities included at the ranch: a boat ride at Lake Argentino to spot glaciers (like the Upsala Glacier), a hike through the forest, a visit to a cascade. Spend a day learning about local tradition and having some multi-sport fun with your kids.

Day 9 – Goodbye Patagonia! From El Calafate to Iguazú Falls

At the scheduled time we’ll take you to the airport—it’s time to leave the freezing weather and fly to the jungle, to Puerto Iguazú!

The small border town of Puerto Iguazú is the gateway to visit the impressive Iguazú Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage site, making it a must-see destination for travelling families in Argentina. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and provided a transfer to your hotel.

Answer the call of vacations and take your time to relax at your accommodation. If you’re eager to explore, you can visit the Hito tres fronteras, a viewpoint west of the town center that stands high above the turbulent reddish-brown junction of the Iguazú and Paraná rivers, which also form the Triple Frontera, the triple border between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Or visit the Güirá Oga (the house of birds in native Guaraní language), the sanctuary for animals hurt by illegal hunting and trapping—you’re kids will be thrilled!

Say Hueque tips

Take a look at our Iguazú Falls travel guide for more practical tips on what to do and where to eat dinner in Puerto Iguazú—you must try two local river fish dishes! The Pacu (related to the piranha, though completely harmless) and the Surubi.

Day 10 – Iguazú Falls tours: Argentine side

Today we’ll pick you up at your hotel to start this full day trip to the Iguazú National Park, on the Argentine side.

The falls are surrounded by a humid subtropical forest where the exuberant vegetation is home to many different animals and birds. Our guide will help you spot some of them: ant birds, toucans, manakins, parrots just to name a few of the most common birds. Lower and upper walkways weave in and around falls permitting up close and personal experiences with this magnificent spectacle of nature. You will meet “The Devil’s throat”: the largest of the falls and for many the most spellbinding. To get to the “Devil’s throat” you take the ecological train and then walk out along boardwalks.

After walking and taking pictures of animals and plants, you will have some free time to eat lunch in this amazing environment. This exciting, 6-7 hour-long excursion is highly recommended in order to experience the true power of Iguazú Falls.

Why you will love it: you’ll get to see this alluring natural wonder assisted by a local expert. For most people being in front of the falls is a very touchy experience…Also the walkways are stroller-friendly.

Why your kids will love it: they will wander around myriad of paths and stairways surrounded by dense vegetation. They will have fun spotting coatis (a raccon type native mammal) which are everywhere! There are more than 200 waterfalls to discover in the park—welcome endless fun.

Say Hueque tips

Would you love to have a Great Adventure? The Gran Aventura (great adventure) is an optional tour you can add on this day. You will take an open air jeep through the rainforest and then a zodiac open air boat ride up the river to the base of the falls. This Iguazú’s parrot will tell you all you need to know about this adventurous tour:

Day 11 – Iguazú Falls tours: Brazilian side / Travel back to Buenos Aires

After breakfast, we’ll pick you up at your hotel to enjoy a 3-4 hour long excursion to the Brazilian side of the Iguazú Falls. Don´t forget your passport!

While Argentina has 80% of the falls on its side, Brazil has the best panoramic view. On the Argentinian side you will have the sensation of being right inside the falls, but only by visiting the Brazilian side you will fully appreciate the immensity of Iguazú Falls. Take your time to enjoy it, to stroll the different walkways and feel the spray of water in your face. Take the boardwalk over the Salto Santa María with your kids, they will feel like there are walking on the water! Get closer to the Devil’s Throat and bear the power of water. We are sure this is a day you will never forget.

At the end of your short Brazilian journey we’ll take you to your hotel and at the appropriate time in the afternoon you will have a transfer to the airport to take your flight to Buenos Aires. At your arrival we’ll be waiting for you to drive you to your hotel.

Day 12 – Last day in the city! Enjoy Buenos Aires

Welcome back to the city of porteños (inhabitants of the port city of Buenos Aires). How you would like to spend your last day of vacation? Here are some ideas.

You can explore the cobblestone, tree-lined streets of Palermo Soho in search of one-of-a-kind Porteño fashion store. Can your kids discover the masterpieces of the graffiti circuit? Take your time to stroll the area with them. You may also stop by one of our cafés notables (historic cafés) located all over the city and have a cortado, the most popular Argentine coffee choice. If you’re leaving on a Saturday or Sunday, you can visit one of the city markets, only open on weekends.

At the appropriate time you will be transferred to the international airport for your flight back home, ¡buen viaje!

Say Hueque tips

“Those are some great ideas, tell me more”…. Ok, we don’t want to be tight-fisted so here you have some ideas of truly local souvenirs and where to find them (be prepared to become really popular among your beloved ones back home…)

Included

Transfers and tours mentioned in the itinerary

Argentina Challenge Adventure Kit

3 nights accommodation in a hotel (Buenos Aires), 3 night accommodation in a hotel (Ushuaia), 3 night accommodation in a hotel (El Calafate), 2 night accommodation in a hotel (Iguazú)

Daily breakfast

Meals according to itinerary: dinner (day 2), lunch (day 4)

Bilingual guide (English / Spanish)

Not Included

International, domestic flights or buses

National Park Entrance fees

Travel / Medical Insurance – To get a free quote please follow
this link: World Nomads

Visa to enter Brazil: US, Canadian, Japanese and Australian citizens require a visa to enter Brazil (for other nationalities please check requirements). Visa must be obtained online and prior to travel. The processing time of the eVisa is usually 5 business days.

Accommodation & Prices

HIGHLIGHTS OF ARGENTINA – FAMILY ADVENTURE

COMFORT

USD 1595

SUPERIOR

USD 1895

Prices in US Dollars.
*Valid until April 2019 (Not valid in Christmas, New Year and Carnival).

*Prices are per person, based on 4 people in cuadruple occupancy. Triple rates are available on request. Flights are not included in the price, but can be arranged on request.

Flights needed for this itinerary

Buenos Aires – Ushuaia – El Calafate – Iguazu – Buenos Aires

Flights in South America cost approximately $150 to $300 USD per segment (destination).
We offer special rates on flights for this tailor-made itinerary.

Included

Transfers and tours mentioned in the itinerary

Argentina Challenge Adventure Kit

3 nights accommodation in a hotel (Buenos Aires), 3 night accommodation in a hotel (Ushuaia), 3 night accommodation in a hotel (El Calafate), 2 night accommodation in a hotel (Iguazú)

Daily breakfast

Meals according to itinerary: dinner (day 2), lunch (day 4)

Bilingual guide (English / Spanish)

Not Included

International, domestic flights or buses

National Park Entrance fees

Travel / Medical Insurance – To get a free quote please follow
this link: World Nomads

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HIGHLIGHTS OF ARGENTINA – FAMILY ADVENTURE

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