Day 01: Arrive Buenos Aires

Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, transfer from the airport to the hotel. Buenos Aires – is not only the capital of Argentina; it is also one of the 10 most important metropolises in the world and the centre of the political, economic and intellectual life of the country. This cosmopolitan city - with great European cultural influence - displays a refined taste in its cooking, in its ”boutiques” and in the elegance of its inhabitants. Almost 12 million people live there and can enjoy the plentiful night life visiting ”tango” bars, cabarets, discotheques, restaurants or eternally open bars. During the day, a wide variety of attractions is offered: museums, art galleries, tasteful shops, fascinating antiques, large green areas, parks, wide tree lined boulevards, clubs and sporting events. The Italian-Spanish descent of the inhabitants has formed this modern metropolis. Feel the flair, above all in the Italian old quarter La Boca and in the wide streets with cafes from the turn of the century. At the Plaza de Mayo, in the political centre of town, is the starting point of this tour through this exciting capital. The widest street of the world, the very famous opera house and also the shopping street Florida make Buenos Aires unforgettable.

Overnight: Hotel Loi Flats (Standard - 3-star)/Hotel Grand Brizo Buenos Aires (Superior - 5-star), Buenos Aires (3 nights)

Day 02: Buenos Aires

Get in touch with the birth city of the Tango!  During your city tour in Buenos Aires you will drive along 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest avenue of the world, you will pass close to the Colon Theatre, one of the world's best known opera houses and the cultural pride of the "bonaerenses".

Visit the famous Avenida de Mayo that runs into the Plaza De Mayo, surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Government House), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo (first City Hall, built during Spanish rule). At the other end of Avenida de Mayo the cupola of the Congress building can be seen.

Stop and inside visit of the Metropolitan Cathedral, this imposing neo-classical building is Argentina´s main catholic building. The mausoleum of General San Martin (our National Hero) is located inside the Cathedral, and Pope Francisco used to celebrate religious services in this Cathedral when he was cardinal of Buenos Aires city.

We will stop for a cup of coffee and a snack at a traditional coffee house. Your next stop is La Boca, a most colorful area with the famous street Caminito. Continue to the north area and visit the Recoleta area, one of the city’s most glamorous spots. Here you will see elegant boutiques and excellent restaurants, surrounded by centennial trees.

The heart of the neighborhood is the Recoleta cemetery. The cemetery is the centre of this aristocratic neighborhood, and the most relevant personalities of Argentina’s history rest in this place. The mausoleums and pantheons reflect the architectural diversity emerging from the different cultural tendencies Argentina incorporated in its formation as a nation. The cemetery is considered to be one of the most impressive monuments of Argentina. 30min stop includes visit of Eva Duarte`s grave, known as Eva Perón (Evita).

In the evening you will be taken to the tango house Viejo Almacén, because visiting a Tango Show is a MUST when you are in Buenos Aires! El Viejo Almacén became a unique place thanks to its historic location and an authentic style nourished by popularity built through the years. Every night its doors are open to enjoy an impressive tango show performed by prominent interpreters of the tango scene, a demonstration of Andean music, as well as exquisite cuisine.

The Tango tradition started at the end of the 19th century, and developed out of a mixture of various rhythms, which were originally danced in the poorer neighborhoods. Tango is reflecting the nostalgia and melancholy of the European immigrants and brought up some great musicians, such as Astor Piazzolla and Anibal Troilo. You will enjoy a show with music, singing and dancing. The dinner includes entrée, main course, dessert & drinks.

After the tango show return to the hotel, arrival around midnight. (B, D)

**Please Note: This excursion is shared with international travelers. The transfers from the hotel to the tango house and back take place with other international travelers from different hotels and a Spanish-speaking driver.

Day 03: Buenos Aires

Day free at leisure to explore on your own or take an optional tour, extra charge. (B)

Optional: Tour to the Tigre and Delta of the Parana River (4h) - On shared basis
The Tigre Delta with its rivers, streams and numerous green islands is a very attractive area. The continuous sediment of the Paraná River, which gives the river their particular brownish-red color, forms the Delta islands.

You will drive through the outskirts of Buenos Aires to the aristocratic northern district of San Isidro in order to get to Tigre. Tigre is a charming town with a considerable number of summer residences, yachting and rowing clubs, which represent the weekend activities of many "porteños" (inhabitants of Buenos Aires). You will enjoy a 1h-boat-excursion on the channels of the Tigre-Delta to see some of the hundreds of islands covered with exuberant vegetation.

**Please Note: The transfers and the boat navigation are on shared basis with international travelers. This tour will finalize with drop off at one of the locations below, not at the hotel (guests can choose & coordinate with tour guide best drop off point according to their convenience)

Drop Off points:
-Puerto Madero area / Woman`s Bridge
-Galerias Pacifico – mall in the corner of Avenue Cordoba & Florida
-Avenue Santa Fé & 9 de Julio
-Juncal & Cerrito
-Obelisco
-Colon Theatre
-Irigoyen & Lima Street

Optional: Excursion to San Antonio de Areco "Meeting Argentine Pioneers" with lunch (9 hs)
In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel in Buenos Aires to explore San Antonio de Areco, a historic village in the heart of the Argentine pampas and known as the "cradle of traditions".

This preserved colonial town was founded more than 280 years ago; with its cobbled streets, old bars (“Pulperías”) and Estancias, has kept alive the gaucho lifestyle and customs.

Set on the banks of the peaceful “Areco” river, the town has retained the authentic atmosphere of a small old village with its “siesta” time, artisan´s shops and very relaxed people.

Over 30 different silversmiths make this town the center of the traditional Argentinian silverworks known as “platería criolla”. In a variety of distinctive styles they produce gaucho´s knives, jewelry and many fine pieces of art, on their workshops open to the public.

Home to the oldest Gaucho Festival in the country, the “Día de la Tradición”, which is held in November, San Antonio gathers thousands of gauchos from all over Argentina.

Since 1939, this is an entire week of exhibitions, dances, folkloric music and displays of traditional gaucho skills on horseback. Furthermore, this town was the setting for Ricardo Güiraldes´ Argentinian classic, “Don Segundo Sombra”: the most recognized work of gaucho literature in prose, based on the life of a local character.

Arrived in the colonial city, you have the opportunity to take a mate tea, coffee or a refreshing drink and a snack in an old "Gaucho Bar". Meanwhile, you will learn more about the history and local social life and customs of the city. Afterwards, you will visit a social center where people with different disabilities make the handmade "Alpargatas" (typical gaucho work shoes). You will also talk to a local Gaucho painter and visit his 140-year-old studio, which exhibits Gaucho painting.

The lunch consisting of empanadas, a main course with French fries or salad, dessert, coffee or tea (drinks that you pay directly in the Pulpería or Parrilla are not included), will be enjoyed in an old local restaurant.

After lunch, you will take a walk to the green area, the main square of the gauchos, the museum and the chocolate factory. At 4 pm return to Buenos Aires. With this excursion you will support the traditional community, which strives to preserve the ancient traditions of Argentines.

Full day visit includes:

• A light breakfast with coffee or soft drink, croissant or a sweet pastry
• Reception in the workshop where the espadrilles are made and an introduction to the daily work procedure
• A donation of USD 2 per person

• Entry to the studio of the gaucho painter with lecture and demonstration of his painting, and a souvenir drawing
• Lunch: Empanadas, main dish with meat and french fries or salad, dessert, coffee or tea (does not include drinks that are paid directly in the Pulpería or Parrilla)

**Please Note: The excursion takes place on private basis with English speaking guide. Due to the opening hours of the social center (only between February and December) and the studio of the Gaucho painter, these inclusions may be replaced by other social projects.

Optional: Buenos Aires Biking tour – northern area Palermo and Recoleta (4h)
Buenos Aires city tour on a bicycle will be an unforgettable experience, where security, good-fellowship, fun and acquired knowledge are the principal characteristic. You will visit for example the Recoleta Cemetery, the parks in Palermo and the San Martin Square.

The tour starts at the San Martin Square (or if booked on private basis at your hotel). After passing the by Law University you will see Buenos Aires most modern landmark, the Floralis Generica, a huge flower sculpture made of steel and aluminium, which opens and closes its petals depending on the time of the day. We will pass in front of the Buenos Aries Zoo and will stop to admire some statues and monuments, which are located in the Palermo parks. We will continue to the Recoleta Cemetery, the final resting place of some of Argentina’s most renowned citizens such as Eva “Evita” Peron. You will have some time to explore the place on your own. The last part of the tour will take you to the trendy streets of Palermo Hollywood. Here you can find many design boutiques, owned by local young designers, as well as many art galleries, fashionable cafes and restaurants. Afterwards return to Plaza San Martin, where the tour ends (or if booked on private basis the tour can end at your hotel)

**Please Note:
Difficulty: low
The tour takes place with English/Spanish speaking guides.
Helmets, child seats, rain gear, medical assistance, a mineral water bottle and bicycles are provided.
Shared tour (together with other international passengers): Daily departures 09:30 AM or 02:00 PM. The transfer to the start/endpoint of the tour is not included.
Private tour: guaranteed with 2 or more passengers. By booking the tour on private basis the tour can start/end at the hotel (against a surcharge).

Day 04: Buenos Aires/Ushuaia (Flight)

Transfer to Buenos Aires airport for the flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world on Tierra del Fuego.

Ushuaia is the capital of the territory and the southernmost city in the world. Like Rio Grande, Ushuaia has grown fast in the last few years, thanks to immigration and the electronics industry in the area. You should not miss the End of the World Museum (the old prison) and to explore some restaurants to try the excellent spider crabs. A walk around the harbor is interesting too, where some old boats can be seen. Ushuaia and its scenery inspired the research and fantasies of Jules Verne, Fitz Roy, Charles Darwin and Emilio Salgari.

Transfer from the airport in Ushuaia to the hotel. On the way, you will take a short orientation city tour with a photo stop at one of Ushuaia's panoramic viewpoints.

Overnight: Hotel Altos de Ushuaia (Standard - 3-star)/Hotel Cilene del Faro (Superior - 4-star), Ushuaia (2 nights) (B)

Day 05: Ushuaia

Today you will go on a half day tour to the Tierra del Fuego National Park, where you will get the impression as if time goes slower than anywhere else. The long stormy winters and the width of the sky formed a very simple and modest way of living. The National Park is crossed by many rivers that flow into the Beagle Channel. Drive through the park to enjoy the landscapes and have a little walk. (B)

Optional: Sea Lion Island and Beagle Channel Boat Tour (2h 30min) – on shared basis
From the harbor, navigate in a catamaran towards the Beagle Channel. Admire Ushuaia’s coast and the nearby mountain range with Mount Olivia, Cinco Hermanos, the Fique and Túnel Ranches, Mount Escarpado, and the Encajonado River in the background.

Sail the Beagle Channel towards the southwest, arriving to the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse. Towards the Seal's Island, it is possible to observe the games of these sea mammals and in complete silence, the catamaran sails around the island for about 20min it will be possible to observe the species in its permanent habitat, a wonderful experience. Then the catamaran will sail towards the Bird’s Island to see the Magellanic Cormorants, the Imperial Cormorants, the Giant Albatrosses, Squas and 20 different sea birds species. Later, continue sailing through Paso Chico, the way back to Ushuaia, with a view of the beautiful frame that gives the Le Martial Mount and its glacier.

**Please Note: The navigation is shared with other international travelers. Pier fee is included.

Day 06: Ushuaia/Trelew/Puerto Madryn (Flight)

Today you will be transferred to the airport and fly to Trelew.

**Please note: Depending on the date, the route Ushuaia - Trelew might not be flown directly, instead via Buenos Aires or El Calafate, as there is no direct connection. Depending on the date, the flight can go directly into Puerto Madryn.

Drive to the Punta Tombo Reserve, located 129km (80mi.) south of the Trelew airport. Here, you will explore the area that is home varied seabird colonies including three species of protected cormorants, ñandues, guanacos, seals, and Patagonian hares. The reserve is also home to a large amount of penguins: there are over one million Magellan penguins that migrate every year from mid-September. As you walk along the boardwalks, get up close and personal with these aquatic flightless birds.

**Please note: This day's tour operates from mid-September to March, depending on the penguin migration. For groups travelling in September or October: The visit to Punta Tombo depends on the opening date of the park. Changes may be made to the itinerary if necessary.

After the visit, transfer to your hotel in Puerto Madryn.

Puerto Madryn was founded by Welsh settlers and is located on the “Nuevo Gulf”, 61km (38mi.) north of Trelew. Appreciate its wide tree-lined sea front, several good hotels, a casino, restaurants, and bars. Puerto Madryn is the gateway to the Valdés Peninsula, an area rich in marine fauna and flora such as sea elephants, sea lions, Magellanic penguins, guanacos, whales, and thousands of birds.

Overnight: Hotel Piren (Standard - 3-star)/Hotel Península Valdes (Superior - 4-star), Puerto Madryn (2 nights) (B)

Day 07: Puerto Madryn/Valdes/Puerto Madryn

Leave Puerto Madryn and drive to the Valdés Peninsula. Stop at Puerto Pirámides, the starting point for your optional whale-watching tour. You will have free time at Puerto Pirámides (optional lunch, not included).

You will visit the sea lion colony of Punta Pirámides. Continue to Punta Cantor, the southern point of Caleta Valdés where you can observe sea elephants on the shore. On the way back, drive along a strip of land that connects to the continent: the Ameghino Isthmus, with its interesting interpretation center.

During the day, stop at different viewpoints to observe local fauna like guanacos, rheas, foxes, maras, armadillos, choiques, skunks, and more.

During high season (May until mid-December) the optional Whale watching tour can be booked. (B)

**Please Note: This day's tour is shared with other international travelers. Bilingual guide assistance English/Spanish is included. Not all species of wildlife are present throughout the year; therefore, the sightings of wildlife depend on migration patterns.

Day 08: Puerto Madryn/Trelew/El Calafate (Flight)

Transfer to the airport for the flight to El Calafate.

**Please Note: Depending on the date, the route Trelew – El Calafate might not be flown directly, instead via Buenos Aires, as there is no direct connection. Depending on the date, the flight can start in Puerto Madryn.

El Calafate is a pleasant village located on the southern shore of Lake Argentino, about 80km (50mi.) from Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site. Its strategic location between el Chaltén and Torres del Paine in Chile make it a great stop for Patagonian explorers and travelers. The town’s developing center boasts many hotels, restaurants, cafés, and chocolate shops. Visit the first museum dedicated to glaciers and ice and explore the Perito Moreno Glacier, a breath taking natural beauty.

Upon arrival at El Calafate airport transfer to your hotel. If flight times permit, we recommend you to visit on your own (not included in the rate) the Glaciarium Museum. It is the first museum in South America dedicated to glaciers and ice in Patagonia. Through the interactive presentations, theme rooms, multimedia programs, and audio-visuals, you will learn about recent investigations, global climate change, and the environmental problems on Earth. After the visit, you can enjoy a drink at the Glacio-Bar; the first ice bar in Argentina, a unique and fun place to enjoy a drink surrounded by … ice! (B)

**Please Note: The museum offers group transfers with a Spanish-speaking driver from a central point in El Calafate and back, and tickets can be purchased upon arrival at the museum. If you wish to visit the museum, your guide can give you all the necessary information.

Overnight: Hotel Sierra Nevada (Standard - 3-star)/Hotel Kosten Aike (Superior - 4-star), El Calafate (2 nights) (B)

Day 09: El Calafate/Perito Moreno/El Calafate

Today you will go on a full day tour to the Perito Moreno Glacier. After a drive through the National Park Los Glaciares, you will arrive all of a sudden in a forest full of colours, before you will see - equally unexpected - the glacier Perito Moreno. This is one of the few glaciers that are still growing. Every 4 to 5 years it covers the gap between the mainland and itself and grows into the Lago Argentino. Eventually the ice cannot resist the enormous pressure of the water and crashes with a frightening noise. One can watch this glacier spectacle every day when single ice blocks fall into the lake. Considering that the glacier is 5 km long and 70 m high one can imagine the noise this makes. Here we will have 2 hours to experience the glacier before driving back to El Calafate. (B)

**Please Note: The excursion is shared with international travellers and accompanied by an English-speaking guide.

Day 10: El Calafate/Buenos Aires (Flight)

Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Buenos Aires (not included). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Loi Flats (Standard - 3-star)/Hotel Grand Brizo Buenos Aires (Superior - 5-star), Buenos Aires (1 night) (B)

Day 11: Depart Buenos Aires

Transfer to the international airport of Buenos Aires for your flight back home. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 12 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
Email us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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