THE BEST OF ARGENTINA
A cultural tour of Argentina

Argentina's pleasures - stunning natural wonders, an elegant capital with a European-flavored sophistication, and a passionate culture - are as tempting as ever. This is one Latin American country where Europeans and North Americans can feel at ease and travel relatively inconspicuously. An interest in soccer and some nimble foot skills may be all you need to blend in with the locals.

Day 01: Arrive Buenos Aires
This afternoon, you are scheduled to arrive Buenos Aires. Once clearing through Customs & Immigrations, you will be met & transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Tribeca / Hotel Tritone (2 nights)

Day 02: Buenos Aires
This three hour sightseeing tour departs from the hotel, and quickly moves on to the widest boulevard in the world, the 9 de Julio Avenue, where you will pass by the Colon Opera house and the Obelisk commemorating the founding of the city before arriving at the famous Plaza de Mayo. Bordering the square you will see the town hall, the Casa Rosada—the seat of the Argentine government—and the Cathedral where Argentina’s greatest national hero, General San Martin, is interred. From there the tour progresses to La Boca, a bright and colorful neighborhood founded by Italian immigrants, and then on to the city docks and the San Martin Square. Next on the tour are Palermo Chico and the beautiful Palermo Park, a quiet residential area and an historic park. From there, the tour will go on to the elegant Recoleta district where you will visit the Recoleta Cemetery, where Argentina’s rich and famous are buried in the same opulent style in which they lived. You will then return to the hotel via the stylish Alvear Avenue. Argentina is famous for its steaks, wine, and Tango dancing. This evening you will have a chance to enjoy a spectacular demonstration of local dancing accompanied with dinner. (B, D)

Day 03: Buenos / El Calafate (Flight)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to El Calafate. El Calafate is the gateway to the Glaciers field of Patagonia. Located 2700km from Buenos Aires, 300km from Rio Gallegos and just about 80km from the Perito Moreno Glacier, the city lies on the shores of Lake Argentino, the largest in Argentina and third in South America.
El Calafate, officially founded in 1927, was a stop on the way of many locals from the Andes to the coast. Suddenly, it began to welcome many others on their way to the Perito Moreno Glacier and started to be the base from where to leave to the 80km route, “adventure” at that time. The name came from the local bush “calafate” which fruit is used to make a delicious jam. Meet & transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Kalken / Hosteria Hainen (3 nights) (B)

Day 04: El Calafate
Early morning departure to the southern arm of Lake Argentino to Los Glaciares National Park. After skirting the Rico Arm of the Lake, you will get to the paths and lookout points of Perito Moreno Glacier, located 85 km from El Calafate. Late afternoon return to El Calafate. (B)

Day 05: El Calafate
You will leave your hotel early in the morning to the pier in Punta Bandera, where you will board your boat for the full day navigation among glaciers in Lake Argentino. You will be sailing among floating icebergs to reach Upsala Glacier, the largest one in the area, with walls up to 80 m height. Landing in Onelli Bay find us surrounded by forest, a typical Patagonian forest of Lenga and Guindo covered by "old man's beard". After crossing the forest, you will reach Onelli Lagoon and Onelli glacier. You will, then, sail back to Punta Banderas where the transportation will be waiting to return to El Calafate in the evening. (B)

Day 06: El Calafate / Ushuaia (Flight)
Transfer to the airport for flight to Ushuaia. Meet & transfer to the hotel. Located 3200km south from Buenos Aires, initially established as a penal colony and later as a free-tax town which allowed the opening of several electronic assembler companies, Ushuaia has gradually changed during the decades to be considered today one of the most important tourist destinations in the country.
Overnight: Hotel Macondo / Hosteria Peninsular Antartica (2 nights) (B)

Day 07: Ushuaia
Morning departure to Ensenada Bay, located in the Tierra del Fuego National Park, from where you will start a 3-hour trekking admiring amazing views of the Beagle Channel. You will be escorted by a specialized guide during the 7km walk to Lake Roca during which you will learn about local flora, fauna and old Indian settlements. Enjoy lunch by the shores of the lake and get yourself prepared for a canoeing through Lapataia River to Lapataia Bay, at the end of the Panamerican Road, by the Beagle Channel. Return to Ushuaia in the afternoon. (B, L)

Day 08: Ushuaia / Buenos Aires (Flight)
We leave the local pier towards Alicia Island, where we find a sea lions' colony. Afterwards, we sail to De los Pájaros Island, inhabited by Royal and Imperial Cormorants. From there, we sail to De los Lobos Island, where we can find specimens of sea lions with one and two hairs, and we finally reach Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, which was built in 1929. On our way back, we disembark on one of the Bridges Isles to go on a stroll down a path where flora and birds are interpreted, and the story of the Yamana people is told as well. It is important to point out that we can find the biggest Yamana's "concheros" (shelly deposits) of the area on the island. Return to Ushuaia to catch a return flight to Buenos Aires. Meet & transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Tribeca / Hotel Tritone (2 nights)

Day 09: Buenos Aires / Puerto Iguazu (Flight)
Transfer to the airport for flight to Puerto Iguazu. Meet & transfer to hotel.
Iguazu Falls are located inside Iguazu National Park shared by Argentina and Brazil, which has been inscribed in the UNESCO World Human and Natural Heritage list in 1984. The area is embraced by a huge and lush subtropical rainforest which contains thousands of cascades, small and big rivers witch allow multiple activities, over 2,000 species of vascular plants and is home to the typical wildlife of the region: tapirs, giant anteaters, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and caimans. Iguazu means in guarani “big water” and there’s a serious reason, there are about 275 falls up to 70m high. The powerful noise of the falling water is truly awesome. The most amazing site is Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), the biggest fall, on the Argentine side.
Overnight: Saint George Hotel / Hotel Orquideas (2 nights) (B)

Day 10: Iguazu National Park: Argentina Side
This tour takes you to the Iguazú National Park on the Argentine side of the border, allowing you to explore several spectacular vantage points from which to observe the thundering waterfalls. Two of the highlights are lookout points over Dos Hermanas (Two Sisters) Falls, and La Garganta de Diablo (The Devil’s Throat). To get to the highest fall, you take an ecological train that skirts the river. There are many trails that you will get to explore which showcase the colorful and diverse flora and fauna of the region. (B)

Day 11: Iguazu National Park: Brazil Side / Buenos Aires (Flight)
After crossing to the Brazilian side of the river via the International Bridge “Tancredo Neves,” you will tour the Brazilian National Park in a 45 minute mini trek through the rain forest to opposite, equally panoramic and stunning views of the falls. Return to Puerto Iguazu Airport to catch a return flight to Buenos Aires. Meet & transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Art Hotel / Hotel Frossard (1 night) (B)

Dec 12: Depart Buenos Aires
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight out. (B)

Departure Dates

2009 English Speaking Departures Daily

Inclusions

Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotels as mentioned (or similar) Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast L=Lunch, D=Dinner) All sightseeing and transfers on seat-in-coach basis Services of local multilingual guide Entrance fees, except the National Park Entrance Fees at El Calafate, Ushuaia & Iguazu (both sides of the falls), which must be paid on the spot (currently at US$160.00, which is subject to change without prior notice) Any airfares & Airport taxes Visa fees / Insurance Tips / Beverages

Tour Price

We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers 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 download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.

Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2009 US $ 2480 US $ 1095

Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour

Canada - West Coast N/A USA - West Coast US $ 1400 Canada - East Coast N/A USA - East Coast US $ 1200

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 participants.

Notes

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. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.