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Iguazu Falls & Patagonia, a classic Argentina tour to two of the world's premier natural wonders

Iguazú Falls and the Perito Moreno Glacier make the list of "must see" experiences in every South America guidebook

Duration: 9 days
2+ Travelers: $2,895 per person
Visitors to South America hoping to experience some of the continent's top attractions in one trip couldn't find a better Argentina tour than this nine-day adventure. The breathtaking natural wonders of this memorable journey, Iguazú Falls and the Perito Moreno Glacier, make the list of "must see" experiences in every South America guidebook. You'll visit two of Argentina's most glorious national parks, Iguazú and Los Glaciares, plus get a taste of Buenos Aires, the city aptly called the Paris of South America, before heading off into the wild blue yonder. Iguazú is a waterfall of rainbow mists and vast cascades that dwarf Niagara. As every seasoned hiker knows, Patagonia is a trekking paradise, and on this Patagonia trip, you'll hike some of its most famous routes. Iguazú Falls plus the wilderness of Patagonia hiking is the ultimate outdoor adventure.
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding details and private departure costs.

Classic Patagonia Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 (Thu): ARRIVE BUENOS AIRES View Buenos Aires accommodations picture gallery When you arrive in Buenos Aires, a Southern Explorations guide will meet you and take you to your hotel. You'll have the rest of the day to unwind, getting acquainted with South America's most fascinating city. For an excellent guided overview of this sophisticated metropolis, you may wish to take our Four Balconies Tour during your stay in the capital. Overnight at your well-located Buenos Aires hotel.
  View Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
• Day 2 (Fri): BUENOS AIRES - IGUAZU View Iguazu accommodations picture gallery You will be taken to the airport for the flight north to Puerto Iguazú. You'll be met at the airport and be driven eight miles to your accommodations in Iguazú National Park. The Sheraton International Iguazú Hotel offers rooms overlooking the falls. Your first close-up view of the spectacle takes place this afternoon accompanied by a naturalist guide. (B)
• 
  

  You'll return to tour the Iguazu falls today

  Day 3 (Sat): IGUAZU FALLS TOUR View Iguazu accommodations picture gallery You'll return to tour the Iguazu falls today. The route of awe-inspiring views travels the upper and lower paths along the cliffs that rim the Argentine side of these beautiful cataracts stretching for several miles along the river. These trails wind through the park's lush rainforest with tropical birds, flowers and butterflies, to arrive at the falls. (B)
  Optional Upgrade: Arrangements may be made for you to visit to the Brazilian side of the falls which offers an equally spectacular panoramic view.
• Day 4 (Sun): IGUAZU - BUENOS AIRES - EL CALAFATE - EL CHALTEN View El Chalten accommodations picture gallery Today is a long travel day. After breakfast at the hotel, you'll be transferred to Iguazú Airport for your return flight to Buenos Aires and your connecting flight to El Calafate in Argentina Patagonia and El Chalten, the gateway town of Fitz Roy. If the weather is clear, this three to four hour drive is a beautiful part of your Patagonia tour, filled with vistas of the Fitz Roy mountain range. Upon arrival in Chalten, transfer to your hotel. After getting settled depending on the time youll be able to enjoy an hour's hike to Piedras Blancas glacier on your own, an ideal warm-up for some of the Patagonia trekking ahead. You'll travel through a beech forest where you may see the amazing Magellanic woodpecker and view the Marconi glacier, the gateway to the Continental Icecap. Overnight at your charming hotel. (B,D)
  Patagonia Hiking Details:
  Piedras Blancas (optional) - 2.5 miles, Altitude gain: 550 ft
  Cerro Polo (optional) - 3.1 miles, Altitude gain: 2,200 ft
• Day 5 (Mon): FULL DAY HIKE FITZ ROY & LAGUNA DE LOS TRES View El Chalten accommodations picture gallery
  
  

  The hike north towards Fitz Roy begins with spectacular views of the massif

  Today's segment of trekking Patagonia includes a full-day hike to the Laguna Capri base camp (Fitz Roy base camp). The hike north towards Fitz Roy begins with spectacular views of the massif ahead. The peak was sacred and venerated by local Tehuelche groups who believed the mists enshrouding it were volcanic ash, calling it Chalten (God of Smoke). Reaching Laguna Capri, where the image of Mt. Fitz Roy is reflected, you'll stop en route for lunch and then resume the hike to Laguna de los Tres, at the base of Mt. Fitz Roy. Three glaciers drain into this emerald lagoon with majestic Mt. Fitz Roy towering above. You'll enjoy spectacular views of Lake Viedma, the sweeping Patagonian steppe and unrivaled Fitz Roy, highlights of any Patagonia tours. If you choose to continue down the steep trail to the natural balcony onto Laguna Sucia, you'll also gaze on the Saint Exupery and Poincenot spires. Return to your hotel for a good meal and night's sleep. (B, L,D)
  Patagonia Hiking Details:
  Start to Laguna Capri - 2.6 Miles, Altitude gain: 1200 ft
  Laguna Capri to Laguna de los Tres - 2.7 miles, Altitude gain: 1800 ft
• Day 6 (Tue): FULL DAY CERRO TORRE HIKE View El Chalten accommodations picture gallery A full day of hiking another Patagonian classic: Mt. Torre, famous for its beauty but also for its climbing difficulty. This is the pinnacle of trekking Patagonia. Every year, countless expeditions attempt to reach the summit, but only a few succeed. After a forty-five minute climb, you will reach a level area surrounding an old lagoon where vegetation is starting to grow again. The trail enters a forest with a slight descent leading to a lookout facing the Cerro Torre and the Adelas ranges. The trail ends on the shores of Laguna Torre, offering a stunning view of Mt. Torre surrounded by the Egger and Standhard spires and the Adelas range as a backdrop together with the glacier Torre. (B, L,D)
  Patagonia Hiking Details:
  Cerro Torre  11 miles round trip, Altitude gain: 1,000 ft
• Day 7 (Wed): EL CHALTEN - EL CALAFATE View El Calafate accommodations picture gallery After breakfast, you'll have time for more Patagonia hiking including a short trek from town to view Mt. Torre. In the afternoon, a private van will transfer you to El Calafate where you'll have the rest of the day and evening to tour this charming city on your own. Overnight at a local hotel. (B)
• Day 8 (Thu): PERITO MORENO GLACIER View El Calafate accommodations picture gallery On todays portion of your Patagonia tour, you will go by boat on Lake Argentino to reach the Perito Moreno glacier and get an unforgettable view of its massive front wall of blue ice, looking out for icebergs along the way. There you'll make a beach landing and walk along an ancient beech forest that meets the glacier, a great location to photograph this impressive natural wonder. After hiking an hour or so, you'll embark on a short glacier hike (equipment provided) and perhaps witness an ice wall calving into the lake. In the afternoon, enjoy a picnic lunch within earshot of melting and popping glacial ice. In the evening, return to your hotel for another comfortable night's rest. (B,L)
  BLUE ICE GLACIER HIKE UPGRADE - $100 Per Person
  
  

  With luck you may witness an ice wall calving from Perito Moreno into the lake

  For those interested in a more in-depth exploration of the Perito Moreno, this addition to your Patagonia tours offers a unique adventure by hiking deep into the glacier accompanied by a local glacier guide. With crampons, you'll first practice safety techniques and then spend the rest of the day exploring the glacier and its ice caves, with plenty of time for photos. This very demanding seven-hour ice hike takes place on uneven terrain and so is advisable only for physically-fit participants between eighteen and forty-five years old.
  Click here to see the Blue Ice Glacier Hike picture gallery
• Day 9 (Fri): EL CALAFATE - BUENOS AIRES - HOME Your tour of Patagonia ends with a transfer to the El Calafate airport in time to connect with your flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival transfer to the international airport. (B) View Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extensions
• Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
• More information about Traveling in Patagonia

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2010 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES

Thursday Departures
2 person minimum / 8 maximum

Mar 04-12
18-26

Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.

2010-2011 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES

Thursday Departures
2 person minimum / 8 maximum

Oct 09/30-10/08
14-22
Nov 10/28-11/05
18-26
11/25-12/03
Dec 16-24
23-31
Jan 13-21
20-28
Feb 03-11
10-18
Mar 03-01
17-25

Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.

INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS

Included in tour cost

- Professional, English-speaking local guides

- All hotel accommodations (twin shared basis including continental breakfast)

- Meals as indicated

- All transfers in private van

- Entrance fees for all scheduled tours, national parks, archaeological sites and boats

- Southern Explorations pre departure services

Excluded in tour cost

- International round-trip airfare USA/Buenos Aires/USA

- Airfare: Buenos Aires / Iguazú - Iguazú / Buenos Aires - Buenos Aires / El Calafate - El Calafate / Buenos Aires $670 (Subject to change)

- Lunches and dinners in the cities (unless otherwise noted)

- Hiking boots and other personal gear

- Personal expenses (tips and gratuities, alcoholic beverages, medical or travel insurance, laundry, airport taxes, etc.).

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

AGE LIMIT

- We can accept clients between the ages of 12 and 70. Younger hikers need to be hardy and accompanied by a capable and experienced adult. Older hikers are welcome to join us on the completion of a medical suitability questionnaire.

ARGENTINA ACCOMMODATION

Iguazu Falls & Patagonia:

8 nights hotels

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

Additional $995

- Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.

Prices based on 3% cash discount