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& Iguazu Falls Luxury Patagonia Luxury Patagonia & Wineries Patagonia Hiking Panorama Australis Glacier Cruise
& Patagonia Hiking Australis Glacier Cruise
& Patagonia Hiking Plus Patagonian Lakes & Glaciers Full Patagonia

ARGENTINA TOUR EXTENSIONS

Day Argentina Tour Extensions Multi-Day Argentina Extensions

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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: $2,795 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.

ABOUT ARGENTINA TRAVELING TO ARGENTINA ARGENTINA WEATHER

WHEN TO VISIT ARGENTINA
= J F M A M J J A S O N D =

PATAGONIA F.A.Q. MAP OF PATAGONIA RECOMMENDED READING

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.
Begin 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 View El Calafate accommodations picture gallery 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. A Southern Explorations guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Your afternoon is free to enjoy this charming city on your own. Spend the night at your El Calafate hotel. (B)
Day 5 (Mon): PERITO MORENO GLACIER TOUR - EL CALAFATE View El Calafate accommodations picture gallery

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

Today's Patagonia tours take you by boat across 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. To reach the best spot to photograph this impressive natural wonder, you'll make a beach landing and walk along an ancient beech forest that meets the glacier. After hiking an hour or so, you'll embark on a short guided glacier hike (equipment provided) and with luck witness an ice wall calving from Perito Moreno into the lake. In the afternoon, you'll enjoy a picnic lunch within earshot of the melting and popping glacial ice. After your day at Perito Moreno, you'll be returned to your hotel for another comfortable night's rest. (B,L)
BLUE ICE GLACIER HIKE UPGRADE - $100 Per Person 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 6 (Tue): EL CALAFATE - EL CHALTEN View El Chalten accommodations picture gallery In the morning, you'll be driven from El Calafate to El Chalten, the gateway town of Fitz Roy at the north end of Los Glaciares National Park. If the weather is clear, the breathtaking vistas of the Fitz Roy mountain range turn this long drive into a memorable excursion. Upon arrival in Chalten, you'll be transferred to your charming hotel. After getting settled, you'll have a choice of two hikes to take on your own, an ideal warm-up for some of the Patagonia trekking ahead. The shorter of the two is an hour's hike to Piedras Blancas Glacier, traveling through a beech forest where the amazing Magellanic woodpecker lives and with views of the Marconi Glacier, the gateway to the Continental Icecap. For a longer hike, there's the five-hour roundtrip route to Cerro Polo, for a panoramic view of Poincenot, Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and the Continental Icecap. Your long day ends with an overnight at your Chalten hotel. (B)
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 7 (Wed): 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 your trekking Patagonia adventure includes a full-day hike to the Laguna Capri base camp of Fitz Roy. The hike north towards Fitz Roy begins with spectacular views of the massif. Venerated by the local Tehuelche groups who believed that the mists enshrouding the peak were volcanic ash, the mountain acquired the name, Chalten (God of Smoke). When you reach Laguna Capri, you'll see the image of Mt. Fitz Roy 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 tour. If you continue down the steep trail to Laguna Sucia, you'll also be able to gaze on the Saint Exupery and Poincenot spires. At the end of the day, you'll be returned to your hotel for a hearty meal and restful night's sleep. (B, L)
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 8 (Thu): FULL DAY CERRO TORRE HIKE View El Chalten accommodations picture gallery Today's adventure consists of another of the region's classic trips, considered the pinnacle of Patagonia hiking. The destination of this full day of Patagonia hiking is Mt. Torre, famous for its beauty as well as its climbing difficulty. Of the countless expeditions that attempt to reach the summit each year, only a few succeed. After a forty-five minute climb, you will reach a level area surrounding an old lagoon. Here the trail enters a forest descending to a lookout facing the Cerro Torre and the Adelas ranges. The trail ends on the shores of Laguna Torre, offering a breathtaking vista of several peaks, Mt. Torre, the Egger, Standhard and the Adelas range. You'll have the evening free after being returned to your hotel in El Chalten. (B, L)
Patagonia Hiking Details:
Cerro Torre - 11 miles round trip, Altitude gain: 1,000 ft
Day 9 (Fri): EL CHALTEN - EL CALAFATE - BUENOS AIRES - HOME Your Patagonia tours end with a morning departure for El Calafate in time to connect with your flight to Buenos Aires and on to the international airport for your flight home. (B) Begin Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extensions
Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
More information about Traveling in Patagonia

ARGENTINA EXTENSIONS

Have more time to spend? Why not customize your trip with some of these trip extensions? Add extensions to the beginning or the end of your trip, or add to both ends.
ARGENTINA DAY EXTENSIONS Estancia Cristina Blue Ice Glacier Hike Upsala Glacier Cruise BUENOS AIRES DAY EXTENSIONS Four Balconies Of Buenos Aires Fine Arts Tour Jewish Heritage Tour Wine Tasting Cooking Workshop Kayaking In Buenos Aires Bicycle Tour - Tigre & San Isidro Tango Shows The Real World Of Tango Tigre & Delta Of The Parana River	ARGENTINA MULTI-DAY EXTENSIONS Crucero Leal (2D) Iguazu Falls Tour (3D) Valdes Peninsula Tour (3D) Fitz Roy Tour (4D) Active Tierra Del Fuego (4D) Classic Tierra Del Fuego (4D) Mendoza Tour (4D) Active Bariloche Tour (5D) Classic Bariloche Tour (5D) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (4D)

ARTICLES & INFORMATION ABOUT ARGENTINA
TOURS AND TRAVEL

About Argentina's National Parks: The National Parks of Argentina: An Overview; The National Parks of Argentina by Region
The national parks of the northwest: Baritu National Park; Calilegua National Park; (Finca) El Rey National Park; Los Cardones National Park; Copo National Park; Campo de Los Alisos National Park
The national parks of the northeast: Rio Pilcomayo National Park; Chaco National Park; Mburucuya National Park; Iguazu National Park; Pre-Delta National Park; El Palmar National Park
The national parks of the central Andes: San Guillermo National Park; Talampaya National Park; El Leoncito National Park; Sierra de la Quijadas National Park; Los Venados de las Pampas National Park; Quebrada del Condorito National Park
The national parks of the pampas: Lihue Calel National Park
The national parks of northern Patagonia: Laguna Blanca National Park; Lanin National Park; Los Arrayanes National Park; Nahuel Huapi National Park; Lago Puelo National Park; Los Alerces National Park
The national parks of Southern Patagonia: Monte Leon National Park; Los Glaciares National Park; Perito Moreno National Park; Tierra del Fuego National Park

Regions of Argentina: Buenos Aires & the Pampas Region; The Northwest Region; The Northeast Region; The Central Andes Region; The Northern Patagonia Region; The Southern Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego Region
About Buenos Aires & Argentina: An Introduction to Sightseeing in Buenos Aires; Sightseeing in Buenos Aires: The Recoleta Cemetery; Sightseeing in Buenos Aires: Las Madres de Plaza de Mayo; Sightseeing in Buenos Aires: El Teatro Colon; The Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires: Downtown Buenos Aires; The Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires: Palermo; The Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires: The Recoleta; The Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires: San Telmo; The Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires: Puerto Madero; The Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires: La Boca; The Suburbs of Buenos Aires; Clothes Shopping in Buenos Aires; Getting Around in Buenos Aires; Mate, the national drink of Argentina
About Tango: Watching tango in Buenos Aires; Learning to tango in Buenos Aires; The Styles of Argentine Tango; Tangomania around the World; It takes two to tango: The Fundamentals; Tango in film; Carlos Gardel, Tango Superstar; The Films of Carlos Gardel

SOUTHERN EXPLORATIONS
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CONTACT US

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1.877.784.5400
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2009 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES

Thursday Departures
2 person minimum / 8 maximum

January
01-09
15-23
February
12-20
19-27
March
05-13
19-27

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/ El Calafate - El Calafate/Buenos Aires $650 (Subject to change); - Airfare: Buenos Aires/Iguazú/Buenos Aires $525 (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 $910: - 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.