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Patagonia Lakes Crossing Patagonia Lakes District
& 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

TRIPS BY ACTIVITY

HIKING TOURS AMAZON ECOTOURS RAINFOREST ECOLODGES MULTISPORT ADVENTURES GALAPAGOS SCUBA DIVING GALAPAGOS SEA KAYAKING GALAPAGOS SAILING CRUISES HIKING TO MACHU PICCHU FAMILY ADVENTURES SELF-GUIDED TOURS LUXURY TOURS RAFTING / KAYAKING TOURS CAMPING ADVENTURES PATAGONIA HIKING

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Patagonia Lakes District & Iguazu Falls, an Argentina tour of extreme contrasts

The Lake District, aptly named, spans the top half of the continent's southerly Patagonia region

Duration: 10 days
4+ Travelers: $2,590 per person
2-3 Travelers: $2,895 per person
This is an Argentina tour of extreme contrasts, of hiking through lush subtropical vegetation to gaze at one of the earth's greatest waterfalls and of breathing in the sweet scent of towering evergreens in Patagonia's Lake District. The falls of Iguazú are located in the northeast region of Argentina along the border with Brazil. The Lake District, aptly named, spans the top half of the continent's southerly Patagonia region, across Argentina and Chile. Neither sight is easy to reach but both are worth the effort. We've packaged these two amazing places together into one unforgettable South America vacation and eliminated the hassle out of getting there, starting and ending in two of the world's most exciting cities: Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago, Chile. After two magical days at the Iguazu falls, you'll be whisked to a world of its own, Northern Patagonia where you'll hike through virgin forests and kayak in its pristine alpine lakes for a week. For outdoor enthusiasts, life doesn't get much better than this.
The Patagonia Lakes District & Iguazu Falls tour can also be arranged on a private departure basis. Please contact us so we may explain details and 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

Patagonia Lakes District & Iguazu Falls Itinerary

Day 1 (Tue): ARRIVE BUENOS AIRES View Buenos Aires accommodations picture gallery After meeting a Southern Explorations representative at Buenos Aires' international airport, you'll arrive at your hotel and have the rest of the day to immerse yourself in this sophisticated bustling city of culture and cuisine. The thriving capital is filled with interesting neighborhoods to explore, each with its own distinctive market and restaurants offering memorable meals for every palate. For an introduction to all the capital has to offer, you may wish to consider adding our popular Four Balconies Tour to your itinerary. You'll spend the night at your comfortable Buenos Aires hotel to rest for your Iguazu Falls tour.
Begin Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
Day 2 (Wed): BUENOS AIRES - IGUAZU View Iguazu accommodations picture gallery In the morning, we'll get you to the airport to fly to Puerto Iguazú. On your arrival, you'll be met and driven the eight miles to your lodgings in Iguazú National Park, overlooking magnificent Iguazú Falls. Later in the afternoon, you'll take your first walk to view the complex of falls, accompanied by a naturalist guide. (B)
Part of what makes Iguazú Falls so magnificent is that it stretches for several miles

Day 2 (Thu): IGUAZU View Iguazu accommodations picture gallery Today you'll hike the upper and lower paths that parallel the falls. Part of what makes Iguazú Falls so magnificent is that it is stretches for several miles and is comprised of many beautiful cataracts producing mists that cause rainbows to form. The trails in the park lead to the falls through a bio-diverse rainforest, a scenic haven where you will view tropical birds, flowers and butterflies. (B) Optional Brazil Iguazu Falls Tour Upgrade: Many visitors choose to travel across the border to the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls for an equally dramatic view. From this distance, one gets a view of the falls in their entirety.
Day 2 (Fri): IGUAZU - BUENOS AIRES - BARILOCHE View Bariloche accommodations picture gallery After breakfast at the hotel, you'll be returned to Iguazú Airport for the flight back to Buenos Aires to make your connecting flight to the scenic resort town of Bariloche, Argentina on the shores of serene Lake Nahuel Huapi. After you get settled in your hotel, you'll have the rest of the day to relax and explore your surroundings on the start of your Patagonia travel adventure. (B)
Day 3 (Sat): HIKING NEAR BARILOCHE View Bariloche accommodations picture gallery After breakfast, you'll go from your hotel to the trailhead of today's Patagonia hiking. Paced to your liking, the two to three hour hike goes into the alpine zone. You'll stop to enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch with stunning views of lakes, glaciated summits, forests and the Andes before three to four more hours of Patagonia hiking. You'll be delivered back to your hotel in time for dinner and a free evening before turning in for a peaceful rest. (B,L)
Day 4 (Sun): NAHUEL HUAPI LAKE - KAYAKING View Bariloche accommodations picture gallery

This blissful day of Argentinian Patagonia kayaking may be enjoyed by all, regardless of fitness level

This blissful day of Argentina Patagonia kayaking may be enjoyed by all, regardless of fitness level. After breakfast at the hotel, you'll be transferred to a unique launching beach. Assisted by guides, you'll paddle some six hours, stopping for a memorable lakeside picnic in an idyllic setting. The excursion ends at the landmark Llao-Llao Hotel where you will be transferred back to your Bariloche accommodations for a final free evening before your last overnight here. (B,L)
Patagonia Hike & Kayak Option Depending on your group preferences, we can also arrange for a day of mellow trekking with kayaking. After breakfast, drive to Lopez Bay and hike to the Tristeza lookout point, a granite base offering breathtaking views. Here will enjoy a scenic lunch before returning to the trailhead. After a safety briefing, we will paddle the Moreno Lake for the remainder of the afternoon before returning to your Bariloche hotel. (B,L)
Day 5 (Mon): BARILOCHE - LAKES CROSSING - PUERTO VARAS View Puerto Varas accommodations picture gallery

Cross the beautiful Lakes Region from Argentina to Chile

After breakfast, begin an exciting leg of your Patagonia tour, where you cross the beautiful Lakes Region from Argentina to Chile. You'll be taken to the pier at Puerto Panuelo near Bariloche to go by catamaran on picturesque Lake Nahuel Huapi to Puerto Blest. From here, a bus will take you a short distance through an Andean larch forest to Puerto Alegre. A highlight of this voyage is the beautiful wilderness views along Lake Frias before arriving at Puerto Frias in a lush cloud forest at the border of Chile Patagonia. By bus, you'll arrive at the village of Peulla in time for a delicious lunch. Next you'll cruise in the emerald waters of Todos los Santos Lake to the Petrohue River, offering stunning views of three volcanoes: 11,453-ft Tronador, famous for the dramatic sound of ice falling from its summit; 7,185-ft Puntiagudo and 8,530-ft Osorno. Arriving at the river pier, you will travel to the quaint town of Puerto Varas and check in to your comfortable hotel that will be your home during your Chile Patagonia tours. (B)
Day 6 (Tue): OSORNO VOLCANO - PETROHUE - PUERTO VARAS View Puerto Varas accommodations picture gallery In the morning, you'll set out on a day-long excursion to the Osorno Volcano. To get there, you'll drive along the shore of Lago Llanquihue, taking in breathtaking views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. You stop at the Saltos de Petrohue (Petrohue Rapids). This series of rapids and waterfalls was formed long ago by cooling lava from the towering volcano in the distance. The extruded lava forms an impressive sculpture, shaped by thousands of years of thundering water flow. From the Saltos de Petrohue, you'll drive up onto the lower reaches of Osorno Volcano. A gravel road takes you to an elevation of 4,265 ft where there is a small mountain hut. From here the volcano appears immense, surrounded by the volcanoes of Calbuco, Antillanca and Tronador with the Andes towering in the background. You return to your Puerto Varas hotel in the afternoon. (B)
Day 7 (Wed): FULL DAY ACTIVITY View Puerto Varas accommodations picture gallery Today you have your choice of the activities described below before returning to Puerto Varas for one last night at your hotel in Patagonia, Chile. (B) OPTION I: LOS ALERCE ANDINO NATIONAL PARK After breakfast you'll set out for 100,000-acre Alerce Andino National Park, southeast of Puerto Montt, near the start of the Carretera Austral (Austral Highway). The park protects the largest surviving Valdivian Rainforest where the Alerce tree, a giant conifer distantly related to the giant Redwood is found. On this excursion, you'll cross the Sargazo Lagoon in canoes, paddling for about an hour to reach some of the oldest Alerces in the park. Standing amidst these gigantic trees, with the sun streaming through the branches from so high above, feels like gazing at a cathedral of heavenly proportions. The trail leads to this natural monument, a place to stop for a snack. You'll then paddle back to the other side of the river to complete the final walk of the excursion. The required walking is not excessive so everyone can enjoy this magical woodland experience. OPTION II: ANCUD - PENGUIN COLONIES You depart early heading south toward the Pacific, where you'll cross the Straights of Pargua by ferry to the island of Chiloé. Once on the island, you'll drive to the serene Bay of Caulin where swans and other birds may be seen. The next stop is the former capital, Ancud. It is a picturesque community of rustic homes, colorful fishing boats, historic Spanish forts, and a thriving market of local traders and artisans selling their wares. Chiloé is full of legends and superstition, and some island residents claim that century-old monsters roam here at night, sailing on elaborately painted ghost ships, frightening even the bravest of fishermen. Reaching the northern coast of the island, you'll visit the World Wildlife Fund supported penguin colony, one of the few places in the world where Magellanic and Humboldt penguins co-exist. A trip in a zodiac boat takes you among the small islands of penguin rookeries. Depending on weather conditions, you might observe a sea lion colony as well. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach and take the return trip to Puerto Varas, arriving late in the evening.
Day 16 (Thu): PUERTO VARAS - PUERTO MONTT - SANTIAGO - HOME In the morning, you'll be transferred back to the Puerto Montt Airport for the flight to Santiago, Chile. From here, you'll catch your connecting international flight home or continue on to the next leg of your South America tour. If you prefer, we can arrange for you to return via Buenos Aires. This marks the end of Southern Explorations' services. Travelers able to stay longer may wish to consider adding one or more of our tour extensions to their Patagonia tour itinerary. (B)
Begin Optional Pre-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)

CHILE 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.
CHILE TRIP EXTENSIONS Santiago Arrival Package (1D) Santiago City Tour (½D) Sea Kayaking (½D-1D) Last Hope Sound Cruise (2D)	ARGENTINA (via Chile) EXTENSIONS Perito Moreno Glacier (3D) P.Moreno & Los Glaciares N.P. (5D)

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

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2009 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES

Tuesday Departures
2 person minimum / 8 maximum

January 6-15
February
3-12
10-19
March
02/24-03/05
10-19

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 to Buenos aires; - $375 Airfare (Buenos Aires / Bariloche), subject to change; - $525 Airfare (Buenos Aires / Iguazú / Buenos Aires), 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 - Difficult

CHILE / ARG ACCOMMODATION

Patagonia Lakes District & Iguazu Falls:: 9 nights hotel

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

Additional $800: - 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.