DAYS 1 – 3

Buenos Aires, often referred to as “the Paris of South America,” is a place of contradictions — a European face and a Latin soul. On Day 3 drive through lovely San Telmo — the best-kept historical neighborhood and the birthplace of the tango. Visit La Boca, a most colorful area. At Avenida de Mayo, we stop at the famous Café Tortoni. Founded in 1858, Café Tortoni is the oldest coffee shop in Argentina, with a rich history and list of past and present patrons including everyone from politicians to artists and entertainers. Jump in and join the tradition by taking a tango class at the café. Then explore the Recoleta area, one of the city’s richest and most glamorous spots. At Esquina Carlos Gardel, enjoy the rhythms of the tango as you dine on traditional and international cuisine.

Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt, Buenos Aires

DAY 4

Early this morning drive to the airport for your flight north to Trelew. October and November departures are met upon arrival and driven to the small village of Puerto Pirámide. Here, board a boat for an exciting whale-watching excursion to view the magnificent Southern Right Whale. Every year, they arrive in Valdés Peninsula in June and stay until December. (Our February departure will instead visit nearby Puerto Madryn. Explore the area’s beautiful beaches and see the local colony of more than 800 seals that live on the sandbank of Punta Loma.)

Faro Punta Delgada, Punta Delgada

DAY 5

Depart Punta Delgada this morning and travel along the coast through Punta Cantor to Caleta Valdés, where we stop to visit the elephant seal station. This beach houses a colony of hundreds of the creatures. Next, continue north through Punta Norte, a fauna reserve and natural protected area. Proceed to Estancia San Lorenzo, to see the largest penguin rookery on Peninsula Valdés. The pride of the San Lorenzo Estancia, this colony shelters an average of approximately 200,000 Magellan Penguins. After lunch, drive back south to Puerto Madryn, viewing the steppe which teems with life and is home to a wide variety of animals.

Territorio Hotel, Puerto Madryn

DAYS 6 – 8

A small, scenic village located on Lake Argentino, El Calafate sits adjacent to the southern end of the Andes. On Day 7 embark at Punta Bandera for a 3-hour boat ride to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Glacier National Park). Travel through Argentino Lake, cruising among icebergs and taking in the stunning mountain scenery overlooking the western front of the upsala Glacier, one of the largest in the park. Disembark at Estancia Cristina and take a guided tour of the Costumbrista Museum. Next, travel in all-terrain vehicles, ascending six miles over mountain roads to the continental ice sheet for a spectacular view revealing the front of the upsala Glacier, Lake Guillermo, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the Andes Mountains. 

On Day 8 enjoy another full-day exploration to Perito Moreno Glacier in the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. En route pass impressive Patagonian Andean lakes, forests and mountains. After touring the glacier and park by land, board your boat at Bajo Las Sombras for an hour cruise across Lake Rico, the southern arm of Lake Argentino. Pass beside icebergs that have calved off the south wall of the Perito Moreno. Your cruise reaches the Icebergs Channel, where the boat stops at a safe distance from the glacier, allowing you to watch in amazement as walls of ice fall right before your eyes — a spectacular view!

Los Sauces Casa Patagonica Hotel, El Calafate

DAY 9

Salta derives its name from the Aymara word sagta meaning “very beautiful”. Founded in 1582, Salta is now the provincial capital, and is a handsome city with some of the best-preserved colonial architecture. Today the city is also known for its wonderful handicrafts. Tonight, enjoy a festive reception and dinner featuring local wine, empanadas and special entertainment — a chorus troupe adorned with local costumes.

Legado Mitico Salta, Salta

DAY 10

Arrive at the lovely town of Purmamarca in time for lunch. A small and inviting Indian village founded in 1594, little has changed since then. The main attraction of the square is the colorful market, where local craftsmen display their skills. In the afternoon, continue your climb, up the Lipán Slope road to the Salinas Grandes salt flats. Explore this unusual and vital area and learn about the old techniques of salt exploitation.

Hotel Manantial del Silencio, Purmamarca

DAY 11

Today, visit the Indian ruins at the Pucará de Tilcara National Monument, where evidence of human habitation can be traced back more than 10,000 years. See the partially reconstructed Indian fortification showing living quarters, pens for llamas, trails, terraces and burial sites. Wander through the botanical garden and the archeological museum with its display of more than 5,000 historical pieces from various Indian cultures. After lunch in Tilcara, continue the drive back down to Salta. upon arrival, tour the highlights of the city including the neo-classical cathedral, historic 9-de-Julio Square, Archbishop’s Palace, the 18th-century Cabildo and the lively arts and crafts market.

Legado Mitico Salta, Salta

DAYS 12 – 15

Set at the confluence of Rio Calchaquí and Rio Cachi, Cachi has preserved its colonial style and has mixed it with the heritage of its primitive inhabitants. Continue exploring the Calchaquí Valley, reaching your last stop, Cafayate, by late afternoon. Cafayate, “land of sun and good wine,” is the most important city in the valley, and is famous for its wine production. Savor the flavors of Cafayate as you visit some of the local wineries and learn about their winemaking methods. 

On Day 14 arrive at the Salta airport in time for your flight to Buenos Aires. Arriving at Aeroparque, the domestic airport, you will be transferred to Ezeiza International Airport for your flight home (arriving the following day) or on to your next destination.

Patios de Cafayate Hotel & Spa, Cafayate

NOTE:

High altitude. This journey spends one night in Purmamarca at 7,200 feet and a full day in the Salinas Grandes (salt flats) that reach up to 12,000 feet. The high altitude will affect your blood pressure and breathing. Caution must be observed.

Package price is per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies. Intra-tour air pricing is subject to change. International airfare is additional. Other restrictions may apply. Contact us for complete journey details.

Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Every pampering amenity, from butler service to wireless Internet access, is yours in a spacious 33-40-sq.-metre room with plush king bed, oversized work desk and majestic bath with bidet area, tub and rain shower. Modern decor adds to elegant extras including Celedonio Lohidoy-designed spa products, 30-inch flat-screen TV, bathrobes and street or garden views.

Faro Punta Delgada
Punta Delgada, Argentina

Originally, the place was Correo Argentino’s main office and the Argentine Navy’s casino. Today, it is an exclusive romantic hotel, where you can enjoy all the comfort in a naturally wild environment. The hotel boasts 27 warmly decorated rooms, a pub, a restaurant and a boutique. From the moment you wake up until you go to bed, the hotel plays an undisputed role on a holiday in which absolutely everything is connected to pleasure and nature harmony.

Territorio Hotel
Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Our warm hospitality, the exclusive rooms and suites, the Spa, with an unparalleled view of the bay, and the outstanding Patagonian cuisine at our restaurant are the ideal introduction to your discovery of the charms of Península Valdés with a different look at its incredibly diverse nature. In the exclusive surroundings of a boutique hotel, we offer you the chance to enjoy a complete experience in contact with this one of a kind natural space and excellent service. Territorio is located in Punta Cuevas, a historic site in the city of Puerto Madryn, in the province of Chubut. The nature of Península Valdés—exceptional marine life offering new species to be discovered every month—and the history of the Welsh immigrants, who first faced the challenge of Patagonia in Puerto Madryn ,come together at Territorio, where the past meets the present. A unique way to discover and experience Atlantic Patagonia, its history as well as its flora and fauna in their natural habitat all year round.

Los Sauces Casa
El Calafate, Argentina

Patagonian tradition welcomes guests at Los Sauces luxury hotel, located downtown El Calafate, gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. Architecturally inspired by traditional Patagonian estancias set within four acres of immaculately landscaped gardens, this is a home-from-home where stylish artistic touches, spectacular views and inspired Argentine cuisine make all the difference. Cosy country-house styling with log fires, exposed stone walls and striking Argentine paintings and sculptures make this the perfect retreat in the desert steppe. Piles of books in quiet corners, an observatory, its intimate spa Las Piedras as well as exclusive excursions to experience the glaciers are some of the details that make Los Sauces so special.

Legado Mítico
Salta, Argentina

Just five blocks from Salta’s main square, this elegant boutique hotel boasts gorgeous public spaces and a handsome restaurant/lounge that’s the perfect spot to sample a local wine and a few appetizers.

Designed for travelers who want to experience the spirit of Salta, this property emphasizes the history and myths of the region. Each room is uniquely decorated and styled after a specific person who was instrumental in the history of the region or the country.

The guestrooms are spacious and well appointed, with large, luxurious bathrooms and private terraces. All of the air-conditioned rooms have a hairdryer, mini-bar, safe, cable television, and wireless Internet access. And the friendly staff go out of their way to offer personalized service.

Hotel Manantial del Silencio
Purmamarca, Argentina

This simple, rustic hotel has all the amenities you’ll need to enjoy your time in this lovely natural area. And you’ll have views from your room of the vivid red, cream, green and purple rock of the famous Cerro de Siete Colores.

Comfortable rooms are decorated with local art, woven rugs, and handmade wooden furniture. The hotel also offers a pool, a welcoming lobby lounge, and a small restaurant with an extensive wine cellar stocked with local and international wines.

Patios de Cafayate Wine Resort
Cafayate, Argentina

The Patios de Cafayate Wine Resort offers true elegance and spectacular views of the Calchaquí Valley vineyards. Antique furniture, artisan carpets, ceramic floors and penny royal baskets decorate each guestroom. Uniquely designed suites accent traditional culture and offer guests the luxury of a double Jacuzzi in the bathroom. Room amenities include a hairdryer, mini-bar, wireless high-speed Internet access, cable television and a DVD/CD player.

And you can pamper yourself with relaxing and energizing treatments at the renowned Winespa amongst breathtaking views of the valley. The enhancing properties of the Andean cereal, quinoa, together with the traditional products of the valley—such as the carob tree, the cactus, and molle—are united with the skin of the grape to revive the ancestral treatments of the old Calchaquí culture.

Marta Luna

A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Marta speaks Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian and English. She’s an “insatiable traveler”, very interested in history, art and literature, and also paints as a hobby. She resides both in Argentina and Italy.

Travel Dates: October 05, 2012