Historic Cities, Winelands, Andean Villages & Natural Wonders

Monday, 02 October 2023

Overnight flight to Buenos Aires 

Fly to Buenos Aires on a direct overnight British Airways flight.

Tuesday, 03 October 2023

City tour of Buenos Aires

On arrival, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in the city centre for a 5-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Your guide will be on hand to brief you on things to do in Buenos Aires and anything you need to know about your trip ahead.

Buenos Aires is often noted as the most stylish and romantic of South America's capital cities, full of European influences but with a distinct Latin American flair. It is for this reason that Buenos Aires is known as "the Paris of South America". Situated on the historic River Plate, it is divided into distinct barrios, some of the most popular of which are the upmarket neighbourhoods of Palermo and Recoleta, traditional San Telmo, charactarised by old-time cafes, antique markets, tango halls and leafy squares and La Boca, famed for its colourful corrugated iron buildings. In between is the Plaza de Mayo, surrounded by grand government buildings, including the Casa Rosada.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided city tour.

Wednesday, 04 October 2023

Aristocrats and Tango

This morning enjoy a guided tour of the northern districts of Buenos Aires, exploring the history of the city’ great aristocratic families and visiting their mansions, palaces and gardens.

In the evening, enjoy dinner with wine and a tango show with a live orchestra at the famous Cafe de los Angelitos Cafe - wonderful. 

Thursday, 05 October 2023

San Telmo market

This morning we visit, with your guide, the neighbourhood of San Telmo, famous for the brightly coloured houses of La Boca. Painted in vibrant primary colours, originally due to the poverty of the home dwellers who, not being able to afford paints, would take whatever was left over from the ship builders and dockers, hence a mish-mash of colours. Here, artists sell their work and tango dancers dance in the street.

Friday, 06 October 2023

A day at a country estancia

Today enjoy a full day at La Bamba de Areco, a peaceful estancia (country retreat) about 2 hours outside Buenos Aires. Here you can enjoy horse riding, country walks, cycling, a range of sports and games, or simply relax by the pool. A traditional Argentinean lunch is included as is afternoon tea.

Saturday, 07 October 2023

Visit to Colonia, Uruguay

Today, take the ferry to Uruguay where we will visit the small town of Colonia del Sacramento, founded in 1680 by Portuguese settlers. Visit the Colonia Suiza, Fundators square, the Schoensstatt Virgen, and Santa Ana seaside resort on the Uruguayan River Shore. Explore the historic old town, including Santísimo Sacramento Church, the mayor’s square, and the famous Suspiros Street.

Sunday, 08 October 2023

Fly to Mendoza

You will today take the short flight west to the picturesque city of Mendoza, in the heart of Argentina's renowned wine region. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for a 5-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis, with time to explore the city in the afternoon.

Monday, 09 October 2023

City tour and wine cellars

This shared full day tour will give you an authentic perspective of the city and take you to two of the best wineries just out of town. This will give you the chance to learn about grape processing in the area and to sample some world class wine. 

In the morning you will be guided through both the old and modern districts in Mendoza, starting with a short visit to the Museo del Area Fundacional to learn about the history of the city and the devastating earthquake and also to see some pre-Columbian artifacts and Jesuit ruins. Around the main square we find the beautiful cathedral and the St Francis Basilica and then it is onwards to the Bank of Mendoza, now a space for Contemporary art and the impressive Plaza Independencia and Plaza Spain squares. From here you continue on to past the Government House and down the wide tree-lined avenue of Emilio Civit to the General San Martin Park. At the top of Cerro de la Gloria we can admire the Monument of San Martín and his army and at Challao lies the Shrine of Our Lady of Bonaria. The hill offers spectacular views of the Mendocinian mountains.

In the afternoon the tour continues visiting two vineyards in Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu. Learn more about the traditional wine-making methods used here and how they are blended with the latest technological advances. The tour will take you through the entire process including bottling and labelling. This is followed by a guided wine tasting session - quite lovely!

Tuesday, 10 October 2023

Excursion to the Andes Mountains 

This unforgettable panoramic day takes you towards the Chilean border to explore the Andes to enjoy magnificent views of mountain landscapes. The day starts at Potrerillos in the foothills of the Andes, before continuing through the Uspallata Valley to the remote Punta de Vacas hamlet and breathtaking Los Penitentes ski centre. The next stop is the Puente del Inca geological formation and thermal springs. We then visit the Aconcagua National Park, affording stunning views of South America's biggest mountain. The tour ends at the picturesque Laguna de los Horcones and the small Las Cuevas village. Depending on weather conditions it may also be possible to visit the Christ the Redeemer statue on the border with Chile, an amazing 4,200m above sea level.

Wednesday, 11 October 2023

Maipú wine tour 

Full day to the Lujan de Cuyo and Maipú wine growing areas. Here, appreciate the efforts of man to transform the desert into an oasis through ancient irrigation ditches and channels and modern drip techniques. We visit a range of wineries and enjoy tastings and lunch. 

Thursday, 12 October 2023

Trekking in Aconcagua National Park

At 6.962 metres above sea level, the Aconcagua is the highest mountain of the southern hemisphere and the highest summit of the Americas. Today, we spend an invigorating spend day trekking in Aconcagua National Park on a stunningly scenic guided route.

Friday, 13 October 2023

Fly to Salta and city tour

This morning, fly to Salta and transfer to your chosen hotel for a 5-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. In the afternoon, accompanied by one of our local guides, enjoy a half day walking tour of the city, taking in the beautiful colonial culture architecture, grand plazas, and a local market with its silver and leather ware. 

Saturday, 14 October 2023

Cachi & El Obispo

A full day exploring the scenic mountains in the region surrounding Salta, including the Lerma Valley, Laurel”s gorge and Escoipe gorge. We arrive at Maray and observe the Bishop"s Cliff. We climb to 3.384 metres above the sea level, and visit Los Cardones National Park before arriving at Cachi. Here, we visit the Archaeological Museum and the Church at the end of a memorably scenic day.

Sunday, 15 October 2023

Cafayate

Today we travel through several dramatic gorges to Cafayate. Here, visit one of the local wineries, famous for their production of Torrontes, with special characteristics due to the particularities of the climate and land. There are an average of 320 sunny days per year in Cafayate, and combined with the sandy soil these are favourable conditions for wine production. You can explore the town, visit the magnificent colonial church, stroll around the leafy square, browse the handicraft stalls and shops or visit the fascinating modern wine museum.

Monday, 16 October 2023

Jujuy and Pumamarca

Today we explore the local settlements, rock formations, salt flats and desert landscapes of Salta, Jujuy and Pumamarca on a shared excursion. We take a scenic drive to the pre-Inca settlement at Tastil, once home to some 2,000 inhabitants but today a quiet spot in which to journey back hundreds of years. Continue to the small mining town of San Antonio de los Cobres, set at 3,775 metres above sea level, before crossing into Jujuy to visit the Salinas Grandes - a huge glistening salt flat that stretches as far as the eye can see. 

Your journey continues down dramatic mountain roads to the picturesque town of Purmamarca, noted for its traditional adobe buildings, local handicrafts stalls and whitewashed colonial church. The town is overlooked by the evocatively named Seven Colours Hill, a sight every bit as extraordinary as it sounds. You will then return to Salta via the striking Humahuaca Gorge.

Tuesday, 17 October 2023

San Antonio de Los Cobres

Further exploration of the lonely yet beautiful mountain landscapes. We visit Santa Rosa de Tastil, with its archaeological museum and pre-inca ruins where ancient housing and streets can be observed. We continue through Finca La Encrucijada, to ascend to Abra Blanca, at 4.080 metres above sea level to San Antonio de Los Cobres. We visit the Polvorilla Viaduct - with a view not to be missed. 

Wednesday, 18 October 2023

Fly to Iguazu

Fly to Iguazu and transfer to your chosen hotel or lodge for a 2 night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the falls.

The Argentinean side provides three major trails to give you a wonderful overview of the falls, from both near and afar, including a close encounter with the mighty Devil's Throat - the epicentre of the action. You can take boat trips to see the waterfalls from below and even take to the skies on a panoramic helicopter ride.

Thursday, 19 October 2023

Iguazu Falls Brazilian side

Set in sprawling sub-tropical rainforest on the border between Brazil and Argentina, the Iguazu Falls are one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders. Vast torrents of water cascade over a myriad of falls in a 1.7 mile long horseshoe-shaped curve in the Iguazu River. In total the falls are twice as wide and a third taller than Niagara

Today we cross into Brazil to experience the falls from a different perspective. You will observe Cañon del Río Iguazú, Salto Rivadavia and Tres Mosqueteros and  Salto Floriano. The beautiful scenery is enhanced by permanent rainbows. 

Friday, 20 October 2023

Transfer to Posadas via San Ignacio Ruins

The tour continues with a scenic drive from Iguazu to Posadas, the gateway to the Iberá Wetlands - one of the continent's premier wildlife destinations. On the way to Posadas you will stop at the Ruins of San Ignacio Miní, one of the best preserved Jesuit missionary settlements in South America. Nestled amid lush vegetation, as well as showcasing a fine baroque architecture style, the ruins also teach us about the fascinating existence of the Jesuits, their efforts to evangelise the local Guaraní people and how they ultimately were suppressed and the mission destroyed in the early nineteenth century. 

You will then continue on to your lodge, where you will stay for the next 4-nights on a full board basis with included activities.

Saturday, 21 October 2023

Iberá National Park safari

The Iberá Wetlands are undoubtedly one of the best places to observe wildlife, birds and exotic flora in Latin America. It is a huge reserve made up of shallow swamps, lagoons, marshland and rivers, fed by fresh rainwater during the rainy season and full of lush vegetation. These conditions provide a perfect habitat for wildlife, with marshland deer, rhea, capybara, collared peccary, maned wolf, caiman, otters, and many species of birds seen at various points of the year. On your safari, you will learn about the re-wilding efforts of local conservation groups and how they have reintroduced the giant anteater. It will be an inspiring day.

Sunday, 22 October 2023

Kayaking or boat tour

Today, explore the Parana River and wetlands by small boat or Kayak. The Paranaense Jungle ecoregion is one of the world’s richest sanctuaries for wild species. It is home to more than 1500 species of mammals, more than 500 species of birds, and more than 300 species of fish, and a wide variety of aquatic animals

Mammals include the largest and most spectacular mammals on the continent, with felines including the jaguar, the puma and the ocelot. Other mammals include the tapir, three species of deer of the mazama genus, two species of peccaries, the coati, the vinegar fox, anteaters and armadillos. Bats, river wolves and several species of monkeys, such as the red carayá or howler monkey and the monkey caí also find shelter in the region.

Reptiles include the green anaconda, the yacaré overo or broad-snouted caiman, the yarará viper and the rattlesnake. The ecoregion also boasts more than 50 species of amphibians.

Monday, 23 October 2023

Laguna Valle tour

Today we explore the marshlands in the Laguna Valle, home to more than 1,600 plant types, 350 bird species, and about 60 reptile species. The estuaries have been shaped by the flow of the Paraná River over thousands of years. Due illegal hunting, many species are under threat, but your visit will help the local people in their ongoing fight to protect this wonder of nature and return it to its natural state for the benefit of all wildlife. 

Tuesday, 24 October 2023

Fly to Buenos Aires

This morning, fly back to Buenos Aires and transfer to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

Wednesday, 25 October 2023

At leisure

Enjoy your last day in Argentina as you please.

Thursday, 26 October 2023

Fly back to the UK

Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK.

Friday, 27 October 2023

Arrive in the UK

Arrive in the UK in the morning.