Wild Argentina

Arrive into Buenos Aires, Ezeiza airport. Most flights from North America and Europe arrive in the morning. You’ll be met at the airport and rather than head into the bustle of Buenos Aires like most visitors, you’ll head the opposite direction into the countryside and the elegant Estancia Villa Maria about 50 minutes away. This is an ideal place to relax following a long flight and there are beautiful grounds which can be enjoyed.

Return to the airport this morning and fly to Puerto Iguazu. You’ll be met and driven to a tea tasting house where you can learn about this product that you may be surprised to learn is produced in this area. Around 2.30 pm you’ll travel to your rainforest lodge, a journey of about two hours through a lush landscape. Yacutinga Lodge is set in a pristine part of the jungle of Misiones province and almost completely surrounded by the Upper Iguazu River. This afternoon there is a presentation about the rainforest and conservation. Wildlife in the area includes very rich birdlife, monkeys, sloths and capybara to name just a few. Stay two nights at the lodge.

Following breakfast, take a kayaking trip on the San Francisco river. This is a gentle and relaxing trip giving good opportunities for wildlife observation. You may visit salt patches along the edges of the river - these are sought out by wild animals. Following the kayaking, return to the lodge for lunch and some free time. Later in the afternoon take a guided walk, you can learn about the rich biodiversity of the forest including medicinal plants, orchids, birds and mammals. After dinner in the lodge there is a night walk, you may be able to see owls as well as other nocturnal life.

You’ll have some free time this morning after breakfast, or you can visit the orchid rescue program at the lodge. Return to Puerto Iguazu, arriving around 1 pm, then head across the border into Brazil for an afternoon visit to the Iguazu Falls. The Brazilian side gives an impressive panoramic view of the mighty Iguazu River plunging over the falls. Following your tour, return to the Argentine side for a two night stay.

Visit the Argentine side of the Iguazu Falls today. You can get up close to the Devil’s Throat on a series of walkways - this is one of the most impressive parts of the falls. Explore the paths through the forest along the edges of the falls and river before returning to your hotel.

Leave Puerto Iguazu behind this morning as you’re driven south-west for about four hours to the city of Posadas. If you wish, it is possible to visit some Jesuit Ruins and gem mines along the way (at extra cost and to be arranged in advance). Once you reach Posadas you’ll change vehicle and continue the final 45 minutes to your hotel in the Ibera Wetlands where you’ll stay for three nights.

You have two days for excursions in the Ibera Wetlands - one of the largest areas of fresh water in South America and Argentina’s largest protected area Paraná River and within the grounds of the hotel. Your hotel sits in the north-east corner of the reserve on the edge of the Parana River. Wildlife excursions take place on the river and in the Iberá wetlands, with chances to see caiman, otters, capybara, marsh deer and 350 species of birds. The hotel has superb cuisine and a beautiful swimming pool overlooking the river.

This morning you’ll be driven to Posadas airport, about 45 minutes away and from there fly via Buenos Aires to El Calafate in Patagonia, southern Argentina. You’ll be met at El Calafate airport and driven to Eolo lodge which is outside the town in a beautifully wild location.

In a change from wildlife viewing, today you have a visit to the natural wonder of Perito Moreno Glacier. The journey from El Calafate to the glacier passes through beautiful, rugged scenery with lakes, streams, woods and snow capped mountains. Get a panoramic view of the glacier then get up close on a series of footbridges and paths to view the 5 km long face. Also included is a boat trip in front of the glacier which gets you to within 500 metres of the face. For a more active experience, kayaking and trekking in front of the glacier are possible - ask us for more details.

You have the day in the area surrounding your lodge and can take an included activity such as visiting a lagoon with flamingos, go birdwatching, mountain biking, hiking, horse-riding or a 4x4 tour.

You’ll be driven to El Calafate airport and take a morning flight to the world’s southernmost city - Ushuaia. On arrival visit Tierra del Fuego National Park - Argentina’s only coastal national park. You’ll visit a series of bays and forested hills before heading back to Ushuaia where you stay for two nights.

Around 9 am this morning you’ll head into the Beagle Channel by boat. Visit Sea Lion island, Bird Island and a lighthouse. Next is Martillo Island and the highlight of the tour: walk among magellanic and gentoo penguins for about an hour. Continue to the Acatashun Museum on Harberton Ranch before returning to Ushuaia.

You’ll be driven to Ushuaia airport and fly to Trelew, another region of Patagonia and known for its Welsh settlements as well as wildlife. On arrival in Trelew, you’ll be met and driven to Puerto Madryn, about an hour away. Stay two nights in Puerto Madryn.

Set off early this morning for Puerto Piramides. Take an hour and a half whale watching trip in a yellow submarine! While not strictly a submarine - your boat allows viewing from above and below water with a submerged lower deck giving a unique perspective on these mighty mammals - Southern right whales. Following the boat trip, there is time for lunch before continuing to Punta Piramides Loberia where there is a sea lion colony. Continue to Valdes Inlet, an interesting geological feature. There is a fair chance of observing some of the following during the tour: guanacos, rheas, foxes, maras (Patagonia hare), armadillos and skunks. Return to Puerto Madryn at sunset.

Travel to Punta Tombo this morning, a 90 minute drive away. Visit a magellanic penguin rookery, spending at least two and a half hours there. There is a visitor center and trails that can be explored too. After the tour, drop off at Trelew airport for an evening flight to Buenos Aires.

Arrive into the Argentine capital where you’ll be met and driven to your hotel for a two night stay.

Today you have a tour of Buenos Aires with a twist! Take a walking tour through the largest green spaces of the city. Visit Palermo Woods and the Rosedal - a gigantic green space of lakes and trees. The Rosedal features many roses. Continue to the Galileo Galilei Planetarium and then the Japanese Garden. Next is the Botanical Garden - designed by landscaper Carlos Thays and features many plant species and a large collection of sculptures. Visit the Evita Museum and MALBA (Museum of Latin American art) before heading back to your hotel.

You’ll be driven to the airport today for your flight home or travel onwards to other parts of South America. If you wish, you can add more time in Buenos Aires and perhaps take in a tango show.