Argentina Tour Extensions
Andean Northwest (4 day)
Salta province in Northwest Argentina has the culture and scenery to fascinate any inquisitive traveler. Explore the stunning rock formations of Valles Calchaquies, the colonial history of Salta, the archeology of Cachi, and Cafayate's rich wines and cuisine.
4 days, starting and ending in Salta, Argentina « click here »
Colonia, Uruguay Extension (2 day)
Enjoy a visit to the historic town of Colonia, Uruguay, founded by the Portuguese in 1680. Explore this unique town with its windy, cobbled streets and excellent restaurants and shops. Visit the beach promenade, Old Town, and various museums. Embark on a fast ferry from Buenos Aires and immerse yourself in colonial history on the shores of the harbor.
2 days, starts and ends in Buenos Aires, Argentina « click here »
El Calafate Extension (3 day)
Explore Perito Moreno Glacier up close! This 3 day extension will take adventurers to the lively town of El Calafate, where you will spend time browsing the tree-lined streets. Spend the night on a working Patagonian sheep farm, then drive into Parque Nacional Los Glaciares for an encounter with the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier. Zodiac across Lago Argentino and have lunch sitting on the lateral moraine of the glacier.
3 days, starting and ending in Buenos Aires, Argentina « click here »
Iguazu Falls Extension (3 day)
Iguazu Falls, where over 275 distinct cascades tumble through lush subtropical forest, is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in South America. The falls straddle the border between Argentina and Brazil, and we'll explore the Argentine side to get up close to the plummeting water. With a few more days, visit the subtropical rainforest and discover the thousands of species of flowering plants, butterflies, birds and mammals that make this their home. We offer both 3 and 5 day itineraries in Iguazu.
3 days starting and ending in Buenos Aires, Argentina « click here »
Lakes Crossing (5 day)
Cross the Andes by boat! Travel through the spectacular lake country of Chile and Argentina, enjoying the rich green hues of "Emerald Lake" and magnificent views of the Osorno, Puntiagudo, and Tronador volcanoes. Enjoy a free day in Argentina's famous vacation city, Bariloche. End your tour with a drive through Chile's Puyehue National Park. This trip can start and end in Bariloche as well.
Starts and ends in either Puerto Montt or Bariloche « click here »
Mar Patag Crucero Leal Extension (3 day)
Board a cozy yacht for two days of cruising glacial Lago Argentino and watching for Patagonia's unique wildlife. Experience Upsala Glacier, Spegazzini Glacier, and world famous Perito Moreno Glacier from the comfort of your water vessel!
Starts and ends in El Calafate « click here »
Mendoza Wine Tour (4 day)
Enjoy the tastes and natural treasures of Mendoza, Argentina. Visit this region's important vineyards, and compliment your wine tasting with a cooking class where you'll learn the secrets of Argentine cuisine. Evenings are spent in the city of Mendoza. The city has plenty to offer with a rich history, bustling city centers, outdoor cafes and inviting parks. Finish your time in Mendoza exploring the beautiful natural surroundings with a leisurely horseback ride, or a hiking journey through the mountainous, canyon-filled landscape of Quebrada (Gulch) de los Berros.
4 days, starting and ending in Mendoza, Argentina « click here »
Peninsula Valdes Extension (3-4 day)
This three day extension from Buenos Aires is an active walking tour for those looking to get close to the wildlife. After a drive through the sweeping Patagonia plains embark on the winding trails of the teeming Punta Tombo penguin colony and spend a few hours watching these comical birds. Explore the famous Peninsula Valdes wildife reserve, an important natural habitat for numerous species. Have the opportunity to join seasonal whale watching excursions between June and mid-December to, with luck, spot one of the most rare whales in the world.
Puerto Madryn, Argentina « click here »
Ushuaia / Tierra del Fuego Extension (4 day)
For those looking to explore Patagonia at a relaxed - yet active - pace! Embark from Ushuaia, the "Gateway to Antarctica" to Harberton Farm. Board zodiacs and wind through the Beagle Channel to Gable Island, Martillo Island and a penguin rookery. Spend a relaxing day at Tierra del Fuego, Argentina's first coastal national park. Wander its trail system, enjoy a picnic lunch at Lake Roca, and take inflatable canoes downstream into crystal clear Laguna Verde. Enjoy birdwatching and breathtaking scenery on this extension.
4 days, starts and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina « click here »
Colonia, Uruguay 2 Day/1 Night
Includes: Transfers in Buenos Aires and Colonia, roundtrip tickets for the fast ferry between Buenos Aires and Colonia, private guide in Colonia, one night accommodation in Colonia
US$310: 2 travelers or more
Single supplement: US$40
Day 1: Visit to Colonia (B)
This morning, your transfer will pick you up at the hotel and take you
to the ferry terminal for the one hour ferry to Colonia, Uruguay. Arrive
in Colonia and meet your guide.
A visit to the historic center of Colonia del Sacramento is like a walk
back in time. Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, this old colonial town
is renowned for its cobbled, windy streets and colorful houses reminiscent
of old Lisbon. This is an exciting opportunity to visit the best sights
of the city of Colonia. Due to its colonial beginnings, the city's layout
is different from the majority of Uruguayan cities. Its cobbled streets
and houses alternate with small bars, excellent restaurants, art and
craft shops, museums and a large yacht harbor. This is a full day guided
city tour of Colonia and includes the transfers from the port in Colonia
to the city center. The trip can be customized based on the specific
interests of the group, but travelers will often visit the beach promenade,
Real de San Carlos with its bullfighting arena, the Old Town, and the
museums. In the evening, you will transfer to the Posado Del Virrey
and overnight.
Day 2: Return to Buenos Aires (B)
The morning is free to explore Colonia. In the afternoon, transfer to
the ferry terminal and take the ferry to Buenos Aires. Transfer to the
hotel.
Peninsula Valdes from Buenos Aires: PV3 - BA
US$1,310/person: 2 travelers or more
Single supplement: US$145
Day 1 Punta Tombo Penguin Colony (L)
Our extension begins with a flight south to Trelew. From here we continue our journey, driving through the sweeping Patagonia plains - keep your eyes out for herds of guanacos! Seventy miles south of Trelew is our destination, the Punta Tombo penguin colony. Marked trails wind through the teeming colony where over half a million Magellanic penguins make their homes. After spending a few hours watching these comical - and monogamous - birds, we drive back north to Trelew to visit the historic buildings of this former Welsh colony. We overnight in casual comfort this evening in the nearby beach town of Puerto Madryn.
Day 2 Peninsula Valdes (L,D)
Start the day by indulging in some freshly baked regional pastries and savoring a cup of coffee. Today we have a full day to explore the famous Peninsula Valdes wildlife reserve, so you'll need the energy! The Peninsula Valdes, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, provides important natural habitat for a number of species including sea lions, Patagonian foxes, armadillos, guanacos, Magellanic penguins, and numerous others. The biggest attraction, however, is the population of southern right whales that comes here to breed between June and mid-December. After being hunted to near-extinction during the heyday of the whaling industry, the southern right is now one of the most rare whales in the world. We'll have the opportunity to join a whale-watching excursion, and with luck we'll witness the magnificent creatures swimming alongside our vessel. Our lodge this evening is the charming and cozy Estancia Rincon Chico, located within the Peninsula. The eight rooms are simply and tastefully decorated, with down comforters to lull you to sleep!
Day 3 Return Home
Peninsula Valdes: PV4
US$1410/person: 2 travelers or more
Single supplement: US$195
If flying from anywhere other than Buenos Aires, a flight and an extra
night hotel at Bahia Nueva will be added to itinerary.
El Calafate: CAL3
US$620/person: 2 travelers or more
Single supplement: US$275
Day 1 Fly El Calafate (D)
Rise early to catch a morning flight to the lively town of El Calafate. Spend some time getting acquainted with this international village of peak baggers, trekkers, mountaineers and intrepid travelers. Once we've browsed the shops along the tree-lined streets, we'll head to the working sheep ranch of Estancia Alice for dinner and overnight.
Day 2 Perito Moreno Glacier (L,D)
Today we drive into Parque Nacional Los Glaciares for views of the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier. This huge advancing glacier is more than 3 miles wide at its front and over 20 stories high. We take a zodiac across Lago Argentino and pass the massive front wall of blue ice, all the while watching for icebergs. After landing on a small beach we start hiking through the beech forest to the ice pack of the glacier. We'll eat our lunch sitting on the lateral moraine of the glacier, where we can absorb the magnificence of the glacier's anatomy and listen to its thunderous concerto of groaning and cracking ice dropping into the lake below. Tonight, sample some of El Calafate's Patagonian nightlife before return home!
Day 3 Return home
Ushuaia: USH4
US$530/person: 2 travelers or more
Single supplement: US$165
Day 1 Arrive Ushuaia
With previous incarnations as a missionary outpost and, subsequently,
prison town, Ushuaia is now most well-known as the "Gateway to
Antarctica." From its dramatic setting between the Beagle Channel
and the rugged glaciated peaks rising from the landscape, opportunities
for hiking and exploring abound. The afternoon is free to wander local
museums or explore nearby trails.
Day 2 Beagle Channel and Gable Island
Our Ushuaia extension begins early in the morning as we cross the green central valley of Tierra del Fuego to reach Harberton Farm, a private ranch built by the first British missionaries to reach the area. After a short visit we'll board a zodiac and wind through the Beagle Channel to Gable Island, part of the Harberton estate. We'll enjoy a picnic lunch in an old, rustic shelter before embarking on a 3 hour hike around the island. Our path leads to many amazing vantage points of the Beagle Channel, and if the weather cooperates we might glimpse the distant town of Puerto Willams across the Chilean border. Returning to the zodiac, we resume our navigation to the penguin rookery on Martillo Island. The location of the island makes it a birdwatcher's paradise; we'll be on the lookout for petrels, skuas, cormorants, seagulls, and albatross. We depart for Harberton and begin the return trip to Ushuaia.
Day 3 Tierra del Fuego National Park
Just north of Ushuaia is the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego, Argentina's first coastal national park. The trail system of easy and undemanding paths makes this an ideal place to spend a relaxing day exploring Patagonia. We'll wander along the coastal path, undoubtedly the most beautiful in the park. The 3 ½ hour hike takes us through forests of both high and low deciduous beech, evergreen beech, winterbark, firebrush, and more. We finish the walk at Lake Roca in time for lunch. After eating our fill, we climb into inflatable canoes and begin the easy downstream paddle to the Ovando River. The crystal-clear water runs into Laguna Verde, one of the most picturesque, panoramic spots in the park. Our take-out point is Lapataia Bay, where we may see petrels, albatross, steamer ducks, and on occasion, penguins. We'll return to Ushuaia for dinner and a restful sleep.
Day 4 Return Home
