Patagonia - Off The Beaten Track

Introduction to Buenos Aires' Northern Neighbourhoods

Our journey begins in Buenos Aires, “the Paris of South America”. From the lush Plaza San Martin, we head north to the posh Recoleta District. Stroll along Avenida Alvear, the most palatial street in Buenos Aires. With its elegant architecture and tree lined promenades, this distinct area was once home to the porteño aristocracy who gave it buildings such as the Pereda Palace (Brazilian Embassy), the Ortiz Basualdo Palace (French Embassy), Unzué de Casares Palace (Jockey Club) and more.

A visit to Recoleta Cemetery, an amazing above-ground cemetery lined with mausoleums and statues, is a must. This is the final resting place of Eva Duarte. Known throughout the world simply as Evita, she is perhaps Argentina’s most famous figure. The neighbouring El Pilar Church is one of the city’s oldest and most beautiful churches with its wonderful woodcarvings and silver altar from Alto Perú.

The Palermo residential neighbourhood, with its quiet curvy streets, wonderful parks and rose gardens, monuments, lovely town-houses and city mansions is an oasis to the city. It holds the city’s zoo and the Botanical Gardens. Today, Palermo has developed new areas under popular names such as Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood where signature designers have their trendy boutiques offering clothes, home accessories and more. The area offers an array of dining options: think chic and gourmet!

San Isidro and the Tigre Delta

Head North from town to the tranquil, residential areas of Olivos and San Isidro. Continue to Tigre and be marvelled by its beautiful canals, elegant promenades and aging buildings. The Tigre Delta is a tribute to a time gone-by. Sail past classic casonas, big rambling houses that were built at the end of the 19th century as meeting places and weekend getaways for the aristocracy. Watch rowers pass by as wooden speedboats chug their way taking passengers or housing a floating grocery store! The islands are covered with exuberant vegetation, with an amazing variety of trees and flowers. On the mainland, explore the colourful fruit market. A stop for lunch at a local restaurant can be arranged (optional).

Note - The 1-hour navigation operates in a shared boat.

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore on your own. Or maybe take a day trip across the Rio de la Plata to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay. This is a charming town, originally founded by Portuguese settlers arriving from Brazil in 1680. The old town is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and makes for a wonderful contrast to the city of Buenos Aires.

Transfer approx. 2 hours today to San Miguel del Monte, and Estancia La Bandada. En route, there is the option of visiting the Mercado Agro-Ganadero, a new cattle market (Ex Liniers Market) now located in Cañuelas.

Introducing San Miguel del Monte

San Miguel del Monte is just a two-hour drive away from the bright lights of Buenos Aires. A district known for its livestock traditions, it’s one of the oldest towns in the Province of Buenos Aires. This area offers an ideal place to relax and to enjoy the rural surroundings of the Pampas.

Activities at Estancia La Bandada

During your stay at the Estancia, you can choose to relax and enjoy the facilities as you wish - there are two swimming pools for you to sample, a large pool near the main house, and another in a remote, private area, perfect for training or relaxing in the water surrounded by nature and tranquillity.

A number of activities are included in your hotel rate:

- Horse riding
- Cycling
- Bird-watching
- Working with the cattle
- An Argentine 'asado' (BBQ)
- Orchard Tour - to include watering, planting, harvesting, pruning or just wandering around the vegetable beds and learning about the different crops
- Cooking Class - learn how to prepare and cook traditional Argentine food such as empanadas, pasteles, tortas fritas and buñuelos.

Optional activities (additional cost applies):
- Massage
- Romantic dinner
- Wine tasting
- Shooting (In Season)
- Fishing
- Polo lessons for beginners

During the Polo season, the Estancia can arrange for you to watch polo practices in nearby properties. This programme is usually 2-hours long, and you would just pay for the transfers.

Spend the morning enjoying the ranch life at La Bandada.

Transfer approx. 2 hours back to Buenos Aires for a logistical night's stay (in preparation of an early flight the next day).

Transfer to Buenos Aires' Domestic Airport

Transfer approx. 20 minutes to the domestic airport (AEP), for the Aerolineas Argentinas flight to Comodoro Rivadavia.

On arrival in Comodoro Rivadavia, collect your baggage and keep an eye out for our airport representative who will transfer you to the car rental office to assist with car collection.

Drive south from Comodoro Rivadavia Airport to Darwin Camp (outside of Puerto Deseado).
Driving distance: 316 kms
Approx. driving time: 5 hours

Check in to Darwin Camp; your home for the next 3 nights.

Introducing Puerto Deseado

Puerto Deseado, originally called Port Desire is an important fishing port in Patagonia, on the estuary of the Deseado River. The area is also known for its wool production activity. A secluded and remote place, yet one special enough to have caught the interest of Charles Darwin, when he was configuring his theories on evolution. This protected area is rich in wildlife, with dolphins commonly spotted, along with Rockhopper, Magellanic and Patagonian penguins, and a number of other bird species.

Darwin Camp - Included Excursions

Suggested/Included experiences from Darwin Camp:
- Following Darwin’s Steps: Full day touring the steppe
- Visit Darwin’s Camp Site, the triangular rock, and the canyons of painted rocks.
- Sailing to Penguin Island: Transfer through the steppe to Puerto Jenkins to board a boat towards Penguin Island Interjurisdictional Marine Park, accompanied by dolphins, seabirds and sea lions. Observe a colony of Magellanic Penguins, and on the other side of the island, the rockhopper penguins.
- Canoeing in Rio Deasedo
- Hiking
- Horseback riding

Drive west, mainly along Route 43, aiming for Patagonia Park, where you can experience the quietness and remoteness of the Patagonian steppe.
Driving distance: 525 km
Approx. driving time: 7 hours

Check in at La Posada de los Toldos.

Suggestions / Included Touring from La Posta de los Toldos

Days at leisure to enjoy the Patagonian steppe. The hotel has a number of trails which take in the spectacular views of the remote landscape with its dramatic geological formations and its rich fauna, which include Patagonian armadillo, Humboldt’s hog-nosed skunk, guanacos, and the elusive Patagonian puma.

In the evenings, enjoy chats around the fire pit as you admire the twinkling night sky from the property’s onsite star observatory.

Drive from La Posta de los Toldos in Parque Patagonia to Lagos del Furioso.
Driving distance: 174 km
Approx. driving time: 3.5 hours

The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy your new surroundings.

Suggested / Included Touring from Lagos del Furioso

Lagos del Furioso is the ideal starting place for a number of walks in the Andes across its meadows and forests.
Please see this link for details: www.lagosdelfurioso.com/#Attractions

Scenic highlights include:
- Walks amongst the caves and coves, in search of marine fossils and Jurassic geological formations
- Wildlife photographic opportunities
- 3000 year old cave paintings and rock formations
- Lake views – home to flamingos and black necked swans
- Lagoons which resemble lunar landscapes
- Deep canyons and photogenic cliffs overflowing into Lake Pueyrredón

In addition to hiking, there are also opportunities to enjoy horseback riding and mountain biking, or just travel by car and enjoy the magnificent landscape, observe and photograph the native flora and fauna, go fly fishing, take a boat ride, go windsurfing, kiting or just meditate, in a place where time seems to stand still. And at night, immerse yourself in the contemplation of stars in one of the clearest skies on the planet.

Drive from Lagos del Furioso to Estancia La Angostura (pit stop).
Driving distance: 283 km
Approx. driving time: 4/5 hours

Spend the rest of the day relaxing in preparation for tomorrow's journey. The estancia can help to organise horse riding or birdwatching if you wish to keep a little more active.

Drive north today to the hiking and climbing capital of Argentina, El Chalten, home to the towering granite spires of Mount Fitz Roy. You will be accompanied on the drive by spectacular lake views of Lago Argentino and Lago Viedma.
The town of El Chalten all but shuts up in the harsh Patagonian winters and so tourists flock here in summer to make the most of the short window where exploring is safe and enjoyable. Check into your hotel and spend the evening at leisure, preparing for the adventures to come.

Driving distance: 293 km
Approx. driving time: 6 hours

Introducing El Chalten

The small higgledy piggledy village of El Chalten is situated inside the northern part of Parque Nacional de los Glaciares and is often referred to as the trekking capital of the world. The gateway to the Fitzroy National Park, El Chalten fulfils every trekker’s dream with trails of varying difficulties boasting some of the most spectacular views, vast jagged peaks, glaciers, snow capped summits and crystal clear lakes. The town is home to cosy cabins and rustic lodges and is a much less visited area compared to Torres del Paine on the Chilean side of the border.

Suggested Activities from El Chalten

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore more of this stunning region.

Suggestions include:

- Visit the Laguna de los Tres: Take a family hike to this iconic glacial lake at the base of Mount Fitz Roy. The trail offers breathtaking scenery and a sense of accomplishment, making it a memorable experience for kids.
- Horseback Riding: Enjoy a guided horseback riding tour through the beautiful Patagonian landscapes
- El Chalten Village: Spend time exploring the charming village, where you can find local shops, cafes, and cultural displays.
- Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife in the area, including guanacos, foxes, and various bird species.
- Self guided hike (there are several family-friendly trails)
- Rock-climbing
- Biking

Today, continue your self-drive to El Calafate, which provides access to Los Glaciares National Park and the iconic Perito Moreno glacier.
Driving distance: 228 km.
Approx. driving time: 4 hours.

Introducing El Calafate

El Calafate is a small mountain town in the heart of Patagonia, situated on the southern border of Lake Argentino. It is just over the mountains on the other side of Torres del Paine National Park. The town offers convenient access to Los Glaciares National Park, where Perito Moreno Glacier can be found. The town’s main street, Avenida del Libertador General San Martin, is bustling with restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops selling chocolates and leather goods.

Afternoon at leisure to relax and enjoy your beautiful surroundings.

Exploring El Calafate

Optional tours in El Calafate:

- Visit los Glaciares National Park and Perito Moreno Glacier
- Navigation of the South or North faces of the Perito Moreno Glacier
- Kayaking in front of Perito Moreno Glacier
- Glaciar Sur Adventure
- Navigations to visit Spegazzini, Onelli and Upsala glaciers

Depart your hotel this morning and head to El Calafate Airport to drop off your rental car.
Check in with Aerolineas Argentinas for the flight from El Calafate to Mendoza, via Buenos Aires.

Arrive in Mendoza and collect your baggage. Our airport representative will transfer you to the Hertz car rental office to assist with car collection. Make your way to Lares de Chacras, a drive of approx. 35 minutes.

Introducing Mendoza

The buzzy city of Mendoza is one of the most beautiful cities in Argentina, with its wide, leafy avenues and fine plazas backed by the snow-capped Andes. The city enjoys a very moderate climate, which makes it the perfect place for wine production, it is therefore blessed with lush vineyards, which produce some of the world’s finest Malbec, and other full-bodied red wines. White wines are also produced in the region using Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. The region is known for its excellent gastronomy, varied flora and fauna, and adventure activities, such as rafting, trekking, biking and rock climbing. In Winter (Jun-Sep), visitors flock to the region to hit the ski slopes.

Exploring the Maipu Valley

Spend your free days exploring the wine region of the Maipu Valley. Your property has bikes available should you wish to tour the nearby vineyards.

Mendoza is the foodie hub and there are excellent restaurants attached to many of the wineries. We would suggest spending one day in this area with a private local guide so you can enjoy a drink without the car.

Drive approx. 1.5 hours to the Uco Valley for a 2 night stay in a different part of the Mendoza province.

Introducing the Uco Valley

The Uco Valley is an hour’s drive south from the city of Mendoza and has made quite a name for itself in recent years, with many citing is as the new Napa Valley. The Uco Valley produces some of the area’s most premium wines. Malbec is the primary grape variety, along with terroir-driven red wines, and fine white wines made from Chardonnay and Torrontes. The excellent climate and free-draining soils are a winning combination, and as such Bordeaux-based names Lurton, Dassault, Rothschild and Rolland have recently raised the region’s profile. The area offers stunning views of the Mendoza region, combined with its blue lakes and rolling vineyards. Visitors are not only drawn here by the wine and the landscape, but by the gastronomic scene, for the Valley is home to a number of enticing restaurants.

At leisure to enjoy the local wineries, along with Finca La Azul's buzzing outdoor restaurant.

Today, head back to Mendoza Airport to drop off your rental car. Check in at the Aerolineas Argentinas desk for the flight to Puerto Iguazu (this flight has a short touchdown in Salta en route).

Transfer to your Hotel

On arrival, you will be met and privately transferred (approx. 20 minutes) to your hotel overlooking the Falls.

Introducing Iguazu Falls

Iguazú Falls or Iguaçu Falls are waterfalls of the Iguazu River on the border of the Argentine province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná. Together, they make up the largest waterfall system in the world. The falls divide the river into the upper and lower Iguazu. The Argentine side has a well-established set of raised walkways with panoramic views, leading up to the legendary Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), where you have an incredible close-up view of the 14 cascades crashing against the horseshoe-shaped cliff. In the Iguazu Falls, there are more than 450 species of birds including toucans, magpies, parrots and teros. You will also see a great variety of butterflies, and mammals such as coatis, monkeys, honey bears and weasels in the surrounding trails.

Suggestions at Iguazu National Park

During your time in Iguazu, we can recommend any of the following excursions:

- Visit the Argentine and Brazilian side of the Falls
- Great adventure or Macuco Safari Experiences
- Helicopter overflight
- Visit La Lorenza Iguazu bird and nature park

Transfer to Puerto Iguazu Airport

Transfer to the airport in Puerto Iguazu for a direct flight to Buenos Aires.

Introducing Buenos Aires

The cosmopolitan capital and largest city in Argentina, Buenos Aires combines the laid-back ambience of a European capital with the fiery passion of a Latin-American barrio, a combination that makes it an enticing destination. The city has a lively night scene, with a great selection of bars and jazz and tango clubs, often with tango dancing spilling out on to the streets. This is a city that never sleeps! Those in search of fueling the tastebuds will not be disappointed, with succulent steaks found on almost every street corner; washed down with a generous glass of Malbec. Buenos Aires, or ‘BA’ as it’s referred to, is renowned for its conserved European architecture from beautiful French and Italian style palaces to traditional neighbourhoods enhanced by colourful murals; the city has a vibrant street-art scene. Be sure to leave some space in the suitcase, as there’s plenty of shopping malls and markets for buying local arts and crafts. For sweet-toothed travellers, a jar of dulce de leche or some chocolate alfajores are a must.

On arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in Palermo Soho by private car; a drive of approx. 20 minutes. Enjoy a special dinner at Don Julio's for your final night in Buenos Aires.

You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred approx. 45 minutes to Buenos Aires' International Airport (This service is on a private basis.)