BUENOS AIRES IGUAZU FALLS
BUENOS AIRES & IGUAZU FALLS
Six Days
DAY 1: Arrival Buenos Aires
Welcome to Argentina. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. The capital offers something for everyone, from sophisticated European-style architecture, gardened parks and broad boulevards, pulsating tango nightlife and unique local neighborhoods of great character and charm.
Overnight accommodations at selected hotel
DAY 2: Buenos Aires
City tour and evening of Tango
Today you’ll enjoy a half day tour of one of the biggest urban concentrations in the Southern Hemisphere. This tour starts at the historical May Square (Plaza de Mayo) surrounded by the Government House (Pink House), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the ancient City-Hall, seat of the former Spanish Viceroys. Continuation along May Avenue, of strong Spanish influence till you get to Congress Square facing the National Parliament. Drive along Callao Street till the intersection with Corrientes Avenue -the never-sleeping avenue- up to the most emblematic symbol of Buenos Aires: the Obelisk, passing by one of the widest avenues in the world, namely, 9 of July Boulevard as well as the famous Colon Opera House. Heading north-eastwards, you will then reach the most fashionable districts of the city: Recoleta, with a scent o f French charm and the spacious and oxygenating Palermo Parks for a relaxing stroll. Your tour will also include the bohemian and colorful neighborhood of La Boca -of Italian immigrants- and the elegant district of Recoleta, with a visit to its artistic cemetery, where Evita Peron´s tomb is, among others of prominent local characters.
This evening, you will get in close contact with the sensual music and dance of the Tango, Argentina’s major cultural export, accompanied by dinner. In Buenos Aires, towards the end of the 19th century, when tango was evolving, mixing slowly with the essence of the natives and immigrants, the neighborhood of Abasto, named after the Supplies Market, was the birthplace of an undisputed idol: Carlos Gardel. He would become, here and abroad, the icon of Tango. At the corner of the street that today bears his name, a statue of him is placed. Here is a restaurant called “El Chanta Cuatro” where the picturesque guys of the market would gather and where Carlos would meet his friends. The restaurant opened in 1893. Nowadays, more than 100 years afte r, the history repeats and in the same place, “Esquina Carlos Gardel”, this unique theme restaurant, was inaugurated. Offering excellent cuisine, a gorgeous Art Noveau room faithfully resembling the sophistication of the most luxurious salons of that time with last generation technology equipment, and an artistic score of the highest level and a mythic atmosphere, sets the stage for an unforgettable night.
Overnight accommodations at selected hotel (B/D)
DAY 3: Buenos Aires
The day is at leisure for you to enjoy the city’s distinguished museums or world-class shopping. We recommend a full day excursion dedicated to the visit of an estancia in the Pampas, a typical Argentine ranch, ideal place to appreciate the Argentine gaucho skills in cattle breeding and horseback riding, plus a typical Argentine barbecue, the “asado”. Or perhaps, a half day tour to the Tigre Delta. Tigre is an exclusive resort of summer residences, yachting and rowing clubs. Or, take one of our selected extension tours described here.
Overnight accommodations at selected hotel (B)
DAY 4: Buenos Aires / Iguazu Falls
Breakfast. Transfer out for your flight to Iguazu Falls. You are met on arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Long before the Spanish explorer Don Alvaro Nuñes reached South America’s greatest waterfall in 1541, the local Indians had named it Iguaçu – meaning great waters. There is no more fitting description, as thousands of visitors to Iguassú each year will testify. Once seen, the falls – all 275 of them – are never forgotten. The two-mile wide curtain of water crashing 300 ft over a series of precipices into a spray-filled gorge constitutes the most spectacular sight of probably the whole of South America.
Overnight accommodations (B)
DAY 5: Iguazu Falls
Explore the falls from the Argentine side. The Iguassu Falls in Argentina have an access with a Visitor Center. The entrance fee includes two train tickets and a boat ride that crosses over to the San Martin Island. The Visitor Center comprises a patio with restaurants, souvenir shops, an amphitheatre and a space dedicated to the Park´s ecosystem. There is also an exhibition of natives who lived in the area during the past centuries. The exhibits are in Spanish only. The train terminal is at Central Station, some 400 mts away from the main gate. Here is where the first leg starts and you can either ride the train or take a 20-minute easy walk along Sendero Verde (green trail). Both ways will get you to Cataratas Station, the starting point of the Upper Circuit. The Upper Circuit is a half-hour walk along a 1200 mts trail – with low degree of difficulty and no stairs – that goes deep into the jungle. All of a sudden, you run into breathtaking views of the Falls. You will get lots of closer views at the different observation points, and more panoramic sights toward the end of the trail. The Lower Circuit requires more physical effort due to its stairs but it can be perfectly done if you take it nice and slow, catching your breath on the different viewpoints. On this trail you will also walk deep into the jungle, crossing streams and coming across local fauna. The Lower Circuit goes all the way down to the river, where the boat crosses over to San Martin Island. On the way down, there are balconies with marvelous bottom-up views of the falls (the same falls that you see from above in the Upper Circuit). If you have any physical impairment, stay away from this last section. The second leg of the train ride leaves from Cataratas Station and goes to Garganta del Diablo Station, a small area with fast foods and toilets. The trail goes across several branches of the upper Iguazu River, deep into the rain forest. Visitors get to watch various kinds of birds – such as beautiful toucans. Garganta del Di ablo (Devil’s throat) is a 70-meter-deep pot where several branches of the Iguazu river converge causing a violent water fall. A balcony set up at the border allows tourists to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Overnight accommodations (B)
DAY 6: Depart Iguazu Falls
The morning is at leisure to explore the area further on your own. In the afternoon, you transfer to the airport for your flight to your next destination. (B)
