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Argentina - North, South, East

and West

The Republic of Argentina is a large country with a population of around 40 million people, mainly of Spanish and Italian decent. It occupies much of the southern part of South America.

The Spanish conquistadores arrived in the 16th century and virtually wiped out all of the indigenous people through violence, disease and disposition. Slaves from Africa were brought over in the 18th century mainly to work in the fields. The resulting culture is an eclectic mix of indigenous traditions, European influences and African rhythms including art, literature dance and song. The tango is a classic example of this mix. It was developed in the bars, cafes and brothels of Buenos Aires in the 1880’s. It was deemed far too indecent to be mainstream at that time!

The country has had a fairly tumultuous history with Spain, England, France all fighting over territory at some stage. Its modern political history has seen a succession of military and democratic governments. The most tragic era was from the mid 1970’s until the early 1980’s when a military junta ruled the country. Almost 30,000 citizens “disappeared’ during this time and it remains a painful issue to the country’s people. The 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands is well documented. Basically, the military government of the time declared the region part of Argentina. Thatcher’s British Government responded by sending troops and just 6 weeks later, the Argentinian’s surrendered. Civilian governments have since ruled.

Physically, it is a diverse country with deserts and sub tropical forests in the north, and freezing conditions in the south. The South Atlantic Ocean runs down the east coast and the Andes Mountains borders Chile in the west. These two factors have a major influence on the climate. It also borders Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia and Paraguay in the North. Its highest point is Aconcagua which rises to 6,960 mts (22,837 feet), the highest point on the American continent – both north and south!

The capital city Buenos Aires was first established around 500 years ago. Today it has a population of around 3 million and is the administrative and cultural centre of the country. It’s renown for its European architecture and rich cultural life. In fact, it has more theatres than any other city in the world. Argentina is famous for many things including Tango, Gauchos (cowboys), its beef industry and subsequent steak restaurants, Iguazu Falls and Ushuaia - the world’s most southern populated township. Like many of the neighbouring countries, Argentinians love their sport. They are soccer “mad” and hold Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi as national sporting heros. They also love rugby, basketball and polo.

Join our inaugural 24 day tour and explore this fabulous, vibrant and sophisticated county!

ARGENTINA - NORTH, SOUTH, EAST & WEST!

DAY 1 Depart Australia for Argentina. All flights are to be advised.

DAY 2BUENOS AIRES Arrive at Ezeiza International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Buenos Aires where you will stay for three nights – Park Plaza Recoleta. The hotel offers easy access to the historic, cultural, financial, and gastronomic part of city. Tonight we will have a welcome dinner in a very good Argentine steakhouse! D

DAY 3BUENOS AIRES A busy day today. In the morning the group will take a city tour visiting the best of what Buenos Aires has to offer: The world’s widest boulevard, 9 de Julio Avenue; the beautiful Colon Theatre; the Obelisk; the Diagonal Roque Saenz Peña Avenue; Plaza de Mayo; Metropolitan Cathedral; San Telmo town; Parque Lezama and La Boca with its wonderful colour buildings. The You’ll have time to look around Caminito and craft fair at liesure. Then we will take a trip around La Boca Port, Puerto Madero, Retiro and Palermo towns. You will also visit the gardens of Bosques de Palermo [Palermo woods]; the Galileo Galilei

Planetarium; the Monument of the Constitution and the Four Argentinian Regions plus Recoleta town, the National Museum of Fine Arts and Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church. Dinner and a wonderful tango show in La Esquina Carlos Gardel. B/D

DAY 4BUENOS AIRES Today we start by visiting a traditional "Estancia" (farm) in the Pampas. This full day excursion is called Fiesta Gaucha Empanadas. It will include a visit to the museum, the beautiful local church, traditional tango and folklore culture with Malambo of Boleadoras shows. Then there’s the horses… Destrezas Criollas (hoop skills), Sortija race (traditional goucho horse racing) and Entrevero de Tropillas (mustering around a ring). B/L

Day 5BUENOS AIRES Today you’ll have an option; free time where you can see the things you would like to see in this great city (unguided) or take a Tigre Delta boat tour (at cost). This is about 30kms from Buenos Aires and highlights the natural environment of the river. B/D

Itinerary correct as at Jan 12, 2018 but subject to change. ALL flights to be confirmed. www.bluedottravel.com.au

ARGENTINA – ITINERARY

DAY 6BUENOS AIRES – MENDOZA After breakfast you’ll transfer to local airport for your flight to Mendoza in the Central Western part of the country. Arrival and transfer to Hotel Executive where we will stay for three nights. B/D

DAY 7MENDOZA We will start with a city tour around Mendoza catching the sights and stopping in a local restaurant for lunch. We’ll visit a few different wineries in the Luján de Cuyo, region where we can sample some of the local wines from the best wine region in Argentina. B/L

DAY 8MENDOZA Today includes a full day excursion to Los Andes. Experience the best of the Mendoza Province’s Andes region with a day trip that will take you along part of the Pan-American

Highway toward the Chilean border. We’ll make our way to see the highest mountain in both North and South America, Aconcagua ( at almost 7,000 metres ) where we’ll stop at the lookout. Along the way you’ll visit various historical and cultural sites including Puente del Inca (a natural arch over the river Vacas), settlements in Potrerillos and Las Cuevas (the caves). It’s a day of breathtaking natural scenery that can only be found in the Andes. B/L

DAY 9MENDOZA – SALTA Transfer to airport for your flight to Salta in the far north of the country. Transfer and check in to Casa Real Hotel where you’ll stay for three nights. B/D

DAY 10SALTA Today comprises of the best the city has to offer starting at The Cathedral (1855) where patriotic hero Gral. Güemes rests. Then we will visit the museum with exhibitions of sacred art and rooms dedicated to old traditional families of Salta. You will also see "San Francisco" Church, "San Bernardo" Convent and the monument to General Güemes. You’ll drive to "San Bernardo" Hill to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and then visit to "Batalla de Salta" Monument (Battle of Salta) - and "20 de Febrero" Park (February 20th Park). Finally, head towards the outskirts of the city to visit a summer village called "San Lorenzo", characterised by the subtropical microclimate. Lastly a visit to the artisan market where craftsmen from the region show off their original crafts. B/L

DAY 11SALTA After breakfast we’ll head off to visit Purmamarca and observe "The Hill of Seven Colours" and the craft market. We will pass through the colonial "Posta de Hornillos" to the summer village of Maimará and then on to Tilcara where

we’ll visit the ancient site if Pucara and the Archaeological Museum. We’ll continue on to Huacalera township, passing through the Tropic of Capricorn. Next we’ll visit La Pollera de la Colla, the Church of Uquía, home of the Angeles arcabuceros. On arrival to Humahuaca we will visit the Cathedral and the Monument of Independence. After lunch is a drive to San Salvador de Jujuy, visiting the Hall of flags, the Cathedral, where the pulpit is carved in wood and laminated in gold. Head back on the path of cornice passing exquisite subtropical vegetation and crossing the "Abra Santa Laura” and including a drive through the historic village of La Caldera and Vaqueros before arriving back in Salta. B/L

DAY 12SALTA – IGUAZU After breakfast, we will transfer to airport for the flight to Iguazu. Check in to Hotel Loi Suites Iguazu for 3 nights. This luxury hotel has a spa, an outdoor pool, private Iguazu River access and suspended bridges. Dinner is at the excellent restaurant at the hotel. B/D

DAY 13IGUAZU FALLS One of the tour highlights is the excursion to Iguazu falls, on the Argentinean side. The park offers up to 8km of trails to enjoy the falls, in three different circuits: Upper Circuit, Lower Circuit & Trail to the Devil`s Throat. You can ride in a 4x4 truck, do some light trekking and take a boat trip to enjoy the falls from the river. Lunch in the National Park. B/L

DAY 14IGUAZU FALLS – EL CALAFATE Transfer to airport to take flight to El Calafate, via Buenos Aires. Transfer to hotel where you’ll stay for three nights at the Unique Luxury Patagonia Hotel. Tonight you’ll enjoy a traditional dinner in town. B/D

DAY 15EL CALAFATE After breakfast, the group will start the excursion to visit the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier. Enjoy this beautiful glacier and luck permitting, experience the ice carving into the Argentino Lake, with a thunderous crash. Optional activity (not included): mini-trekking over the Perito Moreno Glacier. Once inside Los Glaciares National Park, you'll follow the route around Lago Argentino, Perito Moreno Glacier – with its 60 metre ice walls. Follow the paths to get different views. Lunch at the restaurant in the Park. B/L

DAY 16EL CALAFATE After breakfast, we start our excursion to visit three incredible glaciers: Upsala, Onelli and Spegazzini. This is a wonderful navigation along the waters of Argentino Lake. You will see many icebergs floating around in the lake and you may get up close and personal with the largest glaciers in the El Calafate region on a full-day sightseeing cruise.

Itinerary correct as at Jan 12, 2018 but subject to change. ALL flights to be confirmed. www.bluedottravel.com.au

Enjoy lunch when we make a stop in a good local restaurant. B/L

DAY 17EL CHALTEN After breakfast we will start a full day visit to El Chalten, a small village founded in the 80’s. It`s a lovely place for trekkers and people interested in the beautiful Fitz Roy Massif near the border of Chile. We will visit the Lago del Desierto with its spectacular views. B/L

DAY 18EL CALAFATE – USHUAIA After breakfast, transfer to airport catch our flight to Ushuaia, the world’s most southern city. Check in to Hotel Fueguino for three nights. B/D

DAY 19USHUAIA In the morning, we start excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park the world's southernmost national park. This incredible park, offers a beautiful environment. After that we visit Bahía Lapataia (End of 3 National Route) and Lago Roca. You’ll be mesmerised by breathtaking the natural wonders, Patagonian lakes and stunning scenery. B/L

DAY 20USHUAIA After breakfast, we have an excursion to the region north of Ushuaia called Lagos. We go off road in a 4WD vehicle, to visit Lakes Fagnano, and then Escondido in the

middle of the island of Tierra del Fuego. This is a wonderful way to see the local area including lakes and surrounding scenery. Enjoy a traditional Argentine barbecue for lunch. B/L

DAY 21USHUAIA – CORDOBA Transfer to the airport for our flight to Buenos Aires, connecting to Cordoba. Transfer to Estancia El colibrí. The entrance gate to El Colibri, Estancia de Charme states: "living a dream", and such is the experience of living the Argentine countryside in Córdoba, in the heart of the country. Over the next few days, enjoy typical Argentine barbecues, see the international level polo horses, taste the fabulous wines and local olive oil from the best crops and enjoy lunch on the river bank. You can mix with the polo and equestrian locals, go native bird watching, play golf or walk in historic Jesuit estancias and more. Regardless of what you chose, you’ll have an unforgettable encounter with Argentine culture. B/L/D

DAY 23CORDOBA Free time to enjoy activities at the Estancia . B/L/D

DAY 24CORDOBA – BUENOS AIRES After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take flight to Buenos Aires where we will connect to our international flight back home or to your next destination. B

DAY 25TRANSIT Arrive back in Australia (Flights to be advised).

Itinerary correct as at Jan 12, 2018 but subject to change. ALL flights to be confirmed. www.bluedottravel.com.au