Holidays with Downtown

Which side of the Iguazu Falls is better? The Argentine side of Iguazú has 80% of the waterfalls. Does this mean that the Argentine side is better than the Brazilian? No, it means that on the Argentine side you feel that you are in the falls, and that from the Brazilian side there is a spectacular panoramic view. Located in the north of Patagonia and at the foot of the Andes, San Carlos de Bariloche is the capital of the Argentine Lake District. We invite you to discover this jewel of nature.

Day 1: Buenos Aires

Welcome to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to rest and relax or explore the hotel surroundings.

 

Day 2: Puerto Iguazu (Foz do Iguassu)

Morning transfer to the domestic airport to board your flight to Iguazu. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, we get to Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil and visit the waterfalls on the Brazilian side. Once inside the National Park, as we walk along the only catwalk within the Park that leads us to the viewpoint of Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Gorge) to appreciate a view over almost all the waterfalls.

 

Day 3: Puerto Iguazú

In the morning, we visit Iguazú National Park, Argentinian part of the falls, which has been declared a Natural Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. During the tour, we go through the three circuits of the Park Garganta del Diablo (to reach the balcony and viewpoint of the most imposing falls of the Park), The Upper Trail (which provides a view of the falls from above) and The Lower Trail (which offers a closer contact with the vegetation and the falls). During the tour, free time to have lunch (not included) and the chance to take optionally The Great Adventure. This boat ride takes you into the very heart of the, followed by a walk through the jungle. Get ready to get soaked! In the afternoon, return to the hotel. [B]

Note: The access to Garganta del Diablo may be interrupted by the rise in river flow.

Signature Option: Great Adventure (Minimun age: 12 years)

This excursion is a thrilling adventure both inside Iguazu National Park of as well as on the waters of the Inferior Iguazu River. First, on board semi rigid Zodiacs boats, get close to the foot of the San Martín, Bosetti, Three Musketeers waterfalls and the Devil’s Throat canyon. Then, sail down the river rapids to Puerto Macuco, less than 2 miles from the falls. In the second part, we enter the jungle by the Yacaratiá trail, for an interpretation of the flora and fauna of the area, in trucks specially designed for this environment. This excursion is designed to experience and feel the Iguazu Falls. Visitors may take the boat excursion first and then take the walk through the jungle or vice-versa. Departures are scheduled every hour.

Attention: This trip cannot be taken by pregnant women or people with physical, cognitive and/or sensorial disabilities.

 

Day 4: Puerto Iguazú, Buenos Aires

At due time, transfer to the airport to take the flight to Buenos Aires. Reception and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, we make a panoramic tour of the city. We start in Plaza de Mayo, witness to the most important events in the country since 1810. Then continue towards La Boca where we walk through its streets with “conventillos” and the traditional Caminito alley, and we finish in Palermo and Recoleta, the aristocratic areas of the city. Return to the hotel. [B]

Signature Option: Dinner and Tango Show at Gala Tango

Pick up at hotel: 8.00 PM for a drive to San Telmo, the cradle of Tango. "Gala Tango" is one of the most exclusive tango venues in the city, due to its architecture and decor, in the French style of the 30s, with its Carrara marble bar and refined details. The a-la-carte gourmet 3-course dinner carefully designed by its exclusive chef will be as well a distinctive trait of the evening. Around midnight, return to the hotel. [D]

 

Day 5: Buenos Aires (Tigre)

Transfer to Sturla Fluvial Terminal, located in Puerto Madero for a 90-minute boat ride to Paraná River Delta, where you will navigate through the islands and learn about the local lifestyle landing at Tigre. Visit Tigre and watch the main attractions while you listen to an audio track that will give you the necessary knowledge to understand the importance and history of each attraction. First, stop in Puerto de Frutos, the old port for commerce, which is now a touristic port, with free time to visit the fair, take pictures and buy souvenirs and crafts. Free time to have lunch on your own. If you wish, you will have the opportunity to visit either Museo del Mate, Museo Naval or Museo de Arte de Tigre. Then. Continue to the train station for a 1-hour ride to Buenos Aires along the South Atlantic coast. On arrival at Retiro Station you’ll picked-up and transferred to your hotel [B]

 

Day 6: Buenos Aires, Bariloche

Transfer to the airport to board the flight to Bariloche. Arrival, reception and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, we explore Bariloche through the “Small Circuit”, which borders Nahuel Huapi Lake to Mt. Campanario Hill, where we ascend to get excellent views of the surrounding lakes. Once back, we continue to Llao Llao Peninsula, San Eduardo Chapel and Pañuelo Port. In this area, we make a short hike through a forest of myrtle trees. Finally, we stop by a natural balcony from where we admire Moreno Lake and the Llao Llao Peninsula. [B]

 

Day 7: Bariloche

Day at leisure for optional tours. Bariloche offers different alternatives to navigate Nahuel Huapi Lake and get to know unique sites such as the Arrayanes Forest, unique in the world, Puerto Blest and Frias Lake. [B]

Signature Option: Excursion to Victoria Island and Arrayanes Woods

This tour begins either in Bariloche or at Puerto Panuelo in Llao Llao. sailing on Lake Nahuel Huapi. For 90 minutes to arrive at Puerto Quetrihue, on the lake’s northern side. From there we walk the inner paths of the famous Arrayanes Forest, the only woods in the world declared a Natural Monument. At the end of the walk, we sail again for 1 hour to get to Puerto Anchorena, on Victoria Island, where there will be time for lunch on your own. Later, you may walk through the conifer area and appreciate the many species of trees like sequoias, birches, acacias and pines, among others. In the afternoon, return to Puerto Pañuelo. and your hotel.

 

Day 8: Bariloche, Puerto Varas.

Early in the morning, we depart towards Pañuelo Port to start the Andean Lake Crossing. First, we cruise Nahuel Huapi Lake towards Blest Port. We continue by bus to Alegre Port, and cross Frias Lake on a catamaran. Once at Frias Port we carry out the migration process and then continue by bus to Peulla. At this place, time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, we sail De Todos los Santos Lake to Petrohue, from where we continue by bus to Puerto Varas. [B]

 

Day 9: Puerto Varas

Departure to Frutillar, a town located next to Llanquihue Lake. We begin the tour approaching Llanquihue, a city founded by Germans and located on the shores of the lake of the same name. Continue along the “Route the Settlers”, until we arrive at Frutillar Alto and visit the German Colonial Museum, where it is possible to appreciate vestiges of the German colonization and its buildings. Continue to Puerto Octay, which stands out for its eclectic architecture and historical reflection of the German colonization. Back to the hotel. [B]

Note: The Colonial Museum in Frutillar closes on Mondays.

 

Day 10: Puerto Varas, Puerto Montt, Santiago de Chile

Transfer to Puerto Montt airport to take the flight to Santiago de Chile. Arrival, reception and accommodation. In the afternoon, we visit the city beginning with the main streets of the civic district, the government headquarters called Palacio de la Moneda and the traditional Plaza de Armas, surrounded by buildings of high historical value. We head then to Mt. Santa Lucía, emblematic urban park at the heart of the city. The drive continues through the Forestal Park to end in Bellavista neighborhood, the charming bohemian district of Santiago. At the end of the tour, return to the hotel. [B]

Note: The National Historic in Santiago closes on Mondays. Private service includes a visit to Mt. San Cristobal, instead of Mt. Santa Lucía.

 

Day 11: Santiago de Chile

Day at leisure to explore Santiago de Chile that has natural surroundings, which are ideal for outdoor activities and relax. In addition, the city offers cultural options such as Negra Island, one of Pablo Neruda’s houses, or Valparaíso, declared Humanity Heritage by UNESCO. [B]

Signature Option: Tour Isla Negra with Museum

In the morning leave the hotel for a visit to the seaside resort of Isla Negra, characterized by its dense vegetation and large pines. The island is home to Chilean poet and Literature Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda’s House-Museum. The House has collections of bottles, figureheads, shells and other objects that the poet collected throughout his life. The house‘s architecture, dating from 1939, is outstanding due to the combination of low-cost materials and artistic wealth. After the excursion, return to the hotel.

Signature Option: Excursion Viña del Mar and Valparaíso

Depart from the hotel toward the Pacific Ocean across from the Casablanca Valley, known for its vineyards for a tasting at one of these vineyards. Arriving at the coast, visit the beaches and the city of Vina del Mar, with its beautiful parks and ornamental flowers. Continue toward the picturesque port of Valparaíso, founded in the 16th Century. Thanks to its singular architecture, it was declared a World Patrimony site by UNESCO in 2003. The city is situated among various hills, which lead through alleyways, long stairways and diverse elevators constructed between the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Optional tour of the Pablo Neruda’s Museum, La Sebastiana  is included in tour. Return to Santiago to arrive finally at the hotel.

Note: December 25 and January 1 tours subject to availability. Museums are closed on Monday

Day 12: Santiago de Chile, USA

Free time until departure of your flight. At due time, transfer to the airport. [B]

 

[B] = Breakfast | [B/D] = Breakfast and Dinner