“Argentina Adventure – City, Falls &
Jungle”
May
18-27, 2010
Activity Level: Moderate, fit and flexible
 Here’s a perfect
getaway of excitement balanced with tranquility. Join us to the land of
tango, gauchos, fine wines and the world’s biggest steaks. Argentina
offers immerse diversity from tropical jungles to glacier filled
mountains. This trip features three distinct environments that will
awaken all your senses.
We begin in the soul
of its capital, elegant Buenos Aires which is called “Paris of South
America.” The city has the vitality of Manhattan yet feels distinctly
European. Discover the glamour and passion of the local “porteños” or
spend a day with the gauchos in the pampas.
Fly to the majestic
and breathtaking Iguassu Falls for 3 days of blissful exploration. More
than 275 separate waterfalls plunge over a 2 mile precipice with an
earth shaking roar. They’re higher than Niagara and wider than
Victoria. This is a true world wonder listed in “Places To See Before
You Die”. Our past groups loved this. Enjoy a thrilling day hike right
to the edge of the dramatic Devil’s Throat.
We end our journey in
a wildlife reserve of a protected rainforest shared by Brazil. This
green zone dedicated to conservation is called the “land of butterflies”
with over 500 species. It’s also home to monkeys, alligators, iguanas
and more. Glide in longboats rowed by local Guarani tribesman. Along
the way, resident biologists impart their knowledge of countless
varieties of flora and fauna. There’s no internet or TV here. Awake to
birdsong in the canopy high above you. It’s a perfect tranquil ending
to a vacation well done.
Arthur Frommer rates
Argentina at the top of world destinations to visit. Now is the time to
go with a most favorable exchange rate of their peso to our dollar and
the weather is perfect. This trip has it all. It’s urban. It’s
nature. It’s one hot destination
Discover the Latin
passion and scenic wonders. It’s simply dazzling.
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May 18 |
Depart Miami on Aerolineas Argentina non-stop to
Buenos Aires.
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May 19 |
Early morning arrival to
Buenos Aries, this spirited capital. We are met and
transferred to
Dazzler Tower Hotel in city center with pool, gym, bar and
restaurant. (Although rooms may not be ready for check in,
breakfast is included!) Later our guided city tour reveals the
different neighborhoods and architectural styles. See the parks
and gardens of Palermo, the historical government house, the
Cathedral and Colon Opera House, a source of cultural pride.
Continue down the world’s wildest boulevard of Plaza de Mayo to
San Telmo, the bohemian artist’s quarter where tango was born
and to La Boca, “Little Italy” with its colorful houses on
cobbled streets. Finally see ritzy Recoleta and its famous
cemetery where Eva Peron and other luminaries are buried.
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May 20 |
Day at leisure to explore the city that is a
leader in fashion and art. Visit museums or shop for the
finest leathergoods.
 The
pedestrian only street
Calle Florida is filled with street performers day and
night. See the antique flea market in San Telmo. Tour the
interior of the Oprea House or take a tango lesson. Stroll
Recoleta or bike in the botanical gardens. We built in free
time because there’s so many choices of things to do.
BA is the capital of the nonstop night. Clubs
overflow into the streets. There are 300 theaters. You can
book a dinner show of fiery Tango Show or Las Lilas, the most
famous steakhouse in the world. The riverside Promenade of
Puerto Madro is lined with restaurants. Or explore the restored
warehouses of bars and cafes in the trendy Palermo Hollywood
district.
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May 21 |
Optional tour day or independence to do your own
thing.
Then we are welcomed at Estancia La
Cina-Cina with music, local wine, empanadas, salami and country
baked bread. There is free time before lunch for horseback
riding or carriage rides at the ranch. Enjoy a sizzling
Argentine BBQ along with folk music and dancing. Afterwards
there’s a thrilling show of gauchos displaying their skills.
You’ll be amazed at their riding skills, rope tricks and the
horses’ dexterity. $79
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B.
Boating Tigre Delta. Half day.
Drive through the fashionable riverside suburbs of Olivos,
San Isidro, San Francisco to Tigre with its Italian villas,
yacht clubs, lush gardens and open air cafes – playground of
local portenos. Board a boat for a leisurely cruise along
waterways and islands of the delta. See English cottages,
stone mansions and colorful houses lining the shore. $39
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May 22 |
 Check
out and transfer to airport for our short flight to Iguassu
Falls. We are met and escorted to the
5 star Panoramic Hotel with tennis, pool, jacuzzi, casino
and more. It sits on the triple border of Paraguay, Argentina
and Brazil. The hotel is set high on a hill and provides
excellent views. Enjoy the amenities or hike to explore the
lush surroundings. Here’s one of the world greatest natural
wonders. Iguassu means “Big Water” certainly steals the thunder
of other falls. Locals here say Niagara is just “a trickle in
God’s mind.”
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May 23 |
 Full
day tour of
Iguassu National Park Argentina. (The falls also border
Brazil, but 80% are on the Argentinean side.) 1700 cubic meters
of water plunge over cliffs as high as 200 feet. Plumes of mist
rise from the torrents crashing in the canyons. We walk along a
wonderful network of wooden walkways that take visitors through
the dense jungle and close up experiences of the falls. See
beautiful flowers, ferns and exotic birds along the way. After
a short train trip, we’ll take you up the pathway leading to
Devil’s Gorge. Here is the mighty Devils Throat where the
largest volume of water passes with a roar that can be heard
miles away.
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May 24
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After breakfast, morning at leisure to get your
last photos of the falls. At 2pm we are transported by modern
vans through
Uragua Park and Yerbamate plantations (about 90 miles). On the
way, your guide will lecture about this fragile region. We’ll
transfer to 4x4 jeeps for arrival to Yacutinga Wildlife Nature
Reserve in the “green corridor” of Argentina and Brazil.
Yacutinga Lodge sits on the edge of Iguassu River.
Dedicated to conservation, the eco-lodge was carved from local
wood and sits on just 10 acres of the 1500 acre reserve. It
blends in perfect harmony with the jungle. Check into your
private bungalow. There’s a restaurant, terrace bar, swimming
pool (pictured), vegetable herb garden and wooden treetop
platforms where you can watch parakeets at eye level! All meals
are included. The organic dinners are served by torch lights.
No lights after 11pm.
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May 25 |
Awake to bird song and screeching howler
monkeys. Today is spent boating along the San Francisco stream
for a photo safari of flora and fauna. This is the home to
hummingbirds and my favorite of all, the capybara (water pig).
Resident English speaking biologists share their knowledge of
local animals and the 2000 native plant species. Local Guarani
tribesmen accompany our jungle hikes to show us the medicinal
plants and tree growing orchids.
After lunch buffet, there are informative
lectures and free time to wander the grounds and walkways on
your own if you dare. After dinner is a night safari on a
forest walk filled with sounds of the natural wildlife. This is
an ultimate jungle experience with meaningful education you’ll
never forget.
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May 26 |
Morning free to explore followed by brunch and
transport back to Iguassu airport. Short flight to BA domestic
airport. There we are transferred to BA international airport
for your flight back home.
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May 27 |
Arrive Miami around 7:00am |
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Land Price: $1399
Includes: First class accommodations 7 breakfasts. All meals at
lodge. Tours with registered guides, AFS trip escort, entrance
fees, airport transfers with group air.
Not included: gratuities, $131 airport entry visa, 2 optional tours as stated.
Single supplements are very limited and are waitlist only
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Group Air on LAN: $899 + tax*
includes all 4 flights int’l & internal and airport transfer
LAN AIR
LA 451 MAY
18 MIA-EZE 900P 700A (next day)
LA 4020 MAY 22 AEP-IGR 800A 945A
LA 4029 MAY 26 IGR-AEP 205P 355P
LA 4520 MAY 26 EZE-MIA 1030P 645A (next day)
MIA=Miami, EZE=Buenos Aires, AEP=Iguassu
You may arrange your own air, but phone us for Iguassu portion
* air tax
subject to change until ticketed
Add on air –
The recent travel trend is for travelers to finalize their add
on air closer to departure time as airlines have been changing
air schedules. We suggest waiting 60 days prior to get air from
your hometown.
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