Amazon Adventures

Argentina

Best of Patagonia / Hiking the Patagonia Classics / More Patagonia Treks / Discovery Tours
Buenos Aires / More Patagonia / Iguazu Falls / Lake District / Salta / Mendoza / Ibera / Valdes Peninsula
Antarctic Cruises / Expedition Cruises / Best of Northwest / Mountain Bike Tours / Winter Trips

Best of Northwest Argentina

DAY 01 (SA): BUENOS AIRES. Arrival in Buenos Aires. Meeting at the International airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Rest of the day at leisure.
We suggest to include our exclusive FOUR BALCONIES VISIT OF BUENOS AIRES.

DAY 02 (SU): BUENOS AIRES - SALTA. Transfer from the hotel to the domestic airport to fly to Salta. Arrival in Salta, meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy this wonderful colonial city gateway to the High Andean region. B.

Founded in 1582 as a stopover on the commercial route from Lima to Buenos Aires. It is -no doubt- the most interesting of the NW capitals. Its life takes place around the central square or Plaza where local people gather for a "cafecito" (little coffee) before or after the siesta". Lots of very interesting colonial buildings can be visited such as the very rich Cathedral, the Jesuit churches, the Crafts Market and the Cerro San Bernardo (a good option for a short hike). B.

DAY 03 (MO): SALTA - CALCHAQUI VALLEYS - QUILMES. Starting from Salta, we will travel up the "Cuesta del Obispo", famous for its winding and scenic road, "Los Cardones National Park", the visit to the ancient village of Cachi and finally follow the road through the "Valles Calchaquíes". We resume our trip to reach Quilmes, site of the spectacular fortifications and town built by the Indians of the same name. Overnight at PARADOR RUINAS de QUILMES hotel. B.

DAY 04 (TU): QUILMES - SALTA. Morning exploration of the ruins on foot and then resume our trip to taste a delicious and unique Cafayate wine at a winery before returning to Salta through the scenic "Quebrada del Río las Conchas" with its impressive geological formations. Accommodation in a hotel in Salta. B.

DAY 05 (WE): SALTA - ROAD TO THE CLOUDS- HUMAHUACA. Early morning departure in the MOVITRACK, to reach the clouds. This is the direction followed by the Train to the Clouds, one of the highest in the world. We will cross its tracks about fifteen times. Through the spectacular Toro canyon we will reach the archaeological site of Santa Rosa de Tastil, one of the oldest pre-Columbian ruins in the country. This route is one of the most spectacular entrances to the Puna Highlands. The drive will take us to San Antonio de los Cobres and we will visit the viaduct "La Polvorilla" (69 m high and 269 m long), a wonderful engineering work. Then the drive continues to SALINAS GRANDES (Great Salt Beds) to observe the rudimentary exploitation of the salt. Drive down to Purmamarca and then on to Tilcara. Accommodation. B.

DAY 06 (TH):HUMAHUACA - SALTA. Full day visit of the colorful Humahuaca canyon which combines a visit to some remains of indigenous cultures (like the PucaPucara de Tilcara, a stone fortification on a mountaintop) with the later Spanish colonial architecture present in 16th Century churches and other buildings. The multi-hued canyon walls serve as a backdrop for the lively manifestation of indigenous culture: the music, the street fairs and native markets and the gastronomy of the local people. The visit will include the village of Humahuaca, the city of San Salvador de Jujuy and back to Salta. Accommodation.

DAY 07 (FR): SALTA. At leisure. Ideal for a visit of the beautiful city of Salta in a private car or to enjoy a very easy and panoramic bike tour of Salta or spend the day at the magnificent Estancia El Manantial. B.

DAY 08 (SA). SALTA - CORDOBA. Transfer to the airport to fly to Cordoba, in the central hills. Arrival, meeting at the airport and transfer to estancias: DOS LUNAS or LA PAZ. (see notes below, both estancias are great properties with superb service, lots of activities and close to the JESUIT ESTANCIAS, recently declared WORLD HERITAGE SITE by UNESCO).
Accommodation. B- Tea- D.

The myriad of hills in Central Cordoba hides both wildlife and cultural jewels. Among the latter are the wonderfully preserved footsteps left by the Jesuits in the area after two centuries of active presence. With the local Indians labor force in the 17th & 18th centuries they erected in this continent the same type of buildings as were then constructed in Europe. The hilly terrain was used to build small dams used to save water for the dry season. It was also here that they produced the first wine of the New World, which was later offered to the Spanish king.

DAY 09 (SU). CORDOBA. At the estancia to enjoy the area, the activities, horseback rides, etc. B -L-T-D

DAY 10: (MO). CORDOBA - BUENOS AIRES - IGUAZU. Transfer back to the airport to fly to Buenos Aires and connect with a flight to Iguazu. Arrival, meeting at the airport and transfer to the SHERATON INTERNACIONAL IGUAZU. Accommodation in a room overlooking the falls. Afternoon visit of the Argentine side of the falls, exploring the upper and lower paths, which run along the cliffs lining the falls (Argentine side). Iguazu Falls are not just one cascade but also a series of many beautiful cataracts stretching for several miles along the river. These trails provide access to the forest and the falls, a wonderful place to view tropical birds, flowers and butterflies. Boat trip to the Devil's Throat, the most impressive fall. B.

DAY 11 (TU). PUERTO IGUAZU. Day at leisure to enjoy further visits to the Iguazu Falls, join a very interesting Safari into the jungle. The Yacaratia Trail is an old trail (the old road to the airport), which is now closed to public and opened only for our passengers. This trail cuts deep into the Misiones Jungle. The 2, 30 hour photo safari will allow visitors to discover the amazing diversity of birds that inhabit the area.

DAY 12 (WE). IGUAZU - POSADAS. Full day expedition to Posadas, visiting on the way the famous Jesuit Ruins of San Ignacio Mini. The visit will be in seat in basis. Transfer to Estancia Santa Ines, 20 km from Posadas and a huge working ranch dedicated to cattle breeding and yerba mate plantation. Accommodation at Santa Ines ranchhouse. B- D.

This beautiful region still inhabited by the Guarani Indians and their descendants today, was extensively colonized by the Jesuits for two centuries. Jesuits were expelled by Spain at the end of the 18th Century when it became evident that they were too powerful in the region, practically building a parallel empire, and were thought to be a potential threat to the Spanish crown. It is fascinating to visit the ruins of their churches, towns and ranches, remembering the epic days as depicted in the movie "The Mission".

DAY 13 (TH). POSADAS. Full day in the estancia to enjoy the comfortable house, horse rides and hike in the lush exuberant forest. B - L- T- D.

DAY 14 (FR). POSADAS - BUENOS AIRES. Morning in the estancia. Lunch. Afternoon transfer to the airport to fly to Buenos Aires. Arrival transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

DAY 15 (SA). BUENOS AIRES. Transfer to the International airport.

Departures: SATURDAYS (suggested from March-November) with minimum of 2 people.

Price: US$ 2654 per person double

IMPORTANT NOTES:
Rates include:
* Round trip transfers in every destination -
* Private services in Buenos Aires and Iguazu (except visit to Jesuit Ruins)
* Services in seat in basis - to be shared with other pax- in Salta, Iguazu to Posadas
* Services to be shared with other guests at the estancias in Posadas and Cordoba.
* Assistance of an expert guides (naturalist guide in Iguazu)
* Meals as described on the itinerary
* Accommodation in first class hotels (combination of 4* and superior 3* star hotels) with private facilities and breakfast. Full board in estancias Dos Lunas and Santa Ines.
* Entrance fees to parks and reserves.

Rates do not include:
* Airline / bus tickets, apt taxes.
* Gratuities, optional tips for guides and crew.
* Extras and personal expenses.
* Meals except the ones mentioned on the itinerary.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
* Participants with altitude problems must notify, since activities in the Northwest (days 5 & 6) are to be performed in high altitude (around 12000ft).
* Participants must be prepared to travelling long distances by car