Northeast & Northwest Argentina - 12 days / 11 nights
DAY 01 - Arrival and reception at
the airport; transfer to the domestic airport to board scheduled flight
to Iguazú. Arrival and reception at the airport; transfer
to the hotel. In the afternoon, we suggest you to take the optional tour
to visit the Brazilian side of the falls. The walk on the footbridge's
path is breathtaking for the Panoramic view of the San Martin island and
the most impressing waterfalls on the other side of the border: the Bozzetti,
San Martín and Tres Mosqueteros. From the viewpoint you can enjoy
a superb view of the Devil's Throat located at only 150 m of distance
and which is enhanced by the formation of permanent rainbows. The walk
ends next to the Floriano fall where you find access to the panoramic
lift that you may optionally take. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.
DAY 02 - Breakfast. Departure on an
excursion to visit the Argentine side of the falls, located within the
National Park, one of the first protected sites in America. The falls
have been declaredWorld Heritage site by UNESCO. From the visitor's center
within the Cataratas area you will take an open train to travel 15 minutes
to the Cataratas station. From that point you will enjoy a walk on the
paths and lookouts of the upper and lower footbridges, admiring really
closely the imposing 275 waterfalls, which precipitate to the river from
70 meters (230 feet) height and also the amazing variety of ferns, orchids,
begonias, birds and butterflies. Then you will take the train up to Garganta
station, from there you will descend walking
1,200 meters (¾ mile) to the Devil's Throat balcony, to share one
of the greatest shows on Earth. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.
DAY 03 - Breakfast. Transfer to the
airport to board the scheduled flight to Salta. Arrival and reception
at the airport; transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation
DAY 04 - Breakfast. Early departure
towards San Antonio de los Cobres. The route, running parallel
to the Train to the Clouds rails renders possible to observe its viaducts,
switch-backs and loops of this impressive engineering masterpiece that
runs in the depth of Quebrada del Toro (Bull's river Gorge), a place of
shining blue sky. Multicolored hills covered by cactuses and bushes and
pure Andean air. Passing by San San Antonio de los Cobres, you will continue
to La Polvorrilla Viaduct. Continuing northwards pass by Salinas
Grandes (Great salt pits), and then down the spiral-like route of Cuesta
de Lipan through the Purmamarca Valley until the historical village of
the same name, where the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Seven
Colours mount) provides a most attractive backdrop. Purmamarca, a picturesque
town framed by the striking colours of the mountains. It is interesting
to visit its adobe parish church, its main square where several local
vendors gather there offering their wood carvings, hand-woven carpets
and tapestries and a wide assortment of medicinal and aromatic herbs for
every possible ailment. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.
DAY 05 - Breakfast. Full Day visit
to the Humahuaca Gorge. The Humahuaca Gorge is a deep fissure in
the Altiplano (High Plateau), produced by the eroding action of the Grande
river. Visit to the Pucará de Tilcara, old pre-Colombian aborigine
stronghold partially rebuilt. The climb continues
passing by the typical old towns of la Quebrada, as locals
call to the gorge: Huacalera, Uquia, to finally reach Humahuaca, unique
for its pure colonial style with its adobe houses, narrow cobblestones
streets and colonial style street lamps. It is interesting to visit its
main square and the church and also the city fair. Return to the hotel.
Accommodation.
DAY 06 - Breakfast. Transfer from
Purmamarca to Salta, sightseeing en route the city to San Salvador
de Jujuy, capital city of the province.We will take the mountain road,
amazing because of its abundant subtropical vegetation, known as yunga,
which is characteristic of the area, and
surprisingly contrasting with the dryness of the scenery of the surrounding
areas. The interesting sites along the way are: the Abra of Santa
Laura, La Cienaga dam, Las Maderas and Campo
Alegre, and returning to Salta by Vaqueros. Arrival
in Salta; transfer to the
hotel. Accommodation.
DAY 07 - Breakfast. Morning visit
to MAAM Museum (Archaeological Museum of High Mountain) which is a real
must in the city for its great
archaeological asset, particularly the mummies found in the height of
Llullaillaco Volcano, in the Andean Cordillera. In the afternoon, enjoy
a
visit to the beautiful city of Salta. Salta is, beyond any doubt, the
Argentine city which has best preserved its colonial heritage, with its
one-story houses and its typical balconies with richly ornate colonial-style
bars. The visit will make it possible to have a look at the most precious
gems dating back to colonial times, such as: the Church and the Monastery
of San Francisco, the 'Cabildo and Historic Museum of the Northwest',
the San Bernardo Monastery, the Italian-style building of the Main Church,
which hosts the mortal remains of the hero of the Independence Wars, General
Martín Miguel de Güemes. The tours goes on towards the city
outskirts, up to San Bernardo Hill, where stands the Monument to General
Martín Miguel de Güemes, for a great view of the city and
the Lerma Valley. The visit ends at the Handicraft Market. Return to the
hotel. Accommodation
DAY 08 - Breakfast. Early departure
from your hotel toward the enchanting village of Cachi.We will
pass by some small villages next to Salta and
then up the Escoipe River Gorge to enjoy the imposing scenery of Cuesta
del Obispo (Bishop´s Slope) up to 'Piedra del Molino', the highest
point in the road at about 3,600 meters above sea level. From there the
so-called Recta de Tin Tin, a strait road which was part of the Inca trail.
It goes westbound along the bleak landscape of 'Los Cardones National
Park'. After passing by Payogasta, an old aborigine settlement the road
reaches Cachi, situated at the Nevado de Cachi foothill. Cachi enjoys
the colorful clear atmosphere of this pre-Columbian village with its old
houses, its radiant sun, good wines and attractive hills, where the air
is so pure that locals are said to live to a very old age. Return to the
hotel. Accommodation.
DAY 09 - Breakfast. Departure towards Cafayate, driving
along mountainous roads passing by the tiny towns of Seclantas (short
left detour) and
Molinos. This was a pre-hispanic town which later on was dominated by
a Feudal Lord. Till the end of the XIX century it was hub to an important
commercial route between Salta and Chile. It is interesting to visit the
old San Pedro de Nolasco Parish Church and also opposite to it the old
household of the Feudal Lord with the balcony from which the landlord
had the mass officiated for him. Continuing along Route 40, you will pass
by some tiny towns and the amazing landscape of the Quebrada de las Flechas
(Arrows' Ravine). You will finally arrive in Cafayate, already well known
for its wine production. Visit to a winery with winetasting. Return to
the hotel. Accommodation.
DAY 10 - Breakfast. Early departure
for visit to Quilmes Ruins. In this place, at a height of 1,978
meters, a developed aborigine civilization lived until the XVII century,
resisting the invasion of Spanish conquerors for 130 years. Though by
1666 they were forced to emigrate to a place near Buenos
Aires. In the place we find the remains of their city, a real example
of urban and defensive planning, which had been carefully restored to
show the architectonic perfection of the settlement. After visiting the
ruins, return to Salta, sightseeing the beautiful landscape of the Quebrada
del Rio las Conchas (Las Conchas River Gorge). The reddish rock formations
turn the scenery into a magic landscape, particularly at sunset. Arrival
in Salta. Transfer to the airport to board the scheduled flight to Buenos
Aires. Arrival and reception at the airport; transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
DAY 11 - Breakfast. Morning sightseeing
tour of Buenos Aires. You will sightsee the Plaza de Mayo main
square and its surrounging buildings, 9 de Julio Avenue, the old quarter
of San Telmo which used to be the most well-off district in the city,
now becoming again one of the trendiest areas,
and the Italian district of La Boca with its colorful Caminito,
an alley skirted by the typical colored tin facades of the old conventillos,
basic and modest houses where, back in the beginning of the XX century,
many families would live together in just a few rooms. On the way to Palermo,
one of Buenos Aires traditional areas, you will go by the most important
places such as the Zoo, the Botanical gardens, Palermo's park, the Polo
field, the
Planetarium and the oldest residential neighbourhood known as Palermo
Viejo, to finally end in the sophisticated district of Recoleta, where
you will visit Evita's grave. In the evening, dinner and Tango Show at
El Querandi. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.
DAY 12 - Breakfast. Transfer to the
airport to board the scheduled flight.
Departure dates: (Day 1 in Buenos Aires)
- 2010 October 2, November 6, December 4 2011 January 8,
February 5, March 3
2010-2011 Price per person in US$:
Hotel
Single
Double
Dates
Deluxe
$3472
$2209
Oct 1-Dec 20 2010
$3298
$2162
Jan 3 - Feb 28 2011
$3611
$2284
March 1-31 2011
First Superior
$2732
$1871
Oct 1 - Feb 28 2011
$2747
$1886
March 1-31 2011
Tourist Superior
$2243
$1622
Oct 1 - Feb 28 2011
$2256
$1636
March 1-31 2011
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