Patagonia to Amazonia Odyssey

Day 1 : Buenos Aires

Early morning arrival and transfer to your hotel. Built in the 19th Century, an era of plenty for the wealthy gaucho land barons of Argentina, it is a city of contrasts offering a blend of old world charm and modern conveniences rivaling the architecture and sophistication of Paris. The fashionable shops, wide avenues, sidewalk cafes and flower vendors in the elegant La Recoleta district are reminiscent of old Europe. After checking in to the hotel we begin our city tour along the 9th of July Avenue, the widest in the world, with stops at the Plaza de Mayo where we view the "Casa Rosada" (Pink House) before continuing on to the chic quarter of Recoleta with sidewalk cafes. Nearby is its famous cemetery, a necropolis of elaborate mausoleums, including that of Eva Peron. We stop for a quick bit at Café Tortoni, founded in 1858 it is the oldest coffee shop in Argentina, offering a taste of old Buenos Aires. Then it’s on to the bohemian section of San Telmo, one of the city’s most picturesque neighborhood and many travelers’ favorite delight. Sundays is market day and a visit to the flea market is a favorite pastime of the Portenos, as the residents of the city are known, and tourists alike.

Day 2 : Buenos Aires

Full day excursions to the suburbs and the Delta of the Parana River. This bus and train excursion travels along the northern residential districts of the city and the suburbs where we board the “Tren de la Costa” (Riverside train) for views of luxurious homes and mansions overlooking the River Plate. Continue to the Tigre district, home to summer residences, yacht clubs and rowing clubs, a weekend getaway for “Porteños”. This evening as a special treat we step into the Buenos Aires night to Esquina Carlos Gardel, with over 100-year history. Here you’ll enjoy superb cuisine amid this exquisitely decorated Art Nouveau style ambience, recreating the sophistication of old Buenos Aires. Enjoy dinner sampling the famous Argentine beef followed by a show where we are mesmerized by sensual national dance… The Tango (B,D)

Day 3 : Buenos Aires / El Calafate

Transfer to the airport for our flight to the Patagonia region of Argentina. Patagonia is characterized by vast, open pampas; the colossal Northern and Southern Ice Fields and hundreds of glaciers; the jagged peaks of the Andes as they reach their terminus. El Calafate is a tourist-oriented village adjacent to the Perito Moreno Glacier that beckons visitors from around the world to view this ancient natural wonder. Upon arrival to Calafate you are transferred to the Los Notros Hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 4 : El Calafate (Upsala Glacier)

We begin this full day adventure making our way to Punta Bandera Port to board the Upsala Explorer for a 2 hour cruise along Lago Argentino. We cruise past icebergs of various shapes and colors to the Onelli glacier and the 100-foot high Upsala glacier. Covering an area of 500 square kilometers, Upsala is the largest glacier in South America. During a brief walk through a charming forest we will observe glaciers melting into the lagoon. Late afternoon return to the hotel for overnight and dinner. (B,D)

Day 5 : Calafate (Perito Moreno Glacier)

After breakfast, we depart towards Glacier National Park to experience another significant relic left by the Ice Age. The boat launch to Perito Moreno glacier will offer panoramic and close-up views of the 180 foot high, 3 mile wide, and 20 mile long glacier. One of the largest active continental glaciers in the world declared by UNESCO to be a Universal Patrimony of Humanity, Perito Moreno is considered by many to be the most beautiful glacier in the world. Upon reaching the glacier we begin a phenomenally scenic and easy glacier trek (2 hours; crampons provided.) Periodically you will hear the thunderous sound of 100 foot stalactites breaking apart from the glacier and plunging into the lake, pushing huge waves toward shore. Enjoy stunning views of mountains, forest, and Lago Argentino.

Day 6 : El Calafate / Buenos Aires

Late morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires and transfer to your hotel. Balance of day free. (B)

Day 7 : Buenos Aires / Estancia Dos Talas

Today we drive 125 miles south-east of Buenos Aires to reach Estancia Dos Talas, first established in 1858 by the Basque Pedro Luro, a 19th century pioneer who owned vast tracts of land across the pampas. The farm has remained in the Elizalde family for 5 generations and the 1,500 hectares are used for the rearing of Shorthorns and Herefords. 40 hectares of parkland laid out by Charles Thays contain 50 tree species, a rose garden and artificial lake. The magnificent library contains more than 3,000 volumes and the family has strong literary links. Breakfast and dinner are served in the dining room of the main house, presided over by portraits of a rather austere looking Pedro Luro and his ample wife. Lunch is usually an “asado” (barbecue) on the lawns in front of the house, shaded by the vast monkey puzzle trees. Guests are looked after superbly by the present owners, Luis and Sara de Elizalde. Sara does not speak much English but makes up for it in charm - Luis (who is an enthusiastic pilot) speaks it very well. (B,L,D)

Day 8 : Estancia Dos Talas

Dos Talas is a working ranch and family home and guests should not arrive expecting a country house hotel. Here you are welcomed as a house guest rather than as a client and the atmosphere of the estancia is very friendly and informal. Highly recommended to those who enjoy country living or are looking for a place to completely unwind. Here you may ride along side the gauchos (cowboys) and participate in the work of the estancia. An old horse-drawn brake is available for tours of the park and there are golf and tennis facilities nearby. If you prefer, you may simply relax in the large pool. (B,L,D)

Day 9 : Estancia Dos Talas - Buenos Aires / Iguassu Falls

Morning transfer to Buenos Aires airport for our flight to Iguassu Falls . Considered one of the world’s natural wonders, Iguassu Falls is bordered by Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Here you will be treated to a sensational sound and light show brought to you courtesy of Mother Nature. A show with no intermissions - 275 separate waterfalls, spanning 2-miles, wider than Victoria, higher than Niagara and more magnificent than both. We visit "Devil's Throat" weather permitting, a point from where waterfalls never cease and later transfer to the Brazilian side of Iguassu for a wondrous panoramic view of these magnificent falls. This evening dinner and show at Rafain Hotel. Overnight at Das Cataratas Hotel. (B,D)

Day 10 : Iguassu Falls

This morning we are picked up at the hotel for the Macuco Safari excursion, a combination of nature and adventure. You are seated in an open trailer towed by jeep as we make our way through the forest viewing the exotic flora and fauna of the exotic remnants of the Atlantic Rainforest. At the end of the drive we walk through an old Indian track ending at the river shore along the Macuco Falls where we board zodiacs and travel upstream of the Iguassu River close to the thundering waters of the Iguassu falls. Return to the Das Cataratas hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 11 : Iguassu Falls / Manaus

Late morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Manaus, gateway to the largest ecological reserve of the planet: the Amazonian Rain Forest. Despite the feel of a frontier town, Manaus was first settled by the Portuguese in the middle of the 17th century and prospered during the rubber boom at the end of the 19th century. Some of the city's finest buildings date back to this time, notably the customs house and the famous Teatro Amazonas Opera House. Nowadays the city commerce depends mostly on it’s free-trade zone status. Time permitting, a short city tour of the Municipal Market to observe daily life of the city; continue past the floating harbor and on to the Palácio Rio Negro and the Opera House. Overnight at the Tropical Manaus hotel (B)

Day 12 : Manaus / Desafio Amazon Cruise

Considered the world's greatest river, the Amazon begins as melted snow high in the Peruvian Andes and makes its way across the heart of South America to Brazil’s Amazon Basin. Adorned by the surrounding magical rain forests, the river has a cast of over 1,500 tributaries, and is responsible for one-fifth of the world's fresh water and one-third of its oxygen. This afternoon we board the M-V Desafio at the pier. A recently renovated cruise yacht, Desafio is over 108 feet long, fully air-conditioned with a sundeck, covered deck and bar, restaurant and salon. Each cabin has private bath, and sound system. The Amazon River is one of Brazil's greatest symbols and one of earth's most endangered natural resource. This afternoon we begin sailing the wondrous rivers and tributaries of this magnificent nature sanctuary for a first-hand view of some of the planet's most sacred assets. Here you will explore one of the most exotic, unexplored regions on our planet. After departure, a briefing with the details of our trip takes place as we navigate along the Negro River towards the “Meeting of the Waters”, a natural phenomenon that takes place at the confluence of the dark waters of the Rio Negro with the muddy waters of the Solimões River. Due to the differences in density, temperature and velocity, the two rivers do not blend fully until several miles downstream creating this natural marvel. Continue navigating towards Lake January to view the huge Victoria Regia water plant. We will take our first canoe hike into the Amazon tributaries. A stop at an indigenous house to see their way of living is a must. After enjoying the beauty and the lavish green of the Amazon Forest from the deck, we will anchor at Praia do Tatú to stay overnight. Dinner is served during navigation. (B,D)

Day 13 : Desafio Amazon Cruise

Early breakfast followed by a trekking tour to observe the local flora, one of the richest worldwide. Returning to our vessel and take some time for a swim. Lunch is served on board while we start navigating to Samauma Island, located in the Anavilhana Archipelago, the largest river archipelago in the world. This afternoon we will take an exploratory tour around the islands and lakes. After dinner we are treated to a night concert courtesy of Mother Nature as we enjoy the sounds of the jungle forest night from our canoes. (B,L,D)

Day 14 : Desafio Amazon Cruise

Early morning we depart the Anavilhanas Archipelago sailing towards Santa Maria, a typical Caboclo village where we will have the opportunity to see the Ribeirinho (indigenous people of the region) way of living. We continue sailing reaching Furo do Meio and lunch is served during navigation. In the afternoon, we will begin our fishing contest as we fish the notorious piranha. Return to the boat for beach swimming. After dinner we board our canoe searching and spotting of alligators by flashlights. Late evening return to the boat. (B,L,D)

Day 15 : Amazon Cruise / Manaus - Rio de Janeiro

Early morning tour to admire the concert of the birds coming out of their night habitats and return to our vessel in time for breakfast. Sail back to Manaus for our boat transfer to the pier and on to the airport for our flight to Rio de Janeiro, the pulsating sun and fun capital of South America. (B)

Day 16 : Rio de Janeiro

Following breakfast, we drive through the fashionable Barra District making our way to the Tijuca Rain Forest and base of Corcovado Mountain . A short train ride takes us 2,400 feet up to the summit, the site of one of South America's most famous landmarks, the 125-foot statue of "Christ the Redeemer." We stop for lunch at a “Churrascaria”, a typical Brazilian barbeque restaurant and later continue our tour of the city's Southern District which includes the world-famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches as we make our ways to Flamingo Park where we board the cable cars to ascend to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain - 1,200 feet of sheer rock overlooking Guanabara Bay for a breathtaking view of the beaches and sunset while toasting with a “Caipirinha”. A traditional Brazilian drink prepared with “cachaça” (made of sugar cane), once Brazil's best-kept secret, now it's the connoisseur's cocktail of choice from New York City to Miami. Overnight at your hotel. (B,L)

Day 17 : Rio de Janeiro

This morning we drive 40 miles outside of Rio to the imperial summer resort of Petropolis, a monument to Pedro II, emperor of Brazil from 1831 until his exile in 1889. This city is an engineering marvel with its concrete bridges that soar over green valleys as the road curves around mountains and the flatlands below. We visit the tombs of Brazil's first Emperor Dom Pedro II, his wife Dona Teresa, and the liberator of the slaves Princess Isabela; also view the Crystal Palace, built in France as a greenhouse to grow orchids as well as the Imperial Museum in Dom Pedro II's former palace. Return to Rio and our hotel. Tonight a feast for the senses as we consummate this marvelous tour with our farewell dinner at one of Rio’s famous restaurants followed by a Brazilian Extravaganza at Plataforma where you will be treated to the contagious rhythms of the Brazilian samba with the percussion instruments unique to Brazil. The show consists of lavishly and colorfully costumed dancers and musicians presenting the richness of the nation's musical and cultural heritage. The grand finale displays some of the dazzling costumes used in the Carnival parade. (B,D)

Day 18 : Depart Rio de Janeiro

Today is free for you to relax and enjoy the environs of this marvelous city. You may go to the beach, shop or simply relax poolside at your hotel. Later evening transfer to the airport for your overnight flight. (B)

Remarks

Special rates apply over Carnival, New Year's, and certain holidays. Please inquire. US Citizens require Brazilian Visa. Other citizens, please inquire.