Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and El Calafate
11 Days/9 Nights
From $2,159 per person
(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)
Daily Departures Throughout the Year
Overview
Venture to the heart of Argentina’s wine region and Patagonia on this amazing tour. Starting in Buenos Aires, you will enjoy a panoramic city tour and Tango Dinner Show. Then, head west to Mendoza to learn about the history and production of wine, and to visit Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Americas. From there, head south to El Calafate, on the shore of Lago Argentino, to observe and hear the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world’s only advancing glaciers.
Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 9 nights (3 nights in Buenos Aires, 3 nights in Mendoza, and 3 nights in El Calafate), and 11 meals (9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 1 dinner).
Best Time to Go: October-March.
Destinations: South America, Argentina, and Patagonia.
Interests: Adventure, Culture & History, and Wine Tasting.
Places Visited: Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and El Calafate & Los Glaciares National Park.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Buenos Aires.
Depart to Buenos Aires via overnight flight.
Day 2: Buenos Aires-Tango Dinner Show.
After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our inbound services representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel.
In the evening, you will enjoy typical Argentine dinner and wine, and a Tango show with a re-creation of the original style and melancholic rhythms of the 1940’s. The impressive lyrics will be interpreted by some of the best singers in the city. You will also hear some folk music from the Altiplano region of the country. Overnight in Buenos Aires. (D)
Note: Check in time in Buenos Aires is typically 2:00pm. We can request early check-in for you but cannot guarantee it.
Day 3: Buenos Aires-City Tour.
In the afternoon, you will have a panoramic city tour of Buenos Aires. This tour will cover the most important sights in the city. You will visit the impressive National Congress (the Parliament), the Civic Centre, Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, the headquarters of the executive branch of the government, and the town Hall. You will also see one of the best Opera Houses in the world. The tour will continue with a visit to the neighborhood of San Telmo, and you will learn about its history. On Sundays, you will be able to enjoy a flea market. You will go next to La Boca, known for its colorful architecture and for being the first port in Buenos Aires. This neighborhood was originally settled by Italian immigrants. You will also visit the Palermo and Recoleta areas of the city and modern neighborhoods such as Puerto Madero, with big mansions and great parks. Overnight in Buenos Aires. (B)
Day 4: Buenos Aires.
Today you will have a free day to explore the city. Overnight in Buenos Aires. (B)
Day 5: Buenos Aires-Mendoza.
Transfer the airport for your flight to Mendoza, the main wine producing region of Argentina. The city is renowned worldwide for the quality of its wines. Warm days and cool nights combined with irrigation from fresh water piped in from the Andes, has contributed to a high quality product. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Mendoza. (B)
Day 6: Mendoza-City Tour-Wineries Tour.
In the morning, you will have a city tour of Mendoza that covers the main historical areas of the city including Museo Fundacional, Plaza Independencia, and Cerro de la Gloria in Plaza San Martin.
After the city tour, you will have a guided tour of two nearby wineries (in Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu) to learn about the wine making process. Tour and tasting. Overnight in Mendoza. (B)
Day 7: Mendoza-High Mountain Tour.
Today you will have a full day tour of the nearby Andes Mountains, enjoying breathtaking scenery on the way to Aconcagua Provincial Park. Traveling along the route that follows the Mendoza River, you will drive through several small towns, including Potrerillos and Uspallata, and pass by Puente del Inca (“Inca Bridge”), a natural arch that forms a bridge over the Vacas River. Upon arrival at the park, a short walk to Laguna Los Horcones takes you to a viewpoint of Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas (22,841 ft.). Following the tour, you will be returned to your hotel. Overnight in Mendoza. (B)
Day 8: Mendoza-El Calafate.
Transfer the airport for your flight to El Calafate. El Calafate is named for the local blue berry that when eaten, guarantees your return to Patagonia. Located on the southern shore of Lago Argentino, it is the main hub for visitors to the southern part of Los Glaciers National Park. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in El Calafate. (B)
Day 9: El Calafate-Perito Moreno Glacier.
Today, you will have a full day excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier, the highlight of any visit to southern Patagonia. The glacier is 19 miles long, three miles wide, and 200 feet high, and is one of the only advancing glaciers in the world. You can observe, hear, and take photos of the glacier from steel catwalks on Peninsula de Magallanes. The sound of huge icebergs calving into the Canal de los Tempanos (Iceberg Channel) is a truly unique experience. Overnight in El Calafate. (B)
Day 10: El Calafate-Boat Tour of Lago Argentino.
Today you will have a full day boat tour of Lago Argentino, Argentina’s largest lake. Departing from the southern shore of the lake, the boat heads northwest through Boca del Diablo, the narrowest passage point of the lake, to Brazo Norte (the northern arm of the lake) to reach the barrier of ice flows in Upsala Canal. From there, passengers can appreciate the breathtaking views of the immense Upsala Glacier in the distance. The boat then heads south along the Spegazzini Canal towards the glacier of the same name. Gourmet lunch is served on board.
After lunch, the boat continues on to Puesto de Las Vacas, a quiet bay in the Spegazzini Canal, for a landing and guided hike to enjoy the panoramic views of the glacier. After re-boarding, the boat returns along the Brazo Norte to the dock for disembarkation. Overnight in El Calafate. (B,L)
Day 11: El Calafate.
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to your final destination. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
What's Included
Price Includes
- South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
- Airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling.
- Hotel accommodations including taxes and service charges.
- Excursions as indicated on the itinerary including all applicable entrance fees.
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary.
- Local, English-speaking tour guides.
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare.
- Domestic airfare.
- Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
- Gratuities, gifts, and personal items.
- Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance and to make these arrangements for you.
Accommodations
Buenos Aires
Mendoza
El Calafate
Additional Details
Group Private: All airport/hotel transfers are private. In Buenos Aires, the Panoramic City Tour and Tango Dinner Show (transfers) are group tours for single passengers and 3 Star accommodations, and private for 4 Star, 5 Star, and Deluxe accommodations. In Mendoza, the city tour is a group tour for single passengers and 3 Star accommodations, and private for 4 Star, 5 Star, and Deluxe accommodations. The winery tour and high mountain tour are group tours. And, in El Calafate, the excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier and boat tour of Lago Argentino are group tours.
Elevations: Mendoza is 2,306 ft. above sea level and Horcones Lagoon is 9,678 ft.
Passport/Visa: U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a valid passport (for the duration of your visit) and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Australian and Canadian citizens are required to pay a reciprocity fee of $100 and $75 respectively (subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations or other reasons) online, and must show proof of payment prior to arrival. The reciprocity fee for U.S. citizens has been suspended until further notice. For citizens of Australia, this fee covers unlimited entries to Argentina for 10 years, while citizens of Canada are charged the fee every time they enter the country (or $150 for multiple visits within five years). The fee can be paid online at ProvinciaNet.com.ar. You will need to register in order to make the payment. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the embassy of Argentina in their country before traveling.
Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Global Assistance’s Classic Comprehensive and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.
To Book This Trip: We require a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person plus the cost of the international airfare (if we make the arrangements for you). The balance of the trip cost is due 60 days prior to departure.
