W & E Best of Patagonia

Wild and Exotic have identified many remote and exclusive estancias and lodges in different regions of Argentina. In all probability you will arrive in Argentina via this most glamorous and cosmopolitan of all South American cities; Buenos Aires, often described as the Paris of South America. We recommend at least a two days and nights based either in the hip Palermo part of the city, or the elegant and refined barrio of Recoleta. From Buenos Aires fly down to Patagonia, land of legendary beauty and inaccessibility that is home to vast estancias and some of the best riding and fishing opportunities in the world.

Begin at Estancia Peuma Hue, located in the Nahuel Huapi National Park in northern Patagonia, within 2 miles of lakeshore and surrounded by pristine forests before heading south to explore El Encuentro, a delightful property located on the banks of the Futaleufu River near Esquel, which is run by the Anglo Argentine Beale family. Move further south still to Calafate, where the Perito Moreno glacier - one of only 3 in the world that is actually advancing each year - awaits in Los Glaciares National Park, as does the extraordinary estancia Cristina at the western end of Lago Argentina.  

Day 1: Under your own arrangements you will check into your flight to Buenos Aires.

Day 2: On arrival into Buenos Aires you will be met and transferred to the Loi Suites hotel in the beautiful district of Recoleta for an overnight stay.

Day 3: This morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Buenos Aires domestic airport (AEP) in time to check in to your flight to Bariloche. On arrival into Bariloche you will be met and transferred to Peuma Hue (meaning Place of Dreams in native Mapuche language), which is located within the Nahuel National Park in northern Patagonia, with 2 miles of private shoreline, pristine forests and waterfalls. A great place for riding, white water rafting, trekking, boating, kayaking, and exploring the beautiful landscape of the Patagonian Lake District. Animals roam freely around the houses and welcome human contact. www.peuma-hue.com (D)

Day 4: At leisure at Peuma Hue (FB).

Day 5: Today you will be transferred by road via El Bolson to have lunch en route for a 3 night stay at El Encuentro, a fishing lodge on the Fataleufu River situated in the foothills of the Andes and with stunning views across the river to the mountains beyond. El Encuentro is run by a charming Anglo Argentine family and is a great base for fishing, rafting, riding and exploring Los Alerces National Park. (B,D)

Day 6: Today you could spend the day rafting on the River Corcovado (FB).

Day 7: Today will be spent fishing. The fishing here for wild brown and rainbow trout and the occasional land locked salmon is amongst the best of its kind in the world, and can be done from a boat of the bank. Lunch can either be taken back at the lodge (followed by a siesta if wished) or alternatively will be prepared by your guide on the banks of the river (FB)

Day 8: Today you will spend the day exploring Los Alerces National Park, which is home to giant redwood trees (FB).

Day 9: Today you will be transferred to Bariloche airport in time to check in to your flight to El Calafate. On arrival in El Calafate you will be met and transferred to Eolo for a 2 night stay www.eolo.com (D).

Day 10: Today you will be collected from your hotel at 08:30hrs and transferred towards the National Park’ entrance and Ventisquero Perito Moreno (westwards, 80km, 1 hr easy drive, paved route, no loo on route). It is a slow drive along a panoramic zigzag gravel road for 15 km to visit the main vista point, boarding Lago Roca lake shores. Upon arrival there is approx 2hrs to explore the “pasarelas” or vantage point in front of the glacier.

You will also go on a minitrekking excursion, which begins in the embarking pier located in “Bajo de las Sombras” bay approx 6 km before the glacier balconies. You will take a boat across the Rico Arm, enjoying the views of the front of the glacier. You disembark on the opposite shore, where specialized mountain guides welcome you and lead you to a small shelter. Once on the ice the guides put a pair of crampons on each participant, and explain how to use them. The two hours circuit that follows explores the glacial landscape including streams, small lagoons, gullies and ice formations. The ice surface over which you walk is irregular, but firm and safe. You will receive explanations about flora, fauna and general glaciology of the region. After the walk, a stroll through the forest brings you back to the shelter. This excursion continues with a visit to the main vista point for an awesome panoramic view of the continental ice shelf. You will return to Calafate at approximately 19:00 hrs for an overnight stay at Eolo (B, BL, D)

Day 11: After an early breakfast you will be collected for a 30 minutes drive to Puerto Banderas. On arrival you will board a modern and comfortable ship. You will depart the port to sail among icebergs on the Argentino lake and watch the breathtaking views of the occidental front of the Glaciar Upsala. On arrival at the port of Estancia Cristina at 11:30 hours you will be transferred to Estancia Cristina. You will have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure enjoying the facilities and activities at Estancia Cristina such as:
Visit the Museum and the chapel
Short trekking up to the Caterina river.
Hiking to “Canadon de los Fosiles”, the area where thousands of fossils can be seen stuck in -and showing up from-the rocks, as a result of the action of the glaciers. This valley offers features which are unique in the park with views of Lago Guillermo, the breathtaking oriental front of Glaciar Upsala, the Patagonian Ice Fields, Cerro Murallón and Cerro Don Bosco. www.estanciacristina.com (FB)

Day 12: Today can be spent at your leisure and we recommend riding to Mirador Upsala. Riding through the Caterina river valley, up the West side of Meson mountain to Los Perros point with views of the surrounding mounts, the Patagonian Ice Fields and Glaciar Upsala. In the afternoon you will return back to Puerto Banderas at approximately 19:00hrs and you will be transferred to Kau Yatun for an overnight stay. www.kauyatun.com  (B, L)

Day 13: Today you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight back to Buenos Aires. On arrival into Buenos Aires you will be met and transferred to the Magnolia hotel in Palermo. Overnight at the Magnolia hotel in Palermo www.magnoliahotel.com.ar/ (B)

Day 14: Today you will be transferred on the half day city tour of Buenos Aires. The most important sights of Buenos Aires arise from the centre piece of this half-day tour. Our air conditioned car and guide will take you through the narrow streets of the old city and the broad avenues that mark Buenos Aires modern growth. Around the Plaza de Mayo (“Mayo Square”), you will see the Casa Rosada, the rose-coloured presidential residence, the Cathedral and the Cabildo (Town Hall). On South America’s broadest avenue, Avenida 9 de Julio, you will see Colon Theater and the Obelisco. A highlight is a visit to the “Recoleta” district, one of the most fashionable parts of the city, which includes South America’s most opulent and extraordinary cemetery, the resting place of Eva Peron. La Boca district is also included in this tour, which lasts approximately 3 hours. Afterwards you will have lunch at Cabana Las Lilas before being transferred back to the Magnolia hotel (B).

Day 15: Today you will be collected from the Magnolia hotel and transferred to the international airport in time to check in to your flight home. End of Wild and Exotic services.

Notes:

The price of this itinerary is inclusive of all activities described, together with meals as shown on the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch BL = Box Lunch and D = Dinner).

Extra activities in Buenos Aires (tango shows, city tours etc) can be arranged for an additional charge.

The price does not include international or domestic airfares, lunch at El Bolson, items of a personal nature, gratuities, etc.

As ATOL license holders (#6445) we can book seats on most major airlines at competitive prices. We are able to make the booking (and fix the best price, less taxes and fuel charges) up to a year in advance with payment not normally due until 8 weeks before departure - this means that we can release your seats at anytime up until payment is due without penalty.