Well Connected Travel

Day 1 (D) Sydney, Buenos Aires

(all meals on aircraft prior to arrival in Buenos Aires)

Check-in at Sydney airport. Arrive Santiago in transit for transfer to LAN Airlines Depart for Buenos Aires. Arrive Buenos Ares Ezeiza international Airport.

Transfer to Hotel Dolmen for check-in.

Buenos Aires is a huge city. The immediate city area of Buenos Aires has 2.7 million inhabitants and the greater urban area houses another 8.7 million people. The Charrua Indians resided in the area until the arrival of the first Spaniard, Juan de Solis in 1516. It was not until 1580, when Juan de Garay led the second and final foundation of the city that Buenos Aires began to grow. Each of the 47 districts that make up Buenos Aires is quite distinctive.

Dinner at Las Nazarenas restaurant (included in the tour price).

Day 2 (B, D) Buenos Aires

0900 hrs Breakfast at the hotel

1030 hrs – 1430 hrs. We visit the world famous San Telmo Markets (at Plaza Dorrego). Souvenirs, antiques, paintings, bric-a-brac, and artisan goods are all available. You will see professional and amateur Tango dancers, buskers and human statues. This is a mecca for locals and tourists and happens every Sunday throughout the year and has an absolutely vibrant atmosphere.

Remainder of the afternoon time for leisure / rest / and shopping opportunities in the nearby pedestrian streets of Florida, Lavalle and Plaza San Martin.

Although it is Sunday many shops will be open.

Dinner at Los Remolinos (included in tour price).

Day 3 (B, D) Buenos Aires

0800 hrs Breakfast at the hotel

0900 hrs – 1200 hrs After breakfast at the hotel, our coach departs with a bi-lingual guide for a sightseeing tour of Buenos Aires. This tour will include all the major focal points of the city and will take around three hours and include the Plaza de Mayo, La Casa Rosada (The Pink House), El Cabildo, La Catedral ,San Telmo, Avenida Nueve de Julio (lookout for the house atop the tower block), Teatro Colon, Plaza San Martin, Parque Palermo, La Boca, and Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Peron is interred. Lunch at your own expense.

Afternoon at leisure with time to revisit places of the tour or for shopping

2000 hrs. Coach transport to dinner and tango show at “Señor Tango.” This is an outstanding and authentic tango performance in the heart of San Telmo where the spirit of tango originated. (Included in tour price).

Day 4 (B, L) Buenos Aires and hinterland ranch excursion.

0900 hrs Breakfast at the hotel

1000 hrs Depart for full day excursion. Well, you are not likely to see any gauchos riding the streets of cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, so we board our coach for a look at how the Argentine countryside lives up to its tradition of gauchos (cowboys) and asados (barbeques). Our destination is 70 km outside of Buenos Aires … Estancia Santa Susana, which is an Argentine ranch.

Lunch included in tour price.

Dinner back in Buenos Aires at your own expense.

Day 5 (B) Buenos Aires / Pto Iguazú

0730 hrs Breakfast at the hotel.

Depart for Aeroparque (Jorge Newberry) Domestic Airport

Depart Buenos Aires on Aerolineas Argentinas

1230 hrs. Arrive Iguazú and transfer from airport for check-in at to the Sheraton International Hotel, which is situated inside stunning Iguazú National Park

Las Cataratas del Iguazú are located in tropical splendour in the border area of northeast Argentina with Brazil and Paraguay. They are considered the widest chain of falls in the world and extend well over 7 kilometres, claiming 275 cataracts. After refreshment (at own expense) we depart on foot for the gas powered train which will take us to the walkway out to the stunning and awesome, Garganta del Diablo (The Devil’s Throat). This is the jewel in the Iguazú Falls complex. It is beyond words to describe its powerful and overwhelming beauty. Be prepared for the spray and mist from the falls which will likely leave you damp. Dinner at own expense.

Overnight at the Sheraton International Hotel.

Day 6 (B) Iguazú / Foz do Iguaçu / Return to Sheraton International Iguazu.

0830 hrs Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we spend most of the day in Brazil.

Iguazú Falls are at the junction of three countries – Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.

You will be able to view the falls from a different perspective and purchase local souvenirs. Lunch at own expense

Depending on flight availability you will have the opportunity to do ten minute helicopter flight over the Iguazu Falls which is absolutely awesome. This is at your own expense (cost USD100 approx).

Return to the Argentine side of the falls late in the day. Dinner at own expense. Overnight at the Sheraton International Hotel.

Day 7 (B) Iguazu

Complete day at leisure to relax, enjoy the resort, walk and enjoy the breathtaking falls scenery. Perhaps a jet boat excursion under the falls or to listen to the soothing sounds of Paraguayan harp music.

Lunch & Dinner at own expense. Overnight at the Sheraton International Hotel.

Day 8 (B, snack on aircraft, D) Iguazú / Buenos Aires (AEP) / El Califate

0800 hrs Breakfast at the hotel.

0900 hrs check out and departure for airport via Iguazu National Park Museum.

Depart Iguazú travel by air arrive El Calafate and transfer to Xelena Hotel for check-in.

Dinner at a local restaurant (included in tour price).

Day 9 (B,Lunchbox,D) El Calafate

0800hrs After breakfast at your hotel, we undertake one of the tour’s most interesting and exciting excursions. Get really well rugged up - warm clothes, gloves, head covering even ski-wear if you have it!!!

Today is a full day excursion.

0900 hrs We depart by coach from El Calafate along the south shore of Lago Argentino, past the sheep ranch Estancia Alice and the 1800 metre high Cerro Frias, then join the road that travels alongside the waters of Brazo Rico (with many small floating icebergs), until we reach the end of the road at Ventisquero Moreno on Peninsula Magallenes. We are then right opposite the world famous Puerto Moreno Glacier. Due to the unique climatic conditions in this valley, the glacier is the only one in the world that is increasing in size. The sheer size and splendour makes this a day to remember. We have an “add-on” (requiring extra payment) to this excursion where you can ice trek on the glacier with a guide and you will be suitably attired with crampons. The conclusion to this “walk” is a unique but lovely surprise! This add-on, of course, is subject to the weather on the day in question and the local tour operators assessment as to whether you are fit do this excursion. Picnic lunch enroute (included in the tour price)

Dinner at a local restaurant (included in tour price).

Day 10 (B,D) El Califate / Bariloche

0900 hrs Breakfast at your hotel.

Late check-out.

At leisure during the morning – so you can look around this interesting frontier town.

Many souvenirs and unique Patagonian products are available.

Lunch at you own expense.

Check-out and departure for airport. Depart El Califate

Arrive San Carlos de Bariloche and transferred to Hotel Edelweiss

2030 hrs Dinner. (included in tour price).

Day 11 (B, D) Bariloche & Surrounds

0900 hrs Breakfast at your hotel. 1000 hrs City coach tour and chocolate factory inspection.

Bariloche is a Swiss-like town perched on the southern shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi and is an exceptionally popular place for Argentine, Chilean, and Brazilian holiday makers especially during peak holiday seasons. Lago Nahuel Huapi is th second largest lake in Argentina. It is said that Lago Nahuel Huapi covers ten times the size of Buenos Aires.

Return to the hotel in late morning. Lunch at own expense. Afternoon tour to the northern shores of the lake and the village of Villa La Angostura (founded 1934) which is where wealthy Argentines have holiday homes for winter skiing breaks and summer fishing. Return to the hotel.

2000 hrs Dinner at a local restaurant (included in tour price).

Day 12 (B,L,D) Bariloche and surrounds

0900 hrs Breakfast at your hotel .

1000 hrs 62km round trip tour called … Circuito Chico

We Travel initially around the southern shore of the lake, then stop for a chair lift ride to the high ridge of “Cerro Campanario” which commands a magnificent 360 degree view over the lake, town and the nearby Andes mountains, then on to the Chico Circuit where the world famous Llao Llao Hotel is located. The views are quite breathtaking. Absolutely unique! Located on a small hill between lakes Nahuel Huapi and Moreno, we find this magnificent hotel, surrounded with old Cypress, Copiue and Arrayan trees and framed by the mountains López, Capilla and the majestic Tronador. The hotel was built by architect Alejandro Bustillo in 1940 and fully renovated in 1993. The hotel is of Canadian-style with Norman roof tiles and visible cypress logs blending with the region’s green stone. The Hotel is in harmony with the inspiring natural framework of the area. We stop for lunch at a small privately owned boutique brewery and restaurant known as Cerveceria Blest (included in tour price). Return to your Bariloche hotel in the late afternoon.

2000 hrs Dinner at a local restaurant (included in tour price).

Day 13 (B, D) Bariloche / “Cross the Andes by Boat”/ Puerto Montt

0800 hrs Breakfast at the hotel

0900 hrs Depart initially on our all day journey by coach for the 25km journey to Puerto Panuelo. From there we transfer to a catamaran which will take us to the western extremity of Lake Nahuel Huapi to Puerto Blest. Lunch or snacks are available here, at your own expense. This is followed by a 3km bus ride to Puerto Alegre for a short boat trip across Lake Frias, where Argentine / Chilean customs formalities are carried out. Lake Frias is situated on a glacial bowl filled by glacial waters to a depth of around 400 meters. It is surrounded by dense forests which rise to around 250 meters. The water is a crystal emerald green with an average temperature of only 5C. This very special place of outstanding beauty which must rank scenically, as one of the most stunning panoramas in the world. If we are lucky we will see some Condors flying. Back on a bus, we travel across the Andes mountain range through luxuriant vegetation to Peulla, the first Chilean town, where immigration procedures are completed. Then we sail across Lake Todos los Santos to Petrohue, where we will visit the Petrohue falls in Vicente Perez Rosales National Park. After this we follow the shoreline of Lake Llanqihue by coach for the last stage of this unbelievable journey to Puerto Montt via the town of Puerto Varas (The city of Roses), passing the majestic 9000ft high Volcano Calbuco. Our estimated time of arrival at Hotel Gran Pacifico is 2000hrs.

2030 hrs Dinner at the hotel (included in tour price).

Day 14 (B,L,D) Puerto Montt

0800 hrs Breakfast at the hotel

0900 hrs Morning - City Tour by coach

Puerto Montt is the capital of Chile’s X Region (Los Lagos), The city was founded by German colonists in 1853. It is one of southern Chile’s most important cities. It features middle- European architecture, with shingles, high-pitched roofs and ornate balconies. The redwood cathedral, Iglesia de los Jesuitas on the city’s plaza is the city’s oldest building. Puerto Montt is the transport hub and access point to the southern Lake District, the island of Chiloé and Chilean Patagonia. We will have lunch (included in the tour price) at Puerto Montt’s picturesque fishing port of San Angelmo. Angelmo has an outstanding crafts market with a range of items including woolen sweaters, copperwork, ponchos, hats, and curios. Return to the hotel Gran Pacifico after lunch. Afternoon at leisure.

Dinner at a local restaurant (included in the tour price)

Day 15 (B, L Snack on aircraft) Puerto Montt / Valdivia / Santiago

0800 hrs Breakfast at the hotel

0700 - 0800 hrs Breakfast and check out of hotel.

Today is our last day in Chilean Patagonia. Our coach takes us northwards to the beautiful lake district area of Frutillar. Frutillar is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Llanquihue, Chile’s second largest lake. It consists of two population centers: Frutillar Bajo (lower Frutillar), located on the shore of the lake, which preserves its traditional German-style architecture; and Frutillar Alto (upper Frutillar) which developed around the railroad station and later the highway and is now larger than Frutillar Bajo (lower Frutillar) . The railroad was built in 1912. In February each year, the town celebrates the “Semanas Musicales”, a classical music festival which is well known throughout Chile. After lunch we continue our journey northwards to the historic city of Valdivia (founded in 1552), where we will do an orientation tour. This city was the most significant centre of Spanish Colonial control in Chile. From 1849 to 1875 was a centre for German colonization of the Lake District.

1700 hrs Arrive airport for check in and departure for Santiago

1925 hrs Arrive Santiago for transfer to Hotel Neruda Express.

Day 16 (B, L) Santiago / Valparaiso / Viña del Mar / Santiago

0800 hrs Breakfast at the hotel

0900 hrs Depart Santiago for a Full day excursion to Valparaiso (founded in 1542) and Viña del Mar (founded circa 1855).Chile’s Pacific Coast is dominated by two neighbouring but quite different cities of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, 140 kilometres from Santiago, through the coastal mountain range. Historic Valparaiso was one of the first Chilean cities founded by the Spanish. A thriving port for centuries, modern Valparaiso remains Chile’s primary outlet to the sea. The city is an eclectic mix of cobbled streets, decaying mansions and slums sandwiched between a crescent of forty two hills (cerros) and the pacific Ocean a mere kilometre away. Whilst in Valparaiso we will visit La Sebastiana, now a museum, but once home to the famous Chilean Poet and Nobel Lauriate, Pablo Neruda. Viña del Mar nine kilometres to the north is a total contrast with modern buildings and tower blocks of apartments fringing the coast. It is one of the major beach resorts on South America’s Pacific coast. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant (included in the tour price)

We return to the hotel in Santiago in the early evening. Dinner at own expense

Day 17 (B,L) Santiago

0800 hrs Breakfast at your hotel

0900 City centre walking tour of Santiago. We commence our walk in the downtown area of the city, visiting Palacio de la Moneda), the Presidential Palace) the Plaza de Armas, the colourful Municipal Markets and the Museum of Pre-Colombian Art where Aztec, Maya and Mapuche relics are among items on display. Afterwards lunch (included in the tour price).we head to the hill of Cerro San Cristobal by way of the funicular railway for sensational views over Santiago. Later in the day we return by coach or car to the hotel.

0830 hrs Dinner at own expense

Day 18 (B,L) Santiago / Sydney (via Auckland)

0900 hrs Breakfast at the hotel

Late check out.

Day at leisure for shopping and last minute purchases.

Farewell lunch (included in tour price).

Transferred to Santiago airport.

Arrive at Sydney International Airport.

Conclusion