Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Patagonia

This nine-day tour covers the major highlights of this diverse and beautiful country. Starting the tour in the cosmopolitan capital of Buenos Aires, the ‘Paris of South America’, you’ll enjoy an insight into the lives of the ‘Porteños’ (inhabitants of Buenos Aires) with a city tour and a Tango show. A visit to the wine region of Mendoza is a must for anyone visiting Argentina, and here you can enjoy the delights of this lovely city as well as a visit to a vineyard.

Three nights spent in Patagonia, one of the most naturally spectacular places on Earth rounds out this fascinating tour.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Argentina! (-)

Upon arrival at Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza International Airport you will be warmly welcomed by a Blue World Journeyss representative and escorted by private car to your hotel (45-60 mins).

Buenos Aires is the most elegant city in South America. This cosmopolitan city - with great European cultural influence - displays a refined taste in its cooking, in its boutiques and in the casual elegance of its inhabitants. While the city is modern and dynamic, it has managed to preserve old traditions and charming corners. The atmosphere, the individual personality of each of its neighborhoods, the cordiality of its people and the wide selection of its cultural and commercial opportunities are fascinating. You will have the rest of the day to relax from your flight and become familiar with your new surroundings.

Day 2 - Buenos Aires City Tour, Tango Show (B,D)

This morning after a leisurely breakfast, you will be met at your hotel by your guide and escorted on a private half-day tour of the city.

During this tour you will visit the famous Casa Rosada (Government House), and the Cabildo (first City Hall, built during Spanish rule). The Metropolitan Cathedral is nearby, where Pope Francis used to celebrate mass when he was Cardinal of Buenos Aires.

Continuing to San Telmo, the oldest district of Buenos Aires, you will have time to stroll around the Plaza Dorrego with its many antique shops. If you’re lucky enough to be here on Sunday, the sprawling antiques market is a must-see. Your next stop is La Boca, a colorful and dynamic neighborhood like no other in the city.

Driving along 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest avenue of the world, you will see the Colon Theater, one of the world's best-known opera houses. Continuing to Palermo you will see its beautiful parks, the City Zoo, Botanical Garden, Argentine Horse Track and National Polo Fields.

At the end of the tour you will visit the glamorous Recoleta area. Here you will find the Municipal Cultural Center, elegant boutiques and many excellent restaurants. At the Recoleta cemetery you can look for the grave of Eva Duarte, known in the whole world as Eva Perón (Evita).

This evening you will enjoy an unforgettable Tango show and dinner at Café de los Angelitos. Located in a traditional Buenos Aires district, this tango house is full of history. Renowned poets and politicians as well as payadores (performers) and malandras (dangerous men) used to meet here. Café de los Angelitos is one of the foremost tango venues Buenos Aires offering a dynamic performance which including orchestra, dancers, musicians, singers, as well as very interesting lighting effects. A full dinner of exquisite international cuisine will be served during the performance.

Day 3 - Fly to Mendoza (B)

This morning you will board a flight to the lovely city of Mendoza. Upon arrival you will be escorted to your hotel for a three-night stay. Mendoza is a bustling, captivating city of wide, leafy avenues, delightful plazas, and a thriving cafe culture. This enchanting city, although lively during the day, really comes into its own at night, when the restaurants, bars and clubs along Avenida Arístedes overflow into the sidewalks.

All over the world, Mendoza is famous for wine, and even if you’re not a wine aficionado, the city’s setting on the eastern foothills of the Andes and it’s delightful climate will captivate you.

Day 4 - Mendoza City Tour (B)

Today you will tour the city, learning of the history of its foundation by Spanish colonizers four centuries ago. Your tour includes a visit to the Plaza Independencia, the lovely Parque General San Martin, with its lake and rose garden and the Hill of Glory, a popular spot for a panoramic view Along tree lined streets, you will continue to the Museo Municipal and the ruins of San Francisco Church.

The evening will be at your leisure to explore the lively city center.

Day 5 - Wine Tour (B)

The Mendoza region has 70% of the vineyards of the country is the main oenological center of South America.

Departing the city, you will pass beautiful scenery of the majestic Andes mountains in the distance before arriving at Mendoza's agricultural oasis where you have the opportunity to visit two different vineyards to understand the complete wine making process enjoying a wine tasting.

Your tour today will combine visits to one local craft winery and another of higher quality technology to see the differences in the production of great wines. This tour is a must, even for people who have little interest in wine.

Day 6 - Fly to Patagonia (B)

This morning you will leave the beauty of the Mendoza region behind as you fly to Argentina’s deep south and into the wilds of Patagonia. This region is home to some of the most varied and spectacular landscapes on the planet. Your base for three nights is the pleasant village of El Calafate on Lake Argentino. The village is the southern gateway to the Los Glaciares National Park. Around the village and lake, you’ll see many interesting birds and the majestic Andes Mountains to the west. Upon arrival you’ll check in to your hotel for a three-night stay. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.

Day 7 - Perito Moreno Glacier (B)

A must for all visitors to Patagonia is the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. From Calafate you will drive 50 miles, making stops along the way to take photos of the stunning scenery. After entering the Andean Patagonian forest, you will stop at the “Curva de los Suspiros” (Curve of Sighs), to enjoy the first panoramic view of the Perito Moreno Glacier, then continue to a series of viewing platforms and balconies in front of the glacier.

The Perito Moreno Glacier forms part of the Patagonian Continental Ice Field from which 13 glaciers descend on the Atlantic side to flow into the Viedma and Argentino lakes. The Perito Moreno glacier, 3 miles wide and 250 feet high above Lake Argentino, is one of the few in the world with a continuously advancing wall. Every 4 or 5 years, the water pressure is so strong that it breaks into multiple icicles giving an overwhelming spectacle that is truly impossible to explain. The continuous calving from the glacier’s frozen walls will astonish you at any time throughout the year. The Patagonian Andes lakes, forests and mountains and glaciers stretch from here for another 300 miles to the world’s southernmost seas.

Day 8 - Upsala Glacier and Estancia Cristina (B)

The Upsala Glacier is one of the largest in Los Glaciares National Park. Sailing through Lake Argentino among icebergs and mountains followed by a visit to Estancia Cristina is an wonderful combination of nature, adventure, history and relaxation. Estancia Cristina offers various options depending on whether you prefer a quiet day of touring and history, or a more active experience including trekking and riding in a four wheel drive vehicle. All excursions are conducted in areas of extreme natural beauty of the Andes Mountains, glaciers and Lake Argentino allowing you to get in touch with a natural, unique and remote environment.

Day 9 - Farewell to Argentina (B)

This morning you will be met at your hotel by your guide and escorted to El Calafate’s airport for your flight to Buenos Aires connecting with your international flight home.

Hotels listed below are given as suggestions only to illustrate the standard of hotels used. 

Buenos Aires - Luxury - Fierro Hotel

Right in the heart of the stylish Palermo neighborhood, the Fierro Hotel is within walking distance of the best of Buenos Aires - top restaurants, popular bars and clubs, boutiques and design stores can all be found close to the hotel.

All rooms feature luxurious linens and duvets, Egyptian cotton towels, 32-inch LCD TVs, universal power outlets, iPod/iPhone docking stations, complimentary iPads and Internet access. The bathrooms are equipped with rain showers, hair dryer, robes and an array of amenities.

Buenos Aires - Deluxe - Sofitel Buenos Aires

Located right in the heart of Buenos Aires, between the Retiro and Recoleta neighborhoods, surrounded by art galleries and antique stores, the landmark Sofitel is one of the city’s finest hotels. All 140 rooms feature luxurious furnishings, air conditioning, cable TV, mini bar and stylish, modern bathrooms.

Restaurants, bars, fitness center and indoor heated pool are all available with our having to leave the hotel.

Mendoza - Luxury - Huentala Boutique Hotel

Located in downtown Mendoza, one block away from San Martin Av, the city’s major thoroughfare, and Sarmiento Street, a pedestrianized road full of restaurants and entertainment right in the heart of the city.

All 81 modern rooms are well furnished and equipped with air conditioning, TV, telephone, internet access, safe, minibar, and feature high quality linens and bedding.

The hotel also has a restaurant, bar, lounge, swimming pool, meeting rooms, business center, express laundry and ironing service, and a gift shop.

Mendoza - Deluxe - Park Hyatt, Mendoza

With its beautifully restored 19th-century Spanish colonial façade, this luxury hotel is conveniently located in the main business and banking district in the center of Mendoza and with a prominent position on the Plaza de la Independencia.

Its 186 guestrooms feature modern, minimalist decor, local works of art and king-size beds with plush feather pillows and lavish duvets. Bathrooms feature white marble bath with separate overhead shower, work desk and wireless high-speed Internet. Rooms are also equipped with individual heating and air conditioning control, cable/satellite TV, safe box, minibar, hairdryer, bathrobes, turn down service.

The hotel also has a restaurant, bar, lounge, room service, outdoor pool, garden sun deck, gym, business area and laundry service. The hotel also hosts the Kaua Spa and the Regency Casino Mendoza.

El Calafate, Patagonia - Luxury - Posada Los Alamos

Centrally located in the town of El Calafate, this luxury hotel offers excellent accommodations in a natural forest environment. The hotel’s 139 deluxe rooms, two suites and two Royal suites all feature air-conditioning, central heating, phone, cable TV, Internet connection, minibar and modern bathrooms.

The hotel’s facilities include a restaurant, lobby bar, meeting room, golf, spa with swimming pool, 5-acre park and gardens, 24-hour room service and laundry service.

El Calafate, Patagonia - Deluxe - Los Sauces Casa Patagonica

This is a beautiful hotel whose style recreates the soul of Patagonian estancias of the early 20th century. It‘s located in the city centre, surrounded by gardens and composed of 5 separate buildings of guest rooms and separate public areas with restaurant and spa. Opened in September 2007, it is a member of the distinguished Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand.

The 38 rooms average 400 square feet in size, and equipped with LCD TV, safe-box, minibar, Wi-Fi Internet, bathroom with hydro massage and beautiful garden views.

The hotel’s other facilities include a restaurant, reading room with fire-place, spa, library and room service.

Pricing

From $4295 per person (Luxury Hotels), or $4795 per person (Deluxe Hotels), for a private tour based on two people traveling in low season sharing a room.

Hotels listed on the Hotels Tab are given as suggestions only to illustrate the standard of hotels used. 

Price Includes:

All hotels as described in the itinerary
Services of Blue World Journey’s representatives while in Argentina
All transportation and tours as described in the itinerary in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver / guide
Domestic Flights Buenos Aires-Mendoza-El Calafate-Buenos Aires
Sightseeing and entrance fees
Meals as described in the itinerary
Bottled water in the vehicle during all transfers

Price Excludes:

International flights
Travel insurance
Meals other than those listed in the itinerary
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Sightseeing other than described in the itinerary
Additional room charges of a personal nature in hotels (eg: room service, laundry, phone calls, etc.)