Itinerary

Day 1      Buenos Aires

The “Queen of the River Plate Basin” or the “Paris of South America,” as Buenos Aires is called, can be a superlative introduction to the exploration of Argentina, from both the cultural and wildlife points of view. What is certain is that this cosmopolitan city, European in appearance, can keep any culture-oriented visitor busy indefinitely. Its intense cultural and commercial life can fill every minute of any visit with pleasant experiences. Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. This cosmopolitan city with its European appearance can keep any culture-oriented visitor busy indefinitely. In the afternoon, you will enjoy the unique "Four Balconies Tour," an exclusive visit of Buenos Aires, in which a professor of the university uses four parks and plazas of Buenos Aires (Plaza de Mayo, Parque Lezama and La Boca, Plaza San Martin, and Recoleta) to introduce you to Argentina, its history, its contrasts, its contradictions, and the characteristics of the "porteños," the inhabitants of Buenos Aires. Stay overnight at the Elevage Hotel.
   

Lodging: Elevage Hotel or similar   

Day 2      San Isidro, Tigre & Delta of the Parana

Today you will explore one of the most beautiful areas of Buenos Aires’ surroundings, the northern riverside districts of Tigre and San Isidro. The history of San Isidro begins in 1580, when Juan de Garay carried out the first distribution of the lands situated north of the City of La Santísima Trinidad (current City of Buenos Aires).  It has an important colonial heritage reflected in its houses and buildings. You will visit Pueyrredon Farm, the San Isidro Cathedral, several colonial mansions, and Victoria Ocampo's Mansion (once the cultural center of South America). Then you will continue to Tigre, a city overlooking the delta of the Paraná River. Here, you will explore the Fruit Market, with streets full of colorful rustic fabric, furniture, and accessories made in cane and willow, delicious jams and honey, brilliant flowers, and of course, all the variety of native fruit. After free time for lunch (not included) you will enjoy a riverside walk and a boat trip through the countless islands of the delta of the Paraná River to have beautiful views of the riverside villas, Victorian docks, English gardens, and traditional rowing clubs. If weather conditions allow, you can sail by the River Plate all the way back to the city of Buenos Aires (additional cost).  As an optional activity, we offer the opportunity to enjoy a kayak expedition (not included, no previous experience required).  You will go out in double kayaks specially prepared for long trips and built by the coordinator of the program, Ricardo Kruszewski, who was the first Argentinean to reach Cape Horn rowing.  The 1- to 2-hour trip lets you discover the surrounding woods.  Later this afternoon you will be returned to the Elevage Hotel.
   
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Elevage Hotel or similar   

Day 3      Salta / Las Conchas Gorge / Cafayate

Transfer to Buenos Aires domestic airport to board the flight to Salta city. One of the most fascinating aspects of visiting the northwest region is the chance to mingle with the native population, who preserve their ancient customs and traditions: polychromatic dresses, expressive artwork and handicrafts, music, colorful markets and street fairs and delicious gastronomy are eloquent expressions of the soul of these people and their love for Pachamama (Mother Earth).  Since this area was originally colonized by the Spaniards, this region holds historic traces of Spanish heritage: towns with typical colonial architecture, adobe churches and hidden chapels, old traditional fincas (ranches), etc. Upon arrival at Salta, you will be met at the airport and transferred to Cafayate, along breathtaking Las Conchas Gorge, with peculiar rock formations which, due to the effect of wind and water, have formed almost real shapes like the amphitheatre and the monk’s statue.


Cafayate has become the most important site in the Calchaquí Valleys. Located at 1,660 m above sea level, it is well known because of its famous torrontes wine, product of the exquisite combination of temperature and humidity that provides the ideal environment for the growth of this sweet and deep fruit flavored vine, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, and Chardonnay.  During the afternoon, you will visit some of the famous wineries of Cafayate.  Afterwards, you will be transferred to the hotel, Cafayate Wine Resort, which is located in the outskirts of the town and at the foot of San Isidro Mount, surrounded by vineyards.
   
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Cafayate Wine Resort or similar   

Day 4      Calchaqui River Valley to Cachi

Today you head north, following Calchaquí River Valley. During the trip, you will be able to enjoy amazing landscapes and small towns which preserve their colonial heritage as if time had stopped. San Carlos is a town with colonial houses and narrow streets. Since its foundation it was destroyed many times by the Indians. The Jesuits settled here and founded the "San Carlos Mission," giving origin to the actual town. Then you will start traveling along the impressive Quebrada de las Flechas (Arrows Gorge), with its extraordinary geological formations produced by erosion of the colorful sedimentation of sandstone over the past 60 million years. Molinos was founded in the middle of the XVII century. The plan of the town is completely irregular, with adobe houses and clay roofs. The road continues northwards until Cachi, a beautiful town with white buildings, adobe houses, stone-paved streets, and impressive architectural and cultural constructions. Cachi means "salt" in Quechua due to the fact that natives mistook the top of "El Nevado" with a salt mine. Today you will enjoy visiting the town, its church, and its museum. In the evening, transfer to the Hostería Cachi.
   
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hosteria Cachi or similar   

Day 5      Scenic Drive to Valley of Lerma

Departing from Cachi eastwards, the trip continues along the Calchaquí Valley until reaching Salta. On both sides of the road tall and elegant cacti will start to appear, indicating the proximity of Los Cardones National Park, which will be seen while traveling through Recta de Tin Tin. After the Enchanted Valley, you will start a spectacular descent through Cuesta del Obispo, a landmark that gives a wonderful panoramic view of the surroundings. Running down, you will reach Valley of Lerma dominated by the city of Salta.
   
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: El Lagar Hotel or similar   

Day 6      Salta

Enjoy a morning city tour of Salta. Being one of the oldest cities founded in the country, the highlights include Cabildo (Town Hall), the Archbishop's Palace and Cathedral, San Francisco's church and San Bernardo's church and convent. Not far from the center, you'll come across San Lorenzo, a summer resort with old trees, flowering gardens, and magnificent mansions, surrounded by gentle hills which are ideal for walks, picnics and horseback riding. Finally, visit the craft market with a chance to purchase authentic samples of native artisans work.
   
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: El Lagar Hotel or similar   

Day 7      Salta/San Antonio/Purmamarca

Travel through breaktaking canyons of the Andes Mountains as you make your way through the famous "Train to the Clouds" itinerary. Visit Santa Rosa de Tastil which was the largest pre0Inca city in the country. Make your way through Puna towards the salt deposits in the northern provience of Jujuy and on to "Cuesta de Lipan" and the colonial city of Purmamarca. Enjoy this small prehispanic village set at the foot of the "Seven Colors Hill".

 
   
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch
Lodging: Manantial del Silencio or similar   

Day 8      Purmamarca/Humahuaca/Iruya

Enjoy a full day expedition through the multicolored landscape of the Humahuaca Canyon, to the peaceful villages, old chapels, native markets, small museums with astounding archaeological pieces and remains of ancient pre-Inca fortified towns, since the gorge once served as a route for the Incas, a required passage for expedition parties and settlers, and an important commercial route in the vice regal period. Today, little towns conserve their religious believes, rituals, ceremonies, art, music, and agricultural techniques; a unique living patrimony in the world. For this reason, it was declared Humanity Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in the year 2003. Humahuaca, Uquia, Tilcara, Maimara, and Purmamarca will be some of the fascinating stops during the day. Humahuaca is a colonial city of narrow stone-paved streets with street lamps and adobe houses that made it one of the most important trade centers of Alto Perú until the end of the XIX century. After visiting the town, the trip continues to Iturbe, where you will start going up until Abra Cóndor. This place, the Altar of Pachamama, is the beginning of the “Silent Valleys,” known for their extraordinary beauty. Finally, the steep streets of the little mountainous town of Iruya welcome you. Inhabitants have preserved their traditions and customs for more than 250 years. This town has an ancient origin, since it was an important stop in the route from Potosi (Bolivia) to Buenos Aires. Stay overnight at the Hostería de Iruya. The building has a large terrace overlooking the valley and hills that surround it almost completely.
   
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hosteria de Iruya   

Day 9      Iruya / La Quiaca / Yavi/Tilcara

Departing from Iruya, the trip continues northwards until La Quiaca on the Argentinian-Bolivian frontier. You may cross on foot to Villazón, in Bolivia. 15 km ahead lies Yavi. Along the way you will see the Siete Hermanos Mountain Range (sedimentation deposits from the Mesozoic Era). You will also visit Laguna Colorada to appreciate petroglyphs representing human figures, llamas, spirals, and enjoy a box lunch in this incredible landscape! In the evening, you will arrive at Yavi. This small town was founded in 1667 and it belonged to the Marquis of Tojo until 1707. This feud used to occupy the Argentinian Puna and the south of Bolivia. The colonial style ranch house of the Marquis, which today is a museum, and the magnificent Chapel of San Francisco are worth visiting. The pulpit, the altars, and the altarpieces are gold-plated. It has paintings and outstanding sculptures, that were brought from Cuzco.
   
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch
Lodging: Rincon de Fuego   

Day 10      Tilcara/El Bordo de las Lanzas

Enjoy the morning in Tilcara. Surrounded by incredible scenery of multicolored hills and panoramic views Tilcara is a great place to walk around. Mid-morning transfer to El Bordo de las Lanzas, a typical finca of Salta. Known for cattle breeding and sugar cane production, the ranch has been owned and operated by the Arias family for over 400 years.  Here you can enjoy horseback riding, bird watching, cattle roundups, trekking, reading, cooking, dance lessons, and just relaxing!
   
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: El Bordo de las Lanzas   

Day 11      El Bordo de las Lanzas

The gaucho of this region are still very proud of their roots and are noble people. Spend the day getting to know the gaucho lifestyle at the ranch. There are hundreds of horses and those who want to, can do some polo stick and ball practice. You may also want to visit the little village near the estancia or get on horseback and ride to Martin de Guemes town located about 5 miles away. There is also a small sugar cane producation factory near El Bordo which can be visited.
   
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: El Bordo de las Lanzas   

Day 12      Return to Buenos Aires

Transfer to the local airport to board the flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Elevage Hotel. In the evening, you will be picked up to enjoy a dinner & tango show at one of the most prestigious houses in Buenos Aires. After the dinner & show, you will be returned to the hotel.

The birth of tango took place towards 1880 in the suburbs. Although at first it was rejected by the high society, little by little this new musical expression began to scale to the highest levels, turning into a world wide recognized Argentine product.
   
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Elevage Hotel   

Day 13      Buenos Aires / Onward

Spend the day at leisure until it is time for your transfer to the international airport to catch your onward flight.
   
Meals: Breakfast

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