Argentina - Budget – Self-guided tour – 16 days / 15 nights
Highlights:
• Taste the great wines of the Andes ;
• Discover the Calchaquies Valleys and the Andean Altiplano ;
• Visit the Iguazu Falls, mighty nature.
Nature: 
- Culture:
Rencontre :
Starting from $2200 USD*
The vastness of the landscape, century old cacti and secular traditions; the Andes will catch your imagination and inspire you. Visit the Seven Colour Valley, the quaint villages and artisans of the Humahuaca Valley and the high-altitude salt lakes. Explore the exquisite landscape of the Calchaquí Valleys carved by time, wind and salt lakes.
Then the contrast: discover the thousands of species of plants, colourful birds, butterflies and mammals that make this their home. This is the exuberance of Argentina's rainforest and its people, its rivers and impressive waterfalls, the Jesuit Missions, plantations of "mate" and lemongrass, vegetable sponges, and exotic fruits….
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ITINERARY
Arrival by international flight
After landing in Buenos Aires, our driver will take you to your hotel, located in the city centre. A member of our team will provide you with a road book and a mobile phone to be in contact with us 24/7. The rest of the day is yours to explore on your own the most famous and picturesque areas of the capital city: El Caminito and San Telmo, at the origins of Tango, then Puerto Madero area, an old harbour reconverted into a business area .
- Transport : private transfer - 45 min + public transport
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals: none
Overnight bus Buenos Aires > Mendoza
A free day for you to continue exploring Buenos Aires on your own. You can choose to take a walk downtown to the Pink House (Government) and Congress, or enjoy the parks and nice buildings of Recoleta and Palermo. In these neighbours you will find interesting museums as well as Plaza Francia’s craftsman fair and Tango dancers. In the early evening, take the overnight bus to Mendoza from Retiro bus terminal.
- Accommodation: overnight bus
- Included meals: breakfast and small dinner on the overnight bus
Arrive in Mendoza in the morning. You are met at the bus terminal by a member of our team and transferred to your hotel. The morning is yours to visit Mendoza, known for its wines, parks, ingenious irrigation system and shady streets, which make it a true oasis. In the afternoon, visit two emblematic bodegas of the region: Giol, one of the most important of Mendoza, and Carinae, one of the tastiest.
- Transport: private transfer
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
- Afternoon with an English speaking guide
- Wine tasting not included
Take the road that snakes its way to Chile, climbing into impressive mountain scenery, through the small town of Uspallata, before reaching the viewpoint of Mount Aconcagua, America’s highest peak (6962m). On the way back, stop at Puente del Inca, a calcareous structure with natural hot springs. Return to Mendoza by the scenic road to Villavicencio.
- Transport : private transfer - 6h – 420km
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
- Accompanied by an English speaking guide
Flight Mendoza > Salta
Enjoy your last morning in Mendoza. In the early afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Salta, where you scheduled to arrive in the late afternoon. Take your time to settle into your hotel and then enjoy the nightlife of Salta.
- Transport : flight – 2h
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Depart for Cafayate in the morning. Travel through the Lerma Valley and its fields of tobacco, before entering the Seashell's Valley, where you will see rocks that wind and water erosion shaped into peculiar figures. Stop to have lunch at Cafayate around mid-day. Visit the Vine and Wine Museum and some of Cafayate’s famous winery. El Cafayate is a touristic village, 1683m above sea level, famous for its high-altitude vineyards.
- Transport : regular bus service (not included) 3h
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
Time to visit this marvellous city nicknamed "La Linda", meaning the Beautiful. Salta boasts well preserved colonial architecture and two colourful churches: the pink Cathedral and the red and gold San Francisco Church. Another fascinating attraction is the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology which houses the well preserved mummies of three children found on the summit of Volcano Llullaillaco. The museum will offer you an insight into the pre-columbine culture of the Andes.
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Enjoy a tour to Salinas Grandes, one of the largest salt flats of the Andean high plateau. The tour will take you to the impressive Lipan Slope, a steep zigzag road, before descending to Purmamarca, a small village at the foot of the Seven Colour Valley; a place you can discover on foot during a beautiful walk between the hills. Head to Tilcara by local bus where you will spend the night.
- Transport : van - 6h (included) + local bus (not included) - 30min
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
Explore the colourful and culturally rich valley of Humahuaca, with its picturesque villages. Tilcara, an authentic Andean village and its Pucara, a pre-Inca fortified farming village overlooking the valley. Humahuaca, with a splendid landscape, interesting handicrafts and traditional music.
- Transport : local bus (not included) - 45min
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Leaving Tilcara behind, you will continue your journey north towards the mountains of Iruya. This small village is surrounded by a beautiful landscape of huge mountains, deep valleys and rivers. Free afternoon to experience the slow paced rhythm of the village, admire the views over the valley, meet local people, mingle with the children at school or simply wander around the cobbled streets.
- Transport : local bus (not included) 4h
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Wake up to the spectacular mountain views of Iruya. You will make your way back to Humahuaca at mid-day and then to Salta where you will arrive at the end of the day.
- Transport : local bus (not included) 6h
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Flight Salta > Puerto Iguazu
Free morning to discover the last secrets of Salta. By mid-afternoon, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Puerto Iguazu, where you arrive in the late afternoon.
- Accommodation: small hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Explore the Argentinian side of the National Park of Iguazu. Get to the heart of the 275 individual falls forming a 2.7 km wide horseshoe-shaped gorge, including the impressive 90 m high Devil’s Throat. You can follow several walking trails through the park’s tropical rainforest or under the full power of the rushing water. Waterfalls can be admired from above, below, or as a whole from several points of view. If the water level is not too high, you can visit the island San Martin in the heart of this huge gorge. A busy day during which you can also observe wild animals (coatis, monkeys, toucans, alligators, turtles, …).
- Transport : local bus - 45 min (not included)
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
- Entrance to the park not included (260 pesos/p.p.)
Bus Puerto Iguazu > Buenos Aires
Today you will visit the Brazilian side of the Iguazu National Park. If the Argentine side is all about getting up close and personal, the Brazilian side offers an incredible and breath-taking full frontal view of all the falls. In the afternoon, you can visit the Bird Park, gathering over 160 species including some anacondas, boas, monkeys and butterflies. By late afternoon, you will reach the bus terminal and take your overnight bus to Buenos Aires.
- Transport : local bus - 1h (not included)
- Accommodation: overnight bus
- Included mealas : breakfast
- Entrance to the park not included (52,3 reales/p.p. + 34 reales/p.p.)
You will arrive at Retiro bus terminal in Buenos Aires in the morning. You will go to your hotel and then continue your visit of the capital city or the surrounding areas such as the Tigre Delta.
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Inclued meals: breakfast on the bus
Departure of your international flight
Some free time to continue visiting the capital city of Buenos Aires. Three hours before your international flight, a transfer vehicle will pick you up at your hotel to take you to the airport.
- Transport : private transfer - 45 min
- Included meals: breakfast
This program is only given as an indication. Transhumans reserves the right, directly or through its local partners, to replace transportation, accommodation, itinerary, as well as dates and departure times, without the participants being able to claim any compensation.
DATES AND PRICES
PRICE 2016 (in USD $ per person): $2200
*Price based on 2 participants depending on the season.This program is only given as an indication and can be arranged according to your requirements.
The price includes:
- Domestic flights : Mendoza > Salta ; Salta > Puerto Iguazu ;
- Ground transfers as mentioned in the program ;
- 6 nights in hotel**, 7 nights in family run hotel, 2 nights in bus - double room ;
- Excursion to Puente del Inca ;
- A wine tasting in a winery in Mendoza ;
- Excursion to Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca ;
- All the meals as mentioned in the programme ;
- A road book with all the information necessary for the smooth running of your stay; ;
- A mobile phone to be in contact with us 24/7.
The price does not include:
- International flights ;
- Entrances to the parks ;
- The single occupancy supplement : USD 315 (no single room available with the host family) ;
- Drinks and personal expenses ;
- The comprehensive insurance and repatriation assistance.
... and more generally all that is not mentioned in « the price includes » section.
Some important facts
- National flights are included ;
- Transfers to/from airport/hotel/airport are included ;
- Accommodation is included and selected based on quality and hygiene ;
- Local partners are fairly compensated ;
- 3% of the price of your trip goes directly to support a local educational project for cultural and environmental development .
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Accompanying English and Spanish speaking guides
The day of your arrival, you will be received by an English speaking member of our staff. He/she will hand you a road book and a mobile phone, allowing you to be in contact with us 24/7 if needed. If specified in your program, he/she will also accompany you around the capital, giving you the basic practical information about the country or countries you are visiting.
During excursions, you will be accompanied by a local Spanish speaking guide, often also speaking English.
When to visit the North of Argentina?
In the Northwest, precipitations tend to concentrate from December to February: short-lived but intense bursts of rainfall usually occur in this period. Parts of this geographical area have record levels of sunshine as the Valley of Calchaquies or Humahuaca Valley. The altitude is a key factor in temperature variation. For example, at 3000m in winter time it is possible to have temperatures of around -15 ° C.
In the Northeast, there is rainfall distributed throughout the year, storms are generally short and intense. The temperatures are very high in the summer (30 to 40 degrees) with a high humidity. In winter, temperatures are cooler with occasional frosty mornings.
Local Transportation
Travelling by bus is the most popular and cheapest way to discover the country. Classes range from Semi-Cama to Cama Suite with wider seats which are reclining to a horizontal position almost like being in bed. Distances are long and it takes more than 2 0hour bus ride from Buenos Aires to Salta. Bus lines connect major cities together. The buses run at an average speed of 80 km/h. For long distances, the plane remains the most convenient mean of transportation.
NOTE : TransHumans offers the option of booking for you the international flight ticket; we will seek and book for you the best deals. Price may vary depending on the time of purchase but can vary between USD 1000 and USD1,600.
Formalities
PASSPORT & VISA : A valid passport is sufficient for most European and US citizens; a tourist visa will be issued at entry to the territory. However, U.S. citizen tourist and business travelers must pay a US$160 reciprocity fee prior to arrival in Argentina. If the stay exceeds the three months, it will be necessary to apply for a visa at the Embassy in your country. Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.
REMINDER : Make copies of all your important documents (passport, flight tickets, insurance, and credit card). Leave one copy of each at home and pack one with you.
EQUIPMENT
GOOD GEAR WILL ALLOW YOU TO BETTER ENJOY YOUR TRIP…
Clothing:
Given the great variation in temperature between day and night in the Northwest it is necessary to pack both light and warm clothes.
Remember to take good insect repellent, hat, cap and sunglasses (minimum lens category 3)!
Miscellaneous:
-Toiletry bag (biodegradable products are preferred)
-Small quick-drying towel
-Sunscreen lotion
-Insect repellent DEET (+ 40% for good protection). Also useful against fleas which can be a nuisance for people with sensitive skin.
-Head torch (with spare batteries and bulbs)
-Bottle and/or camel bag
-Pocket knife (checked luggage)
-Money belt or pouch to safely store your passport, currency, credit cards, personal papers, insurance papers.
-A copy of your passport.
-Power Power sockets in Argentina are type C and I; Voltage: 220 V.
Medical Kit:
-Antidiarrheal medication (i.e.smecta and imodium)
-Antihistamine
-Plasters, sterile dressings and antiseptics
-Medicine for pain or fever (such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen)
-Elastic adhesive bandage
-Anti-inflammatory ointment or cream
-Water purification tablets
NOTE : Most of these products are also available in local pharmacies.
Luggage:
Please arrange your belongings in two bags:
-Small backpack (capacity 25/40 litres).This is your hand luggage you will take with you on the plane as well as every day during hikes, excursions and transfers.
-Large waterproof backpack to check-in (capacity 60 to 90 litres).
-Large plastic bag to protect from moisture your belongings in your backpacks.
HEALTH
Vaccines
The country does not present any health risks, and the water is potable almost everywhere. No vaccine is mandatory for Argentina, but some are recommended:
-Tetanus-diphtheria
-Polio
-Pertussis
-Hepatitis B
For children and those born before 1980: measles, mumps - rubella.
Other risks
Try to avoid contact with insects. Fleas tend to be a nuisance for sensitive skin. Regular insect repellent is also effective against fleas.
Altitude sickness
Altitude sickness is due to a rapid ascent to higher altitudes and the decreasing level of oxygen available at those altitudes. The symptoms include shortness of breath, irritating dry cough, severe headache, nausea and exhaustion. The first solution is to descend to a lower altitude (at least 500 m).
Proper acclimatization of the body to increasing altitudes is the best way to prevent altitude sickness. Once above 3000 meters it is wise not to increase the altitude at which you sleep by more than 500 meters. Stop a day if the altitude increases by 1000 meters in a day, keep hydrated and avoid drinking alcohol and smoking.
The best way to acclimatize to the altitude is to climb gradually. Given enough time, your body will adapt to the decrease in oxygen at a specific altitude.
Medical Assistance
Medical care is excellent in most tourist areas in Argentina. For more remote areas, in case of urgent medical assistance, contact your Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We highly recommend you to contact your insurance as soon as possible.
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
Our Vision & Commitment
Cultural awareness is very important to us. Sensible to the local cultural traditions and beliefs, the beauty of the landscapes and the biodiversity of the ecosystems, we choose to limit the negative impact of our activities on the local environment. In addition to designing trips that aim at preserving the natural, cultural and social resources of the territories in the long term, we also include the concept of “Territorial Compensation”. The idea of Territorial Compensation is to help local people protect and conserve their ecosystem, enhance their cultural heritage and develop sustainable projects for their territory.
Based on this concept of Territorial Compensation, TransHumans donates 3% of the total price of each trip to this cause. The money goes directly into a solidarity fund that finances our ERECA program (Education Relative à l'Environnement et aux Cultures Aborigènes), an environmental and cultural program. Since 2007, we have supported various projects aimed at training and awareness-raising for the local communities.
If you want to know more about this+ : http://www.transhumans.fr/en/solidarity-project-transhumans
