ARGENTINA – MENDOZA – VALLE DE UCO – ACONCAGUA
Day 1 ARRIVAL TO BUENOS AIRES
Arrive in Buenos Aires and transfer to the hotel. After a short break, we will begin sightseeing starting in the picturesque La Boca district, famous for Tango, Football and the colorful Caminito. We will explore the streets and alleyways created by Italian immigrants and visit their rusty tenement houses called "conventillos" as well as see the old port. Then we will visit old San Telmo and walk through the narrow cobblestone streets that were once the beds of the streams that connected the mystical Rio de la Plata. This stop will include the Ezeiza Palace, antique shops and the unique San Telmo Covered Market. In the Plaza de Mayo, the political heart of the country, we will delve into Argentine history and look inside the Metropolitan Cathedral to see the outstanding Mausoleum of our Liberator General José de San Martín. Finally, we will walk through the Recoleta district, known for its French architecture, beautiful museums, vast green areas and, above all, the world-famous cemetery: the Recoleta Cemetery. The cemetery is the final resting place of the rich and famous, including Evita Perón. This cemetery (the third most important in the world) is also considered a work of art, due to the great variety of architectural styles of its richly decorated mausoleums and crypts. In the evening we will watch a tango show. Located in the historic San Telmo district, El Querandí offers one of the most traditional and authentic shows in the city. Established as a bar in 1920 in a grand house from 1867, it offers a unique experience. Late evening we will return to the hotel.
★★★★ ESPLENDOR BY WYDHAM
Day 2 ESTANCIA EL OMBÚ DE ARECO & SAN ANTONIA DE ARECO
Day 2 we will head north towards the traditional town of San Antonio de Areco. Just an hour and a half from the city, it is known for its quiet streets and beautiful colonial houses, but also for being the country's most important producer of silverware. We will visit the city center and a traditional workshop where we will meet a well-known local goldsmith to tour his workshop. Then we will spend the day at El Ombú de Areco, a secluded nearby ranch. Here you will be served a traditional "asado" (barbecue) and watch locals performing folk dances and an equestrian show. During this time you can ride a horse or go-kart, walk freely around the area or just swim in the pool, if the weather permits. In the afternoon we will return to Buenos Aires.
★★★★ ESPLENDOR BY WYDHAM
Day 3 BUENOS AIRES - MENDOZA
On day 3 we will go to the airport from where we will fly to Mendoza - a city in the heart of the wine region of Argentina, in the valley of the Mendoza River, at the foot of the Sierra de los Paramillos range. Mendoza is surrounded by the Andeas, including the highest mountain peak in South America - Aconcagua in the west. Then we will transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.
★★★★ ESPLENDOR BY WYDHAM
Day 4 VALLE DE UCO – WINE TOUR
The Uco Valley is widely considered one of the most interesting and delightful wine areas in Mendoza. Nestled in the foothills of the Andes, this new frontier of Argentine winemaking attracts winemakers from all over the world. State-of-the-art technology and a gold-medal terroir mean that wine from this region can produce some of the finest Argentine wine.
We start the tour with a drive to Masi, this modern Italian vineyard that produces high-altitude Malbec and specializes in Amarone-style wine. We will continue down the valley and arrive at Bodega do Domaine Bousquet which was founded by a French family with several generations of traditional winemakers who pioneered winemaking in the Uco region. This substantial winery produces high-altitude Chardonnay, Merlot, and Malbec. Both the vineyards and the wine production there are certified organic. We will stop for lunch at Bodega Andeluna, located near the town of Tupungato. This medium-sized wine bar has a warm, cozy restaurant designed in a traditional Old World style. Here we will sample an exquisite 6-course lunch paired with 4 wines, including the best Pasionado wine. We will then return to Mendoza for an overnight stay at a hotel.
★★★★ ESPLENDOR BY WYDHAM
Day 5 ANDES – ACONCAGUA NP
On day 5 we will take a trip to the Andes Mountains for panoramic views of the landscape. We will follow the route of the old Trans-Andean Railway, which winds and tunnels through three mountain ranges. We will pass the snowy Cordon del Plata and the turquoise lake of Potrerillos. We follow this up by visiting the Rio Mendoza by going through the valley known as the Seven Tunnels to the mountain town of Uspallata. We continue our journey through the mountain landscapes that were made famous by the film "Seven Years in Tibet". The road passes by the Penitentes ski resort and continues west until a few kilometers before the Chilean border, where we will enter Aconcagua National Park. Here we will go for a short walk to the Horcones pond and view the highest mountain outside the Himalayas - Aconcagua which is 6961m above sea level (weather permitting). On our return, we will stop to see the Puente Del Inca, a naturally formed arch over a steep gorge. Then we return to Uspallata, where we will have an afternoon lunch consisting of an Argentinian asado (barbecue). After that, we will return to Mendoza for an overnight stay at the hotel.
★★★★ ESPLENDOR BY WYDHAM
Day 6 LUJAN DE CUYO – WINE TOUR – BUENOS AIRES
After breakfast, we will drive to Lujan de Cuyo, the main wine-producing region in Argentina and where most of the famous vineyards are located. It is considered the top choice for visiting a wine region to explore Argentina. The region is located 30 minutes south of the city of Mendoza. It has many of the best vineyards in the country and has a beautiful view of the snow-capped Andes Mountains in the distance.
Our first stop will be Mendel, a historic vineyard run by one of the most famous Argentine winemakers, Roberto de la Motta. The vineyard's 100-year-old vines produce excellent concentrated Malbec, and we will sample Unus' top shelf wines, rated 94 points by Robert Parker JR. We will then visit Terrazas de los Andes for a tasting. This historic winery was completely renovated and refurbished by Chandon with an emphasis on Malbec production. For lunch, we will go to Casa Bermellón. Built in 1932, there is one hectare of Malbec fields. This vineyard is plowed on horseback and uses traditional irrigation so all winemaking work and farming is done in an ecologically friendly way. Their dishes emphasize freshness, authenticity, and the beauty of simplicity. Then we return and go directly to the airport for the return flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.
★★★★ ESPLENDOR BY WYDHAM
Day 7 DELTA TIGRE – BUENOS AIRES
For the final day of the trip, we will visit the Tigre Delta, just 35 km from the city of Buenos Aires. The Parana River Delta is considered one of the largest in the world (320 km long and 14,000 square km). It is also considered unique because it is the only delta in the world that connects with another river (Río de la Plata) instead of with the sea. We will take a private river and canal cruise that will last for approximately one hour. Along the way, you will be able to appreciate this special place, where a lush and wild landscape coexists with the picturesque houses on the palafitos. Here we will learn about the history of the settlement and the unique way of life of the inhabitants on the island. You will visit the homes, schools, churches, and see the weekend homes of the porteños who still choose these "secret gardens" for their holidays. After the tour, we head to the airport for our flight back.
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This trip to Argentina is one of our most beloved South America tours, and it’s easy to see why. There’s just so much to see, do, and experience. If you’d like to travel to Argentina, explore Mendoza, and take in the wonder of Aconcagua with our experienced guides, contact us today.
