The Natural History Highlights of Argentina
Tour Introduction
This varied itinerary showcases some of Argentina’s most rewarding natural history highlights, taking in the Atlantic rainforest and Ibera wetlands of the north-east and Patagonia’s fabulous Valdes Peninsula.
After an interesting cultural stay in Buenos Aires, fly to an historic private rainforest reserve near Iguazu Falls – in our opinion, the most impressive cascades on the planet – where you can walk wildlife trails and visit the extensive falls, including from the very different Brazillian side.
Next comes the Ibera Wetlands (Esteros del Ibera) Nature Reserve, home to caiman, howler monkey, marsh deer, capybara, over 300 species of birds and 4000 native plant species.
The last few days are spent down in Patagonia on the Valdes Peninsula where the abundant marine fauna includes southern right whale (June to November), various dolphin species, elephant seal, sea lion, Magellanic penguin and orca. You will also visit the world’s furthest flung Welsh colony at Gaiman for a cup of tea and scones.
This is a remarkably rewarding itinerary covering a great many of Argentina’s star attractions.
Full Itinerary
Met on arrival and transfer to hotel. Afternoon guided tour of the city to include the blue-collar neighborhood of La Boca where the tango originated, San Telmo site of the original city, Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, Metropolitan Cathedral, and Recoleta with its French architecture and 19th century cemetery where Eva Peron is buried.
Staying at Legado Mitico. Includes Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport and fly to Puerto Iguazu. Transfer to the hotel. The afternoon is free to explore the endangered Atlantic rainforest within the lodge’s private reserve. Trails lead to waterfalls and offer the chance to see an array of birds including various toucans, manakins and woodpeckers, and mammals such brown capuchin monkey.
Staying at Puerto Bemberg. Includes All Meals.
Full day to explore the Argentine and Brazilian sides of Iguazu Falls, including a boat ride to the base of the impressive Devil’s Throat drop. The collection of over 250 different cascades stretches for over 1.5 miles. There is a safe network of walkways and trails enabling visitors to access the best viewpoints.
Staying at Puerto Bemberg. Includes All Meals.
Full day transfer by road to the Ibera Wetlands with a stop at a Jesuit Mission ruins en route.
Staying at Estancia Rincon del Socorro. Includes All Meals.
Full day of shared guided activities in the Esteros del Ibera Nature Reserve which protects rain-fed streams, lakes and marshes which cover more than one million hectares of the north-eastern Corrientes province. The area is good for seeing caiman, capybara, marsh deer, wetland birds and more. Explore the reserve in boats, on foot and by 4x4.
Staying at Rincon del Socorro. Includes All Meals.
Another day of shared guided activities
Staying at Rincon del Socorro. Includes All Meals.
A final morning of shared guided activities in the wetlands. Transfer to Posadas and fly to Buenos Aires. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel.
Staying at Legado Mitico. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Met on arrival and transfer to the Valdes Peninsula. Designated a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO and Natural Protected Area, the 1,545-square mile peninsula protrudes 62 miles eastwards into the South Atlantic. Afternoon excursion to visit the calving site of the enormous southern elephant seal.
Staying at Faro Punta Delgada. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Full day exploration of the Valdes Peninsula. The activities depend upon the season but could include visiting huge colonies of nesting Magellanic penguins, haul out sites of southern sea lions, boat trips to see southern right whales (June to November) and possibly hunting orcas, as well as herds of guanacos and large seabird colonies.
Staying at Faro Punta Delgada. Includes All Meals.
A final day of guided excursions on the wild Atlantic peninsula
Staying at Faro Punta Delgada. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Transfer to the fishing town of Rawson. Take a boat trip into the harbour to see the beautiful black and white Commerson’s dolphin. Afterwards visit the Museum of Paleontology, located near one of the world’s largest and richest fossil deposits. The museum contains more than 1,700 fossil species and 30 dinosaur specimens. Continue to the Welsh community of Gaiman for the night.
Staying at Posada Los Mimbres. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Transfer to the airport and fly to Buenos Aires. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. In the evening enjoy a dinner tango show.
Staying at Legado Mitico. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Transfer to the airport and catch your international flight home.
Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
Legado Mitico
Overview
Legado Mitico is an intimate 11-room hotel located on a leafy street in the trendy Palermo district of Buenos Aires with its wide choice of bars and good restaurants. The individually-themed rooms are spread across three floors and all have en suite, cable TV and a minibar. The common areas are plush and provide plenty of space for relaxing and reading.
Facilities include a large lounge, rooftop Jacuzzi, sunny terrace, library, bar and classic cafeteria with plenty of comfy chairs and a wall-to-wall library. Light meals (sandwiches, pies and soups) are served until midnight, and a drinks service is available 24 hours a day. The staff are very friendly, speak good English, and are happy assist with restaurant and sight-seeing recommendations.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Cafeteria, lounge, 24 hour bar service, library, cable TV, mini bar, outside terrace, laundry and dry cleaning services, luggage storage and air conditioning.
Optional Activities
Relaxing, dining, visiting the bars.
Don Puerto Bemberg Lodge
Overview
Don Puerto Bemberg Lodge, a fully renovated old posada, is set within 400 hectares of beautiful Atlantic rainforest just above the Parana River in Misiones, near Iguazu Falls. It is one of the oldest hotels in the area and still run by the Bemberg family who have a long connection to the area and strong interest in conservation.
The lodge has 14 large, comfortable rooms, with attractive wooden furnishings, air- conditioning, ceiling fans, and en suite bathrooms. Each room also has a library stocked with books from 20th century Latin American authors, its own patio and large windows with views to the jungle. The suite has its own private balcony.
The main building has a comfortable lounge, dining room and library with over 2,500 books. There is also a separate house, Casa Bemberg, with five rooms on two floors and all meals – using produce from the lodge’s farm – and maid service are included.
Outside there is a swimming pool in a large garden with many flowers attracting hummingbirds, and spot-billed toucanets and parrots are often seen. Adjacent to the pool is a 20-metre viewing tower, and a raised wooden walkway leads out from the gardens to a viewpoint with seating for guests to enjoy magnificent views and beautiful sunsets over the Parana River.
The lodge is about a 45-minute drive from both the airport and Iguazu Falls. There are excursions available from the lodge itself, such as walking trails, boat trips and bikes are available to use and there is also a massage service that can be arranged.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, bar and lounge, garden terrace, outdoor swimming pool, room service, luggage storage, currency exchange, laundry service, concierge service, library, massage service and free Wi-Fi throughout the building.
Local Wildlife
There is abundant birdlife in the forests and gardens around the lodge, including hummingbirds, toucans, parrots, parakeets, trogons, kingfishers, raptors, owls, band-tailed manakin and mixed flocks of tanagers.
Optional Activities
The most popular excursion is to Iguazu Falls but there are many trails through the forest to explore and boat trips available on the Parana River. Bicycles can be borrowed to explore the trails around the reserve.
Estancia Rincon del Socorro
Overview
Estancia Rincon del Socorro is a 12,000-hectare former cattle ranch set amongst the lilies and reeds of the wildlife-rich Ibera wetlands, northeast Argentina. There are nine en suite rooms: six located in the main building and three separate cottages. The cosy main building also houses a lounge with open fire, bar and dining room. There is an inviting outdoor swimming pool and a separate barbecue house. Main meals are freshly prepared using organic local fruit and vegetables and free-range meat and a wide selection of fine Argentinian wines are on offer.
The estancia is in close proximity to the Esteros del Ibera Nature Reserve, protecting a system of streams, lakes and marshes which are almost exclusively rain fed and cover more than one million hectares of the north-eastern Corrientes province. There are over 60 lakes including large open water stretches such as Laguna Ibera, a RAMSAR wetland of international importance.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
There is a large communal living room, dining room and bar, separate barbecue house, outdoor swimming pool, children’s game room and laundry service.
Local Wildlife
The Esteros reserve is home to a rich wildlife of caimans, howler monkeys, marsh deer, capybaras, over 300 species of birds and 4,000 species of native plants. Work is underway to recover and reintroduce populations of animals that have become extinct or are under threat of extinction in Corrientes, including giant anteater, marsh deer, collared peccary, maned wolf, tapir, and even jaguar.
Optional Activities
Excursions by canoe, horseback and in 4x4 vehicles, and walking nature trails.
Faro Punta Delgada
Overview
Faro Punta Delgada, formerly a lighthouse and training ground for the army, is a simple estancia on the Valdes Peninsula. It has a scenic location on a cliff looking out towards the Atlantic Ocean on the Punta Delgada headland. There are five simple en suite rooms with basic amenities and Wi-Fi is available in the communal areas of the hotel.
There is an attractive restaurant with wide panoramic windows looking out to sea, a well-stocked bar and lounge, games area with dartboard and pool table, and billiards is also available. The food is well-presented and consists of tasty regional dishes: a buffet breakfast is served in the restaurant in the mornings.
The hotel is within walking distance of a huge southern elephant seal breeding colony. Many activities can be undertaken from the hotel and there is a private area of beach to explore.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, lounge, games room, Wi-Fi in the communal areas,
Local Wildlife
Southern elephant seals, sea lions, southern right whales, large seabird colonies, guanacos and possibly orcas and dolphins.
Optional Activities
Horse-riding, walking trails, 4x4 excursions, and bicycles are available to explore on.
Posada los Mimbres
Overview
The friendly, family-run posada and working farm is close to the town of Gaiman, just a few miles from the city of Trelew and part of the peaceful Welsh-Argentine community.
The building was built in 1879 and bought in 1883 by the Plust family who have opened the property as a small guesthouse surrounded by well-kept, pleasant gardens.
The old part of the house still retains traditional furnishings and artefacts that give the house plenty of character. The rest of the house has been refurbished to offer comfortable accommodation in three private rooms, each with separate bathrooms. There are an additional three rooms in the newer house where the family lives.
There is a dining room with a welcoming fireplace and lounge area for reading. The delicious meals include traditional Patagonian dishes freshly made using locally sourced ingredients, and there is a good selection of Argentine wines on offer.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
There are 5 double en suite rooms and 1 triple, dining area, lounge with small library and gift shop.
Local Wildlife
The Trelew area is about a 30-minute drive away and is excellent for watching Commerson’s dolphin, southern right whale. Punta Tombo, 70 miles further south, has a rookery of up to 500,000 Magellanic penguins.
Optional Activities
Wildlife trips in the Trelew area, visits to the Welsh tearooms and the Bryn Gwyn Paleontological Park where numerous fossils can be seen.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
British Airways has direct daily flights from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires. There are also flights from the UK on Air France via Paris, Air Europa and Iberia via Madrid, TAM via Sao Paulo, and Lufthansa via Frankfurt.
Best Visited:
January to January
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
John Melton
Area Specialist
June, July and August are the coldest months in the Ibera Wetlands. Orcas carry out beach stranding attacks on the Valdes Peninsula in March and April. Southern right whales can be seen from June to November and Magellanic penguins from September to April.
For a more remote accommodation and destination at Iguacu, stay at the Yacutinga Lodge set within its own private reserve that protects a tract of Atlantic rainforest.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
