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Argentina  / Mendoza
HIGH MOUNTAIN

Early departure in the morning: bordering the Mendoza River, we will obtain a majestic landscape of the Cordón del Plata, we will see Dique Potrerillos and the beautiful Valle de Cacheuta. We continue to Uspallata, pre-Hispanic settlement of Huarpes aborigines and the southernmost point of the Inca Empire; then we pass through Picheuta, Polvaredas and Punta de Vacas, from where we can access the famous village of Los Penitentes, one of the ski centers of Mendoza (it runs from June to August). If weather conditions permit it, one of the most privileged views of the area can be accessed by chairlift (optional ascent ticket). Later on we will visit Puente del Inca, where Las Cuevas River has pierced the mountain, forming a natural bridge to which hot springs emerge. During this visit you can also appreciate Mount Aconcagua splendor, the highest mountain in America with 6960 m.a.s.l. An unpaved road that starts from the International Route, allows you to go a few kilometers to the beautiful Horcones Lagoon and the Aconcagua Provincial Park. (Access enabled only from November to February, consult). Following the International Route, we find the customs in Horcones and a few kilometers further on, on the border with Chile, Las Cuevas town located at 3200 m.a.s.l. Between Las Cuevas and the international tunnel that leads to Chile, there is a route that, depending on weather conditions, allows you to ascend to Cristo Redentor monument, located at 4200 m.a.s.l. and that symbolizes fraternity between Argentines and Chileans. In the afternoon we return to Mendoza city.

Argentina  / Puerto iguazú
BRAZILIAN FALLS & ITAIPU DAM

Iguaçú National Park (on the Brazilian side) is 185.000 hectares long. As we get to the Visitor Center we cross the Gates individually to check the loading capacity of the Park. We immediately get into the buses that tour along within the park and take us to the 1200 trail over the Iguazú River. At this point, we get a panoramic view of the Argentinean falls, ideal to take pictures. As we go on, we can see Río Iguazú Canyon, Salto Rivadavia and Tres Mosqueteros. Towards the end of the tour, we will get to Devil’s Throat lower viewpoint 200m away. This beautiful scenery is enhanced by permanent rainbows. The tour ends at Salto Floriano where an elevator takes us to the bus parking. The other option is to walk the path and up the stairs to the meeting point. Represa de Itaipu panoramic tour (Itaipu Dam) Itaipu Dam is an engineering masterpiece shared by Brazil and Paraguay on the Paraná River. It is located 50 km from Iguazú Falls. This visit includes only outdoor areas in Dam and starts with a brief stop at the Interpretation Centre where a documental film describing details of the building process is shown. Then in a vehicle drive and the aid of guides, tour offers a 10 minutes stop in "Central Mirador" to get a panoramic view of the dam. In that place is a brief explanation of its general operation. After that visit continues by bus -and depending on the daily operation- also passes over the dam, with a new stop. Visit lasts 1:30 hours and can be done all year round, except on Sundays and holidays.

Argentina  / Puerto madryn
PUNTA TOMBO

The Protected Natural Area of Punta Tombo hosts every year –between September and April- the largest continental colony in the world of Magellanic Penguins. By the Atlantic Ocean shores, surrounded by farms dedicated to wool production, it is the place penguins choose for their reproduction. In front of the sea, half million penguins protect their nests from depredators, look for food (little fish, anchovies and squids) for their offspring, fill the air with their squawks and paint the landscape in black and white. The best time to observe them is in the morning and at sunset, when it is not so hot and penguins increase their activities. To reach Punta Tombo, it is necessary to drive about 110 miles towards the south from Puerto Madryn. The access route is mostly paved, but there are about 12 miles of gravel at the end of the road. At the entrance, the Centro Tombo provides various rooms where it is possible to learn more about the area's wildlife. Departure from hotel in the morning; we will get into the reserve to walk near the nests. A big group of penguins on the beach can be observed from a cliff. In the afternoon we return and stop in Trelew City ("Lewis town" in welsh language, Lewis Jones was one of the pioneers who came to these distant lands in the late nineteenth century). MEF E. Feruglio Paleontology Museum and visit (optional). Then continue to Gaiman Colony where the exquisite Welsh tea can be tasted (optional). Arrival in Puerto Madryn late in the afternoon.

Brasil  / Foz iguazu
ARGENTINIAN FALLS

If we are staying at a Hotel in Puerto Iguazú, we depart from the Hotel and cross The International Bridge ‘Tancredo Neves’ (Puente de la Fraternidad) that joins the cities of Foz do Iguazú (Brazil) and Puerto Iguazú (Argentina). Here, at the crossing of borders, we have to go through Customs at both sides of the bridge. The tour visits the Argentinean side of the Iguazú Falls, located within Iguazú National Park. With 67.000 hs, they are made up of 275 falls thundering down from a 70-meter average height. In this section of the rainforest, we can find a huge variety of ferns, orchids, begonias, birds and butterflies. We are on our way to Estación Central, where we will take a train to Estación Cataratas and/or Estación Garganta del Diablo. From this site, we can choose: - Upper Circuit: 800 mts trail raised above the ground surface, so as not, to block or scare away local fauna as they go by. Highlights: Dos Hermanas, Bosetti, Bernabé Méndez, and M’Bigua waterfalls. Time required for this ride: 1 h. Difficulty range: low, no stairs. - Lower Circuit: 1.600 mts trail walk above the ground surface. Highlights: Dos Hermanas, Alvar Nuñez, San Martín, Bosetti and Peñon of Bella Vista waterfalls (from Peñon we get a view of Garganta del Diablo -Devil’s Throat- and Cañón del Rio Iguazú inferior). Time required for this ride: 2 hs. Difficulty range: moderate, with stairs. -Garganta del Diablo: departing from Estación Cataratas, the train takes us to Estación Garganta. The walk along the footbridges demands 1200 mts to delight us with the spectacular balcony of the most important waterfall of the National Park: Garganta del Diablo. Time required for this ride: 2 hs. Difficulty range: low, no stairs.

Brasil  / Río de janeiro
CORCOVADO & SUGAR LOAF

Drive along the downtown area of Rio until reaching the famous football stadium of “Maracanã” (inside visit not included). From there continue back through the center of town (old part of the city) passing by the Sambadrome, Modern Cathedral and Municipal theatre. Continuing via Flamengo Park until reaching Urca neighborhood and Praia Vermelha cable car Station where you will be taken to the Urca Mountain (mid-way station) with its gardens and look-out points. Then, the second part of the ride will take you to the peak of the Sugar Loaf Mountain, 400 m.a.s.l. Sugar Loaf is located in a neighborhood called Urca at the entrance of Guanabara Bay. It is group of two mountains, one called Urca Mountain and the other called Sugar Loaf. The original cable cars were inaugurated in 1912. In 1972, the construction of a new aerial path was concluded within new standards and using modern technology. Corcovado lookout is set 709 meters above sea level, at the very top of the mountain with the same name. From there, the visitor can see nearly the entire city of Rio de Janeiro. Also located at this world-famous tourist site, is the “Cristo Redentor” statue (Christ, the Redeemer). Corcovado is set right in the "Tijuca Rainforest National Park” (the largest urban park in the world) which is in the heart of the city of Rio, being considered by locals as the “lung of the city”. A cogwheel train, constructed by Swiss engineers, takes visitors up–passing lovely parts of the forest allowing visitors to have panoramic views of the city while climbing up. Finally, after reaching the mountain top, escalators are available as well as elevator to assist passengers reaching the statue – which stands on its 28 meters of height. And the most marvelous view of the city!