About
Argentina
Argentina offers stunning natural
wonders, an elegant capital with a European-flavoured
sophistication, and a passionate culture.
If any country deserves
the label 'land of extremes' then Argentina does. From
the snow-capped peaks and glaciers of the Andes to the
dusty plains of Patagonia, Argentina never fails to
amaze. Whether exploring the lush rainforest of
Missiones, horse riding in the red mountains of Salta,
trekking the turquoise lakes and evergreen forests of
the Lake District or playing the gaucho in the fertile
Pampas, the country is one of ceaseless wonder and
boundless adventure.
Getting There:
It takes approx. 16 hours to
fly from the Benelux to Buenos Aires, about 17 hours from
Scandinavia.
Aerolineas
is Argentina's national airline, which partners with another
airline called Austral. It is the most efficient and economical
way to travel long distances.
Highlights to
visit in
Argentina:
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is
the most
European of
South American
cities: Parisian
boulevards and
architecture,
neat squares and
parks, fine
museums,
fashionable
shops and
gourmet
restaurants.
Huge steaks are
a local touch
and the
passionate tango
nightlife
particularly
Argentine. Worth
a visit are the
bohemian quarter
of San Telmo,
the old
colourful port
area of
La Boca
(where tango was
born), and the
smart area of
Recoleta, where
the renowned
Hotel Alvear
Palace is
situated and the
tomb of Evita
Peron. Nearby is
the Costanera
Sur Wildlife
Park. Like
London the
docklands are
being
transformed into
a modern café
based
attraction.
Cuyo —
snow and
wine
The name
Cuyo is
given to
the vast
arid
plains
covering
the
provinces
of
Mendoza
and San
Juan.
The
rivers
fed by
the
perennial
Andean
snows
have
provided
an oasis
that has
become
of the
world's
largest
wine
producing
areas.
The
pleasant
city of
Mendoza
is the
perfect
base for
visiting
the many
surrounding
vineyards
or for
reaching
the ski
centres
of Los
Penitentes
and Las
Leñas
which
combine
good
snow
with
first-rate
facilities.
Aconcagua
is the
highest
peak in
the
Americas.
Found in
the
western
province
of
Mendoza,
and its
summit
rises up
to
6,959m
above
sea
level.
It is
the goal
of
mountain
climbers
from all
over the
world.
Reaching
its
summit
is
challenging
but
technically
straightforward,
requiring
good
training
and
careful
planning.
It is
located
within
the
Aconcagua
Provincial
Park and
non-mountaineers
can find
other
adventurous
activities. |
The Pampas
The grassy
plains of
central
Argentina are
known as La
Pampa. Vast
herds of cattle
graze here. The
landscape is
broken to the
south by the
small mountains
of Tandil and La
Ventana and to
the west by the
Cordoba mountain
ranges.
But the Pampas
is more than
cows and grass,
there is much
wildlife that
inspired W.H.
Hudson: owls,
hawks, rheas (an
ostrich like
birds),
vultures,
caracaras,
black-necked
swans, ducks,
armadillos,
guanacos and
puma. For
accommodation
there are a
number of
comfortable
ranches
(estancias),
such as El
Ombú de Areco,
where you can
sample the
gaucho lifestyle
on horseback.
This is not a
place for
vegetarians,
their idea of
supper is half a
cow cooked over
a wood fire. |
Iguazu
Falls
Sometimes described as
being one of the 7
natural Wonders of the
World; in fact,
Iguassu Falls are
neither the widest
waterfall in the world,
nor are they the
tallest. However, what
it lacks in width and
height it makes up for
elsewhere. On the Parana
River, the falls act as
a natural border to the
countries of Brazil,
Argentina and Paraguay
and compose of 275
cataracts in total. Best
time of year to see the
Falls is between
October and December and
as this is such a
magnificent sight, it is
highly recommended that
you make arrangements to
stay at least one night
here.
Valdés Peninsula
For wildlife the
Valdés Peninsula
is unmissable,
with its unique
colonies of
seals, sea
lions, penguins
and whales that
can be seen from
the shore. The
Southern right
whales breed
between
September to
November. At
less accessible
Punta Norte,
Killer whales
come to
feed on sea lion
pups in March
and April. The
best place for
Elephant seals
is Punta
Delgada. The
peninsula is
accessed from
Puerto Madryn,
the place where
welsh migrants
first landed to
colonize this
inhospitable
region. In
nearby Trelew
one can still
have tea with a
Welsh family.
Los Glacieres
Park
Definitely not
to be missed is
the Los
Glacieres
National Park.
At the western
end of Lago
Argentino is the
famous
Perito Moreno
glacier,
one of the few
ice masses
thought to be
advancing.
Occasionally the
spectacular
glacier cuts off
the Brazo Rico
river until the
water pressure
is sufficient to
rupture through.
This happened
recently (the
previous time
was 1988). The
sight of this
majestic wall of
ice will remain
with you a long
time. It is part
of the
Patagonian
Ice-cap.
Andean
Patagonia is
popular with
trekkers, where
the mountains,
lakes and rivers
beckon and never
crowded. El
Calafate is the
centre of
tourism of the
region, whilst
the smaller El
Chalten is the
climbing and
hiking base for
Mount Fitzroy
and Cerro Torre.
Tierra del Fuego
and Beagle
Channel —
Ushuaia - the
end of the world
Ushuaia is the
southernmost
city of the
world. The
setting is
spectacular
between snow
capped mountains
and the Beagle
channel. You can
take day trips
to estancia
Harberton and
the boat tours
into the Beagle
Channel where
penguins and sea
lions
congregate. The
nearby Tierra
del Fuego
National Park
can be visited
in a day or
longer with
camping. Ushuaia
also is one of
the main
gateways for
cruise ships
to Antarctica,
or cruises
around Cape
Horn.
|
The Lake
District
Argentina’s
region of
mountains and
lakes is South
America’s
version of
Switzerland. The
dramatic lake
Nahuel Huapi is
the biggest and
most famous
National Park in
the country. The
luxurious hotel
Llao Llao is
located here.
The main town is
Bariloche, which
even has
chalet-style
chocolate shops
and fondue
restaurants. The
trekking is good
and one can
escape the
crowds far
easier than
Europe.
Dinosaurs left
their footprints
at Neuquén. San
Martin de Los
Andes makes a
good base for
hiking, biking
or water sports
on Lake Lacar.
Intrepid
travellers can
follow the Butch
and Sundance
trail to
Cholila. |
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City Service
San Martin 344, Piso 26
(C1004AAH) Buenos Aires
Argentina
Tel.: ++
54 11 5550 7770
Email:
argentina@teamlatinamericaincentives.com
Disclaimer: We've tried to make
the information on this web site as accurate as
possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we
accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or
inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from
this information. You should verify critical
information (like visas, health and safety,
customs and transportation) with the relevant
authorities before you travel. |
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