Iguazu Falls, Ibera Wetlands and the Patagonian Steppe

Argentina's wildlife extremes: Patagonia's unique fauna of penguins, sea birds and marine mammals at the Valdes Peninsula and the thriving Ibera wetlands near Iguazu Falls.

from £4230

Customer rating 100%

'Iguazu Falls, Ibera Wetlands and the Patagonian Steppe'

What makes this trip special?

Nature in Northern Patagonia

Nature in Northern Patagonia

Peninsula Valdez

Declared a world heritage site in 1999, Peninsula Valdez is home to an array of marine and land based wildlife. Southern right whales, Orcas, dolphins and penguins are present at various times during the year, whilst sea lions and elephant seals as well as abundant birdlife can be spotted all year round.

Welsh Patagonia

Welsh Patagonia

The Chubut Valley and Welsh settlements

Patagonia's small pocket of Welsh settlements has grown from a solitary ship landing in 1865 with some 150 Welsh natives on board, to a region with 3 billingual schools. Aside from the language, the Welsh heritage is still clear in the Chubut Valley, in the form of the Welsh chapels around Trelew, and the famous Gaiman tearooms. A visit here is not complete until you have worked your way through a traditional Welsh tea of cakes, scones and jam at a 'casa de té' some of which are owned by descendants of the original settlers.

Wetland wildlife

Wetland wildlife

Ibera Wetlands

One of Argentina's best destinations for wildlife viewing, the Esteros de Ibera are the second largest wetland area in the world after the Pantanal in Brazil. Swamp deer, Capybara and Caiman are perhaps the most sought after species, but with around 300 different birds in the area there is a huge variety of things to see.

Waterfalls in the jungle

Waterfalls in the jungle

Iguazú Falls

Dividing Argentina and Brazil this network of 275 individual drops is the largest waterfall system in the world. Walkways enable close up views, whilst trails within the park can also take you to more panoramic vistas. You can visit the falls from both Argentina and Brazil, as each offers a different perspective on the immense power of these falls.

Nature in the Missiones Jungle

Nature in the Missiones Jungle

Yucutinga Lodge

Two hours from the Iguazú Falls and deep in the Misiones Jungle lies the Yacutinga wildlife reserve and Lodge. The accommodation has been set up as an ecotourism project based around the wildlife in the area, and the private nature reserve is a haven of different flora and fauna. Excursions are run sensitively in small groups, and many local guides now work at the centre.

Panorama of Iguaçu

Panorama of Iguaçu

Brazilian Iguaçu

For a panoramic overview of the falls visit the Brazilian Iguaçu National Park. The walkways on this side of the border offer views from above and below the garganta del diablo and other drops. For those wanting to get up close, and don't mind getting wet, the Macuco safari boat trips are an original way to cool off.

Itinerary map for Argentina 'Iguazu Falls, Ibera Wetlands and the Patagonian Steppe' holiday

Itinerary

  • Day      Overnight
  • 1 Buenos Aires
  • 1 Buenos Aires
  • 2 Buenos Aires
  • 2 Buenos Aires
  • 3 Ibera Wetlands
  • 3 Puerto Madryn
  • 3 Trelew
  • 4 Puerto Madryn
  • 4 Ibera Wetlands
  • 5 Ibera Wetlands
  • 5 Puerto Madryn
  • 6 Gaimán
  • 6 Trelew
  • 6 Buenos Aires
  • 7 Bahía Bustamante
  • 7 Ibera Wetlands
  • 8 Ibera Wetlands
  • 8 Bahía Bustamante
  • 9 Bahía Bustamante
  • 9 Ibera Wetlands
  • 10 Iguazu Falls
  • 10 Valdés Peninsula
  • 11 Valdés Peninsula
  • 11 Iguazu Falls
  • 12 Yacutinga Lodge
  • 12 Trelew
  • 13 El Calafate
  • 13 Yacutinga Lodge
  • 14 Yacutinga Lodge
  • 14 El Calafate
  • 15 El Calafate
  • 16 Buenos Aires
  • 17 Buenos Aires
  • For the detail of each day click the ‘Day-by-day’ tab above.

Day-by-day itinerary for 'Iguazu Falls, Ibera Wetlands and the Patagonian Steppe'

DAY 1

Arrival into Buenos Aires

Upon arrival in Buenos Aires you are met and taken to your hotel for a stay of two nights. You have some time to leave your bags at the hotel, before then heading out for a half day tour of this elegant cosmopolitan city to give you an overview of its main sites such as the Obelisk and the historic Plaza de Mayo, and its broad avenues, such as 9 de Julio. Stop in the colourful quarters of San Telmo and La Boca before continuing with a drive through bohemian Palermo with its beautiful parks and gardens, the Recoleta, and the modern neighbourhood of Puerto Madero. The tour introduces you to this city of immigrants and you hear of the politics that swayed emotions, changed lives and became the theme of stories, music and theatre.

DAY 2
BD

Day at leisure with an evening at a Tango Show

Today is a free day for independent sight-seeing and depending on what you visited during your walking tour and your interests you might choose to visit one of Buenos Aires many museums and galleries (MALBA collection of modern art, Evita Museum, National History Museum, Bellas Artes Museum). Alternatively you might prefer to visit the city's Costanera Sur Eco-reserve home to a variety of flora and fauna (particularly birds) Or simply marvel at the architecture, stop for a coffee at Argentina's oldest café, the beautifully grand Café Tortoni or wander the San Telmo flea markets. Later in the evening you are taken to see a tango show at one of the cities famous Tango theatres. Dinner is served followed by an unforgettable show, featuring first rate musicians, dancers and singers which revive the original styles and melancholic rhythms of the world renowned tango.

DAY 3
B

Fly from Buenos Aires to Trelew

At the agreed time this morning you are picked up and taken to the domestic airport on time for your flight to Trelew. You are then transfderred the 67km to Puerto Madryn for a stay of two nights at your hotel. Once you are checked in, later in the afternoon you are taken on a half day visit to Punta Loma, a natural reserve created for the purpose of preserving and protecting the only permanent colony of South American sea lions. Punta Loma is composed of coastal cliffs and there are two viewpoints that allow the observation of sea lions along the rocky shore. There is also the opportunity to observe the many sea birds such as South American terns.

DAY 4
B

Full day tour of the Peninsula including whale watching

Depart in the morning for a full day excursion to the Valdés Península starting with a stop at the Interpretation Centre. You continue to Puerto Pirámides where you will have the opportunity to take an optional boat tour to see the Right Whales (June to December) as well as sea lions and even dolphins (year round). Later continue to Caleta Valdés where you will stop for lunch (payable locally) and then in the afternoon continue to Punta Delgada in the Southern part of the Peninsula to see elephant seals. On the way back, pass the Salinas where you will have a chance to observe the terrestrial fauna. You will finish this trip in the late afternoon and be dropped at your hotel.

DAY 5
B

Free day on the Valdes Peninsula

Today you have a full free day for optional wildlife based excursions on the Peninsula.

DAY 6
B

Travel from the Valdes Peninsula to the Welsh settlement of Gaiman

Today drive from your hotel to the traditional Welsh settlement of Gaiman, 17km west of Trelew. You have the afternoon free to explore the town and try some of the traditional local tea houses or 'casas de te' that are unique to this small part of Patagonia. You stay here for one night, enabling you to take an early flight in the morning north to Posadas.

DAY 7
BD

Travel to the Ibera Wetlands

After the short drive from Gaiman to Trelew airport you today fly onto to Posadas via Buenos Aires and then on to your lodge in the Ibera Wetlands. This journey is long, but well worth the wait when you arrive at your lodge in one of the best areas of Argentina for wildlife spotting. Your stay of 3 nights at the lodge is on a full board basis, whilst you will be able to organise specific excurisons on a daily basis. Excursions are generally shared with other guests, but there is a wide variety of options to chose from day by day.

DAY 8
BLD

Included excursions from the lodge

Activities begin early in the morning so as to maximise your wildlife viewing time. Typically on your first day you start with a visit to the Ibera Wetlands reserve either walking or by horse, before then getting a little further into the wetlands via boat up the streams that lead into the Laguna Iberá. After sunset, there are optional nocturnal trips, such as a safari drive in one of the 4x4 vehicles.

DAY 9
BLD

Included excursions from the lodge

Shared excursions operated by the lodge.

DAY 10
B

Travel via road to Iguazu

Today head north via road from your accommodation in the wetlands to Iguazu. This is a very long journey of over 560km, but there will be opportunities to stop along the way with photo opportunities and comfort breaks built into the journey. You arrive at your hotel in the Misiones Jungle province town of Puerto Iguazu in the afternoon and you then have the rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 11
B

Full day Tour of the Argentine side of the Iguazu Falls

Today you visit the Argentine side of the falls. You are transferred to the entrance of the park where you board the small Rainforest Ecological Train which winds through the National Park dropping visitors off at the various walkways. Visit both the lower circuit catwalk, a 1.5 km loop offering views of smaller but still impressive falls such as Ramirez and Bosetti and the upper circuit catwalk, a short trail in the forest above the first few waterfalls. You are then taken to visit the spectacular Devil's Throat from a different angle along a flat walkway suspended over the Upper Iguazu river. The lookout point at the end of the catwalk offers stunning views over this side of the falls. You are transferred back to your hotel later today.

DAY 12
BD

Brazilian side of the Falls followed by drive to Misiones Province

This morning you will be collected from your hotel and taken on a tour of the Brazilian side of the falls. Starting at the modern visitors centre at the entrance to the National Park which has a small museum with interactive exhibits, information and facts about the falls. You will then be transferred to the start of the ‘Waterfall Trail’, a 1.2 km paved trail dotted with superb panoramic viewpoints, culminating in a catwalk that leads you to the base of the almighty Devil’s Throat cascade, a sheer mass of thundering water undoubtedly the most impressive part of the falls. After the tour you will be taken back to your hotel, before beginning the journey on to your Lodge, in a more remote part of the Misiones jungle.

DAY 13
BLD

Included excursions from the lodge

Full day based at your Lodge with excursions shared with other guests. Naturalist guides are on site to take you on trails deeper in the Misiones Forest, or alternatively you can relax around the pool and go on shorter walks in the gardens within the grounds of the lodge, whilst in the evenings you have the opportunity to go on nocturnal excursions.

DAY 14
BLD

Included excursions from the lodge

Full day based at the Lodge with excursions shared with other guests.

DAY 15
B

Transfer from the lodge to Iguazu and fly back to the UK via Brazil

In the morning you travel back to the town of Puerto Iguazu where you are met and transferred to Brazil to take your flights from Foz do Iguassu back to the UK via either Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.

Guide prices for 'Iguazu Falls, Ibera Wetlands and the Patagonian Steppe'

options based on all year low season mid season high season peak season other season
Mid-range hotels 2 people sharing £4,230
mid/upper range hotels 2 people sharing £4,230
upper range hotels 2 people sharing £5,760
Prices are per person and include:
  • all accommodation
  • all travel within Argentina
  • meals as indicated (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
  • excursions as described
Prices do not include:
  • transatlantic flights
  • travel insurance
  • items of a personal nature such as drinks, tips, laundry, etc
  • airport and departure taxes

Customer reviews for 'Iguazu Falls, Ibera Wetlands and the Patagonian Steppe'

Recent reviews are shown here from holidays based on this initial design. In each case the itinerary may have been modified (a little or a lot) to suit the individual traveller.

Average customer rating 100%

Seasonal information for 'Iguazu Falls, Ibera Wetlands and the Patagonian Steppe'

Along this route in January

Day Location Max °C Monthly rainfall
1 Buenos Aires 29°C rainfall 100mm
2 Buenos Aires 29°C rainfall 100mm
3 Puerto Madryn 27°C rainfall 11mm
3 Trelew 28°C rainfall 12mm
4 Puerto Madryn 27°C rainfall 11mm
5 Puerto Madryn 27°C rainfall 11mm
6 Gaimán 28°C rainfall 12mm
6 Trelew 28°C rainfall 12mm
7 Ibera Wetlands 34°C rainfall 122mm
8 Ibera Wetlands 34°C rainfall 122mm
9 Ibera Wetlands 34°C rainfall 122mm
10 Iguazu Falls 32°C rainfall 171mm
11 Iguazu Falls 32°C rainfall 171mm
12 Yacutinga Lodge 31°C rainfall 197mm
13 Yacutinga Lodge 31°C rainfall 197mm
14 Yacutinga Lodge 31°C rainfall 197mm

Typical weather for January

rainchart

Max °C figures are the average daily maximum temperatures for the month. Rainfall is the average precipitation for the month.

Hotels for 'Iguazu Falls, Ibera Wetlands and the Patagonian Steppe'

Days 1 - 2

Pulitzer

Buenos Aires

The Pulitzer is a modern hotel located in the centre of Buenos Aires. Rooms are equipped with safe, minibar, airconditioning and free high speed wifi whlist there is a downstairs bar that serves lights meals and drinks throughout the day. Up on the 7th floor there is a swimming pool and even a gym where it is possible to book in for a massage.

 

 

Pulitzer
Hotel exterior
Day 3

Yene Hue Australis

ocean front Puerto Madryn

Hotel Yene Hue Australis is a mid-range hotel located in the centre of Puerto Madryn. There are views from the rooms of either the city, or the sea. All rooms have either heating or air conditioning, TV, private bathrooms and safety deposit boxes, whilst there is WIFI in the communal areas of the hotel. There is also an indoor heated swimming pool with spa area and sauna facilities.

Yene Hue Australis
Ground Floor café
Day 5

Las Restingas Hotel de Mar, Pto Piramides

Puerto Pirámides

Open from July to April, Las Restingas Hotel is a beachfront hotel in the small settlement of Puerto Piramides on the Peninsula Valdez. It has 12 rooms, all with private bathroom, ceiling fan, TV, DVD, mini-bar and laundry service.  The 4 rooms located upstairs have a spacious balcony; whereas the rooms downstairs have a private terrace with access to the beach.

Here Southern Right Whales come to breed and raise their young between May and December.

Other activities available locally include: diving, mountain biking, fishing, sandboarding, horseriding.

Weather in Patagonia: characterised by short Springs and Autumns,  long winters and summers (the opposite of ours)

In their summer pack; light clothes, swimsuit, sun glasses, sun block, right shoes for long walks, a light jacket for the night.

In their winter; pack a warm coat or jacket, polar sweatshirts, thermal shirts, good shoes for walking, warm socks, gloves, scarf and woolen hats

Las Restingas Hotel de Mar, Pto Piramides
Sea View double
Day 6

La Casa de Paula

Casa de Paula is a small guesthouse located a couple of blocks from the centre of Trelew. Rooms are modern, and have kingsize beds and private bathrooms. There is a pleasant garden and patio making this a lovely base in the the Welsh region of Patagonia.

La Casa de Paula
Double room
Days 7 - 9

Rancho de los Esteros

Rancho de los Esteros has just four rooms, all with views over the lake. The lodge has been built using traditional materials of mud and wood, but has been furnished to a high standard. There is a small outdoor swimming pool whilst the hosts will regularly put on meals for guests with vegetables from the garden and meat cooked on the barbecue.

Rancho de los Esteros
Double room
Days 10 - 11

Hotel Saint George

Iguazu

A comfortable, mid-range hotel located in the centre of Puerto Iguazu 17km from the Iguazu falls. Each of the 100 rooms have private bathrooms, A/C, cable TV, mini-bar and hair-dryers. Facilities include two swimming pools, heated jacuzzi, dry sauna and massage room, gift shop, games room, gym and free Wi-Fi internet access in the lobby and bar. The 'Doña Maria' restaurant serves local and international cuisine whilst there is also a snack bar by the swimming pool.

Hotel Saint George
Pool area
Days 12 - 14

Yacutinga Lodge, Puerto Iguazu

Iguazu

Yacutinga Lodge is a set in its own private nature reserve on the upper Iguazu river approximately 80km from the Iguazu Falls in the Misiones region of north eastern Argentina.

The Yacutinga reserve area covers 570 hectares and is part of  270.000 protected hectares covered by the " Green Corridor" conservation project.  It is one of the most biodiverse ecoregions in Argentina with ancient trees, 520 species of butterflies, 320 species of birds, more than 90 species of orchids & bromeliads and several endangered mammals such as the jaguar, tapir and ocelot - all protected in the Yacutinga Nature Reserve.  

The lodge's vision is to create a relationship and understanding between guests and the surrounding natural environment. In 2003 Yacutinga Lodge and the reserve were selected by the World Tourism Organization as an example of one of 60 model ecotourism enterprises. Whilst staying at the lodge guests take part in a variety of nature-focused activities accompanied by local English-speaking naturalist guides from river-float photo-safaris to guided interpretative trails and early morning and night-walks in the forest. No more than 12 people paticipate in excursions at a time.

The lodge itself has been built in harmony with its surroundings and is situated on just 4 out of the 570 hectares in the reserve. Native materials such as stones and fallen trees have been incorporated into the architecture. The main lodge building, which includes reception, restaurant and sitting room is surrounded by a palmetto stand, which is an endangered species endemic to the region.

The lodge has 20 rooms surrounding the main lodge building in modules set in the forest. Each module contains four rustic-style rooms all with private bathroom with 24hr hot water, 100% cotton linen, forest views, woodstove heater and porch. There is a more spacious "Yatei Suite" available located 150m from the main building. All rooms do not have TV, mini-bar or any other 5* facilities.

The lodge restaurant serves homemade regional food using local produce, primarily from neighbouring farms who do not use pesticides. Vegetarian meals can be provided.

Additional facilities include a swimming pool and bar.

Yacutinga Lodge, Puerto Iguazu
Observation tower