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Blog - Jim's Thoughts

Argentina Tours and Travel

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Cycling Wine Roads of Argentina & Chile
Gourmet Soft Adventure across the Andes - 10 days / 9 nights

Day 1: Arrival in Buenos Aires
We will be waiting for you at Buenos Aires Airport. Transfer to your centric hotel. A brief orientation meeting will be held at the hotel to meet our guide and review the itinerary before setting out on an afternoon tour of the city's historic neighborhoods. In the late afternoon, we make a stop at one of the city's finest Wine bars and get acquainted with the superb Argentine Malbecs. Get ready for an evening of Music & Dance at one of Buenos Aires' most authentic Tango venues.
Lodging options: Superior or Luxury
( Dinner included )

Day 2: Buenos Aires
Morning visit to the traditional Recoleta neighborhood, with its sparkling cafes & restaurants. Later on, bike ride of the Buenos Aires Ecological reservation. Our ride ends by the city's modern waterfront, where we will have lunch at one of Buenos Aires' great steak houses. The rest of the day is yours to walk this amazing city, its museums and parks.
Cycling: 2.30 hours. Terrain: flat- mostly on paved roads
Lodging options: Superior or Luxury
( Breakfast and lunch included )

Day 3: ( Flight to ) Central Valleys of Mendoza - Biking & Wineries
Early morning flight to Mendoza. Upon our arrival, check in at the exclusive lodge at the Vineyards . We cycle to award winning winery Achaval Ferrer . Only a few years into the market , its wines consistently receive 90 + punctuations ( Wine Spectator). Again on our bikes for lunch at Ruca Malen winery. Afternoon leisure at the lodge & evening visit to centric Mendoza.
Total biking distance: 20 -30 km . Terrain: flat- mostly ( 70 % ) on paved roads.
Lodging: Superior Club Tapiz
Luxury Vistalba lodge, at Carlos Pulenta Vineyards
(Breakfast and lunch included)

Notes : - when lodging at Vistalba, lunch will be at La Bourgogne , the bodega's restaurant..
- Dinner on your own, several options: Those who prefer to stay at the lodge can opt to enjoy Terruño, the lodge's superb restaurant

Day 4: ( Mendoza) Uco Valley - ( Biking & Horse Back riding at the Andes' foothills)
Transfer south to the town of Tupungato, at the Uco Valley . Once at the valley, we ride our bikes up to the Salentein Winery . Lunch at Kilka , the Bodega`s Restaurant and Art Space. Afternoon visit to the winery and horse back ride through the vineyards with incredible views of Tupungato, one of the highest mountain ranges of the Andes (6800 mts).
Total Biking distance: 24 km to 30 km. Terrain: flat- mostly on paved roads
Horse back riding: 2 hours approx.
Lodging Options: Superior: Postales del Plata at Valle de Uco
Luxury Posada Salentein ( Tunuyan -Mendoza)
(All meals included)

Day 5: (Mendoza) -Uco valley - Biking & Wineries
Morning bike to one of the valley's finest wineries: Clos de los Siete , a joint wine adventure initiated a few years back by the world famous French winemaker Michel Rolland. with magnificent views of the Andes. We also ride the bodega's inner roads to Monteviejo Winery, before heading for a traditional Asado at Posada del Jamon, the hidden local gem specialized in pork meats,. Afternoon visit to La Azul, a small Boutique winery, producer of outstanding Malbecs.
Total Biking distance: 25 to 32 km
Lodging Options: Superior
Luxury - ( Tunuyan / Mendoza)
(All meals included)

Day 6: Mendoza ( flight to) -Santiago de Chile
Morning transfer to Mendoza airport to board a flight over the Andes, to Chile's capital city of Santiago. Transfer to our centric hotel. One of the country's most precious treasures are its Mariscos ( sea food), and we head for Mercado Central, the historic building where Chilean Chefs go for fresh sea- food. Lunch at the market From there, we will go on a walking tour of downtown Santiago`s main historic sites. The rest of the day is yours to discover the city.
Lodging options: Superior
Luxury
(Breakfast & lunch included)

Day 7: - Colchagua Valley
Morning transfer south to the town of Santa Cruz, at the center of Colchagua Valley, one of the Chile's most prominent wine regions. Time on your own to walk around the historic town or visit the Colchagua Museum. Afternoon cycling through the outstanding scenery, (on secondary roads)
Total biking distance: 35 km on paved and secondary dirt roads .
Lodging Options: Superior: Hotel Viña la Playa. Winery & Lodge - Colchagua Valley
Luxury: Hotel Santa Cruz - Colchagua Valley
( Breakfast & dinner Included )

Day 8: Colchagua Valley-
After a short morning transfer, we start cycling from the small town of Lolol. Enjoy a Gourmet Picnic lunch and relax at the quiet "Valley of the Artists" before heading back to town. Late afternoon transfer back at the Lodge.
Total biking distance: 40 km , secondary paved and dirt roads, in very good conditions.
Lodging Options: Superior: Hotel Viña la Playa. Winery & Lodge - Colchagua Valley
Luxury: Hotel Santa Cruz - Colchagua Valley
( Breakfast & lunch included )

Day 9: Curicó Valley, lodge at Casa Silva Winery
Today we will get to know another of Chile's prime regions of wine making. Morning transfer south to Curicó. The city Founded in 1743, and destroyed by an earthquake in 1928, is today one of the more cultured and provincial towns of Chile. A few miles outside town we find Alta Cima , a family-run boutique winery dedicated to the production of fine wines. We leave the winery just to get across one of the valley's true culinary jewels, restaurant Colo Colo, in the town of Romeral. Its simple atmosphere only known to the locals hides some of the best Plateadas ( casserole beef) in the whole country. After one-hour transfer we get to our lodge at Casa Silva Winery . Relax at the colonial patio as you taste the Casa Silva's top Carmenere. We will gather back for our farewell dinner, at the Bodega's restaurant by the barrel room.
Lodging: Casa Silva Winery
(All meals Included )

Day 10: Maipo Valley- Transfer out to Santiago Airport
After breakfast, you can explore the Bodega or walk throughout the oldest vineyards in the Colchagua Valley, Mid morning departure to Santiago International Airport, to board flights back home /or domestic connections.
( Breakfast included )

Trip price per person in US$: ( valid until April 30th 2010 )
2-3 people / per person
Superior Blend: per person USD 4195.
Single supplement: USD 930.
Luxury Blend: per person USD 4900
Single supplement: USD 1570.
4 + people/ per person
Superior Blend: per person USD 3640
Single supplement: USD 930.-
Luxury Blend: per person USD 4425
Single supplement: USD 1570.-

Approx. cost for 2 internal flights ( not included) USD 390.- < Buenos Aires - Mendoza ( domestic) + Mendoza - Santiago de Chile ( Intl. )

Trip includes:

- All accommodations in superior to Luxury, double occupancy: Hotels, charming country inns, and Wine estates
- Most Meals , as described in the detailed itinerary
- Private transportation in all locations
- Private, expert local guides all through the itinerary ( English- Spanish).
- Wine expert guides / during Wine Tasting activities.
- Wine Tasting & Outdoor Activities as described,
- Top quality 24 gear, aluminum, hybrid bikes.
- Maps
- Water Bottles / Snacks during outdoor activities & shuttle time

Lodges, as described , in double occupancy:
Superior Blend - Esplendor Bs As- 4*sup, Postales del Plata Lodge, Club Tapiz (Tapiz Vineyards), Fundador Sgo 4*, Viña la Playa (Sutil Vineyards), Casa Silva Winery
Luxury Blend - Palacio Duhau Hyatt Bs As -5*, Salentein Posada ( Salentein Vineyards ), Vistalba lodge( Carlos Pulenta Vineyards), Ritz Carlton Sgo. 5 * Hote, l Plaza Santa Cruz Casa Silva Winery
( All lodges are subject to availability )

Not Included:
- Wines and other alcoholic beverages during meals/ except during picnics & wine tasting activities (included).
- Insurance of any kind.
- International airfares
- Domestic airfare Buenos Aires Mendoza