Cultural Immersion & Natural Wonders of Argentina and Patagonia

Backcountry trekking around Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre in Los Glaciares National Park | Sue Badyari

Colourful street art in La Boca | Heike Krumm

Striking views of Perito Moreno Glacier

Backcountry trekking around Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre in Los Glaciares National Park | Sue Badyari

Colourful street art in La Boca | Heike Krumm

Striking views of Perito Moreno Glacier

Code: WSWA

Overview

Highlights

Explore the 'Paris of South America' Buenos Aires
Learn to Tango and to cook Empanadas like the locals
Trek through one the world's most beautiful National Park's
Learn about glaciers on a mini-trekking expedition on Perito Moreno Glacier
Visit a traditional Estancia ranch and see a horse show
Local school exchange visit

With a healthy mixture of cosmopolitan culture and learning in the Euro-Latin melting pot of Buenos Aires and exploration of staggering natural beauty in Patagonia, arguably one of the world's most beautiful National Parks, this is a once in a lifetime educational expedition that's difficult to top. Starting in the 'Paris of South America', Buenos Aires, students will immerse themselves in what many call a European country with Latin influences by experiencing the culture, dance and food that creates such an amazing vibe. After acclimatising and soaking up the atmosphere and history of the city, it's time to travel south to the trek among the mountains, glaciers and icy landscapes of Patagonia's breathtaking National Parks, based in the glacial hubs of El Chalten and El Calafate.

Countries:

Starting Point:

Buenos Aires

Activities:

Grading:Introductory to Moderate

Addressing:

Itinerary

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Day 1
Fly to Buenos Aires

After all the preparation and excitement the adventure begins! You will depart on your flight to Buenos Aires. There will be plenty of time to practice your Spanish on your flight. The group will be met on arrival and transferred to your overnight accommodation to rest for the evening.

Meals: Nil

Day 2
Walking and History in Buenos Aires

You will meet your Guide this morning and after a briefing, you will head out on a walking tour to the Recoleta district, famous as an affluent and historical part of the city where the group will begin the process of learning about Argentina's past. The group will also visit the Recoleta Cemetery, the biggest outdoor collection of artwork in the world. Evening welcome meal at a local restaurant. Overnight in hotel.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3
Behind the scenes in Buenos Aires

Today after a good nights rest and breakfast the group will embark on a Graffiti Tour and Workshop to learn about how political parties paid individuals to paint propaganda messages and hidden "pintadas" messages. Afternoon Ta Mate ceremony TBC. Dinner will be arranged at a local restaurant. Overnight in hotel.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4
Buenos Aires - El Calafate

After a busy introduction to Argentina its time travel south to Patagonia for the adventure! This morning the group will get packed and be transferred to the airport for a flight to El Calafate, the once quiet town that thanks to a surge of tourism fuelled by Glacier Perito Moreno is now a bustling chic mountain hub. After being met by your local guide and checked in to the hotel the group will have lunch at a local eatery and have some time to explore before visiting a local Estancia, a traditional local family ranch where the group will experience a field show with dinner. Overnight in hotel.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 5
Perito Moreno Glacier

Today the group will visit the world famous Glaciar Perito Moreno, one of the Earths most dynamic ice fields and at 30 km long, 5 km wide and 60 m (18 mi x 3 mi x 180 ft) high is as imposing as it is fascinating. This is a wonderful learning experience about the beauty of the planet but also how vulnerable it is to climate change. This evening the group will have some free time to explore the town and will have option of eating in the hotel of choosing a local restaurant for dinner. Overnight in hotel.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6
El Calafate - El Chalten

This morning the group will travel 3.5 hours bus to the charming mountain town of El Chalten and prepare for a couple of days of hiking in some of the worlds most stunning scenery. The group will be met by your trekking guide for the next two days and after checking in to the hotel the group will have some time to explore before spending the evening learning how to cook traditional Empanada's, and of course eat them too before having a traditional dance lesson. Overnight in hotel.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
Trekking in Los Glaciares National Park

After an early hearty breakfast will get on the boots and spending the day hiking to Laguna de los Tres, a challenging hike that is rewarded by an exquisite glacial lake towered over by Fitz Roy and its attendant peaks and glaciers. Evening activity TBC and dinner will be available at a local eatery. Overnight in Hotel

Meals: B,L,D

Day 8
Trekking in Los Glaciares National Park

This morning the group will hike to Laguna Torre, probably the most popular day walk in the national park which takes around 7 hours and includes views of the icy spire of Cerro Torre (3128 m) (9384 m). After a long day hiking the group will have dinner at a local eatery and pack ready to head back to Buenos Aires in the morning. Overnight at hotel.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 9
El Chalten - Buenos Aires

After a rewarding couple of days in El Chaltern, its time for the group to return by bus and head for El Calafate to catch a flight back to Buenos Aires to continue your Argentinian adventure. On arrival into Buenos Aires, the group will be met by your local guide and after checking to the hotel, the group will have a free afternoon. Optional tours include a walking tour around downtown Buenos Aires including Casa Rosada (The Pink House), National Congress and learn more about the history of this cosmopolitan city, or explore the Telmo Flea Market that can be included in the itinerary. This evening the group will be free to explore the city and have dinner either organised or choose themselves. Overnight at hotel.

Meals: B,D

Day 10
Buenos Aires - Local School Visit and Evening Culture & Tango

Today the group will visit a local school to learn more about education in Argentina, speak Spanish and exchange stories about your lives. The school visit will be themed and the planning of the school visit will revolve around this and refined during the coming months. This evening get dressed up for a Tango lesson and show at the famous La Ventana where the group will have a celebration dinner to cap off an amazing fun filled adventure in Argentina and Patagonia. Overnight in hotel.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 11
Depart Buenos Aires

Today we say farewell to Argentina, transferring to the airport for your journey home.

Meals: B,L

Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health And Well-being: Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development.

Sustainable Cities And Communities: There needs to be a future in which cities provide opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more.

Climate Action: Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere.

Life On Land: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss

Partnerships For The Goals: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Learning outcomes for students

World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to:
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet.
• increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.
• discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.
• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.
• give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.
• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.
We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.

Inclusions

What's included

All accommodation - twin/multi-share
All meals as per itinerary
Domestic flights
Private bus with A/C in Patagonia
English speaking guides in Buenos Aires, El Calafate and El Chalten
24hr back up and support from World Expeditions Schools
Admissions to National Parks
Teachers accompanying the trip from School

What's not included

Extra meals and activities not included in the itinerary
Items of a personal nature
Carbonated drinks
Lunch on Day 9
Travel Insurance (compulsory) and Visas

Grading

Introductory to Moderate

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

Fully Customised
School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and
Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

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Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.