mckaysavage / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
WHY TRAVEL WITH US Adventure travel trips specifically geared for working professionals from the same city. Odyssey Treks provides authentic cultural trips involving travel to remote, exotic areas with elements of physical participation and exploration of a new experience with optional volunteering opportunities. The great thing is everyone on the trip will be from the same city where you can share, relive, and get together back home after the trip. What we want to create with this company is a community for you in your city where you can meet new friends, create meaningful relationships and have life time memories of unforgettable trips and journeys. We’ve met some truly remarkable people, shared some amazing experiences and have had some fantastic relationships through all our years of travel. The problem is all those people are scattered throughout the world. There’s amazing people, incredible friendships and wonderful relationships ready to be made right in your own city. Why not connect with them through travel and develop something meaningful and lasting. All of our tours will incorporate our trip essence. This trip essence includes adventure, culture and volunteering opportunities. As well we promise to follow our guiding principles and core values on all of our trips.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES QUALITY Our accommodations, local guides, pre-departure service and suppliers are constantly monitored and consistently evaluated to ensure we uphold the standard of excellence. We will always ask for traveler suggestions, requirements and any safety concerns you may have for all our trips to make this the most memorable experience possible. FLEXIBILITY All of our tours offer optional activities throughout with plenty of free time to do your own thing. Of course we want you to do as many activities as possible with the group but we also understand that having time on your own is important as well. Our small groups can venture beyond the well-worn tourist paths and experience a destination’s less publicized but equally rewarding attractions. Our itineraries are creative and responsive and make the perfect one or two week vacation so you can take full of advantage. SMALL GROUPS Limiting our groups to no more than 16 participants plus one Odyssey Treks Tour Leader means we can maximize cultural immersion while minimizing environmental disruption. As food always plays an important role in the local cultural experience, we make a www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
point of avoiding large hotel buffets in favour of smaller, local restaurants for all meals besides breakfast.
VALUE Since we design, develop and work with local partners in each country no one is more familiar with the intricacies of our product than ourselves. When you book with us, you take advantage of this first-hand knowledge and an extensive network of worldwide contacts; you’ll be in good hands with Odyssey Treks.
What Odyssey Treks does is make everything easy for you from the moment you land in the country to the time you get back on that plane to go home. There’s no need to do hours and hours of planning. Let us take out all the stresses of traveling so you can enjoy your time away. Remember it’s a vacation for you. We’re going to make sure you have a fantastic time! If something were to go wrong going we will be there to help you, support you and make sure whatever challenges there are you won’t be alone. We’ve found our travel experiences sometimes things can go wrong unfortunately- that’s the nature of traveling in foreign countries.
Our CORE VALUES Develop Friendships and Community Create Happiness Responsibility Provide Opportunities Explore and Challenge We hope you choose to travel with a purpose and to travel with us! The quote above from the Dalai Lama- his words I truly believe in. “We’ve lost something along the way. Our society focuses on material things and for some reason people measure others by what they have instead who they are. I wish everyone happiness and finding it can be difficult. The happiest people I’ve met are those in villages that have nothing. It’s remarkable seeing these happy kids. For them they have family, friends and an imagination.” Ryan- Owner Odyssey Treks www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
TOUR ITINERARY Day 1 – Buenos Aires
Welcome to Argentina! Upon arrival in Buenos Aires you will be met at the airport and will be transferred privately to your hotel. On your first day in the city you will be contacted by one of our Destination Hosts, who will go over the details of your itinerary, provide you with the printed documentation, and add any information you might need. She/he will be your local contact while you are traveling with us and will be ready to answer your questions, give you tips about places to go, restaurants to eat and anything else you might be interested in. Not just about Buenos Aires, also about the different places you will visit during your whole itinerary. You will have the rest of the day to enjoy this vibrant city, leaving you the remainder of the day to explore the historic neighborhoods and enjoy the cafe culture of Buenos Aires. Will meet up as a group and go for a welcoming dinner at a local restaurant near our hotel. Meals included: Dinner
www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Day 2 – Buenos Aires Bike Tour & Tango Show In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel to enjoy our Bike City Tour. Over the course of a half day you will have the chance to visit the historical and political centre of the city; San Telmo with its cobblestone streets, La Boca where Buenos Aires turns colorful and tango is ever present & Puerto Madero. Riding around this neighborhood we will stop at “La Reserva Ecologica” park. This is where many escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city. A number of trails leading to the river are perfect for nature lovers and birdwatching. Duration; 3- 4 hours (depending on the flight`s arrival time we can organize to confirm the city tour on the arrival day so we can leave the free day to volunteer).
Photo credit: Wandering Tripod / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
In the evening you will be picked up from your hotel to be driven to one of Buenos Aires’ most emblematic cultural highlight’s; a Dinner and Tango Show offering a spectacular demonstration www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
of the finest local dancing accompanied by delicious Argentine cuisine and all the malbec you’d like. At the end of the evening you will be driven back to your hotel. Total duration (dinner + show); 4 hours (aprox) Meals included: Breakfast, dinner (drinks included)
Day 3 – Buenos Aires / El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier At the appropriate time in the morning you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to El Calafate. Welcome to Southern Patagonia! El Calafate is located in the Patagonian steppe, dry and dramatic. It is on the border of Lago Argentino (Argentina’s biggest lake), considered capital of the glaciers. It is the gateway to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the only glaciers in the world that is still advancing. Upon arrival you will leave on a full day excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier, in Los Glaciers National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981 and home to one of the most awe inspiring landscapes in Argentina. Perito Moreno Glacier is a site to behold and you will be amazed. You’ll have approximately an hour with a bilingual guide that will provide you with all the information you might want to know, and things you might never have thought about. On arrival you will have the chance to enjoy stunning views of the glacier from the nearby walking trail and viewing platforms. But not just that, you will also enjoy the included Perito Moreno Glacier boat cruise that will take you close enough to fully appreciate the 80m high ice walls! In the evening, you will transfer to the Adventure Domes, where you will spend the next 2 nights. Snacks and a welcome drink upon arrival then dinner to follow.
www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Photo credit: satosphere / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Adventure Domes El Calafate are a different way of traveling focusing our senses on the preservation of the environment. (http://adventure-domes.com) Hiking, trekking and adventure travel right in the heart of the Argentinian Patagonia.
The Adventure Domes are placed in front of Perito Moreno Glacier, in Las Colonias peninsula, located between Roca and Rico lakes. The Adventure Domes are located in a gently undulating surface due to different glaciations, where you will be able to walk and enjoy the deciduous Magallanico forest, evergreens and many other native tree species. Meals included; Breakfast, box lunch, snack and dinner. www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Day 4 – El Calafate: Adventure Domes & Hiking in Peninsula de las Colonias As soon as we finish with the breakfast, you'll start an interpretation trek of the flora and the fauna through the peninsula Las Colonias, where guanacos, foxes, ñandúes (a small kind of ostrich) and condors can be seen. This is the day in which you are going to be the closest to nature with nothing but mountains, lakes and forests for miles. You will also appreciate the main wall of Perito Moreno Glacier, located just twelve kilometres from the Adventure Domes. Meals included; Breakfast, box lunch, snack and dinner. Day 5 – El Calafate / El Chalten After breakfast you will have a private transfer to El Chalten. El Chalten is the top rated trekking destination, the Argentinean capital of trekking. Located at the foot of Fitz Roy Mountain, surrounded by glaciers, lakes, rivers and forest, it is still a hidden gem of the south. This charming little village is also the starting point for most paths. It truly is a paradise for walkers and trekkers alike. Upon arrival you will be taken to the hotel. You will have the rest of the day to explore the surroundings, have a stroll around a little waterfall, or just relax in the local brewery. Meals included: Breakfast
Photo credit: virtualwayfarer / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)
www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Day 6 – El Chalten: Mount Fitz Roy & Laguna de los Tres Be prepared for an exciting day in the wild nature. El Chalten offers a range of options for all difficulty levels for trekking. Full day of trekking with guide (English Speaking) to assist the group to the base of Mount Fitz Roy, Laguna de los Tres. This is the closest spot to Mt. Fitz Roy and with no doubt the most famous of all hikes. This morning, you’ll transfer to Hosteria del Pilar from where you’ll start hiking. After 2 hours of trekking, you’ll already have an excellent view of the Fitz-Roy mountain range. From there, the path continues in ascent approximately 400m until you reach Laguna de los Tres. The trail finishes at the old moraine ridge with an extraordinary view of the lagoon and De los Tres glacier. It takes 8-9 hours in total. Difficulty: medium. Ascent: 700 m. Return to your hotel in El Chalten in the evening. Meals included: Breakfast & box lunch
Day 7 – El Chalten – Mountains and Lakes Be prepared for another exciting day in this absolutely gorgeous area. El Chalten offers a range of options for all kinds of difficulties of hiking. Full day trekking guide assisted (English Speaking) From the door of your hotel, you can go for a short 3 K walk, with views of the Rio de las Vueltas, lenga forest and the chance to see all kind of birds (great woodpecker spotting opportunity). If you are looking for great mountain views, in one hour and a half you can be at the Cerro Torre view point. For trekking fans, continue all the way to Torre base (So, if the group is active that`s the hiking option we recommend) However you can also choose where and when to go, and at your own pace, since the paths are selfguided and very well marked and maintained. We will provide you with complete trekking information of the park, so that you can decide the best plan to make the best of your day. Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 8 – El Chalten / El Calafate / Mendoza At the appropriate time you will be transferred from your hotel to El Calafate’s airport for your flight to Mendoza. Remember airport taxes are not included; refer to the end of the itinerary for airport tax fee, to be paid locally at the airport. Welcome to Mendoza! Argentina’s main wine region and heartland for the Malbec grape. This region also has impressive mountains (like Aconcagua, climbers world known summit), outdoor www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
sports (adventurous rafting) and breathtaking landscapes. Upon arrival, you will be taken to your hotel. Meals included; Breakfast.
Day 9 – Mendoza Wine tour by bike with Gourmet lunch
Today you will experience Argentine wine and learn all about it. On this tour we explore Mendoza's Wine Road by bicycle, visiting some of the most important wineries in the area. Accompanied by expert guides we learn about the production facilities, the different styles of wine-making, the gastronomy and we will enjoy a great wine tasting. We start our tour in the morning, accompanied by our guide, we leave the city behind and head south towards the region known as the Cradle of Malbec. Set amongst gentle hills and over-looked by America's highest mountains Chacras de Coria - Lujan de Cuyo is one of Mendoza's main attractions with internationally renowned wineries. Shortly after leaving the city, we join Chacras's winding road, following the famous curves until we arrive at the main square. www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Here we prepare for our day of biking and wine tasting. After a safety briefing, we begin our journey cycling along the Wine Road which will lead us to some of Argentina's most prestigious wineries. In about 7 hours you will visit three different wineries accompanied by a specialized guide.
Duration; 6/7 hours Meals included; Breakfast, lunch
Day 10 – Mountain in Las Vegas, Potrerillos In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel to enjoy a hike in the mountains on trails formed by animals and baqueanos. Potrerillos is located in the Andes mountains, in Luján de Cuyo & Las Heras, it is an ancient settlement consolidated as part of the construction of the Trans-Andean Railway Station at the end of the 19th century. It is 69 km from Mendoza city, on the Andes road. An area of traditional breeding, farms and pastures, it is home to many picturesque spots with distinctive qualities: Las Carditas, El Salto, Las Vegas, Valle del Sol, Piedras Blancas y el Centro de Esquí Vallecitos. This is the perfect location for an informative www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
and enjoyable mountain experience. Duration; 10 hours approximately Meals included; Breakfast & Lunch
Day 11 – Mendoza / Buenos Aires At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival you will be taken to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Meals included; Breakfast
Day 12 – Buenos Aires Volunteering activity. (We are still working on the specifics) or a day at leisure to explore the cobbled, tree lined streets of Palermo Soho. There you’ll be in search of one of a kind Porteño fashion, sit in cafés and enjoy a perfectly aged glass of malbec, or perhaps to sip yerba mate (local tea) out of your newly purchased mate gourd while people watching in one of the parks that make up the Palermo Bosques. Will all meet up at a local restaurant for a farewell dinner. Meals included; Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13 – Buenos Aires At the appropriate time you will have a private transfer to the international airport for your flight back home. You might have an opportunity to do some more volunteering depending on the time of your departure flight. Have a great trip! Meals included; Breakfast
END OF TOUR
www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
TRIP ROUTE MAP
PRICING $5699USD WITH MY OWN ROOM ADD $1099USD 2014 DEPARTURE CITIES AND DATES Please check our website for the latest dates and departure cities PHYSICAL CONDITIONING RATING: 3.5 out of 5 THIS TOUR IS FOR EVERYONE. www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Cultural Rating: 3 out of 5
Accommodations 3-4 star boutique hotels, adventure domes Meals Included All daily breakfasts at hotels are included. Welcome and Farewell Dinners and all meals mentioned in itinerary. Meal Budget: Allow USD25-75 per day for meals and drinks (including bottled water) not included.
What’s Included Our Selected Accommodation: Buenos Aires ~ Hotel Esplendor Soho, Design C, Patios de San Telmo, or similar. El Calafate ~ Adventure Domes El Chalten ~ Hosteria Senderos (Classic room), Hosteria Lunajuim, Hosteria Kalenshen (Superior room) or similar. Mendoza Hotel Roble de Besares (Standard room), Posada Olivar or similar 4 nights accommodation in Buenos Aires, 3 in El Chalten, 3 in Mendoza. 2 nights accommodation in Adventure Domes in El Calafate including meals and trekking activities. Meals mentioned in the itinerary. Tours described in the itinerary. Transfers mentioned in the itinerary. www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Bilingual guide (English / Spanish) during excursions. Entrance Fee to National Parks 3 Domestic flights (Buenos Aires to El Calafate, El Calafate to Mendoza, Mendoza to Buenos Aires) Volunteering day
What’s Not Included International flights, airport/departure taxes, visas, pre or post tour accommodation, optional tours sightseeing or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, tips and items of a personal nature, laundry and any alcohol purchased or consumed. Some places that we visit charge additional fees if you are entering with a camera or camcorder - your city guide will advise on these and they can be paid for locally. -Taxes at the followings Private Airports: Calafate Airport US$ 9 (only paid Argentinean pesos and cash) -Local tour guides in transfers. Any travel vaccinations that are required. Travel Medical Insurance (this is mandatory and must be shown to our tour leader before trip begins) If you need travel insurance please go to our website and get a free quote
www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com