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The Grand Patagonia Sunset Total Eclipse

July 6-13, 2010

Tour includes:

• Roundtrip air from major USA gateways

• Inter Argentina air

• All airport/hotel/transfers

• First Class accommodations

• Meals: Breakfasts daily, 2 Lunches, 5 dinners

• All sightseeing as listed in the itinerary

• Wine included with dinners

• English speaking guides

• Astronomical lecturers

• Eclipse glasses

• Document packet

ITINERARY

Tuesday/Wednesday, July 6/7, 2010-Buenos Aires
Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, Dazzler Towers, for three nights. (B/D)

Thursday, July 8, 2010-Buenos Aires
The morning is at leisure in Buenos Aires, a cosmopolitan city of glamour and elegance from its European roots but interwoven with its Latin American essence.

This afternoon, enjoy a city tour, visiting places that have become true icons of the city, and learning about the life and customs of its inhabitants. Start at the historical Plaza de Mayo surrounded by the Government House (Pink House), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the ancient City Hall, seat of the former Spanish Viceroys. Continuing along Avenido del Mayo, till you get to Congress Square facing the National Parliament. Drive along Callao Street to the most emblematic symbol of Buenos Aires: the Obelisk, passing by one of the widest avenues in the world, namely, 9 of July Boulevard as well as the famous Colon Opera House. Visit the most fashionable districts of the city: Recoleta, with a scent of French charm and the spacious and oxygenating Palermo Parks for a relaxing stroll. Your tour will also include the bohemian and colorful neighborhood of La Boca -of Italian immigrants- and the elegant district of Recoleta, with a visit to its artistic cemetery, where Evita Peronґs tomb is, among others of prominent local characters. (B/D)

Friday, July 9, 2010-Buenos Aires
Today is at leisure for shopping, museums or exploring BA. Rest up before tonight’s electric Tango Show with dinner.

This evening, you will get in close contact with the sensual music and dance of the Tango, Argentina's major cultural export, accompanied by dinner. The national dance, the tango, is perhaps the best expression of that spirit--practiced in dance halls, parks, open plazas, and ballrooms. Your seating is in the VIP section. The production features a large cast of dancers, along with a big orchestra of musicians and singers. It manages to strike a nice balance between "real" tango, as it is danced in the salons, with the more spectacular, staged version that is bound to wow any audience. The space replicates a theater, with its decor reminiscent of the sophisticated elegance of the twenties. (B/D)

Saturday, July 10, 2010-Buenos Aires – El Calafate, Patagonia
You are transferred to the airport for your flight to El Calafate. On arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel, Xelena Deluxe Suites for the next three nights. In the southwestern tip of Patagonia, the southernmost Argentine continental province rises a frigid plateau, 1500 meters above sea level, which gives birth to immense ice rivers: the glaciers. Declared a Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1981, Los Glaciares National Park is the principal attraction of the El Calafate area. The park protects a vast area covered by glacier tongues coming down from the Southern Patagonia Ice Cap. The 47 plus glaciers flow into the Argentino and Viedma Glaciers creating a magnificent backdrop of ice tongues and turquoise water lakes crowned by snow-capped mountains. (B/D)

Sunday, July 11, 2010-ECLIPSE -El Calafate
This morning you will be transferred to Bajo la Sombras pier where you set to the Perito Moreno Glacier, known worldwide for its features. The Perito Moreno glacier has a height of 200 feet and an edge of 2.5 miles. Its accessibility gives the opportunity to explore continental ice, discover unique scenery of magical whiteness of the ice walls. You can see the impressive contrast of ice against the greenery of the flora and the woods.

After your visit to the glacier, you are driven to the best viewing area for the two minutes and forty-seven seconds of Total Solar Eclipse. The sun is poised a few degrees above the horizon and offers a dramatic sunset as totality ends. Return back to El Calafate after the eclipse viewing. (B/boxed L/D)

Monday, July 12, 2010-El Calafate
After breakfast you will explore El Calafate area including a half day excursion to Walichu Caves where the Rock Art dates back some 4000 years. The paintings are attributed to the pre-Tehuelche people of the superior Paleolithic period shows the interpretation of this sacred place. Enjoy the gastronomy of Patagonia at a typical restaurant. Afterwards a visit to the Regional Museum is planned where fossil samples and geological material of the area are found. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner. (B/L/D)

Tuesday, July 13, 2010-El Calafate – Buenos Aires – USA
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires continuing on to the USA. (B)

For a general interest form, and registration, please contact MWT Associates at tours@melitatrips.com or visit their website at www.melitatrips.com

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