Day 1 - Thursday

Buenos Aires

Meeting at the international airport with the Ofakim representative and transfer to the hotel.

After freshening up we will go for a walking tour with the guide to begin to get to know the Argentinean capital which has a population of 10 million and looks like an elegant European city with parks, wide avenues and streets teeming with people at all hours of the day and night.

Day 2 - Friday

Buenos Aires, Bariloche

This morning we take the short flight to Bariloche, the gateway to Patagonia (Argentina) in a Switzerland-type setting at the foot of the Andes.

Upon arrival, we will go for a short side trip into the Arayanes tree forest that was the inspiration for the setting of Walt Disney's film Bambi, near Nahuel Huapi Lake.

We will drive along the lake and discover the wonderful scenery and vegetation and, last but not least, we will take the chairlift up to Campanario Peak and take in the amazing views from there.

Later, we will take a look at the bustling cafes, the ice cream parlors and, best of all, the wonderful chocolate shops in Bariloche.

Transfer to the hotel.

Day 3 - Saturday

Bariloche, Tronador

Today we head for Mount Tronador, the highest mountain in the area (4000 meters!).

We will leave the town and drive to the glacier valley at the foot of the ‘Thundering Mountain’ (that is the meaning of its name) through breathtaking landscapes and waterfalls until we reach the black glacier at the foot of the mountain.

We return to Bariloche in the late afternoon.

Day 4 - Sunday

Buenos Aires, Calafate

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Calafate.

Check in at the hotel near Lago Argentina.

Day 5 - Monday

Calafate, Paine (Chile)

We will leave early today and make our way to the Chilean border in order to see and ’feel’ the most fascinating nature reserve in all of South America: Torres del Paine National Park.

We will spend the entire day seeing a variety of natural wonders such as lakes, glaciers, animals, waterfalls... and, most spectacular of all, Torres del Paine (the blue towers), three gigantic 2500 meter high granite monoliths shaped by the forces of glacial ice.

Day 6 - Tuesday

Calafate, Upsala and Onelli Lake

Today we will see something quite different. We will drive down to the pier to board a boat that will take us for a trip on Onelli Lake where the captain of the boat will skilfully navigate around the icebergs in different shades of blue floating around us within touching distance. We will take in the breathtaking scenery and the wonderful shapes that only nature is capable of creating.

We will see the vast Upsala glacier, believed to be the largest in the world - it spreads out across an area of 390 square kilometers!

At the end of the boat trip, we will land back on the pier and return to the hotel after this wonderful day that will surely be remembered as one of the many highlights of our trip.

Day 7 - Wednesday

Calafate, Buenos Aires

This morning we will have about a two and a half hour drive to cross the Patagonian desert that is full of beech trees, to get to the Perito Moreno glacier, an amazing sight if only for its vast dimensions. This monster inspires fear that it will come crashing down thunderously at any moment! We will take photos of this natural wonder from every possible angle, hoping all the time that we will be able to witness just a tiny bit of it breaking away and falling into the water.

In the afternoon, we will return to Calafate for our flight to Buenos Aires where we will arrive late at night.

Transfer to the hotel.

Day 8 - Thursday

Buenos Aires

This is the city they call the Paris of South America and we will see it on our tour this morning. We will see the widest avenue in the world, 9th July Avenue, and the Obelisk, Plaza de Mayo, the Pink House, the Parliament and the unique Recoleta cemetery where Evita Peron is buried. We will also go to parks, exclusive neighborhoods and the riverbank whilst we are in this metropolis.

This evening, those who wish to can go to one of the city’s many tango venues.

Day 9 - Friday

Buenos Aires, Iguasu Falls

It is almost impossible to describe the intensity of the water that comes crashing down from the system of 270 waterfalls spread along about 3 kilometers of the Iguazu River. The splendor of these sights has to be seen to be believed, and we will fly there today to witness them first hand from observation points that will leave us openmouthed and awestruck.

We will go to the Argentinean side of these amazing waterfalls and we will do some walking there but also take the Waterfalls train that was built specially on the site.

We will see the Two Sisters Falls and its lush surroundings of dense vegetation and we will hear the thundering of the water as it comes crashing down.

Transfer to the hotel.

Day 10 - Saturday

Iguazu Falls

Today we will go to the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls in order to complement yesterday’s visit and get a complete picture of this vast natural wonder.

We will see what is undoubtedly the most impressive of all the waterfalls, the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) with its horseshoe shape.

Below, water accumulates from three directions creating an enormous splash that forms a cloud visible from the distance. We will photograph this wonder from every possible angle and then continue to one of the greatest engineering projects of the 20th century: the gigantic Itaipu dam in Paraguay.

We will cross the border and tour this concrete monster, going deep inside to see how it works from the inside.

Back to the hotel.

In the evening, those who wish to can go to a local club where there is plenty of food as well as Brazilian music and dancing.

Day 11 - Sunday

Rio de Janeiro

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Rio de Janeiro which is on the official list of the five most beautiful cities in the world.

Upon landing, we will go to see one of the main symbols of the city: Mount Corcovado and the statue of Christ the Redeemer with his arms extended to the sides watching his followers who live at the foot of the mountain from a height of about 900 meters.

We will go to the Funicolo which will take us to the last flight of steps which we will climb in order to get to the foot of the statue and take in the incredible view of the city from so high above.

From there we will continue to the site that is the pride of the local people and that is always the focus of national attention: the Maracana Stadium, the biggest and most famous soccer stadium in the world. We will go inside and see the array of cups won by the local teams and will even sit in one of the stands, look down on the field and imagine what it is like when the stadium is full of fans singing and cheering on their team.

Transfer to the hotel.

Day 12 - Monday

Rio de Janeiro, Sugarloaf Mountain

Today we will see another of the city's symbols: Sugarloaf Mountain, a granite mountain that rises out of the sea, and getting there is part of the fun.

We will take cable car number 1 to the middle station and will already be able to see the breathtaking view from there. We will then continue on cable car number 2 which will take us to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain (its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar).

While at the top, we will have a wonderful vista over the entire city and also of the islands and the airport that is like an extension of the land very close to the base of the mountain that we are standing on.

We will take the two cable cars back down to the bus and, on our way back to the hotel, we will stop off at the main factory of H. Stern, the famous jewelry manufacturers. At the factory we will see the production line and go to the showroom.

Day 13 - Tuesday

Rio de Janeiro, Tropical Island Boat Trip

Today we will take a wonderful, relaxing boat trip to tour the tropical islands that are dotted around the bay.

We will get off the boat at one of the islands and enjoy the holiday atmosphere that we cannot help but feel there.

Lunch will be included today.

Day 14 - Wednesday

Rio de Janeiro, Petropolis

Today we will continue enjoying this wonderful city.

Those who wish to can take a (paid) tour to Petropolis, a popular resort town nested in the hills outside Rio de Janeiro.

We will tour the town and then have some free time to wander around at our leisure.

Back to Rio de Janeiro.

Day 15 - Thursday

Rio de Janeiro, Home

Today, we pack up all our presents and prepare for the journey home.

Transfer to the airport and flight home at the end of an exciting, memorable trip.

END OF SERVICES.

Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Torres del Paine, Calafate, Glacier National
Park, Lago Argentina, Iguasu Waterfalls, Rio de Janeiro

Guided tours in: Buenos Aires, Glacier National Park, Iguazu Falls, Rio de Janeiro. Special visits: Buenos Aires: 9th of July Avenue, Plaza de Mayo, Palermo, Recoleta and La Boca neighborhoods. Bariloche: Nahuel Huapi Lake, Chairlift up to Campanario Peak, Glacier valley. Calafate: Boat trip on Lago Argentina, Upsala and Spegazzini and Onelli Glaciers. Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, including the three granite monoliths. Perito Moreno Glacier. Iguazu Falls: Garganta del Diablo, Two Sisters Falls, both the Brazilian and the Argentinean side of the falls. Rio de Janeiro: Sugarloaf mountain, Mount Corcovado, Maracana Stadium Tropical Islands Boat Trip.   Domestic flights abroad Hotels: First class and good tourist class. Double rooms with adjoining bathrooms. Meals: Buffet breakfast throughout the tour and extra main meals as mentioned on the tour plan. Air-conditioned bus for all touring and transfers Experienced, professional guide Visa: Please check with your travel agent Visits: Entrance fees included as per the itinerary   The price also includes: local airport taxes, fuel tax as per 6/1/07, tips for services rendered. The price does not include: international air, optional tours, travel insurance. We recommend that you read the chapter at the end of the brochure devoted to general information and general terms. TOUR CODE: OACB Arrival date to destination Land only - per person in USD 2007 Sep 6, 20 $3,250 Oct 4, 18 $3,250 Nov 8, 22 $3,250 Dec 6, 20 $3,250 2008 Jan 10, *24, *31 $3,250 Feb 14 $3,250 Mar 6, 27 $3,250 Apr 10 $3,250 Sep 7, 21 $3,250 Oct 12, 26 $3,250 Nov 9, 23 $3,250 Dec 14, 28 $3,250 2009 Jan 11, 18, *25 $3,250 Feb 8, 22 $3,250 Mar 8, 29 $3,250 Apr 5, 19 $3,250 * Tour during the Carnival in Rio. There will be some changes in the Program. More details from “Gil Travel” Agency.

For more information regarding tour costs and extensions, contact Gil Travel by email or phone 800.223.3855.

I N S U R A N C E