20 Feb - 11 Mar 2025 (19-Days) Patagonia Brazil Iguazu, Argentina & Chile
Estimate Trip Ground Cost RM15,000 per pax for group 16-17pax
EXCLUDES ALL FLIGHTS (based on USD1=Rm4.7760 Maybank rate 9 July 2024)
We will make final adjustment on the cost based on the USD exchange rate in Dec 2024 and any price increases from our ground operators due to high inflation rates for these countries.
BEFORE YOU SIGN UP - APOLOGIES BUT THIS TRIP IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. Please read through the notes & detailed itinerary below. Once we receive your trip deposit, it is understood that you have read through all the details and have accepted the terms and conditions.
NOTE 1 - Trip cost exclude six (6) domestic flights estimated at USD850 all-in fares. A non-refundable deposit of Rm3000 will be collected to purchase domestic tickets. Any excess will be given back to member. Any shortfall, members to up. Once flight tickets are purchased, no refunds will be extended and members are advised to start their travel insurance to cover any travel cancellations.
NOTE 2 - Trip cost exclude Emirates international flight tickets. Group fares quoted is RM7200 + estimated taxes Rm261. To secure group flight fares, we require a minimum of 10pax travelling out & back to KUL. An additional deposit of RM2,500 is payable for Emirates group flights booking.
NOTE 3 - It is essential that members travel light. Baggage Limit for several domestic flights is 15 kilos check-in baggage & 7 kilos handcarry.
NOTE 4 - To economise on accommodation, there will be several places where members will be sharing from 2pax-5pax within the same apartment unit. Some places will not have lifts, so you have to manage your own baggage up and down stairs.
Update 23 Oct 2024 Updated trip itinerary for the internal flights bought for group members.
Update 30 June 2024 Please be aware that accommodation, transport and meals in Chile, Argentina & Brazil are expensive, Also take note inflation, especially in Argentina is very high. Stated below are estimate for entrance fees based on 30 June 2024.. Members top up difference in the entrance fees, if any.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This is meant to be a "free and easy" adventure trip. Participants should be relatively fit, with a good sense of humor, and above all, have the right attitude for close travel with others through possibly some trying times. Most definitely, this is not a trip for prudes, whiners, fuss-pots, and other similarly assorted types! We had a couple of those before and it wasn't pleasant for us or them. Although every effort will be made to stick to the given itinerary, ground conditions may change and cause some disruption and/or deviation from the norm. Otherwise, have fun.
Iguazu Falls Argentina / Iguacu Falls Brazil side
This will be a small group backpack trip using 6 domestic flights, local buses and airport taxis. We stay in decent clean guesthouses, apartments and budget hotels ranging from 2 to 5 pax sharing units. It is essential that members travel light as several of the domestic flights have 15 kilos check in baggage limit. Participants must be able to manage their own luggage and light medium trolleys are acceptable. Like most Yongo trips, you pay for your own meals. We have included most of the main entrance fees on this trip. Tours/entrances not mentioned below will be payable by members. You also pay within-the-town taxis and other activities not specifed below.
DAY 0 KLIA. Gather by 1030 PM THURS 20 FEB 2025 for Emirates flight early next morning.
Day 1 KLIA to Rio. Take Emirates EK343 to Dubai departing 145AM, arriving Dubai 505AM. Transit Dubai 3 hr before reconnecting on EK247 at 805AM to Rio de Janeiro airport GIG arriving 355PM. Clear immigration & transfer to Hotel. Overnight (O/N) Rio de Janeiro budget hotel for next 3 nights.
Day 2 Favela Tour & Ipanema/Copacabana Beach. We have a half day guided tour the famous hill Favela (slum), to understand a little of the culture and people in Rio. Rest of the day free to explore Ipanema & Copacabana beaches. These are the perfect places for watching locals enjoying the beach, and there are also good short walks along the rocky coastline popular for watching sunset. O/N Rio. (Favela Tour and local bus tickets is covered). NOTE - we may interchange activities Day 2 and Day 3 depending on the crowd expected over the weekend.
Day 3 Sugarloaf & Christ the Redeemer. We have a city tour by chartered bus including the iconic 30m Christ the Redeemer on top of Corcovado 704m. We also visit the colourful Selaron Steps and nearby Lapa Arches (disused Portuguese water aquaducts). And finally Pao du Acucar or Sugarloaf for a scenic views of the city and sharelines. O/N Rio. (Tour cost is covered, including entrance Christ the Redeemer and cable car up/down Sugarloaf). Early night for very early flight tomorrow. O/N Rio
Seleron Steps / Sugarloaf or Pao de Acucar
Day 4 Fly Fox Iguacu Brazil and Puerto Iguazu. Early morning flight GOL Airlines G3 9006 06:50am, arriving 09:00am 2hr to Brazil's Fox Iguacu Airport. We transfer by chartered transport 15min to nearby Brazil Iguacu National Park. There are baggage lockers at the entrance for our big luggage. We also visit the nearby Parque das Aves Bird Park, home to many colourful birds which includes a humming bird aviary. By late afternoon, we cross border into Argentina by chartered transport for our overnight stay in Puerto Iguazu. O/N Puerta Iguazu (Iguacu Park Entrance BRL100, Bird Park entrance revised BRL80, baggage lockers and transfers is covered). Option for members to take the Gran Aventura 2hr boat ride where one is guaranteed to get wet. June 2024 price is USD99
Day 5 Iguazu NP Argentina and fly to Buenos Aires. We use regular taxis 20 min to get to Argentina's Iguazu National Park. Full day at Iguazu Falls to enjoy the many scenic spots by walking and a short tram ride. We store our baggage at lockers located at the entrance. In the late afternoon, we use regular taxis 15 min 10km to Argentina Iguazu Airport, for our 2hr flight with Aerolineas Argentinas AR1789 leaving 720pm, arriving 920pm to Buenos Aires for our first of three nights stay here. We stay in centrally located budget hotel with many surrounding restaurants and shops. (Iguazu Park entrance ARS35,000, baggage lockers and all transport cost is covered)
Day 6 Buenos Aires city tour We will organise a half day morning city tour of Buenos Aires with transport included. This include the many city highlights including La Boca, Plaza de Mayo and Recoleta Cemetery. La Boca, home to the colourful Caminito Calle. It is a photogenic area with narrow alleys flanked by brightly painted zinc shacks that evoke the district's early immigrant days. Cementerio La Recoleta is famous for its much visited tomb of Eva Peron, know affectionately as Evita. Rest of afternoon free & easy to enjoy the city sights. Option to enjoy dinner with tango show. O/N Buenos Aires budget hotel
Day 7 Buenos Aires. Free day to explore beautiful Buenos Aires colonial architecture and enjoy wonderful cafes and good restaurants serving good Argentinian beef and wine. Members have the option to join the regular day trips across to Montevideo, capital city of Uruguay or visit Tigre Delta and enjoy boat trip there. Last early night in Buenos Aires for early flight departure tomorrow.
La Boca with its colourful murals & houses
Day 8 Fly Ushuaia. Morning flight with Aerolineas Argentinas AR1884 09:50am, arriving 1:30pm to Ushuaia, which is the jumping off holiday town for Antartica Cruises and also known as the 'End of the World'. Time permitting, members can opt for one of many boat tours along the Beagle Channel starting 4PM at own costs. O/N Ushuaia for next 2 nights
Day 9 Ushuaia. Today is free day for members to choose their own activities. This include the popular 5hr boat tours along Beagle Channel, bus to Terra del Fuego (translated to Land of Fire) for hiking options or to enjoy the End of the World Train ride. Another hiking option is the 4-5 hours in and out to Lago Esmeralda. O/N Ushuaia
End of the World signboard at Ushuaia / Mount Olivia dominating Ushuaia
Day 10 El Chalten. We fly from Ushuaia with Aerolineas Argentinas AR1895 11:20am, arriving El Calafete airport 12:40noon.. We use chartered transport to travel north to El Chalten 200km 3hr. Rest of stay free to relax and enjoy the views of Mount Fitz Roy jagged peaks. O/N El Chalten.
Day 11 El Chalten HIking.We begin our full day hike around national park in El Chalten. The most popular trail takes hikers to view Cerro Fitz Roy (3,405m) and its majestic glaciar lakes of Laguna de los tres. The walk is 12.5km one way and estimate to take 4hr. Another trail heads towards Cerro Torre which summits at 3,102m. Laguna Torre can be reached at 9km one way. We regroup for our evening bus 3hr back to El Calafate. O/N El Calafate for 2 nights.
Day 12 Perito Moreno Glacier. El Calafate is the gateway to the Los Glaciares National Park. We spend most of the day exploring the majestic Perito Moreno glaciar located 80km or 1.5hr from El Calafate. The huge glaciar is believed to be the 3rd largest fresh water reserve in the world. The bus departs from El Calafate at 830AM and depart from the park at 230PM. Group will have a full day at the Park and packed lunch is suggested. There are proper walkways to many viewing spots. Optional boat trips to get nearer to the Glacier are available at ARS500 Rm75. We arrive El Calafate by 4pm and have rest of afternoon free & easy. O/N El Calafate.(Return Bus fare to Perito Moreno ARS60,000 is covered. NP Entrance ARS30,000 is also covered).
Mountainscape at El Chalten / Perito Moreno Glacier width 5km length 30km
Day 13 Puerto Natales (Chile). We take the morning public bus 6hr to Puerto Natales crossing into Chile Patagonia. Immigration is strict here, so NO fresh items inside baggages. It is the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. Free rest of day to wander this small pretty town overlooking the Señoret Channel. This small town was founded back in 1911 for sheep ranching. O/N Puerto Natales Chile.
Day 14 Torres Del Paine National Park A full day bus tour of Chile's Patagonia region, known for its soaring mountains, high glaciers and golden pampas (grasslands). View the iconic three granite towers which gives the park its name (Towers of Paine). Tour includes a short trek to Lake Grey, fed by the massive Glaciar Grey. Back to Puerto Natales for second night. O/N Puerto Natales (Tour cost USD80 and Park entrance fees USD35 is covered. Other entrances not covered).
Day 15 Fly to Santiago. Transfer to Puerto Natales airport for our flight to Santiago, capital of Chile. We fly with LATAM LA248 10:22am, arriving Santiago 2:41pm.. It was established by the Spanish in 1541. Group stays in a centrally located budget hotel with good Metro access and near to the main town square. O/N Santiago hotel for next 2 nights
Day 16 Valparaiso Day Trip. It is about 1hr 40min by convenient public bus to Valparaiso, a UNESCO listed port city. Valparaiso is known for its steep old, still-in-use funiculars and colourful houses built around its many hills. We have a local guide to uncover the many hidden gems around this bohemian town. Return to Santiago with local bus by late afternoon for our 2nd night stay. O/N Santiago. Regular bus fare CLP5,800 2ways included.
Day 17 Santiago Fly GRU. Free morning to explore the rest of Santiago. Or join the many free walking tours available. Transfer to airport for our late afternoon flight with LATAM LA714 1700 2055 to Sao Paulo airport GRU. Overnight in GRU airport.
Day 18 PLANE Take Emirates early morning flight EK262 departing 0040AM towards Dubai, arriving 330AM next day.
Day 19 KLIA Transit about 5hr before reconnecting on EK346 departing 330AM.Arrive home 2:35pm TUES 11 MAR 2025
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Cost cover Yongo trip leader, accommodation, airport transfers, town-to-town travel and tours specified in the itinerary as included.
- Not covered are 6 domestic flight tickets about USD850. Non refundable flight deposit of Rm3,000 per pax is collected and any excess will be given back to member. Any shortfall, members to up.
- Not covered is Emirates group international flights. Group fares qouted is Rm7200 plus estimated RM261 for taxes. Deposit of Rm2,500 is collected for securing the group Emirates flights
- Not covered are meals estimate Rm150 x 17 days = Rm2,550, and any entrances which are not specified above.
- Not covered are In town taxis except for transfers to and from bus stations to our place of stay.
- Entrance and transport fees shown above based on 30 June 2024 rates. Members top up for any increases.
- Accommodations will be in guesthouses, apartments and budget hotels between 2pax - 5pax sharing in 1 unit.
- Cost is subject to change depending on fluctuations in exchange rates (Maybank rate USD1=MYR 4.7750 as at 9 July 2024) and increases to ground costs from our operators.
- A total non refundable deposit of Rm8100 (Rm5100 trip deposit n Rm3000 domestic tickets deposit) is payable to confirm your place. Another deposit of RM2,500 for those on group Emirates flights
Email yongo123@gmail.com or wyeyim@gmail.com
Phone/whatsapp Lee Min: 016 220 9033.
Phone/whatsapp Wye Yim: 012 233 4717