PRE AND POST TOURS

The Conference Committee of the LIBS2024 has named Covitour as the Official Travel Coordinator in order to provide touristic services in Argentina and to offer some overland tours exclusively for attendees. Registering for one or more of these tours will give you the opportunity to travel with other colleagues and friends, enjoying some original and exclusive proposals.

Each tour is expected to operate exactly as shown, subject to a minimum number of participants being reached. In case that that minimum number is not achieved, an alternative program will be offered or complete refund will be made. Certain tours will also have limited space which will be allocated strictly in order to receipt bookings.

HOW TO BOOK

Please contact Mrs. Gala van Gent by sending a mail to gala.vangent@covitour.com 

AIRFARES WITHIN THE ARGENTINA

The Tours' cost does not include air fares in Argentina. When tour participant requires to the Official Travel Coordinator to reserve and ticket air travels, the best available fare will in each case be advised to you with your tour confirmation.

TOURS CONDITIONS

All the tours are quoted in American Dollars and includes VAT tax.
See General Conditions and passenger rights in Covitour’s web site: www.covitour.com

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION OF CONGRES TOURS

Payments: For all tours, full payment is required to be sent in advance.
Cancellation: In the case of cancellation, 90% of the total will be refund if notification before 02/08.
80 % of the total amount will be refunded if notification is received before 16/08. 
No refunds for cancellations received after 17/08.

Option 1: The Jungle Off the Beaten Track

3 days - 2 nights’ tour designed for those who want to enjoy an experience in the middle of unspoiled nature 

Date: 7 to 9 of September 2024

The Tour:

This post-congress tour will get you fully involved with the peace and nature of the jungle, walk along pristine trails that allow you to value the biodiversity that it preserves.

In the middle of the virgin jungle, about 70 kilometers from the Iguazú Falls, the mighty Iguazú River frames the Surucuá Reserve and it is a link between the National Parks of Iguazú (Argentina) and Foz do Iguazú (Brazil).

Entering a jungle trail towards the heart of the jungle is a unique and fascinating experience. Here the silence is only interrupted by the singing of birds, the wind and the sounds of animals. All senses are invited to join the experience, smelling the fresh air and moist grasses, admiring the vast vegetation and red soil and listening to the sounds of the jungle.

This accommodation does not offer the luxuries of city hotels, there is no TV or fridge bar in the rooms and the Wi-Fi connection is limited to public areas, but it does offer absolute comfort, highly personalized services and attention, and delicious homemade food. The luxury here is the very richness of the pristine jungle in itself.

Getting there, hidden in the middle of the jungle and far from the noise of any town or busy route, is not an easy task and it is very difficult to access them, this difficulty preserves the charm of this place.

Although nature does not allow us to fully guarantee that we will be able to use all the reserved accommodation, we have contemplated, different contingencies that will allow us to access these remote places even in adverse weather conditions.

Some experiences you can feel and see:

• Experience the feeling of finding yourself in the midst of pure jungle in a dreamlike spot surrounded by subtropical rainforest.
• Live nature in an amazing ecological hotel in perfect harmony with the environment.
• Enjoy the experience of staying in the middle of unspoiled nature at the vibrant South American subtropical jungle.
• Enter yourself into the jungle along paths with vines, mosses and ferns.
• Enjoy the unique experience of kayaking on the Iguazú River.
• Ride a bike through jungle trails.
• The majesty of these environments will make you literally forget the world and needing nothing more than what surrounds you.

Day-by-day experiences

DAY 01: Puerto Iguazú - Surucuá Lodge with Full board

In the morning you will go on a tour to Brazilian Falls to enjoy a panoramic view, very different from the one of the Argentinean side, during a walking tour through the passages that connect the different observation points. 

After that private transfer from your hotel to Surucuá Lodge across the jungle.

Arrival at the Lodge, presentation of the activities and introductory explanation about the environmental problems of the rainforest and the actions we are undertaking to achieve its conservation.

Overnight.

DAY 02: Surucuá Lodge: Full board

Enjoy the lodge. Activities in the natural reserve.

Time “off” to enjoy the facilities of the Lodge (swimming pool, bike, pathways).

This is the right moment for a photo-safari and general fauna observation.

Paddling along the Upper Iguazu River.

Interpretative walks in the afternoon, conducted by expert guides who provide good information on the several natural environments, its flora and fauna.

After dinner, enjoy the Night walk: “The Forest at night”.

Overnight.

DAY 03: Surucuá Lodge - Airport:

Check out.

Transfer to the airport to take the flight back.

END OF OUR SERVICES

Price per person:  USD 1,835

Includes:

• Brazilian National Park entrace fee
• Transfer to and from Surucuá Natural Reserve
• 2 nights accommodation with full board at Surucuá Lodge (https://surucua.com/)
• Activities in the lodge: kayaking, bike, hiking. With guide.

Doesn´t include:

• Extra expenses at hotel.
• Personal items.
• Tips at the lodge.
• Tips to local guides and drivers.

Particular conditions

The tour operates with a minimum of 2 persons.

 

Option 2: The Land of the Mythical Guarani Tribs in Argentina & Paraguay

3 days - 2 nights’ road trip following the footsteps of the last 400 years of the history of the Guaraní ethnic group.

Approximate driving distance: 1200 km

Countries visited: Argentina / Paraguay

Date: 7 to 9 of September 2024

The Tour

The Guarani ethnic group has lived throughout the centuries in the dense jungles and swamps of the Paraná basins looking for the “land without evil”, a mythical land where they would be able to achieve their highest life purpose.

Their way of life underwent a dramatic change with the arrival of the Portuguese and Spanish people. The frequent visits of slavers forced them to choose two paths: hide inside the jungle or seek protection in the Jesuit missions.

From a social, cultural and religious perspective the Jesuit Missions were a unique experience. They were founded between 1609 and 1818 in the heart of Del Plata basin, in a region that includes nowadays Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. The creation of these colonies was one of the most remarkable events in the history of mankind. 

In this expeditionary journey you will experience its ancestral and recent history, its integration with migratory currents and its present way of living.

Your experience will help to promote the conservation of the jungle, the last possible refuge for the preservation and continuity of the Guaraní culture.

Some experiences you can feel and see:

• Introduce yourself into the ancient Guaraní culture, its habitat deep in the subtropical jungle, its legacy in rural Paraguay and northeast of Argentina.
• You will recreate the passage of the Jesuits through Argentina and Paraguay, visiting the towns and missions that the religious raised together with the indigenous people in the middle of the South American jungles.
• Discover the remains of a utopia, product of the encounter between the Jesuits and the global view of the original peoples of America.
• The trip will get you to know some shocking facts of the South American history.

Day-by-day experiences

DAY 1: BRAZILIAN FALLS - CROSS TO PARAGUAY - BELLA VISTA

In the area of the falls, the Iguazú and Paraná rivers define the border of 3 countries. We will begin the trip by crossing the Iguazú River to visit the Brazilian side of the falls, from where you can appreciate a great panoramic view of the Falls and the Devil's Throat.

After lunch, we will cross the Paraná River to enter into Paraguayan territory. There we will move towards the XVII Century, to admire the best known Jesuit missionary settlement.

Throughout the entire trip you will travel along rugged roads, having the opportunity to see nice views and pristine landscapes and to walk through cobblestone streets of small charming towns.

The route offers an intimate look at the Guaraní culture and allows you to understand the importance of the Jesuits in South America.

In order to feel the Guarani worldview the best is to have an approach to their current way of living. During the afternoon we will visit a Guarani village, where you can learn about their appreciation for native seeds, their extensive knowledge of natural medicine, their traditions, art and handicrafts.

Overnight in Bella Vista, the hub of the Guarani Jesuit missions, at hotel Encanto Rural .

Driving distance: 480 km

DAY 2: JESUIT GUARANI ROUTE PART I

This day you will get to see imposing ruins of Jesuit Guarani reductions.

The Jesuit ruins of Trinidad and Jesús de Tavarangüe are living testimonies of the past.

You might find yourself alone at these Jesuit ruins, they are probably two of the least-visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the planet.

In the afternoon we will visit San Cosme y Damián, a picturesque village in the heart of the Guaraní world.

The history of San Cosme y Damián is different from that of other Jesuit Guaraní towns. This enchanted place preserves the only mission that was never abandoned, although there are ruins of the mission complex scattered throughout the town, its church, school and other houses remain as before and have always been used since the very foundation of the town.

Back to Bella Vista, in the evening you will attend to a light and sound show that recreates with delicate and genuine artistic expression the meeting of two civilizations.

Overnight .

Driving distance: 280 km

DAY 3: JESUIT GUARANI ROUTE PART II

In the morning we will cross the imposing Paraná River by raft, this time to enter the Argentina.

Here you will visit some of the “Thirty missionary towns” that, along with others in Paraguay, were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Among others we will visit “San Ignacio Mini”, one of the most complete of all the Jesuit missions, in the 17th century it had around 4.000 Guarani inhabitants.

We begin the return, this time through rolling hills, natural reserves of dense subtropical forests and endless rivers that make up the varied landscape of Northeastern Argentina.

Transfer to Brazilian or Argentinian airport to take your return flight.

Driving distance: 350 km

Optional: accommodation

END OF OUR SERVICES 

Price per person: USD 1,196

Includes:

• Guided road trip, fuel, tools and drafts
• Driver/guide expenses
• 2 nights’ accommodation at hotel Encanto Rural (https://www.encantorural.com.py/)or similar hotels within the selected category with daily breakfast.
• Entrance fee to Brazilian National Park, museums and historic sites.

Doesn´t include:

• Meals
• Extra expenses at hotel.
• Personal items.
• Tips at hotel and restaurants.
• Tips to local guides and drivers.

Particular conditions:

• The tour will operate with a minimum of 2 persons

 

Option 3: BUENOS AIRES 3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS

Dates: August 30 to September 1 & 7 to 9 of September 2024

The Tour

Over the West Coast of the Rio de la Plata, Buenos Aires was founded by Spaniards in the XVI century. Museums, art galleries and theatres have such a reputation that they have converted the city in one of the most important artistic and cultural cities in the world. Buenos Aires has everything the visitor needs to make his journey unforgettable. Its citizens warmness and its Tangos are famous and difficult to experience in another city. Buenos Aires is also a very safe and cosmopolitan city which makes it unique in South America.

Day-by-day experiences

DAY 01:

Arrival in Buenos Aires. Meeting & greeting with Covitour english speaking staff. Transfer to the selected hotel. Accommodation.

Evening Dinner and Tango Show: Buenos Aires is the birthplace of Tango, born in the brothels of the city, just before the beginning of the 1880s century. The word  "Tango" refers to both a musical style and the dance performed to it. Tango, a dance known as passionate, sensual and very elegant, was a rage in the 1930's in Buenos Aries and Paris. Tango is not only a dance but also an obsession. For the ´tanguero´, Tango is as much as a part of life as eating or sleeping. Erotic and passionate, haunting and melancholic, it involves not only the body but also the soul. Tango has captured the popular imagination for over one hundred years to become no less than an international cult.

Overnight at Amerian Buenos Aires Park Hotel or similar.

DAY 02:

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning City Tour of fascinating Buenos Aires: A different and original approach to discover the city’s most beautiful places, bars and avenues, to live its cultural life and to learn its rich history. A tour covering the outstanding points of interest: '9 de Julio´ Avenue; Colon Theatre (Opera House); San Telmo neighbourhood, birthplace of the city; May Square, historical and political centre; La Boca district, famous for 'Caminito' street; May Avenue; Recoleta district, known for its Cemetery; and Palermo, wide and beautiful park located in the heart of one of the most elegant areas in the city.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel

DAY 03:

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Airport to board flight. 

Price per person: USD 457

Price includes

• Accommodation in the mentioned or similar hotels within the selected category with daily breakfast.
• Transfers and tours as specified in the itinerary.
• 4 hours City tour with local English speaking guide.
• Dinner at Tango show includes wine.

Doesn´t include

• International or domestic flights.
• Extra expenses at hotel.
• Personal items.
• Tips at hotel, restaurant or show.
• Tips to local guides and drivers.

Particular conditions.

The tour will operate without a minimum of persons