Argentina Gap Year & Volunteer
Argentina
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Argentina is a treasure trove of adventures, waiting to be opened - who would expect anything less from a country with a name that directly translates as ‘the land of silver'. From the spectacular Iguazú Falls and dense rainforest on the north-eastern border, to the towering Andes shared with Chile in the west, and down to the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia, Argentina has something to offer everyone. Explore the country's 2,780,400 square kilometres in an overland tour, trek up the 22,834 feet Aconcagua mountain, or embark on a wintry safari in the Tierra del Fuego: there are infinite possibilities …... (Read more...)
Kayaking
Could there be a more idyllic way to embrace a new environment than paddling and battling your way across its various bodies of water? Patagonia, in particular, offers kayakers ample opportunities to test their skills. There are white-water rivers for daring experts, and the crystal clear lakes of the Lake District for beginners and lovers of tranquillity. Here, not only are conditions among the best in world for kayaking, but more unforgettable still is the stunning surrounding scenery. White-sand beaches intersperse rich greenery, while the towering, ice-capped Andes hover in the background.
Whitewater Rafting
If you’re looking for a watery adventure in Argentina then look no further than an exhilarating rafting trip. The world-renowned river Rio Futaleufu winds itself around the base of the Andes, negotiating gullies and canyons, creating waterfalls, and churning the water into the whitest of whites. Patagonia is full of opportunities for rafting, posing challenges for everyone, no matter how experienced. The water - where it isn’t churned up - is astonishingly clear, and when you’re not battling against sweeping currents, there’s always the background of astonishingly beautiful scenery to gaze at.
Horse Riding
If you want to avoid the sometimes hectic bustle of a conventional overland tour and are willing to travel in a completely new way, why not cross Argentina on horseback? Though you may cover less ground this way, there is much to be said for a mode of transport that brings you constantly face-to-face with nature. Daily activities may include spotting the distant spike of Aconcagua, galloping across the peaceful plains of the Pampas or circling a Patagonian lake. And the best part is, if you’re not really an enthusiastic walker you can still get to places a car could never reach, up the mountainsides of the Andes, for example.
Motor Biking
For speed, exhilaration and endless adventure, a motorbike tour will have you roaring toward the horizon. There are so many unmissable landscapes to tear your way through; Argentina and Patagonia are particularly well suited to motorcyclists. Mountains, dormant volcanoes, lakes, rives, gorges and rainforests are all features that you may have to navigate; the unpredictable nature of the terrain meaning a windy and bumpy road ahead. And for a moment of calm, all you need to do is turn off the engine and spend a few tranquil moments looking around.
Wildlife and Nature
When most people think of safari, there are lions, monkeys and grasslands involved. However, Argentina’s southernmost region offers many opportunities for wildlife spotting of a less traditional sort. The Tierra del Fuego National Park is inhabited by thousands of fascinating creatures, and many nature tours take you off-land and further south by boat. Whales and penguins and many other animals can be sighted on these excursions. The rich jungles in the north of Argentina also make perfect nature-spotting locations.
Trekking
An infamous mountain range, such as the Andes, should be on every mountaineer’s checklist. Some of the southern peaks are truly majestic; the tallest of these is the highest mountain in the western hemisphere, Aconcagua. Large enough to be seen from miles and miles away, it towers 1000 meters over its brothers. For the more adventurous traveller, there are many trekking trips that scale this giant. Along the way ice-flows, frozen waterfalls, glaciers and mountain lakes appear around every corner, not to mention the view that the 22,834 feet of mountain will provide. If this particular peak is too intimidating for you, there are many lower-level treks to be enjoyed. Trips that include more intense mountaineering activities, such as rock and ice climbing, are also easy to find in the Andes.
