General Information
This is a brochure for a trip offered by ROM Travel.
ROM Travel is organized by the Royal Ontario Museum’s Department of Museum Volunteers to provide support for the museum.
These trips are available exclusively to members of the Royal Ontario Museum.
The trip described in this brochure is to the country of Argentina.
This trip will take place from February 29 through May 14, 2020.
This trip is operated by Gateways International/The Joy of Travel Ltd. This travel agency operates on behalf of ROM Travel.
Background Information about this Destination
Become enchanted with Buenos Aires, “the Paris of South America”.
Visit art galleries, the opera house, the birthplace of tango and navigate the Paraná River delta.
Discover Argentina’s southern tip, Patagonia’s national parks, glaciers and lake district.
Join ROM palaeontologist Dr. David Evans to explore the world’s largest dinosaurs with behind the scenes access to a dinosaur dig site.
Some Highlights of Each Day
On Day 1 arrive in the city of Buenos Aires
Individual arrivals at Ezeiza Airport.
Group transfer to the hotel.
Welcome Dinner and stroll of the area. On Day 2 in Buenos Aires
Enjoy a tour of southern Buenos Aires, including Plaza de Mayo, the Obelisk monument, San Telmo’s antique markets and tango parlors, the colourful La Boca area and the famous Teatro Colon opera house.
Dinner and tango show.
On Day 3 in Buenos Aires
Take a tour of northern Buenos Aires, including Recoleta Cemetery, Palais de Glace, Plaza San Martin, Plaza Francia, the Palermo Chico area, and the Museum of Latin American Art.
On Day 4 in the Buenos Aires area
Head north of the city for a tour of the elegant Olivos and San Isidro neighbourhoods.
Boat ride on the Parana River delta.
On Day 5 travel from Buenos Aires to the town of Ushuaia
Flight to Ushuaia.
Visit Tierra del Fuego National Park, archaeological sites and Lapataia Bay.
Take the train at the End of the World Station to see waterfalls, the Martial Mountains and the Canadon del Toro ravine.
On Day 6 in the Ushuaia area
Boat tour to discover sea life at the Beagle Channel’s Sea Lion Island and Bird Island.
On Isla Martillo, walk with Magellanic penguins and visit Harberton ranch and the Acatushun Museum.
On Day 7 travel from Ushuaia to the town of El Calafate
Flight to El Calafate.
Visit Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few glaciers in the world that is still growing.
Enjoy Lake Argentino and Redonda Bay’s unique bird life.
On Day 8 in the El Calafate area
Boat tour of Lake Argentino to see Upsala and Spegazzini Glaciers.
Visit the Glaciarium Interpretation Centre.
Indulge in a beverage at its Ice Bar.
On Day 9 travel from El Calafate to the town of Bariloche
Flight to San Carlos de Bariloche, often just called Bariloche.
Drive the Circuito Chico around Nahuel Huapi Lake.
Ride the cable car to the top of Cerro Campanario for views of the lake district.
On Day 10 in the Bariloche area
Morning at leisure.
Sail Nahuel Huapi Lake to Los Arrayanes National Park on the Quetrihue Peninsula.
At Victoria Island visit a unique coniferous forest.
On Day 11 travel from Bariloche to the town of San Martin
Walk around Bariloche, with time for shopping and sightseeing at quaint Villa la Angostura.
Drive to San Martin de los Andes, often just called San Martin, via the Seven Lakes known as Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Falkner, Villarino, Machonico, and Lacar.
On Day 12 travel from San Martin to the city of Neuquen
Drive through the lower Andes Mountains.
David will tell us about one of the largest titanosaurs in existence at Plaza Huincul, and about Giganotosaurus at Villa el Chocon.
Distant cousins, Giganotosaurus was bigger than Tyrannosaurus rex!
On Day 13 in the Neuquen area
Behind the scenes tour of The Dino Project with David and the palaeontologist in charge of the dig.
This is an ongoing excavation at the site where the ROM’s Futalognkosaurus dinosaur was found.
Tour the wineries near San Patricio del Chanar.
Enjoy lunch with award-winning wines at la Posada del Dinosaurio en Bodega Schroeder.
On Day 14 travel from Neuquen to the city of Buenos Aires
Flight to Buenos Aires.
Day at leisure. Farewell Dinner.
On Day 15 in Buenos Aires
Group transfer to Ezeiza Airport for individual departures.
Hotels Included with this Trip
In Buenos Aires at the Sofitel Recoleta hotel for 4 nights
In Ushuaia at the Las Hayas Hotel for 2 nights
In El Calafate at the Xelena Hotel for 2 nights
In Bariloche at the Cacique Inacayal hotel for 2 nights
In San Martin at the Patagonia Plaza hotel for 1 night
In Neuquen at the Comahue Business hotel for 2 nights
In Buenos Aires at the Sofitel Recoleta hotel for 1 night
An Expert Resource Person will Join this Trip
Dr. David Evans is Curator, Vertebrate Palaeontology at the ROM and Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at U of T.
He has led dinosaur digs around the world for the ROM.
A ROM Travel Coordinator will Join this Trip
Elida Huignard is a retired architect and project manager.
She is an Argentinian and an avid traveller with an extensive knowledge of the regions and cultures visited in this trip.
Trip Cost Per Person
All quoted costs are in $ CAD and are for payment by credit card.
Double Occupancy Accommodation is $10,690 per person.
Single Supplement is $1,900.
Be Aware That
This trip begins and ends at Ezeiza Airport in the city of Buenos Aires. Its international airport code is E Z E.
International flight costs are not included.
An extension to visit Iguazu Falls in northern Argentina is available directly through Gateways International/The Joy of Travel Ltd., but it is NOT part of this ROM Travel trip.
Terms and Conditions
The trip cost does NOT include international flight costs between your home and Argentina.
Gateways International/The Joy of Travel Ltd. can assist with booking flights.
The trip cost includes
Group coach transfer from Ezeiza Airport to hotel on Day 1 for those arriving before or at the arrival time of the Travel Agency Escort.
Group coach transfer from hotel to Ezeiza Airport on Day 15 for those departing at or after the departure time of the Travel Agency Escort.
Porterage of one standard sized suitcase per person at the hotels.
Regional flights, including one piece of checked baggage, with a maximum of 15 kilograms per person, as follows
Flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia Flight from Ushuaia to El Calafate
Flight from El Calafate to Bariloche
Flight from Neuquen to Buenos Aires
Ground transport in private air-conditioned coach for transfers and excursions as per itinerary.
Boats, train and cable car as per itinerary.
Shared accommodation in double occupancy room with private facilities and free WiFi access.
Meals included are buffet breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 10 dinners, including choice of water, soft drinks, coffee or tea.
Bottled water is provided daily on the bus.
Welcome and Farewell dinners include wine.
All visits, entrance fees, still camera fees, speakers’ fees and events as per the itinerary.
All taxes and tips for all goods and services, drivers, hotel, restaurant and guiding staff related to the basic trip.
All hotel and local taxes.
Services of a ROM Resource Person, a ROM Travel Coordinator, a Travel Agency Escort, and English- speaking local guides.
Pre-trip orientation meetings.
A post-trip reunion.
A travel handbook.
The trip cost does not include
International flight costs.
Fuel surcharges.
Items of a personal nature, such as laundry and telephone calls.
Other airline baggage or video camera fees, if any. Argentina visa fees, if any.
Meals, snacks, beverages, and other services unless specified.
Additional meals and accommodations due to delays.
Emergency evacuation costs.
Trip cancellation and out-of-province health insurance.
With respect to the costs
All costs quoted herein are based on rates, fees and taxes as of April 25, 2019.
Costs are subject to change without notice.
Should trip costs increase, Gateways International/The Joy of Travel Ltd., as per TICO regulations, reserves the right to increase the cost accordingly up to a maximum of 7%.
Gateways International/The Joy of Travel Ltd. reserves the right to substitute itineraries, hotels, airlines or vessels due to conditions beyond their control.
Any change to itinerary will not result in eligibility for a refund.
Participants must be members of the Royal Ontario Museum
For a full list of membership levels and benefits, visit rom.on.ca/membership.
Only one person per room must be a member.
Deposits and a Final Payment are required
An initial non-refundable deposit of $1,300 per person is required at the time of booking.
A second non-refundable deposit of $4,000 is due on October 15, 2019.
The balance of payment, $5,390, and single supplement of $1,900, if applicable, are due on December 15, 2019.
Reservations are required
As the number of participants is limited, reservations should be made as soon as possible.
In the event of over-subscription, a waiting list will be maintained.
If you have any physical limitations or disabilities
Any physical limitation or disability requiring special attention or treatment must be reported when reservation is made or when it occurs, if later.
ROMTravel, Gateways International/The Joy of Travel Ltd. and/or its agents reserve the right to decline to accept or to retain anyone who may in their sole judgment require care and attention beyond that which can be provided.
After making a reservation, if you must cancel
All cancellations must be made in writing to Gateways International/The Joy of Travel Ltd.
All payments are non-refundable. No refunds will be given for payments made or unused services.
Documents are required
A passport valid for six months after the return date is required.
It is the individual participant’s responsibility to ensure proper visas or affidavits.
Neither Gateways International/The Joy of Travel Ltd. nor ROM Travel is responsible for missing or incorrect travel documents.
Entry to another country may be refused even if the required information and travel documents are complete.
ROM Travel values your privacy
Your contact information will be published in the trip handbook unless you advise not to do so.
It is for the sole use of trip participants, ROM Travel and the travel agency, and will not be shared with anyone else.
Travel insurance is important
It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure that they have adequate out-of-province health and trip cancellation insurance to cover changes in health or other circumstances prior to, or during, the trip.
All losses suffered or additional costs incurred associated with failure to have insurance, or to have sufficient insurance, are the sole responsibility of the participant.
Insurance purchased through Gateways International/The Joy of Travel Ltd. is underwritten by TIPS Travel Insurance.
The insurance premium is non-refundable, and exclusive for residents of Ontario.
Insurance may be purchased up to the time the initial deposit is processed, or at a later time but, if purchased later, would be subject to any changes to the premiums and/or to the participant's health or other circumstances at the time of purchase.
A waiver will be required if the participant does not purchase insurance from Gateways International/The Joy of Travel Ltd.
Ontario taxes are included in the quoted costs.
The costs quoted are subject to change until the insurance policy is issued.
The costs quoted are based on accommodation in a double occupancy room.
Note that Deluxe coverage is all-inclusive health and cancellation insurance.
The price of Deluxe coverage depends on your age.
Up to the age of 59, Deluxe coverage price is $606.96.
From age 60 to 64, Deluxe coverage price is $761.40. From age 65 to 69, Deluxe coverage price is $901.80.
From age 70 to 74, Deluxe coverage price is $1,399.68.
From age 75 to 79, Deluxe coverage price is $1,765.80.
From age 80 to 84, Deluxe coverage price is $2,263.68.
The price of Cancellation Only coverage depends on your age.
Up to the age of 59, Cancellation Only coverage price is $538.92.
From age 60 to 64, Cancellation Only coverage price is $640.44.
From age 65 to 69, Cancellation Only coverage price is $737.64.
From age 70 to 74, Cancellation Only coverage price is $851.04. From age 75 to 79, Cancellation Only coverage price is $1,159.92.
From age 80 to 84, Cancellation Only coverage price is $1,514.16.
For single accommodation, for more coverage options and for complete coverage details, limitations and exclusions, please contact Gateways International/The Joy of Travel Ltd.
What is the Royal Ontario Museum Responsibility?
Neither the Royal Ontario Museum nor the Department of Museum Volunteers of the Royal Ontario Museum, or any member thereof, assumes any responsibility for the financing, arranging or the conducting of the trip, nor shall be liable for damages or loss to person or property that might occur in connection with this trip however arising, whether by negligence or otherwise, and whether or not a member of the Royal Ontario Museum staff or the Department of Museum Volunteers accompanies the trip.
The applicant by applying to join the trip hereby agrees to this limitation of liability on the part of the Royal Ontario Museum, the Department of Museum Volunteers or any member thereof.
What is the Responsibility and Jurisdiction of the Travel Agency, its Local Agents, and the Royal Ontario Museum?
Gateways International/The Joy of Travel Ltd. and their agents act only as agents for the passengers with respect to services supplied to passengers by others, including but not limited to transportation, hotel and restaurant services, on the express condition that they are not liable for any failure in such services, or injury, loss or damage, delay or inconvenience arising out of or in connection with any defect in any vehicle or any act, omission, accident or error in providing such transportation, hotel, restaurant or other services.
There is no refund for unused portions of the trip.
In case of an accident occurring during the land portion of any trip, the passenger must submit any claim therefore only to the competent judicial authorities of the jurisdiction where such accident occurred, to be determined exclusively in accordance with the laws of such jurisdiction.
By accepting the coupons and tickets and utilizing the services, the passenger agrees that neither the Royal Ontario Museum nor Gateways International/The Joy of Travel Ltd. nor any affiliated or subsidiary companies or representatives shall be liable for any loss, injury or damage to the passenger or belongings or otherwise in connection with any accommodations, transportation or other services or resulting directly from any occurrences beyond its control including breakdown in equipment, strikes, theft, delay or cancellation or changes in itinerary or schedules, etc.
Gateways International/The Joy of Travel Ltd. and its agents reserve the right to refuse to accept or to retain any person as a member of this trip for any reason.
The right is reserved to withdraw any or all of the trip or portions thereof.
All trip services including, but not limited to hotel accommodations, restaurants, guide services and transportation are furnished by independent contractors.
Living standards and practices at the destination and the standards and conditions there with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodation may differ from those found in Canada.
Gateways International/The Joy of Travel Ltd. is an Ontario-registered company. Its TICO Registration numbers are 2171876 and 2472491.
For further information, contact
Elida Huignard, the ROM Travel Coordinator Phone: 416.586.8034 E-mail: [email protected]
Or contact:
Vivian Cilia at Gateways International/The Joy of Travel Ltd. Phone: 905.889.0483 ext 243 or 1.800.268.0900 FAX: 905.889.4636 E-mail: [email protected]