Meet our Team Leader!

Fred

Fred Schejtman

General Manager & Travel Experts Team Leader

With over 20 years experience in the travel industry, Fred has become a respected and acclaimed expert. His knowledge and expertise are only surpassed by his ability to roll all of that know-how into a personalized fashion; delivering a First‑Class, Worry‑Free and unparalleled level of service to our guests.
When not catering to our company's beloved guests, Fred is spending quality time with his 2 children and wife, traveling the world, or rocking his guitar.

"No company or individual has ever provided anything close to the perfection we received from Fred and his team in terms of a first class, creative and personalized trip. Our trip was literally a perfect experience." - Arthur Muchin and Claire Levenberg

"Fred would be the only person we would call to plan a perfectly executed customized trip." - Neal and Barbara Eisner

"Our agent, Fred, was very professional, calm and friendly. He was the best Travel Agent we ever dealt with." - Fikret Dulger & Jimena Basilico

"When one of our bags did not arrive in Iguazu, Fred was able to trace it immediately and arranged delivery to our hotel within a few hours." - Maria Ester and Ponciano Bautista

"Fred put together an outstanding itinerary and even made a personal appearance when we needed some emergency medical assistance. We would never have been able to work through a Buenos Aires emergency room like we did, without him. If it had it not been for his assistance, we would have missed our same day flight connection and some of the very best parts of the trip." - Joe and Mary Mahoney

"Thank you Fred for your outstanding service and personal approach especially arranging a wheelchair for my husband when he fell down in Iguassu. We did not miss a single spot in Iguassu to enjoy!" - Sujata & Jyotirjiban Bhattacharya

"Our honeymoon couldn't have worked out any better. We had a fantastic trip from start to finish and we can't thank Fred enough." - Robin Osullivan and Gillian Brohan

"Throughout our trip we felt that we always had a 'guardian angel' watching over us." - Mary & Douglas Gregory and Family

"Fred went above and beyond, when I was rushed to the hospital in Buenos Aires for appendicitis. He came to the hospital frequently during my stay, providing essential Spanish-English translation between the doctors, nurses, and us." - Louise Laurence and Douglas Hamilton

"The meticulous attention to detail and personal service was unsurpassed. Our trip to Argentina was one of the best vacations we have taken, and absolutely stress free thanks to Fred and Exploration Journeys!" - Stephen and Elizabeth Trehu

"Just prior to leaving the US, Wanda experienced an injury to her leg necessitating the use of a cane and wheelchair... Had Fred not been there, and had the tour guides he chose not been who they were, this trip could have been a total disaster. Instead, it was, without a doubt, the best trip ever." - Russell Haig and Wanda Wood

"Most impressive, however, was the reaction of Fred when we could have been stranded at one of our sites because of an airline strike. He immediately responded with effective action in finding flights for continuing our journey. It is not an overstatement that he saved the latter part of our vacation!" - Don and Nancy Tortorice

"Fred covered every basis so there was no room for error or confusion." - Wendy Murrian and Frances Jones

"All the guides, drivers, services, punctuality, etc. were excellent. But the jewel of the crown was Fred's professionalism and great understanding." - Wael Ismail and Khawla Al Masri

"Fred is a perfectionist and treats his clients professionally. This trip turned out to be the trip of a lifetime - absolutely unforgettable thanks to Fred!" - Neal And Barbara Eisner

WHY TRAVEL WITH US?

WE'VE BEEN ORGANIZING WORRY‑FREE & FIRST‑CLASS Argentina TOURS SINCE 2006.

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Read trip reviews from guests whom you can contact!

Della Borlund and Thomas Borlund III

(La Canada Flt, California, United States)

"Exploration Journey's took the work and stress completely away from us pre-trip and during, enabling us to simply enjoy and share with our family and friends back home as we reflected each day."

"Another bonus is that we made lifelong friends of a few of our guides."

"We only had one incident of a domestic flight cancellation after we'd been checked in, but it was handled in the middle of the night…
Our 3:00 am under door envelope contained new boarding passes and timelines that prevented a complete ruin of our day nor loss of activities at our new location.
All of this was completely seamless to us based on EJ's constant monitoring of their client’s flights and activities. I don't think Fred or John ever sleep – their response times were always either immediate or within the hour…
There is simply no way I could have rearranged a new flight myself without several unintended consequences and stress."

"Can't imagine having gone to Argentina without EJs as our guardian angels. It was such an easy, worry free, enriching trip that we could never had pulled off on our own. We have already referred them to friends/family."

Della & Thomas visited: Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Bariloche, El Calafate and Ushuaia.
This was their first trip to Argentina.

TRIP REVIEW OF DELLA BORLUND AND THOMAS BORLUND III

"I can wholeheartedly, with recent personal experience, attest to all the statements and wonderful things that the prior traveler testimonials have made about Exploration Journeys (EJ) with Fred and John.

I have traveled much of the world with much of it having been arranged painstakingly by me. As such I am acutely aware of the challenges and the multitude of complexities that surround planning and then flawlessly executing an aggressive itinerary with multiple domestic flights, hotels, pick-ups/drop offs, and excursion service/providers for all the exciting adventures. So many things can go sideways or upside down. EJ did it for us so meticulously and provided so much more enrichment that I could ever have attempted on my own.

During my research for our Argentinian trip, I found Exploration Journeys and became intrigued with their website, offerings, customizations according to preference and budget, and the testimonials. I’d never seen such a transparent and comprehensive website and decided to reach out. I knew that building my desired trip given my language barrier and complete lack of local knowledge in all the locations, would be daunting and probably impossible without a lot of error, omission, and compromise.

Fred was IMMEDIATELY responsive, patient, and very accommodating. Together he built an itinerary that surpassed my abilities and expectations within my budget – I could never have dreamed to visit all the locations we did and partake in the exciting private and very small group activity/adventures we did in the limited time we had (14 days). With each of the amazing experiences (including transports) we met such incredible interesting people, stayed at first rate hotels in great locations, were provided a plethora of very good local recommendations, and loved the private tours and one on one attention. Exploration Journey’s took the work and stress completely away from us pre-trip and during, enabling us to simply enjoy and share with our family and friends back home as we reflected each day. We didn’t think of work back home AT ALL. Another bonus is that we made lifelong friends of a few of our guides.

We only had one incident of a domestic flight cancellation after we’d been checked in, but it was handled in the middle of the night and a note slipped under our door with coordination by the hotel staff. I don’t think Fred or John ever sleep – their response times were always either immediate or within the hour, not to mention disaster prevention such as ours in the middle of the night. Our 3:00 am under door envelope contained new boarding passes and timelines that prevented a complete ruin of our day nor loss of activities at our new location. All of this was completely seamless to us based on EJ’s constant monitoring of their client’s flights and activities. Our only concern was to confirm our acknowledgement that we’d be ready for an earlier pick up for the airport. There is simply no way I could have rearranged a new flight myself without several unintended consequences and stress.

Throughout our trip we stayed in contact with either Fred or John via email as reminders and confirmations. Other service providers used WhatsApp and so we were never at a loss of where we were going or when we needed to be ready. With the booklet, email, and other communications provided by EJ and their network, we were never at a loss for what to pack, including the priceless suggestion of goggles to wear when going under the Iguazu waterfalls, and all the options for what we could do to enhance our Argentinian experiences in our free time at each of the locations.

I can’t imagine having gone to Argentina without EJs as our guardian angels. It was such an easy, worry free, enriching trip that we could never had pulled off on our own. We have already referred them to friends/family."

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DELLA & THOMAS'S BOOKED TRIP ITINERARY

Flight arrival in Buenos Aires, Argentina!

Welcome at the airport and transfer with private vehicle and guide to your hotel.

Images of Buenos Aires: European Heritage and Latin American Passion (private tour)

Buenos Aires has been chosen for 3 consecutive years (2014, 2015 and 2016) as the #1 destination to visit in South America by millions of TripAdvisor users in their “Traveler’s Choice” contest... and rightfully so! This cosmopolitan, vibrant, and sophisticated city, commonly called the “Paris of Latin America,” is the best place in the world to enjoy a first-class tango show and to eat some of the tastiest steak, accompanied by celebrated Argentine Malbec wine.

Our expert “porteño” (as locals are called) guide will take you on a cultural journey, where you’ll visit the most iconic neighborhoods and learn about the highlights of the city; taking in its architecture, culture, history, and more! This tour is also a great opportunity to learn from your expert tour guide, the necessary information and useful tips to make the most of your free time in the city.

This is a private 4-hour tour. The usual three stops we make on this tour and walk are downtown (Plaza de Mayo), La Boca, and the Recoleta neighborhood (to visit the cemetery).

DAY 2: LAST DAY IN BUENOS AIRES

Transfer in private vehicle to Buenos Aires Airport.

Flight arrival in Iguazu.

Welcome at airport and private transfer to your hotel. Depending on your flight arrival time, you can relax at your hotel, enjoy your own explorations, or ask our local representative about suggested activities for your free time.

DAY 3: IGUAZU

Witness the Unique Power & Might of the Iguazu Falls from the Argentine Side (private tour)

“You might have seen the photos. Even read about it. You might have visited other great waterfalls before. But you probably still have no idea what to expect when you come face to face with the almighty Iguazu Falls,” stated CNN in their article “Iguazu Falls: Why this natural wonder should be on everyone’s bucket list". To put that into perspective, Iguazu Falls is nearly twice as tall as Niagara Falls and nearly three times as wide. The late U.S. First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, was reportedly so impressed by the sight of Iguazu Falls that she exclaimed “Poor Niagara!”

In 1984, Iguazu Falls became a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and in 2011, it was selected as one of the 7 winners of the “New Seven Wonders of Nature” worldwide competition in which more than 100 million votes were cast.

Their size and scale are unlike any other waterfall on Earth. Made up of a system of 275 waterfalls, they have a staggering water flow of up to almost 3.5 million gallons (13 million liters) per second – enough to fill five Olympic swimming pools!

Unlike Niagara Falls, which is surrounded by developments such as casinos, a revolving restaurant, and coffee shops, Iguazu Falls are located within one of the few remaining inland rainforests in South America, the Atlantic rainforest, which is a haven for more than 2,000 plant species, about 400 birds species, and 80 types of mammals!

This is a full-day private tour.

A Speedboat Adventure Up-Close the Iguazu Falls

Get ready for a thrilling speedboat adventure, enjoying a unique, up-close perspective of the majestic Iguazu Falls and experience a different viewpoint of the falls from what you’ll see from the panoramic boardwalks. Our speedboat will zip the waters of the Iguazu River and approach the falls getting thoroughly splashed by their mist as you hear their loud roar!

This ride provides a unique and extremely close-up view of the San Martin and Three Musketeers falls with the opportunity to take outstanding close-up photos. The high point of this experience will be without a doubt, being showered under the mist of the San Martin Falls; the second strongest falls in the Iguazu system. To get to the boat dock you’ll ride a truck through the jungle and continue with a navigation up the Iguazu River canyon by the river rapids. Now it’s time to hop on board and begin our waterfall adventure!

This tour lasts about 2 hours and is done on the same day you do the Argentinean side of the falls tour.
This tour has an age restriction (click on tour name above for details).

DAY 4: IGUAZU

Behold the Breathtaking Panoramic Views of Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian Side (private tour)

With 80% of the falls located on the Argentine side, it is only from the Brazilian side that one can see almost all of them at once, in full, breathtakingly panoramic views.

The Brazilian side offers majestic scenic views of the beauty and entirety of the falls; this is because the Brazilian footbridge lies across the river from the falls, offering a unique perspective and epic scenic views, making the Brazilian side different and absolutely complementary to the experience from the Argentinean side.

This is a half-day private tour.

Walking Among Exotic Birds in the Iguazu Rainforest (private tour)

You’re about to enter a one-of-a-kind bird sanctuary! Here you’ll find the largest colony of toucans on display in the world, as well as the largest colony of parrots on display in South America, along with 150 different bird species from Brazil and all over the world, many of them endangered.

Located in the midst of the lush tropical rainforest, Foz Tropicana Bird Park is an internationally-recognized rescue and preservation center for endangered birds; and it’s among the most important ones in South America. You’ll find yourself side by side a myriad of exotic birds, in the three walk-in aviaries, where you’ll have the opportunity to have an up-close and personal experience with amazingly colorful parrots and Toco Toucans, among many other birds… all of them right next to you or even flying over your head!

In addition to the diversity and beauty of the birds you’ll see, the park itself presents itself as a unique location. It covers nearly 40 acres (16 hectares) of rainforest, so you’re quite literally going to find yourself in the middle of nature as you make your way along the trails!

This visit lasts from an hour and a half to 2 hours and is done on the same day you do the Brazilian side of the falls tour.

DAY 5: LAST DAY IN IGUAZU

Transfer in private vehicle to Iguazu airport.

You will take a flight to Buenos Aires and from there you will take another flight to Bariloche.

Flight arrival in Bariloche. Welcome at airport and private transfer to your hotel.

Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at your hotel, enjoy your own explorations, or ask our local representative about suggested activities for your free time.

DAY 6: BARILOCHE

A Panoramic Hiking Experience to Awe-Inspiring Vistas (private tour)

Get ready for a one-of-a-kind panoramic hiking experience, where you’ll be enchanted by some of the most breathtaking panoramic views of Patagonia, including one of the ten most beautiful views in the world, as rated by National Geographic!

Our expert guide will help you hone your hiking skills, as you set out to explore the surrounding areas of Mount Llao Llao. You’ll also take a chairlift ride up Campanario Hill, where you’ll enjoy awe-inspiring panoramic views of deep-blue lakes and snow-capped mountains. Get your camera ready as this will surely be one of the best opportunities to take some of the most wonderful and sublime landscape photos out there!

This is a half-day private tour.

Navigating the Nahuel Huapi Lake & Exploring and Hiking at Victoria Island and the Myrtle Forest (with private guide and port transfers)

Prepare to navigate the beautiful blue waters of the Nahuel Huapi Lake, the largest in Argentina’s Lake District, set against the backdrop of the snow-capped Andes mountain range. We’ll enjoy our exclusive seating in the boat’s upper deck cabin. From here we’ll experience superior panoramic views and a much more exclusive setting, since there are only 50 seats in this cabin (compared to the over-200-people capacity of the regular cabin).

Known for its cold glacial waters and for being the habitat of kelp gulls and blue-eyed cormorants (which are typically only found near oceans), the Nahuel Huapi Lake provides plenty of natural beauty and beckons with the serenity of its waters.

We’ll visit the largest island on the Nahuel Huapi Lake: Victoria Island, home to a wide array of flora and fauna; also offering plenty of history, including ancient cave paintings. Another highlight of this navigation includes a visit to a unique forest of myrtle trees at Arrayanes National Park. These intriguing, cinnamon-hued trees are known for their attractive, smooth and tan bark, peppered with white spots; and giving the forest a captivating mystique. It’s widely rumored that Walt Disney drew inspiration from this myrtle forest to create his animated classic ’Bambi’ but there’s actually no evidence to back up this claim.

This is a long half day tour. You’ll have your own private guide to help you make the most out of your tour experience. Transfers to and from the port will be done on private basis.

DAY 7: BARILOCHE

A Horseback Adventure in the Patagonian Wilderness

It’s time to swing onto the saddle of our horse and ride into the wilderness while we take in the beautiful Patagonian landscape and wilderness. Our expert guide will lead us through lush green forests and lakes of blue, while we’re surrounded by the snow-capped Andes mountain range.

Your Patagonian horseback ride will take you out on a 30-minute drive along legendary Route 40, Argentina’s longest road, it traverses 3,107 miles (5,000 kilometers) from the country’s northernmost city to its southernmost tip.

Our horseback ride will be led by our “baqueano”, or guide or scout, as we ride along the shores of Gutierrez Lake. From there we’ll ascend down the southern slope of the mountain to a viewpoint offering gorgeous views of the lake and surrounding mountains for some memorable photo opportunities!

This is a half-day group tour (the horseback riding lasts about 2 hours) and includes lunch with non-alcoholic beverages & wine.

DAY 8: LAST DAY IN BARILOCHE

Transfer in private vehicle to Bariloche Airport.

Flight arrival in El Calafate. Welcome at airport and private transfer to your hotel.

Galpon del Glaciar Ranch: Traditions & Folklore of the Patagonian Land

You are invited to learn first-hand what it’s like to live and work on a Patagonian estancia (ranch).

Step back in time as you cross the doors into Estancia El Galpon del Glaciar, where you’ll be greeted by the estancia’s very own gaucho! The “gaucho” is the Argentine equivalent of a North American “cowboy”; they are the traditional workers of the estancias. We’ll tour the estancia’s facilities and will learn about the daily chores done at the Estancia.

Our hosts at the estancia will serve us a tasty and traditional specialty of Patagonian cuisine: the Patagonian lamb! We’ll also be treated to an entertaining folklore show.

This is a half-day group tour and includes dinner (beverages not included).

DAY 9: EL CALAFATE

An Experience of Conquering the Mighty Perito Moreno Glacier!

Discover your inner adventurer as you explore and conquer one of the world’s most awe-inspiring and unique glaciers: The Perito Moreno. This splendid ice giant showcases its mighty glory in the Patagonian Glaciers National Park, which has been declared Mankind’s Natural Heritage site by UNESCO. The park’s vast size not only gives it the distinction of being the largest ice mantle in the world after Antarctica, but also that of being the third largest fresh water reserve on the planet.

Now, picture yourself strapping on your ice spikes, as you begin trekking along this ice giant on a full-day discovery journey along one of the few glaciers in the world, which is actually growing and advancing.

Your full day of adventure will include a close-up navigation of the Perito Moreno Glacier and a visit to the seven panoramic balconies facing the front of the glacier where you’ll have amazing picture-taking opportunities. After an adventure-packed day, you’ll be able to rest with the satisfaction of having successfully conquered the mighty Perito Moreno!

This is a full-day group tour and has an age restriction (click on tour name above for details).

DAY 10: EL CALAFATE

Discovery of the Colossal Upsala Glacier & Adventure Trek by the Valley of the Sea Fossils in Patagonian Estancia

We’ll embark on a journey of discovery to admire the second largest glacier in South America: the Upsala Glacier, a Patagonian ice giant accessible only by boat. Our navigation will also take us to Estancia Cristina, a ranch founded by an Englishman and his wife in 1914, which tells the fascinating story of pioneers in the Patagonian region. Here, we’ll have the chance to take part in a variety of activities; including a ride in our all-terrain vehicles to a panoramic balcony from where we’ll enjoy a majestic view of the eastern face of the Upsala Glacier, to finally trek down the "Cañadon de los Fosiles"; a valley filled with sea fossil remains. This is a 7 mile (14 kilometers) trek mostly done downhill. The trek duration is about 5 hours.

This is a full-day group tour (approximately 13 hours) and includes a lunchbox with 1 beverage.

DAY 11: LAST DAY IN EL CALAFATE

Transfer in private vehicle to El Calafate airport.

Flight arrival in Ushuaia. Welcome at airport and private transfer to your hotel.

Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at your hotel, enjoy your own explorations, or ask our local representative about suggested activities for your free time.

DAY 12: USHUAIA

A Trekking and Canoeing Adventure at the Ends of the Earth

Prepare for a journey to the Ends of the Earth, as we embark on an unforgettable tour to Tierra del Fuego National Park, located in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world! With 63,000 hectares of land this National Park is larger than the city of Chicago! You’ll encounter some of the most pristine and beautiful scenery nature has to offer, while experiencing the uniquely remote feeling of truly being at the ends of the Earth.

Our expert guide will help you discover the hidden wonders of the Tierra del Fuego National Park, including its enchanting lakes, forests, lush vegetation, and wildlife as you surround yourself in the peaceful serenity of nature.
We’ll trek the coastal path (one of the most beautiful areas in the entire National Park) and then embark on a canoeing expedition downriver and across clear water streams while experiencing the calming breeze and breathtaking landscapes. Our canoeing journey concludes when we get to Lapataia Bay, where Argentina’s National Route #3 ends. This road is the last (and southernmost) stretch of the Pan-American Highway, which runs all the way to Alaska.

This is a full-day group tour and includes lunch with non-alcoholic beverages & wine.

DAY 13: LAST DAY IN USHUAIA

Transfer in private vehicle to Ushuaia airport.

Arrival in Buenos Aires and transfer to your hotel in private vehicle.

DAY 14: BUENOS AIRES

Passion and Beauty: an Authentic World-class Tango Experience

You are cordially invited to an evening of live music filled with passion, sensuality and dancing, at one of the best Tango venues in Buenos Aires: La Ventana. Located at the heart of the historic San Telmo neighborhood, you’ll enjoy a world-class Tango show in a restored tenement building (or, ‘conventillo’). This enchanting show also boasts unique features of Argentine folklore.

As you step through the doors, you’ll feel as though you have traveled back in time, with the interior of the building preserved in its original style. The show at La Ventana is a journey through the history of Tango, in which you’ll experience different and authentic styles of this mesmerizing dance, each with its own particular set of music, dancing style, and costumes.

Tango is a universe onto itself as it creates a multi-layered marriage of music, dance, singing and poetry.

This tour includes group transfers and dinner with non-alcoholic beverages & wine.

DAY 15: BUENOS AIRES

Transfer from your hotel to Ezeiza International Airport in private vehicle.

We look forward to welcoming you again in Argentina!

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