Argentina map & itineraries
When considering places to visit in Argentina, remember this is a country 11 times the size of the UK; you can't see it all without a lot of time and traveling – which frequently involves short internal flights to avoid entire days (and nights) spent on the road. That said, ground transport can be part of the fun – bombing across mountain passes in minivans, boat rides up close to the magnificent Perito Moreno glacier or to remote Patagonian estancias, luxurious long-distance coaches (think flat beds!). Consider combining two or three myriad landscapes and experiences: city buzz in Buenos Aires; tranquil Pampas; Patagonian peaks and plains; high deserts and sylvan lakes; glaciers; wetlands and vineyards.
1.
The Lake District
2. Buenos Aires
3. Cordoba & the Central Sierras
4. Esteros del Ibera
5. Glacier National Park & Torres del Paine
6. Iguazu
7. Inland Patagonia & Ruta 40
8. Mendoza & the Andes
9. The Pampas
10. Peninsula Valdes
11. Salta & Jujuy
12. Tierra del Fuego
2. Buenos Aires
3. Cordoba & the Central Sierras
4. Esteros del Ibera
5. Glacier National Park & Torres del Paine
6. Iguazu
7. Inland Patagonia & Ruta 40
8. Mendoza & the Andes
9. The Pampas
10. Peninsula Valdes
11. Salta & Jujuy
12. Tierra del Fuego
The Lake District
1. The Lake District
Ringed by the soaring Cerros Catedral peaks, lakeside Bariloche is a brilliant base for hikes in Nahuel Huapi National Park, whose mountain huts let you walk as long as you have breath! Drive the winding 'Lakes Route' past a septet of watery alpine beauties, and soak away any aches in the thermal spa town of Copahue. The original German and Swiss inhabitants have left a tasty legacy, strangely appropriate in this Alpine setting: artisan chocolate shops.
Buenos Aires
2. Buenos Aires
Argentina's capital dances to a never-ending pulse, with locals (portenos) dining at midnight before hitting bars at 3am amid colonial architecture and hedonistic hubbub. Wander elegant San Telmo and gaudy La Boca, browse galleries and boutiques in upscale Recoleta or relax in park-filled Palermo. And be sure to experience a tango hall (milonga) plus one of Latin America's finest gourmet scenes.
Cordoba & the Central Sierras
3. Cordoba & the Central Sierras
Argentina's vibrant second city happily blends superb Jesuit architecture with enjoyable get-up-and-go fed by a young cultured population and passion for music, from traditional cuarteto to 21st century beats. The surrounding hill country provides some of the world's best launch spots for paragliding such as La Cumbre and Merlo – with expert instructors on hand to provide tandem flights for newbies.
Esteros del Ibera
4. Esteros del Ibera
Lush lagoons (esteros) and floating islands fill this 13,000 square kilometre wetland national park in NE Argentina, home to marsh deer, exotic birds, screeching howler monkeys, sharp-toothed black caimans and iconic capybaras. Stylish lodges provide creature comforts after creature days. Explore one of South America's finest wildlife reserves on foot (night walks too), horseback or boat.
Glacier National Park & Torres del Paine
5. Glacier National Park & Torres del Paine
Blue-hued icy movers and shakers star in Los Glaciares National Park - such as Perito Moreno, whose 5km wide, 60m ice walls move up to 2m a day! The area is also hiking heaven amid the startling granite pillars of Torres del Paine and the wild Fitz Roy peaks. El Chalten is a colourful summer hiking HQ – complete with microbrewery and February trekking festival.
Iguazu
6. Iguazu
On the border with Brazil, Iguazu Falls are perhaps the planet's greatest cascades, a vast sweep of torrents plunging from a jungle backdrop. Gaze from walkways down the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat), take a drenching boat trip under a fall, then explore jungle trails snaking into surrounding wildlife-rich national parks. You may need a visa to enter Brazil – check beforehand!
Inland Patagonia & Ruta 40
7. Inland Patagonia & Ruta 40
Ruta 40 is a stunning road trip, gathering vast steppes, glacial peaks and lakes the colour of strange gems. It's tarred but with long distances between petrol/food stops plus changeable weather. Consider a multi-day guided jaunt if DIY doesn't appeal. Hikers can explore the foothills of Los Alerces NP around laidback old town of Esquel – terminus for the historic narrow-gauge La Trochita train
Mendoza & the Andes
8. Mendoza & the Andes
The city is a cosmopolitan oasis in a dramatic landscape where desert jostles Andean peaks – including Aconcagua, at 6,920m, the Americas' highest summit and a top climbers' favourite. Add excellent rafting, mountain biking, paragliding and winter skiing. Mendoza is also Argentina's premier wine-growing area – but perhaps save tastings until you've done the adventure stuff! Top wineries cluster around Maipu.
The Pampas
9. The Pampas
From the 19th century, Argentina grew rich on the beef, wool and wheat reared on these vast grass plains spreading in a giant westward arc from Buenos Aires. They're dotted with traditional ranches (estancias) worked by characterful Latin cowboys (gauchos), offering a chance to experience a unique prairie and immense vistas. 18th century colonial Areco and leafy Tandil are lovely Pampas towns.
Peninsula Valdes
10. Peninsula Valdes
The UNESCO-listed Peninsula Valdes nature reserve is a wildlife mecca, its 400km coast home to elephant seals, Magellanic penguins and the endangered southern right whale. Inland, spot guanacos (wild cousins of llama) alongside atmospheric salt flats. The charming old salt port Puerto Piramides now majors on whale-watching tours in the breeding season (June-Dec), plus diving with sea lions (water visibility peaks in August).
Salta & Jujuy
11. Salta & Jujuy
These NW provinces offer fabulous vistas, culture and vineyards. The crinkled coloured rock of the Quebrada de Humahuaca valley complement two national parks. Hill villages like Valles Calchaquies are indigenous artisan craft meccas. Salta is a colonial jewel famed for folk music and native history museums – and start point for the precipitous 'Train to the Clouds' climbing to 4,200m.
Tierra del Fuego
12. Tierra del Fuego
Set between the Beagle Channel and snow-capped Martial Mountains, lively Ushuaia is the last bit of civilisation before sailing to Antarctica. A summer hiking/biking hub, there's enough buzz to just kickback too. The adjacent Tierra del Fuego National Park offers fragrant southern forests with gentle trails and brilliant birdlife including condors, albatross and flightless steamer ducks. Canoe off the coast to spot seals, penguins and orcas.
Northern Argentina luxury vacation
Unique slow travel luxury adventure in North Argentina
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23 days
ex flights
Patagonia and Mendoza vacation in Argentina
Enjoy the Bold and Stunning Scenery of Argentina!
From
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10 days
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Argentina tailor made vacation, Buenos Aires to Patagonia
10-days: Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, El Calafate & Glaciers
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10 days
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Argentina vacation, Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls
Soak up the atmosphere in Argentina's sunny north
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15 days
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Argentina highlights vacation, tailor made
Enjoy memorable adventures in Patagonia and Iguazu Falls
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12 days
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Argentina highlights vacation, 9 days
Discover Buenos Aires and Patagonia's glaciers and whales
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Argentina sample itineraries
Argentina highlights, 10 days:
Buenos Aires > (flight) Iguazu Falls > (flight) El Calafate > Los Glaciares National Park > Ushuaia > (flight) Buenos Aires
Patagonia encompassed, 14 days:
El Calafate > Los Glaciares National Park > Perito Moreno > Torres del Paine National Park (Chile) > Tierra del Fuego National Park > Ushuaia
Waterfalls & gauchos, 15 days:
Buenos Aires > (flight) Salta > Cafayate > (flight) Iguazu Falls > (flight) Buneos Aires
Buenos Aires > (flight) Iguazu Falls > (flight) El Calafate > Los Glaciares National Park > Ushuaia > (flight) Buenos Aires
Patagonia encompassed, 14 days:
El Calafate > Los Glaciares National Park > Perito Moreno > Torres del Paine National Park (Chile) > Tierra del Fuego National Park > Ushuaia
Waterfalls & gauchos, 15 days:
Buenos Aires > (flight) Salta > Cafayate > (flight) Iguazu Falls > (flight) Buneos Aires
Travel times in Argentina
The following times give you a rough idea of the travel times between the main attractions in Argentina.
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