We at South America Travel Specialists can’t think of many countries in the world that offer so much in one trip. Argentina invites you to see some of the world’s most amazing and truly awe-inspiring natural wonders including the Iguazu Falls in the tropical north, the vast peaks of the Andes mountains and the Moreno Glacier in the southern ice fields of Patagonia.

But as well as nature in all its glory, there’s the love of life, the passion and the heartfelt welcome of the people of Argentina. This is everywhere, but not least in the city of Buenos Aires. Sophisticated and cool, yet also chaotic and cutting edge. It’s South America’s centre of fashion, design, culinary arts… home to the passions of football and tango. We make sure you can dive into the spirit of Argentina and Buenos Aires. With your private guide to take you off the beaten track, experience the dance of the tango at one of the best shows, and have a day with the gauchos in a beautiful ranch.

Argentina Welcome

Argentina will also welcome you with its bounty. If you love meat and the cowboy traditions of the barbecue, Argentina’s wonderful asados, you’ve come to the right country. But it’s a cliche that it’s all about meat. These days, Argentina offers the full range of culinary experiences. Yet there’s still something we love most of all about a simple yet hearty picnic in the wilderness of Patagonia.

Your Spirit of Argentina tour includes a carefully crafted mixture of activities and adventures to get you into the heart of the country. Making full use of your time, with plenty of time to sit back with a wine and take it all in. Whether it’s a boat trip on Lake Nahuel Huapi, getting into Iguazu Falls before the crowds arrive, or a visit to lonely Estancia Cristina ranch in Patagonia.

We’ve selected a range of some of the best hotels in Argentina, chosen for their local character and style and for their locations either next to great waterfalls or on the shores of huge lakes. 

This is the highlights of Argentina, it’s the must-see places of this huge country. But it’s more than that. South America Travel Specialists want to show you these world-class wonders but also get you into the heart of the traditions, culture and surprises and let you feel the spirit of Argentina.

The Spirit of Argentina tour highlights:

• Stay in hip Palermo in Buenos Aires and discover the secret city
  

• Mouthwatering Argentine food including tango and wine and a barbecue with gauchos
  

• Spend the day at awesome Moreno Glacier
  

• Spend three days at breathtaking Iguazu Falls in the tropical north
  

• Private yacht cruise and lakeside picnic in Bariloche in the Andes
  

• Trek in Patagonia and look down on the Patagonia ice shelf

Suggested Itinerary – We customise this for you.

Day 1 – To Buenos Aires

Fly overnight south to Buenos Aires.

Day 2 – Buenos Aires

Arrive this morning in Buenos Aires, where a private meet and greet and transfer will whisk you to the city centre. Your guide will be able to fill you in about what’s happening in one of South America’s most exciting and cosmopolitan cities.

Stay for 3 nights at Legado Mitico boutique hotel in the hip Palermo Soho district. We love this hotel as it has a uniquely Buenos Aires style and spirit. The Palermo Soho district is an excellent base to walk around, it’s full of cool restaurants, bars and street markets. Quickly feel like you’re a native of Buenos Aires, they call the locals Portenos, meaning those who live in a port city.

Hotel: Legado Mitico

Day 3 – Buenos Aires discovery

Head out into the heart of the city this morning on a private guided tour of Buenos Aires with your expert guide. Buenos Aires is certainly a city of contradictions, and your guide will show you through Recoleta with its grand European style mansions, and the ornate cemetery where Evita, Eva Peron, is buried.

Continue over to the old centre and see the seats of power, the Plaza de Mayo where you can see the Parliamentary Palace, the Casa Rosada, famous for the balcony where Evita made her passioned speeches, which you might have seen in the movie! Also in the ceremonial centre is the National Congress building and Buenos Aires cathedral. There always seems to be something going on in this area.

Drive through the upscale redeveloped dock area of Puerto Madero and then onto the old docks of La Boca, with its colourful painted streets and street art, markets and unique atmosphere. La Boca is the birthplace of the tango and you will probably see street dancers on Caminito street. Also tucked away by the port is La Bombonera, the football stadium of Boca Juniors – another of Buenos Aires’ religious buildings!

In the evening we secure your tickets, and transfers, to the one of the best tango shows in town at Gala Tango. It’s accompanied by a live orchestra, and a three-course dinner, and not forgetting the wine of course. The dancers at Gala Tango are among the very best in the world in an atmospheric 1930s setting close to the docks from where the tango dance hailed.

Hotel: Legado Mitico

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 4 – A day with the Gauchos at Estancia La Bamba

Venture an hour or so out of the city, driving out along the La Plata River to the where the city suburbs give way to the vast plains and rich grasslands of the Pampas. The estancias of the Pampas are ornate and exclusive properties with large estates which feel like they’re straight out of the pages of an old romantic epic. The is the Argentina of polo clubs, tree-lined avenues, huge herds of cattle and the romantic folklore of the gaucho horsemen.

Estancia Hacienda La Bamba de Areco dates from 1830 and retains a feeling of old fashioned glamour. Spend the day revelling in the country lifestyle, strolling in the beautiful grounds, visit the gaucho museum and freshen up with a dip in the swimming pool.

Your host is Cordon Bleu chef Paula Mendez Carreras. Trained in Paris and London and executive chef in some of the top restaurants in Buenos Aires, Paula is also one of Argentina’s most renowned celebrity chefs.

After a bit of time in the country, you’ll be ready for a sumptuous traditional asado lunch, the Argentine barbecue.  We at South America Travel Specialist are willing to wager it will be the best steak you will ever taste.

After lunch, climb into a horse-drawn carriage for a ride around the large estate and see some of the gauchos at work on the large ranch.

After a full day in the tranquil surrounds of the estancia, head back into the exciting chaos of the city. Head into any of Palermo’s bars and check out the sights sounds of Buenos Aires.

Hotel: Legado Mitico

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 5 – To Iguazu Falls

Fly up to the tropical northeast of Argentina to witness one of the world’s great natural wonders, the Iguazu Falls.

Straddling the border with Argentina and Brazil, the Iguazu Falls are completely breathtaking and no amount of words can do them justice. We think it’s well worth three nights here as two days are needed to explore the falls and the rainforest around, relaxing a little while in the tropics and slow life down a little.

At Iguazu Falls it’s all about location location location so stay at the Gran Melia Iguazu. It’s the only hotel on the Argentina side which is based inside the national park and has spectacular falls view rooms. It also features a large pool, spa and a selection of places to eat and drink to provide a resort experience by Iguazu Falls.

Hotel: Gran Melia Iguazu

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 – Iguazu Falls Argentina side

Head into the national park early this morning with your guide, before the crowds arrive. You can send the full day exploring all the trails in an unforgettable day. There are over 200 separate cascades, and lower and upper trails lead you through the jungle, next to the powerful surges of this vast river. Iguazu means ‘big water’ in the local Guarani language, we think that’s underplaying it a bit!

Take the miniature train through the forest to the trail above the falls and the overwhelming experience of the Devil’s Throat. You can stand within touching distance of one of the most powerful surges of water in the world, a place of sound and fury well matched to the Devil’s Throat name…this is a place to get on video or even “live stream” but don’t drop your camera here!! The Devil’s Throat is ideal to experience at dusk in wonderful orange light when the rainforest appears calm amid the unrelenting noise and force of Iguazu Falls.

Hotel: Gran Melia Iguazu

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 – Iguazu Falls Brazil side

Your guide will take you over the border and into Brazil. A visit to the Brazil side of Iguazu Falls is essential as it gives you an alternative view of the falls from the front and below. But, it’s not just the views. On the Brazil side, a pathway leads to a platform in the centre of the canyon. The experience is overwhelming, you’re going to get wet, very wet! You won’t hear a thing except for the constant rush of water as you look on those 360-degree views of waterfalls, jungle and the river surging through the canyon. And there in front of you, that awesome sight of the Devil’s Throat in all its glory.

Hotel: Gran Melia Iguazu

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 – To Bariloche, Argentine Lake District

From the tropics in the north it’s time to head south, over the vast empty interior of Argentina to the Andes Mountains.  Begin a three days exploration of the beautiful open spaces and adventure playground of the Argentine Lake District.

Base yourself in Bariloche at the El Casco Art Hotel, a stylish retreat for fine living on the shores of the lake. Bariloche combines chocolate box style scenery similar to the Alps with huge shimmering lakes leading to high peaks which are winter ski stations. Unlike the lakes and mountains of Europe, it is remote and away from the crowds  therefore giving you a wonderful feeling of space and tranquillity.

Late this afternoon climb about the Serena yacht for a journey on the beautiful Lake Nahuel Huapi. Sailing to the islands of Huemel and Galina as the evening light turns to orange and bathes the surrounding mountains. Cast anchor at Puerto Bueno Bay for a glass of wine and cold cuts for a lake safari sundowner moment. As the stars come out, the captain will show you the southern constellations as you return under the dazzling night skies.

Hotel: El Casco Art hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 –  Adventure in the Andes with wine

Blow away the cobwebs and head into the mountains of northern Patagonia. Today is a photographer and a walker’s dream! With its high peaks, stunning pure mountains and a huge wilderness spreading as far as the eye can see.

Drive to Bahia Lopez and walk through the giant, untamed forest alongside lake Nahuel Huapi. You then ascend the mountainsides to be rewarded with views of Mount Tronador and its seven glaciers – this is the wild Andes.  What better way to enjoy this stunning wilderness setting than a picnic lunch of hearty Patagonian fare…. accompanied naturally by excellent local wines.

Fully energised, you can kayak back along the lake and take in that feeling of space and freedom on some of the freshest and clearest waters in the world.

Hotel: El Casco Art hotel

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 10 – Bariloche and Nahuel Huapi Lake tour

This morning head back on the waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi in a private motorboat. From the waters, you can see the dramatic mountains which have been carved by glaciers over eons. Large tracts of the lakeshore are protected land, supporting the forest and the rare wildlife of the region and you may spot condors or the native otter called the huillin.

Arriving at the far bank of the lake, walk through pristine landscape to the powerful Frey waterfall. This will ensure you have room for a Patagonian gastronomic picnic. All served and enjoyed in such a stunning environment.

Hotel: El Casco Art hotel

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 11 – To El Calafate and Patagonia

Fly further south to El Calafate and the wilderness of Patagonia. Travelling from alpine scenery to more rugged, open wilderness yet still with the unmistakable twisting peaks of the Andes.

Journey into the Los Glaciares National park and on the shores of Lake Argentino, visit Estancia Nibepo Aike. This is a huge 12 thousand hectare ranch which spreads over mountains to the border with Chile. In this stunning location framed by high mountains and glaciers, you can see how they rear sheep and cattle in this untamed land then sit down to enjoy Patagonian lamb for dinner.

Stay for three nights in El Calafate at Xelena Hotel. An excellent location on the shores of Lake Argentino and walking distance from El Calafate town.

Hotel: Xelena Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 12 – The Upsala Glacier and Estancia Cristina

Get ready an exciting full-day exploration of wild Patagonia! Starting with a catamaran boat trip across Lake Argentino, passing icebergs until you reach the wall of the Upsala Glacier, the largest glacier in South America. It takes a good few hours to travel across the lake, allowing plenty of time to sit back and enjoy this awe-inspiring scenery.

Disembark the catamaran at the farm of Estancia Cristina. This ranch was built in 1914 by an English settler family, deep into what remains a remote wilderness. You can enjoy the setting of the estancia and learn about settler history over a tasty lunch. Not to be missed is the 4X4 trip into the mountains on steep tracks, followed by a guided trek along the hilltops.  The views from here upon the glacier are unforgettable. As you gaze down you can see how the glacier has retreated in recent years. A sad sign of the current climate.

After a full day exploring in the mountains, the catamaran will take you back to El Calafate. After a day of the freshest air, try to stay awake as you travel past icebergs in the evening light.

Hotel: Xelena Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 13 – The Moreno Glacier

In this land of glaciers and peaks, the Moreno Glacier takes the top prize. It’s one of just three advancing glaciers in the world. A place of astounding natural beauty and the scale of it is hard to comprehend.

Drive into the national park in your private vehicle. It’s a wonderfully scenic drive, to say the least. The beauty of a private vehicle is that you can stop when you want to take it all in. You are on your own timetable. As you arrive at the Moreno Glacier spend time just gazing on it from the front as it spreads up as far as the eye can see. It’s hard to get a scale from photos, the front is as tall as a twelve storey building. If you’re lucky see chunks of blue ice falling into the lake – making a tremendous crash and great video.

We can organise a guided trek on the glacier if you want to get up close and personal. We provide all the gear – ice axe, crampons – and a bit of training naturally. Quickly appreciating the huge scale as you climb and descend hills of ice in an extraordinary adventure. Celebrate your achievement with a very special whisky, literally on the rocks. Chip some ice off the glacier, as it melts in the glass, you will hear air escaping which has been trapped in there for thousands of years.

Hotel: Xelena Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 14 – To Buenos Aires

Fly back to the capital, Buenos Aires. After a few weeks in the wilds, it might seem a culture shock to be back in the busy city. Stay another night in Palermo Soho and enjoy a bit of Buenos Aires nightlife and reminisce on your spirit of Argentina.

Day 15 – Depart

Take time this morning to hang out in the city. Maybe grab a few last-minute souvenirs before your overnight departure. As you are down this way, why not add a few nights in Rio de Janeiro for a taste of Brazil. Just ask your South America Travel Specialist. 

Day 16 – Arrive home

Land back from the southern lands and the End of the World.