10 Days in Argentina - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Buenos Aires, Mendoza & Salta Adventure

Immerse yourself in the sights, tastes, and sounds of Argentina on this ten-day adventure that includes stops in Buenos Aires, the wine region of Mendoza, and the colonial city of Salta, gateway to the colorful landscapes of Argentina's northwest. 

Begin the adventure in Buenos Aires, where you'll have plenty of time for sightseeing. Stop to snap photos in Plaza de Mayo, have a coffee in the historic neighborhood of San Telmo, and stroll through the elegant district of Recoleta before having a traditional steak dinner in a parrilla (steakhouse) or catching a tango show at night.

You'll fly to Mendoza the next day, where you'll visit several local wineries for tastings and venture high into the Andes to spot condors, sparkling lakes, and vistas of Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the mountain range. You'll take a cooking class in the wine region of Luján de Cuyo and explore the neighboring region of Chacras de Coria—also filled with wineries—on a bicycle.

For the second part of the trip, catch a flight from Mendoza to Salta. Tour the colonial center and its charming outdoor plazas and museums before road-tripping into the colorful landscapes outside the city. The Salinas Grandes Salt Flats—a dream destination for photographers—await you before you retire for the evening in Purmamarca, located at the base of Jujuy's iconic Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of the Seven Colors). Finish up the trip with a tasting at a local winery on your way back to Salta. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Discover Northern Argentina

This ten-day trip takes you to Argentina's north to visit colonial cities, day-trip to gorges and salt flats, taste wines produced at the foot of the Andes, and see awe-inspiring waterfalls at the border of Brazil. 

After a day or two in Buenos Aires, this itinerary takes travelers on a short flight to Puerto Iguazú, a point of access to the UNESCO-honored Iguazú Falls—the largest waterfall system in the world. Spend a full day hiking around the falls and snapping photos of exotic butterflies and monkeys in the national park.

Next, catch a flight to the northwestern city of Salta. Steeped in indigenous history, its colonial center is a pleasure to explore on foot. The following day, you'll head into the Calchaquí Valley to visit wineries in Cafayate. The local wine to try is Torrontés, a fresh, floral white that's particularly refreshing after a hike in the colorful hills (or a long car ride). 

Make sure your camera battery is charged on day seven: you'll visit Salinas Grandes Salt Flats, where the changing conditions of light and landscape create intriguing photo ops. Explore the vibrantly hued Quebrada de Humahuaca and stop in the pretty village of Purmamarca, located at the base of Cerro de Siete Colores (Hill of the Seven Colors), and stop to admire the brightly colored mountains known as La Paleta del Pintor (The Painter's Palette). Fly back to Buenos Aires at the end of the itinerary for one more evening of steak, wine, and tango. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Trekking the Salta Region

The journey is the destination on this active ten-day itinerary through Argentina's northwest that starts and ends in Buenos Aires.

After a day and night in the capital city, catch a flight to Salta, where you'll visit the pink Salta Cathedral and try traditional northwestern cuisine like locro (a corn-based stew). The following day, venture into the stunning Quebrada del Toro, with its rocky gorges and dense forest, moving onto the pre-Inca ruins at Rosa de Tastil and the village of San Antonio de los Cobres. The trip continues in Tilcara and another pre-Inca archaeological site, Pucará de Tilcara, before you detour to the thundering waterfalls at Garganta del Diablo.

For the next few nights on the agenda, you'll be trekking through the mountains and camping at night. Visit high-altitude villages, hike through native forest, and enjoy spectacular lookouts of the landscape below. Following the Abra del Potrero mountain pass to the top of San Lucas, then across Valle Grande to Calilegua National Park, you'll make your way back to Salta. Spend one last night in the colonial city before heading back to Buenos Aires at the end of the trip. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Exploring Argentina's Wildlife & Culture

This ten-day trip has something for everyone: cultural experiences like a tango show and a cooking class in Buenos Aires, and wildlife experiences in Patagonia, from whale-watching to hiking through a penguin colony.

Begin this itinerary in Buenos Aires, where after sightseeing on a city tour, you'll learn how to make empanadas and pair Malbec with local cheeses during a cooking class at The Argentine Experience. At night, catch a tango show that also features traditional folkloric music. On day four, side-trip to the Tigre River Delta for a boat tour of the region's unique system of canals and islands.

On the second half of the trip, you'll fly to Puerto Madryn in Patagonia, gateway to penguin colonies at Punta Tombo and the whale-watching hot spot at Puerto Pirámides, both of which you'll visit on guided tours. For a break from wildlife, take a short side trip to the Welsh settlement of Gaiman for traditional afternoon tea. On day eight, you'll slip on a wetsuit and snorkel with sea lions. Warm up with a cozy seafood meal back in the city, then catch a flight back to Buenos Aires for one last night in the capital. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Bariloche, Mendoza & Iguazú Falls

Wine, tango, waterfalls, kayaking: this ten-day trip plan has it all, taking you around to three of Argentina's natural wonders.

Kicking off in Buenos Aires, this trip plan quickly moves to the lakeside city of Bariloche. Sample local chocolates and take in sweeping views of Nahuel Huapi Lake before going on a guided tour of the region's lakes, peaks, and natural landscape. You'll kayak on Lago Mascardi—and hike in the forest around it—the following day, stopping for a picnic lunch on Playa Leones beach. On day four, take a catamaran tour of Victoria Island and Myrtle Forest, known for its Andean tree species.

Fly to Mendoza midway through the trip for a few days of wine tasting at local wineries and detours into the foothills of the Andes, where the bright blue lake at Potrerillos, created by damming the Mendoza River, makes a relaxing stop for a picnic and photo ops. At the end of the trip, fly to Iguazú, where you'll hike in the national park that's built around the largest waterfall system in the world.

Take a boat to the base of the falls or just enjoy wandering through the manmade catwalks where colorful butterflies flit around native trees and lookout points offer incredible views of the falls. You'll cross the border to see the Brazilian side of the falls on the last day before flying back to Buenos Aires at the end of the trip. Learn more

Itinerary #6: Buenos Aires & Hiking in Argentine Patagonia

On this active ten-day itinerary, you'll trek on glaciers, hike in national parks, and enjoy views of sparkling blue lakes from the trail.

After a day in Buenos Aires, you'll fly to El Calafate, gateway to Los Glaciares National Park in Patagonia. Outfitted with crampons, you'll get up close with the ice on a glacier-trekking tour of Perito Moreno with a knowledgeable guide. The next day, take the scenic drive to El Chaltén along iconic Ruta 40, spotting the massive Mount Fitz Roy as you approach the town. Go on a short hike to Laguna Capri before the next day's self-guided adventure on the region's trails.

Transfer to Bariloche, the Swiss-style lakeside town that serves as a jumping-off point into Nahuel Huapi National Park. Take a cable car to the summit of Cerro Campanario for magnificent views over the lake region. On the last full day of the trip, you'll drive and hike around Tronador Hill, the tallest mountain in the area. On short hikes along the itinerary, you'll see highlights like Cesares Waterfall and Ventisquero Negro Glacier, stopping to picnic along the way. Return to Buenos Aires, where the trip ends. Learn more

More Great 10-Day Argentina Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Argentina trip? Check out these other 10-day Argentina itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

Or, describe your ideal trip and we will connect you with a local specialist to make it happen.