Itinerary #1: Highlights of Buenos Aires
See the best of the Argentine capital (and the countryside that surrounds it) on this five-day tour. The itinerary's highlights include cultural sightseeing, a tango show, great food and wine, and a side trip to an estancia (ranch) for a horseback ride led by a local gaúcho.
Buenos Aires is a Latin American/European hybrid celebrated for its mix of neoclassical and Baroque architecture. Begin your urban exploration with a self-guided stroll and dinner at a local parrilla (steakhouse). On day two, you'll take a three-hour tour of the city's neighborhoods, stopping in elegant Recoleta and old-fashioned San Telmo for photo ops. You'll see one of the world's most beautiful opera houses, Teatro Colon, South America's widest avenue, Avenida 9 de Julio, the Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace), and the city's original port in La Boca. At night, you'll sip Argentine wine while enjoying a tango show.
On day three, head out to the countryside for fresh air and fun—and more steak—at Estancia Santa Susana, a working ranch. You'll go horseback riding, then indulge in a traditional Argentine asado (barbecue) and listen to live folkloric music. The next day, back in the city, explore the fashionable neighborhood of Palermo before heading to the Argentine Experience for a cooking class, cocktails, and a dinner party-like communal meal of empanadas, steak, wine, and alfajores (sandwich cookies). On the last day of the itinerary, you'll have free time for sightseeing or a leisurely lunch before heading to the airport for your flight out. Learn more
Itinerary #2: Salta & Calchaquí Valley
Starting in Salta, one of the most beautiful colonial cities in South America, this scenic road trip takes you to the northwestern towns of Cachi and Cafayate to admire colorful gorges, vineyards, and mountain villages.
After a day of exploring Buenos Aires, you'll fly to Salta on day two. Wander around the colonial center, visit the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology, stop at the pink Salta Cathedral, and take the cable car up Cerro San Bernardo for panoramic views of the city and beyond. The following day, you'll venture into the high desert plains, following the same route as the famous Train to the Clouds, stopping to see historic ruins and charming villages along the way. Visit Santa Rosa de Tastil, a pre-Incan city, and San Antonio de los Cobres, one of the smallest villages in the region, on your way to the Great Salt Flats. Spend the night in Purmamarca, located at the base of Jujuy's seven-colored mountain.
On day four, you'll tour Humahuaca Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, breaking for coffee and photo ops along the journey at key points of interest like Pucará de Tilcara and Trópico de Capricornio before ending up in quaint and colorful Humahuaca. Return to Salta for an evening at a peña (a traditional music club), where you'll enjoy empanadas and folk music before the next day's flight back to Buenos Aires. Learn more
Itinerary #3: Mountains & Wine in Mendoza
Eat, drink, and climb your way through Argentina's principal wine region on this gourmet tour. Located near the border with Chile, the Mendoza region produces the country's premier varietals, including Argentina's flagship: malbec.
After a full day of sightseeing in Buenos Aires, this itinerary takes you on a short flight to Mendoza, the capital of Argentina's most famous wine-producing region. Go for a walk in the sprawling Parque General San Martín park, then linger over a glass of wine or two in one of the city's many bars and cafés—make sure to reserve ahead if you'd like to dine in one of Mendoza's best restaurants, like Francis Mallmann's 1884.
Get some rest before the next day's winery tour. Over six hours, you'll visit three wineries in the region of Luján de Cuyo and learn about the process behind the bottle during guided tastings and a relaxed lunch with wine pairings. Finish your Mendoza adventure with a day trip to the town of Potrerillos, located in the foothills of the Andes, on day four. You'll kayak on the ice-blue lake fed by the Mendoza River, have a picnic lunch, and enjoy sweeping views of the mountain scenery. The following day, you'll fly back to Buenos Aires. Learn more
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Itinerary #4: Buenos Aires & Iguazú Falls
Combine the cosmopolitan appeal of the Argentine capital and the awe-inspiring power of one of the world's natural wonders on this five-day trip plan that takes travelers to Buenos Aires and Iguazú Falls.
The adventure begins in Buenos Aires, where you'll have a full day to sightsee, catch a tango show, feast on steak at a parrilla, or just wander around admiring architecture and street art. The next day, you'll fly up to Puerto Iguazú, near the border of Brazil and Paraguay and the gateway to the majestic Iguazú Falls. You'll have a day to explore the national park on the Argentine side of the waterfalls, where key attractions include the walkway lookout over Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Gorge) and an exhilarating boat ride to the base of the falls.
The following day, you'll cross the border to Brazil and visit the national park on the northern side of the waterfalls, taking in sweeping views of the natural landmarks and spotting exotic birds and butterflies along the way. Fly back to Buenos Aires at the end of day four, arriving in the city in time for a tango show accompanied by plenty of wine. Finish your stay in Argentina with a sweet treat: Buenos Aires is famous for its helado (ice cream). Learn more
Itinerary #5: Salta & Jujuy
Get acquainted with Argentina's northwest on this itinerary that begins in Salta, nicknamed "Salta La Linda" (Salta the Beautiful), and continues on to colonial villages and giant salt flats.
Spend day one in Buenos Aires, then jet off to Salta on day two. Explore the town on foot, stopping in regional museums and outdoor cafés along the way. You'll venture in the direction of the impressive Quebrada del Toro the following day, stopping to visit pre-Incan cities and mountain villages for coffee and shopping at artisan markets. Spend some quality time at the Great Salt Flats in the afternoon: with constantly changing light and interesting reflections, this natural phenomenon is an outdoor playground for photographers. Overnight in picturesque Purmamarca.
The following day, you'll journey along the Humahuaca Gorge, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A major cultural route that cuts across the valley of the Rio Grande, the trip takes you past Inca ruins and vibrantly colored mountain scenery. Return to Salta in the evening for folkloric music, food, and wine: the perfect way to cap off a few days in the region before flying back to Buenos Aires the next day. Learn more
Itinerary #6: Puerto Madryn Adventure
On this five-day adventure, you'll see penguins, whales, sea lions, and dolphins in their natural habitat on the Atlantic coast of Patagonia.
Start in Buenos Aires with a quick overview of the city before catching a flight to Puerto Madryn, gateway to Península Valdés, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a great place to view a variety of animals in the wild. Before heading off on a nature tour, stop for tea in the nearby Welsh settlement of Gaiman. On day three, you'll drive to Puerto Rawson, a fishing village located about 30 miles south of Puerto Madryn, and board a boat tour to see the penguin colony at Punta Tombo: it's the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in Latina America.
The following day is all about whales. You'll travel overland to Puerto Pirámides, where you'll take a boat tour to see southern right whales and killer whales swimming in the waters just off the coast. Swing by Isla de Pájaros (Bird Island) on the way back to see cormorants, egrets, rheas, and flamingoes. You'll fly back to Buenos Aires, where the trip ends, the next morning. Learn more
More Great 5-Day Argentina Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Argentina? Check out these other five-day Argentina itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.
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