9 Days in Argentina - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Buenos Aires and Iguazú Falls: Tango, Gauchos, and Waterfalls

This leisurely nine-day tour gives you a chance to explore in and around Buenos Aires before heading north to see both sides of Iguazú Falls. Start with a bicycle tour of the city, then spend a day at an estancia (ranch) horseback riding with Argentine gauchos. Embark on a boat tour of the Tigre Delta before making your way north to Iguazú Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world. 

Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. Spend the afternoon relaxing and visiting the city—make sure to stop by the Obelisco, a giant obelisk in the middle of Avenida 9 de Julio, and the Teatro Colón, a neoclassic opera house nearby. End your day with dinner at a parilla, or Argentine steakhouse.

Next, it's time for a day of cycling around the city on an eco-friendly bamboo bicycle. You'll hit all of the highlights, including must-sees like chic Puerto Madero and the nearby Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve; La Boca neighborhood and its colorful Caminito Street; San Telmo, the  oldest neighborhood in the city; and Recoleta Cemetery, the famous resting place of Evita Perón; before heading to the fashionable streets of Palermo. 

On day three, a driver will pick you up for a full-day gaucho experience at Estancia Santa Susana. After a morning tour of the property and a horseback ride, settle in for a traditional folkloric music and dance performance and an asado (barbecue) lunch. Finally, watch the gauchos show off their skills with carrera de sortijas (ring races).

On your last full day in Buenos Aires, travel up the Río de la Plata to Tigre, a city on the water in the Paraná Delta. Here a boat will take you out into the delta, where you'll be able to see houses perched on small islands in this network of freshwater canals. 

Now it's time to say good-bye to Buenos Aires and fly to Puerto Iguazú, the town closest to the Argentine side of the Iguazú Falls. You'll have a free day to relax or visit the Three Borders Landmark, which marks the intersection of the borders of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. 

Spend day six at Iguazú National Park, on the Argentine side of Iguazú Falls, to see the falls from all angles thanks to the park's network of paths. The highlight of the visit is looking down at the Devil's Throat, the highest cascade in the complex. Once you've seen the falls up close on the Argentine side, head to the Brazilian side on day seven for a more panoramic view, and grab lunch at one of the many restaurant terraces that overlook the scenery. 

On your eighth day in Argentina, a driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you back to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Spend your last day in the city sight-seeing, souvenir shopping or relaxing. In the evening, join us for dinner and a tango show at one of Buenos Aires' famous tanguerías.

Finally, enjoy one last breakfast at your hotel on day nine before it's time to fly home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Grand Tour of Buenos Aires, El Calafate, and El Chaltén

This adventurous nine-day itinerary is perfect for fans of hiking and outdoor fun. Kick things off with a tour of Buenos Aires and an evening of tango before heading south to El Calafate to see the Perito Moreno glacier up close. Finally, head to nearby El Chaltén to enjoy the great outdoors: raft down the Rio de las Vueltas, trek on top of the Cagliero glacier, and hike through gorgeous rugged mountains around Mount Fitz Roy. 

Start off in Buenos Aires, where a driver will pick you up at the airport to take you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or visiting the city sights. On day two, join an English-speaking guide for a tour of the city to see the Plaza de Mayo, where Argentina's Presidential Palace, the Casa Rosada, sits. You'll also see the upscale neighborhood of Puerto Madero, bohemian San Telmo, and the colorful Caminito Street in La Boca neighborhood.

When the sun sets, it's time for a romantic evening of dinner and a tango show. Watch the dancers perform in one of Buenos Aires' premier tanguerías while a band of local musicians accompanies them. 

Next, head to the airport for your flight to El Calafate, the city that serves as an entrance point to the southern half of Los Glaciares National Park. Enjoy your free day to explore or hit up the Glaciarium to learn more about glaciers and have a drink at their bar made entirely of ice.

Then it's time to spend a day at the Perito Moreno glacier, a huge ice mass that flows down from the Andes and ends in an abrupt wall of ice on Lago Argentino. Join a boat tour to see Perito Moreno from below, and make sure to walk along the network of platforms facing the glacier to get lots of great photos. 

On day five, you'll take a ferry and head up the Upsala Channel to Estancia Cristina, a ranch built in 1914 that has lots of information about the history of the region, as well as stunning views of the Upsala Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. 

Next, it's time to head to El Chaltén, a small town three hours away from El Calafate known for its abundance of hiking trails and beautiful scenery. Pull on a dry suit and spend your first day in town rafting down the Río del las Vueltas, accompanied by an experienced English-speaking guide. 

Spend day seven hiking to Laguna de los Tres, a lake with views of three nearby peaks: Mount Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and Poincenot. Make sure to get lots of rest in the evening, because on day eight you'll head to Los Huemules Reserve and do a combination of trekking and rock climbing to reach Cagliero glacier. Once you're there, strap on your crampons and set out for a hike on top of the ice. 

Finally, it's time to drive back to El Calafate and catch your flight to Buenos Aires. From there, transfer to the international airport for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Adventure in Southern Patagonia

This nature-filled, nine-day itinerary takes you all the way to the edge of the continent and back, with a visit to Ushuaia, the "Southernmost City in the World." Start with a day to explore Buenos Aires, then head as far as south goes—while still remaining on the continent—to see Magellanic penguins and sail the Beagle Channel. Then, head to El Calafate to see the Perito Moreno glacier and explore the southern part of Los Glaciares National Park. 

After your driver picks you up at the airport and takes you to your hotel, start your trip off with a day exploring Buenos Aires. Then, head to Ushuaia—the southernmost city in the world—and set sail on a tour of the Beagle Channel, where you'll see sea lions, cormorants, and Magellanic penguins. 

On day three, set out for a full-day excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park, where you'll trek and canoe your way through seaside mountains, icy rivers, and subantarctic forests. The tour finishes at Lapataia Bay, which is where the famous Panamerican Highway—which starts in Alaska and stretches all the way south—ends. 

Next, it's time to see the Penguins up close with an outing to Estancia Harberton and Isla Martillo. The day includes a 90-minute hike by the penguins and a chance to learn more about them in their natural habitat. On the next day, fly to El Calafate, which serves as a jumping-off point to visit Perito Moreno glacier. 

On day six, spend a full day at the Perito Moreno, the most famous glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. Join a boat tour to see the ice up close and walk along the network of viewing platforms to get a good view and take pictures. Then, visit Estancia Cristina to see the Spegazzini and Upsala glaciers and gaze out onto the expanse of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field. Finally, fly back to Buenos Aires for more sight-seeing in the city. In the evening, your driver will take you to one of Buenos Aires' premier tanguerías for an unforgettable night of tango music and dancing.

On your ninth day in Argentina, it's time to say good-bye and head to the airport for your flight home. Learn more 

Itinerary #4: Argentina North and South

This nine-day tour gives you a chance to see some of the most stunning landscapes in Argentina, from Iguazú Falls in the north to El Calafate in the south. Start with a cultural tour of Buenos Aires and catch a tango show, before heading south for a couple of action-packed days where you'll get to see Perito Moreno, Upsala, and Spegazzini glaciers. Then, head north for a change of landscape and visit Iguazú Falls, right on the border between Argentina and Brazil. 

Start your tour of Argentina with a couple of days exploring the capital, ending with an enchanting evening of tango. Then it's time to fly south to El Calafate, your base to visit Perito Moreno glacier and the Los Glaciares National Park. Once you land in El Calafate, you can relax or head to the nearby Glaciarium to learn more about the Southern Patagonia Ice Field in preparation for your excursion tomorrow. If you fancy a drink, stop by the ice bar, which—as the name suggests—is made up entirely of ice. 

The next day, join a tour to Perito Moreno and spend the day gazing out on its vast icy expanse. You'll be able to see its façade up close on a boat tour and snap lots of photos from the many interconnected viewing platforms. Day five is the perfect mid-trip break: spend the day on a cruise through the Upsala Channel, where you'll see the Spegazzini and Upsala glaciers. The tour includes a gourmet lunch served while cruising through unique, breathtaking landscapes. 

Then it's time to fly north for the next part of your trip. Iguazú Falls' tropical climate couldn't be more different from the icy glaciers of southern Patagonia, so spend the day resting and exploring the city. If you're amped to get started, you can also get a headstart on sight-seeing by visiting the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls, which involves less walking than the Argentine side and offers a more panoramic view. 

On day seven, explore the Argentine side of the falls and walk the three circuits that weave through the park and allow you to see the cascades from above and below. Make sure to stop at the Devil's Throat viewing platform, which sits over the largest waterfall in the complex and gives you a plunging view into the crashing waters below. 

Visit the Brazilian side of the falls on your eighth day in Argentina. If you already visited them when you arrived, you can spend the day in Puerto Iguazú or hop over the border for a day in Foz do Iguaçu, the town on the Brazilian side. 

Finally, it's time to head back to Buenos Aires to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Highlights of Mendoza and Northern Argentina

This leisurely nine-day itinerary is the perfect way to see western Argentina, from Mendoza's wine valleys up to the colorful mountains of the Quebrada de Humahuaca. Dance the night away with an evening of tango in Buenos Aires, then head to Mendoza to taste some Malbec, the region's most famous wine varietal. Finally, head north to the colonial city of Salta to see high-altitude salt flats that stretch as far as the eye can see and drive through the red mountains of the Quebrada de las Conchas. 

Once you arrive in Buenos Aires, a driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel. From there, spend the day relaxing or exploring the city. Day two starts bright and early with breakfast at your hotel followed by a walking tour through Plaza de Mayo, Puerto Madero, San Telmo, and La Boca, followed by an evening tango show. 

Fly to Mendoza and spend a day in the city strolling through the parks, visiting a museum, or relaxing. On day four, a guide will pick you up to take you on a tour of several vineyards in nearby Maipú Valley, where you'll also get a chance to taste lots of Malbec. Learn all about wine production in the region and be treated to a gourmet menu paired with some of the vineyard's star vintages. 

Then, head to the mountains for a high-altitude tour of the rugged landscapes and historic ruins that dot Mendoza Province. Visit Uspallata, a pre-hispanic Indigenous settlement, and the Puente del Inca on the Río de las Cuevas. Finish your tour at Las Cuevas village, a small European-style town just before the border with Chile. 

On your sixth day in Argentina, fly to Salta and spend the rest of the day visiting this small, colonial city. Some recommended stops include the Museo Historico del Norte or taking a cable car up to Cerro San Bernardo. Then, head out early the next morning for an overnight tour of Jujuy province that includes a stop at the Salinas Grandes Salt Flats before continuing on to Purmamarca, a village at the base of the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of the Seven Colors).

In the morning, your guide will drive you to a winery and through the rugged red landscape of the Quebrada de las Conchas on your way back to Salta. Once you reach the city, spend some time relaxing and enjoy your last evening in Argentina. Finally, on day nine, it's time to fly back to Buenos Aires and catch your flight home from there. Learn more

More Great 9-Day Argentina Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Argentina trip? Check out these other 9-day Argentina itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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