Luxury Argentina Tour from Wine Country to Patagonia - 14 Days

Highlights

• See the top sights in Buenos Aires while staying in the elegant Recoleta district
• Hit the best malbec vineyards during wine tours in the famous Mendoza region
• Embark on spectacular nature hikes in the Andes, from Mendoza to Patagonia
• Visit massive glaciers, national parks, penguin colonies, and more in Patagonia

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, Sightseeing Tour

Welcome to Argentina! There's only one place to kick off any adventure in this wildly beautiful South American nation, and that's the capital of Buenos Aires. This grand metropolis of around 15 million people is the model of elegance with its leafy parks, wide boulevards, and European-inspired architecture—but there's also an edge to it, which is evident in Buenos Aires's nocturnal energy and the bawdy Castellano attitude of its Porteño residents. 

Upon arrival at Ezeiza Airport, you'll transfer to your accommodation: the Alvear Palace. This 5-star luxury hotel in the city's old-money Recoleta district enjoys a central location close to historic landmarks (like the famous cemetery where Evita is buried). It's also the model of timeless elegance, mixing classic French opulence with modern city style. The grand suites feature crystal chandeliers and Argentine art hanging on the walls, and luxurious amenities include a rooftop heated pool and afternoon tea service. If you're tense after the flight, head to the spa for a massage and/or body exfoliation.

Don't get too comfortable because soon you'll head out on a private walking tour of Buenos Aires. This half-day excursion will take you to the Plaza de Mayo (where the city was founded in 1536) and the Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace). Also here is the Cabildo, which dates to 1610 and was the town council during the colonial era. Continue to San Telmo and La Boca—the two oldest neighborhoods in the city—and walk down colorful Caminito Street, lined with historic cafés and milongas (tango clubs). Later, return to your hotel, passing through the upscale waterfront neighborhood of Puerto Madero.

Day 2: Day Trip to La Bamba de Areco Ranch

You've had fun in the city; now it's time to experience Argentina's exciting frontier culture. In the morning, meet your driver for the 72-mile (117 km) transfer northwest through the famous Pampas prairies to San Antonio de Areco. This bucolic town is the heart of Argentina's gaúcho (cowboy) country and retains its equestrian and silversmith traditions even today. Once here, you'll do like the locals and stop in at a pulperia (tavern) for a glass of vermú (vermouth).

Then, transfer to the nearby La Bamba de Areco. Established in 1830, this estancia (rural estate) sits on expansive grounds in the Pampas that include the main ranch house, stables, polo fields, agriculture fields, and more. Upon arrival, you'll take a tour of the grounds and crops on horseback. Then, it's time to enjoy a traditional asado (barbecue) paired with local wine. You'll also partake in a maté tasting, during which you'll try Argentina's favorite herbal drink.

Entertainment during the barbecue includes folk dancing, live music, gaúcho equestrian shows, and more. At the end of the day, you'll transfer back to Buenos Aires and your hotel.

Day 3: Buenos Aires City Tour, Speakeasy Cocktail Adventure

This morning you're off on another memorable city tour. Meet your guide in Retiro, a neighborhood near your hotel famous for its historic plazas. Do some window shopping as you stroll the boutiques on Avenida Alvear back to Recoleta and its world-famous cemetery. Amid the grand mausoleums, which inter some of Argentina's most noteworthy historical figures, one grave stands out: Eva (Evita) Peron's. The tour finishes in the trendy Palermo neighborhood at expansive parks designed by renowned landscape architect Charles Thays.

Take some time to relax in the afternoon. Then, in the evening, meet a guide for a trip to the chic, closed-door bars that are popping up throughout the city. These watering holes recreate the atmosphere of old-time speakeasies, and, over four hours, your insider guide will lead you on a pub crawl to some of the best. At each one, you'll sample handcrafted cocktails featuring spirits beloved by locals, like Fernet and Campari. No need to worry about sober driving because when the last drink has been imbibed, you'll return to the hotel via taxi.

Day 4: Fly to Mendoza, Dinner at Los Toneles Winery

Say goodbye to Buenos Aires (for now), as this morning you'll transfer to the airport and catch a two-hour flight west to Mendoza. Located near the border with Chile, this is the country's prized wine region. Here, the bulk of Argentina's most famous grape—malbec—is harvested. Mendoza is also a lovely city in its own right, full of tree-lined boulevards, expansive plazas, and a youthful college-town vibe. 

From the airport, your driver will transfer you to the Cavas Wine Lodge, a Relais & Châteaux property. Sitting on a 54-acre (22 ha) wine estate at the foot of the Andes, this intimate retreat is a welcoming monument to the joys of wine. Featuring luxury amenities, like a wellness center, and a chic design that includes Moorish-inspired patios, the real joy here (besides the ample suites with private plunge pools) is the myriad activities right on the doorstep. Stroll through the vineyards, enjoy tastings, go horseback riding, or simply relax on the terrace with a glass of malbec overlooking the Andes.

When the sun goes down, meet a private guide for a Mendoza city tour after dark. Over an hour or two, you'll visit Mendoza's famous parks and plazas (like Parque San Martín and Plaza Independencia), plus other highlights like Civic Center and Arístides Villanueva, a wide avenue lined with bars and cafés. The tour ends at Los Toneles, a family-owned winery that's one of the finest in Mendoza. Dinner will be at Los Toneles' equally renowned restaurant and includes choice cuts of grilled Argentine beef with locally sourced vegetables—all paired with wines from Los Toneles' world-class cellar.

Day 5: Full-Day Aconcagua Mountain Trekking

Looming over the entire province of Mendoza like a sentinel is Mount Aconcagua. At 22,837 feet (6,961 m), it's the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere. Besides the great wine, one of the highlights of any visit to this region is a hike to great viewpoints to admire this marvel of Mother Nature.

To this end, you'll meet your driver early for the ride into Aconcagua Provincial Park, a massive protected area that covers 712 square miles (1,843 sq km) in the Andes. Upon arrival at a trailhead, you'll embark on a six-hour hike that will take you across valleys, through gorges, and around mountains. As you go, you'll be treated to views of Aconcagua from different vantage points.

The best vistas, however, will be three hours into the hike when you reach the Confluencia campsite. Here, you'll be treated to wide panoramas of Aconcagua and the surrounding peaks (don't forget your camera!). At the end of the day, you'll return to Mendoza.

Day 6: Uco Valley Wine Tour & Lunch

It's time to taste the fruits of Mendoza's world-famous terroir on a full-day wine tour. And there's no better place for such an introduction than the Uco Valley. This renowned wine region is nestled in the Andes foothills just south of Mendoza and is known for producing some of the world's finest malbecs.

The first stop on this itinerary is Atamisque. This family-run winery is known for producing premium reds like malbec and cabernet sauvignon as well as crisp whites like chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Upon arrival, you'll take a private tour of the facilities followed by a tasting of three select wines. 

Then, the adventure continues to Huentala Wines. Sitting on a gentle slope running up to the Andes, this vineyard produces some of the most forward-thinking malbecs in the region. Some are spicy, concentrated, and intense, while others are floral and imbued with various fruits. You'll have lunch at Huentala's gourmet restaurant, where you'll enjoy a themed tasting menu designed by renowned chefs paired with some of the vineyard's best bottles.

Day 7: Fly to El Calafate, Dinner at Rancho Aparte

After breakfast, leave wine country behind as you transfer to the airport for a connecting flight (likely in Buenos Aires) into Patagonia and its city of El Calafate. Sitting on the shores of Lago Argentino, El Calafate is the main base for trips into the famous Los Glaciares National Park and one of its star attractions, Perito Moreno Glacier.

Upon arrival at the airport, your driver will transfer you west of town to EOLO. Also known as "Patagonia's Spirit," this 4-star ranch-style accommodation enjoys a privileged location on the wild Patagonian frontier. EOLO is the place to come to experience Patagonia in a secluded setting, as it focuses on understated luxury and excursions/adventures into the surrounding wilderness. Rugged country aside, guests here can enjoy gourmet dining amid panoramic views and sublimely restful sleep in elegant rooms decorated with antique furniture.

After dropping your bags, you'll return to town for a dining experience celebrating rustic yet gourmet Patagonian cuisine in all its glory. Take a seat at Rancho Aparte, a ranch home converted into a closed-door restaurant where guests are treated to home-cooked meals from fixed menus. Highlights include regional specialties like roast Patagonian lamb and goulash with gnocchi pasta, all prepared with organic ingredients from local farms. Of course, the menu is paired with some of the finest wines in Patagonia and throughout Argentina.

Day 8: Day Trip to Perito Moreno & Kayak Ride

Get ready for an adventure into Los Glaciares National Park. Meet your driver in the morning for the transfer west to Perito Moreno. It's a scenic 1.5-hour drive during which you'll pass landmarks like Redonda Bay, home to various exotic waterbirds, like black-necked swans and flamingoes.

Continue cruising across the vast Patagonian steppe until you reach the national park's entrance, surrounded by beech and oak forests. Once here, you'll have a couple of hours to explore the network of boardwalks offering prime views of Perito Moreno. This expansive glacier flows down from the Andes over the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino, ending in a great wall that curves around the lake. At points, these walls reach 230 feet (70 m) high. If you're lucky, you'll witness "calving"—an event where massive portions of the glacier wall break off and crash into the icy waters below.

In the late morning, hop in a kayak and get a closer view of this marvel of Mother Nature as you paddle across the lake to Perito Moreno. You'll get up close to its massive ice walls, which reach 230 feet (70 m) high. In the mid-afternoon, you'll transfer back to El Calafate. 

Day 9: Day Trip to Estancia Cristina

After an early breakfast, a driver will pick you up at the hotel for the 28-mile (45 km) drive to the port at Punta Bandera, on Lago Argentino. There, you'll board a ferry and ride along the Upsala Channel, passing towering icebergs as you go. When you reach the northern section, you'll see the western front of the Spegazzini Glacier. At over 10 miles (16 km) long and 1 mile (1.6 km) wide, this ancient ice mass is nothing short of awe-inspiring. 

After admiring Spegazzini, continue north into the Cristina Channel, arriving at the far end by late morning. You'll disembark at Estancia Cristina, one of the most impressive ranches in the region. It was founded by pioneers in 1914 and built on a valley once covered by the Upsala Glacier.

A visit to the Folkloric Museum here (located in an old sheepshearing shed) offers insight into the history of the estancia. After a walk around the property to admire the panoramic views of snowcapped mountains, running rivers, glassy lakes, and ancient glaciers, you'll transfer back to El Calafate.

Day 10: Fly to Ushuaia, Optional Activities

Pack your bags once again because, in the morning, you'll transfer to the airport for the 1.5-hour flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Located on a bay in the Patagonian region of Tierra del Fuego, the city lies between the jagged peaks of the Martial Mountains and the silver waters of the Beagle Channel. This is the same waterway where Charles Darwin sailed the HMS Beagle almost 200 years ago.

Upon arrival, a driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel, Los Cauquenes Resort + Spa. This five-star gem enjoys a privileged location near Tierra del Fuego National Park on the windswept shores of the Beagle Channel. Besides the scenic channel views in your luxurious suite, you can also take advantage of the hotel's heated indoor and outdoor pools.

Feel free to spend the day relaxing or enjoy a self-guided tour around town. When you're feeling peckish, grab a table at Reinmora, the hotel's gourmet restaurant, which serves delicious classics like succulent Patagonian lamb and decadent centolla (king crab).

Day 11: Beagle Channel Boat Tour & Penguin Colony

Head to the tourist pier in the morning and board a boat for a half-day tour along the famous Beagle Channel. As you sail southwest, you'll pass Isla de los Lobos, a rocky outcrop and habitat for sea lions. Then, it's off to Isla de los Pájaros (Bird Island), a natural habitat for seabirds, including Magellanic cormorants. Farther out, you'll spot Les Eclaireurs, an iconic lighthouse located on a chain of islands.

Continue down the Beagle Channel and enjoy views of landmarks like Isla Gable and Puerto Williams (the southernmost settlement in the world). Eventually, you'll reach Isla Martillo, where the boat will stop. Here, you can observe sizable colonies of Gentoo and Magellanic penguins. After snapping photos, the boat will return to the port in Ushuaia.

Day 12: Tierra del Fuego Off-Roading & Trekking

Eat a hearty breakfast and lace up your hiking boots because you've got a full day of outdoor excursions ahead. Specifically, you'll venture into the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park. Within the park's 243 square miles (630 sq km) are some of the wildest and most rugged landscapes in Patagonia.

Meet your driver/guide and hop in a 4WD vehicle durable enough to handle the park's backroads. Then, drive into the park to a trailhead. There, you'll embark on a brisk hike through sub-Antarctic forests to landmarks like the Río Lapataia. After a few hours of walking, you'll arrive at Lapataia Bay. Located in the Beagle Channel, this bay sits at the end of the Pan-American Highway and National Route No. 3. Here, get back in the vehicle for the ride back to Ushuaia. 

Day 13: Fly to Buenos Aires, Dinner & Tango Show

Say goodbye to Tierra del Fuego as you transfer to the airport this morning for the three-hour flight to Buenos Aires. Once there, you'll return to Recoleta and the Alvear Palace. You'll have the rest of the day free to relax and enjoy the hotel amenities.

In the evening, get dressed up for your last night out in the big city. Then head to Puerto Madero and Tango Rojo for a three-course dinner and dining experience with live tango performances. Witness the passion and artistry of this iconic genre over a few memorable hours in a cabaret-style atmosphere. 

Day 14: Theater & Palace Tour, Depart Buenos Aires

It may be your final day in Argentina, but the fun isn't over yet. In the morning, return to downtown to tour a couple of more famous landmarks. First up is the Teatro Colón, one of South America's premier opera houses. The neoclassical building was inaugurated in 1908 and features a horseshoe-shaped gallery with 2,487 seats and incredible acoustics.

Another highlight you'll visit is the Palacio Barolo, which was built in 1023 and features unique architecture inspired by Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy." After the tour, you'll transfer back to the airport and catch your international flight home. Adiós!

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