Highlights
- Experience the best of Buenos Aires, from gaúcho ranches to art museums
- Travel north and get up close to Iguazú Falls, the largest waterfall in the Americas
- Explore Argentina's northern deserts, from Salta to the Salinas Grandes salt flats
- Hit the wine trail in Mendoza for tastings at vineyards, plus a cooking class
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Buenos Aires, Malbec Tasting | Buenos Aires |
| Day 2 | City Art Tour with the MNBA & MALBA Museums | Buenos Aires |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to El Ombú de Areco Ranch | Buenos Aires |
| Day 4 | Fly to Puerto Iguazú, Plan Your Waterfall Adventure | Puerto Iguazú |
| Day 5 | Guided Tour of Iguazú Falls (Day 1) | Puerto Iguazú |
| Day 6 | Guided Tour of Iguazú Falls (Day 2) | Puerto Iguazú |
| Day 7 | Fly to Salta, Evening City Tour | Salta |
| Day 8 | Day Trip to Purmamarca & Salinas Grandes | Salta |
| Day 9 | Day Trip to El Bordo Hacienda & Horseback Riding | Salta |
| Day 10 | Fly to Mendoza, Optional Activities | Mendoza |
| Day 11 | Uco Valley Premium Wine Tour | Mendoza |
| Day 12 | Cooking Class at Susana Balbo Winery | Mendoza |
| Day 13 | Fly to Buenos Aires, Speakeasy Cocktail Tour | Buenos Aires |
| Day 14 | Buenos Aires Palace & Theater Tour, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, Malbec Tasting
Welcome to Argentina! No matter where your itinerary takes you in this vast South American nation, the best place to begin any journey here is in the capital of Buenos Aires. This is a grand, European-inspired metropolis with its own identity—one that comes alive when the sun goes down.
This luxury vacation begins when you meet your driver at the airport for the ride to the upscale Recoleta neighborhood. Amid its old-money splendor and Baroque buildings is the Four Seasons. Part early-20th-century mansion, part contemporary high-rise, the hotel delivers European elegance with an Argentine twist. The spacious guest rooms and suites feature marble bathrooms, and there are two world-class restaurants: a French-style brasserie and an Argentine parrilla (barbecue restaurant). If you like, head to the spa and take the edge off the long flight with a "tango massage" or body treatment.
After you've rested, head over to the patio of a former convent for a tasty wine tour. The star of the evening is malbec, Argentina's flagship wine. Fun fact: this French grape was overlooked in its home country, and it took being brought to Argentina to flourish. The result is undeniable: there are few things better than a glass of full-bodied malbec paired with sizzling Argentine beef right off the grill. During the experience, your sommelier will lead you on a tasting of malbecs produced in three different regions of Argentina: Mendoza, Salta, and Patagonia—all paired with cheese and empanadas. Salud!
Day 2: City Art Tour with the MNBA & MALBA Museums
Enjoy a bit of culture this morning with guided tours of two exciting museums. First is the National Museum of Fine Arts (MNBA). Located just a few blocks from your hotel in Recoleta, it houses a vast collection of 11,000 pieces, including canvases, sculptures, tapestries, engravings, drawings, and more. It also features a small but precious European art collection, with works by Corot, Manet, Boudin, Cézanne, Renoir, and Rodin. The tour primarily focuses on Argentine art, with pieces by Morel, Pueyrredón, López, Sívori, De la Cárcova, Fader and Quiroz, among others.
Later, you'll transfer to the Palermo neighborhood to visit the state-of-the-art Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires (MALBA). The modern space is devoted to the collection, conservation, study, and exhibition of Latin American art from the early 20th century to the present. Artists in the permanent exhibition include Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Antonio Berni, Pedro Figari, Xul Solar, and Guillermo Kuitca.
Day 3: Day Trip to El Ombú de Areco Ranch
You've had fun in the city, and 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. It's also rich with folk history, inspiring Argentine author José Hernández's epic poem, "Martín Fierro." The ballad recounts the exploits of its fictional hero as he endures life on the frontier.
Your destination is right outside San Antonio, at Estancia El Ombú. This colonial-style ranch was built in 1880 and sits on expansive green grounds, offering visitors an authentic Argentine countryside experience. Once here, there's a variety of options for activities: you can go horseback riding, hiking, or sightseeing in an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage. The estancia is also a working farm, and you can observe typical ranch-style activities such as herding animals, branding cattle, and milking cows.
A highlight of the day is sitting down to a traditional asado (Argentine barbecue). Enjoy grilled meat and empanadas paired with Argentine wine while being entertained by horse shows and traditional folk dancing. Afterward, you'll transfer back to Buenos Aires and your hotel.
Day 4: Fly to Puerto Iguazú, Plan Your Waterfall Adventure
This morning, you're off to Argentina's tropical north. It's a two-hour flight from Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazú in Misiones Province. This city is primarily a hub for excursions to nearby Iguazú Falls, located at the tri-borders of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. Apart from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, this is the largest waterfall system in the world.
Upon arrival at the airport, your driver will transfer you to Awasi Iguazú. Located just 20 minutes from the falls, this 14-room luxury lodge sits on the banks of the Río Iguazú, surrounded by the lush Paraná rainforest. Guests stay in well-appointed villas with private terraces and plunge pools, and each one is assigned a private guide. This allows you to embark on excursions at your own pace. A real treat is the restaurant Relais & Chateaux, which serves artful haute cuisine utilizing local ingredients, like tropical fruit, freshwater fish, and even the famous yerba maté tea.
At the front desk, you'll meet a representative to begin crafting a tailor-made itinerary of Iguazú adventures. Each day you're here, you can choose one full-day or two half-day excursions. These include the popular circuit hikes and viewpoints in Iguazú National Park, plus secret locales only accessible to Awasi guests. After planning the next day's adventures, spend the rest of the evening relaxing and gearing up for your big waterfall adventure tomorrow.
Day 5: Guided Tour of Iguazú Falls (Day 1)
Rise and shine, as it's day one of your bespoke Iguazú Falls adventure! Meet your private guide and hop in your dedicated 4WD vehicle for the ride into the national park. Thus begins either your full-day activity or two half-day activities.
The first thing to know is that the falls straddle the border, occupying parts of both Argentina and Brazil, and each side has its highlights and advantages. The Argentine side, for example, features more panoramic views of the falls, while the Brazilian side puts you right up next to the cascades.
A real treat is following the boardwalks to the edge of the falls and Garganto del Diablo (Devil's Throat), one of the largest cascades. From a viewing area, you can peer over the edge and see the thundering falls plunge 262 feet (89 m) to the river below (an experience not for the faint of heart).
Day 6: Guided Tour of Iguazú Falls (Day 2)
Day 7: Fly to Salta, Evening City Tour
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Bid a fond farewell to the majesty of Iguazú Falls this morning as you transfer to the airport for the two-hour flight to Salta. Officially founded in 1582, this provincial capital in north-central Argentina has a well-preserved Spanish-colonial center with many historic landmarks around its main square, Plaza 9 de Julio. The city is also a hub for adventures into Argentina's north, as the province includes a mix of mountains, plateaus, and valleys.
Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will transfer you about 15 minutes outside the city to the House of Jasmines. More than a hotel, this historic ranch is over 100 years old and is nestled at the foot of the Andes in a fertile river valley with eucalyptus groves and jasmine blooms. It's a model of tranquility and exclusivity, featuring just seven impeccably designed and spacious suites with king beds and private terraces. Hotel amenities include an inviting swimming pool backed by Andes peaks and a spa with a sauna, Turkish bath, and multiple treatment rooms (including couples massage rooms).
Take some time to relax before heading out for an evening tour of Salta. Along with your private guide, you'll visit highlights of this colonial metropolis, starting in the main square. It's home to gorgeous neoclassical landmarks like the 19th-century Salta Cathedral, the 17th-century Cabildo, and the 18th-century San Bernardo Convent. You'll also visit San Francisco Church, famous for its bell tower, which rises 177 feet (54 m), making it the tallest in South America. Finish with a cable car ride to the top of Cerro San Bernardo. The panoramic views atop this 853-foot (260 m) hill are the best in the city.
Day 8: Day Trip to Purmamarca & Salinas Grandes
Leave Salta after breakfast on a full-day tour of some spectacular natural wonders in this corner of Argentina. Your driver will take you west out of the city to the Puna, a remote high-altitude desert. The area has been inhabited since the time of the ancient Incas, and natives long ago adapted to the harsh conditions here. Towns like San Antonio de los Cobres carry on some of the ancient Indigenous traditions. For example, Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Inti Raymi (winter solstice) ceremonies are celebrated with as much enthusiasm as Easter and Christmas are in Western cultures.
The first natural wonder you'll visit is the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a narrow mountain valley and UNESCO World Heritage Site. There will be stops to take photos as well as to take walks around local towns before continuing to San Antonio de los Cobres, where you'll have lunch. After eating, drive about 62 miles (100 km) across the desert to Salinas Grandes. These vast salt flats cover 82 square miles (212 sq km) and are a great place to snap forced-perspective photos.
From the salt flats, continue the trip to high-altitude viewpoints before arriving at Purmamarca, located at 6,561 feet (2,000 m) above sea level. This popular village in Jujuy province (adjacent to Salta) is filled with adobe houses and craft markets and sits at the base of the iconic Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of the Seven Colors) in the Quebrada de Humahuaca. After touring the village, you'll return to Salta in the late afternoon.
Day 9: Day Trip to El Bordo Hacienda & Horseback Riding
In the morning, you'll meet your driver for a trip about an hour east of Salta to Estancia El Bordo De Las Lanzas. This traditional Argentine ranch home is located in the Siancas Valley and has quite a colorful history. It was built in the 18th century and served as the headquarters for General Martín Miguel de Güemes during the Argentine War of Independence. Today, the home is open to visitors to enjoy a traditional gaúcho experience.
The ranch property includes a park, and upon arrival, you'll take a stroll amid grand ceiba and jacaranda trees—there will even be time to visit a nursery where seedlings are prepared. Then, tour the estancia's facilities, which are designed for agricultural production and livestock. Continue to the ranch itself, where you'll see over 400 years of family history within its walls.
After a traditional asado (barbecue) lunch, you'll head to the corrals to witness a real-life gaúcho perform some horse tricks and maneuvers. Then hop in the saddle yourself for a ride around the fields, which produce crops ranging from sugar cane to beans. At the end of the afternoon, you'll return to Salta.
Day 10: Fly to Mendoza, Optional Activities
Leave the north this morning on a two-hour flight south to Mendoza. Located in western Argentina near the border with Chile, this is the country's most famous 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, you'll transfer just south of Mendoza to the Luján de Cuyo wine district.
Your accommodation is part of the Susana Balbo Winery, which is famous for its malbec as well as the eponymous owner, who is Argentina's most famous female winemaker. You'll arrive at the Susana Balbo House & Spa (a luxury hotel in the winery's manor home), where a welcome glass of malbec awaits. Then, you'll be shown to your expansive and elegant suite, which features amenities like a private garden, dry sauna, and in-room wellness services. Also, the in-room bar will be filled with select wines curated to your tastes.
After settling in, you can feel free to return to Mendoza for a self-guided city tour. Don't miss its leafy parks and plazas, with highlights that include Parque San Martín and Plaza Independencia. You can also stroll down Calle Antares, a trendy street in the heart of Mendoza famous for its trendy eateries, wine bars, and craft breweries. Later in the evening, return to your hotel.
Day 11: Uco Valley Premium Wine Tour
You've heard all about the Mendoza region; now it's time to taste the fruits of its terroir. 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.
Leave for a full-day wine tour in the morning and visit celebrated wineries, such as Salentein, Domaine Bousquet, and Andeluna Cellars. During a tour of each one, you'll stroll the vineyards while enjoying stunning mountain views, visit the production facilities and barrel rooms, and enjoy tastings of different varietals. In between tours, there'll be a break for lunch—another great opportunity to pair Argentine dishes with fine local wines.
Day 12: Cooking Class at Susana Balbo Winery
Day 13: Fly to Buenos Aires, Speakeasy Cocktail Tour
Rise and shine! This morning you'll head to the airport for the two-hour flight back to Buenos Aires, where your driver will be waiting to transfer you back to the Four Seasons. In the evening, you'll 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 14: Buenos Aires Palace & Theater Tour, Depart
It may be your final day in Argentina, but the fun isn't over by a long shot. 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 1923 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. Safe travels!
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