Luxury Northern Argentina: Buenos Aires & Iguazú - 7 Days

Highlights

• Enjoy malbec wine tastings and museum tours in Buenos Aires
• Visit a country ranch for a parrilla (barbecue) and gaúcho shows
• Fly north to Puerto Iguazú and hike around the dazzling Iguazú Falls

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, Bespoke Wine Tasting

Welcome to Argentina! This country has a well-earned reputation for passion, sophistication, natural beauty, great wine, and even better beef. You'll discover its cultural highlights right away upon your arrival in Buenos Aires. The nation's capital is a melting pot of European influences and Latin attitudes colored by its rich frontier history and artistic spirit. 

This luxury jaunt begins with your driver transferring you 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, it delivers European elegance with an Argentine twist. The spacious guest rooms and suites feature king beds and 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 anti-aging 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; it took being brought over to Argentina for it 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: Buenos Aires Art Tour: Museums MNBA & MALBA

Time for 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 Palermo 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; now it's time to experience Argentina's rich frontier heritage. 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 even today retains its equestrian and silversmith traditions. 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 mansion 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 on your own schedule, at your own pace. A real treat is the restaurant Relais & Châteaux, 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 Iguazú Falls Tour (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.

Know that the falls straddle the border, occupying parts of both Argentina and Brazil. 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 definite highlight is following the boardwalks along the river 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 Iguazú Falls Tour (Day 2)

Enjoy another day of activities at the falls. If you didn't get a chance to do so yesterday, head down to the lower Río Iguazú and board a speedboat for a thrilling ride up to the base of the falls (prepare to get wet!). Another highlight in the area is Parque das Aves. This 40-acre (16 ha) bird sanctuary is on the Brazilian side of the falls. Its immersive aviaries allow you to admire the more than 1,000 birds comprised of 143 species, including toucans and the vibrant scarlet macaw. There are also habitats for caimans, anacondas, and butterflies.

Day 7: Fly to Buenos Aires, Speakeasy Cocktail Tour, Depart

Wake up early and transfer to the airport for the two-hour flight back to Buenos Aires and Aeroparque, the regional airport. There, a driver will pick you up for the last adventure on this memorable itinerary: a trip to one of the chic, closed-door bars popping up throughout the city.

These watering holes recreate the atmosphere and style of old-time speakeasies, and, over four hours, an expert local bartender will lead you on a tasting. Sample handcrafted cocktails featuring spirits beloved by locals, like Fernet and Campari, before transferring to the airport to catch your flight home. Adiós!

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