Highlights
- Tour the colorful, historic streets of Buenos Aires with an expert guide
- View crashing waterfalls in both Argentina and Brazil at Iguazú Falls
- See massive breaching right whales along the waters of the Valdés Peninsula
- Watch your kids interact with the largest Magellan penguin reserve in the world
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Buenos Aires, City Tour | Buenos Aires |
| Day 2 | Experience Gaucho Life in the Countryside | Buenos Aires |
| Day 3 | Boat Tour of the Tigre River Delta, Visit San Isidro | Buenos Aires |
| Day 4 | Fly to Puerto Iguazú, Tour Iguazú Falls (Brazil Side) | Iguazú Falls |
| Day 5 | Tour Iguazú Falls (Argentina Side) | Iguazú Falls |
| Day 6 | Fly to Puerto Madryn, Explore the Valdés Peninsula | Puerto Madryn |
| Day 7 | Whale Watching Excursion, Visit an Estancia & Penguin Colony | Puerto Madryn |
| Day 8 | Fly to El Calafate | El Calafate |
| Day 9 | Explore Los Glaciares National Park | El Calafate |
| Day 10 | Explore Lago Argentino, Cavern Dining Experience | El Calafate |
| Day 11 | Fly to Ushuaia, Explore | Ushuaia |
| Day 12 | Boat Tour to Sea Lion Island, Explore Tierra del Fuego National Park | Ushuaia |
| Day 13 | Canoe Excursion, Boat Tour to Isla Martillo & Isla Gable | Ushuaia |
| Day 14 | Depart Ushuaia |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, City Tour
Welcome to Argentina! South America's second-largest country is home to a rich history and an abundance of natural wonders—perfect for a family adventure. Your flight lands in the capital city of Buenos Aires, and a private driver will collect you from the airport to transfer you to your hotel. After you and the kids have had a chance to rest and regroup, head out to explore this vibrant city via private tour.
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and start at Plaza de Mayo, home to the National Government Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral. Learn about the history of these important landmarks, then head to Plaza de la República and see the Obelisco, a 221-foot (67 m) monument built by architect Alberto Prebisch. Continue to San Telmo, one of the city's oldest districts. If you happen to be there on a Sunday, be sure to stop at their weekly antique market in Plaza Dorrego, where you'll find antiques, souvenirs, food stalls, and street performers to entertain the kids.
Your next stop is La Boca, known for its brightly-painted houses and coventillos (communal housing tenements). Soccer fans in the family will be thrilled to know that this is home to the legendary Boca Juniors Football Club, where the great Diego Maradona played. From here, head to Puerto Madero, which sits along the shores of the Río de la Plata. Once an industrial area, this neighborhood is now full of elegant bars and restaurants and is a great place to grab a meal or relax with a beverage before returning to your hotel.
Day 2: Experience Gaucho Life in the Countryside
Explore the Argentine countryside today with a visit to the traditional town of San Antonio de Areco. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and drive you inland as you enjoy breathtaking views of the Pampas regions while they discuss the history of Argentina's gauchos (horsemen) and their lives.
Upon your arrival in San Antonio de Areco, the kids can stretch their legs as you all enjoy a guided tour around the main plaza, Ruiz de Arellano. Here you'll find beautiful colonial architecture and historic buildings like the parish of San Antonio de Padua, as well as museums that include Las Lilas, which has a selection of original paintings by Argentine illustrator and painter Florencio Molina Campos.
Afterward, continue to Estancia El Ombú de Areco. This gorgeous estancia (ranch) encompasses almost 750 acres (300 ha), and guests can choose from horseback tours or take a ride in a sulky (horse-drawn cart) around the property. You'll also enjoy a delicious asado (barbecue) lunch with traditional Argentine foods, accompanied by a folklore show, where the kids can see a live demonstration of gaucho skills and horsemanship.
Day 3: Boat Tour of the Tigre River Delta, Visit San Isidro
Experience another side of Buenos Aires today with a boat tour of the Tigre River Delta. At the appointed time, a driver will transfer you to the waterfront, where you'll set sail along the Río de la Plata. Sit back and relax as you cruise through the city's northern neighborhoods and then continue upstream into the delta. Order coffee for the adults and juice for the kids as you glide around the islands, past the stilted houses and floating markets of the delta, disembarking in the town of Tigre.
Spend some time exploring Tigre, visiting the Museo de Arte de Tigre, which has a collection of 19th and 20th-century art, or Sarmiento Museum, a glass-encased house that was once the residence of former president Domingo Sarmiento. End your day at Puerto de Frutos, the town's former fruit market that is now a place to shop for crafts, food, and fun souvenirs before heading back to Buenos Aires. If the kids aren't too tired on the drive back to Buenos Aires, you can make a stop in the historic town of San Isidro to visit the San Isidro Cathedral.
Day 4: Fly to Puerto Iguazú, Tour Iguazú Falls (Brazil Side)
Your next destination is Puerto Iguazú, home to Iguazú Falls National Park and Iguazú Falls—the largest waterfall system in the world. The park spans both Argentina and Brazil, and you'll get the opportunity to visit both sides. At the appointed time, your driver will collect you from your hotel and transport you to the airport for your two-hour flight. Upon arrival, you'll have some time to get checked in at your hotel before you head across the border to the Brazil side of the park. Remember to bring your passports!
First, you'll arrive at the park's visitors' center and board a bus, which takes you to a footbridge. Then wander on foot through a magical subtropical rainforest while the kids keep their eyes peeled for wildlife, such as toucans or even jaguars (from a safe distance), eventually arriving at the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat), the park's largest waterfall. This is the perfect place for photos, as the Brazilian side showcases a constant rainbow that floats above the water. Afterward, stop at the shopping and restaurant area, and then take the bus back to the park entrance.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Tour Iguazú Falls (Argentina Side)
Today's tour takes you to the Argentinian side of Iguazú Falls. Gather up the family's rain gear, then meet up with your guide and start in the park's lower falls circuit. This takes you below the falls—a wet adventure that the kids will find entertaining and fun! This lower trail will take you past several waterfalls, including Two Sisters Falls, Bossetti Falls, and Hidden Falls.
Afterward, you'll walk to the upper circuit, traversing the catwalks that take you past other falls, such as San Martin, and to stunning panoramic views of several of the park's cascades, ending at a different view of Devil's Throat. The Argentinian side allows you to see the immense cascade from above, providing a unique vantage point to watch the water rush beneath you and disappear over the fall's edge.
Day 6: Fly to Puerto Madryn, Explore the Valdés Peninsula
It's time to head south to Argentina's Patagonia region! After breakfast, a driver will take you to the airport, where you'll fly to the small city of Trelew. From here, take a private transfer to Puerto Madryn, a drive of approximately 50 minutes. The city is considered the gateway to the magnificent Valdés Peninsula, home to an important breeding population of the endangered southern right whale as well as southern elephant seals and sea lions. Your wildlife adventures officially begin tomorrow, but you can start exploring the sights around this coastal town after you get settled at your hotel.
If the kids are begging for some outdoor time, visit one of the nearby beaches, such as Playa Paraná, a pebbled beach that is popular with locals and tourists alike. The beach has a sunken ship just offshore, so you're likely to see lots of divers out on the water, as well as breaching whales or other wildlife. You can also learn more about the area's wildlife with a trip to Eccocentro, a clifftop museum that showcases the natural wonders of Patagonia. Exhibits include information on right whales, video presentations, an artificial tide pool, and a dedicated children's section.
Day 7: Whale Watching Excursion, Visit an Estancia & Penguin Colony
There's more wildlife in store today as you immerse your family in the beauty of the Valdés Peninsula with a full-day land and sea tour. After visiting the Istmo Ameghino Interpretation Center, you'll head to Puerto Pirámides, where you'll board a ship and set sail along the coast. Your guides will share information about the region and take you to an area where southern right whales can be found. See these giant specimens in their natural habitat alongside other wildlife like sea lions and orcas.
After the boat tour, you'll visit Estancia San Lorenzo, a working sheep ranch. This is where you'll have a traditional Argentine lunch of lamb on a spit while you and the kids watch demonstrations of some of the farm activities, such as herding and sheep shearing. The highlight of the ranch, however, is located a short drive from the farmhouse: the largest Magellan penguin reserve in the world. There are more than 600,000 penguins here, and your kids will love getting up close to these curious creatures, watching them play along the water, and seeing them interact with each other.
Day 8: Fly to El Calafate
Your next destination takes you to the mountains and glaciers of El Calafate, a town located in the province of Santa Cruz, which sits at the edge of Los Glaciares National Park and the massive Perito Moreno Glacier. Take a private transfer in the morning to the airport, and then hop on your flight. Upon arrival, a driver will transport you to your hotel, where you can relax for a bit before seeing more of what the town has to offer.
Start with a visit to Intendencia Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Los Glaciares National Park Administration Building), where you'll find educational displays about the glacier's namesake, Argentine explorer Perito Moreno, as well as the glacier itself. There are beautiful gardens that the kids can run around and play in, with interpretive trails and examples of the equipment used by the workers.
If you'd like to do some souvenir shopping, El Calafate's Paseo de Los Artesanos market has handmade arts and crafts, or visit one of the many local artisan shops in the area. El Calafate is also home to several chocolatiers, where you and the kids can sample and buy some locally-made sweet treats! After sunset, walk along the city's main street, Avenida del Libertador, and take your pick of the many family-friendly restaurants and cafés for dinner.
Day 9: Explore Los Glaciares National Park
Today is your chance to get up close to the immense glaciers that make up Los Glaciares National Park. You'll start in the morning, driving by Lago Argentino to get to the entrance of the park. Upon entering, you'll go to the Curva de los Suspiros (Curve of Sighs), where you'll have a chance to step out of the vehicle and see Perito Moreno Glacier for the first time.
From here, head over to the main catwalks along the glacier, where you can see the glacier from various angles. Be sure to keep your camera ready because it's not uncommon to see chunks of ice breaking off and crashing into the water below! Stop at the park's restaurant for snacks for the kids before heading back to town.
Day 10: Explore Lago Argentino, Cavern Dining Experience
Discover the beauty of Lago Argentino with a day trip that combines amazing landscapes, archaeology, and gastronomy! Your guide will collect you from your hotel in El Calafate, and you'll head out along the lake's coast via 4WD vehicle. Make some stops along the shore, where the kids can play in the water while your guide shares information on the lake's glaciology and geology.
Day 11: Fly to Ushuaia, Explore
You're off to the quaint town of Ushuaia today! In the morning, a driver will transport you to the airport for your flight—a quick hop of an hour and 15 minutes. The Yamanas people originally settled this small town, and they are the ones who named it Ushuaia, which means "protected bay." The town sits on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, nicknamed the "End of the World" because of its remote location on the tip of South America.
After you check in at your hotel, the rest of the day is free. If you want to explore at your own pace, the kids might enjoy a visit to the Thematic Gallery of the Historia Fueguina, where more than 120 character life-size figures take you through the history of the region. Or you can unearth the story of the scariest and most dangerous criminals at the Prison Museum. And you won't want to forget the local gastronomy, as Ushuaia is known for its fresh seafood.
You can also take a guided walking tour to see some of the most important landmarks, such as the End of the World Museum and the town's waterfront promenade. Walk the historic streets and listen to the captivating stories about the region's first inhabitants and how the city once held the region's most dangerous criminals!
Day 12: Boat Tour to Sea Lion Island, Explore Tierra del Fuego National Park
See more of the local wildlife with a boat tour along Ushuaia Bay and to the Beagle Channel. Sail around the Island of Birds and see various birdlife such as skúas, black-browed albatrosses, steam ducks, and gray gulls, then head to Isla de los Lobos (Sea Lion Island), where the kids can wave to the residents lounging along the shores. Finish at Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, where your family will learn about the sinking of the SS Monte Cervantes that occurred here, as well as how the lighthouse came to be misnamed the "Lighthouse of the End of the World."
Afterward, continue your adventures at Tierra del Fuego National Park. The park encompasses more than 240 square miles (629 sq km) and was nicknamed the "Land of Fires" by early explorers. Here you'll find stunning natural landscapes that include Andean-Patagonian forests, mountains that rise from the sea, and lakes that seem to go on forever. The park also marks the end of the Pan-American route that begins in Alaska and stretches more than 9,000 miles (15,000 km).
Your park adventure starts at the End of the World Train Station, where you'll take a 60-minute steam engine ride, traveling past rivers, bogs, and the impressive Macarena Waterfall. Next, visit Ensenada Bay, where you can see views of Redonda and Estorbo islands and the mountains of the Sampaio Chain. You'll then walk along Lago Roca and the Río Lapataia to see the Chilean border before finishing at the glacier lake of Acigami and Lapataia Bay. Tierra del Fuego also has what is known as the last post office in America, where the kids can send postcards to family and friends from the end of the world!
Day 13: Canoe Excursion, Boat Tour to Isla Martillo & Isla Gable
Take a more active and in-depth tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park this morning with a canoe excursion. You'll depart Ushuaia via bus, disembarking at the Río Lasifashaj. Your guide will equip you with waterproof gear and life jackets and provide safety instructions. Then you'll board inflatable canoes for a cruise down the calm river. Paddle for about an hour through the park, eventually ending in Lapataia Bay. Take in views of the surrounding islands while the kids look for curious sea lions and other wildlife.
Afterward, you'll head to Harberton Ranch, Tierra del Fugeo's first estancia. Established in the late 1800s by missionary Thomas Bridges, this still-working property offers a look into the history of ranchers in this region. You'll have a chance to tour the farm and visit the on-site bird and mammal museum, which has exhibits of various specimens from the region. From here, board a motorboat and cruise toward Isla Martillo, a large penguin breeding ground, where you'll see penguins and their young in their natural habitat.
The boat cruise continues to the main attraction of the day: the wonderful Isla Gable, where a delicious traditional hot lunch awaits, offering good Patagonian wine for the adults and soft drinks for the kids. After lunch, you'll take a guided interpretive walk to learn more about the region's natural environment. Walk through huge Magellanic forests, see vestiges of the Yámanas families that once lived here, and pass by beaver dams with the busy creatures hard at work. End the adventure at the port at Harberton, where you'll board a bus back to Ushuaia.
Day 14: Depart Ushuaia
It's time to say goodbye to Argentina! After breakfast at your hotel, a driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport as you begin the journey back home or to your next destination. Safe travels!
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