3 Weeks in Argentina & Chile - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Epic Argentina & Chile Discovery: Buenos Aires, Iguazú Falls, Patagonia & the Lake District

This highlights itinerary is a match for adventurous travelers who enjoy hiking, bird watching, and some self-directed experiences. You'll tour Buenos Aires at your own pace, visit Iguazú Falls, take a self-guided hike in El Chaltén, see Perito Moreno Glacier by boat, trek in Torres del Paine National Park, search for wildlife in Queulat National Park, kayak to the Marble Caves, hike in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, go bird-watching in Alerce Andino National Park, and more. This trip is fast-paced and includes several flights, so it's best for those who want to make the most of their time and pack in a lot of activities.

Ease into your trip with free time in Buenos Aires (Argentina) to visit Puerto Madero, the Teatro Colón opera house, and other sites at your own pace. Then, jet off to Puerto Iguazú to experience both the Brazilian and Argentine sides of the thundering Iguazú Falls before catching a flight south to El Calafate, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. Here, you'll hike in El Chaltén and take a boat tour to the Perito Moreno Glacier. Next, your driver will transfer you to Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, where you can choose a half-day or full-day trek, then continue to Punta Arenas for your flight to the Lake District.

Take a guided hike through lenga forests, passing fjords and waterfalls and searching for Andean armadillos and other wildlife in Queulat National Park before retiring to your hotel in Coyhaique. Your driver will transfer you to Puerto Río Tranquilo for a kayaking excursion to the Marble Caves on Day 15 before your flight to Puerto Montt. With a few days in Puerto Varas, you'll hike in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park and go bird-watching in Alerce Andino National Park. Finally, board a bus to Pucón, where you'll cap off the trip with a forest walk alongside secluded lakes and lagoons on the Mamuil Malal Pass. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Wonders of Chile & Argentina

Travelers who like a combination of popular spots and adventures off the beaten path will enjoy this itinerary. You'll see another side of Santiago on an alternative tour, take a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the Atacama Desert, admire glaciers on a Laguna San Rafael boat tour, and visit penguins at Isla Magdalena. You'll then trek in Torres del Paine, hike glaciers near El Chaltén and El Calafate, go on an off-roading 4WD adventure and canoe excursion in Tierra del Fuego National Park, and end with a bike tour and tango show in Buenos Aires.

See lesser-known spots in Santiago (Chile) on an alternative walking tour before flying to Calama for your Atacama Desert adventures. Spend three days immersed in the desert with a sunset tour in the Valley of the Moon, a sunrise balloon ride, and visits to salt flats, Tatio Geysers, and the Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache. Then, you'll fly to the Aysén region of Patagonia, where you'll kayak through marble caves and admire glaciers on a Laguna San Rafael boat tour. Next, fly to Punta Arenas and head to Isla Magdalena to observe the penguins before your driver transfers you to Torres del Paine National Park. 

Enjoy leisurely walks to lakes and glaciers in Torres del Paine National Park, or opt for more challenging hiking and scrambling. On Day 12, your driver will bring you to El Calafate in Argentina, where you'll hike the Perito Moreno Glacier and trek the famous trail to Laguna de los Tres, stopping at viewpoints for Fitz Roy, Piedras Blancas Glacier, and more. Then, fly to Ushuaia for off-roading 4WD adventures and canoeing in Tierra del Fuego National Park. Your last stop is Buenos Aires, where you'll explore the neighborhoods by bike and celebrate with a traditional tango show and dinner before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Argentina & Chile Panorama: Buenos Aires, Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia & Santiago

Slowing the pace down, this itinerary is ideal for those eager to experience cuisine and culture in addition to outdoor activities. Start with a tasting tour, attend a tango show, and join a dinner party in Buenos Aires. Then, walk with penguins in Ushuaia, hike to Los Cóndores, take a nautical safari in Los Glaciares National Park, trek in Torres del Paine National Park, tour the Chilean Patagonia glaciers, cycle around Santiago, go wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley, and learn the secrets of Chilean cuisine in a cooking class. You'll also have the chance to take a day trip to a UNESCO-listed historic town in neighboring Uruguay. 

Experience Argentine culture and cuisine with a tasting tour and a tango show on arrival in Buenos Aires. Then, take the ferry to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, for a walking tour of the UNESCO-listed colonial town. Return to Buenos Aires for a culinary experience complete with an empanada-making workshop followed by a dinner party before flying to Ushuaia. At the "End of the World," you'll hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park, take a penguin walk on Isla Martillo, and see hanging glaciers on your trek to Laguna Esmeralda. Next, you'll fly to El Calafate, the gateway to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.

Admire the massive Perito Moreno Glacier from various viewpoints and take a nautical safari in Los Glaciares National Park before continuing to El Chaltén for a hike to Los Cóndores followed by a trek to the Salto del Chorillo waterfall. Board a bus to Puerto Natales (Chile), your base, for four days of outdoor adventures that include hikes in Torres del Paine National Park, a boat tour to glaciers in Chilean Patagonia, and a full-day hike to Mirador Las Torres. Finally, you'll fly to Santiago to wrap up your trip with a cycling tour, wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley, and a Chilean cooking class. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Ultimate Argentina & Chile Tour: Cities, Waterfalls, Wine & Deserts

Wine lovers will appreciate the opportunities to sample some of the best Argentine and Chilean wines on this itinerary that forgoes Patagonia and focuses on highlights of the north. You'll attend a dinner party and wine pairing in Buenos Aires, drink Argentine wine with dinner at a traditional barbecue at a ranch near San Antonio, visit the famous vineyards of Mendoza, and tour Chile's Colchagua Valley wine region—in addition to stargazing and soaking in hot springs in the Atacama Desert and visiting popular sites in Buenos Aires, Santiago, and Iguazú.

Begin in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a city tour that includes landmarks like the Teatro Colón, a live tango show and lesson, and a dinner party. Then, head to Estancia El Ombú for a horseback ride and traditional asado (Argentine barbecue). Take a food walk around Palermo's restaurants and bars before flying to Puerto Iguazú. Visit the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls and observe toucans and other birds at Parque das Aves before taking a boat tour of the Argentine side of the falls. Next, fly to Mendoza and embark on a sunset horseback ride, followed by a barbecue dinner complete with malbec wine. 

Spend a day touring vineyards and sipping local wines in the Uco Valley, then admire the historic sites in Aconcagua Provincial Park and soak in the thermal waters of Termas de Cacheuta. Fly to Santiago, Chile, on Day 12 for a guided city tour, a day trip to artsy Valparaíso, and a wine tour in Colchagua Valley. Spend your final days in the Atacama Desert—stargazing in the Altiplano, admiring Las Tres Marias salt sculptures and the vibrant colors of Rainbow Valley, visiting scenic lagoons and salt flats, witnessing the Tatio Geysers, and relaxing in geothermal pools—before returning to Santiago for departure. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Wine Country, Deserts & Mountains of Argentina & Chile

Spending most of your time in Argentina, this alternate highlights itinerary is a great choice for first-time visitors interested in experiencing a mix of historic sites, city tours, dramatic landscapes, wine tastings, and outdoor adventures. You'll tour the neighborhoods of Buenos Aires and attend a tango show, savor world-class wines in Mendoza and the Uco Valley, see the iconic Iguazú Falls, red canyons of Quebrada de las Conchas, and salt flats of Salinas Grandes, visit colonial towns and an alpaca farm, and enjoy a whitewater rafting adventure. 

On arrival, you'll tour the sites and neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, take in a tango performance, and learn how to prepare an Argentine meal. Then, head to Estancia El Ombú to learn about ranch life and taste traditional barbecue before crossing into Uruguay to see Colonia del Sacramento. Fly to Salta next and take a scenic ride past the red canyons of Quebrada de las Conchas en route to a torrontés wine tasting in Cafayate. On Day 7, your driver will bring you through the Lerma Valley and Los Cardones National Park to Cachi, where you'll enjoy a walk around the historic town and visit the Museo Arqueológico de Cachi.

Snap fun photos in the otherworldly landscapes of the Salinas Grandes salt flats, then zip down the Río Juramento on a whitewater rafting trip. Next, see Iguazú Falls from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides before you fly to Mendoza. You'll tour the Uco Valley wine region, visit Aconcagua Provincial Park, and unwind with a spa day at Termas de Cacheuta. On Day 17, fly to Santiago, Chile, for a cycling tour and a visit to Viña San Esteban, where you'll meet alpacas and taste malbec and carménère wines. Spend your last full day in Cajón del Maipo—hiking at El Yeso Reservoir and sampling sweets at Casa Chocolate. Learn more

More Great Argentina Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Argentina? Check out these other Argentina itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.