12 Days in Argentina - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Best of Argentina: Ushuaia, El Calafate & Iguazú Falls

Experience the beauty of Argentina's diverse landscapes on this twelve-day trip that covers the country's north and south. Start off in the capital for dinner and a tango show, then travel all the way south to Ushuaia to see penguins and trek through famous Tierra del Fuego National Park. Then it's off to El Calafate to see Perito Moreno glacier, followed by a visit to the Argentina-Brazil border to see Iguazú Falls, the largest waterfall complex in the world. 

Start off with a guided tour of Buenos Aires that includes highlights like the  Teatro Colón, Recoleta Cemetery, and San Telmo, then top off your evening with a live tango performance. On the next day, it's time to head to the airport for your flight to Ushuaia. Once you arrive, check-in to your hotel and walk down to the tourist port for a cruise in the Beagle Channel, where you'll see sea lions and Magellanic cormorants. 

On day four visit Tierra del Fuego National Park and spend the day trekking and canoeing through a stunning landscape of icy rivers, snow-capped mountains, and peaceful forests. The tour finishes in the Lapataia Bay, which is also where the 19,000 mile (30,000 km) Pan-American Highway ends. The following day, head off the beaten path in the Southern Andes and visit hidden gems like Lago Escondido and Garibaldi Pass. 

Then, travel to El Calafate to see Perito Moreno, one of the few advancing glaciers in the world. On day eight you'll see more glaciers on your visit to Estancia Cristina, a ranch-style originally founded in 1914, where you'll be treated to sweeping views of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. 

On day nine, say good-bye to Patagonia and head to Puerto Iguazú for a tropical change of scenery. Spend the next two days visiting both the Argentine and Brazilian sides of Iguazú Fall, and enjoy a mix of close-up and panoramic views of the two-hundred waterfalls that make up the park. Finally, fly back to Buenos Aires for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Buenos Aires and Southern Patagonia

This twelve-day tour starts off in Buenos Aires and gives you a chance to see some of the most dramatic landscapes in Argentina—and the world—with stops at Perito Moreno glacier, Tierra del Fuego National Park, and the hiker's paradise of El Chaltén. 

Spend your first day in Argentina exploring Buenos Aires, followed by an evening of music and tango with dinner. Then it's time to fly south to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Here you'll tour the Beagle Channel before heading out on an all-day hiking and canoeing trip to Tierra del Fuego National Park. Finish off your visit to Ushuaia with an off-road trip to the Southern Andes, where you'll visit Lago Escondido, Carbajal and Tierra Mayor Valleys, and Garibaldi Pass. 

Next, it's time to visit El Calafate, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park and Perito Moreno glacier. Spend a day at Perito Moreno see the ice up close on a boat tour. On day seven of your trip, visit Estancia Cristina to see Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers and get a sweeping view of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. 

After your time in El Calafate, travel to nearby El Chaltén, a small town at the base of Mount Fitz Roy in the northern part of Los Glaciares National Park that is known for its abundance of great hiking trails. Hike to Laguna de los Tres for stunning views of three nearby peaks, then spend another day trekking in the area—you'll choose from a variety of trails at varying levels of difficulty. Finally, return to Buenos Aires and catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Classic Argentina - Mendoza & Patagonia

On this twelve-day itinerary, you'll get a chance to explore Argentina's wine region and taste a variety of Malbecs in addition to touring the stunning landscapes of Patagonia, including Perito Moreno Glacier and Tierra del Fuego National Park. 

Start off with a day visiting Buenos Aires' most iconic attractions, like the Obelisco and the Recoleta Cemetery, then spend the evening watching a mesmerizing tango show, accompanied by dinner. In the morning, fly to Ushuaia. Once you've settled in, head to the tourist port and hop on a boat for a cruise of the Beagle Channel, where you'll sail all the way to the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. On day three, set out for a day of trekking and canoeing through the beautiful wilderness of Tierra del Fuego National Park, where your guide will show you seaside mountains, freshwater rivers, subantarctic forests and ancient settlements once occupied by the Yámana indigenous people. 

Then it's time to fly to El Calafate, your base to explore the southern half of Los Glaciares National Park, including the famous Perito Moreno glacier. Start off with a full-day tour of Perito Moreno, then spend another glacier-filled day visiting Estancia Cristina, a historic ranch-style lodge at the end of the Cristina Channel. Once you have your fill of stunning scenery, ice-blue lakes, and sheer glaciers, it's time to travel to the peaceful green vineyards of Mendoza's wine region.

On day nine, tour two nearby wineries and learn about local wine productions as you sample a few of their vintages. Then, head to the mountains for a full-day tour and trek in Aconcagua National Park, where you'll visit the small mountain villages of Uspallata, Puente del Inca, Penitentes, and Horcones and climb partway up Aconcagua, South America's highest peak. 

Finally, fly back to Buenos Aires on day eleven of your trip and spend one last evening enjoying the city before your flight home in the morning. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Exploring Argentina's Wildlife & Culture

This nature-filled twelve-day tour gives you the opportunity to see some of Argentina's unique marine wildlife—including whales, penguins, and sea lions—before finishing off with a couple of days at Iguazú Falls and a full-day gaucho experience in the Pampas outside of Buenos Aires. 

Once you land in Buenos Aires, start your vacation by exploring the city on your own, then take a tour to learn more about its history and culture. In the evening of day two, go to a dinner & tango show and watch the dancers and musicians perform until the wee hours.

On the following morning, you'll travel to Puerto Madryn, a small town on the Atlantic coast in northern Patagonia close to the diverse marine eco-system of Peninsula Valdés. 

Spend your first day in the area whale-watching and touring the peninsula, before embarking on a boat trip to the penguin colony at Punta Tombo. On your final day in the area, set out for a real adventure and go snorkeling with sea lions—gentle, curious creatures who swim right up to visitors to say hello. 

Next, travel to Iguazú Falls. Start off by walking the three circuits on the Argentine side to see the water from all angles, then visit the Brazilian side on the following day to get sweeping, panoramic views of the entire complex and take plenty of photos. 

Return to Buenos Aires on day nine, and spend the next day at a real Argentine estancia (ranch) to enjoy a true gaucho experience, including horseback riding, asado (barbecue), and mate, Argentina's favorite beverage. On the following day spend a few hours exploring the Tigre Delta, a sprawling network of rivers and canals about an hour outside of Buenos Aires. Finally, head to the airport on the morning of day twelve for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Off the Beaten Path - Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Salta

This off-the-beaten-path itinerary gives you a chance to experience some of the natural landscapes and unique culture of northwestern Argentina. Start off with a few leisurely days sipping wine and touring vineyards in Mendoza before flying north to Salta to visit high-altitude salt flats and discover the Quebrada de Humahuaca, before returning to Buenos Aires for some foodie fun and a day in the Pampas with real Argentine gauchos. 

Start your vacation with a day in Buenos Aires and explore the city before flying to Mendoza, the heart of Argentina's wine region. Spend a full day touring nearby vineyards and sipping Malbec, the red wine varietal that's produced here. Then, drive along the Mendoza River and head out on a high-altitude mountain tour in the Cordón del Plata mountain range up to Las Cuevas, the last village on the Argentine-Chilean border. 

Next, travel from Mendoza to Salta, a small colonial city in the northwest of the country. On day six, drive down the beautiful canyons of the Quebrada del Río de las Conchas to Cafayate, where you'll be able to visit more vineyards and try some Torrontés wine. On the following day, go up to Jujuy Province to see the Salineras Grandes, high-altitude salt flats that span nearly 30,000 acres. Finally, spend your last full day in the north visiting the charming village of Purmamarca and the nearby Cerro de Siete Colores (Hill of the Seven Colors). 

Fly back to Buenos Aires for The Argentine Experience, a dinner-party style evening where you'll learn to make empanadas and alfajores (Argentine cookies). Finally, end your trip with a day at Estancia Santa Susana, a traditional Argentine ranch. You'll meet gauchos and taste asado (barbecue) and take part in fun activities like horseback riding and traditional folkloric dancing. Finally, head to the airport on day twelve for your flight home. Learn more

More Great 12-Day Argentina Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Argentina trip? Check out these other 12-day Argentina itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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