8 Days in Argentina - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Argentine Culture & Waterfalls

This 8-day itinerary gives you a chance to get to discover the culture of Buenos Aires and the natural splendor of Iguazú Falls at a relaxed pace. Spend your first few exploring the capital and learn about the city's rich history. Then, head to the Pampas for fun day of gauchos, horseback riding and barbecue. Finally, spend a couple of days at Iguazú Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world. 

A driver will greet you when you land in Buenos Aires. Head to your hotel to recharge, then set out to explore the city and see the sights, like the Obelisco and Buenos Aires' world-class opera house, the Teatro Colón. Top off your day with dinner at a parilla, a traditional Argentine steakhouse. After breakfast the next day, a guide will take you on a four-hour walking tour of the city and give you a glimpse into its history and culture. 

Day three is reserved for a truly Argentine experience: you'll spend the day learning about gaucho culture at Estancia Santa Susana, a ranch outside the capital. Enjoy horseback riding, folklore music, and an Argentina asado (barbecue), then watch the gauchos try to one-up each other by performing daring feats of horsemanship. 

Now it's time to fly to Puerto Iguazú for the next leg of your vacation: the jaw-dropping Iguazú Falls. Start by spending a day on the Argentine side, where you'll be able to walk three different circuits and see the falls up close. On day six visit the Brazilian side, which offers a more panoramic view. 

Head back to Buenos Aires for a final day of sightseeing and souvenir shopping. In the evening, your driver will take you out for another quintessential Argentine experience: a tango show. On the morning of day eight, it's finally time to depart. A driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the airport for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: A Relaxed Tour of Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Iguazú Falls

This 8-day trip gives you a chance to sightsee in Buenos Aires, do some wine tasting in Mendoza, and also see Iguazú Falls up close without feeling rushed. Start off with a city tour of Buenos Aires, and then head to Mendoza for a day of wine tasting and Malbec. Learn more about the Argentine culinary scene with a cooking class and dinner, then head northeast to the awe-inspiring splendor of Iguazú Falls. 

This itinerary kicks off with a free day to explore Buenos Aires followed by an unforgettable evening of dinner and tango. On day two take a three-hour tour of the city, including highlights like the Recoleta Cemetery and the colorful neighborhoods of San Telmo and La Boca. In the afternoon head to the airport for your flight to Mendoza, where you can relax at your hotel or stroll through the quiet city streets. 

Day three kicks off with a bang: a driver will pick you up for a full day of wine touring and tasting. Learn about the history of Malbec, Mendoza's star varietal, and about the irrigation techniques learned from the Huarpe indigenous people that allowed it to grow. The tour includes visits to two wineries, and you'll also get to sample local olives, cheeses, and even taste Malbec grapes. 

On day four you'll have some free time to visit a bodega or swim in local hot springs. In the evening, join a cooking class and dinner taught by a local chef and learn how to prepare a traditional Argentine meal while sipping on some more Malbec. 

Next, fly to Iguazú Falls, and spend a day touring the Argentine side (which has more to see). You'll get a chance to look down the Devil's Throat and walk at the base of the falls. On day seven, spend a half-day visiting the Brazilian side of the falls to get a more panoramic view of the whole falls system before flying back to Buenos Aires in the afternoon. Finally, eat one last porteño breakfast before your driver picks you up to take you to the airport for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Trekking in Patagonia

This action-packed itinerary is filled with opportunities to hike and trek through some of Patagonia's most breathtaking scenery. Start by taking in Buenos Aires' bohemian vibes with dinner and a tango show. Then, head south to El Calafate and hike on top of the Perito Moreno glacier, and join a boat tour to the secluded Estancia Cristina. Finally, spend a few days hiking around El Chaltén, a small town surrounded by beautiful trails that is sometimes nicknamed "Hiker's Paradise."

Start your eight-day trip with a day exploring Buenos Aires followed by an evening of music and tango. On the morning of day two, a driver will pick you up and take you to the airport for your flight to El Calafate, the city closest to the famed Perito Moreno glacier. Spend the next few hours strolling through the quiet city or stop by the Glaciarium to learn more about glaciers—you can even grab a drink at their bar, which is made entirely of ice. 

On day three set out bright and early to spend a day at the Perito Moreno glacier. You'll even get to trek on top of the glacier, crossing deep blue crevices and stepping over meltwater streams. Afterward, you can relax and take pictures from the many viewing platforms that are set up facing the glacier. Day four has more glacier adventures in store for you with a boat trip to Estancia Cristina, a remote lodge at the end of the Cristina Channel. Form there you'll hike to the Continental Ice Field Refuge and see Lake Guillermo and the Upsala glacier. 

Next, it's time to head to El Chaltén, three hours away from El Calafate. Spend the next two and a half days hiking on some of the many trails that are easily accessible from town. Some of the most spectacular routes include hiking to Laguna de los Tres, from where you'll have a view of three nearby peaks, and hiking to the Mirador Cerro Torre. Finally, it's time to drive back to El Calafate for your flight to Buenos Aires, and from there catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: An Outdoor Adventure in Buenos Aires, Bariloche, and El Calafate

See more of Patagonia with this outdoorsy itinerary that includes mountain biking in Argentina's Lake District as well as a trek on top of the famous Perito Moreno glacier. 

Start off strong with a free day exploring Buenos Aires. Once you land, your driver will take you to your hotel for a quick break before you head out into the city. Some suggested highlights include walking by the Obelisco or strolling through sleek Puerto Madero. In the evening, head to a classic Argentine parilla (steakhouse) for meat-fueled extravaganza topped with delicious chimichurri sauce. On day two, see more of the city with a four-hour walking tour through Plaza San Martín, Plaza de Mayo, and the bohemian neighborhoods of San Telmo and La Boca.

Then, set off bright and early on day three to catch your flight to Bariloche, in the heart of Argentina's lake district. Bariloche sits on the shores of Lago Nahuel Huapi and is famous for its Alpine-architecture, beautiful mountain scenery and delicious chocolate. It's also a world-class winter ski destination. Take the rest of the day to stroll through the city, sight-see, and do some souvenir shopping. Make sure you try the local cuisine for dinner—Bariloche is well-known for delicacies like wild boar and lake trout. 

On day four, a tour guide will take you mountain biking on a 14-mile (22 km) route across the Manso River suspension bridges.

Then it's time to head to El Calafate, the city closest to the Perito Moreno and the southern part of the Los Glaciares National Park, on the shores of the Lago Argentino. Make sure to stop by the Glaciarium, a multi-media center jam-packed with information about glaciers. 

Spend all of day six at the famous Perito Moreno glacier, the star attraction of Los Glaciares National Park. Stick around to witness "calving," the thunderous crashing of sheets of ice breaking off and falling into the waters of the lake below. Then it's time to put on your crampons for a trek on top of the glacier, which culminates with drinking a sip off whiskey chilled with a chip of glacier ice. Make sure to take lots of photos from the many viewing platforms connected by walkways facing the glacier. 

Finally, it's time to head back to Buenos Aires for a final day of touring and sightseeing. Top off your trip with dinner and a tango show, where you'll get one last taste of the passion and romance of Argentina. 

Itinerary #5: Road Trip from Mendoza to Salta

Discover northern Argentina with this eight-day road trip that takes you from Mendoza, Argentina's wine capital, up to Salta through the stunning canyon landscapes of the Valle de la Luna, Cafayate and the Conchas Gorge. 

Spend a day visiting Buenos Aires before heading out the next morning to fly to Mendoza, a quiet city of around one million inhabitants that's known as the epicenter of Argentina's wine scene. Spend the day strolling through the city's parks or visit the Museo del Pasado Cuyano to learn more about the region's history. 

On your third day in Argentina take a tour of Mendoza's premier wineries and taste some Malbec, the region's most famous wine varietal. In the afternoon, pick from one of Mendoza's many available outdoor activities and go hiking, biking, golfing, or white water rafting. 

Your road trip begins on day four when you'll pick up your rental car and drive north to your first stop: San Agustín de Valle Fértil, which is roughly five hours from Mendoza. Spend the next day visiting the  Valle de La Luna's otherworldly rock formations before continuing your drive up to La Rioja. The next day takes you to Cafayate, home of the torrontés grape and much of the country's white wine. Finally, travel through the red rock canyons of the Quebrada de las Conchas (Conchas Gorge) to reach Salta, a city with gorgeous Spanish colonial architecture and vibrant nightlife. Visit a peña to experience traditional folkloric music and dancing firsthand. 

On your eighth day in Argentina, catch your flight back to Buenos Aires and from there transfer to your flight home. Learn more

More Great 8-Day Argentina Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Argentina trip? Check out these other 8-day Argentina itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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