Highlights
- Sample Buenos Aires' gastronomy with tastings at four exclusive restaurants
- Sip esteemed malbec wines in Mendoza and create your own blended wine
- Discover the beautiful UNESCO-listed town of Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay
- Enjoy wine and olive oil tastings in the estates surrounding Montevideo
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Dinner in Puerto Madero | Buenos Aires |
| Day 2 | Buenos Aires Neighborhood Walking Tour, Palermo District Food Tour | Buenos Aires |
| Day 3 | Gaúcho Experience at La Bandada Ranch | Buenos Aires |
| Day 4 | Fly to Mendoza, Vineyard Tour & Wine Blending Workshop | Mendoza |
| Day 5 | Cycling Tour Through Mendoza's Malbec Vineyards | Mendoza |
| Day 6 | Full-Day Guided Hike in Parque Provincial Aconcagua | Mendoza |
| Day 7 | Fly to Buenos Aires, Ferry to Montevideo (Uruguay), Highlights Tour of the City | Montevideo |
| Day 8 | Tour Montevideo's Wineries & Olive Oil Estates | Montevideo |
| Day 9 | Day Trip to the Coastal Town of Colonia del Sacramento | Montevideo |
| Day 10 | Tour Uruguay's Oldest Wineries, Depart Montevideo |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Dinner in Puerto Madero
¡Bienvenidos a Argentina! Your flight lands in the beautiful capital city of Buenos Aires. Known as the "Paris of South America," the Argentine capital is a dazzling mix of vibrant street life, elegant boulevards, and top-notch food and wine. After you've settled in, wander the neighborhoods of Retiro and Recoleta, which are full of vast green spaces and French-style mansions, then head to La Boca, where you'll find the Caminito area, famous for its colorful painted houses. Buenos Aires is also the birthplace of tango, and full of places to watch and learn the dance, such as Café Tortoni.
For dinner, head to the Puerto Madero neighborhood, the city's former main port that fell into disuse until a revitalization project in the 1990s. Today, the glistening architecture, riverside location, and excellent choice of restaurants make it the perfect place to sample the city's famed cuisine. Do like the locals and enjoy a juicy steak drizzled with chimichurri (garlic, herb, and vinegar sauce) at a local parrilla (steakhouse).
Day 2: Buenos Aires Neighborhood Walking Tour, Palermo District Food Tour
Spend the morning on a guided walking tour through Argentina's beautiful capital. The route begins at Avenida 9 de Julio, Buenos Aires' main thoroughfare, to see El Teatro Colón (the city's historic opera house) and the Obelisk. Discover the city's founding site at the Plaza de Mayo, then continue to the traditional neighborhood of San Telmo, with its cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and vibrant market. You'll finish with a visit to the upmarket Recoleta neighborhood, where you'll find the Recoleta Cemetry, famous as the resting place of Eva Perón.
In the early evening, you'll join a small group for a guided food tour around the picturesque Palermo neighborhood while your guide shares stories of the district's history, street art, and deep-rooted foodie culture. As well as tasting street food specialties such as choripán (a grilled chorizo sandwich with chimichurri), you'll visit four of the area's top Argentine restaurants and sample their best dishes alongside a selection of specially selected wines.
Day 3: Gaúcho Experience at La Bandada Ranch
Leave the city for the countryside today as you head to the Pampas, a vast grassland stretching for miles outside Buenos Aires. Your destination is La Bandada, a ranch typical of the area surrounded by a large wooded park leading to great open pastures. You'll spend the day in the company of local gaúchos (cowboys) and experience the typical traditions of rural ranch life.
After a warm welcome from your hosts and a snack of freshly baked empanadas and a glass of wine or a soft drink, you'll take a tour of the ranch and hear about the daily life of a gaúcho. Return to the main house for a delicious Argentine barbecue and spend the afternoon watching the magnificent equestrian skills of the gaúchos before saddling up yourself for a horse ride. Finish your afternoon with tea or coffee and local pastries before returning to Buenos Aires.
Day 4: Fly to Mendoza, Vineyard Tour & Wine Blending Workshop
This morning, you'll make the two-hour flight from Buenos Aires to Mendoza, a beautiful city in the foothills of the Andes mountain range, known for its outdoor activities, gorgeous scenery, and, most importantly, winemaking! Arrive at El Plumerillo International Airport, where your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Once you've settled in, explore the city at leisure. Visit the Plaza Independencia, Mendoza's central square, surrounded by historic buildings and landmarks such as the Casa de Gobierno and the Teatro Independencia. For an in-depth look at the region's history and culture, head to the Museo del Pasado Cuyano or check out the boutiques, restaurants, and cafés that line the popular Avenida Arístides Villanueva.
In the afternoon, you'll meet your guide for a 30-minute drive south to the renowned Tempus Alba vineyard. Spend the next few hours touring the vineyard and learning about the winery's production process before enjoying a multicourse feast of local specialties and tasting four Tempus Alba Reserva varietals. You'll end your tour with a short introduction to wine blending, where your favorite blended sample will be bottled with a personalized label for you to keep as a souvenir or drink with friends at home.
Day 5: Cycling Tour Through Mendoza's Malbec Vineyards
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Full-Day Guided Hike in Parque Provincial Aconcagua
Set out early this morning for a full-day trekking tour to the epic Parque Provincial Aconcagua, home to the tallest peak in South America at 22,837 feet (6,961 m), Mount Aconcagua. On the way to the park, your guide will take you along the renowned National Route 7, famous for its memorable landscapes, tunnels, bridges, and small villages like Uspallata and Horcones.
After a three-hour drive, reach the park office to process your permits, then begin the hike on the trail to Horcones Lagoon. After an hour, you'll reach the picturesque Hanging Bridge over the Horcones River. Take a rest, then continue walking for two hours until you reach Confluencia Base Camp at 11,000 feet (3,300 m). Eat lunch while soaking up the summit views, and then glimpse into the world of mountaineering with a walk around the camp, filled with tents, gear, and mountaineers. Afterward, you'll transfer back to Mendoza.
Day 7: Fly to Buenos Aires, Ferry to Montevideo (Uruguay), Highlights Tour of the City
Fly from Mendoza back to Buenos Aires this morning, where a driver will pick you up and take you to the port to catch a ferry to Uruguay's capital, Montevideo. This fascinating city is known for its rich history, vibrant cultural scene, and coastal beauty. After arriving and checking in at your accommodations, explore Montevideo's most famous sites with a guided city tour.
Start in the Old City district, where you'll walk down winding cobblestone streets and see historic buildings like the Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral, the oldest public building in the city and one of the region's first churches. Visit charming squares like Plaza Matriz and stroll through the traditional Prado neighborhood. Stop by Mercado del Puerto to sample food at one of the famous grills.
Later, wander the Rambla de Montevideo, an extensive seaside promenade stretching over 13 miles (20 km). Relax in the spacious Parque Rodó and taste authentic cuisine at one of the many food stalls at Abasto Market. See the neighborhood of Punta Gorda, where you'll find Plaza Virgilio and spectacular panoramic views of the coast. The tour ends in Punta Carretas, a lively shopping area where you can look for souvenirs or have dinner at one of the many restaurants.
Day 8: Tour Montevideo's Wineries & Olive Oil Estates
You're already an expert on Argentine wines, and now it's time to focus on Uruguay's as you visit some of the best wineries around Montevideo on this full-day tour. The experience begins at Bodega Altos de la Ballena, a small, family-run winery on the Sierra de la Ballena. With just under 20 acres (8 ha) of grapes, the winery specializes in limited-production, high-quality wines, creating flavors that speak to the rich mountain soil and ocean breezes.
After a visit and tasting, continue to the charming small town of Pueblo Edén. Sample wine at the Viña Edén winery and visit nearby olive plantations to try local olive oils before returning to enjoy the nightlife and restaurants of Montevideo.
Day 9: Day Trip to the Coastal Town of Colonia del Sacramento
Take a day trip today to the beautiful city of Colonia del Sacramento. The entire town is a UNESCO Heritage Site, and the streets are packed with history. After you arrive, join a local guide to tour the cobblestone lanes and discover sites such as the Portón de Campo (Old City Gate) and the historic Calle de Los Suspiros (Street of Sighs). Explore the little stone streets, the old port, the Spanish and Portuguese Museums, the charming small stores and restaurants, and the Rambla bordering the Old City.
During the tour, you'll have the opportunity to taste maté, a traditional tea made from the leaves of the yerba maté plant. The tea is prepared in an ancient ritual practiced in Uruguay for generations. A local maté expert will teach you the basics of making tea and provide background on the drink's history. Sample different varieties and taste regional pastries to refuel during your walk, then return to Montevideo in time to sample the city's dining scene on your last night.
Day 10: Tour Uruguay's Oldest Wineries, Depart Montevideo
Make the most of your final morning in Uruguay with a guided tour of the region's oldest wineries. Start at Bodega Juanicó, where you'll sample Don Pascual wines, accompanied by a table of delicious snacks and homemade bread. This pioneering winery, which produces both whites and reds, was the first in the area to build an underground cellar in 1830, enabling incredible quality wines due to the naturally cool environment in the cellar.
Continue to Bodega Pizzorno, located roughly 12 miles (20 km) from Montevideo in Canelón Chico, a prime area for wine production with warm days and cold nights that produce more intensely colored and flavored grapes. Tour the vineyard and taste the best selection of wines and several regional food specialties. End the tour with a three-course lunch paired with complementing wines.
After your tour, it'll be time to say goodbye to Uruguay. A driver will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight home or to your next destination. Buen viaje, wherever life takes you next!
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