Highlights
- Explore Buenos Aires' colorful neighborhoods on foot with a local expert
- Sample life as a gaucho on a working ranch (complete with a barbecue lunch)
- Enjoy staggering views of Iguazú Falls from both Argentina and Brazil
- See seven-layered mountains and the enormous salt flats at Salinas Grandes
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Buenos Aires, Explore | Buenos Aires |
| Day 2 | Fiesta Gaucha Adventure | Buenos Aires |
| Day 3 | Paraná River Delta Cruise | Buenos Aires |
| Day 4 | Fly to Puerto Iguazú, Explore | Puerto Iguazu |
| Day 5 | Explore the Iguazú Falls (Argentina) | Puerto Iguazu |
| Day 6 | Explore the Iguazú Falls (Brazil), Visit a Bird Park | Puerto Iguazu |
| Day 7 | Fly to Salta, City Tour | Salta |
| Day 8 | Trip to Salinas Grandes | Salta |
| Day 9 | Scenic Drive to Cafayate | Salta |
| Day 10 | Fly to Buenos Aires, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, Explore
Welcome to Buenos Aires! A private guide will meet your family at the airport to take you to your hotel. Once you've settled in, you and the kids will head out on a walking tour. Starting with Plaza de Mayo, the city's political center, your English-speaking guide will take you through the city's most distinctive barrios (neighborhoods), including San Telmo, bustling with entertaining artists and markets. If you're there on a Sunday, don't miss the Plaza Dorrego market.
Next up, spend some time watching the tango dancers on El Boca's Caminito, and if you have any football fans in the family, be sure to stop by the Boca Juniors Football Club, where Diego Maradona made his name. From here, head to Puerto Madero, the city's newest neighborhood. Stop at one of the elegant eateries here, or keep an eye out for some of the city's specialty food trucks serving fresh empanadas and quality ice cream for a pick-me-up!
Day 2: Fiesta Gaucha Adventure
Not far from Buenos Aires, you'll find a 250-acre (101 ha) working estancia (ranch) with grassy hills, meadows, and forests. Your hosts will welcome you with a light snack of empanadas accompanied by a glass of wine or a soft drink. Then take your pick between spending the morning on foot with a guided walk or heading out on horseback to see the ranch. Either way, you'll work up an appetite, which is a good thing, as lunch offers a generous asado (barbecue) of meat, vegetables, salads, and desserts.
The fun doesn't stop there: after lunch, you'll be treated to a folk music performance and an exciting horseback demonstration. You'll learn about gaucho culture and history and have the chance to ask any burning questions. Sit back and enjoy the customary tea and pastries as you and the kids savor your foray into a different world. As evening draws near, your guide will drive you back into the city for dinner and a relaxing evening.
Day 3: Paraná River Delta Cruise
After breakfast at your hotel, take the kids out on the water today with a private cruise around the Paraná River Delta. Formed by thousands of islands, many of which are uninhabited, there's plenty to see. You and the kids will be able to spot more than 100 species of birds and water plants as you boat through several of the hundreds of rivers and streams that make up the delta. Your vessel, the Afrodita, is a restored flatboat with a comfortable wood-covered interior and plenty of deck space to sit out in the sun.
You'll depart from San Fernando Port, and your captain will select the best route depending on the weather and water level. You'll head either toward the Río de la Plata or the Río Luján and Vinculación Canal. Regardless of which way you sail, at lunchtime, the crew will drop anchor in a scenic spot for you to enjoy a delicious meal. Relax and take the kids for a swim, or sit in the sun while they splash around and listen to some good music. Slow your pace a little and get the kids to observe the birdlife around you. Head back to your hotel in the late afternoon, refreshed and ready for tomorrow's adventures.
Day 4: Fly to Puerto Iguazú, Explore
Your family will get a change of climate and scenery today as you catch a flight to the tropical Iguazú Falls. Most famous for the spectacular waterfalls nearby, Puerto Iguazú has multiple attractions to explore once you've arrived and settled at your hotel. Families with animal and bird fans will love the Güirá Oga animal shelter just 3 miles (5 km) out of town. Take a guided tour to learn more about the facility's rescue work while getting up close to over 450 bird species. You'll also meet monkeys, anteaters, caimans, and capybaras―all of which are sure to be a hit with the kids.
From here, take your family to El Jardin de los Picaflores to observe 20 species of native hummingbirds and countless butterflies. Make the most of being on the border of three countries and head to a viewpoint where you'll be able to peer into Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Tick souvenir shopping off your list by timing your visit to the regular handicrafts market held there. Afterward, head back into town for a casual dinner.
Day 5: Explore Iguazú Falls (Argentina)
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Rise and shine this morning and beat the crowds, as today you'll visit the Argentinian side of the Iguazú National Park. Home to over 165,560 acres (67,000 ha) of protected subtropical flora, this Natural World Heritage Site is packed with trees, vines, ferns, butterflies, birds, and mammals―and, of course, unforgettable waterfalls. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as the best views come with a bit of a hike and some moisture! Dine at one of the on-site restaurants or bring a picnic to have lunch with a view.
Your guide will tailor the tour to your family's needs and the weather, but generally, you'll head to the highlight―Devil's Throat―first before it gets too busy. The centerpiece of Iguazú, this impressive horse-shoe bend series of falls comprises over 63.566 cubic feet (1,800 c m) of water falling mightily down a 262-foot (80 m) drop. If your kids are too young to complete the 2.4-mile (4 km) walkway, there's also the option of a scenic train. Next, walk the Upper Trail and look down over the major falls on your way to the San Martin Waterfall for views of the Brazilian side of the falls.
Day 6: Explore Iguazú Falls (Brazil), Visit a Bird Park
Head over the border today into the Brazilian sister park, Iguassu (be sure to bring your passports). This is where you and the kids can take the walkway to Floriano Falls. Enjoy the incredible river views and the Devil's Gorge Canyon, one of the biggest falls. From this angle, you and the kids can take photos of the constant rainbow that can be seen there before riding an elevator up to the shopping and restaurant area.
After you've finished, head next door to the Parque Das Aves (Bird Park). You and the kids will love the rare tropical birds, including macaws, toucans, and flamingoes, flying in large subtropical forest nurseries. Take your budding ornithologists inside the enclosures and observe the jewel-colored birds close up. You'll also see caimans, anacondas, boas, monkeys, and butterflies. Afterward, your driver will take you back over the border and to your accommodation in Puerto Iguazú.
Day 7: Fly to Salta, City Tour
Today you'll take a flight to the charming city of Salta. Founded in 1582, this Spanish colonial city is packed with historic streets, imposing cathedrals, and fascinating museums. The best way to see the sights is by taking a guided tour. Typically, you'll start at the Main Square, which is lined with historic buildings such as the San Bernardo Convent and the Cathedral. Then pay your respects at the Tomb of General Martín Miguel de Güemes, a local hero in the struggle for independence. Nearby you'll find the beautiful Baroque and neoclassical church of San Francisco.
Next, you and the kids will head to the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology, most famous for its collection of three mummified Inca children, offered in sacrifice more than 500 years ago. Only one child is on display at a time in order better to preserve them, but the museum offers an extensive tour and exhibitions of the objects found with them. From here, continue to other sights until you come to the picturesque village of San Lorenzo, a favorite destination for summer holidays. On your way back, stop off at the Salta Crafts Market, the country's oldest handcraft market, housed in an 18th-century building.
Day 8: Trip to Salinas Grandes
Today your family will head out on one of the world's most scenic roads as you travel from Salta along the alpine road to Salinas Grandes. On this stunning route, you'll see mountains that rival the Swiss Alps, cacti forests hundreds of years old, and seemingly endless plateaus. At Purmamarca, see if the kids can spot seven layers of color in the beautiful rocky terrain and enjoy some time in the little artisan village there. As you hit the road again, get the kids to keep their eyes peeled for the wild vicuñas and groups of domesticated llamas.
As you glide down the road from the high desert plateau to the Salinas Grandes basin, your eyes will be met by an 82-square mile (212 sq km) series of salt flats. Walk among the salt crystals left behind by the extreme temperatures and take photographs of the extraordinary sight. Around the plains are several communities that harvest the salt using man-made crystallization pools. Take a few moments to learn how they do it before stopping in the small town of Alfarcito for lunch. You'll find a handicrafts market here, and the kids will love visiting the local llama farm. Afterward, head back to Salta.
Day 9: Scenic Drive to Cafayate
Today you'll head south from Salta to Cafayate, one of Argentina's most important wine production centers. This popular tourist destination has nevertheless retained a small-town feel and is the perfect place to relax. The scenery along the drive is impressive, and your first stop-off, the Dique Cabra Corral, or "water mirror," will allow you breathtaking views of the mountains reflected in the lake.
You'll also visit the Quebrada del Río Las Conchas, known as "The Amphitheater," a large, semi-enclosed rock formation renowned for its acoustics (the kids can have a bit of fun with that!). When you arrive in Cafayate, take a sightseeing tour of the town and visit one of its famous wine cellars for a tasting and lunch. After a leisurely break, your driver will take you back to Salta for the evening.
Day 10: Fly to Buenos Aires, Depart
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