Best of Argentina

The largest city and capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires is often known for its quintessential European architecture but maintains its own strong identity through it’s rich culture. A city full of creatives, Buenos Aires is constantly reinventing itself with its population of food lovers, fashionistas, designers, and party-goers. Known as porteños, the citizens of Buenos Aires live in various eclectic neighborhoods like Recoleta, Palermo, or San Telmo, each with their own vibes and energies.

You’ll start your half-day walking tour with your guide this morning at Colón Theatre. Beside the theatre you’ll see the Obelisco, which commemorates the 400th anniversary of Buenos Aires. Throughout the year the Obelisco is often sporting different unique ‘outfits’ or designs for special occasions. Continuing on your tour you’ll visit the Plaza de Mayo Square which houses the the Cabildo, the Pink House and the old city council for a look into the governmental side of Buenos Aires.

Continuing south, you’ll walk through San Telmo, Buenos Aires’ oldest neighborhood that’s known for its extensive contemporary art museums. After some time to explore the galleries, you’ll head to La Boca for an explosion of color at its iconic “Caminito” and later, Puerto Madero, a much more modern and business oriented area of the city.

Your journey continues on in Barrio Norte where you’ll drive along the Avenue Del Libertador which is surrounded by luxurious mansions. You’ll also drive through Palermo which houses large green areas like the Woods, the Rose garden, the Japanese Garden, and the Botanical Garden. Finishing up your tour, you’ll stop in the Recoleta cemetery to see the resting places of notable Argentines like past presidents, Nobel prize winners, and even Eva Perón.

For a perfect evening of decadent cuisine and cultural entertainment, tonight you’ll dine at the Tango Rojo at the Cabaret of the Faena hotel. Here you’ll enjoy an intimate show featuring skilled dancers, vocalists, and musicians. (Dinner included)

Today after breakfast, you’ll head out with your driver and guide to visit the beautiful colonial-style Estancia Bamba de Areco for a taste of the Pampa, home of the gauchos and the cattle industry for which Argentina is so well known. Dating back to 1830 when it existed as a post house between Buenos Aires and the northern part of the country, La Bamba was converted into an estancia in the early 20th century. The estancia is steeped in tradition and history, and today serves also as a luxury hotel. Here you’ll experience delicious cuisine and a high level of service while learning of the gaucho traditions and viewing the equestrian sports that make this estancia unique.

Meet your driver and guide for your transfer to the airport for your flight to Mendoza. (Flight not included.)

Upon arrival (flight not included), you’ll meet your Exeter Latin America driver and English-speaking guide just outside baggage claim (holding a sign with your name on it) for your private transfer to your accommodations. Within Mendoza there are several fantastic hotels like Entre Cielos, The Vines, Casa de Uco or Cavas Wine Lodge. Speak with your Exeter Latin America travel planner to help decide which option best suits you.

While in Mendoza, the largest wine producing region in Argentina known particularly for Malbec, you’ll have the opportunity to visit several wineries. As you can imagine, there are numerous options that can be combined together to create full days of winery visits, wine tasting and lunches and dinners in the various regions like Lujan de Cuyo and Valle de Uco. Once your trip is confirmed, we can share with you a list of some of our favorite wineries and also suggest others based on any specific interests and preferences you may have. We’ll of course book all your visits in advance for you, with all the details listed on your final itinerary.

While in Mendoza, the largest wine producing region in Argentina, you’ll have the opportunity to visit several wineries. As you can imagine, there are several options that can be combined together to create full days of winery visits, wine tasting and lunches and dinners throughout. Upon receiving your deposit, we’ll send you a full list of our favorite wineries that we work with and based on your interests in wine we can find the perfect combination of winery visits that fit with your schedule.

While in Mendoza, the largest wine producing region in Argentina, you’ll have the opportunity to visit several wineries. As you can imagine, there are several options that can be combined together to create full days of winery visits, wine tasting and lunches and dinners throughout. Upon receiving your deposit, we’ll send you a full list of our favorite wineries that we work with and based on your interests in wine we can find the perfect combination of winery visits that fit with your schedule.

Meet your driver and guide for your transfer to the airport for your flight to San Carlos de Bariloche. (Flight not included.)

Upon arrival (flight not included), you’ll meet your Exeter Latin America driver and English-speaking guide just outside baggage claim (holding a sign with your name on it) for your private transfer to your accommodations)

San Carlos de Bariloche is a small mountain village that has garnered fame for its picturesque surroundings in the Lake District of northern Patagonia. The nearby lake, Nahuel Huapi, is a large glacial lake that can be traversed by private boat for a closer look at the natural landscape. Complete with waterfalls, dense rainforests, and delicious local microbrewed drinks, Bariloche is a must-see for visitors.

This morning after breakfast, you’ll get to experience the city of San Carlos de Bariloche with a guided walking tour that will take you to the most important areas like Campanario Hill and Llao-llao Hotel. Bariloche is located within the Nahuel Huapi National Park and while it looks like a small mountain village on the surface, it’s one of the most visited cities in Argentinian Patagonia. Enjoy a walk through nature in the Llao-llao Nature Park and take in the breathtaking views of the nearby lakes and mountains. You’ll cap off your tour today with a visit to a local microbrewery.

Afternoon at leisure.

This morning after breakfast, you’ll head out with your guide and driver to the nearby port to board a private boat to explore the waters of Brazo Tristeza. Navigate the bright blue waters and enjoy the views of the mountainous landscape dotted with waterfalls. You’ll disembark for a nature walk through the rainforest where you’ll walk along a creek before reaching the fascinating Arroyo Frey waterfall. On your walk back to the boat, you’ll stop along the shore for a delicious and peaceful lunch before boarding and returning back to port.

Today you’ll head out from the main center of Bariloche to visit Valle Encantado which borders the Limay River and is home to the Amphitheater which is a natural formation of strange rocky figures. You’ll continue walking along a winding path which will bring you to Villa Traful, a small province inside the national park with only 400 inhabitants whose livelihood relies heavily on sport fishing and trekking. Later, you’ll also visit Villa La Angostura, a mountain village with over 11,000 inhabitants that is bordered by two pristine lakes connected by a flowing river. Both villages are constructed in an Alpine-Andine style with an emphasis on wood and stone. (A nice box lunch is included today to enjoy while out exploring.)

Meet your driver and guide for your transfer to the airport for your flight El Calafate. (Flight not included.

Upon arrival (flight not included), private transfer to your accommodations.

El Calafate is known as the gateway to southern Patagonia and the world famous Los Glaciares National Park. Within Calafate, you can hike along glaciers, boat along the pristine blue waters around large icebergs, and off-road along scenic mountain trails. For those who really want to hike and have enough time, we can also include a couple nights at Estancia Cristina or further north near El Chaltén at deluxe properties such as Explora or Aguas Arriba Lodge.

This morning after breakfast, you’ll head out with your guide for your journey to the breathtaking Los Glaciares National Park. Upon entering the park you’ll begin to see the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few glaciers in the world that is in motion. Throughout your time in Los Glaciares National Park you’ll have several different views of Perito Moreno, either up close on your boat, or farther away standing on the wooden walkways that give you a more panoramic view of the glacier. Keep your eye out for signs of the glacier ‘calving’, or, breaking apart. You’ll truly be able to appreciate the size of the glacier when you see the effect of large chunks of ice falling into the water below. (This is a private tour day except for the shared boat ride.)

Today you’ll board the Maria Turquesa for a full-day tour of some of the most popular glaciers within the Patagonian Ice Field. From the well-known glaciers Spegazzini, Upsala, and Perito Moreno, you’ll spend your day mostly aboard the Maria Turquesa where you’ll enjoy the comfort and cuisine of the VIP lounge while navigating the uniquely blue waters of Punta Avellaneda, Boca del Diablo, and the Herminita Peninsula. You’ll stop to disembark at Las Vacas Station near Spegazzini Glacier for a nature walk.

Meet your driver and guide for your transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguazu Falls. (Flight not included.)

Upon arrival, you’ll meet your Exeter Latin America driver and English-speaking guide just outside baggage claim (holding a sign with your name on it) for your private transfer to your accommodations. The Gran Melia Iguazu’s location in the park gives you added flexibility with your guided tours, particularly in the event of rain, but we can also offer Belmond Hotel das Cataratas (Brazilian side) or Awasi.

Records of these waterfalls date back to 1541 when Spanish Conquistador Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca explored the area. The falls are located within two national parks on both the Brazilian and Argentinian side, with two-thirds of the falls located within the Argentinian border. During your visit of the falls, you’ll walk around the sub-tropical forest and see a great diversity of plants like ferns, orchids, and begonias, and animals, like birds and butterflies.

After breakfast this morning you’ll head out with your guide to visit the breathtaking Iguazú Falls. The majority of the Iguazú River flows through Brazil but the larger part of the falls is located on the Argentinian side which you’ll experience today. Often compared to other waterfalls around the world, like Victoria Falls, none of them can hold a candle to the immense size of Iguazú Falls. With your private guide today, you’ll traverse the walkways to enjoy panoramic views and wildlife sightings.

After breakfast this morning you’ll head out with your guide to visit the Brazilian side of the Iguazú Falls. While this is the smaller section of the falls, it is said to have better panoramic views. During your visit of this side of the falls, you’ll visit the Rivadavia Falls and the Three Musketeers Falls, which are smaller falls within Iguazú.

Afterward, your guide and driver will take you to the airport for your flight onward. (Flight not included.)