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Buenos Aires, Salta, Iguazu, Mendoza & Patagonia: Argentina & Patagonia Highlights

Buenos Aires, Salta, Iguazu, Mendoza & Patagonia: Argentina & Patagonia Highlights

Argentina
25 Days

Overview

This 25-day private Argentina itinerary covers the full range of the country in one coherent sequence — arriving in Buenos Aires, flying north to Iguazú Falls for both sides of the waterfalls, continuing to Salta for the Quebrada de Humahuaca UNESCO site and Salinas Grandes, then Cafayate for Torrontés wine tastings, Mendoza for two days of private bodega visits in Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, Bariloche and the Lake District for Nahuel Huapi navigation and Isla Victoria, Península Valdés for whale watching and the Punta Tombo penguin colony, El Chaltén for the Fitz Roy trekking circuit, El Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glacier, and finally Ushuaia for the Beagle Channel navigation and Tierra del Fuego National Park. Seven domestic flights connect the regions, all pre-arranged with private transfers at both ends so no connection day is also a lost day. This is the itinerary to choose when you have three weeks and want to see Argentina properly rather than quickly.

  • Seven Domestic Flights, Zero Coordination Gap: IGR → SLA → MDZ → BRC → REL → FTE → USH — each connection has private transfers pre-arranged on both ends, confirmed before departure so flight delays don't cascade into lost activities on arrival days.

  • Wine Country — Two Full Days: Day 10 covers the Catena Zapata universe in Luján de Cuyo (Caro, Catena Zapata, Casa El Enemigo). Day 11 covers the Uco Valley (Salentein, Domaine Bousquet, Andeluna with a gourmet Tupungato lunch). Two dedicated wine days rather than one rushed circuit.

  • Patagonia — Seven Full Days: El Chaltén's Laguna de los Tres trail, Laguna Torre trail, the Perito Moreno Glacier walkways, Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers Navigation, the Beagle Channel navigation, and Tierra del Fuego canoeing circuit.

  • Private Guides & Transfers in Every Destination: Every region is explored with expert private local guides and dedicated private transfers, providing personalized experiences, complete flexibility, and seamless logistics from the moment you arrive until you depart each destination.

  • Fully Customizable: This private 20-day Argentina tour extends naturally to Torres del Paine across the border from El Calafate, or to an Antarctica cruise from Ushuaia for travelers who want to push the journey further south.

Trip Highlights

The signature moments that make this journey unforgettable.

  • Explore Buenos Aires with a private guide through San Telmo, La Boca, Recoleta, and Puerto Madero

  • Visit both sides of Iguazú Falls — Argentine close-up trails and Brazilian panoramic walkway

  • Tour Salta's colonial center and the Cafayate wine valley with Torrontés tastings

  • Taste Catena Zapata's portfolio and the Uco Valley's organic producers in Mendoza

  • Navigate Lake Nahuel Huapi to Isla Victoria and the Arrayanes Forest in Bariloche

  • Watch Southern Right Whales at Península Valdés and walk among penguins at Punta Tombo

  • Trek to Laguna de los Tres beneath Fitz Roy in El Chaltén

  • Stand before Perito Moreno Glacier from the elevated walkways in El Calafate

  • Navigate the Beagle Channel past Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse in Ushuaia

  • Trek and canoe in Tierra del Fuego National Park to Lapataia Bay

Itinerary

Day 1

A private transfer from Ezeiza (EZE) or Aeroparque (AEP) to your hotel in Palermo. The rest of the day is free for the neighborhood's restaurants, parks, and art galleries.

Day 2

A domestic flight north to Iguazú (IGR). Private transfer to your rainforest hotel, with the subtropical canopy visible from the terrace.

Day 3

A full day inside Iguazú National Park on the Argentine side — the Lower Circuit at the base of the falls, the Upper Circuit from above, and the ecological train to the Garganta del Diablo where the river disappears into 150 meters of permanent spray.

Day 4

The border crossing to Brazil is managed by your driver. The Brazilian side delivers the wide-angle view of all 275 falls simultaneously — the counterpart to yesterday's close-up Argentine experience.

Day 5

A domestic flight to Salta (SLA). An afternoon guided city tour including the MAAM museum (Llullaillaco Inca mummies at 6,739 meters), San Bernardo Hill by cable car, and the colonial Cabildo. In the evening, a traditional peña with live folk music.

Day 6

A drive through the Quebrada del Toro to the Salinas Grandes at 3,450 meters, crossing the Cuesta de Lipán at 4,170 meters before descending to Purmamarca and the Hill of Seven Colors.

Day 7

Free day to explore Salta at your own pace — the colonial center, local markets, and artisan shops. In the evening, enjoy the city's folk peñas, traditional venues where live Andean and gaucho folk music accompanies regional dishes like locro and empanadas, a signature Salta experience.

Day 8

A full-day circuit north from Salta into Jujuy Province — Purmamarca and the Hill of Seven Colors; the Pucará de Tilcara pre-Inca hilltop fortress; Maimará's Painter's Palette Hill; Uquía's 17th-century church with Cusqueña paintings of armed archangels found almost nowhere else in South America; and the Tropic of Capricorn crossing at Huacalera before the colonial market town of Humahuaca. Return to Salta for the overnight.

Day 9

A drive south from Salta along Route 68 through the Quebrada de las Conchas — the red-rock canyon carved by the Calchaquí River, with stops at the Amphitheater, the Devil's Throat, the Obelisk, and the Castles rock formations en route to Cafayate. Private tastings at El Esteco, Piattelli, or El Porvenir in the afternoon. The return follows the same Route 68 north, with the canyon light shifting on the same formations in the opposite direction.

Day 10

A domestic flight from Salta (SLA) to Mendoza (MDZ) — routes connect via Buenos Aires Aeroparque with a brief transit. A private transfer from Mendoza Airport to your hotel, with the rest of the afternoon free for the city center and a first glass of Uco Valley Malbec.

Day 11

A full day with the Catena Zapata family's three labels — over a century of Argentine viticulture across four generations, and the producers who first brought Mendoza Malbec to international recognition. Private tours and tastings at each property.

Day 12

A high-altitude wine day in the Uco Valley at three of its most prestigious producers: Salentein, Domaine Bousquet (Argentina's largest certified organic producer), and Andeluna Cellars with a gourmet lunch overlooking Volcán Tupungato.

Day 13

A domestic flight to Bariloche (BRC) and an afternoon private drive along the Circuito Chico — Nahuel Huapi Lake, Llao Llao Peninsula viewpoint, and Cerro Campanario.

Day 14

A private boat tour to Isla Victoria and the Arrayanes Forest — one of the few native arrayán forests in the world, recognizable by its cinnamon-colored bark.

Day 15

Free day to enjoy Bariloche at your own pace before departure. Stroll along the shores of Lago Nahuel Huapi, visit the Centro Cívico with its iconic stone-and-wood architecture and panoramic lake views, and explore the city's chocolate shops — Bariloche is famous throughout Argentina for its artisanal chocolate, a must-try before heading out.

Day 16

A domestic flight to Trelew (REL) with a direct stop at Punta Tombo, one of the largest Magellanic penguin colonies in South America. Private transfer to Puerto Madryn for the overnight.

Day 17

A full day inside the Península Valdés UNESCO reserve — boat excursion from Puerto Pirámides for Southern Right Whale encounters in the sheltered nursing bays, then the drive to Caleta Valdés for elephant seal and sea lion colonies.

Day 18

A domestic flight to El Calafate (FTE) and a private transfer across the Patagonian steppe to El Chaltén.

Day 19

22 km round trip | 960m elevation gain | 8–9 hours | Challenging

A private transfer from El Chaltén to the Río Eléctrico trailhead, 18 km north of the village, cuts the standard approach in half and adds roughly 90 minutes of actual trail time to the day. From the trailhead, a full day ascending through lenga and ñire forest past the Piedras Blancas hanging glacier to the glacial lagoon at 3,054 meters below Fitz Roy.

Day 20

~18 km round trip | ~450m elevation gain | ~6 hours | Moderate

A hike west through the Fitz Roy River canyon to Laguna Torre, where Cerro Torre's 3,128-meter granite spire and the floating icebergs of Glaciar Grande fill the view. A gentler day than the previous, with a private transfer to El Calafate in the afternoon.

Day 21

Full-day excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. Walk along the pasarelas (viewing walkways) for panoramic views of the glacier's towering ice walls, then board a boat for a one-hour navigation right in front of the glacier's face, getting up close to its massive ice formations. Optional: mini-trekking on the glacier itself, walking on the ice with crampons alongside a certified guide (subject to availability, additional cost).

Day 22

A full-day navigation through Lake Argentino's floating icebergs to Upsala Glacier — one of the largest in South America — and Spegazzini Glacier, whose ice face rises over 130 meters, reachable only by water.

Day 23

A domestic flight to Ushuaia (USH) — the southernmost city in the world. An afternoon navigation of the Beagle Channel past sea lion and bird colonies and the Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse.

Day 24

A coastal trek through Tierra del Fuego National Park past Yamana archaeological sites to Lake Roca, followed by a canoe descent of the Lapataia River to Lapataia Bay, where Pan-American Route 3 ends.

Day 25

A private transfer to Ushuaia Airport (USH) for your flight back to Buenos Aires and onward international connections.

Southwind Experience

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  • Transportation throughout the trip

  • Accommodation

  • Expert local guides

  • Full support from your Travel Agent before, during, and after the trip

  • International or domestic flights

  • Personal expenses and optional activities

To start this journey, travelers will arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s main international gateway, and connect with domestic flights to explore the country.

  • Arrival Flight: Traveler flies from origin city to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) or Aeroparque (AEP), then connects with a domestic flight to Iguazú (IGR).

  • Domestic Flight: Traveler flies from Iguazú (IGR) to Salta (SLA).

  • Domestic Flight: Traveler flies from Salta (SLA) to Mendoza (MDZ).

  • Domestic Flight: Traveler flies from Mendoza (MDZ) to Bariloche (BRC).

  • Domestic Flight: Traveler flies from Bariloche (BRC) to Trelew (REL).

  • Domestic Flight: Traveler flies from Trelew (REL) to El Calafate (FTE).

  • Domestic Flight: Traveler flies from El Calafate (FTE) to Ushuaia (USH).

  • Departure Flight: At the end of the itinerary, travelers take a domestic flight from Ushuaia (USH) back to Buenos Aires (EZE/AEP) for onward international connections.

What our travelers say

S

Simon Phillips

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Southwind from the planning stages to delivery of the trip in Patagonia were faultless and I really love the little reminders sent for each separate stage and really appreciated the added bits around passport checking and border crossing paperwork. The whole team was super friendly, and for our trip with Fernando he was great company and knew where to stop for refreshments and a view! We would strongly recommend southwind, they go the extra mile on service and have a permanent smile. Thank you guys you were faultless.

S

Sameer Phanse

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I had a great experience with Southwind. They organized a tour for us to visit Monte Leon from El Calafate. Fernando & Laura organized the logistics and were very helpful. Martin accompanied us on the tour and doubled up as driver and tour guide, which was beyond our expectations. We saw a lot of wildlife en route, as well as in the park with Martin’s help. I highly recommend Southwind for your Patagonia experience.

F

Franco Peverelli

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The agency proved to be extremely professional. During the long transfer, in an impeccably clean and perfectly maintained vehicle, Mr. Fernando was very attentive to ensure that everything went smoothly. I highly recommend this agency for organizing your trips to South America. Only 5 stars because I can't give more!

J

Joanna Green

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Maria and her team looked after us so well. I would recommend them in a flash. It was 20 years since I had been to El Calafate so I didn't know what to expect. It had changed so much! Maria was helpful, honest, well priced and a pleasure to work with. You could not ask for more. We had the best time thanks to Maria and her organisation. Fernando was our driver to a tour and a delight. Punctual, knowledgeable and all round wonderful. Gracias!!

R

Rosa Puech

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A fabulous company to travel with: the sequencing of the trip, the guides proposed, the suggestions for the area. We highly recommend this travel agency for Patagonia. Fernando is top+top.

M

Martin Bride

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★

Gerardo drove us on a bespoke 8- day trip from Salta up into the wilderness where the 🦩 come to get pink. We had a great time in this spectacular region.

E

Esteban Riminucci

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Exelente asesoramiento de Maria Laura , muy buen servicio y cordialidad de los coordinadores , muy recomendables !!

P

Paulo Fanti

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Muy buena la atención tanto por WhatsApp como en las excursiones. Puntuales en las búsquedas en el hotel... De las excursiones que llevo hechas (todas excelentes) la atención, la coordinación y el conocimiento de los guías es muy bueno. Un excelente servicio, lo recomiendo!

A

Ana Zugarramurdi

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Amazing company and experience. We did the Todo Glaciares boat tour in the Premium Lounge and it was beyond expectations! Great staff, great cruise and food! Highly recommended!

Google

Average rating

4.9 ★

Where to stay

Amerian Hotel Iguazú

Amerian Hotel Iguazú

Iguazu & Ibera Wetlands , Puerto Iguazu

Alma del Lago Suites

Alma del Lago Suites

Bariloche & Lake District , Bariloche

Bulnes Eco Suites

Bulnes Eco Suites

Buenos Aires , Buenos Aires

Hostería El Puma

Hostería El Puma

Perito Moreno & Los Glaciares National Park , El Chalten

Mirador del Lago Hotel

Mirador del Lago Hotel

Perito Moreno & Los Glaciares National Park , El Calafate

How to Customize This Itinerary

This itinerary is a foundation, not a fixed template — we shape it around what draws you to Argentina in the first place.

  • Add extra nights in El Chaltén for Laguna Torre or Loma del Pliegue Tumbado.

  • Extend in El Calafate with the Todo Glaciares navigation to Upsala and Spegazzini.

  • Add Ushuaia Vinciguerra Glacier trekking for a second high-altitude day above the city.

  • Extend in Bariloche with kayaking on Lake Mascardi or mountain biking at Cerro Catedral.

Every adjustment is shaped around what the trip means to you, then re-engineered with the same private logistics as the original route.

Let's plan your adventure!

Customize your adventure!

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