01
Buenos Aires
Begin your adventure in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, and consider visiting the following:
- Begin your adventure in Buenos Aires at the renowned Teatro Colón, an opera house celebrated for its breathtaking architecture and exceptional acoustics. This iconic venue is a must-see.
- After soaking in the beauty of Teatro Colón, take a short stroll to the Obelisco, a prominent landmark situated on Avenida 9 de Julio, the widest avenue in the world. This impressive monument commemorates the 400th anniversary of Buenos Aires.
- From the Obelisco, make your way to the Palacio de Aguas Corrientes. This stunning building is known for its architectural beauty and historical significance, providing a glimpse into Buenos Aires’ past.
- Next, head to the Recoleta Cemetery, famous for its ornate mausoleums and as the final resting place of many of Argentina’s notable figures. As you wander through this unique cemetery, you can appreciate the intricate designs and learn about the individuals who shaped Argentina’s history. Although it is quite easy to visit the cemetery on your own, consider joining a tour to get the most out of your visit.
- After your visit to the cemetery, proceed to El Ateneo Grand Splendid, one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores housed in a former theater. A unique shop that you won’t see in many other places.
Travel Tip: Get a SUBE card to travel by bus or the underground/metro. This is a rechargeable card like the Oyster card in London which can be bought and topped up at many ‘kioskos‘ throughout the town or at the airport within the Open 25 hs Drugstores or Tourist Information Desks. Be mindful that the last bus out of the airport is at 23.09.
Extra tip: if you don’t have a SUBE card or have run out of money, you can ask a local to tap in for you in exchange for cash.
02
Buenos Aires
- On your second day, start by exploring El Caminito in La Boca. This vibrant street is famous for its colorful buildings and lively street art, reflecting the area’s rich immigrant history and cultural heritage.
- While you’re in La Boca, seek out a local café or cultural center where you can participate in a Yerba Maté tasting or workshop. This experience will introduce you to Argentina’s traditional drink and its cultural significance.
Alternatively, consider exploring some of Buenos Aires’ many museums or embark on a day trip to Tigre Delta.
If you’re interested in venturing into Uruguay, ferries from Buenos Aires take approximately 2.5 to 4 hours and typically cost around £160. A more budget-friendly option is to take a bus; however, this will require significantly more travel time. For those opting for a day trip, catch an early ferry around 7:30 AM and return around 10 PM; ideally, you would want to spend more time exploring.
03
Salta
Salta is a charming city that invites exploration on foot. Visit local parks and Plaza 9 de Julio, along with several historic churches. If you enjoy driving, consider renting a car here as it will make the next few days easier for you to get around.
- Plaza 9 de Julio is a great place to visit and surround yourself with colonial architecture. Take a seat at one of the benches and read a book or relax.
- If you’re interested in seeing mummies discovered at high altitudes consider visiting the Museo de Arqueologia de Alta Montana. There is an entrance fee for this museum.
- If you’re a fan of seeing the city from up high consider taking the San Bernardo Cable Car to take you to the summit. This is a popular attraction at sunset.
- If you’re interested in taking a break and going where locals go, consider going to Parque San Martin which has some street food, boating, and other activities. Consider combining this with the cable car as they are close by.
- If you love hiking, consider taking a short trip outside of the centre of Salta and visit San Lorenzo.
Take a bus in the evening to Tilcara using bus companies like Balut or Andesmar. The bus will take at least 3.5 hours so consider this in your planning.
04
Tilcara & Humahuaca
Use Tilcara as your base if you’re relying on public transport.
Humahuaca
Purmamarca
05
Salinas Grandes
Plan a visit to Salinas Grandes (Salt Flats). Given their distance from Tilcara, consider hiring a car or joining a guided tour for convenience. If you’ve recently visited salt flats in Bolivia, you might find this experience less impressive and choose to skip it instead. If so, consider visiting Cafayate or adding an extra day elsewhere in your itinerary.
06
Purmamarca
Take a local bus from Tilcara to Humahuaca for another scenic adventure. The area is rich with natural beauty of the stunning Hill of Seven Colors (Cerro de los Siete Colores) and cultural heritage. Ensure you explore Humahuaca’s charming town center before returning.
Travel Tip: If you’re planning to travel to Chile’s San Pedro de Atacama afterwards, check for direct buses from Purmamarca as this could save both time and money; otherwise, you’ll need to return to Salta.
07
Salta – Iguazú
If time permits, consider visiting Cafayate’s wine region on a tour departing from Salta, otherwise, catch a flight from Salta to Iguazú via Buenos Aires. It’s advisable to book flights early since prices can start at £65 but may increase significantly during peak season.
If you’re booking last minute, traveling by bus might be an option; however, it will take at least 24 hours and could cost as much as flying. Be aware that bus tickets also sell out well in advance, so if you want to visit Iguazu waterfalls be sure to plan in advance.
08
Iguazú Falls (Brazil)
- The Argentinian side allows for closer encounters with the waterfalls.
- Meanwhile the Brazilian side offers stunning perspectives from afar. If you’re heading north into Brazil afterward, visit the Argentinian side first.
Modern public buses connect you directly to Iguazú Falls from major towns on both sides of the border. These buses will wait for you at immigration points (there are two immigration offices) so hiring a guide isn’t necessary.
Travel Tip: Be mindful of potential delays when crossing borders during high season; it’s advisable not to schedule border crossings on days when you have flights out of Iguazú planned. Typically border control should take no longer than an hour.
09
Iguazú Falls (Argentina)
- The Argentine side features extensive walking trails through lush rainforest teeming with wildlife and provides close-up views of numerous waterfalls. Expect this side to take half a day if rushed or up to a full day if you wish to leisurely explore all paths and activities available.
- Additionally, boat rides on the Argentine side are generally more affordable than those offered on the Brazilian side while offering longer experiences.
- For those seeking an aerial view of Iguazú Falls, helicopter tours are also available.
- You can combine this visit with a trip to the nearby bird park if desired.
10
Iguazú – El Calafate
Iguazu waterfalls
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11
Calafate & Los Glaciers National Park
Upon arriving in Calafate, you can easily access either Calafate town center or El Chaltén via direct buses—this flexibility allows for an efficient itinerary regardless of which order you choose. While Calafate itself has limited attractions worth seeing beyond being a gateway to Perito Moreno Glacier, it serves as an excellent overnight stop before venturing into Los Glaciers National Park.
Be sure to book glacier tours ahead of your arrival.
Travel Tip: Walking on the Perito Moreno glacier offers a unique experience that is well worth the money despite its high price tag. This was our favourite experience in South America.
12
El Chaltén
- Laguna Torre and Laguna de los Tres. If you’re wanting to also visit the Pedras Blancas Glacier (turn left when descending from Laguna de los Tres) and when return from there, consider walking via Laguna Capri which is on your way when walking down.
- Another walk to consider is Laguna Sucia as this is also in a similar area, but I would not suggest doing it all in one day for most people.
Travel Tip: Keep in mind that accommodation and food prices in this region tend to be significantly higher than elsewhere in Argentina.
13
El Chaltén
On this day consider hiking Loma del Pliegue Tumbado, known for its breathtaking views. Alternatively, there are other hikes such as:
- Huemul Circuit (40-mile hike)
- Chorillo del Salto (short waterfall hike). Be mindful that this walk is popular with tour groups coming from Calafate and thus it can get busy.
If you have access to a vehicle, consider exploring Lago & Glaciar Huemul as well.
14
Buenos Aires
Travel Tip: For your return journey, you can either fly back to Hanoi or opt for a more economical choice with a night bus that will take you directly to the city center of Hanoi.
Other areas to consider:
If your schedule allows for additional days in Argentina, consider visiting San Carlos de Bariloche—while there, taking a trip across the border into Puerto Varas, Chile providing opportunities for stunning views of volcanoes and marble mountains among other attractions.
Alternatively, Ushuaia presents another intriguing option best paired with visits around Chilean landscapes such as Torres del Paine National Park.
Other notable destinations include Puerto Madryn and Mendoza for further exploration within Argentina’s diverse offerings.
Penguin in Ushuaia
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