Best of Argentina: 10-Day Highlights Tour

The fast-paced, resplendent city of Buenos Aires will dazzle you with its historical charm, modern fashion, and richness of culture. Upon arriving at the bustling airport, you will be picked up at baggage claim by your private driver and transferred to your luxurious, 5-star hotel in the heart of Buenos Aires’ picturesque Palermo neighborhood. In Palermo, you will be captivated by the tree-lined streets, colorful shops, boutiques, and art galleries. The best time to visit Argentina is indisputably during spring or summer, which envelops the months of September through March. If you are visiting during that time, you are likely to encounter people who are sitting out on patios, in parks and plazas, and enjoying a mate on rooftop terraces, which is well-loved and highly caffeinated, traditional Argentine tea. You may even stumble upon a local market or street fair, which are some of the many pleasures of Argentina in its warmer months.

Once you have had time to freshen up and get settled, you will be met at your hotel by your guide who will take you on a private tour of the vividly colorful La Boca neighborhood, which is a staple of Argentine culture and a cannot-miss destination while visiting Buenos Aires. Here, you will stroll through the vibrant streets and be mesmerized by the colorful buildings and shops with the friendly shopkeepers who will call out to you to come in and have a look around their shop. With tango music playing and the steady flow of people in the quaint La Boca streets, your senses will be pleasantly delighted by all the excitement. This neighborhood is also home to Buenos Aires’ Boca Juniors professional soccer team, and you are likely to experience the passionate frenzy of a soccer match and its avid fans if you visit the area during a game. No trip to La Boca would be complete without enjoying a traditional Argentine lunch of world-class steak, Malbec red wine, and some mouthwatering empanadas if you are looking for something a bit lighter. Impromptu tango shows happen all around you, and this will be the perfect introduction to Argentina.

From La Boca, your guide will return you to your Palermo hotel where you will have time to have a rest before dinner or explore a bit on your own. Your guide will offer a list of recommendations of sights to discover nearby your hotel. The Palermo neighborhood is full of picturesque boutique shops, art galleries, restaurants, cafes, bars, and much more, making it the ideal neighborhood to traverse on your own should you be inclined. Later, your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you via private car to see a live tango show while you enjoy an exquisite Argentine dinner of world-renowned beef and wine. As you sip your perfectly aged wine, the aromas of the Argentine Parilla, or barbeque, will envelop you, and the dancers will appear on the stage. As the music begins and the couples start to dance, you will be mesmerized by the sensuality and precision of the movements in addition to the passion that exists between the pairs of dancers. You will allow all of your senses to be stirred, reveling in this glorious spectacle while delighting in an exceptional meal.

Today, you will wake up to a delicious Argentine breakfast at your hotel where your guide will pick you up for a private and guided tour of the city. On this tour, you will hit all the highlights, including the world-renowned Recoleta Cemetery, which is the final resting place of Eva Perón. You will also learn about the dark and interesting history of the city. Some of the other noteworthy sights that are included on your tour are the Bosques de Palermo, Buenos Aires’ version of Central Park, the central district of the city, and the Casa Rosada, which is the official office and mansion of the President of Argentina.

Conveniently located just next to the Centro, you will have a chance to explore the famed San Telmo open-air market. San Telmo is one of the oldest districts in Buenos Aires and is renowned for this Feria San Telmo market. Seemingly endless, the market is full of live music, impromptu tango shows, and traditional Argentine food and handicrafts. Here, You will have lunch at one of the many food stalls and delight in some of the best parillas in Buenos Aires while local vendors sell Argentine delicacies. Walk with the masses of locals and tourists alike as you soak in the sights, sounds, and delectable aromas of the market. You can stop to join the small crowd that may form around a talented violinist who is playing a sultry tune as a pair of beautiful tango dancers begin to move together in perfect unison. You will then enjoy a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice from a local street vendor as you continue to the next booth.

Once you have had your fill of the San Telmo market, you will be taken via private car back to your hotel to freshen up and have dinner at a fantastic restaurant that will be recommended by your guide. From there, you will be taken to the world-famous Teatro Colon Opera House for a sensational show. Upon entering the opera house, you will immediately be taken back by the beauty of the architecture and the intricate design of the domed roof. Like something out of a classic film, the music and atmosphere will transport you to another time. Let yourself relax and enjoy every moment of this world-class show.

In the morning, your driver will meet you in your hotel lobby for your private transfer to the airport, where you will catch a quick flight to El Calafate, which is Patagonia’s main airport. Upon your arrival, a private car will meet you outside and transfer you to board a luxury small-boat where you will spend two nights, cruising around the magnificent glaciers of Los Glaciares National Park. This opulent cruise will allow you to get up close to the glaciers and access parts of the park that are typically inaccessible to tourists. Cruise by the notable Perito Moreno glacier, which is one of the world’s most famous glaciers not only due to its enormous size but also because it is currently expanding where nearly all other of the world’s remaining glaciers are receding.

As you glide along the water, you will be struck by the immensity of the colossal glaciers and feel humbled by their imposing stature. These ineffable views may leave you shocked that something so glorious and beautiful can exist in the world. You will breathe in the clean, fresh air of beautiful Patagonia, and revel in the fact that you are nearly as far south as you can possibly be on earth.

After indulging in a gourmet breakfast that has been prepared by expert chefs, your boat cruise will continue today as you sail towards some of the park’s most remarkable glaciers, landing at various sites and disembarking the boat for exploratory hikes through the area. You will enjoy magnificent views of the lakes, mountains, and forests in addition to the well-preserved wildlife that is all around you. Drifting over the calm waters of the National Park’s vast lakes, you will feel completely at peace and in awe of the nature that surrounds you.

Enjoy a warm beverage as you sit on the boat’s upper deck, listening to the gentle chirping of birds and the sounds of nature. You will absorb the natural beauty of the region as you embark on a nature trek through the untouched forests, where you will take in the views of the vast ice fields as your experienced guides point out the flora and fauna that you encounter. Then a panoramic view of the Perito Moreno glacier will amaze you before you return to the boat for a spectacular meal that will be fit for a true gourmand. The second day of your luxury boat cruise offers a combination of relaxation and adventure in a region that remains so untouched that most people never have the opportunity to experience it.

Upon finishing the final activities of your cruise, your private car will pick you up at the boat’s docking point. From here, you will embark on the short hour-and-a-half drive to Argentina’s beautiful Lake District in Bariloche, stopping for photos at the notable places along the way. Drive through the awe-inspiring countryside of Patagonia, marveling at the vast mountains whose sharp peaks pierce through the sky and the herds of sheep that are bunched together in grand factions as they graze in never-ending roadside fields.

As you arrive in Bariloche, you will be dropped off at your luxurious lodge accommodation, which overlooks one of the fantastic lakes that is surrounded by the tremendous snow-capped mountains. Though much of the architecture in Argentina is influenced by Italy, Spain, and France, in Bariloche, the architecture that mixes with the gorgeous, imposing mountains is more reminiscent of Switzerland, earning this part of Patagonia the reputation for being the “Swiss Alps of South America.” You will never be lacking for activities to do here with options for fishing, hiking, horseback riding, sailing, and swimming or skiing, depending on the season. You can be active or relax among the serene natural beauty that is Bariloche.

Today, you will wake up to a delightful breakfast of coffee or mate and facturas, which are Argentine pastries that are notoriously filled with thick, creamy dulce de leche and covered in white powdered sugar. While you snack on your breakfast, you can admire the bright morning view of the expansive Lake District. You will spend your day exploring the enchanting town of Bariloche and walking through the charming streets, stopping into the local shops and restaurants that are recommended to you by your guide. Depending on your interests, you can go fishing, sailing, or hiking around one of the many illustrious lakes for which the region is famous.

Picture yourself sitting out on the patio of your splendid, five-star mountain lodge hotel, savoring boutique chocolate that you purchased from Bariloche’s quaint town. You can gaze out over the vast lakes that are surrounded by the alluring peaks of the Andes mountains and breathe in the crisp morning air. You may hear the wind as it whistles in the breeze and the gentle Latin music that floats out towards you from inside the lodge. You may think to yourself: “there is nowhere in the world I would rather be because this is paradise.” To many, this is paradise. With an astounding natural beauty that surrounds you on all sides, it is clear that Patagonia is one of the true highlights of Argentina’s many treasures.

Today, after finishing breakfast, your private driver will pick you up in your hotel lobby and transfer you to the airport, where you will take a quick hour-and-a-half flight to Mendoza, which is Argentina’s famed wine region. You will be dropped off at your luxurious, boutique wine lodge and spa accommodation in the heart of Mendoza, which is located at the foothills of the Andes Mountains.

Once you have settled in, you will be met at your hotel by a private guide who will take you on a curated tour of the very best local bodegas or wineries, in the area. At each bodega, many of which have been family owned and run for generations, you will listen to the stories of the winemakers and be able to appreciate their passion for their craft. At the end of the tour, you will participate in a first-rate wine tasting at one of Mendoza’s top bodegas, which is where you will experience the intricate winemaking process from start to delicious finish. This region is particularly proud of its Argentine Malbecs, which are exported internationally and are considered to be some of the best in the world. You can spend the rest of the day enjoying the town of Mendoza and treating yourself to the phenomenal food and wine.

After a savory breakfast at your boutique wine lodge hotel, you can take the day to yourself to enjoy all that Mendoza has to offer. You can explore the bodegas further on your own, and ask for the best local recommendations for food and wine in town from your guide. A popular option here is renting bicycles, which can be facilitated by your guide, and riding through the picturesque vineyards and countryside is a gorgeous sight, stopping at bodegas along the way. If you are looking for a change of pace and depending on the season, you may also have the option to go whitewater rafting or skiing. You can also luxuriate in an exclusive spa treatment that is provided by your hotel, or take advantage of the grandiose Andes nearby with a trek or nature walk.

Standing on the patio of your elegant Andean wine lodge with a glass of world-class Argentine Malbec in hand, you can look out onto the endless, winding vineyards that are lined with lovely, white stucco buildings and oversized, nut-brown wine barrels. You will be able to feel the sunlight gently kiss your face as you take a sip of your wine and enjoy the feeling of the tannins as they wash over your tongue. The bodegas against the backdrop of the snow-peaked Andes provides the perfect ambiance to reflect on your trip thus far and will encourage you to revel in this perfect moment.

Today, you will wake up early and meet your private driver outside of your hotel, where you will be picked up and transferred to the airport for a comfortable flight to Aeropuerto Internacional Cataratas Del Iguazú. At the airport, you will be met by a private driver who will take you directly to your luxurious, first-class hotel accommodation, which will be only a short drive from the Iguazu waterfalls.

You should prepare for a thrilling day of adventure and excitement with a private helicopter tour over the impressive falls and surrounding area. You will notice that the falls form a natural boundary between Argentina and Brazil, so this tour will offer you a bird’s eye view of both countries. After your helicopter tour, you will be met by your guide and taken on an easy trek down to where you will board a small boat and take a ride into the falls. Expect to be positively blown away by the raw power of the raging Iguazu Falls, which are some of the largest and most extraordinary waterfalls in the world. Viewing them from above will be like something out of a dream as the sound of the pounding waters is rivaled only by the hum of the helicopter. By boat, you will experience the magnificence of these falls firsthand, reach as close as possible with regards to safety, and be blown away by their sheer beauty and natural force.

After waking for breakfast in your hotel, your guide will collect you from the lobby for a short, guided hike to La Garganta del Diablo, or in English, The Devil’s Throat. Devil’s Throat is the park’s highest and possibly most famous waterfall. Upon arriving, those who are brave enough will walk out onto the observation deck, which takes you directly over the falls. This is the perfect place to bask in the true splendor of the falls and reminisce on the brilliant nature that you have encountered throughout Argentina. Take a moment to reflect on these incredible ten days, during which you traversed Argentina from top to bottom. From the sensual tango rhythms of Buenos Aires to the glaciers and lakes of Patagonia and from the boutique bodegas of sun-soaked Mendoza to the roaring waters of Iguazu, you have truly experienced some of the best of what magnificent Argentina has to offer.

After one last glance toward the falls, your private guide will drive you back to your hotel, where you will gather your belongings for the final time before your driver takes you to the airport for your return flight home. Reflecting on your action-packed and luxurious 10-day tour through Argentina, you will genuinely feel well-versed in all of Argentina’s highlights and come away with a deep understanding and appreciation for the country’s natural beauty and rich culture.