Argentina Essentials: Buenos Aires, Iguazú and Perito Moreno
Overview
- Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
- Departures: Private, any date
- Group size: Private, from 2 travellers
- Accommodation: Comfortable 3–4★ hotels
- Country: Argentina
Three contrasting sides of Argentina on one private trip: the cafés and neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires, the subtropical waterfalls of Iguazú, and the Perito Moreno Glacier near El Calafate in Patagonia.
Argentina is a country of great distances, and this journey uses domestic flights to connect three of its most rewarding regions in ten days. It is a good introduction for first-time visitors, couples and families who want variety without long road journeys.
You begin with three nights in Buenos Aires, enough to explore the grand avenues and neighbourhoods such as San Telmo, La Boca and Recoleta, enjoy a steak dinner and perhaps an evening of tango. Next you fly north to the subtropical forest of Iguazú National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where walkways lead to the edge of hundreds of waterfalls, including the vast Devil’s Throat.
From there you fly to El Calafate in Patagonia, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, also on the UNESCO list. Facing the front of the Perito Moreno Glacier from its network of walkways, you can watch and hear ice break away into the lake. A further day allows a boat trip on Lago Argentino or a visit to a traditional estancia. The pace is moderate, with easy walking and a few early starts for flights.
Day-by-day itinerary
You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day settling in; a walk through the leafy streets of Palermo or Recoleta is a relaxed way to start. Argentines dine late, so you can ease into the local rhythm with a late dinner.
Overnight: Buenos Aires
A private guided tour introduces the city’s main districts. See the Plaza de Mayo and the Casa Rosada, the cobbled streets of San Telmo, the colourful houses of La Boca’s Caminito and the Recoleta Cemetery, with its elaborate family mausoleums. The afternoon is free for cafés, bookshops or a museum.
Overnight: Buenos Aires · Meals: Breakfast
A day at leisure to explore at your own pace. You might visit the Sunday fair in San Telmo if your dates allow, take a trip to the river delta at Tigre, or browse the boutiques of Palermo. In the evening, a tango show or a neighbourhood milonga is a popular option.
Overnight: Buenos Aires · Meals: Breakfast
A morning flight takes you north to Puerto Iguazú, close to where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet. After checking in, the afternoon is free to relax or visit the viewpoint where the Iguazú and Paraná rivers meet. Expect warm, humid air, a sharp contrast with Buenos Aires.
Overnight: Puerto Iguazú · Meals: Breakfast
Spend a full day with a guide in Iguazú National Park. A small train and walkways bring you to the Devil’s Throat, where the river plunges into a horseshoe-shaped chasm, and the Upper and Lower Circuits give close views of dozens of other falls. Look out for coatis, toucans and butterflies in the forest. An optional boat ride close to the falls is popular with those happy to get wet.
Overnight: Puerto Iguazú · Meals: Breakfast
Today is mainly a travel day, flying from the subtropical north to Patagonia, often with a connection in Buenos Aires. You arrive in El Calafate on the shores of Lago Argentino, a small town set against the steppe and the distant Andes. Transfer to your hotel and relax.
Overnight: El Calafate · Meals: Breakfast
Drive into Los Glaciares National Park to the Perito Moreno Glacier. Walkways on the peninsula opposite the glacier front let you spend several hours watching the ice from different angles and listening for blocks calving into the water. An optional short boat ride brings you closer to the ice face.
Overnight: El Calafate · Meals: Breakfast
Choose how to spend your last day in Patagonia. One option is a boat excursion on Lago Argentino to see icebergs and other glaciers that reach the lake; another is a visit to a traditional sheep estancia for a sense of rural Patagonian life and a lamb barbecue. Your specialist can advise on what suits the season.
Overnight: El Calafate · Meals: Breakfast
Fly back to Buenos Aires and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a final evening in the city, perhaps with dinner at a traditional parrilla or a glass of Argentine Malbec in a wine bar.
Overnight: Buenos Aires · Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, and depending on your flight time, you have time for some last-minute shopping before your transfer to the international airport. San Telmo and Palermo are good areas for leather goods, books and local design. Allow plenty of time for the drive to the airport, as traffic in the city can be heavy.
Overnight: — · Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
- 9 nights’ accommodation with daily breakfast
- Private airport and hotel transfers throughout
- Domestic flights as described in the itinerary
- Private guided city tour of Buenos Aires
- Guided full-day visit to Iguazú National Park (Argentine side)
- Guided excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier
- Lago Argentino boat trip or estancia visit
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- National park entrance fees, unless confirmed as included
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Optional activities such as tango shows and boat rides
- Tips and personal expenses
Good to know
Sample itinerary: we adapt the route, hotels and dates to you and confirm everything in your written quote.
Private airport and hotel transfers, and domestic flights between Buenos Aires, Puerto Iguazú and El Calafate; flights to El Calafate often connect via Buenos Aires.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, many travellers add a half day on the Brazilian side for its panoramic views across the falls. This involves crossing an international border, so check the official entry requirements for Brazil for your nationality before you travel. An extra night in Puerto Iguazú makes this more relaxed.
Spring and autumn in the southern hemisphere, roughly October to November and March to April, combine pleasant weather in Buenos Aires with good conditions in Patagonia. Patagonian summer (December to February) is the busiest period, while some services around El Calafate are reduced in winter. Iguazú can be visited all year, though it is hot and humid in summer.
Yes, the walking is easy and the variety of city, waterfalls and glacier tends to appeal to families. The flight days are the most tiring, so younger children will appreciate the free time built into the itinerary. Ask your specialist about family-friendly rooms and activities.
