Customize Your Tour

Nature has favored Argentina with some of the most lavish and legendary scenery on the continent; from the thunderous Iguassu Falls, to the stunning alpine scenery of the Lake District, to the jagged mountains of Patagonia that stretch south to Tierra del Fuego.  The second largest country in South America, Argentina’s northern regions are blessed with an abundance of stellar attributes such as established vineyards, the Amazon’s pristine Yacutinga Reserve, and the dramatic Andean deserts dotted with Indian villages.  The great central plains of the Pampas hold safe the traditions of the old Wild West as the famed gauchos, Argentine cowboys, continue to practice a way of life that has all but vanished elsewhere.  Argentina also claims high marks on the international polo scene.  The Peninsula Valdes encompasses vital habitats for penguins, sea elephants, guanacos, rheas and whales.  Few cities can outdo Buenos Aires for style and sophistication with its architecture reminiscent of Paris.  City lovers will appreciate the vitality of its nightlife and the wealth of museums, cultural venues, elegant boutiques and cafes.  It is also the birthplace of the passionate tango dance.   Argentina’s variety and vitality engage travelers from the very beginning. Experience this majestic country on a luxury Argentina tour with Big Five.

Suggested Argentina Tour Itinerary
Day 1:  Buenos Aires, Argentina
Day 2:  Buenos Aires
Day 3:  Buenos Aires - The Pampas
Day 4:  Buenos Aires / Iguassu Falls
Day 5:  Iguassu Falls
Day 6:  Iguassu Falls / Bariloche
Day 7:  Bariloche
Day 8:  Bariloche / Depart

Custom Argentina Travel Options

The Pampas (3 days)
At historic estancias, working ranches, gauchos use traditional skills that have all but disappeared elsewhere.  
 
Mendoza (3 days)
This region is recognized for producing fine wines and as a gateway to Chile over the great Andean range. 

Glaciers National Park (4 days)
Here are some of nature’s most dramatic and elegant ice landscapes such as Perito Moreno Glacier.

Peninsula Valdez (3 days)
The peninsula provides habitat to wildlife, including sea lion, sea elephant, whale, guanaco and Magellan penguins.

Tierra del Fuego National Park (3 days)
At the extreme end of the Americas, a unique train ride travels to the “End of the World.”

Salta (4 days)
Salta is home to stunning Spanish colonial architecture as well as an ancient Incan road to Humahuaca Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Yacutinga Reserve (3 days)
Yacutinga Lodge & Wildlife Nature Reserve offers an extraordinary nature experience.

About Argentina Luxury Travel

Buenos Aires:  Buenos Aires, like most thriving metropolises, has something for everyone in its landscaped parks and gardens, football stadiums, restaurants, horse racing, golf courses and theaters.  But Buenos Aires has one thing no other city has – the tango!  Romantic, vigorous, and passionate, the tango is a product of the city where it was born.  For those who fancy a turn on the dance floor, professional tango instructors offer lessons, and tango shows can be found in night clubs and at dinner shows.  The city is a joy for shoppers with areas such as Florida Street, San Martin Plaza and in San Telmo, where antiques abound.  The Italian Boca district, Palermo Park, and Recoleta Cemetery add to the city’s charm.  

Iguassu Falls:  ‘Big Water,’ is a massive waterfall that borders Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.  This horseshoe-shaped curtain of water tumbles down a wide gorge in a series of gigantic waterfalls about two miles long and more than 240 feet high.  Multihued mist rises high above the falls, and luxuriant flowers, ferns, tropical plants, butterflies and exotic birds thrive.  From the Argentine side, visitors can see some 275 cascades tumbling into Devil’s Gorge.  The Rainforest Ecological Train ride ends at the gorge.  Walkways and overlooks reward visitors with incredible views. 

San Carlos de Bariloche:  San Carlos de Bariloche, often called simply Bariloche, is on the shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake, with the Patagonian Steppe to the east and the rugged Andes to the west.  In the heart of the Lake District, Bariloche reflects the architectural influences of German, Swiss and English, all in a setting of glacial lakes, rivers and peaks.  Cerro Catedral is one of the most important ski centers in South America.  From this luxurious landscape, a satisfying menu of adventures include skiing, fishing, nature hikes, mountain climbing, and boating.

Mendoza:  Founded in 1561, Mendoza is brimming with history.  A major road between Argentina and Chile runs through Mendoza, making it a frequent stop for climbers on their way to scale Mt. Aconcagua (highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere).  Mendoza enjoys an outdoor attitude with its proximity to the Andes.  It is popular for sport enthusiasts interested in mountaineering, hiking, horseback riding, rafting, and, in winter, snow skiing.  Two of the main industries are wine making and olive oil production.  Argentina’s wine-making traditions date back to the 16th century when a Chilean friar planted the first cuttings. 

The Pampas:  The great plains in the heartland recall the romance and daring of the Wild West.  Gauchos, Argentine cowboys, still work on traditional cattle ranches, estancias, in the Pampas.  Some of these historic estancias have added luxurious accommodations for visitors.  Guests witness the gauchos in action on horseback.  The fit and adventurous can even opt to join a cattle drive. 

Salta & the Northwest:  Salta, founded in 1582, boasts some of the nation’s best-preserved colonial architecture.  An ancient Inca road leads into the Humahuaca Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Its hillsides are cast in horizontal bands of color – rust, yellow, and green for the minerals in the soil.  The area is a repository of Indian culture, history, music, religion and art that can be glimpsed in Tilcara’s archaeological museum and at an old Indian fortress.  From November to March, Salta’s countryside warrants a side trip with its picturesque villages, vineyards, and the rugged canyons of Cafayate.  From April to October, the “Train to the Clouds” travels a thrilling zigzag route through mountain passes up to 12,500 feet.

El Calafate & Glaciers National Park:  In 1927, El Calafate was designed as a place of shelter for wool traders, and with the hopes that it would attract settlers.  On the shores of Lago Argentino, the Patagonian village is an ideal base to explore Los Glaciares National Park, including the Perito Moreno Glacier.  Patagonia has a splendid variety of outdoor activities such as bird watching, mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking Mt. Frías.  The massive ice wall of Perito Moreno Glacier carries on noisily splitting off great chunks that fall 200 feet to the lake.   

Tierra Del Fuego National Park:  Ushuaia is the world’s southernmost city, and is set on the banks of the Beagle Channel.  The “Train to the End of the World” chugs through remote forests and snowy peaks to reach the dramatic Tierra del Fuego.  A short cruise along Beagle Channel visits the bird-rich Lobos Island.

Yacutinga Reserve:  Sights and sounds of the jungle add to the experience of the primitive interior in the Iguassu National Park.  Reached only by boat on the Iguassu River, Yacutinga Lodge & Wildlife Nature Reserve sits in the northernmost area of Misiones, a place of wide rivers, reddish clay soil, and subtropical weather.  Specialized park rangers guide guests on excursions while a resident biologist presents lectures about the fascinating world of the park’s animals and ecosystem. 
 

Best Times to Go to Argentina
Festivals and Special Events

• Seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere.  Buenos Aires is ideal in fall, March – May; and spring is September - November, when temperatures are mild.

• Plan a trip to Patagonia and the southern Andes in summer, December - March, when days are longer and warmer.

• June - August is winter and the best time for the Northwest.  Rain and heat subside.  During spring, August – October, the Northwest has pleasant temperatures yet fewer crowds.  This is also an ideal time to visit Iguassu Falls as the spring colors are at their brightest.

• Towards the end of February, the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia in Mendoza lasts a week, and celebrates the grape harvest.  It is a great time to sample Mendoza's finest wines. 

• Argentina is polo country between March and May, and September through December.  It hosts the world's biggest polo event, the Argentine Open Polo Championships, usually in late November at the polo grounds in Palermo, near Las Cañitas neighborhood of Buenos Aires.