Argentina Discovery
Seasonal Information
Argentina can be an amazing, romantic country. With its beautiful sites, excellent tastes, and wonderous adventure. Argentina is truly a special experience when done right. This adult-only adventure will take you through a number of the nation’s most famous sites, and treat you to some excellent gastronomic experiences along the way.
- Buenos Aires: private walking tour, private full day tour, and 7 steps Dinner and Wine tasting.
- Salta: private walking tour, rafting, canopy, 2 days visit to the big salts and purmamarca, 3 days visit to the Calchaqui Valleys visiting Colomé and wine tasting.
- Mendoza: private wine excursion, 3 course meal with wine included.
- The Pampas: full board program at an Estancia with ranch and farm activities included.
Buenos Aires
Your trip will begin in the vibrant capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, dubbed the ‘Paris of the South’. Buenos Aires is a thriving, colourful, and bustling city. A blend of old-meets-new architecture, with colonial style and vibrant baroque buildings sat next to contemporary skyscrapers. A chequered history of occupation and independence has created a city with interesting and enlightening museums, as well as art galleries, independent cafes and restaurants, theatres, and a renowned nightlife.
Next, you will fly to the northwest of Argentina to enjoy some activities such as rafting and canopy, you will also have the chance to travel along some great landscapes.
Calchaquí Valleys
Located in northwest Argentina the Calchaquí Valley is renowned for its varied and breathtaking landscapes. Dry and arid desert plains rise into rugged rust-red mountains, and rolling foothills which are a rainbow of beige, red, pinks, and greens. Although this land sounds inhabitable, it has been inhabited for over 8000 years, and today encompass some of the best vineyards in Argentina.
Mendoza
Then onto Mendoza, the land of the wine, to revel in some wine tours in the area. After decades of hard work, the former desert of Mendoza became green, fertile land which is now renowned for its vineyards and wine production. The optimum conditions for grape cultivation are here, and some of the finest Argentine wines are produced here, with many vineyards open for visiting. The Andes mountain range can be seen from the entire Mendoza region, and Mount Aconcagua, which is the highest peak in the Americas, can be seen rising in the distance.
You will conclude the trip at the outskirts of Buenos Aires in an Estancia, where you will just relax and do some ranch and farm related activities.
Upon arrival, you will be met at Ezeiza Airport by a welcoming, English-speaking guide, who will then escort you in your private car to your hotel in the centre of the city.
Buenos Aires is a wonderful, diverse city with a unique culture and history. It has Spanish, Italian, German, and even Russian influences. Buenos Aires is the perfect place to witness this diverse blend.
Walking Tour at Recoleta
The first day will see you partake in a private tour with an English speaking guide.
Recoleta is a downtown residential neighbourhood with great historical and architectural interest, due to its Beaux-Arts architecture and its distinguished Recoleta Cemetery.
On this excursion, you will visit the main points of interest in this unique area of the city: the Alvear and Quintana avenues, the Recoleta Cemetery and the Plaza Francia. Also, important buildings such as the Palais de Glass, the Centro Cultural Recoleta, the National Art Museum, Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church, Law School and the National Bibliotheque.
Make your own way to the starting point of the tour in the Recoleta district which is the Alvear Palace hotel.
Full Day City Tour
The following day you will find yourself on a Full Day City Tour with Hidden Tour. A private service with English speaking guide.
This tour will give you great insight into Buenos Aires and its fascinating and turbulent history. Each “barrio” has its own tales to tell, which you will uncover together with your guide.
Your expert guide will adapt the tour to your personal interests and if you wish help point you in the direction of your own explorations.
Dinner & Wine Tasting at Casa Coupage
For your last day in Buenos Aires, you are welcomed to Casa Coupage for a wine tasting. After breaking the ice with informal presentations in the central yard, or watching the works of art which are exhibited in the living-room, you will move on to the principal room to start the activity. Casa Coupage is a unique space in the heart of Palermo where you can discover & interpret wine paired with delicious regional food created by the in-house chef. The participants will be able to draw their own conclusions about the marriages between 7 wines & delicious culinary meals, according to their own palate.
Day 4 marks the day you travel to Salta. You will be met at your hotel by your private driver and taken to the airport for your internal flight to Salta.
Upon Arrival you will be met and taken by private transfer to your hotel for the next 2 nights.
The Argentine Northwest is a land of contrasts, with colonial plazas, red mountains and green oasis. Indigenous culture is still alive in the traditions and folklore of this area, formerly part if the Inca Kingdom. Travel from Tafí del Valle to Quilmes along Pre-lncas ruins. From Cafayate to Salta visiting breathtaking vineyards and towns such as Molinos and Cachi in the Valles Calchaquies. Follow through Salta, La Linda (the pretty) and later from Purmamarca to Humahuaca along tiny churches and colorful hills.
Walking City Tour in Salta
After arriving, you will have this private walking tour your English-speaking guide.
An ideal tour of Salta (Known as ‘Salta La Linda’) and its surroundings, to get a general idea of the area, a bit of the historical, architectural and geographical knowledge. You will be visiting, among others, the main square, the Cathedral, the Cabildo, The San Francisco Church, San Bernardo convent, the Monument to Güemes; the San Bernardo hill from where the city is appreciated; San Lorenzo Village, a picturesque site minutes from downtown; the Artisan Market (old flour mill), with an important concentration of handicrafts throughout the province.
This is an easygoing, 3 1/2 hour tour, with the entrance fee to MAAM included in the price. (MAAM closed on Mondays.
Full day Rafting & Canopy
Shared service. Private Transfers and Lunch included.
Next day, you will be taken to the rafting base. After an instructional rafting and safety course, the equipment is delivered and then begins the descent through the rapids of the Juramento River. There are 10 Class III rapids plus 5 Class II rapids, framed by the imposing landscape of the Juramento River Canyon. The return to the base by land takes about 20 minutes
Once at the base, the asador will be waiting for you for a casual asado lunch with this amazing landscape as your backdrop. Short time for siesta and just after a prudence time after lunch the next activity begins.
The canopy circuits begin with an instructive talk about the activity and the proper use of equipment so that you can enjoy this adventure experience feeling safe and comfortable. You will be taken with 2 trained guides to the hill where a trekking of 15 to 20 minutes starts, ascending to the first platform. There begins the tour of the steel cables, the first cable serves to test the technique and gain confidence in the team. The last cable takes you back to base.
You will be met at your hotel by your private driver and start the tour of 2 days in the Northwest.
The town of Purmamarca sits under celebrated Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors), an otherworldly, jagged formation resembling the marzipan fantasy of a megalomaniac pastry chef. The village is postcard-pretty, with adobe houses and ancient carob trees by the bijou 17th-century church. This authentic Andean village is a glorious spot and an excellent place to shop for woven goods; a flourishing market sets up on the village plaza every day.
Big Salts
Private service in 4×4 vehicles with English speaking chauffeur guide
After passing the town of Campo Quijano, you ascend through the Quebrada del Toro, to Santa Rosa de Tastil, a small town with only one street. Continuing North is the town of San Antonio de los Cobres, named for being within the famous Copper Mountain rich in this mineral. After an hour and a half following the old road of the troperos, you will find the majestic Salinas Grandes (big salts), whose origin dates from an extensive period between 5 and 10 million years ago. Ascending through an amazing mountain road, you will reach the highest point of the route and the beginning of the descent to the town of Purmamarca, the Abra de Potrerillos (4170 masl). Then, you will take the famous Lipan slope that in just 20 km in length but will lead you to descend about 2000 m until reaching Purmamarca (2300 masl) at the foot of the hill of the 7 Colores. Spend the night in Purmamarca.
Humahuaca
On the second day in the Northwest you will visit the Humahuaca Gorge, declared as Natural and Cultural Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO) in 2003. Along the route you will discover landscapes, towns and cultures. Journey through unique villages, such as Purmamarca, famous for the frame of the Hill of Seven Colours, visible from its scenic streets and from the handcrafted market around the main square. You will travel through many towns on this day, for more information view ‘Additional Information’ further down the page.
Ending in Salta city.
Note that if combining with other several days tour the last day might vary to adapt first day of next excursion.
The Pucará de Tilcara entrance fee is included.
You will be met at your hotel by your private driver and start an incredible 3 days tour in the Calchaquí Valleys.
This town of colonial and baroque-style houses dating back to the late 19th Century is one of the most popular regions within the Calchaqui Valleys. It is an important tourist centre for exploring the Calchaquíes valleys, and because of the quality and originality of the wines produced in the area. Its church is one of the few churches of 5 naves in the country and has a sculpture of Virgen del Carmen (Virgin of Carmen) from Cuzco.
Calchaquí Valleys – Day 1 – Cachi
Private service in 4×4 vehicle with English speaking chauffeur guide.
The first day begins in Salta, leaving behind the fertile Lerma Valley, passengers ascend along the Quebrada de Escoipe and then continue along the impressive Cuesta del Obispo and the Encantado Valley, surrounded by mountains. Then, the tour goes to Piedra del Molino (3,400 meters above sea level), through Los Cardones National Park, which occupies 65,000 hectares in the middle of hills and dry ravines of around 2,700 and 5,000 m.a.s.l. The magical Cachi, the highest area of the valleys, is a village at the foot of the snowy mountain (6,320 m.a.s.l.) that bears the same name. The town stands out for its old colonial-style houses that are located on the edge of narrow cobbled streets, its church dating from the 18th century and is known for its floor, ceiling and cactus wood furniture and its adobe walls. In addition, the town has an important Anthropological Museum, where the history of indigenous civilisations is exhibited in almost 5,000 pieces. Overnight in Cachi.
The tour includes: 2 standard wine tastings.
Calchaquí Valleys – Day 2 – Cafayate
This is the second day of the Calchaquí Valleys adventure. After your breakfast, the tour continues along the national route No. 40, there are other attractions on the way such as Seclantás, Angastaco, and others which can be found under the ‘Additional Information’ section. You will arrive at Cafayate, a town known for its colonial-style, baroque, single-story houses from the late 19th century. Its church is one of the few temples in the country that has 5 ships. Overnight in Cafayate.
Calchaquí Valleys – Day 3 – Cafayate & Salta
The final day of your 3 day experience will see you visit the wine centre of the province, particularly famous for the “Torrontés” wine variety. In the town you will visit a winery where the whole wine production process will be explained to the passenger, as well as some wineries offer a small tasting as a courtesy.
After lunch, return to the city of Salta, driving along the Quebrada de las Conchas that originated in the Tertiary Age, 70 million years ago and divides the Lerma Valley and the Calchaqui Valley. Wind erosion has formed a succession of capricious natural phenomena such as Los Castillos, El Obelisco and Garganta del Diablo (The Devil’s Throat), a deep and narrow canyon. Return to Salta for the night. Last night to be spend in Salta before flying out.
Note that if combining with other several days tour the last day might vary to adapt first day of next excursion.
You will be met at your hotel by your private driver and taken to the airport for your internal flight to Mendoza.
Upon arrival you will be met and taken by private transfer to your hotel for the next 3 nights.
The area of Mendoza used to be a desert, but the hands of hard working immigrants and the blessing of water and climate have turned it into a green fertile land. The city of Mendoza is both the capital of – and gateway to – this region, which offers optimum conditions for grape cultivation and wine production. In this area the finest Argentine wines are produced, and many vineyards can be visited to enjoy a wine tasting! The Andes mountain range and the highest peak in the Americas (Mount Aconcagua 6,954m) can be seen from the entire region and can be visited on a full day excursion.
Excursion into Uco Valley Area
Day 12 commences with a full day tour into Uco Valley Area, a private service with English speaking guide.
The mountains and the beautiful views in Uco Valley prepare our senses to experience the aromas and flavors of these high-altitude wines. Not to mention, the wineries you will visit which make world renowned wines from this precious land, complete the tour. This high-end tour is designed for you to share and enjoy an excellent day of wine. You will visit some of the most important and highlighted wineries in the region.
The tour includes entrance fee at 3 standard wineries with standard wine tastings but does not include lunch.
Day 13 is spent relaxing and enjoying the area of Mendoza.
You will be met at your hotel by your private driver and taken to the airport for your internal flight to Mendoza.
Once you arrive you will be met and taken by private transfer to your hotel for the next 3 nights.
The area of Mendoza used to be a desert, but the hands of hard working immigrants and the blessing of water and climate have turned it into a green fertile land. The city of Mendoza is both the capital of – and gateway to – this region, which offers optimum conditions for grape cultivation and wine production. In this area the finest Argentine wines are produced, and many vineyards can be visited to enjoy a wine tasting! The Andes mountain range and the highest peak in the Americas (Mount Aconcagua 6,954m) can be seen from the entire region and can be visited on a full day excursion.
During the days 10 & 11 you will be enjoying the menu of activities proposed by the lodge.
The meals and activities included during these days are:
- 2 visits to wineries in Lujan de Cuyo (Catena Zapata, Achaval Ferrer Altavista, Dominio del Plata -Susana Balbo-, Ruca Malen, Chakana, Norton, Terrazas, Séptima, Pulenta Estate, Lagarde, Vistalba, Cruzat, Belasco de Baquedano, Melipal, Walter Bressia, etc)
- 1 activity (rafting/biking/horse ride/visit to the Museo Fader y Chacras)
- 3 lunches
- 3 dinners (with non alcoholic drinks included)
- 1 massage of 1 hour per person per stay
- Free access to the gym, pool, sauna and jacuzzi (reservation required)
You will be met at your hotel by your private driver and taken to the airport for your internal flight.
Upon Arrival you will be met and taken by private transfer to your Estancia for the next 2 nights.
In the outskirts of Gran Buenos Aires, there are many Estancias, extensive ranches with farmed and cattle land with traditional houses. Most of these Estancias are attended by their owners, who show guests a taste of real traditional Argentine life.
Many Estancias offer horse riding, some polo, while others allow participation in activities related to cattle and farming. All of them will surprise you with a delicious and authentic “asado” (barbecue). Estancias can be visited on a day trip or for a couple of nights stay from the entire region and can be visited on a full day excursion.
These final days are at your leisure to enjoy the experiences provided by the Estancia you are staying.
On Day 16, your final day, you will be transfered to Ezeiza Airport by a private service.
This program is subject to availability and it is NOT valid for special dates/National Holidays in Argentina. Flight information may affect the rates of the transfers according to the airport they are arriving/departing.
Dates are flexible so please make an enquiry and tell us a range of dates you are considering so we can check availability.
Walking Tour at Recoleta
The tour includes: Bottle of water
It does not include: Transfers
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 3 hours
Recommendations: comfortable clothes and foot wear for walking, and for the summer sunscreen and a hat
Full Day City Tour
You will visit the Plaza de Mayo with its iconic pink government house Casa Rosada, and the noble Metropolitan Cathedral. Stroll out to San Telmo, the once aristocratic heart of the city tragically hit by a dreadful outbreak of yellow fever it in 1871. The colorful port district of La Boca is your next stop, this vibrant working-class area attracted many Italian immigrants who settled here during the last decades of the 19th century, here the colorful Caminito Street is not to be missed. In heavy contrast your next stop is Puerto Madero, the redeveloped dockland area now full of smart restaurants, fabulous apartments and stunning modern architecture. The grand finale takes you to the Recoleta neighborhood with its vast cemetery where the great and the good of the country are buried, and finally to trendy, park filled Palermo.
As magnificent Buenos Aires has so much to offer you will visit as well some of the ‘forgotten’ neighbourhoods, far from the tourist circuit but which preserve stunning buildings and magnificent histories. Barracas, Nueva Pompeya, Parque Patricios and Boedo are the urban grounds of old factories, working class project-housings, remarkable churches and pretty local parks. Here you will find street art a plenty and traditional bars where you will uncover histories of some of the city’s most infamous inhabitants and their secret societies. As a journey that grasps both to the past and present of working class Buenos Aires, this tour will teach you stories of the immigrant workers that founded the city, the tramways and railroads they built and the tango and soccer they adored!
The tour does not include: Lunch.
Duration: 7 hours.
7 steps dinner & Wine tasting at Casa Coupage
“The wine is a noble beverage that reaches its best expression when shared. That’s why we created a new and exclusive meeting point where a personal relationship with the wine can be developed, together with people who share the same passion”.
The tour does not include transfers.
Duration: 4 hours.
Full Day Rafting & Canopy
The Juramento canyon is like a giant open gash between the mountains. Its walls were, 65 million years ago, huge beaches inhabited by prehistoric animals. The descent begins at the base and ends 12 kms later at the Paraje Los Lapachos.
The highest cable is 200 meters high above the river level and different lengths, the longest being 600 meters, which allows us to travel at about 35 km per hour with an incredible sensation of flying!
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 10 hours
Recommendations: swimsuit, a towel, sunscreen, hiking boots, comfortable clothes for outdoor activities and insect repellent
2 Days Big Salts
On the second day of this tour you will travel through many towns.
Maimará, of colourful slopes called Paleta del Pintor. Tilcara stands out for its local festivities (Carnival and Holy Week) and for its Pucará (fortress in height) whose ruins have been partially rebuilt and convey a notion of the development achieved and pre-Hispanic way of life. Further north, the Tropic of Capricorn is crossed in Huacalera, identified with a white monolith. Uquía shows its chapel, built in the seventeenth century with the oldest altarpiece in the region, worked in laminated gold, being one of the 2 existing in Argentine territory decorated with oils from the Cusco school, ‘Los Angeles Arcabuceros’ nine in total, testimony of colonial architecture. Humahuaca gives its name to the Quebrada and is its largest population, with cobbled streets and iron lanterns in the corners, it is also the highest point of the route, 2,940 m.a.s.l. Main attractions: The Independence Monument, Cathedral Church and Municipal Building.
Visit to Hornocal; a mountain range located 25 kilometres from the city of Humahuaca, it is a gravel road that leaves tourists on a balcony in front of the majestic hill whose symmetry and colour trap the opportune visitor. It is a stratified sedimentary formation formed by the Yacoraite formation (a limestone of ochre, yellow, green, whitish colours where the iron did not oxidize), from the end of Cretaceous time, 75 million years ago. This limestone is delimited by other well-oxidized sedimentary formations, of deep red colour, that cause the impressive contrast. It has a height of 4761 meters above sea level.
3 Days Calchaquí Valleys with Colomé visit
On day 2 you will travel through many locations: The town of Seclantás, also known as the “cradle of the Salteño poncho” is the home of tissue experts. Molinos, irregularly, stands out for its Church (declared a National Monument) built in 1639, where the mummified remains of the last realistic governor Nicolas Isasmendi are preserved. Angastaco: from where the Quebrada de las Flechas begins, named for its capricious forms carved by rain and wind erosion. San Carlos, an old town that originated when the Jesuits established the so-called “Mission of San Carlos”. Nearby, visitors will find the only stone mill to operate using the millenary system. Finally, Animaná, a town famous for its production of artisanal wine.
- Private transfers and tours mentioned in the program
- Accommodation mentioned in the program
- Entrance fees mentioned in the program
- Taxes
- International flights
- Domestic flight
- Travel insurance
- VAT of accommodation with breakfast (passports are required to fulfill this exception)
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Optional Tours
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Suitable for ages from 12
Some accommodation has a minimum of age to stay.
Seasonal Information
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