Itinerary
- Day 1
Mendoza
You'll arrive in Mendoza, located in Argentina's wine country region. The day is unscheduled, so there's time to wander the city's tree-lined streets and plazas at your own pace. Later in the evening at 6pm, there's a welcome meeting in the hotel reception area, and if you're interested, an optional dinner follows afterward.
Optional Activities
- Explore Mendoza city by strolling leafy streets
- People-watching and coffee in plazas
- Dinner (optional on arrival evening)
- Day 2
Lujan de Cuyo
The morning takes you to Lujan de Cuyo, a wine-producing area about 30 minutes outside the city and backed by the Andes. You'll visit two local wineries for tastings, focusing on the region's red wines, particularly malbec varieties. After that, the late afternoon is yours to explore Mendoza's streets and neighborhoods.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit two wineries in Lujan de Cuyo
- Wine tasting of local grape varieties
Optional Activities
- Visit afternoon coffee shop for alfajor (Argentinian cakey biscuit with dulce de leche)
- Walk around Plaza Independencia
Landmarks/POIs Lujan de Cuyo Plaza Independencia - Day 3
Aconcagua Provincial Park
This is a full-day trip to Aconcagua Provincial Park to see the hemisphere's highest peak at 6,961 metres. You'll hike for 90 minutes to Horcones Lagoon, where snow-capped mountains and meadows come into view. There's also a stop at Puente del Inca, a naturally formed stone bridge with reddish-orange mineral deposits. Keep in mind the drive is roughly three hours each direction.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Aconcagua Provincial Park
- 90-minute hike to Horcones Lagoon (relatively flat, rocky terrain)
- Stop at Puente del Inca (geologically formed bridge)
Landmarks/POIs Aconcagua Horcones Lagoon Puente del Inca - Day 4
Mendoza to Barreal
You'll travel to Barreal, a town surrounded by seven snow-capped Andean peaks in the northwest. The main stop is El Leoncito National Park, which has strict air pollution regulations that make it excellent for night sky watching when weather cooperates. The drive takes about six hours with some unpaved road sections included.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit El Leoncito National Park
- Night sky watching (weather-dependent)
Landmarks/POIs El Leoncito National Park - Day 5
Barreal to Villa Union
This is a long seven-hour drive to Villa Union, passing through small villages and old prehispanic settlements. You'll pass through Las Burras Gorge and Jachal River Gorge along the way. Before arriving, there's a stop at a viewpoint to see the red rock formations of Talampaya and Ischigualasto National Parks in the late afternoon light.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stop at viewpoint to see Talampaya and Ischigualasto National Parks
Landmarks/POIs Las Burras Gorge Jachal River Gorge Talampaya National Park Ischigualasto National Park - Day 6
Talampaya and Ischigualasto National Parks
You'll spend the full day exploring two UNESCO-listed parks with distinctive otherworldly landscapes and complete Triassic fossil records. Starting in Talampaya's Don Eduardo Gorge, there's an easy 8-kilometre hike through red rock canyon on flat ground. Next you'll head to Ischigualasto (also called Moon Valley), driving through the park and stopping at various geological formations, including Bowling Lane with its mysteriously smooth round rocks. The day ends with the drive back to Villa Union.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Talampaya National Park
- Easy hike through Don Eduardo Gorge (approximately 8 kilometres, flat terrain)
- Visit Ischigualasto National Park (Moon Valley)
- Drive through Ischigualasto with stops at geological formations
Landmarks/POIs Talampaya National Park Don Eduardo Gorge Ischigualasto National Park Bowling Lane - Day 7
Villa Union to Belen
The route follows Ruta 40 to Belen, passing through rural villages. The main highlight is Cuesta de Miranda, a winding climb that takes roughly two hours and gains elevation from 1,000 to 2,000 metres, following an old Inca Trail route. In Belen, you'll visit a women's weaving cooperative to learn how traditional sheep, llama, and alpaca wool is processed and woven by hand. You'll arrive around 2pm after the six-hour drive with stops included.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive over Cuesta de Miranda mountain pass
- Visit women's weaving co-operative in Belen
Landmarks/POIs Cuesta de Miranda Miranda Gorge - Day 8
Belen to Cafayate
Today heads toward Cafayate in Argentina's northern wine region. Along the way, you'll visit the indigenous Quilmes ruins, which date to around AD 1000 and feature terraces covering the hillside with cacti. Walking through the archaeological site gives insight into indigenous heritage and the views from above are impressive. After that, you'll reach Cafayate for wine tasting at a rustic winery, where Torrontes, a popular local white wine, might be on the tasting list. The drive is approximately six hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Quilmes ruins
- Walk to top of Quilmes ruins for valley views
- Wine tasting at a winery in Cafayate
Landmarks/POIs Quilmes - Day 9
Cafayate to Cachi
You'll travel through the Arrows Gorge, a dramatic landscape with sharp, pointed rock formations jutting up at varied angles. An unsealed road takes you through the day with multiple scenic stops along the way. This route includes the tour's highest point at just over 3,400 metres elevation. The journey winds through territories with Inca heritage and indigenous populations who continue traditional weaving practices. By late afternoon, you'll reach Cachi, a quiet town situated at 2,530 metres elevation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Arrows Gorge
- Multiple scenic stops during journey
Landmarks/POIs Arrows Gorge - Day 10
Cachi to Salta
From Cachi, you'll head down Bishop's Hill Road, a 20-kilometre stretch with hairpin turns offering views of Sierra del Obispo. The scenery shifts dramatically from cactus-filled Cardones National Park deserts to lush green mountains with vegetation and streams. Viewpoints punctuate the route. By evening, you'll arrive in Salta, a lively colonial city with museums and active nightlife. The drive takes five to seven hours depending on stops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive down Bishop's Hill Road
- Stop at scenic viewpoints en route
Landmarks/POIs Sierra del Obispo Cardones National Park - Day 11
Humahuaca Gorge
You'll explore the UNESCO-listed Humahuaca Gorge. First stop is Purmamarca, a colorful desert town where you can hike the easy 2.5-kilometre Los Colorados trail and walk through town with its backdrop of the Seven-Colored Hill. Continuing on, you'll reach Tilcara, a traditional village with a charming central square, market, and church. There's also a view of the Painters Palette mountain overlooking Maimara before returning to Salta for the evening. Later, you'll experience a pena, a traditional folk music hall where locals play guitars and sing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a pena (traditional folk music hall))
Included Activities
- Hike Los Colorados trail (easy, 2.5 kilometres)
- Explore Purmamarca town
- Visit Tilcara traditional village
- Evening at a pena (traditional folk music hall) in Salta
- Dinner at pena
Landmarks/POIs Humahuaca Gorge Purmamarca Seven-Coloured Hill Los Colorados Tilcara Painters Palette Maimara - Day 12
Salta to Buenos Aires
You'll fly from Salta to Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital on the Rio de la Plata. The city blends different European architectural styles including Spanish, French, Italian classicism, and Victorian elements. Your afternoon is free to settle in and rest. If interested, you can head to the northern neighborhoods, visit Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Peron is buried, or spend time in Palermo Park. The evening offers chances to experience Buenos Aires' nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Recoleta Cemetery
- Explore Palermo Park
- Explore elite north neighbourhoods
- Enjoy Buenos Aires' nightlife
Landmarks/POIs Recoleta Cemetery Palermo Park - Day 13
Buenos Aires
This day focuses on experiencing Buenos Aires as a local (Porteno) using public buses and exploring on foot. You'll start at Plaza de Mayo, the city's founding point and home to the President's pink mansion. A bus ride takes you to La Boca, known for its bright corrugated iron houses and street tango performers. After that, there's time for traditional coffee and pastries at a cafecito. Later you'll explore San Telmo's bohemian side with cobbled streets, historic mansions, and street art. Lunch happens at a traditional bodegon restaurant. Your afternoon is open for further exploring, visiting antique shops, browsing bookstores, or catching a tango show in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Plaza de Mayo
- Visit La Boca neighbourhood
- Traditional Cafecito (coffee and pastries) in La Boca
- Explore San Telmo neighbourhood
- Lunch at a traditional Bodegon restaurant
Optional Activities
- Explore San Telmo's antiques market
- Visit Ateneo Grand Splendid bookstore
- Enjoy a tango show in the evening
Landmarks/POIs Plaza de Mayo La Boca San Telmo Ateneo Grand Splendid - Day 14
Buenos Aires
The tour ends after breakfast at the hotel. There are no activities scheduled, so you can leave Buenos Aires at any time that works for you. The hotel offers luggage storage if you prefer to depart later in the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
