14-Day Argentina Family Valley Voyager

Set out on an exhilarating four-hour bike tour through the heart of Buenos Aires with an English-speaking guide who has called this alluring city home for years. Today, you’ll discover the city’s most iconic sights. Start by watching the passionate tango dancers in the colorful streets of La Boca district. Next, admire the historic architecture surrounding Plaza de Mayo. Then, venture to the modern waterfront area of Puerto Madero. Finally, conclude your tour with a stroll through the bohemian streets of San Telmo, soaking in its unique charm.

• Activity:Biking. Sightseeing.
• Transport:Bike.
• Meal:Breakfast.
• Accommodation:Loi Suites Esmeralda or similar.

Buenos Aires beckons with endless experiences offering a glimpse into Argentina’s rich heritage. Start in the colorful La Boca neighborhood, where the vividly painted houses and the famous Club Boca soccer stadium captivate visitors. For a historical experience, don’t miss Recoleta Cemetery, the final resting place of Evita Perón.

If culinary delights and shopping are on your agenda, the Palermo neighborhood offers a plethora of restaurants and trendy boutiques. For a cultural deep dive, the Eva Perón Museum and the Quinquela Martín Museum provide historical insights.

• Activity:Exploring.
• Meal:Breakfast.
• Accommodation:Loi Suites Esmeralda or similar.

Today you’ll switch cities in comfort and style with seamless private transfers. An English-speaking guide will whisk you from your Buenos Aires hotel to Aeroparque Airport, ensuring a smooth 20-minute drive to catch your departing flight.

Upon landing at Salta International Airport, another guide awaits to greet you warmly and escort you to your Salta accommodation, also a brief 20-minute ride. These effortless transitions allow you more time to relax and anticipate the adventures ahead in Argentina.

• Activity:Transfer.
• Transport:Car.
• Meal:Breakfast.
• Accommodation:Solar de la Plaza or similar.

Today, you self-drive through the picturesque Lerma Valley, located about 62 mi (100 km) south of Salta, which is dotted with provincial towns such as Chicoana and large tobacco fields. As you ascend to an altitude of 3,348 m.a.s.l., you are treated to spectacular views over Cuesta del Obispo, a winding road that cuts through narrow, deep gorges.

Your route then follows the Recta de Tintin, a straight path piercing through an expansive field of towering cactuses, before ending your day in the charming mountain village of Cachi. Total drive: 162 km, approximately 3.5 hours. Your rental car will be delivered to your hotel. The rental includes 400 km per day, 24-hour assistance, a second driver, and basic insurance with a deductible.

• Activity:Exploring. Sightseeing. Driving.
• Transport:Rented Car.
• Meal:Breakfast.
• Accommodation:Finca La Paya or similar.

Today, you travel along the renowned Route 40, one of the world’s longest and most famous roads, stretching from Molinos to Cafayate through desert landscapes, small farms, expansive vineyards, and vibrant limestone mountains. This self-drive assures you of many photogenic stops to make cherished memories with your family or friends.

Highlights include Flechas’ Gorge, a unique desert of ash and quartz, and remnants of an ancient lake. When the light of the full moon reflects off the quartz, it creates an illuminated desert. Cafayate, celebrated as the region’s wine capital, concludes your journey. Total drive: 157 km, approximately 4 hours.

• Activity:Exploring. Driving.
• Transport:Rented Car.
• Meal:Breakfast.
• Accommodation:Viñas De Cafayate Wine Resort or similar.

Spend a leisurely day exploring Cafayate, the renowned wine capital nestled in the scenic valleys of Argentina. Wander through this idyllic town, where the charm of vineyard-laden landscapes meets rich cultural history. Sample the celebrated Torrontés, a signature white wine that epitomizes the region’s viticultural prowess.

Visit local wineries to delve deeper into the wine-making process and savor a variety of exquisite vintages. Cafayate offers a tranquil escape, combining stunning natural beauty with a robust wine culture, making it a must-visit destination for enthusiasts and casual travelers alike.

• Activity:Exploring.
• Meal:Breakfast.
• Accommodation:Viñas De Cafayate Wine Resort or similar.

Set out on a scenic journey from Cafayate to Salta, self-driving through landscapes adorned with striking red rock formations. Pause along the way to capture the dazzling color play with your camera. Notable landmarks like Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) and the Amphitheatre invite you to explore their majestic structures on foot.

These natural wonders offer a thrilling glimpse into the region’s geological past. Your drive concludes in Salta, a city that blends colonial architecture with vibrant culture. Total Drive: 189 km, approximately 3.5 hours.

• Activity:Driving.
• Transport:Rented Car.
• Meal:Breakfast.
• Accommodation:Finca Valentina or similar.

Today marks the start of the ultimate self-drive from Salta to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Quebrada of Humahuaca. This gorge is renowned for its colorful mountains, geological formations, and historical villages. Highlights include the Humahuaca Market, Colorado’s Gorge, the sacred Cardones garden at 3,200 meters, Serranías del Hornocal, and the Pucara of Tilcara.

You will also visit the artisanal markets in the villages of Tilcara, Humahuaca, and Purmamarca. Your overnight stay is in Purmamarca, known for the 7-colored hill just outside the village. Total Drive: 313 km / 5 hours.

• Activity:Driving. Sightseeing.
• Transport:Rented Car.
• Meal:Breakfast.
• Accommodation:Los Colorados Cabañas or similar.

Prepare to traverse one of the most scenic routes into the Andes via Cuesta de Lipan on Road 52. Starting from Purmamarca, head west towards the Chilean border along a winding road that showcases a diverse and ever-changing landscape.

This journey, which ascends to heights of over 4,000 meters before descending to a vast, desolate plateau dotted with expansive salt flats, is likely one of the most spectacular drives you’ll experience. Total drive: 135 km, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

• Activity:Exploring.
• Transport:Rented Car.
• Meal:Breakfast.
• Accommodation:Los Colorados Cabañas or similar.

Today, as you return to Salta, you will journey past the provincial capital of Jujuy and head south directly to the Salta airport to drop off your car. Along this route, enjoy the shifting scenery of northern Argentina as you drive through diverse landscapes that feature everything from lush greenery to arid stretches.

Total Drive: 188 km, approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. Next, board your flight to Puerto Iguazú, lasting 2 hours and 10 minutes. Upon arrival, an English-speaking guide will drive you from Iguazú International Airport to your hotel on a 25-minute private transfer.

• Activity:Drive. Transfer.
• Transport:Rented Car.
• Meal:Breakfast.
• Accommodation:Posada 21 Oranges or similar.

This morning, you’ll visit the Argentinean side of Iguazú Falls, where you can stand just meters away from the awe-inspiring Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat). Here, witness water cascading from heights of up to 276 ft (84 m).

For a different perspective, consider an optional boat tour that takes you right up close to the waterfalls. As you explore the park’s trails, keep an eye out for local wildlife such as coatis. You might even spot monkeys or toucans!

• Activity:Hiking. Transfer.
• Meal:Breakfast.
• Accommodation:Posada 21 Oranges or similar.

Today, you will explore the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls. Wider than Victoria Falls and higher than Niagara Falls, Iguazú comprises 275 waterfalls stretching over 1.68 mi (2.7 km). Witness them plunge into the Iguazú River from the perfect vantage point of the viewing platforms as you walk along well-maintained trails.

An English-speaking guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a 20-minute drive to Iguazú International Airport in Puerto Iguazú. From there, you’ll board a flight to Buenos Aires lasting 2 hours and 10 minutes. Another guide will meet you upon arrival at Aeroparque Airport to drive you to your hotel in Buenos Aires, a short 20-minute private transfer.

• Activity:Hiking. Transfer.
• Transport:Car.
• Meal:Breakfast.
• Accommodation:Loi Suites Esmeralda or similar.

This is the final day of your journey. To ensure a smooth departure, a private transfer has been arranged from your hotel to Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires. An English-speaking driver will pick you up approximately 4 hours before your flight, allowing ample time to account for any traffic.

The drive to the airport typically takes 45 minutes. This arrangement ensures that you will arrive at the airport relaxed and with plenty of time to check in for your flight, reflecting on your memorable trip as you prepare to head home.

• Activity:Departure.
• Transport:Car.
• Meal:Breakfast.