2 weeks Argentina Highlights tour

Day 1 – Arrival in Buenos Aires

Arrival at the international airport in Buenos Aires and transfer to the centrally located hotel. 1 overnight stay. 

After check-in, there will be a privately guided 4-hour Bus Tours by Buenos Aires, a vibrant metropolis that has more to offer than visitors expect. Since the country is still very centralized, the districts close to the center are very important, since practically all administrations, but also large companies and government buildings are located close together.

It is popularly known as the "Queen of the Rio de la Plata", the river that gives the city its splendour. The visitor will be surprised by monuments next to murals, art galleries and museums. During the tour you will see the 9 de Julio and the Obelisk - the symbol of the city, the historic Plaza de Mayo, the government building, better known as the pink house where the executive power sits, the Cabildo and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Further south we pass through the picturesque and very colourful district of La Boca and its famous tango street "Caminito". We continue towards San Telmo, one of the oldest districts in Buenos Aires - and - in contrast - the newest and modern district of Puerto Madero. Finally, we visit the elegant area of ​​Recoleta and the cemetery of the same name, which is located in the middle of this elegance. At the end of our trip we visit a market in the Metropolitan Design Center.

Day 2 – Buenos Aires – Posadas – Iberá

Transfer to the domestic airport and flight to Posadas, the capital of Misiones. Private transfer by the Iberá Wetland to just south of Colonia Pellegrini (Spanish driver / travel time 4-7 hours depending on road conditions or previous rain). 3 nights with full board in the Posada Rancho de los Esteros.   

Day 3 – Iberá

The name Iberá comes from the Guaraní, where y vera means "bright water". The area is a mixture of swamp, moor, lakes and lagoons. The Esteros del Iberá are the largest wetland in the world after the Pantanal in Brazil.

They have been since 1982 Iberá Wetlands Part of a protected area that covers 14% of the province of Corrientes, making it the largest protected area in Argentina. The area is also one of the most important freshwater reservoirs on the continent. 245 km² have been classified as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention since 2002.

Excursions on foot and by boat on the Iberá Lagoon to Wildlife Viewing, where you can observe capybaras, marsh deer, yacarés (local crocodiles) and many aquatic birds. Visit to the interpretation center.

Day 4 – Iberá

The name Iberá comes from the Guaraní, where y vera means "bright water". The area is a mixture of swamp, moor, lakes and lagoons. The Esteros del Iberá are the largest wetland in the world after the Pantanal in Brazil.

They have been since 1982 Iberá Wetlands Part of a protected area that covers 14% of the province of Corrientes, making it the largest protected area in Argentina. The area is also one of the most important freshwater reservoirs on the continent. 245 km² have been classified as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention since 2002.

Excursions on foot and by boat on the Iberá Lagoon to Wildlife Viewing, where you can observe capybaras, marsh deer, yacarés (local crocodiles) and many aquatic birds. Visit to the interpretation center.

Day 5 – Iberá – Iguazú

Private transfer (Spanish driver) to Posadas bus station and approximately 4-hour bus ride to Iguazu. Arrival in the late afternoon and transfer to the hotel. 3 nights in a jungle lodge.

Day 6 – Iguazu

Full day visit to the Waterfalls on the Argentinian side – here lies the overwhelming natural spectacle of a total of 270 waterfalls and the islands lying in the spraying water between them. The national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and protects one of the last remaining Atlantic rainforest.

Day 7 – Iguazu 

Visit the waterfalls of Iguazú on the Brazilian sideFrom here you have a spectacular view into the "Devil's Throat" - the U-shaped gorge, down whose walls the water cascades down to a depth of 82 m. At 2700 m wide, the Iguazú Falls are the largest waterfalls in the world by area.

Day 8 – Iguazu – Salta

Transfer to the airport and flight to Salta. Transfer to your city hotel. 2 nights in the beautiful country hotel Finca Valentina.

Day 9 – Salta

Today you have the opportunity to explore the old town, which was built in colonial style. We also recommend a visit to the archaeological Museums (Museo de la Historia), where the remains found in 1999 at Llullaillaco (at an altitude of 6739 m) Child mummies exhibited are.

Day 10 – Salta – Quebrada del Toro – San Antonio de los Cobres – Labyrinth Desert – Tolar Grande

100 km of asphalt road. 250 km of gravel road.
Max. altitude 4.500 m above sea level. Altitude at destination 3.600 m above sea level.

Only 30 km from Salta is the Quebrada del Toro gorge, a natural elevator that connects the green Lerma Valley with the desert plateau of Puna. The wild Quebrada lies at an altitude of 1200m to 4000m, up to the Abra Blanca Pass, which is the entry point to the Puna. The Incas had once explored this passage extensively, as it was part of the Capaq Nam, also known as the Royal Trail, a 5000km long path built to connect the Inca Empire from Quito in Ecuador to  Mendoza in Argentina. San Antonio de los Cobres is the current capital of the Puna, a dusty village with a diverse community. The last civilized place before the Puna is also a port of call for numerous international tourists who start their expeditions into the desert from here. Abra Chorrilos will be our highest point today, where we will learn a lot about the Apacheta and their cultural significance for the traditions of the Andes. After crossing the Pocitos salt lake, our 3-hour drive into the wild and untouched nature begins. The desert labyrinth is around 10 million years old and was once formed from gypsum crystals. Nowadays it is possible to cross this natural wonder by vehicle - a must for photo safari lovers. big tolar is located on the edge of one of the largest salt lakes in the world, the Salar de Arizaro. From the small village, which was built in 1940, you can enjoy a unique view over the western ridge of the Cordillera, as well as an impressive chain of volcanoes, which in some places are higher than 6000m.

2 nights in the Hosteria Casa Andina: 6 double rooms with private bathroom, hot water and heating. If there is no more room in the Hosteria, there are 2 options: Refugio (shared room) or accommodation with a local family.

Day 11 – Tolar Grande – Caipe – Salar Rio Grande – Mina Casualidad – Tolar Grande

130 km of asphalt road and 120 km of gravel road.
Max Height  4.500 m above sea level. Altitude at destination 3.400 m above sea level.

Mina Casualidad, once known for its numerous mines, is located in one of the most remote and amazing places on earth. On the border with Chile, surrounded by the highest volcanoes in the world, between sulphurous mountains, salt lakes and a cobalt-coloured sky, almost 4 people once lived in the small and tranquil mountain village at 200 m above sea level. The miners worked at 3 m above sea level, while their families and administrative staff went about their daily activities in the town of Mina Casualidad. The mine was closed by the Argentine army in the 000s and the people moved away. Today Mina Casualidad is nothing more than an abandoned ghost town.

In Caipe, the old train station of the city, the minerals extracted from the mines were loaded onto freight trains and transported to Salta for further processing. From this abandoned station, the traveler can enjoy an incredible panoramic view of the huge salt lake Salar de Arizaro. In the afternoon we drive back to Tolar Grande and enjoy the beauty of the Puna at sunset.

Day 12 – Tolar Grande – Arita Cone – Antofalla Oasis – Vega Colorada – Quebrada de Calalaste – Antofagasta de la Sierra – El Peñón

60 km of asphalt road and 280 km of gravel road.
Max. altitude 4.500 m above sea level. Altitude at destination 3.400 m above sea level.

The crossing of the Arizaro Salt Lake resembles the old migration route of the Arrieros (shepherds who brought their herds to Chile on this route). The name Arizaro means something like vulture cemetery, because in earlier times many livestock (cows and horses) died during the crossing and there was consequently a large population of vultures. Antofalla is an important and spectacular example of an oasis in the Puna. This oasis is located in the middle of the desert and includes a wide, green valley in which pure spring water rises and various trees thrive and bloom. Antofalla, as well as Antofagasta and Santa Rosa, were important stops for the llama caravans on the way from the Andes to the Atacama Desert. The oasis lies on the border of the longest salt lake in the world and is surrounded by red mountains and countless lava strips. Today, around 60 people, all of whom work as shepherds, still live in the small community of Antofalla. We can have lunch in one of the houses. At 4 m above sea level with a wide view over the Antofalla volcano (200 m above sea level) there is a green pasture (Vega Colorada) where llamas, soris, wild donkeys and vicuñas live. The valley “Quebrada de Calalaste” is only a few kilometers from the Vega Colorada. Antofagasta de la Sierra is a large village with more than 6 inhabitants who still follow their old traditions and preserve their original Culture The name Antofagasta means “place where the sun shines” and is surrounded by countless volcanic peaks.

2 nights at the Hostería de Altura El Peñón, hotel with 8 rooms with private bathroom, hot water, heating, restaurant and Wi-fi.

Day 13 – El Peñón – Pumice Stone Field and/or Laguna Grande – El Peñón

130 km of gravel road (stones, sand).
Max. altitude 4.500 m above sea level. Altitude at destination 3.400 m above sea level.

Program from October to April (southern summer)

In the morning we take a trip to Campo de Piedra Pomez (Pumice Stone Field), a strange and impressive rocky landscape of volcanic origin that was created by a massive explosion. This explosion was so powerful that it looked like a mushroom produced by an atomic bomb. The ash and debris from this explosion were spread over a large area and in different directions. In the rocks you can see a large number of holes that were created due to the gas escaping during the cooling phase.

In the afternoon we drive to Laguna Grande, a place of unique beauty. This salt lake is located at 4.150 m above sea level on the way to the crater of the Galan volcano, the largest crater in the world. In winter the lake is frozen, but when spring approaches, up to 19 Puna flamingos (Phoenicpterus jamesi) return to this place. It is also an ideal place for the Andean flamingos (Phoenicpterus andinus) and a nesting place for the southern flamingos (Phoenicopterus chilensis). It is a unique experience to be able to observe these beautiful animals in their natural habitat.

Program from May to September (southern winter):

In the morning we take a trip to the Campo de Piedra Pomez (Pumice Stone Field), a strange and impressive rocky landscape of volcanic origin that was created by a massive explosion. This explosion was so powerful that it looked like a mushroom produced by an atomic bomb. The ash and debris from this explosion were spread over a large area and in different directions. In the rocks you can see a multitude of holes that were created due to the gas emissions during the cooling phase. This strange landscape of white labyrinths and dunes is every adventurer's dream. On the way back we drive very close to the young and black volcano Carachi Pampa.

Day 14 – El Peñón – Hualfin – Santa María – Cafayate – Quebrada de las Conchas – Salta (B|L)

440 km of asphalt road, 50 km of gravel road.
Max. altitude 4.500 m above sea level. Altitude at destination 1.100 m above sea level.

Even after three days on the Puna desert plateau, this region still has a lot of new and surprising things to offer. We drive along the asphalt road and are accompanied by a 150km long field of Paja Brava, a typical desert plant. We can also see white lagoons and narrow desert canyons. On the way in Santa Maria we stop at our friend Raul's for a typical Argentinian barbecue meal - the Asado. Later we reach the beautiful little town Cafayate, which is surrounded by green vineyards. In the afternoon we cross the Quebrada de las Conchas, a 70 km long and wild landscape of sandstone that shines in strong colors and has weathered into unreal rock formations. These formations date back to the time when this region had a warm and humid climate and was home to crocodiles and turtles, among other animals. Overnight stay in Salta at Finca Valentina

Day 15 – Departure

After breakfast transfer to the airport, departure. End of the 2 weeks in Argentina tour.