Argentina - Budget – Self-guided tour – 16 days / 15 nights
Highlights:
• Taste the great wines of the Andes ;
• Discover the Calchaquies Valleys and the Andean Altiplano ;
• Visit the Iguazu Falls, mighty nature.
Nature: 
- Culture:
Rencontre :
Starting from $2200 USD*
The vastness of the landscape, century old cacti and secular traditions; the Andes will catch your imagination and inspire you. Visit the Seven Colour Valley, the quaint villages and artisans of the Humahuaca Valley and the high-altitude salt lakes. Explore the exquisite landscape of the Calchaquí Valleys carved by time, wind and salt lakes.
Then the contrast: discover the thousands of species of plants, colourful birds, butterflies and mammals that make this their home. This is the exuberance of Argentina's rainforest and its people, its rivers and impressive waterfalls, the Jesuit Missions, plantations of "mate" and lemongrass, vegetable sponges, and exotic fruits….
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ITINERARY
Day 1 – BUENOS AIRES, THE CITY THAT LOOKS AND FEELS EUROPEAN
Arrival by international flight
After landing in Buenos Aires, our driver will take you to your hotel, located in the city centre. A member of our team will provide you with a road book and a mobile phone to be in contact with us 24/7. The rest of the day is yours to explore on your own the most famous and picturesque areas of the capital city: El Caminito and San Telmo, at the origins of Tango, then Puerto Madero area, an old harbour reconverted into a business area .
Overnight bus Buenos Aires > Mendoza
A free day for you to continue exploring Buenos Aires on your own. You can choose to take a walk downtown to the Pink House (Government) and Congress, or enjoy the parks and nice buildings of Recoleta and Palermo. In these neighbours you will find interesting museums as well as Plaza Francia’s craftsman fair and Tango dancers. In the early evening, take the overnight bus to Mendoza from Retiro bus terminal.
Arrive in Mendoza in the morning. You are met at the bus terminal by a member of our team and transferred to your hotel. The morning is yours to visit Mendoza, known for its wines, parks, ingenious irrigation system and shady streets, which make it a true oasis. In the afternoon, visit two emblematic bodegas of the region: Giol, one of the most important of Mendoza, and Carinae, one of the tastiest.
Take the road that snakes its way to Chile, climbing into impressive mountain scenery, through the small town of Uspallata, before reaching the viewpoint of Mount Aconcagua, America’s highest peak (6962m). On the way back, stop at Puente del Inca, a calcareous structure with natural hot springs. Return to Mendoza by the scenic road to Villavicencio.
Flight Mendoza > Salta
Enjoy your last morning in Mendoza. In the early afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Salta, where you scheduled to arrive in the late afternoon. Take your time to settle into your hotel and then enjoy the nightlife of Salta.
Depart for Cafayate in the morning. Travel through the Lerma Valley and its fields of tobacco, before entering the Seashell's Valley, where you will see rocks that wind and water erosion shaped into peculiar figures. Stop to have lunch at Cafayate around mid-day. Visit the Vine and Wine Museum and some of Cafayate’s famous winery. El Cafayate is a touristic village, 1683m above sea level, famous for its high-altitude vineyards.
Time to visit this marvellous city nicknamed "La Linda", meaning the Beautiful. Salta boasts well preserved colonial architecture and two colourful churches: the pink Cathedral and the red and gold San Francisco Church. Another fascinating attraction is the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology which houses the well preserved mummies of three children found on the summit of Volcano Llullaillaco. The museum will offer you an insight into the pre-columbine culture of the Andes.
Enjoy a tour to Salinas Grandes, one of the largest salt flats of the Andean high plateau. The tour will take you to the impressive Lipan Slope, a steep zigzag road, before descending to Purmamarca, a small village at the foot of the Seven Colour Valley; a place you can discover on foot during a beautiful walk between the hills. Head to Tilcara by local bus where you will spend the night.
Explore the colourful and culturally rich valley of Humahuaca, with its picturesque villages. Tilcara, an authentic Andean village and its Pucara, a pre-Inca fortified farming village overlooking the valley. Humahuaca, with a splendid landscape, interesting handicrafts and traditional music.
Leaving Tilcara behind, you will continue your journey north towards the mountains of Iruya. This small village is surrounded by a beautiful landscape of huge mountains, deep valleys and rivers. Free afternoon to experience the slow paced rhythm of the village, admire the views over the valley, meet local people, mingle with the children at school or simply wander around the cobbled streets.
Wake up to the spectacular mountain views of Iruya. You will make your way back to Humahuaca at mid-day and then to Salta where you will arrive at the end of the day.
Flight Salta > Puerto Iguazu
Free morning to discover the last secrets of Salta. By mid-afternoon, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Puerto Iguazu, where you arrive in the late afternoon.
Explore the Argentinian side of the National Park of Iguazu. Get to the heart of the 275 individual falls forming a 2.7 km wide horseshoe-shaped gorge, including the impressive 90 m high Devil’s Throat. You can follow several walking trails through the park’s tropical rainforest or under the full power of the rushing water. Waterfalls can be admired from above, below, or as a whole from several points of view. If the water level is not too high, you can visit the island San Martin in the heart of this huge gorge. A busy day during which you can also observe wild animals (coatis, monkeys, toucans, alligators, turtles, …).
Bus Puerto Iguazu > Buenos Aires
Today you will visit the Brazilian side of the Iguazu National Park. If the Argentine side is all about getting up close and personal, the Brazilian side offers an incredible and breath-taking full frontal view of all the falls. In the afternoon, you can visit the Bird Park, gathering over 160 species including some anacondas, boas, monkeys and butterflies. By late afternoon, you will reach the bus terminal and take your overnight bus to Buenos Aires.
You will arrive at Retiro bus terminal in Buenos Aires in the morning. You will go to your hotel and then continue your visit of the capital city or the surrounding areas such as the Tigre Delta.
Departure of your international flight
Some free time to continue visiting the capital city of Buenos Aires. Three hours before your international flight, a transfer vehicle will pick you up at your hotel to take you to the airport.
Arrival by international flight
After landing in Buenos Aires, our driver will take you to your hotel, located in the city centre. A member of our team will provide you with a road book and a mobile phone to be in contact with us 24/7. The rest of the day is yours to explore on your own the most famous and picturesque areas of the capital city: El Caminito and San Telmo, at the origins of Tango, then Puerto Madero area, an old harbour reconverted into a business area .
- Transport : private transfer - 45 min + public transport
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals: none
Overnight bus Buenos Aires > Mendoza
A free day for you to continue exploring Buenos Aires on your own. You can choose to take a walk downtown to the Pink House (Government) and Congress, or enjoy the parks and nice buildings of Recoleta and Palermo. In these neighbours you will find interesting museums as well as Plaza Francia’s craftsman fair and Tango dancers. In the early evening, take the overnight bus to Mendoza from Retiro bus terminal.
- Accommodation: overnight bus
- Included meals: breakfast and small dinner on the overnight bus
Arrive in Mendoza in the morning. You are met at the bus terminal by a member of our team and transferred to your hotel. The morning is yours to visit Mendoza, known for its wines, parks, ingenious irrigation system and shady streets, which make it a true oasis. In the afternoon, visit two emblematic bodegas of the region: Giol, one of the most important of Mendoza, and Carinae, one of the tastiest.
- Transport: private transfer
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
- Afternoon with an English speaking guide
- Wine tasting not included
Take the road that snakes its way to Chile, climbing into impressive mountain scenery, through the small town of Uspallata, before reaching the viewpoint of Mount Aconcagua, America’s highest peak (6962m). On the way back, stop at Puente del Inca, a calcareous structure with natural hot springs. Return to Mendoza by the scenic road to Villavicencio.
- Transport : private transfer - 6h – 420km
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
- Accompanied by an English speaking guide
Flight Mendoza > Salta
Enjoy your last morning in Mendoza. In the early afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Salta, where you scheduled to arrive in the late afternoon. Take your time to settle into your hotel and then enjoy the nightlife of Salta.
- Transport : flight – 2h
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Depart for Cafayate in the morning. Travel through the Lerma Valley and its fields of tobacco, before entering the Seashell's Valley, where you will see rocks that wind and water erosion shaped into peculiar figures. Stop to have lunch at Cafayate around mid-day. Visit the Vine and Wine Museum and some of Cafayate’s famous winery. El Cafayate is a touristic village, 1683m above sea level, famous for its high-altitude vineyards.
- Transport : regular bus service (not included) 3h
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
Time to visit this marvellous city nicknamed "La Linda", meaning the Beautiful. Salta boasts well preserved colonial architecture and two colourful churches: the pink Cathedral and the red and gold San Francisco Church. Another fascinating attraction is the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology which houses the well preserved mummies of three children found on the summit of Volcano Llullaillaco. The museum will offer you an insight into the pre-columbine culture of the Andes.
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Enjoy a tour to Salinas Grandes, one of the largest salt flats of the Andean high plateau. The tour will take you to the impressive Lipan Slope, a steep zigzag road, before descending to Purmamarca, a small village at the foot of the Seven Colour Valley; a place you can discover on foot during a beautiful walk between the hills. Head to Tilcara by local bus where you will spend the night.
- Transport : van - 6h (included) + local bus (not included) - 30min
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
Explore the colourful and culturally rich valley of Humahuaca, with its picturesque villages. Tilcara, an authentic Andean village and its Pucara, a pre-Inca fortified farming village overlooking the valley. Humahuaca, with a splendid landscape, interesting handicrafts and traditional music.
- Transport : local bus (not included) - 45min
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Leaving Tilcara behind, you will continue your journey north towards the mountains of Iruya. This small village is surrounded by a beautiful landscape of huge mountains, deep valleys and rivers. Free afternoon to experience the slow paced rhythm of the village, admire the views over the valley, meet local people, mingle with the children at school or simply wander around the cobbled streets.
- Transport : local bus (not included) 4h
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Wake up to the spectacular mountain views of Iruya. You will make your way back to Humahuaca at mid-day and then to Salta where you will arrive at the end of the day.
- Transport : local bus (not included) 6h
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Flight Salta > Puerto Iguazu
Free morning to discover the last secrets of Salta. By mid-afternoon, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Puerto Iguazu, where you arrive in the late afternoon.
- Accommodation: small hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Explore the Argentinian side of the National Park of Iguazu. Get to the heart of the 275 individual falls forming a 2.7 km wide horseshoe-shaped gorge, including the impressive 90 m high Devil’s Throat. You can follow several walking trails through the park’s tropical rainforest or under the full power of the rushing water. Waterfalls can be admired from above, below, or as a whole from several points of view. If the water level is not too high, you can visit the island San Martin in the heart of this huge gorge. A busy day during which you can also observe wild animals (coatis, monkeys, toucans, alligators, turtles, …).
- Transport : local bus - 45 min (not included)
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
- Entrance to the park not included (260 pesos/p.p.)
Bus Puerto Iguazu > Buenos Aires
Today you will visit the Brazilian side of the Iguazu National Park. If the Argentine side is all about getting up close and personal, the Brazilian side offers an incredible and breath-taking full frontal view of all the falls. In the afternoon, you can visit the Bird Park, gathering over 160 species including some anacondas, boas, monkeys and butterflies. By late afternoon, you will reach the bus terminal and take your overnight bus to Buenos Aires.
- Transport : local bus - 1h (not included)
- Accommodation: overnight bus
- Included mealas : breakfast
- Entrance to the park not included (52,3 reales/p.p. + 34 reales/p.p.)
You will arrive at Retiro bus terminal in Buenos Aires in the morning. You will go to your hotel and then continue your visit of the capital city or the surrounding areas such as the Tigre Delta.
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Inclued meals: breakfast on the bus
Departure of your international flight
Some free time to continue visiting the capital city of Buenos Aires. Three hours before your international flight, a transfer vehicle will pick you up at your hotel to take you to the airport.
- Transport : private transfer - 45 min
- Included meals: breakfast
End of your adventure in the North of Argentina…
This program is only given as an indication. Transhumans reserves the right, directly or through its local partners, to replace transportation, accommodation, itinerary, as well as dates and departure times, without the participants being able to claim any compensation.
