Argentina is a vast country, offering a lot of interesting things to do and places to visit. No visit to Argentina is complete without experiencing the vibe of tango on Buenos Aires’ streets, the beauty of Patagonia and the wines of Mendoza. Ten days in Argentina can be romantic or adventurous, depending on your priorities.
Itinerary assumptions
- You will be flying into Buenos Aires and flying out of Mendoza .
- Flying is a good way to cut the traveling time between the cities.
- You will stay in budget hotels rather than luxury places.
Day 1-3 Buenos Aires
Choose one of the best areas to stay in the city: Palermo Viejo – the trendiest part of Buenos Aires – , Monserrat – easily accessible via subway- or San Telmo – the most romantic area in the city. Each offers a lot of budget hotels and hostels to choose from.
Start your stay with a free walking tour of the city , then go to Avenue 9 de Julio. Explore Plaza de Mayo with its landmarks and stop for a bite to eat . Take a photo of the Obelisco and then catch the subway to Montserrat (line A) and ride in one of the original wooden carriages.
Start the second day with a pastry and coffee, then go to Calle Caminito in La Boca. See tango being danced on the street and maybe even take some lessons. In the afternoon you can visit La Recoleta Cemetery and see Eva Perón’s mausoleum.
Spend the last day shopping in Palermo Viejo. Or spend a day in nature at Parque Tres de Febrero.
>>read more about 3 days in Buenos Aires and about the Things to do in Buenos Aires
Day 4-7 Patagonia : Bariloche , Ushuaia
While not cheap, there are daily flights from Buenos Aires into Ushuaia ($331 one way in late Oct 2012) and San Carlos De Bariloche (same price). If you have time on your hands then you can catch a bus from Buenos Aires to Bariloche (21 h, $140 one way) or Ushuaia (much harder and longer trip, though).
>>read more about Getting from Buenos Aires to Bariloche and book a cheap hotel in Bariloche
Travel to El Calafate and see the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the glaciers which are not yet retreating. There are footbridges and viewpoints so you can see the glacier in its splendor. There’s also minitrek trail on the glacier, but you’ll need to do that with a guide.
Should you fancy a bit of mountain biking or paragliding, go to Nahuel Huapi National Park, near Bariloche. You can also try rafting and kayaking here.
The entire Patagonia area is known for being a place to experience nature. In Ushuaia, you can hike on Glacier Martial and see lovely views of the area , while Tierra del Fuego National Park offers excellent hiking trails, ranging from easy to hard. Pack appropriate gear and opt for a guide if needed.
>>read more about Getting from Buenos Aires to Patagonia
Day 8-10 Mendoza
Catch a plane from Bariloche into Mendoza ($240 one way in late October 2012).
Many wineries offer wine tours . The best time for such tours is in March or April. Of course, you get to taste the wine. When you get tired of the food and wine, take a walk in Parque San Martín or do some people watching in Plaza Independencia.
Hike up to Cerro Alco for some lovely views of the city. The hike takes half a day and can be done independently. If you prefer a more challenging option, climb Alta Montaña. It can only be done as part of a group.
Those looking for an active holiday, can try horse riding. Or, if you are into more extreme options, there’s always white water rafting and paragliding.
>>read more about the Things to do in Mendoza and book a cheap hotel in Mendoza
Photo credits:Buenos Aires , Bariloche , Mendoza