Authentic Argentina: Hidden Highlights
18 days from £6,638 pp
Authentic Argentina: Hidden Highlights is an 18-day tailor-made journey through the side of Argentina most visitors miss: the colonial city of Salta, the red-rock valleys and vineyards around Cafayate, the salt flats and painted hills of Jujuy, then Iguazu Falls and the wildlife of the Iberá Wetlands. Prices start from £6,638 per person, including flights within Argentina, transfers, hand-picked hotels and a mix of private and small-group excursions with local guides. It’s Argentina at a slower pace, with time to linger in each place.
Trip Highlights
- Taste high-altitude Torrontés in Cafayate, surrounded by red-rock valleys
- Cross the white expanse of Salinas Grandes, one of Argentina’s largest salt flats
- Hike to the Urugua-í stream and kayak in the Misiones rainforest near Iguazu
- Look for capybaras, caimans and marsh deer in the rewilded Iberá Wetlands
Our Expert Tip
”Don’t miss tasting Cafayate’s high-altitude Torrontes. Argentina’s signature white wine, grown almost exclusively in this region’s vineyards!”
Scarlett, Argentina Expert
Authentic Argentina Itinerary: Day by Day
Day 1-3: Buenos Aires
Three nights in Buenos Aires mean you can take the capital slowly. Stay at an art hotel in the historic centre, and spend two mornings with a private guide, one in the cobbled streets of the old south and one among the parks and palaces of the north. The rest of your time is free to wander, eat well and catch a tango show on your own terms.
Day 4-6: Salta and the Calchaquí Valleys
Fly north-west to Salta, a colonial city of whitewashed churches and arcaded plazas at the foot of the Andes, staying at Solar de la Plaza or similar. From here, a small-group tour spends three days in the Calchaquí Valleys: up the winding Cuesta del Obispo and through the giant cacti of Los Cardones National Park to the adobe village of Cachi, with a night at El Cortijo or similar; south along Route 40 through the jagged rock spires of the Quebrada de las Flechas to Cafayate and its vineyards, staying at Villa Vicuña or similar; then back to Salta through the red sandstone canyons of the Quebrada de las Conchas.
Day 7-9: Jujuy
Head north into Jujuy and the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climb to the dazzling white Salinas Grandes, where salt is still harvested by hand and local artisans carve it into crafts, then drop down to Purmamarca and its Hill of Seven Colours for a night at Colores de Purmamarca or similar.
Next day, follow the valley north to the old town of Humahuaca before returning to Salta for the night.
Day 10-12: Iguazu Falls
Fly east to Puerto Iguazú for three nights at Iguazú Jungle Lodge or similar. Spend a full day with a guide on the Argentine side of the falls, then a morning in Brazil for the wide-angle view, followed by an afternoon at La Lorenza, a private rainforest reserve: hike the jungle trails to the Urugua-í stream, kayak its quiet waters and stop for a swim.
Day 13-16: Iberá Wetlands
Travel by road into Corrientes province and the Iberá Wetlands for four full-board nights at Rincón del Socorro, a former cattle estancia. Days follow the rhythm of the wetlands: early-morning boat trips past floating islands of grass, when the birdlife is at its busiest; afternoon rides across the grasslands; and evening walks to watch capybaras grazing at dusk. Ask your guide about the jaguars returned to Iberá in recent years: seeing one is rare, but their story is remarkable.
Day 17-18: Buenos Aires
Return by road to Posadas and fly back to Buenos Aires for a final night at Cassa Lepage. Use your last afternoon for anything you missed: a browse in the bookshops of Avenida Corrientes, a long lunch at a parrilla, or one more walk through San Telmo. Want to add a few days in Patagonia? See our Patagonia holidays.
When to Go
Best time for this Argentina tour
The best times for this trip are March to May and September to November. The north-west around Salta and Jujuy is dry and sunny for most of the year, but can be wet and humid from December to February, when Iberá is also very hot. Iguazu Falls can be visited all year. Ask us which month suits you best.
Why Book With Travel Differently
Passionate and experienced
- Each member of the team has over a decade of experience in the industry
- Our 5* client reviews reflect our service & standards
- We are a fully independent & owner-run tour operator
- Our holidays include full financial protection & ATOL coverage
- We are destination experts, ensuring authentic & reliable advice
Committed and Responsible
Tailor-made and Personal
- No two trips are the same, our holidays are 100% bespoke
- We design personal, genuine cultural connections & experiences
- From planning to travel, you’ll have one dedicated point of contact
- Our support is available around the clock during your holiday
- We take care of the details, so you don’t have to
Need More Inspiration?
Want to combine multi-countries, take less flights, or include a hike in Patagonia? Thinking of a longer sabbatical holiday, or staying in some luxury yurts? It’s all possible; all our holidays are tailor-made with a focus on responsible travel. Take a look at more ideas below, and contact our experts.
