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Hiking to Perito Moreno glacier, top travel experience in Argentina

Best Things to Do in Argentina

Iconic Attractions & Hidden Gem Travel Experiences

Argentina

Argentina shares southernmost South America -- and the remote region of Patagonia, a favorite of adventurous travelers -- with neighboring Chile. The remote Tierra del Fuego city of Ushuaia -- one of the world’s southernmost communities -- is a frequent embarkation point for ships to Antarctica and to local penguin colonies. But Argentina is probably best known for its vibrant, European-like capital, Buenos Aires, in the northern part of the country. An irresistible combination of urban sophistication, rugged nature, scenic beauty, and engrossing history and culture makes Argentina a don’t-miss South American destination.

Top Argentina Experiences

Spotting pampas deer, howler monkey, armadillos, birds in Ibera Wetlands, the second-largest wetlands

Visiting Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world

Sampling wine in a Mendoza vineyards

Exploring Valdes Peninsula

Listening to tango artists perform and looking at the colorful houses in  the streets of Caminito, La Boca

Sightseeing in Bariloche

Taking a boat tour to see the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park

Seeing Iguazu Falls from the Devil’s Throat observation point 

Tasting the finest red meats and Malbec in the world

Taking tango lessons with a 20-year-old American exchange student and a 70-year-old Argentinian grandmother and being completely out-danced by both

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Things to do in Argentina - Expert’s guide

1. Buenos Aires

Pink house in Buenos Aires Argentina

As the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires is not only a political hub, but also one for sports and the fine arts. The unmistakable Pink House, or “Casa Rosada,” is the Argentinian president’s office and executive mansion. Centrally located along the “Rio de la Plata,” travelers in Argentina can arrange for group tours through it.

The panoramic views from its many balconies and the opportunity to see politics in action are difficult to pass up. As fútbol fans will recognize, the cheering for Argentina’s soccer team, “Boca Juniors,” reaches its peak on match days in the neighborhood of La Boca. Travelers in Argentina are encouraged to visit their stadium, whether or not they are fans, as the team spirit at La Bombonera is like nothing else.

For those less inclined to busy streets and spirited fans, the Recoleta Cemetary is a large-scale homage to the many educators, politicians, and other influential individuals within Argentina’s past. Solo tours through the famous cemetery are possible, although guided ones are useful for explaining the significance of those who are memorialized.

2. Cerro Aconcagua

Cerro Aconcagu in Argentina

At its highest point, Cerro Aconcagua stretches 22,841 feet (6,962 meters) into the air, making it the tallest point in the Western and Southern hemispheres and a veritable challenge for any hiker. Group or private tours are the only ways to safely scale the mountaintop, as there are just 8 official camps that span the journey.

Similarly, it is important to book tours in advance, as this is a popular hiking location for many international climbers given the site’s famous claim to height. There are three typical routes for tour companies in Aconcagua to use: The Normal Route, Vacas Valley Polish Variation, and the Guanacos Glacier Route.

As of recent years, the last route has been closed to allow for the proliferation of the native guanaco animals that reside within the same area that travelers in Aconcagua would use. Regardless, being able to view the surrounding lowlands and glaciers that ring the mountain make the trip well worth its challenges.

3. Iguazú Falls

Iguazu Falls in Argentina

As a natural boundary between Brazil and Argentina, Iguazú Falls are the largest cataract waterfall chain in the world. While the Iguazú River flows through Brazil, nearly all of Iguazú Falls are located within and accessible to international travelers via guided tours arranged in Argentina.

Iguazú Falls boasts not just 275 cascades, but also multiple hiking trails that weave in and around the falls, as well as boat rides to the island of San Martin inside Argentina’s Iguazú River.

Catwalks to the famed “Devil’s Throat,” U-shaped falls are also available to travelers in Argentina, depending on the season. A single day may not be enough time to fully explore all that both sides of Iguazú Falls have to offer international visitors.

4. Glaciar Perito Moreno

Glacier Perito Moreno in Argentina

An integral part of Los Glaciares National Park, the 97-square mile (250 square kilometers), swath of ice that is Glacier Perito Moreno is hard for travelers to miss. As other glaciers continue to melt around the globe, Glacier Perito Moreno stands as an anomaly for the fact that it continues to grow in size and height.

Guided tours through Argentina’s Patagonia region often stop at this glacier, not only for its startling blue-hues and tranquil glacial waters but also for the fact that its ice fields may be explored on foot (with ice spikes!). Other tours to Glacier Perito Moreno offer guided navigation of the many catwalks that overlook the site.

Should international visitors plan their guided tours for the right times, they may view from afar entire sheets, the size of full-scale buildings, as they collapse off the main glacier.

5. Peninsula Valdes

While it was given UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1999, Peninsula Valdes has been home to a vast microcosm of world biodiversity and natural land formations. From Southern Right whales to Magellanic penguins along with other animals who make their homes both in and out of the water, Peninsula Valdes in an important stop on many Patagonian nature tours.

While being able to see all of these animals in their natural habitat is not always guaranteed, the opportunities to explore the beautiful coastline by kayak, plane fly-overs, or even by foot are highly recommended.

6. Tierra del Fuego

Ushuaia lit up at night in Argentina

Considered to be one of “edges of the world,” Tierra del Fuego is a part of Argentina’s Patagonia region, with its town of Ushuaia being the southernmost one in South America. By taking a trip on the Southern Fuegian Railroad, travelers in Argentina can see an overview of Tierra National Park as they plan the rest of their time in the region.

For those who are more adventurous and seek to drive through the mainland nations of the Americas, the Pan American Highway (which starts in Alaska, USA) ends in this region. Luckily, since the weather fluctuates during winter and summer months, Tierra del Fuego offers the ability to ski and also hike by foot through the national park.

For those who wish to visit Antarctica, this region is the last stop before crossing into the other continent. Many guided tours in Argentina offer transportation and lodging, as well as entrance into the Antarctic Coast Reserve Interpretative Centre, which serves to educate travelers about the biodiversity of the continent and the alterations to glaciers across the globe.

7. Punta Tombo

Punta Tombo penguins

As one of the more adorable creatures found in nature, penguins are not just found in Antarctica. In fact, over a million and a half of Magellanic penguins call the Argentinian peninsula of Punta Tombo their home during the course of a year. As they are still a protected species, certain areas of the coastline with nesting burrows are inaccessible to travelers.

However, as is usually the case, many of the penguins make their way to the footpaths and will even walk up to those who are viewing them. Even still, touching or interacting with them in any way is expressly prohibited by Argentinian law.

Guided excursions to Punta Tomba usually begin in Puerto Madryn, Rawson, or Trelew and have housing and travel arrangements, given the remote location of the site. The best time to visit Punta Tombo is usually during Argentina’s spring, September to March, with the population peak being during November when the next generation of penguins hatches.

8. El Chalten

El Chalten in Argentina

While the village town of El Chalten is small, its popularity as the gateway to many of Argentina’s famous hiking trails is not. However, even as the rates of travelers to the village continue to grow exponentially, the village maintains its small scale and nature-oriented values.

Located within Los Glaciares National Park, it is nestled at the feet of both Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy. As only 350 Argentinians live there year-round, it is important to arrange for group excursions in advance so as to secure both transportation and lodging before embarking on hikes.

Considerations of weather are also necessary, given the way that El Chalten is enclosed by snow and ice from May to September, with few dirt roads to access it. Even still, should travelers in Argentina not wish to spend multiple days scaling mountains, they can still access the glacial lakes of Laguna Torre and Fitz Roy, both of which are sites for tranquil reflection that can be found in few other remote places in the world.

9. Province of Salta

Province of Salta in Argentina

As one of the larger provinces in Argentina, Salta provides international travelers with a range of wines to taste, national parks to tour, and cities to explore. “La Linda” is a city that lives up to its name as “the Beautiful,” not only for its picturesque cathedral that can be toured but also its Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña, Salta.

While smaller than some of the other museums in Argentina, this one is home to the three famously well-preserved Incan mummies, named “the Children of Llullialliaco.” In the small town of Cafayate, where grape-vines were first planted in Argentina, visitors can participate in unique wine tours of Argentina.

Its altitude of 5,600 feet (1,700 meters) is what supports the growth of the famous Torrontés white grapes, along with various, region-specific red-wine blends. Since the city is rapidly growing in popularity, it is crucial to take advantage of the guided wine tours in Argentina while they are still unsung.

10. Quebrada de Huamahuaca

Huamahuaca in Argentina

Along the famous Inca Trail are many popular sites for adventurous travelers in Argentina to explore. While the Inca Trail was used extensively during the 15th century, travelers who continue to use it today may still consider themselves “off the beaten path” when exploring Quebrada de Humahuaca.

The 155-kilometer valley of ancient farmland and terraces may still be viewed today, along with various indigenous communities that preserve traditional farming techniques. The striking color gradient that the rocks demonstrate as they slope into the Earth and back out again is one that pictures cannot capture.

Through a guided tour of Quebrada de Humahuaca, not only can these natural landscapes be explored in a safe manner, but the rich history of past indigenous communities that they hold can also be better understood.

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Argentina Tours Reviews & Ratings

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Excellent
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Disappointing
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Trusted Customer
·
2024-03-16
Written on
Adventures in Patagonia
Cristina
·
2024-03-16
Written on
Adventures in Patagonia
One of my most memorable vacation/exploration because of the beautiful sceneries, wonderful tour group accompanied by a very talented and helpful tourist guide named Marcelo.
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Dee
·
2024-03-15
Written on
Adventures in Patagonia + Iguazu Extension
The trip was fabulous and Marcello did a fabulous job guiding us!!! He is very personable and a real people person. He is very knowledgeable and made great recommendations for alternate hikes. When my medication bag fell out of my bag on the bus and rolled under the seat without me realizing it, he worked very hard to get it back to Buenos Aires. I would also say that our bus driver, Victor, who drove in southern Argentina up to and including Torres del Paine was superb, stopping the bus if he saw something we would enjoy, taking pictures of us, offering assistance off and on the bus steps. Just a great personality.

I would have preferred to have less time in Buenos Aires and more time in Patagonia. Would also have left Iguazu a day earlier but it may have been the logistics of flight.
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Trusted Customer
·
2024-03-14
Written on
Adventures in Patagonia + Iguazu Extension
Lucia Buttaro
·
2024-03-14
Written on
Wonders of Patagonia by Trafalgar
Wonders of Patagonia
The last portion of the trip left us “hanging”… we never got to experience Santiago , other than the airport where we were dropped off and waited for hours to catch our flight back home
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Trusted Customer
·
2024-03-13
Written on
Classic Antarctica - M/S Ocean Endeavour
Antarctica is a spectacular destination and the expedition team and the ship's crew worked hard to make the experience as special as possible.
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