Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls & Rural Argentina Tour

Day 1: Buenos Aires (-/-/-)

Reception and transfer from the airport to the hotel located in the historic neighbourhood of San Telmo, named after Saint Pedro González Telmo, protector of sailors from storms. Today, San Telmo is where the oldest buildings of the eclectic city of Buenos Aires are found, making it an unique and charming place to start your journey in Argentina. There is also an optional tango show in the evening.

Day 2: Buenos Aires (B/-/-)

Free morning to relax and get settled in. In the evening, your English-speaking guide will pick you up at the hotel and take you to a traditional Buenos Aires "milonga" where you can learn all about the history and evolution of tango. A “milonga” is a tango club where locals and visitors get together to enjoy music and dance. And if you get caught up in the passion of it all why not try a tango lesson yourself ! Tango is a dance recognised by UNESCO as a cultural heritage activity and different “milongas” open on different days of the week. Return to the hotel by taxi (included).

Day 3: Buenos Aires (B/-/-)

Enjoy a free day in Buenos Aires, perhaps adding an optional bike ride in La Boca or an excursion down the river to El Tigre. Optional: Visits to community-led projects that are improving the life of thousands of people in Buenos Aires. There are four guided visits in English to choose between. La Base (Solidarity-based Finance / Co-operatives); Nuestras Huellas (Solidarity-based Finance / Community Banking); Fundacion Silataj (Fair-trade) and Escuela Fatima (Social Inclusion). The tour fees go directly towards funding the development of the projects, and there will be an opportunity to meet the project founders or directors. Free evening to enjoy dinner in one of the city’s many restaurants.

Day 4: Colonia del Sacramento Day Trip (B/L/-)

Enjoy a group day-trip to Colonia del Sacramento (Uruguay). Early pick-up for a transfer to the harbour of Buenos Aires where you will hop on a speedboat for a one hour boat ride to magical Colonia del Sacramento. On arrival, there will be a guided historical city-tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by lunch in a traditional restaurant and the opportunity to discover local gastronomy. Stroll around Colonia at your leisure all afternoon and watch the world go by from one of the cosy cafes along the River Plata. Late afternoon, return to Buenos Aires by speedboat and transfer to your hotel.

Day 5: Buenos Aires to Salta (B/-/D)

Transfer to the national airport in Buenos Aires for a morning 2-hour flight to Salta, where you will be met at the airport and driven to your charming hotel in the town centre. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walking tour of the city, with its colonial period buildings and the beautiful and well-known town hall. A highlight of the day is the walk to the top of San Bernardo Hill (250 metres above the city) to take in the incredible views over Salta Valley. Dinner will be served at a traditional Peña, where the people of Salta meet to sing and play guitar and other traditional instruments. Optional: As an introduction to the remarkable Andean culture, add guided visits to the High Mountain Archaeological and Ethnic Pajcha museums. Discover the ancient Inca culture of the north west of Argentina in these excellent museums.

Day 6: Salta to the Calchaquies Valleys – Corralito Rural Community (B/L/D)

Set off early with your English speaking guide / driver for a 3-hour private transfer through the Lerma and Cafayate Valleys and the Calchaquies Valleys, as well as the Shells Gorge. Tobacco farming is the main economic activity in the Lerma Valley and you will enjoy spectacular views on route. In the Shells Gorge, wind and water erosion has sculpted the rocks, creating bizarre and remarkable shapes. Once in the Calchaquies Valleys, you will meet the inhabitants and spend a few nights with the local communities. You'll enjoy a traditional farmers’ lunch in the Corralito community. In the afternoon, go on a trekking excursion to discover the surroundings. Accommodation is in private rooms with shared facilities.

Day 7: Corralito Rural Community (B/L/D)

Join in with the day-to-day activities of a rural family in the heart of the Calchaquies Valleys. In addition to ecotourism activities, you will get to try your hand at the preparation of regional cuisine and farming work, such as growing peppers for paprika, onions and cumin, along with goat and cattle breeding. All meals are included and you will have the opportunity to try traditional rural gastronomy and local organic wine. Alternatively, you can just relax and chill out with a glass of wine in the sunshine surrounded by nature.

Day 8: Corralito to Santa Rosa Rural Community (B/L/D)

After breakfast, find out about local ceramic craftsmanship, its processes and techniques, visiting Dolly Graña local artisan in El Barrial rural community. Lunch will be served in the Corralito community and in the afternoon, head off for a tour of the wine-production facilities and some wine-tasting at one of the local vineyards. In the evening, you’ll transfer to another rural community in the Calchaquies Valleys: Santa Rosa. Accommodation in a private room in the community guesthouse.

Day 9: Santa Rosa to El Divisadero Rural Community (B/L/D)

In the morning, enjoy a guided tour to the Quebrada de las Flechas reserve, travelling through different but equally unforgettable landscapes. At noon, you will join the hosts for the preparation of regional cuisine and enjoy lunch together. After lunch, transfer to San Carlos, a small village in the heart of the valley where you’ll be taken on a guided tour of the village, including a visit to the offices of the Rural and Community-based Tourism Co-Operative. Participate in the activities with the loom at Santos Filomena Condori craft market. In the afternoon, you’ll be transferred to ‘El Divisadero’ community, surrounded by breath-taking wild landscapes and you will be welcomed and hosted by one of the local families. Accommodation in a private room in a community guesthouse.

Day 10: El Divisadero Rural Community (B/L/D)

After breakfast, go for a guided walk along the Colorado River. In the afternoon, depending on the season, you could be tending to fruit trees or vineyards, learning the different techniques of wine-making. This region produces award-winning organic wines and you'll get a chance to taste it for yourself on a late morning tour of the vineyards. After lunch, you will be visiting one of the traditional family farms, also members of the Co-Operative. Get ready to enjoy a delicious dinner of local specialities served with organic wines.

Day 11: El Divisadero to Puerto Iguazu (B/L/-)

After breakfast, discover the ancient cave paintings of the region; return to the community for lunch and later you’ll head back through the Shells Gorge to transfer directly to Salta airport (approx. 2.5 hours), for a late afternoon flight Puerto Iguazú (IGR, under 2 hours). On arrival, you will be met and driven to a comfortable hotel.

Day 12: Iguazu Falls - Argentinean side (B/-/-)

Early pick-up from your hotel to spend the day exploring the world-famous Iguazu Falls. The group guided day trip includes all three sections of the falls. The lower falls accessible via a boardwalk of 1.7 km (be prepared to climb a lot of stairs!); the upper falls with incredible panoramic views along a 1.2 km boardwalk; and The Devil's Throat accessible via a boardwalk 1.1 km long. There will be time for lunch during the tour (not included) and there are optional extra excursions - The Nautical Adventure and the Big Adventure, which takes you on a boat ride under the falls (really!). These excursions can be purchased on site depending on the weather. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. English speaking guide, transfers and entrance fees are included.

Day 13: Iguazu Falls – Brazilian side (B/-/-)

Early pick-up to set off for a group excursion of the Brazilian side of the falls. The views from this side are simply breath taking. You will walk along a path parallel to the river for 1.2 km before reaching a bridge that brings you closer to the Devil's Throat. This half-day excursion includes an English-speaking guide, transfers and entrance fees. Return to the hotel at lunch time. In the afternoon, transfer to either Puerto Iguazú (IGR, in Argentina) or Foz do Iguaçu (IGU, in Brazil) airport for your flight back home (via Buenos Aires or Sao Paulo). Or extend your stay in any of the two countries. End of tour.

You will be greeted at the airport on arrival by a local guide who will take you to your hotel and will be able to answer any questions, make any additional arrangements and generally ensure everything goes smoothly.

No minimum number of passengers required and you will not be travelling with a group of people you do not know. Prices quoted are per person and based on at least 2 people travelling. You should expect a cheaper price for bigger groups.

Your passport is required at time of booking. For information on visa requirements, immunisations and health formalities please visit the FCO Travel Advice Website (for UK citizens, direct link to Argentina page) and US Travel Advice website (for US citizens).

This Argentina tour, like most of our adventures through Latin America, has a low level of physical difficulty and participants can choose to do as much or as little as they like.

What to bring: Travel insurance, passport, binoculars, alarm clock, walking shoes, water bottle, daypack, sun protection, insect repellent, sun glasses and hat, swimwear, flip-flops, torch with extra batteries, comfortable light cotton shirts with long and short sleeves, comfortable trousers made of cotton or a light synthetic material (bring at least two sets of light clothes which can be washed and dried easily), shorts, rain coat, plastic ziplock bags, plastic bags for your luggage in case of rain.