by velodenz

The Ultimate Argentina Tour: How to See it All

Argentina is a vast country with varied landscapes and climates. There is the hot Chaco in the north, extreme cold and glaciers in the southern Tierra del Fuego, grassland pampas near Buenos Aires, the Andes along the western border with Chile, the Iguazu riverbed, the Ibera marshes, petrified forests in the inland plateau, rocky coastlines along Peninsula Valdes, vineyards in Mendoza, and the list goes on.

It may sound crazy, but it's possible: you can travel all around Argentina, touring the most popular Argentina travel destinations, in two weeks. Here's how to see Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia, El Calafate, and Bariloche in 13 days.

Fly into Buenos Aires and transfer to your Buenos Aires hotel. Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is the largest and most happening city in Argentina. It has a European feel and is nicknamed the Paris of South America. There is plenty to see, do, and eat in Buenos Aires.

The next day, take a Buenos Aires city tour. Take a guided tour of the city center, from Plaza San Martin to Plaza de Mayo and Avenida 9 de Julio. It's impossible to see it all in a day, but you can see the best of the palaces, museums, and neighborhoods on a guided tour.

In the evening, catch dinner and a tango show at a porte?a in town. The most famous tango club is Esquina Carlos Gardel. There are plenty to choose from. Many are pricey and touristy, but the dancing is professional and dazzling.

The next day, transfer to the airport to fly to Puerto Iguazu. Once you arrive, transfer to your Puerto Iguazu hotel. Puerto Iguazu, located in northeast Argentina on the border with Brazil, is the town 18 km northwest of the world-famous Iguazu Falls. You can enjoy the evening strolling the downtown, checking out the pubs and shops.

On day four of your Argentina vacation, go on an Iguazu Falls tour. The Iguazu Falls is a powerful set of waterfalls fed by the Iguazu and Alto Parana rivers. The falls are set within two national parks, one on the Argentina side of the border, and one on the Brazil side. You can take a boat tour of the falls, and take a train ride and hike through the park.

Next stop Puerto Madryn. On day five, fly to the Valdes Peninsula airport and transfer to your Puerto Madryn hotel. Puerto Madryn is located on the coast south of Buenos Aires. It is known for its great wildlife and whale watching tours, as well as scuba diving in the gulfs protected by the Valdes Peninsula. In the seaside town of Puerto Madryn, you can enjoy the Welsh heritage by having teatime.

Take a Valdez Peninsula tour on day six of your Argentina vacation. Check out the village of Puerto Piramides, the Istmo Ameghino Interpretation Center, the salt lakes, Punta Delgada, Caleta Valdes, and Punta Cantor, and the Puerto Madryn lighthouse.

On day seven, fly to the depths of Tierra del Fuego. Land in the Ushuaia airport and transfer to your Ushuaia hotel. This picturesque city, the southernmost in the world, was once a pioneer town but is fast growing, in part due to the beautiful surrounding scenery.

The following day, tour the beautiful landscape of Tierra del Fuego national park, and then take a Beagle Channel boat cruise.

On day nine of your Argentina tour, you will head out to El Calafate, a small hiking town on the banks of Lago Argentino, and only a few miles outside of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Enjoy the day in town, and take a walk around the lake. The next day, you will take a tour of the huge Perito Moreno Glacier, and you can also go ice hiking or take a boat cruise.

The following day, you will fly to Bariloche, the skiing capital of Argentina. Spend the evening checking out the shops in this Swiss chalet-style resort. There are plenty of fondue and chocolate shops as well. The next day, take a Bariloche tour of the lakes and mountains. Then hit the slopes, or take another Bariloche tour.

On day 13, wake up in your Bariloche hotel in time for breakfast, and then transfer to the airport for your journey home. You have experienced Argentina!