Top 10 places to visit on holiday in Argentina

Argentina covers most of the surface area of southern South America  and is the eighth largest country in the world. As such, it offers the traveller a cornucopia of vistas and experiences. Here is our choice of 10 unmissable experiences which Argentina has to offer.

Iguazu falls Great Adventure Tour

The Iguazu falls,  straddling the border of Argentina and Brazil, is one of the world’s largest collection of waterfalls. The Great Advenure tour (Gran Aventura), which can be added to your day tour to the Argentine falls, includes a jungle walk and sailing the Lower Iguazu towards the waterfalls area, enjoying plentiful rapids. Breathtaking.

Iguazu falls

Walking Tour, Downtown Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is one of South America’s most charismatic and vibrant cities. What better way to explore and get a feel for the city but on a walking tour of down town Buenos Aires accompanied by your own local guide. Stroll the buzzing streets, stop to see the sites, take in the atmosphere and pause for a coffee break to watch the world go by. Charming.

Buenos Aires

Trek to Cerro Bella Vista, Bariloche

San Carlos de Bariloche nestles into the central Andes and is surrounded by snow capped volcanoes, intense blue lakes and lush green forests. The summit of Cerro Bellavista ,1800 metres above sea level, is reached after a steady uphill 2 hour trek through beech forests. Once there, the reward is 360º views of the surrounding countryside. Stunning.

Summit Cerro Bellavista

Perito Moreno Glacier, El Calafate

The Perito Moreno Glacier terminus is a 3 mile (5 Km) wide and on average 240 foot (74 m) high wall of ice slowly moving forward. It is one of the few glaciers in the world that is not retreating. There are a series of walkways which mean that you can get up close and witness calving – spectacular chunks of ice thunderously breaking off. Impressive.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Laguna De Los Tres Trek, El Chalten

This 8 hour round trip trek from El Chalten takes you into the heart of the Glaciares National Park. The highlight is reaching Laguna de Los Tres, a glacial lake, after a one hour climb up a moraine. Once there, witness the granite spires of Fitzroy Mountain towering above. Patagonia’s climate is a gamble, so the view you get of the spires will depend on the roll of the dice. Amazing.

Reaching Laguna de los Tres in the snow

Sailing The Beagle Channel, Ushuaia

The Beagle Channel is a strait, steeped with history, running from west to east in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago at the very end of the South American continent. Set sail on these waters from Ushuaia enjoying the scenery and sea lions and cormorants on small islands. From November to March, take the opportunity to visit a Penguin Colony too. Wonderful.

Ushuaia on the Beagle Channel

Wine Tour, Mendoza

Argentina’s Malbec wines are some of the finest in the World. The main wine producing country is around Mendoza, a city in the foothills of the high Andes. Take a tour, see how the wine is produced  and taste wine in situ. Sensational.

Wildlife Spotting, Ibera Wetlands

The Iberá in the north of Argentina is an  important fresh water reservoir of swamps, bogs, lagoons and channels brimming with wildlife. Set off on a small boat and keep your eyes peeled for turtles, black caiman, monkeys, swamp deer, capybara, anaconda, otter, wildcat and many bird species. Spectacular.

Caiman

Quebrada  De Las Conchas, Cafayate, Salta

The Quebrada  De Las Conchas (Shell gorge) is a deep gorge that stretches for around 30 miles (50 Km) between Salta and Cafayate. As a result of geological upheaval  the scene is a wild twisted view of sedimetary strata in various tones of red, yellow and green interspersed with multicoloured and unearthly rock formations. These formations stand alone and many have names such as The Monk, The Castle, The Devil’s Throat and more. Astounding.

Quebrada de Las Conchas

Whale Watching , Peninsula Valdez

From June to September Southern Right Whales swim off the coast of the Valdez Peninsula in Central Argentina. These mammals can grow up to 20 meters in length and can weigh up to 50 tonnes in weight. A good time to see the whales breaching is in the early part of the season particularly from June to September. There are boat trips to get closer and even the option of kayaking for the more intrepid. Phenomenal.

Southern Right Whale

More experiences

These are just 10 of a multitude of amazing experiences that can be had in Argentina. Contact us at Andean Trails and we can help you with your own unmissable experience to Argentina.