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Essential Argentina: Buenos Aires, Patagonia & Mendoza
Cycle the vineyards of Mendoza, hike the Patagonian wilderness and explore the vibrant backstreets of Buenos Aires
Essential Argentina: Buenos Aires, Patagonia & Mendoza
About your trip
Argentina is as exciting as it is big – fitting world-class wines, vibrant cities and epic landscapes into its borders. On this trip, you’ll sample it all.
What can you expect from this 11-day adventure? Breathtaking hikes in the Patagonian wilderness. Cultured sights in Buenos Aires. Horseback adventures in the Mendoza outback. And some of the world’s finest wines, selected especially for you.
Sound good? Vamonos.
What's Included
- Accommodation
- Equipment
- Guide
- Local transport
- Most meals included
- Max 14 travellers per group
- Atol protected
- Private airport transfers
Remember, flights aren't included and prices are based on sharing a twin room. If you'd like to upgrade to a single room, you can add this during the booking process or by contacting our Customer Experience team.
Itinerary
Your Itinerary
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Day 01 Malbec and steak in Buenos Aires
Touch down in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s elegant capital. An airport transfer will take you to your hotel, where you’ll meet your fellow travelers and dedicated guide. Head out together to explore the streets of Palermo, with its stylish bars and characterful restaurants, catching the city as it revives after a post-siesta slumber. Steak-lover? You’ll be in your element here, with excellent local wine options (hello, Malbec) to complement your first-night feast. Buen provecho.
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Day 02 A graffiti tour of Buenos Aires
This morning’s adventure will take you on a graffiti tour of Palermo and San Telmo (the city’s coolest neighborhoods), where you’ll uncover hidden hotspots and open-air galleries. Work up an appetite, then it’s time to roll up your sleeves with an interactive dining experience in Recoleta. Witness five courses of local dishes whipped up before your eyes (with unlimited wine flowing), from tender beef empanadas to grilled steak dressed in chimichurri sauce – followed by dessert too, of course.
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Day 03 From Buenos Aires to Patagonia
Catch a three-hour flight to Patagonia this morning, before arriving in El Calafate: your gateway to the wilderness. Your new hotel boasts spectacular views over the immense mountainscape and vast skies; you’ll feel as if you’ve reached the edge of the earth. Take the rest of the day to settle into your magnificent surroundings, with the hotel pool and sauna beckoning you.
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Day 04 Into Los Glaciares National Park
Venture into Los Glaciares National Park, where you’ll find the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier rising at a height of 200 feet from the waters. The best way to appreciate its sheer scale is by taking a 20-minute boat ride over to Los Témpanos canal, where you’ll pull on your crampons and walk across the frozen lake shore until you reach the glacier wall. Having admired these breathtaking formations, make your way back with a scenic hike through the Magellanic woodlands (a subpolar type of forest found only in Argentina and Chile).
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Day 05 Onwards to El Chaltén
Your adventure continues northwards today, travelling deeper into Patagonia to El Chaltén. Sink into a scenic four-hour drive, with the peaks of the Andes to your right and dusty plains to your left. Upon arrival, you’ll find that El Chaltén is a charming mountain town and a mecca for hikers. Enjoy a welcome drink with your fellow travelers as you plan tomorrow’s hiking route with your guide.
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Day 06 A day of trekking in Patagonia
Today, you’ll explore your surrounding landscape on a long hike. Starting in the thickets of a ñire forest (another subpolar eco-region you’ll only find in this part of the world), make your way through the lush foliage until you reach a viewpoint overlooking Mount Torre. Here, you’ll find a vast panorama of granite peaks, with pristine glaciers piercing the horizon. After a picnic lunch overlooking the valleys, make the long hike back to El Chaltén in the same direction.
*The climate here can be changeable. This trek may be moved to the following day if the weather isn’t suitable.
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Day 07 A free day in El Chaltén
El Chaltén is full of fantastic options to explore with time on your hands. From gentle walking routes and lakeside treks, to horseback riding and river canoeing, there’s plenty to experience in this hiking haven. Alternatively, you could choose to unwind at the ranch and spend the day eating your bodyweight in steak. We’ll leave it up to you.
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Day 08 From Patagonia to Mendoza
This morning, make the three-hour drive back to El Calafate, where you’ll catch a five-hour flight to Mendoza (with a likely stopover in Buenos Aires). Upon arrival, settle into the city; a cosmopolitan hub of leafy boulevards, restaurants and a rich wine culture, all set against a backdrop of the snow-capped Andes. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, but our personal recommendation is to dive straight into Mendoza’s bars and sample some of the region’s famous wines.
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Day 09 Vineyard-hopping in Mendoza
Today’s destination? The Familia Zuccardi winery. Nestled beneath the Andean sierra, take an exclusive tour of this family-run vineyard as you taste your way through its iconic wine cellar. From here, cross over to Villa Maipù, where you’ll encounter a variety of grapes, from chardonnay to malbec. This is a unique opportunity to learn about the distinctive flavors of each wine, with regional cheeses and cured meats to enjoy alongside your tastings.
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Day 10 Horse-riding in the Mendoza wilderness
Take today to unwind with your fellow travellers. Then, as evening falls, channel your inner gaucho as you head out for a scenic horseback ride. With rugged dirt tracks and the vast mountainscape all around you, this is a fantastic way to uncover the wild beauty of Mendoza. There’s no need to make any dinner plans tonight, because there will be a feast waiting after your ride. Enjoy tender meats and local cheeses, with plenty of fine Mendoza wine flowing.
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Day 11 Adiós, Argentina
After a final breakfast at the hotel, it’s over to you to arrange a transfer to the airport. We recommend combining this adventure with our wilderness escape to Chile, where the Atacama Desert is waiting to be explored…
Our Favorite Hotels
Browse a selection of our favorite hotels, for a flavor of where you may stay on this trip.
Posada El Encuentro, Mendoza
Family-run hotel near Mendoza’s vineyards
By day, this is a bright, lively hotel where guests gather around the pool. By night, the lights are dimmed and everyone gathers in the restaurant to toast their adventures with local wines.
Why we stay here
It’s a short walk or horse ride to several wineries. El Encuentro also has its own wine cellar – ask for a tour and choose a fine vintage for dinner.
Estancia La Quinta, El Chalten
Cattle station in Patagonia’s Los Glaciares National Park
This 100-year old property has been modernized into a collection of comfortable guest rooms and a restaurant that serves throughout the day.
Why we stay here
The rooms might be simple but the views are breathtaking. From the rolling plains to the snow-capped peaks beyond, this is a place you will never tire of looking at.
CasaSur Palermo Hotel, Buenos Aires
Hip hotel in Palermo’s foodie district
A monochrome color palette, fantastic restaurant and rooftop chill-out bar make this the perfect place to put your feet up after a day of sightseeing.
Why we stay here
Stylish rooms, free bike hire, excellent wifi and a breakfast buffet – and it’s all in the vibrant neighborhood of Palermo Hollywood.
Important Notes
Fly into Ministro Pistarini International Airport, Buenos Aires (EZE) and fly out of Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport, Mendoza (MDZ).
We suggest arriving in Buenos Aires before 3pm in time for our welcome meeting at 6pm, although we will arrange a transfer for you at whichever time you arrive. You’ll have to arrange your own transfer upon departure, but your guide will be on hand to help you with this.
Domestic flights in Argentina are rarely on time, and often sell out – this means that last minute bookings on this adventure may not be possible. If available, bookings may be charged at a higher rate due to increased airfares. For this reason, we recommend booking this adventure in advance.
Baggage allowance on domestic flights will most likely be 15kg. We suggest that you pack below that, otherwise you may be charged at the airport for excessive baggage.
Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting.
We take safety very seriously on Flash Pack adventures – read more here.
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The People
Our trips are for like-minded people in their 30s and 40s – and 98% of them join us solo. It’s almost a given you’ll make friends.
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The Guides
Our guides on the ground know their destinations better than anyone, so expect unprecedented access to local living and cultural secrets.
The Ease
We take all the hassle out of travel planning for you. Unique accommodation? Activities? People? Sorted.
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