Northern Heights & Mendoza Wine Country
12 Days / 11 Nights
Buenos Aires – Salta – Purmamarca – Great Salt Flats – Humahuaca Gorge – Mendoza – Aconcagua

Take in the mystery and history of the “Paris of the South” that is Buenos Aires. Wander cobblestone streets and enjoy the spirit of the tango. Enjoy an amazing landscape and culture with Salta exploration and the Great Salt Flats. Test your tasteb buds with visits to wineries in Mendoza. Let Kuoda show you just how enchanting a personalized Argentina tour can be.

DESTINATIONS
HIGHLIGHTS
  • Explore the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, known as the “Paris of the South”.
  • Take in the culture of Buenos Aires with a dinner and tango show.
  • Visit the Great Salt Flats and the Andean foothills in Salta.
  • Taste your way through the vineyards of Mendoza.
  • Hike in the shadow of the highest mountain in the Americas, Aconcagua.
  • Enjoy the Gaucho traditions in La Pampa near to Buenos Aires.

    LET’S PLAN YOUR TRIP

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    Your Trip
    Your Details

    ITINERARY
    Welcome to Argentina
    You will find us waiting for you when your international flight arrives in Buenos Aires. Look for the Kuoda sign with your name and the smile. We will escort you to your hotel, check you in, and help you get settled. You’ll then be able to rinse away the feeling of a long flight and enjoy a good night’s rest!
    Buenos Aires Argentina
    Buenos Aires City Tour / Evening Dinner and Tango Show

    Over the course of a half day today you will have the chance to visit the historical and political center of the city around May Square (Plaza de Mayo) and the the presidential house; San Telmo with its cobblestone streets and the oldest residential neighborhood; La Boca where Buenos Aires turns colorful and tango is ever present.

    In the evening we’ll pick you up from your hotel to take you to a mystical place where you’ll discover one of our most ancient traditions. Tango is more than our national dance. Tonight you will enjoy a three hour long professional display of tango and music with a group of local artists onstage immersed in an elegant and alluring place.

    Tango Dancer
    Flight to Salta

    Today, prepare to leave the jungle and fly to the incredible North of Argentina! At the appropriate time we’ll pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the airport to take your flight to Salta, also called “La Linda” (the beautiful). Salta is the chosen jumping-off point for travelers seeking to explore the North of Argentina. From here, you can visit the most outstanding natural wonders of the area: the Humahuaca Gorge and the Seven Colors Hill in Jujuy.

    Salta Argentina
    Purmamarca and the Great Salta Flats

    Today you’ll travel to the clouds – no exaggeration. This is your first natural highlight in your adventure trip to Argentina! We’ll pick you up at your hotel in a $WD vehicle to start a two-day trip to Purmamarca and the Great Salt Flats, a solid ocean of white, 13,100 feet above sea level!

    During this 10-hour trip we’ll travel along the same route as the famous ‘Train to the Clouds,’ zig-zagging on lonely roads between the blue sky and the high desert plains. On our way, we will visit historic ruins and small scattered villages.

    Our first destination is the small town of Campo Quijano, best known as the Gateway to the Puna. Later, we will visit the impressive Quebrada del Toro, a natural wonder where human-sized cacti stand amongst a backdrop of eroded mountain peaks which emerge from the golden sand like giant fingers. Here, we’ll stop for a refreshing coffee break.

    We’ll keep on traveling to Santa Rosa de Tastil, a pre-Incan city of the XIII century, and right after, to San Antonio de los Cobres, the headquarters of the Pachamama (Mother Earth) Celebration. The cherry on top will be the surreal landscape of the Great Salt Flats. The natural light and reflections provide the perfect opportunity for endless photo fun. Test your creativity! And be careful where you step; there are artificial water pools around the area.

    At the end of your adventure in the Great Salt Flats we’ll take you to your hotel in Purmamarca, located at the base of Jujuy’s famed Seven Color Hill.

    Salt Flats Argentina
    Humamarca Gorge to Yungas

    We’ll pick you up early in the morning to begin your 13-hour trip exploring the Humahuaca Gorge, declared a UNESCO Heritage Site. Humahuaca Gorge is home to a bunch of amazing natural monuments like the Seven Color Hill, the Pucará de Tilcara (a ramshackled yet well-restored fortress), and the Paleta del Pintor (Painter Palette) in Maimará village, an impressive multi-colored mountain range.

    Our adventurous path will then lead us through the Yungas, the green-tinted jungle of the North, past breathtaking natural monuments until ultimately reaching the picturesque town of Humahuaca. Wander amongst colonial houses and streets, get a feel for the old-world serenity that still survives in this setting, and grab some lunch in one of the typical taverns; the humita (a traditional corn-based dish) is something you definitely must try!

    In the afternoon, we’ll keep on traveling until we get to the little Uquía Church, where you’ll see some peculiar paintings from the colonial period, called Pinturas Cuzqueñas. For the potential astrologists, we’ll pass by the famous Tropic of Capricorn milestone and finally arrive in the city of San Salvador de Jujuy, the second biggest capital of the Argentine North region, after Salta. We’ll visit the cathedral, the main square, and the presidential house of Jujuy, nicknamed Tacita de Plata (silver cup) after the wealthy city, Cadiz, in Spain.

    At the end of the day, we’ll drive you back to your hotel in Salta. If you feel like having a particularly nice evening, walk Balcarce Street and choose the bar or peña that suits you the most!

    Humahuaca Salta Argentina
    Calchaqui Valley

    On this Calchaqui Valley adventure you’ll immerse yourself directly into the forbidding universe of Las Conchas Gorge, where erosion has carved mysterious red shapes into the rocks.

    Get prepared to visit this Natural Reserve for about five hours, to enjoy the views of its colorful hills while you go down its red-tinted promontories and discover the most particular rocky highlights: the Frog, the Obelisk and the Castles.

    The highlight of the day will be the Amphitheater and the famous Devil’s Throat. The Amphitheater is a natural semicircular formation (65 feet high), and is home to intimate concerts performed by local artists. Get inside and check out the amazing acoustics by singing your favorite tune! Nearby, the Devil’s Throat awaits, right at the end of Las Conchas Gorge. Going down this particular rocky formation, you’ll feel like you’re right in the belly of a giant!

    At the end of the day, we’ll take you back to Salta. Enjoy the evening going to a peña to mingle with locals and eat the empanada salteña, a special variation of this popular Argentine dish.

    Cafayate Salta Argentina
    Flight to Mendoza

    At the appropriate time, you will be taken to the domestic airport to take your flight to Mendoza.

    Welcome to Mendoza! Argentina’s main wine region and heartland of Malbec grape, it has also impressive mountains (like Aconcagua, a climber’s world known summit), outdoor sports (adventurous rafting) and breathtaking landscapes.

    Mendoza Argentina
    Enjoying the Wineries of the Area

    In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel for a half day tour to the Mendoza Wine Country. The tour is in a small group and with a bilingual guide (semi-private service). You will visit two of the best wineries in the area, where you will learn about their philosophy, the wine making process, and you will have the chance to taste some delicious locally produced Cabernet and Malbec.

    Mendoza Argentina
    Taking in the Nearby Mountains

    This day starts bright and early in the morning, right after breakfast. We’ll pick you up at your hotel and take you on a 12-hour trip to visit stunning viewpoints and discover stunning views of Mount Aconcagua (22,600 feet), the second-highest peak in the world after the Himalaya Range.

    Make sure to bring your coat! Even in Summer, it always gets cold at higher altitudes. We’ll take National Route 7 to get to the impressive Potrerillos’ viewpoint, where you’ll see a colossal dam at the edge of the enthralling Cacheuta Valley, famous for its thermal waters.

    Further ahead, the Puente del Inca will arise at the verge of Las Cuevas river. This beautiful natural monument is famous for its healing hot springs and its golden-tinted rocks. There was a time when this bridge didn’t even exist. The legend says that a group of Inca warriors, trying to help the emperor’s son to reach the healing waters, grabbed their hands and made a human bridge which the gods decided to transform into the actual rocky bridge.

    From here, you’ll also appreciate the magnificence of Mount Aconcagua, the “Colossus of America”. We’ll continue visiting Los Penitentes, the famous ski center, and in the town of Las Cuevas (at 10,500 feet) we’ll stop to have lunch (not included) before heading to the Cristo Redentor de los Andes (Andes Christ Redeemer).

    Only available in Summer and if weather permits: we’ll drive to the giant bronze statue, created in 1904 to preserve peace between Chile and Argentina. In the afternoon, after having visited this paradise in the sky, we’ll take you back to your hotel.

    Aconcagua Argentina
    Flight to Buenos Aires

    This morning, you will be picked up at your hotel and driven to the domestic airport for your flight to Buenos Aires.

    You can explore the cobblestone, tree-lined streets of Palermo Soho in search of some one-of-a-kind Porteño fashion stores or discover the incredible street art in the area. If you’re here on a Saturday or Sunday, you may have the chance to visit one of the city markets, only open on weekends.

    Buenos Aires Argentina
    A traditional ranch in La Pampa

    Today, you will discover the secrets of La Pampa and Argentina’s rural culture. Argentina is world-famous for its fútbol (soccer) players, but also for the vastness of its green-tinted fields, best known as ‘La Pampa’. This endless land at the edge of the horizon is still home to the descendants of the first gauchos (Argentine cowboys), who still care for and work the land as their ancestors taught them to.

    There are still some estancias (ranches) that preserve the gaucho traditions, located in picturesque towns within Buenos Aires’ province. One of the most alluring estancias is El Ombú de Areco, a colonial-style working ranch built in 1880 that is located in the town of San Antonio de Areco.

    Today, we’ll pick you up at your hotel to begin a 9-hour visit to this time-honored ranch. Learn about the gaucho culture and traditions, strolling around the beautiful old streets, museums and ancient pulperías (grocery stores) in San Antonio de Areco before heading to El Ombú.

    Once you’re in the estancia, enjoy a typical asado (barbecue) before either a horseback ride in nature or a relaxing bike ride. For those who like to take things slow while on vacation, there is a peaceful swimming pool (only available in summer) and many sunny relaxation areas where you can take la siesta (an afternoon nap). At the end of the day, we’ll take you back to your hotel in Buenos Aires.

    Gauchos San Antonio de Areco
    Return Home

    At the appropriate time, we will bring you to the airport for your journey home. Your host will help you to check-in to your flight and wish you buen viaje!

    Like the sound of this Argentina private tour? Get in touch with Kuoda and we’ll start devising your very own customized Argentina private travel experience.

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    INCLUDED
    • Personalized itinerary planning
    • A Kuoda host to assist you in every location
    • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
    • Daily activities and excursions as indicated in the itinerary
    NOT INCLUDED
    • International flights to and from your home country
    • Travel insurance
    • Meals not specified
    • All gratuities
    PRICE REFERENCE
    An exemplary way for any adventure seeking traveler to experience the best of the region! This sample itinerary is just the way for you to get inspired.
    ACCOMMODATIONS
    Our staff handpicks the best hotels to ensure you get ultimate comfort and character during your stay.
    Talk with your Kuoda Travel expert to help find the right hotels for you during your personalized luxury tour.
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