City and Nature of Argentina: Buenos Aires, Iguazu & Bariloche Tour

You land this morning on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, one of the most unique and fascinating cities on Earth and the cultural, social and political center of Argentina. After being picked up at the airport and transferred to your luxurious and centrally located hotel, you can spend the afternoon relaxing or head out to explore this cosmopolitan capital.

Start at the Microcentro, Buenos Aires’s downtown area, where you’ll find excellent shopping on Florida Street and Lavalle Street, or simply stroll the gorgeous streets of Belgrano, one of the most elegant of Buenos Aires’s many barrios. Enjoy dinner at one of the city’s parrillas, Argentine grills where the meat is always succulent and the wine is always sumptuous: Cabana Las Lilas and Rodizio are two of the best.

This morning gives you the chance to explore this incredible metropolis with a friendly and knowledgeable guide who will show you all the highlights of brilliant Buenos Aires. Visit the Plaza de Mayo, the political center of Argentina since the country’s 1825 revolution and home to some of the most prominent political demonstrations in the country’s history, including the famous Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo. This beautiful city square is also home to most of Argentina’s important political buildings, including the Casa del Gobierno, the executive mansion of the President of Argentina popularly known as the Pink House for its distinctive hue. You will also see the elegant Buenos Aires City Hall, built in the style of the French belle époque.

You then turn to walk alongside the Avenida 9 de Julio, the widest avenue in the world and home to some of the city’s most famous monuments, from the Obelisk in the heart of the city to a gorgeous fountain where the street intersects with Cordoba Avenue. Finally, turn to the brightly colored streets and stalls of La Boca, the historic Italian district of the city, a barrio filled with charm and excitement at every turn, especially along the Caminito, where tango dancers fill the streets.

The afternoon is spent at your leisure: you might choose to walk along the beautiful tree-lined streets of Palermo Viejo, where you can find some of the finest leather goods in the country, or visit El Ateneo Grand Splendid, one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores.

After a delicious and hearty breakfast, you’ll turn to the edges of Greater Buenos Aires to the undeniable splendor of Tigre, a town nearly two centuries old and composed of some of the most breathtaking buildings in the area. Take the scenic Tren de la Costa along the Rio de la Plata, where you’ll not only enjoy breathtaking views on board, but also spectacular stations along the way, filled with displays of Argentine art, exhibits on Argentine history, and even large shopping areas.

After taking in the incomparable elegance of Tigre’s myriad edifices, from the Tigre Municipal Museum of Fine Art to La Marina Regata Club, you’ll board a sailboat that will show you all of these splendid sights from the rippling waves of the river. The river's color, textures and shapes all combine to form a picture as beautiful as any fine painting. The afternoon sees you returning to Buenos Aires, and the evening features a special treat as you’ll head to one of the city’s famous underground tango clubs for a fiery and passionate tango show, complete with fine Argentine cuisine and delicious Argentine wines. Whether a first-time visitor or South American veteran, this is one travel experience you simply must see every time you find yourself in Buenos Aires.

Today, you’re transferred to the airport to board a flight that will take you to Argentina’s frontier, into the realm of her mighty neighbor, Brazil. You’ll get your first glimpse of Iguazu Falls, one of the largest collections of cataracts on Earth and one of the new Seven Wonders of the Natural World.

You’ll spend the afternoon visiting the falls from the Brazilian side, where you’ll stand in awe at the immense expanse of this remarkable formation. The falls reach a height that is 165 feet taller than Niagara and stretch for an incredible width of more than two and a half miles. More than 250 separate cataracts can be found on this side of the falls alone, with viewing platforms and catwalks that present this powerful place in all of its resplendent glory.

Cross the Brazilian border and return to the domain of Argentina to truly complete your visit to Iguazu: with nearly 80% of the falls to be found in Argentina, today is sure to make your adventures yesterday seem tame and quotidian by comparison. You’ll be able to experience near total immersion in this magnificent landform as falls will surround you for 270 degrees before you turn to marvel at the immeasurable power of the Devil’s Throat. Devil's Throat is the main cataract towering more than 250 feet into the air and spreading more than 2,000 feet wide. Nearly half of the Iguazu River flows into the Devil’s Throat, making it one of the most impressive sheets of water on the planet and the highlight of the entire complex. You’ll get the chance to get a close-up look at this impressive feature, where the rising mist casts an otherworldly sheen over the greenery that clings desperately to the edge of the falls’ face.

This morning, you’ll be taken to the airport near Iguazu Falls to return to the banks of the Rio de la Plata and the incomparable streets of Buenos Aires. After arriving at your hotel, you’ll have the rest of the day at your leisure in this marvelous metropolis, with plenty of time to explore some of the city’s barrios that you might have missed earlier.

Stroll the elegant streets of Recoleta and visit its famous cemetery lauded as one of the world’s best and most beautiful cemeteries. The cemetery houses the remains of some of Argentina’s most notable residents, including more than a dozen presidents, a granddaughter of Napoleon, and even Eva Peron, the famous First Lady of Argentina and the inspiration for the musical Evita. You might also choose to perambulate along the cobblestone streets of San Telmo, filled with the air of history and elegant wrought iron streetlights. The area is also home to some of the city’s most beautiful city parks as well as some of Buenos Aires’s best nightlife.

After breakfast, you’ll be taken to the airport to await a flight that will take you into the heart of Patagonia and the foothills of the Andes, ultimately arriving at the charming city of Bariloche. Bariloche is one of South America’s main tourist destinations and the center of Argentina’s outdoor activities, from hiking and horseback riding to skiing and paragliding.

Spend some time this afternoon discovering the many cultural offerings of this quaint place, like the rugged yet pretty façade of the Bariloche Civic Center, a national monument since 1987, or the neogothic Cathedral of San Carlos de Bariloche. You might even want to sip a café con crema on the deck at the Llao Llao Hotel, an iconic building in the area and the finest hotel in Patagonia, scenically nestled between Moreno Lake and Nahuel Huapi Lake with an incredible vista of the Andean foothills.

This morning features a half-day tour of Bariloche and the spectacular Nahuel Huapi National Park. The day will be filled with sights that are sure to constantly inspire, and experiences that are sure never to disappoint. Begin by cruising Bustillo Avenue towards Playa Bonita right alongside breathtaking Nahuel Huapi Lake, where the scenery is sure to take your breath away. After this immaculate drive, you’ll board a cable car at Campanario Hill to get a look at the pristine environment. You will have a magnificent view of the sapphire reaches of Nahuel Huapi Lake and the craggy rises and slate-grey faces of the lofty Andes on the horizon.

Return to the car and turn to the San Pedro and Llao Llao Peninsulas. You’ll take in the awe-inspiring scene before crossing a bridge connecting Nahuel Huapi Lake and Moreno Lake, making your way to the unrivaled panoramas of Bahia Lopez, where the natural balcony at Panoramic Point affords spectacular views of both lakes and the verdant surrounding countryside. The afternoon sees you back in Bariloche, where you might want to visit the Museum of Patagonia, featuring stuffed models of native wildlife as well as informative and interesting exhibits on the cultural and lifestyle of the indigenous, pre-Hispanic population.

Today is a full-day tour of the remarkable lakes around Bariloche. You’ll find incredible fauna, beautiful flora and some of the most scenic waterways in the entire region. From Nahuel Huapi to Moreno, deep into national parks and past beautiful scenery, you’ll find yourself falling in love with the inimitable splendor of this incomparable country. Then, arrive at Victoria Island, a tree-covered island in the middle of Nahuel Huapi Lake that is one of the most beautiful atolls in Patagonia. You’ll feel tiny beneath the canopy of oaks and cypresses, towering pines, and soaring sequoias, all providing the habitat for some of the world’s most diverse wildlife, from the world’s smallest species of deer to bird species beyond count.

Following this incredible exploration of lakes, head into the ancient groves of Arrayanes trees in the incredible Bosque de Arrayanes, one of only two forests of its kind in the world. You’ll be impressed by the beautiful and unique trees and charmed by the many animals that make their home here, from the sharp eyes and darling wit of foxes to the elegance and grandeur of the Andean condor.

This morning sees a brief stopover in Buenos Aires before returning to your home country. You are overwhelmed with the memories of a vacation filled with natural splendors and cosmopolitan delights, the excitement of one of Latin America’s most famous cities, the tranquility of three days in the wilderness of Patagonia, and the warmth and kindness of the Argentine people. After such an incredible trip, don’t be surprised if you spend the plane ride home planning your return voyage.