Authentic Buenos Aires, the vineyards of Mendoza and Salta's salt flats & rock formations

Day 1

Overnight flight to Buenos Aires

The tour starts with direct overnight flights with British Airways between London Heathrow and Buenos Aires.

Day 2

Buenos Aires at leisure/optional tours or excursions

Arriving in the morning, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in the city centre for a three night stay. 

Buenos Aires is often noted as the most stylish and romantic of South America's capital cities, full of European influences but with a distinct Latin American flair. It is for this reason that Buenos Aires is known as "the Paris of South America". Situated on the historic River Plate, it is divided into distinct barrios, each with their own unique appeal.

We have a range of excursions available providing an authentic experience to enhance your stay in Buenos Aires:

• Learn about the history of Argentina through its fascinating museums
• Magnificent Architecture of Buenos Aires's historical palaces
• Art Galleries (MALBA: Modern Art, Fine Arts, Decorative Arts)
• Museum of the life of Evita Peron
• Parks of Palermo and Rose Garden
• Casa Rosada Presidential Palace, or inside the National Congress building
• Classical Music, Opera or Ballet at the Colon Theatre, or a guided tour
• Museum of Foreign Debt (worthwhile for anyone interested in finance)
• Football Match and/or tour of the Boca Juniors stadium
• Life of Pope Francis in Buenos Aires
• Jewish Community and Synagogues
• Aerial visit of Buenos Aires by Helicopter
• Shopping for leather goods including bags, belts and tailor-made jacket

Full day trips outside the city:

• Gaucho, Country Life and Estancias in San Antonio de Areco
• Day out to see a Polo Match, or take a Polo Lesson 2
• Visit the historic town of Colonia in Uruguay, crossing the river Plate by ferry
• Visit to Tigre, a small town up the River Plate, with boat trip into the Delta

Day 3

Buenos Aires city and history tour

Today you will enjoy a special half-day tour, providing a panoramic journey around the main sights of the city and giving a detailed insight into the history of Buenos Aires and local modern life. The tour starts in the centre of the city at Plaza de Mayo, where we also find the Metropolitan Cathedral, Presidential Palace and the Casa Rosada amongst others. Following a visit to the renowned Colon Theatre, we will head south to the traditional San Telmo barrio, noted for its old-fashioned cafes, antique markets and leafy squares and parks. From here we can walk into the famous La Boca neighbourhood, where poor European immigrants used paint from the nearby shipyards to transform their humble corrugated iron homes into an eclectic mix of brightly-coloured houses. The streets are further brought to life by tango dancers and artists displaying their considerable talents. La Boca was the birthplace of the tango.

We then drive back north, from the business district of Puerto Madero to the upmarket neighbourhood of Palermo, where we find attractive colonial mansions and pretty squares. The tour ends at the impressive Recoleta cemetery, where huge mausoleums provide a resting place for many significant citizens, including 19 former Presidents and, most famously of all, Eva Peron. 

Day 4

Dinner and Tango Show

You will have another day at leisure to explore the city, with time to take another optional tour if you prefer. In the evening you will go on a shared trip to the heart of San Telmo to see one of the most well-regarded tango shows in the city. The show takes place in a small auditorium in the basement of an historic building, offering an intimate atmosphere and excellent views from each seat. A six-piece orchestra provides the music for the skilled dancers to take to the stage to work their magic. The show mainly focuses on traditional tango, but blends in elements of modern influences and regional music from the north of Argentina. Enjoy an included three course dinner and wine before the show and you will be returned to your hotel afterwards.

Day 5

Fly to Mendoza

You will today take the short flight west to the picturesque city of Mendoza, in the heart of Argentina's renowned wine region. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for a three night stay, with time to explore the city in the afternoon.

Day 6

City tour and wine cellars

This shared full day tour will give you an authentic perspective of the city and take you to two of the best wineries just out of town. This will give you the chance to learn about grape processing in the area and to sample some world class wine. 

In the morning you will be guided through both the old and modern districts in Mendoza, starting with a short visit to the Museo del Area Fundacional to learn about the history of the city and the devastating earthquake and also to see some pre-Columbian artifacts and Jesuit ruins. Around the main square we find the beautiful cathedral and the St Francis Basilica and then it is onwards to the Bank of Mendoza, now a space for Contemporary art and the impressive Plaza Independencia and Plaza Spain squares. From here you continue on to past the Government House and down the wide tree-lined avenue of Emilio Civit to the General San Martin Park. At the top of Cerro de la Gloria we can admire the Monument of San Martín and his army and at Challao lies the Shrine of Our Lady of Bonaria. The hill offers spectacular views of the Mendocinian mountains.

In the afternoon the tour continues visiting two vineyards in Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu. Learn more about the traditional wine-making methods used here and how they are blended with the latest technological advances. The tour will take you through the entire process including bottling and labelling. This is followed by a guided wine tasting session - quite lovely!

Day 7

Excursion to the Andes Mountains 

This unforgettable panoramic day takes you towards the Chilean border to explore the Andes to enjoy magnificent views of mountain landscapes. The day starts at Potrerillos in the foothills of the Andes, before continuing through the Uspallata Valley to the remote Punta de Vacas hamlet and breathtaking Los Penitentes ski centre. The next stop is the Puente del Inca geological formation and thermal springs. We then visit the Aconcagua National Park, affording stunning views of South America's biggest mountain. The tour ends at the picturesque Laguna de los Horcones and the small Las Cuevas village. Depending on weather conditions it may also be possible to visit the Christ the Redeemer statue on the border with Chile, an amazing 4,200m above sea level.

Day 8

Fly to Salta

Fly north to Salta in the Lerma valley, an attractive colonial city surrounded by mountain peaks. We stay in Salta for 3 nights. You will have the afternoon at leisure to enjoy this city of fine plazas and magnificent churches.

Day 9

Cafayate Tour

Full day shared tour through dramatic scenery visiting the vineyards of Cafayate. En-route you will stop at the Quebrada de las Conchas (the Gorge of Shells), where wind and water erosion have carved curious shapes on the rocks, creating several distinct formations with vivid names, including the Amphitheater and the Devil's Throat. 

At Cafayate visit a local winery, famous for their production of Torrontes, with special characteristics due to the uniqueness of the climate and land. Time to explore the town and visit the magnificent colonial church, stroll around the leafy square, browse the handicraft stalls and shops or visit the fascinating modern wine museum. 

Day 10

Salt Lakes and Purmamarca

Today we explore the local settlements, rock formations, salt flats and desert landscapes of Salta, Jujuy and Pumamarca on a shared excursion. We take a scenic drive to the pre-Inca settlement at Tastil, once home to some 2,000 inhabitants but today a quiet spot in which to journey back hundreds of years. Continue to the small mining town of San Antonio de los Cobres, set at 3,775 metres above sea level, before crossing into Jujuy to visit the Salinas Grandes - a huge glistening salt flat that stretches as far as the eye can see. 

Your journey continues down dramatic mountain roads to the picturesque town of Purmamarca, noted for its traditional adobe buildings, local handicrafts stalls and whitewashed colonial church. The town is overlooked by the evocatively named Seven Colours Hill, a sight every bit as extraordinary as it sounds. You will then return to Salta via the striking Humahuaca Gorge.

Day 11

Fly to Buenos Aires

Fly to Buenos Aires for your last night in Argentina. 

Day 12

Fly back to the UK

Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.

Day 13

Arrive in the UK

Arrive in the UK in the morning.