Argentina - 14 days in Argentina-need itinerary help

Hello,

My wife and I are planning 2 weeks in Argentina in early November. We would like to spend 3 days in Buenos Aires, 4-5 days in the Mendoza region, and are looking for help with Patagonia.

We are trying to decide between visiting Bariloche region or going to El Calafate (as we're not sure we can do both). Would appreciate any advice and travelling for only 6-7 days in Patagonia.

Thanks!

epost77, let's see if the readers of our Travel->Argentina forum can help. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

Welcome to the Argentina forums.

For us to give you better advice, could you perhaps tell us a little more about your principal interests, and what you plan to do during this trip...? The more you tell us, the better and more fine-tuned the advice we can offer will be.... :) ^

We have alotted approximately 6-7 days in Patagonia (along with 4 days in Buenos Aires, and 5 days in Mendoza), and require assistance in deciding where to go as we realize this is a very short amount of time. We are interested in taking in the scenery, and wildlife, experiencing the culture, and some day hikes (not multiple day hikes as we do not have time). At first thought, we think we would like to see the lake district. We are trying to decide whether or not to make the trip to El Calafate (glacier) as we realize we do not have a lot of time, and there are large travel distances involved.

I have a 2 week trip planned for Argentina in late October/November. We are spending a few days in Buenos Aires to begin the trip, go to El Calafate and El Chalten for a week and return to Buenos Aires for a few days. I worked with a travel agent in BsAs (WOW Argentina) who has arranged for us to stay a few nights in El Calafate (to see the glaciers) and 3 nights in El Calafate for day hiking.

This is my third trip to Argentina, so I've been to several areas. If you enjoy wine, Mendoza is a great place. It's a busy city and very loud (horns honking all the time). but a good place to stay to do day trips to the wineries. We did guided tours, so I can't give you any info about doing self tours.

I have also been to Bariloche twice. Each time I've stayed a few days before heading to Chile. I think Bariloche is a nice place, but not as breath taking as other places.

I have also gone to Iguazu Falls twice and would go again if we had more time. It is absolutely beautiful.

BTW- we are doing a one day trip to Areco during their Gaucho Festival which is around the 7th of November.

Check out www.elchalten.com for some good info about that area.

Mendoza does not have to be loud... it all depends on where you choose to stay. Staying downtown is not the same as getting a place in Chacras de Coria... or if you venture to stay out in the Valle de Uco region. The devil is in the details... ;)

I have a 2 week trip planned for Argentina in late October/November. We are spending a few days in Buenos Aires to begin the trip, go to El Calafate and El Chalten for a week and return to Buenos Aires for a few days. I worked with a travel agent in BsAs (WOW Argentina) who has arranged for us to stay a few nights in El Calafate (to see the glaciers) and 3 nights in El Calafate for day hiking.

This is my third trip to Argentina, so I've been to several areas. If you enjoy wine, Mendoza is a great place. It's a busy city and very loud (horns honking all the time). but a good place to stay to do day trips to the wineries. We did guided tours, so I can't give you any info about doing self tours.

I have also been to Bariloche twice. Each time I've stayed a few days before heading to Chile. I think Bariloche is a nice place, but not as breath taking as other places.

I have also gone to Iguazu Falls twice and would go again if we had more time. It is absolutely beautiful.

BTW- we are doing a one day trip to Areco during their Gaucho Festival which is around the 7th of November.

Check out www.elchalten.com for some good info about that area.

Thanks for the great info. Looks like we will be in Argentina at the same time:cool: We are still finalizing our plans but are hoping to visit El Calafate and possibly El Chalten (time permiting). We are trying to get to Iguazu Falls but time and cost may be a limiting factor.

Have you ever been to wine country in Chile? We are now flying back from Santiago on Nov 12 so we might go to Chile to relax in wine country if that area is more enjoyable than Mendoza. Any thoughts?

Mendoza does not have to be loud... it all depends on where you choose to stay. Staying downtown is not the same as getting a place in Chacras de Coria... or if you venture to stay out in the Valle de Uco region. The devil is in the details... ;)


ePost, we stayed in Chacras de Coria last year while we were there and it's extremely laid back and peaceful. It's a small town that's very close to a lot of wineries and Mendoza City itself so you have a lot of flexibility regarding what you want to do.

We really enjoyed Chacras de Coria and would definitely stay there again.

Staying in the center of Mendoza is noisy, but the surrounding area is peaceful and very nice. We spent 3 nights in Mendoza and 2 nights in the Valle de Uco region and enjoyed walking along the country roads.

I did go wine tasting in Chile outside of Santiago. It was a guided tour. In my opinion, the wineries in the Mendoza area and the surrounding countryside were more interesting.

As a side note, the restaurants is Mendoza were excellent.

Patagonia 7 days trips..

Day 1, BUE -Puerto Madryn (morning flight)

Day 2, Puerto Madryn, then P.M Usuahia (evening flight)

Day 3 Usuahia

Day 4 Usuahia - El Calafate

Day 5 El Calafate (excursion Big Ice)

Day 6 El Calafate (3 Glaciers)

Day 7 El Calafate - BUE (evening flight)

or you can do Puerto Madryn and El Calafate, or El Calafate - Usuahia...

Hello epost77.... some great advice already on this thread, but here is what I would add:

For Patagonia, I would concentrate on El Calafate and under-weigh Ushuaia as much as possible. I would save those days for Wine Country (Mendoza). Remember distances in Mendoza can be important so every additional day you have for Mendoza will be important if you want to cover the different micro-climates that this province has to offer. Make sure to plan your visits in advance and also to have visits in the same general area.... else you will sit in a van for hours.

Bariloche is a very nice place... but your timing may be too tight to do both Bariloche and the deep south (Calafate, etc.) properly.... dont know what the others think. It is feasible to just build in one night in Bariloche but I dont think its worth it..... you say you like to relax so I would say that one needs at least 2 nights in Bariloche to achieve this (and there is plenty to see in terms of lakes, hiking opportunities, etc).