Waterfalls, Deserts and Wine

From the dramatic power of Iguazu Falls to the desert, salt flats and vineyards of Argentina's northwest.

from £2995


'Waterfalls, Deserts and Wine'

What makes this trip special?

Waterfalls in the jungle

Waterfalls in the jungle

Iguazú Falls

Dividing Argentina and Brazil this network of 275 individual drops is the largest waterfall system in the world. Walkways enable close up views, whilst trails within the park can also take you to more panoramic vistas. You can visit the falls from both Argentina and Brazil, as each offers a different perspective on the immense power of these falls.

Panorama of Iguaçu

Panorama of Iguaçu

Brazilian Iguaçu

For a panoramic overview of the falls visit the Brazilian Iguaçu National Park. The walkways on this side of the border offer views from above and below the garganta del diablo and other drops. For those wanting to get up close, and don't mind getting wet, the Macuco safari boat trips are an original way to cool off.

Fertile valley of the north west

Fertile valley of the north west

Lerma Valley

The Lerma Valley which incorporates the city of Salta is a fertile stretch of highland originally made famous for its tobacco plantations. With rivers to the north and south, this is a green and lush area with a pleasantly warm, and generally dry climate.

Cobbled streets and rustic charm

Cobbled streets and rustic charm

Humahuaca Ravine

Through the ravine of Humahuaca you will come to the small town by the same name. Authentic adobe houses line the cobbled streets of what was once a tiny Andean village.

Puna salt plains

Puna salt plains

Salinas Grandes salt flats

Beyond the regions major towns and Andean villages lie the Salinas Grandes salt plains. The vast expanse of white is punctuated only by the peaks of the Andes making this one of the most photogenic areas in the north west of Argentina.

Picturesque Purmamarca

Picturesque Purmamarca

Purmamarca

This pretty town lies under the spectacular hill of seven colours, and there is a 3km trail around the back of the hill from town which gives you some of the best views. Whilst no longer a small and authentic Andean village due to the influxe of tourism it remains an excellent place to trawl the market stalls for traditionally woven goods.

Red rocks and white wines

Red rocks and white wines

Cafayate

Cafayate is a small town in the Valles Calchaquíes and is Argentina's second most well known area for producing wine. Predominantly a white wine producing area, the torrontés grape remains its best known variety and there are a selection of vineyards in and around the town. The journey from Salta is worth the visit alone, as you pass the impressive red rock formations along the ruta 68.

Gauchos

Gauchos

Pampas

The Gaucho culture of Argentina is synonymous with the lowland fertile Pampas and rural traditions of the countryside. Today, some estancias have openend their gates to tourists to give a flavour of the cowboy lifestyle with asado meat feasts and horse displays laid on for entertainment, whilst others are still working cattle ranches.

Itinerary map for Argentina 'Waterfalls, Deserts and Wine' holiday

Itinerary

  • Day      Overnight
  • 1 Iguazu Falls
  • 2 Iguazu Falls
  • 3 Iguazu Falls
  • 4 Salta
  • 5 Salta
  • 6 Salta
  • 7 Cafayate
  • 8 Cafayate
  • 9 San Antonio de Areco
  • 10 San Antonio de Areco
  • 11 Buenos Aires
  • 12 Buenos Aires
  • 13 Buenos Aires
  • For the detail of each day click the ‘Day-by-day’ tab above.

Day-by-day itinerary for 'Waterfalls, Deserts and Wine'

DAY 1

Arrive Iguazu

Today you arrive into Argentina, and your first taste of the country is in the town of Puerto Iguazu, set in the jungle and made famous for one of the world's most awe inspiring set of waterfalls. You are met on arrival and taken to your hotel, with the rest of the afternoon left free for you to acclimatise and recover from your transatlantic flights.

DAY 2
B

Brazilian side of the falls and boat ride

This morning you are collected from your hotel and taken on a tour of the Brazilian side of the falls. Starting at the modern visitors centre at the entrance to the National Park which has a small museum with interactive exhibits, information and facts about the falls. You are then transferred to the start of the ‘Waterfall Trail’, a 1,2 km paved trail dotted with superb panoramic viewpoints, culminating in a catwalk that leads you to the base of the almighty Devil’s Throat cascade, a sheer mass of thundering water undoubtedly the most impressive part of the falls. After the tour you are taken back to your hotel in Argentina.

DAY 3
B

Argentine side of falls

Today you visit the Argentine side of the falls. You are transferred to the entrance of the park where you board the small Rainforest Ecological Train which winds through the National Park dropping visitors off at the various walkways. Visit both the lower circuit catwalk, a 1.5 km loop offering views of smaller but still impressive falls such as Ramirez and Bosetti and the upper circuit catwalk, a short trail in the forest above the first few waterfalls. You are then taken to visit the spectacular Devil's Throat from a different angle along a flat walkway suspended over the Upper Iguazu river. The lookout point at the end of the catwalk offers stunning views over this side of the falls. You are transferred back to your hotel later today.

DAY 4
B

Puerto Iguazu to Salta

You are this morning taken to the airport to fly on to Salta. On arrival you are met and taken on a half day sightseeing tour of the city. Salta was founded by the Spanish in 1582 and that displays this heritage in its well preserved colonial architecture making it quite distinct from other large cities in Argentina. The tour gives you an overview of the main sites such as the historic centre, the Plaza 9 de Julio with its monument to the 19th century hero General Arenales, the Cathedral, the San Francisco Church, the San Bernardo convent, and the San Bernardo Hill where you have fantatsic panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. Continue to San Lorenzo a pleasant town whose tree lined streets of large houses and lush gardens are surrounded by a verdant nature reserve making it a peaceful residence of choice, just 10 km from the city centre. Return to your hotel in Salta in the late afternoon.

DAY 5
B

San Antonio de los Cobres, Salinas Grandes & Purmamarca

Today you set out from Salta and follow the road which runs parallel to the romantic sounding Tren a las Nubes, The Train to the Clouds. You head high into the Andes to arrive at San Antonio de los Cobres where you pause for lunch (payable locally). After lunch you drive along the infamous Route 40 through some of Argentina’s wildest and most arid landscapes to reach the Salinas Grandes salt plain. Once a high altitude lake, this stunningly beautiful spectacle covers a large area where at times the salt is half a meter thick. Continue on to the village of Purmamarca where you pass the fabulous Hill of Seven Colours. Purmamarca is a charming village of pretty adobe houses with a typical Main Square where you may find a craft market. Stay overnight in a local hotel.

DAY 6
B

Tilcara, Humahuaca & Salta

Today you visit Tilcara and the pre-Inca Pukará, or fortress, which overlooks the town. There is also an interesting Archaelogy Museum here. Continuing on from Tilcara you cross the Tropic of Capricorn and reach Huacalera where you can appreciate the amazing colours of the La Pollera del Coya Hill. Next visit Uquía whose picturesque Church houses the only collection of 17th Century paintings of the Cuzco School that represent Arquebusier Angels - the angels are depicted with a musket instead of the usual sword. Arrive at Humahuaca in time for lunch and a short visit to its important Church and the magnificent Independence Monument by the sculptor Soto Avendaño. You continue on to San Salvador de Jujuy where you visit the Cathedral, renowned for its pulpit carved in wood and gold, and the Flag Hall, home to an important National Flag given to the town by General Belgrano in 1812. Return to Salta by Route 9 which cuts through abundant subtropical vegetation before finally reaching Salta through Vaqueros, a small town that takes its name from the cowboys who once owned these lands. Overnight at your hotel in Salta.

DAY 7
B

Cachi & Cafayate - Calchaquies Valleys staying overnight in Cafayate

Today you are driven on mostly unpaved winding roads south-west from Salta at first alongside the oasis of the Rio Calchaqui valley then up through impressive stands of ancient cacti to arrive at the photogenic remote adobe village of Cachi where you stop for lunch (payable locally) and perhaps pop into the small archeological museum. In the afternoon you are driven down the extremely rough, winding, very scenic section of Argentina's famous Route 40 road passing the small historic settlements of Seclantas, Molinos (This is the the highest point in your holiday at an altitude of 3,384m), Angastaco, San Carlos and Animana, then down through breathtakingly dramatic arid mountain scenery to arrive at the end of a long day in the wine growing city of Cafayate where you stay for one night. Here you can reward yourself with a glass of the excellent local produce.

DAY 8
B

Cafayate vineyards - Salta

Cafayate is where you find some of the world's highest vineyards. Characterised by the Torrontés grape, the region’s wine is becoming increasingly celebrated amongst viticulture circles and the town’s Museum of Vine and Wine uses mod-cons to describe the regions long standing connection to the grape. Today you visit some of the region's wineries before returning to Salta. You travel through the Lerma Valley with its historic towns before reaching the Quebrada de las Conchas, Shells’ Ravin, with its impressive rock formations that have been whittled by wind and water into the shape of an Amphitheatre, the Devil’s Throat, a Toad and Castles. You arrive back into Salta this afternoon where you stay for one more night.

DAY 9
BD

Salta to Buenos Aires and on to the Pampas

Today you are transferred to Salta airport in time for your flight to Buenos Aires. You are met on arrival and transferred to San Antonio de Areco, a town renowned for its rich guacho traditions and exquisite silver work. You stay here for two nights on an estancia.

DAY 10
BLD

At leisure for activities at the Estancia

Free day to enjoy the estancia and its surroundings. Guests can watch or take part in the numerous stock-rearing activities which are part of daily life. Alternatively you can relax by the pool, go for bike rides or explore the areas surrounding the Estancia on foot or even on horseback.

DAY 11
B

La Pampa to Buenos Aires

At the agreed time you are taken to Buenos Aires for a stay of two nights. You then have the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

DAY 12
B

City tour of Buenos Aires - Evening dinner and tango show

Today you are taken on a half day tour of this elegant cosmopolitan city. You visit some highlights such as the Obelisk and the historic Plaza de Mayo and stroll down broad avenues, such as 9 de Julio, lined by impressive buildings. You stop in the colourful quarters of San Telmo and La Boca before continuing with a drive through stylish Palermo with its beautiful parks and gardens, the Recoleta, and the modern neighbourhood of Puerto Madero. This evening you are collected from your hotel and taken to one of Buenos Aires' famous tango shows. Dinner is served followed by an unforgettable show, featuring first rate musicians, dancers and singers which revive the original styles and melancholic rhythms of the world renowned tango.

DAY 13
B

Depart Buenos Aires

At the agreed time you are taken to Ezeiza International airport on time for your flight back to the UK.

Guide prices for 'Waterfalls, Deserts and Wine'

options based on all year low season mid season high season peak season other season
Mid-range hotels 2 people sharing £2,995
Prices are per person and include:
  • All land transport within Argentina
  • all accommodation
  • meals as indicated B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
  • excursions described
  • domestic flights
Prices do not include:
  • travel insurance
  • airport and departure taxes
  • items of a personal nature such as drinks, tips, laundry, etc
  • transatlantic flights - these should arrive into Iguassu IGU (Brazilian side), depart from Buenos Aires

Customer reviews for 'Waterfalls, Deserts and Wine'

Recent reviews are shown here from holidays based on this initial design. In each case the itinerary may have been modified (a little or a lot) to suit the individual traveller.

Average

Seasonal information for 'Waterfalls, Deserts and Wine'

Along this route in January

Day Location Max °C Monthly rainfall
1 Iguazu Falls 32°C rainfall 171mm
2 Iguazu Falls 32°C rainfall 171mm
3 Iguazu Falls 32°C rainfall 171mm
4 Salta 28°C rainfall 173mm
5 Salta 28°C rainfall 173mm
6 Salta 28°C rainfall 173mm
7 Cafayate 27°C rainfall 48mm
8 Cafayate 27°C rainfall 48mm
9 San Antonio de Areco 32°C rainfall 113mm
10 San Antonio de Areco 32°C rainfall 113mm
11 Buenos Aires 29°C rainfall 100mm
12 Buenos Aires 29°C rainfall 100mm
13 Buenos Aires 29°C rainfall 100mm

Typical weather for January

rainchart

Max °C figures are the average daily maximum temperatures for the month. Rainfall is the average precipitation for the month.

Hotels for 'Waterfalls, Deserts and Wine'

Days 1 - 3

Hotel Saint George

Iguazu

A comfortable, mid-range hotel located in the centre of Puerto Iguazu 17km from the Iguazu falls. Each of the 100 rooms have private bathrooms, A/C, cable TV, mini-bar and hair-dryers. Facilities include two swimming pools, heated jacuzzi, dry sauna and massage room, gift shop, games room, gym and free Wi-Fi internet access in the lobby and bar. The 'Doña Maria' restaurant serves local and international cuisine whilst there is also a snack bar by the swimming pool.

Hotel Saint George
Pool area
Day 5

Del Antiguo Convento

Salta

Centrally located in the historic part of the city the Hotel del Antiguo Convento has Standard, Superior and Executive rooms all with en-suite facilities, a/c, heating, TV and Telephone. Additional features of the hotel are the Confitería (Snack bar), a small outdoor pool, a gym and free Wi-Fi.

Del Antiguo Convento
Outdoor Patio
Day 6

Del Antiguo Convento

Salta

Centrally located in the historic part of the city the Hotel del Antiguo Convento has Standard, Superior and Executive rooms all with en-suite facilities, a/c, heating, TV and Telephone. Additional features of the hotel are the Confitería (Snack bar), a small outdoor pool, a gym and free Wi-Fi.

Del Antiguo Convento
Outdoor Patio
Day 7

Vinas de Cafayate Wine Resort

Cafayate
rating

Average rating 5.0 (1 ratings)

This wine resort is located around 2km from the centre of Cafayate, within a vineyard and at the foot of the San Isidro hill. There are 22 rooms and all have a private bathroom with tub, heating and air conditioning as well as a mini bar and TV. There is a wine cellar on site that hosts tastings, and a swimming pool with lovely views over the vineyards and towards Cafayate.

Vinas de Cafayate Wine Resort
Standard room
Day 8

Del Antiguo Convento

Salta

Centrally located in the historic part of the city the Hotel del Antiguo Convento has Standard, Superior and Executive rooms all with en-suite facilities, a/c, heating, TV and Telephone. Additional features of the hotel are the Confitería (Snack bar), a small outdoor pool, a gym and free Wi-Fi.

Del Antiguo Convento
Outdoor Patio
Days 9 - 10

Estancia La Bandada (formerly called Candelaria del Monte), La Pampa

San Miguel del Monte

Candelaria del Monte is a 200 Hectare fully working farm just two hours from Buenos Aires in the Argentine Pampas. The home has 7 guest rooms with a variety of layouts. The estancia is owned by local artist and entrepreneur Sebastián Goñi and was built by his family in the traditional Pampas style.  

 

The estancia offers a varierty of excursions, and each day you will have the opportunity go birdwatching, ride bikes around the area or just relax around the pool. At additional cost locally you can request in advance a specialist birdwatching guide, or even a Polo lesson.

Estancia La Bandada (formerly called Candelaria del Monte), La Pampa
Candelaria del Monte
Days 11 - 12

Pulitzer

Buenos Aires

The Pulitzer is a modern hotel located in the centre of Buenos Aires. Rooms are equipped with safe, minibar, airconditioning and free high speed wifi whlist there is a downstairs bar that serves lights meals and drinks throughout the day. Up on the 7th floor there is a swimming pool and even a gym where it is possible to book in for a massage.

 

 

Pulitzer
Hotel exterior