This is the grand tour of Argentina, a two-week loop built to sample the four faces of a country that spans more than 3,000 kilometres north to south. You start with four nights in Buenos Aires for tango, steak, and faded European grandeur, then fly west to Mendoza for three nights among the Malbec vineyards under the Andes. From there it is south to Bariloche in Patagonia for three nights of alpine lakes, chocolate, and forest drives, before a final hop north to colonial Salta for three nights of red-rock canyons, high-altitude vineyards, and Andean folk culture. Because the distances are vast, every long hop is a domestic flight rather than a bus or a drive, so you trade road time for more days on the ground. Each day below is time-blocked around real places, paced so the trip feels full but never frantic, and timed for the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn when the whole country is at its best.
Argentina in 2 Weeks: Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Bariloche & Salta
The route
- Buenos Aires4n
- Mendoza3n
- San Carlos de Bariloche3n
- Salta3n
Everywhere you'll go
Every stop on this itinerary — tap a card for details or to save it.
Teatro Colon
World-class opera house inaugurated in 1908, renowned for its exceptional acoustics and Italian Renaissance architecture. Guided tours available daily.
Cafe Tortoni
Buenos Aires' most iconic cafe, open since 1858. Art Nouveau interiors, live tango shows in the basement, and a literary history featuring Borges and Gardel.
Plaza de Mayo
The political heart of Argentina since 1580. The pale pink Casa Rosada (presidential palace) dominates the east side, flanked by the Cabildo and the Metropolitan Cathedral. The Piramide de Mayo obelisk marks the center. Deeply tied to Argentine history from independence to the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo marches.
Don Julio
Legendary parrilla ranked among the World's 50 Best Restaurants. Dry-aged beef, outstanding Argentine wine list, and warm service in a corner bodegon setting.
Mercado de San Telmo
Covered iron-frame market from 1897 packed with butchers, produce stalls, wine shops, and gourmet food counters. A must for sampling local flavors.
Caminito
Colorful open-air museum street in La Boca with painted conventillos, tango performers, and local art stalls. Iconic Buenos Aires photo opportunity.
Recoleta Cemetery
Extraordinary necropolis of ornate mausoleums housing Argentina's most illustrious figures, including Eva Peron. Labyrinthine alleys of marble, angels, and history.
Milonga Night Experience
Immerse yourself in authentic Buenos Aires nightlife at a traditional milonga. Watch expert dancers navigate the floor and learn the codes of the ronda, cabeceo, and tanda.
MALBA
Museum of Latin American Art featuring works by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Tarsila do Amaral. Striking modern architecture and a renowned cinema program.
Guided Street Art Tour in Palermo
Explore Palermo's vibrant murals and graffiti scene with a local guide who explains the political and cultural stories behind the art. Buenos Aires is one of the world's top street art capitals.
El Ateneo Grand Splendid
Stunning bookstore housed in a 1919 theatre, with original frescoed ceilings, ornate balconies, and a stage converted into a reading cafe. Named one of the world's most beautiful bookstores.
Floreria Atlantico
Award-winning speakeasy hidden behind a flower shop. Inventive cocktails celebrating Argentina's immigrant heritage. Regularly ranked among the World's 50 Best Bars.
Tigre Delta Boat Tour
Escape the city for a boat ride through the lush Paraná Delta. Glide past stilt houses, riverside restaurants, and subtropical islands just an hour from downtown Buenos Aires.
Puente de la Mujer
Santiago Calatrava-designed rotating footbridge inspired by a couple dancing tango. The 170m asymmetric cable-stayed structure pivots to allow ship passage. Clean modern lines contrast beautifully with the old brick warehouses of Puerto Madero. Reflections on the dock water double the visual impact.
La Catedral
Underground milonga in a raw warehouse space with crumbling walls and a bohemian atmosphere. Tango classes and dancing nightly, attracting locals and travelers alike.
Mercado Central
Mendoza's central market with fresh produce, empanadas, olive oil, and local specialties. Great for a casual lunch among locals.
Parque General San Martin
Sprawling 420-hectare urban park with a lake, rose garden, amphitheatre, and zoo. Designed by Carlos Thays — Mendoza's green lung.
Azafran
Elegant city-center restaurant blending Argentine ingredients with contemporary technique. Excellent wine list and warm service.
Malbec Wine Tour in Uco Valley
Tour the high-altitude wineries of the Uco Valley, Argentina's premier wine region. Taste world-class Malbec at boutique estates like Zuccardi, Salentein, and Andeluna with the snow-capped Andes as your backdrop.
Zuccardi Valle de Uco
Named World's Best Vineyard multiple times. Stunning modernist architecture, olive oil production, and a restaurant serving terroir-driven cuisine.
Bodega Salentein
Dutch-owned mega-winery with a cross-shaped underground cellar, art gallery, and chapel. Premium Malbec and Pinot Noir from high-altitude vineyards.
Siete Fuegos
Francis Mallmann's fire-cooking restaurant at The Vines Resort. Seven fire-cooking methods, Andes backdrop, and estate wines.
Full-Day Aconcagua Viewpoint Trek
Trek to the base camp viewpoint of Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas at 6,961m. The full-day excursion follows the Horcones Valley trail with stunning views of the massive south face.
Aconcagua from Ruta 7
The highest peak in the Americas at 6,961m visible from several points along Ruta Nacional 7 heading toward the Chilean border. The Mirador del Aconcagua viewpoint in Aconcagua Provincial Park provides a clear sightline to the massive south face. The scale of the mountain against the arid Andean foothills is staggering.
Hot Springs at Cacheuta
Soak in natural thermal pools nestled in a mountain canyon along the Mendoza River. Cacheuta's hot springs range from 30-50°C across multiple pools at different elevations with stunning Andean views.
Lago Nahuel Huapi Viewpoint
Panoramic views of the vast glacial lake and surrounding Andean peaks right from Bariloche's lakefront promenade. Spectacular at any time of day.
Mamuschka
Artisan chocolate house with Swiss-style production and a cozy cafe. Known for their drinking chocolate, truffles, and elaborate chocolate displays.
Cerveceria Berlina
Patagonian craft brewery in a lakefront chalet serving a wide range of ales and lagers. Wood-fired pizzas and stunning Nahuel Huapi views.
Circuito Chico Scenic Drive
Drive or cycle the 60km Circuito Chico loop around Lake Nahuel Huapi, passing through Llao Llao peninsula, Bahía López, and Punto Panorámico. Alpine forests, crystal lakes, and Andean peaks at every turn.
Cerro Campanario
Short chairlift ride to a summit with what National Geographic called one of the best views in the world. 360-degree panorama of lakes and mountains.
Llao Llao Municipal Park
Protected park surrounding the iconic Llao Llao hotel with trails through coihue and lenga forests. Lago Moreno views and serene Patagonian beauty.
Alto el Fuego
Popular parrilla in downtown Bariloche with generous portions of grilled meats, Patagonian lamb, and local sausages at fair prices.
Isla Victoria & Bosque de Arrayanes Boat Trip
Cruise to Isla Victoria and the enchanted Bosque de Arrayanes (Myrtle Forest), said to have inspired Walt Disney's Bambi. Walk through the cinnamon-barked trees and explore the island's Patagonian forest trails.
Cerro Otto
Revolving cafe at the summit with 360-degree views. Cable car ride up through lenga forest. Mountain biking and paragliding in summer, sledding in winter.
Manush Craft Beer
Downtown craft beer bar with an impressive rotating tap list of local Patagonian brews. Rustic wood interior and a lively crowd.
Plaza 9 de Julio
The heart of Salta and one of Argentina's most beautiful main squares. Surrounded by colonial buildings, the cathedral, the Cabildo, and shaded by mature trees. Outdoor cafes line the perimeter.
MAAM - Museo de Arqueologia de Alta Montana
World-renowned museum housing the Children of Llullaillaco — three remarkably preserved 500-year-old Inca mummies found at 6,739m on Volcan Llullaillaco. One of the most extraordinary archaeological displays in South America.
La Vieja Estacion
Lively pena folklorica on Balcarce street — Salta's nightlife strip. Live folk music, regional cuisine, and dancing every night. The place to experience Salta's vibrant folklore tradition.
Quebrada de las Conchas Drive
Drive through a spectacular red rock canyon with surreal wind-eroded formations — the Garganta del Diablo, El Anfiteatro, El Sapo, and El Obelisco. The 180km route from Salta to Cafayate is one of Argentina's most dramatic drives.
El Anfiteatro - Quebrada de las Conchas
A natural amphitheater carved by wind and water into towering red sandstone walls. The acoustics are extraordinary — a whisper echoes around the circular chamber. One of the most dramatic formations along the Quebrada de las Conchas route.
Torrontes Wine Tasting in Cafayate
Taste Argentina's signature white wine at its birthplace. Cafayate's high altitude (1,660m), intense sun, and dramatic temperature swings produce exceptional Torrontes with intense floral aromatics. Visit boutique and historic bodegas along the RN 40.
Cafayate Vineyards at Sunset
Vineyards at 1,660m surrounded by red sandstone mountains create one of the most dramatic winescape settings anywhere. The late afternoon sun turns the mountains a deep crimson while the ordered rows of vines catch golden sidelight. Many bodegas allow vineyard walks.
Salinas Grandes Salt Flats
Visit the vast white salt flats stretching across 212 sq km at 3,450m elevation. The blinding white expanse against deep blue Andean skies creates surreal, Uyuni-like photo opportunities. Local Atacameno communities offer guided walks and salt crafts.
Cuesta del Obispo
A dramatic mountain pass climbing through 21 switchbacks from the green Lerma Valley (1,500m) to the Andean altiplano at 3,348m. The views from the Piedra del Molino pass at the top reveal the vast Valle Encantado below and the snow-capped Nevado de Cachi beyond.
El Solar del Convento
Upscale regional restaurant in a converted 18th-century convent. Features refined versions of traditional northwest dishes, an excellent Torrontes wine list, and a peaceful courtyard setting.
Cerro San Bernardo
Hilltop viewpoint offering panoramic views of the entire city of Salta and the surrounding valley. Accessible by teleferico (cable car) from Parque San Martin or by a 1,000-step stairway. Gardens, waterfalls, and a cafe at the summit.
Mercado Central de Salta
Bustling city market selling regional produce, spices, dried herbs, handmade cheeses, and prepared food. Great for cheap empanadas and a window into local daily life.
Day by day
Arrival, downtown grandeur & first asado
Teatro Colon
Ease into Buenos Aires with a guided tour of one of the world's great opera houses, a gilded Belle Epoque hall famed for near-perfect acoustics. A grand, low-effort introduction to the city's European soul.
Tip: Book the English-language tour slot online in advance; they sell out and walk-ups are limited.
Cafe Tortoni
Lunch at the city's most storied cafe, open since 1858, all marble tables, stained glass, and waistcoated waiters. Order a coffee and medialunas and soak up a century of porteno literary history.
Tip: There is often a queue at the front door; the side-street entrance for the back room can be quicker.
15:30Plaza de Mayo
Walk the city's political heart, ringed by the pink presidential palace, the cathedral, and the old colonial cabildo. This is where Argentina's history has played out for two centuries.
Tip: Thursdays at 3:30pm the Madres de Plaza de Mayo still march in a circle around the square.
Don Julio
End day one at the parrilla that put Argentine steak on the world map, a wood-panelled Palermo institution with walls of signed wine bottles. The bife de chorizo here is the benchmark.
Tip: Reserve weeks ahead; if you cannot get in, they sometimes seat walk-ins with a glass of sparkling while you wait.
San Telmo, La Boca & tango
Mercado de San Telmo
Start in the cobbled bohemian barrio at its 1897 covered market, a tangle of antique stalls and food counters under a wrought-iron roof. Graze and browse at the same time.
Tip: On Sundays the whole neighbourhood becomes the San Telmo antique fair; weekdays are calmer for the indoor market.
Caminito
Head to La Boca's famously painted alley, where corrugated-iron houses are washed in primary colours and tango dancers perform for the cafes. Touristy but irresistibly photogenic.
Tip: Stay on the main pedestrian streets and leave by mid-afternoon; surrounding blocks are best avoided.
Recoleta Cemetery
Wander the marble city of the dead in upscale Recoleta, a maze of ornate mausoleums including Eva Peron's tomb. One of the most extraordinary cemeteries on earth.
Tip: Grab a free map at the entrance to find Evita's grave; afterwards have a coffee at La Biela across the plaza.
Milonga Night Experience
Cap the day at a milonga, a local social dance hall where porteno couples dance tango for themselves rather than for tourists. The real thing, raw and intimate.
Tip: You do not have to dance; arriving around 10pm and watching with a drink is perfectly acceptable.
Palermo art, street murals & cocktails
MALBA
Spend the morning at the Latin American Art Museum, a sleek modern building holding Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and the best of 20th-century Argentine art. Compact and rewarding.
Tip: Wednesdays have discounted admission; the museum cafe is a fine lunch stop afterwards.
Guided Street Art Tour in Palermo
Join a walking tour of Palermo's open-air murals, where Buenos Aires's permissive attitude to street art has turned whole blocks into a free-form gallery. A different read on the city.
Tip: Wear comfortable shoes; tours cover a lot of ground and the best work is on quiet residential streets.
El Ateneo Grand Splendid
Drop into the bookshop built inside a 1919 theatre, where you browse novels from former opera boxes beneath a frescoed ceiling. Regularly named the world's most beautiful bookstore.
Tip: Have a coffee on the old stage at the back; entry is free even if you do not buy a book.
Floreria Atlantico
Finish with cocktails at the speakeasy hidden behind a flower shop's walk-in fridge, repeatedly ranked among the world's best bars. The drinks lean on Argentine spirits and immigrant history.
Tip: Go early or expect a wait; the menu's storytelling is half the fun, so let the bartenders guide you.
Delta escape & a final tango
09:30Tigre Delta Boat Tour
Take a half-day boat trip through the Tigre Delta just north of the city, a labyrinth of brown channels, stilt houses, and riverside cafes. A green, watery counterpoint to the urban week.
Tip: The scenic Tren de la Costa or commuter train out to Tigre is part of the experience; go in the morning before the afternoon haze.
15:30Puente de la Mujer
Back in town, stroll the regenerated Puerto Madero docklands and its sleek Calatrava footbridge, with the old red-brick warehouses now lining the water. A relaxed riverside walk.
Tip: Continue to the Costanera Sur ecological reserve next door for a surprising patch of wild riverbank.
La Catedral
Spend your last BA night at this cavernous, candlelit tango hall in a converted warehouse, where a beginner class rolls into a late milonga under chandeliers. The most atmospheric send-off.
Tip: Come for the early lesson even if you are a complete novice; the floor stays welcoming all night.
Fly west to wine country: city & first sips
Mercado Central
After the morning flight from Buenos Aires, drop your bags and head to Mendoza's lively covered market for empanadas, olives, and cured meats. A quick, tasty orientation to the region's produce.
Tip: It is a working market, busiest at midday; come hungry and pay cash for the food stalls.
Parque General San Martin
Walk off lunch in the city's vast 19th-century park, with its rose garden, lake, and grand wrought-iron gates. A leafy, low-key afternoon to acclimatise to the dry mountain air.
Tip: The park sits at the foot of the hills, so it can be warmer and sunnier than downtown; bring water.
Azafran
Dine at this beloved downtown bistro famed for its walk-in cellar and a sommelier who pairs regional Malbec to a market-driven menu. The ideal first proper taste of Mendoza's wines.
Tip: Ask to visit the cellar to choose your bottle; reserve ahead as it fills with wine travellers.
Uco Valley: the great Malbec day
Malbec Wine Tour in Uco Valley
Devote a full day to the high-altitude Uco Valley, the most celebrated terroir in Argentine wine, on a guided tour that strings together flagship bodegas under the snow-capped Andes.
Tip: Always take a tour or hire a driver for wine days; the bodegas are far apart and you will be tasting.
Zuccardi Valle de Uco
Tour the dramatic stone-and-concrete winery repeatedly voted the world's best vineyard, where the architecture frames the mountains as deliberately as it ferments the wine. A flagship Uco stop.
Tip: Book the tasting in advance and pair it with lunch at their on-site restaurant if you can.
Bodega Salentein
Continue to Salentein, a cathedral-like winery with a striking cruciform cellar and an art gallery among the vines. The scale and silence make for a memorable afternoon tasting.
Tip: Allow time for the gallery and the chapel on the estate; both are included and worth a wander.
Siete Fuegos
End the day at Francis Mallmann's open-fire restaurant at The Vines, where everything is cooked over flame and embers in the Argentine asado tradition. A bucket-list dinner in the vineyards.
Tip: It is well outside the city, so arrange transport both ways; reserve far in advance.
The high Andes & Aconcagua
Full-Day Aconcagua Viewpoint Trek
Trade vines for peaks on a full-day excursion up the dramatic Ruta 7 toward Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas, with stops at gorges, viewpoints, and old mountain hamlets.
Tip: Altitude rises fast on this route; dress in layers and carry water, as conditions change quickly.
12:30Aconcagua from Ruta 7
Pause at the classic roadside viewpoint where Aconcagua's 6,961-metre summit fills the horizon, a humbling sight even from a distance. The defining photo of any Mendoza road trip.
Tip: Mornings usually have the clearest air before afternoon cloud builds over the peak.
17:00Hot Springs at Cacheuta
Wind down on the way back at the thermal springs of Cacheuta, soaking in mineral pools cut into the mountainside above the Mendoza River. The perfect antidote to a long day on the road.
Tip: Bring a swimsuit and a towel; the riverside thermal complex can get busy on weekends.
Fly south to Patagonia: lakes & chocolate
Lago Nahuel Huapi Viewpoint
Arrive in Bariloche and head straight to the lakeshore, where the vast glacial Lago Nahuel Huapi spreads out beneath forested peaks. A breath of cool Patagonian air after the desert of Mendoza.
Tip: The town hugs the lake; even a short walk along the costanera gives you the view for free.
Mamuschka
Bariloche is Argentina's chocolate capital, and Mamuschka is its most famous chocolatier, a wood-panelled cafe of artisanal bars, hot chocolate, and Patagonian-berry confections. An essential first stop.
Tip: The hot chocolate is thick enough to stand a spoon in; grab a box of bars for the road too.
Cerveceria Berlina
Settle into the Patagonian beer scene at this respected brewpub, pairing house-brewed ales and stouts with hearty mountain food. A relaxed, alpine-lodge welcome to the south.
Tip: The tasting flight is the smart move on a first visit; the bocadillos and pizzas soak it up.
Circuito Chico & the classic lake loop
Circuito Chico Scenic Drive
Spend the day on the Circuito Chico, the iconic loop of lakeside roads, viewpoints, and forest that defines the Bariloche landscape. The single best way to grasp the region's beauty.
Tip: Rent a car or join a tour and take it slowly; the joy is in stopping at every miradore.
Cerro Campanario
Ride the chairlift up Cerro Campanario for the panorama National Geographic once ranked among the world's best: a jigsaw of cobalt lakes, islands, and peaks laid out below. The Circuito's highlight.
Tip: Go on a clear morning; afternoon clouds can roll in and erase the view in minutes.
Llao Llao Municipal Park
Walk the gentle trails of the Llao Llao park out at the end of the peninsula, past the landmark lodge, beaches, and the small arrayan forest. Easy, gorgeous, and quintessentially Patagonian.
Tip: The short loop to the little chapel and Lago Escondido is doable in an hour and very rewarding.
Alto el Fuego
Dinner at a Patagonian parrilla specialising in local lamb cooked over the fire alongside the region's trout. The flavours of the south on one plate to close the day.
Tip: Patagonian lamb is the signature here; reserve ahead in high season as it is a local favourite.
On the water: Victoria Island & the arrayan forest
Isla Victoria & Bosque de Arrayanes Boat Trip
Take the catamaran across Nahuel Huapi to Victoria Island and the rare arrayan forest, a grove of cinnamon-barked myrtle trees that helped inspire a famous animated film. A serene day on the lake.
Tip: Book the full-day combined tour; the crossing itself, weaving between islands, is a highlight.
Cerro Otto
Back on shore, ride the cable car up Cerro Otto for a revolving-cafe view over the lakes and the town. A relaxed way to spend a late afternoon with a coffee at altitude.
Tip: The gondola and the rotating cafe at the summit are the draw; time it for the golden late-day light.
Manush Craft Beer
Round off your Patagonian stay at this popular craft-beer bar with a buzzy local crowd, hop-forward ales, and generous sharing plates. A lively final night in the mountains.
Tip: It gets packed after 9pm; go a little earlier to grab a table without a wait.
Fly north to the colonial Andes: Salta la Linda
15:00Plaza 9 de Julio
After the long connecting flight up from Patagonia, ease into Salta on its beautifully preserved colonial main square, ringed by palm trees, arcades, and pastel facades. The genteel heart of the north.
Tip: The cafes under the arcades are the place for a late-afternoon coffee and people-watching.
MAAM - Museo de Arqueologia de Alta Montana
Visit the MAAM, home to the remarkably preserved Llullaillaco children, Inca mummies found at over 6,700 metres on a nearby summit. A moving, world-class window into Andean civilisation.
Tip: Only one mummy is displayed at a time for conservation; the exhibition is intense, so allow yourself time to absorb it.
21:00La Vieja Estacion
Dive into the north's folk culture at a pena, a restaurant where live Andean musicians play between courses of empanadas and locro stew. The most authentically Salteno of nights.
Tip: Shows start late and run long; order the regional empanadas and humita and settle in.
Cafayate, red canyons & Torrontes
08:30Quebrada de las Conchas Drive
Drive south through the Quebrada de las Conchas, a gorge of wildly eroded red sandstone formations en route to the wine town of Cafayate. One of Argentina's most cinematic road trips.
Tip: Stop at the named formations along the way; they are signposted and most are a short walk from the road.
10:30El Anfiteatro - Quebrada de las Conchas
Pull over at El Anfiteatro, a natural rock amphitheatre with astonishing acoustics carved by water into the canyon wall. Musicians sometimes play here just to hear it ring.
Tip: Clap or hum inside to feel the echo; nearby Garganta del Diablo is an equally striking quick stop.
13:00Torrontes Wine Tasting in Cafayate
In Cafayate, taste the crisp, floral Torrontes white that thrives in these high-desert vineyards, the signature wine of the north. A bright contrast to Mendoza's reds.
Tip: Several bodegas ring the town's plaza within walking distance; the Torrontes is best drunk young and chilled.
16:00Cafayate Vineyards at Sunset
Linger as the late sun lights the vineyards against the red mountains before the drive back to Salta. The valley glows gold at this hour and the air turns cool.
Tip: It is a long day on the road, so leave Cafayate with enough daylight for the return through the gorge.
Salinas Grandes & the high puna
07:00Salinas Grandes Salt Flats
Set out early for the Salinas Grandes salt flats, a blinding white expanse at 3,400 metres reached by climbing the dramatic switchbacks of the Cuesta del Lipan. A full day into the high Andean puna.
Tip: It is a very long day at altitude; bring sunglasses, sunscreen, water, and warm layers for the cold heights.
10:30Cuesta del Obispo
On routes through the western valleys, the serpentine Cuesta del Obispo climbs into the clouds with sweeping viewpoints over the green Valle Encantado. A jaw-dropping mountain pass.
Tip: The road is winding and unpaved in places; a guided tour or experienced driver makes it stress-free.
20:30El Solar del Convento
Back in Salta, celebrate your last northern night at a classic restaurant in a converted convent building, with regional dishes and a complimentary glass of bubbly on arrival. A warm, traditional close.
Tip: Try the locro or a Salteno grill; the colonial dining room is the atmosphere you came for.
Last morning: the city from above
Cerro San Bernardo
On your final morning, ride the cable car up Cerro San Bernardo for a farewell panorama over the red roofs of Salta cradled by green hills. A fitting last view of the journey.
Tip: Go early before the heat and haze; you can walk down through gardens and a waterfall if you have time.
11:30Mercado Central de Salta
Finish with a wander through Salta's central market for one last round of empanadas and a bag of regional treats to take home. A tasty, unfussy farewell to Argentina's north.
Tip: The empanada stalls here are cheap and excellent; buy a few extra for the flight home.
Getting between stops
What it costs
A mid-range two weeks runs roughly $2,200-3,400 per person excluding international flights: comfortable hotels, the three domestic flights (budget around $400-500 for the trio, with the Bariloche-Salta connection the priciest), tours and tastings in wine and Patagonian country, and generous eating out. Argentina's economy and exchange rate swing sharply, so carry some US dollars and check current rates; paying with cards or the favourable tourist exchange can change costs week to week. Wine tours and the salt-flat excursions are the biggest discretionary spends.~$150-240 / day
Frequently asked questions
- Is two weeks enough to see Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Bariloche, and Salta?
- Yes, fourteen days covers this grand-tour loop comfortably if you fly between stops. Four nights give you the range of Buenos Aires, three each in Mendoza, Bariloche, and Salta let you do the signature wine, lake, and canyon excursions without rushing, and the domestic flights mean you spend hours rather than days in transit. It is full but not frantic; if you have more time, an extra night in any stop is easily filled.
- Why fly between the cities instead of taking buses?
- Argentina is enormous, and these four cities are spread across more than 3,000 kilometres. Buenos Aires to Mendoza is over 1,000 km, and Bariloche to Salta is more than 2,000 km. Long-distance buses are comfortable and cheap but would each eat 15 to 20 hours of a two-week trip. Domestic flights on Aerolineas Argentinas, JetSMART, or Flybondi cut those hops to a couple of hours, which is the only way to fit all four stops into a fortnight.
- How do I get from Bariloche to Salta? There is no direct flight.
- Correct, there is no nonstop route between Bariloche and Salta, so you connect through Buenos Aires Aeroparque. Bariloche to Buenos Aires is about 2h 15m, then Buenos Aires to Salta is another 2h 15m, with a layover that makes the door-to-door journey around seven hours. Book both segments on a single Aerolineas Argentinas ticket so a delay on the first leg is the airline's problem rather than yours, and leave a generous connection buffer.
- When is the best time of year to do this trip?
- Spring (October to early December) and autumn (March to May) are ideal. The weather is mild in Buenos Aires, Mendoza's vineyards are at their most photogenic, Bariloche is lush or aflame with autumn colour, and the northern desert around Salta is pleasant rather than baking. Summer is hot in the north and crowded in Patagonia, while winter turns Bariloche into a ski resort but makes the rest of the country cold and dark.
- Should I book domestic flights before arriving in Argentina?
- Yes, book the three internal flights as early as you can, especially the Mendoza-Bariloche direct service, which only runs a few days a week and shapes your whole itinerary. Domestic fares rise as seats fill, and Aerolineas Argentinas has historically priced differently for residents versus visitors, so check the conditions when you buy. Locking in flights early also lets you build each city's nights around the days the planes actually fly.
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