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Railbookers · Escorted tour

Essential Argentina

Escorted Argentina tour linking Buenos Aires, glaciers, Iguazu Falls and Mendoza

Illustration of Essential Argentina

Railbookers operates this 13-day escorted tour of Argentina, starting and finishing in Buenos Aires with stops in El Calafate, Puerto Iguazu and Mendoza. Travel between cities is mostly by domestic flight and private transfer, with the tour's rail element limited to a short train ride inside Iguazu National Park. Days alternate between private guided excursions, such as the full-day trip to the Perito Moreno Glacier and visits to both the Brazilian and Argentine sides of Iguazu Falls, and free days left open in El Calafate, Mendoza and on arrival in Buenos Aires. Hotels include the Palladio Bs As M Gallery by Sofitel, the Iguazu Grand Resort Spa & Casino and the Park Hyatt Mendoza. It suits travellers who want Argentina's headline sights, glaciers, waterfalls and Mendoza's wine country, arranged for them with private guides and transfers rather than pieced together independently.

What to know before you look closer

  • Despite the rail branding, most inter-city travel is by domestic flight and private transfer; the only train named in the itinerary is a short optional ride to Falls Station or Devil's Throat Station inside Iguazu National Park on day 8.
  • Several days, including day 1 in Buenos Aires, day 5 in El Calafate and day 11 in Mendoza, are left free with no guided activity.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Buenos Aires

    Your Journey Begins in Buenos Aires

    Welcome to Argentina! You will be met on your arrival at the airport, then transported to your city center hotel for a two-night stay. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing at your leisure.

  2. Day 2overnight: Buenos Aires

    Buenos Aires

    Discover Buenos Aires on your private city tour today, starting at the historic Plaza de Mayo, featuring landmarks like the Casa Rosada and Metropolitan Cathedral, and journey along Avenida de Mayo to the iconic Obelisco. Explore San Telmo's vibrant antiques market and tanguerias, and visit La Boca's colorful Caminito, showcasing the city's immigrant heritage. Experience the modernity of Puerto Madero's renovated warehouses and enjoy the elegance of Palermo and Recoleta, with its famous cemetery and cultural sites. In the evening, enjoy a dinner and tango show at La Ventana.

  3. Day 3overnight: El Calafate

    Buenos Aires to El Calafate

    Today, you will make your way to your next destination; El Calafate. Have a final breakfast in your hotel before being transferred to the airport and assisted with check-in. Board your domestic flight, and meet your representative at the airport, followed by a transfer to your centrally located hotel. Check in to your hotel for a three-night stay.

  4. Day 4overnight: El Calafate

    Perito Moreno Glacier Excursion

    Depart from Calafate for a journey to the awe-inspiring Perito Moreno Glacier, located 80 km away in Glacier National Park, where the tour begins with scenic views of Lake Argentino and diverse bird life. The glacier, a massive river of ice spanning 257 sq. km, offers an unforgettable spectacle with its towering front wall and the thunderous sounds of shifting ice, culminating in a walk along its paths for up-close views before returning to Calafate.

  5. Day 5overnight: El Calafate

    El Calafate

    Today, spend the day relaxing and exploring El Calafate at your leisure. Wander through the town's charming streets, visiting artisan shops and local markets to discover handmade crafts and sample regional delicacies like the famous Calafate berry jams.

  6. Day 6overnight: Buenos Aires

    El Calafate to Buenos Aires

    After breakfast, you will be driven to the airport and assisted with check-in for your flight back to Buenos Aires. You will be met by a guide with an identification sign at the meeting point in Jorge Newberry Airport, before being driven to your centrally located hotel for an overnight stay.

  7. Day 7overnight: Puerto Iguazu

    Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazu – Brazilian Side Of The Falls

    Today, head back to the airport with your driver and take your domestic flight to Puerto Iguazu for the next part of your adventure. You will be met on arrival and driven to your hotel for a two-night stay. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to the Brazilian side of the falls, exploring the boardwalks along the Iguazu River cliffs, witnessing breathtaking waterfalls like Bossetti and San Martín, culminating in Devil's Throat observation deck with stunning rainbow views.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Puerto Iguazu

    Argentine Side Of The Falls

    Depart from your hotel to explore the Argentine side of the Iguazu Falls within the UNESCO-listed Iguazu National Park, spanning 67,000 hectares and featuring 275 magnificent waterfalls. Begin at the "Central Station" and opt for a train ride to either "Falls Station" for the upper circuit or "Devil's Throat Station" for a closer look at the park's most majestic waterfall, or the lower circuit trek through diverse falls like San Martín and Bosetti.

  9. Day 9overnight: Mendoza

    Puerto Iguazu to Mendoza

    After breakfast, you will be driven to the airport and assisted with check-in for your next flight to Mendoza. You will be met by a guide with an identification sign at the meeting point in the Airport, before being driven to your centrally located hotel for a three-night stay.

  10. Day 10overnight: Mendoza

    Day Trip to Wineries in Lujan De Cuyo

    Following breakfast, you will meet your guide to participate in a half-day excursion to visit two wineries in the wine region of Lujan de Cuyo, renowned for its high-end wineries and the birthplace of Argentina's famed Malbec. Delve into the heart of the wine-making process with guided visits to two distinguished wineries.

  11. Day 11overnight: Mendoza

    Mendoza

    Today, enjoy the day at your leisure getting to explore the city of Mendoza, and check off any bucket list attractions you want to visit. The city's Plaza Independencia is a great starting point, surrounded by museums and galleries.

  12. Day 12overnight: Buenos Aires

    Mendoza to Buenos Aires

    After breakfast, you will be driven to the airport and assisted with check-in for your final flight back to Buenos Aires. You will be met by a guide with an identification sign at the meeting point in the Airport, before being driven to your centrally located hotel for an overnight stay.

  13. Day 13rail

    Your Journey Ends in Buenos Aires

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels to Ezeiza International Airport. If you would like to extend your journey to another city, just ask your Rail Expert and we can help you make all the arrangements.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A private city tour of Buenos Aires covers Plaza de Mayo, the Casa Rosada, La Boca's Caminito and San Telmo's antiques market.
  • Day 4The Perito Moreno Glacier excursion reaches a 257 sq km river of ice, with a walk along its paths and the sound of shifting ice.
  • Day 7An excursion to the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls follows boardwalks along the river cliffs past waterfalls including Bossetti and San Martin.
  • Day 8The Argentine side of Iguazu Falls includes a train ride to Devil's Throat Station for a close look at the park's most powerful waterfall.
  • Day 10A half-day excursion visits two wineries in Lujan de Cuyo, the birthplace of Argentina's Malbec.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • All Airfare as per itinerary
  • All Airport/Hotel/Station Private Transfers Included
  • 4 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Buenos Aires
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in El Calafate
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Puerto Iguazu
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Mendoza
  • Half-Day Private City Tour of Buenos Aires
  • Dinner and Tango Show at La Ventana in Buenos Aires
  • Private Full-Day Tour to Perito Moreno Glacier Excursion from El Calafate
  • Private Half-Day Excursion to the Brazilian side of the Falls
  • Private Full-Day Excursion to the Argentine side of the Falls
  • Private Half-Day Excursion to Two Wineries in Lujan de Cuyo

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
A short train ride inside Iguazu National Park, to Falls Station or Devil's Throat Station, is included on day 8; the rest of the tour's inter-city travel is by domestic flight and private transfer.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
Railbookers runs this as an escorted tour with private guided excursions at each stop.
What is included?
Rail travel per itinerary, all airfare, all airport, hotel and station private transfers, hotel stays with breakfast, a Buenos Aires city tour and tango dinner, the Perito Moreno Glacier excursion, both sides of Iguazu Falls, and a Mendoza winery excursion.
What hotels are used?
Palladio Hotel Bs As M Gallery by Sofitel in Buenos Aires, Xelena Hotel and Suites in El Calafate, Iguazu Grand Resort Spa & Casino in Puerto Iguazu, and Park Hyatt Mendoza.
How much walking is involved?
The Perito Moreno excursion includes a walk along glacier viewing paths, and the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls has a lower circuit trek through the national park.
How much does the trip cost?
Prices start from $7,539 per person, about $580 per day.

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