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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

The Best of Argentina

17-day Argentina tour combining flights, private guides, and two named trains

Illustration of The Best of Argentina

Railbookers operates this 17-day, 16-night independent rail vacation across Argentina, starting and ending in Buenos Aires while also visiting Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia, El Calafate, Iguazu Falls, Salta, Purmamarca, and Cafayate. Private guided excursions and private transfers run throughout, from a Buenos Aires city tour and tango dinner show to wildlife viewing at the Valdes Peninsula and a walk along the Perito Moreno Glacier. Two named train rides anchor the trip: the End of the World Train through Tierra del Fuego National Park, and the Train to the Clouds, which climbs to the Polvorilla Viaduct at 4,200 meters above sea level. Later days cover the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls, the MAAM Museum in Salta, the Quebrada de Humahuaca gorge, and a winery visit in the Calchaquies Valleys. Most travel between regions is by included domestic flight rather than train. This wide-ranging package suits travelers who want private guided access to Argentina's varied landscapes without joining a fixed group.

What to know before you look closer

  • Most of the travel between Argentina's regions is by domestic flight rather than train; the itinerary names only two specific train rides, the End of the World Train in Tierra del Fuego and the Train to the Clouds near Salta.
  • The evidence lists no current departure dates for this package.

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.

  2. Day 2overnight: Buenos Aires

    Buenos Aires

    Discover Buenos Aires today on your private city tour, starting at Plaza de Mayo, featuring landmarks like the Casa Rosada and Metropolitan Cathedral. Explore San Telmo's antiques market, La Boca's colorful Caminito, Puerto Madero, Palermo and Recoleta. In the evening, enjoy a dinner and tango show at La Ventana.

  3. Day 3overnight: Puerto Madryn

    Buenos Aires to Puerto Madryn

    Take a domestic flight to Puerto Madryn, where you will be met and assisted by a guide, then transferred to your centrally located hotel.

  4. Day 4overnight: Puerto Madryn

    Day Trip to The Peninsula With Punta Norte and Estancia San Lorenzo

    Journey from Puerto Madryn to the Valdés Peninsula Provincial Reserve for whale/wildlife viewing, Estancia San Lorenzo for a penguin reserve visit, and Punta Norte to spot sea lions and possibly orcas.

  5. Day 5overnight: Ushuaia

    Puerto Madryn to Ushuaia

    Transfer to Trelew Airport for your domestic flight to Ushuaia. Check in for a two-night stay.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Ushuaia

    Day Trip to Tierra Del Fuego National Park and End Of The World Train Tour

    Board the legendary Fuegian Southern Railway (End of the World Train) through Tierra del Fuego National Park, culminating at Cañadón del Toro, with a stop at Lake Roca.

  7. Day 7overnight: El Calafate

    Ushuaia to El Calafate

    Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to El Calafate. Check in to your hotel for a two-night stay.

  8. Day 8overnight: El Calafate

    Perito Moreno Glacier Excursion

    Depart from Calafate for a journey to the Perito Moreno Glacier, a massive river of ice spanning 257 sq km, with a walk along its paths for up-close views.

  9. Day 9overnight: Buenos Aires

    El Calafate to Buenos Aires

    Flight back to Buenos Aires, met by a guide at Jorge Newberry Airport, then driven to your hotel for an overnight stay.

  10. Day 10overnight: Puerto Iguazu

    Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazu – Brazilian Side Of The Falls

    Domestic flight to Puerto Iguazu, met on arrival, hotel for a two-night stay. In the afternoon, excursion to the Brazilian side of the falls, including Devil's Throat observation deck and Salto Floriano fall.

  11. Day 11overnight: Puerto Iguazu

    Argentine Side Of The Falls

    Explore the Argentine side of the Iguazu Falls within the UNESCO-listed Iguazu National Park, featuring 275 waterfalls, via upper and lower circuit walkways.

  12. Day 12overnight: Salta

    Puerto Iguazu to Salta

    Flight to Salta, met by a guide, driven to your hotel. Walking city tour of Salta and visit to the MAAM Museum (Museum of High Mountain Archaeology).

  13. Day 13railovernight: Purmamarca

    Salta to Purmamarca Via San Antonio De Los Cobres Excursion

    Depart Salta towards San Antonio de los Cobres, passing pre-Inca ruins of Santa Rosa of Tastil, Salinas Grandes, and descend to Purmamarca. The tour culminates with a ride on the Train to the Clouds to the Polvorilla Viaduct at 4,200 meters above sea level.

  14. Day 14overnight: Salta

    Purmamarca to Salta Via Humahuaca Excursion Full Day

    Journey back towards Salta through the Quebrada de Humahuaca, visiting Tilcara's Pucara fortress and Archaeological Museum, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, and reaching Humahuaca.

  15. Day 15overnight: Cafayate

    Salta to Cafayate By Cachi in Excursion Full Day

    Scenic journey through Lerma Valley to the Cuesta del Obispo, Piedra del Molino, Los Cardones National Park, Cachi, Molinos, and on to Cafayate.

  16. Day 16overnight: Buenos Aires

    Circuit Valles Calchaquies By Cachi With Visits to Cachi, Molinos and Cafayate

    Explore the Calchaquíes Valleys, visit a winery for Torrontés wine tasting and the Vine and Wine Museum, then journey through the Quebrada de las Conchas back to Salta and fly to Buenos Aires.

  17. Day 17

    Your Journey Ends in Buenos Aires

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels to Ezeiza Int'l Airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 6The Fuegian Southern Railway, known as the End of the World Train, runs through Tierra del Fuego National Park to Canadon del Toro, with a stop at Lake Roca.
  • Day 8A walk along the paths of the Perito Moreno Glacier, a river of ice spanning 257 square kilometers.
  • Day 11The Argentine side of Iguazu Falls, with 275 waterfalls in Iguazu National Park, seen from upper and lower circuit walkways.
  • Day 13The Train to the Clouds climbs to the Polvorilla Viaduct at 4,200 meters above sea level, after passing the pre-Inca ruins of Santa Rosa of Tastil and the Salinas Grandes salt flats.
  • Day 16A winery visit for Torrontes wine tasting in the Calchaquies Valleys, followed by the drive back through the Quebrada de las Conchas.

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
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Puerto Madryn
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Ushuaia
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in El Calafate
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Iguazu
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Salta
  • 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Purmamaca
  • 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Cafayate
  • Half-Day Private City Tour of Buenos Aires
  • Dinner and Tango Show at La Ventana in Buenos Aires
  • Private Tour of the Valdés Peninsula with Punta Norte and the Estancia San Lorenzo - Entrance Fees Included
  • Private Half-Day Tour to Tierra del Fuego National Park and Train End of the World Tour
  • Private Half-Day Tour on Beagle Channel Cruise - Penguins and Sea Lions Viewings
  • Private Full-Day Tour to Perito Moreno Glacier Excursion from El Calafate
  • Private Half-Day Excursion to Brazilian side of the Falls
  • Private Full-Day Excursion to Argentine side of the Falls
  • Private Half-Day Walking City Tour of Salta with MAAM Museum
  • Return Salta to Purmamarca via San Antonio de los Cobres Excursion by Scenic Private Transfer
  • Train to the Clouds - from Viaduct Polvorilla to San Antonio de los Cobres
  • Private Visit to a Winery to taste the Torrontés wine

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, rail travel is included, though the trip's named train experiences are two specific excursions: the End of the World Train in Tierra del Fuego and the Train to the Clouds to the Polvorilla Viaduct near Salta. Most transport between regions is by included domestic flight.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is booked as an independent rail vacation, with private guided excursions and private transfers included throughout each stop rather than a fixed group tour.
Which places does the trip visit?
Buenos Aires, Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia, El Calafate, Iguazu Falls, Salta, Purmamarca, and Cafayate, before returning to Buenos Aires.
What hotels are included?
Named hotels include the Palladio Hotel Bs As M Gallery by Sofitel in Buenos Aires, Hotel Peninsula Valdes in Puerto Madryn, Los Cauquenes Ushuaia, Xelena Hotel and Suites in El Calafate, Iguazu Grand Resort Spa & Casino, Hotel Legado Mitico de Salta, El Manantial del Silencio in Purmamarca, and Grace Cafayate Hotel.
How much walking is involved?
The trip includes a walk along the paths of the Perito Moreno Glacier, upper and lower circuit walkways at Iguazu Falls, and a walking city tour of Salta, plus a Train to the Clouds excursion that reaches 4,200 meters above sea level.
How long is the trip and what does it cost?
17 days and 16 nights, priced from $20,859 per person, about $1,227 a day.

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