10 Days in Argentina: North to South Highlights
Contents
- Route Map
- Budget Overview
- Days 1–3: Buenos Aires
- Day 1 — San Telmo and Puerto Madero
- Day 2 — Recoleta, MALBA and Palermo
- Day 3 — Teatro Colón, Shopping and Tango
- Days 4–5: Iguazu Falls
- Getting There
- Day 4 — Argentine Side
- Day 5 — Sendero Macuco and Transfer
- Days 6–8: Bariloche and the Lake District
- Where to Stay
- Day 6 — Bariloche Town and Circuito Chico
- Day 7 — Cerro Catedral and Lakes
- Day 8 — Route 40 to El Bolson
- Day 9: El Bolson Hiking and Return to Bariloche
- Day 10: Fly Home
- Transport Summary
- Packing List
Ten days opens up Argentina’s full range — the sophistication of Buenos Aires, the raw power of Iguazu Falls, and the alpine lakes and forests of northern Patagonia. This route moves north to south, with two domestic flights connecting the dots. Every recommendation below includes specific names and prices as of 2026.
Route Map
Buenos Aires (3 nights) → Iguazu Falls (2 nights) → Bariloche / Lake District (3 nights) → El Bolson (1 night) → fly back to Buenos Aires (Day 10)
Budget Overview
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotels (9 nights) | USD 150–300 | USD 500–900 | USD 1,800+ |
| Domestic flights (3) | USD 200–350 | USD 300–500 | USD 500–750 |
| Food (10 days) | USD 100–180 | USD 280–450 | USD 700+ |
| Activities & entry fees | USD 50–100 | USD 120–250 | USD 400+ |
All prices approximate as of 2026.
Days 1–3: Buenos Aires
Day 1 — San Telmo and Puerto Madero
Walk Calle Defensa through San Telmo. If Sunday, the Feria de San Telmo market fills Plaza Dorrego and surrounding blocks (10am–5pm, free entry). Visit the Mercado de San Telmo (Bolívar 970) — the indoor market hall has produce stalls, empanada counters, and specialty food shops.
Lunch at Gran Parrilla del Plata (Chile 594) — classic parrilla with excellent provoleta and entraña. Approximately ARS 15,000–22,000 per person.
Evening: stroll Puerto Madero and cross the Puente de la Mujer. Dinner at Siga La Vaca (Alicia Moreau de Justo 1714) — all-you-can-eat grill with unlimited wine, approximately ARS 20,000 per person.
Where to stay: Hotel Babel (Balcarce 946, San Telmo) — mid-range, from ARS 45,000 per night. Converted warehouse with exposed brick, courtyard, and excellent location.
Day 2 — Recoleta, MALBA and Palermo
Morning: Cementerio de la Recoleta (free, 8am–5:45pm). Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (free, closed Mondays). Coffee at Café Tortoni (Av. de Mayo 825) — the city’s oldest cafe, operating since 1858. Coffee and churros approximately ARS 5,000.
Afternoon: MALBA (entry approximately ARS 5,000). Walk through Palermo Soho — browse boutiques on Calle Armenia and Calle Thames.
Dinner at La Cabrera (José A. Cabrera 5099, Palermo) — legendary steaks with complimentary side dishes. Approximately ARS 25,000–35,000 per person.
Day 3 — Teatro Colón, Shopping and Tango
Morning: Teatro Colón guided tour (Cerrito 628, approximately ARS 8,000, 50 minutes). The acoustics are considered among the world’s finest.
Afternoon: browse Calle Florida pedestrian shopping street and the Galerías Pacífico mall (Florida 737) — the frescoed ceiling alone is worth a visit.
Evening: tango dinner show at Café de los Angelitos (Av. Rivadavia 2100) — show-and-dinner from approximately ARS 55,000. A less touristy option: free milonga at La Viruta (Armenia 1366, Palermo) from ARS 3,000 entry.
Days 4–5: Iguazu Falls
Getting There
Fly Buenos Aires (AEP) to Puerto Iguazu (IGR) — approximately 1 hour 50 minutes. Aerolíneas Argentinas from approximately USD 60 one-way. Taxi from airport to town: approximately ARS 15,000.
Where to stay: Panoramic Hotel Iguazu (Paraguay 372, Puerto Iguazu) — mid-range, from ARS 50,000 per night. Pool, river views, 10-minute walk to town centre.
Day 4 — Argentine Side
Parque Nacional Iguazú opens at 8am. Foreign visitor entry: approximately ARS 25,000 (USD 25) as of 2026. Walk the Circuito Superior (1.7 km, upper views), Circuito Inferior (1.4 km, lower views), and ride the Ecological Train to Garganta del Diablo — the most powerful cascade.
Gran Aventura boat ride (approximately ARS 30,000 / USD 30) takes you directly into the spray. Highly recommended — waterproof bags provided but bring a dry change of clothes.
Lunch inside the park at La Selva restaurant — buffet approximately ARS 10,000–15,000. Better value than Garganta cafeteria.
Evening: dinner at Aqva (Av. Córdoba and Carlos Thays, Puerto Iguazu) — river fish and Argentine cuts. Mains from ARS 12,000.
Day 5 — Sendero Macuco and Transfer
Morning: hike the Sendero Macuco (7 km return, free, within the national park). This jungle trail sees a fraction of the main circuit crowds and ends at the Salto Arrechea, a secluded 23-metre waterfall. Allow 3 hours.
Afternoon: fly to Bariloche. Most flights connect through Buenos Aires Aeroparque — total travel time approximately 5–6 hours. Direct flights operate seasonally. Fares from approximately USD 80–160 one-way.
Days 6–8: Bariloche and the Lake District
Where to Stay
Budget: Hostel 41 Below (Salta 41, Bariloche) — dorms from ARS 10,000, privates from ARS 30,000.
Mid-range: Hotel Tirol (Libertad 175) — from ARS 55,000 per night. Alpine-style hotel with lake views, 5-minute walk to Centro Cívico.
Luxury: Llao Llao Resort (Av. Bustillo Km 25) — from ARS 300,000 per night. Iconic lakeside resort set on a private peninsula with golf course and spa.
Day 6 — Bariloche Town and Circuito Chico
Morning: explore Centro Cívico and the lakefront along Nahuel Huapi. Visit the Museo de la Patagonia (Centro Cívico, entry approximately ARS 2,000).
Afternoon: drive or cycle the Circuito Chico — a 60 km scenic loop around the Llao Llao peninsula. Key stops: Punto Panorámico viewpoint, Bahía López, and the Capilla San Eduardo chapel. Bike rental from approximately ARS 10,000 for the day at Dirty Bikes (Av. Diagonal Estrada 790).
Stop for chocolate caliente at Rapa Nui (Mitre 202) — Bariloche’s famed chocolate shop. Hot chocolate from approximately ARS 3,000.
Dinner at Cervecería Manush (Av. Bustillo Km 1, or Elflein 38 downtown) — craft beer and Patagonian lamb. Mains from ARS 12,000.
Day 7 — Cerro Catedral and Lakes
Morning: take the Cerro Catedral cable car (approximately ARS 15,000 return, as of 2026) for panoramic views across the lake district. In summer, hiking trails depart from the upper station — the Refugio Lynch circuit takes approximately 3 hours return.
Afternoon: take the Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest boat excursion from Puerto Pañuelo (approximately ARS 25,000 / USD 25). The arrayán forest on Quetrihué peninsula has cinnamon-coloured trees found almost nowhere else on earth.
Dinner at El Boliche de Alberto (Villegas 347) — classic Patagonian parrilla. Cordero al asador (whole spit-roast lamb) is the house speciality. Approximately ARS 18,000–25,000 per person.
Day 8 — Route 40 to El Bolson
Drive or take a bus south on Ruta 40 to El Bolson — 130 km, approximately 2 hours by bus (from ARS 5,000) or rental car. The drive follows the base of the Andes with views of Lago Gutiérrez and Lago Mascardi.
El Bolson is a small mountain town known for its organic farms, craft beer, and the Feria Regional artisan market (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday — 10am–4pm, free entry).
Visit the Cervecería El Bolson brewery (Ruta 40 Km 1907) — tastings from approximately ARS 3,000.
Lunch at Jauja (Av. San Martín 2867) — famous for its handmade ice cream using local berries. A double scoop costs approximately ARS 3,000.
Where to stay: La Posada de Hamelin (Granollers 2179) — from ARS 35,000 per night. Quiet garden setting with mountain views.
Day 9: El Bolson Hiking and Return to Bariloche
Morning: hike to Cajón del Azul — a turquoise river gorge approximately 8 km one way from the trailhead at Warton. Allow 6–7 hours return. The trail is well-marked but moderately strenuous. No entry fee, though the refugio at the bottom sells meals and drinks.
Alternatively, hike the shorter Bosque Tallado trail (3 km, 1.5 hours) — an open-air gallery of wood sculptures carved into standing dead trees at the top of Cerro Piltriquitrón. Take the aerosilla (chairlift, approximately ARS 5,000) partway up.
Afternoon: bus back to Bariloche (approximately ARS 5,000, 2 hours).
Evening: farewell dinner at Cassis (Quaglia 342, Bariloche) — Patagonian fine dining with cerviche, trout, and local game. Tasting menu approximately ARS 35,000 per person.
Day 10: Fly Home
Morning flight from Bariloche (BRC) to Buenos Aires (AEP) — approximately 2 hours 15 minutes. Fares from approximately USD 60–140 one-way. Taxi from Bariloche hotel to airport: approximately ARS 12,000.
If your international flight departs the same evening from Ezeiza (EZE), allow at least 4 hours for the connection — Aeroparque to Ezeiza transfer takes approximately 1 hour by taxi (ARS 25,000–35,000) or shuttle bus.
Transport Summary
| Route | Mode | Duration | Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires → Iguazu | Flight | 1h 50m | USD 60–150 |
| Iguazu → Bariloche | Flight (via BA) | 5–6h | USD 80–160 |
| Bariloche → El Bolson | Bus | 2h | ARS 5,000 |
| El Bolson → Bariloche | Bus | 2h | ARS 5,000 |
| Bariloche → Buenos Aires | Flight | 2h 15m | USD 60–140 |
Packing List
- Layers: Buenos Aires is temperate, Iguazu is hot and humid, Bariloche can drop to single digits even in summer
- Rain jacket: Essential for Iguazu spray and unpredictable Patagonian weather
- Hiking boots: Needed for Cajón del Azul and Cerro Catedral trails
- Insect repellent: Iguazu has aggressive mosquitoes year-round
- Sunscreen: High UV in both Mendoza and Patagonia due to altitude and thin ozone layer
- Swimwear: Hotel pools and (for the brave) Patagonian lakes
Book ahead
Book the key experiences
Turn this itinerary into reality. Secure your spots — popular tours sell out 2–3 days ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What can you see in Argentina in 10 days?
- Ten days allows Buenos Aires (culture, food, tango), Iguazu Falls (one of the world's great natural spectacles), and the Patagonian Lake District around Bariloche with a side trip to El Bolson. It is a strong cross-section of the country without rushing.
- How many domestic flights do I need for this itinerary?
- Three flights — Buenos Aires to Iguazu, Iguazu to Bariloche (usually via Buenos Aires), and Bariloche back to Buenos Aires. Booking all three in advance can save significantly.
- What is the best season for this 10-day itinerary?
- November to March gives warm weather across all destinations and the fullest water volume at Iguazu. The Lake District is best from December to March for hiking and lake activities. Winter (June–August) brings skiing to Bariloche but cold, rainy conditions for hiking.
- Can I do this itinerary by bus instead of flying?
- Technically yes, but the Buenos Aires to Iguazu bus takes 18 hours and Iguazu to Bariloche is not direct. Flying saves approximately 40 hours of travel over the trip, which matters on a 10-day schedule.