10 days in Northern Argentina

🌲 You love adventures ? Your legs are prepared to walk from dawn to dusk ? This itinerary is then made for you !
Take a few days off and go discover northern Argentina on the iconic Road 40 (Road 66’s cousin). Through mountains and cacti, get your breath taken away by these beautiful landscapes ! 😍

Itinerary of this 10 days in Nothern Argentina

Buenos Aires > Mendoza > Barreal > Parc National Talampaya > Tafí de Valle > Cafayate > Cachí > Salta

🚗 We recommend for this itinerary to rent a car from Hertz. , It’s possible to rent it in one city and return it in another without exorbitant prices and limiting hidden costs.

📗 You want to buy a paper travel guide ? We recommend this one ! In our opinion, it is the most complete, the most visual and the most up to date !

🗺 Need a road map to prepare your itinerary ? We recommend this one, the most detailed and the most pleasant to read !

The itinerary : step by step

What to do in Buenos Aires ?

Buenos Aires is a very lively city, mainly because of its young population. You can not miss out on this city when going to Argentina. 

• Get a coffee in the famous Café Tortoni, one of the oldest coffee shops in the city.
• Explore San Telmo neighbourhood and go back in time when visiting Pasaje de la Defensa, a 19th century house.
• Dancers, learn a few Tango steps in the streets of San Telmo during one of the many streets shows.
• Enjoy a Bife de Chorizo or Lomo in El Establo Parrilla.
• Taste delicious ice creams at Freddo, Persicco or Volta.
• Go explore Recoleta cemetery (yes, a cemetery) and get right into Argentina’s history where lie former presidents and war heroes. Kind of like Père Lachaise cemetery if you’ve already been to Paris (you lucky traveler !).
• Stroll around the streets of La Boca. Football fans, stop at La Bombonera stadium, Boca Juniors‘ famous club. Others, attend one of the street Tango shows.

Continue your visit of Buenos Aires by :

• Do not miss Palermo neighbourhood, flower heaven. Stop for a moment and have a coffee or an empanada (or both) while watching locals dancing.
• Go to Teatro Colón to admire its beautiful architecture and go see a ballet or opera show.
• Take the time to go to Plaza de Mayo (nothing to do with your favorite condiment) and admire the huge Casa Rosada, the president’s palatial mansion !
• Enjoy the regional specialities like locro (hearty stew made of corn and meat) or l’humita (a corn dish) in the folkloric district of Mataderos.
• Visit an Argentinian ranch with Gauchos in San Antonio de Areco thanks to the many day-trips organized by the city.
• You’ve seen enough of the city and want to go on an adventure ? Go for a 2-day trip in Puerto Iguazú and explore the famous Iguazú falls. A unique and unforgettable experience !
• Go on an excursion to Delta el Tigre.
• Feel like a movie star at Avenida Corrientes and enjoy a Broadway atmosphere.
• Party people, this is the perfect city for you ! Argentina‘s city that never sleeps ?

What to do in Mendoza ?

Between Andean mountains and wine country, Mendoza is part of a very rich and lively region.

• Walk around the city’s iconic plazas like Plaza Independancia, the Mendocinos‘ meeting point.
• Go to the Museo Historico General San Martin and admire the different belongings of the city’s Libertador.
• Stroll through General San Martin Park. Go up the hill and get a beautiful view over the valley.
• Follow the Medoza Wine route, and enjoy the different wine estates.

What to do in Barreal ?

Barreal will be your break. Not because you’ll get to relax but because time stops in Barreal !

• Hike along Rio de los Patos up to the top of Aconcagua and Tupungato.
• If you love thrilling experiences, go rafting in Las Hornillas.
• Explore El Leoncito National Park and observe hundreds of different birds species !
• Close to El Leoncito National Park, rent a sand yacht and discover this place letting the wind leading you.
• Go for a horse ride and discover western Argentina and its colorful sceneries.
• Sleep under the stars at Las Sierras Tontal Observatory.

What to do in Talampaya National Park ?

Talampaya is a small town famous for the Talampaya National Park.

• Go discover the national park, result of nature’s beautiful work.
• Keep your eyes wide open and try spotting rock paintings and dinosaur fossils.
• Walk around, surrounded by wildlife such as grey foxes called pichis, andean condors or peregrine falcons. And beware of the tarantulas !
• Explore Talampaya’s canyon from the bottom. You will feel the size of an ant !
• Hike through Quebrada Don Eduardo.

What to do in Tafí del Valle ?

Tafí del Valle is a resort where relaxing is the main activity. 

• Hike through the beautiful hills.
• Go for a horse or bike ride and explore the many trails.
• Go kayaking in Dique la Angostura.
• Enjoy the local specialities like the delicious alfajores.

What to do in Cafayate ?

Cafayate is a must-see on the wine route, but most importantly one of the loveliest regions of Argentina.

• Go enjoy the regional wines, the torrontés, in the many wineries of the city.
• To learn even more about wine, go to the Museum of the Vine and Wine, where you will also be able to taste regional wines (the trip is not over, do not have to much of it !)
• Enjoy local dishes at Macacha restaurant.
• Get yourself some local products at the marketplace.
• Not far from Cafayate, go discover Quebrada de las Conchas, a long canyon where you can admire beautiful sceneries.

What to do in Cachí ?

A charming and quaint village. 

• Step in San José Church and admire its colonial architecture.
• The Archeological Museum Pio Pablo Diaz is one of the most beautiful in the region, you will learn about the history and culture of the valleys.
• Have a pic-nic under the pine trees at 9 de Julio Square. 
• You want to get an great overview of the village ? Go to the cemetery on top of the hill, you will get a 360 view over the valley.
• Taste some delicious local cheese, queso norteño.
• Less than an hour away, discover Los Cardones National Park, where cacti and tall canyons will take your breath away.

What to do in Salta ?

The city of Salta is THE ideal place to explore the Nort-West of Argentina. Thanks to its touristic qualities, the city significantly grew over the last few years.

• Take a nap on a shady bench on Plaza 9 de Julio (again ?? Is this referring to Julio Eglesias ? You know Enrique’s father …?).
• Get to know General Güemes (or what’s left of him I should say), the hero of the independence, in the cathedral.
• Want to learn more about the history of the region ? Head to the Cabildo (town hall in english) where you’ll find the Museo Historico del Norte, don’t forget to admire its colonial architecture.
• You like death-related stuff ? Go to Museo de Arqueologia de Alta Montana (MAAM) where the bodies of 3 mummified children are kept (light hearted ? stay away !).
• Take the cable car up to Cerro San Bernardo.
• If you haven’t tasted empanadas yet, better take the chance in Salta. Stuffed with meat, veggies or other ingredients, these small savory pastries will please everyone at Doña Salta restaurant.
• Drink some Coca. No, not your usual American soda, here it is a herbal tea infused with coca leaves. It’s recommended when in the mountains to fight altitude sickness !
• Spend a night in the heart of Salta‘s culture and take part in the peñas where singers and musicians will make you dance all night long.

Learn more…

• Check out all the practical informations you need to know about the country by clicking here.
• Book a car rental at the best price, by this website we recommend.
• To book a flight at the best price, we recommend you this website.

If you have more information, good deals, or any advice to share about this itinerary, leave a comment bellow ! Our team will be happy to hear about your experiences !