Argentina trip | Expedition Argentine Puna & Patagonia

Located in the province of Catamarca in northwestern Argentina, the village of El Peñón is situated in the heart of Argentina's Puna. This is a vast Andean plateau known for its salt flats, striking blue lagoons and strange, colourful rock formations. El Penon is a popular stopover on 4x4 excursions from Salta or the city of Catamarca. Furthermore, this small oasis with only 180 inhabitants houses some of the Puna's most spectacular sights, including the Laguna Grande Reserve, centred around a large, beautiful desert lagoon, and the crater of the Galan volcano. Finally, don't miss the Campo de Piedra Pomez, a huge pumice field that creaks audibly at sunrise and sunset as the temperature begins to change.

Those who think of Argentina almost certainly think of the Pampa with its gauchos (South American cowboys), horses and empty plains. Just outside bustling Buenos Aires, this part of Argentina begins. Here you will find the typical Argentine gauchos and you can possibly take part in various activities such as horseback riding, carriage rides, cycling or just walking around the beautiful terrain. You will also enjoy typical Argentine meals and the sport Polo in this area.

Remote and stunningly beautiful, Patagonia stretches across part of both Chile and Argentina and offers some of the most awe-inspiring hiking trails in the world. It is made up of several regions, each with its own unique beauty. Southern Patagonia, with its icy landscapes and geometric granite peaks; central Patagonia, a wilderness of rainforest and coastal plain; and northern Patagonia, where the cobalt lakes and lush valleys of the Lakes District and Araucania converge.

El Calafate is a charming little village near the famous ‘Los Glaciares’ National Park and is situated on the southern shore of Lago Argentino. For the vast majority of travellers, Los Glaciares National Park is the main reason for visiting El Calafate. The National Park is situated some 50 kilometres from the village and has plenty to offer every traveller.
The highlight is undoubtedly an excursion to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the most extraordinary glaciers in the world. You’ll have plenty of time at the viewing platforms, where the view of the Perito Moreno Glacier is spectacular. You can see chunks of ice breaking away from the ever-growing glacier, accompanied by a thunderous roar. A truly special and unique experience!

Buenos Aires is undoubtedly one of South America’s most popular cities, a metropolis with a strong identity of its own and a population of over 10 million. Visitors are treated to a wide range of attractions. In the ‘Microcentro’, you’ll find stately buildings, shopping boulevards and, of course, landmarks such as ‘la Casa Rosada’ and ‘Avenida 9 de Julio’ with its towering obelisk. In the old neighbourhoods of ‘La Boca’ and ‘San Telmo’, you can soak up the atmosphere of days gone by, when Italian and Spanish immigrants in search of a better life settled here in the late 19th century. La Boca actually offers the traveller just two streets that are somewhat touristy, and yet you simply must see the colourful little houses here. Of course, Buenos Aires is also known as the birthplace of Queen Máxima and Pope Francis.
San Telmo is the neighbourhood of antique shops and tango performances. It was in these neighbourhoods that this seductive dance originated. In the upmarket ‘Recoleta’ district, alongside exclusive shops and beautiful buildings, you’ll find the spectacular Recoleta Cemetery. Among others, Evita has her mausoleum here.
Palermo is home to extensive green parks and gardens. Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood have been on the up in recent years as nightlife districts with excellent restaurants and cosy wine bars. You’ll also find luxury boutiques and designer shops there.
Buenos Aires’ newest district, Puerto Madero, is certainly worth a visit; the old warehouses now serve as shops and restaurants, and amongst the modern buildings, the city’s architects have preserved large cranes and important historic buildings from the former harbour as monuments.

Salta was founded by the Spanish and was an important stop on the route from Buenos Aires to Lima in Peru. It was also and still is today a centre of silver mining. So today, silver, as well as gold, is still mined there. Furthermore, Salta is located in the vast and fertile Lerma Valley and has a well-preserved colonial centre. Salta is also considered one of the oldest and most beautiful colonial cities in the country. A cosy city with plenty of entertainment, restaurants and nightlife. Many monuments are well preserved.

The city of San Antonio de Areco, located in the heart of Argentina, lies on the southern bank of the magnificent Areco River. This charming 18th-century town is steeped in the gaucho lifestyle and traditions that can be appreciated during the annual Fiesta de la Tradicion. Visitors can look forward to a variety of activities, including: a stroll along the beautiful riverside promenade, a visit to the Ricardo Guiraldes Gaucho Museum in Criollo Park, and strolling along quaint cobbled streets to discover the picturesque Ruiz de Arellano square.

The Los Glaciares National Park is located in Santa Cruz province, situated in southwestern Argentina and is known for its stunning natural beauty. Glacial lakes, towering mountains and majestic glaciers merge into an impressive spectacle of nature. It is Argentina's largest national park, covering more than 7,000 square kilometres. This UNESCO World Heritage site boasts many, spectacular glaciers. The Perito Moreno glacier can be admired in the southern part of the park and is one of the most famous glaciers for its dynamic changes. In contrast, granite peaks and forests characterise the northern part of the park. From here, you can explore the mountain village of El Chalten, enjoy the views of the glaciers with their ice falls in Lake Argentino and discover the different types of Patagonian forests, steppes and unique vegetation that cover the landscape at high altitude.

Calchaqui Valley is the postcard destination of Argentina's northern provinces known for its rust-brown mountains, deep gorges, winding rivers and vast valleys. The roads along this prized tourist circuit are dotted with charming old villages, vast vineyards and archaeological sites such as the ruins of Quilmes.

El Chaltén is a paradise for both novice and experienced hikers and is therefore often referred to as the ‘trekking capital’. The whole village is geared towards hikers and has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. There are various categories of walking trails to explore the enchanting landscape of Fitz Roy National Park. Just an hour’s walk takes you straight to the treasures of Los Glaciares National Park, which range from vast glaciers to towering rocky peaks and rolling forests. The famous Fitz Roy is located within the national park.
A comprehensive overview of possible walks (with detailed descriptions) can be found on the El Chaltén website: www.elchalten.com
* Entry fees for the national parks in El Chalten must be purchased online. This can be done in advance or on arrival at the starting points of the hiking trails. A credit card or debit card must be used for the purchase. After payment, the system will generate a QR code which must be available at all times and can be shown at checkpoints along the routes. We recommend purchasing the passes before arrival to ensure a smoother entry process. https://ventaweb.apn.gob.ar

Tolar Grande is a popular stop on tours through the vast salt flats of the Andes, known as the Salar de Arizaro. It is usually accessible from Salta, which lies some 350 kilometres away. The landscape leading up to the small village of Tolar Grande – including Quebrada del Toro (Bull Gorge) and Desierto del Diablo (Devil’s Desert) – is spectacular.
Tolar Grande itself resembles a ghost town with its abandoned railway station and limited facilities, but it is a friendly and charming place, with just 400 inhabitants, surrounded by the vast desert landscape. Other natural attractions near Tolar Grande include Cono de Arita, a conical hill rising from the plains, and Ojos de Mar, a cluster of three ancient desert lagoons.

The Argentine part of southern Patagonia is a phenomenal place. It is known for its icy, windswept landscapes, vast remote empty Patagonian steppe and diverse wildlife. This picturesque remote landscape is home to the region's main highlights: the Torres del Paine National Park that overflows into Chile and Los Glaciares National Park, both of which contain deep fjords, snow-capped mountains, vast glaciers and ancient forests. Visitors to this area can enjoy some of the most beautiful natural attractions in the world, including: the annual whale encounter on the rugged Valdes Peninsula and the stunning Patagonian ice fields with colossal glaciers. Popular activities include hiking, camping, whale watching, mountaineering, climbing and horse riding.

Northwestern Argentina comprises the provinces of Catamarca, Jujuy, La Rioja, Salta, Santiago del Estero and Tucumán and covers some impressive landscapes. The region's landscape is characterised by fertile valleys, majestic Andean mountains, tropical jungles, and red rock canyons and mountain passes. Visitors can go trekking in Quebrada de las Conchas, explore the scenic provinces and discover some popular destinations, such as: Quebrada de Humahuaca Valley, the Cerro de Los Siete Colores, Cafayate Calchaquí Valley, Tafí del Valle, as well as many colourful bustling towns.

Located in the Pampa lowlands of Argentina, Buenos Aires province, meaning 'good air', is the country's largest province. Although the province bears the same name as the city of Buenos Aires, it does not include it. The current provincial capital is La Plata, a thriving cosmopolitan city. The province offers spectacularly beautiful natural landscapes, including a stunning Atlantic coast, numerous rivers, sparkling lagoons and the Sierra de la Ventana mountain range. Visitors can explore the cities of Mar del Plata, La Costa Partido, Villa Gesell and Miramar. Sample a range of exceptional wines along Argentina's world-famous wine route; and enjoy a trip to a gaucho ranch to experience the life of the gaucho, with traditional music, dancing, delicious food and horse riding. Don't miss the chance to enjoy the world's best Argentine beef in one of the many steakhouses scattered across the province.

Located in southern Argentina, Santa Cruz province is dominated by the Andes and the ice fields of Patagonia to the west and meets the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The indigenous people are the Telhuelches, who remained independent until the end of the 19th century due to almost three centuries of colonialist expansion in the region. Santa Cruz's natural highlight is the Los Glacieres national park - in particular the Perito Moreno glacier, which thunderously collapses every few years in an impressive spectacle. The town of El Calafate is the main gateway to this icy wonderland, while the nearby village of El Chaltén is an excellent hiking destination at the foot of Mount Fitzroy. Puerto Deseado, at the mouth of the Deseado River on the province's east coast, is a small fishing village with dramatic scenery and rich coastal wildlife. You will find dolphins, sea lions and both the southern rock penguin and the Magellanic penguin, among others.

Situated in the northwest of Argentina, Catamarca Province is a captivating area of wild landscapes, forgotten ancient cities and other-worldly traditional settlements. Imposing volcanoes, crystal-clear lakes, lunar-like pumice rock fields, lush vineyards, and vast salt plains provide days of exploration. Numerous wonderful wine estates produce excellent Criolla, Syrah, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, as well as renowned tasty fruit juices. Catamarca is also home to a long and fascinating past, which can be discovered best at sites such as the exciting Quebrada Seca cave paintings and enthralling prehispanic Las Huellas del Inca, dotted with ruins. The namesake capital city, as well as Andalgalá, Tinogasta, and Belén make comfortable bases (with their good facilities and modern attractions) for discovering this awe-inspiring province.

Located in the southern Andes of Patagonia, between Chile and Argentina, lies the second largest contiguous extrasolar ice field in the world. The South Patagonian ice field covers an area of 13,000 square kilometres and is 350 kilometres long. This vast icy expanse is home to 49 glaciers, including the Tyndall, Grey and Montt glaciers in Torres del Paine National Park and the O'Higgins and Pio XI glaciers that fall within Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. Visitors can look forward to climbing the rugged hills and hiking the icy trails. Enjoy the amazing views of the frozen mountains. Adventure lovers and thrill seekers can take on the challenge of climbing Mount Fitz Roy, one of the most difficult mountains in the world to climb. Don't miss the chance to see the most famous glacier of the ice fields: the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier.

The Argentine part of the majestic Andes is a playground for visitors interested in breathtaking landscapes, adventure activities, alpine forests, the pampas and the Chaco Desert. Alpine towns like Bariloche offer a wide range of outdoor activities, such as skiing and hiking. Another gem is the village of San Martín de los Andes with its spectacular scenery of Lake Lacár, located right on the edge of Parque Nacional Lanín, where outdoor sports and adventure abound.