Ultimate Argentina Tour

Fly to Buenos Aires overnight.

Straight off the plane on arrival, a VIP guide will escort you through immigration and pick up luggage and get out of the terminal as soon as possible – for the private chauffeur driven transfer into the heart of Buenos Aires.

Called by many as the Paris of the Americas, Buenos Aires combines traditions of Europe and the passion of South America. It’s an enticing city for gourmands, dancers, old romantics and Bohemians which will soon have you under its spell. Stay at one of the most exclusive addresses in the heart of stylish Recoleta.

Start an exploration of Buenos Aires with a local, a personal shopping and insider’s experience with Vanessa Bell.

Vanessa knows all the right people and can open all the right doors in Buenos Aires. She has her finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the city hotspots, parts of the city where tourists don’t usually see and will take you to parts of the city to match your special interest, whether it be designer boutiques of up and coming Argentine designers and artists or the eclectic and kitsch antique and collectables stores. Vanessa will show you to quirky cafes, hidden squares and allow you to really know Buenos Aires.

In the evening, get in Strictly mode for something that will introduce you to the spirit of Argentina – a tango show with dinner at the Philippe Starck designed Rojo Tango theatre. These are some of the world’s best dancers, and nothing beats experiencing tango in the heart of the city where it was born, in the bordellos and rowdy ports. These days you can see tango in some style with a three-course dinner accompanied naturally with some fine Argentine wine.

For those wanting to learn a bit of tango, we can introduce you to some of the best tango schools which are welcoming to aspiring dancers at all levels from complete beginners to experts.

Head out of the city into ranch country, the exclusive suburbs and towards the vast fertile plains of the Pampas. Just an hour out of the city, arrive at La Aguada Polo Club, one of the world’s finest clubs with a 60-year history. It is owned by the renowned Navila Astada family, with over 250 thoroughbred horses and pristine polo fields.

On arrival there will be a welcome reception by the side of the polo fields with cold cuts and cheeses, then it’s time to saddle up. Take an hour-long polo clinic with professional players. Get to know the basics of the game – the rules and tactics, the polo swing and polo riding. What better place to experience the sport of kings than the land of the gaucho.

Pleasantly energised, it’s time for the feast. Taste and savour the flavours and abundance of a true Argentina asado, or barbeque. With tender meat cuts, straight from the fertile Pampas served in the main house overlooking the gardens and one of the polo fields, along with fine wines, it’s a setting and a meal to savour.

A short morning transfer to the domestic airport and a short hop flight up to Iguazu Falls, swapping the vibrant city with the languid tropical north of Argentina.

Here begins a 3-day sensory experience of some of nature’s wonders in an uber-cool jungle retreat. The Iguazu Falls are justifiably known as one of the world’s great natural wonders, and the experience is heightened with the adventure and exclusivity of the luxury Awasi lodge.

Arriving through jungle tracks, you’ll be welcomed by your personal guide and throughout the stay have use of a private 4×4 safari vehicle. In fact, this is similar to an African safari, it’s seeing and experiencing Iguazu the way few people ever do. There’s so much to see and do in the area and you set the agenda. So whether it’s lingering for that perfect falls photo, stopping to spot a harpy eagle, or just taking a break with a picnic by the river. You might just visit Iguazu Falls once, do it on a luxury Argentina tour in style.

Visit the Argentina side of the falls after lunch. The continual rumble of the falls gets louder and louder as you approach through the jungle on walkways, and that first revealing view of these hundreds of cascades spreading over two kilometres is an overwhelming experience. The Argentina side is the views of Iguazu Falls from the top, the showstopper being next to the vast Devil’s Throat centrepiece – the noise is immense, the sheer power is frightening and it’s not for the faint-hearted

Return to the lodge and relax by the side of the river, a slightly gentler part. Toast the day with a delicious meal at Awasi, under starry skies.

Don’t miss a hop into Brazil to see the other side of Iguazu Falls. You personal lodge guide and car mean you can get over the border as quickly as possible before the crowds. The Brazil side offers a unique perspective of the falls from the front. Walkways lead to an amphitheatre of noise and spray, it’s unforgettable. This will spoil every other waterfall in the world for you!

Experience the Atlantic Rainforest around the falls; in a 4×4, on foot or on boat trips downriver. It’s an area most visitors don’t see and take for granted. This rainforest has thousands of endemic birds and flora, you might even be extremely lucky and spot a jaguar. It’s also possible to see visit villages of the Guarani community, away from the commerce of tourism. The guides at Awasi are experts on biology, wildlife, local culture and deeply passionate about their part of the world, they love passing this on.

Another day in this beautiful region, why rush it? A day longer rewards with the possibility to see some of the ruins of the Jesuit missions which this part of Argentina is named after. Think Jeremy Irons and Robert de Niro in the film The Mission. These are haunting reminders of the clashes of cultures in the Americas, and are beautiful, photogenic ruins, especially in the afternoon light.

Fly to Mendoza, high in the Andes, with views of snow-capped peaks above fertile plains. The lodge ranger will be waiting for the private transfer to Cavas Wine Lodge for a 3-night stay of mountain air, Malbec wine…. as well as other varieties… and gastronomy.

Just chill out, with the wonderful views of snow-capped peaks of the high Andes – these are the highest vineyards in the world. Take a dip in the pool or combine two of life’s pleasures with a spa and wine… a wine therapy with a wine bath, why ever not? You are after all on a luxury Argentina tour only once, maybe!

Go on a wine safari, visiting some of the 25 top wineries located in the area surrounding Cava Wine Lodge in the Lujan de Cuyo area. There are some well-known names here like Norton and Tapiz, and plenty of other smaller producers to be introduced to.

Dining at Cavas Wine Lodge is naturally first-class and in beautiful surroundings. The wine cellar holds around 250 wines selected from the Mendoza region, and an afternoon or evening tasting is certainly not wasted. The wine cellar can be booked for special dining on request.

There’s a free day today. Relax in the rooftop pool with views across Copacabana, head over to Ipanema beach for boutique shopping and people-watching. We recommend a visit to the Museum of Tomorrow on the redeveloped waterfront. It’s a museum dedicated to the environment and sustainable development, so both fascinating and essential.

In the evening your guide will take you to taste Rio at night at the legendary Rio Scenarium. Your guide will take you to the Lapa part of town which always buzzes at night. Rio Scenarium is frequented by Cariocas and Gringos alike, it’s a cool rambling place feeling like an antique shop and bar and always jumping to the sounds of Brazilian samba, bossa nova and jazz. Your guide will be able to take you to all the best places.

After another sumptuous breakfast, fly over the vast open spaces of this huge country into the far south and the frontier lands of Patagonia.

Transfer with a lodge guide out of the small town and though the wilderness of Patagonia to Eolo Lodge. Combining seeing some of Patagonia’s natural marvels with a warm welcome in the wilderness, Eolo Lodge is for those wanting to do things in Patagonia, not rush through on a coach. And stay in style, naturally.

Relax with dinner, perhaps after a sauna and spa, and enjoy the long summer nights and big skies.

Eolo Lodge provides a great location and an exquisite base from which to appreciate Patagonia. Guides can take you trekking, mountain biking, birdwatching or horse riding. All this with a view of jagged mountains and the huge Lake Argentino. You might see condors or the flightless rhea birds, in this area more or less untouched by the modern world.

Take a full-day private tour to the Moreno Glacier, a spectacular drive from the lodge through Los Glaciares National Park. It’s is one of the most spectacular glaciers in the world, appearing bright blue in places and climbing up to the ancient Patagonia ice shelf. The Moreno Glacier is one of the few in the world which are advancing which means there are sometimes huge chunks which fall into the lake, the crashing sound is quite incredible. For many, this is a pinnacle of their luxury Argentina tour.

Choose from walking on the paths in front of the glacier for the full panoramic views, or take the boat trip on the lake in front and up close to the massive glacier, the front of it is 12 stories high. Or put on some crampons and join a guided trek on top of the glacier, is an intense way to experience the size and continual movement of the ice. Each viewpoint has its own rewards and whichever way you see it the memories you make and the pictures you take of the glacier are priceless.

Fly back to Buenos Aires, and a private transfer back to your hotel for the night. Head back to any of the places you saw in your last stay in the city and toast the adventure.

There’s a bit of time to see a bit more of Buenos Aires in the morning before heading to the airport. Or why not extend your trip with a few nights relaxation just a few hours out of the city at Estancia La Bamba e Areco, for a little pampering in the Pampas.

Morning arrival and look back on a trip of rainforest, ice fields, vineyards, the Andes, adventure, and good food and drink – what life’s all about!