Argentina is a land of contrast: European-style boulevards and art deco cafés in Buenos Aires, wind-sculpted ice in Patagonia, and rainforest canyons that roar at Iguazú Falls. Centuries of migration shaped its culture—from gaucho traditions on the pampas to the melancholic poetry of tango born in portside bars.

This two-week plan blends city sightseeing, day hikes, and unique activities—think rooftop asado, kayaking by a glacier, and jungle trails where toucans flash by. It’s paced for adventure without losing time to logistics, and it zeroes in on your musts: Buenos Aires and the Perito Moreno Glacier.

Practical notes: domestic flights connect long distances efficiently; cards are widely accepted; tip ~10% in restaurants. Pack layers for Patagonia (it’s windy year-round), insect repellent for Iguazú, and comfortable shoes—you’ll be on the move.

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a city of neighborhoods—each with a personality. Palermo’s leafy avenues hide design shops and buzzy parrillas; San Telmo keeps the cobblestone spirit of old Buenos Aires; La Boca splashes color on corrugated-metal houses near La Bombonera stadium. By night, music spills from bars and milongas where tango still breathes.

History threads through the city: Plaza de Mayo witnessed revolutions; Recoleta Cemetery shelters marble mausoleums and stories of a nation. Meanwhile, modern art and specialty coffee fuel a new generation of porteños shaping the city’s pulse.

Days 1–5: Classic BA, Food & Tango

• City essentials: Start with a guided overview so you can navigate like a local—Plaza de Mayo, San Telmo, La Boca’s Caminito, Puerto Madero’s waterfront, and Recoleta’s sculpted mausoleums. Then wander Palermo Soho for murals and boutiques.
• Tango night: Experience tango up close in an intimate setting, then stroll late-night for helado (ice cream) on buzzing Armenia Square.
• Day on the water: Drift through the Tigre Delta’s labyrinth of waterways and stilted homes. It’s a green, breezy counterpoint to the city.
• Cooking and asado culture: Learn the rituals of fire, chimichurri, and the proper way to slice provoleta. It’s hands-on, delicious, and very Argentine.

Book these Viator experiences (handpicked to match your interests):

• Buenos Aires Small-Group City Tour

  

  Get the lay of the land in a single outing—ideal for first-timers who want context, stories, and smart routing.

• Intimate Underground Tango Show by Secreto Tango Society

  

  A raw, close-to-the-dancers performance—no big stage, just the heartbeat of tango.

• Cooking Class Designed by Michelin Chef @ Argentine Experience

  

  Hands-on, Palermo-based class covering classic techniques and flavors—perfect for your cooking-class request.

• Tigre Delta Premium Tour: Northern Buenos Aires Overview

  

  Slow canals, weekend villas, and river culture—an easy day trip that adds nature to the city stay.

Eat & drink like a local: Reserve at Don Julio (world-famous parrilla) or try El Preferido de Palermo for milanesas and vermú. Go for smoky modern cuts at La Carnicería, and hit El Cuartito or Güerrin for iconic porteño pizza. For empanadas, El Sanjuanino is a classic; for a timeless café, Café Tortoni.

Coffee & breakfast: LAB Tostadores for serious pour-overs, Lattente for creamy flat whites, Salvaje Bakery for laminated pastries. For afternoon merienda, Las Violetas serves ornate cakes in a Belle Époque setting.

After dark: Start at Bar Los Galgos (vermouth and tapas) or Pain et Vin (natural wines), then descend to Florería Atlántico—a subterranean cocktail bar hidden under a flower shop.

Where to stay (mid-range focus, with budget and splurge options):

• Browse apartments and homes on VRBO Buenos Aires or hotels via Hotels.com Buenos Aires.
• Specific picks: Palo Santo Hotel (eco-chic in Palermo), Circus Hostel & Hotel (value in San Telmo), Alvear Palace Hotel (historic splurge), Milhouse Hostel Avenue (social, central).

Getting to Buenos Aires: Search international flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Most long-haul arrivals use EZE (Ezeiza). Domestic flights typically depart from AEP (Aeroparque) closer to the center; allow transfer time between airports if needed.

Travel: Buenos Aires to El Calafate (Patagonia)

Fly from AEP to FTE (El Calafate). Nonstop ~3h15m; typical one-way fares ~$140–$280 depending on season. Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Sit on the left side for Andes views on approach.

El Calafate (Perito Moreno Glacier)

Gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, El Calafate sits on the aquamarine edge of Lago Argentino. The star is the Perito Moreno Glacier—a 19-mile-long river of ice that groans, calves, and glows blue in the Patagonian light.

Beyond the boardwalks, you can kayak beside towering ice walls or day-trip to Chile’s Torres del Paine. Evenings bring hearty Patagonian fare—think lamb slow-roasted over embers and malbec by the fire.

Days 6–9: Glaciers, Kayaking, and Steppe Adventures

• Perito Moreno Glacier (full day): Walk the network of balconies for panoramic views of the north and south faces. Listen for thunderous calving; midday often brings the most action. Optional: add an ice trek with local outfitters for crampon adventure.
• Kayak by the ice: Paddle near the glacier’s face to feel the scale and the cold breath of Patagonia on the water.
• Torres del Paine day trip (long day): Cross into Chile for lookouts like Lago Sarmiento, Laguna Amarga, and Nordenskjöld—classic postcard vistas of the Paine Massif. Passport required.
• Easy nature walks: Birdwatch at Laguna Nimez Reserve (flamingos in season) and stroll the lakeshore boardwalk at sunset.

Book these Viator experiences:

• Kayak Perito Moreno Gateways Lunch and Transfer from Calafate

  

  Unforgettable perspective at water level, with guides and all gear included.

• From El Calafate: Full-Day Tour to Torres del Paine

  

  A scenic sampler of one of South America’s most iconic parks—ideal if you won’t reach Chile separately.

Where to stay: Compare lakeside lodges, cabins, and hotels on VRBO El Calafate and Hotels.com El Calafate. Look for properties walking distance to Libertador Avenue for easy dining.

Eat & drink: La Tablita (classic Patagonian lamb), Mi Rancho (cozy, reservation-only), Pura Vida (hearty stews and pies), and La Zorra (craft beer). For coffee and cakes, try Borges y Álvarez or Olivia Coffee Shop.

Travel: El Calafate to Puerto Iguazú (Iguazú Falls)

Most routes connect via Buenos Aires (or occasionally Córdoba). Total travel time ~5–8 hours including layover; typical fares ~$180–$350 one-way. Search options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim to arrive by late afternoon to settle in before your waterfall days.

Puerto Iguazú (Iguazú Falls)

In the subtropical northeast, the Iguazú River splits into 275 waterfalls that thunder through lush jungle. The sound is constant; the spray is a fine mist that paints rainbows across Devil’s Throat.

Trails on the Argentine side weave above and below the cascades, while a small train shuttles visitors to the catwalks. Wildlife is part of the show—toucans, coatis, and brilliant butterflies escort your walk.

Days 10–13: Waterfalls, Jungle Trails, and Boat Thrills

• Argentine side (full day): Walk the Upper and Lower Circuits and take the train to Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) for a faceful of mist. Bring a dry bag; you’ll want your phone safe.
• Boat adventure: Thunder into the spray at the base of the falls—soaking and smiling guaranteed.
• Optional extra day: If you cross to Brazil (check visa requirements), the panoramic lookouts there complete the picture. Alternatively, stay in Argentina for rainforest interpretive walks and birding.

Book this Viator experience:

• Iguazu Falls Tour, Boat Ride, Train and Safari Truck

  

  All the highlights in a day: trails, train, jungle truck, and the unforgettable boat ride.

Where to stay: See options close to town or in jungle lodges via VRBO Puerto Iguazú and Hotels.com Puerto Iguazú. Jungle properties are atmospheric; in-town hotels are handy for dining.

Eat & drink: La Rueda 1975 (grilled surubí river fish and steaks), De La Fonte (creative tasting menus), and El Quincho del Tío Querido (live music, traditional grill). Cool off with passionfruit caipirinhas and try regional chipá (cheesy cassava bread).

Day 14: Fly Back to Buenos Aires & Depart

Fly IGR to AEP or EZE (~1h50–2h). Typical fares ~$70–$150 one-way; compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have a final evening, grab empanadas and a farewell malbec in Palermo.

For an easy airport run, book a Buenos Aires Airport (EZE) Transfer with English Speaking Driver.

Budget guidance (50/100 mid-range)

• Domestic flights: $300–$700 total for three legs if booked early.
• Stays: Buenos Aires $70–$160/night mid-range; El Calafate $90–$180; Puerto Iguazú $70–$150. Apartments on VRBO can reduce costs.
• Meals: Coffee/pastry $4–$7; casual lunch $8–$15; parrilla dinner with wine $20–$40 per person. Splurge steak houses run higher.
• Tours: City/tango/cooking/delta/glacier day tours vary by season; bundle 3–4 signature activities aligned with your interests.

Practical tips

• Seasonality: Patagonia is best Oct–Apr for longer daylight; Iguazú is humid year-round, with peak flow often Dec–Mar.
• Packing: Layers, windproof jacket, closed shoes with grip, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent (Iguazú), and a dry bag for the boat ride.
• Money: Cards work widely in cities; keep small cash for tips and kiosks. Tipping ~10% in restaurants is customary.

Intercity travel snapshot

• Buenos Aires (AEP) → El Calafate (FTE): ~3h15 nonstop; ~$140–$280. Book on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• El Calafate (FTE) → Puerto Iguazú (IGR): usually 1 stop; ~5–8h total; ~$180–$350.
• Puerto Iguazú (IGR) → Buenos Aires (AEP/EZE): ~1h50–2h; ~$70–$150.

Why this route works: You start with culture and cuisine in Buenos Aires, head south to Patagonia’s glaciers for your must-see Perito Moreno, then finish with the warm jungle blast of Iguazú before an easy hop back to the capital.

Two weeks, three emblematic regions, and a perfect blend of hikes, unique activities, and great food. From tango’s embrace to the roar of Devil’s Throat to the crack of calving ice, this Argentina adventure lingers long after you’ve unpacked.