Transport

Three flights (longest 3.30hrs); 2 road journeys (longest 3-4hrs).

Accommodation

Here we have selected modest but comfortable small to mid-sized hotels with heating and private bathroom.

Meals

Breakfast daily.

Guides

We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by the latter on their return.

Summary Of Nights

13 days, 12 nights: Buenos Aires 2; Bariloche 3; El Calafate 2,  El Chaltén 3, El Calafate 1; Buenos Aires 1.

Currency

The unit of currency in Argentina is the Argentine peso.

How To Take It

Cash machines are available in all major cities and towns, and so taking a debit or credit card with a PIN number is the most convenient way of withdrawing money while on your trip, and in most shops and restaurants you can also pay by card. However, since cards can get lost, damaged, withheld or blocked, you should not rely exclusively on a card to access funds. We recommend that additionally you take a reasonable quantity of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which you can exchange into local currency, and possibly some travellers’ cheques (American Express are the most widely accepted), though these are gradually falling out of use. Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused. You can take sterling, but the exchange rate is not always competitive or even available, restricting the number of places where you can change money.

For our latest currency advice for Argentina please see our FAQs section.

Tipping

Tips are expected and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income. 

Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.

Insurance

Travel insurance is essential. 

Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page.

Airport Taxes

If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket.

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This holiday includes some excursions where there is some walking involved. There are a couple of public bus rides, and three internal flights.

The itinerary includes some walking in rocky and hilly terrain. On the whole it is suitable for reasonably fit clients, including families with older children.  If you have a disability or other special requirements, please call us.

Climate

Buenos Aires is hottest January-March (very humid with tropical showers, occasionally over 40°C during the day).  Weather conditions here are best for a visit in spring and autumn. 

The lake district has warm mostly sunny summers from December to march and cool, rainy winters, from June to August. Expect changeable weather in the shoulder seasons, which resemble a UK summer!

The weather in the far south is notoriously unpredictable throughout the year. During the southern hemisphere summer (October to March) there can be blizzards or heat waves.  The adage “four seasons in a day” is very apt here. In winter days are short and snow is not uncommon but it is rarely much below freezing, because of the moderating influence of the sea.

In El Calafate and El Chalten in Los Glaciares National Park it is summer December to February and the days are long and mild, but at this time – especially January – the area is popular with both Argentine and foreign visitors. March and October can be sunny and clear, but also windy.

Clothing And Special Equipment

Even in stylish Buenos Aires, dress is casual or smart casual except for the classiest restaurants. For the holiday as a whole you will need a variety of clothing, from light trousers, shorts, cotton dresses, skirts or T shirts through to fleeces and waterproof outer shells. A hat and gloves are advisable for the far south. 

A day pack is essential for carrying rainwear, snacks, books and a water bottle.  The sun in summer can be strong so take a hat with a visor, sunglasses and sunblock. Some walkers find hiking poles helpful and binoculars are useful for wildlife spotting. 

Please get in touch with the office before departure if you have any doubts. Good equipment is very important and hard to come by in Latin America.

Vaccinations

Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following; typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. For specific requirements you must consult your GP.

You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.

Visas

Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.

If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.

When is the best time to visit Argentina?

Argentina is so large it’s always a good time to go somewhere. The southern hemisphere summer is the reverse of our own, with Dec-Feb being high summer in Patagonia. Spring (Oct-Nov) and Autumn (Mar-Apr) can still be very pleasant and are quieter. While summers in the lake district are reliably warm and sunny, the further south in Patagonia you go the more unpredictable the weather. In Winter (June-Sept) some hotels in Patagonia close, while others stay open for skiers. Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Córdoba enjoy a Mediterranean-type climate, with cool winters and very warm summers. North-west Argentina (Salta and Jujuy) enjoy sunshine and warm temperatures year-round but are influenced by altitude and the high Andes, with occasional cold snaps (June-Sept) and a rainy season (Jan-Feb). Iguazú Falls and Misiones has a subtropical climate, although it can be chilly July-Sept.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.

What is the official language of Argentina?

Spanish.

What is Argentina's official currency?

Argentine Peso.

Argentina is more cash-orientated than the UK and some other Latin American countries. In Buenos Aires and main tourist centres cards are widely used. In more remote areas sometimes only cash is accepted. Taking your funds in a mix of formats (eg cards and a supply of US$ cash to convert locally) is usually a good plan.
Money matters in Argentina can be a bit complicated due to the local economic situation. In addition to the official rate of exchange, parallel (unofficial) rates exist within Argentina to convert hard currency into Pesos. It’s a good idea to know the official rate before you go and, when changing money within Argentina, check the rate offered: there can be a big difference, often much better than the official rate.
Changing small amounts at a time is wise both for security and to avoid having lots of Pesos left over (outside of Argentina it’s hard to offload unwanted Pesos). We advise against changing money on the street. It's a good idea to check your insurance limits for carrying cash.
Until recently, purchases with credit and debit cards were always processed at the official rate. As of late 2022 regulations have been relaxed for foreigners using cards and you may find some transactions are processed at a better rate. However, this will vary depending on your card provider.
Although ATMs are available some clients have difficulties withdrawing cash so it’s best not to rely on them. Local ATM fees can be high and the amount you can take out is usually much lower than in the UK. At the time of writing, it is not clear what conversion rates are used for ATM transactions.
Tips are always given in cash (even if you pay for a meal using a card).

What's the time difference between Argentina and UK?

GMT -3 hrs. Sometimes daylight saving is observed in the summer, from Sep/Oct to early Mar, but not every year.

Which other countries combine well with Argentina?

Chile, accessing the country by crossing the Andes over one of several scenic passes: from Salta in the northwest to the Atacama Desert, from Mendoza to Santiago, via the lakes crossing from Bariloche to Puerto Varas in the lake district and from El Calafate to Torres del Paine in Patagonia; Brazil, via the land crossing at Iguazú.

What are the festivals and other cultural or sporting events in Argentina?

• Tango Festival: Buenos Aires, August.
• Polo Open: Buenos Aires province, weekends in November.
• Gaucho Festivals: The pampas, early November.

How do I adapt to the altitude in Argentina?

Whilst a typical holiday in Patagonia presents no challenges with altitude, Argentina’s north-western provinces offer a taste of the high Andes with some spectacular road trips on offer. Travel to high altitude can cause mountain sickness and even if you feel fighting fit it’s important to take things easy and stay hydrated (drink plenty of water, avoiding alcohol and caffeine) as you get used to the thin, dry air. You may initially notice a headache, dizziness or breathlessness and this usually improves with acclimatisation. If you are pregnant or taking the contraceptive pill, have a medical condition such as heart or lung condition, anaemia, asthma, high blood pressure you should seek the advice of your GP before booking.  We also recommend you check your travel insurance covers travel to high altitude.  If you’re taking the family, remember small children may be less capable of communicating altitude-related symptoms effectively: keep an eye on them too. Rest assured we will plan your itinerary carefully, taking into account any time spent at altitude. If you have any questions or concerns about altitude please speak to your travel expert.

Further advice on travel to altitude is available on www.travelhealthpro.org.uk