CKKD

We're planning a trip to Argentina in February, and would love to get some guidance on our itinerary. We only have a week and want to see as much as possible. We are looking at the following itinerary; is this manageable or are we crazy?

Friday Evening – Arrive In Buenos Aires
Saturday – Buenos Aires
Sunday – Take morning plane to Iguazu Falls, spend the afternoon exploring the area
Monday – Iguazu Falls
Tuesday– Take a plane to Calafate (pretty much traveling for the majority of the day)
Wednesday – Visit the Glaciers
Thursday – Spend the day in Chalten
Friday – Take a early morning plane to Bariloche, spend the rest of the day exploring the area
Sunday – Spend time in Bariloche before taking an evening flight back home via Buenos Aires

Thanks for your help!!!

Orlando_Vic

My initial impression is too much moving about in a limited time period. If it were my trip, I would eliminate some destinations and/or lengthen the trip.

_____________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

xyz99

I think you are trying to do too much in not enought time - we did almost the same in 15 days (not counting traveling). Please keep in mind that the bus from El Calafate to El Chalten is over 3 hours. Have you checked the bus schedule for the time you will be there?

As far as I remember, the airport is close to El Calafate, so to get back there, you need another 3+ hours bus ride.

It's all doable, but it will all be a blur.

MarnieWDC

I don't consider this manageable. For example, you are spending time in Bariloche as if it were just the town (only fairly interesting) but it is the lakes and the drives and the towns etc. and it warrants at least a few days,

And returning to BsAs on the same day as your international return flight is courting disaster...so many flights are delayed or cancelled, and then you do need 3 hours in the airport in EZE before your departure.

To spend so much time and money on the flight to Calafate with so little time to spend there....well, perhaps.

My suggestion ? Visit Buenos Aires and then fly to Iguazu for 1-2 nights then fly back to BsAs and enjoy BsAs and the Pampas or the Delta or even a day trip to Colonia del Sacramento. With your current plan you will become so overloaded with travel that you may not have the time to enjoy the wonders of Argentina that you do have the time for. Just IMO.

CKKD

There is an evening bus that runs to Chalten, so potentially after the half-day glacier excursion, we could get on an evening bus to Chalten to wake up in the morning, do some hiking, and then take an evening bus back to El Calafate so we are already there for the airport the next morning. But again, it might be too much moving around.

So I guess here's another question.. El Calafate vs. Bariloche.... . Is it worth going to both, or should we focus on one area versus another? We enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, etc. but have heard even though all that could be settled in Bariloche, the areas are quite different and we can't miss the Calafate area?

MarnieWDC

And you can't miss the Northwest area, either.

Yes, so many gorgeous and interesting places in Argentina that you will have to make many serious decisions.....and then come back !

clarkovitch

I know it's hard but I'd really look at cutting out either Bariloche or El Calafate. If you had all the time in the world then I'd say definitely see both of them, but if time is short, at least do one of them properly...

jgg

I haven't been to Bariloche so can't comment on that, but we found El Calafate amazing! I definitely think the glaciers are worth seeing. If you enjoy hiking you will probably enjoy the minitrekking that you can do on the glaciers. We did Buenos Aires, El Calafate, and Iguazu in about in two weeks. Here is a link to my trip report along with pictures. It may help you decide what things you really want to see:
http://www.fromhometoroam.com/catego...ica/argentina/