JNE

Taking our daughters (20 and 22) to Argentina for a wedding and need some help planning! We are going May 18th - May 30th. We will fly home from Buenos Aires on the 30th. I want to book tickets soon but can not decide where we should fly in to best use our time. I am not sure about the area or where we might want to go first. Maybe Peru? Ecuador? Brazil? Etc... My husband does speak Spanish so that is a Plus!!

avrooster

I'm not sure why you want to go someplace else first.

If you insist on doing so, everybody seems to be talking about Peru.

Have a great time in my country with your DH and DDs.

crellston

i agree with avrooster, why bother adding another country when there is so much to see in Argentina. 12 days is nothing in such a huge country. Of the countries you mention, in the 12 days you have available, I would choose Peru - A good time of year fro the Andes, Sacred Valley, Macchu Pichu and maybe a side trip to Titicaca. Some more info and photos info on my last blog (Ecuador and NW Argentina too)

http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blo...ai/6/tpod.html

flintstones

Dear JNE, Your time is really limited for South America... It is still limited for just Argentina. I would better see Argentina this time and will try others any other time. I think that BA - Iguazu Falls (2 days) - Salta (5 days) will be a good plan for you to cover part of your stay in my country.
In Salta you can see...
Salta - Purmamarca (where the 7 colour MOuntains are), teh salt flats in the late afternoon (sunset).
Purmamarca - Uquia ( a historical Chapel with famous paintings), Humahuaca - Tilcara (Indian ruins) back to Salta.
Salta - Cachi through National Park Los Cardones
Cachi - Cafayate through a moonlike scenery..
Cafayate (wine tasting / Cheese tasting) - back to Salta on route 68 where hundred of rock formations will amazed you!. The whole are is stunning!
I would add a day for teh town too. It deserves some time...
Nowadays you have direct flights between Iguazu and Salta that will maximize your time and the value of your money.
If you need further info, pls do not hesitate making all the questions you conisder convenient.
Warm regards,
Flintstones

JNE

This is great information. I should have also asked if I could just spend my 12 - 14 days in Argentina. It seems from the response that we can! This is great to know and now I can get advise on what to do and where to go there!!

With staying in Argentina in mind... should I fly into and out of BA?
Would it be best to rent a car, fly between, bus or train to the different locations? I'm just not sure about how to get around there. The only place we have been abroad is Italy We took the train everywhere and it was to my surprise, so easy!

Thanks again!!

avrooster

JNE: "staying in Argentina in mind", of course you should fly in and out from BA.

Answering your other questions is complicated, unless you give us more info and/or do some research.

I have a LOOOONG thread with most of the best trip reports I have seen: http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...ed-reading.cfm

Perhaps there you will find something which will make you guys say: "THAT's the kind of thing we would like to do!"

Have a great time in my country.

crellston

Transport - distances are vast but airfares a re high. Fly BA to Iguazu spend a couple of nights there before flying to Salta. Take a tour (Flintstones above is one of the best in the region) or rent a car and DIY if comfortable driving ( maybe 5 -6 days). Fly back to Avrooster's town for a few days in the most exciting city in South America.