I posted this last night on the tail end of another post, but decided I'd make it a new post.

We are booked to go the the NW next year and are hoping Angie is available for us.
Boy, we aren't even there yet and I don't have enough time.
WE only have 14 nights, and want to see Buenos Aires, Iquazu ( 2 nights, and hopefully 5 full days in the NW.. that means 6 nights there.
Does that sound about right? Can we reasonably go from Iguazu to Salta ( via BsAs) in one day. ...and not feel the total day has been wasted? After a few days in Buenos Aires, would it matter if we went to Iguazu first or the NW?
On returning from NW or Iguazu to fly home, should be get back to BsAs the day before our flight home, which is at 4 in the afternoon, ... I'd have a heart attack if I missed it.
Any advice on timing would be great.

Five days...you can see the north i two days, Tilcara and the Salt Flats and three more dasy for the Calchaquies Valleys. Staying one night in Purmamarca ( the 2nd), one night in SAlta, another in Cachi and in CAfayate... and the last one in SAlta.
Regarding to your question about the time before leaving BA... try to be one day before in BA. I was told Andes is following the schedules very well and What I know they never had big delays. JUST IN CASE.
DO not hesitate to make any question about the NW.
Warm regards.
Flintstones

kodi

One night is enough in Iguazu if you book the right flights.
You can go to Salta on the same day you arrive from Iguazu and start the tours in the NW on the following morning.
It would be too risky in Argentina plan the return on the same day of the International flight. Come back one day before.

kodi: the lady posters who responded above know what they are talking about, each in her area.

I replied on another post, but I agree to spend time first in BA before heading out to another area. I think it will be easier to adjust after the long flight by being in the city first. Also, some of the areas in Salta are high altitude, and you will be quite dehydrated after two successive flights to adjust well to that, IMO.

Thank you so much..
So Milla, are you saying we could fly up to Iguazu on an early flight, stay the night , and fly back out the next evening? and still have enough time to see the falls?

Yes, I agree, we need to be back in BsAs the day before we fly home.

Skatedancer, I had not thought of the high altitudes. I think it's better to go to the Falls , then spend time in Buenos Aires, then go to the NW>
If we take an early flight to NW, then we will have almost 6 full days.
DId you do the flight reservations yourself?
I'll be asking you more questions!!!

It is easy to see Iguazu Falls with only 1 night stay if you leave early in the morning and return late the next night to BA. There are many trails to walk to see both the upper and lower viewing areas of the falls, enjoy the falls, take a river boat ride to the falls (you will get soaked), and just generally enjoy the tropical surroundings. Do allow for delays on internal flights, and plan to be in BA the day before your return flight.

Thank you CollegeMom, that's exactly what I wanted to hear.
I think with our limited time, this makes the most of our time. Hopefully we can get an early flight out of BsAs with no delays and have the rest of the day and the next.. and fly back in the evening (of the next day).
THe Sheraton seems expensive, but considering our tight time frame, does it make the most sense to stay there? Is there a hotel more reasonable nearby?

Do you mean, Kodi, the NW to be the desert??? like a fruit salad with Dulce de leche???? or a delicious cake? Yeah, that is more or less the NW!!!! Never mind about altitude... If you are not going to SAn Antonio de los Cobres you will be ok... trust me.
Flintstones.

IMO the Sheraton is worth the extra cost for the convenience of being at the falls earlier and latter than the tour buses. It is the only hotel in the national park so the others are about 20 minutes away by taxi or bus. Also the rates are different for "forest side or falls side", and unless you like to stay in your room or spend a lot of time on the balcony, the forest side is fine. The falls are dark at night, and during the day, you can enjoy the falls much more by being out on the catwalks and much closer to them. Also being at the Sheraton, you can return to your room for dry clothes after the river tour instead of waiting for your clothes to air dry on you! On my stay at Iguazu, I did not opt to pay the visa fee to go to the Brazilian side which if interests you could add another day/night. The Argentine side has the best viewing, but it is a different sight from Brazil. IMO a day and a half with one night is adequate to comfortably walk all the trails, enjoy many views of the falls, take river and land tours, and just enjoy the tropical area. It is so different from BA and Salta!

Yes Flintstones... the Dulce de leche!!!! SAve the best for last!

It's all coming together in my mind now, thanks to everyone. You guys are the best! SO much great advice...

That`s why we are here, do not mention it.
Warm regards.
Flintstones

I'm also concerned about altitude sickness.I'll be flying into Jujuy from BA & sleeping in Purmamarca day 1, day 2 Humahuaca & sleeping again in Purmamarca, & day 3 driving up to San Antonio de Los Cobres & returning to Salta to sleep. Flintstones, what are the odds of breathing difficulty & general effects of altitude?

ttt

I had the same concerns before we went as my husband has a lot of trouble with high altitudes, he was ok in Pumamarca and Salta, just had some problems in Colome, which I think is 7,000 Ft. above sea level. Salta and Pumamarca are only 2,000 ft or so (I think).

Unless you're really sensitive, you should be fine.

Syl; the altitude sickness does not only depends on altitude, there are places which are the same high but you do not feel the same effect. In my experience, SAn Antonio de los Cobres is one of those places you get sick at 3775 mts ( almost 12000 ft) and you do not get sick in the SALt flats, for instance... That is why I usualy go to the salt flats through Purmamarca...and they both are at the same altitude. It also depends on some days when the hot northern wind blows, people feel heavy and hard breathing.Low blood pressure... Depends also on your own body...and a lot depends on psychology!
Hope to help you in some way... ANd Purmamarca is at 2139 mts ( 6600 ft)! Salta 1187 mts ( 3400 ft?)
Warm regards.
F