Jake1965

We are planning trip to Argentina in Oct-Nov 2008 for 2 weeks or so (10-14 days).
Since there are so many things to see and we have only a few days we need to make tough choices.

(1)
If one has to choose between spending three days in Salta or crossing to Chile from Calafate and spending 2 days in National Park Torres del Paine. What would be the choice ?

(2) If we need to drop a place due to time considerations, should we cut a trip to Salta short by a day, skip Iguazu, skip Ushuaia ???

flintstones

Salta, Nw is beautiful! Great food, good wines, perfect weather and warm people....
Amazing sceneries... and good prices....
Flintstones_

Jake1965

What about TDP and Patagonia ?

AndrewDavid

Jake, it sounds like u r trying to fit a lot into 10-14 days
iguazu, ushuaia, salta, patagonia . r u also visiting Bs As?

The flights and transfers both to Iguazu and Patagonia( longer) amd Ushuaia) longer still will take up some of ur time.

We spent 19 days on the ground and just saw Bs As, Iguazu and Glaciere NP in the Argentine patagonia.

Ideally u would want 2 full days at Iguazu, not counting travel back and forth

We spent 5 nights btwn el Calafate and Chalten and would have liked an extra night at el Calafate: our 2 nights there only allowed one days worth of activity ( perito moreno) and there was more 2 do

why not post a proposed itinerary and then we can all make suggestions for u

cheers
AndrewDavid

Jake1965

Per prior request, I am posting the itineary. Please, comment:

Day 1 Buenos Aires
2 Buenos Aires
3 late pm Buenos Aires Salta
4 Salta
5 Salta
6 Salta
7 Salta - Bs.As - Calafate
8 Calafate
9 Calafate Ushuaia
10 Ushuaia day
11 full day in Ushuaia Ushuaia Bs.As
12 Bs As Iguazu 1st flight
13 guazu Buenos Aires last flight
14 Buenos Aires day..
15 Buenos Aires day

====

we originally thought to cross to TDP from Calafete, but the agent we work with suggested Salta. Also, we would like to cut one day from itineary....What should go ?

dugi_otok

Hi Jake

Iguazu Falls is the premier waterfalls in the world, Niagra and Victoria are distance seconds.
TDP is the jewel of Chile, a world class National Park.
Puerto Moreno(El Calafate) glacier is world class.
Ushuaia and Punta Arenas(Chile) are worth a trip because of location at the end of the earth and historical interest.
So (1)TDP no contest!
(2)In order of preference. Do not skip Iguassu. Skip Salta in total. Cut Ushuaia short.

Try this:
Day 1 Arrive BA
Day 2 BA to El Calafate
Day 3 El Calafate (tour Puerto Moreno)
Day 4 Bus/van to TDP
Day 5 TDP
Day 6 TDP
Day 7 Bus/van TDP to El Calafate
or Day 7a Bus/van to Punta Arenas
Day 8 Fly El Calafate to Ushuaia
or Day 8a Bus Punta Arenas to Ushuaia
Day 9 Ushuaia
Day 10 Fly Ushuaia to BA
Day 11 Fly BA to Iguazu
Day 12 Fly Iguazu to BA
Day 13 BA-Dinner at El Cabrera
Day 14 Night flight to USA

Gary

owlwoman

As much as we enjoyed the NW of AR on our second trip to AR, I agree with the previous poster, you just don't have the time to do it all and would save the NW for another time. (sorry Angie)

The first trip was BA - Iguazu - Ushuaia - Puerto Arenas/Torres del Paine / Puerto Montt - Bariloche, then back to BA. It was more than enough for 17 days. Remember, most flights have to go through BA.

We loved the glaciers in the TDP, that and the lake crossing were the big highlights of that trip.

In that regard, I would probably to this:

BA - Iguazu - Ushuaia (full day of flying) - Calafate/TDP - back to BA

Your TA will assist you with all the logistics. (It can be tough).

Have fun.

AndrewDavid

hi jake,

I believe angie has suggested 5 day minimum for touring the NW so unless u have 5 days there u might leave that for another visit.

i personally feel that gary's suggested itinerary has 2 many travel days. we spent more time in Bs As but we live in a small city ( victoria, bc) so wanted some big city vibe and Bs As is awesome.

i think a day at iguazu is also short changing this world class site. I would suggest limiting urself to 3 areas and increasing ur time in ea place: perhaps Bs As, Iguazu and el Calafate/TDP.
i am just wrapping up our report ( Our Wonderful Time in Argentina) and u might look at that for our 19 days

u'll have a great time wherever u go in that part of the world

cheers
AndrewDavid

flintstones

Jake1965, Salta is a reat option, do not miss Purmamarca, Tilcara and Salinas Grandes, take two days for this at least.
Avoid San Antonio de los CObres it is not so interesting compared with the other places I mentioned. And do not miss CAFAYATE, specially if you like wines.
Flintstones

flintstones

Do not worry Owlwoman, I know that the NW is incredible and it deserves time. The good dessert should be tasted slowly...
Flintstones/Angie