Will be in SA late July / early August, and had been thinking we'd fly to Santiago after 6 nights in BA and 3 nights in Iguazu -- total of 16 nights for the trip. Having read a lot of positives about the Salta area, we're now reconsidering, and thinking perhaps we should stay in Argentina the whole time, ending our trip in the northwest.

We'd very much appreciate any thoughts about our options, or other suggestions. We're a married couple traveling without our kids, and night life isn't an issue. We do tend to dislike cold weather (at least half of us). And we're Californians used to wine country here, so wineries might be nice to tour, but we'd never choose a trip simply to see more of them.

Thanks very much.

Rather than spending time in Santiago, I would recommend Atacama and Salta instead. Instead of a week in Santiago, you could spend 3-4 days in Atacama and Salta each. It would provide a nice contrast to cosmopolitan Buenos Aires and jungle-y Iguazu.

If you're going to Iguazu for 3 nights, definitely go over to the Brazilian side - I doubt you'll find enough to do for 3 days just on the Argentinian side.

When you go to Iguazú you've definitely have to visit the Brazilian side. While you are in Argentina you experience the falls, and when you are in Brazil, you can enjoy the view which can not be seen from Argentina.
Please note that if you are an American citizen (you mentioned you are from California) you are required a Brazilian visa.
As for Salta, you are very lucky to go this year because the Train to the Clouds started working again. Here is the link: http://www.trenalasnubes.com.ar

Another recommendation for Iguazú: take the full moon walk, I've done it: it's an unforgettable experience and highly recommended. You take the Ecological Train to the last stop: the Devil's Throat's balconies.

It's only available at the beginning of the month, August dates are from Monday 3rd to Friday 7th.

There is an option to have dinner at the park, either before or after the walk

According to the days you travel, you should consider August dates however here is the link to the page where you can find the calendar and other info: http://www.iguazuargentina.com/engli...alendario.html

Given the time you have available, I would recommend staying in Argentina. We spent several weeks in the NW and loved it and will return, possibly permanently at some point in the not too distant future. From the comments given in your post I would think that the NW would be your sort of place.Here is a link to our blog detailing ing our time in the area plus a few photos.

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...tml#ENTRY_LIST

Entries for the arera start at 74.

Whetehr you rent a car and DIY or hire a guide such as flintstones, a regular poster on this board, you will have a great time.

Didn't spend a lot of time in Santiago but was not that impressed. We did however, spend some time in Valparaiso, a couple of hours to the norh and loved it. Not sure how this would fit in with the travel logistics though for your trip. happy to resond to any specific questions you may have.

A vote for staying in AR and going to Salta, it's a bit like our Southwest, very arid, lots of Cacti, but more exotic and interesting. Try to fly into Jujuy and back from Salta, so you can visit Tilcara and Pumamarca.

If you are able to, I highly recommend a couple of nights at Colome, an estancia owned by the Hess family, really nice infinity pool, great wine and if you like to horseback ride, you'd be in a for a treat there. It's about 2 hours from Salta.

I'm sure flintstones (Angie) will chime in here too and sing further praises.

Owlwoman, Crellstons, of course I will make my entry for the NW!!!!! Did you have any doubt???LOL!!!!
Let me disagree with Sofi about the train to the clouds. I already told this many, many times and I will advice against the train until the company in charge proves the train will really work. Otherwise, forget about the train to the clouds, which has been failing several times.
The train left a lot of people in the middle of the highest bridge at 13,800ft one of the coldest days in July 2005- 514 passengers, no central heating, and only 15 blanquets!!!
The were rescued only the next day. 22 hours in the highest bridge, the whole night, the coldest night, What an experience!
Forget about it, please... If you do not undestand this was last year and the breaks were failing!
http://www.fm899.com.ar/notas.asp?Id=29027&IdSeccion=2 http://www.26noticias.com.ar/sin-tre...bes-72635.html
The driving to the salt flats from Purmamamrca is much nicer and more interesting.
I do not recommend San Antoniod e los cobres either, to much driving and a really terrible route.
Flintstones.

Hi Ed,

Yes Salta and Jujuy, is definitely worth to visit...You can rent a car in Salta for example at the airport (all the roads to the places I mention below are easy to drive)..or hire of course a private guide
Since a couple of weeks you can fly directly from Iguazu to Salta with Andes www.andesonline.com (so no more bustrips of 24 hours)..
The province of Jujuy has a couple of beautiful places to visit like Purmamarca(and the Salt Lakes), Tilcara and Humahuaca..
The province of Salta is also sooo beautiful... Salta city has a beautiful kolonial centre..Cafayate is really famous for his Torontes wines (with of course a lot of wineries) and also Cachi in the Andes is really worth to visit!!And ...don´t forget to visit San Lorenzo (a village 6km outside Salta), really beautiful nature here, where you can do for example horseriding trips... You can easily spent a week in the NW..

Hope this info helps you..

Big Saludos
Alex y Rijkje
San Lorenzo (Salta)

Agree that the NW Agentina is beautiful -- lots to see if you don't mind driving alot. Its well worth it. We spent 9 days driving ourselves around the area and loved it.

I too would vote for seeing the NW and Salta. In fact I would take one less night in Iguazu and add it to Salta. We had five days there flying into Salta and out of JuJuy, and I wish we had had more time. The natural beauty is gorgeous, and it is such a drastic and pleasant change from the hustle of BA. The wines and empanades in Cafayate are worth the trip alone, but Purmamarca and Tilcara are an added treat. The local city outdoor markets offer beautiful local wares at very resonable prices. There are many historical places as well if early civilizations interest you. Let Angie (Flintstones)be your guide, and you will have the best tailored made trip for your preferences. Also would NOT recommend Train to the Clouds not only for operational concerns Angie mentioned, but also altitude sickness unless you are used to high altitudes. Just heard on the radio that Torontes wine from Argentina has replaced Pinot Gregio as the current most popular wine. It is excellent, and I am happy to see it become so popular since then it should be more easily available in US!

Chile also offers many interesting cities including Santiago (birth place of DS), Valpraiso and Vina Del Mar, but save those for another trip to SA. Each country has much to offer, but now Argentina is a better value for tourists.

CollegeMom, You are right. The altitude sickness affect to a lot of poeple in that area. Curiously, it does not happens when we go to Lipan and the Salt Flats.
I was the guide on the train for a period of time and it is absolutly right... Thank you.
Flintstones

just returned from all the places you mentioned. i would not stay more than 2 days at iguazu on the argentina side. spend the extra time in the nw. an alernate to colome, which has a lot of dirt road driving and is less expensive is el bordo de las lanzes located less than an hour from salta. pumamarca is a great base to go over the pass to the salt flats and the towns north of pumamarca. also the cafayate area is great and is an easy drive. i relied a lot on flintstones comments in this forum as well as the great travel agent ,isabel, in b.a. if you would like any specific information please let me know.