Hello, we are considering flying to Buenos Aires (ex London) over Christmas, then we are interested in heading inland to Bariloche (and perhaps Salta): from Bariloche, we like the idea of taking the boat and bus westward across the 3 lakes and the Andes arriving in Chile, then possibly to fly back to London ex Chile (Santiago?)

Of course we must make sure we can get tickets for the Bariloche lakes expedition.

Thoughts?

Always wanted to do the three lakes crossing but it was never running when we were in the region. I am sure it will be around that time of year. Look forward to reading all about it!

Salta is wonderful and a place to which we keep returning. The best way to see the region is to rent a car and drive "loops" to the north and south of Salta city. You need a week for both loops but one or the other could be done in 3-4 days. Some details and lot of photos on our blog @ https://accidentalnomads.com/categor...ica/argentina/

Love BA as a city destination but found Santiago fairly uninspiring. Depending upon the relative costs of open jaw/return flights, I might be tempted just to get a BA return and a flight from Chile back to BA.

Not sure how long you have or whether you have been to Argentina before but may be worth throwing Iguazu into the mix. There are (usually )flights between Salta and Iguazu but from Bariloche you would almost certainly have to connect in BA.

Your itinerary sounds awesome! Buenos Aires is a blast and Bariloche is surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery. If you're up for it, the Bariloche lakes adventure is a must-do, but make sure to book tickets ahead of time and check the weather forecast. Salta is another cool spot to add to the list with its colonial architecture and breathtaking landscapes. Don't worry about getting back to London either - Santiago has plenty of flight options. All in all, it's a great plan for an amazing mix of city and nature experiences.

I am actually not a huge fan of Buenos Aires and have never been to Santiago. Do recommend Iguazu as part of your trip. Bariloche is quite pretty and good especially if you are into outdoor activities such as fishing or hiking. The boat/bus journey to Puerto Varas in Chile is an all day affair and quite scenic. There is a stop at a hotel for lunch a long the way. Puerto Varas is also quite scenic and settled I believe by people from Germany and very clean and neat.
airport is not that far at Puerto Montt. I am sure you can get a flight to Santiago from Puerto Montt. We flew down to Patagonia so did not go to Santiago

Also wanted to add that Northwestern Argentina is very scenic in a different way and well worth visiting although it is a very large area and the roads are not always good. Some of the lands somewhat reminiscent of the American Southwest. Enjoyed a stay at Estancia Colome high up in the Andes and the Salt flats up north as well as the colors of the mountains.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention - you may also want to consider adding Mendoza for a unique wine experience and the chance to go white water rafting. And if you have time, Machu Picchu in Peru offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient history.