DH & I are planning to return to Argentina this December. The logistics for BA (4 days +2 estancia), Salta (31/2 days) and Bariloche region (6-7) are straightforward. Getting to Mendoza (3-4 days) from Bariloche or visa versa is a time consuming flight. I had read about some travelers who were touting a deluxe overnight bus with lie flat seats that were as comfortable as "flying first class". I'm trying to asses if these reports were from people who have ever flown first class or just have vivid imaginations? Has anyone on this board done this adventure? Avoiding the waste of a day in transit is more our issue than cost.

I have done this trip, albeit in different segments and have flown First Class and do not have a particularly vivid imagination and can confirm that it is not an exaggeration! The buses are a great way to travel. We have taken many buses around Argentina and, wherever possible have used the better bus companies like Andesmar. Ypu need to go for the "full Cama" class, sometimes called "Ejecutivo " or VIP or Suite Service.

Where we could not get full Cama seats we went semi Cama - about 150 deg. Recline and narrower seats. Acceptable for journeys of 6-7 hours but not overnight.

Buses always seemed to run to schedule and we found it saved both time and accomodatio cost travelling whilst asleep.
PS I would spend little more time in Salta

That's good news. It appears that we can book ahead on Andesmar's website. I was thinking that we could fly (from LAX) into BA, end the trip in Mendoza and fly home from Santiago if our ff mileage program cooperates. So more time in Salta. Less time where?

We've done the Salta to Mendoza overnight first class bus (Andesmar) and loved it. Excellent ride and a very efficient use of time. Fairly low cost, too.

Ah, another good option instead of flying back and forth Salta-BA. What did you both find special in the Salta area?

We have now visited Salta and the NW twice and both times we rented a car to drive a circuit of the area. The roads are part tarmac and part dirt track but the driving is easy. We did a short trip in 2013 just covering Cachi, Salta and Cafayate. The scenery is incredible. Some more detail and photoson our blog

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...3537/tpod.html

Several years earlier we took a longer trip of aroun 10 days taking a bigger circuit of the region including the amazing Salineras Grande. Purmamarca and Huamahaca were also on the route which covers several entries in a different blog http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...ai/1/tpod.html starting at entry 75 @ http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...ai/1/tpod.html

The food in salta is excellent and a little differnt from the rest of argentina. Salta has some excellent vineyards. Especially the Tannat and Torrontes if you are into wine.

I would recommend Casa Hernandez in San Lorenzo just outside of Salta as a great place to stay.

crellston, your descriptions and photos were really helpful to me and have generated my enthusiasm. Muchas gracias.

De nada