14 Days in Argentina

Highlights

• Iguazú Falls Argentine side — 275 waterfalls across 2.7 km. Walk the upper and lower circuits on boardwalks over and beside the falls. Garganta del Diablo (Devil''s Throat) viewpoint is the centrepiece ($12/adult, free under 6). Plan a full day
• Gran Aventura boat ride — speedboat INTO the base of the falls, everyone gets utterly drenched. The most exhilarating family activity on this trip ($35/person, 15 min ride + jungle drive). Dry bags provided for phones
• Brazilian side day trip — cross the border for the panoramic view of the entire falls system from across the river. Different perspective, equally stunning ($15/adult entry, plus border bus). Passport required
• Iguazú jungle hike — guided walk through Atlantic Forest spotting toucans, coatis (raccoon-like animals), butterflies. Coatis roam the park freely — they''ll steal your sandwich ($10-15/person for guided walk, or free self-guided)
• Hito Tres Fronteras — viewpoint where Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay meet at the junction of two rivers. Free. The three countries'' flags are visible simultaneously
• La Aripuca — ecological park built from rescued wood, giant log structures, native tree nursery ($8/adult, $5/child). Good rainy-day alternative

Local tips

• Visit the Argentine side FIRST (full day) then the Brazilian side on Day 2 (half day). The Argentine side has the close-up walkways and boat rides; the Brazilian side has the panoramic money-shot view. Together they give the complete experience.
• The Gran Aventura boat ride is non-negotiable — yes, you get completely soaked. Bring a dry change of clothes, put phones in the provided dry bags, and embrace it. Kids rate it the trip highlight every time.
• Coatis (cute raccoon-like animals) are everywhere in the park — they will steal food from your hands. Don''t feed them, keep bags zipped, and hold snacks away from table edges. They''re bold and fast.

Highlights

• Perito Moreno Glacier — one of the only advancing glaciers on Earth. 5 km wide, 60m tall ice wall. Watch (and hear) chunks of ice the size of buildings calve into the lake. Boardwalk viewing platforms ($20/person park entry). The most dramatic natural sight in Patagonia
• Glacier mini-trekking — strap on crampons and walk ON the glacier for 1.5 hours with a guide. Blue ice crevasses, meltwater streams, whisky-on-glacier-ice at the end ($100-130/person, age 10+). Book 1-2 days ahead
• Nautika boat ride — 1-hour boat cruise to the south face of the glacier, approach within 200m of the ice wall ($35/person). Combine with boardwalk viewing for the full experience
• Los Glaciares boat trip — full-day excursion to Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers via Lago Argentino. Bigger and more remote than Perito Moreno ($90-120/person, 8h including lunch)
• Estancia day trip — visit a working Patagonian sheep ranch. Horseback riding, sheep shearing demonstration, lamb asado lunch ($60-85/person). Estancia Cristina or Nibepo Aike
• El Calafate town — Glaciarium (glacier museum, $12/adult, $6/child, includes an ice bar with glasses made of glacier ice), chocolate shops, lakefront walk with flamingo sightings

Local tips

• Perito Moreno boardwalk + Nautika boat ride is the essential Day 1 combo. The boardwalk gives 5 different viewing angles of the ice wall; the boat gets you terrifyingly close to the calving face. Do the boat first (morning departures), then walk the boardwalks all afternoon.
• Mini-trekking on the glacier is the trip''s premium experience — walking ON a glacier is surreal and the guides are excellent. Age limit is 10 with most operators (Hielo & Aventura). Book online as soon as you know your El Calafate dates.
• El Calafate weather is wild — Patagonian wind can hit 80 km/h, temperatures swing 15°C in a day, and summer (Dec-Feb) daylight lasts until 10pm. Pack windproof layers, not just warm layers. The wind is the weather here, not the cold.

Highlights

• Circuito Chico — 60 km scenic loop drive past lakes, forests, and the iconic Llao Llao Hotel. Stop at every viewpoint, swim at hidden beaches, eat at lakeside restaurants. Free (just fuel), half-day drive with stops
• Cerro Campanario chairlift — 20-minute chairlift to the summit for what National Geographic called ''the best view in the world''. Lakes, mountains, forests in every direction ($12/person). Go at sunset
• Chocolate tour — Bariloche is Argentina''s ''chocolate capital''. Rapa Nui, Mamuschka, and Abuela Goye factories offer free tastings. Budget $15-25 for a family chocolate haul. Calle Mitre is chocolate-shop heaven
• Isla Victoria + Arrayanes Forest — boat trip across Lake Nahuel Huapi to Victoria Island and the ancient Arrayanes (myrtle) forest that inspired Disney''s Bambi ($50/person, 4h)
• Lago Gutiérrez kayaking — paddle on glassy lake water surrounded by Andean peaks ($40-60/person for 2h guided tour). Morning sessions have mirror-calm conditions
• Cerro Catedral — Patagonia''s largest ski resort in winter (Jul-Sep). In summer, the chairlift runs for hiking and mountain biking at altitude ($15/person for lift access)

Local tips

• Rent a car and drive the Circuito Chico yourself — it''s the best self-drive scenic road in Argentina. Pack a picnic from the Bariloche supermarket, stop at Playa Bonita for a swim, and eat chocolate at Colonia Suiza for lunch.
• Bariloche is Argentina''s Lake District — it looks like Switzerland but costs a quarter of the price. Family cabañas (cabins) with lake views and kitchens rent for $60-120/night and are far better value than hotels.
• Three nights in Bariloche is the trip wind-down — after Iguazú and Patagonia glaciers, the chocolate shops, lake swims, and chairlift sunsets are the gentle ending the family needs. Don''t over-schedule.