Buenos Aires & Patagonia Family Exploration

Buenos Aires & Patagonia Family Exploration

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  • Bike the streets of Buenos Aires and explore the biggest green areas.
  • Enjoy a full-day visit to a traditional ranch near Buenos Aires and unveil the traditions of La Pampa
  • Fly to Patagonia and discover the lands of glaciers and the beautiful lake district.
  • Best time to travel: From October to April

In this 10-day family travel itinerary to Argentine Patagonia and Buenos Aires you will learn about conventillos (where the first immigrants to Buenos Aires lived), then fly to El Calafate to explore the land of glaciers, and visit the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Enjoy with your kids these icy giants and visit Bariloche, the capital of the Lake District. Zip line with your kids in fairy-tale woods, and enjoy the best chocolate in Argentina. 

 

Itinerary

Welcome to your Argentina family vacation
Start in Buenos Aires

 

  •  Hassle-free transfer from the airport to the city

Upon arrival in Buenos Aires you will be met at the international airport and take a private transfer to your hotel. No matter how early you land in the morning, your room will be ready for you upon arrival, early check-in is guaranteed. You’ll receive our Argentina Challenge Adventure Kit, the perfect tool to generate engagement between your children, the places they visit, the people they meet, and you!

 

  • Walking orientation tour – Discover the neighborhood

How do locals interact with their city? The best way to figure it out is to walk side-by-side with them… get prepared to take your first Buenos Aires walking tour, and start discovering the city at your own pace with a local guide.

Our guide will pick you up at your hotel to officially start your family vacations in Argentina. Over the course of 2 hours, you will wander the neighborhood together. Depending on your hotel’s location and your personal interests, you can choose to explore either the Northern area of the capital, the aristocratic face of the city, filled with magnificent architecture, or the green spaces and bohemian culture of the trendiest area of the city. It’s up to you!

Enjoy the unscripted moments of chit-chat with your tour guide… and with other locals who you meet along the way! After all, we are all lovely people. The icing on the cake will be tasting our world-famous ice-cream! We recommend trying the dulce de leche ice-cream flavour… you won’t go back to vanilla. By the end of this tour you will have acquired a clearer picture of the neighborhood in which you’re staying; where the main supermarkets, pharmacies, and money exchange houses are located. 

 

Why your kids will love it

“Why are there graffitis everywhere? And why do people move their hands like crazy when they talk?” Your kids will be glad to have a new person (besides mom and dad) to calm their curious minds. Our local guide, specialized in family trips, will be more than pleased to answer their questions in a didactic and friendly way.

 

Why you will love it

It’s a personalized tour so you will be able to explore the city at your own pace, focusing on the personal interests of each member of the family. 

 

Day1

Buenos Aires, history and bike city tour

 

  • 5-hour historic tour through Buenos Aires

Continue with your travel itinerary to Argentina taking a 5-hour historic tour through the city’s ornate architecture with a private car at your disposal. We’ll pick you up at your hotel to spot the most important sites of the city and learn some fun facts, like why the Presidential Palace is pink, or the reason that houses in La Boca are so colorful.

Visit San Telmo, the oldest residential neighborhood, with its classic cobblestone streets, and La Boca, where Buenos Aires turns colorful and tango is ever present; come to walk Caminito Street and dance with the locals. If you’re a soccer enthusiast, you’ll learn all about Argentina’s favorite fútbol (soccer) teams.

Why is soccer such a passion for Argentinians? Well, only a true Argentinian can answer that question. Continue your full cultural immersion learning about our rich history as you speak with locals (known as Porteños) and learn fun facts about our fascinating past. At the end of your tour, we’ll take you back to your hotel. 

 

  • Discover the city with a specialized bike tour

In the afternoon, get ready to explore the city on two wheels, one of the best options for enjoying a family vacation to Argentina. Departing from Palermo district, start your bike tour to discover the Northern region of Buenos Aires, where you’ll find the famous Recoleta Cemetery, the Floralis Generica, and the biggest green areas of Buenos Aires.

Stop at Recoleta cemetery and leave your bikes to walk through the amazing tombs and mausoleums, 90 of which have been declared historical monuments. Dare your kids and find the exact place where the mythical Evita Perón (one of our first female political leaders) rests, or David Alleno’s tomb, the cemetery keeper that saved money during his whole life in order to be buried with the most important characters of Argentine history.

Continue your bike-ride to the park that houses the incredible Floralis Generica, the giant metallic flower of Buenos Aires, where you’ll stop to have a snack while watching this breathtaking sculpture actually move! Taste some traditional Argentine maté (herbal tea) and the alfajores (finger-licking sandwich cookies).

We’ll keep riding on to explore Palermo Woods, the biggest green area of Buenos Aires, where you’ll have a close-up view of the beautiful Planetarium and enjoy a typical Porteño lunch from one of the many food trucks spread all over the area. We’ll return to our departing spot after 5 hours of family fun. 

 

  • Optional tango dinner and show in San Telmo

At night, you have the opportunity to enjoy a special evening at one of the traditional tango houses of Buenos Aires in San Telmo, the oldest neighborhood of the city, where all tango dancers used to gather. Taste Argentine Malbec wine paired with a juicy steak, and enjoy a 1-hour tango and folklore show with the best dancers and musicians in Buenos Aires. We also offer a babysitting service in case you would love to have an exclusive romantic dinner.

 

Why your kids will love it 

The kids will have a lot of fun watching the street performers and tango dancers in Caminito, discovering the spooky alleys of Recoleta Cemetery, and biking the city with Mom and Dad.

 

Why you will love it

You’ll be able to explore the city in a relaxing way (with a vehicle at your disposal) during the morning, and then get active in the afternoon with the bikes. Bike tours are the best option if you’re interested in an easygoing family activity that pleases everyone. It’s also a safe and healthy way to connect with the city of Buenos Aires.

 

Day2

Argentina’s rural culture, estancia “El Ombú de Areco”

 

  • Full-day visit to a ranch

Argentina is famous worldwide for its fútbol players, but also for the vastness of its green-tinted fields best known as ‘La Pampa’. That endless land at the edge of the horizon is still home to the descendants of the first gauchos (Argentine cowboys), who still care for and work the land as their ancestors taught them to.

There are still some estancias (ranches) that preserve the gaucho traditions, and are located in picturesque towns within Buenos Aires’ province. One of the most alluring estancias is El Ombú de Areco, a colonial style working ranch built in 1880 that is located in the town of San Antonio de Areco, where gaucho traditions are still palpable all around.

Today, we’ll pick you up at your hotel to begin a 9-hour visit to this time-honored ranch. Learn about the gaucho culture and traditions, strolling around the beautiful old streets, museums and ancient pulperías (grocery stores) in San Antonio de Areco before heading to El Ombú.

Once you’re in the estancia, enjoy a typical asado (barbecue) before either a horseback ride in nature or a relaxing bike ride. For those who like to take things slow while on vacation, there is a peaceful swimming pool (only available in summer) and many sunny relaxation areas where you can take la siesta (an afternoon nap). At the end of the day, we’ll take you back to your hotel in Buenos Aires.

 

Why kids will love it

They will enjoy having free time for some unscheduled exploration of the area before enjoying one of the many available activities. They will be in contact with locals and their traditions, hear the enchanting sound of the guitarra criolla (creole guitar), and witness the tight bond between a gaucho and his horse in a unique spectacle called Doma India (a non-aggressive form of horse training).

 

Why you will love it

Walking through the old town in San Antonio de Areco will be like taking a time machine back to the colonial era. Also, the comforting facilities of El Ombú will provide adults with some quality relaxation time to unplug from the rapid pace of daily life. 

 

Day3

Start with your Patagonia itinerary and fly to El Calafate

 

  •  Transfer from your hotel to the airport/ Transfer from the airport to the city 

Today we’ll pick you up from your hotel in Buenos Aires and drive you to the airport to take your flight to El Calafate where your Patagonia itinerary starts! Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and take a private transfer to your hotel. No matter how early you get to the hotel in the morning, your room will be ready for you upon arrival: early check-in is guaranteed. 

 

  • Optional tour – Rural life and estancias of Patagonia 

We’ll pick you up from your hotel in a minivan and head towards Glacier National Park. Leave El Calafate behind and travel for 1hr 30mins with the snow-capped Cerro Frías as your backdrop. Once inside the National Park, make your way to Nibepo Aike Ranch, the only ranch in the area that has maintained the traditions of sheep-shearing and Hereford cattle-breeding as its primary focus.

Enjoy an inviting hot drink and a delicious snack in the classic quincho (rustic dining room)! Walk the coast of Lago Argentino, watch how a real gaucho (the Argentine cowboy) works the shearing shed, and view a unique demonstration of gaucho horsemanship. Depending on the day’s activities, you might help milk the cows, herd sheep, or learn the history behind the founders of the estancia. At the end of the day, return to the quincho, where a mouth-watering grilled lamb awaits, sizzling over the traditional Patagonian fire pit. Take the same road and transportation to return to El Calafate.    

 

Why your kids will love it:

The kids will have varied options for outdoor activities to discover the terrain, the native fauna, and to be in contact with locals. They will also get to taste some homemade traditional dishes— this is the perfect time to leave hamburgers and french fries behind!

 

Why you will like it

This is your opportunity to immerse yourself in some famous, wild Patagonian landscapes, and to come into true contact with nature, speak with locals, and enjoy a delicious asado (barbecue).

 

Day4

Mayo Trek Boat Trip & Glaciarium Museum
El Calafate

  • Sail Mayo channel and visit Perito Moreno Glacier

Start off the day with a pick-up from your hotel, and travel to Puerto Bandera to embark on an 8-hour nautical safari where you’ll discover the secluded glaciers and waterfalls of Glacier National Park that can only be reached by boat! This will be one of the most beautiful experiences of your family vacation in Argentina.

Sail Mayo Channel and disembark at Toro Bay to hike through the Patagonian forest; your specialized guide will tell you about the vegetation of this area (very different from other varieties inside the park) and show you the ancient cherry tree and its 10-foot-diameter trunk. Tell your kids that they can call it El Abuelo (grandpa), as locals have nicknamed it, and prepare yourselves to discover a waterfall!

Set sail again towards Cerro Negro (Black Hill), where you’ll do a soft, half-mile hike to the base of the hill to admire the massive Black Glacier. Enjoy your free time in this place that not many travelers have seen, before departing for our third stop, the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. As the boat passes by the immense icy wall, put on your beanie and grab your camera, because you may see a piece of ice breaking off and crashing into the water below!

Finally, you’ll disembark at Puerto Moreno, where you can enjoy your free time wandering across the traditional catwalk circuit that surrounds the glacier before sailing back to Puerto Bandera.

 

  • Visit the Glaciarium Museum 

On your way back to El Calafate make a stop at the Glaciarium Museum and learn about the history of the glaciers and their first explorers. Interactive screens, a synchronized projection, and the natural sounds of ice caves playing throughout the museum’s hall will totally immerse you in the glaciers’ fascinating history. At the end of your tour, we’ll drive you back to El Calafate.

 

Why your kids will love it

This special boat trip is always a thrilling and memorable part of the El Calafate trip, especially for the youngest members of your family! They will feel like little sailors and explorers of the lake. Plus, this tour is the perfect combination of short navigations and hikes, which will keep little explorers entertained and active. 

 

Why you will love it

Apart from the amazing landscapes, you’ll enjoy the comforts of free-flowing tea and medialunas (Argentine croissants) on board the tour boat. Also, you’ll get to see the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier up close, passing right by its huge ice wall, and end your visit with a modern multimedia museum.

 

Day5

Leisure time in Calafate

 

For your free day in El Calafate, if you’re still wanting to get active and visit another highlight of the area, we recommend that you visit Cerro Frías, an outdoor activity center. We’ll pick you up from your hotel and drive you 20 minutes outside of Calafate to Alice Ranch in Cerro Frías.

This ranch still maintains its traditional activities, its cattle, and its natural guanaco reserve. Enjoy any of the activities offered at the ranch: 4×4 rides to explore the area, horseback riding along beautiful slopes, or gliding down South America’s longest zipline. There’s an option for all ages and interests! 

At the end of the day, enjoy lunch or dinner in the elegant quincho (this is the typical place to gather and cook asados, the Argentine barbecue), and during tea time, enjoy maté (Argentine herbal tea) and traditional Argentine pastries. At the end of this 6-hour tour, we’ll drive you back to El Calafate to have some relaxing family time.

 

Say Hueque Tips

  • What can you do near El Calafate if you don’t want to take an optional tour?

If you would prefer to stay in town, you definitely must stop by Laguna Nimes, an ecological reserve which hosts 80 different types of birds, including the Chilean Flamingo, and includes a fun, little hike that’s perfect for kids! Then, enjoy a hearty lunch at Buenos Cruces restaurant; try the guanaco meatloaf or the nut-crusted trout while your kids run around in the play area.

 

Day6

Continue your Argentina family vacation and travel to Bariloche

 

  •  Transfer from your hotel to the airport/ Transfer from the airport to the city 

Continue your Patagonia itinerary with a pick up from your hotel in El Calafate and a transfer to the airport to take your flight to Bariloche. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and take a private transfer to your hotel. No matter how early you arrive in the morning, your room will be ready for you upon arrival; early check-in is guaranteed. 

 

  • Visit to Mount Otto & Habsburg Stone

Prepare to go on your first hike in the afternoon! Visit Mount Otto, known as “the pinnacle of fun.” To reach the summit, ride the legendary cable car and enjoy the best views over Lake Nahuel Huapi. Take time to enjoy the spectacular view from the summit (6,890 feet above sea level!) before starting an easy 2-hour hike through a forest of lenga trees. Reach the Habsburg Stone, a special viewpoint from which you’ll have stunning views of Lake Gutierrez and Ventana Hill. On the way, your local guide will introduce you to the native vegetation and the history of the place. At the end of this 5-hour experience, you’ll ride the cable car down the hill, and we’ll take you back to the city of Bariloche. 

 

This tour is only available for children over 10 years old. 

 

Why your kids will love it

The cable car will definitely be the highlight of the day! This is a safe and original way to start discovering Bariloche. Plus, the Habsburg Stone is one of the easiest, and thus family-friendly, hikes in the region.

 

Why you will love it

After a flight, it’s normal to feel a little jet-lagged. That’s why this short, yet active, excursion will be perfect for you to stretch out your legs on your arrival day. Enjoy an easy-going and fun activity; this will be a good introduction for your upcoming adventure. 

 

Day7

Classic nature of Bariloche & Zipline in Colonia Suiza

 

  • Bariloche history & nature excursion with zipline

Start this 7-hour tour, which combines both cooking and historical traditions of Bariloche, with a pick-up at your hotel, to head to the most iconic viewpoints of the area, like Campanario Hill, where you’ll have a bird’s-eye view of the snow-capped Andes mountains, different lakes, such as Lake Moreno and Nahuel Huapi Lake, and the fancy Llao Llao hotel. In the meantime, talk with your guide about the fascinating history of this small mountain village which is entirely located within Nahuel Huapi National Park.

Take a short trek in the Llao Llao Reserve through the beautiful arrayan forest, sipping maté along the way (traditional Argentine herbal tea) while your tour guide tells you about the diverse wildlife and natural history of this place. 

Reach Gilbert Traditional Brewery and try out your culinary skills with a fun and engaging cooking class, which will introduce you to the culinary secrets of immigrant and native cultures found in Bariloche. Learn how to make a heavenly-tasting Argentine empanada (meat-filled Argentine pastry).

After lunch, it’s time to get active in the woods of Colonia Suiza, the first European settlement in Bariloche. Prepare to enjoy a 2-hour zipline experience, where your kids will glide from one treetop platform to another (there are 10 in total!), using a steel rope. The youngest will be constantly assisted by our tour guide. At the end of the canopy experience, we’ll drive you back to your hotel in Bariloche.  

 

This tour is only available for children over 7 years old. 

 

Why your kids will love it

Canopy always awakes the “king of the jungle” spirit in kids; it’s a fun and active way to get in contact with nature. On the other hand, cooking classes tend to be a hit for children too! Make the most of the time on your family vacations in Argentina and encourage them to try new dishes and get creative. 

 

Why you will love it

You will enjoy the many must-see natural wonders of Bariloche in just one day, with a carefully-organized tour to make the most of your time here. Just relax, and let our local specialist guide you through the culinary and natural secrets of the region. 

 

Day8

Nahuel Huapi National Park, culture and adventure

 

  • Explore Nahuel Huapi National Park & go rafting down Manso River

Today, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and drive you along National Road 40 (the legendary road which extends from the North to South of Argentina) to enjoy some scenic views, passing by Lakes Gutierrez, Mascardi and Guillelmo. 

At one stop, we’ll enter the land of a Native American Mapuche Community to share breakfast (maté or tea, and homemade fried bread and marmalade) and learn about their unique culture and traditions; a truly immersive and personal experience in this family travel itinerary through Argentine Patagonia. 

From there we will start our rafting adventure, cruising down Manso River on its emerald waters. For about 1 hour, you’ll navigate your way through some medium-intensity rapids with the backdrop of this fairy-tale valley. Depending on the weather, you may be able to take a relaxing swim! Our guides will provide security and assistance for you and your kids throughout the adventure.  

On our way back, we’ll stop to have lunch in the historic restaurant, El Viejo Almacén. After this 10-hour experience, we’ll drive you back to Bariloche.

 

This tour is only available for children over 10 years old. 

 

Why your kids will love it

The rafting will be the icing on the cake for kids. They will definitely love paddling and sharing some laughs with Mom and Dad. Fighting the winding waters will make them feel like real adventurers.

 

Why you will love it

To get up-close and personal with the Mapuche community – one of the most extensive in the country – is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Make the most of it with the Spanish assistance of your tour guide. 

 

Day9

The end of your 10-day family itinerary in Argentine Patagonia

 

At the appropriate time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the airport, where your family vacation in Argentina comes to a close. Continue exploring the amazing Patagonia region with some of our other family travel itineraries. If you need any help on planning your next family vacation to Argentina, you can contact any of our travel advisors and we’ll get back to you shortly with brand new ideas.

Day10

If this trip doesn’t meet your expectations we can tailor it to your needs and budget.

Prices per person

INN & B&B

From

USD 4328

View INN & B&B Hotels

Comfort

From

USD 4845

View Comfort Hotels

Superior

From

USD 5735

View Superior Hotels

PRICING

  • Prices are in US Dollars.
  • Price per person family base – 4 passengers

– Price for teen (age: 13-18) $ 3738

– Price for child (age: 2-12) $ 3344

  • Valid until April 2024 (ask for prices at Christmas and New Year).
  • Prices are per person, based on 4 people in 2 double-occupancy rooms. Single rates are available on request.
  • Flights are not included in the price but can be arranged on request.
  • We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you book with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset. We are working to create more sustainable, responsible, and meaningful ways of exploring South America.

PEACE OF MIND THIS IS A CARBON NEUTRAL TRIP

We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you book with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset. We are working to create more sustainable, responsible and meaningful ways of exploring South America. It feels good to do it right. Learn more about our actions against climate change here.

INCLUDED

  • 3-night accommodation in Buenos Aires
  • 3-night accommodation in Calafate
  • 3-night accommodation in Bariloche
  • Daily breakfast
  • Meals according to itinerary: lunch on days 2, 3, 8 & 9
  • Transfers & transportation mentioned in the itinerary
  • Argentina Challenge Adventure Kit
  • Bilingual guide (English/Spanish)

NOT INCLUDED

  • International or domestic flights
  • Travel / Medical Insurance – To get a free quote please follow this link: World Nomads
  • National Park entrance fees
  • Bariloche Eco Fee: Payable in cash at your hotel. Varies from $2 to $4 (USD) per guest per night depending on hotel category. 

 

FLIGHTS NEEDED
FOR THIS ITINERARY

Buenos Aires - El Calafate - Bariloche - Buenos Aires

Estimated cost for the flights in South America: If you plan to visit other destinations in the region, local flights cost approximately $100 to $250 USD per segment (destination). We offer special rates on flights for this tailor-made itinerary.

FLIGHTS NEEDED
FOR THIS ITINERARY

Buenos Aires - El Calafate - Bariloche - Buenos Aires

Estimated cost for the flights in South America: If you plan to visit other destinations in the region, local flights cost approximately $100 to $250 USD per segment (destination). We offer special rates on flights for this tailor-made itinerary.