Last updated: April 2026
12 Days: BA + Iguazu + Salta + Mendoza
Twelve days lets you slot Salta between Iguazu and Mendoza, adding the Andean and Northwest dimension to the classic itinerary. Buenos Aires (3), Iguazu (2), Salta with Cafayate and Quebrada de Humahuaca (3), Mendoza with Uco Valley and High Mountain (3), and a return day. It is the most culturally complete Argentina trip without going to Patagonia. Four domestic flights — demanding but high-reward. If you prefer Patagonia over Salta, see the variant at the end.
TL;DR — what you cover and what you skip
| Length | Covered | Skipped |
|---|---|---|
| 10 days | BA + Iguazu + Mendoza | Salta, Patagonia |
| 12 days | BA + Iguazu + Salta + Mendoza | All Patagonia |
| 12 days alt | BA + Iguazu + Mendoza + Bariloche | Salta, Calafate |
| 14 days | BA + MDZ + Bariloche full | Iguazu or Salta |
Day by day
Day 1: Arrival in Buenos Aires
- Morning: Land at EZE. Transfer to your hotel in Palermo or Recoleta. Rest.
- Afternoon: Recoleta walk — Cemetery, Plaza Francia, Floralis Generica.
- Evening: Dinner at Don Julio (book 30 days ahead) or Las Cabras. Bife de chorizo and Malbec.
- Where to sleep: 3-4-star hotel Palermo or Recoleta
- Day cost: USD 130-200
Day 2: BA — downtown, San Telmo, La Boca
- Morning: Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, Cathedral, Cabildo.
- Afternoon: Lunch in San Telmo. La Boca and Caminito.
- Evening: Tango show with dinner (Rojo Tango, Cafe de los Angelitos) or local milonga.
- Where to sleep: Same hotel
- Day cost: USD 150-250
Day 3: BA — Palermo + MALBA + Tigre optional
- Morning: MALBA, Japanese Garden, Rosedal. Brunch at Mute.
- Afternoon: Galerias Pacifico shopping, or train to Tigre + Delta.
- Evening: Dinner at Anchoita or Proper (Palermo). Drinks at Floreria Atlantico.
- Where to sleep: Same hotel
- Day cost: USD 130-220
Day 4: Flight to Iguazu — Argentine side
- Morning: AEP-IGR flight (1h45). Check in and head to the park.
- Afternoon: Iguazu National Park, Argentine side: Upper + Lower Circuits + Devil's Throat.
- Evening: Dinner at Aqva or La Rueda in Puerto Iguazu.
- Where to sleep: Puerto Iguazu or Sheraton inside the park
- Day cost: USD 250-400
Day 5: Iguazu Brazilian side + flight to Salta
- Morning: Cross to Brazil. Brazilian walkways (panoramic view, 2h).
- Afternoon: Back to Argentina. Gran Aventura speedboat (USD 75) or Macuco Trail.
- Evening: IGR-SLA flight (via BA or Cordoba). Late arrival in Salta.
- Where to sleep: Hotel Salta downtown
- Day cost: USD 280-450
Day 6: Salta — city and Cafayate
- Morning: Salta city tour: Cathedral, Plaza 9 de Julio, MAAM Museum (Inca mummies, world-class).
- Afternoon: Drive to Cafayate (3h, scenic Quebrada de las Conchas — Devil's Throat, Amphitheater). Sunset arrival.
- Evening: Dinner in Cafayate. Try Torrontes (signature white wine of Northwest Argentina).
- Where to sleep: Hotel in Cafayate (Patios de Cafayate or boutique)
- Day cost: USD 180-320
Day 7: Cafayate and back to Salta
- Morning: Cafayate wineries: El Esteco, Piattelli, Domingo Hermanos. Torrontes and Tannat tasting.
- Afternoon: Lunch at a winery. Optional Quebrada de las Flechas. Drive back to Salta.
- Evening: Dinner in Salta — folk music pena at La Casona del Molino or Dona Salta for empanadas.
- Where to sleep: Hotel Salta downtown
- Day cost: USD 180-300
Day 8: Quebrada de Humahuaca
- Morning: Day trip to Quebrada de Humahuaca via Purmamarca-Tilcara-Humahuaca. Hill of Seven Colors at Purmamarca.
- Afternoon: Lunch in Tilcara. Pre-Hispanic Pucara fortress. Hornocal (14-color hill) if time allows.
- Evening: Back to Salta. Light dinner.
- Where to sleep: Hotel Salta downtown
- Day cost: USD 150-280
Day 9: Flight to Mendoza — Lujan de Cuyo wineries
- Morning: SLA-MDZ flight (1h45). Check in Mendoza.
- Afternoon: Wineries in Lujan de Cuyo: Catena Zapata, Norton, Achaval Ferrer. Pairing lunch.
- Evening: Dinner at Maria Antonieta or Azafran. Drinks on Aristides.
- Where to sleep: Hotel Mendoza downtown
- Day cost: USD 220-400
Day 10: Mendoza — Uco Valley
- Morning: Early to Uco Valley (1h30 south). Bodega Salentein and/or Zuccardi.
- Afternoon: 7-course pairing lunch at Piedra Infinita (Zuccardi, USD 200-300). Bodega Andeluna or Bousquet.
- Evening: Back to Mendoza. Light dinner.
- Where to sleep: Hotel Mendoza downtown
- Day cost: USD 220-450
Day 11: Mendoza High Mountain
- Morning: Route 7 excursion: Villavicencio, Uspallata, Puente del Inca, Aconcagua viewpoint.
- Afternoon: Lunch at Las Cuevas. Return same route.
- Evening: Last dinner in Mendoza.
- Where to sleep: Hotel Mendoza downtown
- Day cost: USD 130-220
Day 12: Flight back to BA and departure
- Morning: MDZ-AEP flight (2h). Last shopping in BA.
- Afternoon: Final lunch at a steakhouse. Transfer to EZE.
- Evening: International return flight.
- Where to sleep: Plane
- Day cost: USD 100-200
Variants
- Patagonia variant (skip Salta): BA (2) + Iguazu (2) + Mendoza (3) + Bariloche (4) + 1 buffer day. Bariloche covers Circuito Chico, 7 Lakes, Tronador and Cerro Catedral. More nature-focused.
- Calafate variant: BA (3) + Iguazu (2) + Mendoza (3) + Calafate (3) + 1 day. Calafate for Perito Moreno + Big Ice + optional Chalten day-trip. Logistically demanding — long flights.
- Full NW variant: BA (3) + Salta (5 days — includes Salinas Grandes and Train to the Clouds) + Mendoza (3) + 1 day. No Iguazu, more Andean culture.
- Slow travel variant: BA (4) + Mendoza (5) + Iguazu (2) + 1 day. No Salta, slower pace, much more food and wine focused.
Total estimated cost (12 days, excluding international flight)
- Backpacker (USD 1,700-2,300): hostels USD 25-35/night, low-cost food, public transport and buses, low-cost flights.
- Standard (USD 3,000-4,500): 3-4-star hotels USD 100-150/night, mid-range restaurants, regular flights, group tours, winery lunches (USD 150 each).
- Comfort (USD 6,500-10,000): 4-5-star or boutique USD 230-380/night, premium steakhouses, lunch at Zuccardi/Catena, private guided excursions.
- Luxury (USD 18,000+): Faena/Park Hyatt + Patios de Cafayate + Cavas Wine Lodge + Awasi, helicopter transfers, private sommelier, private Hornocal trips.
Domestic flights (BA-IGR-BA-SLA-MDZ-BA): USD 350-650 total depending on advance. IGR-SLA and SLA-MDZ legs may need a BA connection — check schedules.
How to get there
International flight: lands at Ezeiza (EZE). Aerolineas Argentinas, LATAM, Iberia, Air Europa, Lufthansa, Air France, Emirates, Qatar, Turkish from Europe and Middle East. American, Delta, United, Aerolineas from the US.
Domestic connections: 4 flights. Book all 4 with 4-6 weeks ahead for best price. Aerolineas Argentinas covers all routes; Flybondi and JetSmart on some. Domestic airports: AEP in BA (not EZE), IGR in Iguazu, SLA in Salta, MDZ in Mendoza.
What to pack
- BA: smart-casual, comfortable shoes, umbrella.
- Iguazu: breathable clothes, poncho, grippy shoes, strong repellent, SPF 50.
- Salta: layers (cold in the Quebrada due to altitude), fleece for Hornocal (4,300m), sunglasses, SPF 50, hydration, light hiking shoes. Bring coca leaves or ibuprofen for altitude.
- Mendoza: layers, jacket for Uco Valley evenings, sunglasses, SPF (altitude).
- Universal: Type I adapter, digital passport copy, travel insurance.
Pro tip: If you go in March, sync Cafayate with the Vendimia (mid-March harvest). Wineries run special events, villages have festivals, food is at peak. Mendoza has the same rhythm but more touristy. Book 2 months ahead.
FAQ
Why Salta and not Bariloche in 12 days?
Salta fits 12 days better because the BA-IGR-SLA-MDZ logistics flow well. Bariloche requires moving the entire Patagonia (weather + flight) and leaves less margin. The Bariloche variant exists but sacrifices Iguazu or Mendoza.
How much does this trip cost?
Backpacker: USD 1,700-2,300. Standard: USD 3,000-4,500. Comfort: USD 6,500-10,000. Luxury: USD 18,000+. Excludes international flight. Four domestic flights add USD 350-650.
Best time of year?
March-May and September-November. March is harvest season in both Mendoza and Cafayate (best winery experience). September-November is spring with stable weather in NW Argentina and Mendoza. Skip January (extreme heat in Iguazu and Cafayate, BA on summer holidays).
How should I sequence the domestic flights?
BA -> IGR -> BA -> SLA -> MDZ -> BA flows best. SLA-MDZ direct flights exist but are limited — check ahead. Routing via BA adds 4-6h. Aerolineas Argentinas has the best regional network.
Cafayate or Quebrada de Humahuaca?
Both in this itinerary (Cafayate -> Humahuaca order). If forced to choose: Cafayate for wine and the Quebrada de las Conchas. Humahuaca for Andean culture (7-Color Hill, Hornocal, Tilcara). Hornocal is more visually stunning than anything in Cafayate.
Is this itinerary too intense?
Yes, it is intense. Four domestic flights in 12 days + 3 full-day excursions. For a slower pace, drop Cafayate or High Mountain. The relaxed version reduces to 3 destinations: BA + Salta + Mendoza (no Iguazu) or BA + Iguazu + Mendoza (no Salta) — both are the 10 days.
Worth renting a car in Salta?
Yes — Salta is where car freedom matters most. Cafayate, Quebrada de Humahuaca and Hornocal are best with your own car (USD 50-90/day). In Mendoza no, because of wine. In BA no. In Iguazu distances are short, no need.
Is Salta and the Quebrada safe?
Yes, very safe. Salta and the Quebrada villages are quiet. Basic precautions in the city at night. Theft in Salta's tourist areas is low compared to BA or Mendoza.
How is it with kids?
Works but demanding due to transfers. Salta is very family-friendly (7-Color Hill, llamas in Tilcara, MAAM museum). Iguazu is spectacular with kids. Mendoza with kids: skip premium wineries, do High Mountain and hot springs. BA: Tigre, Japanese Garden, Planetarium.
Patagonia variant in 12 days?
Yes: BA (3) + Iguazu (2) + Bariloche (4) + Calafate (2) — but Calafate in 2 days is tight. Better: BA (3) + Bariloche (5) + Calafate (3) + 1 buffer day. Or BA (2) + Iguazu (2) + Mendoza (3) + Bariloche (4) + 1 day. Skip Salta, add Patagonia.
