Last updated: April 2026
14 Days: Buenos Aires + Mendoza + Bariloche
This 14-day itinerary covers three iconic regions of Argentina: the cosmopolitan capital of Buenos Aires, the wineries of Mendoza at the foot of the Andes, and the Patagonian Lake District in Bariloche. It is the classic trip for travellers who want to combine urban culture, world-class wine and Patagonian nature in a single journey. Two domestic flights connect the three stages efficiently, so you can make the most of every day without losing hours on the road.
Day by Day
Days 1-3: Buenos Aires
San Telmo, Recoleta, Palermo and La Boca. Steakhouses (parrillas), milongas, museums and the city's famously late nightlife. Save one evening for a tango show and another for dinner in Palermo Soho.
Day 4: Flight to Mendoza
Morning flight AEP-MDZ (about 2h). Arrival, check-in and a stroll through Plaza Independencia, Parque San Martín, and the lively Avenida Aristides Villanueva at night with bars and craft breweries.
Days 5-6: Mendoza wineries
Day 5: wine route in Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu, by bicycle (USD 10) or with a guided driver tour (USD 80-150). Day 6: Valle de Uco with a gourmet lunch at Zuccardi Piedra Infinita, Salentein or Catena Zapata, with sweeping Andes views in high-altitude terroir.
Day 7: High mountain
Full-day excursion on Route 7 toward the Chilean border: Villavicencio, Uspallata, Puente del Inca and the Aconcagua viewpoint (6,961 m). Return to Mendoza in late afternoon, with photo stops along the Rio Mendoza valley.
Day 8: Flight to Bariloche
Flight MDZ-BRC (2h, sometimes via Buenos Aires). Arrival, hotel transfer and afternoon walk around the Civic Center, the Cathedral and chocolate shops on Calle Mitre (Rapa Nui, Mamuschka, Del Turista).
Days 9-10: Lakes and forests
Day 9: Route of the Seven Lakes (RN40) to Villa La Angostura with stops at Lago Espejo, Lago Correntoso and Lago Falkner (107 km, 6h with stops). Day 10: catamaran across Lake Nahuel Huapi to Victoria Island and the rare Arrayanes Forest.
Day 11: Cerro Catedral or Cerro Tronador
In summer, trek to Refugio Frey or take the gondola up Cerro Catedral (2,105 m). Alternative: full-day excursion to Cerro Tronador, Pampa Linda and Cascada de los Alerces, with a hanging glacier in view.
Days 12-13: El Bolson & Lago Puelo
Day 12: drive to El Bolsón (2h), with the famous artisan market Wed/Sat/Sun on Plaza Pagano and a craft brewery tour (Otto Tipp, El Bolsón Beer). Day 13: Lago Puelo National Park, turquoise waters, kayaking and trails to viewpoints.
Day 14: Return
Flight Bariloche to Buenos Aires (2h15). International connection from EZE the same day, or extra night in BA for a final parrilla and shopping in Recoleta.
Estimated budget (14 days, excluding international flights)
- Backpacker (USD 1,800-2,400): hostels (USD 20-30/night), street food and casual eateries, public transport and long-distance buses, low-cost flights. Self-guided bike wine route in Maipu (USD 30-50).
- Standard (USD 3,200-4,500): 3-star hotels in central neighbourhoods, mid-range restaurants with the occasional gourmet meal, regular domestic flights, 4-winery tour with paired lunch (USD 120-180), private High Mountain excursion (USD 100).
- Comfort (USD 5,500-8,500+): 4-5 star or boutique hotels with views, premium wineries with 7-course paired lunches (USD 200-400), Llao Llao or Charming Luxury Lodge in Bariloche, private transfers, guided trekking on Tronador.
Domestic flights BA-MDZ-BRC-BA: USD 200-450 total depending on how far ahead you book and the season. Reserve 4-6 weeks out. Aerolineas Argentinas, Flybondi and JetSmart all operate the routes.
Best time of year for this itinerary
February-March and October-November are the sweet spots. February-March is harvest in Mendoza (the best month for wineries), with Bariloche in summer and all trails open. October-November pairs spring in Bariloche (colours, lighter crowds) with the Mendoza vineyards in bloom. June-August is excellent if you prioritise skiing in Bariloche (Cerro Catedral); the Mendoza high mountain may be closed by snow. Avoid January, when domestic tourists saturate Bariloche.
Alternatives to the base itinerary
- Swap El Bolsón for San Martín de los Andes if you prefer a more polished town with fine dining. The Seven Lakes Route + San Martín pairs perfectly with Bariloche (2h drive).
- Add El Calafate by trimming 2 days in Bariloche: BRC-FTE flight is 1h30. Use 2 days for Perito Moreno Glacier + the Big Ice trek.
- Salta instead of Mendoza if Andean culture appeals more than wine: Quebrada de Humahuaca, Cafayate and Hornocal. See the Salta guide.
- Optional Uruguay leg: at the end, ferry BA-Colonia + a day in Montevideo (adds 1-2 days).
Practical tips
Mendoza
- Reserve Bodega Catena Zapata, Zuccardi (Valle de Uco) or Susana Balbo 2-4 weeks ahead. Many require online booking via Tock or the winery's own site.
- The wine route in Maipu is the most affordable by bicycle (rental USD 10) but less polished. Lujan de Cuyo has iconic wineries 30 min by car from the centre. Valle de Uco is 1h30 away but essential for Salentein, Zuccardi and Catena Zapata's Adrianna vineyard.
- Don't drive yourself if you plan 4+ wineries: hire a driver-guide (USD 80-150 per day) or join a shared tour.
- Try the Malbec, but also Bonarda, Torrontés (from Cafayate) and Chandon sparkling.
Bariloche
- The Circuito Chico (60 km) can be done by e-bike (rental USD 40-60) or car. Start early (9am) to beat the tour buses at Cerro Campanario.
- The Seven Lakes Route to Villa La Angostura is cinematic; pack a picnic — there are roadside lookouts with tables. 107 km, 3h without stops, 6h with stops.
- Craft beer: Berlina, Blest, Manush, Patagonia. The brewery tour in El Bolsón is a must.
- In winter, Catedral and Gran Catedral are the ski resorts.
What to pack
- Buenos Aires: smart-casual outfits, comfortable walking shoes, compact umbrella.
- Mendoza: layers (cool mornings, hot midday), a jacket for evenings in Valle de Uco (high-altitude desert — windy), sunglasses and SPF 50 (altitude).
- Bariloche: windproof waterproof jacket, fleece, hat and scarf (cool even in summer), trekking shoes, swimsuit (hot springs in Pampa Linda if you go to Tronador).
- Misc: Type I plug adapter, high-SPF sunscreen, repellent (mosquitoes in Bariloche in January-February), personal medication, digital copies of your documents.
Tip: Book winery visits well in advance, especially in Valle de Uco. Catena Zapata, Zuccardi and Bodega Salentein can require 4-6 weeks. Lunch at Piedra Infinita (Zuccardi) is a world-class culinary experience for USD 180-220.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to drive in Bariloche or Mendoza?
Yes. Patagonian roads are well paved, though some sections (Seven Lakes Route) have short gravel stretches. In Mendoza, the city centre is intense but the routes to wineries are calm. Rental cars from USD 40-80/day. Foreign drivers should carry an International Driving Permit.
Should I do the loop in reverse (BRC → MDZ → BA)?
Logistically it works the same, but the experience is better in the classic order (BA → MDZ → BRC): you start with urban energy, decompress at the wineries and end with full Patagonian disconnection. Climate-wise it is also better: BA in January is hot on arrival, while Bariloche in February is at its peak at the end.
How many days for each destination?
3 days BA (minimum for Palermo, Recoleta, San Telmo, La Boca), 4 days Mendoza (Maipu + Lujan + Valle de Uco wineries + High Mountain), 6 days Bariloche (including Seven Lakes, Tronador and El Bolsón side trips). Total 13 + 1 travel day = 14.
Is El Bolsón worth including?
Yes if you enjoy bohemian nature, artisan markets, craft beer and hiking (Lago Puelo). If you prefer urban polish, swap it for San Martín de los Andes (more gourmet) or use those days to trek Tronador or Refugio Frey.
