Northern Argentina Itinerary
Welcome to our Northern Argentina itinerary!
Boasting cosmopolitan cities, striking Andean mountains and other remarkable sceneries, Northern Argentina is one of the best regions to backpack in the lower portion of South America.
Aside from all of the incredible visuals, you’ll also see a variety of contrasting cultures, as well as some pretty tasty foods too!
Northern Argentina Itinerary
In this guide we’ll explore Northern Argentina, the best things to do and see here, and the top day trips.
We’ve also included our personalized 14 day itinerary too, to ensure you get the most out of your trip here.
This guide also covers where to stay, the best time to go as well as our best tips for a backpacking trip through this region (all from our own experience).
BLATAM backpacking data:
- 📍 Where is it? Northern Argentina
- ⏱ Time needed? 14 Days
- 🏔 Terrain: Mountainous, Coastal
- ☀️ Best Time to Visit? March/April
- 💯 BLATAM Rating: 8/10
Why Visit Northern Argentina
This expansive region is often overshadowed by the allure of Patagonia, and we can’t lie; it’s also a must-visit when in Argentina.
However, Northern Argentina also has some truly incredible sceneries, such as the Quebrada de Humahuaca and the Maipu Valley.
It’s also home to the largest mountain in South America – Aconcagua – with many coming here specifically to tackle the 6961m beast.
As well as it’s landscapes, we then have its cities.
Buenos Aires is one of the most popular cities to visit in Latin America, with its flair and cosmopolitan vibe attracting well over 2 million tourists every year.
Mendoza and Salta aren’t as popular as the capital, however both have charm and are great places to base yourself to explore the surrounding regions.
Last but not least, how could we forget the food and drink?!
Argentinian Streak is often considered the best in the world, and here you’ll have ample opportunities to try out the good meat. When in Buenos Aires, we highly recommend this awesome food tour which includes a 3-course meal with all drinks included.
The Andean regions in the West also produce some amazing wines, with Malbec one of the most popular brands.
How to get Around Northern Argentina
Firstly, there are several ways to get to this region.
The most popular is to fly into Buenos Aires, with its airport one of the best connected in South America. Other ways include heading overland from Brazil or Uruguay into the capital.
You can also cross into Northern Argentina via the land borders of Chile, Bolivia and Paraguay.
The best way to get around Northern Argentina (and is how we recommended getting around on our custom itinerary below) is by bus.
We’re not going to lie, prices can be costly and will be a bit of a shock to the system if coming in from inexpensive countries such as Paraguay or Bolivia.
The other way is to fly, with all of the cities mentioned on our itinerary accessible by plane (likely more expensive depending on the season).
Backpacking Northern Argentina Itinerary (14 Days)
Below we’ll explore Northern Argentina with our very best 14 day itinerary.
As well as keeping an eye on the time, this itinerary has also been designed to keep things fresh and exciting on the road for you too.
Days 1-4: Buenos Aires
First, we’ll kick off our itinerary by arriving in the boisterous capital.
It is the starting or ending point for most people who are backpacking Argentina or interested in the country’s top cultural attractions.
There are tonnes of international flights arriving here daily, making it the perfect starting point to explore Northern Argentina.
Buenos Aires is known as one of the top cultural capitals of the continent and has a very strong identity which is seen in its architecture, cuisine and people.
It goes without saying, you’ll definitely want to try the steak and wines here! Watching a Tango Show is an absolute must here, where you’ll see the very best performers in the Galería Güemes Theater
Some of the best things to see here include the Recoleta Cemetery, Casa Rosada as well as the colourful rows of houses in the La Boca neighbourhood.
Also, make sure you head over to the San Telmo neighborhood for the traditional markets as well watching a local Milonga Tango Show too.
If you’ve got the time and funds, then you can also take a ferry over to Uruguay for the day or two, which only takes a few hours.
Days 5-7: Mendoza
Now we’ll take an overnight bus leaving the capital towards Mendoza, which is located next to the Andes close to the Chilean border.
Mendoza is one of the most recognized cities in Argentina, thanks to its world-famous wines.
The surrounding region is home to perfect growing conditions and has produced some incredible varieties such as Malbec.
The Maipu Valley is where the best wineries are located, and you can visit these on a bike tour for a fun day out.
In the city itself, some of the best things to do include exploring the Plaza Independencia, and also the massive Parque General San Martín with its abundance of fountains and forest trails.
Many use Mendoza as a jumping off point to hike Aconcagua – the tallest mountain in Latin America.
Other popular day trips include to explore the base camp with incredible views of the peak from the Mirador, as well as the Puente del Inca (both around 3 hours by bus from the main terminal). With this all-inclusive tour, you’ll visit the Puente del Inca as well as one of the best lookout points over the imposing Aconcagua Mountain
Days 8-9: Córdoba
Next up we will head north to the city of Córdoba, which takes around 11 hours by bus. This city is one of the most picturesque in Argentina, and is also known for its universities and thriving student life.
During our couple of days here, we highly recommend exploring the Jesuit Block and culture.
This area (which extends north into Paraguay and Bolivia) are known for its abundance of Jesuit Mission Ruins, however the ones in Córdoba are among some of the oldest on the continent.
Here you can explore the ruins in the centre of the city, and also some of the striking Estancias such as that of Alta Gracia. You can head on this guided tour to see all of the very best highlights of Córdoba
Other things to do here include learning about Argentina’s colourful past through its art in the Museum of Bellas Artes, and also going for a stroll in the peaceful Sarmiento Park.
Days 10-15: Salta
On our last stop, we’ll now head to the most northern city on our trip. You can get to Salta by taking a bus from the main terminal in Córdoba, which takes around 13 hours.
Salta is by far the best place to head in Northern Argentina for stunning scenery, and we often like to think of it as Argentina’s very own Cusco.
During these days, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the city, with the Plaza 9 de Julio being the best place to base yourself.
Must visits within the city include to the MAAM museum, which is home to mummies and other important Incan findings, as well as to the Teleférico where you’ll reach the top of Cerro San Bernardo for the best views of Salta.
Whilst the city is pleasant, its the surrounding region which really turns heads. The rural town of Jujuy along with the mountains of Quebrada de Humahuaca (known for its seven colours) is one of the most popular trips you can take here.
Other must-visits include to the Cafayete Region, which is known for producing some of the best wine in the world, as well as to the salt flats of Salinas Grande.
All of these destinations can be reached either by tour, or by renting your own car and making the trip yourself.
Finishing up in Salta, you then have several options. You can either fly or take the bus back to Buenos Aires to depart back home.
Or, if you have more time, you can cross into Chile and to San Pedro de Atacama for its incredible landscapes. Alternatively you can head north to Tarija, where you can then start your Bolivian adventure.
That’s all for our Northern Argentina itinerary. Now let’s move on to our best tips, so you can have the best experience possible here.
Best Things to do in Argentina
Now let’s take a look at the best things to do and see in Northern Argentina.
As well as seeing the top sites in each city, we’ll also explore some of the best day trips to take into the surrounding regions too.
Watch a Tango Show (Buenos Aires)
Tango is endemic to this city, and has now become world-famous with many coming here to see this beautiful dance or even learn the steps.
You can opt to pay for an official show with food included, however we instead recommend watching a traditional “Milonga”.
These are like impromptu performances on the street, and feel much more human and relatable as you’re stood level and close with the dancers (opposed to being in a high chair in a theatre).
Walk around La Recoleta Cemetery (Buenos Aires)
It’s not often a Cemetery makes our must-visit list for a place, or even as a touristic destination either to be honest. However La Recoleta really is special, and is one of a kind.
A resting place for some of the most important and powerful figures of Argentina, here you’ll find lots of grandiose mausoleums as well as mazing walkways.
Whilst somewhat eerie, why not change it up a bit on your travels?
Bike Tour in Maipu Valley (Mendoza)
Mendoza is famous for its wines, with brands such as Malbec renowned for being some of the best in the World.
In Mendoza you can take a short bus ride to the Maipu region, where you can explore its wineries and sample some of the best stuff around.
All of the wineries are located along the same main road, with many opting to explore the area by bike rather than by car.
Hike Aconcagua (Mendoza)
Standing at almost 7000m, this giant mountain casts a shadows over the entire continent, and is a bucket list destination for hiking enthusiasts and adventurers.
You’ll need to properly acclimatise and prepare at the base camp, and it goes without saying that it’s mandatory to go with an organised tour.
It’s by far a simple and quick hike though, with Aconcagua demanding 18-20 Days to reach the summit.
Visit the Jesuit Block (Córdoba)
This collection of sites and estancias is one of the oldest and most popular to visit in South America, with even Pope Francias having previously lived here.
Some of the best sites can be explored in the city centre, which is close to the Plaza San Martin.
Be sure to also visit some of the surrounding towns such as Alta Gracia, home to stunning churches as well as the original estancias.
Head to the Mummy Museum (Salta)
Officially known as MAAM (Museum of High Altitude Archaeology), this important museum is home to many historical findings of the Incan times.
The highlight here are the mummies of three children, who were sacrificed in order to appease the Incan Gods, and were later found on the Llullaillaco Volcano.
Other findings include clothes and tools from this fascinating historical period.
Visit Jujuy and the Quebrada de Humahuaca (Salta)
Jujuy (short for San Salvador de Jujuy) is the best place to come for epic sceneries.
The town itself is charming, and is home to lots of vendors selling unique novelties and local foods (whilst here be sure to try Llama Meat!).
It’s good to base yourself here too, as it’s close to the popular Quebrada de Humahuaca, an incredible region of rock formations which is also home to the popular Seven-Coloured hill (which is located next to Purmamarca).
We recommend heading on this guided tour from Salta, where you can explore this stunning region and also have a chance to try some tasty regional foods too.
Explore The Cafayete Region (Salta)
Cafayete is another must-see region in Northern Argentina. It’s home to the striking red mountains, which seem to go on endlessly within the Calchaquí Valleys.
With its desert climate and high altitude, the wine produced here is also considered to be some of the best in the World, with Torrontes a notable brand from the region.
The best way to explore this incredible area is with a guided tour, where you’ll visit small towns and wineries along the way.
Northern Argentina Backpacking Tips
Below we’ll share some tips for Northern Argentina based on our experience.
- As already mentioned, when it comes to finding a place to stay, you’ll want to narrow your search to around the Main Plazas. As well as having everything you need close-by, you’ll also find the atmosphere here much better too.
- Be sure to pack a range of clothes and layers when coming to visit Northern Argentina. For example, in Mendoza it can get a bit more chilly due to being within the Andean region, compared to say Salta where it can get quite hot during the day (but also cold at night too).
- Be sure to look at flight prices as well as buses, as depending on the season (and luck) you may be able to shave off quite a bit of travel time for a similar price. The best airlines for flying domestically in this region are Aerolíneas Argentina and LATAM.
Where to Stay in Argentina
A good rule of thumb in Argentina is to stay near the Main Plazas of each city.
This is where all the bustle is happening, and where all the top hostels and restaurants are located.
Below we’ve listed the best hostels that we stayed at in each city:
- In Buenos Aires, we recommend staying at Che Juan Hostel BA.
- In Mendoza, the best place to stay is at the Panda Hostel.
- In Córdoba, you’ll want to stay in the Selina Hostel.
- Last but not least, in Salta we recommend staying at Ferienhaus.
Best Time to visit Northern Argentina
Of course each city will vary slightly, however in general the best time to visit this region is either between October-November, or from March-June.
These Spring and Autumn seasons are best, as temperatures won’t be freezing like they are in the winter, and also avoid the peak summer season (where prices get driven up).
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Northern Argentina Itinerary
And that’s all for our guide to backpacking Northern Argentina. This incredible and diverse region is starting to gain more popularity, and rightfully so with a vast amount of things to do and see here.
In this guide we’ve explored Northern Argentina, the best things to see and do, the best time to visit, where to stay and much, much more.
We’ve also covered our own 14 Day Itinerary too, where you’ll be able to get the most out of your trip in the most practical and time-efficient way.
We hope you enjoyed reading this guide! If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Also see our backpacking South America guide for more travel inspiration!
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