Cultures, Colors & Flavors of Argentina

Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital and our introduction to the country’s diverse cultural traditions. Individual transfers take us from the airport to our hotel, where there is time to settle in before gathering with our Expedition Leader and fellow travelers. This evening, we begin our journey over dinner at a local restaurant and get an introduction to the experiences ahead.

Today we delve into Buenos Aires through the food, neighborhoods and traditions that define the city. Explore distinctive districts while stopping at notable cafes and restaurants, gaining insight into the many influences that have shaped the capital’s culture and cuisine.

Later, turn to one of Argentina’s most iconic art forms. A tango expert provides context for the music, history and social traditions behind the dance before we experience tango firsthand this evening.

Travel into the countryside to San Antonio de Areco, a town closely associated with Argentina’s gaucho heritage. On a walking tour, discover local history and visit artisan workshops where crafts such as silversmithing and leatherwork continue traditions passed down through generations.

We then gather at an estancia for a traditional asado, the Argentine barbecue that is as much a social ritual as a meal. The day offers an intimate look at the craftsmanship, hospitality and rural traditions associated with gaucho culture.

This morning we fly north to Jujuy, entering a dramatically different region of Argentina shaped by high desert landscapes and Andean culture. After lunch en route, continue to Purmamarca, set amid the vividly colored mountains of northwest Argentina.

Take a walking tour through town and visit a local design project for an introduction to the region’s creative traditions and contemporary community life. We settle into our hotel and gather for dinner this evening.

Today brings us closer to the agricultural traditions of northwest Argentina. In Maimará, meet a local flower grower before continuing to Tilcara to visit a vegetable producer. Learn about what is grown in this high-altitude environment, then harvest ingredients to use in a hands-on cooking experience.

Later, visit the historic Pucará de Tilcara, an archaeological site that offers another perspective on the region’s long human history. We finish the day with dinner at a vineyard.

Journey into the high-altitude landscapes of northern Argentina today to visit the Salinas Grandes, where brilliant white salt flats stretch across the Andean plateau.

Our exploration goes beyond the scenery as we spend time in a nearby community, sharing lunch and learning about traditional textile practices. Discover techniques for spinning fibers and creating colors with natural dyes, gaining insight into skills and knowledge rooted in generations of local tradition.

Leave Purmamarca for Salta, known for its colonial architecture and strong regional identity. Explore the historic center on foot before visiting the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology, or MAAM, with a private guide.

The museum provides an important window into the Indigenous history and archaeology of the high Andes, including the Llullaillaco discoveries referenced in the catalog itinerary.

Afterward, settle into our finca and enjoy a leisurely afternoon.

This morning we fly to Mendoza, Argentina’s celebrated wine region at the foot of the Andes. Depending on flight schedules, we arrive in time for lunch in a wine cellar—our first taste of the region’s deep connection to vineyards, food and winemaking.

After settling into our lodge, the remainder of the day is relaxed.

Spend today among Mendoza’s vineyards, learning how different producers approach farming and winemaking. Visit both organic and biodynamic vineyards, meeting people connected to the region’s wine culture and tasting wines in the landscapes where they are produced.

Lunch and a wine tasting are included during our exploration, while this evening is left open for travelers to choose their own dinner.

Wine may be Mendoza’s most famous product, but the region also has a longstanding tradition of olive cultivation. Today we learn about olive oil production during a visit to a local producer, gaining another perspective on the agriculture and flavors of the region.

The afternoon is deliberately unhurried, leaving time to relax at the lodge and prepare for departure. This evening, gather one final time for a farewell barbecue dinner, celebrating the experiences and people that have shaped our journey through Argentina.

Our cultural journey through Argentina concludes today. Individual transfers take travelers to Mendoza Airport for onward flights, whether returning to Buenos Aires, continuing home or beginning additional travels in Argentina.