The Ultimate Self-Launched Adventure Through Argentina
11 days · Argentina
Much Better Adventures charges £3,495
No-markup version: ~£750 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Journey independently from Buenos Aires to the mighty Iguazu Falls via the dramatic Salta region — cycling colonial cities, riding horses through canyon country, sipping Torrontés in Cafayate and kayaking the Parana River. This self-launched version follows the same route as Much Better Adventures' guided trip, swapping included guides and group logistics for self-bookable experiences, local buses and budget-friendly stays — at a fraction of the price.
Day-by-day
Welcome to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Fly into Ezeiza International Airport (EZE). Skip the private transfer and hop on the Tienda León airport bus direct to the city centre for around £5 — far cheaper than a taxi. Check into your hostel in Palermo, one of the city's most vibrant barrios. Spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace, then head out for dinner at a classic parrilla (Argentine steakhouse) in the neighbourhood.
🚌Tienda León airport bus from EZE to city centre (~£5)
🛏Hostel Palermo (e.g. Millhouse Youth Hostel or Casa Jardín Hostel) — twin/dorm from ~£18pp
- →Arrive at EZE and take the Tienda León bus to Palermo (~£5)
- →Self-guided afternoon walk around Palermo and its plazas
- →Welcome dinner at a local parrilla in Palermo
Pedal Through Buenos Aires, Then Tango
Buenos Aires
Join a self-bookable Buenos Aires city cycling tour via GetYourGuide or Airbnb Experiences (~£20–25pp), covering Palermo, Recoleta and San Telmo. Afternoon is free for lunch and rest. In the evening, book a group tango lesson at a milonga school — La Catedral or Escuela Argentina de Tango offer beginner sessions for around £12–15pp — then stay on to watch locals dance.
🚌Bike provided on tour; city walking
🛏Hostel Palermo — twin/dorm from ~£18pp
- →Buenos Aires cycling tour via GetYourGuide — Palermo to San Telmo (~£22)
- →Evening group tango lesson at La Catedral or Escuela Argentina de Tango (~£13)
- →Watch the milonga social dancing with a drink
Fly to Colonial Salta
Salta
Book an internal flight from Buenos Aires Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) to Salta (SLA) independently with Aerolíneas Argentinas or JetSMART — typically £40–70 booked in advance. Take a remis (shared taxi) or local bus from Salta airport to your hotel in the city centre (~£5). In the afternoon, do a self-guided walking tour of Salta's historic centre: the main plaza, the Cathedral, the Cabildo, the Church of San Francisco and the Convent of San Bernardo are all walkable and free to admire from outside. Dinner is on you — try the peñas (folk music restaurants) near Plaza 9 de Julio.
🚌Flight AEP–SLA with Aerolíneas/JetSMART (~£55); remis from airport (~£5)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Salta centro (e.g. Hostal del Virrey or Munay Salta) — twin from ~£20pp
- →Self-guided walk of Salta's Plaza 9 de Julio, Cathedral and Cabildo (free)
- →Visit Church of San Francisco and Convent of San Bernardo (free entry)
- →Dinner at a local peña or restaurant near the plaza
Cycling Through the Calchaquí Valley
Cafayate via Quebrada de las Conchas
Hire a remis or join a shared day-tour from Salta to Cafayate (many depart from the terminal de ómnibus, ~£15–20pp). The route passes through Quebrada de las Conchas — ask to stop at key rock formations. Several operators in Salta offer cycling hire you can arrange to pick up in Cafayate, or rent bikes locally on arrival (from ~£10/day) for a self-guided ride along the gorge stretch. Pack a boxed lunch from a Salta market before you leave. Arrive in Cafayate by evening and check in.
🚌Shared remis or tour vehicle Salta–Cafayate (~£18); bike hire (~£10)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Cafayate (e.g. Hostal Ruta 40 or El Hospedaje) — twin from ~£18pp
- →Shared transfer/tour from Salta to Cafayate via Quebrada de las Conchas (~£18)
- →Self-guided bike ride through canyon gorge on arrival in Cafayate (~£10 bike hire)
- →Explore Cafayate town plaza; free evening for dinner
Horse Riding and Wine Tasting in Cafayate
Cafayate
Book a horseback ride through the Colorados Canyon directly with a local outfitter in Cafayate (e.g. Finca Don Lago or similar local estancia) — expect to pay ~£25–35pp for a 2–3 hour ride. Return for a leisurely lunch and siesta. In the afternoon, walk or cycle to one of Cafayate's renowned bodegas (El Esteco, Nanni or Etchart are all easy to visit independently) for a cellar tour and Torrontés tasting, typically £5–10pp.
🚌Walking/cycling within Cafayate
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Cafayate — twin from ~£18pp
- →Horseback ride through Colorados Canyon with local outfitter (~£30)
- →Self-guided bodega visit with Torrontés wine tasting (~£8)
- →Free evening for dinner in Cafayate town
Road Trip Along Ruta 40 to Cachi
Cachi via Quebrada de las Flechas
There is no direct public bus from Cafayate to Cachi — hire a remis with other travellers (split between 3–4 people: ~£15–20pp) or book a shared tour from Cafayate that covers Ruta 40, Quebrada de las Flechas and the village of Molinos. Ask your driver to stop at Angastaco and the arrow-shaped rock formations. Pack lunch from a Cafayate bakery. Arrive in Cachi by late afternoon and explore the whitewashed village on foot.
🚌Shared remis Cafayate–Cachi via Ruta 40 (~£18)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Cachi (e.g. Hostal AltaCumbre or Casa de Campo) — twin from ~£18pp
- →Shared remis or tour along Ruta 40 through Quebrada de las Flechas (~£18pp)
- →Stop at Angastaco and Molinos village (free)
- →Short walks to viewpoints along the route (free)
- →Self-guided walk around Cachi village and church
Los Cardones National Park & Finca Stay
Los Cardones National Park / Salta outskirts
Hire a remis back towards Salta via Recta del Tin-Tin and Los Cardones National Park (~£15–20pp split). Ask your driver to stop at the Condor Viewpoint off Provincial Route 33 and at km 85 for the Cardonal trail — both are free to walk. Pack lunch from Cachi. For an authentic finca experience near Salta, book a night at a guesthouse-style finca such as Finca Los Álamos or similar (~£30–40pp) to replicate the cultural atmosphere. Enjoy mate tea and home-cooked regional dinner.
🚌Shared remis Cachi–Salta via Los Cardones (~£18)
🛏Traditional finca guesthouse near Salta (e.g. Finca Los Álamos or similar) — twin from ~£35pp including dinner
- →Condor Viewpoint hike off Ruta Provincial 33 (free)
- →Secrets of the Cardonal trail walk through cactus forest (free)
- →Mate tea demonstration and evening dinner at finca
Fly to the Iguazu Jungle
Puerto Iguazu
Take an early remis or bus to Salta Airport and fly to Iguazu (IGR) with Aerolíneas Argentinas or JetSMART (~£55–80). On arrival in Puerto Iguazu, take a local bus or remis to your jungle lodge or guesthouse (~£5–8). Spend the afternoon on a short self-guided walk in the surrounding nature reserve or along the Guatambú waterfall trail if staying near the park. Dinner at a local restaurant in Puerto Iguazu town.
🚌Remis to Salta Airport (~£8); flight SLA–IGR (~£65); local bus/remis from IGR (~£6)
🛏Jungle lodge or guesthouse near Puerto Iguazu (e.g. Secret Garden Iguazu or Hostel Inn Iguazu) — twin from ~£22pp
- →Flight Salta (SLA) to Iguazu (IGR) (~£65)
- →Self-guided nature walk near Puerto Bemberg or local reserve (~free)
- →Explore Puerto Iguazu town; dinner at local restaurant
The Mighty Iguazu Falls
Iguazu National Park (Argentine Side)
Take the local bus from Puerto Iguazu to the Argentine side of Iguazu National Park — buses run frequently from the terminal (~£2 each way). Entry to the park costs ~£18pp. Spend the full day exploring the Upper Circuit, Lower Circuit and Devil's Throat walkways at your own pace — no guide needed, the trails are well-signed. Coatis and toucans are everywhere. Have lunch at one of the park's snack kiosks or bring your own. Return to Puerto Iguazu by local bus in the evening.
🚌Local bus Puerto Iguazu–Iguazu National Park (~£4 return)
🛏Jungle lodge or guesthouse near Puerto Iguazu — twin from ~£22pp
- →Iguazu National Park entry — Argentine side (~£18)
- →Upper Circuit, Lower Circuit and Devil's Throat self-guided trails
- →Wildlife spotting: toucans, parrots, coatis (free)
- →Local bus to/from park (~£4 return)
Kayaking the Parana River
Puerto Iguazu / Parana River
Book a kayaking session on the Parana River independently through a local operator in Puerto Iguazu — several run half-day kayak tours along the Paraguayan bank for around £25–35pp (try Iguazu Kayak or ask at your accommodation). Return for lunch at your lodge or a local eatery. In the afternoon, ask your accommodation about any local conservation or reforestation volunteering opportunities in the Atlantic Rainforest — some lodges partner with local programmes. Celebrate your final night with a group dinner at a restaurant on the waterfront.
🚌Local taxi or transfer to kayak launch point (~£5)
🛏Jungle lodge or guesthouse near Puerto Iguazu — twin from ~£22pp
- →Half-day kayak tour on the Parana River with local operator (~£30)
- →Lunch at lodge or local restaurant
- →Optional: conservation/reforestation activity with local partner (~free or small donation)
- →Farewell dinner at a Puerto Iguazu waterfront restaurant
Goodbye Argentina
Puerto Iguazu / Foz do Iguaçu
Enjoy a final breakfast and a last look at the rainforest. Take a local taxi or bus to Puerto Iguazu Airport (IGR) for internal Argentine flights (~£8), or cross the border to Foz do Iguaçu Airport (IGU) in Brazil for wider international connections — shared buses cross the border for under £2, though ensure you have the correct visa for Brazil. Check departure times carefully the day before.
🚌Local taxi to IGR (~£8) or shared border bus to IGU (~£2)
🛏None — departure day
- →Final breakfast and morning at leisure
- →Transfer to IGR or cross border to IGU (Brazil) for international flights
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£750 | £3,495 |
| Duration | 11 days | 11 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,745 per person (79%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Much Better Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£750
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does The Ultimate Self-Launched Adventure Through Argentina cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £750 per person for 11 days in Argentina. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Much Better Adventures?+
Yes — Much Better Adventures charges around £3,495 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £750 — a saving of roughly £2,745 (79%) per person.
How long is the Argentina trip?+
This itinerary runs 11 days, covering 11 day-by-day stops through Argentina.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Argentina, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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