30-Day Argentina + Bolivia Loop: Buenos Aires → Mendoza (luggage hub) → Salta → La Paz + Salar de Uyuni → Return to Salta → Iguazú → El Calafate → Ushuaia → Buenos Aires
Arrive in Buenos Aires; take a taxi/remis from Ezeiza (~45–60 min) or Aeroparque (~20–30 min) to central neighborhoods (Recoleta, Palermo, San Telmo) to drop bags and refresh.
See Casa Rosada, Metropolitan Cathedral, and cobblestone San Telmo market (San Telmo Market open 10:00–17:00; Sundays are busiest). Good for light orientation.
Fastest and often most convenient option: direct flights ~1h55m. Book early for best fares. Alternatives: overnight bus (~12–14h, USD30–60) if you prefer cheaper travel.
Arrive in Mendoza and leave your large luggage with family or arrange local luggage storage (Mendoza offers luggage lockers at bus terminal for ~USD5–10/day).
Half- to full-day wine tours typically start around 9:30–10:00 and finish mid/late afternoon; must-book tastings and transport (many family wineries can organize private pickups).
Overland option: reputable companies run overnight cross-border buses; total journey can be 18–24h depending on connections and border delays — more affordable (USD40–80) than flying.
Short excursions like Valle de la Luna (rock formations) are suitable and open to visitors during daylight; the El Alto teleférico offers markets and views.
Options: (1) Flight La Paz→Uyuni via Amaszonas/BoA (seasonal, ~1h, USD100–200) — fastest; (2) Overnight bus La Paz→Uyuni (~9–12h, USD25–50) — cheapest. Choose based on budget/time.
Visit train cemetery, Colchani salt-harvest village, and enter the salt flats for perspective photos; tours run across multiple days and include lodging in salt hotels or basic refugios.
Final day includes colorful lagoons (season and route dependent) and possible flamingo spotting; tours typically finish mid-to-late afternoon back in Uyuni town.
Night buses from Uyuni to Villazón take ~6–8 hours; from Villazón cross to La Quiaca and then buses to Salta — this leg can be long and may take all day including border formalities. Consider planning a break in Tupiza if preferred.
From Uyuni to Villazón is a multi-hour bus; allow for immigration processing at Villazón/La Quiaca — total travel to Salta can be ~12–24h depending on connections.
Recover from border travel; check flights to Puerto Iguazú. Direct Salta→Iguazú flights are rare — expect a connection in Buenos Aires (total travel 4–7h).
Settle into hotel and purchase entrance tickets for Iguazú National Park (Argentine side) for next day — park hours generally 8:00–18:00 but check seasonally.
Park opens early (generally ~8:00); allocate most of the day to Upper Circuit, Lower Circuit and the Devil's Throat (Tren Ecológico runs during park hours).
If you plan to visit the Brazilian side (Parque Nacional do Iguaçu), check visa requirements for Brazil and park hours (~9:00–17:00); the Brazilian side gives panoramic views of the falls.
Day trip to Perito Moreno Glacier (park usually open ~8:00–20:00 depending on season); full-day excursion including boardwalks and optional short boat trip.
Popular morning activity offering sea-lion and bird spotting and views of Les Eclaireurs lighthouse; cruises operate in morning and afternoon but check seasonal schedules (usually 9:00–17:00).
Direct flights available (~3h); arrive in Buenos Aires in the evening for final departure or overnight if your international flight departs later. Book flights to match international departure schedule.
If time permits, enjoy a farewell meal in Buenos Aires (neighborhood: Puerto Madero or Palermo); otherwise head to airport for international flight home.