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Price Guide
13 Nights - £4,250pp

Flight Inclusive Price from UK

Tour Info
  • International flights from the UK
  • Domestic flights
  • Car rental
  • 13 nights accommodation
  • Private airport transfers
  • ATOL Protection
  • Travel Trust Protection
  • Based on 2023-24 Prices

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Self-drive in Argentina?

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Argentina Self Drive

Bariloche & Lake District

Bariloche & Lake District

Route 40 - Salta

Route 40 - Salta

Route 40 - North West Argentina

Route 40 - North West Argentina

Lake Nahuel Huapi

Lake Nahuel Huapi

Cafayate

Cafayate

Moon Valley

Moon Valley

Tolar Grande

Tolar Grande

 

This Argentina Self-Drive holiday is a great way in which to explore the scenery of Bariloche and the Lake District and discover the best of Argentina's North West.

Your Argentina journey starts in Buenos Aires with time to explore this vibrant city before flying to Bariloche.

In Bariloche, collect your rental car, with 5 days to explore this stunning area of Argentina with its beautiful lakes and dramatic mountain scenery.

Return the car at Bariloche Airport and fly to Salta for a 7-day adventure driving through the colourful villages, rocky landscapes and impressive national parks of North West Argentina.

This Argentina trip is also a great way to experience some of the most charming boutique hotels in Argentina and enjoy Argentina's finest cuisine.

This Argentina Self-Drive holiday can also easily be tailored to include Iguazu Falls or the Perito Moreno Glacier.

At a glance

  • International flights from the UK
  • Domestic flights in Argentina
  • All taxes
  • 3 nights Buenos Aires
  • 2 nights Villa La Angostura
  • 1 night San Martín de los Andes
  • 1 night Bariloche
  • 3 nights Salta
  • 1 night Purmamarca
  • 1 night Molinos
  • 1 night Cafayate
  • Car rental (12 days)
  • Private airport transfers
  • Buenos Aires city tour
  • Bed & Breakfast basis 

We can put together any kind of self-drive Argentina holiday to suit your time, budget and interests - just let us know what your preferences are and let us tailor your perfect Argentina Self-Drive holiday.

Day 1: UK to Buenos Aires

Fly from the UK to Buenos Aires.

On arrival you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

Overnight Buenos Aires. Breakfast included.

Day 2: Buenos Aires

Enjoy a half day private tour of Buenos Aires including the Casa Rosada, the Obelisk, Avenida Corrientes and la Boca neighbourhood.

Overnight Buenos Aires. Breakfast included.

Day 3: Buenos Aires – Bariloche

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bariloche where you will pick-up your rental car and receive driving instructions in the region. 

Depart to Villa La Angostura which is a small village on the shore of beautiful Nahuel Huapi Lake, surrounded by forests and mountains.

In an area nicknamed the Garden of Patagonia, the village is only 2 km from the Chilean border.

This will be your base for two nights.

Driving distance - 48 miles (1 hour drive).

Overnight Villa La Angostura. Breakfast included.

Day 4: Villa La Angostura

Explore the area by car.

We recommend a visit to the Myrtle-Tree Forest, a unique forest with 400 year-old, 25 metre tall trees and spectacular colours in season.

Driving distance 72 miles (2 hours drive).

Overnight Villa La Angostura. Breakfast included.

Day 5: San Martín de los Andes

Departure to San Martín de los Andes by the famous Seven Lakes Road, considered as the most scenic drive in Argentina.

On the way to San Martin, pass by Correntoso Espejo, Escondido, Falkner,Villarino, Hermoso and Lacar Lakes.

San Martín de los Andes is great bird watching location, so keen birders may wish to consider extending a stay here.

Driving distance 63 miles (2-3 hours drive).

Overnight San Martín de los Andes. Breakfast included.

Day 6: San Martín de los Andes - Bariloche

Today you can take the way back to Bariloche or go via an alterative longer route.

Once you reach National Route 237 you can take the detour    to Villa Traful and its Pared del Viento Viewpoint.

This is an ideal place to have lunch. From here the route traverses a region known as Encantado Valley.

This is a section of the Limay River Valley where wind erosion has carved a series of fantastic formations in the rocks.

Driving distance 211 miles (5-6 hours drive).

Overnight Bariloche. Breakfast included.

Day 7: Bariloche - Salta

Today drive to Bariloche Airport to drop off the car and take your scheduled flight to Salta. 

On arrival at Salta Airport, pick up the car at the Rental Car airport stand.

Drive from the airport to your chosen hotel. The landscape in Argentina's North West is quite a contrast to the alpine scenery around Bariloche.

Driving distance 13 miles (50 minutes drive).

Overnight Salta. Breakfast included.

Day 8: Salta – Purmamarca

We recommend an early departure travelling along Del Toro´s Gorge to discover the small village of San Antonio de los Cobres.

Continue your way across the Altiplano to reach Salinas Grandes, then start descending through Cuesta de Lipan to Purmamarca.

Purmamarca is a great base for walks in the area and for visiting the Quebrada du Humahuaca Valley.

Driving distance 225 miles (8 hours drive).

Overnight Purmamarca. Breakfast included.

Day 9: Purmamarca - Humahuaca Gorge – Salta

We suggest visiting the Humahuaca Gorge where there are colourful Andean villages to explore.

On the way back, you can stop at Maimara to admire the Paintor‘s Palette. Continue on to Salta.

Driving distance 178 miles (4 hours drive).

Overnight Salta. Breakfast included.

Day 10: Salta – Molinos

Depart towards the Calchaquí Valleys, via Cachi and on to Molinos.

The Calchaqui Valleys are known for the contrasting colours of the rocks which are highly photogenic and for the contrasting scenery which ranges from desert to sub-tropical forest.

Driving distance 130 miles (6 hours drive).

Overnight Molinos. Breakfast included.

Day 11: Molinos – Cafayate

Depart towards Cafayate, driving through the De las Flechas Gorge.

This is a beautiful drive through stark scenery, so named for the striking rock protrusions which resemble arrows (Flechas).

Arrive at Cafayate.

Cafayate has a small town feel and is a centre for wine production in the region.

Driving distance 72 miles (3 hours drive).

Overnight Cafayate. Breakfast included.

Day 12: Cafayate – Salta

On the way back to Salta, drive via Quebrada de las Conchas (Shell Gorge), where there are spectacular geological features and intensely orange rock formations.

Arrival at Salta, North West Argentina's main city.

Driving distance 123 miles (3 hours drive).

Overnight Salta. Breakfast included.

Day 13: Salta – Buenos Aires

In due time, departure to the airport and drop off the car before your scheduled flight to Buenos Aires.

On arrival you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

Driving distance 5 miles (20 minutes drive).

Overnight Buenos Aires. Breakfast included.

Day 14: Buenos Aires – UK

Enjoy the morning or day at leisure before your private transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.

Day 15: Arrive UK

Arrive in the UK. 

Self-Drive in Argentina

Argentina is a great destination for a self-drive holiday.

Roads are generally of a high standard, traffic is light, the scenery magnificent and there's no better way of getting close to the country.

The best destinations in Argentina for a driving holiday are the rugged North West around Salta and Jujay and the Lake District area of Patagonia.

Patagonia

The Lake District of Argentina is a wonderful place for self-driving in Argentina.

The Alpine scenery is stunning and the Seven Lakes Drive in Patagonia is an absolute must.

Further south the driving is even more spectacular amongst the high peaks of the southern Andes.

Driving from Calafate up to Mount Fitzroy is one of the most scenic destinations for driving in Argentina, between October to March.

Salta and the North West

Spectacular valleys, gorges and colourful rock formations make this region of Argentina ideal for self-driving.

Distances can be quite long but pretty white-washed villages and colourful local markets provide plenty of diversions.

Visit in springtime and the stark desert scenery is softened by colourful wildflowers.

Route 40 and the Valles Calchaquíes are highlights of a self-drive holiday in Argentina's North West.

Driving in Argentina

Driving is on the right hand side of the road and signs are in Spanish.

Roads in Argentina are of a high standard. Most roads are paved, with few pot-holes and the rural speed-limit of 70 mph means that you can maintain a good speed on open roads.

There are only a handful or roads in Argentina with more than 2 lanes.

In the countryside there are many gravel roads, especially going into the National Parks. A 4WD may be useful if you intend to explore off the beaten track. Normal 2WD is fine for most gravel roads but some caution is required on gravel.

You may find that some roads have been worn by heavy trucks creating grooves in the tarmac - it's a small hazard to watch out for.

Driving in Argentina does require some adjustment from driving in the UK.

Drivers in Argentina pay less attention to road rules in general and a defensive driving mindset is useful - to anticipate any unexpected manoeuvers from other drivers, tailgating or other aggressive driving.

Bribery from police checkpoints is generally not a problem at all in Argentina. Carry an International Licence ideally although it is unlikely to ever be requested.

Driving with your headlights on is the law in Argentina, day and night.

Filling up the tank needs some planning. Do this in towns as petrol stations are scarce in rural areas.

Includes

  • International flights from the UK
  • Domestic flights
  • All taxes
  • 13 night accommodation with breakfast
  • Car rental as indicated
  • Buenos Aires city tour
  • Return airport transfers in Buenos Aires

13 nights Argentina Self Drive Holiday:

  • Price from £4,250 pp

This is a guide price only, based on travel in low season.

Prices will vary according to choice of hotel and seasonal airfare and hotel surcharges. Please ask us for any current special offers.

Contact Us:

All of our Argentina Self Drive Holidays are completely tailor made and we can put together any kind of Argentina Holiday to suit your interests and budget.

Call us now to speak to an Argentina expert about your tailor made Argentina Self Drive holiday.

Call us now on 0333 7000 747

Click to enquire by email

We're open from 9 until 9 daily and our 0333 number is a local rate number included in most call packages.