Things to do in Argentina

Argentina is the eighth-largest country on Earth, and it stretches from the northern subtropics to Tierra del Fuego. The first choice is which part to see. Things to do in Argentina change completely between the capital, the lakes and the glaciers.

How the country divides

• Buenos Aires and the pampas. The capital on the Río de la Plata, and estancias on the flat plain beyond it.
• San Juan. An irrigated oasis city in the west, and the gateway to Ischigualasto Provincial Park and its Valle de la Luna, a Triassic landscape.
• The Lake District. Bariloche, at 893 metres on Lake Nahuel Huapi, with San Martín de los Andes, El Bolsón and the Lanín volcano around it.
• Southern Patagonia. El Calafate, the base for the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, a World Heritage Site since 1981.
• Tierra del Fuego. Ushuaia, on the Beagle Channel, with its national park and sea-lion islands.

Crossing between them

Flights do the heavy lifting. Bariloche, El Calafate and Ushuaia each need a flight of two to three and a half hours from Buenos Aires. Inside a region the days are long but driven, not flown.

What the days are made of

• Lakes. Bariloche's Small Circuit takes four hours and the Big Circuit ten. Other days go up Cerro Tronador to the Black Glacier, or along the Seven Lakes Route to San Martín de los Andes.
• Ice. A boat ride along the front of the Perito Moreno Glacier, a minitrek on the ice in groups of up to 20, or a full day of kayaking.
• The far south. A half-day Beagle Channel cruise past lighthouses to the sea lions of Isla de Lobos.
• Buenos Aires. Tango dinners, wine tastings and a gaucho day on the pampas.

Practical

• Weather. Buenos Aires averages 25C in January and 11C in July. Bariloche's January days run 20 to 28C and its July days 1 to 8C. Ushuaia averages 10C in January and 1C in July.
• Wind. Patagonia is windy. Bring a windproof shell, a hat and gloves for the south, even in summer.
• Glacier kit. Crampons and helmets for the minitrek are supplied. Wear sturdy shoes and warm layers.
• Tipping. About 10 per cent is usual in restaurants.