From tropical walls of water to windswept walls of ice – Argentina’s extreme landscapes are jaw-droppingly dramatic and will colour the memories (and memory cards) of all the family – for ever.
Kick off in elegant Buenos Aires, a lively city that never sleeps – take in a football game at the River Plate stadium, shop for good-value leather goods and chic clothes, savour one of the juiciest steaks on the planet.
Meet the wildlife on the grassy Valdés peninsula, desert home to the flightless ñandu (ostrich), where during the southern summer thousands of penguins congregate on the desolate beaches with gigantic sea elephants.
Hunker down on a Patagonian ranch, watch a sheep-round-up and shearing, enjoy an asado (barbeque), horse-ride across the plains with scores of wild birds – maybe a condor or two – soaring above. Get up close to the towering, creaking and tumbling ice walls of the Perito Moreno glacier, isolated in wilderness yet gratifyingly accessible.
Warm up in the tropical rainforest around the world’s most magnificent waterfalls at Iguazú on the border with Brazil, where in addition to walking over, under and behind the thundering water, you can indulge in adventure activities and visit a fascinating bird park.
We’ve been there
"The Galpón del Glaciar is a really friendly ranch where the service is exemplary, excursions exciting and they make a special effort to be accommodating to the varying interests of different members of families staying there." Kate Hughes, Travel consultant.
Where do you sleep?
2 nights Buenos Aires; 3 nights Valdés peninsula, 3 nights Galpón del Glaciar ranch near El Calafate; 1 night Buenos Aires; 3 nights Iguazú; 1 night Buenos Aires. All tourist class hotels.
A bit more time?
Go South to Tierra del Fuego, Land of Fire, just north of Cape Horn – spot penguins and sea-lions and hike or horse-ride through ancient forests at the end of the world. Visit the museum featuring intrepid maritime explorers.
What do you eat?
You won’t go hungry in Argentina. Favourites include succulent bife de chorizo steaks, savoury empanada pasties and delicious dulce de leche - a kind of toffee sauce.
Weather watch
The region is at its most accessible from Oct to Apr, when you can expect up to four seasons in one day - temperatures range from 10-30°C, and stormy periods can be interspersed with calm days of hot sunshine.
Top Tip
Don't miss out on a tango show when you're in Buenos Aires, where this exotic dance was invented.
Did You Know?
The national sport is ‘pato’; or ‘duck’ - a mixture of polo and basketball on horse-back. An ancient sport, it is now rarely practised, and involves the disputing a dead duck wrapped in leather. | 
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