Buenos Aires · Mendoza · Luján de Cuyo · Uco Valley · El Calafate · Perito Moreno Glacier · El Chaltén · Fitz Roy
Argentina Patagonia & Mendoza
A fully bespoke luxury journey, designed entirely around you.
DURATION
10–14 Nights
BEST TIME TO GO
October through April is the classic window: spring blossom and long days in Mendoza from October to December, the grape harvest from February into April with Mendoza’s Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia in early March, and Patagonia’s main trekking season from roughly October to April, warmest and busiest December through February; Buenos Aires is pleasant most of the year, and Patagonia is quiet and cold in the southern winter, June to August
IDEAL FOR
Discerning travelers seeking an extraordinary experience
A bespoke 10–14 nights journey through Buenos Aires · Mendoza · Luján de Cuyo · Uco Valley · El Calafate · Perito Moreno Glacier · El Chaltén · Fitz Roy — designed entirely around your preferences, pace, and vision of extraordinary. Every detail is curated by advisors who know this destination from the inside.
Argentina Patagonia & Mendoza is HauteBlack’s inquiry journey through three sides of Argentina: Buenos Aires for tango, architecture and the parrilla, Mendoza for private tastings in Luján de Cuyo, Maipú and the high-altitude Uco Valley beneath the Andes, and Argentine Patagonia for the Perito Moreno Glacier and the trails below Fitz Roy at El Chaltén.
HauteBlack designs it as ten to fourteen nights, linked by domestic flights, with every guide, tasting, excursion and transfer held by one advisor.
When should you go? October through April. Mendoza’s harvest runs from about February into April, with the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia in early March; Patagonia’s main season runs roughly October to April, warmest December through February.
How do you get there? Fly nonstop from several US hubs to Buenos Aires (EZE), then on to Mendoza (MDZ) and El Calafate (FTE), mostly from the city airport, Aeroparque (AEP). US citizens do not need a tourist visa for stays of up to 90 days. Private flights can be arranged through Haute Jets.
Do I need a membership? No. Non-members are welcome. An advisor responds within 24 hours when you plan your journey.
The Journey
Your Itinerary
Chapter 01
Chapter 01 — Why Argentina: Wine, Ice and a Great City
Why combine Mendoza and Patagonia in one trip? Because together they show Argentina’s full range in under two weeks: a sophisticated capital, one of the world’s great wine regions at the foot of the highest mountains in the Americas, and a southern wilderness of glaciers, lakes and granite towers. Argentina Patagonia & Mendoza is HauteBlack’s ten-to-fourteen-night inquiry journey built around that contrast. Buenos Aires sets the tempo with late dinners and tango, Mendoza slows it with long lunches among the vines, and Patagonia opens it out with ice and wind and silence. Domestic flights link the three, and one advisor holds every flight, guide, tasting and transfer. If you want to cross into Chile for Torres del Paine as well, our Patagonia Wilderness Expedition covers both sides of the border.
Chapter 02
Chapter 02 — When to Go
When is the best time to visit Mendoza and Patagonia? October through April. In Mendoza, spring (October to December) brings blossom, green vines and mild days, and the harvest runs from about February into April, when the region celebrates the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia, with its central show held in early March in Mendoza city. In Patagonia, the main season runs roughly October to April: December to February is warmest, with the longest daylight and the most visitors, while October, November, March and April are quieter, cooler and often beautifully lit, with autumn colour arriving in the beech forests from about March. Wind is a constant in Patagonia in every month, so layers matter more than the forecast. June to August is winter in the south; some services close and days are short. Peak summer flights and guides fill early, so begin planning well ahead; see how far ahead to book a luxury trip.
Chapter 03
Chapter 03 — Buenos Aires: Tango, Teatro Colón and the Parrilla
How many days do you need in Buenos Aires? Two or three nights is ideal, enough to recover from the overnight flight and feel the city rather than just see it. HauteBlack shapes those days around a private guide: the grand avenues and palaces of Recoleta and the cemetery where Eva Perón is buried, the cobbled lanes and antique stalls of San Telmo, best on a Sunday when the street fair fills the old quarter, and the cafés, bookshops and design studios of Palermo. Evenings belong to the city’s rhythm, which starts late: dinner rarely begins before nine, and a proper parrilla, where beef is grilled slowly over wood and charcoal, is a rite of passage. Where it suits you, add a performance or backstage visit at the Teatro Colón, one of the world’s great opera houses, and finish in a neighbourhood milonga, where locals dance tango long past midnight.
Chapter 04
Chapter 04 — Mendoza and the Malbec Country
Why is Mendoza famous for wine? Mendoza is Argentina’s largest wine region and the heartland of Malbec, the grape that made Argentine wine known around the world. The vineyards sit in a high desert at the foot of the Andes, watered by snowmelt, with hot days, cold nights and intense sunlight that give the wines both ripeness and freshness. Mendoza city is about 1,050 kilometres west of Buenos Aires, reached by a domestic flight of roughly two hours. Closest to the city lie the traditional districts of Luján de Cuyo and Maipú, home to historic wineries and old-vine Malbec; an hour or so south, the Uco Valley climbs from roughly 900 to about 1,700 metres, with some of the country’s most acclaimed high-altitude estates set against snow-capped peaks. HauteBlack arranges private tastings and cellar visits rather than group tours, a long lunch among the vines, and time to cycle or ride horseback between vineyards.
Chapter 05
Chapter 05 — Beyond the Glass: Aconcagua and the High Andes
What else is there to do in Mendoza besides wine? A great deal, because the Andes are right there. A full-day private drive west along the old mountain road toward the Chilean border climbs through ochre canyons to viewpoints over Aconcagua, at 6,961 metres the highest mountain outside Asia, and the stone arch of Puente del Inca. Closer to the vineyards, there are horseback rides into the foothills with an asado at the end, gentle rafting on the Mendoza River in season, hot-air balloon flights over the vines where conditions allow, and cooking sessions built around Andean and Argentine ingredients. Your advisor balances active days with slow ones, so the wine country remains a place to rest before the south.
Chapter 06
Chapter 06 — El Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glacier
How do you see the Perito Moreno Glacier? Fly south to El Calafate, on the shore of Lago Argentino, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The glacier lies about 80 kilometres from town, and its front, roughly five kilometres wide and rising some 70 metres above the water, is one of the most dramatic sights in South America. A network of walkways faces the ice directly, so you can watch, and hear, towers of it break away and crash into the lake. HauteBlack builds the day around a private guide and the softer early or late hours, with a boat trip close to the ice face and, for those who want it, a guided walk on the glacier itself with crampons, offered by authorised operators with their own age and fitness limits. Another day can be spent on Lago Argentino, among drifting icebergs toward the park’s other glaciers, with an estancia lunch of slow-roasted Patagonian lamb.
Chapter 07
Chapter 07 — El Chaltén and the Trails Beneath Fitz Roy
Is El Chaltén worth the trip from El Calafate? Yes, for anyone who loves to walk. El Chaltén, about three hours north by road along the edge of Lago Viedma, is known as Argentina’s trekking capital, a small mountain village set beneath the jagged granite of Fitz Roy, about 3,405 metres, and the needle of Cerro Torre. Many of the park’s best trails start straight from the village, with no permit needed for day hikes. The full day to Laguna de los Tres, at the foot of Fitz Roy, is long and steep near the end; Laguna Capri and the Mirador del Fitz Roy offer much of the view in half the effort, and the walk toward Laguna Torre follows a glacial valley to the lake below Cerro Torre. Your guide reads the weather, which changes fast in Patagonia, and picks the right trail for each morning, so the peaks are seen when the cloud lifts rather than on a fixed schedule.
Chapter 08
Chapter 08 — How Many Nights and Natural Pairings
How many days do you need for Argentina, Mendoza and Patagonia? Ten nights covers the essentials at a relaxed pace: three in Buenos Aires, three in Mendoza and four in Patagonia, split between El Calafate and El Chaltén. Fourteen nights adds a second wine valley, more time on the trails, or a crossing into Chile for Torres del Paine. Argentina also pairs naturally with other South American journeys. Iguazú Falls, on the border with Brazil, is a short flight from Buenos Aires. Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, is the departure point for Antarctica by Expedition Yacht. And Peru is an easy addition for those who want the Inca heartland too, with our Peru Andes & Machu Picchu journey. Families with active children can look at 7 Best Family Adventure Vacations for more ideas.
Chapter 09
Chapter 09 — Getting There, Entry and How HauteBlack Arranges It
How do you get to Argentina from the United States? International flights arrive at Buenos Aires’ Ministro Pistarini International Airport, known as Ezeiza (EZE), with nonstop service from several US hubs; most domestic flights to Mendoza (MDZ) and El Calafate (FTE) leave from the city airport, Aeroparque (AEP), so your advisor plans the transfer between the two. Private flights can be arranged through Haute Jets. Do Americans need a visa for Argentina? US citizens do not need a visa for tourism stays of up to 90 days, and the former reciprocity fee has been suspended since 2016; carry a valid, undamaged passport. Requirements can change, so check them before you fly. Your advisor holds every moving part: international and domestic flights, private guides and drivers, winery tastings, glacier excursions and trail days, and accommodation, which is shortlisted and confirmed for your dates before anything is booked; we never quote rates or availability until they are confirmed in writing. Start when you plan your journey; an advisor responds within 24 hours, and no membership is required.
Make This Itinerary Yours
Every Haute Black journey is crafted around you — your passions, your pace, your vision of extraordinary. Tell us about yourself and we'll create something entirely yours.
Good to Know
Questions About This Journey.
Completely. Every HauteBlack journey is a starting point, not a fixed package. Your dedicated travel advisor will reshape every element — accommodations, pacing, dining, private guides, and experiences — entirely around your preferences, travel style, and what you want to remember. Nothing is off the shelf.
For peak-season travel and premium properties — particularly safari lodges like Singita Ebony Lodge or Delaire Graff Estate — we recommend booking 6 to 12 months in advance. For more flexible dates and destinations, 3 to 6 months is typically sufficient. Your advisor will always tell you honestly what's achievable in your timeframe and find alternatives if first-choice properties are unavailable.
No. All HauteBlack journeys are available without membership. You work with a dedicated travel advisor and receive Virtuoso preferred partner benefits — complimentary upgrades, resort credits, daily breakfast, and VIP arrival — on every qualifying stay, membership or not. Membership adds waived planning fees, a dedicated senior advisor, priority access to private events, and deeper concierge support.
A dedicated HauteBlack travel advisor contacts you within 24 hours — usually sooner. They'll start with a conversation, not a form. You'll discuss your vision, travel style, dates, and any preferences. From there, your advisor builds a fully bespoke itinerary proposal. There is no obligation and no planning fee for the initial consultation.
Before You Go
What to Expect
Argentina is entered at Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), with nonstop flights from several US hubs; domestic flights to Mendoza (MDZ), about two hours, and El Calafate (FTE) mostly depart from Aeroparque (AEP) in the city. Private flights can be arranged through Haute Jets. US citizens do not need a tourist visa for stays of up to 90 days; carry a valid, undamaged passport. The Uco Valley’s vineyards sit at roughly 900 to 1,700 metres. Perito Moreno lies about 80 kilometres from El Calafate in Los Glaciares National Park; glacier walks are run by authorised operators with their own age and fitness limits. El Chaltén is about three hours by road from El Calafate. Accommodation is shortlisted and confirmed for your dates before booking. Cross-links: Patagonia Wilderness Expedition, Peru Andes & Machu Picchu, Antarctica by Expedition Yacht, how far ahead to book a luxury trip. Share dates and party size when you plan your journey.
Every HauteBlack itinerary is fully bespoke. While the journey outlined above represents our curated recommendation for Buenos Aires · Mendoza · Luján de Cuyo · Uco Valley · El Calafate · Perito Moreno Glacier · El Chaltén · Fitz Roy, your dedicated travel advisor will tailor every element — from accommodations and dining to private guides and cultural immersions — to match your preferences, pace, and travel style.
Best experienced during October through April is the classic window: spring blossom and long days in Mendoza from October to December, the grape harvest from February into April with Mendoza’s Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia in early March, and Patagonia’s main trekking season from roughly October to April, warmest and busiest December through February; Buenos Aires is pleasant most of the year, and Patagonia is quiet and cold in the southern winter, June to August, this 10–14 Nights journey can be extended, shortened, or combined with neighboring destinations. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, traveling as a family, or seeking a private retreat, we adapt the experience to you.
Your Advisor Takes Care Of:
- ◆Private airport transfers and in-destination transportation
- ◆Hotel reservations and room upgrades
- ◆Restaurant access and private dining arrangements
- ◆Guided experiences and exclusive site access
- ◆24/7 support before and throughout your journey
Designed by Marlene Azeez, Director of Travel — with direct knowledge of this destination and long-standing relationships at every property.
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Every detail can be tailored to your vision. Our travel specialists handle everything from first inquiry to final farewell.
Non-members welcome. No membership required.