Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Argentina…. the time to go is now…

The world is a book, & those who do not travel read only one page” - Saint Augustine

Real travelers love South America. Andean peaks, Amazonian rainforest, Patagonian glaciers, Incan ruins, colonial towns, white-sand beaches and vertiginous nightlife: the wonders of South America set the stage for incredible adventures. It is as though the continent was built for travel; a place that excites, thrills, challenges & infuriates.

Landscapes rivalled by few……. It is apparent why Argentina has long held travelers in awe: tango, beef, gauchos, futbol, Patagonia, the Andes. The classics alone make a formidable wanderlust cocktail. Argentina has always meant nature as it should be, in so many places a tangled & vast wilderness not yet marred by human intervention. Stunning sights & adventures just waiting to be experienced. You just prepare to be charmed…..

Be mindful of what you are getting into: South America can be a lifetime addiction. You would not realize this when you first hike on Andean trails & be awed by the pre-Colombian sites, but you come back for more. You will fall in love with the incredible wonders of this continent: its mist-covered peaks, thundering falls & vast rainforests. Add to this, the human-made treasures: buzzing indigenous markets, picturesque colonial towns & vibrant cityscapes. This is just the beginning, and in South America there really is no end.

From the snow-capped peaks of the Andes to the undulating waterways of the Amazon, South America spreads a dazzling array of natural wonders. This is a continent of lush rainforests, towering volcanoes, misty cloud forests, bone-dry deserts, red-rock canyons, ice-blue glaciers & sun-kissed beaches. As landscapes go, there aren't many other places on earth that offers so much variety.

South America's diversity doesn't end with geography. You will find colonial towns where cobblestone streets lead past gilded churches & stately plazas, little changed since the 18^th century. You can haggle over colorful textiles at indigenous markets, share meals with traditional dwellers of the rainforest & follow the pounding rhythms of Afro-Brazilian drums corps. South America is home to an astounding variety of living & ancient cultures, and experiencing it first-hand is as easy as showing up.

You can hike past ancient temples first laid down by the Incas, contemplate the awe-inspiring power of Iguazu Falls, or spend the day watching wildlife from a dugout canoe on one of the Amazon's countless igarapes (narrow waterways). You can barrel down Andean roads by mountain bike, go white-water rafting on class V rivers and surf amazing breaks off both coasts. And once you think you have experienced it all, head to the dramatic landscapes in Tierra del Fuego, go eye-to-eye with extraordinary creatures in the Galapagos, & scramble up tableland mountains in the Gran Sabana for a panorama that seems straight out of the Mesozoic era.

This is one of the world's great music destinations. Nothing compares to hearing the rhythms of Colombian Salsa, fast-stepping Brazilian Forro & Samba, Argentine Tango & Andean folk music in the place where they were born. Buenos Aires' sultry Milongas (tango clubs), Rio's simmering Garrafeiras (dance halls), Quito's Salsotecas (salsa clubs) – all great places to chase the heart of Saturday night. Yet this is only the beginning of a great musical odyssey that encompasses Peruvian Trovas, soulful Ecuadorian Passillos, whirling Venezuelan Merengue, steel-pan Guyanese Drumming, Paraguayan Harp music & more. Simply plunge in – though you might want to take a dance class along the way!

Sweat yourself dizzy on an Amazon canoe ride before ending the day caiman-watching on a black-water lagoon. Brave a white-knuckle bus ride down Peruvian slopes & be astounded by endless Andean vistas. Endure Patagonia’s wind-driven rain while chasing life affirming sunsets or simply lose yourself (and possibly your belongings) in the break-neck chaos of Buenos Aires or Salvador.

The real reward, however, is the South American spirit. It seems like the entire continent approaches life with the enthusiasm of an old-fashioned road trip: windows down and stereo blaring. There is as much music as there are adventures to be had. Samba spices up the sandy streets of Brazilian beach towns, panpipes liven Andean markets, Argentine folklorica (folk music) trickles out of truck radios in the pampas, and the jolting rhythm of cumbia makes those Andean bus rides even more absurd. South America is a continent that engulfs you and changes you – your state of mind, your outlook on life. As soon as you step foot on South American soil, the transformation begins.

And then there is Argentina. Beautiful, defiant & intense. It seduces with its streetside tango, wafting grills, futbol (soccer), gaucho culture & the mighty Andes - one formidable cocktail of wanderlust.

City Life | Natural Wonders| Captivating Landscapes | Food & Culture

The secret is out: with its gorgeous landscapes, cosmopolitan cities and lively culture, Argentina is a traveler’s paradise. It stretches almost 3500 km from Bolivia to the tip of South America, encompasses snowy peaks, rolling wine regions, vast, humid plains, a wide array of geography & climates & is almost the size of India.

From mighty Iguazu Falls in the subtropical north to the thunderous, crackling advance of the Glacier Perito Moreno in the south, Argentina is a vast natural wonderland. The country boasts some of the Andes’ highest peaks.

It is home to rich wetlands that rival Brazil’s famous Pantanal, mountains painted in rustic colors, deserts dotted with cacti, massive ice fields and arid steppes in Patagonia, cool lichen-clad Valdivian forests, Andean salt flats, a spectacular Lake District, penguins, flamingos, capybaras & more.

Spirited Argentina provides boundless adventure. Nature-lovers can traverse the Patagonian steppe, climb South America’s highest peak, walk among thousands of penguins and witness the world’s most amazing waterfalls. Hikers can sample the stunning scenery of the lush Lake District - with its glorious lakes and white-tipped mountains – and revel in Patagonia’s glacier-carved landscapes & painted Andean deserts.

City slickers will adore fabulous Buenos Aires, full of opportunities to learn Spanish, watch futbol (soccer), dance the sexy tango and interact with dynamic and beautiful portenos (Buenos Aires locals).

Arriving in Buenos Aires is like jumping aboard a moving train. Outside the taxi window, a blurred mosaic of a modern metropolis whizzes by & then the street life appears - the cafes, the purple jacaranda flowers draped over the sidewalks (in spring!) & Portenos in stylish clothing, walking purposefully past handsome early 20^th century stone facades. You will be out shopping for designer clothes at affordable prices & eating the world’s best steaks every day while partying at nightclubs all night long……

Satisfying that carnal craving for juicy steaks isn’t hard to do in the land that has perfected grilling wonderfully flavorful sides of beef. Parrillas (steak restaurants) are everywhere and will offer up any cut you can imagine. And if you are a fan of pizza & pasta, these Italian staples are ubiquitous as well. But there is more - in Buenos Aires you can experience a huge variety of ethnic cuisine, from Southeast Asian & Middle Eastern to Scandinavian. Down it all with that famous Argentine wines & you will be struggling to maintain your waistline….after this journey.

Expect to visit several newly renovated Museums & buildings, such as the famous Teatro Colon.

Tango is possibly Argentina’s greatest contribution to the outside world, a steamy dance that has been described as ‘making love in the vertical position.’ The seductive Tango Halls & feisty inhabitants of the whirling capital mark the starting point of many South American explorations. This contemporary city is bursting with energy, its streets lined with bustling Parillas (grill restaurants) & colorful curios, while the chimes of skilled Musicians flow from street corners & nightspots alike.

And what about futbol? Argentines are passionately devoted to this sport &, if you are a fan, experiencing a live match, chanting & stomping alongside other stadium fanatics should definitely be in your plans.

And it is not just Buenos Aires that’s a stunner - Cordoba, Mendoza & Bariloche each have their unique personalities & unforgettable attractions, so don't miss them.

Beyond Buenos Aires lies Argentina’s collage of captivating landscapes: Ski the powdery slopes of the Andes; tread Patagonia’s dusty plains; explore lush rainforests in Missiones; ride horseback amid scorched red mountains in Salta; play the gaucho (cowboy) in the Pampas; and find shady refreshment in the Lake District’s evergreen forests.

From mighty Iguazu Falls in the sub-tropical north to the thunderous, crackling advance of the Glaciar Perito Moreno in the south, Argentina is home to a vast natural wonderland.

The country that boasts the Andes’ highest snowbound peaks is also home to rich wetlands, rust-hued desert, deep-blue lakes, lichen-clad Valdivian forests & Patagonia's arid steppes. Wildlife comes in spectacular variety, from penguins & flamingos to capybaras, giant anteaters, whales, guanaco herds & more. In this vast country, stunning sights abound & big adventure awaits.

Its far-flung location fires the imagination & has been known to make poets out of barmen, dreamers out of presidents & friends out of strangers. A few wrong turns & detours & you too will be part of this tightly woven family who barbecues on Sunday. Don’t forget to bring an extra bottle of red to the long, lazy dinners that await you.

Add a distinctive Argentine take on literature, cinema, music and arts, and you have a rich, edgy culture – part Latin American and part European – that is thoroughly distinctive.

Argentines have a vivacious and infectious lust for life. This passion shines through in Argentina’s three greatest loves: football, food and partying. Add a distinctive Argentine take on literature, cinema, music and arts, and you have a rich, edgy culture - part Latin American and part European - you can’t help but fall in love with.

In Argentina, adventure is what happens on the way to having an adventure & that is just the beginning......now is a great time to visit, so get your spirit in gear & prepare for an unforgettable adventure. Yep! Argentines are waiting & The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

 We are in the process of updating our Offerings of experiential journeys to Argentina. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore options & we will be happy to offer suggestions based on your personal preferences…

  Come…be inspired & discover the World….