We use private cars and vans.

Argentina's climate is as varied as its terrain, ranging from subtropical in the north to humid and steamy in the central region, and cold in the temperate south. The Andes region has erratic rainfall, flash floods in summer, searing heat, snow at higher elevations, and the Zonda - a hot, dry wind The lowlands receive sufficient rainfall to support swampy forests and upland savanna, but rainfall decreases from east to west; shallow summer flooding is common in the east. The winter dry season is pronounced, and the summer heat can be brutal. Patagonia is mild year-round in the east and glacial in the south. Weather in Patagonia can be very unpredictable and can change drastically and unexpectedly. Argentine Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego have summer averages of just 11°C (52°F); nighttime temperatures will most likely be in the 1°C-5°C.

Tour rates do not include flights. We find that it is usually less expensive for travelers to book these separately and this also allows you the flexibility to choose the schedule and routing that is most convenient for you. Alternatively, we can help you arrange these flights with a travel agent from the US.

We’ll arrange an airport transfer for you. Some travelers prefer the convenience of having someone waiting for them at the airport when they arrive, especially after an exhausting flight.

Tips are not required on any of our tours. However, it is customary in Latin America to offer a small tip for exceptional service. Tipping amounts vary widely, though some travelers report that ~$5-$10/ day for your guide and ~$3-$5/ day for your driver is common. Other travelers opt to bring small gifts from their home to give to service providers along the way.

According to the US State Department, there is no evidence of terrorist organizations or violent groups in Argentina that specifically target U.S. visitors. However, street crime is relatively common in major cities and travelers should take common-sense precautions. Don't walk alone or at night and don't carry large amounts of valuables with you. Most hotels have safes where you can store your belongings.

The tap water is safe to drink in Buenos Aires and most parts of the country. To be sure, ask your tour leader or the hotel/restaurant staff. Bottled water is readily available and should be used in remote rural areas.

All visitors must have a valid passport to enter Argentina and proof of onward passage. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your departure date. Entry requirements change with surprising frequency. It is each traveler's responsibility to check with the consulate for the most up-to-date visa information.

Voltage: 220 V; Frequency: 50 HZ; Plugs: Type C (European 2-pin), and Type I (two flat oblique blades that form an inverted V and a grounding blade).

Argentina is generally visited one of four ways: A) As a single destination - going to Buenos Aires and then visiting other destinations in Argentina B) As a part of an east coast, multi-country itinerary - Brasil is the most popular second country C) As a part of a "southern cone" or Patagonia trip, combined with Chile D) As a stop-over on Around South America multi-country program - Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls are definitives!

We will try our very hardest to accommodate all dietary requirements but in some out-of-the-way places it can be very difficult to guarantee. We will let you know if there are places on your itinerary where this is the case. Please let us know at the time of booking of any food requirements or allergies and we’ll pass the information onto your leader. It is also a great idea to bring a card with your dietary requirements written in the local language for those times you are eating away from the group.

Argentina is three hours behind GMT (two hours before EST). We do not observe daylight-savings time so during these months (April-October), Argentina is only one hour ahead of EST.

Yes, you can rent a car in Argentina with any foreign driver’s license and your passport. International companies like Avis or Hertz tend to be a little more expensive but they may have English-speaking staff and standard procedures in place that will be familiar. Some local companies are cheaper but are careful to be very clear about the terms of the agreement and check over the car for even minor damage before you drive off, just in case someone tries to figure out a way to keep some of your deposit. A word to the wise: the rates vary widely between booking online and booking on the phone with local companies, so it pays to shop around. Renting a car directly at the airport can also be considerably more expensive as well.

This tends to be subjective, but it’s safe to say that if you speak a little Spanish you will probably enjoy your stay in Argentina more and even save money. Overall, not that many Argentines as you may think to speak conversational English, so if you don’t speak Spanish you may only befriend locals of a certain sector of society, those who work in tourism, or other foreigners. Also rental and tour agencies that have English-speaking staff tend to charge more, in fact sometimes it seems there is a whole second economy for English-only tourists. Vendors tend to be patient and appreciative of those who make an effort to speak Spanish. If you can haggle in Spanish you will definitely save money, because it’s well-known that foreigners often get overcharged for goods, especially in tourist areas.

The best time to travel to Buenos Aires is in spring (September to November) and fall (March to May), as the summer can be hot and humid. Iguazu Falls has a tropical climate and can be visited year-round. For Bariloche and the Lake District, Mendoza, and Cordoba, the best time is the fall, when temperatures are more comfortable and these destinations are less crowded. For Patagonia, the best time is October to March, when the weather is warmer, and more tourist attractions can be visited. For skiing, the season runs from June to August.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website provides recommended and/or required vaccinations for each country. For Argentina, it recommends that you should be up-to-date with routine vaccines such as measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and that you get your yearly flu shot. It also recommends that you get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Typhoid, and Hepatitis B, depending upon your travel plans. Since rabies can be found in bats and other mammals in Argentina, rabies vaccine is recommended if you will be involved in outdoor and other activities in remote areas that put you at risk for animal bites, such as adventure travel and caving. It recommends yellow fever vaccination if you are traveling to the northern and northeastern forested areas of Argentina bordering Paraguay and Brazil, and for travelers visiting Iguazu Falls. You should see a health-care provider at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect.