Popular Destinations

Our Destinations

Holiday Types

More Holiday Types

About

Our Content

Travelling Safely

When to Go

Best time to Go

All best time to visit guides

Ibera Wetlands, Argentina

Ibera Wetlands

One of the greatest natural reserves in Argentina, boasting unique landscapes and wildlife that includes a variety of aquatic birds and alligators, the protected Ibera Wetlands is an area of particular importance to naturalists and birdwatchers.

Hosting a warm and humid climate, the wetlands feature the world’s second-largest body of freshwater as well as grasslands, marshlands and lagoons. The wetlands have formed an important part of a large wildlife reintroduction initiative, so the region is now home to the swift swimming marsh deer, giant anteaters, jaguars, pumas, maned wolves and giant otters.

Ibera Wetlands, Argentina

A little more about Ibera Wetlands

Twice the size of the Florida Everglades, these are the second-largest wetland in South America after the Pantanal in Brazil and one of the most important freshwater reservoirs in the continent.

From May through to November, during the dry season, rare species of birds and other animals seek shelter along their shores and cluster around the diminishing pools. A myriad of different flowers bloom during the rainy season from December through to April and attract all sort of insects, birds, reptiles and amphibians as well as mammals.

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

Carlos Pellegrini, Argentina

Water Navigations

Join a guided boat exploration or paddle a kayak with the goal of spotting remarkable wildlife including caimans, anacondas, armadillos and rare marsh deer.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Howler monkey, Argentina

Horseback Ride through Forests

Discover the unique lake and marsh landscapes on horseback, travelling into tropical forests that are inhabited by noisy howler monkeys.

Strange Tailed Tyrant, Ibera Wetlands, Argentina

Birding in the Ibera Wetlands

From the comfort of a swinging hammock, experience the dawn chorus as thousands of colourful birds awaken and begin to flit around.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Jaguar lying by log in dense undergrowth,Brazil

Search for Jaguars

As jaguars have recently been reintroduced to the Ibera Wetlands, head out with an expert naturalist guide in search of these majestic and elusive big cats.

Sunset, Ibera Wetlands, Argentina

Night Jeep Safaris

Under cover of darkness, head out in a 4×4 to experience the Ibera Wetlands at night, observing its nocturnal critters under torchlight.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Idea

Lake District & the Old Patagonian Express

From the picturesque Lake District of the north to the wild glaciers of the south and the soaring Andes of the west to the wildlife-rich Atlantic of the east, this journey traverses the extremes of Argentinian Patagonia.

16 days from £6,845pp

Old Patagonian Express Railway, Argentina

View Holiday Idea

Group tour

Ultimate Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands

This in-depth exploration of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island and Antarctica is an extraordinary option for expedition cruising.

Departing 22nd October 2025

21 days from £17,139pp

King Penguins, Beach, South Georgia Islands, Antarctica

Idea

Gaucho Festival

Experience the raw traditions of Argentina during the annual Guacho Festival in San Antonio de Areco, watching cowboy rodeos and tucking in to asados by day and returning to a cosy Relais & Chateaux estancia by night.

7 days from £2,070pp

Gaucho Festival, Argentina

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Honeymoon in Argentina & Brazil

Meander from the lush vineyards of Argentina to the dazzling coastline of Brazil, staying in two romantic and secluded properties that boast private plunge pools and exclusive island dining.

11 days from £4,545pp

Villa, Cavas Wine Lodge, Mendoza, Argentina

View Holiday Idea

Group tour

Cross the Antarctic Circle

Travelling further south down the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula, this journey is ideally suited to those who are keen to really maximise their time on the White Continent and travel where few others go.

Departing 4th February 2026

14 days from £12,469pp

Kayaking in Antarctica

Group tour

Classic Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

In this introduction to Antarctica, explore the Peninsula and South Shetland Islands and count yourself as one of those who has crossed the renowned Drake Passage – whether you experience the “Drake Lake” or the “Drake Shake” only time will tell.

Departing 15th January 2026

12 days from £12,545pp

Photographing whale flukes for the Happy Whale project, Antarctica

Idea

Drive Classic Northwest Argentina

Pack up a hire car and set off through some of Argentina’s most varied and remote northwestern landscapes on this classic self-drive journey. Armed with maps and a full support system tracking your vehicle, travel along the route of the Tren de…

11 days from £4,650pp

Purmamarca, Jujuy, Northwest, Argentina

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Self-Drive Mendoza & the Lake District

With time allotted to exploring the sophisticated capital of Buenos Aires and staying in a wineland lodge, embark on a self-drive adventure through the Argentinian Lake District to see its dazzling blue pools and snow-capped peaks.

15 days from £5,290pp

Lake Victoria, Bariloche, Argentina

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Wildlife & Wilderness in the Ibera Wetlands

Witness the wildlife and wilderness of Argentina, travelling to a remote and rarely visited Ibera Wetlands eco-estancia in search of the region’s most elusive creatures.

8 days from £2,990pp

Boardwalk over wetlands in Nature Reserve Esteros del Ibera, Argentina

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Chile & Argentina – Cruise the Patagonian Fjords

Journey through the fjords and channels of southern Patagonia, via Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego, to the tip of South America, before exploring the glaciers and soaring peaks of Argentina.

10 days from £5,350pp

View across water to Darwin Range of mountains, Australis Cruise, Fjords of Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia

Need Inspiration?
Browse our Argentina holiday ideas.

Our Argentina experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Idea

Lake District & the Old Patagonian Express

From the picturesque Lake District of the north to the wild glaciers of the south and the soaring Andes of the west to the wildlife-rich Atlantic of the east, this journey traverses the extremes of Argentinian Patagonia.

16 days from £6,845pp

Old Patagonian Express Railway, Argentina

View Holiday Idea

Group tour

Ultimate Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands

This in-depth exploration of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island and Antarctica is an extraordinary option for expedition cruising.

Departing 22nd October 2025

21 days from £17,139pp

King Penguins, Beach, South Georgia Islands, Antarctica

Idea

Gaucho Festival

Experience the raw traditions of Argentina during the annual Guacho Festival in San Antonio de Areco, watching cowboy rodeos and tucking in to asados by day and returning to a cosy Relais & Chateaux estancia by night.

7 days from £2,070pp

Gaucho Festival, Argentina

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Honeymoon in Argentina & Brazil

Meander from the lush vineyards of Argentina to the dazzling coastline of Brazil, staying in two romantic and secluded properties that boast private plunge pools and exclusive island dining.

11 days from £4,545pp

Villa, Cavas Wine Lodge, Mendoza, Argentina

View Holiday Idea

Group tour

Cross the Antarctic Circle

Travelling further south down the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula, this journey is ideally suited to those who are keen to really maximise their time on the White Continent and travel where few others go.

Departing 4th February 2026

14 days from £12,469pp

Kayaking in Antarctica

Group tour

Classic Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

In this introduction to Antarctica, explore the Peninsula and South Shetland Islands and count yourself as one of those who has crossed the renowned Drake Passage – whether you experience the “Drake Lake” or the “Drake Shake” only time will…

Departing 15th January 2026

12 days from £12,545pp

Photographing whale flukes for the Happy Whale project, Antarctica

Idea

Drive Classic Northwest Argentina

Pack up a hire car and set off through some of Argentina’s most varied and remote northwestern landscapes on this classic self-drive journey. Armed with maps and a full support system tracking your vehicle, travel along the route of the…

11 days from £4,650pp

Purmamarca, Jujuy, Northwest, Argentina

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Self-Drive Mendoza & the Lake District

With time allotted to exploring the sophisticated capital of Buenos Aires and staying in a wineland lodge, embark on a self-drive adventure through the Argentinian Lake District to see its dazzling blue pools and snow-capped peaks.

15 days from £5,290pp

Lake Victoria, Bariloche, Argentina

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Wildlife & Wilderness in the Ibera Wetlands

Witness the wildlife and wilderness of Argentina, travelling to a remote and rarely visited Ibera Wetlands eco-estancia in search of the region’s most elusive creatures.

8 days from £2,990pp

Boardwalk over wetlands in Nature Reserve Esteros del Ibera, Argentina

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Chile & Argentina – Cruise the Patagonian Fjords

Journey through the fjords and channels of southern Patagonia, via Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego, to the tip of South America, before exploring the glaciers and soaring peaks of Argentina.

10 days from £5,350pp

View across water to Darwin Range of mountains, Australis Cruise, Fjords of Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia

View all holiday ideas View all cruises

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Puerto Valle £££££

Argentina

Commanding far-reaching views across the vast Parana River and with exclusive access to the largest conservation area in Argentina, Puerto Valle is a fully renovated historical estancia nestled within the richly biodiverse Ibera Wetlands. Due to its off-the-beaten-track location, the property has a retreat-like feel that is enhanced by the addition of an indulgent water-facing pool and a meditative al fresco lounging deck.

Estancia Rincon del Socorro £££££

Argentina
Farmstead and Ranches

A former working cattle ranch turned eco-lodge, Estancia Rincon Del Socorro sits in 30,000 acres of unspoilt Conservation Land Trust wetlands in northeast Argentina. Encompassed by vast expanses of watery marshes and the islands that haphazardly sprout from them, the estancia is hemmed in by splashing herons, basking alligators and frolicking capybaras. An exclusive wetland retreat where nature thrives beyond each door, Estancia Rincon Del Socorro boasts a dazzling outdoor pool that overlooks the water and grasslands.

More luxury accommodation

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

View Profile

Paul Bird

Paul has visited Argentina several times, taking in everything from the mighty Iguazu Falls to the dazzling Perito Merino Glacier. According to him, any country that boasts one of Earth’s most dramatic waterfalls, magnificent salt flats, exquisite wines and a vibrant capital is more than worth a visit.

Talk with our experts

01285 880 980

View Profile

Sue Grimwood

In the late ’90s, I booked myself on an expeditionary voyage into the Antarctic Circle and was instantly hooked. Since then, I’ve returned to Antarctica a number of times and ventured deep into the Arctic – from Svalbard to the Russian and Canadian Arctic – always chasing that same sense of wonder. It’s this rare personal experience of the world’s polar extremes that I bring to every journey I plan.

Talk with our experts

01285 880 980

Contact Us

Start planning your trip

01285 880 980

Send us an enquiry

Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.

Review Contact Form

Where would you like to go?(Required)

Name(Required)

Title First Last

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?

More about Steppes