The Che Trail: Trace Che Guevara's Life in Argentina

Argentina has many legends; from Evita, to Carlos Gardel (the tango singer) to football god Diego Maradona. But there is one Argentinean whose iconic image has reached all corners of the globe, multiplied on T- shirts all over the world: we’re of course talking about Ernesto Che Guevara. Ernesto Guevara - nicknamed "Che" for his use of the typical way to greet people in Argentine lunfardo (slang) - was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, guerrilla leader, author, military theorist, doctor and diplomat who became world renowned for his revolutionary thinking and actions across Latin America. [caption id="attachment_8007" align="aligncenter" width="332"] Ernesto Guevara / source[/caption]Although Che Guevara’s most significant moments were lived in neighbouring countries such as Bolivia or most famously Cuba, he spent over 25 years of his life in his homeland Argentina. So, if you’re travelling to Argentina and want to learn more about this iconic figure, there’s plenty of opportunity to follow in Che Guevara’s footsteps, by visiting the houses and towns he grew up in and museums that are dedicated to the legend’s fascinating story. A popular touristic route in Argentina is along the so-called Argentine Camino del Che (Che’s route, or the "Che Trail") which starts in the Northern Province of Misiones, taking you down to Cordoba, then to his birthplace Rosario, into Buenos Aires, ending in San Martin de los Andes in the Argentine Patagonia. Discover, below, The Che Guevara's Life in Argentina:

Rosario – Che Guevara’s Birthplace

Rosario is a beautiful riverside town that not only stands claim to being the birthplace of Argentina’s current legend Lionel Messi, but of course it was also were Che Guevara was born. Today the apartment where Ernestito(little Ernesto) was born still stands today, but is not open to the public. Throughout the city of Rosario you can find monuments and murals, paying homage to the famous rosarino. The family soon left Rosario and Che Guevara’s early childhood was spent in between Buenos Aires and the family’s Yerba Mate plantation in the Northern Province of Misiones. The family spent years travelling back and forth, by steam boat along the Rio Parana.

Buenos Aires -  Che Guevara Museum

In Buenos Aires, the Guevara’s lived in typically upper-class neighbourhoods. First in Palermo, then on the outskirts of the city in San Isidro, later in Recoleta. Today you can visit the Che Guevara Museum in Buenos Aires in the neighbourhood of Colegiales. A small museum that saved a few relics from the old museum in Buenos Aires, that was closed down.

Caraguatay, Misiones - Mate plantations and Che’s parent’s house museum

In the province of Misiones, half way between two of the region’s most spectacular touristic highlights, the famous Iguazu Falls and the San Ignacio Jesuit Ruins lies Caraguatay, where the Guevara family owned their extensive yerba mate plantations. Today part of the plantation is open to the public, and known as the Parque Turistico en Caraguatay, where Che’s parent’s house has been transformed into a fascinating museum dedicated to telling the story of Argentina’s famous revolutionary. [caption id="attachment_858" align="aligncenter" width="540"] “La calesita” place where the "Che" grew. Misiones, Argentina. 1928. / Source[/caption]

Cordoba - Che Guevara museum in Alta Gracia

Later, due to Che Guevara’s severe asthma, the family moved to Cordoba, whose high altitude climate and clear air were recommended to them by doctors. After living in the city of Cordoba itself, they set up home in Alta Gracia. Where today the most famous Che Guevara museum stands, in the very house that Che lived 11 years of his life. The house is filled with fascinating relics and object that belonged to Che, as he was growing up. [caption id="attachment_8005" align="alignnone" width="640"] Casa Museo del Che Guevara en Alta Gracia / source[/caption] Guevara was well into his 20’s the family business went through a rough patch and they returned back to Buenos Aires. There, Che Guevara began his studies in medicine, before in 1952 setting off on his famous trip across South America (the journey that was retold in the famous 2004 film ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’)

San Martin de los Andes - Lanin National Park, La Pastera and highlights

Another iconic place for Che Guevara in Argentina, was in Patagonia, in San Martin de Los Andes. Where on his trip across South America with his friend Alberto Granado stayed for a while in a hay shed, in the beautiful Lanin National Park. The place has been carefully maintained in the exact same conditions and has been turned into a museum too, called La Pastera. [caption id="attachment_859" align="aligncenter" width="540"] "El Che" drinking the Argentinian's traditional thea: "El Mate" / source[/caption] Discover more about the Argentine legend by stopping off along these highlights of Argentina, that connect to Che Guevara’s birth, childhood and early upbringing. Every single one of them, makes for a great day trip, if you’re travelling through the Provinces of Misiones, Cordoba, Santa Fe and of course the beautiful Patagonia.

Travelling to Argentina? Have a look at Argentina4u  for the very best tourist activities in Argentina.