Day 1
Take overnight flight to Santiago.
Day 2
Reception at the Santiago airport and transfer to your hotel.
Afternoon city tour of Santiago. We will pick you up from your hotel to explore the historic and modern sights of Santiago de Chile. We will start our tour at the Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago’s main avenue, visiting La Moneda, the Government Palace, where we will explain to you the historical and actual meaning of this place. We will enjoy a walk through the pedestrian streets of Huerfanos and Ahumada, where the main commercial activity of the city is concentrated. We will then visit the famous Plaza de Armas, the main square of the city, which is surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral and other historical buildings such as the City Hall and the Post Office, both dating from colonial times. Next we head to Santa Lucia Hill, the hill upon which the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. It is a lone steep rock, with many plants and an antique building rising steeply from the city below. From here you can see the Parque Forestal (park) on one side and the Mapocho River on the other. We will cross the river to visit Bellavista, the cultural and artistic neighborhood of Santiago. Return to your hotel.
Day 3
Full day of touring around Santiago. You may choose from one of the following excursions: Vina del Mar and Valparaiso; Valle Nevado; Isla Negra - Pablo Neruda Museum; Cousińo Macul and Concha y Toro wineries.
Day 4
Transfer to the airport and take the flight to Puerto Montt. En route to Puerto Varas, we will have a tour of Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas. Puerto Montt is the capital of the region. We will visit Pelluco beach and Chinquihue on the Tenglo Canal before arriving at the picturesque village of Angelmo with time to explore this pretty fishing port and craft center famous for its woolens and woodwork.
We will then visit Puerto Varas, founded by German immigrants in 1854. Continue on to Philippi Hill, where there are many native trees and also a beautiful view over the town and the lake. Head down to the lakeshore and enjoy the view of the tranquil waters with Osorno Volcano in the background. Transfer to your hotel.
Day 5
Lake Crossing to Bariloche
The tour begins by bus from Puerto Varas, taking the road via Ensenada. On arrival at Petrohue, board the catamaran which takes you across All Saints Lake, also known as Esmeralda Lake, until you reach the tiny village of Peulla. Time to eat lunch (included). The journey continues by vehicle to Puerto Frias in Argentina where a boat takes you to Puerto Alegre. Travel by bus to Puerto Blest. Continue on Lake Nahuel Huapi to Puerto Pańuelo. The last stage of the journey, from here to Bariloche, is done by vehicle.
Day 6
Morning, free to enjoy Bariloche and its fabulous views of the Andes across the blue waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Bariloche and its surrounding area are evergreen forests, snow-capped peaks, deep blue or transparent green lakes, spring flowers and alpine architecture.
Afternoon, flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 7
City tour of Buenos Aires, an impressive city that combines the atmosphere of an old European town with the features of a Latin American capital. On this tour, you will come to appreciate its characteristics, its history, its architecture, its culture and its best stories. We will visit the center of the city, San Telmo, La Boca, Puerto Madero and Palermo, with stops in Plaza de Mayo, Caminito and La Recoleta. Tour is done on group basis and may involve wait times picking up other
passengers at different hotels. We recommend that this tour be done
privately in order to avoid this, at an additional cost of $ 42 per person,
based on two people ($ 84 based on one person).
At night, you will see an unforgettable tango show performed by the best dancers and singers, while enjoying a delicious meal. This is the perfect way to leave Buenos Aires, the city of tango. Return to the hotel.
Day 8
Fiesta Gaucha
Full-day excursion to an estancia for a typical barbeque lunch and a folklore/gaucho show. Here we will learn about the customs of the Argentinean gauchos, and their amazing abilities on horseback. The meat will be cooked a lo gaucho outdoors on the barbeque. Lunch and drinks included. Afternoon, return to Buenos Aires. Duration: 6 hours. Operates every day except Monday.
Day 9
Morning transfer to the port to take the ferry to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay. Colonia is a lovely, small city located across the Rio de la Plata from Buenos Aires. We will visit the historic areas of the city with its quaint streets and friendly people. Highlights of the tour include Parque de Ferrando, the bullfighting ring of the Real de San Carlos, the historic neighborhoods and the beautiful walk down the Rambla Costanera. After lunch, we will take a shopping tour at the native market, Feria de la Ciudad. Overnight in Colonia.
Day 10
Day of leisure to enjoy Colonia, with narrow its cobbled streets flanked by whitewashed buildings. In the late afternoon, transfer to Montevideo. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 11
City tour of Montevideo. We begin by visiting the old city, where we walk through the Plaza of the Constitution, the Matriz Church, the Club Uruguay, the historic municipal buildings and the local market at the port. Next we will visit the Solis Theatre, the Plaza of Independence, the former government buildings and the Salvo Palace. As we head toward El Prado, we will see beautiful works of architecture and botanical gardens. The tour finishes off with a drive through the residential neighborhoods, beaches and typical coastal houses. Evening, transfer to your hotel.
Day 12
Iguazu Falls
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Iguazu Falls. Reception at Puerto Iguazu airport and transfer to the visitor center inside Iguazu National Park. To get from the visitor center to the beginning of Upper Path, Lower Path and Devil’s Throat, you will board a little train that runs from the visitor center to the paths and between them. You may also walk from the visitor center to the upper and lower paths but not to Devil’s Throat because it is located more than four kilometers from the visitor center. Transfer to your hotel on the Brazil side of the falls.
Day 13
Morning, guided tour to the Brazil side of the waterfalls. These natural falls are the largest in the Americas, surrounded by an amazing wildlife preserve in the middle of the jungle. Afternoon, transfer to the airport to take the flight to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 14
Full-day tour to Corcovado Mountain, Tijuca Rainforest and Sugar Loaf
A quick drive from your hotel to the Cosme Velho train station, where a cogwheel train will climb up through the Tijuca Rainforest and bring you to the steps of the Christ Statue. At 2,300 feet above sea level, it affords a breathtaking view of Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara Bay, Sugar Loaf Mountain, nine-mile Rio-Niterói Bridge, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. Afternoon, visit Sugar Loaf Mountain. Drive along Rio’s famous beaches to the Praia Vermelha cable car station, where you will be taken to Urca Mountain (midway station) with its gardens and lookout points. Then, the second part of the ride will take you to the peak of the Sugar Loaf Mountain, 1,300 feet above sea level. Lunch included.
Note: This is a group tour and may involve wait times picking up other passengers at different hotels. We recommend that this tour be done privately in order to avoid this, at an additional cost of $170 per person, based on two people ($425 based on one person).
Day 15
Day of leisure in Rio, or choose from one of several optional day tours in Rio
Tonight, enjoy Rio by night! Besides being a scenic city, Rio de Janeiro is also a champion of bohemian life. This evening tour starts with a delicious dinner in a typical Brazilian restaurant. After dinner, we will enjoy a Brazilian music presentation at the famous Rio Plataforma. Rio Plataforma is one of the premier places to listen to the best of Brazilian music. The Rio Plataforma is not open on Sundays.
If you prefer a more mellow experience we recommend the show at the Rio Scenarium (avaialable at an additional cost, this tour does not include dinner). Located in the Lapa area, Rio Scenarium is one of the premier places to listen to the best of Brazilian music, and where the real carioca spirit of bohemian way of life can be felt. The venue is an antique shop during the day, and a live music bar during the night. The programming changes every month. Show ends around midnight.
Day 16
Afternoon, transfer to the airport to take the international flight back home.
South America Combined Country
Colonia
Buenos Aires
Rio de Janeiro
