Depart:
Escorted or Private Tour-Land Only
12 Days/ 11 Nights
2019 Departures:
January 7
February 11
March 11 and 18
April 1
September 23
October 7 and 14
November 11 and 18
Santiago de Chile – situated directly behind the city, the Andes rise and determine the permanent background of Santiago de Chile. For tourists, Santiago de Chile is one of the clearest capitals of Latin America and although it is a metropolis it has the atmosphere of a province. There is a predominantly European influence in the city’s culture, which can be mainly noticed in the upper and middle classes.
Mendoza is the most famous city in Argentina due its excellent wines. The city is surrounded by snow caped mountains and healthy air. Through a special irrigation method the city is located in a very fruitful valley. It almost never rains in Mendoza.
Buenos Aires is not only the capital of Argentina; it is also one of the 10 most important metropolises in the world and the center of the political, economic and intellectual life of the country. This cosmopolitan city – with great European cultural influence – displays a refined taste in its cooking, in its boutiques and in the elegance of its inhabitants. Almost 12 million people live there and can enjoy the plentiful night life visiting tango bars, cabarets, discotheques, restaurants or eternally open bars. During the day, a wide variety of attractions is offered: museums, art galleries, tasteful shops, fascinating antiques, large green areas, parks, wide tree lined boulevards, clubs and sporting events. The Italian-Spanish descent of the inhabitants has formed this modern metropolis. Feel the flair, above all in the Italian old quarter La Boca and in the wide streets with cafes from the turn of the century. At the Plaza de Mayo, in the political center of town, is the starting point of this tour through this exciting capital. The widest street of the world, the very famous opera house and also the shopping street Florida make Buenos Aires unforgettable.
Iguassu – the area’s major landmark is undoubtedly the magnificent IGUASSU FALLS, the world’s largest, formed by the Iguassu River which rises in Curitiba on the East and winds westward along 1,320 km through Parana State. Fifteen kilometers before joining the Parana River, the Iguassu overcomes an abrupt uneven ground and then, amidst an exuberant forest, hurls itself into 275 falls that cascade over a u-shaped precipice 2,700 meters wide, from an average height of 60 meters. At the other side Brazil displays 800 meter long falls. From both sides the view is superb, at any time of the year. The Falls have been declared by UNESCO Humankind Patrimony.
Rio de Janeiro – founded in 1556, the city of St. Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro became the capital of the Colony of Brazil in 1776. In 1808 the Portuguese royal family fled Napoleon and settled in Rio. This brought a surge of progress and the city became the main cultural, political and economic center of the Portuguese empire. In 1889, when the republic was proclaimed, Rio was confirmed as the country’s capital, which it remained until 1960, when the construction of the new capital, Brasilia, was founded. Rio is situated in a 15-mile-strip of land, wedged between mountains and sea. There are some thirty miles separating downtown Flamengo, from far-flung Recreio, bordered on one side by the blue sea, on the other by verdant hills. Between them lies a colorful state of mind called CARIOCA, with almost 8 million locals who samba their way through life, relaxed and high-spirited. That is just the way it should be in Rio, surrounded by natural beauty on all sides, with Christ the Redeemer perched on top of Corcovado blessing the city and Sugar Loaf, one of the most famous postcards of the country.
Price per Person:
In a double room using tourist class hotels $2089
Single supplement $689
In a double room using first class hotels $2259
Single supplement $879
This tour can also be taken on a private basis any day for the following prices:
Per person in a double room using tourist class hotels $2489
Per person in a double room using first class hotels $2699
Package Includes:
11 night accommodation using the following hotels: Tourist class package: Santiago: Hotel Principado Express (standard room), Mendoza: Hotel Huentala (classic room), Buenos Aires: Hotel Loi Suites Esmeralda (studio room), Iguassu: Hotel Recanto Park (standard room), Rio De Janiero: Hotel Windsor Plaza Copacabana (superior room)-Hotels for the first class package: Santiago: Hotel Marina Las Condes (standard room), Mendoza: Hotel Huentala (suite room), Buenos Aires: Hotel Grand Brizo (comfort room), Iguassu: Hotel Wish Resort (superior room), Rio: Hotel Windsor Excelsior Copacabana (superior room)
Breakfast each morning
All airport transfers in South America
Santiago city tour
Wineries tour in Mendoza
Buenos Aires city tour
Tour of both the Argentinean and Brazilian sides of the Iguassu Falls
Rio city tour
Entrance fee to Corcovado
Tour to Sugar Loaf
Entrance fees to both the Brazilian and Argentinean sides of the Iguassu National Park
Itinerary
Day 1 Santiago de Chile
Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your centrally located hotel. In the afternoon You will enjoy a city tour of Santiago de Chile. The city tour begins with the visit of the church San Francisco, which was built between 1572 and 1618. You will pass through the Barrio Paris & Londres which is characterized by its European architectural style and its narrow cobbled street. Then you will pass by the sector of Club Hipico, one of the most beautiful horse racing tracks in South America, privileged by its architecture of the early centuries. Continuing your tour to the Barrio Concha y Toro where you will immediately notice that the constructions of the buildings are very similar to those in the Barrio Paris y Londres. While walking through the main street you will recover vestiges of the aristocratic past of the capital. 1989 this district was declared as “Zona Tipica”. You will be impressed by the Gothic, neocolonial and Bauhaus constructions. After that you will visit the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral. Just around the corner, you will find the main post office, the National History museum, the Metropolitana and the town hall of Santiago. From here you head along the famous Alameda, Santiago’s colorful main avenue, to the heart of the city, seeing the “Palacio de la Moneda” (seat of government), various monuments and public buildings. Afterwords, you continue the tour by driving up to the San Cristobal Hill. From one of the hills view points, you will have the finest views of Santiago and the Andes Mountains. To round off the tour, you will pass through the modern residential areas of the city with their daring architecture and, finally, the bustling Providencia shopping zone. Overnight in Santiago.
Day 2 Santiago
Today you have a full day at leisure or you can enjoy an optional excursion to Vina del Mar & Valparaiso. After crossing the picturesque Chilean countryside over paved all-weather roads, you’ll reach Valparaiso, the country’s main port built on 42 hills. Both, the old and modern districts, will be visited including Victory Square, dock, wharf area and Naval Academy. Overlooking the city, you will see the old funicular tracks, 16 of them clatter up the hills since the middle of the 18th century linking the hillside homes with the flat commercial district near the sea. The tour proceeds to Vina del Mar often called the “Garden City” for its many parks and well-kept private gardens. You will visit this summer resort with its famous gambling casino and the beaches of Salinas, Reoaca, Montemar, Los Lilenes and Concon spread along a coastal road. Overnight in Santiago.
Day 3 Santiago-Mendoza
Today you are going to cross the majestic Andes and the border to Argentina. After breakfast, you will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to the bus terminal in downtown Santiago. Board the comfortable public bus to Mendoza. Enjoy an impressive drive offering spectacular mountain views. Passing the city of Los Andes, your bus continues upwards on “Ruta 60” along the hillside of the Andean Mountains, offering you panoramic views on the way. You drive past Portillo, Chile’s most important center of winter sports. It is located at the foot of the Aconcagua, the highest mountain of South America. You are going to leave Chile crossing the Argentinean Border through a tunnel which was built in 1980. Now, the road starts to go downhill. You see the “Puente del Inca” (“Inca Bridge”), a strange rock formation resembling a bridge crossing the Mendoza River. Your bus passes Los Penitentes, Argentina’s best-known ski resort, before reaching Mendoza, your final destination for today. Arrival at the bus terminal in Mendoza and transfer to your hotel. This is an 8-9 hour bus ride. Overnight in Mendoza.
Day 4 Mendoza
Mendoza, possessing the 70% of the vineyards of the country and same percentage of wine production is the main oenological center of South America. Depart to Mendoza’s agricultural oasis where you have the opportunity to visit a vineyard to understand the complete wine making process and to enjoy a wine tasting. In the afternoon you can have the time free or take an optional city tour. You will visit the city sharing the culture and history of its foundation by the Spanish colonizers four centuries ago. It includes a visit to the oldest part of the city with Pedro del Castillo Square, the sensual Alameda of General San Martin (Popular Avenue), passing by the Museum of “Area Fundacional” (entrance not included) Ruins of San Francisco Church (last testimony of Mendoza city before the terrible earthquake that took place in 1861). Along tree lined streets, hosed down by the well-known irrigation ditches, you will drive to the new city: its squares (like Plaza Independencia), downtown Mendoza, the main avenues and the Civic Center, the old residential area until getting to the General San Martin Park with its lake and rose garden and the Hill of Glory, a popular spot for a panoramic view. Overnight in Mendoza.
Day 5 Mendoza-Buenos Aires
Transfer from the hotel in Mendoza to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires.(not included.) Upon arrival in Buenos Aires transfer from the airport to the hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure. This evening you can take the following optional tour. Argentina culinary experience (3h 30min) . On shared basis This tour is designed to give you an introduction to the best of Argentine cuisine and culture. This is not a cooking class, but a fun and unique experience, where you will meet and dine with people from all over the world. The international team of guides are on hand to spoil you and take you through every step of this culinary journey. Each guest is welcomed with a drink. At first you will try Patagonian trout tartar served with Torrontes wine. Choose from the gourmet fillings and create your own empanada learning the traditional “repulge” technique for beef as well as cheese and ham fillings. Enjoy a typical Argentinian picada with grilled provoleta cheese, sliced chorizo sausage, mollejas (gizzard) and homemade chimichurri. Learn the most important Argentinian gestures during a short class. Enjoy what many are claiming to be the very best steak in Argentina, cooked to order and accompanied with velvety mash potatoes and a variety of roasted vegetables marinated with rosemary vinaigrette. These top of the line thick cut filet steaks have a unique 24 hour preparation method that sets apart from the rest. Vegetarian, pescetarian and celiac options are available on request. Two distinct Malbec wines, from boutique wineries in Mendoza, paired to complement food. Learn about and enjoy unlimited wine throughout the dinner. White wine is also available on request. Enjoy a cuartirolo cheese tasting with dulce de batata (produced of sweet potato) and dulce de madera (Argentina is the only country in the world where a special kind of wood can be eaten). For desert make your own alfajores, Argentina’s national sweet, where biscuits, dulce de leche, melted chocolate fondue and coconut shavings combine to delight the senses. Finally, get taught about the history and etiquette of mate, Argentina’s national pastime, and prepare it from scratch among yourselves. A fun and dynamic way to approach Argentina cuisine and Argentinean habits while meeting other international travelers. Overnight Buenos Aires.
Day 6 Buenos Aires
After breakfast you will be taken on a city tour. During your city tour in Buenos Aires you will drive along 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest avenue of the world, you will pass close to the Colon Theatre, one of the world’s best known opera houses. Visit the famous Avenida de Mayo that runs into the Plaza De Mayo, surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Government House), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo (first City Hall, built during Spanish rule). At the other end of Avenida de Mayo the cupola of the Congress building can be seen. Stop and inside visit of the Metropolitan Cathedral, this imposing neo classical building is Argentina’s main catholic building. The mausoleum of General San Martin (the National Hero) is located inside the Cathedral, and Pope Francisco used to celebrate religious services in this Cathedral when he was cardinal of Buenos Aires city. Stop at the famous Cafe Tortoni, the oldest literati cafe of the city. Enjoy a cup of coffee and a snack. Your next stop is La Boca, a most colorful area with the famous street Caminito. Continue to the north area passing by Palermo and visit the Recoleta area, one of the city’s most glamorous spots. Here you will see elegant boutiques and excellent restaurants, surrounded by centennial trees. The heart of the neighborhood is Recoleta cemetery. The cemetery is the center of this aristocratic neighborhood, and the most relevant personalities of Argentina’s history rest in this place. The mausoleums and pantheons reflect the architectural diversity emerging from the different cultural tendencies Argentina incorporated in its formation as a nation. The cemetery is considered to be one of the most impressive monuments of Argentina. 30min stop includes visit of Eva Duarte’ s grave, known as Eva Peron (Evita). This evening you will enjoy dinner and a tango show at the famous La Ventana tango house. Overnight in Buenos Aires.
Day 7 Buenos Aires
Today full day at leisure or you can take one of the following optional tours. Tigre Tour. Drive along the Northern residential districts of the city, until getting to San Isidro, a colonial and aristocratic area. You will see the mansions and houses in front of the River Plate. You will continue the driving to Tigre, a charming area near Buenos Aires city where a great number of summer residences, yacht clubs and rowing clubs attract the week-end activity of many “Portenos”. The Tigre Delta with its rivers, streams and numerous green islands is one of the most attractive areas for visitors. The continuous sediment of the Parana River, which gives the river and estuary their particular brownish-red color, forms the Delta islands. Enjoy a boat excursion (1 hour) along the innumerable channels of the Parana-Delta to see some of the hundreds of islands covered with luxuriant vegetation. Drive back to the city via the Panamericana highway. You can also chose to take the optional A Day at the countryside visiting Estancia Santa Susana (7h) On shared basis. Enjoy a complete day at the pampas. Carriages and horse rides will show you the charm of Argentinian countryside, its scenarios and the incomparable wild aroma. Barbecue will be served with variety of salads and local dessert. After lunch, the folklore show will begin with its music and dances. The day will end enjoying typical estancia’s activities, regional games as “carrera de sortijas”, where two teams gallop at full tilt under a wooden arch and try to pass a pin through a small ring hanging from the arch.After the local games demonstration, transfer back to the city. Overnight in Buenos Aires.
Day 8 Buenos Aires-Iguassu
Transfer to the domestic airport for the flight to Iguassu (not included). In Iguassu transfer to the hotel and check in. Later you will be taken on a walking tour of the Argentinean side of the falls. While on the Brazilian side of the falls one can enjoy a better panoramic view, the Argentinean side offers paths leading very closely to the different waterfalls. The first stop is at the Visitor’s Center and proceed from there to the Inferior Circuit, the down-river falls, and then to the Superior Circuit, the up-river cascades. The Ecological Jungle Train leads visitors to and from the most impressive observation point of the falls, The Devil’s Throat. Return to the hotel for overnight.
Day 9 Iguassu
n the morning visit of the Brazilian side of the falls. Walking along the paths following cascades and then along the catwalk that leads very close to the bottom of the Devil’s Throat to enjoy magnificent views. Take an elevator to go up to the road in order to board the coach which will bring back to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Iguassu.
Day 10 Iguassu-Rio de Janiiero
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for the flight to Rio de Janeiro.(not included). Arrival in Rio and transfer to the hotel, Check In and time for a first stroll along Copacabana Beach. Overnight in Rio.
Day 11 Rio de Janiero
Leaving the hotel and proceeding as far as Cosme Velho Station to board a cog-train or van for the ride through Tijuca Forest up Corcovado Mountain at 2,454ft high. The train ride takes 20 minutes and is a wonderful opportunity for a closer look at the forest’s lush tropical vegetation and to enjoy scenic landscapes of the beaches and city. Disembarking at the top of Corcovado and then proceeding up the steps that lead to the top lookout where the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. After appreciating the breathtaking view unfolding below, you will descend by train. The tour proceeds passing by Rio’s world-famous beaches as far as the Urca District to board a cable car for a two-staged ascent up Sugar Loaf Mountain at 1,280 ft high. Then coming down and proceeding along Guanabara Bay and Flamengo Park as far as downtown. Visit the downtown area, passing by the financial and business center and by other attractions such as the Candelaria Church, Saint Sebastian Cathedral, Lapa Arches, Municipal Theater, National Library, Fine Arts Museum, and by the Sambadrome, site of Rio’s famous Carnival parade. This evening you can enjoy an optional Rio by Night show. Visit a folklore and Carnival show featuring skilled dancers, entertainers, samba bands and wonderful costumes in a wonderful display of Brazilian folklore and Carnival. Overnight in Rio.
Day 12 Rio de Janiero-End of Tour
After breakfast transfer to the airport. You can extend your stay in beautiful Rio or continue with one of our many other tours.
Additional nights available
Pre and /or post tours to Easter Island, Atacama Desert in Chile and/or Buzios Brazil available
