Day 1: Welcome to Chile
Your South America tour begins at the Ritz-Carlton, Santiago at 6:30 pm. A transfer from Santiago Airport to the hotel is included. Please join us for our welcome cocktail reception and dinner tonight.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago, Chile
Day 2: Spectacular Santiago and world-renowned wines
On your first full day in South America tour the city of Santiago, visiting the historic and lively Plaza de Armas, with its fountains, sculptures and intriguing people-watching opportunities. Dating from 1745, the impressive Metropolitan Cathedral is the fifth church to stand on the same site; in the ornate Baroque interior, admire the marble, bronze and lapis main altar that originally came from Germany. Later, travel to the Maipo Valley and sample some of Chile’s justly famous fruits of the vine during a wine tasting and again over lunch. Explore Santiago at your leisure for the rest of the day and select one of the city’s many excellent restaurants for dinner on your own this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging: The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago, Chile
Day 3: Patagonian panorama
Patagonia is said to be one of the most beautiful areas on earth. Fly from Santiago to the Patagonian port city of Puerto Montt, founded by German immigrants in 1853. Continue on through the rolling countryside of scenic Patagonia, viewing lovely lakes and mountains, to Puerto Varas, the “city of roses,” where the influence of those German settlers is seen in both architecture and beautiful gardens.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cabañas del Lago, Puerto Varas, Chile
Day 4: A day full of adventure
Today, we begin our two-day crossing of the majestic Andes Mountains, one of the most eagerly anticipated adventures on any South America tour. Board a catamaran to sail across Lago Todos Los Santos to Puella, a paradise for nature lovers situated in the midst of Vincent Perez Rosales National Park. Choose to see the park on a 4 X 4 vehicle excursion, from the back of a horse, on a zip line through the treetop canopy or on a nature hike with a local guide.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Natura, Puella, Chile
Day 5: Adios, Chile! Hola, Argentina!
After a leisurely morning, continue on through the stunning mountain peaks and alpine scenery of the Andes. After crossing the border into Argentina, take a short cruise across Lago Frias before boarding another boat for a cruise on Lagos Todos Los Santos; keep an eye out for Andean condors floating above the surrounding mountains. Arrive at the luxurious Llao Llao Hotel & Resort, located in a spectacular area known as the “Switzerland of South America,” for a two-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Llao Llao Hotel & Resort, Bariloche, Argentina
Day 6: Your day, your way
Every South America tour should include a leisurely day to spend doing just what you please and today’s the day. There are many amenities and activities to enjoy at your resort including tennis, swimming, archery, and the Health Club and Fitness Center among others. If you decide to do some more exploring of Nahuel Haupi National Park on your own, you might enjoy taking the chairlift to the top of a high hill to take in the magnificent, 360-degree views of the Andes’ soaring mountain peaks and the lake below. Or, discover the ski-resort town of Bariloche, the largest city in the Lakes District and famous for its chocolates, as you wish.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Llao Llao Hotel & Resort, Bariloche, Argentina
Day 7: Buenos dias, Buenos Aires
Fly today to the “Paris of South America,” beguiling Buenos Aires, as your South America tour adventures continue. After lunch, visit the famous Plaza de Mayo, surrounded by some of the city’s most famous landmarks; see the Colon Opera House where legendary stars such as Maria Callas, Enrico Caruso and Luciano Pavarotti have performed; the Metropolitan Cathedral; and the pink La Casa Rosada, which is the Presidential Palace and seat of the executive branch of government. En route to see the tomb of Eva Peron in the impressive Recoleta Cemetery, which is famous for its elaborate marble mausoleums, view the Embassy District and Avenida 9 de Julio. Dinner tonight is at your leisure at the Caesar Park Buenos Aires, your home for the next three nights.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Caesar Park Buenos Aires, Argentina
Day 8: Cosmopolitan delights
Explore the southern part of Buenos Aires today. Visit La Boca, one of the colorful barrios (neighborhoods), whose early settlers included many immigrants from Italian cities such as Genoa, that retains a distinctly European flair. After an afternoon at leisure, have dinner at a famous steakhouse and watch a show featuring the traditional tango, the beloved dance of Argentina.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Caesar Park Buenos Aires, Argentina
Day 9: Greet the Gauchos
Head into the famous Argentinean pampas, vast plains that are home to ranches and fine horse farms. Spend the day at a gracious estancia, with its imposing Colonial-pampas-style manor house, historic gaucho quarters and beautiful grounds. Watch gauchos in action as they demonstrate their legendary riding skills; partake in a traditional parrilla lunch, an authentic and hugely popular Argentine meal featuring platters of mixed grilled meats. This will be a most memorable day on your South America tour!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Caesar Park Buenos Aires, Argentina
Day 10: In Argentina, it’s Iguazú
No South America tour would be complete without experiencing one of nature’s greatest wonders. Fly from Buenos Aires to the Argentinean side of the mighty Iguazú Falls – deeper and twice as wide as Niagara Falls – for an overnight stay. As you explore Iguazú National Park, you’ll be amazed by the sheer size of the falls and the natural beauty that surrounds them. Wherever you look, the views are breathtaking. Your hotel is set in the heart of the national park and is within walking distance of the falls and the Devil’s Throat, through which the falls’ largest volume of water passes.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Sheraton Iguazú Resort & Spa, Iguazú, Argentina
Day 11: In Brazil, it’s Iguaçu
Cross the Tancredo Neves Bridge from Argentina to Brazil to view the famous falls from a different perspective. Within Brazil’s Iguaçu National Park, you’ll find 275 cascades that form a waterfall a mile-and-a-half long. You’ll never forget your walk through the rainforest at the base of the falls. Later, fly to rollicking Rio de Janeiro and your oceanfront hotel on beautiful Copacabana Beach.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Day 12: Remarkable Rio
Ride a two-stage cable car to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain, one of Rio’s most iconic landmarks; the views of Copacabana and Rio’s other beaches are spectacular. Next up is a trip into the city’s historic center to see many of the city’s Belle Epoch architectural treasures and the intriguing new cathedral. During a visit to a samba school, you’ll discover the passionate nature of the dance as professional dancers show you how it’s done; learn about Rio’s beloved Carnaval celebration that draws visitors from around the world each year. The afternoon is free to discover more of Rio de Janeiro as you wish. Join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner at a local churrasco restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Day 13: Homeward Bound
After enjoying a morning at leisure, what better ending to your South America tour could there be than traveling up Corcovado Hill by train and gondola to see the world-famous statue of Christ the Redeemer? When the tour ends at the JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro at 5:00 pm, an included transfer will take you to Rio de Janeiro International Airport. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
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