chile Tours Essence of South America

Itinerary:

Day 1 Santiago      
Arrive in Santiago and transfer to your hotel. Join your fellow travellers for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.      

Day 2 Santiago      
Start the day with a visit to the historic Plaza de Armas, with its fountains and sculptures before travelling outside the city to enjoy a gourmet wine-pairing lunch at a winery. Spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring this historic city with its mountainous backdrop.      

Day 3 Santiago to Puerto Varas    
A morning flight takes you to the city of Puerto Montt, gateway to the Chilean Lake District. Travel through the scenic countryside to the charming lakeside city of Puerto Varas, known as the City of Roses where you will have time to enjoy the beautiful gardens.

Day 4 Puerto Varas to Bariloche, Argentina      
Begin your day by crossing the spectacular Andes mountain range before boarding a private boat for your cruise to Bariloche. Your home for the next 2 nights is Llao Llao Resort, a stunning lakeside property.  

Day 5 Bariloche      
Spend a leisurely day taking advantage of the resort’s facilities. Alternatively, you may choose to explore the Nahuel Huapi National Park on your own, or visit the town of Bariloche, famous for its chocolates.  

Day 6 Bariloche to Buenos Aires    
This morning take a chairlift up Cerro Campanario to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains with the pretty lake below. Later, fly to vibrant Buenos Aires with its wide boulevards and leafy parks and relax in your hotel located in one of the most elegant districts of the city.      

Day 7 Buenos Aires      
Discover the best of this exciting city by visiting the Plaza de Mayo, Metropolitan Cathedral and Casa Rosada where you will see the balcony made famous by Eva Perón. Explore the colourful La Boca neighbourhood before taking time to enjoy the San Telmo District, a mix of colonial style homes, narrow lanes and artist lofts. This evening, experience the passion of the tango with a captivating show at the Esquina Carlos Gardel.      

Day 8 Buenos Aires      
A further day of exploration in this fascinating city. Visit the historic Teatro Colón, the Buenos Aires opera house which opened in 1908. The rest of the day is at your leisure.  

Day 9 Buenos Aires to Iguazú Falls      
Visit the magnificent Avenue 9 de Julio, a stately boulevard that crosses Buenos Aires. Continue on to the Embassy District and the Rose Garden before exploring the renowned La Recoleta Cemetery, the final resting place for many famous Argentines including Eva Perón. Next is one of nature’s most spectacular natural wonders as you fly to Iguazú to see the mighty falls. Relax in your hotel situated in the heart of the national park and marvel at the views of the thundering waters from the restaurant as you dine this evening.      

Day 10 Iguazú Falls      
Today explore the Argentine side of Iguazú Falls – the best for getting up close – as you stroll along walkways within the national park. Enjoy guided hikes to the Superior and Inferior Circuit and Devil’s Throat Falls through which the falls’ largest volume of water passes. Explore at leisure in the afternoon.

Day 11 Iguazú Falls to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil      
Cross the Tancredo Neves Bridge from Argentina to Brazil to see this spectacular natural wonder from a panoramic perspective. Enjoy a walk through the rainforest at the base of the falls. This afternoon, fly to the exciting city of Rio de Janeiro and settle into your hotel.  

Day 12 Rio de Janeiro      
Start your day by taking a train up Corcovado to Tijuca National Park and see the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Later, learn about the world-famous Rio Carnival with a visit to Samba City. Take a walking tour of Rio’s historic downtown, an interesting contrast to the city’s better known attractions.  

Day 13 Rio de Janeiro      
Enjoy a cable car ride up to Sugarloaf Mountain for some amazing views, later relax on a private boat cruise on Guanabara Bay and see some of the city’s iconic beaches and the interesting skyline. After lunch, return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. End the evening with a special farewell dinner and cocktail party this evening with your fellow travellers.  

Day 14 Rio de Janeiro      
Spend your final day in Rio at leisure before transferring to the airport for your flight home.    

Departs: