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17 Days Cultures & Contrasts of South America Luxury Tour Package
Duration: 17 Days / 16 Nights
Priced From: $4,450 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Jan - May, Sep - Dec, Jan - Mar
Immerse yourself in South American cultures, and delight in the scenery, cuisine, music, and history that surround you in Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - Depart USA
Board your overnight flight.
Day 2 - Arrive Rio de Janeiro (3 nights)
Welcome to spectacular Brazil! Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where rooms are ready for early check in. The rest of the day is free for you to begin exploring the lively city on your own. This evening, relax over a delicious BBQ dinner followed by a colorful Folklore and Carnival show. (Highlight dinner)
Hotel: Excelsior Copacabana
Day 3 - Rio de Janeiro
Take a full day tour of Rio. Start with a cog-train ride through Tijuca Forest and up Corcovado Mountain. Disembark and walk up to the top lookout where the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. Then, head to a seafood restaurant for lunch. Afterward, pass by Rio’s world-famous beaches, Ipanema and Copacabana, to board a cable car for a two-staged ascent up Sugar Loaf Mountain. Enjoy the splendid views of the city. Drive past the Candelaria Church, Saint Sebastian Cathedral, Lapa Arches, Municipal Theatre and the Sambadrome, site of Rio’s famous Carnival Parade. Your evening is free. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Day 4 - Rio de Janeiro
A full free day in bustling Rio. There is plenty to see and do here, and your Tour Director can help you plan your day. For shoppers, jewelry, art and crafts are always good buys. Sightseers can choose between two tours: A full day schooner cruise or a half day jeep excursion through a rainforest (both own expense). Or, you might want to sunbathe on one of the glorious beaches! (Breakfast)
Day 5 - Rio de Janeiro – Iguassu Falls
Transfer for your flight to Iguassu Falls. This afternoon, your Tour Director will show you the magnificent Brazilian side of the Falls. The thundering roar and plunging cascades of water make this one of nature’s wonders. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Mabu Thermas & Resort
Day 6 - Iguassu Falls – Buenos Aires (4 nights)
On the Argentine side of the Falls, board the Ecological Train and ride to a splendid viewpoint to see the Devil’s Throat. Transfer for your flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening, delight in dinner and a performance of the Tango. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Hotel Elevage
Day 7 - Buenos Aires
Start sightseeing with views of the Plaza de Mayo, including the Casa Rosada, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and Cabildo. On to San Telmo and colorful La Boca. Drive down Avenida 9 de Julio and see Teatro Colon. After viewing Palermo Park make a guided visit of Evita’s Museum, which tells the story of this larger than life icon. Finally, visit the Recoleta Cemetery, where you will find the graves of many of Argentina’s leaders, including Evita Peron. The afternoon is at leisure. Tonight, savor a special “Be My Guest” home-hosted dinner featuring traditional Argentine cuisine. This is a wonderful opportunity to interact with a local family in their own home, and learn about their daily lives and Argentine culture. (Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)
Day 8 - Colonia del Sacramento excursion
Transfer to the Buenos Aires Pier for the hydrofoil ride to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay. Founded in 1680 by Portuguese explorers, Colonia has a delightful colonial ambience, with twisting cobblestone streets and colorful houses reminiscent of Old Lisbon. The well-preserved historic quarter was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. See the city on a tour, and then explore on your own. There are museums, arts and crafts shops, a yacht harbor and cafés, all vying for your attention. Later this afternoon, return by hydrofoil to Buenos Aires. Your evening is at leisure to try one of the many tempting restaurants and cafés. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Day 9 - Buenos Aires
A full day at leisure to take in Buenos Aires at your own pace. Your Tour Director will have many suggestions, including a day trip to the Pampas to learn the daily life of the Gaucho (Argentine cowboy) or a fun and informative Tango lesson (both own expense). For shoppers, the downtown area is full of gallerias and boutiques. Or, stroll through the fashionable Recoleta. The choice is yours. (Breakfast)
Day 10 - Buenos Aires – Bariloche (2 nights)
Fly to Bariloche, the heart of Patagonia’s scenic Lake District. The balance of the day is free to stroll through the picturesque town on your own. For chocolate lovers, you will find small chocolate factories manufacturing the delicious “Bariloche” chocolate. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Hotel Edelweiss
Day 11 - Bariloche
Sightseeing takes you along the scenic shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. See Playa Bonita, then travel through stunning scenery to Campanario Mountain. Take a chairlift ride to a lookout point at the summit. There is time to admire the vistas before you travel to the Lao Lao Peninsula and over the Angostura Bridge for the splendid view. The rest of the day is at leisure. (Breakfast)
Day 12 - Bariloche – Puerto Varas
Coach to Villa La Angostura and take a catamaran ride to the Quetrihúe Peninsula. Here, step into the silence of the forest of ancient Arrayanes trees. There is time to enjoy your pristine surroundings before returning to Villa La Angostura. Then, board a coach and travel along the lakes and through the splendid scenery of the Andes. Continue to the border with Chile, and on to Puerto Varas. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Hotel: Hotel Cabanas del Lago
Day 13 - Puerto Varas – Puerto Montt – Santiago (3 nights)
Leave Puerto Varas, heading for Puerto Montt. Stop at an observation point for a beautiful view over the waterfront and city. Continue through the center of town, seeing the square, cathedral and seafood market. Then transfer for your flight to Santiago, Chile’s lively capital city. On arrival you are transferred to your hotel in the exclusive Providencia district. The balance of the day is at leisure to begin exploring on your own. (Breakfast)
Hotel: Park Plaza Providencia
Day 14 - Santiago
Sightseeing in Chile’s largest city begins in the older residential area, passing the Club Hípico, the Parque O’Higgins and the Cousiño Palace. Visit the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral. At the fascinating Pre-Colombian Art Museum, view one of the most complete collections of ceramics, ancient textiles and relics of American culture in the world. Stop at the Central Market, dating back to the 1800s. Finally, cross the Mapocho River to San Cristóbal Hill for splendid views of the city. This afternoon is free. Your Tour Director will suggest an optional tour to the Maipo Valley, Chile’s premier wine growing region. For those opting not to take the optional excursion, there is plenty to do in Santiago and time for last minute shopping. (Breakfast)
Day 15 - Santiago and optional Valparaiso and Viña del Mar excursion
A free day to do as you please. Check with your Tour Director for ideas. There is an optional outing to the beautiful coastal region including the historic port of Valparaiso and the chic seaside resort of Viña del Mar. Tonight, savor a Farewell Dinner at a favorite restaurant, complete with traditional music and dance. (Breakfast / Farewell dinner)
Day 16 - Santiago / Homebound flight
A free day in Santiago before your late afternoon transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Your room is available until 3:00 p.m. (Breakfast)
Day 17 - Arrive USA
Highlights:
Rio de Janeiro
Sugar Loaf Mountain
Iguassu
Buenos Aires
Puerto Montt
Santiago
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Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
3/11
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