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13 Days Essence of South America Tour Package
Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights
Priced From: $5440 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Jan - Apr, Sep - Dec
This 13-day Essence of South America tour offers you an inspiring opportunity to see the many wonders of South America for yourself. From the western coast of Chile to the eastern coast of Brazil by way of Patagonia, the Andes, the pampas, and through some of the world's most breathtaking scenery, we'll share the pleasures of this wonderfully diverse continent with you. Discover the very best of a trio of world-class South American cities - Santiago, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro - from the finest hotels in each city. Cross the Andes and cruise on lovely lakes in full view of those mighty mountains. Spend a day on an estancia, a working ranch, and watch as the gauchos display their skills. View spectacular Iguazð Falls from both Brazil and Argentina. Sample the fine wines of Chile and famous Argentinean beef; visit the former home of a famed Chilean poet and get a behind-the-scenes look at Rio's Carnaval; feel the passion and the heat of the tango and the samba. Our South America tour is the experience of a lifetime!
Tour Itinerary
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 Ritz-Carlton, Santiago 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, including a visit to the historic and lively Plaza de Armas, with its fountains, sculptures and intriguing people-watching opportunities. Later, travel to the Maipo Valley and sample some of Chile's justly famous fruits of the vine during a wine tasting, cellar tour and al fresco lunch at the Tarapaca Winery. You may choose to explore Santiago at your leisure or visit La Chascona, former home of Nobel Prize-winning poet and activist Pablo Neruda, who built it as a romantic hideaway.
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 lakeside “city of roses,†where the influence of those German settlers is seen in both architecture and beautiful gardens. Explore on your own this afternoon; your ideally located accommodations boast astounding views of Osorno Volcano.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Solace Hotel, Puerto Varas, Chile
Day 4 - A day full of adventure in the Andes
Today, we begin our two-day crossing of the majestic Andes Mountains, one of the most eagerly anticipated adventures on any South America tour, with a walk to Petrohue Rapids and a catamaran 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 ride* through the treetop canopy, or on a nature hike with a local guide. Spend the night in a lakeside wilderness lodge and have dinner à la carte this evening.
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 Lago 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 (some at an additional charge) including tennis, swimming, sailing, archery, spa treatments, Pilates and tango lessons, 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 at the historic Café Tortoni, 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. Dinner tonight is at your home for the next three nights, the Sofitel Buenos Aires, set among boutiques and galleries in a tranquil district of the city.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Sofitel Buenos Aires, Argentina
Day 8 - Cosmopolitan delights in Argentina's Big Apple
Explore more of big, sprawling Buenos Aires, home to the tango and some of the best steaks in the world, today. Start off by avoiding the usual crowds on a morning visit to the tomb of Evita (Eva) Peron in the unique and impressive Recoleta Cemetery, famous for its elaborate marble mausoleums. Visit La Boca, a colorful barrio (neighborhood) whose early settlers included many immigrants from Italian cities such as Genoa; it retains a distinctly European flair. After an afternoon at leisure, have a sumptuous dinner and experience the power and passion of the traditional tango, the beloved dance of Argentina, at Rojo Tango, considered to be among the finest tango shows in Buenos Aires.
Meals:Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Sofitel Buenos Aires, Argentina
Day 9 - Greet the gauchos on the pampas and an estancia
Head into the famous Argentinean pampas, vast plains that are home to ranches and fine horse farms, to visit a gracious private 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, authentic and hugely popular Argentine barbecue lunch featuring platters of mixed grilled meats. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy as you please in Buenos Aires; this will be a most memorable day on your South America tour!
Meals:Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Sofitel Buenos Aires, Argentina
Day 10 - In Argentina, it's Iguazð
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 Iguazð Falls - deeper and twice as wide as Niagara Falls - for an overnight stay. As you explore Iguazð 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, within walking distance of the falls and the Devil's Throat, through which the falls' largest volume of water passes; dine tonight at the hotel's restaurant, boasting wonderful views of the thundering waters!
Meals:Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Sheraton Iguazð Resort & Spa, Iguazð, Argentina
Day 11 - In Brazil, it's Iguaçu... then fly up to Rio
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
Arise in amazing Rio for an unforgettable excursion up Corcovado Hill by train to Tijuca National Park, and then by gondola to see the world-famous statue of Christ the Redeemer... a true highlight of your South America tour! Next up is a trip back down to Rio's historic center to view the intriguing new cathedral and many of the city's Belle Epoque architectural treasures; have lunch in one of them, the historic Confeitaria Colombo. Later, discover the passionate nature of Rio's beloved Carnaval celebration, which draws visitors from around the world each year, on a visit to Samba City - where a local guide leads you on a behind-the-scenes look at the business of Carnaval and the creation of its dazzling costumes and floats, which includes an exclusive samba performance. Join us this evening for a festive farewell reception and dinner featuring traditional churrasco cuisine.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Day 13 - Homeward bound
Spend a morning as you please in Rio before embarking on a perfect ending to your South America tour - a ride on a two-stage cable car to the 1,390-foot summit of Sugarloaf Mountain, one of Rio's most iconic landmarks; the views of Copacabana and Rio's other beaches are just spectacular! This remarkable South America tour ends at the JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro at 5:00 PM. A transfer is included from the JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro to Rio de Janeiro International Airport; allow 3 1/2 hours for flight check-in. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.
Meals:Breakfast
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Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
12/10
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