If you’re looking for a unique travel adventure, you can’t do better than Chile. Chile extends only 271 miles between its most distant eastern and western points, but the long blade of a country runs 2,670 miles from north to south, more than enough room for a stunning array of impressive natural and man-made landscapes.
Studded with outstanding natural wonders and endowed with one of the world’s hot-list cities, Argentina is a vast and varied land. The wine, the fishing, the tango, the mountaineering, the skiing, the literature, the beef, the architecture, the clubbing – all this will provide you one of the most exciting journeys you’ll ever take! No joke. While so many things in Argentina are exciting, some things are better defined as ‘mind blowing.’
For a long time, Uruguay has barely registered on the scale of popular South American destinations. But that might not have been a coincidence – some of the first people to discover it were determined to keep its profile low and enjoy their hidden gem while the world was none the wiser. But inevitably, word is getting out. Whether you’re drawn in by the posh beaches of Punta del Este or the still-vibrant gaucho culture deep in the countryside, Uruguay holds surprises and treasures that you might want to keep to yourself, too.
Brazil: The land of the Samba, football, religion, rainforest, magnificent sprawling cities and unspoiled beaches. From vibrant beachside cities to local culture in rural villages, Brazil has so much to offer; its natural wonders, including the majestic Iguazu Falls and the amazing Amazon rainforest, have inspired globetrotters for over 500 years.
Brazil’s beauty lies not only in its natural wonders, but also in its people and culture – an ethnically and culturally diverse population whose heritage is expressed in vibrant art and celebrations, historical cities and bustling urban centres. One of the first things you’ll notice as you arrive to Brazil is the people’s love for life. Brazilians live for today. Whether rich or poor, they enjoy life and they’re not afraid to express themselves! They smile a lot, they laugh a lot, they yell a lot, they sing a lot, they dance a lot and they sure do celebrate a lot! When you’re around Brazilians, somehow this energy starts to become contagious…
Day 1. Santiago de Chile
Arrival to the Santiago de Chile Airport and transfer to the hotel with your private guide
Santiago has always had its measured charms – fine dining, perfectly landscaped gardens, a famous seafood market, the stunning backdrop of the Andes – but in the past few years it has undergone a cultural metamorphosis. In celebration of Chile’s bicentennial, the city poured millions of pesos into the construction of sleek new cultural centers, thoughtful museums and gorgeous green parks. The upscale neighborhoods of Vitacura and El Golf bloomed with stylish new art galleries, the new W Hotel started drawing A-list celebrities to its rooftop bar, and the faded but beautiful Barrio Brasil was infused with vibrant public art and funky youth hostels. Overnight at hotel
Day 2. Santiago de Chile
Breakfast at the hotel. You will have a city tour to the most interesting sites in Santiago, beginning with a general view of the city by driving halfway up San Cristobal Hill. Then, we continue to the historic downtown district, visiting Main Square, Cathedral, Post Office Headquarters, and Santiago City Hall. We will also see the Government House “La Moneda”. Afterward, we will take you to East Santiago, where you may appreciate modern buildings, with offices, apartments, shopping centers and restaurants. Return to hotel and overnight.
Here you can order an optional tour to the famous winevalleys around Santiago with some great wine tasting. This tour has an extra cost of $210 per person with a private guide in your language (Min 2 pax)
Day 3. Santiago de Chile-Punta Arenas
Transfer out and flight to Punta Arenas. Group transfer to the hotel in Puerto Natales city in a regular bus Check in at your hotel.
Optionally upon arrival at the Punta Arenas Airport you can order a private transfer to Puerto Natales and on the way visit the Pinguin Colony ot Ottway (from October to March only availible as private tour with extra cost) 639 1 pax USD 290 2 pax per pax
The Tour would start a the coast of the Mystical Magellan Straight that used to be navigated by the bravest capitains-such as Capitain Drake, Sarmiento de Gamboa, Fitz Roy and Charles Darwin. On the way we can observe many birds and sometimes dolphins. After we turn to the dirt road we will go inside the Patagonia plains and will drive past typical houses and ranchos and see the local flora such as the wind duck, nanda, foxes, condors and other birds. At the end of the road there is a colony of the Magellan Pinguins at a place where they return every year to multiply and eat. Here we can walk over wooden bridges observing the life of the pinguins.
Day 4. National Park Torres del Paine (group tour)
Soaring almost vertically more than 2000m above the Patagonian steppe, the granite pillars of Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine) dominate the landscape of what may be South America’s finest national park. Before its creation in 1959, the park was part of a large sheep estancia, and it’s still recovering from nearly a century of overexploitation of its pastures, forests and wildlife.
Most people visit the park for its one greatest hit but, once here, realize that there are other attractions with equal wow power. We’re talking about azure lakes, trails that meander through emerald forests, roaring rivers you’ll cross on rickety bridges and one big, radiant blue glacier. Variety spans from the vast openness of the steppe to rugged mountain terrain topped by looming peaks.
Part of Unesco’s Biosphere Reserve system since 1978, the park is home to flocks of ostrichlike rhea (known locally as the ñandú), Andean condor, flamingo and many other bird species. Its star success in conservation is undoubtedly the guanaco, which grazes the open steppes where pumas cannot approach undetected. After more than a decade of effective protection from poachers, these large and growing herds don’t even flinch when humans or vehicles approach.
A full day tour visiting the amazing national park of Torres del Paine including the Milodon Cave, located at the Benitez hill, 25 km from Puerto Natales, where in 1895 a skeleton of a Sable-tooth tiger, American Horse and Huge Lazy known as Milodon were discovered. We will walk for around 30 minutes in this cave observing the stalactite formations and the Milodon imitation copy. Then we will stop at the Villa Serro Castillo where we can buy some handicraft or have a coffee. After this we will continue our way to the national park Torres del Paine where we can see the most varied landscapes starting from a Maggelan forest and ending with the Patagonian Plain with its strong winds and dry air. On the way we could meet a guanaco and Nandu ( American Austrich). Upon arrival at the park the scenery changes drastically, the national park containing over 242.000 hectares, we can now see tens of lakes with birds and enormous mountains. The lakes water is blue and crystal clear, the waterfalls and peaks covered with ice are among the typical landscapes of this park. A 15 min walk will take up to Salto Grande, a waterfall connecting 2 lakes, Nordenskhold and Peoe. After lunch we will continue our walk at the Grey Lake where we can see icebergs at the bottom of the big Grey glacier. We will return along a beautiful road, passing by the Serrano River and the Toro and Porteno lakes. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5. El Calafate
Transfer to the Argentina town of El Calafate. Check in at hotel. ( we use a normal group bus for this transfer)
El Calafate claims its livelihood from a single tourist attraction, the spectacular Glaciar Perito Moreno in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, It can be devided into two parts the north and the southern part, with El Calafate on Lago Argentino the gateway. The main highlights are Perito Moreno Glacier, motorlaunch excursion to Upsala, Onelli, Spegazinni glaciers and the cute town itself. There are also several estancias that host guests, including one “Chateau y Relais” member. The park is the second largest in Argentina, extending some 170 km along the Chilean frontier and covering some 759,000 hectares. It was declared a World Heritage region by UNESCO in 1987. Some 40% of the park is covered by giant ice fields, with 47 major glaciers of which 13 flow east descending into the park to feed the two big lakes, Lake Viedma in the north and Lago Argentino in the south. There are also about 190 smaller glaciers that are not connected to the ice fields. All together a great spectacle you have to see. The township itself is prettily clarified, tree-lined and stuffed with souvenir shops, restaurants and prominent weekend vacationers.
Day 6. Perrito Moreno Glacier (group tour)
This park has been declared as Mankind Heritage by UNESCO. Those glaciers that named it (about 47) show us a 10 thousand-year-old world: cold and wild. The most famous one is Perito Moreno Glacier in the southwestern end of Argentino Lake at 80 km away from El Calafate. This glacier is so-called due to a great Argentinian explorer from last century and is one of the few glaciers that is still moving in the world. That is why it has become one of the most spectacular natural shows in South America. From time to time its 60-m-high snout releases some ice walls as huge as buildings that fall into Rico Bend or Canal de los Témpanos (Ice floes Channel) and then they continue sailing along the channel to the main area of the lake. However, that is not all. The glacier, while moving forward, comes closer to the Magallanes Peninsula, in the opposite lake bank as well as footbridge and viewpoint area. This cycle takes from 4 to 6 years and it eventually separates the lake into two areas. Rico Bend is dammed up and it increases about 35 m over its average level. Its water slowly pierces its way through the glacier snout until it makes it fall down. This show is breathtaking.
Entrance Fee is included in the price for Los Glaciares National Park.
More best tour for group: Vietnam travel from New Zealand
Day 7. Buenos Aires
Breakfast at hotel. Flight to Buenos Aires. Meeting with a local guide and transfer to the hotel.
This complex, energetic, and seductive port city, which stretches south-to-north along the Rio de la Plata, has been the gateway to Argentina for centuries. The Argentine capital is one of the world’s most exhilarating cities, with astounding art, fascinating neighborhoods, fabulous food and a passionate population blazingly devoted to having fun all night long.
It’s a riveting place just to wander about, people-watching, shopping or simply soaking up the unique atmosphere. Its many barrios (neighbourhoods) are startlingly different – some are decadently old-fashioned, others daringly modern – but all of them ooze character. Marvel at those amazingly high leg kicks at a tango show in San Telmo, feast on steaks at Palermo’s Las Cañitas or wander for hours in the Recoleta cemetery, where BA’s rich and famous are buried. Bring a camera for Evita’s grave.
Portenos, as the multinational people of Buenos Aires are known, possess an elaborate and rich cultural identity. They value their European heritage highly–Italian and German names outnumber Spanish, and the lifestyle and architecture are markedly more European than any
other in South America. One of the world’s finest opera houses, the Teatro Colon, flourishes here on the plains alongside the river. Portenos are intensely involved in the life and culture of their city, and they will gladly share the secrets of Buenos Aires if you lend an ear and relate your own stories in return.
City Tour Buenos Aires. This panoramic tour will take you through the highlights of South America’s most European and cosmopolitan city. We’ll drive along 9 de Julio Avenue where the renowned Colón Theater and the Obelisk, symbols of our city, are located. We’ll visit Plaza de Mayo, surrounded by important historic buildings like the Casa Rosada, the Cathedral and the City Hall. We’ll also visit Plaza San Martin, Alvear and Plaza del Congreso. The tour will drive us along the old fashion Avenida de Mayo and the dynamic Avenida Corrientes. Explore neighborhoods filled with colors and history, like La Boca and San Telmo, and the sumptuous neighborhoods of Palermo, Recoleta and the modern Puerto Madero, a busy gastronomic and entertainment area. Return to hotel and overnight.
For an extre fee you can book an optional excursion to a beautiful Tango Show and Dinner in Buenos Aires (starting from 100 U$ incl transfer as group tour not included in price)
Tango Show & Dinner
Tango is still alive. A good way of penetrating its spirit is visiting one of the restaurants that offers tango shows of an excellent level, to enjoy tango´s sensual magnetism taken to the stage by some of the best dancers, singers and musicians in Buenos Aires!
After a delicious dinner, you will follow a spectacular presentation of acclaimed popular and sensuous Tango, performed by the world’s best. It is the music of Buenos Aires par excellence. Tango is felt in the air of the city, as humidity!
Day 8. Buenos Aires
Breakfast at hotel
Full day tour to Fiesta Gaucho (group tour with english guide)
Estancia Santa Susana is located in Los Cardales, 80 kms North of Buenos Aires. Upon arrival you will be received with a glass of Argentine wine and will be invited to taste “empanadas”, typical small cakes with various options like meat, cheese & ham, chicken or vegetables. Whilst you enjoy horseback riding or just a relaxing stroll in the countryside and after visiting the ‘gaucho’ museum, a superb BBQ of premium beef will be prepared for lunchtime. After lunch an impressive folkloric dance and cowboys show will be presented before returning to Buenos Aires.
Day 9. Buenos Aires-Montevideo (Uruguay)
Truly possessing that feeling of being thrown back in time Uruguay, especially immortalized by its capital Montevideo, has wonderful feel that resonates back to an era gone by in the 1900’s. Montevideao across its cityscape has wonderful Parisian looking buildings that leave a lasting residue of beauty, charm, and even romance. Traveling along Uruguay’s stretching coastline too will uncover any number of fantastic rural colonial towns
Full day tour in Montevideo from Buenos Aires (group tour)
A driver will take you to the port of Buenos Aires, where you will pick up a ferry boat to Montevideo city by Colonia del Sacramento.
Upon arrival at Montevideo, a guide will be waiting for you for a panoramic city tour.
This walk covers the most important points of the city’s Old Town and new residential neighborhoods. Inside the old city is visited: Independence Square, where the old Citadel Gate (Montevideo was a fortified city), then comes Matrix Square where the Montevideo Cathedral, The Cabildo, Plaza Zabala and Teatro Solis, all these pieces of history of the city. Then its the Palacio Salvo, first high-rise building in the city, Plaza de El Entrevero, continuing to the Legislative Palace where the Uruguayan Parliament meets.
The tour continues visiting the following suburbs: The Prado, with its ancient history which houses the Government House, the Parque Batlle, which runs the Estadio Centenario, La Carreta Monument and the residential neighborhoods of Carrasco and Pocitos. The return is by the coast to the center of Montevideo.
At the end of the tour, you will get back to port to take a ferry boat back to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, only a driver will take you to your hotel.
Day 10. Buenos Aires-Iguazu
Transfer to the airport. Flight to Iguazu. Transfer in to your hotel with your guide.
“Breathtaking, spectacular and not to be missed”
The Iguaçu Falls are one of the greatest natural wonders of earth and on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The falls are located on the one spot where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet. The area consists of 275 different falls including the highest fall which is called the “Devil’s Throat”, as it reaches 70m, which is 1,5x the height of the Niagara Falls. It is definitely one of the most beautiful places on our planet and it will take your breath away – Words just can’t describe the feeling you have standing there right in front of the falls watching tons of water falling down from an amazing height! You will feel its strength and appreciate the world we live in a lot more! Both countries, Brazil and Argentina, have their own National Park to be visited and each side of the falls has its own charm – you can’t tell a better side as the views and paths are totally different from each other and complement one another!
Visit of the Argentina side of the falls. The Argentinean side is different from the Brazilian; you will walk on paths through the falls which give you the opportunity to have a look under the falls. You feel the strength of the falling water from up close and enjoy the 55.500 hectares natural park surrounding this spectacular beauty! Within the park, take the train to the marvelous devils throat the strongest of all the waterfalls. Stand directly above the falling water and admire the strength of this natural phenomenon.
At the end of the tour your guide will accompany you to the hotel.
Day 11. Iguazu
After breakfast your guide picks you up for a visit of the Brazilian side of the falls. Today you will visit the Brazilian site of the magnificent Iguaçu Falls following the walkways which border the canyon of the Iguassu River. It is possible to observe hundreds of small waterfalls until ending up in front of the magnificent Devils Throat, the strongest and mightiest of all falls. The splashes coming from the falling water make you FEEL the falls grandeur and cover the sky with thousands of rainbows.
For an extra charge you can additionally order the tour of Macuco Safari»( 110 U$/pax) The big adventure begins at the Macuco Safari entrance gates, located at kilometer 25 of the Cataratas Highway inside the Iguassu National Park, with embarkation in open jeep-towed wagons that permit an unobstructed view of the scenery along the trail. During the stretch of three kilometers through the jungle, multi-lingual guides point out examples of the flora and fauna of the Park. Orchids, palm trees, bromeliads, centenaria trees, as well as wild animals that occasionally cross the trail are pointed out by the guides. The hike – The second stage, a stretch of 600 meters (optional), is a hike on a trail that leads to a waterfall baptized “Macuco Falls”. The waterfall – perfect for a refreshing dip on days of intense heat – spills down from a height of approximately 20 meters. Access is via a stairway carved into the ancient rock. The last stop is the Macuco Safari docks on the Brazilian side of the Iguassu River. In the water, inflatable bi-motor boats, constructed to withstand the rigors of the excursion, are secure and efficient vessels. Before embarkation, passengers receive life-vests and plastic containers in which to protect photographic and filming equipment. The boat travels up-river passing the canyon facing the rapids at a speed that permits the appreciation of the scenery. Rocks, animals and a lot of greenery completes the scenery until the base of the Falls is reached, next to the “great horseshoe” know as the “Devil’s Throat”. Waterfall shower – Rainbows, blue sky, mist and water in profusion, punctuate the spectacle that has as its high-point the area of the Falls baptized “The Three Musketeers”. There the captain manuvers the boat in order to get close enough to provide the passengers with a quick and refreshing shower. Since at the end of the fun everyone normally ends-up wet, the passengers more sensitive to cold should not dispense with extra clothes to use after the boat excursion. Another important detail: use comfortable shoes and clothes
For an extra charge you can visit the bird park. (60 U$) One of the city’s most important tourist attractions, the Parque das Aves is located next to the entrance of the Iguaçu National Park. Inside the Parque das Aves you will be in a unique universe, surrounded by birds from all over Brazil and the world. There are more than 800 birds from 200 different species preserved in 16.5 hectares of spectacular Atlantic Rainforest in which you can walk with your friends and family when visiting Foz do Iguassu. The Parque das Aves has three immersion aviaries and a butterfly house, in which you can enter and be side by side with toucans, scarlet ibises, macaws, jays and thrushes. Over the course of this extraordinary tour you’ll also find harpy eagles, owls, parrots and even reptiles such as alligators and the anaconda. By the end, you can relax in the restaurant with an exclusive view across the lake of flamingos or take as a souvenir a picture holding a macaw or next to a boa constrictor. Have the best experience with the natural world of Foz do Iguaçu and bring your friends and family to the Parque das Aves for an unforgettable adventure.
Day 12.Iguazu-Rio de Janeiro
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport and flight to Rio de Janeiro. Transfer in with a local guide.
Rio de Janeiro – its green hills, blue sky, rocky mountains, beautiful bays, islands, beautiful beaches. The second most populous city in Brazil and one of the most beautiful city in the world. Hotels located on most famous black-and-white tiled promenade of Copacabana, Leblon, Ipanema. The dreams come true in this city! If you arrive before dark, it will be possible see Rio de Janeiro’s green hills, blue sky, rocky mountains, palm trees on both side of beautiful bays. By day or night you can walk at famous black-and-white tiled promenade of Copacabana, Leblon, Ipanema.
Maybe you will want to see and feel the lush life of the city during the night, or if you want to be alone with yourself, then, for this there is always a corner somewhere in between the palm trees, sand and ocean waves.
Optional Factory of Gems H. Stern!
One of the world’s oldest factories processing of precious and semiprecious stones. Here you can see the work of skilled goldsmiths and make a bargain!
Day 13. Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, our guide will take you to red beach (Praia Vermelha) from where we take a cable car up to the Urca mountain. From here an amazing view on Rio opens up before us. We take yet another cable car up the Pao de Acucar Mountain (Sugarloaf). From here we have a wonderful view of the city nestling between the mountains and the sea, and the sight of the sun going down over Copacabana beach is magical. After riding down the cable car, we will discover the historical part of Rio.
Our guide takes you to the bottom of the Corcovado Mountain. Here you board the little train that takes you through tropical rainforest, passing tropical trees and exotic fruits. A short walk from the final station you find yourself at the foot of impressive Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor). Enjoy the spectacular views over Rio de Janeiro. At the end of the tour your guide will accompany you to the hotel.Transfer to Buzios Beach Resort
Day 14, 15.Buzios
Just 105 miles from Rio de Janeiro, exists the peninsula of Búzios. More than 20 magnificent beaches and crystal-clear water contrast with the wonderful landscape and exotic vegetation, privileged with a great year-round summer.
Originally settled by European pirates and slave traders, this happy mixture of many bloods prospered and became a picturesque fishing village, elected one of the 10 most beautiful areas in the world, famous for its unique combination of rustic charm, architectural harmony, incredible beauty and sophisticated boutiques and restaurants visited by travelers who come from all over the world to savor its magic.
Day 16. Buzios-Rio de Janeiro airport
Breakfast followed by transfer to the airport for your international flight.
Price includes:
Stay in 4* Hotels with breakfast
All mentioned meals
All mentioned Transfers and tours
Entrance tickets according to programme
Price does not include:
International flight
Medical insurance
Tours mentioned as optional
Tips and personal purchases
Internal flights: (prices are approximate and should be checked upon booking)
Flight Santiago / Punta Arenas: USD 391
Fight Calafate / Buenos Aires: USD 298
Flight Buenos Aires / Iguaçu: USD 253
Flight Iguaçu / Rio: USD 173
Rio 2016 Olympic Games 