Arrival in Buenos Aires, meet and greet local staff and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at a hotel in Buenos Aires
Breakfast at the hotel. Through this comprehensive half-day city tour, you’ll discover the most traditional neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. The first stop is Plaza de Mayo, a landmark for the most significant political events here. You’ll continue towards San Telmo, a picturesque area with notable colonial and turn-of-the- century constructions. There are many antique shops and artists' ateliers to peruse as you casually make your way down the cobbled streets. Heading south to La Boca, you will be able to visit the famous Caminito Street open-air museum and characteristic colourful tin houses for an abundance of photo opportunities. Then, you'll see the distinct contrast with the next destination: Puerto Madero, which once was only the port of Buenos Aires and has more recently undergone significant transformations into a very sophisticated area, housing some of the most elegant and chic restaurants in town. Continuing to the northern districts, you will arrive in Recoleta, to discover the Parisian air of Alvear Avenue, the most exclusive fashion shops, luxurious French palaces, and the legendary Recoleta Cemetery. Finally, the tour concludes with a visit to the Palermo district, teeming with shopping, tantalizing gastronomy, greenery, and beautiful French-style palaces; there's something for everyone on this tour! In the very heart of San Telmo, this meticulously restored historic tenement (known as conventillo) is a classic example of the deep-rooted “old city” culture of Buenos Aires. As you pass through the doors of La Ventana, you’re immediately transported to these old times. The interior finishes, which preserve and reflect the building in its purest style, set the stage for a unique experience. Be swept up in the magic of the show, which includes 32 performers, two individual tango orchestras, and an Argentine folk music group with corresponding dancers and singers. Besides all there is to see and hear you’ll also delight your taste buds over the menu offerings of both national and international cuisine, paired with an exquisite selection of Argentine wines. Return to the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. To the north of Buenos Aires, on the outskirts of the city, you’ll find residential neighborhoods surrounded by spectacular vegetation along the edge of Río de la Plata (River Plate region). You will arrive at Delta del Tigre (Tiger in the Delta). Traveling by motorboat and navigating along the Delta for an hour, you’ll pass beautiful green islands, leafy vegetation, and characteristic fauna. This section of the delta is characterized by its semi-wild state, and you can take in the beauty of this natural environment. Return to the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. At the proper time, transfer to the airport to take the flight that will take you to Iguazu. Arrival to Iguazu, meet and greet by local guide and transfer to the hotel. HD Brazilian Waterfalls. Departure to the Iguassu National Park, the largest in southern Brazil. Visit the Park’s Visitors Center with its exhibit on the local eco-system. We then continued down the Cataratas Highway through the rain forest of the National Park to the falls. The Iguassu Falls are on the border of Brazil and Argentina where the Iguassu River drops into a gigantic horseshoe canyon. We descend the walkway, contemplating the lovely waterfalls in all of nature’s exuberance, with panoramic view of both the Argentine and Brazilian sides. The walk ends in the elevator. Return to the hotel.
Overnight at a hotel in Iguazu Falls
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Iguazu Falls, Argentinean side. In the northeast of the country, in the border with Brazil you will find the most overwhelming falls in the world. The Iguazu River plunges into a gorge of over 275 falls along 4 km surrounded by a dense tropical forest. The itineraries will bring you face to face with the native wildlife. You will enjoy the traditional circuits in the Iguazu National Park: The Upper Circuit and the Lower Circuit. The Upper Circuit guarantees spectacular panoramic views of the falls. The Lower Circuit gives close contact with the falls and surrounding vegetation. Finally, the Devil’s Throat. This waterfall is the most impressive waterfall of the Iguazu Falls.
OPTIONAL: Great Adventure Navigation Duration: 2 hours **Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to do this activity. Departing either from the Operative Center or the Visitors’ Center, you’ll enter the jungle by the Yacaratiá trail in trucks specially designed for the environment. Bilingual guides (Spanish and English) will introduce the various natural and cultural resources of the area to you. The 5-kilometre stretch ends at the dock of Puerto Macuco, where you will board the boat to sail along the Lower Iguazú River. For as many as 6kms, you will enjoy views and an exciting ride with plenty of rapids as you head to the area where the waterfalls coalesce. Upon reaching the Tres Mosqueteros waterfall, you will be able to see both the Argentine and Brazilian sides of the falls, adorned with an unforgettable view of Garganta del Diablo (The Devil’s Throat). Afterwards, the most exciting point comes when you are facing the incomparable San Martín waterfall, the second largest in dimension and the grandest any boat may face. At the end of the trip, you will disembark from the boat on the dock located in front of San Martín Island, where visitors can continue enjoying the landscape that joins with the runways system of the Lower Circuit. This excursion can also be taken in the opposite direction: from the San Martín dock to the Visitors’ Center. This tour is not permitted for children under 12 years old, pregnant women, individuals with osteoporosis, neck, back conditions or surgery for these areas, as well as any person with any physical, cognitive and/or sensorial disability who is unable to react in any potential nautical emergency in the rapids of the lower Iguazú River. Return to the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. At the proper time, transfer to the airport to take the flight that will take you to Rio de Janeiro. Arrival in Rio de Janeiro and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at a hotel in Rio de Janeiro
Breakfast at the hotel. This is a combination that includes the Corcovado and Sugarloaf tours. After pick-up, the tour will take the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (lagoon) to reach the Rebouças tunnel, a 2.6 km long complex that links the southern and northern parts of the city, cut in half by the Tijuca ridge that makes Rio the only city in the world to have a National Park 5 minutes from downtown. Reaching the Cosme Velho district, you will take a Swiss-made cogwheel train that climbs the mountain from its base at 15 mts nearly all the way to its summit at 670 mts. The very top is reached by climbing a flight of steps to reach the base of the Christ the Redeemer statue. This statue is covered with a mosaic of soapstone and is one of Rio's finest Art Nouveau monuments. The vantage point offers a view of the surrounding Tijuca National Forest spreading below you and a circle of mountains closing the horizon at the very back of the Guanabara Bay. In the afternoon, you will continue visiting the downtown of Rio and the highlights of a city that has been the capital of Colonial Brazil, the capital of the Portugal and Brazil Empires, and is now a Republic. The many attractions on the tour are the highlights of these various periods and are part of Brazilian National Heritage. Sugarloaf, known as Rio's postcard and a must-see site, is best reached by a two-stage cable car ride later in the day and so, the tour will conclude with that site. The Italian-made cable car takes 80 people per trip on a 2-minute ride, each stage. The first stage, Morro da Urca, barely 170 mts high, has a restaurant, amphitheatre, a helipad for scenic rides and a privileged view of the Yacht Club and Botafogo Bay. The second stage takes you all the way up to Sugarloaf, so named because of the loaves of sugar that were commonly used by the Portuguese at the time of the discovery of the city. The all-encompassing panoramic view of this privileged lookout is unrivalled. This is the only site where one will have a full view of Copacabana beach.
Breakfast. At proper time, transfer to the airport to take the flight that will take you to Santiago de Chile. Arrival in Santiago, meet and greet the local guide and transfer to the hotel. You will visit the city and enjoy its most beautiful areas: the colonial sector, the civic centre where you will find the Plaza de Armas or Main Square, the old Post Office building, Cultural Centre, and the picturesque neighbourhoods of Providencia, Vitacura, and Las Condes. At the eastern end of downtown Santiago, you will find Santa Lucia Hill which is adorned with wonderful gardens, facades, fountains, and stairways and even has a ‘castle’ on it. Santa Lucia Hill has enough greenery to serve as an oasis amidst the busy city.
Overnight at a hotel in Santiago de Chile
Breakfast. Located only 120 km from Santiago on a beautiful rocky coast you’ll find Viña del Mar, also known as the “garden city”, which is an important South American summer resort and home to the famous international song festival held every year in February. Valparaiso, the most important port in Chile, declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, built on hills in the coast of a busy bay. The true attraction of Valparaiso are the hills that divide the city in two levels with their characteristic colourful buildings spread across the hills and hanging from the cliffs in an impressive layout of streets, side roads, and alleys. The traditional use of elevators to join the two levels of the city is still in use today.
Breakfast. The Maipo Valley is located between the Andes and the Coastal Mountain range. More than 650 meters above sea level, the Alto Maipo sector rises over the pre-cordillera and is strongly influenced by the mountain climate, promoting wines that are rich in both colour and tannins. People say the origin of the best Cabernet Sauvignon is in this valley. This excursion includes visits to three vineyards: Cousiño Macul, produced only with grapes of the properties located in the Maipo Valley: Macul, to the East of Santiago, and the new land to the Southeast of the Maipo Valley, near the city of Buin. The wines are produced, vinified and bottled in origin and start from 9 varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Grey, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling. More than 60% of the wines produced in this area are red varietals. Next, you’ll visit Viña Aquitania, where the first plantations were started with strains from Bordeaux France and have been present in Chile since the end of the 19th century. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes originate from Rosé wines, fresh and slightly sweet in taste. Fruit intensity and soft tannins are the notable features of the Cabernet Sauvignon. Lazuli (in homage to the gemstone of Chile), is the jewel in the production of Viña Aquitania, a pure Cabernet Sauvignon obtained from a careful combination of grapes and bordelaise. The weather conditions, the late harvest (at the end of April), the vinification, and the ageing in French oak barrels all come together to give their Chardonnay an exquisite balance. Finally, you’ll visit Santa Carolina, home to the Carolina Wine Brands, one of the main wine groups in Chile and one of the oldest vineyards in the area. The main strains grown there are Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Their grapes are harvested to develop brands such as “Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon”, “Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon”, and the Specialties Coastal Hills Syrah. Strains: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Carmenère, Petit Verdot, Petit Syrah, Carignan.
Breakfast. At the proper time, transfer to the airport to take the flight back home.
Discover some of the world's most dramatically diverse destinations on a cruise to South America. Vi...