Essential South America featuring Chile, the Mendoza Wine Region & Buenos Aires

• Day
  1

  Overnight Flight

  Set out to experience the sights, flavors, and rhythms of Chile and Argentina as you explore two countries, from bustling cities to sprawling ranches, vineyards, and natural landscapes. It all begins in Chile’s cultural hub, Santiago.
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  2

  Santiago, Chile

  Arrive early this morning in Santiago, the vibrant capital city of Chile nestled in a valley of the Andes Mountains. Settle in at your hotel where you’ll enjoy early access to your room to recoup after your flight. This afternoon, meet your fellow travelers and head out on a panoramic tour of Santiago, getting a look at the city’s blend of modern and colonial architecture and learning about its diverse history. Tonight, toast to the beginning of your South American adventure at a local restaurant.

  • Meals Included:
  • Dinner
  Accommodations:  Renaissance Santiago Hotel
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  3

  Santiago

  Follow your curiosity about Chilean history and culture to a museum because it’s your choice! Choose between the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, dedicated to the study and display of pre-Columbian artworks and artifacts from Central and South America -OR- the Memory and Human Rights Museum, which commemorates the victims of human rights violations during the last Chilean military dictatorship. After, set out to discover market-fresh Chilean food with a visit to the Mercado Central de Santiago. Joined by an enthusiastic local, walk through the fish market, stopping along the way to learn about the local seafood and pick up a fresh catch. Then make your way to a local restaurant and watch as a chef turns your find into a delicious ceviche before sitting down for lunch. Take the rest of the day to enjoy Santiago as you please.

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  Accommodations:  Renaissance Santiago Hotel
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  4

  Santiago - Mendoza, Argentina

  An early morning flight brings you to the desert region of Mendoza, known for its vineyards and Malbec wine, and the stunning views of the Andes Mountains. Upon arriving enjoy a brief orientation tour of downtown Mendoza and free time to have lunch on your own. This afternoon, travel outside the city to visit a boutique, family winery. Sample wines selected to show the richness of the terroirs and come to appreciate the unique qualities of the Luján de Cuyo wine-producing sub-region with its dry, almost desert-like climate and irrigation from the Mendoza River’s pure Andean meltwater. Later, settle into your hotel in the city of Mendoza for an evening at leisure.*

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast
  Accommodations:  Diplomatic Hotel
• Day
  5

  Mendoza

  Enjoy a leisurely morning before continuing your taste of the region’s renowned wines with a visit to another vineyard. Upon arrival, a pick-me-up comes with a taste of yerba mate tea, a traditional South American caffeinated drink. As your guide demonstrates how to make a cup, learn about the cultural significance of this beverage that brings many Argentinean families together for daily “mate breaks.” Enjoy a tour of the vineyard followed by a hands-on cooking class with the winery chef. Finish off your visit with a gourmet, wine-paired lunch. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the laid-back city of Mendoza with its inviting restaurants and atmospheric plazas.

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  Accommodations:  Diplomatic Hotel
• Day
  6

  Mendoza - Buenos Aires

  Say so long to Mendoza as you fly to Buenos Aires, a city that radiates Latin-infused rhythm mixed with European heritage. Set out on a guided tour of Buenos Aires, sampling the local eats along the way and exploring the fusion of flavors that comes with the city’s Spanish, Italian, and Jewish influences. During a panoramic tour, discover the San Telmo, Puerto Madero, La Boca, and Recoleta neighborhoods. Then, settle in at your hotel in the elegant Recoleta neighborhood, full of historical and architectural charm. This evening, come together for dinner and indulge in savory Argentine flavors.

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  Accommodations:  Palladio Hotel Buenos Aires MGallery
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  7

  Buenos Aires

  Today begins with an Impact Moment focused on the work of the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, a human rights organization that has helped to restore the identities of children taken during Argentina’s military coup from 1976 to 1983. Meet with someone who was personally impacted and learn about los desaparecidos (“the disappeared”) and this time in Argentina’s history. This afternoon, it’s your choice how you see more of the city. Choose between two walking tours, either exploring the captivating Recoleta Cemetery -OR- discovering the colorful murals of the Palermo neighborhood. This evening, it’s time to live like the locals! Take a lesson from a professional tango dancer, then take your moves to the dance floor at a local milongas social club.

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast
  Accommodations:  Palladio Hotel Buenos Aires MGallery
• Day
  8

  Buenos Aires

  Today is yours to explore Buenos Aires as you wish, taking your time to wander through neighborhoods, savor Argentine cuisine, or maybe visit the city’s fantastic opera house. Add another stamp to your passport during a full day optional excursion to one of Uruguay’s oldest towns. Take an early morning ferry across the Rio de Plata to Colonia del Sacramento** with its picturesque cobblestone streets and charming cafes. Travel into the Uruguayan countryside for an included lunch, followed by free time to explore the city’s Historic Quarter before returning to Buenos Aires by ferry. Tonight, perhaps you’ll decide to join an optional tango show and dinner at a popular tango house.

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast
  Accommodations:  Palladio Hotel Buenos Aires MGallery
• Day
  9

  Buenos Aires - San Antonio de Areco - Buenos Aires

  Set out into the countryside to explore Argentina’s Pampas region. In San Antonio de Areco, discover the small town’s strong connection with silversmithing and gaucho culture. A visit to Museo Draghi offers the chance to see silversmiths at work and admire a private collection of silverware. Then, it’s on to experience a true taste of gaucho life by spending the rest of the day on a traditional estancia, following a bumpy, unpaved road to the gates of the ranch’s sprawling land and inviting, rustic house. You may decide to explore the property by horseback or horse drawn carriage or perhaps head inside the main house to relax and take in views from the porch. Gather for a traditional asado lunch, with flame-cooked meats served at the table along with sides and wine. Later, sit back and enjoy a folk performance of gaucho traditions with singing, dancing, and displays of horsemanship – topping off an unforgettable encounter with this South American way of life. This evening back in Buenos Aires, gather for dinner at a local restaurant and toast to the end of a grand adventure.

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  Accommodations:  Palladio Hotel Buenos Aires MGallery
• Day
  10

  Buenos Aires - Tour Ends

  Your tour comes to an end today. Transfer to the airport for your flight home later today.

  • Meals Included:
  • Breakfast

Optional Activities:

• Day Trip to Colonia del Sacramento with Farm to Table Lunch

  Location: Montevideo
  Price: $289.00 per person

  
  Set out on a full-day excursion to Uruguay and add one more country to your tour experience! Take an early morning ferry across the Rio de Plata from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento, one of the oldest towns in Uruguay, founded by the Portuguese in 1680. Upon arrival, set out into the countryside to visit a family-owned dairy farm where you’ll enjoy a tour and farm-to-table lunch featuring delicious cheeses. Then, return to Colonia del Sacramento to explore the city’s Historic Quarter with cobblestone streets and buildings dating back centuries with a fusion of Portuguese, Spanish, and post-colonial styles. Enjoy some free time to explore and shop as you like, and later, take the ferry back to Buenos Aries. Duration approximately 12 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 10 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. This option must be booked 60 days prior to departure. The ferry tickets require passport information to book. Our team will secure them a minimum of 45 days prior. This optional full-day tour departs from your hotel around 6:00 a.m. and returns at approximately 6:30 p.m. The experience includes a ferry ride, and since you’ll be visiting another country, you must go through immigration upon departure and return. After exploring the countryside, you’ll have about one hour to discover Colonia’s charming Old Town.

• Tango Show & Dinner

  Location: Buenos Aires
  Price: $120.00 per person

  
  Make it a night to remember in Buenos Aires when you join a riveting evening of tango and folklore accompanied by a three-course gourmet dinner. Take your seat at the table inside a beautiful venue as artists take the stage to perform tango music and dance and folk traditions, and indulge in delicious Argentinean flavors. Duration approximately 4 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 6 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. The tango show typically ends very late in the evening. Dinner starts at 8:00 p.m. and the show will end at approximately 11:30 p.m.

Tour Extensions:

Post-tour Extension

• 3-Night Iguazu Falls Post-Extension (Land Only)

  Price: $1,199.00 per person

  
  Extend your South American adventure and visit another country -- Brazil -- and the famous Iguazu Falls! Iguazu Falls consists of two national parks, one in Foz de Iguacu (Brazil) and one in Puerto Iguazu (Argentina). The other option is a post night.

Post-tour Hotel

• Palladio Hotel BA MGallery by Sofitel

  Price: $140.00 per person

Tour extensions are 1-night in length, unless noted otherwise.