Chile
and Argentina
12 Days / 11 Nights
Santiago,
Puerto Montt, Bariloche, Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls
Day
1 - Santiago de Chile
Upon arrival at the airport a host will meet and assist you in transferring
to the hotel. Chile, a superlative land of exotic beauty, sophisticated
charm and wondrous flora and fauna. Its cosmopolitan capital of Santiago,
attractive coastal resorts and islands, and the serene magnificence of
the Lake District will you visit to Chile a trip to remember.
Santiago Panoramic Tour (afternoon) - The ride starts touring through
the avenues of the downtown area across the beautiful Forestal Park, the
Bellavista Quarter, the artistic center of Santiago, continuing to the
San Cristobal Hill, a beautiful public park located on one of the spur
of the Andes mountain range. A great diversity of vegetation will be seen
during the ascent to the lookout of the summit on which stands the monumental
36 - meter high statue of the Virgin Inmaculada Concepcion. From here,
enjoy a panoramic overview of Santiago. The tour proceeds through the
mountain range to La Piramide sector with beautiful sightseeing tour to
the new urban sectors. Highlights are the quarters of : Santa Marfa de
Manquehue, Lo Curro and La Dehesa noted for its urban and rural blending.
As the tour continues through the canyon of the Mapocho River, the stately
Andes mountain range rises with beautiful sightseeing of the Arrayon village,
nestled on the hill slopes. In La Ermita, the beauty of the landscape
will be enhanced by the surrounding mountains and snowed peaks. Finally,
Las Condes Quarter, noted for its excellent shopping centers, fine handicraft
shops and boutiques.
Free evening in Santiago - Discover the city nightlife on your
own or enjoy one of the many excellent restaurants featuring Chilean seafood
and wine. Another option is the Bali Hai restaurant for entertainment
and Chilean cuisine, a charming restaurant with a tropical island decor.
Experience Chile's diverse cultural heritage as you enjoy a folkloric
show with dances and colorful costumes from the Northern, Central and
Southern regions as well as the exotic rhythms of Easter Island.
Day 2 - Santiago de Chile
American Breakfast at your hotel. Vineyard Concha y Toro and the Maipo
Canyon (full day) - In the morning we drive to Concha y Toro, the
biggest and perhaps the most important wine exporter in Chile. We shall
visit the oldest of their bodegas located south of Santiago in the Maipo
Valley. Founded in 1883 it sits amidst a beautiful park next to the old
family mansion La Chascona, which dates back to before the turn of the
century. Our visit to the vineyard includes a tour of the facilities and
the historical museum. The best-known brands made by Concha y Toro are
Don Melchor, Marquéz de Casa Concha and Casillero del Diablo. Afterwards
we continue on to the nearby village of Pirque, where we lunch in Andean
foothills scenery. In the afternoon we shall proceed up the beautiful
Maipo river Valley into the Andes on to the town of San José de Maipo.
San Jose is a country village laid out in the traditional chessboard grid
pattern with the plaza de Armas in the center. Lots of adobe architecture
lends it a colonial air. After enjoying the beauty of this typical Chilean
countryside and the pure mountain air of the Andes we shall return to
Santiago. Lunch is included.
Day 3 - Santiago / Puerto Montt / Puerto Varas
American Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer from hotel to airport. Flight
from Santiago to Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas. Upon arrival at the airport
a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel. City
Tour of Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas - The tour of Puerto Montt on
Reloncaví Bay includes the important city sites as well as the colorful
fishermen's wharf, seafood market and crafts fair of Angelmó, an age old
inspiration for both poets and artists. Continue to Puerto Varas on the
shore of Lago Llanquihue from where you can see the volcanoes and lakes
in all their splendor with the magnificent Andes towering behind them.
Evening is free to enjoy The City of the Roses as it has come to be called
because of the tremendous variety of roses all over town. You will inevitably
be drawn to stroll along the shore of Lago Llanquihue.
Day 4 - Frutillar
American Breakfast at your hotel. Tour to Frutillar - In the morning
we shall set out to the lakeside town of Frutillar. Driving around the
lake shore with a spectacular view of the Osorno volcano to visit Frutillar
is like taking a step back in time. Frutillar is charming German style
village housing a wonderful open-air museum with restored colonial homes
and furnishings from the early German settlement period, as well as an
operating blacksmith shop and other relics from the German pioneers who
colonized the region. Throughout the summer there are various festivals
of classic music organized in Frutillar. Lunch is included.
Day 5 - Lake District, Puerto Montt / Bariloche
American Breakfast at your hotel. One Day Andean Lake District Crossing
(Chile to Argentina) - As this journey begins admire the unforgettable,
unspoiled natural beauty of the area. Travel by bus from Puerto Montt
or Puerto Varas to Petrohué, skirting Lake LLanquihue and passing by Ensenada
and Petrohué River falls. Enjoy a pleasant two-hour launch trip as you
cross the calm, emerald green waters of Lake Todos Los Santos, also known
as Lake Emerald for the deep green color of its waters. From the boat
admire the Osorno volcano, El Tronador and Puntiagudo Andean Peaks. We
disembark at Peulla near the Argentine border. Enjoy a leisurely walk
among lush vegetation and visit La Novia Falls.
Continue by bus through this incredible region, crossing the border to
Argentina. After you are finished with Argentine Police and Custom formalities,
board a launch for a short ride over Lake Frías to Puerto Alegre. Proceed
with a short bus ride to Puerto Blest. Traverse the crystalline blue waters
of Lake Nahuel Huapi passing Victoria Island before arriving at Puerto
Pañuelo pier. Late afternoon arrival at your hotel in Bariloche. (Operates
daily except Sundays, from September 1 to March 31.)
Day 6 - Bariloche
American Breakfast at your hotel. Circuito Chico and Panoramic View
- Enjoy the charming view as you drive along the road bordering lake
Nahuel Huapi. Continue to Campanario Hill, where a cable car will take
you to the bleeder located at the summit of the hill. Enjoy a complete
overview of Nahuel Huapi Lake, the mountain peaks of the Andean range
and the city. Then drive toward the San Pedro and Llao Llao Peninsulas.
Visit San Eduardo Chapel and view the Llao Llao Hotel & Resort and Puerto
Pañuelo, the departure point of most Lake Excursions. Cross the bridge
that connects Nahuel Huapi Lake and Moreno Lake and proceed to Bahía López.
Enjoy a breathtaking view of Nahuel Huapi Lake from the Panoramic Point,
a natural balcony facing Moreno Lake. The scenery of Nahuel Huapi National
Park is made of a unique mountain and glacier landscape that will remain
in your memory long after your return home. Afternoon is free for optional
excursions or to walk around Bariloche, famous for its chocolate and pastry
shops.
Day 7- Bariloche / Buenos Aires
American Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer from hotel to airport. Flight
from Bariloche to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival at the airport a host will
meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and in registering. Buenos
Aires is the most elegant and cosmopolitan city of South America. One
is fascinated by the atmosphere and the individual personality of each
of its neighborhoods. Tango Show with Dinner.
Day 8 - Buenos Aires
American Breakfast at your hotel. Buenos Aires City Tour - In this
tour of Argentina's cultural and political capital, you will get a sampling
glimpse of the diverse districts that make up this grand city. Visit the
colorful "Boca" district and the elegant North Quarter and Palermo Park.
See the government "Casa Rosada" - pink house, the Colon Theater, May
Square and drive down the famous 9th of July Avenue.
Day 9 - Buenos Aires
American Breakfast at your hotel. Full Day Estancia Excursion and Gaucho
Show (Fiesta Gaucha) - In today's excursion you get the chance to
learn about and admire the traditional dances, songs and meals of the
Gaucho (Argentinean Cowboy) by taking part in a real Gaucho Festival.
The party is held at a beautiful estancia, is an old ranch situated on
the outskirts of Buenos Aires. Lunch at the ranch.
Day 10 - Buenos Aires / Iguassu Falls
American Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer from hotel to the airport for
departure. Flight form Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazu.
Iguazu Falls - The most spectacular falls in the world. The Iguazu river
throws an average of 1700 cubic meters of water per second from 210 feet
high alone 275 falls spread in a half moon shape width 4.32 miles. Most
of the falls are in the Argentine side, but in order to get a good view
the visitor must cross to the Brazilian side for a few hours at least.
You can also have a close look to the flora and fauna walking through
the Argentine catwalks in between the falls at the lower level or upper
level, discovering the amazing varieties of ferns, begonias, orchids,
birds, and butterflies. Guided excursion of the Argentinean side of
Iguazu Falls - This tour will introduce you to one of the wonders
of the world: the Iguazu falls. Visit to the Argentina side falls. They
are located inside Iguazu National Park, one of the first protected natural
areas in America, declared Natural Patrimony of Humankind by Unesco. We
will walk through the Inferior and Superior paths admiring the breathtaking
275 cascades, which spread across a gulf of nearly 2 miles and pour past
lush tropical vines as they crash into the waters below. After the walk
the will drive to Puerto Canoas and take a boat ride to the Devil's throat
observation deck to enjoy the most impressive view of the very heart of
the falls.
Nautical Adventure Boat Excursion - Boat excursion to the Argentinean
and Brazilian side of the Falls, to admire the falls from the bottom.
Take a short walk down from the Inferior Path to board your speedboat
to San Martin Island. You will have a view of the Brazilian side of the
falls, navigate along the island shore for a view of the Argentine side
of the falls.
Day 11 - Iguassu Falls
American Breakfast at your hotel. Today we will visit San Ignacio,
the most important archaeological complex of Jesuits ruins, a Unesco World
Heritage Site. This tour will take you back in time to the 17th century
when the Catholic priests decided to convert the guarani Indians to Christianity
and started their settlements in the jungle. We will see the imposing
remains of the temple, the main square and the Indian houses that surround
it. We will admire their urban layout and the artistic works of the Indians.
Return to the hotel. On the way back we will visit Minas de Wanda, a semi
precious stone mine. We will also view typical plantations of tea and
"yerba mate". Lunch is included.
Day 12 - Iguassu Falls / Home
American Breakfast at your hotel. Guided tour of the Brazil side of
Iguassu Falls - As the Das Cataratas Hotel is conveniently inside
the Iguassu National Park property, you will go in a guided walking tour
of the falls, considered to be one of the wonders of the world - Here
you will see the waters of the Paraná River plunge in 32 separate falls
over a 200 foot precipice two and a half miles wide. These colossal waterfalls
make the Niagara look like a tiny stream. For those staying at a different
one, transfers to and from the falls are included. Transfer from hotel
to the airport for departure.
**
End of our services**
Hotels
to use: |
Santiago De
Chile |
Plaza San Francisco |
Puerto Montt-Puerto
Varas |
Cabanas Del Lago
in Puerto Varas |
Bariloche |
Edelweiss or
Llao Llao |
Buenos Aires |
Plaza Marriott |
Iguazu Falls |
Das Cataratas
on the Brazilian side |
Prices available upon
request.
All our tour packages include: Please
click here
Pre-Departure Information: Please
click here
| |