Travel Dates
Departing 7th Nov 2020
Tour Provider: Collette
Region:
Duration: 15 Days
Day 1 / Santiago, Chile - Tour Begins
Welcome to Santiago de Chile. Take in the views of this cultural hub tucked inside the Andes Mountains and witness the vibrancy of one of South America’s most modern cities. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers over sumptuous food and wine. Accommodation: Hotel Plaza San Francisco Meals: Dinner
Day 2 / Santiago
Embark on a panoramic city tour with an expert guide. Stroll down the Paseo Ahumada pedestrian street, wandering past Chilean boutiques. Stroll amongst the locals and fresh seafood at Mercado Central, hailed as one of the world’s top food markets. Enjoy the remainder of your afternoon at leisure. Perhaps you will join an optional tour to a local winery, getting an inside peek at the winemaking process before sampling the vintages yourself. Accommodation: Hotel Plaza San Francisco Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 / Santiago
The day is yours! Maybe you’ll discover Cerro San Cristobal – an expansive park overlooking the city – or simply relax at an outdoor café. No matter how you choose to spend the day, join your fellow travelers tonight for a dinner featuring regional specialties. Accommodation: Hotel Plaza San Francisco Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4 / Santiago - Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas
Fly south to the seaport town of Puerto Montt. Your journey takes you to Puerto Varas, the lakeside resort town known as the “city of roses.” With free time today, take in the view of the neighboring volcanos in the distance before hopping in and out of chocolate and wine shops. Accommodation: Hotel Cabaña del Lago Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 / Puerto Varas - Andean Lakes Crossing - Bariloche, Argentina
Stand in awe before the breathtaking Petrohué Falls, where vibrant water thunders downstream under the shadow of a snowcapped volcano. Head through the mythical Andean Lakes District to Patagonia, encountering nature in its purest form. Travel from Chile to Argentina by coach and catamaran, crossing lakes and driving through ancient forests. End your day in Bariloche where you will settle in for a 2-night stay. Accommodation: NH Edelweiss Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 / Bariloche
From snow covered mountains to the shores of glacial Lake Nahuel Huapi, the alpine village of San Carlos de Bariloche is full of natural wonders. Travel along the renowned Chico Circuit to the top of Cerro Campanario, taking in panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape. Back in town, enjoy time to browse handicraft shops, indulge in mouthwatering chocolate or take a stroll along the scenic lake path. Accommodation: NH Edelweiss Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 / Bariloche - Buenos Aires
Fly to Buenos Aires, where European décor blends seamlessly with the beat of Latin culture. Stretching along the banks of the Rio de la Plata, Argentina’s capital exhibits a dynamic cultural scene of street art, songs, and steak. Accommodation: Emperador Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 / Buenos Aires
Choose how you see the city because it’s your choice! Take a panoramic tour of Buenos Aires with several stops along the way featuring the city’s most famous sites -OR- get a closer perspective of the city on foot as you discover the Recoleta and Palermo neighborhoods with a local guide, followed by a subway ride on the continent’s oldest subway line. The remainder of the day is yours to create your own adventure. Tonight, head to a tango house to indulge in Argentine cuisine and wine before watching a thrilling tango performance. Accommodation: Emperador Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9 / Buenos Aires - San Antonio de Areco - Buenos Aires
Cross the Pampas – fertile plains that are considered to be Argentina’s version of the “Wild West.” Step into a world of cowboys, corrals, and cattle with a tour of San Antonio de Areco, a country village best known as the birthplace of lasso-slinging gaucho traditions. Visit with some local artisans and silversmiths before heading to an estancia (cattle estate) to dine on a hearty asado lunch – a traditional Argentine barbecue. While on the ranch, it’s your choice! Go horseback riding through the countryside -OR- take a scenic horse-drawn carriage ride around the property. Get to know what life is like in the countryside as the gauchos share stories about their experiences. Enjoy time to relax on the estancia grounds before heading back to Buenos Aires. Tonight you may join an optional home hosted dinner in the city. Accommodation: Emperador Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 10 / Buenos Aires - Iguazu Falls, Brazil
Fly to Iguazu Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Begin your discovery on the Argentine side and board the Rainforest Ecological Train inside the national park. Feel the mist against your face as you walk the platform overlooking the powerful Devil’s Throat, watching playful birds darting in and out of the spray. Admire your vantage point from on top of the falls. Cross over to the Brazilian side to check into your resort, ending your day of adventure with a relaxing dinner. Accommodation: Bourbon Cataratas Convention & Spa Resort Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11 / Iguazu Falls
Embrace a different personality of the falls when you spend the day exploring the Brazilian side of Iguazu. A local insider leads you through the park, providing insight on how Brazil and Argentina have partnered together to protect the natural beauty of the falls. On a clear day, allow your eyes to drift for miles above the tree topped-horizon and gaze out upon misty rainbows. The afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy the many amenities at your resort. Accommodation: Bourbon Cataratas Convention & Spa Resort Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 / Iguazu Falls - Rio de Janeiro
Fly to Rio de Janeiro, a coastal hub of rich culture and lively energy. Sandy beaches, vibrant costumes, savory cuisine and friendly people – all this and more await you in Rio. Take a cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, offering an incomparable view of the city standing in the shadow of the mountains. After your descent, enjoy free time to explore the famous beach-side Copacabana. Accommodation: Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort Meals: Breakfast
Day 13 / Rio de Janeiro
Start your morning with a panoramic tour of Rio’s sites including the Metropolitan Cathedral – whose architecture was inspired by a Mayan pyramid – and the Sambadrome. Head behind-the-scenes of Carnival and meet the artists that design the floats and costumes. Learn how to craft caipirinhas – Brazil’s famous cocktail made with sugar cane liquor and lime. The rest of the evening is at leisure. Accommodation: Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 / Rio de Janeiro
Journey to Corcovado by train to see the towering Christ the Redeemer statue, the city’s well-known icon. Take in the 360-degree panoramic vistas from the statue’s base in Tijuca Forest National Park. Return to the city to spend time with the locals at one of the city’s open-air markets. Partner up with a local guide in small groups to discover and taste over a dozen different types of exotic Brazilian fruits. The afternoon is yours to do as you please. With your free time, perhaps you will relax by the beach or take in the city’s hidden sights on your own. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a farewell feast in a traditional Brazilian churrascaria (barbecue), where you will indulge in caipirinhas and savor meats slow-roasted to perfection. Accommodation: Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 15 / Rio de Janeiro - Tour Ends
Wish South America goodbye as your tour draws to a close this morning. Meals: Breakfast
Thundering waterfalls, lost cities, snowcapped volcanos, and world-renowned cuisine – all this and more awaits you in three dynamic South American countries. Take in the natural beauty of Chile’s Patagonia and the Andean Lakes District. Feel the rhythm of the tango in Buenos Aires at a stunning dance performance. Stand in awe before Iguazu Falls, visiting from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides. Admire the viewpoint from the statue of Christ the Redeemer. As you journey through Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, encounter precisely what makes each nation as unique as they are united.
Your Guided Holiday Includes:
At a glance
See the passionate rhythms of tango at a performance in the dance’s home country. Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Carnival and meet the artists who design the floats, costumes and dances for Rio’s biggest event. Stand in awe before Iguazu Falls, visiting both the Argentine and Brazilian sides.
Andean Lakes Crossing
While crossing from Chile to Argentina, experience the scenic Andean Lake Crossing. On this journey, the route takes you from Puerto Varas, Chile to Bariloche, Argentina including a trip through South America’s oldest national park. Your adventure alternates between bus and catamaran across lakes Todos los Santos and Llanquihue in Chile and lakes Nahuil Huapi and Frias in Argentina. Take in spectacular mountain views, such as that of the Osorno Volcano, and fall in love with nature in its purest form as you traverse this magical area.
Tango Show
The name of this dance comes from the Latin word for touch (tangere) and it originated along the banks of the Rio Plata in the region of Buenos Aires. The tango was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists in 2009. It has European influences like Flamenco and Polka and also South American (Habanero) and African (Milonga). It became a separate dance form in the mid 19th century.
Estancia Barbecue
Estancias in Argentina are similar to what one would call a ranch or an estate. You’ll enjoy a delicious asado lunch on an estancia, which is a meal featuring traditional Argentine barbecue. Asados are known for including beef cooked over an open fire or grill. Literally interpreted as “roasted beef,” asados usually consist of a rack of ribs. Sides commonly accompany asado lunches, ranging from salad to potatoes to various types of vegetables.
Iguazu Falls
This massive series of waterfalls touches the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, and is reached by national parks in Brazil and Argentina, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Iguazu comes from words meaning “big” and “water” in the local languages. The total height of the falls is from 200 to 270 feet and the longest drop is 270 feet. The legend says a local god wanted to marry a mortal woman, who fled with her mortal lover in a canoe. The god sliced the river in two, which created the falls and left the woman and her lover in an eternal fall.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Located in Rio de Janeiro, this mountain gets its name from its resemblance to molds of loaf sugar that were popular in the time of the Brazilian sugar cane trade. The summit is almost 400 meters and is set right next to Guanabara Bay. Two stages of cable cars transport visitors to the peak of the mountain. You’ll have the opportunity to go to the top of Sugarloaf and take in its legendary panoramic views.
Christ the Redeemer
This statue overlooks Rio de Janeiro from Corcovado Mountain. It is 98 feet tall, not including its base, and is in the Art Deco style, created by a French sculptor named Paul Landowski and built in 1931. When it was dedicated, it was illuminated by floodlights turned on by remote control by Gugliemo Marconi, pioneer of shortwave radio, who was 5,700 miles away in Rome at the time. It has been hit by lightning several times and has been vandalized, but it was fully restored in 2010.
Conditions apply. Subject to availability and change without notice. Full supplier conditions apply. Valid for new bookings only. Prices valid at the time of publication. Prices are per person based on twin share occupancy unless otherwise stated and displayed in AU$. Member savings are calculated using the original advertised price.