Best of Chile, Argentina & Brazil - 15 Days

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Chile. When you arrive in Santiago, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Santiago hums with creative energy. Galleries, late-night bars and acclaimed restaurants sit alongside museums and neighbourhoods shaped by diverse cultural influence. It’s no wonder 40 per cent of Chileans call the leafy capital city home. If you arrive early, this city is perfect for strolling and each neighbourhood has a unique flavour and tone. After the meeting tonight, maybe head out for dinner at one of the great local restaurants – your leader will have some suggestions!

After breakfast, discover Santiago’s architecture and urban landscapes with a local guide. Begin in the heart of the city at Cerro Santa Lucia, where Santiago was founded, before passing historic churches, European-inspired neighbourhoods and some of the capital’s most emblematic civic buildings. Along the way, you’ll see the impressive Palacio de La Moneda, wander through the financial district and learn about the events that have shaped modern Chile. Continue to Plaza de Armas, the city’s historic main square, then head to the lively Central Market to taste mote hon huesillo (a traditional non-alcoholic drink made with dried and cooked peaches with a touch of chancaca and spices). Finish the walk in Santiago’s cultural quarter, passing the Fine Arts Museum and a few beautiful parks before returning to your hotel.

This morning, set off from Santiago to the small city of Los Andes to the north, near the Andes Mountains. On the way, you’ll have a winery tour and tasting at Sanchez de Loria Winery in the heart of the Aconcagua Valley. This family-owned estate has been crafting exceptional wines since 1890. Explore its historic vineyards, traditional winery facilities, the family wine cellar and the manor house for a peek into Chile’s rich winemaking heritage. Tonight you’re free to spend some downtime at the hotel or rally your group for dinner and a glass of local wine.

Travel to Mendoza today, crossing the breathtaking Los Caracoles Mountain Pass in the Andes, the famous zigzagging mountain road that connects Chile and Argentina. Along the way, stop at the turquoise Laguna del Inca, explore the iconic natural rock formation of Puente del Inca and take in panoramic views of Aconcagua – the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere at 6962 m (22,841 ft) above sea level. When you arrive in Mendoza, go for a walk with your leader. Check out the city’s tree-lined spaces and get a taste of local life along the bustling street Peatonal Sarmiento. Tonight, you may opt to head out to dinner with your group at a local restaurant.

Today, you’ll explore the Mendoza region, where nearly three-quarters of Argentina’s wine is produced – including the signature Malbec. Sip at the source during tours and tastings at two world-class and innovative wineries. Meet with a local wine expert and learn about the different varieties of grapes and production methods used at each winery, then sample some award-winning vintages. Have lunch at the winery, then visit an olive oil factory where you’ll learn how it’s produced and, of course, taste the best varieties.

Today, fly from the vineyards of Mendoza to the colourful streets of Buenos Aires. When you arrive, you can spend the afternoon soaking up the Argentinean capital’s mix of European and Latin culture on an orientation walk with your leader. In the evening, learn some new moves at a tango class with your group, then have dinner and watch a spectacular live tango show at El Aljibe.

Today, take a ferry across the Rio de la Plata to Colonia del Sacramento. When you arrive, take a walking tour along this UNESCO World Heritage site’s cobblestone streets with your leader. The city was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese and sandwiched in between the Portuguese colony of Brazil and the Spanish vice Royalty of the River Plate (later Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil). If you like, go up to the top of the lighthouse for a great view of the city and river. Sit down to a traditional Uruguayan lunch, then take the ferry back to Buenos Aires.

Start the day exploring the streets of the San Telmo neighbourhood – one of Buenos Aires’ oldest neighbourhoods and an open-air museum where fileteado decorates every corner. This traditional art form, known for its stylised lines and drawings of colourful, climbing flowers, is deeply woven into the porteno (a person from Buenos Aires) identity. Then, visit San Pedro Gonzalez Telmo Church, home to several works by master artist Martiniano Arce, and make your way to the iconic San Telmo Market. After, it’s your chance to get artsy during a fileteado workshop. While enjoying a typical porteno afternoon snack, learn the techniques and secrets of fileteado with a master artist. Create your own piece to take home as a keepsak, then tuck into a traditional asado (barbecue) dinner. Chat with your friendly host about their life here while feasting on meats, provoleta cheese and plenty of local wine.

The day is free to do as you like before another meeting tonight at 6 pm, where you'll meet the new travellers joining your group. Maybe take a boat ride on the scenic Tigre Delta, take a tour of the Teatro Colon or wander the aisles of the El Ateneo Grand Splendid – set in an opulent 1919 theatre, this is one of the world's most beautiful bookstores. After your meeting, perhaps head out to dinner with the group – your leader will have some great recommendations for those wishing to sample Argentina’s world-renowned steak.

Today, explore Buenos Aires on a half-day tour with a local guide. Starting in Plaza de Mayo, explore the city’s most famous sights with highlights, including San Telmo, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires, and La Boca, where you’ll visit iconic Caminito Street, which gives the neighbourhood its distinctive spirit. After lunch, your exploration continues towards Retiro and Recoleta, where you’ll learn about the families who sought to build a small‐scale Paris in the heart of Buenos Aires and see the ornate mausoleums at one of the world’s most famous cemeteries. This evening is free to enjoy your way.

This morning, you’ll fly to Puerto Iguazu in the northeast corner of Argentina where mighty Iguazu Falls straddles the border of Argentina and Brazil. Iguazu Falls are higher than Niagara Falls, wider than Victoria Falls and a truly epic sight. Take a trip across the border to Brazil to admire panoramic views of multiple thundering waterfalls. You may like to take an optional helicopter flight over the top of the falls for a more panoramic view. Tonight, spend the night in Foz do Iguazu (Brazil), resting up before a big day exploring the Argentinian side of the falls tomorrow.

A visit to the Argentinian side of Iguazu today allows you to get up close to the waterfalls via a series of boardwalks. According to Guarani legend, Iguazu Falls was created when the serpent god M’Boy, enraged by the betrayal of a chieftain’s daughter who was promised to him, split the river in half. For a more exhilarating experience, take an optional Zodiac boat ride to the base of the falls. This afternoon, join your leader for a visit to a Guarani community where you’ll meet some of the region’s few remaining Indigenous people. Learn about the Guarani way of life and how they have preserved their traditions on the edge of one of the world’s most popular attractions. Return to your hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls.

Take an early-morning flight from Foz do Iguacu to Rio. The locals say that 'if God made the world in six days, he devoted the seventh to Rio.’ The day is yours to do what you like. For relaxation and people-watching, head to the beaches of Copacabana or Ipanema. If the time of year is right, check out a football game or a Carnival rehearsal. As evening approaches, perhaps grab dinner with your group before getting sweaty with the locals in the samba clubs of bohemian Lapa.

It's an early start this morning as we embark on a guided tour of Rio, starting at Corcovado Mountain for sweeping views over Rio from the base of the Christ the Redeemer statue before the crowds arrive. Discover the eclectic architecture, restaurants and art galleries of the artistic neighbourhood of Santa Teresa. Then continue to the colourful Selaron Steps to see artist Jorge Selaron’s gift to the Brazilian people, a staircase with 215 steps that’s decorated with thousands of tiles collected from over 60 countries around the world. This evening, visit Sugar Loaf Mountain to see the sunset over the Christ the Redeemer statue before a farewell dinner. A fun local restaurant, specialising in smoky grilled seafood and meat with fresh, zesty salads, is the ideal place to celebrate your time together.

With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart at any time. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end. If you would like to continue soaking up the sun in Rio, we’ll be happy to book additional accommodation (subject to availability).