Classical South America

Day 1 Arrival in Santiago

Meet and greet service upon arrival in Santiago and transfer to your hotel. Later this afternoon enjoy a guided city tour of this European-style cosmopolitan capital city, including historic La Moneda, Plaza de Armas, Santiago Cathedral, Santa Lucia Hill (site of the founding of Santiago in 1541), and the beautiful residential districts of Vitacura and Las Condes. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 2 Santiago (wine region)

Today we explore Chile’s Central Valley plains and meadows to discover the prestigious wine region, where many of the country’s finest wines are produced. First stop is Buin, an agricultural town near the Maipo River. Then, we continue to Santa Rita winery for a visit and wine tasting. We will visit the gardens, vineyards, bottling plant and cellars. Next we visit Cajón del Maipo, a narrow valley by the Maipo River at the foot of the Andes. Picturesque hamlets and small villages provide the charm and beauty of this typical site. The Maipo Canyon is picturesque offering a great view of the winding Maipo River. Here we find the Cavas del Maipo Winery with opportunity to taste several different kinds of wines and to have an expert description of each one. At the end of the tour we return to Santiago. Evening at leisure. (B)

Day 3 Santiago / Buenos Aires

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Meeting, assistance, and transfer upon arrival to your hotel. Balance of day at leisure. (B)

Day 4 Buenos Aires

Built in the 19th Century, an era of plenty for the wealthy gaucho land barons of Argentina, this city of 10 million rivals the architecture and sophistication of Paris. This morning’s city tour takes us along the 9th of July Avenue, the widest in the world, passing by the Plaza de Mayo where we view the "Casa Rosada" (Pink House), before continuing on to the chic quarter of Recoleta with its sidewalk cafes. Nearby is its famous cemetery, a necropolis of elaborate mausoleums, including that of Eva Peron. Return to the hotel. Rest of day at leisure. (B)

Day 5 Buenos Aires

Day at leisure to explore this metropolis and its many museums and art galleries at your own pace. Later that evening enjoy dinner and a mesmerizing Tango show at the famed Esquina Carlos Gardel. (B,D)

Day 6 Buenos Aires / Iguassu

Today we embark on a different kind of adventure as we make our way to Iguassu, one of the world’s true Natural Wonders. Here you will be treated to a sensational sound and light show brought to you courtesy of Mother Nature; a show with no intermissions - 275 separate waterfalls, spanning two-miles, wider than Victoria, higher than Niagara and more magnificent than both. A two-hour flight takes you to Puerto Iguazu, where our local guide is waiting to take you on a comprehensive visit of the Argentinean Falls including a walk along lush tropical basin, over and under the splashing torrents of falling water. Beautiful flowers, ferns, tropical plants, butterflies and exotic birds add to the exciting experience of close contact with nature. A short train trip will take us to the pathways leading to the Devil’s Throat, one of the most impressive points where 14 separate falls cascade down 350 foot cliffs. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 7 Iguassu / Rio de Janeiro

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, we depart to tour the Brazilian side of the falls, including the “walkways”: Experience a full, panoramic view of the 275+ falls and meet the coatimundis, the park’s most popular inhabitants. Continue on to the waterfalls adventures; The Macuco Safari Tour: Ride a boat up to the edge of the falls and learn about Iguassu National Park while riding a special train through the forest. Then, continue to the airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure. (B)

Day 8 Rio de Janeiro

Following breakfast, we drive through the fashionable Barra District making our way to the Tijuca Rain Forest and base of Corcovado Mountain. A short train ride takes us 2,400 feet up to the summit, the site of one of South America’s most famous landmarks, the 125-foot statue of "Christ the Redeemer." We stop for lunch at a "Churrascaria", for a typical Brazilian barbecue lunch (beverages not included) and continue our tour of the city's Southern District which includes the world-famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. Next we drive to Flamingo Park where we board the cable cars, making our way to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain - 1,200 feet of sheer rock overlooking Guanabara Bay. Overnight at your hotel in Rio. (B, L)

Day 9 Rio de Janeiro

Free day to explore the city and its many beaches. Tonight, enjoy the popular “Rio by Night” excursion, which features dinner at a leading Brazilian “Churrascaria” (Brazilian Barbeque) followed by a dazzling Samba show! Unforgettable! (B, D)

Day 10 Depart Rio de Janeiro

Morning free for some last minute shopping. Afternoon transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)

Remarks

Special rates apply over Carnival, New Year's, and certain holidays. Please inquire.

US Citizens require Brazilian Visa. Other citizens, please inquire.

Ask about our special airfares on American, TAM, LAN or Copa for this package.

For an extended version of this progam, visiting the Lake Districts of Chile and Argentina, please refer to our South America Discovery tour.