Brazil, Argentina & Chile in Luxury

Day 1 Saturday: Arrive Rio de Janeiro

Arrival transfer to the Copacabana Palace Hotel. Rio … the very sound of it evokes images of sun, fun and rhythm of the sensuous samba. Blessed with a wonderful natural setting, nestled among towering hills and the sea, watched from above by Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain, and surrounded by tropical forests and lagoons, Rio de Janeiro has transformed into one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Take the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the environs of the city and your hotel. Certain hotels embody the glamour of a city and keep its history alive; the Copacabana Palace is one of them. A glance through the pages of the Copacabana Palace's Golden Book is enough to confirm the hotel's status among the world's great hotels. Opened in 1923, this is a legendary meeting place of Rio's high society. For decades, royalty, film stars, stars of stage, music and sport as well as the politicians and business leaders have come here for the fine cuisine, dancing, sumptuous service and sheer sophistication. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 Sunday: Rio de Janeiro

This morning we drive through the fashionable Lagoa District to the base of Corcovado Mountain for a short train ride to the summit. Here, at 2,400 feet above the city stands one of South America's most famous landmarks, the 125-foot statue of "Christ the Redeemer". The panorama of the city below is testament to why most visitors consider Rio to be one of the most spectacular and beautiful cities in the world. Continue to have lunch at one of Rio’s famous Churrascaria’s (barbecue house) for a sampling of Brazil’s appreciation for beef and fun eating. Here you’ll be introduced Brazil’s national cocktail, the “Caipirinha”, a traditional Brazilian drink prepared with “cachaça” (made of sugar cane), once Brazil's best-kept secret, now it's the connoisseur's cocktail of choice from New York City to Miami. Continue our tour this afternoon as we drive along Copacabana and Ipanema, two of the world's most famous beaches as we make our way to Flamingo Park where we board the cable cars to ascend to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain - 1,200 feet of sheer rock overlooking Guanabara Bay for a breathtaking view of the beaches and sunset. Balance of day at leisure and overnight at the hotel. (B,L)

Day 3 Monday: Rio de Janeiro

Today is free to enjoy the fun, sun and vibrancy of this city. This evening is a special treat as we set out for the Rio by night Tour. First stop for dinner at one of Rio’s best restaurants, followed by a Brazilian Extravaganza show at Plataforma where you will be treated to the contagious rhythms of the Brazilian samba with the percussion instruments unique to Brazil. The show consists of lavishly and colorfully costumed dancers and musicians presenting the richness of the nation's musical and cultural heritage. The grand finale displays some of the dazzling costumes used in the Carnival parade. (B,D )

Day 4 Tuesday: Rio de Janeiro / Iguassu Falls

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Iguassu Falls. Meeting services and transfer to the Tropical Das Cataratas Hotel facing the thundering falls of Iguassu. Considered one of the world's greatest natural wonders, Iguassu Falls consists of over 275 separate cataracts across a span of two and one half miles, wider than Victoria, higher than Niagara and more beautiful than both. Afternoon walking tour of the Brazilian Falls. (B)

Day 5 Wednesday: Iguassu Falls

This morning we are picked up at the hotel for the Macuco Safari excursion a combination of nature and adventure. You are seated in an open trailer towed by jeep as we make our way through the forest viewing the exotic flora and fauna of the exotic remnants of the Atlantic Rainforest. At the end of the drive we walk through an old Indian track ending at the river shore along the Macuco Falls where we board zodiacs and travel upstream of the Iguassu River close to the thundering waters of the Iguassu falls. This Afternoon we transfer to the Argentine side of the Iguazu National Park crossing the Tancredo Neves Bridge over the Iguassu River forming the border between Argentina and Brazil. Upon arrival we walk the paths 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. Afternoon return to the Brazilian side and the hotel for overnight. Overnight at the Das Cataratas Hotel. (B)

Day 6 Thursday: Iguassu Falls / Buenos Aires

Transfer to the Argentine side airport for the flight to Buenos Aires. Meeting services and transfer to the Sofitel Buenos Aires. Member of The Leading Hotels of the World, this landmark building offers luxury amenities and is strategically situated in the heart of Buenos Aires, located between the Retiro and Recoleta neighborhoods, surrounded by art galleries and antique stores. Overnight Sofitel. (B)

Day 7 Friday : 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. Argentina’s capital, popularly known as the “Paris of South America,” is a blend of old world charm with modern convenience. Today the city of twelve million is a mosaic as varied and diverse as its culture. Small, highly individualized neighborhoods each proudly display distinct characteristics and colors. With a distinctive European flavor, Buenos Aires boasts numerous monuments and tourist attractions, and is also famous for shopping, theater, and its famed tango-inspired nightlife. Today we begin our city orientation tour combines the highlights of the city with its history passing along the main points of interest including the chic Recoleta section of town and Palermo neighborhoods, with the beauty of their parks and buildings. We drive along the 9th of July Avenue, the widest in the world, passing along the Colon Theater, one of the five most important opera theaters in the world. We drive by the Plaza de Mayo where we view the "Casa Rosada" (Pink House) before continuing on to visit to the old San Telmo, residence of the 'portena' aristocracy until the end of the XIX century, Caminito Street in La Boca - a colorful neighborhood of Italian immigrants, and the recently recycled area of Puerto Madero. We continue to the chic quarter of Recoleta with sidewalk cafes. Nearby is its famous cemetery, a necropolis of elaborate mausoleums, including that of Eva Peron. Return to the hotel for overnight. (B)

Day 8 Saturday: Buenos Aires

The day is at leisure to shop and visit the pedestrian walkway of Florida. This evening a special treat as we step into the Buenos Aires night for dinner sampling the famous Argentine beef, followed by a visit to a show where we are mesmerized by sensual national dance… The Tango (B,D)

Day 9 Sunday: Buenos Aires / El Calafate

Transfer to the airport for the flight to the Argentine Patagonia, a region of extreme natural beauty famed for pristine glaciers and alpine lakes in the high Andes. Upon arrival in El Calafate, a small Patagonian frontier town and gateway to the famed Perito Moreno Glacier, our guide will drive you to the Design Suites Hotel situated some 10 miles outside of town along the edge of Lago Argentino. Overnight Design Suites Hotel. (B)

Day 10 Monday: El Calafate (Perito Moreno Glacier)

After breakfast, we depart towards Glacier National Park to experience another significant relic left by the Ice Age. Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world's largest active continental glaciers and declared by UNESCO to be a Universal Patrimony of Humanity. Formed 30,000 years ago, at a height of 80 meters, spanning 3 km, Perito Moreno is the only glacier in the world that separates two bodies of water (the Southern Sea from the Rich Sea, both part of Lake Argentino). The difference in water levels of the 2 bodies of water creates pressure causing the ice to weaken every 4 years so that the water from the Rich Sea penetrates Lake Argentino across the Canal of the Icebergs. This moment of rupture (typically occurring in January) is one of the most spectacular impressions in the world. (B,L)

Day 11 Tuesday: El Calafate (Upsala & Onelli Glaciers)

We begin this full day adventure making our way to Punta Bandera Port and continue sailing up to the northern arm of Lake Argentino to arrive at Upsala Glacier, a massive ice patch (50 km in length). Here we view icebergs separated from the Glacier as we sail along the Glacier towards Onelli Bay through a passage to reach Onelli Lagoon to view Agassiz, Bolado and Onelli Glaciers. Lunch at a typical restaurant of the region, and then we will return to our hotel. (B,L)

Day 12 Wednesday: El Calafate / Bariloche

Flying from El Calafate to Bariloche is one of the most rewarding experiences in Patagonia. To the west, soaring mountains and placid lakes mark the splendor of the uninterrupted Andes range while, in sheer contrast, the Patagonia steppe to the east is nothing but a yellow, endless vastness punctuated by herds of guanacos and rhea. Bariloche, the main city in the Argentine Lake District, is popularly known as the “Switzerland of South America”. The District truly evokes the Alpine country with its turquoise alpine lakes, clean, fresh air, towering snow-capped peaks and nearly unbroken, primeval forest. Meeting upon arrival and transfer to the Design Suites Hotel situated along Nahuel Huapis Lake and only 5 minutes from downtown Bariloche. (B)

Day 13 Thursday: Bariloche

Today is a circuit excursion from Bariloche to the Southwest skirting Lake Nahuel Huapi. Driving along the winding paved road and crossing the residential district we make our way to Playa Bonita, located near Huemul Island. Continuing along scenic landscape to visit Campanario Mountain and the chair-lift that will take us to the summit at an altitude of about 3,465 feet (optional) from where breathtaking views of lakes: Nahuel Huapi, Moreno, St Peter peninsula, Llao-Llao, Victoria Island, Otto, Lopez and Cathedral mountains as well as Bariloche. We make our way back passing the post-card setting of Llao-Llao peninsula and Puerto Pañuelo with stops for picture taking before returning to our hotel. Afternoon free to shop for local cashmere sweaters or the famous Bariloche chocolates. (B)

Day 14 Friday: Bariloche / Puerto Varas (Lake Crossing)

Today we begin the “Lake Crossing” from Argentina to Chile. Transfer from hotel to the pier at Puerto Panuelo to board a launch and cross the crystalline blue waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi to arrive in Puerto Blest. Proceed by bus for a short ride to Puerto Alegre and once again board a launch and cross Lake Frias to reach Puerto Frias and go through immigration and custom formalities along the Argentine / Chilean border and continue by bus over the Perez Rosales pass to arrive in Peulla for lunch. Continue to the pier to board a launch and cross spectacular Lake Todos Los Santos, also known as Lake Emerald due to its vivid blue-green colored waters. Next we make our way to Petrohue River with its falls and rapids skirting Lake Llanquihue, Chile's largest lake, continuing to Puerto Varas, also knows as the "city of roses". Early evening arrivall (7:30p.m approximately) with drop off at Hotel Cabanas del Lago overlooking the Osorno Volcano. (B)

Day 15 Saturday: Pto. Varas - Pto. Montt / Pta. Arenas – Paine National Park (Explora Lodge)

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival begin our drive along the fabled Patagonia wilderness crossing trout rivers, a beech tree forest and sheep ranches as we make our "Torres del Paine" National Park, located some 150 km. Northwest of Puerto Natales. This is a scenic drive along lakes passing herds of guanacos, foxes, swans, and a variety of small-sized birds. The imposing grandeur of this mountain range is breathtaking as we make our way to the Explora lodge, a luxury wilderness resort located in the heart of Paine National Park, a pristine, half-million acre biosphere reserve. Your 30 room hotel is located on the shores of Lake Pehoe and is surrounded by dramatic, craggy mountain formations, glacial lakes, icebergs and an abundance of fauna and flora. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. (D)

Day 16 Sunday: Explora Lodge (Paine Towers National Park)

The Explora lodge has been designed as a base for exploring nature in what is arguably South America's finest and most pristine national park. Today, you have a choice of full or half day hikes, horseback rides, mountain bike trips, or you can visit ice fields, lakes, waterfalls and pampas with ample opportunity to view guanacos, pumas and flocks of condor, wild geese, ostriches and flamingos. After dinner, meet with your guides for information on the next day’s activities. (B,L,D)

Day 17 Monday: Explora Lodge (Paine Towers National Park)

Today you have another opportunity to explore this breathtaking landscape of majestic mountains and shimmering lakes. Choose the Grey Glacier Walk or any of the other full or half-day activities or simply relax at the hotel’s facilities, such as the pool, sauna, Jacuzzi or gym. (B,L,D)

Day 18 Tuesday: Explora Lodge (Paine Towers National Park)

Each day you may select one of five activities offered (Explora offers over 20 different activities based on whether conditions). Some activities are by foot, some by van others by horseback and by boat. (B,L,D)

Day 19 Wednesday: Explora Lodge - Punta Arenas / Santiago

Today we transfer back to Punta Arenas for the flight to Santiago. Meeting services and transfer to the Plaza San Francisco Hotel for overnight. (B)

Day 20 Thursday: Santiago

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean on the west and the majestic Andes Mountains on the east is Santiago. We begin our tour of the city at the Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago’s main avenue, visiting La Moneda, the Government Palace. Next we walk through the pedestrian streets of Huérfanos and Ahumada, the main commercial district of the city. We continue to the Plaza de Armas, the main square of the city, surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral and other historical buildings. Next we head to the Santa Lucia hill where the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. We will cross the river to visit Bellavista, the cultural and artistic neighborhood of Santiago. Finally we will visit Providencia, one of the noble parts of Santiago, with top- restaurants, elegant shops, and modern high-rise buildings. This afternoon a vineyard visit as we drive south into the Maipo Valley located in central Chile in a region bound by the Andes Mountains to the east, the Coastal Range to the West, and the Maipo River to the north. We will visit the Viña Santa Rita´s wine cellar, founded in 1880 by Domingo Fernández Concha. A gourmet lunch at the Doña Paula restaurant at Santa Rita before heading back to Santiago for overnight. (B,L)

Day 21 Friday: Santiago / Calama - Atacama Desert (Explora Lodge)

Morning arrival in Santiago Chile and continue our flight to Calama. Meeting upon arrival and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. If Patagonia is Chile’s southern land of liquid and glacial poetry, then Atacama is its mirror image. Equally poetic, it is situated in the arid far north and marked by the Chilean Altiplano of high mountains and plains to the east, the stoically desiccated Atacama Desert along the coast. Atacama is extraordinary in its beauty, geographic scope and diversity boasting natural and cultural attractions. It has Andean peaks, volcanoes, salt flats, geysers, hot springs, mysterious petroglyphs, Pre-Columbian ruins and endless landscapes so rugged that NASA uses them to test robot vehicles designed to explore other planets. We arrive at Explora Lodge, at an altitude of 10,170 feet above sea level. The lodge houses 50 luxury rooms all with marvelous wood and tile accents, fabulous linens, custom designed furnishings with spectacular views. Guest may choose from 8 to 10 exploration programs classified according to duration and difficulty. You can bike or hike, ride in a van or on horseback - whatever your desire or expertise Explora offers a diverse range of activities sure to suit your needs. (L,D)

Day 22 Saturday: Atacama Desert (Explora Lodge)

Amid the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama in the northernmost part of Chile, explorers will find comfort and top quality amenities at the beautiful Explora Lodge. Built in the local style with adobe and open aired breezy stone patios, the Explora is its own oasis of modern conveniences, gourmet food and all the luxuries to soothe tired muscles after exploring the surrounding desert. Today you have the opportunity to choose from a dozen hikes ranging from an easy exploration to Quebrada del Diablo or a slightly more difficult excursion to the hot springs of Termas de Puritama for a bath and picnic lunch. Maybe you would rather ride to one of these exploration spots like the Valle de Quitor which is accessible by bike or horseback. More afternoon exploration opportunities of your choice that capture profound landscapes, natural events and inhabited places sure to make the experience unforgettable. (B,L,D)

Day 23 Sunday: Atacama Desert (Explora Lodge)

Another day filled with challenges such as hill climbing to the summit of El Toco or maybe something less challenging such as a visit to the Father Le Paige Museum to view the mummies tombs, ceramics and forms of cultures of the past inhabitants of the region. Take a biking excursion to Valle de Muerte (Death Valley) or by horseback. Tonight, if it is a moonlit night, you may wish to venture out to the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley). (B,L,D)

Day 24 Monday: Atacama Desert / USA

Transfer back to Calama and the airport for the flight to Santiago and connect with your international airline ticket back home. (B,L)

Remarks

Not included: Airport departure taxes, meals unless included in the itinerary, beverages, travel insurance, gratuities of any kind, or items of person nature.

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

U.S. Citizens require Brazilian visa. Other citizens, please inquire.

Inquire about our special airfare on TAM or American Airlines for this program from your home city.

Other hotels upon request.

This itinerary may be customized, please inquire.

Use the Brazil Pass for your flights within Brazil and save!