Chile & Argentina, Wine and Adventure

Day 1 Sat: Arrive Buenos Aires

Meeting services upon arrival to Buenos Aires and transfer to the Park Hyatt Hotel. Balance of morning to check-in and relax. Afternoon introductory sightseeing tour of the city covering the key points of interest including Avenida 9 de Julio, considered the widest in the world; the Plaza de Mayo, and the Italian district of La Boca; famous for its colorful tin houses. Following this tour we head to visit a cellar where the chief sommelier will introduce you to the Argentine wine tradition. Evening return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 2 Sun: Buenos Aires

More European than South American in flavor, Buenos Aires boasts bustling streets, grand avenues, old-time cafes and stylish restaurants. It's a city of tragedy and elation; a vibrant, cosmopolitan capital where locals are renowned for their flair and cockiness, even in times of adversity. The city's neighborhoods are small and highly individualized each with its own characteristic colors and forms. Today is Sunday, a grand opportunity to visit San Telmo to experience the famous San Telmo Antique Market, a favorite pastime of the Portenos. First stop is at the famous Café Tortoni, the oldest Café house in Argentina and home to the artistic and intellectual capital of Buenos Aires since 1858. After coffee and delicious deserts we continue to San Telmo, widely hailed as the most picturesque part of Buenos Aires, birthplace of the sultry tango. Return to the hotel to freshen up and get ready for tonight’s activities. Tonight is a special treat as we step into the Buenos Aires night making our way a magnificent Tango House. Here you’ll enjoy superb cuisine amid this exquisitely decorated ambience, recreating the sophistication of old Buenos Aires. Enjoy dinner sampling the famous Argentine beef followed by a show where we are mesmerized by sensual national dance… The Tango (B,L,D)

Day 3 Mon: Buenos Aires / Iguassu Falls

Today we embark on a different kind of adventure as we make our way to Iguassu Water Falls, 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. Evening dinner and overnight at Iguazu Grand Hotel Resort & Casino. (B,D)

Day 4 Tue: Iguassu Falls / Mendoza (Cavas Wine Lodge)

Transfer and flight to Mendoza located at the foot of the Andes. Famous for some of the best wines in the world there are numerous wine cellars (bodegas) where wine tasting is a popular activity. Meeting services upon arrival and transfer to the Cavas Wine Lodge located some 20 miles from the city of Mendoza amid a 35-acre vineyard situated in the Lujan de Cuyo Region. (B)

Day 5 Wed: Mendoza

This morning we transfer into town to visit Mendoza, considered one of the most charming cities in the country, home to beautiful parks, wide shaded sidewalks, and a friendly atmosphere. Afternoon return to the Cavas Wine Lodge for dinner and wine tasting (B,D)

Day 6 Thur: Mendoza

A morning visit exploring Alto Agrelo in Lujan de Cuyo valley followed with a tour of famous Bodegas for wine tasting. Return to the lodge to get ready for the evening’s dinner in town. (B,D)

Day 7 Fri: Mendoza / Santiago (Chile)

This morning a most dramatic crossing to Chile as we drive across the Andean mountain range taking the international route to Chile. The road from the summit to Uspallata is a breathtaking 17-mile drive. Lunch will be served at a local Hostería. After crossing to Chile a brief stop at Los Andes, a town in Chile, where we will take a rest and visit the facilities of a local winery and taste their wines. Continue on our way to Santiago de Chile and check in at the Hotel Ritz Carlton Santiago for overnight. (B,L)

Day 8 Sat: Santiago

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean on the west and the majestic Andes Mountains on the east is Santiago, Chile’s Capital and gateway to the wonders and mysteries of this diverse country. This morning city tour includes Club Hipico, a horse racing track, the historical Cousino Palace, "La Moneda" Government Center, The Pre-Columbian Art Museum, the city's main square - Plaza des Armas - and Cristobal Hills. Evening free and overnight at the hotel. (B)

Day 9 Sun: Santiago / Santa Cruz (wine route)

Today we make our way south into Chile’s prestigious wine region where most of the best Chilean wines are produced, the Colchagua Valley. This is an opportunity to learn about the local production process and enjoy the sampling of varieties of wines produced by the vineyards you visit. After lunch we continue to the Hotel Santa Cruz for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 10 Mon: Santa Cruz - Santiago/Pto. Montt – Pto. Varas

This morning we depart towards Santiago visiting a modern winery. Next we visit the Colchagua Museum, a private collection that offers an educational walk through the history of Chile, from the dinosaurs to the coming of the Spaniards and all the wars that followed. Armaments play a major role in the displays. The museum is well laid out. Displays are explained in Spanish, but local docents speak English. Following lunch we continue to Santiago to board the flight to Puerto Montt, a quaint fishing village gateway to the Lake District. Upon arrival, your visit of this neat Nordic appearing city (settled by German colonists in 1852) includes Costanera Avenue, the Cathedral, and Observation Point for a panoramic view of the city. On to Tenglo Island and the colorful fishing village of Angelmo , known for inspiring Chilean artists by the colorful scene of the fishing boats. Continue to the quaint village of Puerto Varas, also known as the “City of Roses”, and the Melia Patagonia Hotel overlooking Lake Llanquihue and the town of Puerto Montt, with unparalleled vistas of the lake and the Osorno and Cabulco Volcanoes. (B,L)

Day 11 Tue: Puerto Varas / Bariloche (Lake Crossing)

Depart for the Lake Crossing journey viewing this incredible alpine scenery as you make your way to the Argentine border. First we travel along Lake Llanquihue to Petrohue, site of the cascading Petrohue Falls. From here, we board a comfortable catamaran to navigate the emerald waters of Lake Todos los Santos set amid a dramatic backdrop of towering snow-capped peaks and volcanoes. Our destination is Peulla, an impossibly beautiful, lakeside village where we stop for luncheon and free time to scout the surroundings. In the afternoon we continue this amazing journey on a combination of shuttles and boat trips across lakes of myriad blue hues until arrival in Puerto Panuelo. Upon arrival you continue to the Llao Llao Hotel & Resort Spa. (B,L)

Day 12 Wed: Bariloche

Often referred to as the “Switzerland of the Americas”, Bariloche truly evokes the Alpine country with its numerous lakes of deep blue and turquoise waters, snow-capped peaks, ancient forests, and European traditions. The Llao Llao Resort & Golf-Spa is located in the spectacular natural landscapes of Patagonia, in Nahuel Huapi National Park. The hotel is surrounded by majestic Andean mountain peaks, crystalline lakes, rivers, and colorful larch and cypress forests. The hotel features an 18-hole golf course; state-of-the art spa, and is a member of Leading Spas. For more adventure, they also offer Mountain Bikes, walks, fishing, rafting, horseback riding and nautical sports. Today’s excursion skirts Lake Nahuel Huapi driving along winding paved road. We cross residential districts as 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 and Moreno, St Peter peninsula, Llao-Llao , Victoria Island and 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 for overnight. (B)

Day 13 Thur: Bariloche

Full-day lake excursion commencing with transfer to the pier for your motor-launch transfer to Victoria Island situated amid the Nahuel Huapi Lake. This is a charming island with varied coasts, cliffs, beaches and forests with a variety of flora and fauna, including 500-year old rupestrian paintings. Continue to the Peninsula de Quetrihue and the Arrayanes Woods (Myrtle wood), profoundly unique and therefore a national monument. Here, scrub-like species resemble trees as they reach up to 18-25 meters and are over 300 years old. (B,L)

Day 14 Fri: Bariloche / Buenos Aires

Morning free to visit the town and purchase cashmere sweaters or the famous Bariloche chocolates before transferring to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires where we transfer from the domestic (city center) airport to the international airport for departure.

Remarks

Not included: Gratuities of any kind; airport departure taxes; meals unless included in the itinerary.