The Southern Cone Tour

AM: Welcome to Rio de Janeiro!

Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, you will be driven (private service) to your hotel, at which point you will have the remainder of the day free to explore this lively city or spend time relaxing on the beach.

The exotic mix of seaside and mountains, colonial neighborhoods and modernist style — with the vibrant sound of Samba everywhere — earned this city a place in the book “A Thousand Places to See Before You Die.”

On your first day in Rio, you will be contacted by one of our “destination hosts,” who will go over the details of your itinerary with you, provide you with the printed documentation, and supply any additional information you might need. She/he will be your local contact while you are traveling with us, and they will be ready to answer your questions, give you tips about places to go, the top restaurants, and anything else you might be interested in …and not just about Buenos Aires; they can update you on the different places you’ll visit over the course of your entire itinerary.

“Brazil requires that most tourists have a visa to enter the country. Please check with the Brazilian consulate in your country to ensure that you have the appropriate visa before traveling or you will not be allowed to enter Brazil. For example: US citizens, Canadians & Australians (as well as other nationalities) need a visa to visit the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls.”

AM: In the morning you will be picked up (shared service) from your hotel to enjoy a half day excursion to Corcovado Hill, located in the Tijuca Atlantic Forest (the largest urban forest in the world). This is where you will walk up to the foot of the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of Rio’s most famous postcard sites. Corcovado Hill, together with Sugarloaf Mountain, is a mandatory site when touring Rio, given the great views from both locations. From the Corcovado, you will be able to see the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, as well as the Rodrigo Freitas Lagoon and the Botanical Garden. You'll also take a breathtaking ride in a cable car to the top of the Sugar Loaf for panoramic views of one of the world's most beautiful cities.

AM: At the appropriate time, you will be driven in a private vehicle to the airport for your flight to Iguazu, the site of 150 to 300 waterfalls, depending on the water level.

Welcome to Iguazu!

Upon your arrival in Puerto Iguazu, you will be driven to your hotel (private service).

The small, relaxing town is the gateway to your visit to the astounding Iguazu Falls, which have been recently declared as one of the “New Seven Natural Wonders of the World”! – making them a must-see destination for any traveler visiting Argentina.

AM: After breakfast, you will head out on a full-day tour (private service) to the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls, where you will have intimate views of this unforgettable section of the Iguazu River. Your guide will show you the hidden gems of this unique national park and will take you off the beaten path to reveal to you the very best views.

Lower and upper walkways permit up close and personal experiences with this magnificent spectacle of nature. Trails through the 210 square mile reserve provide visitors with various views of the falls, especially the largest one: Devil’s Throat. The ecological train ride is included in the tour. You will return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

[Note that in the park there are additional excursions you can go on for an additional cost. On the “Gran Aventura tour,” for example, you can sail the river and get even closer to the falls. Please be aware that on this boat trip there is a 100% chance that you’ll get wet ...the falls provide a refreshing “natural shower.” So be sure to take some extra clothes if you want to go on this excursion.]

This day will be a real adventure, full of thrills and spills. It’s an absolute must for the adventurer at heart.

Duration: 6-8 hours

AM: After breakfast, enjoy half day excursion (private service) to the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls, where you will enjoy vast panoramic views of the falls – allowing you to view them in their entirety.

At the appropriate time in the afternoon, you will be driven (private service) to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires.

The capital of Argentina, often described as the “Paris of South America,” Buenos Aires proudly embraces this title – and shows off plenty of its own culture! Explore its traditional European architecture, its cobblestoned streets lined with rustic outdoor cafes, the local artisanal and antique markets that offer plenty of bargain hunting, and whiff the mouthwatering aromas of prized Argentine beef sizzling on open parrrillas (barbeques). Buenos Aires is home to some excellent local designers, and you’ll certainly find the perfect leather jacket, long leather boots and handbags for all occasions. Above all, though, Buenos Aires is known as the home of the tango. So be sure to enjoy a traditional tango-dinner show and explore the colorful San Telmo and Recoleta neighborhoods.

Upon your arrival in Buenos Aires, you will be met at the airport and driven (private service) to your hotel.

You will have the rest of the afternoon free to enjoy this vibrant city, leaving you the remainder of the day to explore the city's historic neighborhoods and enjoy the cafe culture of Buenos Aires.

Please, check our “Optional Tours” in case you would like to add an activity.

AM: In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel (shared service) to enjoy our City Tour.

Over the course of a half day, you will have the chance to visit the historical and political center of the city: San Telmo, with its cobblestone streets. You will also see La Boca, where Buenos Aires turns colorful and tango is ever present; as well as the chic and aristocratic Recoleta neighborhood, where its huge mansions remind us that Buenos Aires was once indeed the “Paris of the South.”

Duration: 3- 4 hours

In the evening you will be picked up from your hotel (shared service) and driven to one of Buenos Aires’ most emblematic cultural highlight’s: a dinner and tango show offering a spectacular demonstration of the finest local dancing, accompanied by delicious Argentine cuisine and all the malbec you’ll like.

At the end of the evening, you will be driven back to your hotel.

Total duration (dinner + show): 4 hours (approximately)

AM: Today you will be free to enjoy Buenos Aires at your own pace.

AM: At the appropriate time, you will be driven (private service) to the domestic airport for your flight to Mendoza, Argentina.

Welcome to Mendoza!

Argentina’s main wine region and the heartland of the Malbec grape, Mendoza also possesses inspiring mountains (like Aconcagua, a world-known summit to climbers), outdoor sports (adventure rafting) and breathtaking landscapes.

Upon your arrival, you will be driven (shared service) to your hotel.

PM: In the afternoon you will be picked up from your hotel for a half-day tour of the Mendoza wine country. (The day tour is by shared service transport and with a bilingual guide.)

During the day, you will visit two of the area’s best wineries, where you will learn about their philosophy, the winemaking process and have the chance to taste some delicious locally produced Cabernet and Malbec – all under the guidance of our local wine expert. You will be taken back to your hotel in the afternoon.

Duration: 4-5 hours

AM: After breakfast, you will have a full-day tour (shared service) to the nearby Andes Mountains, where you will enjoy some panoramic views and the impressive Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas. Starting along the Mendoza River, you will be amazed by the view of the majestic Cordon del Plata mountain range, as well as the Potrerillos Dam (a colossal work of hydraulic power engineering), and also by the beautiful Cacheuta Valley.

Our next visit is to Uspallata, pre-Hispanic settlement of aboriginal “Huarpe” people and the most southern point of the former Inca Empire.

We will also pass by the villages of Picheuta, Polvareda, and Punta de Vacas (the access point to Mendoza’s “Los Penitentes” ski resort, which is in operation from June to August).

Further ahead is “Puente del Inca,” where the Las Cuevas River has carved away the mountain to form a natural bridge. You will also be able to appreciate the magnificence of the “Colossus of America”: the 6,959-meter-high Mount Aconcagua.

Following the international route to reach our ultimate destination, we will come to the Horcones Customs Offices; and a few kilometers further on, near the border with Chile, is the scenic village of Las Cuevas, situated at 3,200 meters above sea level.

You will be taken back to your hotel in the afternoon.

Duration: 10 hours (approximately)

AM: At appropriate time, you will be taken to the bus station to catch your bus to Santiago de Chile.

Welcome to Santiago!

Home of the pisco sour cocktail, a variety of seafood, and marvelous Cabernet Sauvignon, Santiago de Chile is considerate the safest city in South America. Being the capital of Chile, a country of the extremes, this is the perfect base to explore the country or to just enjoy a few days between the mountains and the ocean.

Upon your arrival, you will be taken to your hotel (private service).

AM: Today you will enjoy a half-day city tour (shared service). Over the course of 3½ hours you will explore downtown area, Santa Lucia Hill (where the Spanish conqueror Pedro de Valdivia arrived on February 12, 1540), Constitution Square, and the Presidential Palace (known as “La Moneda”). You will also see other principal buildings of the city, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the palace of the Royal High Court, and the Main Post Office.

Afterwards, you will continue by vehicle to the Las Condes financial district, and end the day tour in a handicrafts boutique, where you will enjoy a delicious pisco sour, the typical Chilean drink.

Transfer back to your hotel.

Duration: 3-4 hours

AM: In the morning you will be picked up (shared service) for a full-day excursion to the cities of Viña del Mar & Valparaiso, located 100km from Santiago, along the Pacific coast.

Valparaiso is a colorful city perched on the hills overlooking the ocean. Its historic district was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its unique characteristics. Since the city is built on hills, the traditional transport system was designed with cable cars and “elevators” – as you will see.

You will visit the main points of the city, such as the elegant Victoria Square (famous for the interesting sculptures brought from Lima at the end of the Pacific War between Peru and Chile), Sotomayor Square, Pratt Pier (from where boat rides in the bay are offered), and the surrounding hills with their picturesque houses and ancients elevators.

From here, you will head to the modern Viña del Mar, the favorite summer resort of the Santiagueños, where you will have some time to relax in the beach.

In the afternoon, you will be driven back to Santiago

Duration: 9 hours (approx.)

AM: At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.

Have a great trip! …and come back soon..!!