Essence of South America 2017

14 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Map not provided by operator
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews  
87%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
none

USTOA

Small Group Tour
Experience 14 days of the best of Chile, Argentina and Brazil, from multiple nights in Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Santiago to breathtaking Iguazú Falls or the snow-capped peaks and emerald waters of the Andes.

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Spend three nights each in Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires and two nights in Santiago
    • explore Patagonia's Lake District in the Andes
    • spend two nights at Iguazú Falls
    • stay on Ipanema Beach
    • private tour of Rio's Samba City
    • private cruises
    • tour and gourmet lunch at a Chilean winery
    • choice of Patagonian national park adventures

What's this trip about?

    Experience 14 days of the best of Chile, Argentina and Brazil, from multiple nights in Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Santiago to breathtaking Iguazú Falls or the snow-capped peaks and emerald waters of the Andes.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CitySantiago, Chile
End CityRio de Janeiro, Brazil

Travel Themes

  • Cultural

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture

Trip includes

    • A walk along the base of thundering Iguazú Falls during two nights at a hotel with views of the waterfall A three-night stay in Buenos Aires featuring a private visit to Teatro Colón Opera House, and dinner and a tango show at Esquina Carlos Gardel Three nights in Rio de Janeiro on Copacabana beach, featuring dazzling oceanfront views Private tour of Rio's Samba City for a behind-the-scenes look at Carnaval costumes, floats and sensational samba dancing Private cruise on Guanabara Bay for breathtaking views of Rio de Janeiro's skyline Private cruise in Patagonia's beautiful Lake District, in the Andes Two nights in Bariloche, the "Switzerland of South America" A tour and gourmet lunch at a renowned Chilean winery to discover the secrets of Chile's fabulous wine during two nights in Santiago Airport transfers upon arrival and departure 31 meals (13 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners); gratuities to local guides, service charges, taxes and porterage

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Santiago, Chile
Tour begins: The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago at 6:00 PM. A transfer from Santiago Airport to The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago is included. Please join us for our welcome cocktail reception and dinner tonight. MEALS : D LODGING : The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago PORTOFCALL : Santiago, Chile

Day 2 Santiago and a Winery Lunch
Get acquainted with Santiago today - the city is a mix of skyscrapers and classical buildings - beginning with a visit to the Plaza de Armas. Head outside of the city to a winery for a tour and a gourmet lunch that celebrates generations of Chilean winemaking traditions....
Day 3 Northern Patagonia's Lake District
Fly this morning to the Lake District of southern Chile, renowned as a wonderland of mountain lakes, snowcapped volcanoes, waterfalls and lush forests. Have lunch in Puerto Montt, reflecting the German heritage of the area's original settlers, en route to the Patagonian ...
Day 4 Crossing the Andes by land and boat
Today, you'll cross the majestic Andes Mountains - a highlight of South America tours - traveling from Chile to Argentina. Following a morning drive from Puerto Varas to the Argentine border, board a private boat and cruise to Bariloche, the "Switzerland of South Americ...
Day 5 A day as you please at your resort in Bariloche
Today... an entire day for you to immerse in the natural splendors of your idyllic lakeside setting. Enjoy the amenities at your award-winning resort (some at an additional charge) including archery, golf, tennis and sailing or spa treatments. Hotel shuttles are availabl...
Day 6 Fly to Buenos Aires
You've basked in the beauty of Patagonia from the ground up. Today you will experience it from a different perspective when you take a chairlift up Cerro Campanario for stunning views of the surrounding mountains, wide open sky and the lake waters below. Another change o...
Day 7 Buenos Aires Sights / Tango as Art
No doubt about it, Buenos Aires defines "sizzle"... and you'll discover why today when a local guide shows you the city. First up is a visit to Plaza de Mayo, Metropolitan Cathedral and Casa Rosada (government palace) where you'll see the balcony made famous by Evita Per...
Day 8 Teatro Colon Opera House in Buenos Aires
After a late night out at one of the city's most elegant dining and dancing venues, spend the morning at leisure. Following lunch you'll get a fascinating privately guided behind-the-scenes visit to Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires' seven-tiered opera house. First opened in 19...
Day 9 Buenos Aires city treasures and on to Iguazú Falls
Sightseeing continues today when you see the immense Avenida 9 de Julio, a stately avenue traversing Buenos Aires that was modeled after Paris' Champs Élysées in the 1930s, along with the posh Embassy District and the Rose Garden, an oasis of green. On foot, explore La R...
Day 10 The "Great Waters" of Iguazú
Taller than Niagara Falls and twice as wide, Iguazú Falls, named a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, claimed another title as one of the "New Seven Wonders of Nature" by the New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation in 2011. You'll have to visit two countries to get a ...
Day 11 The Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls and a flight to Rio de Janeiro
Your visit to Iguazú Falls is made complete when you travel to the Brazilian side (where they're called Iguaçu) today for a rainforest walk at the base of the falls, followed by lunch overlooking the river. Fly to your 5-star oceanfront hotel in Rio de Janeiro, the Miram...
Day 12 Summit of Corcovado, Samba City & more in colorful Rio
Journey by train to the summit of Corcovado to see the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, standing high above Rio and the sea below. Back down the mountain, visit Samba City for a behind-the-scenes look at Carnaval traditions and a samba dance show. Follow lunch at the f...
Day 13 Private cruise, Rio's skyline, Sugarloaf Mountain & more
Head out this morning aboard a private boat cruise on Guanabara Bay for awe-inspiring views of Rio's skyline and beachside gems, followed by a tour of the city's historic downtown and its many Belle Époque landmarks. After lunch at a traditional Brazilian churrascaria, a...
Day 14 Journey Home
Tour ends: Rio de Janeiro. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Miramar Hotel by Windsor to Rio de Janeiro International Airport. Spend your last day in Rio as you wish, browsing in the city's museums and shops or savoring the sights on Rio's beautiful beaches. ...

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $7,090
Price per day$506
Last Updated: 2/22/2018

All prices are per person in U.S. dollars.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tauck.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Tauck Reviews & Ratings

4.4/5  Great
Excellent
16
Great
4
Average
0
Disappointing
3
Terrible
0
Write a Review

Other Tauck Reviews

K

Kurlyk40

May 2024

Written on

Great Scenery but Accommodations Lacking for cost

My husband and I booked the Yellowstone tour with Tauck expecting so much more with the accommodations, food, and tour director based on the price point. We were sa...

S

Susan

Jun 2023

Written on

Nine Tours and Done

Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done o...

C

Cougess

Jan 2023

Written on

Skip this cruise - not worth it

My husband and I went on the Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles Trip jn October 2022. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Tauck

none
View Profile

It's easy to see the world's sights. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We believe that travel should be easy. It should be fun. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It should re-energize and transform. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Because how you see the world matters.

In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from Germany in search of the American dream. His determination and values were passed on to his son, Arthur Tauck, who would realize that dream. With ingenuity and an innovative spirit, Arthur started Tauck Motor Tours, a travel company that would give birth to a new industry. The first tour, through the back roads of New England, was created by this 27-year-old in 1925. It embodied the same successful formula used by Tauck today: do the right thing. Craft a life-enriching travel experience; provide it at a single all-inclusive price; ensure there is great value for money; and rely on recommendations of satisfied customers to build a following and grow the business.

Two elements that did change over the next 90+ years – and three generations of Taucks – were the scope of destinations served and the variety of modes of travel used. Today Tauck delivers life-enriching travel experiences to every corner of the globe, incorporating small cruise ships, premium riverboats, trains, helicopters and more. What started as a New England motor coach tour company has truly evolved into an extraordinary global travel company. The fourth generation of Taucks is now involved in the company. While remarkable in any business, this seamless continuity across generations speaks to shared vision and values.

Throughout its history, the concept of “family” at Tauck has gone far beyond those sharing the surname to include hundreds of valued employees, and hundreds of thousands of loyal guests. The story of Tauck is the story of a unique American family company celebrating a passion for travel – a story that will continue to inspire generations to come.

youtube_video_1


twitter_1

What they’re known for
Fun group tours and cruises that are culturally-focused and great for families and seniors on vacation.

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
tauck-ES2017

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >