South America Landscapes - 2017 - NEW

Day 1 ARRIVE SANTIAGO (2 NIGHTS)

Welcome to Santiago, the fifth largest city in South America. You will be met by a local host upon arrival at the airport and taken to your luxury hotel in fashionable Las Condes. Hotel InterContinental Santiago

Day 2 SANTIAGO SIGHTSEEING

This morning, meet your Local Specialist for an exciting tour of the city and a visit to the Central Market. Then head for the Casablanca Valley, Chile's wine-producing region known for its premium wines. Visit an exclusive winery where you will enjoy a gourmet Regional Meal lunch served alfresco on the beautiful grounds. After, meet the winemaker for a Cultural Insight and a personalised winery experience, from the vineyards to the bottling process. Then celebrate Chile's proud wine-making traditions with a wine tasting. The evening is at leisure. Perhaps try a restaurant in the trendy Bellavista District. Full Breakfast Regional Meal

Day 3 SANTIAGO – PUERTO MONTT – PUERTO VARAS

Fly south from the Chilean capital to Puerto Montt, one of Chile's beautiful coastal ports. Then it's on to Puerto Varas for a tour of the "City of Roses" on the way to your lakeside hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy before an included dinner in the evening. Full Breakfast Hotel Cabana del Lago

Day 4 PUERTO VARAS – LAKE CROSSING – BARILOCHE (2 NIGHTS)

An exciting day awaits as you cross the Andes via land and water. Your first stop is the Petrohue River to see the burbling waterfalls cascade over black volcanic rock. Then cross Todos Los Santos Lake with the mighty Osorno Volcano looming in the background. Keep an eye out for the giant Andean condor gliding over the lake. Back on land, it's time to sit back and relax as you drive by breathtaking landscapes of snowcapped mountains, gloriously green forests and sapphire blue lakes. Stop for lunch in pretty Peulla before crossing the border into Argentina and enjoying a cruise on majestic Lake Nahuel Huapi. Arrive in Bariloche this evening. Full Breakfast Hotel NH Edelweiss Bariloche

Day 5 BARILOCHE SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

Discover the natural wonders of one of Argentina's prettiest areas, known as the "Switzerland of South America." Meet your Local Specialist and travel along the "Circuito Chico" for spectacular views of forests, mountains and sparkling waters in Nahuel Huapi National Park. Visit lovely Playa Bonita, soak up the scenery from the hilltop of St. Edward's Chapel on the Llao Llao Peninsula, and ride a chairlift to the top of Cerro Campanario for sweeping views of the high peaks of Catedral and Tronador. Then, learn about Bariloche's chocolate connection with a visit to the Chocolate Museum and sample a delicious array of this Cultural Insight. The rest of the day is free in Bariloche. Full Breakfast

Day 6 BARILOCHE – BUENOS AIRES (3 NIGHTS)

Fly from the edge of Patagonia to the vibrant city of Buenos Aires. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for an exclusive Be My Guest in Palermo Soho. You will be welcomed by a local family and residents of this trendy neighbourhood in the fashionable Palermo Viejo. Be delighted as they wine and dine you with homemade family recipes. Discover the secrets of kneading country bread and see members of the family dance the Tango. Full Breakfast Be My Guest Dining Hotel Emperador Buenos Aires

Day 7 BUENOS AIRES SIGHTSEEING

Get acquainted with Argentina's largest city and capital with a Local Specialist. See the Plaza de Mayo and the iconic pink Casa Rosada. View the colourful and fashionable neighbourhoods of La Boca and San Telmo. Stare in awe at the famous Teatro Colon, a landmark in Buenos Aires. Drive along the stately Avenida 9 de Julio, said to be the widest street in the world, to the elegant Recoleta, the cemetery where Eva Peron (Evita), Argentina's former first lady, is buried. The afternoon is free before a Regional Meal with an authentic taste of world-renowned Argentinian beef. Cap off the evening by watching the best Tango dancers, a Cultural Insight, in Buenos Aires perform. Full Breakfast Regional Meal

Day 8 BUENOS AIRES FREE TIME

Relish a morning and afternoon to pursue your own interests where the possibilities are endless. Visit one of the country's finest museums at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, visit a local market or for a different side of Argentina, perhaps take a trip into the countryside to spend the day at a traditional estancia (ranch) for the Fiesta del Gaucho (festival of the cowboy), with a lively equestrian show and a traditional parrillada (barbecue) lunch. Full Breakfast

Day 9 BUENOS AIRES – IGUASSU FALLS

Take a morning flight to Iguassu Falls, Argentina. Meet your Local Specialist for a visit to Iguassu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to one of the world's largest waterfalls. Board an open-air ecological jungle train and bask in the majesty of the falls. Along the way, take a walk on a catwalk to get an up-close view of the cascades and view the thundering Devil's Throat Falls. Cross the border into Brazil for a relaxing evening and dinner at your resort. Continental Breakfast Hotel Wish Resort Golf Foz de Iguassu

Day 10 IGUASSU FALLS – RIO DE JANEIRO (3 NIGHTS)

Return to Iguassu National Park and spend the morning exploring the Brazilian side of the falls with a Local Specialist, including a scenic walk through the rainforest at the base of the falls. This afternoon, fly to Rio de Janeiro and transfer to your elegant hotel overlooking pristine Copacabana Beach. Full Breakfast Hotel Miramar by Windsor

Day 11 RIO DE JANEIRO SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

Meet your Rio Local Specialist and ascend Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car where you'll see unforgettable city and bay views. The afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps take an optional cruise on Guanabara Bay viewing Rio's picturesque city skyline and Sugarloaf Mountain. Full Breakfast

Day 12 RIO DE JANEIRO SIGHTSEEING

Board a classic cogwheel train for the journey to the summit of majestic Corcovado, site of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Then, accompanied by your Local Specialist, continue your exploration of the cidade maravilhosa (marvelous city) and its many contrasts from the 18th century aqueduct and colonial Candelaria Church to the 20th century opera house, Sambadromo, and city cathedral. Later this afternoon, head over to a Samba school where a representative of the school will give a Cultural Insight into how the school prepares for Carnival week. You'll also be able to view Carnival costumes and for those that desire, participate in a dance lesson. This evening, visit a renowned churrascaria for a festive Farewell complete with a caipirinha mixing demonstration. Full Breakfast Farewell

Day 13 DEPART RIO DE JANEIRO

Your day is free until your transfer to the airport or choose to extend your stay at the Miramar by Windsor in Rio de Janeiro. Full Breakfast