Argentina and Chile
Day 1: Buenos Aires
Arrive Buenos Aires. You drive will be waiting to transfer you from the airport to your hotel. After checking in, get a bite to eat and then meet your guide to experience the city. Your tour includes visits to important squares, colonial churches, traditional cafes, main neighbourhoods, Evita´s Mausoleum, colorfully painted tin houses, glass towers, large avenues, palaces of the so called “belle époque”, and beautiful parks. Through this tour, you will learn about Argentinian culture: Tango, Soccer, social history, the architectural evolution of the city, café culture and other key topics for a complete introduction to this ever-changing metropolis.
Day 2: San Isidro and Tigre
Today, at 10:00 a.m. your guide will meet you to take you to visit San Isidro, a traditional residential area known for the beauty of its streets and its prominent mansions. After, you will visit the town of Tigre, the very impressive entrance to the Paraná delta, and its scattered islands. You will take an hour long boat ride to see the unique vegetation and houses. The journey ends with a stop at the local handcrafts and fruit supply market (Mercado de Frutos). Afternoon on your own to explore. Tonight, a Tango show! Includes transfer there and back, as well as dinner and the show
Day 3: A day in the Pampas
10:00 a.m. departure with your guide and driver to the Argentinean countryside. The road leads you to San Antonio de Areco - traditional gaucho land. You will walk along the very well preserved historical center, visiting its main square, the County hall, the main church and the workshops of famous silversmiths, the classic pampas’ artisans. For lunch, you will head to the area’s significant estancia where you will enjoy an exquisite lunch of empanadas, barbecue, salads, and ice cream at a guacho ranch. Different activities can be enjoyed during the afternoon: from horseback riding to walks and bird watching. Before heading back to Buenos Aires, you will stop for a typical countryside “tea”.
Day 4: Chile
Transfer from your hotel to the for your flight to Santiago in Chile. Your driver will meet you outside of baggage claim to transfer you to your hotel. This afternoon you will visit to the main points of interest in Santiago including the Pre-Columbian Museum. Then you'll be driven up to Cerro San Cristobal for a bird's-eye panoramic view of the city and wine tasting at the Wine House.
Day 5: Santiago and Isla Negra
Today, enjoy a full day excursion to the Pacific seasideto visit Isla Negra, the eclectic home-museum of the Nobel winning poet Pablo Neruda. Then, you'll go on up the coast to Vina del Mar and its twin city, Valparaiso, Chile's main seaport, to visit the main points of interest. You will stop for lunch along the way. Late afternoon return to Santiago.
Day 6: Wines of Chile
Today you will sample some of Chile's fine wines at two of the vineyards near Santiago. You will visit Concha y Toro for wine tasting and then continue on to Santa Rita vineyards for lunch at the well known Dona Paula's. In the afternoon you'll visit the vineyards and see how they make their wines. Afterwards you'll return back to Santiago.
Day 7 - Santiago - Puerto Varas
Transfer for morning flight south along the Andes to Puerto Montt, gateway to the scenic Lake District. Meeting upon arrival and visit the main points of interest in Puerto Montt including Angelmo's fish market and colorful handicraft market. Then transfer 20 minutes north to Puerto Varas, on the shores of Lake Llanquihue with snow-capped Osorno Volcano as a backdrop.
Day 8- Puerto Varas
Spend the day exploring this side of the Lake District. enjoy a drive along scenic Lake Llanquihue with a visit to the monument to the first settlers en route to Frutillar where you will visit this picturesque city and its small but excellent museum. Frutillar was settled by the Germans and with a distinct alpine atmosphere, and then continue on to Octay on the Centinela Peninsula.
Day 9 - Puerto Varas
Today you'll enjoy a day trip to the island of Chiloe. Drive from Puerto Montt to the ferry port for hour's crossing to Chiloe and then drive to Ancud, on the north coast 30 km west of the Strait of Chacao.Founded in 1767 to guard the shipping route, it was defended by two fortresses on opposite sides of the Bay. Visit the San Antonio Fort built in 1770, and the Museo Regional with an interesting collection of artifacts from Chiloe's early history. The Jesuits arrived on Chiloe in 1608 and by the time they were expelled in 1767 the island had 69 churches. The island is famous for its traditional handicrafts, wollens and basketware. Visit all the main points of interest and time for lunch (cost not included) before return ferry and drive back to Puerto Montt. (B)
Day 10 - Puerto Varas - Puerto Montt - Punta Arenas - Paine Towers National Park
Morning transfer to Puerto Montt for flight south
along the Andes
to Punta Arenas where you will be met by the staff of Explora
for five hour transfer to Paine Towers National Park for four
night
stay at
the Hotel Explora. (C/L/D)
Please NOTE: During your stay you will enjoy all meals, an
open bar and a daily menu of excursions. Each night the resident
guides
will
discuss the options for
activities the next day - they range from half day, easy excursions to
full day, difficult excursions and include walks, hikes, treks,
horseback
riding and motorlaunch
excursions. The excursions are designed to give you ample time to explore
the beauties of the park. Explora also has its own stables
and offers a variety
of horseback excursions in the park.
Day 11 -13 Paine Towers National Park
For these days enjoy excursions as described above.
Day 14 - Paine Towers National Park - Punta Arenas - Santiago
Morning departure by van for five hour drive south along the rolling steppes of Patagonia to Punta Arenas airport where you catch your flight north along the Andes to Santiago. From here we'll arrange a flight home or on to your next destination.