Sample the unique cultures of South America on this thrilling vacation to Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile, including stays in Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls, Buenos Aires, Bariloche, and Santiago.

On this tour, you’ll see some amazing scenery and natural wonders. Start with Iguassu Falls, located on the border of Brazil and Argentina. See the falls from both sides—with their thunderous roar, torrential downpour, and brilliant rainbows. Everywhere you look, there is water pouring down! Words cannot describe the sheer wonder of the falls! But that’s not all…even more beauty awaits you in Bariloche, which boasts some of Argentina’s most glorious scenery. Take a chairlift ride to a lookout point at Cerro Campanario, rated one of the top 10 viewing spots by National Geographic. Experience breathtaking panoramic views and breathe fresh mountain air.

In addition to beautiful scenery, you’ll also experience the vibrant cities—Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Santiago—and enjoy a guided sightseeing tour in each city. A highlight of any trip to Rio is the Christ the Redeemer statue, the 98-foot statue of Jesus that was elected a New Seven Wonders of the World. You’ll take a scenic cog railway to its top, where you can admire 360-degree views of the city. In Buenos Aires, stroll the streets of this friendly town and experience a Tango show—a passionate, sizzling dance. In Santiago, you’ll have an opportunity to take an optional excursion to Chile’s wine country.

From the lakes and mountains to the towns and cities, this vacation through South America is sure to leave you with plenty of stories, photos, and memories to last a lifetime.

Day 1 Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Welcome to South America’s largest and most populous country. Rooms are ready for immediate check-in so you can refresh. The balance of your day is free. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow traveling companions for a drive along famous Ipanema and Copacabana Beaches. Here, you will enjoy a special COCKTAIL PARTY on the beach, toasting the start of a memorable vacation with caipirinhas, a favorite Brazilian cocktail. Next, make your way to the base of 1,300-foot-high SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAIN and ascend by cable car to its summit, where you can savor spectacular vistas of the city. Cap off the day with a welcome dinner this evening. (Dinner)

Day 2 Rio de Janeiro
Today, visit the statue of Christ the Redeemer crowning CORCOVADO MOUNTAIN, a rounded peak rising 2,300 feet from the bay below. Take the scenic cog railway ride to its top, where a 360-degree panorama affords sweeping views. Proceed to bustling downtown Rio. View the Sambodromo and visit the CATHEDRAL. This evening, it’s off to a CHURRASCARIA for a feast of barbecued meats marinated and roasted over charcoal in true Brazilian style. Later, experience a SAMBA SHOW, where the sheer vitality of this country explodes in a colorful extravaganza. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3 Rio de Janeiro
A day of leisure or you may wish to enjoy a Guanabara Bay cruise, offering spectacular views of Rio and its beaches. This afternoon, consider an optional trip to historic Petropolis, once the former summer palace of Emperor Dom Pedro II and now a mountain resort. (Breakfast)

Day 4 Rio de Janeiro
This morning, try an optional Jeep tour to the Botanical Garden with its orchid exhibit, and Tijuca National Park to view native flora and fauna. Spend an evening at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 5 Rio de Janeiro–Iguassu Falls
A flight from Rio takes you to IGUASSU FALLS. Experience the clouds of spray, the incessant roar, and the surrounding luxuriant tropical growth that make this an unforgettable natural wonder. Spend the afternoon enjoying the magnificent panorama of waterfalls from the Brazilian side. Your Local Guide introduces the spectacle of this 2-mile-wide torrential downpour, with some cataracts as high as 250 feet, which is nothing short of hypnotic. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 Iguassu Falls–Buenos Aires, Argentina
Take the ECOLOGICAL JUNGLE TRAIN and enjoy a closer perspective on a walking tour of the Argentine side of the falls. Then, on to Iguazu International Airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. After arriving, an orientation walk acquaints you with the “Paris of South America” and its wide boulevards and outdoor cafés. (Breakfast)

Day 7 Buenos Aires
Your sightseeing starts in La Boca, a colorful district and site of the city’s first port. Take a short walking tour of this unique neighborhood and then on to San Telmo, famous for its late-colonial buildings and a popular gathering spot for artists. At the Plaza de Mayo, see La Casa Rosada (the President’s Pink House) and the METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL, housing San Martin’s Mausoleum. Drive past the ornate Colon Opera House before reaching the CEMETERY OF THE RECOLETA, burial site of Eva Peron. Savor the atmosphere of this cosmopolitan capital on the included evening excursion: dinner featuring Argentine steaks and other specialties topped off by flawless PERFORMANCES of Latin America’s most sensuous dance—the Tango! (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8 Buenos Aires–Uruguay–Buenos Aires
Today, visit another South American country—Uruguay. Travel by CATAMARAN to the World Heritage City of Colonia del Sacramento. Founded by Portuguese settlers from Brazil in 1680, this town held a strategic position as a smuggling outpost for transporting British goods across the Rio de la Plata into the Spanish colonies throughout the 17th century. Today, its charm lies in its narrow streets and colonial buildings. Enjoy a guided TOUR and lunch. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 9 Buenos Aires
Enjoy a full day at leisure, with an optional excursion to the Pampas. Experience the atmosphere of Argentine country life as you visit an estancia (ranch). Get acquainted with the lifestyle of the gauchos and enjoy a barbecue lunch and the warm hospitality of your hosts before returning to the city. (Breakfast)

Day 10 Buenos Aires–Bariloche
Fly south to Bariloche in Patagonia on the shores of fjord-like Lago Nahuel Huapi in the heart of Argentina’s Lake District. Arrive in the early evening, with time to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the picturesque town center. See the city hall, the clock tower in Municipality Square, and the famous chocolate factories. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 11 Bariloche
This chic alpine resort boasts some of the most glorious scenery in the country. Cameras should be ready for today’s chairlift ride to a lookout point at CERRO CAMPANARIO. You’ll want to capture the vistas of surrounding lakes and Andes mountain peaks. The tour continues with a leisurely drive around the Llao Llao Peninsula, Lago Moreno, and Lopez Bay. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 12 Bariloche–Puerto Varas, Chile
Set out today for your ANDES LAKE CROSSING! Board a boat for the CRUISE across Lago Nahuel Huapi to Puerto Blest. Proceed by motorcoach and see emerald lakes, thick pine forests, and the snowcapped peaks of the Andes Mountains. Look out for soaring Osorno Volcano as you cross Lago Todos los Santos by CATAMARAN. Skirt the southern shore of Lago Llanquihue on the way to Puerto Varas. Drive to your hotel along the rosebush-lined streets of this lakeside resort. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 13 Puerto Varas–Puerto Montt–Santiago
Your morning tour of the nearby seaport of Puerto Montt in Chilean Patagonia takes you to the harbor brimming with fishing vessels and along a busy waterfront lined with seafood stalls. Transfer to the airport for your flight north to Santiago. Perched between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, Santiago has evolved as the country’s political, commercial, and cultural capital. Tonight, dinner is at the hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 14 Santiago
Today your Local Guide traces the city’s history and heritage. Start at La Moneda, the official Government Palace, before heading to the Plaza de Armas, the main square, with a visit to the 18th-century CATHEDRAL. This afternoon offers an optional excursion to the Undurraga Winery, where you will learn how some of South America’s wines are produced. This evening, you may opt to join a Chilean Folkloric Dinner Show. (Breakfast)

Day 15 Santiago
The day is free for independent activities. You may want to take advantage of an optional excursion to the beautiful coastal region west of Santiago. Drive through the undulating hills of Chile’s wine country to the historic port of Valparaiso, and continue along the coast to nearby Viña del Mar. This chic seaside resort with palm tree-lined avenues and lovely villas truly deserves the sobriquet “Pearl of the Pacific.” Tonight your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner to celebrate a great touring adventure. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 16 Santiago
Enjoy a free day to catch up on last-minute souvenir shopping. Your vacation ends today. (Breakfast)

INCLUDED FEATURES

Rio de Janeiro
Cocktail party on the beach; cable car to Sugar Loaf; sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit Corcovado Mountain and the cathedral; enjoy a Samba show and a churrascaria dinner

Iguassu Falls
Sightseeing with a Local Guide on both sides of the falls; Ecological Jungle Train

Buenos Aires
Walking tour; visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cemetery of the Recoleta; Tango show

Uruguay
Sightseeing of Colonia del Sacramento with a Local Guide

Bariloche
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; chairlift to Cerro Campanario; Andes lake crossing

Puerto Montt
Sightseeing tour

Santiago
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit the cathedral; farewell dinner

INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

MEALS
American breakfast daily, 3 lunches, and 8 three-course dinners including a welcome dinner and a churrascaria dinner with Samba show in Rio, a Tango and dinner show in Buenos Aires, and a farewell dinner in Santiago

SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
RIO DE JANEIRO Sheraton Rio Hotel & Towers (D), IGUASSU FALLS Hotel Mabu Thermas (F), BUENOS AIRES Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel (MD), BARILOCHE Hotel Edelweiss (SF), PUERTO VARAS Hotel Cumbres Patagonicas (SF), SANTIAGO Sheraton Santiago (D)

Optional Excursions

Important Note: the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.

Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.

Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency.

CITY: Buenos Aires

Fiesta Gaucha
This full-day excursion is an ideal opportunity to absorb the atmosphere of rural life at a colorful feast in the heart of the Pampas. Lunch includes world-renowned Argentine beef and live entertainment by gauchos in their native costumes. You will also have the chance to take a horseback ride or carriage ride through the pampas!
Approximate value: USD $105 per person

CITY: Rio de Janeiro

Petropolis
A drive through the outskirts of Rio, up the Serra dos Orgaos on a winding, scenic road through the Atlantic Rain Forest will take you to the 'Imperial City of Petropolis', 810 m (2,660 ft) above sea level. We will visit the museum at the summer palace of former Emperor Pedro II of Brazil and the Cathedral with the tomb of the Emperor and his wife. You will see the highlights of this charming city, such as the 'Crystal Palace', mansions and buildings from imperial and modern times.
Approximate value: USD $64 per person

Guanabara Bay Cruise
Guanabara Bay is the largest bay in the world based on volume of water, and has several islands such as the Governor's Island, Fundao and Snakes Island. While on this cruise, enjoy views of the beaches of Rio, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Fort of Santa Cruz. Light snacks included.
Approximate value: USD $70 per person

Jeep Tour And Botanical Gardens
Board your jeep for an exciting, guided ride to the Botanical Gardens, founded in 1808. Here you have time to walk around and take a look at this garden of more than 5,000 different varieties of tropical trees and plants. Finish the tour with unforgettable views of Rio.
Approximate value: USD $85 per person

Rainforest Jeep Tour
Board your open jeep for an exciting, guided ride through Tijuca Rainforest, where it's possible to see the contrast between the "Stone jungle and a tropical forest in the middle of a big city." During your tour learn about the history of the reforestation process of the forest and the importance of the Atlantic Forrest. During this tour you will see different types of tropical fruits and trees as well as animals like monkeys, and various types of birds and butterflies.
Approximate value: USD $75 per person

CITY: Santiago

Chilean Folkloric Show & Dinner
Enjoy a spectacular drive through illuminated downtown Santiago before reaching a restaurant popular among the locals. After a sumptuous four-course dinner, relax and enjoy a lively folklore show of Chilean music and dance.
Approximate value: USD $87 per person

Valparaiso And Vina Del Mar
A short drive through the rolling hills of Chile's Curacavi Valley leads to Valparaiso, a picturesque seaport that has long been an inspiration for poets and artists. Then on to Vina del Mar, a modern resort renowned for its lovely gardens.
Approximate value: USD $60 per person

Undurraga Winery
Crossing the suburbs of the southern area of Santiago, this half-day tour proceeds to the famous Undurraga Winery, where a local guide demonstrates how Chile's world-famous wine is produced.
Approximate value: USD $55 per person

Prices
From $4,229 US per person double occupancy