The Natural Wonders of Brazil, Argentina & Patagonia

Start your holiday with an overnight flight to Rio de Janeiro, via Sao Paolo. 

Touch down in Brazil and meet your friendly local tour manager ahead of a transfer to your hotel. Rest and relax, enjoying an included welcome drink at the hotel this evening.

Dinner is at leisure tonight.

Have breakfast at the hotel and begin your South American adventure with a tour that will introduce Rio’s lively downtown areas. After a panoramic tour of the city’s colourful seafront, witness it from above on a ride to the top of the imposing Sugarloaf Mountain onboard the famous Bondinho cable car. From here, you can soak up spectacular 360-degree views across Rio’s most iconic sights and the sprawling blue of Guanabara Bay.

This evening, enjoy an included drink at a local carioca bar close to your hotel before the chance to take in an optional Ginga Tropical show in town. This performance combines Brazil’s diversity and cultures through different styles of dance, music, and live performances and concludes with a carnival-inspired finale.

Dinner is at leisure tonight.

After breakfast, continue your exploration of Rio with an excursion to one of the Seven Wonders of the New World, Christ the Redeemer. Set atop Corcovado Mountain, this magnificent landmark, the largest Art-Deco statue in the world, proudly highlights Brazil’s deep Catholic roots and promises some truly extraordinary views. Drive through lush suburbs to the Cosmo Velho cog-railway station, and journey up to the giant figure, then take the lift or escalator, or brave the stairs, up to the viewpoint.

Return to Rio via the famous beach districts of Ipanema and Leblon, known for their idyllic namesake beaches, where you’ll experience a quieter side to the city’s trendy beach areas. This evening, enjoy your final evening in Rio with dinner at an authentic Brazilian steak restaurant.

Early this morning, travel to the airport for a flight to world-famous Iguazú Falls, which marks the meeting point of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. Travel by coach through the lush foliage to your resort hotel on the Brazilian side of the Falls where you'll spend the next two nights. Renowned for its biodiversity, the park’s thunderous cascades won’t be the only major highlight, and you’ll have the chance to spot its impressive native wildlife as you explore.

Later this morning, start your exploration of the UNESCO-listed Iguazú National Park with a scenic walk along a series of foliage-lined pathways that will lead you to the falls. Keep an eye out as you go, and you might catch a glimpse of the region’s elusive coatis or its eagle-eyed oncillas.

Watch the region's untouched ecosystems in action as you pass verdant forests and flourishing wildflowers, which are constantly fed by moisture from the magnificent nearby waterfalls. Walk out over the footbridge, and ride the panoramic lift, to enjoy the sweeping views across Iguazú's 275 plunging cataracts.  

Dinner will be served back at the hotel later this evening.

Cross the border into Argentina this morning and witness a different side to the falls. Still within the boundaries of the Iguazú National Park, the Argentinian side is a stunning jungle refuge for big cats, monkeys, tapirs and countless colourful bird species.

Here, you’ll enjoy a choice of fascinating guided walks, accompanied by a park ranger, as well as a 25-minute train ride to see the most spectacular of the torrents, the famous Devil’s Throat, from a series of walkways and footbridges. 

This evening, return to the hotel and find dinner at your own leisure.

Take the morning at your own pace today or embark on an optional helicopter flight above the magnificent Iguazú Falls. On this 10-minute flight, you'll get a unique perspective on the park, with unrestricted views of the falls and their surrounding rainforest. Accompanied by an expert pilot and local guide, you’ll learn also learn about the park’s ecosystems and the importance of conservation in preserving these landscapes for future generations.

Later, reconvene at the hotel for a quick refresh ahead of this afternoon's flight to Buenos Aires. After touching down in the Argentine capital, meet your local tour manager and transfer to your hotel. This evening, enjoy dinner at your own leisure. 

Today you'll enjoy a guided introduction to Buenos Aires, beginning at the Plaza de Mayo, home to the city’s ornate parliament buildings. From here, embrace the tango rhythms of the Argentine capital in the San Telmo district, before passing through the famously colourful La Boca area, one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods. Complete today’s sightseeing in the Puerto Madero, with its towering skyscrapers, and La Recoleta, Buenos Aires' most elegant area.

Return to the hotel, perhaps heading out for an optional dinner at the nearby Revire Brasas Bravas, a steak restaurant offering a taste of traditional Argentine asado (barbecue). Set on the lively Corrientes Avenue, this diner is a favourite spot among locals and serves fine cuts of locally sourced beef as well as a wide variety of Argentine wines and cocktails.

Discover more of the enthralling Buenos Aires under your own steam today, or join an optional excursion into the pampas grassland.

Leave Buenos Aires and drive to San Antonio de Areco, the heart of Argentina's 'gaucho' traditions. Arrive at El Ombu de Areco, a traditional, 741-acre ranch dedicated to agriculture and animal farming. Here, the ranch's impressive late-colonial style mansion, built by Lieutenant-general Pablo Riccheri in 1880, and its magnificent “casco” promise an immersive taste of Argentine culture. 

Enjoy following the Areco River on horseback riding or, if you'd prefer, travel the same route on foot, before settling in for a traditional asado lunch that includes fine meats, salads, wine, and dessert. Later this afternoon, enjoy an intimate folklore show as a gaucho plays the guitar and see a horse-riding skills demonstration.

Return to your Buenos Aires hotel for your final night in Argentina.

Have a last breakfast at your hotel before checking out and transferring to the airport for an internal flight to lakeside El Calafate. Upon arrival, head to your next hotel where you’ll have the rest of the evening at leisure. Dinner will be served at the hotel later tonight.  

Your first full day in Patagonia starts with breakfast at the hotel and afterwards you’ll witness some of the region’s most impressive frozen landscapes with a tour of Los Glaciares National Park. Home to the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier, this reserve is the largest of Argentina’s national parks and showcases the best of Patagonia’s southern fjords.

Travel by coach through the dramatic alpine stretches of the Los Glaciares National Park, culminating in a stop at the renowned Curva de los Suspiros (Sighing Curve). Continue to the glacier itself, the world’s third largest freshwater reserve, and enjoy all-encompassing views from a series of convenient walkways.

After this morning’s sightseeing on the road, witness Perito Moreno from the water on a shared cruise experience. Looming large over the vessel, the glacier’s expansive ice walls will be put into perspective as you sail along its picturesque north face and, if you’re lucky, you might even witness a calving (ice splitting) in person.

This evening, head back to El Calafate for an evening at leisure.

This morning, after breakfast, you will take a scenic drive west to the Chile-Argentina border in the mountain town of Cerro Castillo where you will complete the border crossing with the help of your tour guide. Your journey will then continue to nearby Puerto Natales, where you’ll check into your four-star hotel and spend the rest of the evening under your own steam.

This evening, you’ll be free to find dinner locally.

One of your holiday’s undeniable highlights awaits today with a memorable drive around Torres del Paine National Park. Rise early and enjoy breakfast at the hotel before setting out onboard your coach for the scenic drive north.

As you traverse the park’s eastern fringe, soak up views of its turquoise lakes, breath-taking mountain scenery and native guanaco. Stop first at Lago Sarmiento and marvel at the peculiar rounded ‘thrombolites (rock-like formations made by microbes) that line its shores. Next will be the smaller Laguana Amarga, which sits within the caldera of a dormant volcano, and Nordenskjöld Lake. Follow the banks of the lake to Torres del Paine’s largest waterfall, Salto Grande, which connects it with nearby Lake Pehoé and marvel at its thunderous flows from a panoramic viewpoint.

From here, you’ll stop at a scenic spot, and a packed lunch will be provided ahead of the drive back through the park’s impressive alpine vistas. Later this evening, arrive back in Puerto Natales for dinner at the hotel.

Have breakfast at the hotel before travelling by coach back into the park to Laguna Azul (Blue Lagoon), one of the finest spots to view Torres del Paine’s extraordinary triple peaks. Pause by the waters’ edge for a photo stop and enjoy unobstructed views of Patagonia’s most picturesque landscapes. As the coach continues westward, stop at a number of viewpoints to make the most of Las Torres’ exquisite backdrops. At midday, settle in for lunch at the Lago Grey Hotel, where you’ll enjoy a relaxed meal amongst some truly magnificent views.

This afternoon, explore the Southern Patagonian Icefields further with a wish-list Grey Lake cruise. To reach your vessel, join an experienced local guide for around a 40-minute walk through the forests and beaches that line the lake, bringing you closer than ever to Patagonia’s untamed natural world.

Once onboard, you’ll experience a panorama of bright regional flora, granite peaks and floating icebergs. The day’s major highlight, however, will be the formidable Grey Glacier, which was once part of a much larger ice-age cap which covered Patagonia in its entirety over 18,000 years ago. Spanning 100 square miles, thisstriking blue iceberg ranks amongst the most impressive features of Patagonia’s southern icefields.

Further highlights on your sailing include the remarkable mountain scenes of the Cerro Grande Paine and the three peaks of Paine Massif, one of the park’s most famous sights. Formed over 12 million years ago, these unique granite spires are the ‘towers’ for which the park was originally named. Round out your cruise in style with a traditional pisco sour, or a soft drink, served over thousand-year-old glacial ice.

Return to shore and drive back to the hotel for another evening at leisure.

Please note: The walk between the Lago Grey Hotel and your cruise vessel and vice versa will cover uneven terrain and is unlikely to be suitable for those with limited mobility. Comfortable, supportive footwear and suitable clothing are also highly recommended.

This morning, bid Patagonia farewell as you travel to Puerto Natales’ airport for a short flight to Chile’s metropolitan capital city, Santiago.

Upon arrival, you’ll head to your next hotel for check in ahead of the rest of the day under your own steam.

Wake up in Santiago and get ready for the day with breakfast at the hotel. Later this morning, join your tour manager for a coach tour of the city, ticking off its most popular sights. Start the day’s exploration at the Cerro Santa Lucia Park, home to opulent castle walls, winding staircases and exquisite viewpoints overlooking the city’s downtown areas.

Admire the facades of the Palacio de la Monedas, the seat of the Chilean government, before heading to the Plaza de Armas. Surrounded by Santiago’s magnificent Metropolitan Cathedral, Museum of Natural History and Central Post Office, this open-air square house a variety of architectural styles and is a favourite meeting spot for locals and visitors. From here, head to Bellavista, a hub of avant-garde art galleries, boutiques and bohemian cafés. Ride a vintage funicular car to the top of the nearby Cerro San Cristobal for Andean views of Santiago and its beautiful surrounding mountains, before passing through the popular shopping areas of Vitacura and Los Condors. 

Afterwards, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon at leisure to either relax or continue exploring at your own pace. If you’d like a dining experience with a difference, join an optional three-course lunch at the award-winning restaurant, La Mesa. Famed for its innovative approach to sustainable eating, this popular establishment prides itself on delivering farm-to-table cuisine and exclusively used locally grown ingredients.

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head west through the Curacaví and Casablanca wine valleys to the Pacific Coast. Stop first in the colonial-era port city, Valparaiso, the ‘Jewel of the Pacific’. Founded in the 16th century by Spanish explorers, the city is known for its colourful hilltop houses and vintage street cars. As you drive through the city, marvel at the intricate architecture and expansive dockyards of its UNESCO-listed harbour, the home of the Chilean Navy, ahead of a visit to the Plaza Sotomayor. Enjoy a brief comfort stop here, stretch your legs and see the Monument to the Heroes of Iquique, which honours the dead of Chile’s Pacific War.

Next, trade Valparaiso’s historic streets for the coastal landmarks of Chile’s ‘Garden City’, Vina del Mar, a popular resort town known for its palm-lined boulevards and lively seafront attractions. You’ll have some time here to take in its floral landmarks including the innovative Flower Clock, a fully functional installation built out of a flower bed.

Head back to Santiago via the world-famous Casablanca Valley. Renowned for its diverse range of fine vintages, the valley has become one of the world’s foremost wine regions and you’ll stop at the acclaimed Veramonte Winery for an expert-led tasting session. Unwind as the sun goes down accompanied by a range of acclaimed white wines.

This evening, you’ll arrive back in Santiago for a special, three-course farewell dinner.

Your last day in Chile can be spent however you see fit with a full morning and afternoon at leisure. After checking out of the hotel at midday, stow your bags and enjoy the afternoon under your own steam.

If yesterday’s tasting session has piqued your interest in Chile’s wine-making industries, don’t miss out an optional tour of the nearby Maipo Valley, the ‘Bordeaux of South America’. Further inland and with a slightly warmer climate, Maipo’s vineyards are better equipped to produce rich red wines, and you’ll visit an acclaimed local producer for a guided tour of its crops and barrel cellars. Complete your time in Chile with a sampling of the winery’s finest labels before heading back to Santiago.

This evening, head to the airport for your overnight flight back home.

Return home at the end of an unforgettable holiday.