For expert help planning your South America vacation, call a travel specialist at 1-800-942-3301
| Essence of South America
A 13-Day tour starting from $5,990
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| About This Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home to dazzling landscapes, exuberant cities in stunning settings, and spirited cultures that showcase traditions infused with dance, song, food and wine, South America offers something for every traveler. We’ll regale you with an authentic taste of Chile, Argentina and Brazil, as you experience the breadth of each country in award-winning Tauck Style. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Featured Dining: 12 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches & 10 Dinners Unique and Distinguished Hotels in the Best Locations: Night 1,2: Grand Hyatt Santiago Santiago, Chile Night 3:Cabañas del Lago: Puerto Varas, Chile Night 4: Hotel Natura: Peulla, Chile Night 5,6 Llao Llao Hotel & Resort: Bariloche, Argentina Night 7,8,9 Caesar Park Buenos Aires: Buenos Aires, Argentina Night 10 Sheraton Iguazú Resort & Spa: Iguazú, Argentina Night 11,12 Sofitel Rio de Janeiro: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Insightful Tour Directors During your travels, you have the pleasurable advantage of being with a Tauck Tour Director who is fully knowledgeable about the destination, its history and its culture. You can relax knowing that you are accompanied by a professional who manages the flow of events... a problem-solver (in the unlikely event a problem should arise)... an insider who saves you precious time... and a friend who will help transform your trip into a truly memorable journey. Every Travel Expense is Included When you travel with Tauck, you’ll save up to 40% on the cost of traveling the same itinerary on your own. What’s more, virtually every major travel expense is included: Along with most meals, your hotel accommodations, cruises, sightseeing, admissions to museums, galleries and theaters – even taxes and port charges – are built into the price of your trip. Guests are often delightfully surprised at how much is included. You can practically leave your wallet at home! A Tauck vacation offers you both superb quality and extraordinary value.
Day 1. Arrive Santiago, Chile
Tour begins: Grand Hyatt Santiago at 2:00 PM. A transfer is included from Santiago Airport to the Grand Hyatt Santiago for your two-night stay in Chile’s dynamic capital city. City sightseeing today includes visits to the Plaza de Armas, the Pre-Columbian Museum and the Metropolitan Cathedral, highlighted by scenic views that will take your breath away. Join us for a welcome dinner tonight. Meals D Day 2. Chilean Wines Since the conquistadors first introduced vineyards to Chile in the 16th century, Chilean wines have come into their own, perfected by generations of winemaking traditions. Discover the secrets of Chile’s finest wines as you explore Maipo Valley, stopping for a tasting and al fresco lunch at a leading local winery. Spend the rest of the day at leisure in beautiful Santiago. Meals BL Day 3. Charms of Patagonia Southern Chile astounds with spectacular scenery, mesmerizing alpine lakes and charming German-inspired villages. Fly into the busy port town of Puerto Montt, before driving through the bucolic Patagonian countryside to the German Heritage Museum in delightful Frutillar, settled by German immigrants in the early 1900s. Nothing will prepare you for the views that await from your lakeside accommodations in Puerto Varas; it’s no wonder that Patagonia is considered one of the world’s most enchanting destinations. Meals BLD Day 4. Lake Cruises & a River Safari Of all the routes we could travel to get to Argentina from Chile, our two-day crossing through the Andes is the most spectacular. National parks of staggering beauty set the stage for a host of unforgettable wilderness experiences, from a walk to Petrohue Rapids and waterfalls to a cruise across the emerald-green waters of Lago Todos Los Santos to Peulla, in Vincente Perez Rosales National Park, to an afternoon safari by 4x4 vehicle to the Negro River and a tranquil boat cruise on El Encanto Pond. Your accommodations tonight are in a wilderness lodge overlooking the lake. Meals BLD Day 5. Crossing the Andes to Argentina If impossibly beautiful vistas of snow-capped mountains and alpine lakes are food for your soul, then get ready to feast your eyes on a banquet of natural wonders today as you cross the Andes into Argentina. Board a boat for a ride across Lago Frias; dine with a view overlooking Nahuel Huapi Lake; and cruise across Puerto Blest for a hike along the shore. A cruise along the Argentine side of Lago Todos Los Santos provides an opportunity to see Andean Condors soaring among the mountain peaks. Spend the next two nights at a luxurious alpine resort in Bariloche, the “Switzerland of South America.” Meals BLD Day 6. Nahuel Huapi Nat’l Park / Sheep Ranch Spend the day enjoying the many amenities of your resort today, from golf, tennis and a pampering spa to tango lessons and sailing, or join us as we explore the scenic gems of Nahuel Huapi National Park. Indulge in 360-degree views of the park during a chair lift ride, before visiting a working sheep ranch to learn about this important Argentine industry. A traditional estancia-style barbecue lunch features local specialties and wine. Meals BLD Day 7. Fly to Buenos Aires Your flight to Buenos Aires arrives in time for an afternoon sightseeing tour of the glamorous architecture of the city’s northern districts. Visit Evita Peron’s grave in Recoleta Cemetery and dine at your leisure at your hotel. Meals BLD Day 8. City Sights & Cultural Delights Everything about Buenos Aires is big, from the size of the city, stretching out more than 75 square miles, to the sprawling estancias on the surrounding plains, to the man-sized steaks, arguably among the world’s best, to the tango, that truly takes on a life of its own. Experience an authentic taste of Argentine culture during a visit to its southern barrios, distinctive city neighborhoods with their own character and history. Discover the colorful Bohemian sights of Boca; hunt for antiques on the cobbled streets of San Telmo; see the Presidential Palace, la Casa Rosada, at the Plaza de Mayo, and admire one of the world’s great opera houses, Teatro Colon. Dine at a famous steakhouse tonight, followed by a traditional tango dance show. Meals BD Day 9. Gauchos & Estancias Images of black Spanish hats, woven Indian shawls, baggy bombacha pants and sharp swords come to mind when you think of the gauchos of Argentina. Today visions of modern-day Spanish horsemen will come to life at a private estancia (ranch) outside of the city. See them demonstrate their riding skills, before feasting on a parillo, featuring local grilled specialties, an authentic pampas tradition of life on the plains. Spend the rest of the day enjoying Buenos Aires as you please. Meals BL Day 10. Breathtaking Iguazú Falls 65 feet higher and twice as wide as Niagara Falls, Iguazú Falls is the most spectacular waterfall in the western hemisphere. Your flight today takes you to the Argentine side of the falls for an overnight stay at a hotel near this amazing spectacle. View the impressive sights of Iguazú Nat’l Park; see the Up-River cascades, the Inferior Circuit, the Down-River Falls and Devil’s Throat. Meals BD Day 11. Fly to Rio de Janeiro The best place to experience a panoramic view of the 275 cascades that form the mile-and-a-half waterfall is on the Brazilian side. Cross over the Tancredo Neves Bridge into Brazil, moving your clocks ahead one hour to adjust to local time, and take an unforgettable rainforest hike at the base of the falls. Fly in late afternoon to Rio de Janeiro, where your luxury accommodations overlook incomparable Copacabana Beach. Meals BLD Day 12. Brazil’s “Carnaval” Capital The marvelous city of Rio de Janeiro virtually pulses with color, from its lush tropical gardens and festive Carnaval costumes to its stunning golden-sand beaches and brilliant blue seas. Start your day with a tour of the Botanical Garden, showcasing some 5,000 species of Brazilian plants on 250 acres. Much of the city’s zest for life comes from its passion for Carnaval, an annual celebration that has defined this pleasure-loving city for decades; learn more about its traditional parades at the Museu do Carnaval. Then, ride a cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, for views that are unequalled anywhere. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Meals BLD Day 13. Journey Home Tour Ends: Rio de Janeiro at 5:00 PM. Spend the morning at your leisure, before driving to the Tijuca Forest. Journey by train and gondola to Corcovado to see the statue of Christ the Redeemer. Transfers will be provided to the Rio de Janeiro International Airport from the Sofitel Rio de Janeiro. Meals BL
Private Winery Visit in Chile
Discover the secrets of Chilean wines when you explore Maipo Valley; enjoy a tasting and lunch at a local winery where generations of winemaking have perfected this art. Spectacular Two-Day Andes Crossing An exclusive highlight of Tauck’s journey, spend two days crossing the Andes Mountains from Chile to Argentina, enjoying scenic lake cruises and a river safari adventure. Estancias of Argentina From a barbecue on a working sheep farm in the south to a parillo lunch on a private horse farm near Buenos Aires, experience an authentic taste of daily life in Argentina. Hiking at Iguazú & Beauty in Rio Take an unforgettable rainforest hike around the base of Iguazú Falls in Brazil, before indulging in the diverse gems of Rio de Janeiro, from beaches to mountain tops. All tour pries are per person, in US dollars.
Single Occupancy Rate = $7,574 Triple Occupancy Rate = $6,056 |
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| Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||