Essence of South America

•   Gourmet wine-pairing lunch in Chilean vineyards

Day 1: Arrive Santiago, Chile
A transfer is included from Santiago Airport to The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago for your two-night stay. Please join us for a welcome reception followed by dinner tonight as we celebrate your arrival in Santiago.
Overnight: The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago, Chile
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Santiago and Chilean Wine Country
On a clear day, the soaring peaks of the snow-capped Andes Mountains provide an incomparable setting! Sightseeing includes a visit to the grand Plaza de Armas and Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago, whose classic and Baroque style was designated a National Monument. A special gourmet wine-pairing lunch invites you to drink in the bounty of the vine at Tarapaca winery in the countryside. Winemakers have perfected their craft for generations and proudly share their time-honored vintages with you! Take a funicular ride up Cerro San Cristóbal Hill for panoramic views of the country, and spend the rest of the day on your own. Your Tauck Director can offer suggestions for dinner tonight.
Overnight: The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago, Chile
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3: Charms of Patagonia
Take off for southern Chile this morning as your plane flies to the port town of Puerto Montt, settled by 19th-century German immigrants, and continue to Puerto Varas for an overnight stay. Located on the shore of Lago Llanquihue, this charming town is the perfect gateway for your Patagonian adventure.
Overnight: Hotel Cumbres Patagónicas, Puerto Varas, Chile
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Lake Cruise and Wilderness Adventure
National parks of staggering beauty highlight your spectacular two-day Andes crossing from Chile to Argentina. Today’s unforgettable wilderness experiences include a walk at Petrohué Rapids and a catamaran cruise across Lago Todos Los Santos, which is often called Lago Esmeralda due to the green hue of its waters. Your destination tonight is the tranquil Hotel Natura in the remote village of Peulla, a great place to celebrate the area’s natural treasures your way. A choice of activities this afternoon includes a 4 x 4 vehicle safari to explore the park and the Negro River area*, an exhilarating zip-line ride* in the treetop canopy, or a leisurely horseback ride* through the forested national park with a local guide. Dine when you wish tonight.
Overnight: Hotel Natura, Peulla, Chile
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Crossing the Andes to Argentina
Get ready to feast your eyes on a banquet of natural wonders on your crossing through the Andes into Argentina! Boat cruises today take you across Lago Frias and Lago Todos Los Santos – watch for Andean?condors soaring among the mountain peaks above you. Spend the next two nights at a lovely lakeside resort in breathtaking Bariloche.
Overnight: Llao Llao Hotel & Resort, Bariloche, Argentina
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Llao Llao Resort at Leisure
The entire day is free for you to enjoy the many amenities available at your resort (some at an additional charge), from archery, golf, tennis and sailing to pampering spa treatments and tango lessons. Or you can explore downtown Bariloche or Nahuel Huapi National Park on your own.
Overnight: Llao Llao Hotel & Resort, Bariloche, Argentina
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 7: Fly to Buenos Aires
Indulge in 360-degree vistas of Andean peaks, jeweled lakes and lush forests during a chairlift ride up a mountain before flying on to Buenos Aires for a three-night stay in the “Paris of South America.” Have dinner at your hotel, ideally located in the affluent neighborhood of Recoleta.
Overnight: Sofitel Buenos Aires, Argentina
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Sights of Argentina's “Big Apple”
Explore the city today – a guided sightseeing excursion includes the Presidential Palace, the Teatro Colon opera house and Boca, one of the city’s barrios (neighborhoods) with its own character and history. Lunch at historic Café Tortoni, founded in 1858, is a real cultural treat. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy as you wish; your Tauck Director or the hotel concierge can offer suggestions!
Overnight: Sofitel Buenos Aires, Argentina
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 9: Art and Tango in Buenos Aires
Discover the art of living in Buenos Aires. Spend the morning at leisure, then join us for an inspiring afternoon at the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA), showcasing a private collection of more than 200 works by Latin American artists from the 20th century to the present. Freshen up for an unforgettable dinner with entertainment in a city renowned for its passionate tango performances.
Overnight: Sofitel Buenos Aires, Argentina
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 10: Recoleta and Thundering Iguazú
Enjoy a morning visit to Evita Peron’s grave in Recoleta Cemetery amidst intricate stone carvings. Later, board a flight bound for Iguazú Falls, one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders, for a two-night stay. Dine with a view of the thundering falls at your hotel tonight.
Overnight: Sheraton Iguazu Resort & Spa, Iguazú, Argentina
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11: Explore Iguazú National Park
Discover the sights in Iguazú National Park, a World Heritage Site that is home to many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. The clouds of spray produced by the waterfall are conducive to the growth of lush vegetation here. Join us for a guided look at Superior and Inferior Circuit and Devil’s Throat, before exploring on your own. Optional boat rides, hikes or helicopter tours are available at an additional charge.
Overnight: Sheraton Iguazu Resort & Spa, Iguazu, Argentina
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12: The Brazilian Side of the Falls
The best place to experience a panoramic view of the 275 cascades that form the mile-and-a-half Iguazú Falls is on the Brazilian side; cross over the Tancredo Neves Bridge into Brazil and take an unforgettable rainforest walk at the base of the falls. After lunch overlooking the river, fly to Rio de Janeiro for a two-night stay in a ideally located hotel overlooking Copacabana Beach; your room welcomes with ocean views.
Overnight: JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 13: Rio, Brazil’s “Carnaval” Capital
Wake up in Rio and set off by coach and rail to the summit of Corcovado, where the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer presides over truly inspiring views of the city and sea. The train takes you to Tijuca National Park en route to your hilltop destination, alive with local flora and fauna. Rio’s zest for life is reflected in its passion for Carnaval, which has defined this pleasure-loving city for decades; join a local guide for a behind-the-scenes look at this festive annual celebration at Samba City. Learn how the colorful floats and costumes are created, and see a samba dance performance. A two-stage cable car ride to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain (1,390 ft.) this afternoon rewards with a bird’s-eye view of the beaches, bay and cityscapes. Join us for a farewell dinner tonight.
Overnight: JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 14: Journey Home
Tour ends: Rio de Janeiro. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro to Rio de Janeiro International Airport. Check-out time is 12:00 noon. We have reserved a hospitality room for the use of Tauck guests whose flights are later in the day. Allow a minimum of 3½ hours for flight check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Don't miss our current specials: Tauck Tour Special Offer Whether you choose to explore Europe on a Tauck "Yellow Roads of Europe" land journey, sail away on our award-winning European river cruises, find yourself someplace new on a Tauck Culturious trip or share the joy of European travel with your family on a Tauck Bridges adventure, your Tauck travel experience is built around these "cornerstones": Personalized Service We take care of every detail on your Tauck European vacation so you connect with the destination and experience the genuine emotion, the camaraderie, the little things that comprise day-to-day European life.   Quality Experience Tauck's expertise and local access provide guests with the best possible travel experience in Europe, including exclusive cultural events, fine hotels in the best locations and dining featuring authentic regional cuisine. Inclusive Value One up-front price with virtually everything included – no hidden costs, no surprises, no options sold on tour.   Peace of Mind Purchasing clarity – you know the quality of Tauck's travel experiences and full cost before you leave home. TAKE OFF WITH TAUCK makes flying to Europe easy with one flat up-front air price of $1,290 per person economy or $3,290 per person business and other benefits!* Call us today for more information!
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
2/12/2012 - 2/26/2012	$8,190
2/14/2012 - 2/28/2012	$7,290
2/17/2012 - 3/2/2012	$7,290
2/19/2012 - 3/4/2012	$7,290
2/21/2012 - 3/6/2012	$7,290
2/26/2012 - 3/11/2012	$7,290
3/2/2012 - 3/16/2012	$8,190
3/4/2012 - 3/18/2012	$8,190
3/6/2012 - 3/20/2012	$7,290
3/13/2012 - 3/27/2012	$7,290
3/18/2012 - 4/1/2012	$6,990
3/20/2012 - 4/3/2012	$6,990
4/1/2012 - 4/15/2012	$6,990
9/16/2012 - 9/30/2012	$6,490
9/23/2012 - 10/7/2012	$6,490
9/30/2012 - 10/14/2012	$6,490
10/7/2012 - 10/21/2012	$7,890
10/14/2012 - 10/28/2012	$6,990
10/21/2012 - 11/4/2012	$6,990
10/28/2012 - 11/11/2012	$7,890
11/4/2012 - 11/18/2012	$6,990
11/18/2012 - 12/2/2012	$6,990
12/2/2012 - 12/16/2012	$6,990
12/9/2012 - 12/23/2012	$6,990
12/25/2012 - 1/8/2013	$8,590
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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