 South America 2012: Argentina and Across the Andes to Chile 2012
Tour Type: South America DiscoveryBrochure Type: South America 2012This exciting journey across the Andes begins by exploring the cobblestone streets of Buenos Aires. Enjoy a day trip to Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Museum of Chocolate in Bariloche and then begin the awe-inspiring journey across the Andes. With its vast horizons, scenic vistas and expansive lakes, you'll be in awe at this beautiful part of the world. Enjoy Santiago and take in a local winery in Maipo Valley, complete with a tasting and then the opportunity to enjoy Chilean cuisine and folklore dances. Sightseeing Highlights- Buenos Aires Immerse yourself in the 'Paris of South America;' visit the Evita Museum and Recoleta Cemetery; enjoy a tango show.
- Colonia del Sacramento Stroll through this UNESCO World Heritage city.
- Bariloche Explore Nahuel Huapi National Park; take a chairlift for spectacular views.
- Andean Lake District Crossing Discover the 'Switzerland of South America' by land and water as you cruise across the Andes upon three lakes.
- Chiloe Island Patagonia Enjoy this island's distinctive charm; visit colonies of Magellan and Humboldt Penguins.
- Puerto Varas Spend two nights in one of Chile's loveliest towns.
- Santiago Explore this cosmopolitan capital; delight in a Chilean folklore show; visit a winery.
Dining Highlights- Welcome Reception with your Tour Director in Buenos Aires.
- 11 full breakfasts.
- 2 three-course or buffet dinners.
- 4 Highlight Lunches in Colonia del Sacramento, Peulla, Chiloe Island and Maipo Valley.
- Highlight Dinner with wine and tango show in Buenos Aires.
- Be My Guest Dinner with wine in Buenos Aires.
- Farewell Dinner with wine and folklore show in Santiago.
First Class Travel Highlights- A Trafalgar bonus - guaranteed early hotel check-in and immediate use of your room upon arrival in Buenos Aires on Day 2 and guaranteed late hotel check-out until 6 p.m. in Santiago on Day 12.
- A Trafalgar bonus - all Intra-Air Flights: Buenos Aires to Bariloche and Puerto Montt to Santiago, including porter service at all airports.
- Qualified local guides in Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Chiloe Island, Puerto Varas and Santiago.
- Capture treasured memories of your trip with a complimentary group photo taken at a landmark location.
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| Call 800-678-2274 for more information or to book today! Mention code 10337423 | | Trafalgar Tours | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Days 1-2 | DEPART GATEWAY - ARRIVE BUENOS AIRES | DEPART GATEWAY - ARRIVE BUENOS AIRES (5 NIGHTS): Board your overnight flight to South America (not included in vacation price). Bienvenidos a Buenos Aires! You will arrive in Buenos Aires on Day 2 and will be met by a local representative and taken to your hotel, where your room will be available for immediate occupancy. Settle in at your luxurious hotel and take a relaxing siesta or hit the town on your own. Stroll the streets around the hotel, grab a tasty empanada and a cold Quilmes. From your hotel's vantage point in the heart of Argentina's sizzling capital, you are in the center of all the action: renowned international designer boutiques, fine dining venues, museums, cultural pursuits, modern theatres and the famous Teatro Colon. Your Tour Director will be on hand to greet you this afternoon and answer any questions you may have about the exciting days ahead. Join your Tour Director and fellow travelers at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Reception at the hotel, followed by a presentation by a Local Expert on the passions and traditions of the Argentinean people - Malbec wine, tango, beef, soccer? (Full Breakfast)
Sheraton Libertador Hotel (Superior First Class) | | Day 3 | Buenos Aires | BUENOS AIRES SIGHTSEEING & FREE TIME: Embark on an in-depth tour of the passionate city where the tango was born. See the famous Plaza de Mayo, the pink Casa Rosada and other government buildings; world-renowned Teatro Colon where legendary stars Maria Callas, Pavarotti and Caruso have performed; the colourful neighbourhood of La Boca; San Telmo with its famed outdoor market; lovely Palermo, home to fashionable cafes and verdant parks. Visit the workshop of a master leather artisan and learn how Argentine leathers are turned into fine leather goods. Drive along the stately Avenida 9 de Julio, said to be the widest street in the world, to the elegant Recoleta where you visit the museum dedicated to Eva Peron (Evita) as well as the impressive cemetery where Argentina's former first lady is buried. Return to your hotel late this afternoon. This evening, join your Tour Director and fellow travellers for an exclusive Be My Guest experience as you are welcomed by a local family into their elegant mansion. Learn about your hosts' passion for art and paintings on your tour of their beautiful residence, then head for the kitchen where the family cook will teach you how to make traditional empanadas - rolled pies which can be stuffed with meat, corn, jam, and cheese, among other ingredients. Savour these delicious empanadas and other hors d'oeuvres while learning about Argentina's wonderful wines. Delight in the opportunity to sample some of the best vintages and varietals from Cafayate and Mendoza, the two areas where the country's most prestigious wineries are found. (Full Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner) | | Day 4 | Colonia del Sacramento excursion | COLONIA DEL SACRAMENTO EXCURSION: Cross the wide Rio de la Plata by hydrofoil this morning. On the Uruguayan side, immerse yourself in the irresistible charm of colonial Colonia del Sacramento. Embark on a guided walking tour that takes you through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic district, home to sycamore-shaded streets bordered by graceful colonial mansions, a splendid lighthouse and the oldest church in Uruguay. After a leisurely Highlight Lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy some time to stroll around on your own, visiting some of the exclusive art galleries and welcoming shops. Perhaps relax with a cappuccino at a sidewalk cafe. Later this afternoon, board the hydrofoil and cross the river back to Argentina. (Full Breakfast / Highlight Lunch) | | Day 5 | Buenos Aires | BUENOS AIRES FREE TIME: Relish a day at leisure in the 'Paris of South America.' If you like, take an optional trip out into the countryside to spend the day at a traditional Argentine estancia (ranch); share a drink with the local gauchos (cowboys), learn about their lives and marvel at their consummate horsemanship during a lively equestrian show; then enjoy a sumptuous traditional parrillada (barbeque) lunch. This evening, do as the locals do and linger over a Highlight Dinner and a chance for an authentic taste of world-renowned Argentinean beef! Cap off the evening watching the best tango dancers in Buenos Aires perform, and experience the passion and power of the traditional tango - the most representative and beloved music in Argentina. (Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner) | | Day 6 | Bariloche | BUENOS AIRES - BARILOCHE (2 NIGHTS): Fly across the pampas to the edge of the Andes and the lovely Swiss-like resort town of San Carlos de Bariloche. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore the town on your own - do some shopping at a variety of quaint boutiques, visit some of the chocolate shops for which Bariloche is known throughout South America, or take a stroll in one of the parks on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Share your stories with your travelling companions during dinner this evening at the hotel. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel Edelweiss (Superior First Class) | | Day 7 | Bariloche | BARILOCHE SIGHTSEEING & FREE TIME: Discover the natural wonders of one of the prettiest areas in Argentina, known as the 'Switzerland of South America.' Travel along the "Circuito Chico" for spectacular panoramic views. Explore Nahuel Huapi National Park as you journey around Nahuel Huapi and Moreno lakes, breathing the fresh alpine air, and marveling at the gorgeous forests, sparkling waters and incredible mountain vistas. Spend some time at lovely Playa Bonita, soak up the scenery from hilltop St. Edward's Chapel on the Llao Llao Peninsula, and take a chairlift ride to the summit of Campanario Hill for breathtaking views of the Lake District and snow-capped Andes. Back in town, find out about Bariloche's chocolate connection during a visit to the Chocolate Museum. After a presentation on some 2000 years of chocolate history, view the production area, and, of course, sample an array of chocolate treats. The rest of the day is at leisure in Bariloche. (Full Breakfast) | | Day 8 | Puerto Varas | BARILOCHE - ANDEAN LAKE DISTRICT - PUERTO VARAS (2 NIGHTS): Today is guaranteed to be the highlight of your South American as you travel through some of the southern hemisphere's most stunning landscapes, journeying by land and water from Argentina to Chile through the breathtaking Lake District with spectacular scenery of snow-capped Andean peaks, gloriously green forests and azure blue lakes. Cruise upon Lake Nahuel Huapi, drive across the Chilean border to Peulla for a relaxing Highlight Lunch, and board another catamaran for the scenic crossing of Todos Los Santos Lake with the mighty Osorno volcano looming in the background. Keep an eye out for Andean Condors gliding around the lakes and mountains. On your way west, make a stop at the Petrohue River to see the burbling waters of the Petrohue Waterfalls cascade over the black volcanic rock. Then arrive in Puerto Varas, one of Chile's most charming villages, located on the banks of Lake Llanquihue. Check in to your lakefront hotel and relax over a light dinner at the hotel. (Full Breakfast / Highlight Lunch / Dinner)
Cabana del Lago Hotel (First Class) | | Day 9 | CHILOE ISLAND PATAGONIA EXCURSION | CHILOE ISLAND PATAGONIA EXCURSION: Cruise across the Chacao Channel to the isolated island of Chiloe in northern Patagonia. Here, on a guided tour, get acquainted with the mythical world of the island and the island's traditional architecture, tour the 16th century fortress of San Antonio, and savour a relaxing seafood empanada Highlight Lunch in the provincial capital of Ancud. Then, depending on weather conditions, visit several Magellan and Humboldt penguin colonies located on tiny, barren islands just off the southwest coast of the island. This afternoon, return to Puerto Varas. (Full Breakfast / Highlight Lunch) | | Day 10 | Santiago | PUERTO VARAS - SANTIAGO - SIGHTSEEING (2 NIGHTS): Bid farewell to Patagonia and fly north from Puerto Montt to the Chilean capital. Upon arrival, head for the Maipo Valley, Chile's
famed wine-producing valley known for its premium wines. Visit an exclusive winery where you will meet the Expert Winemaker for a personalised winery experience, from the vineyards to the bottling process. Celebrate Chile's proud wine-making traditions with a wine tasting, followed by a gourmet Highlight Lunch served alfresco on the beautiful grounds. Return to Santiago for an orientation tour of this vibrant city, travelling past Club Hipico - the regal racetrack - and sprawling Parque O'Higgins. Cruise along Alameda Avenue past the Church of San Francisco and the University of Chile on your way to the vibrant Plaza de Armas with its fountains and sculptures. View the Palacio de la Moneda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Central Market. Drive up San Cristobal Hill for panoramic views of the city and the snow-capped Andes. This evening is at leisure at your hotel, ideally situated in the heart of one of Santiago's most beautiful neighbourhoods, close to the cultural heart of Santiago, upscale boutiques, bars and restaurants. (Full Breakfast / Highlight Lunch)
InterContinental (Deluxe) | | Day 11 | Santiago | SANTIAGO FREE TIME: Enjoy a day of leisure in Santiago. If you're feeling adventurous, embark on an optional trip to Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site reminiscent of San Francisco, and the seaside resort of Vina del Mar. This evening, gather for a festive Farewell Dinner and a folklore show of charismatic and agile dancers in colourful ethnic costumes from north, central and southern Chile, as well as Easter Island. (Full Breakfast / Farewell Dinner) | | Day 12 | Depart Santiago | DEPART SANTIAGO: Say hasta luego to Chile and transfer to the airport for your flight home (not included in vacation price). For your comfort, your room is reserved until 6 p.m. Depending on your next destination and flight schedule, you may arrive home on Day 12 or Day 13. (Continental Breakfast / Full breakfast) |
| | All above prices are per person, based on two people sharing a twin room.
International airfare between your U.S. gateway and the tour is additional; please call your Travel Agent or Trafalgar for special airfares originating in the U.S.
2013 dates are subject to price and itinerary changes. Final details will be confirmed July 2012.
- These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
- All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.
- For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Conditions page.
- Hotel Class Key: D: Deluxe SF: Superior First Class F: First Class |
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