A spectacular sweep along the southern spine of the Andes through the picture-postcard Lake District of Argentina and Chile to the granite peaks and icefields of Patagonia. The journey culminates in the mighty Iguazu Falls and the heady atmosphere and beaches of Rio, Brazil’s most exciting city. Penguins, condors and spellbinding scenery from icefields to tropical forest including a unique Patagonian cruise. This trip showcases the most captivating sights at the bottom of South America and is best enjoyed from November to March. From Rio, you may like to include a few days’ relaxation at a beach resort.
Itinerary Highlights
What’s included
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
25
Nights
Price Guide
$POA
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Fly to Santiago
Santiago – Gateway to South America
Arrive into Chile’s vibrant capital and spend a couple of days exploring Santiago. Wander the colonial centre, enjoy the view from San Cristobal hill and perhaps visit the mountains of the Cajon del Maipo stopping off for a wine tour on route, a wonderful way to get over the jetlag before the real adventure starts!
Chile’s lake District
Fly south and head into the picture-postcard volcanoes, old growth forests and huge glacier-fed lakes of Chile’s Lake District. Based around the pretty town of Puerto Varas, your days are spent exploring the region’s natural wonders and national parks. You can hike, bike, raft or take photo-safaris to the dramatic Petrohue Rapids framed against the towering Osorno Volcano or enjoy scenic drive around Lake Llanquihue under the shadow of the Osorno, Calbuco and Puntiagudo Volcanoes. Further afield, you might like to visit the fascinating culture and booming coastline of Chiloe, home to the unique Puñihuil Penguin Reserve where both Humboldt and Magellanic Penguins live and breed side by side.
Bariloche – Lakes, Volcanoes & Adventure!
Cross the border into Argentina via the “Cruce Andino”, a heady journey through the heart of the Andes travelling by boat and vehicle through a succession of turquoise lakes and mountain passes to reach Bariloche. Sitting at the northern edge of Patagonia, Bariloche is a charming tourist centre on the shores of picturesque Lake Nahuel Huapi framed by soaring peaks. For adventure enthusiasts, there are few better destinations in Argentina! Here, you can hike, bike, paddle and ride or simply emjoy leisurely boat trips out on the lake. Hire a car and you can drive the 7 Lakes route to San Martin de los Andes, one of South America’s classic road-trips or venture into the eerie rock formations of the aptly named “Enchanted Valley”.
Calafate & the Glaciers of Lago Argentino
Fly south to Calafate, gateway to the magnifient Perito Moreno Glacier, one of Argentina’s true natural wonders. Descending from the great Patagonian Icecap, the Perito Moreno is the most accessible (and arguably impressive) of the glaciers and a wonderful sight to behold from the walkways that overlook the ice. Better still, combine the visit with a boat trip across the face of the glacier or a visit to a remote estancia or even an ice-hiking experience for something truly special!
The Torres del Paine – a Patagonian icon!
Recross the border and journey into Chile’s magnificent Torres del Paine, Patagonia’s most famous national park. Here, booming waterfallsFor hikers and tuquiose glacier-fed lakes are framed by soaring granite peaks that hold back the advances of Patagonia’s vast ice-shelf. Hire a car or stay at an all-inclusive mountain lodge, and spend your days walking, riding and exploring the jaw-dropping landscapes. Take the boat-trip up to the face of Glacier Grey, hike the French Valley or iconic Towers Trail and experience the unique flora and fauna – from herds of guanacos and Rhea (South American Ostrich) to flamingos, condors and even puma if you are lucky! For hikers, there is no better trek than the “W Circuit”.
Cruise through the Patagonian fjords
Head out of the park to Punta Arenas to board your chosen vessel for a 5 day cruise through the picturesque Patagonian islands, inlets and fjords that make up the southern tip of South America. Accompanied by expert local guides, you will enjoy daily excursions to experience the region’s resident glaciers, mountains and wildlife. You will follow in the footsteps of the explorers travelling through the Straits of Magellan to reach the Beagle Channel and even pay a visit, weather allowing, to the rocky outcrop of Cape Horn, for centuries the scourge of the shipping world.
Buenos Aires – the beating heart of Tango
Disembark in Ushuaia and fly north to the vibrant Argentine capital, Buenos Aires – the “Paris of the Americas”. Buenos Aires is one one of South America’s great urban centres, a city that brims with monuments, galleries and culture. Visit the Pink Palace, search for Evita’s tomb in Recoleta Cemetery, wander the cobbled, colourful streets of La Boca or browse San Telmo’s antique market. For a change of scenery, take a ferry across the River Plate to picturesque Colonia in Uruguay or visit a traditional estancia and enjoy a horsemanship display or even a polo match in the surrouding pampa grasslands. No visit to Buenos Aires is complete without a Tango Show or why not go one better with a private Tango class before dancing the night away at a traditional “milonga”?
Iguazu falls
Fly north to Iguazu on the border with both Brazil and Paraguay to visit one of South America’s greatest natural treasures – Iguazu Falls. Visit the spectacular viewpoints from both the Brazilian and Argentina side of the border and explore the surrounding tropical rainforest that echoes with bird-song. For a different perspective of the falls, take to the water on the thrilling Macuco Safari boat trip or enjoy a scenic helicopter ride over the mesmerising gorge.
Rio de Janeiro – Carnival King!
Where else to end the trip but in Rio, the city of Samba and Bossanova that echo across Copacabana and Ipanema beaches! Framed against an iconic backdrop of tropical peaks, many of Rio’s attractions need little introduction – visit the statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain or take a cable-car up the Sugar Loaf. For nature lovers, explore the waterfalls and cloud-forest of Tijuca National Park or head south to the Pedra Branca State Park. Here, if you are feeling active, you may like to hike up the Pedra da Telegrafo or Pedra da Bigorna peaks for breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline. For a slice of old Rio, venture into the vibrant suburbs of Lapa or Santa Teresa or travel inland to historic Petropolis, colonial home of Brazil‘s last emperor, Pedro II.
Depart South America
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide From $POA
When to travel
Argentina’s weather is as diverse as the country’s landscapes. In the far south, temperatures reach the high teens during the spring and summer months of November to March (best time to visit) though can drop close to zero at night. Due to its latitude, days are long – 16 hours of light in December which contrasts with around 8 hours in mid-winter when temperatures run close to zero during the day and sub-zero at night. Heading north, the Lake District follows a similar pattern though is warmer over 20° in the summer and wettest in March/April though with beautiful autumnal colours. Buenos Aires and central Argentina enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate with annual highs of 30° while the subtropical north is very hot and sticky with tempestuous downpours during the summer months – Iguazu Falls are particularly impressive in January in February though often the sheer volume of water and surrounding mist shroud the view.
Add on’s
With an extra few weeks, why not continue on into Peru to to complete the Grand Tour of South America and so combine the southern highlights with Machu Picchu, Uyuni and the Galapagos? If you have not had your fill of hiking amidst glorious Patagonian landscapes, then before flying to Buenos Aires, continue north and spend a few days exploring the glorious trails of Mount Fitzroy. Or for the ultimate extension, join an Antarctic cruise from either Punta Arenas or Ushuaia and venture south to the Great White Continent of Antarctica – simple extraordinary!
Finally, there is no better place for some R&R at the end of the trip then Brazil and the sun-drenched beaches of Bahia or better still, Paraty and the tropical biss of Ilha Grande.
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