A thirteen-day journey across three South American countries, linked by domestic flights.
It opens with two nights in Rio de Janeiro, with Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado and Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) by cable car. It continues at the Iguaçu Falls, visited from the Brazilian and Argentine sides, with the Macuco Safari and the Birds Park. It goes on to Buenos Aires, with a city tour and a tango show, then into Patagonia: the Perito Moreno Glacier at El Calafate and Torres del Paine National Park from Puerto Natales, in Chile. It closes in the Atacama Desert, with the Valley of the Moon, stargazing and the Altiplanic lagoons, and a final Santiago city tour with a wine tasting in the Maipo Valley.
Highlights
Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado and Sugarloaf in Rio de Janeiro
Iguaçu Falls from the Brazilian and Argentine sides, with the Macuco Safari and the Birds Park
Buenos Aires city tour with a tango show and dinner
Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park
Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia
Atacama Desert: the Valley of the Moon, stargazing and the Altiplanic lagoons, with a Maipo Valley wine tasting
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Arrival in Rio de Janeiro
Arrival at Rio de Janeiro airport, where a driver and an English-speaking guide meet you and transfer you to the hotel, passing colonial-style buildings and the beachfront. Remainder of the day at leisure, with a walk along the Copacabana promenade.
Day2
Day 2: Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf
After breakfast, tour to Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue, reached by climbing through the tropical forest to the summit, with panoramic views over the beaches and the bay. The tour continues to Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar), ascended by cable car for a 360-degree view over the Tijuca Forest, Guanabara Bay and the city.
Day3
Day 3: Rio de Janeiro – Foz do Iguaçu (Brazilian side)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Foz do Iguaçu, where a driver meets you and transfers you to the hotel. Visit to the Brazilian side of the Iguaçu Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site, followed by the Macuco Safari — a boat ride on the Iguaçu River up to the falls — and the Birds Park, home to toucans, parrots and flamingos. Optional helicopter flight over the falls.
Day4
Day 4: Foz do Iguaçu (Argentine side) – Buenos Aires
After breakfast, transfer to the Argentine side of the Iguaçu Falls, with viewpoints over the water and the surrounding rainforest. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires, where a driver meets you and transfers you to the hotel.
Day5
Day 5: Buenos Aires
After breakfast, half-day tour of the capital's historical and architectural landmarks. In the evening, a tango show at a traditional venue, with an Argentine dinner of steak and Malbec wine.
Day6
Day 6: Buenos Aires – El Calafate
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Santa Cruz Province. On arrival, visit to Los Glaciares National Park and the Perito Moreno Glacier, which advances and calves into the turquoise waters of Lake Argentino.
Day7
Day 7: El Calafate – Puerto Natales
After breakfast, drive to Puerto Natales, a town in Chilean Patagonia and a base for exploring the region, with its colourful houses and lively markets.
Day8
Day 8: Puerto Natales — Torres del Paine
After breakfast, guided visit to Torres del Paine National Park, with its granite peaks, glacial lakes such as Lago Pehoé and Lago Grey, the Grey Glacier, and wildlife including guanacos, foxes and condors. A network of trails caters to all levels.
Day9
Day 9: Puerto Natales – Santiago
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Santiago, where a driver transfers you to the hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure.
Day10
Day 10: Santiago – Atacama
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to the Atacama Desert. Stargazing with telescopes under one of the clearest night skies on Earth, and a visit to the Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna) near San Pedro de Atacama, with its salt flats, rock formations and dunes at sunset.
Day11
Day 11: Atacama — Altiplanic Lagoons
After breakfast, excursion to the Altiplanic lagoons, set above 4,000 m and framed by snow-capped volcanoes including Licancabur, with hiking and photography stops.
Day12
Day 12: Atacama – Santiago
The driver takes you to Calama airport for the flight to Santiago, where you are transferred to the hotel.
Day13
Day 13: Santiago and wine
City tour of Santiago, taking in the historic centre — the Plaza de Armas, the Post Office, the Municipality, the La Moneda government palace and Cerro Santa Lucía — and the modern residential and commercial districts to the east. Continue to the Maipo Valley for a tour of its vineyards and a wine tasting. Departure transfer for the flight home.
What's included
Included: Accommodation in the listed hotels or similar (12 nights)
Included: All transfers
Included: Tickets for all the tours
What's not included
Not included: International and domestic airfare, unless explicitly listed as included
Not included: Airport and tourism taxes and visa fees
Not included: Meals not mentioned in the programme
Not included: Drinks, unless explicitly stated
Not included: Tips and gratuities
Not included: Personal expenses and optional services
Not included: Travel insurance
Not included: Anything not expressly mentioned as included
Optional services
Optional, at extra cost:
Helicopter flight over the falls — Scenic flight over the Iguaçu Falls. Add-on to the Brazilian-side visit.