Argentina, Atacama Desert & Chile Delights

Hola! Welcome to the first day of your Brazil to Chile Explorer Tour! Arrive at your hotel and meet up with your tour leader. The rest of the day is yours to venture out and enjoy your first experience of the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro. This evening, meet in the hotel foyer at 18:00 and take a short walk to the nearby local restaurant for a welcome dinner with the rest of the tour group. Get to know your tour leader and the rest of the folks who are embarking on this South American adventure with you!  

Fill up on breakfast before heading out to see the best of Rio de Janeiro on a city tour! Journey around town by coach and on foot, led by a local guide, to see the highlights of this bustling destination. Marvel at Rio’s stunning coastline, mountains and winding city streets. Travel to the top of Mount Corcovado to see the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue and enjoy the views. Visit the relaxed Santa Teresa neighbourhood and grab some photos at the famous Escadaria Selaron staircase. Ask your guide for advice on the best local dishes to try over lunch. Tonight, enjoy a drink in town or choose to join an optional group excursion and experience Rio’s exciting nightlife.   

Free Day

Discover even more of Rio on your free day in the city! Walk along the famous beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema, shop for bargains and souvenirs, take a hike in the Tijuca Forest or cruise across the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon on a canoe trip. Alternatively, join the Rio+ Tour. Start the day early and see major historical and modern sights across the city. Explore downtown Rio, wander through the Museum of Tomorrow, visit the Sao Bento Monastery, see the Kobra Mural and the historic La Candelaria neighbourhood. Finish off with a trip to Sugarloaf Mountain. Take the cable car to the top for amazing views of Rio and its surrounds. Spend the rest of the day relaxing as you wish!

Say “tchau” to Rio and drive along Brazil’s Costa Verde (Green Coast). Stunning views are all around;  from the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean to the dense jungle stretching far inland. Arrive in the beautiful colonial port town of Paraty. Check into the hotel and head out with a local guide for a brief orientation tour of the city. Wander along cobbled streets and past 17th-century colonial houses. Spend the evening at your leisure. Relax at the hotel or choose to join the optional excursion and dine at a local restaurant.

Free Day

Enjoy a free day in this beautiful part of Brazil. Nature lovers can make the most of the incredible natural surroundings that are part of the Serra da Bocaina National Park. Enjoy a day at the beach and take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. Choose to experience the area from a different perspective on an optional boat tour or opt to hop into a jeep for a 4x4 tour! Stroll around the historical centre, see more of this stunning part of town and mingle with the locals. Don’t miss out on trying a Jorge Amado cocktail made with Cachaça Gabriela - a rare Brazilian spirit only found in Paraty!

After breakfast, continue the journey to São Paulo - one of the world’s most populous cities and Brazil’s bustling financial hub! Arrive at our hotel for tonight, check-in and then hop on the coach for a tour with a local guide. Learn more about the city and see top attractions including the famous Mercadão (a sprawling food market) - an exciting stop for food lovers! Try some local fare such as codfish and the Mortadella sandwich. Wind down for the evening with the option to enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight. 

Rise and shine early today! It’s time to travel to the famous Iguaçu Falls. Take the shuttle to Guarulhos Airport and catch a flight to Foz do Iguaçu. Arrive in town and head to the Iguaçu National Park to explore this amazing area! These beautiful waterfalls are the largest in the world and border Brazil and Argentina. The name, given by the native Guarani tribe, translates to “big water”. Visit viewpoints and take in the amazing views! Head back to the hotel and enjoy an included group dinner. A Braziian barbecue is on the menu tonight! 

Free Day

Spend today as you wish in Foz do Iguaçu. A number of exciting optional excursions are on offer: take a helicopter flight over the falls or visit Parque des Aves and see over 150 species of birds! You can also choose to visit Panama. Leave after breakfast and cross the Ponte Internacional da Amizade (International Bridge of Friendship) which stretches across the Paraná River. Arrive in Ciudad del Este in Paraguay and explore a new city and a new country. Pay a visit to Itaipú Dam - one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Visit the Saltos del Monday (Monday Waterfall) inside Monday Municipal Park. Head back to Brazil in the late afternoon. Tonight, choose to enjoy the spectacular Rafain show!    

Free Day

Another beautiful day in the Iguaçu Falls region! Choose to join an optional guided tour to the Argentinian side of the falls today. Experience the impressive, untamed beauty of the falls up close as you wander around the walkways - the Lower Trail, Upper Trail, and Devil’s Throat. You can explore both the falls and the surrounding forests on this tour. Look forward to a trip on a train powered by natural gas! Witness the most dramatic part of the falls on the Great Adventure optional boat trip which will take you to the foot of the San Martin waterfall. After another day filled with excitement, enjoy a super local Brazilian dining experience!

It’s an early start today! Head to the Puerto Iguazu Airport. Next stop is Buenos Aires - the “Paris of South America”. There is no lunch stop included today so make sure to stock up on snacks at the airport to keep you fueled for the day. Arrive mid-afternoon and choose to take it easy at the hotel or step out into Argentina’s capital city to start exploring! Tonight’s dinner is included. Tuck into your first meal in Argentina at a restaurant around the corner from the hotel. 

Discover Argentina’s capital! After breakfast, join a local guide on the Buenos Aires City Tour. See the city’s major sights and popular neighbourhoods. It will be a day full of bucket-list-worthy attractions! See the famous Buenos Aires Obelisk, Avenida 9 de Julio - the widest avenue in south American, impressive Plaza de Mayo, colourful La Boca, the oldest neighbourhood of San Telmo and striking Recoleta Cemetery. Make time for “té” or “merienda”, the Argentinian version of afternoon tea. Tonight, choose to join the party for dinner and a Tango show!

Free Day

You are free to roam this beautiful city today! Stroll along the bustling streets, put on your dancing shoes and go for a tango lesson, and enjoy more delicious local dishes! Choose to venture out of the city on a day trip to visit a classic estancia (guest ranch). Travel to the rustic countryside to experience the unique estancia culture. Learn about how Gauchos (Argentinian cowboys) and cattle stations play a role in the Argentinian economy and culture. During your visit, enjoy local food cooked on the ranch and see local folk dances. Tonight, enjoy an included group dinner at another local Argentinian restaurant. 

Say farewell to Buenos Aires this morning. Catch a flight to Mendoza, nestled at the base of the Andes Mountains. This is the heart of Argentina’s wine region and the region is home to more than 150,000 hectares of vineyards! Arrive in the morning, look for something to enjoy for lunch before heading out on a tour of some local wineries. Taste local vintages and admire the beautiful views. This evening, choose to head into the city centre’s plazas for dinner surrounded by the beautiful atmosphere of Mendoza. 

Today is a long travel day as we travel from Mendoza to Santiago in Chile! Drive through the Andes Mountains, admire the views and keep an eye out for Aconcagua - the highest mountain in South America and the western hemisphere - where we make a stop to snap some photos. Cross the border and by late afternoon, arrive in Santiago, Chile’s exciting capital city! After a long day of travel, enjoy an included group dinner. 

Hola Santiago! Fill up on breakfast and head out on a tour of the city with a local guide. This city is in a truly magical location with the Andes Mountains as a backdrop. Wander through Santiago’s downtown, stroll down Alameda main avenue, see the Plaza de Arma, visit the Santiago Cathedral and the Central Market! Feel the bohemian vibe in the Bellavista district - don’t miss out on seeing San Cristobal Hill! The afternoon is yours to explore the city further. Tonight, join in the optional group dinner at a vibrant local spot in town! 

Free Day

Santiago is yours to explore on your free day! Enjoy cultural activities, local food experiences and tastings at local wineries! Choose to join a day trip to visit Valparaiso and Viña del Mar on Chile’s stunning Pacific coast. Valparaiso is a colourful village and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, travel north to Viña del Mar - a seaside resort town well-loved for its beaches, gardens and museums. Tonight, venture out into town for one last South American dinner! 

We say adiós this morning as this South American adventure comes to an end today! Enjoy a last breakfast with your new travel friends. Swap details to keep in touch once you all return home! Opt to take a transfer to the nearest airport or chat to your tour leader about more excursions and day trips around Santiago. Have a safe onward journey!