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Cultures & Contrasts of South America
17 DAY TOUR FROM £4099
A wide-ranging tour of Brazil, Argentina and Chile including Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Santiago, the thunderous cascades of water of Iguassu Falls and the Lake District region of Patagonia.
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Alternative tour suggestions
If the tour or departure date you have selected is sold out or not exactly what you are looking for, the alternative options below still have places available and maybe exactly what you are after.
- Highlights of Peru and the Galapagos Islands
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Tour Pace
Leisurely Lively
Tour experience
Scenic City
Highlights
- Rio de Janeiro
- Iguassu Falls
- Buenos Aires
- Bariloche Lake District
- Puerto Montt
- Santiago
Sightseeing Highlights
- Rio de Janeiro Sightseeing tour including the city's main sights and a cog-train ride through Tijuca Forest and up Corcovado Mountain to see the famous Christ the Redeemer Statue. Also included is a cable car ascent up Sugar Loaf Mountain.
- Iguassu Falls A guided tour to the amazing Falls.
- Buenos Aires Guided sightseeing of this city including views of Plaza de Mayo, La Boca, Palermo Park and visit the famous Recoleta Cemetery, the burial site of Evita Perón.
- Bariloche Lake District Visit this beautiful area including Lake Nahuel Huapi, Playa Bonita and Campanario Mountain.
- Puerto Montt Guided sightseeing tour includes Angelmo, a traditional Chilean seafood market.
- Santiago Sightseeing includes Club Hipico, the Parque O'Higgins and the Cousino Palace and San Cristobal Hill for splendid views of the city.
Dining Highlights
- 15 breakfasts (B)
- 3 lunches (L)
- 3 dinners (D)
- BBQ and Carnival Dinner in Rio de Janeiro (HD)
- Highlight Dinner in Buenos Aires (HD)
- Musical Farewell Dinner in Santiago (FD)
- 24 included meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)
First Class Travel Highlights
- Return scheduled flights.
- The services of one of Brendan's professional Tour Directors and local hosts on the Peru extension.
- Complimentary transfers on Day 1 from Rio International Airport to your hotel in Rio de Janeiro and on Day 16 from your hotel to Santiago International Airport.
- All internal flights.
- Stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
- All hotel service charges, baggage handling fees (one suitcase per person) and local taxes.
- A stylish travel wallet.
Luxury Private Car UK Transfers
- Exclusive door to door airport transfers
See your tour
To view our interactive map of this tourClick Here
Day 1 (Door to Door)
Arrive Rio de Janeiro
Enjoy your luxury private car door to door transfer to your departure airport before your scheduled flight to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your first hotel.
Hotel: Excelsior Copacabana (SFC)
Day 2
Rio de Janeiro
A free day at leisure today. This evening relax over a delicious BBQ dinner followed by a colourful Folklore and Carnival show. (B, HD)
Hotel: Excelsior Copacabana (SFC)
Day 3
Rio de Janeiro
Today we enjoy a full day tour of Rio. We begin with a cog-train ride through Tijuca Forest and up CorcovadoMountain where the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. We descend by train and head to a seafood restaurant for lunch. Afterwards we pass by Rio's beaches to board a cable car to ascend Sugar Loaf Mountain to enjoy spectacular views of the city before travelling down and continuing past Saint Sebastian Cathedral, Lapa Arches and the Sambadrome, the site of Rio's famous Carnival parade. Your evening is free. (B, L)
Hotel: Excelsior Copacabana (SFC)
Day 4
Rio de Janeiro
A full free day at leisure. Perhaps stroll the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. For shoppers, jewellery, art and crafts are always good buys. Sightseers can choose between two optional tours: A full day schooner cruise from a nearby fishing village with lunch and swimming or a half day 4x4 jeep excursion through a nearby rain forest. (B)
Hotel: Excelsior Copacabana (SFC)
Day 5
Rio de Janeiro - Iguassu Falls
We transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguassu Falls. Later your Tour Director will show you the Falls from the Brazilian side. The rainbows and plunging cascades of water really make this one of nature's wonders. (B, D)
Hotel: Mabu Thermas Resort (SFC)
Day 6
Iguassu Falls - Buenos Aires
A morning tour will take you to the Argentine side of the Falls. We board the Ecological Train and ride to see the spectacular Devil's Throat before transferring to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Tonight delight in dinner and a performance of the Tango. (B, D)
Hotel: Hotel Elevage (FC)
Day 7
Buenos Aires
Our tour takes us to view the Plaza deMayo, San Telmo and colourful La Boca. After views of Palermo Park we make a guided visit to the Evita Museum, which tells the story of the larger-than-life icon. We then visit the Recoleta Cemetery where you will find the grave of Evita Peron. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B, HD)
Hotel: Hotel Elevage (FC)
Dining Highlights: Tonight, savour a "You're Personally Invited" home-hosted dinner featuring traditional Argentine cuisine. This is a wonderful opportunity to interact with a local family in their own home and learn about their daily lives and Argentine culture.
Day 8
Colonia del Sacramento excursion
We take the hydrofoil to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay. Founded in 1680 by Portuguese explorers, Colonia has a delightful ambience with twisting cobblestone streets and colourful houses. The well-preserved historic quarter was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. See the city on a tour and then explore on your own. This afternoon we return by hydrofoil to Buenos Aires where the rest of the day is free. (B, L)
Hotel: Hotel Elevage (FC)
Day 9
Buenos Aires
Take advantage of a free day at leisure. Your Tour Director will have many suggestions including a Tango lesson or a day trip to the Pampas to learn the daily life of the Gaucho where you will enjoy a traditional BBQ lunch with music as well as a demonstration by the cowboys and their horses. (B)
Hotel: Hotel Elevage (FC)
Day 10
Buenos Aires - Bariloche
Today we fly to Bariloche in the shadows of the Andes and the heart of the scenic Lake District with the balance of the day free to stroll through this picturesque town. (B, D)
Hotel: Hotel Edelweiss (SFC)
Day 11
Bariloche
Sightseeing in this region of Patagonia takes you along the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. We see Playa Bonita and Campanario Mountain and take a chairlift ride to a lookout point at the summit. We then travel to the Llao Llao Peninsula and over the Angostura Bridge. (B)
Hotel: Hotel Edelweiss (SFC)
Day 12
Bariloche - Puerto Varas
Leaving Bariloche we take catamaran ride to the Quetrihué Peninsula. Here we step into the silence of ancient Arrayanes trees. There is time to enjoy your pristine surroundings before returning to Villa La Angostura. We then board a coach and continue to the border with Chile and Puerto Varas. (B, L)
Hotel: Hotel Cabanas del Lago (FC)
Day 13
Puerto Varas - Puerto Montt - Santiago
We head for Puerto Montt, stopping at an observation point for a beautiful view over the waterfront and city. We then transfer to the airport for your flight to Santiago. On arrival you are transferred to your hotel. (B)
Hotel: Park Plaza Providencia (SFC)
Day 14
Santiago
We begin in the older residential area, passing the Club Hípico, a beautiful horseracing track, the Parque O'Higgins and the Cousino Palace. We continue along Santiago's colourful main avenue and visit the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral. At the Pre-Colombian Art Museum we view one of the most complete collections of ceramics, ancient textiles and relics of American culture before stopping at the Central Market, dating back to the 1800s. Finally we cross the Mapocho River and journey through the Bellavista district on the way to San Cristobal Hill. (B)
Hotel: Park Plaza Providencia (SFC)
Day 15
Santiago and Optional Valparaiso and Viña del Mar Excursion
A free day at leisure. There is an optional excursion to the beautiful coastal region including the historic port of Valparaiso and the chic resort of Vina del mar. (B, FD)
Hotel: Park Plaza Providencia (SFC)
Dining Highlights: Tonight we enjoy a Farewell dinner at a local restaurant, complete with traditional music and dance.
Day 16
Depart Santiago
A free day before your late afternoon complimentary transfer to Santiago International Airport for your return scheduled flight back to the UK. (B)
Day 17 (Door to Door)
Arrive UK
On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting luxury private car for your door to door transfer to your home.
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Dependent on flight availability at the time of booking, additional nights may need to be purchased at the beginning or end of your tour.
See your tour
To view our interactive map of this tourClick Here
Elevage (FC)
Centrally located close to San Martin and Florida Street, this hotel offers elegantly decorated rooms. The extensive leisure facilities include a swimming pool, gym, sauna and solarium and international dining
Hotel Edelwiess (SFC)
Located in Bariloche's city centre just steps away from Nahual Huapi Lake, this hotel offers spacious and well appointed guestrooms. The hotel has an indoor pool with views of the lake and Andes, a gym and a spa.
Cabanas del Lago (FC)
Located on a hill overlooking Lake Llanquihue and the town of Puerto Montt, facilities include a restaurant and lounge, an indoor pool, sauna and gift shop.
Park Plaza Providencia (SFC)
Located in the centre of Providencia, close to the city's bustling districts, with a glass covered roof terrace offering views of Santiago. There is also a spa, sauna, gymnasium, heated pool and massage room on site.
Excelsior Copacabana (SFC)
The hotel is surrounded by shopping centres, cinemas, and easy transportation to every attraction in Rio. Amenities include the fitness centre, sauna, rooftop pool, rooftop bar and restaurant.
Mabu Thermas Resort (SFC)
This wonderful hotel is the situated on the world's largest spring of thermal waters, located over the 'Aquifero de Botucatu" which flows spontaneously into their three heated swimming pools. The hotel also offers a host of leisure facilities including a tennis court, an International cuisine restaurant, piano bar, brasserie and pool bar.
See your tour
To view our interactive map of this tourClick Here
Schooner cruise
A full day schooner cruise from a nearby fishing village with lunch and swimming
4x4 jeep excursion
Half day 4x4 jeep excursion through a nearby rain forest.
Tango lesson
Tango lesson
Day trip to the Pampas
Day trip to the Pampas to learn the life of the Gaucho where you will enjoy a traditional BBQ lunch with music as well as a demonstration by the cowboys and their horses.
See your tour
To view our interactive map of this tourClick Here
Machu Picchu extension
DAYS 1-15
As the 17 day itinerary.
DAY 16 Santiago - Lima
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima. On arrival you will bewelcomed by an English-speaking host and transferred to your hotel. We take a city tour to see the colonial buildings and the modern exclusive residential district of San Isidro. (B)
Hotel: Casa Andina Private Collection Miraflores
(SFC)
DAY 17 Lima - Cuzco - Sacred Valley
Head into the scenic Sacred Valley and stop at the market in Pisac. There is time to bargain for Peruvian arts and crafts before driving across the Valley. This is one of the most beautiful areas found anywhere in the world. At Ollantaytambo a walking tour introduces us to the quaint village. Just outside of town, admire the ruins of a mighty Inca Fortress. Later, travel to your hotel in Urubamba. (B L D)
Hotel: Sonesta Posada del Inca Yucay (FC)
DAY 18 Machu Picchu excursion
An exciting day as we transfer to the train station for a full day tour to Machu Picchu. Your guide will show you the "Lost City of the Incas", a stone city constructed with an incredible technique for its era and even for present times. There is time to stroll through the ruins on your own before returning to the Sacred Valley. (B L)
DAY 19 Sacred Valley - Cuzco
This morning we transfer back to Cuzco. Relish lunch upon arrival before a half-day tour showing you the best of the city. See the archaeological remains from Inca times and the Colonial art treasures from Spanish times. (B L)
Hotel: Novotel (FC)
DAY 20 Cuzco - Lima
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. Transfer to your hotel in the trendy Miraflores district, with the rest of the day free. (B)
Hotel: Casa Andina Private CollectionMiraflores
(SFC)
DAY 21 Depart Lima
You are transferred to the airport for your overnight flight home. (B)
DAY 22 Arrive UK
On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting luxury private car for your door to door transfer to your home.
The altitude of Cuzco is 11,444 feet.
Price Per Person from: £4975
Single Room Supplement: £1300
Triple Room Reduction: £105
Airport departure tax payable locally when departing Lima.
Dates and prices
Prices based on per person sharing a twin or double room. For single room supplements and triple room reductions please call for details.
