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Highlights of Argentina and Brazil
Santiago to Rio de Janeiro
11 Days
From
US$ 1,631
+ Local Payment of US$310.00
View Tour Notes
Sample world class cuisine and wine on this short but sweet tour flying across South America’s principle gastronomic region. After action-packed days in beautiful cities, you can watch dancers tango in one city or samba in another. You’ll also visit the beautiful countryside and vineyards around Mendoza.
Itinerary
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Day 1 to 1 - Arrive Santiago
Welcome to Santiago! You are free today to arrive at your leisure and start enjoying the sights. We recommend booking pre tour accommodation to enjoy all the city has to offer.
The capital and economic centre of Chile, Santiago is a fast growing city encircled by the peaks of the Andes Mountains to the east and a smaller range of coastal mountains known as the Cordillera to the west. With its fountains, parks and imposing neoclassical buildings standing side-by-side with glossy office skyscrapers, Santiago is a modern city very much in touch with its colonial past. Don't forget to explore the famous historic centre along the main Plaza de Armas and come across an array of historical and public buildings. Notable sites to visit include the presidential palace, the Chilean museum of Pre-Columbian Art and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Please Note: There will be a pre departure meeting tonight at 6pm to meet your tour leader and fellow travellers.
Optional Excursions
Tours 4 Tips Walking Tours – Free (tip how much you think the tour is worth) • Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes - US$1 • Museo Histórico Nacional – US$1 • Teatro Municipal, with daily shows ranging from opera, ballet, orchestras and concerts – from US$3-12 • Maipo region winery tours – US$18-50
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Libertador or similar 
Day 2 to 2 - Fly to Mendoza
Today we fly into Mendoza, one of the most visited and popular cities in the country. Under the shadow of the Andes, this picturesque place is most known for it’s incredible wine valleys.
Mendoza is where General José de San Martín organised the army with which he liberated Chile and Peru from Spanish rule in 1818. Unfortunately, few historic buildings remain after an earthquake devastated the city in 1861. However, the city was rebuilt on a grid system, resulting in the broad tree-lined streets and beautiful green plazas for which the city is famous. There are great views from the top of “Cerro de la Gloria” at Parque San Martíno.
Approximate travel time: 3hrs including flight time.
Optional Excursions
White water rafting – from US$40 • Full day wine tour – US$100 • Paragliding – US$106 • Parque San Martin – free
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Urbana Suites or similar
Meals
1 Buffet Breakfast(s)
Day 3 to 3 - Mendoza
No trip to Mendoza would be complete without touring the surrounding vineyards. Since the wine boom in the early 20th century, Mendoza has held its title of the largest wine growing area in Latin America, and one of the best in the world. Sitting at the foot of the Andes, the vineyards are planted at some of the highest altitudes and since the region doesn’t experience extreme temperatures, a variety of grapes are able to flourish here.
Today your group will enjoy an excursion to a local vineyard as well as a charming olive farm. Sample some of the finest wine in the region (including the world renowned Malbec!) while learning more about the history and production of wine. Enjoy a traditional Argentinian lunch at the vineyard sampling some fine local and homegrown foods. Finally, we taste various olive oils at the farm and enjoy some of the most stunning scenery the countryside has to offer.
Included Excursions
Guided Argentinian Winery Tour
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Urbana Suites or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Local Lunch(es)
Day 4 to 4 - Mendoza
Today is free to further explore Mendoza. Situated on the foothills of the Andes, the city is a great base for some optional outdoor activities, such as white-water rafting and rappelling.
If you are after something a little less adrenaline inducing, rent a bike and cycle the nearby countryside and vineyards and even stop off for some more wine tastings!
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Urbana Suites or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 5 to 5 - Fly to Buenos Aires
The beautiful city of Buenos Aires is known as the "Paris of South America" due to its lovely green parks, plazas and wide boulevards. Explore the quirky neighbourhoods and artistic markets of the city, where European and Latin American influences have mixed together to create a city like no other. To make sure you see as many of the city's historic sites as possible in the time available, we suggest taking a sight-seeing bus, which you can hop on and off as you wish. You'll see Avenida 9 de Julio (the widest avenue in the world), the impressive Teatro Colón, one of the world's best opera houses, and the famous Casa Rosada, Argentina’s presidential palace, from where Juan and Eva Perón famously addressed the crowds gathered on Plaza de Mayo in 1945.
Approximate travel time: 2.5hrs
Optional Excursions
Tango show & dinner – US$90 • Hop on/hop off bus – US$28 • Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes – Free
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel TWO or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 6 to 6 - Buenos Aires
Today is free to further explore Buenos Aires. Wander around the variety of craft markets, where you may come across live bands, barbecues, make-shift bars and practising tango dancers for a truly atmospheric Latin-American experience. San Telmo is the best market for antiques, while the market at Recoleta has great hand-made crafts. No visit to Buenos Aires would be complete without a stroll around the upmarket boutiques and cafés of the Palermo district, and the contrasting bohemian barrio of La Boca, where inhabitants of the area used left-over paint from the nearby shipyards to paint their humble houses made of scrap metal in bright, block colours.
The city is also world-renowned for its incredible nightlife, with many nightclubs, bars, restaurants and cinemas open all night. For a great evening, you could see an authentic tango show in the city where the dance originated, and you can’t leave Buenos Aires without trying some of the best steaks in the world!
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel TWO or similar
Meals
1 Local Breakfast(s)
Day 7 to 7 - Buenos Aires
On your last day in Buenos Aires, make sure you have ticked off the highlights and must-see places in the city!
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel TWO or similar
Meals
1 Local Breakfast(s)
Day 8 to 8 - Fly to Iguazu Falls
We fly into Puerto Iguazu on the Argentinian side, visiting the famous Iguazú Falls - the most magnificent waterfalls in the world. Unlike most other waterfalls that have just one or two cataracts, at Iguazú Falls there are 275 cataracts in a magnificent 3 kilometre long U shape that we will visit from both sides. Visiting the Argentine side of the falls you can board a speed boat which will take you under the falls soaking you from head to toe, an optional adventure you'll never forget! On the Argentine side you'll also find the famous "Devil's Throat" where fourteen falls drop with such force that there is always a massive cloud of spray overhead. Following this we transfer to Brazil by land.
Approximate travel time: 4hrs
Included Excursions
Visit Iguazu Falls (Argentinian Side)
Optional Excursions
Helicopter ride over the Falls – US$120 • Bird Park – US$14 • Rafain dinner and dance show – US$50 • Itaipu Dam, including transport, presentation film and tour around the engineering marvel – US$25 • Jungle 4WD and boat trips – US$12-60
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Taroba Express or similar
Day 9 to 9 - Iguazu Falls
Visiting the Brazilian side of the falls will give you a completely different perspective from the Argentine side. On the Brazilian side you can see the falls by walking through the rainforest and along catwalks above and below the rushing water. You can also visit the world's largest hydroelectric dam at Itaipu (optional) where you can learn more about the ecological issues faced during the dam's construction. There is also a very interesting bird park nearby, perfect for that must-have photo with a toucan!
Included Excursions
Visit Iguazu Falls (Brazilian Side)
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Taroba Express or similar
Meals
1 Buffet Breakfast(s)
Day 10 to 10 - Fly to Rio de Janeiro
Today we fly to Rio de Janeiro.
This huge seaside city is famed for its nightlife and golden beaches, with plenty to see and do for travellers. A highlight for many would be to experience the majestic gaze of Christ the Redeemer at the top of Corcovado, the breath-taking panoramic views from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, and the vibrant coloured tiles of the Selarón staircase. You can walk from the top of the staircase up to the quiet hill-top neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, with many quaint cafés and shops lining the cobblestone streets. In the city centre, you can stroll around Rio's old colonial buildings and wander around the skyscrapers of the financial district. Alternatively, you may like to visit the Botanical Gardens, one of the world-famous beaches of Copacabana or Ipanema, or the beautiful Rodrigues de Freitas Lagoon. In the evening, why not enjoy a samba show and get a true insight into what makes Carnival so special.
Approximate travel time: 3hrs
Optional Excursions
Full day Rio de Janeiro city tour – US$68 • Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf) cable car – US$12 • Beaches – free • Maracana Stadium tour – US$7-35 • Hang-gliding - US$245
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Regina or similar
Day 11 to 11 - Depart Rio de Janeiro
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
Meals
1 Buffet Breakfast(s)
What you need to know
- We will try to run your tour as close to the itinerary as conditions will allow. On very rare occasions, local events may affect the way your itinerary operates. We ask for your flexibility and understanding in these situations.
- We travel on multiple domestic flights on this tour to ensure you can see as much of these beautiful countries in a short time.
- The first day of your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities. You will meet your Tucan Travel rep at 18.00 for the pre-departure meeting. In order to allow time to relax and see some of the sights you may wish to add pre-tour accommodation.
- This tour includes domestic flights which have their own luggage restrictions which are sometimes a maximum of 15kg. You will be required to pay any excess luggage charges on tour. Hand luggage allowance will, vary from airline to airline.
- This tour includes a compulsory Local Payment that needs to be paid to the Tour Leader on Day 1 of your tour. For more information on our Local Payments please click here.
- Many countries have strict rules on the age and quality of foreign cash. We therefore recommend you bring only new, unmarked and undamaged bank notes. This includes your Local Payment on tours where required.
What's Included
Excursions & Activities
- Guided Argentinian Winery Tour
- Visit Iguazu Falls (Argentinian Side)
- Visit Iguazu Falls (Brazilian Side)
Accommodation
10 night(s) in hotels
Transportation
Travel by 3 flight(s)
Meals
3 Buffet Breakfast(s), 3 Breakfast(s), 1 Local Lunch(es), 2 Local Breakfast(s)
Other
Tucan Travel Tour Leader
What's Not Included
- Visas and travel insurance
- Spending money – budget for meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras
- International flights to/from the start/end of your tour and departure taxes
- Tips on excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items and single rooms.
- Optional excursions - On each trip, you may find there are some excursions that are not included. This might be because they are not to everyone's taste or there may be various options of differing value to choose from. More information on the excursions we recommend is listed under each day of your itinerary though prices may vary. If you are after something in particular, don't hesitate to ask your tour leader.
- Airport transfers and pre and post tour accommodation
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