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Best of Chile & Argentina

Best of Chile & Argentina

From $ 6,170 AUD

Description

Learn to tango and drive one of the world’s most dizzying roads on this encompassing journey through Chile and Argentina. Stroll the streets of Santiago with a local guide, seeing Cerro Santa Lucia, Plaza de Armas and the Central Market. Travel to Los Andes in the Aconcagua Valley and taste spectacular wines at the historic Sanchez de Loria Winery. Cross the dramatic Los Caracoles Pass into Mendoza – Argentina’s renowned wine country – to taste Malbec and more at local wineries, and learn about olive oil production at a local factory. Move on to Buenos Aires and end your adventure with a tango class, a ferry across the Rio de la Plata and a fileteado art workshop.

Trip Name
Best of Chile & Argentina
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
9
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Sip your way through Mendoza – Argentina's most significant grape-growing region – on a full-day winery tour, then visit an olive oil factory.
  • Sit down to a traditional asado feast in Buenos Aires and chat with your friendly porteno host about all things Argentina while tucking into a delicious spread of meats, cheese and local wine.
  • Take a walk through the charming historic neighbourhood of San Telmo to your fileteado porteno workshop, where you'll learn about this unique artistic tradition recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Colonia de Sacramento on a day trip into Uruguay and get to know the city through its cobbled streets and historic buildings.
  • Explore Santiago with a local guide, visiting Cerro Santa Lucia, La Moneda, Plaza de Armas and the Central Market where you’ll taste traditional mote con huesillo.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Santiago
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Chile. When you arrive in Santiago, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Santiago hums with creative energy. Galleries, late-night bars and acclaimed restaurants sit alongside museums and neighbourhoods shaped by diverse cultural influence. It’s no wonder 40 per cent of Chileans call the leafy capital city home. If you arrive early, this city is perfect for strolling and each neighbourhood has a unique flavour and tone. After the meeting tonight, maybe head out for dinner at one of the great local restaurants – your leader will have some suggestions!
Day 2 - Santiago
After breakfast, discover Santiago’s architecture and urban landscapes with a local guide. Begin in the heart of the city at Cerro Santa Lucia, where Santiago was founded, before passing historic churches, European-inspired neighbourhoods and some of the capital’s most emblematic civic buildings. Along the way, you’ll see the impressive Palacio de La Moneda, wander through the financial district and learn about the events that have shaped modern Chile. Continue to Plaza de Armas, the city’s historic main square, then head to the lively Central Market to taste mote hon huesillo (a traditional non-alcoholic drink made with dried and cooked peaches with a touch of chancaca and spices). Finish the walk in Santiago’s cultural quarter, passing the Fine Arts Museum and a few beautiful parks before returning to your hotel.
Day 3 - Los Andes
This morning, set off from Santiago to the small city of Los Andes to the north, near the Andes Mountains. On the way, you’ll have a winery tour and tasting at Sanchez de Loria Winery in the heart of the Aconcagua Valley. This family-owned estate has been crafting exceptional wines since 1890. Explore its historic vineyards, traditional winery facilities, the family wine cellar and the manor house for a peek into Chile’s rich winemaking heritage. Tonight you’re free to spend some downtime at the hotel or rally your group for dinner and a glass of local wine.
Day 4 - Mendoza
Travel to Mendoza today, crossing the breathtaking Los Caracoles Mountain Pass in the Andes, the famous zigzagging mountain road that connects Chile and Argentina. Along the way, stop at the turquoise Laguna del Inca, explore the iconic natural rock formation of Puente del Inca and take in panoramic views of Aconcagua – the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere at 6962 m (22,841 ft) above sea level. When you arrive in Mendoza, go for a walk with your leader. Check out the city’s tree-lined spaces and get a taste of local life along the bustling street Peatonal Sarmiento. Tonight, you may opt to head out to dinner with your group at a local restaurant.
Day 5 - Mendoza
Today, you’ll explore the Mendoza region, where nearly three-quarters of Argentina’s wine is produced – including the signature Malbec. Sip at the source during tours and tastings at two world-class and innovative wineries. Meet with a local wine expert and learn about the different varieties of grapes and production methods used at each winery, then sample some award-winning vintages. Have lunch at the winery, then visit an olive oil factory where you’ll learn how it’s produced and, of course, taste the best varieties.
Day 6 - Buenos Aires
Today, fly from the vineyards of Mendoza to the colourful streets of Buenos Aires. When you arrive, you can spend the afternoon soaking up the Argentinean capital’s mix of European and Latin culture on an orientation walk with your leader. In the evening, learn some new moves at a tango class with your group, then have dinner and watch a spectacular live tango show at El Aljibe.
Day 7 - Buenos Aires to Colonia Del Sacramento
Today, take a ferry across the Rio de la Plata to Colonia del Sacramento. When you arrive, take a walking tour along this UNESCO World Heritage site’s cobblestone streets with your leader. The city was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese and sandwiched in between the Portuguese colony of Brazil and the Spanish vice Royalty of the River Plate (later Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil). If you like, go up to the top of the lighthouse for a great view of the city and river. Sit down to a traditional Uruguayan lunch, then take the ferry back to Buenos Aires.
Day 8 - Buenos Aires
Start the day exploring the streets of the San Telmo neighbourhood – one of Buenos Aires’ oldest neighbourhoods and an open-air museum where fileteado decorates every corner. This traditional art form, known for its stylised lines and drawings of colourful, climbing flowers, is deeply woven into the porteno (a person from Buenos Aires) identity. Then, visit San Pedro Gonzalez Telmo Church, home to several works by master artist Martiniano Arce, and make your way to the iconic San Telmo Market. After, it’s your chance to get artsy during a fileteado workshop. While enjoying a typical porteno afternoon snack, learn the techniques and secrets of fileteado with a master artist. Create your own piece to take home as a keepsak, then tuck into a traditional asado (barbecue) dinner. Chat with your friendly host about their life here while feasting on meats, provoleta cheese and plenty of local wine.
Day 9 - Buenos Aires
Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you're planning to stay on in Buenos Aires, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise extra accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
08-01-202716-01-2027AUD $ 6,540-
12-02-202720-02-2027AUD $ 6,540-
12-03-202720-03-2027AUD $ 6,540-
26-03-202703-04-2027AUD $ 6,355-
09-04-202717-04-2027AUD $ 6,170-
15-05-202723-05-2027AUD $ 6,170-
04-06-202712-06-2027AUD $ 6,170-
24-07-202701-08-2027AUD $ 6,170-
13-08-202721-08-2027AUD $ 6,170-
04-09-202712-09-2027AUD $ 6,355-
24-09-202702-10-2027AUD $ 6,355-
02-10-202710-10-2027AUD $ 6,355-
16-10-202724-10-2027AUD $ 6,355-
29-10-202706-11-2027AUD $ 6,355-
06-11-202714-11-2027AUD $ 6,540-
12-11-202720-11-2027AUD $ 6,540-
27-11-202705-12-2027AUD $ 6,540-
03-12-202711-12-2027AUD $ 6,170-
25-12-202702-01-2028AUD $ 6,170-
07-01-202815-01-2028AUD $ 6,865-
11-02-202819-02-2028AUD $ 6,865-
10-03-202818-03-2028AUD $ 6,865-
24-03-202801-04-2028AUD $ 6,865-
07-04-202815-04-2028AUD $ 6,670-
13-05-202821-05-2028AUD $ 6,670-
02-06-202810-06-2028AUD $ 6,480-
22-07-202830-07-2028AUD $ 6,480-
11-08-202819-08-2028AUD $ 6,480-
02-09-202810-09-2028AUD $ 6,670-
22-09-202830-09-2028AUD $ 6,670-
30-09-202808-10-2028AUD $ 6,480-
14-10-202822-10-2028AUD $ 6,480-
27-10-202804-11-2028AUD $ 6,480-
04-11-202812-11-2028AUD $ 6,865-
10-11-202818-11-2028AUD $ 6,865-
25-11-202803-12-2028AUD $ 6,865-
01-12-202809-12-2028AUD $ 6,670-
23-12-202831-12-2028AUD $ 6,670-

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights)

Transport

Plane, Private vehicle, Boat

Map