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Peregrine Travel Centre

Chile & Argentina Real Food Adventure

Chile & Argentina Real Food Adventure

From $ 4,645 AUD

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Description

From the spicy centre of Santiago to the colourful Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires via breathtaking Patagonia, let your tastebuds be taken on a whirlwind adventure of a variety of South American offerings, with plenty of urban, historic and natural wonders along the way. In Santiago, turn your city tour into an ‘earthquake’ of bizarre flavour combinations. In Valparaiso, a graffiti exploration will develop into a fresh seafood lunch, and in Buenos Aires, let the locals show you the delights of Asado. Enjoy these classic dishes but even more in Patagonia where the cuisine reflects unique regional variations and European influences. Mushrooms, lamb, trout and craft beer are all standouts to try in the South where you can experience outstandingly fresh food and unforgettable views. Add a pinch of Chilean food markets, a splash of wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley and a dash of ‘Once’ in Puerto Varas, and you’ve got a seriously tasty Chilean and Argentinian experience!

Trip Name
Chile & Argentina Real Food Adventure
Last Updated
2020-08-11
Days
11
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Drive through the fruitful countryside of the Casablanca Valley and stop by a renowned Chilean winery for a tour and tasting.
  • Decipher the hidden messages in the vibrant murals in Valparaiso’s street art scene
  • Discover the traditional family meal of a 'curanto' – a meat and seafood smorgasbord – in Puerto Varas, learning the ropes from a local chef in their own home
  • Traverse the short but spectacular Bariloche circuit, stopping by stunning lookouts, viewing shimmering glacial lakes framed by the snow-capped Andes. If you're feeling intrepid take an optional trek in the wilds of Patagonia!
  • Be treated to an Asado experience in Buenos Aires with your small group – it’ll be one of the best barbecue experiences you’ll ever have!

Itinerary

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 only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe 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 leader know you are interested in the Group 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 leaders 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. 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 is 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, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour.

Day 1 - Santiago
Hola! Welcome to Chile’s fiery capital in Santiago. Your Real Food Adventure doesn’t begin until 6 pm today with a welcome meeting, so if you do happen to arrive early, get out and about in this exciting city. You might like to take a walk down into the city and check out the shopping Avenida Vitacura, or if you’re feeling active, hike up San Cristobal Hill, for sweeping views of the city. After your meeting, head out with your group leader and travel companions into the bohemian Bellavista neighbourhood to enjoy a traditional Chilean meal. This vibrant area is home to many restaurants,and pubs, as well as being a hub for the city's famous street food scene. Tonight’s all about introductions, so wish a warm ‘buena noches’ (good evening) to your new crew!
Day 2 - Santiago
Start the day with an orientation walk of old Santiago and visit some of the city's historic food markets. La Vega market is the largest and this is where you’ll learn about how the ingredients are sourced from local producers. The other markets are full of food vendors who use these ingredients to create traditional dishes. You will sample foods along the way at each stop on this progressive food tour. Continue on to one of the oldest bars in town, La Piojera. Here, you’ll try a popular local drink called ‘terremoto’ (earthquake) – a mixture of a local liquor, fermented wine and pineapple ice-cream all together. It is delicious, but boy it’s potent! Walk off the alcohol with a visit to Plaza de Armas – the main square in Santiago, full of activity and street vendors. Your group leader can recommend some places around to grab a spot of lunch, or you may like to pick up a traditional ‘completos’ (Chilean-style hot dog) or ‘mote con huesillios’ (a spiced sweet drink made from peaches and husked wheat).
Day 3 - Valparaíso
Make tracks after breakfast and transfer to Valparaiso (approximately 2 hours). On your way, wind through the Casablanca Valley, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn about Chilean wine and have a tasting at the renowned Vina Veramonte. This beautiful vineyard is set in the midst of rolling hills and its modern cellar door overlooks the vines covering the valley floor. Continue on to Valparaiso and check in to your hotel, then visit the Alegre Hills neighbourhood and Chile’s oldest brewery, Altamira, to enjoy lunch matched with their housemade beers – be sure to try local specialties like pastel do choclo and tuna crudo. Later on, you’ve got free time to explore the surrounding neighbourhoods. Your leader will have some great recommendations for dinner, one being Tres Peces, which focuses on fresh seafood sustainably sourced from local fishermen. Valparaiso is also known for its nightlife, so why not hit the town!
Day 4 - Valparaiso
You’ll take a cultural and graffiti tour of Valparaiso this morning and get to know some more of the unseen sides of this coastal city. Valparaiso is vibrant maze of hills, and its residents have done their best to fit houses and buildings on whatever patch of land possible. Get a real insight into how this city has been put together, and in the labyrinth of laneways and corners, Valparaiso has shown itself as one of the world’s best in street art. Pass by colourful murals and learn the local history hidden in each of these artworks. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city and your leader can recommend the best local spots for food & drink.
Day 5 - Puerto Varas
After stocking up on breakfast, transfer back to Santiago and fly to Puerto Montt (approximately 2 hours). From there, head to lakeside Puerto Varas for a city walking tour and then to an ultra-local eatery originally established to accommodate the city's taxi and bus drivers with delicious and filling food at an affordable price. Now popular with all locals, this hidden gem is still the best place to learn the tradition of ‘Once’. This meal fits between lunch and dinner and would be considered a Chilean version of a late afternoon tea. With its strong British and German influence in the south of the country, enjoy some coffee and tea with a variety of pies, sweets and kuchen (German for cake), with local breads and snacks. Other specialties of the house are legendary Chilean sandwiches stuffed with marinated pork or chorizo, mañanera (an rich and smokey egg dish) and impeccable locally grown coffee!
Day 6 - Puerto Varas
Today, take part in a seafood cooking class in a Chilean home. You’ll visit the house of a chef from Puerto Varas and learn to cook one of the most famous Chilean dishes – ‘curanto’. Chilean curanto is a collaborative meal usually shared with the family, consisting of the best seafood of the day cooked up together with platters of potatoes, other meats and accompaniments. While everything is cooking, sit back with a lovely glass of Chilean wine and chat about local culture and food with your hosts in the ‘quincho’ – a traditional type of covered outdoor patio. After getting involved in preparing the meal, taste the fruits of your labour over a lovely afternoon.
Day 7 - Bariloche
Rise and shine early and leave Puerto Varas by bus on your way to the Argentinian lakeside city of Bariloche (approximately 6.5 hours). This journey is where you want a window seat, so you can see all of the stunning Patagonian scenery as you traverse past glacial lakes and through lush national parks. Bariloche is famous for its gastronomic delights, including smoked trout, cured meats, cheeses and, of course, chocolate. Tonight, your group leader will choose a local restaurant specialising in the regional dishes of Bariloche, so be prepared for some South American/European fusion with much of the Swiss and German influences surfacing in its regional cuisine.
Day 8 - Bariloche
Today enjoy a free day to explore Bariloche. The area is renowned for some of the most breathtaking hiking in the world. Perhaps take an optional guided full-day (approximately 10 hour) trek taking in highlights such as Nahuel Huapi Lake's lush vegetation, Blest Port, Centinela Islet, Perito Moreno´s tomb and Los Cantaros Cascade. For those who do not wish to trek perhaps visit the city's Chocolate Museum or hit up the Kunstmann Brewery, specializing in German-style micro brews and a menu of Patagonian specialties. Your leader can assist you with the day's arrangements as you wish.
Day 9 - Baroliche/Buenos Aires
Get to know Bariloche and its surrounding countryside on the ‘circuito chico’ – translating to short circuit, this half-day tour will take you past the best of the best in the area. Pass by breathtaking panoramic views of the Andes and view Lake Nahuel Huapi in all its glory. You’ll see Lake Perito Moreno, the San Pedro Peninsula, Victoria Idland and Llao-Llao, where you can walk up to the gothic-style stone and timber San Eduardo Chapel. There’s so much nature to marvel at on this small circuit, so be sure to have your camera ready. Afterwards, transfer to the nearby airport and board a flight to Buenos Aires (approximately 2 hours). Once arrived, the evening is free for you to perhaps find some local specialties like empanadas or alfajores with dulce de leche – your group leader can recommend their favourite places.
Day 10 - Buenos Aires
Get under the skin of Buenos Aires with a guided city tour and coffee at Café Tortoni – an institution in Argentina’s capital since 1858! You’ll learn about the history of gauchos and enjoy a tasting of Argentina’s signature Mate drink – a strong brew with subtle woody hints. The best way to drink this is sharing a large container and bombilla (traditional metal drinking straw) with a group of you. Later on, shop for local wines with your leader in preparation for the evening's festivities. Gather together with your pals and have a traditional Asado experience for dinner – think the best barbecue you have ever tasted. This authentic Argentine experience will take place at a local's home on a beautiful open terrace. This epic, four-hour long progressive food experience will introduce you to the traditional cuts of beef served in courses fresh off of the grill, along with complimentary side dishes and local vegetables served with 'picada' and 'chimi churri'. Buenos Aires is full of life especially at night, so if you have any energy left after dinner why not get a couple of your fellow travellers together and see a late-night tango show? You’re in Argentina, after all!
Day 11 - Buenos Aires
With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave the accommodation at any time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
15-10-202025-10-2020AUD $ 4,645-

Accommodation

Hotel (10 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle,Plane,Local Bus

Map

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