DAY 1 ARRIVE IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
Meet your Tour Director and fellow traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. D
DAY 2 RIO DE JANEIRO
Your guided sightseeing includes a scenic cog-railway ride to Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain, a rounded peak rising 2,300 feet from the bay below. From the top, a breathtaking 360-degree panorama affords sweeping views. From here, proceed to bustling downtown Rio and visit the Cathedral and see the Sambódromo (Carnival parade location). Tonight, a fun dinner outing awaits at a Brazilian Churrascaria (traditional Portuguese BBQ).
LOCAL TASTES Enjoy dinner at a Brazilian Churrascaria in the style of Brazilian barbecue which dates back to the 1700s and was a common cooking style used by the gauchos (cowboys) in the countryside called churrasco, a term for barbeque. Today, you can sample many different cuts of meats and side dishes typical of Brazil. It’s all you can eat so be prepared with an elastic waistband and turn your card from green to red when you are stuffed! B, D
DAY 3 RIO DE JANEIRO
Today is free to explore Rio on your own.
*EXPLORE MORE in Rio de Janeiro with an excursion to Petropolis, (former summer palace of Emperor Dom Pedro II). B
DAY 4 RIO DE JANEIRO-IGUASSU FALLS
Fly to Iguassu Falls and experience the clouds of spray, the incessant roar, and the surrounding luxuriant tropical growth that make this an unforgettable natural wonder. Head into Brazil’s Iguassu National Park to explore the magnificent panorama of waterfalls from the Brazilian side. Your Local Guide introduces the spectacle of this 2-mile-wide torrent with some cataracts as high as 250 feet, which is nothing short of hypnotic.
NATURAL WONDERS Explore Iguassu National Park (Brazilian side) and walk the pathways skirting the Falls and be on the lookout for the locals who call this protected area home like toucans, agoutis, giant otters, anteaters, tapir, and even jaguars! B
DAY 5 IGUASSU FALLS
Today, journey to the Argentine side of Iguassu Falls, where you will take the Ecological Jungle Train into the rainforest and enjoy a closer perspective on a guided walking tour of the falls. Return to the hotel, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure.
PICTURE PERFECT Discover more thrilling sights of Iguassu National Park (Argentinean side). Meander along the walkways from atop the falls and enjoy an exhilarating perspective looking over the precipice of the falls as the water plunges to the rocks below. You will also have the chance to walk through the rainforest on the lower falls trails that will bring you up close to some of the smaller cataracts. B
DAY 6 IGUASSU FALLS – BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
Today, fly to Buenos Aires. After arriving, an orientation walk acquaints you with the “Paris of South America” and its wide boulevards and outdoor cafés.
CITY SIGHTS Elegant European architecture, epicurean cuisine, and a café culture to rival any rue de Paris, Buenos Aires is a city of leisurely afternoons sipping café con leche or the choicest Argentinian wines. B
DAY 7 BUENOS AIRES
Your sightseeing starts in La Boca, a vibrant district and site of the city’s first port. Take a short walking tour of this unique enclave and then on to San Telmo, famous for its late-colonial buildings and a popular gathering spot for artists. At Plaza de Mayo, see La Casa Rosada (the President’s Pink House) and the Metropolitan Cathedral, housing San Martin’s Mausoleum. Drive past the ornate Teatro Colón opera house before reaching Recoleta Cemetery, burial site of Eva Perón. After an afternoon at leisure, top off the evening at a famous Tango club including dinner of Argentine steaks and other local specialties, followed by a show featuring flawless performances of Latin America’s most sensuous dance—the Tango!
CULTURAL GEMS No trip to Buenos Aires would be complete without attending an authentic Tango show! Originating in the poorer streets of Buenos Aires in the 18th Century, the Tango quickly gained popularity worldwide. During your Tango show, see how the Tango dance has evolved throughout the years. B, D
DAY 8 BUENOS AIRES
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Buenos Aires.
*EXPLORE MORE of the timeless traditions of Argentina with an optional excursion to the pampas (grasslands). Experience the atmosphere of Argentine country life as you visit an estancia (ranch). Get acquainted with the lifestyle of the gauchos and enjoy a barbecue lunch and the warm hospitality of your hosts before returning to the city.B
DAY 9 BUENOS AIRES-SANTIAGO, CHILE
Fly to Santiago, Chile.
PICTURE PERFECT Santiago, Chile’s capital and largest city, sits in a valley surrounded by the snow-capped Andes and the Chilean Coast Range. B
DAY 10 SANTIAGO
Today, your Local Guide traces the city’s history and heritage on a guided city tour.
CITY SIGHTS Discover Santiago’s beautiful blend of old and new with a guided city tour through its historic and modern sights. Start at La Moneda, the official Government Palace, before heading to the Plaza de Armas, the main square, with a visit to the 18th-century Cathedral. B
DAY 11 SANTIAGO
Enjoy a free day to explore on your own.
*EXPLORE MORE in Santiago with an excursion to Viña del Mar and Valparaiso, the beautiful coastal region west of Santiago. B
DAY 12 SANTIAGO
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.