Southern Explorer - 15D/14N

Río de Janeiro, Paraty, Iguassu Falls, Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Puerto Varas, Santiago.

photo of the Iguazú Falls, courtesy of Tourism Board of BrazilJourney across 3 countries through the heart of South America. Sip wines in Santiago, learn to tango in Buenos Aires and live it up in beachside Rio. Experience diverse landscapes, from majestic mountain peaks to roaring waterfalls, including the greatest of them all, breathtaking Iguassu Falls.

G.A.P. Adventures Tours
To emphasize our eco-friendly approach even more, we have elected to operate many programs with G.A.P. Adventures, a leader in eco tourism operation, committed to offering low-impact tours that benefit traveler and host alike, working with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts. These adventures offer travelers a grassroots, small group adventure vacation, with a focus on culture, nature and active travel.

Comfort Tour
By day, dart around markets, explore the heritage sites and hike through the jungle to discover rare flora and fauna; by night, cozy up in a comfy bed or have a nice dinner with new found friends. Authentic experience doesn’t have to mean sacrificing a good night’s sleep. Comfort is ideal for travelers looking for a little extra cushiness from their adventure, while maintaining the grassroots travel experience. Comfort adventures make use of upgraded hotels with continental breakfast, travel by private and first class transportation, and include your arrival transfer.

Local Payment - Helping to keep the cost to you down…
Most of our adventure tours involve a Local Payment that is paid to the Leader/Representative in cash on day 1 of your tour. This Local Payment is put towards local expenses, such as arranging internal flights as well as entrance and guide fees. Local Payments also reduce the need to wire or transfer funds which can become very expensive. This lowers our operational costs so we can pass the savings on to you. The local payment is in addition to, and is not included in, the base tour price.

Included: Accommodation in Comfortable hotels (14 nights), G.A.P leader throughout, local guides on included activities - Winery tour - Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Tour - Puerto Blest and Lago Frias Tour - Buenos Aires city tour - Visit to the Iguassu Falls - Arrival transfer and breakfast daily.

Not Included: International Airfares - Local payment - Passport and visa expenses - Government arrival and departure taxes - Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is compulsory) - All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges.

Departure Dates: Rio / Santiago: Nov 22, 2008 ; Dec 13, 2008 ; Dec 27, 2008 ; Jan 03, 2009 ; Jan 24, 2009 ; Feb 14, 2009 ; Mar 07, 2009 ; Mar 28, 2009 ; Apr 18, 2009 ; May 09, 2009 ; May 30, 2009 ; Jun 20, 2009 ; Jul 11, 2009 ; Aug 01, 2009 ; Aug 22, 2009.

Departure Dates: Santiago / Rio: Nov 22, 2008 ; Dec 13, 2008 ; Dec 20, 2008 ; Jan 03, 2009 ; Jan 24, 2009 ; Feb 14, 2009 ; Mar 07, 2009 ; Mar 28, 2009 ; Apr 18, 2009 ; May 09, 2009 ; May 30, 2009 ; Jun 20, 2009 ; Jul 11, 2009 ; Aug 01, 2009 ; Aug 22, 2009.

Tour rates from: $ 2095.00 + Local Payment 400 USD.

photo of Río de Janeiro, courtesy of Tourism Board of BrazilDay by day Itinerary Rio / Santiago:

  • Day 1 Arrive Rio de Janeiro - Arrive in Rio at any time.
  • Day 2-3 Paraty - Travel down the Atlantic coast to the gorgeous coastal town of Paraty. Wander the cobblestone streets, take a boat trip to the nearby islands in the bay, or visit one of the many white sand beaches that make Brazil famous.
  • Day 4-5 Iguassu Falls - Iguassu Falls is comprised of 275 separate waterfalls, spanning 3km, some over 80m in height. Spend the next two days exploring both the Argentinean and Brazilian sides of the falls with great optional activities, including a boat ride to the bottom of the falls.
  • Day 6-8 Buenos Aires - Known as the ’Paris of the Americas,’ Buenos Aires is a vibrant city full of life. Enjoy the city at your leisure and learn about its history during your included city tour. Visit the districts of La Boca, Recoleta, and San Telmo or catch a tango show at one of the many famous tanguerías during your free time. Wander the pedestrian walkways and see some dancing in the streets in this most European of Latin cities.

    • photo of Bariloche, courtesy of Tourism Board of Argentina

  • Day 9-10 Bariloche - On Day 9 we to Bariloche. A popular resort town for Argentines, the spectacular surroundings of Bariloche offer a multitude of outdoor options. Enjoy a lake cruise as we visit the Blest Arm of Lake Nahuel Huapi.
  • Day 11-12 Puerto Varas - Today we travel overland passing over the Andes and through many of the same areas as the popular lake crossing excursion. Our destination is Puerto Varas located in the beautiful Lake District of Chile, where you will be able to hike through the Petrohue region in the hills surrounding Osorno Volcano. Optional activities include an excursion to the lakeside village of Frutillar.
  • Day 13-14 Santiago - Spend the day enjoying some great Chilean wine as we tour different wineries in the Maipu Valley taking in the history of the vineyards and learning about the art of wine making.
  • Day 15 Santiago - Depart.

photo of a view of Santiago de Chile, courtesy of Tourism Board of ChileDay by day Itinerary Santiago / Rio:

  • Day 1 Arrive Santiago - Arrive in Santiago at any time.
  • Day 2 Santiago - Spend the day enjoying some great Chilean wine at different wineries across the Maipu Valley. Take in the history of the vineyards and learn about the art of wine making.
  • Day 3-4 Puerto Varas - Fly south to Puerto Varas and the beautiful Lake District of Chile, where you will be able to hike through the Petrohue region in the hills surrounding Osorno Volcano. Optional activities include an excursion to the lakeside villages of Frutillar.
  • Day 5-6 Bariloche - Cross the mountains of upper Patagonia and into Argentina, stopping at Bariloche. A popular resort town for Argentines, the spectacular surroundings of Bariloche offer a multitude of outdoor options. Enjoy a lake cruise as we visit the Blest Arm of Lake Nahuel Huapi.
  • Day 7-9 Buenos Aires - Known as the ‘Paris of the Americas,’ Buenos Aires is a vibrant city full of life. Enjoy the city at your leisure and visit the districts of La Boca, Recoleta, and San Telmo or catch a tango show at one of the many famous tanguerías. Wander the pedestrian walkways and see some dancing in the streets in this most European of Latin cities.
  • Day 10-11 Iguassu Falls - Stunning Iguassu Falls spans 3km and is comprised of 275 separate waterfalls, with some over 80m in height. Spend two days exploring both the Argentinean and Brazilian sides of the falls, with optional activities including a helicopter trip over the falls.
  • Day 12-13 Paraty - A travel day takes us to the Atlantic coast and the gorgeous coastal town of Paraty. Wander the cobblestone streets, take a boat trip to the nearby islands in the bay, or visit one of the many white sand beaches that make Brazil famous.
  • Day 14 Rio de Janeiro - Follow the scent of sand and Caipirinha (a fantastic Brazilian cocktail) to the incomparable Rio de Janeiro, where the friendly Cariocas (Rio residents) will have you swaying to the ever-present samba rhythms. Enjoy some local food and drink, and don’t forget the beach at Copacabana, the perfect place to end your journey across the heart of South America.
  • Day 15 Rio - Depart.

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Also tagged with: Escorted Journeys, South America, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Educational, Cultural, Nature / Ecology, Art / Architecture, Culinary / Wine Discoveries, Join-In Tour, Classic Visit, Hosted Tours, Falls, GAP


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