Itinerary
- Day 1
Santiago de Chile
Your flights depart for Santiago de Chile, taking you into the southern hemisphere and marking the beginning of your South American journey. Once you land, you'll settle in and get oriented to the city before your adventure really kicks off.
Landmarks Santiago de Chile - Day 2
Santiago de Chile
After you land in Santiago this morning, take time to settle in before getting out to see the city. Walk around Plaza de Armas in the historic center to get a sense of Santiago's role as the political and economic heart, then head over to Providencia to check out the more contemporary neighborhoods and modern architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Santiago - historic city center and Plaza de Armas
- Visit Providencia district
Landmarks Plaza de Armas - Day 3
Valparaíso
This optional excursion takes you to Valparaíso, Chile's historic port city about 90 minutes from Santiago. You'll walk through the government building and check out Plaza Sotomayor and Plaza Victoria, then head to the cathedral. The city's famous 16 inclined elevators connect the upper and lower areas, and riding one gives you a real sense of how the city's built into the hillside. If wine interests you, there's a chance to visit a local winery and sample Chilean wines.
Optional Activities
- City tour of Valparaíso including government building, Plaza Sotomayor, Plaza Victoria, cathedral, and port area
- Ride historic inclined elevators (16 elevators built at turn of century)
- Wine tasting at a local Chilean winery
Landmarks Valparaíso Plaza Sotomayor Plaza Victoria Valparaíso Cathedral - Day 4
Puerto Varas
Fly to Puerto Montt, then drive about 40 kilometers to Puerto Varas on Lake Llanquihue. This region has strong German heritage from 19th-century settlers and remains the center of Chile's ethnic German population. Spend your afternoon exploring the quiet lakeside town at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Lake Llanquihue - Day 5
Osorno Volcano
Drive along Lake Llanquihue toward Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, stopping at the Petrohue waterfalls. Take a boat across Lake Todos Los Santos with views of snow-capped Osorno volcano, then ride by bus to the mountain refuge. Walk through the lava fields here to see how past eruptions shaped the landscape. End the day with dinner at a local family home where you'll try regional specialties.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with local family enjoying local delicacies)
Included Activities
- Drive along Lake Llanquihue
- Visit Petrohue waterfalls
- Boat trip on Lake Todos Los Santos
- Bus trip to Osorno volcano mountain refuge (weather dependent)
- Walking tour through Osorno volcano lava fields
- Dinner with local family
Landmarks Vicente Perez Rosales National Park Petrohue Waterfalls Lake Todos Los Santos Osorno Volcano - Day 6
Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales
Fly south into Patagonia and land in Punta Arenas, then drive roughly three hours to Puerto Natales. This small town serves as your gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, one of South America's most impressive natural areas. The drive itself is scenic, so you'll get early views of the Patagonian landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Punta Arenas
Landmarks Punta Arenas Puerto Natales Torres del Paine National Park - Day 7
Torres del Paine National Park
Spend the full day in Torres del Paine National Park experiencing the region's dramatic terrain. The mountain formations here are really distinctive, and the emerald-colored lakes are striking. You'll likely spot wildlife throughout the day. In the afternoon, take a boat tour on Lago Grey to get close to the glacier formations before returning to Puerto Natales by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Full-day exploration of Torres del Paine National Park
- Boat tour on Lago Grey with glacier viewing
Landmarks Torres del Paine National Park Lago Grey 
- Day 8
El Calafate
Travel through the wide open spaces of Patagonia and cross the border into Argentina. You'll arrive in El Calafate, a small town right on the shores of Lago Argentino, where you'll spend the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Lago Argentino 
- Day 9
Perito Moreno Glacier
First stop by the Glaciarium museum to learn about glaciers in the region. Then head about 80 kilometers west to Perito Moreno Glacier. By arriving around lunchtime, you'll see the glacier outside the typical visiting hours for a quieter experience. Watch as chunks of ice break off the four-kilometer-long, 60-meter-high bright blue wall and crash into Lago Argentino.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Glaciarium museum
- Visit Perito Moreno Glacier
Optional Activities
- Optional boat trip for closer views of the cracking ice (must be booked in advance, not available for on-site booking)
Landmarks Perito Moreno Glacier - Day 10
Tierra del Fuego National Park
Fly to Ushuaia and visit Tierra del Fuego National Park to understand why early explorers called this region the land of fire. Walk through Lapataia Bay as part of your exploration of the park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tierra del Fuego National Park visit
- Visit Lapataia Bay
Landmarks Tierra del Fuego National Park Lapataia Bay - Day 11
Buenos Aires
Take a city tour of Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, and see the center with mountains rising all around it. That evening, fly north to Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Ushuaia
Landmarks Ushuaia - Day 12
Buenos Aires
Explore Buenos Aires on a guided city tour hitting the capital's key sights. You'll pass by the Casa Rosada, visit Plaza de Mayo where the Cabildo stands, then head to La Boca to see the colorful houses that make the neighborhood so distinctive. From there, go to San Telmo, the birthplace of tango, to walk through its historic streets. In the evening, you have the option to catch a tango show if that interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Buenos Aires including Casa Rosada, Plaza de Mayo, Cabildo, La Boca neighborhood, and San Telmo district
Optional Activities
- Tango show in the evening
Landmarks Casa Rosada Plaza de Mayo Cabildo La Boca San Telmo - Day 13
Buenos Aires
Either spend the day exploring Buenos Aires on your own or join an optional excursion to an estancia in the Argentine pampas. There you'll see wide open spaces, cattle ranches, try full-bodied wines and juicy steaks, and meet the gauchos, Argentina's legendary cowboys. It's a chance to experience authentic Argentinian traditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Full-day excursion to estancia in Argentine pampas
- Experience gaucho culture and traditions
- Sampling wines and steaks
- Day 14
Return Flight
Enjoy your final morning in Buenos Aires doing whatever you'd like. Then head to the airport for your return flight home. If you want to extend your trip, there's an option to add a visit to Iguassu waterfalls.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional extension to Iguassu Falls
Landmarks Iguassu Falls - Day 15
Arrival
You arrive back at your departure airport, bringing your journey through Chile and Argentina to a close.
