The incredible adventure. From the moment you arrive in Santiago de Chile, to your departure from Salvador de Bahia in Brazil, you’ll be amazed at the diversity of both landscape and culture that this circuit offers. Plaza de Armas in Santiago, crowded with artists displaying their work, the Indian inhabitants of Atacama, tango dancers in San Telmo and the samba rhythm filling the air in Rio and Bahia are only some of the attractions. Add the desolate landscape of salt pans at Atacama, the lush beech forests and lakes of Puerto Varas, the snow-capped peaks of the Torres del Paine, the vineyards of Mendoza, the avenues of Buenos Aires, the beaches of Rio, the magnificent Iguaçu Falls and the dense rain forest of the Amazon. This route offers it all.      

Includes: All transfers days 1-30 as per itinerary, 29 nights accommodation, touring in coach, public bus, boat and air, local English speaking guides, entry fees to included sites, portage for one bag per person, meals as indicated.

Not Included: International airfares, visas, flight Buenos Aires-Rio on Day 19, exit taxes if applicable, other meals, personal purchases, travel insurance, tips, optional activities. 

Circuit 7 Map

ITINERARY

Day 1: Santiago
You are met on arrival and transferred to your city hotel. Rest of day at leisure.
 

Day 2: Santiago  [B]
The morning is leisure, then meet your guide for an afternoon city tour. Visit the Church of San Francisco, Bario Paris and Bario Londres, the Club Hipico and Plaza de Armas. Afterwards ascend San Cristobel Hill for views across the city to the Andes.
 

Day 3: Santiago  [B]
A day at leisure but we recommend the optional full-day guided tour to the beach-resort city of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar.

Day 4: Atacama  [B]
Transfers and flight to Calama, then by road to San Pedro de Atacama for check-in. An afternoon tour includes a stroll through the city, occupied by a Palaeolithic civilization before Spanish colonization.

Day 5: Atacama  [BL]
A full day guided tour visits the world’s driest desert, the Atacama. We see the expansive sand plains, the Salt Lake, organic sculptures of volcanic stone, and verdant oasis.

Day 6: Atacama  [B]
A day at leisure in the town allows time to appreciate the beautiful colonial architecture and Indian culture. An optional half-day tour includes a visit to the geysers at El Tatio at 4.3km above sea level.

Day 7: Puerto Varas  [B]
Transfers and flight to Puerto Montt via Santiago and transfer to your hotel in Puerto Varas, a city located on the shores of Lago llanquihue. A short tour of Puerto Montt, en-route to your hotel, shows the strong Germanic influence on local architecture.

Day 8: Puerto Varas  [B]
A full day excursion by catamaran includes the most stunning scenery in a region of lakes, rivers, forest and mountains. We see Peulla and the Petrohue Rapids, the Vicente Rozales Nat. Park, and take a short hike to a waterfall (this day subject to weather. $3 entry to Petrohue not included).
 

Day 9: Punta Arenas  [B]
Transfers and flight south to Punta Arenas, Chile’s most southern city with a population largely of Muchapo Indians. An afternoon excursion visits the penguin colony at Otway Bay (Oct-Mar) or Nandu Park (Mar-Sep).
 

Day 10:  Puerto Natales  [B]
After a morning tour of Punta Arenas you board the public bus to Puerto Natales, the entry point for the Torres del Paine Nat. Park.

Day 11: Torres del Paine  [B]
A full day excursion into this magnificent, UNESCO listed nature reserve. See shimmering lakes, jagged mountain peaks, the Milodon Cave. We might catch glimpses of guanacos, fox, swan and birdlife as we hike to the Grey Glacier.

Day 12: Santiago  [B]
Transfers and public bus to Santiago. You are met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.
 

Day 13: Santiago  [B]
A day at leisure in Santiago or you may repeat the half day tour (at no charge) of day 2.  

Day 14: Mendoza  [B]
Depart by public bus across the Andes. The route follows Ruta 60 through the foothills and then past Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America. After passing through the Andes Tunnel the road descends to Mendoza, the centre of Argentina’s huge wine region.

Day 15: Mendoza  [B]
A tour of the city includes Independence Plaza and the ‘Founding Area’, as well as General Martin Park and the Hill of Glory. An optional afternoon extension includes a visit to a bodega for wine tasting.

Day 16: Buenos Aires  [B]
Morning transfers and flight to Buenos Aires. An afternoon tour takes you to Casa Rosada, Plaza de Mayo, down the world’s widest avenue, and to the suburbs of San Telmo and La Boca. Optional evening visit to a Tango show with Dinner.

Day 17: Buenos Aires  [B]
A day at leisure in the ‘Paris of South America’. You may wish to return to colourful La Boca for a stroll through the art market or see dancers busking outside sidewalk cafes. Optional full day visit to a traditional Estancia to see Gauchos at work.

Day 18: Buenos Aires  [B]
A half day tour to the Delta region where the Plate River meets the Parana River. Here you see aristocratic mansions, islands with luxuriant vegetation, and the leisure lifestyle of Portofinos, the people of BsAs.

Day 19: Rio de Janeiro  [B]
Transfer and flight to Rio (this flight not included). Arrival transfer to your hotel. Rest of day at leisure.
 

Day 20: Rio de Janeiro  [B]
A half day guided tour of the sights of Rio. Drive along Guanabara Bay and Flamengo Park, through Downtown seeing the iconic buildings, then ascend Sugar Loaf Mountain by cable car.

Day 21: Iguaçu Falls  [B]
Transfers and flight to Iguaçu, and check in at your hotel. Afternoon enter the Nat. Park and follow the catwalks to viewing platforms and to the base of Devil’s Throat.

Day 22: Iguaçu  [B]
Cross to the Argentinean side and follow both the Superior and Inferior Circuit walks to viewing points, then board the Jungle Train to view the Devil’s Throat- the most spectacular view of all.

Day 23: Ouro Preto  [B]
Transfers and flight, arrival check-in followed by leisure time.

Day 24: Belo Horizonte  [B]
After breakfast explore the city of Ouro Preto. This city was based on gold mining during the 18thC. and retains the atmosphere of that period. You’ll enjoy the narrow, cobbled streets, terraced gardens, colonial churches. Afternoon drive to Belo Horizonte for overnight.

Day 25: Amazon Basin  [B]
Transfers and flight to Manaus, followed by a boat journey up river to our Eco Lodge on Rio Taruma, in the centre of the Amazon Forest.

Day 26: Amazon Basin  [BLD]
Full day exploring the jungle, seeing the wildlife and the very diverse floral kingdom of the region.

Day 27:  Amazon Basin  [BLD]  
A full day excursion to the Meeting of the Waters.

Day 28: Salvador da Bahia  [B]
Transfer by boat to Manaus where we take a tour of this unique city in the forest. Afterwards flight to Salvador da Bahia for overnight.

Day 29: Salvador da Bahia  [B]
A morning tour visits the Farol da Barra, the coastal Barra District, the  Municipal Square and the Lacerda Elevator for breathtaking views across Baia de Todas Santos. Optional tonight is a visit to ‘Bahia By Night’, a vibrant night of dance and Afro-Brazilian music.

Day 30: Departure  [B]
After breakfast transfer to the airport for onward flight.