NEW! Only 5 spots left! Join Cathy on this incredible journey from Chile’s cosmopolitan capital, Santiago, to Argentina’s Buenos Aires. We will explore Santiago de Chile’s lively culture and strong Andean roots then journey across the unforgettable Andes to the wine region of Mendoza. Experience the stunning architecture in the colonial city of Salta surrounded by rugged natural landscapes, visit the Salt Flats of Argentina and then the village of Purmamarca at the base of the Hill of Seven Colours. We finish our tour with three nights in fantastic Buenos Aires, the "Paris of South America". Enjoy a “must see” tango show, an interactive dining experience, and spend time exploring the culture and history of this beautiful city. Optional extension to Iguazu Falls
Your package includes:
- Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
- Transportation and sightseeing by private air conditioned motor coach as per itinerary
- Entrance fees to sites mentioned in itinerary
- Group arrival and departure transfers
Price per person land only $4,999 based on two sharing and a minimum of 10 passengers. (Limited to a maximum of 12) Not included: Entrance visa, domestic flights ($675.00 plus tax) personal expenses, international airfare and taxes, meals not specified, tipping. Single supplement $1,450.00 Private transfers are available at an additional cost for those not arriving at the same time as the group. Hold your space with a $1,000 non-refundable deposit. Optional Iguazu Falls Extension Price TBA depending on final number of participants.
To book contact: Phone: (250) 595-1161
Email: admin@departurestravel.com
1889 Oak Bay Ave Victoria , BC , V8R 1C6
Friday 03 November Santiago
Arrival at Santiago International Airport where we are met by our local guide and transferred by private vehicle to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Welcome dinner at “El Apero Restaurant” serving typical Chilean cuisine. (D)
Saturday 04 November Santiago
Today we experience “Santiago Like a Native”. Our tour today includes: Italia Square, Gabriela Mistral Cultural Centre, Lastarria neighbourhood, the Catholic University, the Cerro Santa Lucía, and different neoclassical patrimonial buildings, which are characteristic of old Santiago.
We continue to the Forest Park and the cultural and gastronomic Bellavista neighbourhood, included visit to “La Chascona” Museum of the famous Chilean Nobel Prize-winning poet and writer, Pablo Neruda.
Enjoy lunch at “El Galeon Restaurant” in the Central Market of Santiago, The Mercado Central is Santiago’s celebrated fresh fish market, which was listed by the National Geographic as one of the Top 10 Food Markets in the world. As well as the helter-skelter arrangement of vendors selling everything from barnacles to giant muscles, you’ll find a central plaza with a variety of seafood restaurants where you can sample typical Chilean favourites such as creamy crab bake and clams au gratin. Return to the hotel. (B,L)
Sunday 05 November Santiago
Today we head to the Maipo Valley to visit wineries! Beginning at our hotel, we drive to Haras de Pirque winery, located in the south-west of Pirque, a prestigious zone of vineyards located in the Maipo Valley. Our visit starts with a presentation and tour of the winery, followed by a tour of the cellar located between vineyards, finish with a wine tasting in the barrel room. We then travel to Santa Rita where an expert guide will explain the process of winemaking at this very famous winery. Lunch is included in their stunning “Restaurant Doña Paula”. The tour ends with a tasting of Reserve wines. The wine shop has attractive souvenirs and gourmet exclusives. (B,L)
Monday 06 November Santiago - Mendoza
Today we are transferred by private vehicle and guide over the Andres from Santiago to Mendoza. Though this transfer may take 6-7 hours, the crossing of the Andes is something we will not forget... it is beautiful! Connecting these two countries and two cities is easy and takes us on one of the most scenic journeys in South America. (B,D)
Tuesday 07 November Mendoza
Today we have a private, guided city tour of Mendoza (approx. 3hrs). Our half day city tour explores the history and culture of the town including: local residents, cafes, squares, institutions and public buildings. This tour of the beautiful tree-lined city includes the Plaza Pedro del Castillo and San Martin Park, entering through the gates to visit the Five Continents Fountain and the memorial at El Cerro de La Gloria with its sweeping views. (B)
Wednesday 08 November Mendoza - Salta
After breakfast, transfer to Mendoza airport for a flight to Salta in the north-west of Argentina. Salta is quickly becoming one of the country’s must-see areas. It is an old colonial city full of stunning architecture, surrounded by rugged natural landscapes, mountains, vineyards and valleys. Upon arrival in Salta, our guide will give us a tour of the area, in particular the old historic
centre, stopping by its main landmarks and discovering several examples of its colonial past as well as the natural beauty that forms their backdrop. Sites include the City Hall, Cathedral, San Francisco Church, San Bernardo Convent, San Bernardo Hill, National University, Vaqueros River, Castellanos Valley, Lesser, San Lorenzo, and the handicraft market. (B,D)
In the evening, enjoy a Folklore Tour with dinner. A unique tour to discover the origin, the characters, and the myths of folk music in Argentina.
Thursday 09 November Salta – Purmamarca
Following breakfast, we depart on a full day tour. Our first stop is San Antonio de los Cobres, an old mining town which is a wonderful example of a typical highland settlemen t, with adobe houses, near-deserted streets and a serious temperature drop after sundown. It’s worth stopping to experience this facet of Andean life. 
Then onto Salinas Grandes (the “Salt Flats of Argentina”). Bring sunglasses for this spectacular salt plain in a remote part of the puna, some 3,350m above sea level. Once a lake, this is now a 525-sq-km crust of salt up to half-a-metre thick. On a clear day, the blinding contrast between bright blue sky and the cracked and crusty expanse of white is spellbinding. Lunch at local restaurant (drinks not included).
We continue down the impressive Lipan Slope to reach the picture-postcard village of Purmamarca located at the base of the “Hill of Seven Colours”. It’s a beautiful spot and an excellent place to shop for woven goods. (B,L,D)
Friday 10 November Purmamarca – Tilcara – Humahuaca - Salta 
We depart from Purmamarca with our first stop at Tilcara, the archaeological capital of the Northwest, to visit the pre-Incan Pucara Ruins. Next stop is the small village of Uquía to visit the beautiful church. From here we head to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Humahuaca, a dry canyon overlooked by mountains eroded to reveal a rainbow of coloured layers of rock. Simply amazing! Lunch is included at a local restaurant (drinks not included) before we returning to Salta. (B,L)
Saturday 11 November Salta – Buenos Aires 
After breakfast, transfer to Salta airport for our flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, we are met by a local guide for transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax.
In the evening, enjoy a Tango show with dinner at La Ventana. (B,D)
Sunday 12 November Buenos Aires
After breakfast, enjoy the highlights of the city such as the impressive National Congress, Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Spanish colonial period city hall, the Cabildo during our guided city tour. See the famous Colon Theatre, one of the best Opera Houses in the world, we tour the traditional and historic San Telmo neighbourhood, stopping at La Boca neighbourhood, the first settlement for the Italian immigrants, and enjoy the colourful architecture. Continuing our tour, we pass by Puerto Madero on our way to Palermo, the largest residential neighbourhood of the city, visiting the Palermo Parks, City Zoo and the Planetarium. Finally, we tour Recoleta, the most elegant neighbourhood of the city, with its famous cemetery, boutiques, gourmet restaurants and sidewalk cafes. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)
Monday 13 November Buenos Aires
Today is free to explore at your own pace. There is plenty of shopping to be done! (B,D)
In the evening: What better to way to end our trip than to indulge in the “Argentine Experience”? Enjoy an interactive dining experience in Recoleta. Chefs and guides will teach you about Argentine cuisine and culture; guests participate in preparing five classic Argentine dishes. Make your own traditional empanadas, enjoy grilled “provoleta” cheese with sliced chorizo sausage and “chimichurri”, learn about and enjoy unlimited Malbec wine, make your own “alfajores” (Argentina’s national sweet), and learn about the history and etiquette of “mate” drinking (Argentina’s national drink). This is not a private event
Tuesday 14 November Departure home or onward to Iguazu Falls
Today we transfer to the airport for our flight home or onward to Iguazu Falls Extension (B)
Optional Extension:
Please note final extension price will be determined by the number of participants.
Transfer from the hotel to Buenos Aires domestic airport for our flight to Iguazu, Argentina (flight priced separately). Upon arrival, we are met by a local guide who will take us on a tour of the Argentina side of the falls.
The tour begins at the Visitor Center, where we board the train, 400 metres away from the main gate. The train travels along Sendero Verde (Green Trail) finishing at Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) Station, the starting point of your journey. Walk via the catwalks out and over the river, finally reaching Devil's Throat, the apex of the mighty Iguassu Falls. From here, it is a 70-metre drop to where several branches of the Iguassu river converge, causing a violent but spectacular sight. Return to the station and re-board the train to the Visitor Centre, and then to the start of the Upper Trail Walk. The Upper Circuit is a half-hour walk along a 1200- metre trail, with a low degree of difficulty and no stairs, guiding us deep into the jungle and over the precipice of the many falls on the Argentinean side.
At the end of the tour we are transferred to our hotel.
Wednesday 15 November Iquazu – Buenos Aires 
Today we are transferred from our hotel to Iguazu Argentina airport for our flight to Buenos Aires domestic airport (flight priced separately). Upon arrival, we are transferred by private vehicle across town to Buenos Aires International Airport to connect with our flights home. (B)