Itinerary
- Day 1
Santiago de Chile
Your German-speaking guide meets you at Santiago's international airport and arranges your transfer to the hotel. You'll get settled and have time to adjust after your journey.
- Day 2
Santiago
A half-day city tour takes you through Santiago's mix of old and new. You'll walk down the Alameda main street past the University of Chile, Church of San Francisco, and National Library. Then it's on to Plaza de Armas, through the artistic Bellavista district, and up to Cerro San Cristóbal viewpoint where you can see the city and Andes spread out below you. After that you'll drive through modern residential areas to finish the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Half-day exploration of Santiago
- Visit Alameda main street
- Visit University of Chile
- Visit Church of San Francisco
- Visit National Library
- Visit Santa Lucia Hill
- Visit Plaza de Armas
- Drive through Bellavista artistic and nightlife district
- Visit Cerro San Cristóbal viewpoint
- Drive through modern residential areas
Landmarks Alameda University of Chile Church of San Francisco National Library Santa Lucia Hill Plaza de Armas Bellavista Cerro San Cristóbal - Day 3
Santiago - Calama - San Pedro de Atacama
You fly from Santiago to Calama and then travel to San Pedro de Atacama. The old village has unpaved roads and adobe houses, so you'll wander around the old square and ancient church. You can check out local artisanship at the artisans' village. Later, you head out to Moon Valley with its white salt-covered rock formations that look like you're on another planet.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Calama
- Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama
- Visit old square of San Pedro
- Visit old church in San Pedro
- Visit artisans' village
- Explore Moon Valley
Optional Activities
- Explore desert by bike
- Sandboard down dunes
- Hot air balloon experience over landscape
- Massage or relaxation in thermal baths
- Stargazing over Atacama Desert
Landmarks San Pedro de Atacama Moon Valley Atacama Desert - Day 4
San Pedro de Atacama
Heading south into the highlands, you'll see plants and wildlife you don't find elsewhere. The Miscanti and Miniques lagoons have flamingos and great mountain views. Then you explore the Atacama salt desert, Chile's largest, with its wild colors and strange formations. You finish at Chaxa Lagoon, another good spot for watching flamingos.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch box)
Included Activities
- Drive to highlands (Puna)
- Visit Miscanti Lagoon
- Visit Miñiques Lagoon
- Visit Atacama salt desert
- Visit Chaxa Lagoon
Landmarks Miscanti Lagoon Miñiques Lagoon Atacama Salt Desert Chaxa Lagoon - Day 5
San Pedro de Atacama
This day is yours to relax or do whatever interests you. If you want adventure, there's a full-day option to El Tatio Geysers at 4,300 meters where you can see geothermal activity, then visit the desert oasis town of Machuca to meet locals and learn about their traditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Full-day excursion to El Tatio Geysers and Machuca
Landmarks El Tatio Geysers Machuca - Day 6
San Pedro de Atacama - Purmamarca
You take a public bus across the border from Chile into Argentina, heading to Purmamarca. This small indigenous village sits at the gateway to Quebrada de Humahuaca and has wonderful views of Cerro de los Siete Colores, where rocks glow pink, white, violet, green, red, brown, and mustard yellow. After settling into your hotel, you have the afternoon free to explore the village.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Public bus transfer to Purmamarca
- Transfer from bus station to hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore Purmamarca independently
- View Cerro de los Siete Colores
Landmarks Cerro de los Siete Colores Purmamarca 
- Day 7
Purmamarca - Salta
Driving through Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you see colorful rocky layers that change color depending on the sun's position. You stop at Tilcara to visit Pucaré, a pre-Inca archaeological site. From there you cross the Tropic of Capricorn, see the beautiful chapel at Uquia, reach Humahuaca at 3,000 meters, then continue south to Salta.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Quebrada de Humahuaca
- Visit Pucará archaeological site
- Cross Tropic of Capricorn
- Visit Uquía chapel
- Visit Humahuaca
Landmarks Quebrada de Humahuaca Tilcara Pucará Tropic of Capricorn Uquía Humahuaca 
- Day 8
Salta - Cafayate - Salta
You drive south through the Lerma Valley on one of Argentina's best country roads. La Quebrada de las Conchas gorge stretches 83 km with colorful hills and rock formations shaped by wind and water. Look for the Amphitheater, Devil's Throat, and the Obelisk. In Cafayate wine region, you tour a winery to taste local Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Torrontes wines. After lunch on your own, stroll through town before heading back with the evening light turning the landscape reddish.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Lerma Valley
- Drive through La Quebrada de las Conchas gorge
- Visit winery in Cafayate
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Cafayate
Landmarks Lerma Valley La Quebrada de las Conchas Cafayate - Day 9
Salta - Buenos Aires
Salta's historic center is the focus today. You start at the famous 9 de Julio square with the Cathedral and Cabildo, Argentina's best-preserved municipal council building. The Museum of High Mountain Archaeology has Inca treasures and remarkably preserved mummies from high-altitude sites. Climbing Cerro San Bernardo gives you panoramic city views. Then you transfer to the airport for a flight to Buenos Aires, check into your hotel, and the rest of the day is free.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- City tour of Salta
- Visit 9 de Julio square
- Visit Cathedral of Salta
- Visit Cabildo
- Visit Museum of High Mountain Archaeology (MAAM)
- Climb Cerro San Bernardo
- Flight to Buenos Aires
- Transfer to hotel in Buenos Aires
Optional Activities
- Argentine culinary experience - group basis with English-speaking tour guide (3h 30min)
Landmarks 9 de Julio square Cathedral of Salta Cabildo Museum of High Mountain Archaeology (MAAM) Cerro San Bernardo 
- Day 10
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires' tango heritage and cultural landmarks are today's focus. You walk down Avenida de Mayo to Plaza de Mayo to see Casa Rosada, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and city hall. The cathedral has beautiful neo-classical architecture and holds the mausoleum of national hero General San Martín. After coffee at a traditional café, you wander through historic San Telmo with its cobbled streets and antique shops, then head to colorful La Boca and the famous El Caminito artists' street. You pass Teatro Colón on Avenida 9 de Julio. The evening ends with dinner and a tango show at Viejo Almacén where you'll see traditional tango and milonga performances.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Viejo Almacén restaurant)
Included Activities
- City tour of Buenos Aires
- Visit Avenida de Mayo
- Visit Plaza de Mayo
- Visit Casa Rosada
- Visit Metropolitan Cathedral
- Visit old city hall
- Stop at traditional café for coffee and snacks
- Explore San Telmo historic quarter
- Explore La Boca district
- Visit El Caminito artists' street
- Pass Teatro Colón
- Dinner at Viejo Almacén
- Tango show at Viejo Almacén
Landmarks Avenida de Mayo Plaza de Mayo Casa Rosada Metropolitan Cathedral San Telmo Plaza Dorrego La Boca El Caminito Avenida 9 de Julio Teatro Colón Viejo Almacén 
- Day 11
Buenos Aires
You have the full day free to relax or explore Buenos Aires at your own pace. Optional excursions include the Tigre Delta with its rivers and islands, a full-day ranch experience at Santa Susana with lunch and folklore show, or the famous Sunday San Telmo antiques market.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Tigre Delta and Paraná River (4 hours) - group basis with English-speaking tour guide
- Full-day excursion to Estancia Santa Susana - group basis with English-speaking tour guide
- San Telmo antiques market (3h 30min)
Landmarks Tigre Delta Paraná River San Isidro Estancia Santa Susana San Telmo Plaza Dorrego 
- Day 12
Buenos Aires - Iguazu Falls
After breakfast you transfer to the airport and fly to Iguazu. The Argentine side of Iguazu Falls has 275 waterfalls dropping across a gorge, creating constant spray and rainbows. The Ecological Jungle train takes you to Devil's Gorge station for a short walk to this dramatic viewpoint. You cross the Tancredo Neves Bridge over the Iguazu River, the natural Brazil-Argentina border, and enter Brazil to check into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Iguazu
- Visit Argentine side of Iguazu Falls
- Take Ecological Jungle train to Devil's Gorge station
- Walk to Devil's Gorge viewpoint
- Cross Tancredo Neves Bridge
- Transfer to hotel in Brazil
Landmarks Iguazu Falls Devil's Gorge Iguazu River Tancredo Neves Bridge 
- Day 13
Iguazu Falls
From the Brazilian side, you get panoramic views of Iguazu Falls. Standing on a viewing platform near Devil's Gorge, you see the falls up close, then walk a narrow footbridge to the lower drop. The roaring water, mist, spray, jungle greenery, and semi-circular rainbow create an unforgettable natural scene.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- View falls from Brazilian side viewing platform
- Walk narrow footbridge to lower drop of falls
Landmarks Iguazu Falls Devil's Gorge 
- Day 14
Iguazu - Rio de Janeiro
You transfer to the airport and fly to Rio de Janeiro. After settling into your hotel, you can take in the incredible scenery of this vibrant city between mountains and the sea. With lush vegetation, deep blue waters, and white beaches, Rio has cultural richness and plenty of entertainment options.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Rio de Janeiro
- Transfer to hotel in Rio de Janeiro
Landmarks Rio de Janeiro 
- Day 15
Rio de Janeiro
A scenic cog railway takes you through Tijuca forest to 728-meter Corcovado mountain in about 20 minutes, with views of tropical vegetation, beaches, and the city. At the summit you visit the famous Christ statue. After returning by train, you head to Urca district and take a cable car up 390-meter Sugar Loaf Mountain via two stations. From there you drive along Guanabara Bay and Flamingo Park toward the city center, passing the financial district, Candelaria Church, Saint Sebastian Cathedral, Lapa arches, city theater, national library, art museum, and finishing at the Sambodrome, Rio's legendary carnival venue.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cog railway to Corcovado (approximately 20 minutes)
- Visit Christ statue at Corcovado
- Return by train to base
- Cable car to Sugar Loaf Mountain
- Drive along Guanabara Bay
- Pass Candelaria Church
- Pass Saint Sebastian Cathedral
- Pass Lapa arches
- Pass city theater
- Pass national library
- Pass art museum
- Visit Sambodrome
Optional Activities
- Evening program Rio by night - Show (with optional dinner)
Landmarks Cosme Velho station Corcovado Christ the Redeemer Urca Sugar Loaf Mountain Guanabara Bay Flamingo Park Candelaria Church Saint Sebastian Cathedral Lapa arches Teatro Colón National Library Art Museum Sambodrome 
- Day 16
Rio de Janeiro
You transfer to the airport for your return flight to Europe, wrapping up your South American adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to airport
- Day 17
Germany
You arrive back in Germany, concluding your comprehensive South American tour.
