Easter Island [optional pre-tour extension]& the Atacama Desert (Chile): 10 Days

Chile: 11 days

Easter Island & Chile: 15 Days

Argentina & Uruguay: 16 Days

Argentina, Uruguay, Iguazu Falls: 19 Days

Patagonia & Iguazu Falls [optional post tour extension] 26 Days

Easter Island [optional pre-tour extension], Patagonia & Iguazu Falls [optional pre-tour extension]: 30 days

Today we fly overnight from North America

We arrive in Santiago this morning and transfer to our hotel. This afternoon we start our sightseeing tour in the historic centre of Santiago at the Plaza de Armas. Nearby is the presidential palace, La Moneda. In front of the palace is the Plaza de La Libertad and close by is the Plaza Bernardo O’Higgins, named after the Peruvian-Irish father of the republic. Overnight in Santiago. Hotel Fundador or similar. Dinner, if arriving in time.

This morning we fly up to Calama in the north of Chile and drive into the driest region in the world - the Atacama Desert- to San Pedro, once the centre of the pre-Inca Atacamean Culture. This afternoon we travel south to the Salar de Atacama, Chile’s largest salt flat at 1,158 square miles. Be sure to bring a good pair of binoculars! Within Los Flamencos National Reserve we should be able to see 3 of the world’s 4 species of flamingo, as well as beautiful lakes such as Lake Chaxa and Lake Salada where chunks of salt float like icebergs on the surface. Late this afternoon, we visit the famous Valley of the Moon, a haunting landscape of coloured gypsum, clay and salt -. We also visit the nearby Valle de la Muerte First of 2 nights in San Pedro de Atacama. Hotel Kimal or similar. Breakfast and Dinner (B & D).

This morning we explore the small town of San Pedro de Atacama. The narrow streets lead to the small central square, the Plaza de Armas. On the other side of the Plaza is the 17th Century Iglesia San Pedro church, the church was constructed without using nails. We visit the superb Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum, which houses over 380,000 objects and is considered one of the finest museums in South America. At Quitor we see the ruins of a pukara, a native fortress built in the 12th Century. Across the other side of the San Pedro River is Catarpe, an Inca administrative centre with panoramic views of the desert. Tulor is the oldest known archaeological site in the region. Later, those wishing to join us will start on our excursion to the Chuquicamata copper mine north of Calama (as long as they are not dynamiting that day). No matter how small your interest in mining, this tour is one of the highlights of the Great North. We take a 2 hour tour of this enormous mine and the gigantic machinery used to extract and refine the ore into copper ingots. Afterwards we cross the flat Plain of Patience to return to San Pedro. Those who don’t want to join the Chuquicamata tour can enjoy a free afternoon in San Pedro. Second of 2 nights in San Pedro. Hotel Kimal or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

Those wishing to join us this morning will make a very early start to visit the famous El Tatio Geysers at dawn. Later this morning we fly back south to Santiago, Chile’s capital. Overnight in Santiago. Hotel Fundador or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

This morning we fly south to Puerto Montt, the gateway to Chile’s Lake District. One of the dominant features is the Fuji-like Osorno Volcano (8,730 feet), whose snow-capped peak can be seen throughout the southern Lake District. Later, we transfer to the charming holiday town of Puerto Varas, located in a gorgeous setting directly on Lake Lanquihue. This afternoon you have time to explore laid-back Puerto Varas. First of 2 nights in Puerto Varas. Hotel Cabanas del Lago or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

As well as Osorno Volcano (8,730 feet), the skyline of Chile’s Lake District is also dominated by several other large extinct volcanoes including Pantoja (6,044 feet), Picada (5,610 feet), Puntiagudo (8,170 feet), Casablanca (6,496 feet) and Tronador (11,352 feet). There are seven separate national parks within the Lake District. Today we drive through the green and gently rolling countryside and take a boat cruise on All Saints Lake, also called Emerald Lake due to its deep green colour. Second of 2 nights in Puerto Varas. Hotel Cabanas del Lago or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

This morning we fly farther south to Punta Arenas. This major city, where days are 20 hours long during our visit in the southern mid-summer, faces the Straits of Magellan and looks south to the island of Tierra del Fuego. In the mid-19th century, long before the building of the Panama Canal, the safest sea route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans was through the Straits of Magellan. We tour Punta Arenas to see some of the sumptuous mansions and public buildings that sprouted during the city’s late 19th century heyday. We also visit the elegant city cemetery where the wealthy families buried their dead in impressive mausolea, reminiscent of La Recoleta cemetery in Buenos Aires. From Punta Arenas we drive north through the bleak Patagonian landscape to Puerto Natales, located on a long fjord inlet from the Pacific Ocean.. First of 2 nights in Puerto Natales. Hotel Martin Guisinde or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

Today we drive north from Puerto Natales to visit the Cave of the Milodon. This is the place where, in 1890, the remains of a prehistoric giant ground sloth nearly 12 feet tall were discovered. From here we travel further north and spend the day exploring Torres del Paine National Park by vehicle and on foot. Be sure to bring a good pair of binoculars The park lies between the central spine of the Andes, nearly buried under a massive ice cap, and the steppes of southern Patagonia. The most conspicuous individual mountains are the Paine Horns (8,530 feet). These two massive peaks of pinkish-grey granite are made exceptionally striking by caps several hundred feet thick of jet-black slate. Seven small glaciers bracket the three nearby Towers of Paine peaks. We will also see the ice bergs floating on the green waters of Grey Lake where they have broken from the face of the Grey Glacier as it descends from the Andes. Torres del Paine shelters an abundance of bird species including the ostrich-like Rhea. We should also be able to see wild Guanacos, a relative of the llama. This evening we return to Puerto Natales. Second of 2 nights in Puerto Natales. Hotel Martin Guisinde or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

Today we travel overland from Puerto Natales across the border to El Calafate in Argentina. This afternoon we have time to explore the town of El Calafate before transferring out into the countryside to stay the next 3 nights at a wonderful guest ranch located beside the turquoise waters of Lake Argentino. This lake covers an area of 600 square miles. We stay as guests on a working sheep ranch out in the Patagonian wilderness. This evening, after a traditional Argentine barbeque known as a “parrillada”, you might like to stroll beside the lake on one of the nature trails or go horse riding through the countryside. First of 3 nights near Glacier National Park. Estancia Alice or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

At the southern latitude equivalent to Vancouver, BC in the northern hemisphere, a vast sheet of ice covers much of the Andes. Over 200 miles long and from 25 to 40 miles wide, the ice covers 5,500 square miles of mountainous terrain. No fewer than 47 major glaciers flow from this massive ice field. Some, such as the Grey Glacier which we saw in Torres del Paine National Park, flow west into Chile while others, such as the Moreno and Upsala Glaciers, flow east into Argentina. This area on the Argentinian side was designated Glacier National Park in 1937. Today we visit the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world’s few advancing glaciers. Be sure to bring a good pair of binoculars ! Fed by several subsidiary glaciers, Moreno grinds its way 22 miles eastward down the mountainside, directly towards an arm of Lake Argentino known as “Iceberg Channel”. By the time the glacier reaches the lake it is nearly 3 miles wide and, at the top of the face, nearly 200 feet above the water. The contrast of the lush foliage over which the glacier is advancing with the stark blue-white ice of Moreno’s face against a backdrop of turquoise lake water and black and white mountain peaks is a sight not soon forgotten. We also approach to within 100 feet of the face of the glacier, so that we can not only see the great river of ice but also hear the roar as huge chunks break off and splash into the water right in front of us - forming ice bergs. Second of 3 nights near Glacier National Park. Estancia Alice or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

Today we travel by boat to visit the largest ice river in Glacier National Park - the Upsala Glacier. Formed from several secondary glaciers descending the eastern slopes of the Andes,Upsala is 30 miles long and enters the remote northern arm of Lake Argentino known as Boca del Diablo (“the Devil’s Mouth”). Because it is so large and its ice so old, Upsala discharges the biggest and bluest icebergs into the lake. Third of 3 nights near Glacier National Park. Estancia Alice or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

After a relaxing morning out in the southern Patagonian countryside, we fly south again from Calafate to Ushuaia on the island of Tierra del Fuego. Ushuaia is considered the world’s most southerly city and Tierra del Fuego contains the world’s most southerly national park. The island is a continuation of the mainland, being divided between Chile and Argentina by a continuation of the Andes range of mountains This evening you have plenty of time to explore Ushuaia since, this far south, it doesn’t get dark until after 10 p.m. in summer and shops in this duty-free port stay open late. Overnight in Ushuaia. Albatros Hotel or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

Cruise + Fly to Patagonia Today we explore rugged Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego and learn about the four native tribes that originally occupied the island. It was fires set by these native people that inspired the explorer Ferdinand Magellan to name this the “Island of Fire” in 1520. From Ensenada Bay we have excellent views across the Beagle Channel to the southern islands of Chile. This is a wonderful area for bird watching and both of the world’s largest birds - the Condor and the Albatross - live in this area. Tierra del Fuego is the closest major land mass to Antarctica and so its climate is strongly influenced by its icy southern neighbour. This afternoon, weather permitting, we take a cruise on the Beagle Channel, the waterway named after the ship on which Charles Darwin passed through this area on his expedition of 1831-36. There are 3 main routes by which ships can pass between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans around the tip of South America. The most southerly and most exposed is to round Cape Horn in the open ocean. The most northerly route is through the Straits of Magellan, which separate mainland South America from the island of Tierra del Fuego. The most protected route passes through the Beagle Channel, which separates Tierra del Fuego from an almost uninhabited group of Chilean islands to the south. This evening we fly from Ushuaia north to the town of Trelew in the Argentine coast of Patagonia. Patagonia is a vast region stretching across the southern cone of South America, the dividing line between the Argentine and Chilean sections formed by the Andes Mountains. Tonight we transfer to Puerto Madryn, a seaside town with extensive beaches favoured by people from Buenos Aires as a holiday resort. First of 4 nights in Argentine Patagonia. Hotel Villa Piren or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

After a relaxing morning with time for you to explore the town of Puerto Madryn, we spend the afternoon experiencing something of the diversity of this wild area. Patagonia is one of the most important areas in the world for the discovery of fossils. We learn about some of the local finds at the superb, new Egidio Feruglio Palaeontology Museum in Trelew, where beautifully-displayed exhibits include dinosaurs, sabre-toothed cats and dinosaur eggs. Later we visit some of the sites where important fossils have been discovered in Bryn Gwyn Palaeontology Park. This is the only palaeontology park in South America and many of the fossils are still to be seen in situ, only partly excavated. Most of Patagonia is dry, empty scrubland but in this area the Chubut River irrigates a fertile valley whose green fields and neat towns contrast with the barren surrounding landscape. The majority of the population of Argentina are of Spanish or Italian origin, but in the fertile Rio Chubut Valley area around Trelew a large Welsh population was invited to settle in 1865 and they have left their mark through until today. We visit the charming Welsh town of Gaiman. Second of 4 nights in Argentine Patagonia. Hotel Villa Piren or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

Today we explore one of South America’s finest wildlife showcases - sometimes called the “Zoo of the South Atlantic”. The Peninsula Valdez is almost an island, being attached to the mainland by a thread of land so narrow that one can sea the ocean on both sides as we cross to the peninsula. Along the outer coast between Punta Delgada in the south and Punta Norte in the north are superb places to view seals, sea lions, elephant seals, guanacos (relatives of llamas), rheas (ostrich-like flightless birds), maras (rabbit-like animals related to guinea pigs) and many species of sea birds. Be sure to bring a good pair of binoculars ! Several thousand male southern sea lions establish themselves here at the beginning of the southern summer. These are noisy places as the males roar, posture and fight to defend their territories and harems of females against other males. 4,000 to 5,000 elephant seals (the largest species of seal) make their homes on the Peninsula Valdes. Weather permitting, we take a boat ride on protected Golfo Nuevo bay along the rocky coastline to see colonies of some of the more than 1,000 Southern Sea lions which crowd the sandstone shelves near Punta Piramides. Third of 4 nights in Argentine Patagonia. Hotel Villa Piren or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

Along the coast of Patagonia rich seas nourish a dense concentration of marine wildlife but the land is seemingly-endless, dry, scrubby grassland. Today we travel south through some remote Patagonian scenery and visit the massive penguin rookery at Punta Tombo. This is one of the largest penguin colonies outside of Antarctica, with these strange birds nesting in burrows in every available spot as far as the eye can see. These are Magellanic penguins, better known as “jackass penguins”. It’s easy to understand how the birds get their common name when you hear over 800,000 birds braying like donkeys ! The penguins come ashore here in November and raise 1 or, in a good year, 2 chicks per breeding pair. Many of the nesting burrows are located over half a mile from the sea and it is very comical to see these black and white birds waddling long distances over dry land to reach the water. Ungainly on land, these flightless birds are in their true element once in the sea, where they “fly” under water with extreme agility and endurance. The mother and father take it in turn to guard the nest from marauding gulls and skuas while the other goes fishing. Depending on how far offshore the fish shoals are, an adult can be away at sea for 3 days. We are able to get right up to the adults and their fluffy grey chicks at their nests. In fact, these birds are so unafraid of people, you even have to be careful where you step ! Fourth of 4 nights in Argentine Patagonia. Hotel Villa Piren or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

This morning we make our way to Trelew Airport and flying north to Buenos Aires. This afternoon we begin our guided tour of Argentina’s capital - “The City of Good Airs”. Nearly 40% of Argentina’s total population of 37 million people live in Greater Buenos Aires. Founded by a Spanish expedition in 1536, the city is one of the world’s great ports - facing the estuary of the River Plate. The city centre streets are laid out on a grid pattern. When Charles Darwin visited in the 1830's he wrote “The city of Buenos Aires is large and I should think one of the most regular in the world.” Buenos Aires is often called the “Paris of South America” due to it’s French-style public buildings and wide avenues. As well as being a city of fine European-style buildings, wide avenues and peaceful parks, Buenos Aires is also known for its neighbourhoods. Each neighbourhood has its own character, depending on which nationality of immigrants settled there on arrival in this great port city at the gateway to a new continent. We visit the Italian-settled area of La Boca and hope to see another Buenos Aires tradition - the Tango dance. Later we visit the very exclusive Recoleta area and wander through the Recoleta Cemetery where Buenos Aires’ elite are buried in elaborate family mausolea. Although of humble birth and not from the city, Eva Peron managed to have herself and her father buried here. There is also an excellent open-air artists’ market in the park in Recoleta which we can explore. First of 3 nights in Buenos Aires. Hotel Murano or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

This morning we visit the flea market in the charming San Telmo area of Buenos Aires. Here, on the cobbled streets surrounding the shaded little square, artists set up their stalls to display their paintings and “antiques”. We have time to browse and soak up the atmosphere before heading out into the countryside. Buenos Aires really flourished in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries when Argentina was one of the five richest countries in the world, based mainly on its worldwide agricultural exports. The wealth of the city came from the countryside around it, the famous Pampas. The area became a major wheat growing area as well as raising huge numbers of sheep and cattle. This wealth was concentrated in the hands of few owners of enormous ranches, known as “estancias”. Today we travel out into the vast Pampas to learn about the way of life of the famous Argentine cowboys, the “gauchos”, as we visit an estancia. We have the opportunity to ride horses or take a ride in a horse-drawn wagon before enjoying a typical barbeque lunch called a “parillada”. This gives us a chance to taste the world-famous Argentine beef of the Pampas. We will also see displays of folk dancing and music from the diverse regions of Argentina as well as displays of the horse-riding skills of the gauchos. Second of 3 nights in Buenos Aires. Hotel Murano or similar. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Today we continue our guided tour of “the Great Metropolis”. This morning we start our tour at the magnificent National Congress Building. In front of the building, in Plaza del Congreso, ornate fountains represent the Argentine constitution and the River Plate. At the opposite end of Avenida de Mayo, close to the river front, is the historic Plaza de Mayo. In this area we see the Casa Rosado (Government House) from the balconies of which Evita and her husband Juan Peron gave rousing speeches to the masses. We also see the Colon Opera House , Palace of Justice and some of Buenos Aires’ finest shopping streets. In the Metropolitan Cathedral we will see the tomb of San Martin who, along with Simon Bolivar, liberated South America from Spanish colonial rule. The old brick warehouses of the Puerto Madero port area have recently been restored as fashionable shops and restaurants. We travel down the Avenida 9 de Julio, which is said to be the world’s widest avenue. Here we will see Buenos Aires’ landmark Obelisk which was erected to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first founding of the city. Third of 3 nights in Buenos Aires. Hotel Murano or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

The city of Buenos Aires sits on the south western shore of the massive estuary of the River Plate. This morning we take a hydrofoil 31 miles across the estuary to the charming town of Colonia in the neighbouring country of Uruguay. Colonia was founded in 1680 by Portuguese adventurers from Brazil as a rival port to Buenos Aires and not captured by the Spanish until 1762. Built on a small promontory jutting out into the River Plate estuary, Colonia is one of the few colonial era towns still found intact in the southern cone of South America. Sections of the city’s old defensive walls can still be seen running alongside the river. We take a guided walking tour of the tree-shaded cobbled streets to view some of the historic buildings, the Iglesia Matriz (Uruguay’s oldest church) and the old port. Old Colonia is a wonderfully relaxing place to wander and to take lunch before we drive through the countryside to Uruguay’s capital city, Montevideo. Overnight in Montevideo. NH Columbia Hotel or similar. Breakfast and Dinner.

Today we have a guided tour of Montevideo city. Just as greater Buenos Aires is home to nearly half of Argentina’s people, so 50% of Uruguay’s entire population lives in or around Montevideo. However, everything her is on a much smaller scale. The total population of the country of Uruguay is only a little over 3 million. Founded by the Spanish in 1726 in response to the Portuguese establishment of Colonia, Montevideo has always been the little sister of Buenos Aires. Montevideo shares many of the characteristics of Buenos Aires, but on a much smaller and more laid-back scale - which many travellers find charming. Many Argentines compare Montevideo to Buenos Aires 40 years ago and envy the relaxed pace of life in the Uruguayan capital. We start our tour at the city’s main square, Plaza Independencia. In the centre of the square is the mausoleum of General Jose Artigas, leader of Uruguay’s struggle for independence from both the Portuguese and the Spanish. To the east is Montevideo’s main shopping street, Avenida 18 de Julio. On the south side of Plaza Independencia is the palatial, cream-coloured Government House and the stately Solis Theatre. To the west, through an arch is the entrance to the Old City, Ciudad Vieja. Built on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the River Plate, the old part of the city contains the port and many fine buildings and public gardens. We also drive along the riverfront Rambla boulevard past residential suburbs and beaches. This evening we catch our flight home overnight to North America. Breakfast.