Argentina, Atacama Desert & Chile Delights

Bienvenida a Buenos Aires! Welcome to the capital of Argentina and the start of this 13-day tour through Argentina and Chile. Meet up with your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel this evening. After an overview of the exciting upcoming itinerary, head to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner. Get your first taste of Argentinian cuisine and get to know the rest of the group. Rest up tonight as the adventures begin tomorrow!

Welcome dinner in Buenos Aires: Get to know your tour leader and fellow travellers over a delicious Argentinian meal at a local restaurant in Buenos Aires.

Buen día Buenos Aires! Look forward to a full day of Buenos Aires tours today. Delve deep into this captivating capital city which is renowned the world over for its rich culture, architectural delights, delicious cuisine and buzzing nightlife. This morning, join a local guide on a driving and walking tour. Learn more about Buenos Aires’ history and discover some of the city’s top sights including the Plaza Del Mayo, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Casa Rosada, Recoleta Cemetery and El Caminito. This evening is free to spend as you wish. Tonight’s Tango Dinner & Show optional excursion is highly recommended for an authentic meal (featuring Argentina’s famous steak) along with a dazzling showcase of Argentina’s most famous dance form!

Buenos Aires city tour: Join an expert local guide in uncovering the history of this fascinating city and discover some of the top sights on a Buenos Aires sightseeing walking and driving tour. Top sights include the Plaza Del Mayo, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Casa Rosada (the Presidential Palace), Recoleta Cemetery (where Eva Peron is buried) and the colourful El Caminito.

Make the most of this free day in Buenos Aires! Take time to explore some of the spots seen on yesterday’s tour in more detail, visit a museum or wander around one of the city’s many charming neighbourhoods such as Palermo or San Telmo. Alternatively, add another country to your list and join today’s optional excursion to Colonia del Sacramento, one of the oldest towns in Uruguay! This unmissable day trip will take you on a ferry ride across the Rio de la Plata to Colonia del Sacramento where you’ll enjoy an orientation tour, an included lunch and a visit to the 19th-century lighthouse for panoramic views!

Bid farewell to Buenos Aires this morning as the tour makes its way to the next destination, the quaint city of Tigre. Known as the “Venice of Argentina”, Tigre is located on the Tigre River Delta and boasts many gorgeous riverside sights and activities. Arrive and set off on an orientation tour where your tour leader will point out the most important sights and visit the famous Puerto Frutos (Fruit Market). After, fully experience the river on an optional boat tour! Marvel at the panoramic delta views and learn more about the region’s history and local lifestyle with an onboard audio guide. After checking into the hotel this afternoon, the rest of the day is free to relax.

Orientation tour of Tigre: Join your tour leader on an orientation tour of this city which lives on the waters of the Tigre River Delta. Learn about the local, riverside lifestyle and discover some of the city’s most important sights including the renowned Puerto Frutos (Fruit Market).

After breakfast, the tour makes its way to the airport for an included flight to Mendoza. Arrive in the afternoon and check into the hotel for the evening. Then, embark on an orientation tour with your tour leader. Mendoza is best known for its wine (don’t miss out on tomorrow’s optional tasting experience!) as well as its spectacular mountain scenery. Visit the beautiful Plaza Independencia, the city’s main square, which bursts with bright greenery and admire the Aconcagua mountain in the distance. The rest of the day is free to explore Mendoza at your own pace. Ask your tour leader for recommendations on how to spend this evening and be sure to try some local wine and cuisine!

Mendoza orientation tour: Join your tour leader in discovering the key sights of this stunning city which is best known for its surrounding vineyards and mountains. Explore the Plaza Independencia, the main square, which acts as a green oasis in the city and admire the imposing Aconcagua mountain in the distance.

Take the opportunity this morning to taste some of the world-class Argentine wine that Mendoza is known for! Join today’s optional excursion and indulge in a tasting of local wines and a tour of two notable wineries in the region. An expert sommelier will guide you through this tasting of Argentina’s most celebrated varietals, including the famous Malbec. Tonight, prepare to set off on the journey of a lifetime as the tour travels via night bus towards the next country - Chile! Travel through the Andes overnight in a comfortable bus equipped with “bus beds” and an included meal with drinks! Keep an eye out for exceptional views as the bus traverses the incredible Carretera de los Caracoles.

Night bus to Santiago: Travel overnight from Mendoza to Santiago on an unforgettable journey through the Andes. The bus is very comfortable and equipped with “bus beds”. Enjoy an included meal and a drink while admiring the views as the bus travels along the Carretera de los Caracoles - one of the most beautiful roads in all of Latin America!

Arrive in Santiago this morning and drop your luggage at the hotel for the next two nights. Your tour leader will point out some key spots around the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore as you wish. As the capital and largest city of Chile, Santiago is abuzz with plenty of things to see and do. With historic buildings, modern skyscrapers, peaceful green spaces, fascinating museums, diverse restaurants and the towering snow-capped Andes in the background, Santiago offers a little something for every type of traveller. This evening, look forward to a taste of Chilean cuisine with an included group dinner.

Delve a little deeper into Santiago after breakfast this morning on an insightful city tour. Visit the historic Plaza de Armas which was founded in 1541 and is home to many picturesque architectural sights such as the Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral and Central Post Office Building. Then, take in the sweeping city views from San Cristóbal Hill. Ride the funicular to the top and marvel at the panoramic views. Finally, enjoy included entrance to the La Chascona museum, formerly the home of beloved Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish. Ask your tour leader for some recommendations on how to make the most of your evening. Santiago is renowned for its vibrant nightlife!

Santiago Guided Tour: Get to know Chile’s enigmatic capital city on a guided tour. Visit the historic Plaza de Armas which dates back to 1541 and is home to top sights including the Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral and Central Post Office Building. Take the funicular to the top of San Cristóbal Hill for panoramic city views and enjoy the included entrance to the La Chascona museum, the former home of Pablo Neruda.

The next destination awaits! Head to the airport this morning and board a flight to the city of Calama. Upon arrival, travel to a true highlight of Chile and Argentina tours. Arrive in San Pedro de Atacama this afternoon and get ready to explore one of the most beautiful deserts in South America! Located on a high plateau in the Andes mountains, the town of San Pedro de Atacama seems to be frozen in time with its otherworldly nature and ancient archaeological sites. Join your tour leader on an orientation tour and bask in the desert surroundings. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner with the group.

Spend two nights in the Atacama desert: Experience the otherworldly beauty of the Atacama desert with a two-night stay in the town of San Pedro de Atacama. Uncover the ancient history in this region, bask in the natural beauty of the desert and learn about local life.

Look forward to a full free day in the Atacama desert! Today’s optional excursion is highly recommended as it offers the unique opportunity to swim in the desert. Join a local guide and head to Laguna Cejar. This crystal clear lake is Atacama’s very own Dead Sea! With its high salt levels, you can easily float atop Laguna Cejar while admiring the mountainous scenery. Another bucket-list sight awaits on tonight’s optional excursion to Valle de la Luna. This spellbinding valley gets its name from the lunar-like landscape with saline rocks which have formed over time from wind and rain. Don’t miss the chance to explore the most iconic Atacama desert sight at sunset!

Say "adios" to the dreamy desert and travel back to Santiago today. Head to the Calama airport after breakfast and arrive back in the Chilean capital this afternoon. After checking into the hotel, take this evening to rest up after a busy few days of adventures. Alternatively, if you’ve still got energy, enjoy the Santiago nightlife. Grab dinner at one of the city’s many excellent restaurants, sit down for a drink at a cocktail bar or dance the night away at a nightclub.

Make the most of this last day in Chile. Today is free to explore more top sights in Santiago or to join the Valparaiso Half Day Trip. This is an exciting opportunity to add another must-see Chile destination to your list! Valparaiso is a colourful, UNESCO-listed port city known for its bohemian hillside neighbourhoods which have inspired many artists and poets. Here, visit the hilltop La Sebastiana museum which was previously a house owned by Pablo Neruda. After soaking up the seaside views and street-art-lined streets of Valparaiso, head back to Santiago where the group will enjoy one last dinner together.

Farewell dinner in Santiago: Enjoy one last group dinner together and bid farewell to this unforgettable tour.

After 13 days of Argentina adventures and Chile guided tours, this life-enriching journey through some of South America’s most spectacular sights comes to an end this morning. Enjoy one last breakfast with the group and don’t forget to swap contact details with your newfound travel friends! Expat Explore wishes you a pleasant journey home or onward to your next destination.

Today is a long travel day as we travel from Mendoza to Santiago in Chile! Drive through the Andes Mountains, admire the views and keep an eye out for Aconcagua - the highest mountain in South America and the western hemisphere - where we make a stop to snap some photos. Cross the border and by late afternoon, arrive in Santiago, Chile’s exciting capital city! After a long day of travel, enjoy an included group dinner. 

Hola Santiago! Fill up on breakfast and head out on a tour of the city with a local guide. This city is in a truly magical location with the Andes Mountains as a backdrop. Wander through Santiago’s downtown, stroll down Alameda main avenue, see the Plaza de Arma, visit the Santiago Cathedral and the Central Market! Feel the bohemian vibe in the Bellavista district - don’t miss out on seeing San Cristobal Hill! The afternoon is yours to explore the city further. Tonight, join in the optional group dinner at a vibrant local spot in town! 

Free Day

Santiago is yours to explore on your free day! Enjoy cultural activities, local food experiences and tastings at local wineries! Choose to join a day trip to visit Valparaiso and Viña del Mar on Chile’s stunning Pacific coast. Valparaiso is a colourful village and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, travel north to Viña del Mar - a seaside resort town well-loved for its beaches, gardens and museums. Tonight, venture out into town for one last South American dinner! 

We say adiós this morning as this South American adventure comes to an end today! Enjoy a last breakfast with your new travel friends. Swap details to keep in touch once you all return home! Opt to take a transfer to the nearest airport or chat to your tour leader about more excursions and day trips around Santiago. Have a safe onward journey!