Discover Cities, Waterfalls & Lakes in Argentina & Chile - 14 Days

Highlights

• Enjoy a tango show and a food tour in Buenos Aires
• Stand at the edge of the spectacular Iguazú Falls
• Cruise across the glassy waters of Argentina's Lake District
• Trek up the slopes of the snowcapped Osorno volcano
• Explore Santiago's historic attractions on a city tour

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Tango Show & Dinner at Gala Tango

Welcome to Buenos Aires! Upon arrival, your driver will meet you in the arrivals hall at Ezeiza International Airport to transfer you to your hotel. Settle into your accommodation and relax, or stretch your legs with a stroll among the Argentine capital's elegant boulevards and colorful neighborhoods.

As evening falls, you'll kick your trip off in style with a tango show at Gala Tango. Amid the splendor of French architecture and decor in a historic setting reminiscent of 1930s Argentina, you'll enjoy a performance of this iconic art form in an intimate, small-group setting. Before the show, you'll have the option to participate in a tango class before sampling some delicious gourmet food and some of Argentina's best wines. Dine, dance, and enjoy the best in tango and Argentine folklore before heading back to your hotel for the night.

Day 2: Buenos Aires Neighborhoods Tour, Food Walking Tour of Palermo

Buenos Aires' neighborhoods are known for their individual and distinctive character, which you'll explore further on today's three-hour, small-group tour. See the grand Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada, where some of the most important events in Argentine history have played out. Explore the cobblestone lanes, tango venues, and street markets of San Telmo, then continue to waterfront La Boca to admire the colorful houses of Caminito Street and the famous Bombonera Stadium. Continue through the affluent docklands of Puerto Madero with its modern high-rise buildings, then make a stop in Recoleta, where the star attraction is the Recoleta Cemetery.

Later, prepare for a food walking tour of the Palermo district. From the meeting point, head to four amazing restaurants, each of which will present its best selection of dishes. Enjoy more than 10 dishes and drinks showcasing the best of Argentine cuisine, including a wine tasting. Walk through impressive streets as you get to know the history of the neighborhood, street art, and the deep-rooted culture of Palermo. 

Day 3: Fly to Puerto Iguazú, Sunset Catamaran Ride

Say goodbye to Buenos Aires and catch a 1.5-hour flight north to your next destination: Puerto Iguazú, home of the famous Iguazú Falls. Named one of the Seven Wonders of Nature, this is the largest waterfall complex in the world, stretching for almost 2 miles (3 km) along the border of Argentina and Brazil.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and prepare for a sunset catamaran ride. Begin your tour at the local port, sailing toward the Three Frontiers, where the Río Iguazú flows into the immense Río Paraná. After pausing here to see the landmarks of the three surrounding countries (Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay), sail upstream, passing under the Tancredo Neves International Bridge. Continue toward the banks of the Iryapu Jungle and reach the height of El Santuario, the limit of the Iguazú National Park, about 7.5 miles (12 km) from the falls. From there, head off on your return downstream. 

Hop over to the Brazilian side of the park today to see the largest of the falls—Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat). A bus will take you from the Visitors' Center to the beginning of the footbridge that provides a circuit to explore the park, and then you'll follow a subtropical rainforest path, possibly even seeing wildlife such as toucans and jaguars before you reach the spectacular waterfall.

You may want to bring rain gear to protect your camera and yourself as you take in the views, and then ride an elevator back to the meeting point to catch your bus. From Iguazú National Park, it's about a one-hour drive to Parque das Aves, a 40-acre (16 ha) bird sanctuary in Foz do Iguaçu in the Paraná province of Brazil. Its immersion aviaries allow you to admire the more than 1,000 birds from 143 species in the park while keeping an eye out for caimans, anacondas, and butterflies.

Day 5: Tour the Argentine Falls, Great Adventure Boat Trip

Join a professional guide to take in more views on the Argentine side of Iguazú Falls National Park today. Start with the park's lower falls circuit, then hop on to the upper circuit with panoramic views of several of the park's cascades. Finally, follow the last trail to a finale at Garganta del Diablo. From this side of the park, you'll see views of the massive cascade from above, providing a vantage point to watch water rush beneath your feet and disappear over the falls' edge. It's then time to dry off as you head back to the park's entrance to end your tour.

To see Iguazú Falls from another perspective, catch a raft from the lower Río Iguazú to the base of the falls. The adventure will start with a truck ride along the Yacaratiá Trail to take you to the dock of Puerto Macuco, where you'll board a raft. As you glide along the river, you'll see the Argentine and Brazilian sides of the waterfall system and appreciate the full scale of the 275 cascades—which are nearly twice as tall and three times as wide as Niagara Falls. Get ready to get wet as you head across the river rapids toward the San Martín and Tres Musqueteros waterfalls.

Day 6: Fly to Bariloche & the Lake District

You're off to Argentina's Lake District today as your driver transfers you to the airport to catch a four-hour flight south to Bariloche. Nestled in the Andes mountains, Bariloche borders the glacial lake of Nahuel Huapi and is known for its Swiss alpine-style architecture (hence the nickname "Little Switzerland"), as well as scenic vistas and outdoor activities. Upon arrival, get settled, then head out to explore this charming town on foot. Make sure to get an early night, as an adventurous trek awaits tomorrow.

Day 7: Trek the Circuito Chico 

Start with a hearty breakfast this morning before joining your guide for a scenic six-hour hike along the Circuito Chico, considered one of the Lake District's most spectacular routes. With smooth terrain, this walk is suitable for all levels of hiker, as a steady ascent takes you through diverse arboreal forests to reach the summit of Cerrito Llao Llao (3,363 ft/ 1,025 m).

From this panoramic viewpoint, you'll be rewarded with prime views of the lofty peaks of  López, Capilla, and Millaqueo in the distance, plus panoramic vistas across Lago Nahuel Huapi—including Blest Arm and Sadness Arm, two of the lake's seven "arms" or bays. You'll take the same trail down for the return journey, returning to Bariloche for a free afternoon. 

Day 8: Sailing Trip to Blest Port & Los Cantaros 

Take to the waters of Nahuel Huapi today as you sail across its tranquil waters on a full-day sailing excursion. The day starts with an overland transfer to Puerto Pañuelo, where you'll be welcomed onto your boat and cast off along the lake's Blest Arm.

Stops include the enchanting island of Centinela, the final resting place of the creator of Nahuel Huapi National Park, the crashing waters of the Cascada de los Cántaros, and a hike through stunning temperate rainforest. You can opt to finish in the charming lakeside town of Puerto Blest or continue on to the emerald waters of Lago Frías before returning to Bariloche for the evening.

Day 9: Lakes Crossing to Puerto Varas (Chile)

It's time to leave Argentina behind and make your way to Chile—but today's journey is far more than a simple border crossing. With a combination of boat and bus travel, you'll traverse the Cruce Andino, a mythical route that crosses three lakes and passes dramatic volcanoes, mountains, and waterfalls. The Indigenous Huilliche and Mapuche people have made this crossing for over four centuries, leaving their mark on the legends of this area.

Start with a bus ride to Puerto Pañuelo, where you'll board a catamaran for the hour-long cruise across Nahuel Huapi. Disembark at Puerto Blest, then take a short bus ride to the nearby port of Puerto Alegre, where another boat takes you across Lago Frías. After completing the official customs stop at the border, you'll enter Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park and take a lunch break.

Day 11: Trek the Paso Desolación 

Today takes you back to Osorno, where you'll set out on a rugged six-hour trek. The name of this trail, Paso Desolación (Desolation Path), refers to the low-lying vegetation of lichens and shrubs that frame panoramic views along the route. On the way up, you'll pass through a canyon, where you'll see amazing rock formations created by water, melting snow, and lava. Your destination is the pass between Osorno and Cerro La Picada at 5,610 feet (1,710 m). During your ascent, observe some of the native trees and fauna of the area, as well as the spectacular views of Lago Todos los Santos.

Once you've reached your destination, enjoy a well-deserved picnic to regain your strength at the edge of a beautiful waterfall produced by melting snow and ice from the volcano and mountaintops. Then descend toward Playa Larga and take a refreshing dip in the lake before heading back toward Puerto Varas.

Day 12: Fly to Santiago, Panoramic City Tour

Your time in the Lake District draws to a close this morning as your driver takes you to the Puerto Montt airport, where you'll catch a two-hour flight to Santiago. Chile's dynamic capital sits in a valley midway between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel to get settled before joining your guide for an immersive city tour.

Day 13: Full-Day Tour of Valparaíso & Viña del Mar

This morning, you'll be picked up from your hotel and taken on a tour through the fertile valleys of Curacaví and Casablanca, heading toward the Pacific coast and the port city of Valparaíso. The area surrounding the nearby bay is steep, with colorful cliffside homes and an amazing network of cable cars or funiculars. The city center of Valparaíso was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the surrounding architecture only adds to the charm and personality of this vibrant region.

Your travels continue to the neighboring sea town of Viña del Mar, known for its gardens and working flower clock, which was created in celebration of the 1962 World Cup. You'll see the amazing architecture of the residential sectors of Casino de Juegos, Avenida Perú, and Avenida San Martín before stopping at Reñaca Beach, a popular destination for both tourists and locals. Here, you'll have a chance to visit one of the nearby restaurants for lunch before returning to Santiago in the afternoon. 

Day 14: Depart Santiago

It's time to say goodbye to Santiago. After breakfast at the hotel, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport. Have a safe flight home or to your next destination!

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