Essence of South America

14 Days

Essence of South America

Tauck’s comprehensive 14-day South American tours inspire with in-depth discoveries of the many natural and architectural wonders of this remarkable continent. Spend multiple nights in world-class cities – two in Santiago, and three in Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro – at fine hotels in the heart of each city. Cross the Andes overland and by private boat. View spectacular Iguazú Falls from both Brazil and Argentina. Sample the fine wines of Chile and famous Argentinian beef; get a behind-the- scenes look at Rio’s colorful Carnaval; feel the passion and the heat of the tango and the samba. This most enriching of South American tours is the experience of a lifetime!

Only With Tauck

A walk along the base of thundering Iguazú Falls during two nights at a hotel with views of the waterfall.

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. Transportation is provided from Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport to The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least three weeks prior to the tour departure date. Transportation from the Copacabana Palace to the Rio de Janeiro International Airport is also included at the end of the tour.

Transfers to and from airports may be shared with other Tauck guests.

Rates and schedules are not guaranteed until booked and will vary based on departure date.

Nights 1-2 Santiago, Chile

The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago

Ranked as one of the best hotels in the world by the readers of Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler, The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago is a luxurious home from which to take in the history and admire the stunning natural beauty of Chile’s capital. Its excellent location in one of the city’s most prestigious neighborhoods within sight of the Andean Mountain Range is sure to please. Enjoy splendid vistas of the mountains or the city, as well as such appreciated amenities as an in-room safe, computer and fax connections, and honor bar, in the beautifully appointed guest rooms. A 690-square-foot Health and Fitness Center

awaits under a rooftop glass cupola affording magnificent views with an indoor heated swimming pool, whirlpool, exercise equipment and a range of spa treatments and services. Marble and Lapizlazuli surround diners savoring delectable Mediterranean-style cuisine in the sophisticated Adra restaurant. Chile’s fine wines are world-famous and, at Wine 365, you’ll find a selection of 365 Chilean vintages as well as one-of-a-kind French wines.

Tauck Guests enjoy complimentary Internet access in guest rooms!

Night 3
Puerto Varas, Chile

Hotel Cumbres Puerto Varas

This new hotel prides itself for wowing its guests with spectacular views of the Osorno Volcano and Lake Llanquihue in accommodations which reflect its picture-perfect setting in ambiance and decor. Each of its 92 guest rooms offers modern-day decor featuring native woods, with air conditioning, independent heat, cable TV, minibar, safe and a sophisticated security system. Public spaces astound with panoramic vistas and include a swimming pool and spa. Enjoy world class continental cuisine that compliments your surroundings in the Cumbres del Lago Restaurant, and cocktails in the Araucaria and Winter Garden bars.

Nights 4-5
Bariloche, Argentina

Llao Llao Hotel & Resort

In a stunning setting high on a hill between Lake Nahuel and Lake Moreno and framed by Mt. López, Mt. Capilla and Mt. Tronador, the magnificent Llao Llao Hotel & Resort was completely refurbished in 1993. All tastefully furnished guest rooms are equipped with cable TV, a minibar and a safety box. Numerous choices for leisure time activities (some at additional cost) include a heated indoor swimming pool, golf, mountain biking, rafting, archery and horseback riding. Visit the well-equipped Health Club & Fitness Center or indulge yourself at the Llao Llao Spa while drinking in its panoramic views. Enjoy “Cordero Patagónico” (Patagonian lamb) and fine international cuisine at the Los Césares restaurant or choose to dine at the cozy and informal Café Restaurant Patagonia. Live entertainment is featured each evening at the Lobby Bar.

Tauck Guests enjoy complimentary Internet access in guest rooms!

Nights 6-8
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Alvear Palace Hotel

Opened in 1932 as a luxury hotel for European visitors, the Alvear Palace Hotel continues to exude Belle Époque splendor in the heart of Buenos Aires’ fashionable Recoleta neighborhood, close to some of this legendary city’s finest boulevards, parks, museums and boutiques. The hotel’s grand, French-inspired public areas boast crystal chandeliers, velvet fauteuils and gilded- wood-paneled walls. Elegant guest rooms, sumptuously decorated in Empire, Louis XV and Louis XVI styles, offer butler service, fresh flowers and Hermès bath amenities. Award-winning chef Jean Paul Bondoux delights and surprises his guests with an extensive dinner menu of classic French dishes – alongside a well-considered wine list – at La Bourgogne, famed for serving what is arguably the best French cuisine in Buenos Aires. High tea, served in L’Orangerie, draws an elegant crowd. Indulge yourself in the 8,600-square-foot Alvear Spa, a serene, light-filled space offering a range of wellness and beauty treatments, including the Radiant Treatment, designed by La Prairie especially for Alvear.

Nights 9 – 10 Iguazú, Argentina

Meliá Iguazú

Located right in the heart of Argentina’s Iguazú National Park, Meliá Iguazú is the perfect place from which to explore the wonders of nature that surround it. Each guest room boasts a private balcony and provides air conditioning, cable TV, minibar, refrigerator, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, direct-dial telephones and other amenities. If you’re seeking some exercise, head for the indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Or, discover a new way of connecting with your mind, body and spirit in an enigmatic atmosphere surrounded by the mystical energy of the Iguazu National Park at the YHI Spa. Feed your soul with spectacular views of the falls as you dine at the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant or refresh your senses with a cool drink and a glorious view at the Lobby Bar.

Tauck Guests enjoy complimentary Internet access in guest rooms!

Nights 11 – 13
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Belmond Copacabana Palace

An iconic landmark overlooking Rio’s world-famous Copacabana Beach, the Art Deco-inspired Belmond Copacabana Palace opened its doors to a celebrity clientele in 1923. The hotel, ideally located minutes from the city center and Ipanema, continues to welcome guests with an impeccable reputation for graciousness and service and offers a host of amenities to ensure a most comfortable stay, from a choice of two fine dining venues, Hotel Cipriani restaurant and the Pan-Asian Mee restaurant, the casual all-day poolside Pérgula restaurant and a piano bar to a spa, fitness center, beautiful swimming pool and exclusive beach service. Each of its guest rooms, boasting an ocean or garden view, is unique and features fine period furniture and original works of art.

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago. A transfer from Santiago Airport to The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago is

included. Please join us for our welcome cocktail reception and dinner tonight. Meals – Dinner

Tauck’s first full day in South America explores the city of Santiago – both up-close and from a scenic hilltop perch. The city is a mix of skyscrapers and classical buildings – beginning with a visit to the Plaza de Armas. Head outside of the city to a winery for a tour and a gourmet lunch that celebrates generations of Chilean winemaking traditions. Back in Santiago, the rest of the day is free to explore as you please.

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch

Patagonia is said to be one of the most beautiful areas on Earth. Fly from Santiago to the Patagonian port city of Puerto Montt, founded by German immigrants in 1853. Continue on through the rolling countryside of scenic Patagonia, viewing lovely lakes and mountains, to Puerto Varas, the lakeside “city of roses,” where the influence of those German settlers is seen in both architecture and beautiful gardens. Explore the interesting sights of this charming city as you please or enjoy life along the spectacular lake – and have dinner at your leisure in your hotel.

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you’llcrossthemajesticAndesMountains–ahighlightofSouthAmericatours–travelingfromChiletoArgentina. Following a morning drive from Puerto Varas to the Argentine border, board a boat and cruise to Bariloche, the “Switzerland of South America” on Nahuel Huapi Lake in Nahuel Huapi National Park; have dinner à la carte this evening at your leisure at Llao Llao Resort, your home for the next two nights, where you’ll enjoy a Lake Suite in the Moreno Wing.

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s the day… to spend a leisurely day as you please at one of the best resorts featured on Tauck’s South America tours. There are many amenities and activities to enjoy at Llao Llao (some at an additional charge) including tennis, swimming, sailing, archery, spa treatments and Pilates among others; a private tango lesson is included, on us; or, you might decide to do some more exploring of Nahuel Haupi National Park on your own. Or, if you wish, visit the ski-resort town of Bariloche – the largest city in the Lakes District (famous for its chocolates).

Meals – Breakfast, Dinner

The day begins just right in Bariloche with a chairlift ride up Cerro Campanario for a breathtaking, 360-degree perspective of the Andes’ soaring mountain peaks, wide-open sky and lake waters below. This afternoon, fly to Buenos Aires, the “Paris of South America.” Arrive at the Alvear Palace Hotel, a landmark in La Recoleta, one of the city’s most elegant districts; dine as you please tonight at the hotel.

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

No doubt about it, Buenos Aires defines “sizzle”… and you’ll discover why today when a local guide shows you the city. First up is a visit to Plaza de Mayo, Metropolitan Cathedral and Casa Rosada (government palace) where you’ll see the balcony made famous by Evita Perón. Explore the colorful La Boca neighborhood, which is both a working class barrio and artist colony, and then enjoy lunch in the San Telmo District, a mix of colonial-style homes, narrow lanes, artist lofts and hip bars. This evening, experience the allure of the infamous tango when a superb show follows dinner in Buenos Aires.

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s discoveries begin with a fascinating behind-the-scenes visit to Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires’ seven-tiered opera house first opened in 1908. Its opulent stained glass, marble staircases and excellent acoustics recently underwent a three-year refurbishment. The remainder of the day and evening are free for you to explore more of this fascinating city as you wish.

Meals – Breakfast

See the immense Avenida 9 de Julio, a stately avenue traversing Buenos Aires that was modeled after Paris’ Champs Elysées in the 1930s, along with the posh Embassy District and the Rose Garden, an oasis of green. On foot, explore La Recoleta Cemetery, the final resting place of many of Argentina’s most famous and wealthiest families, including the grave of Evita Perón. South America tours are not complete without experiencing one of nature’s greatest wonders. Fly from Buenos Aires to the Argentinean side of the mighty Iguazú Falls – deeper and twice as wide as Niagara Falls – for a two-night stay. As you explore Iguazú National Park, you’ll be amazed by the sheer size of the falls and the natural beauty that surrounds them. Wherever you look, the views are breathtaking. Your hotel is set in the heart of the national park; dine tonight at the hotel’s restaurant, boasting wonderful views of the thundering waters!

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You’ll have to visit two countries to get a complete look at Iguazú Falls, a highlight of South American tours. Today you’ll experience the Argentinian side, walking along grated walkways of metal. Spend the day exploring the natural treasures of Iguazú National Park, designated a World Heritage Site for its rare and endangered flora and fauna. Guided hikes take you to the Superior and Inferior Circuit and Devil’s Throat, through which the falls’ largest volume of water passes. The afternoon is free for you to do as you wish. Your hotel concierge can tell you about the optional boat rides, helicopter excursions and hikes that are available here (at additional charge).

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch

Cross the Tancredo Neves Bridge from Argentina to Brazil to view the famous falls (known as Iguaçu here) from a different perspective this morning; you’ll never forget your walk along the base of the falls on the Brazilian side – 275 cascades form a 1 1/2 mile-long waterfall. Later, fly to Rio de Janeiro and your iconic Art Deco landmark hotel overlooking Copacabana Beach, the 5-star Belmond Copacabana Palace.

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An incredible day in and around Rio de Janeiro begins with a private boat cruise on Guanabara Bay, to see some of the city’s iconic beaches, fortresses and the breathtaking Rio skyline. After lunch at a traditional Brazilian churrascaria, a two-stage cable car ride to the 1,390-foot summit of iconic Sugarloaf Mountain rewards with stunning views. Return to the Belmond Copacabana Palace in the late afternoon, and join us this evening for a farewell cocktail party in one of the hotel’s magnificent ballrooms, followed by dinner at a local Rio restaurant. Truly saboroso!

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arise in amazing Rio for an unforgettable excursion up Corcovado Hill by train to Tijuca National Park to see the world-famous statue of Christ the Redeemer. Enjoy a walking tour of Rio’s historic downtown, including the Cathedral and other Belle Époque landmarks, and lunch at the famous Colombo Tea Room. Then discover the passionate nature of Rio’s beloved Carnaval celebration, which draws visitors from around the world each year, on a visit to Samba City – where a local guide leads you on a behind-the-scenes look at the business of Carnaval and the creation of its dazzling costumes and floats, which includes an exclusive samba performance. Spend the evening as you please on your own in Rio tonight.

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch

Tour ends: Rio de Janeiro. Spend your last day in Rio as you wish, browsing in the city’s museums and shops or savoring the sights on Rio’s beautiful beaches. While hotel check-out time from the Belmond Copacabana Palace is 12:00 noon, if you are on a later flight Tauck has reserved a hospitality room to refresh and relax before making your flight. A transfer is included from Belmond Copacabana Palace to Rio de Janeiro International Airport; plan to arrive at the airport at least 3 1/2 hours before your flight departs.

Meals – Breakfast

What's Included

  • On-Tour Air (4 flights)
  • A three-night stay in Buenos Aires featuring a private visit to Teatro Colón Opera House, and dinner and a tango show at Esquina Carlos Gardel
  • Three nights in Rio de Janeiro on Copacabana beach, featuring dazzling oceanfront views
  • Private tour of Rio’s Samba City for a behind-the-scenes look at Carnaval costumes, floats and sensational samba dancing
  • Private cruise on Guanabara Bay for breathtaking views of Rio de Janeiro's skyline
  • Private cruise in Patagonia's beautiful Lake District, in the Andes
  • Two nights in Bariloche, the “Switzerland of South America”
  • A tour and gourmet lunch at a renowned Chilean winery to discover the secrets of Chile’s fabulous wine during two nights in Santiago
  • Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
  • 31 meal; gratuities to local guides, service charges, taxes and porterage

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Essence of South America