Your Itinerary
Day 1Miami
Board your overnight flight to South America.
Day 2Arrive in Rio de Janeiro
Welcome to South America’s capital of glamour—Rio de Janeiro! Rooms are ready so that you can freshen up and rest before taking a first look at Rio. Your Local Host will be available with suggested activities during your free time.
Day 3Rio de Janeiro
An included city tour takes you to downtown Rio, where modern office towers stand next to relics of the Portuguese colonial past. View the Sambodromo and the Cathedral before visiting Sugar Loaf Mountain. The afternoon and evening are at leisure for you to experience this vibrant city on your own. Tonight, opt to join in a fun outing to a churrascaria for dinner followed by a Samba show. (B)
Day 4Rio de Janeiro
Enjoy a full day at leisure to fill as you wish. Your Local Host will provide suggestions, like joining the optional Jeep tour to Tijuca National Park. This afternoon, you may elect to discover historic Petropolis. (B)
Day 5Rio de Janeiro–Iguassu Falls
Fly to Iguassu Falls, a masterpiece of nature that encompasses 275 separate falls and spans almost two miles. This afternoon, visit the Brazilian side of the Falls, with some cataracts as high as 250 feet. The clouds of spray, incessant roar, and the surrounding luxuriant tropical growth make this an unforgettable natural wonder. (B)
Day 6Iguassu Falls
This morning, take the Ecological Jungle Train and tour the Argentine side of Iguassu Falls with its numerous walkways that wind under the crashing water. (B)
Day 7Iguassu Falls–Buenos Aires
Fly to Buenos Aires, the “Paris of South America.” After arriving at your central hotel, enjoy an evening at leisure. (B)
Day 8Buenos Aires
Your included sightseeing starts in the colorful La Boca district, site of the city’s first port. Then, on to San Telmo, famous for its late-colonial buildings and a popular gathering spot for artists. At the Plaza de Mayo, see La Casa Rosada (the President’s Pink House) and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Drive past the ornate Colon Opera House before reaching the Cemetery of the Recoleta, burial site of Eva Peron. This evening, perhaps take an optional dinner at a local restaurant followed by a performance of Latin America’s most sensuous dance—the Tango! (B)
Day 9Buenos Aires
Your Local Host suggests an optional excursion to experience Argentine country life as you visit an estancia (ranch) and get acquainted with the lifestyle of the gauchos. (B)
Day 10Buenos Aires–Santiago, Chile
Depart this morning on a scenic flight over the Andes before arriving in Santiago, Chile’s capital. This country is more than 10-times longer than wide, with 2,650 miles of beautiful Pacific coastline. (B)
Day 11Santiago
Located in the center of the country and perched between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, Santiago has evolved as the country’s political, commercial, and cultural capital. Step back into the 16th century as your Local Guide traces the city’s history and heritage. Start at La Moneda, the official Government Palace, and nearby San Cristobal Hill with its landmark statue of the Virgin Mary. Your tour ends at the Plaza de Armas, the main square, with a visit to the 18th-century Cathedral. This evening, consider the optional Chilean Folkloric Dinner Show. (B)
Day 12Santiago
The day is free for independent activities. You may want to take advantage of an optional excursion to the beautiful coastal region west of Santiago. Drive through the undulating hills of Chile’s wine country to the historic port of Valparaiso, and continue along the coast to nearby Viña del Mar. This chic seaside resort with palm tree-lined avenues and lovely villas truly deserves the sobriquet “Pearl of the Pacific.” (B)
Day 13Santiago–Easter Island
Fly from Santiago to Easter Island today. The island is considered the largest open-air museum, boasting over 400 moais, ruins, and temples. (B)
Day 14Easter Island
Your first stop will be Ahu Vaihu, where eight large moais lie in ruins. You continue on to Ahu Akahanga, which is also known as the platform of the king. According to legends, this is the site where the bones of the first king of Easter Island (Hotu Matua) were buried. Your trip continues on to one of the most attractive places on Easter Island, Rano Raraku, the volcano, where 95% of all moai were carved. Nowadays you can find 394 statues remaining in various stages of completion. There will be a hike to the top of the volcano to not only reveal many statues, but also admire a spectacular view on Rano Raraku’s gorgeous fresh water lake. To some observers the quarry looks like a graveyard of giants’ stone. It seemed as if the production of moai were abruptly abandoned, leaving us a frozen snapshot of time so we can look closely at how exactly the moai were carved out of the volcanic rocks. Next, you will visit the beautifully restored Ahu Tongariki. This magnificent platform is the largest on the island with its 15 moai. Continue your trip along the north coast and pass through La Perousse Bay to stop at Ahu Te Pito Kura, the site of the largest moai ever transported and erected onto an Ahu. Last, stop is the beach of Anakena, where King Hotu Matua first landed on Rapa Nui. Anakena is one of two beaches on an island that are surrounded by a rough black rock coastline. (B,L)
Day 15Easter Island
This morning visit the volcano Rano Kau, the second oldest on the island. Its caldera contains one of the island’s fresh water lakes. Next continue to the nearby ceremonial village of Orongo, best known for the birdman cult celebrated here. Within the village, 47 houses have been restored and the remains of an ancient Ahu can also be seen. From here, you’ll have a magnificent view on the three small islands Motu Nui, Motu Iti and Motu Kao Kao. In Ahu Vinapu, you will see two major ahu where moai once stood. The fallen remains of the broken moai can now be seen lying on the ground. The figures here are slightly different from most others. While most do not have legs this site contains moai with short legs. The last stop will be Ana Kai Tagata: this beautiful cave has wall paintings on the rock with paint made from mineral pigments found on the island. The paintings depict the Manutara bird. The arrival of this bird in spring would initiate the Tangata Manu competition (birdman competition).This afternoon, visit Ahu Akivi with seven restored Moais, built in the middle of the island. According to an old legend, the seven-moai statues on this Ahu represent the seven scouts sent to Rapa Nui (Easter Island’s local name) by King Hotu Matu’a. You will continue on to the Ana Te Pahu Cave, one of the biggest caves on the island created by lava tubes. Finally, visit the topknot-quarry Puna Pau with its red scoria stone, where all the Pukaos that were placed on top of the moais were made. (B)
Day 16Easter Island–Santiago–U.S
Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight via Santiago. (B)
Day 17Miami
Arrive home.