Highlights of Chile & Argentina
10 days, Santiago to Buenos Aires
Itinerary Notes
We recommend bringing USD in cash for the Argentinean portion of this tour as it is easier than using a credit card or withdrawing ARS from an ATM. USD currency is accepted in travel agencies for booking optional activities.
Itinerary
Day 1Santiago
Arrive at any time.
Arrival day, no activities planned. The day is free to spend at your leisure exploring the city until our welcome meeting this evening. Santiago is Chile’s largest city and capital, with internationally recognized vineyards and Andean ski resorts very close by.
Should you want more time to explore Santiago and do optional day trips, we highly recommend you book additional pre-nights.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
Bellavista Neighbourhood Visit
FreeHead to Barrio Bellavista as the locals call this bohemian neighbourhood to enjoy a delicious meal, check out some art galleries, or have a drink at one of the many bars in the area.
Day Trip to Isla Negra
Take a day trip to Isla Negra, Pablo Neruda’s seaside home. This house was one of the poet and politician’s three homes, while not technically an island the house is near the water and it’s believed that watching the storms on the ocean inspired Neruda to write his famous poem Oda a la Tormenta. The author and his third-wife Matilde Urrutia are both buried on the grounds and the house is now a museum.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Ibis Budget Santiago (or similar)
Day 2Santiago/Valparaíso
Explore some of Santiago's neighbourhoods on a city tour, visit the Museum of Memory and try some local specialties. After, take a private bus to the seaside town of Valparaíso where brightly coloured houses perch on the hills.
Santiago City Tour
Spend the day visiting different neighbourhoods of Santiago, stop at the Museo de la Memoria and learn about the history of Chile. Visit the Central Market and enjoy a traditional Chilean snack before heading to a local bar to try Terremoto (Earthquake) a local drink made with pineapple ice cream, white wine and pisco.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Hotel Reina Victoria (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Valparaiso/Santiago
Enjoy a free morning in Valparaiso to soak it all in. Later, head to the Casablanca Valley, stop at a winery to indulge in a wine tasting. After, head back to Santiago with free time before boarding an overnight bus to Pucon.
Free Time
Wander the colourful streets of Valparaíso.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Foodie Moment: Santiago Region Winery Tour
Visit nearby wineries in the area of Santiago. There are plenty of famous wineries or smaller family-run places to stop by. Learn about the process, tour the vineyards and of course, take a sample or two.
Overnight Bus
Curl up and catch a snooze en route to the next stop.
Accommodation
Hostal Mahuida (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Pucón
Enjoy free time in Pucon, try whitewater rafting or explore the area by foot.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Pucon, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like hiking Villarica Volcano, whitewater rafting, and relaxing in thermal baths. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Soak in Natural Thermal Pools
40000CLP per personRest your muscles in the natural thermal pools outside of Pucón. There are multiple pools varying in temperature and depth, find the one that suits you best, take a deep breath and enjoy the pools and the forest that surrounds them.
Whitewater Rafting Pucon
35000-28000CLP per personGrab a paddle, strap on your helmet, and head down the rapids. Take a rest from paddling and take in the beautiful scenery of Chile's Lake District.
Guided Huerquehue Park Visit
55000CLP per personExplore the lagoons and lush forests of Chile's Lake District in Huerquehue National Park with a guide.
Accommodation
Hostal Mahuida (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Pucón
Enjoy another free day to take part in the many activities on offer in Pucón. Opt to hike Villarica volcano (it's active!) or soak in the nearby natural thermal pools.
Free Time
Enjoy free time to explore this adventure hub!
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Soak in Natural Thermal Pools
40000CLP per personRest your muscles in the natural thermal pools outside of Pucón. There are multiple pools varying in temperature and depth, find the one that suits you best, take a deep breath and enjoy the pools and the forest that surrounds them.
Whitewater Rafting Pucon
35000-28000CLP per personGrab a paddle, strap on your helmet, and head down the rapids. Take a rest from paddling and take in the beautiful scenery of Chile's Lake District.
Guided Huerquehue Park Visit
55000CLP per personExplore the lagoons and lush forests of Chile's Lake District in Huerquehue National Park with a guide.
Volcan Villarica Hike
100000CLP per personIf summiting an active volcano is on your bucket list, this activity it for you. Weather permitting, set out early to make it to the top and appreciate the views before sliding part of the way back down.
Accommodation
Hostal Mahuida (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Pucón/San Carlos de Bariloche
Cross the Andes to Argentina. Travel by local bus to San Martin and take a private van the rest of the way to Bariloche in the Lake District with a local guide.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Border Crossing (Chile - Argentina)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Private Vehicle
Transfer to Bariloche, enjoy the scenery and a couple of photo ops in the Seven Lakes District.
Accommodation
Kenton Palace Hotel Bariloche (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7San Carlos de Bariloche
Transfer to a Gaucho Ranch just outside of Bariloche. Enjoy a barbecue for lunch and take to the saddle with a Gaucho by your side.
Bariloche Gaucho Experience
Be an Argentinian Gaucho for the day and immerse yourself in the culture of these traditional Patagonia cowboys. Head out on an easy horseback ride through the beautiful scenery of Bariloche and learn about the area's history from a real live Gaucho. Stop along the way to try Mate, the national beverage of Argentina and some alfajores, a delicious dulce de leche cookie sandwich. Finish it all off with a traditional Patagonian barbeque.
Accommodation
Kenton Palace Hotel Bariloche (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 8San Carlos de Bariloche
Enjoy a free day to explore the beautiful area in and around Bariloche. Take a hike in the countryside or wander the town, known for its shops and in particular, artisan chocolate.
Free Time
Take advantage of all the things Bariloche has to offer.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Puerto Blest and Cantaros Waterfall Navigation
90USD per personSpend a full day navigating the Blest arm of Lake Nahuel Huapi, spotting amazing highlights such as Centinela Island, Frías River, Valdivian Rainforest, and Tronador Mountain, landing at Cantaros Port. Opt to trek through the forest and enjoy views of Lake Los Cantaros and the adjacent waterfalls.
Hiking
Hit some trails to get up close to the area's natural beauty. Enjoy amazing views amid mountains and lakes while exploring the Lake District on foot.
Circuito Chico Tour
40USD per personEnjoy an introduction to the highlights of San Carlos de Bariloche on a circuito chico tour. Stop at Bahia Lopez (Lopez Bay) and Panoramic Point and take in the beautiful landscape. Continue on to Cerro Campanario (Bell Mountain), opt to get an even better view by riding the chairlift.
Accommodation
Kenton Palace Hotel Bariloche (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9San Carlos de Bariloche/Buenos Aires
Fly to Buenos Aires. Opt to enjoy a Tango show and dinner.
Fly north to the buzzing metropolis that is Buenos Aires, it is a vibrant city full of life.
Opt to pre-book the "Buenos Aires Tango Experience" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Tango Dinner Show
Discover the passion of tango. Watch the pros step and slide around the dance floor while you dine on a traditional Argentine dinner. Get lost in the music, savour the sensuality, and see why this traditional dance continues to ignite the senses of locals and visitors alike.
Accommodation
Carsson Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Buenos Aires
Depart at any time.
Book extra accommodation in Buenos Aires to have more time to explore the city.
Optional Activities - Day 10 HideShow
Teatro Colón Tour
25USD per personExplore this stunning opera house on a guided tour and find out why it is voted one of the best acoustic venues in the world.
La Boca and Isla Maciel: One History, Two Shores
Begin the experience in one of Buenos Aires' most iconic neighbourhoods, La Boca. Cross the Riachuelo River for a unique cultural adventure to the resilient community of Isla Maciel. You will be led by expert guides from a local nonprofit organization. As you walk they will share stories of the history, migration, and social transformation of this place. Enjoy a welcome at the Community Museum and discover their impressive open-air art gallery with murals created by local artists. Sit down and share a traditional lunch prepared by the women from the nieghbourhood as part of a G Adventures-supported community initiative. Through art, food, and local stories, this experience to Isla Maciel offers a meaningful perspective on how tourism can become a space for positive change.
Please note, if this activity is set for the first or final day of your itinerary pre and post nights are encouraged.
Buenos Aires Guided City Tour
Enjoy a guided tour exploring beautiful, vibrant Buenos Aires. Be introduced to historic sites and districts, including Plaza de Mayo where Eva Peron's famed balcony presides over the square. See La Boca and San Telmo's colourful street life, painted houses, and the famed Recoleta Cemetery.
La Boca Neighbourhood Visit
10USD per personVisit La Boca to soak in the vibrancy of the barrio’s brightly coloured buildings and El Caminito (a cobblestone street lined with artist studios that’s often used as an impromptu setting for tango performances). Or, if lucky, catch a match at fabled La Bombonera, the home stadium of the Boca Juniors’ fútbol club (the crowd's excitement is electric!).
San Telmo Visit
FreeTake a step back in time visiting charming San Telmo, one of Buenos Aires’ oldest barios (neighbourhoods). Stroll along cobblestone streets and discover colonial architecture, museums, churches, and one-of-a-kind finds in the local antique shops. The bario’s weekend market and street artists’ displays are must-sees and highlights for many visiting the capital.
Buenos Aires Bike Tour
Experience this vibrant city cruising around on a bicycle with a local Argentine. Bike, helmet, knowledgeable tour guide, they've got it all taken care of, just come along for the ride and take in the many historical sights on offer. Discover Plaza de Mayo, San Telmo, colourful Caminito, and the working class neighbourhoods where Tango was born.
Meeting place: Cerrito 1128
Please note the bike tour begins at 10 AM. We advise booking a pre-night in order to arrive on time for this pre-sold optional activity. If you choose to arrive the day of the bike tour, please ensure your flight lands no later than 8 AM to ensure enough time to make it to the arrival point.