Southern Explorer Holiday

Experience the Best Of Southern Patagonia, Northern Argentina plus the Beaches of Brazil

From the dramatic mountains of Southern Patagonia, the red rock mountains of Northeast Argentina, to the beaches of Brazil, our Southern Explorer holiday is the perfect holiday for those that like to take their time. Explore some of the best highlights of Chile and Argentina before finishing on the beaches of Brazil.

Your holiday will begin by exploring the charming streets of Santiago before heading the beautiful Chilean Lake District and on to the dramatic mountains of the Torres Del Paine National Park. Here you will cross the border into Argentina and discover the dramatic Perito Moreno Glacier before heading up to the Swiss-style town of Bariloche and Argentinas region of lakes and mountains. Next, you will head to see the many attractions of the capital, Buenos Aires before going up to the Northeast region of the country, home to the red rock Andes Mountains, salt flats and Altiplanico lagoons. Finally, you will head over to see the almighty Iguazu Falls before finishing on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro and Buzios in Brazil.

Highlights

• Discover the charms, boutiques and restaurants of Santiago
• Explore the crystal blue lakes of the beautiful Chilean Lake District
• Be awe-inspired by the dramatic scenery of Southern Patagonia and the Torres Del Paine
• Visit one of Argentina’s biggest attractions the Perito Moreno Glacier
• See the crystal blue lakes and dramatic mountains of Bariloche
• Discover the sights and sounds of Buenos Aires
• See the red rock mountains and dramatic scenery of Northwest Argentina
• Visit the almighty Iguazu Falls
• Discover the vibrant, samba-filled streets of Rio de Janeiro

• Enjoy three nights relaxing on the beaches of Buzios

Quick Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart the UK

Days 2 & 3 - Santiago

Days 4 - 6 - Chilean Lake District

Days 7 - 9 - Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine

Days 10 & 11 - El Calafate and the Perito Moreno glacier

Days 12 - 14 - Bariloche and the lakes

Days 15 & 16 - Buenos Aires

Days 17 - 19 - Salta and the Northwest

Days 20 & 21 - Iguazu Falls

Days 22 - 24 - Rio de Janeiro

Days 25 - 27 - Buzios

Day 28 - Depart Buzios

Day 29 - Arrive back in the UK

Truly Individual Holiday

Any element of this holiday can be made truly individual to your requirements, including the places you want to see and the things that are important to you. Just contact one of our Travel Specialists today.

Day 1 - Depart the UK

Today you will depart the UK on your international flight to Santiago, Chile

Days 2 & 3 - Santiago

Arrive in Santiago where you will spend two nights exploring the capital city of Chile. Enjoy a fascinating half-day city tour on your first morning and learn about the fascinating multi-cultural history of Chile which has shaped what the country has become today. Your guide will also suggest great places to see with the rest of your time.

With the rest of your time in the city, you could head up the San Cristobal hill for a great view over the city or discover one of the city's many parks, art galleries and museums.

Days 4 - 6 - Chilean Lake District

Today you will fly to Puerto Montt for the Chilean Lake District. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the lakeside town of Puerto Varas where you will stay at a centrally located hotel.

On your first day, you will join a full-day tour to the beautiful Chiloe Island. After taking the ferry across you will continue to the bay of Ancud. There you will take time to explore the community, the local craft and fish market and the famous San Antonio fortress. If it is within the season, you will then continue to see the Penguin Colony at Punihuil Cove.

With the rest of your time in the Lakes, you may decide to enjoy one of the many adventure activities on offer or just relax and admire the view!

Days 7 - 9 - Puerto Natales & Torres del Paine

Today you will fly onto Punta Arenas in the depths of Southern Patagonia. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the town of Puerto Natales where you will stay for three nights in a centrally located hotel.

On your first day, you will join a full-day tour of the famous Torres Del Paine. The tour will take you to a number of the highlights in the park including Lago Grey and various excellent viewpoints for the three Torres. Your guide will tell you all about the park and what makes it unique as well as point out the unique wildlife as you come across it. It's a day full of dramatic snow-capped mountains, stunning scenery and beautiful lakes and glaciers.
With the rest of your time in Puerto Natales, you may decide to try out one of the many adventure activities in the surrounding area or relax around town.

(Option to stay inside Torres del Paine National Park available – please ask your Travel Specialist for more details)

Days 10 & 11 - El Calafate & the Perito Moreno Glacier

Today you will take a scenic coach journey over the Andes to El Calafate where you will stay for two nights. You will discover the hugely impressive sight of the Perito Moreno glacier on a full-day tour which will take you as close to the face of it as you can get. If you still want to get closer speak to your Latin Routes Travel Specialist about trekking on the ice itself (not included)

Days 12 - 14 - Bariloche & the Lakes

Fly from El Calafate to Bariloche to see the amazing scenery of Argentina’s Lake District. You will spend three nights at a lakeside hotel near to town.

Enjoy a half-day Scenic Surroundings tour which will head out of town to some of the best viewpoints in the surrounding area. Make sure you don’t forget your camera for photos of crystal clear blue lakes set against a backdrop of snow-capped Andes Mountains. With the rest of your time, you can discover more highlights of the region for yourself.

Days 15 & 16 - Buenos Aires

Fly to Buenos Aires for two nights in the home of the tango. Enjoy a fascinating Half Day City Tour on your first morning and learn about the fascinating history of Argentina which has shaped what the country has become today. You will also discover great places to see with the rest of your time.

With the rest of your time in the city, you could discover one of the city's many art galleries or museums. If your stay falls over a Sunday, you could visit the famous San Telmo Sunday Market which is home to a huge range of local artisan stalls, live music, tango and a buzzing atmosphere.

Days 17 - 19 - Salta & the Northwest

On arrival in Salta, you will have a half-day walking tour of the city, taking in the markedly Hispanic architecture, with one-storey houses and narrow pavements.

On your second day, you will embark on a two-day, one-night tour of the Humahuaca Gorge, Salt Flats & Hornocal.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Humahuaca Gorge offers dramatic scenery of multi-coloured canyons and sweeping desert valleys mixed with historical ruins and Quechan villages. Sit and admire Hornocal, the mountain of 14 colours, take in the flat white landscape of the salt flats and explore the village of Purmamarca, at the base of the Seven Colours Hill.

You will spend one more night in Salta before heading back to Iguazu Falls.

Days 20 & 21 - Iguazu Falls

Today you will fly on to Puerto Iguazu to discover the almighty Iguazu Falls where you will spend two nights. Enjoy a full-day tour to the Argentinian side of the Iguazu Falls to discover one of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls. With the rest of your time, you can explore the national parks or try one of the numerous adventure activities on offer.

Days 22 - 24 - Rio de Janeiro

Fly from the Iguazu to Rio de Janeiro for three nights in the “Marvellous City”. Enjoy an exciting Half Day tour to see Corcovado (Statue of Christ) and the Tijuca Rainforest. With the rest of your time, you could visit the historic downtown area or visit the beautiful Botanical Gardens. Alternatively, you would be forgiven for spending your time sipping Caprhinias on the beautiful white sands of Copacabana Beach!

Day 25 - 27 - Buzios

In the morning you will transfer to Buzios. Buzios is a relaxed town on a peninsula that is home to over 20 stunning beaches. Here you can finish your holiday with three nights of relaxing on a beach in the famous Brazilian sunshine or perhaps you would prefer to take a schooner trip for some world-class snorkelling.

Day 28 - Depart Buzios

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight

Day 29 - Arrive back in the UK

Today you will land back in the UK from Brazil

Price from £6,799 per person

2024 departures, based on 2 people sharing a room

Includes:

• International flights

• 26 nights’ accommodation as detailed

• Transfers and tours as per itinerary

• Domestic flights as per itinerary

Excludes:

• Meals not indicated in your itinerary

• Local departure taxes payable locally

• Where applicable locally payable car hire-related charges

• Items of a personal nature such as laundry and drinks etc

• Tips for guides and drivers (discretionary)

• Camera or video fees at any sites

• Travel insurance