Great South American Journey: Santiago to Caracas (Counter-clockwise)

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Santiago

Arrive in Santiago at any time.

Day 2-5 Pucón

Spend a day exploring Santiago then take a night bus bound for Pucón in Chile's Lake District. Climb a volcano, hike in the mountains, go rafting or skiing (in season), or just relax and enjoy Pucón's stunning backdrop.

Day 6-7 Puerto Montt/Puerto Varas

A trip further south brings us to the city of Puerto Montt, the gateway for explorers going into the Patagonian wilderness. Take a day trip to the island of Chiloé and sample the delicious seafood!

Day 8-10 Bariloche

Journey through the mountains of upper Patagonia into Argentina and arrive at Bariloche, a popular resort town for Argentines. The spectacular surroundings offer a plethora of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, paragliding, lake tours, and skiing/snowboarding (in season).

Day 11-14 Night Bus/ Buenos Aires

Travel by bus to the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires. Known as the ‘Paris of the Americas,’ Buenos Aires is a vibrant city full of life. Visit the districts of La Boca, Recoleta, and San Telmo or catch a tango show at one of the many famous tanguerías.

Day 15-17 Colonia / Montevideo

Cross the Rio de la Plata by ferry to reach Uruguay. Colonia features a unique culture, rich history and captivating architecture that make the cobblestone streets come alive. We then travel to the nation's capital, Montevideo, where we get a true feel for Uruguayan culture.

Day 18-19 Salto

Today we travel through picturesque settlements and pastures before arriving in Salto. There you can relax in the thermal baths, enjoy spa treatments or have a blast at the water park before we hop on a night bus to Iguassu.

Day 20-22 Iguassu Falls

Our visit to Brazil begins with a switch to Portuguese and a visit to the magnificent Iguassu Falls, bordering Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. Sit back and soak in the stunning beauty and raw power of Iguassu, or opt for an exhilarating boat tour into the spray of the falls.

Day 23-24 Paraty

Admire colonial architecture of the seaside town of Paraty or take trip to a traditional plantation or Fazenda where you can try the local beverage Cachaça.

Day 25-27 Ihla Grande

Head to paradise on earth on Ihla Grande and relax on one of the 102 beaches of Ilha Grande with a cool Caipirinha - or try surfing...

Day 28-29 Rio de Janeiro

Heading north along the Atlantic coast, we arrive at Brazil's ocean-side jewel, Rio de Janeiro. Few cities enjoy such a dramatic setting as Rio, whose images of the Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer) and Pao de Açucar (Sugarloaf) are synonymous with Carnival and the 'joie de vivre' embodied by the Cariocas. Enjoy the famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana.

Day 30-37 Salvador / Bahía / Pernambuco

Take a short flight to the state of Bahía, the epicentre of Afro-Brazilian culture. Well known for its music and folklore, the influence of African slaves brought by the Portuguese is as prominent in Salvador’s culture today as it has been in Bahía’s history. Explore the city and enjoy the Samba rhythms or take an optional boat trip to Itaparica Island. Head north to the colonial town of Olinda with its beautiful architecture, artwork and festivals. Our next stop is Praia da Pipa near Natal, a great place for dolphin spotting.

Day 38-49 Ceará / Piaui / Maranhão

Visit secluded oases, mangrove-clad rivers and beautiful remote beaches, where small fishing villages are hidden among huge sand dunes that provide chances for horseback riding and sand boarding. Enjoy the trip along the Delta of Parnaiba, visit the magnificent Jericoacoara National Park. Travel to Sao Luis known as the Brazilian Jamaica, a historic city covered in hand-painted Portuguese tiles.

Day 50-54 Pará (Amazon River) (3B,3L,3D)

Take a 4 to 5-day Amazon River trip from the city of Belem near the Amazon Delta to the depths of the Amazon jungle. Enjoy a relaxing, scenic cruise on the great river that carries 20% of earth's fresh water while getting to know the warmth of northeastern Brazilian culture.

Day 55-59 Amazonas / Manaus

Our river trip ends in Manaus, an important trading city of the northern Amazon region and the largest jungle city in the world. Take a 3-day optional excursion into the depths of the rainforest for a true jungle adventure, filled with unique tropical flora and wildlife.

Day 60-70 Venezuela

Head north by bus into Venezuela. Visit Santa Elena and the Gran Sabana for spectacular views and waterfalls. Continue to Ciudad Bolivar, where we can take an optional excursion into Canaima National Park, and an optional flight over Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world. In the wet season (July to January), an optional three-day boat and hiking excursion to the falls is possible. Continue on to Puerto de la Cruz on the Caribbean coast to enjoy the beautiful beaches and snorkelling in Mochima National Park before heading to Caracas.