Argentina, Chile & Peru - 16 Days

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires

Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, you will be transferred to your hotel before exploring the city at your own pace. At night, try a typical Argentine dish in one of the many restaurants the city has to offer.

Day 2: City Tour, Dinner, and Tango Show

Go on a fascinating city tour for an overview of Buenos Aires and its attractions, providing insight into Argentina’s history and culture. The three-hour tour highlights Retiro, Avenida 9 de Julio (the world's widest avenue!), and the historic and architecturally imposing Center. You'll also see the modern docklands of Puerto Madero, and the oldest neighborhood of the city, San Telmo,  with stops in upmarket Recoleta and the city’s oldest port and birthplace, La Boca (Caminito).

In the evening, enjoy a delicious meal with free-flowing wine and a tango performance as accompanying entertainment. Experience the heartbeat of Argentina first hand, before heading back to your hotel to relax for the rest of the night.

Day 3: Buenos Aires to Mendoza

When you're ready, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight west to Mendoza. Mendoza is Argentina’s main wine region and the heartland of the Malbec grape. It's also known for impressive mountains (including Aconcagua — a world-renowned summit for climbers and the highest peak outside of Asia), whitewater rafting, and breathtaking landscapes. Upon arrival, you will be taken to your hotel.

Day 4: Wine Tour and Gourmet Lunch

Today you'll learn all about Argentine wine as you go on tastings and decide which one is your favorite! Start the day by driving to the region of Luján de Cuyo— the "Cradle of Malbec"— with its centuries-old vineyards at the base of the imposing Andes Mountains. In the course of six hours, you will visit two different wineries. 

Stop for lunch at a restaurant in one of the chosen wineries and enjoy a menu that perfectly combines excellent food and extraordinary wines with the scenic Andes in the background.

Day 5: Free Day to Explore Mendoza

Spend the day as you choose. Stroll around the tree-lined streets of Mendoza and take in the laid-back atmosphere. Visit some of the city's many museums, or head further afield for adventures like horseback riding, hiking, paragliding, and more.

Day 6: Santiago de Chile City Tour

Fly to Chile's capital, Santiago, and transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the morning as you choose. In the afternoon, meet your guide at Santa Lucia Hill to begin your half-day tour.  Admire views of the Hidalgo Castle (a former Spanish fortress) from the vantage point of Caupolicán Terrace.

Carry on to Constitution Square and La Moneda Palace (the current seat of government). Discover Plaza de Armas and buildings of historical interest before taking a short drive to San Cristóbal Hill. On the way, stop to try mote con huesillo, a popular Chilean non-alcoholic drink. Depending on timing, return to the bottom of the hill by cable car and head back to your hotel.

Day 7: Casablanca Valley and Wine Tour

After breakfast, drive to Casablanca Valley, where white grapes of soon-to-be Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are produced. On the way, pass by the Santo Domingo Beach and western South America's busiest port, San Antonio, before arriving in the small village of Lo Abarca where boutique winery Casa Marin is located. Wander the grounds, ending the tour with a tasting of premium wines. Return to Santiago in the afternoon.

Day 8: Free Day to Explore Santiago

Today is another day for you to spend as you choose. Take the time to continue to explore Santiago or make arrangements to tour the colorful city of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar.

Day 9: Cusco

Spend your morning at leisure, soaking up the last stunning views of Santiago. In the afternoon fly to Cusco in the Peruvian Andes, where you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel by your guide.

Day 10: Cusco City Tour and Nearby Ruins

Spend the morning acclimating to Cusco's high altitude. In the afternoon, start your tour with Coricancha (Golden Temple), also referred to as The Temple of the Sun, which was built by the Incan Emperor Pachacutec. Visit the Plaza de Armas and continue on to the ruins in the historic Inca capital of Sacsayhuamán. 

Afterward, drive a short distance northeast of Cusco to Qenko, an archaeological complex where it is believed rituals of sacrifice and mummification were performed. Check out Puka Pukara (Red Fortress), a military stronghold made up of reddish colored bricks. Then return to your hotel in Cusco for the night.

Day 11: Sacred Valley

Start your tour at Awana Kancha, a camelid farm (alpaca, vicuña, and llama) and textile showroom located in the Sacred Valley, where local families will demonstrate the traditional weaving process for you. Visit the Pisac Market and roam the narrow aisles of stands selling wares manufactured by the residents of  Sacred Valley. 

After lunch, make your way to the town of Ollantaytambo, a fine example of Incan urban planning, whose residents still live in accordance with their old traditions. Stay the night in the Inca town of Urubamba.

Day 12: Machu Picchu

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Urubamba and drive you to the Ollantaytambo Station. From there hop aboard the Vistadome train, which features floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views of the scenery. Travel about two hours to Aguas Calientes (commonly referred to as Machupicchu Pueblo) — your last stop before entering Peru's most famous historical site, Machu Picchu.

Catch a bus up to the ruins either today or early in the morning the next day. Marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage Site and be impressed by its ancient grandeur. Stay the night in Aguas Calientes.

Day 13: Machu Picchu - Cusco

Spend the morning at your leisure in Aguas Calientes. If you feel adventurous or particularly romantic, you can try to see the sunrise at the Puerta del Sol by reaching the ruins very early in the morning and trekking up to the gate via the Inca Trail. In the afternoon head to the train station of Aguas Calientes and from there take the Vistadome train back to the Ollantaytambo station.  A guide will pick you up from the station and bring you back to your hotel in Cusco.

Day 14: Puno

Start the day early and take a luxury coach bus from Cusco southeast to Puno, 240 miles away. Note the spectacular sights along the way, including the town of Andahuaylillas, the Temple of Wiracocha, and La Raya. Once in Puno, your guide will transfer you to your hotel.

Day 15: Uros and Taquile 

Catch a boat to the artificial floating island of Uros in Lake Titicaca — the world's highest navigable lake — and discover how the Uros people built their island of the same name. After a one-and-a-half-hour tour, continue your trip to Taquile Island and learn the Taquileños' history and culture, before descending the 550 steps to the main pier to return to Puno.

Day 16: Puno

Your guide will pick you up at your designated time and escort you to the airport in Puno for your return flight home.