Essential South America

Experience the essence of two South American countries on a comprehensive journey from Santiago, Chile to Argentina’s wine country and vibrant Buenos Aires. Stroll through Santiago’s Central Market, picking up fresh ingredients to make lunch alongside a local chef. Spend two nights in Mendoza, South America’s famous wine country. Discover the rhythm of Buenos Aires and learn to tango with the best. In the Pampas of Argentina, explore gaucho culture and spend a day on a traditional estancia. Encounter the history and culture of Chile and Argentina in capital cities and the sprawling countryside.

featuring Chile, the Mendoza Wine Region & Buenos Aires

LAND & Air PACKAGE INCLUDES

Itinerary

 Day 1: Nov 13, 2025 - Overnight Flight 

Set out to experience the sights, flavors, and rhythms of Chile and Argentina as you explore two countries, from bustling cities to sprawling ranches, vineyards, and natural landscapes. It all begins in Chile’s cultural hub, Santiago. 

Day 2: Nov 14, 2025 - Santiago, Chile 

Arrive early this morning in Santiago, the vibrant capital city of Chile nestled in a valley of the Andes Mountains. Settle in at your hotel where you’ll enjoy early access to your room to recoup after your flight. This afternoon, meet your fellow travelers and head out on a panoramic tour of Santiago, getting a look at the city’s blend of modern and colonial architecture and learning about its diverse history. Tonight, toast to the beginning of your South American adventure at a local restaurant.

Today dinner will be included. 

Day 3: Nov 15, 2025 - Santiago 

Follow your curiosity about Chilean history and culture to a museum because it’s your choice! Choose between the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, dedicated to the study and display of pre-Columbian artworks and artifacts from Central and South America -

OR- the Memory and Human Rights Museum, which commemorates the victims of human rights violations during the last Chilean military dictatorship. After, set out to discover market-fresh Chilean food with a visit to the Mercado Central de Santiago. Joined by a local chef, walk through the fish market, stopping along the way to learn about the local seafood and pick up some ingredients. Then join a hands-on cooking experience at the chef’s restaurant and sit down to a fresh feast for lunch. Take the rest of the day to enjoy Santiago as you please.

Today breakfast and lunch will be included. 

Day 4: Nov 16, 2025 - Santiago - Mendoza, Argentina 

An early morning flight brings you to the desert region of Mendoza, known for its vineyards and Malbec wine, and the stunning views of the Andes Mountains. Upon arriving to a vineyard, a pick-me-up comes with a taste of yerba mate tea, a traditional South American caffeinated drink. As your guide demonstrates how to make a cup, learn about the cultural significance of this beverage that brings many Argentinean families together for daily “mate breaks.” Enjoy a tour of the vineyard followed by a wine tasting and chef-prepared lunch. Later, settle into your hotel in the city of Mendoza for an evening at leisure.*

Today breakfast and lunch will be included. 

Day 5: Nov 17, 2025 - Mendoza 

Enjoy a leisurely morning before continuing your taste of the region’s renowned wines with a visit to a family winery. Sample wines selected to show the richness of the terroirs and come to appreciate the unique 

qualities of the Luján de Cuyo wine-producing sub-region with its dry, almost desert-like climate and irrigation from the Mendoza River’s pure Andean meltwater. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the laid-back city of Mendoza with its inviting restaurants and atmospheric plazas.

Today breakfast will be included. 

Day 6: Nov 18, 2025 - Mendoza - Buenos Aires 

Say so long to Mendoza as you fly to Buenos Aires, a city that radiates Latin-infused rhythm mixed with European heritage. Set out on a guided tour of Buenos Aires, sampling the local eats along the way and exploring the fusion of flavors that comes with the city’s Spanish, Italian, and Jewish influences. During a panoramic tour, discover the San Telmo, Puerto Madero, La Boca, and Recoleta neighborhoods. Then settle in at your hotel in the elegant Recoleta neighborhood, full of historical and architectural charm. This evening, come together for dinner and indulge in savory Argentine flavors.

Today breakfast and dinner will be included. 

Day 7: Nov 19, 2025 - Buenos Aires 

Today begins with an Impact Moment focused on the work of the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, a human rights organization that has helped to restore the identities of children taken during Argentina’s military coup from 1976 to 1983. Meet with someone who was personally impacted and learn about los desaparecidos (“the disappeared”) and this time in Argentina’s history. This afternoon, it’s your choice how you see more of the city. Choose between two walking tours, either exploring the captivating Recoleta Cemetery -OR- discovering the colorful murals of the Palermo neighborhood. This evening, it’s time to live like the locals! Take a lesson from a professional tango dancer, and then take your moves to the dance floor at a local milongas social club. Today breakfast will be included. 

Day 8: Nov 20, 2025 -  Buenos Aires 

Today is yours to explore Buenos Aires as you wish, taking your time to wander through neighborhoods, savor Argentine cuisine, or maybe visit the city’s fantastic opera house. Consider a full day optional excursion to Uruguay. Take an early morning ferry across the Rio de Plata to Colonia del Sacramento.** Travel into the Uruguayan countryside to a family-run cheese farm for a tour and lunch, followed by free time to explore the city’s charming Historic Quarter before returning to Buenos Aires by ferry. Tonight, perhaps you’ll decide to join an optional tango show and dinner at a popular tango house.

Today breakfast will be included. 

Day 9: Nov 21, 2025 - Buenos Aires - San Antonio de Areco - Buenos Aires 

Set out into the countryside to explore Argentina’s Pampas region. In San Antonio de Areco, discover the small town’s strong connection with silversmithing and gaucho culture. A visit to Museo Draghi offers the chance to see silversmiths at work and admire a private collection of silverware. Then it’s on to experience a true taste of gaucho life by spending the rest of the day on a traditional estancia, following a bumpy, unpaved road to the gates of the ranch’s sprawling land and inviting, rustic house. You may decide to explore the property by horse drawn carriage or head inside the main house to relax and take in views from the porch. Gather for a traditional asado lunch, with flame-cooked meats served at the table along with sides and wine. Later, sit back and enjoy a folk performance of gaucho traditions with singing, dancing, and displays of horsemanship – topping off an unforgettable encounter with this South American way of life. This evening back in Buenos Aires, gather for dinner at a local restaurant and toast to the end of a grand adventure.

Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included. 

Day 10:Nov 22, 2025 -  Buenos Aires -Tour Ends 

Your tour comes to an end today. Transfer to the airport for your flight home later today.

Today breakfast will be included. 

Exceptional Comfort on the

Many feature floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of the Andes Mountains. Work up an appetite and savor award-winning Chilean cuisine at Catae Restaurant, Nikkei-fusion dishes at SHINSEI and mesmerizing views at our rooftop Sky bar Ky. Active travelers maintain their daily routine at our fitness center and outdoor pool.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

LAND RATES

Land rates are per person, double occupancy, unless otherwise noted. Availability of departures at the prices noted in the brochure is limited. For current prices, please see our website. Government taxes and fees are additional. Rates are guaranteed once deposit is received and booking is confirmed by Collette except for charges resulting from increases in Government taxes and fees. Passengers have 7 days upon receipt of invoice to send written consent or withdraw consent and receive a full refund.

The land price includes those land based items delineated as included in the package itinerary and does not include any other items such as air travel, airline fees, airport or departure taxes, transfers, visas, customary end of trip gratuities for your tour manager, driver, local guides, hotel housekeepers, and any incidental charges.

Air Inclusive Package Deposit
 A $698 non-refundable deposit is due with your air inclusive reservation.
For Antarctica and Cruise air inclusive reservations, a non-refundable $898 deposit is required. An additional $1,000 non-refundable second deposit is due 180 days prior to departure for Antarctica.

Instant Purchase Air
If you have selected Instant Purchase Air, the deposit required is the full cost of the airfare plus the land deposit noted above, all of which is non-refundable

• • Travel Insured
  • TravelEx

TRAVEL NOTES:

2) If you are a member of a participating frequent flyer program, make sure to provide the number when you book your trip and retain the copy of your ticket and boarding pass so you will receive proper credit for your mileage. Please note that some air tickets are not eligible for mileage accrual.

3) Whenever possible, we will add charges for air departure taxes to your invoice. Some international arrival and departure fees are not included in your air ticket and must be paid by you during the tour in the local currency.

Guests must advise Collette, at the time of booking, of any physical, medical, or other special needs that require an accommodation or special assistance. If and when necessary, Collette will make reasonable modifications to its policies, practices, and procedures unless doing so will fundamentally alter the nature of the tour or services.* Such participants, however, should be aware that the Americans with Disabilities Act is inapplicable outside of the United States and facilities outside the United States for disabled individuals are limited. It is strongly recommended that persons requiring assistance be accompanied by a companion who is capable of and totally responsible for providing the assistance.