Day 3
Begin your South American adventure with an excursion to a wonder of the world – the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain. Drive through lush suburbs to the Cosmo Velho cog-railway station, and journey up to the giant figure, then take the lift or escalator – or brave the stairs – up to the viewpoint. Return to Rio via the famous beach districts of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon.
Day 4
Enjoy another included tour that, as well as introducing downtown Rio, includes a cable-car ride up Sugar Loaf Mountain. The spectacular 360-degree views from the care and from atop the mountain are unforgettable. This evening, why not head into town to take in a Samba show?
Day 5
Transfer to the airport, early this morning, for your flight to Iguazu Falls, the world famous cascades at the meeting point of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Travel by coach through the lush foliage, and enjoy a night at your resort hotel on the Argentinian side of the Falls.
Day 6
Stay on the Argentine side of the Falls, and explore the protected wildlife refuge of Iguazu Waterfalls National Park. Enjoy a fascinating guided walk and a train ride to the Devil’s Throat Falls, before returning to the airport for the short flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, meet your Argentinian tour manager and transfer to your hotel.
Day 7
Today you'll enjoy a guided introduction to Buenos Aires. See Plaza de Mayo’s parliament buildings, the tango district of San Telmo, the famously colourful La Boca district, the chic Puerto Madero riverside area and La Recoleta – the Argentinian capital's most elegant neighbourhood.
Return to the hotel at the end of a wonderful day.
Day 8
Discover more of enthralling Buenos Aires under your own steam, today, or join an exciting optional excursion into the pampas grassland, to a typical estancia ranch, learning about the gaucho culture of the plains ranchers and enjoying a traditional asado barbecue.
This evening, crown your Buenos Aires stay by joining our optional excursion to a tango show at La Ventana - one of the city's renowned centres of traditional music and dance.
Day 9
Stunning Mendoza is one of South America's most beautiful cities, at the heart of Argentina's most celebrated wine-producing region. After a short flight, you'll transfer to the hotel where you'll spend the next two nights.
Day 10
Get to know Mendoza’s elegant plazas and wide boulevards, and visit two of the region’s most famous wineries on an included tour of the surrounding vineyards. Enjoy a tasting – and perhaps buy some bottles to bring home – and sample some regional food.
Day 11
One of the tour’s most extraordinary and unforgettable days begins with a very early start as you board our coach to travel from Mendoza, across the high Andes and over the border, to Chile. Descend past the famous, natural Inca Bridge to the Chilean capital, Santiago, for a final three-night stay. Settle in to your hotel and rest and relax after your amazing journey.
Day 12
Enjoy a very special introduction to this cosmopolitan city as you see life through the eyes of the locals on today's tour. Take the metro to the Barrio Centro in the company of your guide, then explore a walkabout grid of shopping streets, grand neo-classical architecture, bars and cafes. Enjoy lunch with locals in a restaurant at the Central Market, and visit the bars and restaurants of the bohemian Barrio Bellavista. End your memorable tour with a ride on the funicular to Cerro San Cristobal to see the colossal statue of the Madonna and enjoy the spectacular views.
Day 13
Your last full day of touring sees you re-board the coach for the short journey to the Pacific coast, stopping on the way for a wine-tasting in pretty Casablanca. Explore picturesque, UNESCO-listed Valparaiso, where the colourful houses that climb the steep hillsides are accessed by a series of funiculars, and take in the garden city of Vina del Mar and its beautiful beaches, before returning to Santiago for a last evening.
Day 14
As some of your fellow adventurers head home, you'll head north to the awe-inspiring Atacama Desert.
Days 15-16
Spend two days discovering some of the highlights of the Atacama Desert. Explore the shimmering Atacama Salt Flats, the near-Martian landscape of the Valley of the Moon and the sweeping sand dunes. See pink flamingos and incredible geysers, and gaze up at the glorious star-strewn night skies each evening as they sparkle above one of the world’s most unique landscapes.
Day 17
After breakfast, bid farewell to your Chilean hosts and transfer to the airport to begin your journey home, via Sao Paulo.
Day 18
Arrive back in the UK after an overnight flight across the Atlantic at the end of a marvellous holiday.