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Day 1 - Arrive Santiago
Arrive in Santiago. Your first taste of this stunningly vibrant Latin American city begins with a short orientation meeting in the evening followed by a welcome dinner in a nearby restaurant.
Days 2 - Santa Cruz & Vintage Wine Train
Leaving Santiago early for San Fernando 140km south of Santiago, board the Vintage Wine Train, an old steam engine constructed in Chile in 1913. On board enjoy wine tastings with great Colchaguino appetizers, accompanied by Chilean Folklore. Overnight at a boutique vineyard on the outskirts of Santa Cruz.
Day 3 - Colchagua Valley
We spend the day on the "Ruta del Vino del Valle de Colchagua" in other words, the winery route of the Colchagua valley. We visit some of the most interesting of the wineries in the valley which may include: Vina Viu Manet, and Vina Bisquertt.
Day 4 & 5 - Santiago & Valparaiso
Returning to Santiago, we stretch our legs in the afternoon taking a short walking tour of the City Center. The next day we visit Valparaiso, the "port of Santiago", an enchanting bohemian city with funicular railways that command a view of the pretty harbour. You'll be amazed by the graffiti or street art, which has become famous in its own right. Our winery visit is in the Casablanca area.
Day 6 - Over the Andes to Mendoza
Embark on a spectacular journey over the Andes range by bus to the Argentine wine region of Mendoza nestled at the foot of South America’s highest mountain, Aconcagua. This balmy city has a very relaxed feel that lends itself to wandering the tree lined avenues. However, we're here at harvest festival time so the streets will filled with stalls, parades and entertainment to enjoy.
Day 7 & 8 - Mendoza
Our full day tour to Lujan de Cuyo: is the most important wine region in Mendoza. The best Malbec in Argentina is in this region, where you will taste exquisite wines and be served a multi course wine matching lunch. Then a half day wine tour takes us to Valle de Uco, taste superb Malbec wines, then indulge in a delicious lunch. This evening get ready for a spectacular performance in the open air amphitheater, featuring over 700 performers. You'll be treated to a picnic dinner of delicious local wine and food.
Day 9 - to Salta
Enjoy the festivities of the main Parade or Carrusel, which is a huge event and loads of fun. You'll have grapes, wine, fruit and other trinkets thrown at you from the floats. See the harvest queens of each region and watch the splendid horses and gauchos. This evening we board our first class executive bed bus to Salta. You'll experience superb service, dinner with wine, breakfast and lie flat beds. I love this trip and look forward to the relaxation on board. It's like business class on a plane!
Day 10 & 11 - Salta
Truly one of the most beautiful cities in northern Argentina. We stay in a quiet residential neighbourhood, so relax and enjoy the pool or visit the local craft market for great souvenirs and ride the cable car up San Bernardo Hill for a spectacular view. An absolute "must do" while in Salta is going to a peña restaurant. Loved by locals as much as by visitors they serve up wonderful regional food and have live shows of traditional dancing. The goat stew is a must try!
Day 12 & 13 - Cafayate
As we drive south and enter the Quebrada de las Conchas, the scenery changes from vibrant green fields to cacti and dramatic bright red hills. With many stops to take in the canyon we arrive in Cafayate the wine region of Northern Argentina. Enjoy the village atmosphere and savour some superb Torrontes wine, a speciality of the region.
Day 14 to 17 - Cachi, Salt Lakes & Huamahuaca Canyon
The next few days find us off the beaten track, exploring canyons of multi coloured rocks and surreal erroded formations. We also venture to the village of Cachi for some local flavour and then high into the Andes to catch our first glimpse of shimmering salt lakes. We have to be flexible with the itinerary and the exact places visited will be determined by local conditions as we are here towards the end of the rainy season. Please be prepared for some long travelling days. However you will be amply rewarded with stunning scenery and the privilege of visiting less touristed areas. On day 17 journey back to Salta from Pumamarca and the Huamahuaca canyon to catch an afternoon flight to the capital Buenos Aires.
Day 18 & 19 - Buenos Aires
We're lucky enough to enjoy a cooking class in a family home. Along with wine tasting we're also taught how to make tasty empanadas and a traditional Argentine BBQ. If time allows a market visit is also included. We'll visit the colorful La Boca district and antiques area of San Telmo. Leaving you with free time to explore. Stroll down the pedestrian avenue Florida for a bit of shopping and a relaxing wander around the leafy suburb of Recoleta.
Day 20 - Buenos Aires
A final day in this vibrant city takes us to the watery world of the Parana River Delta. Catch a canal boat and enjoy the riverside market. Tonight our final dinner is combined with a spectacular Tango show and celebrates the conclusion of a fabulous trip.
Day 21 - Buenos Aires
Departure Day. Free day until your flight leaves, to do some last minute shopping of great wines, leather goods and clothes.
We can also arrange for an Iguazu falls extension, please enquire.
HASTA LUEGO AMIGOS, GRACIAS Y NOS VEMOS PRONTO. Thank you friends and we’ll see you again soon.
IS THIS FOOD & WINE LOVERS TOUR FOR YOU?
This is truly a great trip for anyone who has an amateur interest in wine, food and Latin culture. We don’t pretend to be professional wine connoisseurs, however we do aim to provide rather a unique way to travel and visit Chile and Argentina with an emphasis on the great variety of wine trails, cuisine and breath taking scenery along the way. Some long travel days are to be expected in order to experience all that this beautiful region has to offer.The northern section of the trip may need some flexibility as this will be the first time we have run it like this. We may also find that changes in airline schedules mean the trip may end up a day shorter/longer. It is South America so be prepared for changes.
Accommodation is in cosy family owned B&B’s, wineries and hotels, with private facilities and great ambiance. It’s a physically undemanding trip, however you will need to be able to manage your own bags from our transport to taxis and hotels. We travel on a variety of transport from hired mini vans to public buses which are usually very comfortable. The one overnight bus is not to be feared as the beds recline 180 degrees and the service is superb. In the event that Aerolineas Argentinas start direct flights from Mendoza to Salta, we will take that option. However this is currently unavailable.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE?
All wines tours and tastings
3 highlight dinners and 3 lunches with wine
A Tango show in Buenos Aires
Traditional night out at a Peña Restaurant in Salta
Day trip to Valaparaiso
Vintage Wine train ride
Walking tour of Santiago
Mendoza Harvest Festival evening performance
Visit to the wine regions, salt flats and canyons of northern Argentina
Personalized Buenos Aires city tour
Cooking class in Buenos Aires
All transport during the itinerary
The cost of entry for all scheduled tours and national parks
S.E.T tour leader throughout the tour
All hotel accommodations* (on a twin share basis including all continental breakfasts).
* Additional accommodations can be arranged at the clients’ request
PAYING LOCALLY
Most of our journeys involve a local payment. Paying locally allows us to keep the overall cost of our tours competitive and pass the savings on to you. These funds are put towards local expenses. In some developing countries the transferring of funds is at times problematic so this is a way to help us serve you, whilst saving you money. This is especially true of Argentina since the devaluation of the peso. Payment is to be made to your leader upon arrival in cash.
All prices are approximates and subject to currency fluctuations until final payment has been made. |
