Day 2 Santiago
After arriving in Santiago, the capital of Chile, you'll transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay.
The city of Santiago lies in a lovely setting beneath the majestic Andes and is a city of wide boulevards and delightful parks and gardens. This afternoon we've included a city tour, allowing you to see the Presidential Palace and the residential districts of Las Condes and Providencia, famous for their beautiful homes. You'll finish on San Cristobal Hill, where you'll enjoy a spectacular view of the foothills of the snow-capped Andes.
Day 3 Santiago - at Leisure
The choice is yours today – spend time exploring Santiago, or join your Holiday Director on an optional day of discovery which starts with a scenic drive. Your first stop will be the Casas del Bosque vineyard to taste award-winning wines. Our explorations then take us to Viña del Mar, a beach resort also known as the 'Garden City', and the coastal city of Valparaiso. We'll have lunch here, sightseeing highlights include Fisherman's Wharf, Plaza Sotomayor, the Naval Academy and La Sebastiana.
Meals included: BDay 4 Santiago - Mendoza
Today we take a great journey by road over the Andes and across the border into Argentina to your new base, Mendoza. Mount Aconcagua, which at 23,000ft is the highest peak in the Americas, is just one sightseeing highlight along the way.
Day 5 Mendoza - at Leisure
This morning has been left free for you to enjoy at your leisure. However, if you'd like to join an optional excursion you can join a vineyard tour by bicycle . We'll head to the wine region of Maipù, where we'll stop at a vineyard and learn about production methods and sample the famed wines of the region including Chardonnay, Syrah and Malbec. You'll enjoy a lovely cycle through stunning backdrops of the Andes. Later this afternoon join us on an included sightseeing tour of Mendoza.
Day 6 Mendoza - Buenos Aires
Argentina's capital Buenos Aires beckons today, and we'll fly there this morning. With a three-night stay, there's plenty of time to explore, and we'll start with a tour this afternoon. First we'll take a walk around the Plaza de Mayo to see the Casa Rosada, or Government House. This is also where we'll find the cathedral, which houses the tomb of Argentina's liberator General San Martin. Next, we head to the colourful La Boca District and visit Recoleta Cemetery, the burial place of political icon Eva Perón, before returning to our hotel.
Day 7 Buenos Aires - at Leisure
Buenos Aires is yours to explore today. Alternatively, if you'd like to experience life on a typical ranch, or 'estancia', an optional day out will take you into the heart of the Argentinian Pampas. Here you'll see the gauchos displaying their horsemanship skills, and you'll also get to tuck into an Argentine barbecue. Some of the world's best beef comes from Argentina – so meat-lovers are in for a treat.
Day 8 Buenos Aires - at Leisure
You've a free day to spend as you wish. However, you can also join a couple of exciting optional excursions.
Perhaps join a relaxing morning river cruise on the Tigre and Parana Delta. As you sail through this labyrinth of waterways take in lovely views of riverside villas, forested islands, Victorian docks and English-style gardens.
Your evening option turns up the heat, with a fiery tango show and dinner.
Day 9 Buenos Aires - Iguaçú Falls
We'll fly to Iguaçú Falls today, where our base for two nights is on the Argentinian side of this natural wonder. You could spend a relaxed afternoon enjoying your hotel's facilities.
Day 10 Iguaçú
Today you are going to explore Iguaçú Falls on a full-day excursion to the Argentinian side of the National Park. Your journey starts by taking the Ecological train through the jungle where you will see a variety of ferns, orchids, begonias, birds and butterflies along the way. Iguaçu Falls is located at the meeting point of three countries - Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina - and you will witness spectacular views of the neighbouring countries Paraguay and Brazil.
The Falls are one of the world's largest natural wonders and consist of an astounding 275 separate waterfalls, falling from an average height of 70 metres. Walk along a 1,100 metre long path and you'll arrive at the famous Devil's Gorge Fall. This tour also includes walking along Upper and Lower trails that allow you to observe the waterfalls close-up. Meals included: B
Day 11 Iguaçú Falls - Rio de Janeiro
You might take the chance to relax this morning before we fly to the thrilling city of Rio de Janeiro.
Alternatively, if you want to carry on exploring, you can take an optional trip to the Brazilian side of Iguaçú Falls. From here you get wonderfully panoramic views and you can walk across a platform virtually into Devil's Throat, the most famous of the falls.
Early this afternoon we'll transfer to the airport for our flight.
Day 12 Rio de Janeiro
You're going to wake up in one of the most unique and dazzling cities in the world today, welcome to Rio!
Beautifully situated beneath Sugar Loaf Mountain and blessed with magnificent world-famous beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema, a day here is sure to be filled with excitement.
To get you started, we're going to visit Corcovado, which is home to the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer. To reach the statue we'll travel on the small cog railway which winds up the mountain. You can just imagine the superb views you're going to get over Rio from here.
You'll be keen to get out in Rio this afternoon, whether that's to see more sights or stretch out on Copacabana Beach, which is just across from your hotel. There's also the option to take a cable-car ride to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain. This evening we'll gather as a group for a farewell dinner at a typical Brazilian Churrascaria. A churrascaria is a place where meat is cooked in churrasco style, which translates roughly from the Portuguese word for "barbecue". Experience the famous Brazilian barbecue and taste traditional Brazilian food such as sushi, various salads and 25 types of meat including cuts of prime beef, ostrich, lamb, and wild boar.
Day 13 Rio de Janeiro (Carnival)
This evening you will enjoy the 'greatest party on earth'. The Winner's Parade is the last event of the annual Rio Carnival. Take your reserved seats in the Sambadromo and prepare to be amazed as the five best samba schools parade in front of you. The music, costumes and floats are simply spectacular and the atmosphere is one of fun, frivolity and celebration.
Meals included: BDay 14 Rio de Janeiro - UK
There is time to explore Rio further before you transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK, via Sao Paulo.
Meals included: B