Trafalgar > Cultures and Contrasts of South America 2009

Cultures and Contrasts of South America 2009
17 Days starting from $4,750

Countries Visited:
Argentina, Brazil, Chile

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Length: 17 Days
Type: South America 2009
Category: Discovery
Operator: Trafalgar
Tour Code: LCC-2009
   
 
 
About This Tour


Cities Visited:
Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu, Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Puerto Montt, Santiago

Immerse yourself in South American cultures, and delight in the scenery, cuisine, music, and history that surround you in Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile.
 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing
  • Details
  • SPECIALS
Sightseeing Highlights
  • Rio de Janeiro: Rio de Janeiro Sightseeing tour includes the city’s main sights and a cog-train ride through Tijuca Forest and up Corcovado Mountain to see the famous Christ the Redeemer statue. Also included is a cable car ascent up Sugar Loaf Mountain.
  • Iguassu: A guided tour to the amazing Falls.
  • Buenos Aires: Guided sightseeing of this city including Plaza de Mayo, La Boca, Teatro Colon, Palermo Park, the Evita Museum, and the famous Recoleta Cemetery, the burial site of Evita Perón.
  • Bariloche Lake District: Visit this beautiful area including Lake Nahuel Huapi, Playa Bonita and Campanario Mountain.
  • Puerto Montt: Guided sightseeing tour includes Angelmó, a traditional Chilean seafood market.
  • Santiago: Sightseeing includes views of Club Hípico, the Parque O’Higgins and the Cousiño Palace and a drive up San Cristobal Hill for a splendid vista over the city.
Dining Highlights
  • 14 Breakfasts
  • 3 Lunches
  • 3 Dinners
  • BBQ and Carnival dinner in Rio de Janeiro
  • Musical Farewell Dinner in Santiago
  • 8 additional meals on the Amazon extension
  • 9 additional meals on the Peru extension
22 included meals in total (see day by day itinerary)
First Class Travel Highlights
  • All intra-tour flights and round-trip transfers between airports and hotels, including baggage handling at the airport.
  • Accommodations in hotels in twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower as listed or similar.
  • Services of an English-speaking Tour Director throughout; local hosts on Amazon and Peru extensions.
  • Sightseeing program as indicated in itinerary, including admission charges, where applicable.
  • Hotel taxes and service charges.
  • Portfolio of travel documents.
  • Day 1 - Board your overnight flight


  • Day 2 - Arrive Rio de Janeiro (3 nights) Welcome to spectacular Brazil! Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where rooms are ready for early check in. The rest of the day is free. This evening, relax over a delicious BBQ dinner followed by a colorful Folklore and Carnival show. (Highlight dinner)

    Hotel: Excelsior Copacabana - partial oceanview


  • Day 3 - Rio de Janeiro Take a full day tour of Rio. Start with a cog-train ride through Tijuca Forest and up Corcovado Mountain. Disembark and walk up to the top lookout where the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. Then, head to a seafood restaurant for lunch. Afterward, pass by Rio’s world-famous beaches, Ipanema and Copacabana, to board a cable car for a two-staged ascent up Sugar Loaf Mountain. Enjoy the splendid views of the city. Drive past the Candelaria Church, Saint Sebastian Cathedral, Lapa Arches, Municipal Theatre and the Sambadrome, site of Rio’s famous Carnival Parade. Your evening is free. (Breakfast / Lunch)


  • Day 4 - Rio de Janeiro A full free day. For shoppers, jewelry, art and crafts are always good buys. Sightseers can choose between two tours: A full day schooner cruise or a half day jeep excursion through a rainforest (both own expense). (Breakfast)


  • Day 5 - Rio de Janeiro – Iguassu Falls Transfer for your flight to Iguassu Falls. This afternoon, your Tour Director will show you the magnificent Falls. The thundering roar and plunging cascades of water make this one of nature’s wonders. (Breakfast / Dinner)

    Hotel: Bourbon Cataratas


  • Day 6 - Iguassu Falls – Buenos Aires (4 nights) On the Argentine side of the Falls, board the Ecological Train and ride to a splendid viewpoint to see the Devil’s Throat. Transfer for your flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening, delight in dinner and a performance of the Tango. (Breakfast / Dinner)

    Hotel: Hotel Elevage


  • Day 7 - Buenos Aires Start sightseeing with views of the Plaza de Mayo, including the Casa Rosada, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and Cabildo. On to San Telmo and colorful La Boca. Drive down Avenida 9 de Julio and see Teatro Colon. After viewing Palermo Park make a guided visit of Evita’s Museum, which tells the story of this larger than life icon. Finally, visit the Recoleta Cemetery, where you will find the graves of many of Argentina’s leaders, including Evita Peron. The balance of the day is at leisure. (Breakfast)


  • Day 8 - Colonia del Sacramento excursion Transfer to the Buenos Aires Pier for the hydrofoil ride to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay. Founded in 1680 by Portuguese explorers, Colonia has a delightful colonial ambience, with twisting cobblestone streets and colorful houses. The well-preserved historic quarter was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. See the city on a tour, and then explore on your own. There are museums, arts and crafts shops, and cafés, all vying for your attention. Later this afternoon, return by hydrofoil to Buenos Aires, where the rest of the day is at leisure. (Breakfast / Lunch)


  • Day 9 - Buenos Aires A full day free. Your Tour Director has many suggestions, including a day trip to the Pampas to learn the daily life of the Gaucho (Argentine cowboy) or a fun and Tango lesson. For shoppers, the downtown area is full of gallerias and boutiques. (Breakfast)


  • Day 10 - Buenos Aires – Bariloche (2 nights) Fly to Bariloche, the heart of Patagonia’s scenic Lake District. The balance of the day is at leisure. For chocolate lovers, you will find small chocolate factories located throughout town. (Breakfast / Dinner)

    Hotel: Hotel Edelweiss


  • Day 11 - Bariloche Sightseeing takes you along the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. See Playa Bonita, then travel through stunning scenery to Campanario Mountain. Take a chairlift ride to a lookout point at the summit. Travel to the Lao Lao Peninsula and over the Angostura Bridge for the splendid view. The rest of the day is free. (Breakfast)


  • Day 12 - Bariloche – Puerto Varas Coach to Villa La Angostura and take a catamaran ride to the Quetrihúe Peninsula. Here, step into the silence of the forest of ancient Arrayanes trees. Return to Villa La Angostura. Board a coach and travel along the lakes and through the splendid scenery of the Andes. Continue to the border with Chile, and on to Puerto Varas. (Breakfast / Lunch)

    Hotel: Hotel Cabanas del Lago


  • Day 13 - Puerto Varas – Puerto Montt – Santiago (3 nights) Stop at an observation point for a beautiful view of the seaport city of Puerto Montt. Continue through the center of town, seeing the square, cathedral and seafood market. Then transfer for your flight to Santiago. On arrival you are transferred to your hotel. (Breakfast)

    Hotel: Park Plaza Providencia


  • Day 14 - Santiago Sightseeing in Chile’s capital city begins in the older residential area, passing the Club Hípico, the Parque O’Higgins and the Cousiño Palace. Visit the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral. At the fascinating Pre-Colombian Art Museum, view one of the most complete collections of ceramics, ancient textiles and relics of American culture in the world. Stop at the Central Market, dating back to the 1800s. Finally, cross the Mapocho River to San Cristóbal Hill for splendid views of the city. This afternoon your Tour Director will suggest an optional tour to the Maipo Valley, Chile’s premier wine growing region. (Breakfast)


  • Day 15 - Santiago and Optional Valparaiso and Viña del Mar Excursion A free day to do as you please. Check with your Tour Director for ideas. There is an optional outing to the beautiful coastal region including the historic port of Valparaiso and the chic seaside resort of Viña del Mar. Tonight, savor Farewell Dinner at a favorite restaurant, complete with traditional music and dance. (Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)


  • Day 16 - Santiago / Homebound Flight A free day before your late afternoon transfer to the airport. Your room is available until 3:00 p.m. Extra nights are available if you wish to extend your stay. (Breakfast)

    (some guests will transfer to Lima airport in the late evening of Day 16 for an overnight flight back to the USA. Arrival in the USA will be the early morning of Day 17)



  • Day 17 - Arrive USA


  • NOTE: U.S. passport holders must obtain a visa to enter Brazil.

    NOTE: All passengers with passports from Australia, United States, Canada and Mexico must pay a reciprocity tax before entering passport control in Santiago.



Click here to check rates and availability online, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Or, to speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.
         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
1/23/2009 - 2/8/2009
$4,775
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2/13/2009 - 3/1/2009
$4,775
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3/6/2009 - 3/22/2009
$4,775
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3/20/2009 - 4/5/2009
$4,775
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4/3/2009 - 4/19/2009
$4,750
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4/17/2009 - 5/3/2009
$4,750
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5/8/2009 - 5/24/2009
$4,750
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9/25/2009 - 10/11/2009
$4,799
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10/9/2009 - 10/25/2009
$4,799
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10/16/2009 - 11/1/2009
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10/23/2009 - 11/8/2009
$4,799
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11/6/2009 - 11/22/2009
$4,799
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11/20/2009 - 12/6/2009
$4,799
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12/18/2009 - 1/3/2010
$4,799
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1/22/2010 - 2/7/2010
$4,875
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2/5/2010 - 2/21/2010
$4,875
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2/26/2010 - 3/14/2010
$4,875
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3/5/2010 - 3/21/2010
$4,875
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3/12/2010 - 3/28/2010
$4,875
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3/26/2010 - 4/11/2010
$4,875
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All Land & Air Prices: Additional taxes and fees will apply, please visit www.trafalgar.com/taxesandfees. Airline fuel surcharges are included in the base fare. Additional restrictions will apply; please visit www.trafalgar.com/restrictions. Prices shown are from New York City (Europe vacations), Los Angeles (South Pacific & Asia vacations) and Miami (South America vacations).
* 2009 dates are subject to price and itinerary modifications.Details will be available in August 2008.
** Actual airfares from your hometown will be advised at the time of booking.
*** Airport Transfers will be provided on arrival and departure, and will be coordinated with your flights.
**** U.S. passport holders must obtain a visa to enter Brazil.
Please note: In addition to being sold out or on a request basis only, a tour departure may not be displayed on this site for operation reasons.
For details on discounts that apply to this tour please refer to a brochure or see your Travel Agent.
The displayed prices are based on twin-share accommodation. A single supplement price is available on request.
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • Sugar Loaf Mountain
  • Iguassu
  • Buenos Aires
  • Bariloche
  • Puerto Montt
  • Santiago
All Land & Air Prices: Additional taxes and fees will apply, please visit www.trafalgar.com/taxesandfees. Airline fuel surcharges are included in the base fare. Additional restrictions will apply; please visit www.trafalgar.com/restrictions. Prices shown are from New York City (Europe vacations), Los Angeles (South Pacific & Asia vacations) and Miami (South America vacations).
* 2009 dates are subject to price and itinerary modifications.Details will be available in August 2008.
** Actual airfares from your hometown will be advised at the time of booking.
*** Airport Transfers will be provided on arrival and departure, and will be coordinated with your flights.
**** U.S. passport holders must obtain a visa to enter Brazil.
Please note: In addition to being sold out or on a request basis only, a tour departure may not be displayed on this site for operation reasons.
For details on discounts that apply to this tour please refer to a brochure or see your Travel Agent.
The displayed prices are based on twin-share accommodation. A single supplement price is available on request.

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Cruise Solo at NO Additional Charge

Trafalgar / Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has waived single supplements on a variety of 2009 Europe river cruises, which means solo travelers can cruise at no additional charge.

This offer is valid on the following cruises:

Burgundy & Provence

Tulips & Windmills

Enchanting Danube

Eastern Europe Explorer

Danube Discovery

Rhine Discovery

Grand European Discovery

Paris and Normandy

Grand France

Portugal, Spain, & the Douro River Valley (Cruise Only)

Paris & European River Romance

Paris & Grand European Waterways

Paris & the Heart of Europe

Contact your travel specialist at 1-800-942-3301.

**Conditions apply. Valid on select departures. See you travel agent for further details.


   
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