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Arrive in Manaus
Arrival in Manaus.
Manaus is the capital of Amazonas, a tropical forest state covering around 1 500 000 km¾ (577,000 sq miles.) It is also the commercial and physical hub of the entire Amazon region. Most visitors are surprised to learn that Manaus isnít actually on the Amazon at all. Rather it lies on the Rio Negro, 6 km (4 miles) from the point where that river meets the Solimžes to form (as far as most Brazilians are concerned) the Rio Amazonas. Just a few hundred metres away from the tranquil life on the rivers, the centre of Manaus perpetually buzzes with energy. Everywhere you turn, shops and stalls are selling everything. The sights of the port, markets, Opera House and some of the museums make up for the hectic pace in the downtown area.
Overnight in Manaus. Dinner if required.
Manaus - Amazon
Our journey on the Amazon begins today. The very mention of the name Amazon conjures images of adventure and mystery. Designating the worldís largest rainforest and one of the worldís largest rivers, Amazon defines the word "exotic". The term "rainforest" describes forests that grow in constant humid conditions. They can occur whenever the annual rainfall is above 2000 mm (80 inches) per year, and high temperatures favour plant development.
The Amazon river is almost 6440 km (4,000 miles) long, with a volume of water equal to 11 times the volume of the Mississippi River. Amazonia, consisting mainly of forest, forms more than 50% of Brazilís area, though only 7% of its total population. Most of the Amazonianís inhabitants live in and around a few cities including Manaus, which is a thousand miles from the ocean. The jungle is the largest in the world, with more flora and fauna than any other.
Using a rustic yet comfortable lodge as a base, we will explore the Amazonís maze of forest and mysterious waters. We observe thousands of exotic birds such as parrots, toucans, and macaws. You may see "boto", a kind of river dolphin. We will visit a caboclo village, home to the local people, whose ancestors are half Indian and half Portuguese.
We begin by navigating past Manaus to the Xiborena region. We enjoy a canoe trip in smaller creeks to see life on the flood plains: jute, market-garden produce, rubber trees, as well as flood plain forest and lakes with giant water lilies (in season). We return after sunset, so that we can observe night life including Caimans. Navigation up the Amazon (the upper part of it called Solimoes by the natives) to lake Janauaca.
Overnight at an Amazon Lodge. Breakfast and dinner.
Amazon
Early morning canoe trip for bird-watching. There are good chances of seeing large flocks of Egrets and Cormorants. We visit the human inhabitants of the lake area who make a living on manioc plantations, fishing, diverse fruit trees, rubber, Brazil-nut trees, wood and other extractive products. We walk in the forest with commentaries by our local guide. Night trip to see nocturnal animals, sometimes including night-hawks, snakes, toro-rats, sloths and frogs. Navigation downstream on the Amazon.
Overnight at an Amazon Lodge. All meals.
Amazon - Manaus
Early morning bird-watching trip in the Janeiro Ecological Park and nearby waterways. Navigation to the "Meeting of the Waters." Back to Manaus with views of the floating docks, market, old custom house and houses on stilts.
Overnight in Manaus. Breakfast and dinner.
Manaus - Campo Grande
Today we fly from Manaus to Campo Grande near the Pantanal, home to the highest concentration of wildlife in South America. The great diversity of animal species in the region arises from vast differences in habitat. Savannah flood plains, dry forests and humid, temperate zones co-exist with grassy plains and scrubby vegetation. A total of 80 mammal, 50 reptile, and 650 bird species have been identified hereóhowever, none of them are indigenous to the area. Among the residents are 13 endangered speciesóamong them jaguar, otter and anteater.
Our destination is the Pousada Aguape, situated 160 km (99.4 miles) from Campo Grande, the gateway to the Pantanal. The Aguape Ranch was founded 150 years ago and is still owned by the same family. Through the years the farm activities have diversified. The Ranch is home for a school, a regional horse breeder, and a Hyacinth Macaw project, cattle ranching, and now a tourism area with a large variety and quantity of wildlife.
The Pousada Aguape is equipped with 14 apartments with air-conditioning and ceiling fans. The pousada has a swimming pool, and a restaurant.
Overnight in Patanal region. Breakfast and dinner.
Pantanal
We have a full day of exploration of the wonders of the Pantanal.
In its two distinct seasons, the Pantanal presents a constant, unequaled spectacle. From December to April is the flood season when the rivers overflow and spread themselves for miles uniting with the bays and creeks creating a true ocean of sweet water. This is the period of Pantaneira flora, the green explodes and gives breeding ground for flora and water-loving fauna. Excursions at this time of year usually involve exploration by boat/canoe for at least part of the time.
Overnight Patanal region. All meals.
Pantanal
Our final full day in the Pantanal.
Our wilderness adventure continues today. The Pantanal is renowned for it spectacled caimansó- a crocodile species which grow up to 3 m (9 feet) in length. Once nearly endangered, today there are nearly 10 million in existance in the Pantanal. In addition, the area's waterways are filled with brightly coloured kingfisher and teem with the infamous piranah. Birds abound in the Pantanal and are more numerous than anywhere else in South America. Look out for eagle, stork, nandu, jabiru, macaw and ibis.
Overnight Pantanal region. All meals.
Campo Grande - Buenos Aires, Argentina
Today we fly from Campo Grande, Brazil to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Transfer to our hotel.
Overnight in Buenos Aires. Breakfast and dinner.
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
Transfer by hydrofoil (1.5 hours) across the Rio del Plata to Colonia del Sacramento, one of the Southern Cone's unappreciated gems. Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese Manoel Lobo, it occupied a strategic position almost exactly opposite Buenos Aires across the Rio de la Plata, but its major importance was as a source of contraband, undercutting Spain's jealously defended mercantile trade monopoly. British goods made their way from Colonia into Buenos Aires and the interior through surreptitious exchange with the Portuguese in the Parana delta; for this reason, Spanish forces intermittently besieged Portugal's riverside outpost for decades.
The capital of its department, Colonia is a pleasant town of about 20,000, the streets of its historic colonial core are shaded by sycamores from the summer heat. In the course of the day, the town discloses its many aspects as sunlight strikes whitewashed colonial buildings and the river; the latter, living up to its name, is silvery in the morning , but turns brownish by midday.
Our walking tour of Colonia begins at the Puerta de Campo, the restored Calle Manoel Lobo entrance to the old city, which dates from the governorship of Vasconcellos in 1745. A thick, fortified wall runs south along the Paseo de San Miguel to the river. Later we visit Casa de Lavalleja, once the residence of General Lavalleja, and the ruins of the 17th century Convento de San Francisco and the 19th century Faro.
Overnight in Colonia del Sacramento. Breakfast and dinner.
Colonia del Sacramento - Montevideo
This morning we drive along the Uruguayan Littoral (coast) to Montevideo. The littoral is that portion of Uruguay that fronts the Rio de la Plata and the Rio Uruguay, opposite Argentine Mesopotamia. Originally Indian and Gaucho country, it has become the country's most important agricultural area, the wheat fields and gardens of which feed the growing population of the capital.
Upon arrival we embark upon a tour of Montevideo city. Our sightseeing today consists of the Mercado Del Puerto and the National Museum.
The national history museum actually consists of four different houses, most of them former residences of Uruguayan national heroes in the Cuidad Vieja. Built in the late 18th century, the Casa Lavalleja, Zabala 1469, was the home of General Lavalleja from 1830 until his death in 1853; in 1940, his heirs donated it to the state. The Casa Rivera, a 19th century building at Rincon 437, belonged to General Fructuoso Rivera, Uruguay's first president and founder of the Colorado party. The Casa Garibaldi, at 25 de Mayo, 314, belonged to the Italian patriot who commanded the Uruguayan navy from 1843 to 1851, and now contains many of his personal effects.
Overnight in Montevideo. Breakfast and dinner.
Montevideo, Uruguay - Asuncion, Paraguay
Today we fly from Montevideo to Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay.
On arrival we will have a guided tour of Asuncion, the capital and largest city of Paraguay. The city is built on unassuming hills above the east bank of the Rio Paraguay. Most of the city's key sights are found within an area bound by the riverfront. There are some excellent parks, such as the Jardin Botanico and the Museo del Barro, the city's foremost repository of modern art. Other city sites include the Case de Cultura Paraguaya, the 19th century Cathedral and its museum, and the Casa de la Independencia, Asuncion's oldest building (1772) and site of the Declaration of Independence.
NOTE: Ever changing flight schedules may necessitate having our Asuncion sightseeing tomorrow morning before departure for Encarnacion.
Overnight in Asuncion. Breakfast and dinner.
Asuncion - Encarnacion
We have a morning departure from Asuncion heading southeast towards Encarnacion, a total drive of around 368 km (230 miles). En route visit San Ignacio Guazu, a Jesuit mission founded in 1609, with a preserved cloister, excellent museum and clay portico walls with wooden beams.
We continue to Santa Maria de Fe, founded in 1647 but destroyed by fire in 1889. There is an excellent museum of several rooms each dedicated to a particular theme, such as Saint Ignacio and Saint Peter, filled with paintings and artifacts of those themes.
Overnight near Encarnacion. Breakfast and dinner.
Encarnacion - Trinidad, Paraguay - Iguaz™ Falls, Argentina
Early this morning we will visit Trinidad, founded by Indians coming from a Jesuit Mission located in Argentina. While never totally completed, it might have been one of the largest and most beautiful churches of all the missions. Trinidad was declared a World Heritage Site in 1993 by UNESCO.
We then drive through Encarnacion and cross over into Argentina at Posadas for short drive to San Ignacio Mini, one of the most prosperous of Jesuit Missions and partly restored by the Argentine government. We visit San Ignacio Mini and then drive north some 280 km (180 miles) to Iguaz™ Falls.
The Iguaz™ area is known as the "Hito de las Tres Fronteras" because at this point Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay converge. The national park here is home to more than 21,000 plant species and 400 bird species. The waterfalls disgorge 1700 m„ (1,853 cubic yards) of water per second from a height of 70 m (230 feet) in 275 different falls, most of which are in Argentina. On the frontier with Brazil there is a gully--La Garganta del Diablo (The Devil's Throat) which is 150 m (490 feet) wide and 700 m (2,290 feet) long.
This afternoon we will wander the paths which go along the upper and lower parts of the falls and the paths which go along the river from the observation point of the Bosetti falls to the quay. The plunging falls throw a fine drizzle up to 30 m (98 feet) into the air, weaving countless rainbows in the sun. Be sure to take rain-proof clothing.
Overnight at Iguaz™ Falls. Breakfast and dinner.
Iguaz™ Falls - Buenos Aires
This morning you have free time to explore these amazing falls. The United Nations has declared Iguaz™ Falls ("Iguacu" in Portuguese) to be a protected area of worldwide importance.
This afternoon we fly to Buenos Aires and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and explore this vibrant city.
Overnight in Buenos Aires. Breakfast and dinner.
Buenos Aires
Today we will enjoy an exciting excursion to see the sights of this cosmopolitan city. In the early part of the 20th century, Argentina was one of the richest countries in the world. The grand public buildings of Buenos Aires reflect this opulent era. The city is known as the "Paris of South America" because of its wide boulevards and European-style architecture. Buenos Aires was founded for the second time in 1580 by Juan de Garay, just north of Mendozaís encampment. In accordance with Spanish law, he laid out the large Plaza del Fuerte (Fortress Plaza). It acquired its present name of Plaza de Mayo after the month of revolution in 1810.
It is here that we concentrate our tour of the major public buildings. Catedral Metropolitana, built on the sight of the original colonial church was not completed until 1827. Not only is it considered a major religious landmark, but also a historical site of great importance. Here lies the tomb of Jose de San Martin, the man who (along with Simon Bolivar) liberated South America from Spanish rule in the early 1800ís. The Plaza de Mayo is also home to Museo del Cabildo, the presidential palace (Casa Rosada), and the national congress (Palacio del Congreso). We also visit the Recoleta Cemetery where Buenos Airesí richest citizens are buried in magnificent marble tombs elaborately decorated with statues. The most internationally-famous person buried here is "Evita" Peron. Later this afternoon you may choose to visit in the artistís quarter of San Telmo.
Overnight in Buenos Aires. Breakfast and dinner.
Buenos Aires
Another full day to explore the newest and the largest of the major Latin American cities. With the entire Metropolitan area spanning a gigantic 2915 km¾ ( 1121 sq miles) and having a population of approximately 10 million people -- a third of Argentinaís total, there is much to see in order to get a feel of this vibrant city. Buenos Aires began with the Plaza de Mayo, today a strikingly beautiful plaza with tall palm trees, flower gardens and a central monument set off by the surrounding colonial buildings. The most eye catching structure is the Casa Rosada (the Pink House), the seat of the Argentinean government with a small museum in the basement that contains antiques and objects identified with different Argentinean heroes.
The other historic buildings on the Plaza are the Cabildo (the Town Council) which has been on this site since the founding of the city in 1580 and the Metropolitan Cathedral completed in 1827. Browsing amongst these buildings and exploring the lively streets that lead off from the plaza will occupy the morning hours with the afternoon free to visit the barrio (district) of La Boca on the southern part of Buenos Aires. The barrio is famous for sheet-iron houses, some built from material taken from the interiors of abandoned ships now painted in bright colours and for its history as a residential area for Genoese sailors and dock workers in the 19th century.
Overnight in Buenos Aires. Breakfast and dinner.
Buenos Aires - Trelew - Puerto Madryn
This morning we say goodbye to colourful Buenos Aires, and fly to the Welsh town of Trelew in the Chubut Province of Patagonia. This morning will be spent enjoying a tour of this historical town. Founded in 1886 as a railway junction, Trelew takes its name from Lewis Jones, who promoted expansion of the railway system -- tre means "town" in Welsh, and Lew is short for Lewis. Immigrant workers flooded in from Europe as the railway network expanded. Both Welsh and Italian language and traditions are still very strong here.
Overnight in Puerto Madryn. Hotel Tolosa or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Puerto Madryn - Peninsula ValdÈs - Puerto Madryn
About 120 km (75 miles) north of Puerto Madryn is Peninsula ValdÈs, one of the finest wildlife reserves in South America. Sea lions, elephant seals, guanacos, Magellanic penguins and many other rare seabirds are present in large numbers on the beaches and headlands.
We will visit the Estancia San Lorenzo, located at the northern end of the PenÌnsula ValdÈs since early in the 20th century. The main house, with its verandas, its cladding of corrugated zinc, and its sheep shearing shed, is set amidst the landscape of the steppe, in one of the most impressive places on the Patagonian coast. The owners of San Lorenzo continue to carefully guard this land full of life and history.
During different times of the year a variety of fauna choose PenÌnsula ValdÈs to mate. The estancia is privileged because of its characteristics and location. It is the most exclusive place to observe the southern right whale, colonies of sea lions, elephant seals and Magellanic penguins. We can walk the dunes to visit a penguin colony which is crowded only with penguins, not people as at other spots along the coast.
Overnight in Puerto Madryn. Hotel Tolosa or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Puerto Madryn - Ushuaia
This morning we fly to Ushuaia on the island of Tierra del Fuego. Ushuaia is considered the worldís southernmost city. In 1520, Magellan passed through the strait which now bears his name, in search of a sea route to the spice islands of Asia. The Yahgan Indians built the fires which inspired Europeans to give this region its name--"The Land of Fire". At first, very little attention was paid to this rocky and glacial shoreline, and its indigenous Indian population. It was not until the demise of Spainís colonial domination of the region in the late 1800ís, that other Europeans began settling here. Ushuaia lies on the north shore of the Beagle Channel, at the very heart of the archipelago, and just east of the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego. Since 1950, the town has played host to an important naval base, supporting Argentine claims in Antarctica.
Ushuaia has one of the worldís most dramatic settings: surrounding jagged glacial peaks rise from sea level to nearly 1500 m (4,500 ft). In 1870, the South American Missionary Society, a British-based organisation, made Ushuaia its first permanent outpost in the Fuego region. Today we will begin exploring the area in earnest. This afternoon, we will enjoy a tour of the town, beginning with a visit to the townís museum. Filled with interesting artefacts, the museum catalogues the history of this rugged territory. In Ushuaia we are so far south that it is broad daylight until well after 10 pm.
Overnight in Ushuaia. Hotel del Bosque or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Ushuaia - Tierra del Fuego - Ushuaia
Lake Fagnano, the third largest lake in South America will be the focus of this morningís exploration. The drive to the lake is one of unparalleled beauty. Over millions of years, mighty glaciers have carved deep valleys which are now interspersed with deep fjords and extensive pine forests. The surrounding snow-capped mountains contrast sharply with the crystal clear waters of the lake and forests.
Overnight in Ushuaia. Hote del Bosque or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Beagle Channel Cruise
Today, weather permitting, we include a cruise on the Beagle Channel, named after the ship on which Darwin sailed through here in 1832. The island of Tierra del Fuego is divided between Argentina and Chile and the Beagle Channel forms part of the border between the two countries. In addition to spectacular scenery, we should see many species of marine mammals and birds.
This afternoon will be spent in the Tierra del Fuego National Park. Just a short drive from town, this pristine nature reserve is home to hundreds of species of birds, in addition to bountiful varieties of plant life. At Lapatoia Bay we reach the southern end of the Pan-American Highway, which starts in Alaska and runs all the way down through Canada, the USA, Central and South America.
Please note: As Tierra del Fuego is so close to the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by water, the weather here is extremely changeable hour by hour. In order to maximise our sight-seeing, we may have to alter the sequence of the activities while here. Your Tour Leader will do his/her best to ensure that you see all the items listed on these days but in the event of extreme weather, other activities may have to be substituted.
Overnight in Ushuaia. Hotel del Bosque or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Ushuaia - Calafate
Today we fly from Ushuaia to Calafate, a resort on Lake Argentino situated at the entrance to the Glacier National Park.
Overnight in Calafate. Breakfast and dinner.
Calafate - Perito Moreno Glacier - Calafate
We leave the shores of Lake Argentino, travel across the lowlands and begin ascending to the sub-Antarctic forest which marks the gateway to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Its centrepiece is the Perito Moreno Glacier which, because of unusually favourable local conditions, is one of the worldís few advancing glaciers. Huge icebergs on the glacierís 60 m (180 foot) high face calve and collapse into the Canal de los Tempanos as it advances about 100 m (300 feet) a year. The roar of the gigantic ice wall as it crashes into the surrounding channel is an unforgettable experience.
This afternoon we return to Calafate.
Overnight in Calafate hotel. Breakfast and dinner.
Calafate - Uppsala Glacier - Calafate
This morning, we depart early from our Calafate hotel to drive the short distance to the boat dock at Puerto Bandera at the western end of Lago Argentino. Here, we board our boat for a picturesque trip across the pristine, exquisite turquise waters to the Upsala Glacier. The boat lingers in front of the vast wall of ice that is the front of this massive glacier. There are several outside decks that offer excellent views.
We return to Calafate late in the afternoon.
Overnight in Calafate. Breakfast and dinner.
Calafate, Argentina - Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Saying farewell to Argentina, we leave Calafate and make our way to the border. Once in Chile, we will drive to Torres del Paine National Park. The Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine) are spectacular granite pillars which soar almost vertically more than 2000 m (6000 feet) above the Patagonian landscape. The park in which the high peaks sit may be considered the finest national park in all of South America. With turquoise lakes, roaring waterfalls, rivers and creeks, dense forests and sprawling glaciers this is an unequalled destination.
Overnight in Torres del Paine National Park. Hotel Torres or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Torres del Paine National Park
Today we spend the entire day at Torres del Paine National Park.
Some say Paine was an early settler. Others say the name comes from an ancient Indian word meaning blueóhearkening to the intense blue of the area's lakes. Whatever the name comes from or means, this is a spectacular park, comparable to Yellowstone or Yosemite in the US. Founded in 1959, Torres del Paine takes in 180,000 ha (450,000 acres). In 1978 UNESCO gave the park World Heritage status, recognizing it as a biosphere especially worthy of international recognition.
The park is part of the Paine Massif, which lies inside the continent from, or east of, the high central Andean spine. The massif are medium high mountains emerging suddenly from the plains of the Patagonian steppes. The mountains are granite, capped by crumbly sedimentary rock that used to lie on the valley floor. Before the park was acquired by the Chilean government, it belonged to ranchers who overgrazed and also burned down forests to increase pasture area. The park is still recovering from this devastation, and will be for a while, but it's a chance to see what nature will do, if given a chance. Natural recovery can also be seen, though the glaciers of the park are in quick retreat ó up to 17 m (56 ft) a year for the last 90 years, creating a fascinating study of plant succession and soil build-up from bare rock to forest. The flora of the park ranges from grassland to southern beech forests. Many parts of the park were too remote for the cattle ranchers, and exist today in a pristine state.
The animal stars of the park are the Guanacos and the Rheas. Rheas are an ostrich-like bird. Guanacos are wild South American cameloids, related to the domesticated llama and alpaca. Native peoples hunted both across the plains, using every part for food and sheltering hide and feathers. When the Europeans came, the Guanaco were slaughtered to make way for cattle, and almost became extinct.
We will travel through the park in our coach stopping at various points of interest and scenic viewpoints. We will also have an opportunity to walk one of the many easy-going trails that afford expansive views of the mountains and glaciers for which Patagonia is famous.
Overnight in Torres del Paine National Park. Hotel Torres or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Torres del Paine - Punta Arenas
This morning we leave the Torres del Paine National Park and continue our journey on to Punta Arenas. Time permitting, we will first pay a visit to the Milodon Cave. In the 1890s Captain Eberhard discovered, in this gigantic limestone cave, the remains of an enormous ground sloth. Called the Milodon, this sloth stood twice as high as a tall human, fed on branches and leaves and was a contemporary of North Americaís mammoths. Many legends surround this American megafauna including stories telling how Indians kept them as domestic animals and that it still thrived in the wilds until the last century. Today, however, scientists tell us that the Milodon became extinct near the end of the Pleistocene period.
We continue to Punta Arenas at the foot of the Andes on the western side of the Straits of Magellan and facing the island of Tierra del Fuego. This is a port which attracts commerce and shipping from all over the South Atlantic. Founded in 1848, the city was originally a military garrison and a penal settlement. Port facilities soon became established as a stop over for shipping en route to California during the Gold Rush. The population increased and the town developed as a result of the wool boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During the last quarter of the 19th century, 300 purebred sheep were imported from the Falkland Islands. Such was the success of subsequent breeding that by the turn of the century there were almost two million sheep in the territory. Immigrants from all over western Europe were attracted to the area, bringing with them major developments to fishing and farming.
Overnight in Punta Arenas. Breakfast and dinner.
Punta Arenas - Puerto Varas
We leave our hotel in Punta Arenas and transfer to the local airport before joining a flight north to Puerto Varas. Considered the major gateway to the southern Lake District, Puerto Varas is one of southern Chileís most important cities. The city has a spectacular setting at the north end of the Golfo de Reloncavi. We spend the afternoon visiting the colourful and interesting local market.
Overnight in Puerto Varas. Hotel Terrazas del Lago or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Puerto Varas
The area around Puerto Varas is a region of spectacular lakes and mountains. We drive along the shore of Lake Llonquihue to the PetrohuÈ waterfall (Salto del PetohuÈ)--an amazing series of oddly twisting water chutes. These chutes were formed by a crystallized black volcanic rock which is particularly resistant to erosion. The water at Rio PetrohuÈ is bright green due to the presence of algae. On a clear day the drive is spectacular, with the snow-capped peak of the Osorno Volcano looming above us. From the town of PetrohuÈ we take a boat ride on the azure-blue waters of Lago Todos los Santos to the town of Puella--a small village which serves as a stopping point on the route to Argentina. We will spend a short time here, and the Cascada de Los Novios, a waterfall, is a short walk for the village. Later we return to Puerto Varas.
Overnight in Puerto Varas. Hotel Terrazas del Lago similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Puerto Varas - Santiago de Chile
This morning we travel from Puerto Varas back to Puerto Montt where we fly to Chileís capital, Santiago. From its inauspicious beginnings, Santiago has become one of South Americaís most important cities; Santiago is Chile's largest and South America's fifth largest city. Founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia, it was attacked and overrun by Mapuche Indians just six months later. Spanish troops fortified the summit of Cerro Santa Lucia, and made immediate plans to rebuild the settlement. For almost 2 years, Santiago remained all but a settlement under siege. By the end of the 16th century, the settlement was made up of just 200 houses, with a population of no more than 2000.
Today Santiago is a large cosmopolitan city although its central core is relatively small. After transferring from the airport to our hotel, we have time to freshen up before taking a brief look at Santiago.
Overnight in Santiago. Hotel Fundador or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Wine Country
We continue our city tour, concentrating on the historic buildings around the central Plaza de Armas. We include the San Francisco Church, the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art and the National History Museum. A visit to San Cristobal Hill, with its landmark statue of the Virgin Mary, a gift from France, will be our last stop before we head out of the city. A short excursion from the capital, Vina del Mar lies in Chileís wine country. This afternoon, a stop at a local winery provides an excellent opportunity to taste Chileís famous wines. We return to the city for our farewell dinner.
Overnight in Santiago. Hotel Fundador or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Santiago - Departure
Today is free to explore and enjoy Santiago. Departure from Santiago (most flights depart Santiago in the evening).
Breakfast.
