Journeys: Highlights of Patagonia and Brazil

Journeys: Highlights of Patagonia and Brazil

• Trip code: 405X015
• Dauer: 15
• Stil: National Geographic Journeys

Trace South America's untamed spine from Santiago's sunlit valleys down to Patagonia's shifting glaciers. Cross into Argentina's electric capital, feel the raw thunder of Iguassu Falls, and follow the rhythmic pulse of Rio's coastal hills. Along the way, connect deeply with local communities to experience the spirit of this vast continent.

Übersicht

Checklist

Cold Weather:
• Long-sleeved shirts or sweater
• Scarf
• Warm gloves
• Warm hat
• Warm layers
• Warm waterproof jacket

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Footwear (required) (Closed toe suggested)
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Hat
• Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Smart Dress:
• Smart outfit (For evenings out)

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Meal Budget

Plane USD555-725 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein

Optional Activities

Buenos Aires
- Tango Dinner Show
- Führung im Teatro Colón (25USD pro Person)

Foz do Iguaçu
- Boat Tour of Iguassu Falls (75USD pro Person)

Start / Finish

Santiago nach Rio de Janeiro

What's Included

Dein Journeys-Highlight-Moment: Wine, Family and Vineyard Experience, Santiago
Dein G-for-Good-Moment: Buenos Aires City Tour & Isla Maciel Cultural Experience, Buenos Aires
Dein Welcome-Moment: Welcome Meeting, Santiago
Dein Discover-Moment: Buenos Aires
Dein Foodie-Moment: Dinner at a Churrascaría, Foz do Iguaçu. Arrival transfer. Santiago city tour with a local guide. Orientation walk in Puerto Natales. Full-day panoramic tour of Torres del Paine National Park. Visit the Glaciarium Museum in El Calafate. Guided tour to the Perito Moreno Glacier. Boat ride to the north face of Perito Moreno Glacier. Visit the Brazilian and Argentine sides of Iguassu Falls over 2 days. Sugarloaf Mountain cable car visit. Full-day Rio de Janeiro tour to "Little Africa," Lapa and Christ the Redeemer. Guided visit of the Santa Teresa district and botanical gardens. Internal flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation

Hotels (14 nts)

Group Leader

National Geographic Expedition Leader throughout, local guides

Group Size Notes

Max 16, Avg 12

Highlights

Experience a private winery tour and enjoy a hosted tasting of wines paired with gourmet bites. Explore Torres del Paine on a guided tour past granite peaks and turquoise lakes,.Take in views from scenic boardwalks and cruise past the dramatic northern face of the glacier. Explore the historic streets of Buenos Aires with local guides to discover neighbourhood histories and vibrant street art. Experience the Argentine and Brazilian sides of Iguassu Falls over two full days. Ascend Sugarloaf Mountain for sweeping views of Rio. Explore Rio’s historic Afro-Brazilian roots and learn the stories that gave birth to samba. Wander hilltop streets and the ruins of a grand mansion in Rio's Santa Teresa district

Introduction

Trace South America's untamed spine from Santiago's sunlit valleys down to Patagonia's shifting glaciers. Cross into Argentina's electric capital, feel the raw thunder of Iguassu Falls, and follow the rhythmic pulse of Rio's coastal hills. Along the way, connect deeply with local communities to experience the spirit of this vast continent

Transport

Private vehicle, plane, boat, walking

Internationale Flüge

No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour.

However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your GCO or booking agent for further details.

In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport

Meals Included

14 Frühstück, 7 Mittagessen, 2 Abendessen

Minimum Age

Um ohne Begleitperson mit G Adventures zu reisen, musst du mindestens 18 Jahre alt sein. Das Mindestalter für Kinder in Begleitung eines Erziehungsberechtigten (über 21) beträgt 12 Jahre

Itinerary

Day 1 Santiago

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included

Day 2 Santiago

Discover Santiago’s historical heart on a morning city tour, stepping through the bustling Plaza de Armas, admiring the Metropolitan Cathedral, and passing the grand La Moneda Palace. Afterwards, head into the surrounding hills to a boutique organic winery for an insider's look at the winemaking process. Meet the vineyard owners and hear the stories of their families and of the winery, before a private tasting and delicious lunch of fresh, regional ingredients. Take part in a seasonal viticulture workshop to learn hands-on care, from shoot management to irrigation and harvest before returning to the city for the evening

Day 3 Santiago/Puerto Natales

Board a morning flight heading deep into the southern reaches of Patagonia. Touch down in Puerto Natales, a coastal town resting along the waters of the Ultima Esperanza Sound, where colourful homes stand against a backdrop of wind-swept fjords and snowcapped peaks. Transfer to your hotel and spend the evening settling in and relaxing before gathering with your Expedition Leader for a short orientation walk of the town on the way to an optional dinner out with the group

Day 4 Torres del Paine National Park/Puerto Natales

Set off on a full-day guided journey through Torres del Paine National Park. Pause to admire Grey Glacier and the iceberg-dotted waters of Grey Lake on a short walk, then drive past the turquoise expanse of Pehoé Lake toward the Cuernos Lookout. Share a picnic lunch overlooking Nordenskjöld Lake, marvel at the roaring power of Salto Grande Waterfall, and take in views across Sarmiento Lake and the Blue Lagoon, where wild guanacos roam the steppe. Enjoy dinner back in Puerto Natales, reminiscing about the day's adventures before turning in for the evening

Day 5 Puerto Natales/El Calafate

Travel across the vast, rolling steppes of the Patagonian border into Argentina. Stop en route at a local restaurant to share lunch and stories with your fellow travellers. Continue onward to El Calafate, the gateway to Argentina's glacial wonders on the shores of Lake Argentino. Join your National Geographic Expedition Leader for a brief walk through town, then visit the interactive Glaciarium Museum to learn about the ice fields that have shaped this wild region

Day 6 El Calafate

Head into Los Glaciares National Park for a guided encounter with the Perito Moreno Glacier. Walk along a network of wooden boardwalks to view the towering ice wall from different angles, watching and listening to the glacier calve. Next, step aboard a boat for a cruise along the glacier's northern face to feel its sheer scale. After lunch inside the park, continue exploring the trail network for panoramic views of the glacier before returning to El Calafate for an evening on your own

Day 7 El Calafate/Buenos Aires

Travel to the airport for your flight to vibrant Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and take the afternoon to settle in, explore the historic avenues, or relax in a traditional neighbourhood café. Tonight is yours to spend as you wish, or consider joining an optional evening tango show paired with a classic Argentine dinner, taking in the passion and music that define the culture here

Day 8 Buenos Aires

Spend the day enjoying Buenos Aires at your own pace. Explore the cobbled streets of San Telmo, admire the bright facades of La Boca, or relax in a historic café over fresh pastries and coffee. As evening falls, gather back at the hotel to meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and welcome any fellow travelers joining for the next leg of your journey. Over an optional dinner out with the group, swap stories from your Patagonian adventures and look ahead to the lush landscapes and cascading waters of Brazil

Day 9 Buenos Aires

Set out on a guided tour of Buenos Aires. Drive past the gilded facade of Teatro Colón and the soaring Obelisk toward Plaza de Mayo, stopping briefly at the Casa Rosada and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Continue to colourful La Boca, stroll along the brightly painted Caminito street museum before meeting your guides from the Isla Maciel community, a G Adventures-supported project. Cross the 1914 Avellaneda Bridge over the Riachuelo River into the Isla Maciel neighbourhood, taking in vivid murals and social history up close before heading back over the water. Enjoy lunch together, then spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure

Day 10 Buenos Aires/Foz do Iguaçu

Board a morning flight to Puerto Iguazú, trading city streets for lush subtropical green. Crossing into Brazil, step onto the trails on the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls, where expansive footpaths reveal breath-taking panoramic views of hundreds of waterfalls cascading through the jungle mist. Feel the cool spray on your face as you take in the sheer scale of the landscape. Spend a free afternoon to settle into your surroundings, then gather tonight for a dinner featuring delicious local flavours

Day 11 Foz do Iguaçu

This morning, cross the border back into Argentina, and spend the entire day exploring the Argentine side of Iguassu Falls. Board the park’s rainforest train to reach the trailheads, walking along scenic boardwalks that wind through dense jungle canopy and over rushing waters. Pass vibrant tropical flora, pausing to take in sweeping views of the cascades from multiple viewpoints. Return to Brazil and head to your hotel to relax and spend the evening at your own pace

Day 12 Foz do Iguaçu/Rio de Janeiro

Transfer to the airport for a short flight to Rio de Janeiro, where verdant mountains plunge straight into the blue Atlantic Ocean. Set out on an afternoon tour, taking a cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain to soak in sweeping panoramic views across Guanabara Bay and the sprawling city below. Afterward, enjoy a scenic drive past the sands of Botafogo, Copacabana, and Ipanema, watching beach culture come alive at golden hour, then settle into a free evening on your own

Day 13 Rio de Janeiro

Delve into the soul of the city on a visit to Rio's "Little Africa," exploring key historical sites to learn about the profound influence of African culture on Brazilian heritage and samba. Pass the Sambadrome before stopping for lunch. Afterward, walk past the white arches of the Carioca Aqueduct, climb the colourful, mosaic-tiled Selarón Steps in Lapa, and stand at the feet of the towering Christ the Redeemer statue high atop Corcovado Mountain

Day 14 Rio de Janeiro

Head into the bohemian hilltop enclave of Santa Teresa, where narrow cobblestone streets are lined with historic mansions and artist studios. Visit Parque das Ruínas, a public park built around the glass-and-steel restoration of a 20th-century mansion, taking in art galleries and sweeping views of Guanabara Bay. Wander along the garden trails of the lush and tropical botanical gardens before returning to your hotel

Day 15 Rio de Janeiro

Depart at any time

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Santiago

Day 2 Santiago

Day 3 Santiago/Puerto Natales

Day 4 Torres del Paine National Park/Puerto Natales

Day 5 Puerto Natales/El Calafate

Day 6 El Calafate

Day 7 El Calafate/Buenos Aires

Day 8 Buenos Aires

Day 9 Buenos Aires

Day 10 Buenos Aires/Foz do Iguaçu

Day 11 Foz do Iguaçu

Day 12 Foz do Iguaçu/Rio de Janeiro

Day 13 Rio de Janeiro

Day 14 Rio de Janeiro

Day 15 Rio de Janeiro