The Big Three

Day 1: Rio de Janeiro
The Copacabana Palace is legendary for its sumptuous style, fine cuisine and impeccable service. This imposing Mediterranean-style building has recently been refurbished from top to toe, reaffirming its reputation as South America's most sought-after hotel. The Copacabana Palace is at the very heart of Rio's social life. Daily breakfast included - 3 nights.

Day 2: Rio City Tour
You'll travel to the top of Corcovado Mountain to visit this landmark. Your half day tour also includes a visit to the Tijuca Forest, also known as "Rio's Lungs" for its densely forested hills. (B,L)

Day 3: Rio
Day at leisure. (B)

Day 4: Rio - Iguazu
Hotel pickup and transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguazu. The Falls are considered by many to be the most beautiful and spectacular waterfalls in the world, perhaps because of the 200 streams that emerge from the rainforest to form a myriad of gorgeous falls, large and small, which mingle so graciously with the surrounding vegetation.

You will be go for a half-day tour of the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls. From here you can admire the falls and Itaipu Dam. With its 12,600,000 KW of power, it is a masterpiece of technology and one of the largest in the world.

Overnight at the Sheraton Iguazu on the Argentine side in a Falls-view room, breakfast included - 2 nights. (B)

Day 5: Iguazu Falls
Included in your stay is a half-day excursion to the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls, with its breathtaking view. Your bilingual private guide will explore the upper and lower trails close to the falls. You will also take an adventurous boat ride into the Devil's throat, a narrow gorge with impressive waterfalls on three sides. (B)

Day 6: Iguazu - Buenos Aires
Fly to Buenos Aires. You'll stay at the deluxe French-style hotel, The Alvear Palace. Located in the heart of the city in the elegant La Recoleta neighborhood, you are close to active nightlife and shopping. The Alvear Palace Hotel has become a meeting point for Argentine high society. Don't miss the best breakfast buffet in all of Argentina! Your personal butler can assist with any needs you may have. Flowers and fresh fruit will welcome you to this world class hotel. 4 nights. (B)

Day 7: Four Balconies of Buenos Aires Tour
A half-day, privately-guided tour of Buenos Aires in which a professor of the University uses four parks and plazas of Buenos Aires (Plaza de Mayo, Parque Lezama and La Boca, Plaza San Martin and Recoleta) to introduce visitors to Argentina, its history, contrasts, contradictions and the peculiar psychology of its inhabitants. (B)

Days 8 & 9: Buenos Aires
Days to explore the city on your own. We can arrange a tango show, classes or other city tours for you. (B)

Day 10: Buenos Aires - Bariloche
Fly to Bariloche in the Lakes Region. The Llao Llao Hotel & Resort is located within Nahuel Huapi National Park, about 22 miles outside Bariloche. It is surrounded by majestic mountain peaks, crystal blue lakes, snow-covered mountains, rivers and colorful forests of Larch, Cypress, Coihue and Arrayanes. The Hotel was built in 1940 by well-known architect Ezequiel Bustillo and renovated in 1993. Its Canadian style is in harmony with the breathtaking landscape.

Activities that are included in your stay are boat trips from the pier (operates December-March), windsurfing, archery, rappelling, various hikes, use of Canadian canoes and mountain bikes, health club, gym, sauna, daily health walk, tennis, and swimming pools. The Nahuelito Kids Club is open year round and organizes activities such as water games, puppets, and kite flying. Golfing on the 18 hole course and boat rentals are additional. Breakfast included - 2 nights. (B)

Day 11: Llao Llao Hotel
Enjoy this day on your own to relax or explore. (B)

Day 12: Lakes Crossing to Chile
This morning you’ll set off on one of South America’s most spectacular journeys. You’ll transfer to the pier at Puerto Panuelo, where you’ll board your ship for the two-hour crossing of Lake Nahuel Huapi to Puerto Blest. Upon arrival, you’ll transfer the short distance to Puerto Alegre, and continue by bus through dense forest to Lake Frias.

You’ll board another boat to cross this narrow lake over to Puerto Frias. Along the way, you’ll marvel at the awesome scenery of forest-clad mountains and crystal clear lakes. Keep your eyes out for birds and other wildlife in this pristine region.

Arriving in Puerto Frias, you’ll overland by bus on a picturesque ride into Chile. You’ll pass through Chilean Customs formalities and pay Chile's reciprocity tax of $100 (payable in cash or credit card, and good for the life of your current passport) before arriving at Puella in time for lunch.

In the afternoon, you'll be transferred to the pier for a spectacular 2-hour launch ride across Lake "Todos Los Santos." Upon arrival in Petrohue, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Yan Kee Way Lodge.

Accommodations at Yan Kee Way Lodge in a bungalow suite. Beautiful local woods, black lava encrustations and old-world style craftsmanship are found throughout the newly constructed lodge. Osorno volcano peers over the horizon from the front of the lodge.

Access to your bungalow is by way of a meandering river rock path through the woods. The doors and furniture are hand carved from Chilean hardwoods. The bedroom, on the second level, has goose down comforters, and quality mattresses. There is a spacious living room and full bath with separate dressing room and Jacuzzi. Central heating makes the bungalow cozy on the chilly evenings. Continental breakfast included. (B)

Days 13 & 14: Yan Kee Way Lodge
Days to explore the Lakes District on guided excursions or on your own. (B)

Day 15: Puerto Montt - Santiago
Transfer to the Puerto Montt airport for your flight to Santiago. Airport reception and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight accommodations at the Ritz-Carlton Santiago, breakfast included. This luxurious hotel is located in Santiago's most prestigious and refined neighborhood, just half an hour from the international airport and within walking distance of exclusive boutiques and restaurants. The hotel has 205 luxurious guestrooms including 49 Club Level rooms and 3 Club Suites, 12 Executive Suites, and a Ritz-Carlton Presidential Suite; a spa and fitness center with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Andes and the city, meeting and conference space, a grand ballroom, four restaurants and lounges and 24-hour in-room dining. The rooms and suites are distributed among 14 floors crowned by a glass dome housing an indoor pool and Jacuzzi. Amenities include high speed internet access, dual phone lines, 24-hour in room dining and digital safety deposit box. (B)

Day 16: Santiago & Vineyard Tour
Highlights include the Pre-Columbian museum, San Francisco Church, Santa Lucia and San Cristobal Hills and the modern suburbs, River Maipo Canyon, traveling along Andean foothills and villages. Optional lunch stop en route before your Concha y Toro vineyard visit, one of the best-known vineyards in South America. Visit the premises and ancient cellars, on a guided tour including a little wine-tasting. (B)

Contact us to book The Big Three or a customized itinerary of travel in Argentina, Brazil, or Chile.