Evening departure from London Heathrow airport, flying with Iberia via Madrid (2 hours 20 minutes), to Buenos Aires (12 hours 15 minutes)

On arrival in the morning, you will be met and transferred to the Claridge Hotel (or similar) for a 2 night stay. Afternoon sightseeing in Buenos Aires including the colourful Boca District visiting the famous “Caminito” with its brightly painted walls where artists gather. Afterwards continue touring this elegant and cosmopolitan city where you will see the beautiful parks and gardens of Palermo, the old quarters of San Telmo, the government house, Congress and the Recoleta Cemetery.

Today you will take an excursion into the Pampas for a Fiesta Gaucho excursion. Here you can absorb the atmosphere of country life. Lunch (with Argentinian beef) is included and live entertainment is provided by gauchos in typical costume, dancing to folklore music. (This excursion operates on a shared basis).

You will be transferred to the airport for a flight to San Carlos de Bariloche in the Argentine Lake District (flying time 2 hours 20 minutes). On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the landmark Llao Llao Hotel & Resort Golf – Spa where you stay for 2 nights. The rest of the day is free.

Today is free. Your hotel, which originally opened 70 years ago in 1938 has been considered an architectural masterpiece due to its setting, design and integration of its inner areas. Over the years the hotel has welcomed famous guests from around the world. Today, it has its own 18 hole golf course and a spa. A number of walks can be taken from the hotel from where you can admire the lakes and mountains of the region.

After breakfast, embark on your one-day crossing of the area known as the Lake District travelling into Chile. Initially depart by boat for a 1-hour cruise to Puerto Blest. From here a 15-minute bus ride takes you to Puerto Alegre, where you embark on another boat for 20 minutes on an emerald coloured lake to the border at Puerto Frias. Continue to Puella, where a stop is made for lunch (not included). Afterwards sail for about 100 minutes on Lake Todos Santos to Petrohue, where you continue by bus to your final destination, Puerto Varas. Stay for 2 nights at the Cabanas del Lago Hotel (or similar).

Free in Puerto Varas.

You will be transferred to Puerto Montt airport, from where you fly to Santiago (flying time 1 hour 30 minutes), the capital city of Chile. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the Crowne Plaza Hotel (or similar). Stay here for 3 nights.

Morning tour of Historical Santiago, starting at the city’s civic centre with the neoclassical La Moneda Palace, seat of the government, and continues through the bustling streets of the city downtown to the pre-Columbian Art Museum, whose collection contains ceramics and textiles from the Inca, Maya and Azteca cultures. The tour continues to the Plaza de Armas, surrounded by the 18th century cathedral, the National Historical Museum and the central post office. Continue to the Central Market with its colourful display of fruits, seafood, fish and flowers. In the afternoon, visit the Concha y Toro vineyard, where after seeing the facility, you will enjoy some wine-tasting. Return via the Maipo Canyon, a great place to view the Andes in all their snow-capped glory. (This excursion operates on a shared basis).

Free. An optional full day tour to the coastal resort of Vina del Mar, and adjoining historic port of Valparaiso can be booked locally.

In the morning, you will board a scheduled coach for the spectacular and thrilling road journey that pierces its way through the Andes into Argentina and the charming tree-lined city of Mendoza, famous for its vineyards (journey time around 6 to 7 hours according to time spent at the border). Stay at the Executive Hotel.

The city of Mendoza has a special charm with beautiful trees and parks, wide shaded sidewalks, and a friendly atmosphere which has been an inspiration to the arts. Musicians, writers, poets and artists have felt something deeply moving about this city and its surroundings. The town of Mendoza was founded in 1562. It slowly grew into a city close to the high Andes which were its protection and life giver. The climate and mountain waters combined to make a green countryside for hard working immigrants. In 1883 Mendoza was completely destroyed by an earthquake but in a short time the progressive people of Cuyo rebuilt their city over the rubble and ruins and jealously cared for it. Today its climate and soil have made its vineyards famous and the wine is sold throughout the country and exported to all parts of the world. Your sightseeing today will include the old and modern parts of the city including the San Martin Park.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Buenos Aires (flying time 1 hour 30 minutes). On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Claridge Hotel for 2 nights. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a spectacular tango show (transfers to & from venue operated on shared basis).

Free. You may wish to take an excursion to the Tigre Delta, or perhaps travel farther afield and take a 1 hour ferry crossing of the Plate Estuary to the historic town of Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay.

Late morning transfer to the airport. Depart from Buenos Aires by Iberia via Madrid to London.

Arrive at Madrid where you change aircraft and continue in the morning to London Heathrow.