Evening departure from London Heathrow by TAM via Sao Paulo (11 hours) to Santiago (4 hours).

Early afternoon arrival in Santiago. Stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax after your flight and perhaps view the snow capped Andes.

Morning tour of Chile’s capital city including the Moneda Palace, seat of the government, the famous pre-Columbian Art Museum and the Plaza de Armas.

Enjoy a full day’s excursion through the fertile wine producing Curacavi and Casablanca valleys, to visit the elegant Pacific coastal resort of Vina del Mar and the historic port city of Valparaiso, Chile’s engaging cultural capital. Once a thriving port of the Spanish crown, Valparaiso has suffered at the hands of pirates and earthquakes, but its bustling streets and rolling hills still retain something of their former glory and the surrounding bowl of its natural amphitheatre is blanketed in colourful houses and colonial mansions that has seen the city earn its place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Return to Santiago, stopping at a vineyard in the Casablanca valley for some wine-tasting.

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). (Please note, the 25 July 2010 departure will fly from Santiago to Mendoza as the highway can be blocked by snow at this time of year). 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 morning sightseeing will include the old and modern parts of the city and the impressive San Martin Park.

Morning flight to Buenos Aires (1½ hours), where you will stay at the NH Lancaster Hotel. Afternoon tour of this elegant and cosmopolitan city where you will see the beautiful parks and gardens of Palermo, the colourful district of La Boca, the old quarters of San Telmo, the Government House, Congress and the Recoleta Cemetery.

At leisure in the ‘Paris of South America’.

A number of optional excursions can be booked locally, such as a visit to the Pampas or to the Tigre Delta, or an evening outing to see a spectacular performance of the tango. For approximate costs, see below.

Morning flight to Iguazu (1 hour 40 minutes). View the falls from the Argentine side including the superb ‘Devil’s Throat’, before crossing into Brazil. (Please note that depending how close you wish to get to the Devil’s Throat, and in which direction the spray is blowing, you may get wet. Therefore you may wish to take some light waterproof clothing with you, and sensible footwear as the pathways may be slippery). Stay at the Mabu Thermas and Resort.

Morning tour of the Brazilian side of the falls. The Iguassu Falls are set amidst a sub-tropical forest abounding in colourful birds and butterflies. The Iguazu River joins the Parana River and the water plunges over hard granite into a wide gorge creating a series of gigantic waterfalls and a never-ending thunderous roar. The afternoon is free.

Morning flight to Rio de Janeiro (2 hours) where on arrival, you will be transferred to the Excelsior Copacabana Hotel in Ocean Front Rooms.

Sightseeing in Rio, one of the most spectacularly located cities on earth. Included is the cog-train ride to the summit of Corcovado Mountain, the cable-car ride to Sugar Loaf Mountain and a drive along the famous beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon. Please note: On 22 February restoration will begin of The Statue of Christ the Redeemer. There will be periods when the Statue will be completely covered with scaffold and a see-through protective screen will allow visitors to enjoy part of the Statue. It is anticipated that the work will end on 30 June.

Free until your evening flight by TAM Airlines to Sao Paulo (50 minutes) and from there to London (11 hours).

Afternoon arrival at London Heathrow.