Health and Safety Protocols for Gate1 Tours
At Gate 1 we take your safety and security very seriously. We have a strong network of
tour managers, local offices, ground operators and colleagues which help us stay
informed in all the destinations that we operate. We closely monitor local situations
which enable us to make the operational decisions necessary to keep our tours running
safely. Millions of people travel the world each year and experience enjoyable and safe
trips but crimes against people and property are sadly a fact of life. It is very important
to be aware of your surroundings and avoid drawing attention to yourself. Please
remember that you have the same responsibility for your personal safety and
possessions as you do at home.
Additional Information:
Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers, but does include flights
Santiago-Punta Arenas, El Calafate-Buenos Aires, Bunoes Aires-Iguazu & Iguassu-Rio de
Janeiro.
Passengers arriving on Day 2 should select flights that arrive no later than 5 PM.
Passport information must be submitted to us Travel at least 60 days prior to departure.
INCLUDE EXCLUDE :
Flights Miami-Santiago, Rio de Janeiro-Miami
Some departure dates may be offered from an alternate nearby airport. Check flight itinerary options when booking Other departure cities available.
Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
All intra-flights
Aires-Iguazu, Iguassu-Rio de Janeiro
15 nights First Class accommodations
2 nights Santiago
1 night Puerto Natales
2 nights Torres del Paine
3 nights El Calafate
3 nights Buenos Aires
2 nights Iguazu
2 nights Rio de Janeiro
Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
Hotel porterage
All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates†
26 meals: 15 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
Welcome to Chile! Morning arrival in the energetic capital city of Santiago; transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by a light dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 4 PM
This morning's city tour takes you through the colonial neighborhoods of the city that contrast with the modern financial center, known as Sanhattan. Pass by beautiful residences that are part of the Barrio Universitario (University Area). In the historical center visit the lively Plaza de Armas, with its fountains, sculpture and intriguing people-watching opportunities. The tour continues with a drive along the green Parque Forestal with its stunning Fine Arts museum. Continue crossing the bohemian neighborhood of Bellavista and climb up San Cristóbal Hill* to a viewpoint, for a magnificent panoramic view of the city with its backdrop of the towering Andes Mountains. This afternoon, join the optional excursion to the Undurraga Winery in the Maipo Valley, one of Chile's most important wine producing areas. Taste some of Chile's world-famous wines during the tour before returning to Santiago* San Cristóbal Hill is currently not accessible
Optional: Half Day Undurraga Winery Tour & Tasting (PM) Overnight: Santiago Meals: Breakfast
Saturday - Fly to Punta Arenas, Cerro Negro Ranch, Travel to Puerto Natales
Today, transfer to the airport early in the morning for your flight to Punta Arenas, the Southernmost tip of Chile, jumping-off point to the rugged landscape of Patagonia. Upon arrival, drive to Puerto Natales. Along the way, stop at Cerro Negro Ranch, to savor a traditional lamb barbecue lunch and experience the lifestyle of an authentic Patagonian ranch. Afterward, watch a sheepdog and sheep-shearing demonstration, before continuing to your hotel in Puerto Natales for overnight
Get ready for an extraordinary day! Begin in the port of Puerto Natales, where you board a boat and sail through the Ultima Esperanza Fjord. The flora is dominated by different species of beech trees, Calafate, Chilco and Canelo among others. Along the way, view cormorants, sea lions and the building that belonged to "Frigorifico Bories", one of the largest meat packing plants in Patagonia. Catch a glimpse of the awe-inspiring thousand-year-old Balmaceda Glacier. In Puerto Toro, disembark and walk through a native forest towards Serrano Glacier. Following your hike, have lunch before departing on a scenic drive to your hotel in Torres del Paine. Arrive and check into your room with time to relax before dinner tonight
Overnight: Torres del Paine Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the day in Torres del Paine National Park declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. With its soaring granite pillars dominating the landscape, it is surely one of the most unspoiled and impressive sights in the Southern Hemisphere. Stand in awe at the Nordenskjold viewpoint with its jagged peaks, azure lakes, and emerald forests. Then, drive to Salto Grande and after a short hike, admire views of Lake Nordenskjol plummeting into the famous Salto Grande waterfall. You will also encounter the famous Paine Horn, Los Cuernos, an outcropping of granite peaks which is part of the Paine Massif. Afterward, continue to Quincho Rogel for lunch. In the afternoon, drive by Paine River and Lake Pehoé with its vibrant turquoise color to Cascada Paine, where you make a brief stop. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon and spend time at leisure before dinner tonight
Overnight: Torres del Paine Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tuesday - Explore Torres del Paine, Travel to El Calafate*
Depart this morning for Torres del Paine to further explore this breathtaking national park that is surrounded by imposing snow-capped mountain peaks. Guanacos, a type of llama, can be seen wandering around on the Patagonian plains, as well as rheas, sheep, foxes, eagles, condors and other wildlife. View Lake Sarmiento the largest lake in the park and also the only lake that is not glacier fed. Continue towards the northeast area of the park and admire Amarga Lagoon located just outside the park. The water of the lake is a lush green color and contains algae and plankton. Spot large flocks of flamingos that gather here in search of food throughout the Patagonian summer. Afterward, head to El Calafate, a small city named for the berry that, once eaten, guarantees that you'll return one day to Patagonia. Get acquainted with the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park and the great Perito Moreno Glacier
Wednesday - Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park*
A day you have been waiting for! Journey to the unforgettable Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This park, created in 1937, is the largest ice cap outside of Antarctica and Greenland with an ice field that controls the world's third largest reserve of fresh water. Observe the glacier's massive ice wall, almost three miles wide and over 240 feet high above the lake's surface, from a cliffside promenade that overlooks the constantly shifting ice. Perito Moreno is legendary for its dynamic changes, which produces a cyclic phenomenon of movement forward and backward, along with spectacular ice falls from its front walls. The easy access to this site has crowned Perito Moreno as one of the most visited glaciers in the entire world. Tonight is at leisure in El Calafate
Thursday - Full Day Boat Excursion to Glaciers National Park*
At the pier, board a boat that will take you on an extraordinary excursion to view some of the world's most spectacular glaciers. Sail across the North Arm of Lago Argentino to reach the Upsala Channel, with sightings of the huge Barrier Iceberg and Upsala Glacier, South America's longest glacier. The voyage continues in-between spectacular icebergs of immense sizes and varied formations. After a box lunch on board, the boat reaches the icy monument of the Spegazzini Glacier, highest among all of the glaciers in the national park. You'll be dazzled by blue ice floes that drift in the freezing waters to create astonishing images with changing hues. This afternoon return to the port of Punta Bandera and spend the remainder of the day at leisure in El Calafate
Overnight: El Calafate Meals: Breakfast Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Travel today on a flight to the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires. Its beauty is apparent as you arrive in this 19th century "Paris of South America" with its elegant architecture, wide tree-shaded boulevards, striking monuments and sprawling parks. The rest of the day is yours to get acquainted with this city that has a very distinct European flavor. Tonight, be sure to treat yourself to a fabulous Argentine beef dinner at one of the city's many superb steak restaurants
Discover the city's highlights this morning on a tour that includes the Plaza de Mayo, Metropolitan Cathedral and Casa Rosada (government palace); see the balcony where Eva and Juan Peron made their speeches. Then, to the colorful La Boca neighborhood, a working class barrio, and the old quarters of San Telmo and Caminito, a mix of colonial style homes, narrow lanes, artists' lofts and very trendy cafes. Drive to the Recoleta Cemetery, final resting place of many of the wealthiest and most important Argentine historical figures. The grounds here cover more than four city blocks, filled with tombs adorned by works of local and international sculptors, and more than 6,400 mausoleums including the tomb of Eva "Evita" Peron, always heaped with flowers and letters from adoring fans. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring some of Buenos Aires neighborhoods and fabulous collection of shops before this evening's tango lesson with professional Argentine Tango dancers. Tonight is at leisure, or, participate in the optional Argentine Dinner and Tango Show
Optional: Buenos Aires Dinner & Tango Show (PM) Overnight: Buenos Aires Meals: Breakfast Meals: Breakfast
Revisit some of your favorite places in the city today, shop for leatherwear and designer clothes, or, join the optional fun-filled Gaucho Party at the Santa Susana Ranch. Get ready for a rustic experience at a typical Argentine ranch (estancia), dedicated to agriculture and the breeding of cattle and horses. After a tour of the grounds, enjoy a typical barbecue lunch, followed by a folklore show with live music and dancing. Return to the hotel with time to prepare for this evening's "Farewell to Argentina" dinner with your group at a delightful restaurant
Optional: Full Day Gaucho Party Overnight: Buenos Aires Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Tuesday - The Argentinian Falls, Upper and Lower Circuit, Devil's Throat
A railway car transports you to the Upper Circuit of the Falls.* As you walk to the Lower Circuit, the enormous power of nature surrounds you. Continue along the catwalks to Devil's Gorge - stand in awe as you gaze at spectacular "Devil's Throat" the most magnificent of all of the cataracts. View, photograph and feel the spray of the thundering waters, one of nature's most impressive achievements, a unique experience for your senses. The rest of the day is devoted to exploring the treasures of Iguazu National Park, designated a World Heritage Site for its rare and endangered flora and fauna*In order to access the falls, you are required to walk over uneven surfaces, narrow boardwalk, and paths that feature many sets of stairs that may be slippery due to the mist
Wednesday - Iguassu, The Brazilian Falls, Fly to Rio de Janeiro
Today visit the Brazilian side of the majestic Falls*, walking along the winding pathways of one of the world's greatest natural wonders. Iguassu consists of over 275 separate cataracts across a span of two and one-half miles, wider than Victoria Falls and higher than Niagara Falls and more dramatic than both. The unforgettable panoramic views will be a memory that lasts forever. Later, depart Iguassu on a flight to Rio, the vivacious "sun and fun" capital of South America*In order to access the falls, you are required to walk over uneven surfaces, narrow boardwalk, and paths that feature many sets of stairs that may be slippery due to the mist
Thursday - Rio de Janeiro and Tour of Corcovado Mountain
Awake this morning in remarkable Rio de Janeiro. Start the day with an ascent by a cog railway to the summit of Corcovado Hill. Here, at 2,400 feet above the city stands the astonishing 125-foot statue of Christ the Redeemer. The Christ statue that embraces the entire city is designated as one of the seven "New Wonders of the World". At the peak, see wondrous sweeping views of the city and beaches; you'll understand why Rio is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. In the afternoon, join the optional not-to-be-missed glass cable car ride that takes you to the top of iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain, symbol of the city, where you'll see the stunning panorama of the beaches, Corcovado Mountain, downtown Rio and Guanabara Bay
Overnight: Rio de Janeiro Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 1
