Chile & Argentina Wine Experience
On the hunt for wine less traveled
Sip your way through two of the world's most exciting wine destinations: Chile and Argentina! Explore Santiago, Valparaiso, Mendoza, and Buenos Aires as you hop from one vineyard to the next.
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare into Santiago (SCL), out of Buenos Aires (EZE)
- All airport and inter-city transfers
- 3 nights in Santiago at the MR. Hotel, or similar
- Santiago City Tour (4 hours)
- Excursion to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar (8 hours)
- Visit to Matetic Vineyard with wine tasting and Equilibrio tour
- Visit to Viu Manent Winery with tasting and tour
- Visit to Montes Winery with tasting and tour
- One-way, economy class flight from Santiago (SCL) to Mendoza (MDZ)
- 3 nights in Mendoza at the Hotel Huentala, or similar
- Wine tour in the Uco Valley (8 hours)
- Cooking class & lunch at a Lujan de Cuyo winery (6 hours)
- One-way, economy class flight from Mendoza (MDZ) to Salta (SLA)
- 1 night in Salta at the Hotel Design Suites Salta, or similar
- Tour (with transfer) to Cafayate, with Cachi visit along the way (8 hours)
- 1 night in Cafayate at the Hotel Vinas de Cafayate Wine Resort, or similar
- 1 night in Salta at the Hotel Design Suites Salta, or similar
- One-way, economy class flight from Salta (SLA) to Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP)
- 2 nights in Buenos Aires at the Hotel Kenton Palace, or similar
- Dinner and Tango Show at La Ventana with 1 hour wine tasting
- Buenos Aires City Tour including stop at historical Cafe Tortoni (5 hours)
- Buffet breakfast daily
*Please note: City Tourist Tax is not included and you will be required to pay in destination. City taxes are typically $1.00 USD per person per night
Great Ways to Explore
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Chile and Argentina are two of the top wine-producing countries in the world. Taste it all on this trip!
- Visit the port city of Valparaiso, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2003.
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In Chile, visit three wineries in the The Colchagua Valley and Casablanca. Each has their own unique flair!
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Sip your way through the beautiful vineyards of Mendoza, named one of the nine Great Wine Capitals in the world.
-
End your trip in Buenos Aires, nicknamed the "Paris of South America" for its wide boulevards, chic restaurants and buzzing arts scene.
Sip a sauvignon blanc in Chile, then savor a malbec in Argentina - all in one incredible vacation. With guided tours, transfers and comfortable accommodations, you'll have plenty of opportunity to kick up your feet and relax with the perfect glass of wine!
Arrive in the capital of Chile and dive headfirst into the country's wine scene in the Casablanca and Colchagua Valleys. Due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and a chilly breeze year round, Chile produces exceptional cold-climate varietals like sauvignon blanc and pinot noir. Experience Chile's cosmopolitan flair in Santiago, Valparaiso, and Vina del Mar.
From Chile, fly to Mendoza at the heart of the Andes Mountain range in Argentina. Mendoza is one of the main wine-making provinces in Argentina, producing more than 70% of the country's wine. Enjoy two full-day tours in the region before flying to colonial Salta in the northwest. Stroll Salta's old town, see the village of Cachi and spend one night in laidback Cafayate!
End your vacation in Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires! Watch the fiery passion of a traditional tango erupt before your eyes, feast on steak at a parilla and see the city sites on an included tour. Enjoy one last glass of the good stuff before saying goodbye.
Helpful links for travel to Chile:
Helpful links for travel to Argentina:
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- Round-trip economy class airfare into Santiago (SCL), out of Buenos Aires (EZE)
- All airport and inter-city transfers
- 3 nights in Santiago at the MR. Hotel, or similar
- Santiago City Tour (4 hours)
- Excursion to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar (8 hours)
- Visit to Matetic Vineyard with wine tasting and Equilibrio tour
- Visit to Viu Manent Winery with tasting and tour
- Visit to Montes Winery with tasting and tour
- One-way, economy class flight from Santiago (SCL) to Mendoza (MDZ)
- 3 nights in Mendoza at the Hotel Huentala, or similar
- Wine tour in the Uco Valley (8 hours)
- Cooking class & lunch at a Lujan de Cuyo winery (6 hours)
- One-way, economy class flight from Mendoza (MDZ) to Salta (SLA)
- 1 night in Salta at the Hotel Design Suites Salta, or similar
- Tour (with transfer) to Cafayate, with Cachi visit along the way (8 hours)
- 1 night in Cafayate at the Hotel Vinas de Cafayate Wine Resort, or similar
- 1 night in Salta at the Hotel Design Suites Salta, or similar
- One-way, economy class flight from Salta (SLA) to Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP)
- 2 nights in Buenos Aires at the Hotel Kenton Palace, or similar
- Dinner and Tango Show at La Ventana with 1 hour wine tasting
- Buenos Aires City Tour including stop at historical Cafe Tortoni (5 hours)
- Buffet breakfast daily
*Please note: City Tourist Tax is not included and you will be required to pay in destination. City taxes are typically $1.00 USD per person per night
-
Chile and Argentina are two of the top wine-producing countries in the world. Taste it all on this trip!
- Visit the port city of Valparaiso, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2003.
-
In Chile, visit three wineries in the The Colchagua Valley and Casablanca. Each has their own unique flair!
-
Sip your way through the beautiful vineyards of Mendoza, named one of the nine Great Wine Capitals in the world.
-
End your trip in Buenos Aires, nicknamed the "Paris of South America" for its wide boulevards, chic restaurants and buzzing arts scene.
Sip a sauvignon blanc in Chile, then savor a malbec in Argentina - all in one incredible vacation. With guided tours, transfers and comfortable accommodations, you'll have plenty of opportunity to kick up your feet and relax with the perfect glass of wine!
Arrive in the capital of Chile and dive headfirst into the country's wine scene in the Casablanca and Colchagua Valleys. Due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and a chilly breeze year round, Chile produces exceptional cold-climate varietals like sauvignon blanc and pinot noir. Experience Chile's cosmopolitan flair in Santiago, Valparaiso, and Vina del Mar.
From Chile, fly to Mendoza at the heart of the Andes Mountain range in Argentina. Mendoza is one of the main wine-making provinces in Argentina, producing more than 70% of the country's wine. Enjoy two full-day tours in the region before flying to colonial Salta in the northwest. Stroll Salta's old town, see the village of Cachi and spend one night in laidback Cafayate!
End your vacation in Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires! Watch the fiery passion of a traditional tango erupt before your eyes, feast on steak at a parilla and see the city sites on an included tour. Enjoy one last glass of the good stuff before saying goodbye.
Helpful links for travel to Chile:
Helpful links for travel to Argentina:
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Day 1. Welcome to Santiago!
Say "hola" to Chile! Arrive at Santiago international airport, then hop in a transfer to your hotel.
Located directly behind the city, the Andes rise and form the permanent background of Santiago’s landscape. For tourists, Santiago is one of the best structured capital cities in Latin America. Although it is a metropolis of 5.9 million inhabitants, it has the atmosphere of a province with very few skyscrapers and spacious estates. There is a predominantly European influence in the city’s culture, which can mainly be noticed among the upper and middle class communities.
Once you settle into your hotel, enjoy an introductory tour of the city!
Transfer to Santiago hotel
Check-in - MR. Hotel
MR. Hotel, formerly known as Hotel Neruda, is a 4-star hotel located in the Providencia neighborhood. A few steps away from Pedro de Valdivia metro station, the hotel is ideally situated to explore the best of Santiago. Enjoy spacious and elegant guestrooms, well-equipped with air conditioning, heating, cable, and more.
Santiago City Tour
Enjoy an exciting tour that begins in downtown Santiago, where you can see the Club Hipico, a stunning horse racing track and the oldest residential area of the city, as well as the Parque O'Higgins and the Cousino Palace.
From there, continue on through Alameda, a colorful main avenue, to the city center, where you'll be able to see landmarks like the Chilean University, Santa Lucia Hill, the San Francisco Church, the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral, and more. You will be very close to the Central Market, a vibrant and boisterous main market known for it's fresh seafood.
Then your tour will lead you across the Mapocho River to the Bellavista distric to San Cristobal Hill, where you'll find some of the best views of Santiago and the Andes Mountains. Your tour finishes in the Providencia shopping area, where you'll have the chance to pick up the perfect souvenir.
Day 2. Santiago - Casablanca
Depart Santiago in the morning as you head 75 miles northwest to the cities of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar! As a major port in the 19th century, Valparaiso became a magnet for European immigrants and was known as the "Jewel of the Pacific." From there, head to the modern seaside resort city of Vina del Mar, known as "The Garden City."
End a whirlwind day with a wine tasting at Matetic vineyard in the Casablanca Valley.
Excursion to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar
Set out on a full-day excursion to see two of the cities around Santiago, Valparaiso and Vina del Mar.
Pass by Valparaiso's main square where the monument to the Naval Battle of Iquique stands surrounded by colorful neighborhoods and funicular elevators. Stand on the hillside to see the sweeping views of Valparaiso all the way down to the bay, then continue to Vina del Mar.
Enjoy the lower level city of Vina del Mar via the coastal highway that joins the two cities. Make your way through the commercial heart of the port and be sure to have you camera ready for some stunning coastline pictures.
Visit to Matetic Vineyard with wine tasting and Equilibrio tour
In the renowned Casablanca Valley lies Matetic, an organic vineyard producing some of the finest wine in Chile. The story of Viña Matetic began in 1999 when the Matetic family decided to diversify their business and enter the world of viniculture in Rosario Valley, a stretch of land blessed with a promising climate and equally favorable soil.
In contrast to the huge companies of Casablanca, the Matetic family specializes in cultivating wines in accordance with organic production principles using the most modern computerized technology. The new Matetic winery, designed by the Viña Matetic team in cooperation with architect Lawrence Odfjell, is a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, constructed to complement its glorious setting. In other words, harmony has been reached between the winery’s organic agricultural practices and the natural landscape of the valley.
This winery, which has a 300,000-liter capacity, relies on a gravitational-flow design that optimizes management of the grapes brought in from nearby vineyards. After a tour through the winery you will taste some of their high-quality wine.
Day 3. Santiago - Santa Cruz
The wine tour continues! Today you will travel to Santa Cruz in the Colchagua Valley, one of Chile’s premier vineyard areas along with Casablanca. Visit two exceptional wineries where you will enjoy tours and tastings.
Visit to Viu Manent Winery with tasting and tour
Founded in the middle of the 19th century, Viu Manent Winery began with fine varieties brought from France. The winery Hacienda Cunaco was acquired in 1966 by Bodegas Viu. Today Viña Viu Manent consists of 642 acres distributed in the vineyards at Hacienda Cunaco planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Sangiovese, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Viogner grapes. The vineyard at Fundo La Capilla is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay groups.
Equipped with the latest technology, the winery exports its wine to over 28 countries worldwide. Visit the main building where you can see an exhibition of old agricultural equipment and then enjoy a carriage ride through the vineyards. You will see the cellars and laboratories as an expert explains the processes of wine production. End the tour with a wine tasting of the Single Vineyard and Icono series.
Visit to Montes Winery with tasting and tour
Established in 1988, Viña Montes is committed to producing premium quality wines from Chile. Premium wines quickly became the standard, such as Montes and Montes Alpha and now with ultra-premiums like Montes Alpha "M" (after Murray) and Montes Folly, also the pioneers in the ultra-premium category.
Not only did the large established wineries create premium wines to compete with Montes Alpha but also many producers decided to try their luck exporting bottled wines. Wine exporters went from about 10 to well over 100 wineries now.
With five estates, three in Curicó and two in Colchagua ("La Finca de Apalta" in Apalta and the new "El Arcangel de Marchigüe" in Marchigüe), totaling nearly 600 hectares, Montes produces varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Montes wines are mainly exported (95% of total production) to over 60 countries in five continents.
Take a stroll through the vineyards and try the delicious Reserve. The wine tasting includes three Montes Alpha wines and one Icono Montes wine.
Day 4. Santiago - Mendoza
Today, fly to Mendoza on the western edge of Argentina. Mendoza is home to rivers, valleys, canyons and the imposing Andes Mountains, with the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere, the Aconcagua Mountain at 22,831 feet.
A green oasis in the middle of a desert, Mendoza is the land of sunshine and good wine. Several wineries have settled in the area and produce the famous Malbec grapes.
Transfer to Santiago airport (SCL)
Fly to Mendoza!
Transfer to Mendoza hotel
Day 5. Mendoza
Today, enjoy a tour of Mendoza's famed wineries. As the fifth largest producer of wine in the world, Argentina is home to countless award-winning varietals including Malbec, Chardonnay and torrontés riojano. Enjoy a day of wine with the stunning backdrop of the snow-capped Andes!
Wine Tour in the Uco Valley with lunch (8 hours)
Approximately 70 miles from the city of Mendoza, the Valle de Uco is a sunny oasis of gorgeous landscapes. Explore the Uco Valley's Wine Road and visit world-class vineyards and wineries! Known for producing Malbec, this area offers some of the best wines in the world. Join a local guide and embark on a vino adventure! Enjoy informative entertainment, tastings, and included gourmet lunch.
Day 6. Mendoza
Learn the secrets of delicious Argentine cuisine during a fascinating cooking class! Head to Lujan de Cuyo and join a master chef in using local ingredients to create your very own traditional Argentinian dish. What better setting for a cooking class than a winery? After you devour your delicious creation, explore the beautiful grounds. Vino, anyone?
Cooking Class & Lunch at a Lujan de Cuyo Winery (6 hours)
Day 7. Mendoza - Salta
Leave Mendoza and fly to Salta! Situated in a fertile valley, Salta is the perfect gateway for tours around the Northwest. Getting its name from the Aymara word meaning “very beautiful,” Salta was officially founded in 1582 and is renowned for its perfectly preserved colonial architecture.
Check into your hotel, then explore the city on your own. Don't miss the tree-lined Plaza 9 de Julio, the main square and heartbeat of Salta.
Transfer to Mendoza airport (MDZ)
Fly to Salta!
Transfer to Salta hotel
Check-in - Hotel Design Suites
Take in panoramic views from the heated pool and rooftop lounge of the Hotel Design Suites. Guests can indulge in regional meals at the hotel's award-winning restaurant, enjoy a drink at the bar, partake in the daily buffet breakfast, browse through the on-site souvenir shop, or make use of the 24-hour desk assistance. A full gym and spa, along with a massage room, is also accessible to guests.
Rooms come equipped with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a safe, large windows that allow plenty of natural light, a private bathroom, and some rooms also offer a view out over the city. Nearby is also Salta's city center, and Martin Miguel de Guemes international airport is only a 20-minute drive away. The hotel also offers airport shuttles for a fee.
Day 8. Salta - Cafayate
Continue your journey through Argentina's northwestern province! Travel across Calchaqui Valleys, wander around Cachi village and end in Cafayate, known as the "land of sun and good wine."
Check-in - Wine Resort Vinas de Cafayate
Enjoy fine wines, magnificent landscapes, and peace and quiet at Wine Resort Vinas de Cafayate. Nestled within a vineyard at the foot of the impressive San Isidro Hill, the Spanish-style resort is located in the town of Cafayate, 1.8 miles from the main square.
Relax in rustic simplicity from 22 single, double and triple rooms. All rooms come equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, walk-in closets, minibars and private bathrooms with bathtubs. Watch the sunset from your spacious balcony overlooking the vineyards, granite hill or Cafayate Canyon. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet in the gourmet restaurant or in an inner courtyard on those warmer days. Other facilities include an outdoor pool, a wine cellar offering tastings, library and bike rentals.
Day tour to Cachi Village including land transfer to Cafayate
Depart Salta in the morning and head to Calchaqui Valleys, where winding roads take you up and down barren slopes. Pass Cerrillos, El Carril, Pulares, Quebrada de Escoipe and Cuesta del Opispo (Bishop’s Slope). The highest point of Calchaqui Valleys is Piedra del Molino, which represents a gate between two valleys: Lerma Valley (deeper and more temperate) and Calchaquíes Valley (between cordons of the Precordillera, about 4000 ft higher and more arid).
Drive down the impossibly straight Recta del Tin Tin road, cross Los Cardones National Park and pass Payogasta village before reaching the small city of Cachi. Situated 8,304 ft above sea level, Cachi lies at the confluence of Calchaqui and Cachi rivers and is at the foot of the Nevado de Cachi hill.
This picturesque village, surrounded by hills and mountains of the Precordillera, is notable for its colonial architecture mixed with the heritage of its primitive inhabitants. Its main square is surrounded by paved streets, stone houses, adobe walls covered in lime and white sand, wrought iron grids, roofs of cactus or reed covered with mud. While in town, visit the Archaeological Museum and the parochial church (admission not included).
Continue driving through Calchaqui Valleys to Molinos, a typical village from Spanish colonial times. Along National Route 40, you will pass the Quebrada de las Flechas gorge and road framed by steep cliffs. The tour ends in Cafayate.
Day 9. Cafayate - Salta
In the morning, explore Cafayate on your own. Second to Mendoza in terms of wine production, Cafayate has retained its small town feel amidst a stunning backdrop of mountains. To learn more about the region's wine, pay a visit to Museo de la Vid y El Vino (Museum of Wine). Museum admission is not included.
At due time, return to Salta by the National Route 68. See the Quebrada de Cafayate, declared a Natural Monument by UNESCO due to the bizarre formations and colors of its hills. The most spectacular formations are Los Castillos, El Obelisco, El Fraile, El Sapo, El Anfiteatro and La Garganta del Diablo.
Arrive in Salta in the afternoon and spend of the remainder of the day at leisure.
Check-in - Hotel Design Suites
Take in panoramic views from the heated pool and rooftop lounge of the Hotel Design Suites. Guests can indulge in regional meals at the hotel's award-winning restaurant, enjoy a drink at the bar, partake in the daily buffet breakfast, browse through the on-site souvenir shop, or make use of the 24-hour desk assistance. A full gym and spa, along with a massage room, is also accessible to guests.
Rooms come equipped with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a safe, large windows that allow plenty of natural light, a private bathroom, and some rooms also offer a view out over the city. Nearby is also Salta's city center, and Martin Miguel de Guemes international airport is only a 20-minute drive away. The hotel also offers airport shuttles for a fee.
Day 10. Salta - Buenos Aires
Say goodbye to Salta as you fly to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina and the center of the political, economic and intellectual life of the country. Buenos Aires has a strong European influence which is reflected by its refined taste in cooking, its luxury boutiques and in the elegance of its inhabitants. Despite modern developments, Buenos Aires has managed to preserve old traditions and charming neighborhoods.
This evening, you'll enjoy an introduction to one of Argentina's most beloved cultural events: tango!
Transfer to Salta airport (SLA)
Fly to Buenos Aires!
Transfer to Buenos Aires hotel
Check-in - Hotel Kenton Palace Buenos Aires
Indulge your senses while staying at the Kenton Palace in Buenos Aires, which features a restaurant and its own wine cellar. International dishes, pizza specialties, a daily buffet breakfast, and of course a wide array of wine choices are all available at the hotel, as well as a spa that offers massages, a fitness center, and a steam room.
Rooms come equipped with free Wi-Fi, a plasma TV, air conditioning, private bathrooms, free toiletries, and a safe. The hotel with within walking distance of Buenos Aires' Main Square and Argentina's Government House, as well as the Plaza de Mayo metro station, which is only 650 feet away.
Dinner and Tango Show at La Ventana with 1 hour wine tasting
The Tango tradition started at the end of the 19th century and developed out of a mixture of various rhythms, which were originally danced in the poorer neighborhoods. Tango is reflecting the nostalgia and melancholy of the European immigrants and brought up some great musicians, such as Astor Piazzolla and Anibal Troilo.
Visit one of the famous Tango Houses for dinner and a show of music, singing and dancing. La Ventana is an atmospheric place where you can taste delightful food with the finest wines. With the same style of the great tango orchestras of the 1940s, a group of musicians performs the excellent porteño music. The show also features a demonstration of Andean music and Evita's songs.
Day 11. Buenos Aires
Today, embark on an extensive tour of Argentina's capital city, including a coffee break at Buenos Aires' oldest literati cafe.
You can't visit Buenos Aires without eating at a parrilla, a traditional Argentine steakhouse. Argentina is famous for its red angus cattle which produces some of the tastiest steak on the planet.
Buenos Aires City Tour including stop at Café Tortoni (5 hours)
Get in touch with the birth city of the Tango! Your city tour starts with a drive along 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest avenue of the world. Pass by the Colon Theatre, one of the world's best known opera houses and the cultural pride of the "portenos" (as the inhabitants of Buenos Aires are called).
Continue on to the famous Avenida de Mayo that runs into the Plaza De Mayo, surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Government House), the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Cabildo (first City Hall, built during Spanish rule). At the other end of Avenida de Mayo the cupola of the Congress building can be seen.
Next, step inside and explore the Neo-classical Metropolitan Cathedral, Argentina´s main catholic building. The mausoleum of General San Martin (our National Hero) is located inside the Cathedral, and Pope Francisco used to celebrate religious services in this Cathedral when he was cardinal of Buenos Aires city.
After a day of exploring, it's time for a break! Enjoy a stop at the famous Cafe Tortoni, Buenos Aires' oldest literati cafe, where you'll unwind with a cup of coffee and snack.
Now you'll visit the historic San Telmo neighborhood, the oldest district of Buenos Aires. Here you may have some time to stroll around Plaza Dorrego with its many antique shops
The adventure continues onto the colorful area of La Boca, and its famous street Caminito. Continue to the north area driving to Palermo, the green area of the city with its beautiful parks and artificial lakes. Here you'll also find the City Zoo, Botanical Garden, Argentine Horse Track, and National Polo Fields. At the end of the tour you will visit Recoleta area, one of the city’s most glamorous spots. Recoleta is home to elegant boutiques and restaurants, as well as the Recoleta cemetery.
The cemetery is the center of this aristocratic neighborhood, and the final resting of some of Argentina's most iconic personalities. The mausoleums and pantheons reflect the architectural diversity emerging from the different cultural tendencies Argentina incorporated in its formation as a nation. The cemetery is considered to be one of the most impressive monuments of Argentina. You'll spend about 30 minutes exploring, including a visit to Eva Duarte`s grave, known as Eva Peron (Evita).
Day 12. Depart Argentina
Today is your last day of vacation! Carefully pack all of your wine to take home, then enjoy a transfer to Buenos Aires airport.