Chile, Argentina & Brazil with Rio De Janeiro Add-on

This escorted tour opens in Santiago, where wide boulevards meet the base of the Andes. Included is a city tour climbing San Cristobal Hill for wide views and a chance to visit one of Chile’s more prestigious wineries in the Maipo Valley. Crossing the mountains into Argentina, the route brings you to Mendoza, a city with leafy streets and a strong viticultural reputation.

Buenos Aires follows with time to stroll the Plaza de Mayo, the artist-coloured La Boca district and the famously atmospheric Recoleta Cemetery. From here, a flight takes the group to Iguaçu Falls. The itinerary includes a walk along the paths that run close enough to hear some of the 275 waterfalls, including an unforgettable viewpoint at Devil’s Gorge.

The last few days are spent in Rio de Janeiro, home to Sugarloaf Mountain and the statue of Christ on Corcovado, which you reach by a small cog railway. Free time balances included tours, with an evening at a churrascaria, Brazil’s answer to barbecue but with many additional meats besides beef. The tour finishes after a reasonably paced visit across three quite different countries.