South America Highlights: Bolivia, Chile, & Argentina

Arrive at any time. Enjoy a welcome meeting in the evening to get to know your CEO and fellow travellers. Arrive early and choose to explore the city’s many fine museums or its historic structures, like the Iglesia de San Francisco. The city is also renowned for its many markets, including the Mercado de Hechicería (Witches’ Market). With streets lined with market stalls and vendors, the pace on the street and the vibrant atmosphere is an incredible experience. To the south of the city is the Valley of the Moon, with crater-like formations made of sand. Thrill seekers can pre book a Death Road mountain biking adventure. *Please note for any of the optionals listed on Day 1, travellers will need to book a pre-night in La Paz in order to participate.

Fly to Sucre and explore this beautiful colonial city. Optional activities include mountain biking, hiking, and searching for dinosaur footprints.

Free time to explore the city, the former capital of Bolivia. For more active options opt to go hiking in the surrounding area or mountain biking.

Travel by bus to Potosí and get a view of the mountain Cerro Rico looming over the city.

Travel through the Bolivian landscape to the town of Uyuni, the jumping off point for the three day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni.

Enjoy a three-day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding desert altiplano with spectacular scenery. Today you will be heading into the Salar de Uyuni. Our groups like to get creative with photography, as the endless white of the salt flats creates some great depth illusions that are fun to play with in photos. Last stop for the evening is a G Adventures-supported community lodge in a traditional agricultural village in the heart of a desert oasis.

Explore the desert altiplano on a 4x4 excursion. Admire the spectacular scenery while passing red and blue lagoons and interesting rock formations along the route. Spot wild llamas, alpacas and even flamingos deep within the desert.

Rise early to cover more ground of the unique landscape of the Salar de Uyuni. Continue to see incredible scenery, including volcanoes, salt lakes and geysers. Travel to the border and descend by bus to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. It's a long but scenic drive. From the high Bolivian altiplano descend almost 2000m to the edge of the Atacama Desert, arriving at the small desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, just across the Chilean border. Said to be one of the driest places on the planet, this little town is an oasis in an otherwise barren, dry landscape.

Enjoy an Included excursion to the Valley of the Moon. In San Pedro, opt to go sandboarding or mountain biking. Enjoy an included excursion to the Valley of the Moon to learn about and appreciate the beautiful uniqueness of the landscape. There are plenty of optional excursions in San Pedro de Atacama, including biking, exploring nearby ruins, and horseback riding. Despite its size, San Pedro offers some great restaurants as well as numerous handicrafts and artisan stores for those looking for souvenirs.

Drive to Calama and fly to Santiago, a vibrant capital city. From the nearby city of Calama, fly to Santiago, the capital of Chile. The city is surrounded by mountains, and there are both internationally recognized vineyards and Andean ski resorts within a couple of hours from the city centre. Explore the city’s many museums and parks and visit the vibrant neighbourhood of Bellavista with its handicrafts, trendy cafés, and San Cristobal Hill with its views of the city and the surrounding area.

Enjoy an entire day to yourself in this capital city and spend time exploring Santiago, Chile's largest city and internationally recognized for its vineyards and nearby Andean ski resorts. Opt to try optional activities in the area like a day trip to Isla Negra or a visit to the bohemian neighbourhood of Bellavista during your free day.

Explore some of Santiago's neighbourhoods on a city tour, visit the Museum of Memory and try some local specialties. Enjoy a free afternoon in Santiago. Perfect for visiting museums, shopping, or taking the funicular up San Cristóbal Hill.

Travel to Valparaíso for a morning spent soaking in the city's vibrant atmosphere and colorful hills. Later, we’ll transition to the Casablanca Valley to visit a premier winery and indulge in a wine tasting. Upon returning to Santiago, board the overnight bus to Pucón.

Enjoy free time in Pucon, try whitewater rafting or explore the area by foot.

Enjoy another free day to take part in the many activities on offer in Pucón. Opt to hike Villarica volcano (it's active!) or soak in the nearby natural thermal pools.

Cross the Andes to Argentina. Travel by local bus to San Martin and take a private van the rest of the way to Bariloche in the Lake District with a local guide.

Transfer to a Gaucho Ranch just outside of Bariloche. Enjoy a barbecue for lunch and take to the saddle with a Gaucho by your side.

Enjoy a free day to explore the beautiful area in and around Bariloche. Take a hike in the countryside or wander the town, known for its shops and in particular, artisan chocolate.

Fly to Buenos Aires. Opt to enjoy a Tango show and dinner. Fly north to the buzzing metropolis that is Buenos Aires, it is a vibrant city full of life.

Depart at any time. Book extra accommodation in Buenos Aires to have more time to explore the city.

Hotels/guesthouses (16 nts), G Adventures-supported lodge/basic hotels on Salar de Uyuni excursion (2 nts, multi-share), Overnight bus (1 nt).

Plane, train, boat, public bus, private vehicle, 4x4 vehicles, hiking.