Argentina and Chile Wine Region Tour

Leave the excitement of the city and head out to the rugged romance of the Argentine plains known as the Pampas, where the Gauchos have roamed the land for countless years, driving the cattle that make Argentina’s beef industry one of the best-regarded in the world. You’ll get a fascinating and insightful look into the history, culture and traditions of these South American cowboys, reveling in their stories and songs and enjoying the wide-open spaces that give Argentina its characteristic beauty.

The highlight of the day is lunch, where you’ll get to try sumptuously grilled meat that is as fresh and delicious as any you’ve ever had while getting a first-hand look at the incredible skills of these legendary cattle handlers. You’ll be awed when you see these men saddle up a horse and set it to herding, and you’ll be inspired by their dedication to the land and the animals that they’ve spent their life herding and protecting.

The afternoon sees you back in Buenos Aires, ready to enjoy the delights of this incredible city. Stroll along the expansive Avenida 9 de Julio – the widest avenue in the world – and ogle at the impressive buildings that line its tree-filled sidewalks, from the gorgeous French Embassy to the sublime Teatro Colon, Argentina’s premier opera house and one of the five finest concert halls on the planet.

Begin your day with some retail therapy at Buenos Aires’s best shopping districts. Fine leather goods can be found in just about every corner of the city, but there are certainly some hidden gems and a number of beautiful stores in some of the most luxurious barrios (neighborhoods). Palermo Viejo is a must-visit for artsy, Boho-chic types - it’s Buenos Aires’s answer to SoHo – and nearby Murillo Street is the place for leather handbags and apparel. Florida Street and Lavalle Street in the Microcentro are pedestrian-only areas with wares that range from touristy items like mate to candies, baked goods, and excellent food. And no shopping trip to Buenos Aires would be complete without a visit to El Ateneo, a theater turned bookstore that is one of the most beautiful stores of its kind.

This evening, you’ll get up close and personal with Argentina’s most famous export, the steamy and sultry dance known as the tango, where romance sizzles in every step and where passion is ignited in the opening strains of the dancing tunes. You’ll gorge on fine Argentine beef, sip on a succulent Malbec and simply sit back and marvel at these marvelous artists, spinning a story of love and intrigue in graceful, elegant movements that will make you want to get up and try your hand at this truly unique art form.

You’ll leave the environs of Buenos Aires and turn to Argentina’s scenic and sensational west, turning to the foothills of the jagged and soaring Andes into the high plateau surrounding magical Mendoza, the center of the largest wine producing region in all of Latin America. A private driver will be awaiting you at the airport, and you’ll get a private transfer to your hotel in the heart of this historic city, founded by the Spanish more than four-and-a-half centuries ago.

This afternoon, explore the gorgeous settings of Mendoza, perambulating along its winding streets and picturesque avenues, marveling at the elegant gates that fringe Parque San Martin and the gorgeous acequias (irrigation ditches) that deliver water to the city’s green spaces. You’ll also want to climb to the top of Cerro de la Gloria, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views over Mendoza as well as the breathtaking sight of the inspiring Monument to the Army of the Andes. In the evening, enjoy some fabulous traditional Argentine fare at one of Mendoza’s excellent eateries – 1884 is an inspired effort from renowned chef Francis Mallman, and the restaurant sports an unparalleled wine list.

Continue your excursion in Argentina’s western regions as you wind your way to wine country and experience more of the transcendent beauty of the landscape surrounding Mendoza. Learn from local experts about the history of the wine trade at one of the region’s established vineyards, get an in-depth look at the finest vintages and varietals that come from Mendoza.  Also, experience some of the tastiest offerings of these many varied wineries, from rich and full-bodied Malbecs to the up-and-coming whites like Torrontes.

This afternoon will show you the sites near Mendoza, marveling at the wide range of human creation that abounds in this part of the country. Check out the workings of the thermoelectric power plant that supplies much of the energy to Argentina’s burgeoning wine industry, and visit the impressive Ingeniero Cipolletti Dam, a gorgeous wrought iron expanse that crossed the Rio Negro in truly scintillating fashion. The tour ends in stirring fashion at the Church of the Virgin of Carrodilla, sporting a beautiful mosaic above the altar and frontispiece of the Virgin Mary, amidst fields of grape vines and a view over the surrounding region that is truly breathtaking.

Be sure to bring your passport with you as you make your way from proud and phenomenal Argentina into the fantastic environs of Chile, where the Andes carve the country into a jagged mountainside, and where the soft breeze of the Pacific makes the weather all but unbeatable. Those anxious to get to Santiago can board a plane that will take them from Mendoza directly to Chile’s charming capital while those looking for a more scenic experience might want to take a bus or private car ride through the mountainous border regions.

Feast your eyes upon the inimitable Andes, whose teeth-like protrusions feature some of the most unforgettable peaks in the Americas, from towering Aconcagua – the tallest mountain in the Western Hemisphere – to the comely peaks of Cerro Torre and Cerro Chalten. Wherever you find yourself in this astoundingly beautiful region, you’ll be sure never to forget your first glimpse of these marvels of nature.

Once you arrive in Santiago, spend some time at your hotel before hitting the night scene of this darling metropolis. The jazz scene in Santiago is arguably the best in the entire continent, and the Club de Jazz de Santiago is arguably foremost among them. Nestled in North Nuona, you’ll find the best musicians from across the country and around the globe honing their skills and showing off their chops every night of the week.

The skyline of Santiago is particularly notable, framed by the rising peaks of the Andes and dominated by the Gran Torre Santiago, the tallest building in Latin America, and the second tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. Deeper within the city, you’ll find innumerable reminders of the city’s long and fascinating history, from the opulent façade of La Moneda Palace to the newly constructed Plaza de la Ciudadania, a public square dedicated to Chile’s most prominent political heroes.

Continue to the soul of Santiago, the venerable Plaza de Armas, where you’ll find the gorgeous and intricate Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago. Also, visit the belle-époque inspired Central Post Office Building, and the Palacio de la Real Audiencia de Santiago, the former home of the Royal Courts of Justice and the current home of the National History Museum of Chile.

Visit the fantastic Parque Forestal, an astounding urban park and home to some of Santiago’s best art museums, including the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. The day ends with a stunning view of the city from San Cristobal Hill, an adventure back in time at the artsy district of Bellavista and a short jaunt over to the quaint village of Los Graneros del Alba.

Your final full day in Latin America is spent in the rapidly developing wine regions of Chile, and those vineyards that are quickly becoming the go-to locales for enotourism.  Make your way to the beautiful, bountiful Colchagua Valley via the Pan-America Highway, finally alighting in Colchagua, renowned all over the world for its wineries and its rich viticultural heritage. Tour some of the better-known wine makers of the area, where you’ll experience all of the ingenuity and artistry of New World wines as well as an amazing climate that combines the best of the more celebrated wine regions of France and California. You’ll learn about the extensive history of wine in Chile, the new-age techniques that have turned Chile into the world’s fifth-largest wine exporter, and how to best enjoy a glass of these delicious vintages every day of the year.

Lunch this afternoon is a special treat at a local restaurant, followed by another visit to a wonderful winery, or an excursion to the peerless Colchagua Museum.  The museum is one of the largest private museums in Latin America featuring an unmatched collection of pre-Colombian art and a wide array of artifacts from Chile’s early history, from liturgical art to agricultural machines to relics of the independence era.

The evening sees you at a beautiful hotel, a romantic outpost in the heart of Chilean wine country that is sure to leave you singing the praises of its excellent staff and its fabulous amenities and accommodations. This is truly wine country at its best.

This morning, you’ll leave the incredible beauty of South America, bound for home after more than a week of unforgettable adventures and escapades. As you board the plane that will take you home, you’re sure to have visions of the excitement of Buenos Aires, the charm of Santiago, and the splendid scenery of the Argentine and Chilean wine countries. Your heart will be bursting with the memories of this amazing vacation.

Browse the trip reviews for Argentina to see what other travelers experienced on their customized Argentina tours with Zicasso.