Program
DAY 1 – DEPART TO ARGENTINA
Option 1: De-stress in Buenos Aires for 2 days
Today you depart with the airline of your choice to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Depending on the chosen airline, you will arrive there the next morning. We prefer Iberia, Air Europa, or Air France which offer good connections to the Argentine capital with or without a transfer.
Overnight on board.
Option 2: Direct to Mendoza (without additional domestic flight)
Today you depart with the airline of your choice to Menzoda, Argentina. Depending on the chosen airline, you will arrive there the following afternoon. We prefer Latam which offers good connections to the Mendoza. Usually two transfers are necessary, one in Europe (Madrid or Frankfurt) and one in South America (Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires or Santiago de Chile).
Overnight on board.
Program continues from day 4.
DAY 2 – ARRIVAL BUENOS AIRES – ARGENTINA (D)
Today you will arrive in the largest city in Argentina, Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to your hotel in the center of the Argentine capital and have some wonderful free time to relax. After check-in at your hotel, you are expected in the late afternoon in one of the most beautiful rooftop bars in the city with a view of the center and preferably a beautiful sunset. After this you are expected for dinner in a wine restaurant.
Overnight.
DAY 3 – CITY TOUR BUENOS AIRES (B, D)
After breakfast, discover Buenos Aires with your guide. Early in the afternoon, a wine tasting is planned for you in one of the best wine bars in the capital. The rest of the afternoon is free to choose. In the evening you go to a tango show with dinner.
Overnight.
DAY 4 – DEPARTURE AND WELCOME TO MENDOZA (O)
After breakfast, depart today with the airline of your choice for MENDOZA, ARGENTINA, with a domestic flight. This can be booked flexibly since there are several flights per day. Please note that this flight departs from the other Buenos Aires airport, Aeroparque or AEP. After arrival, meet and greet and transfer to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the afternoon is at your own discretion. At the end of the afternoon you are expected in one of the nicest bars in the city for a glass of wine as a welcome drink in Aristides Villanueva St, where most of the bars in the city are concentrated. Evening at leisure.
Overnight.
DAY 5 – SIGHTSEEING AROUND MENDOZA CITY & LUNCH IN A WINERY (B, L)
Today, after breakfast, explore the city of Mendoza with a guide and visit sites such as the foundation area – known as the Old Town – and the New Town with its beautiful squares and main streets, beautiful squares, modern buildings, and parks. Your sightseeing tour ends with an excellent lunch at a beautiful winery. The rest of the day is at your own discretion.
Overnight.
DAY 6 – LUJÁN DE CUYO WINE TOUR (B, L)
Early in the morning, after breakfast, you will depart from your hotel to the vineyards in Luján de Cuyo, the heart of the wine in Mendoza. This wine region has the largest number of wineries in the province, which is why it is also referred to as the country of Malbec. Its location, close to the city, is one of the attractions that makes many travelers choose this region as a base for their excursions into the world of Argentine wine. Your first stop is at a winery where you will taste wines from the wine regions around Cafayate, Salta and Agrelo, and Mendoza itself. You will be able to compare the different terroirs. This is an important and unique aspect of this winery. After this wine tasting, continue to a boutique winery focused on the Malbec wines. This is the only variety they produce but special because they are constantly looking for the perfect Malbec. This winery was founded in 2008 by two pioneers in Malbec wines and old vineyards in Argentina. Later in the afternoon, visit a winery owned by a famous female oenologist who is a symbol of innovation and wisdom in Argentine winemaking.
Overnight.
DAY 7 – MAIPÚ WINE TOUR (B, L)
After breakfast, take a wine excursion east of the city to the Maipú wine region. As soon as you arrive you venture into the past as Argentina’s first wines were developed here. Thanks to the continuity of the inhabitants and the privileged natural resources, Maipú is considered Argentina’s first wine-growing region and has long been recognized internationally for its high-end wines. Your first visit is to a boutique winery owned by two French retirees, who made their dream of owning a winery in Argentina come true. Visitors can take a closer look at the different vinification processes and then try the wines whose names refer to constellations. After this, continue to the next winery run by a different personality of the Argentinean wine world and located in a historic building from 1904. This winery was created from the purchase of another winery in 2012. Experience wants visitors to this winery are offered a personalized tasting from the wide portfolio of premium wines available here. After this you will visit a third winery. After a short visit, a three-course lunch is served in the restaurant, tailored to the wines made here.
Overnight.
DAY 8 – WINE TASTING IN THE ANDES – UCO VALLEY (B, L)
Today, after breakfast, you will visit another wine region of Mendoza, the Uco Valley. In recent decades, this has been the focus of major wine-growing investments in Mendoza. Located at the foot of the Andes Mountains, some vineyards are more than 1,500 meters above sea level. The harsh winter ensures that the grapes protect themselves, their skins thicken up to four times. These wines also get a special color and taste. Your first winery today is one that shows respect and is inspired by past, present and future. This delicate balance of old and new – combining the tradition of long-celebrated European winemaking methods with the daring ingenuity of the New World – is what defines the style of this winery. Then you are lost towards a small winery lost in the grandeur of its surroundings. It is difficult to look around and at the same time wonder where this winery is located. A small grim building, not much bigger than the buildings of other wineries, all it takes for this winery to make some of the best wines in Argentina. Hosted by one of the winemakers, you will taste their Cabernet and Malbec wines, which have attracted a lot of attention for their distinct personality and excellent value. You will have lunch at one of the great rising stars and most beautiful wineries of this area. Located at the foot of the Andes, just outside the town of Tupungato in the Uco Valley, this winery has beautiful mountain views. The restaurant’s huge windows are designed to take advantage of the scenery, allowing you to enjoy the view as much as the food. This winery invites you to live an unforgettable gourmet experience with regional recipes, products from the Uco Valley and above all the hospitality of the people.
Overnight.
DAY 9 – MENDOZA / SANTIAGO, A TRIP THROUGH THE ANDES MOUNTAINS (O)
After breakfast, today you will have an incredible journey crossing the Andes. Instead of flying from Mendoza (Argentina) to Santiago (Chile), travel along an incredible panoramic route through the Andes to Santiago, through beautiful landscapes. All we can say about this day is WOW … From Mendoza the route to Santiago is about 365 km, it takes an estimated six hours which go pretty smooth considering what you will see on the way. The travel time does not take into account the traffic, the photo stops or the border crossing. You will leave Mendoza as early as possible, around 7 a.m. Shortly after a good breakfast, head west along highway 7 to reach and cross the Andes.
Along the way see among others:
- Viewpoint in Potrerillos
- Uspallata
- Ski area, Penientes & Los Puquios
- Andinista cemetery
- Puente del Inca
- Aconcagua Provincial Park
- Horcones lagoon
- Las Cuevas
- Túnel Libertadores
- Estação de esqui e lago Portillo
- Chilean snail viewpoint
Shortly after the last stop, you will have another 2h30min journey to reach the Chilean capital, with scenery very different from the scenery seen on the Argentine side during the journey. After arrival in the Chilean capital, check-in at your hotel and rest of the day and evening at your own discretion.
Overnight.
DAY 10 – CITY TOUR IN SANTIAGO DE CHILE (O)
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel this morning for a half day cultural city tour. You will visit the main historical sites of Santiago, including the downtown area around the Plaza de Armas, the Presidential Palace, the Mercado Central and one of the largest markets for fresh fish and shellfish in Chile. Next, stroll past the many bustling stalls to see the vast variety available from Chile’s abundant sea. After this, visit some of Santiago’s lesser known barrios, or neighborhoods, including Republica and Concha y Toro. Initially it formed the suburbs of the city, but the capital’s constant growth transformed the area into a privileged neighborhood and home to Santiago’s high society. Then it’s time to walk around and take some pictures of the many 19th and early 20th century architectural styles. Afterward, continue through the cobbled Lastarria neighborhood and walk through the Parque Forestal past the Bellas Artes Museum. For scenic views of the city, visit the top of Cerro San Cristobal Hill, 200 meters above the city. Your sightseeing tour ends with an excellent lunch in El Galeón. Return to the hotel. Rest of the day at your own discretion.
Overnight.
DAY 11 – CASABLANCA VALLEY (B, L)
This morning, after breakfast, you will leave your hotel around 8:30 AM and travel west through the scenic and fertile valleys of Curacaví and Casablanca, all the way to the Valle El Rosario where a beautiful family winery is nestled and where some of the best Chilean wines are produced. You will arrive at this beautiful winery around 10:00 am and enjoy their Equilibrio private tour including a guided wine tasting of 4 ultra-premium wines. The family arrived in Chile in 1892, originally from Rijeka, Croatia. After a detailed study of the Chilean terroir and absolutely sure of the great potential of Valle de El Rosario, they planted vineyards on the slopes of their property with the San Antonio appellation. This modern winery was designed in 2004 by a Scandinavian architect, who took into account every detail of the winemaking process and care for the environment. You will continue your journey and arrive in the neighboring Casablanca Valley to visit a charming winery and its “cool climate wines”. The old pines and olive trees define the name of this winery. Here you will start by meeting their chef in the winery’s “Mirador” house. You taste 4 of their premium wines. You will also be served a delicious lunch here. The soil conditions give their wines the unique characteristic sea salt taste. Today, the winery is one of the major bodegas in Casablanca Valley and became the best vineyard to visit in Chile in 2010 according to The Winery Guide from Brazil. The prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) selected this winery as “Chilean Wine Producer of the Year” in 2014. You will return directly to Santiago at around 5:00 PM.
Overnight.
DAY 12 – COLCHAGUA VALLEY (B, L)
Early in the morning, after breakfast, leave the hotel and travel south to the beautiful Valle de Colchagua via the Panamerican Highway. You will arrive in the Apalta area in Colchagua. Here you visit, a rather boutique vineyard with great wines. Guided tour of their very old and attractive “bodegas in adobe”. After this tour, you will be offered a guided wine tasting of 3 of their best harvests. Since 1889, this winery has been the projection of Chilean wines, their products have become a true reflection of the spirit of the Apalta. This winery is more than just a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere. It comes together from the new and old worlds; a powerful interpretation of the wine region. Then you will visit a second winery with harmonious and beautiful estates. Afterwards, you will be served a delicious and gourmet lunch in their famous restaurant managed by a world famous chef. This winery has become the 5th exporter of Chilean wine since 2005. After visiting this great winery, travel straight back to Santiago. Rest of the afternoon and evening at your own discretion.
Overnight.
DAY 13 – BYE SOUTH AMERICA (B)
After breakfast, and depending on your flight times, you will get a transfer to the airport for your flight back home… or an extension of your trip to one of the other beautiful wine countries near Chile such as Peru or Bolivia. Ask us about the possibilities for a non-binding customized quote.
DAY 14 – ARRIVAL AT HOME
Today you arrive home after a long flight. End of this fantastic wine tour.
