Chile/Argentina
Wonders of Chile and Argentina: Patagonia, Iguazu Falls and Splendid Cities
Program No. 20789RJ
Experience the volcanoes, lakes and glacier-carved peaks of Patagonia and explore Santiago and Buenos Aires as you discover what connects these two countries and what makes them unique.
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Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
14 days
13 nights
29 meals
11B 11L 7D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
5
Puerto Varas History, German Museum, Free Time
Puerto Varas
8
Bariloche's First Settlers, Fly to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
9
La Boca, San Telmo, Tango Show
Buenos Aires
10
Recoleta, Fly to Iguazu Falls, About the Falls
Iguazu Falls
11
Iguazu Falls National Park
Iguazu Falls
12
Fly to Buenos Aires, Free Time
Buenos Aires
14
Arrive to North America
In Flight
At a Glance
Uncover treasures built by man and forged by nature on this journey in Chile and Argentina. Explore the cosmopolitan capitals of Santiago and Buenos Aires. Experience the otherworldly natural environment of Patagonia, where snowcapped volcanoes rise above glacial lakes. And hear the roar of Iguazu Falls, a spectacle of water surrounded by jungle.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles per day; some uneven terrain. Long (approximately 9-12 hours) ferry and coach transport to Bariloche.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Discover both Chilean and Argentine Patagonia, crossing from one to the other by boat like the early settlers.
- Learn about the world-class Chilean and Argentinean wine industry and visit a vineyard.
- Feel the mist from Iguazu Falls as you explore the waterfall from the Argentinean side.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Horacio Cavilli
A native of Buenos Aires who has both studied and taught at the University of Buenos Aires, Horacio Cavilli enjoys enhancing the educational experience for his Road Scholar participants. He studied veterinary science in Argentina, did graduate work in agroecology in Scandinavia and spent ten years working with local farms. Horacio is an enthusiastic traveler himself and has been to many countries in South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania. He speaks five languages: Spanish, English, French, Italian and Portuguese.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Horacio Cavilli
View biography
A native of Buenos Aires who has both studied and taught at the University of Buenos Aires, Horacio Cavilli enjoys enhancing the educational experience for his Road Scholar participants. He studied veterinary science in Argentina, did graduate work in agroecology in Scandinavia and spent ten years working with local farms. Horacio is an enthusiastic traveler himself and has been to many countries in South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania. He speaks five languages: Spanish, English, French, Italian and Portuguese.
Melina Gavira
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Melina “Meli” Gavira is an Argentinean expedition leader and an expert on Patagonian flora, fauna, and birds. She moved to Ushuaia in 2004, drawn to its scenic landscapes and outdoor style of living. When she is not leading groups, Melina likes to spend time with her family, practice yoga, go bird watching, and take photographs. She also has an interest in Italian films and her favorite is “Life is Beautiful.”
Georgina Mendizabal
View biography
Georgina Mendizabal is a licensed Patagonian expedition leader from Bariloche, Argentina and an avid outdoorswoman. Before becoming a group leader and local expert in Bariloche, she did ski patrol for area resorts during the winter, helped manage a mountain lodge, and worked as an expert in the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Georgina has enjoyed traveling within Chile, Argentina, Brazil, the U.S., and Europe. A particularly memorable trip included walking the historic Camiño de Santiago in Galicia, Spain.
Suggested Reading List
(20 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Wonders of Chile and Argentina: Patagonia, Iguazu Falls and Splendid Cities
Program Number: 20789
Ines of My Soul
Allende turns the amazing life of Spanish conquistadora and founder of Santiago, Ines Suarez (1507-1580), into a gripping novel.
Buenos Aires, A Cultural History
An exhilarating, erudite guide to Buenos Aires as it has been portrayed by writers, poets and thinkers, with a street map and detailed neighborhood descriptions.
Iguazu Falls Map
This foldup laminated card shows seven maps of the falls, Puerto Iguazu, park and region.
Forgotten Continent
Economist editor Reid draws on his years in the cities, presidential palaces and shantytowns of Central and South America in this portrait of a region rich in oil, farmland and culture, with consideration on its prospects in the face of globalization.
The Andes
Starting out in Cuzco, heart of the Inca Empire, Wilson spreads north and south along the Andes, including excerpts from South American literary giants, travelers and his own impressions.
Travels in a Thin Country, A Journey through Chile
British author Sara Wheeler deploys her wit, intelligence and powerful investigative skills on the Republic of Chile in this insightful travelogue.
Tango, The Art History of Love
A probing cultural history of the tango, its working class origins in 19th-century Buenos Aires and Afro-Argentine roots.
The Secret in Their Eyes
Basis for the 2010 Oscar-winning film and a portrait of 1970s Buenos Aires, Sacheri's novel-within-a-novel follows Benjamin Chaparro, a retired clerk in the Palace of Justice, who sets out to write a novel about a case that has haunted him for decades.
Lonely Planet Buenos Aires
The best of Buenos Aires is included in this practical guide, along with a pullout map and insider recommendations on shopping, eating, sleeping and day trips.
Tschiffely's Ride
The classic account of a remarkable, 10,000-mile journey in 1925 across the Andes, pampas, deserts and tropical forest of South and Central America from Buenos Aires to Washington D.C. Astoundingly, Tschiffely made the epic trek with the same two delightful, determined and hardy (and much loved) gaucho horses, Mancha and Gato. Tschiffely captures the people, landscape of the spirit of places along the way in vivid, down-to-earth detail.
In Patagonia
A masterpiece of travel, history and adventure, this award-winning book captures the spirit of the land, history, wildlife and people of Patagonia. There's no travel writer as engaging, insightful and just plain wonderful as Bruce Chatwin.
Lake District, Araucania: Argentina & Chile
This regional map (1:400,00) covers the mid-section of Chile and Argentina from Bariloche across to Puerto Montt and Temuco.
A Wildlife Guide to Chile
Chester's splendid guide, featuring 120 color plates, covers the wildlife, plants and natural history of Chile from the Atacama Desert and Patagonia to Easter Island and Antarctica.
Buenos Aires Map
A laminated street map of Buenos Aires and surroundings at a scale of 1:15,000.
Fodor's Chile, Including Argentine Patagonia
An excellent all-around practical guide to the attractions, cultures and natural history of Chile.
Heartbreak Tango
Puig's wicked tale of the life and death of Juan, an impossibly beautiful dancer and Lothario, steeped in the melancholy of Buenos Aires.
Tasting Chile, A Celebration of Authentic Chilean Foods and Wines
With recipes from restaurants and home chefs across Chile, this compilation is a great introduction to Chilean cuisine, and an excellent resource for anyone interested in trying out Chilean traditional dishes at home. Includes information on pairing wines with dishes and a basic overview of wine producers and varieties in Chile.
The Whispering Land
A sparkling account of an eight-month jaunt on the trail of fur seals, guanaco, parrots and other Patagonian marvels. Excellent family reading.
Chile, A Traveler's Literary Companion
These choice stories introduce both the country and a host of contemporary writers.
Culture Smart! Argentina
A concise, well-illustrated and practical guide to local customs, etiquette and culture.