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Wine Tours, Uruguay + Argentina + Chile (self drive): Carmelo + Mendoza + Santiago

Winelands of Uruguay + Argentina + Chile (self drive)
Wine Tours Uruguay Argentina Chile Self Drive Carmelo Mendoza Santiago
15 NIGHTS FROM:
$3,585
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights + car hire quoted separately
ACU15B
• Wine Tours Uruguay Argentina Chile
• Buenos Aires
• Hydrofoil Ferry
• Colonia del Sacramento
• Carmelo, Uruguay
• Mendoza Winelands, Argentina
• Santiago, Chile
• Maipo Valley & Casablanca
• Colchagua & Santa Cruz
• Self Drive

Our tailor made wine tours of Uruguay, Argentina & Chile can be self drive or guided. From the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, take the fast hydrofoil ferry to the winelands of Carmelo in Uruguay, then visit the Mendoza winelands in Argentina & Santiago winelands in Chile, including the Maipo Valley, Casablanca, Santa Cruz & Colchagua. Also visit the small town of Santa Cruz, with its lovely colonial architecture.

Day 1
You will be met at Buenos Aires Airport and transferred to your hotel in this exciting city, situated on the estuary of the Río de la Plata - the 'River of Silver'.
 
Check in and relax in this capital of Argentina, known for its wonderful architecture, tango dancing and rich culture, including the highest concentration of theatres in the world.
Day 2
This morning enjoy a half day shared tour of Buenos Aires - a cosmopolitan city that has been influenced by the many immigrants who helped form it and offering beautiful architecture, history and culture.
 
After collection from your hotel, your tour starts at the Plaza de Mayo - the historical, political and cultural centre of the city. Here you can see the Pink House (Presidential Palace), the Pyramid de Mayo and Metropolitan Cathedral. We continue down Avenida de Mayo, with its wide avenues and spacious green areas, past the Obelisk to the neighbourhood of San Telmo, one of the oldest in the city with cobbled streets and colonial houses. The vibrant area is the centre for most of the tango parlours, restaurants and bars of the city. Every Sunday a major artisan market takes place here around the Plaza Dorrego.
 
Going further south, we visit the Italian port neighbourhood of La Boca, with its colourful houses in Caminito Street and many 'cantinas' (small restaurants). Also the trendy modern neighbourhood of Puerto Madero, where the old piers have been converted into upmarket offices, apartments and restaurants with views of the Rio de la Plata.
 
We visit the residential neighbourhood of Palermo with its elegant mansions surrounded by spacious parks, before arriving in glamorous Recoleta, where there is the option to visit the famous cemetery where Eva Peron is buried, with its rich architecture (pay locally). Next to the cemetery is the church of Our Lady of Pilar, the Recoleta Cultural Centre (originally a convent) and the Palais de Glace exhibition centre.
 
In the evening you will be collected for a Tango Show. Born in the brothels of the city amongst a racial mix of Gauchos, Italian, Spanish and African immigrants, this dance and its music originated as a combination of Cuban and Spanish rhythms, with some polka and African beat. Enjoy the show and dinner, including mouth-watering Argentinian beef and Malbec wine.
 
Note: Shared day tours have a maximum of 25 people. After your city tour you will be dropped off at one of the designated drop-off points in the downtown area.
Day 3
Today transfer from your Buenos Aires hotel to the the Hydrofoil Terminal to take the 45-minute high speed ferry across the Rio de La Plata ('River of Silver') to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay. Here you will collect your hire car.
 
After spending a few few hours exploring this charming city, drive 1.5-hours further up the estuary to the wine-producing region of Carmelo. Check into your hotel in this small town that is surrounded by beautiful vineyards.
 
Note: Your drivers will only speak Spanish.
Days 4 To 5
Enjoy exploring the Carmelo Winelands independently today. Alternatively take a guided tour or pre-book your own private driver.
 
Tannat, the nations's flagship red grape, was introduced by Pascual Harriague - a Basque immigrant who arrived from southwest France in the mid 1800s. Vineyards here are mainly cultivated by small boutique and family run operatiom. You can visit several different 'bodegas' (wineries), where you can enjoy wine tasting and lunch (own account).
 
You can also visit the ruins of La Calera de las Huerfanas, where in 1741 the Jesuits built a chapel and planted fruit trees, breed cattle and produced lime. After the Jesuits were expelled by the Spanish crown, Don Juan de San Martín took control of the ranch and planted the first 1,500 vines.
Day 6
Today drive 1.5-hours from Carmelo to the Hydrofoil Terminal in Colonia del Sacramento and drop off your hire car.
 
Then take the 45-minute high speed ferry across the Rio de La Plata ('River of Silver') to Buenos Aires in Argentina.
 
You will be met on arrival at the Buenos Aires terminal and transferred to your hotel in this sophisticated city, situated on the estuary of this great river. Check in and relax in this capital city known for its wonderful architecture, tango dancing and rich culture, including the highest concentration of theatres in the world.
Day 7
Transfer to Aeroparque Airport for your onward flight.
 
Note: Your driver will only speak Spanish.

Arrive at Mendoza Airport, collect your hire car and drive to your hotel  in the heart of Argentina's wine country.
 
Check in and relax in this region that is famous for its Malbec and other bold red wines.
Day 8
Today we suggest self driving to some of the many small 'bodegas' (local wineries) found in Lujan de Cuyo outside Mendoza, as well as an olive oil factory. Alternatively you can book a private driver or a small group tour (pay locally).
 
Situated in the foothills of the Andes, Mendoza is Argentina's main wine producing region with rows and rows of vines stretching out to the distant snow-capped mountains. Learn more about how Malbac and other wines are produced and enjoy wine tastings and lunch in these beautiful surroundings (own account).
Day 9
Today we recommend visiting some of the many small 'bodegas' (local wineries) found in the beautiful Uco Valley. Alternatively you can book a private driver or a small group tour (pay locally).
 
Situated in the foothills of the Andes, Mendoza is Argentina's main wine producing region with rows and rows of vines stretching out to the distant snow-capped mountains. Learn more about how Malbac and other wines are produced, and enjoy wine tastings in these beautiful surroundings and and lunch (own account).
Day 10
Drive to Mendoza Airport for your onward flight.

Arrive at Santiago Airport, collect your hire car and drive into the capital of Santiago de Chile.
 
Check into your hotel in this sophisticated and cosmopolitan city, situated in a valley surrounded by the snow-capped Andes Mountains and the beautiful Chilean Coastal Range.
Day 11
Today is free to self drive 1-hour to the beautiful Maipo Valley Winelands in the foothills of the Andes. Alternatively you can book a winelands tour (pay locally).
 
Some of the finest red wines in Chile are produced in this region, which is home to famous wineries such as Cousiño Macul, Undurraga and Concha y Toro. There are also several thoroughbred studs here that breed race horses.
 
Discover the history of some of these 'New World' wines and learn more about their production, as you visit wineries such as Concha y Toro, one of the most famous vineyards in Chile and one of the largest wine exporters in all of South America. You can tour the old mansion with its beautiful park and lagoon, view the vineyards and visit the wine cellar where the famous Casillero del Diablo is stored.
 
You can also visit other wineries and enjoy wine tastings, with the opportunity to purchase some wines, before returning to Santiago.
Day 12
Today is free to self drive 1-hour to the Casablanca Winelands. Alternatively you can take optional wine tours to learn more about their excellent wines (pay locally).
 
This valley is one of Chile’s youngest wine-producing regions and is famous for its cool climate white wines - especially Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Enjoy wine tastings and the delicious cuisine of the region (pay locally). You can also visit Casablanca Town Square, Santa Bárbara church and the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.  
 
The sea port of Valparaiso, the second largest city in the country and home to the Chilean Parliament, is also within easy reach, although driving and parking in this city is extremely difficult.
Day 13
This morning collect drive 2.5-hours to the sleepy town of Santa Cruz in the Colchagua Valley.
 
Check into your hotel in the beautiful Chilean Winelands and relax among the vineyards of this famous wine-producing region, situated between the snow-capped Andes and the coast.
Days 14 To 15
At leisure to relax in the lush Colchagua Valley or enjoy optional wine tours.
 
Alternatively explore the lovely colonial architecture of Santa Cruz, starting at the Plaza de Armas - the pretty main square with its shops, restaurants and a casino. The 19th-century church, which was damaged in the 2010 earthquake but has now been restored, faces this square, which hosts an annual 'Fiesta de la Vendimia' to celebrate the grape harvest. The Colchagua Museum has interesting displays of pre-Columbian art, archaeological items and Andean textiles.
Day 16
Transfer to Santiago Airport for your flight home.