Latin Flavours

Tailor made tours

SUMMARY

23 Days

Chile, Argentina, Uruguay

Food is like travel; the experience has both journey and destination. So, if you love food, then you will love travel. And if you love cuisine with vibrant colours, tempting aromas and intense flavours, then you will just love Latin Flavours. This is where cultures clash, flavours mash, and everyday life in the kitchen flourishes. Indigenous ingredients, ancestral recipes, European complexity and African spice make Latin America one of the most edible travel experiences anywhere!

Here, the snow-capped Andes creates an incredible diversity of environments, lifestyles, and a profusion of local ingredients. You’ll find native potatoes, purple corn, quinoa, stone fruit, deep-sea fish, and chili pepper on everything, as well as beef and lamb, black beans and rice, açaí berries and cacao. Now just add national pride to create these culinary delights. Hearty empanadas de pino, steamy tamales y humitas, and the beloved choripán nourish the passing throng. Tangy ceviche, sizzling asado con chimichurri, and the mestizo pastel de choclo nurture home and hearth with family and friends. While blissful desserts like alfajor, churro con relleno de dulce de leche and chajá celebrate life.

Life is also too short to drink only water! Mercado Vega in Santiago is famed for its syrupy mote con huesillos and its shaky terremoto. In the cold and windy south, gauchos cherish the sharpness of yerba mate. For potency, Chile fights with Peru over the divine origins of Pisco Sour while Argentina eases back with Amargo Obrero. During wintertime in Uruguay, there is nothing like Grappa Miel, distilled cosiness made with honey.

Meanwhile, what good is the Body of Christ without wine? Rest assured, with a peppery Chilean Carménère, a lofty Malbec of Mendoza, perhaps a floral Torrontés of Salta, or even a meaty Uruguayan Tannat, He will keep you in good company. For livelier company, there’s always the ‘Fiesta de la Vendimia’ grape harvest festival with parades, music, and mucho BBQ meat. So, why not treat yourself by eating and drinking your way locally, seasonally, and naturally through Latin Flavours?

Talk to our expert consultants about other great culinary destinations! From ceviche masterclasses in Lima to tacos and tequila in Mexico City, there are plenty of fantastic options for flavour-filled adventures in Latin America.

HIGHLIGHTS

Travel to Mendoza during vendimia season to witness a festival that is one of a kind
Sample some of the best wines produced by Chile, Argentina and Uruguay
Option to overnight in beautiful wine lodges outside Santiago, in Mendoza or Cafayate
Visit Iguazu Falls and enjoy a hands-on cooking class of the regional cuisine
Explore Argentina’s northwest region including colonial Salta, quaint Cachi and sleepy Cafayate in Calchaquíes Valley
Cross the River Plate to Uruguay and explore the main highlights of this charming country

ITINERARY

Day 1 Santiago de Chile

Arrive in Santiago de Chile and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2 Santiago de Chile

Get acquainted with Chilean cuisine during a hands-on cooking class. Visit Mercado Vega to pick up some fresh ingredients. Continue to Barrio Italia where your guide will take you through the preparation of some simple but delicious Chilean recipes. Enjoy lunch paired with local Chilean wines and return to your hotel.

Day 3 Santiago de Chile

Enjoy a tour to Santa Rita Winery, located an hour south of Santiago and considered one of the country’s oldest and most traditional ones. After a tour of the vineyard, you’ll be able to sample some of their award-winning wines and indulge with lunch at Restaurant Doña Paula, a National Monument due to its historical significance.

Day 4 Santiago de Chile/Uco Valley

A short flight over the majestic Andes will bring you to Mendoza, Argentina. Alternatively, depending on the time of the year, you might prefer an overland bus across the spectacular Andes. On arrival in Mendoza, transfer to your accommodation in the Uco Valley. This valley is only an hour away from downtown Mendoza, and it is known especially by its Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Torrontes production. You can choose your preferred accommodation, one of the nicest in the area are Posada Salentein, Casa de Uco and The Vines.

Day 5 Uco Valley

A free day to relax and explore the surrounding vineyards, sample the local wines and enjoy dramatic views of the Andes. Ask us about tailored-made wine tour visiting renowned and boutique wineries and vineyards such as Bodega Zuccardi Valle de Uco or Bodega Andeluna. Alternatively, take a bike tour along the vineyards or visit a winery where you can make your own blend.

Day 6 Uco Valley/Mendoza

Transfer to the city of Mendoza with a visit to the world-famous Bodega Catena Zapata winery or a boutique-style such as Piattelli along the way. Mendoza city has pleasant tree-lined avenues and a vibrant restaurant scene. Afternoon at leisure to explore. Visit Mendoza during the vendimia harvest festival (late February and early March) and see the processions, parades, live music and celebrations of local wine.

Day 7 Mendoza

A full-day tour visiting three iconic wineries in the famous Maipu area, known for wine production, in particular the Malbec grape variety. Wineries and olive farms dot the area. Tastings today are included at Trapiche, Sin Fin, and Bodega Zuccardi followed by a three-course lunch at Pan y Oliva.

Day 8 Mendoza/Salta

Fly to Salta and transfer to your hotel. The Hispanic architecture of the city is outstanding, and the colonial spirit remains in its houses, streets, hundred-year-old monuments and narrow sidewalks surrounded by the mountains nearby. You should consider visiting the San Francisco Church, the Cathedral and the interesting historical and anthropological museums. And don’t miss out on trying Salta’s famous empanadas, renowned for being the best in Argentina!

Day 9 Salta

A day at leisure to explore the city’s historical centre. Be sure to visit the MAAM Museum (Archaeological Museum of High Mountain). Don’t miss some of the region’s traditional dishes such as locro, humitas and tamales!

Day 10 Salta/Cachi

Depart this morning for the charming mountain village of Cachi, set in the Valley of Calchaqui. This spectacular drive takes you through Escoipe’s Gorge to the Piedra del Molino, the highest point of the route at 3,600m with stunning views of the surrounding Andean peaks. Arrive in Cachi and stay overnight.

Day 11 Cachi/Cafayate

Travel along the famous Route 40, descending through mountain villages and Arrow’s Gorge to the wine-growing region of Cafayate, where you will stay overnight.

Day 12 Cafayate

Free day. We suggest you spend the day exploring sleepy Cafayate. Head to Heladeria Miranda to sample the famous wine-flavoured ice-cream, including Torrontés, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Afterwards, rent a bicycle and taste the real thing at one of the many vineyards surrounding the town. Finish with a stop at Bad Brothers Wine Experience, the newest and most vibrant wine bar and in the region.
Optional, extend your stay in Cafayate and visit Quilmes Ruins and the beautiful Pachamama Museum in nearby Amaicha del Valle.

Day 13 Cafayate/Puerto Iguazu

Transfer to Salta Airport for a direct flight to Puerto Iguazu. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 14 Puerto Iguazu

A full-day tour of the Argentine side of the falls, including the Devil’s Throat Lookout, and optional speedboat tour under the falls. This evening, the excellent Argentine Experience – a hands-on cooking class and dinner experience with matching wines – offers a fun and informative exploration of local cuisine.

Day 15 Puerto Iguazu/Buenos Aires

Fly to Buenos Aires and transfer to your hotel in the gastronomic district of Palermo.

Day 16 Buenos Aires

Get the real taste of Buenos Aires on this morning’s cycling tour. Your expert guide will introduce you to some of the city’s culinary institutions, including a much-loved pizzeria and an ice-cream parlour renowned for its dulce de leche flavour! This evening you’ll be treated to an in-depth exploration of Argentina’s wine regions – from Salta to Patagonia – with a tasting and tapas at a local restaurant.

Day 17 Buenos Aires

Today’s tour will take you to the city’s southern districts. Explore vibrant microcentro with its historic buildings and monuments. Visit the famous Plaza 25 de Mayo and see the Casa Rosada. You will then continue to the bohemian district of San Telmo and visit Caminito in La Boca for some great photo opportunities, finishing in Puerto Madero. This modern waterfront district is well-known for its restaurants. For the rest of the day, you’re free to continue exploring on your own.

Day 18 Buenos Aires

A day at leisure to continue exploring the sights, sounds and tastes of Argentina’s capital. Ask us about unique touring options including visits to Buenos Aires’ Classic cafes or consider an Estancia visit in Areco, famous for the conservation of Creole customs and home to the Guiraldes Museum.

Day 19 Buenos Aires/Colonia del Sacramento

Catch the ferry across the Rio de la Plata this morning to the Uruguayan city of Colonia del Sacramento. Enjoy an afternoon walking tour, followed by a wine tasting at local bodega El Buen Suspiro.

Day 20 Colonia del Sacramento

A half-day tour to Los Cerros de San Juan Winery. After a tour of the vineyard, sample a selection of wine, accompanied by homemade bread, cheese and salumi. Tannat is considered the “national grape” in Uruguay.

Day 21 Colonia del Sacramento/Montevideo

Travel by bus to Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo. Rest of the day at leisure to wander around Montevideo.

Day 22 Montevideo

A full day tour exploring some of the city’s most iconic markets and cafes. Start with the former agricultural market, MAM, now a popular spot for local cuisine, craft beer and produce. Continue to the Port Market, famous for seafood. You’ll finish with a visit to Bar Facal, one of the oldest bars in the city, for lunch.

Day 23 Montevideo

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Although, if you have a few more days, ask us about arranging your stay at the stunning Narbona Wine Lodge in the charming town of Carmelo.