Splendours of South America

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Santiago with British Airways. (N)

Arrive and transfer to the Hotel Plaza San Francisco for a 2-night stay. Optional afternoon visit to a nearby winery. (N)

Morning city tour including the historic centre, San Cristobal hill and the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Fly to Punta Arenas for a short tour and views of the Strait of Magellan. Continue through the Patagonian wilderness to Puerto Natales. Overnight at Hotel CostAustralis (fjord-view room). (B)

Full-day excursion through the Torres del Paine National Park to see peaks, glacier lakes and Patagonian wildlife. Stay 2 nights at the Hotel Rio Serrano / Lago Grey (Superior room with view). (B)

Morning walk in the national park, close to Lake Sarmiento and Amarga lagoon. Afternoon at leisure or optional excursions in the park. (B)

Cross the border to El Calafate in Argentina and stay 2 nights at the Hotel Kosten Aike. (B)

Full-day tour of Perito Moreno glacier. Optional boat trip in front of the gigantic glacier wall. (B)

Fly to Buenos Aires and transfer to the Brick Hotel for 3 nights. (B)

Half-day tour of the elegant capital city and the colourful La Boca district. (B)

At leisure or optional excursion to an estancia in the Pampas or Colonia in Uruguay. (B)

Fly to Iguaçu Falls and visit the Brazilian side of these striking cataracts. Return to Argentina and stay 2 nights at the Melia Iguazú (formerly Sheraton Iguazú Hotel) inside the park (upgrade to a falls-view room from £60). The following day is at leisure to explore the walkways on the Argentinian side. The cascades can be experienced while the park is closed to other visitors. (B)

Fly to Rio, set on a natural bay and surrounded by mountains. Stay at the PortoBay Rio Internacional on Copacabana beach in a Superior partial oceanview room for 3 nights. Upgrade to a partial or full ocean-view room at the luxurious Belmond Copacabana Palace from £195. (B)

Full-day city tour, including Corcovado, the statue of Christ the Redeemer and a cable-car ride up Sugar Loaf mountain. Day 16 at leisure or optional excursions including a visit to the old centre of Rio or a 4x4 tour to Tijuca forest. (B)

Overnight flight to London with British Airways. Please enquire for supplements for day room use if required. Arrive in London the next day. (B) (N)