14 Day Classic Brazil, Argentina & Chile with Mendoza Wine Country
From
$3899
Land Only
$4679*
Air & Land
Featured Hotels
| 14 Day Classic Brazil, Argentina & Chile with Mendoza Wine Country | ||
|---|---|---|
| Windsor Excelsior Hotel | Rio de Janeiro | |
| Mercure Iguazu Iru Hotel | Iguazu | |
| DoubleTree by Hilton Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires | |
| Diplomatic Hotel | Mendoza | |
| Pullman Santiago El Bosque | Santiago | |
Not Included:
Optional tours and gratuities.
Additional Information:
Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers, but does include flights Rio de Janeiro-Iguassu Falls, Iguazu-Buenos Aires & Buenos Aires-Mendoza.
Passport information must be submitted to Gate 1 Travel at least 60 days prior to departure.
Passengers traveling abroad require a passport valid for six months beyond their travel dates. All travelers are responsible to check if a visa is required for all countries on their itinerary. For visa information, check our Visas page.
Is This Trip Right for You?
Escorted Package Includes
- Flights Miami-Rio de Janeiro, Santiago-Miami
Some departure dates may be offered from an alternate nearby airport. Check flight itinerary options when booking
Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices - Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
- All Intra-flights: Rio de Janeiro-Iguassu, Iguazu-Buenos Aires & Buenos Aires-Mendoza
- 12 nights First Class accommodations
- 3 nights Rio de Janeiro
- 2 nights Iguazu, Argentina
- 3 nights Buenos Aires
- 2 nights Mendoza
- 2 nights Santiago
- Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
- Hotel porterage
- All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates†
- 18 meals: 12 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners
- Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
- Services of English-speaking local guides
- Entrance fees per itinerary
Special Features
- Ascend to the summit of Corcovado Mountain to see the spectacular views of Rio
- Stand in awe at majestic and astonishing Iguassu Falls
- Admire the elegant architecture in Buenos Aires, the "Paris of South America"
- At Recoleta Cemetery, see the final resting place of Eva "Evita" Peron
- Tango lesson with professional Argentine tango dancers
- Enjoy a true wine experience in Mendoza
- Tour Santiago, the energetic capital of Chile
†Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates
Is This Trip Right for You?
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Gate 1 Travel itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
This superior tourist class hotel is located in Retiro, and is just two blocks from the shopping street, Calle Florida.
Hotel Details
This first class hotel is located in the financial district with easy access to many of the city's attractions.
Hotel Details- Tours purchased while travelling may cost an extra 10% or more
- Tours often sell out. Avoid disappointment
- Save your cash. Credit card processing may not be possible locally
- Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure
- Book Online or call to book these tours up to 1 week before your departure
- The day the optionals operate varies by the day of the week
This afternoon, depart your hotel for Downtown Rio de Janeiro. Arrive at Academicos da Grande Rio, one of the top samba schools in the city. Here, enjoy a guided tour of the warehouse, where you see grandiose parade floats* and flamboyant costumes. There will be an opportunity to try on authentic Carnival costumes. Toast your Carnival experience with a caipirinha Brazil's national cocktail, while you learn about the history of the Samba dance and the Carnival parades from an expert guide. Then, try to copy the basic Samba steps from a professional dancer while you encounter diverse Afro-Brazilian rhythms like Ijexa, Coco, Iongo, and Samba de roda. Return to your hotel.
*Floats and carriages for Carnival are being constructed between September and December and therefore will not be fully completed and decorated during that time.
Approximate tour duration is 3 hours.
| Day #4 | 05 Feb 2024 - 31 Dec 2024 | $59.00 |
Depart from your hotel for a brief driving tour of Rio de Janeiro on your way to Sugar Loaf Mountain. While passing through the downtown, admire the myriad of city landmarks such as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, the Municipal Theatre, and the Sambadrome. Upon arriving at Praia Vermelha, begin the first leg of your journey up Sugar Loaf Mountain. Hop in a cable car and ascend from street level to the top of Urca Hill. Over the course of that 3 minute ride, a superb panorama unfolds right before your eyes. At Urca, enter a second cable car for the ride to the summit. After a 6 minute ride, you will be welcomed to the top by an unsurpassed view. From this location, the entire area is within your grasp, including Rio, the bridge, the bay, the age-old majestic mountain range, and Niteroi, a city on the other side of the bay.
Approximate tour duration is 4 hours.
| Day #4 | 10 Apr 2023 - 31 Dec 2024 | $49.00 |
Tonight enjoy an excellent dinner and tango show in downtown Buenos Aires. This has become a favorite of local residents as well as visitors and is the ideal setting for a delicious dinner and an alluring tango show. The Tango displays complete cultural expression, a plot of myths, values and traditions.
Approximate tour duration is 3.5 hours.
| Day #8 | 01 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024 | $79.00 |
Depart Buenos Aires and head north. Stop at San Isidro for a visit to the neo-Gothic cathedral built in 1898. After, continue to the city of Tigre and embark on a one hour cruise along the rivers Luján, Carapachay, Angostura, Espera and Sarmiento, where the Delta Terra reserve is located. Enjoy one of the most favorite and beloved places of many Argentine families, discovering the typical Delta houses on stills, schools and chapels and observing the lifestyle of the locals. Return to Tigre to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant housed in a beautiful building by the river.
Approximate tour duration is 5 hours.
| Day #9 | 16 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2024 | $59.00 |
This evening savor an exquisite dining experience at Centauro Restaurant which is on Michelin's list of selected restaurants. Focusing on local products and the use of innovative culinary techniques, the restaurant highlights the diversity of the region. Learn how to make a mushroom, fat washed bourbon based drink called, "old fashioned fungi," during a brief class with the bartender. Then, savor a four-course dinner with local wine pairing and gain an understanding of the three wine areas of Mendoza from your local host. Afterward, return to the hotel.
Approximate tour duration is 3 hours.
| Day #10 | 01 Jan 2024 - 31 Aug 2024 | $75.00 |
| 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Dec 2025 | $79.00 |
Embark on a guided tour that takes you through lush vineyards and historic cellars to Santa Rita Winery, a treasure of the Maipo Valley. Upon arrival, learn more about the history of the wine estate and its premium wine production. Visit the "Cellar of the 120 Patriots", where you will discover the exciting story that gives 120 its name. At the end of the tour, independently explore the Museo Andino museum and sample tastings of Santa Rita's award winning wines, with a free souvenir engraved wineglass of your own to take home!
Approximate tour duration is 4.5 hours.
| Day #13 | 01 Apr 2024 - 31 Dec 2025 | $29.00 |
| Know Before You Go | |
| Although most of the planning and preparation is taken care of for you, there are still a few things you should know and some details you should take care of to ensure your comfort, safety and peace of mind. Please review the following information before your departure to ensure that any surprises along the way will only be pleasant ones. |
| Getting Ready to Go |
| Passports and Visas |
| It is each traveler's responsibility to have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the dates of travel and a visa if required. Please check the information at www.gate1travel.com/visas.aspx for the specific country/region you are visiting for more details. IMPORTANT: Passengers who are not U.S. citizens must check with the respective consulate or a visa agency to determine what personal identification is required. Passengers who enter, leave and then re-enter the same country on their itinerary should check if they require a double-entry visa. Passport applications are available at most U.S. Post Offices, as well as at regional Passport Agencies. Passengers requiring visas, whether obtained in advance or locally upon arrival, should ensure that their passport has blank pages.
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| Chile - Passport information must be submitted to Gate 1 Travel at least 60 days prior to departure. |
| Traveling with Friends or Family? |
| If you are traveling with friends or family who are booked on another reservation, please make sure that we are aware. On occasion, we may operate more than one vehicle on your tour departure in which case we will ensure that guests will be assigned together. This is achieved by connecting your reservations before your departure. Once you arrive in your destination, it may not be possible to make assignment changes. To check that your reservations are linked, log into https://www.gate1travel.com/reservations with your email and password, select your reservation number, and check to see that your reservations are indicated as "Traveling With" at the top right side of the display. |
| Trip Preparation |
| A little pre-planning can make your trip go a lot smoother. Several weeks before your trip, make a list of what you will need to take with you. Make sure your personal documents (passports, visas, driver's license) are in order. Make sure also that you have enough prescription medications to last through the trip and carry them with you in case your luggage is delayed. Bring a change of clothes in your carry-on bag in the event that your luggage is delayed or lost. Lost luggage is common. We strongly urge you to consider carry-ons instead of checked bags when possible, and when checking a bag is necessary, choose a bag color and identification that stands out. We suggest that you make photocopies of passports, visas, personal ID and any other important travel documents and pack them separately from the originals. You may also make a digital copy of your passport to keep a clear picture with the important details in your cell phone or digital camera photos. If you lose the originals while traveling, you'll have copies for easier reporting and replacement. Pack a list of medications including dosage and generic names. You may consider bringing a small supply of over the counter medications for headaches and/or anti-diarrhea pills (especially when traveling outside of the USA and Western Europe). We recommend that you pack a portable alarm clock. Due to security reasons, many museums have restrictions on the size of bags that can be taken inside and backpacks, carry-on bags or large purses may not be permitted. It is recommended to bring a small shoulder bag or purse to use in these situations instead. Avoid placing valuables such as cameras in your checked luggage. Airplane pressure can cause similar pressure in your body, most notably in ears, as well as liquid tubes and bottles. Your physician can suggest medication for decongestion. We suggest that you place liquid containers into Ziploc bags to catch any leaks. |
| Travel Safety Advice: The safety of our guests is Gate 1’s #1 concern. Before making the decision to reserve your vacation, we want you to be aware of potential situations which may impact your holiday. While most of the time our programs run precisely according to plans, on rare occasion force majeure events including weather, transportation mechanical issues, or uninhabitable accommodation, civil unrest and even criminal or terrorist activities will present themselves unexpectedly and with little or no notice. Gate 1 will make the decision to cancel a tour only after receiving verifiable government issued information. We are otherwise obliged to comply with contractual airline and vendor agreements and carry out the tour until or unless we are advised otherwise. In the event of such an occurrence anytime after your date of departure, Gate 1 and the local destination ground staff, in coordination with government advisories, airlines, hotels, cruise ships and other vendors, will make decisions with regard to your safety first. We strongly recommend that tour participants review the destination country's specific information at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html. |
| Travel Protection |
| Even the best-planned trips can be impacted by the unexpected. And that is why we recommend that you help protect yourself and your investment by purchasing Travel Protection for your Gate 1 trip. Travel Protection can help with medical coverage for illness or injury, trip cancellation and/or interruption, baggage loss, medical evacuation, and more. At any time before you complete Final Payment, you may choose to purchase Travel Protection. The protection plan premium is non-refundable after a 10-day review period. In addition, you must be medically able to travel at the time the premium is paid. For a summary of the plan details on coverages, benefits, limitations and exclusions, please refer to the Description of Coverage by visiting www.gate1travel.com/insurance/. Cancel for Any Reason Waiver Benefit (CFAR) is a non-insurance feature that allows you to cancel up to 72 hours before your scheduled departure for any reason not otherwise covered in the Travel Protection Plan. CFAR must be purchased at the same time as the Travel Protection Plan as well as within 21 days of the original booking date. Independent or escorted tour reservations will be eligible for a future travel credit equal to the full cost of your trip, less the cost of initial deposit, airline-assessed fees, amendment fees, and insurance premium. Sea or river cruise reservations will be eligible for a future travel credit equal to 50% of the cost of your trip, less the cost of initial trip deposit, airline-assessed fees, amendment fees, and insurance premium. All CFAR credits are valid for a period of two years from the original date of travel. CFAR Credits have no cash value and are not transferrable. Airline-assessed fees are generally $300 per person, but may be as much as fully non-refundable. Some non-refundable airline tickets may retain value, less airline-assessed fees. Your future air credit must be used to book with the same airline. Deadlines to rebook and complete travel vary by airline and may be as early as 12 months from when the tickets were originally issued (not the date of travel). For details, www.gate1travel.com/insurance/. This program does not apply to custom groups and Antarctica cruises. Residents of New York, Missouri & Minnesota may purchase this Cancel for Any Reason Waiver Benefit separate from Travel Protection. Call to speak with a reservation agent for details. This Cancel for any Reason Wavier Benefit is not insurance and is provided by Gate 1 Travel. |
| Mobile Phones |
| Mobile networks differ from country to country. We recommend you check with your provider to see if your wireless plan will work in the destination(s) you are visiting. To avoid possible roaming charges, you may want to consider purchasing an international plan. With most major phone companies, for a modest fee, you will be able to use your domestic plan's talk, text, and data allowances just like you do at home. If you can access the internet while you travel, you can also take advantage of services such as WhatsApp or Skype. |
| Making Telephone Calls from One Country to Another |
| When dialing a number from one country to another, you should proceed as follows: dial your country's Exit Code (often indicated with a “+” sign), then the destination Country Code, then the Phone Number. For most countries, the exit code is 00. Exceptions include the USA and Canada (011), Hong Kong and Cambodia (001), Australia (0011), and Russia (8 Pause 10*). For Brazil, please consult with the local telephone company. If you are dialing from a mobile phone, you can enter a “+” instead of the international Exit Code (011, 001, 0011 or 00) by pressing and holding the 0 key. For most countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and South Pacific, if you are calling from a local phone to a number within the same country, you should drop both the exit and country codes and then add a leading 0 (zero). Exceptions include Spain, Italy, Hungary and Malta (no additional zero needed to dial locally). Example: To dial the following number in Germany (as listed on your voucher): +(49) 0555-555 From USA or your US cell phone: 011-49-555-555 From another country in Europe: 00-49-555-555 From a German phone within Germany: 0555-555 |
| WiFi Access |
| WiFi is available in most airports, hotels, and cruise lines, as well as on some flights, trains, and buses. There may be a fee for access and service quality and speed may vary greatly especially while on moving vehicles. Availability on cruises is also dependent upon its location while sailing through multiple countries. Please note that WiFi can be extremely slow, unreliable, and sometimes nonexistent in developing countries. |
| Staying Healthy While Traveling |
| All travelers should familiarize themselves with local conditions, such as high altitude or required immunizations, which could affect their health. We recommend you consult with your personal healthcare provider, the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) and/or the World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/en/) for their recommendations. There are several easy steps you can take to stay healthy while traveling which may help prevent contracting an illness while away from home.
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| Notice on Aircraft Cabin Insecticide Treatment - Please note that some countries may require aircraft cabin insecticide treatment for in-bound foreign flights. A list of such countries is available at:
http://www.dot.gov/office-policy/aviation-policy/aircraft-disinsection-requirements. |
| Chile - Chile's Torres del Paine National Park ranges in altitude from 165 feet to 10,000 feet above sea level. For the latest health requirements and recommendations, please visit Centers for Disease Control and also consult with your personal healthcare provider. |
| Argentina - While no inoculations are required, vaccination against yellow fever is recommended, especially in the northeast and northwest parts of the country, including Iguazu Falls. If only traveling to Buenos Aires, Mendoza or Patagonia, it is not suggested to get this vaccination. For the latest health requirements and recommendations, please visit Centers for Disease Control and also consult with your personal healthcare provider. You may encounter mosquitoes in both urban and rural areas, especially during wet seasons. Travelers are encouraged to bring insect repellent and consider wearing clothing that adequately covers arms and legs. The majority of cities in Argentina have altitudes under 3,000 feet. However, please be aware that some areas in the Andes near Mendoza and throughout Patagonia have elevations reaching 22,800 feet above sea level. |
| Brazil -While no inoculations are required, vaccination against yellow fever is recommended. For the latest health requirements and recommendations, please visit Centers for Disease Control and also consult with your personal healthcare provider. |
| About the Zika Virus - The Zika Virus is a mosquito-borne virus mostly found in areas of Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America. According to the CDC, most cases of Zika are mild. However, there is a potential link between this virus and a brain defect called microcephaly which affects unborn babies and may pose a potential risk to pregnant women. If you are pregnant or believe you could be at the time of travel, the CDC cautions against traveling to these destinations. For information, please visit www.cdc.gov/zika/. |
| Consideration for Tour Participants (Escorted Tours) |
For the benefit of all tour participants, we ask tour members to be considerate of their fellow travelers in the following ways:
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| Climate & Clothing |
| Chile - Bring comfortable walking shoes, a sweater, clothes you can layer and an all-weather jacket. Some religious sites may require modest dress to enter (no shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless tops). Chile occupies a wide latitudinal range. The climate is subtropical in the extreme north, arid in the northern Atacama desert, Mediterranean in the central valley, temperate and rainy in the south, and cold in the antarctic region. Chile Average Temperatures: https://www.gate1travel.com/weather/americas/default.aspx#chile-weather |
| Argentina - Bring comfortable walking shoes, a sweater, clothes you can layer and an all-weather jacket. Some religious sites may require modest dress to enter (no shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless tops). In Argentina the seasons are reversed compared to the United States. Spring: September – November; Summer: December – February; Fall: March – May; Winter: June – August Argentina Average Temperatures: https://www.gate1travel.com/weather/americas/default.aspx#argentina-weather |
| Brazil - Bring comfortable walking shoes, a sweater, clothes you can layer and an all-weather jacket. Some religious sites may require modest dress to enter (no shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless tops). The weather in Brazil is temperate to hot year round. Lightweight clothing that can be layered, sunscreen, and a hat are recommended. Brazil Average Temperatures:https://www.gate1travel.com/weather/americas/default.aspx#brazil-weather |
| About Drones |
| Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or "drone" technology has quickly become affordable and is increasingly popular with recreational users. While some countries have clear, established drone laws, others do not, or existing regulations are undergoing review and change. Travelers who wish to bring a drone on their trip are responsible to research and abide by the laws and regulations of the countries they are visiting, as well as to check with their airline(s) regarding their rules for transporting drones. Please note that tours are unable to extend the length of scheduled visits and stops to accommodate use of drones. |
| Book & Film Recommendations |
| Many of our guests enjoy reading about their destination - either in advance of their trip or while traveling - as a way of adding context to their visit. Whether reading a traditional guide book, learning about the history and culture, or simply enjoying a fictional novel set in the destination, a good book can add greatly to your experience. Similarly, a good movie set in your destination helps set the mood before you travel. We asked our Tour Managers and staff to recommend books and films which past guests may have enjoyed. The following does not constitute an endorsement of any authors, books or films listed, it is merely a collection of guests' recommendations. |
| CHILE: Books The Postman by Antonio Skármeta Pinochet and Me by Marc Cooper I lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin The Obscene Bird of Night by José Donoso Travels in a Thin Country by Sara Wheeler The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende CHILE: Films The Club (2015) The Man Next Door (2009) Rebellion in Patagonia (1974) The Pearl Button (2015) The Good Life (2008) The 33 (2015) |
| ARGENTINA: Books In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin The Tango Singer by Tomás Eloy Martínez The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto 'Che' Guevara My Father's Ghost is Climbing in the Rain by Patricio Pron Brodie's Report by Jorge Luis Borges Perla by Carolina De Robertis Hopscotch by Julio Cortazar ARGENTINA: Films The Clan (2015) White Elephant (2012) The Aura (2005) La Cienaga (2001) Crane World (1999) Intimate Stories (2002) The Road to San Diego (2006) |
| Preparing for Your Trip |
| Seat Assignments |
| As a courtesy service, complimentary airline seat assignments are requested on your behalf and, when available, are displayed in order of Passenger #1, #2 and so on. Assignments reflect the best available seats at the time of booking. Some airlines and/or fare types do not allow for pre-seating and require this be done at airport check-in only; in which case the display shows “N/A”. Seats are subject to change by your airline(s) including, for example, when there is a schedule change or equipment change after your initial booking; this may cause seat assignments to be changed or even cancelled. Some airlines offer preferred seating for an additional fee; these seats may only be purchased directly from the airline. You will need your family name and the 6-digit airline “Record Locator” which is displayed with the flight details on your reservation. In the event that you change seat assignments directly with your airline, changes will not be reflected on your invoice or documents. At the time that Gate 1 travel documents are issued, the currently assigned seats will be listed based on the assignments stored in your airline reservation at that time. Should you have questions regarding your assignments, please write to us at www.gate1travel.com/contactus. |
| Luggage & Packing |
| Checked bags are typically limited to a total dimension of 62 inches by adding length + width + height (example: 26"+26"+10" = 62”), and a maximum weight of 50 lbs (23kg). Smart Bags with a USB charging port, GPS tracking device and other high-tech features are prohibited as checked or carry-on baggage unless the bag is made with removable batteries and the batteries are removed and stored separately. Many airlines charge for checked bags including flights which begin and end within the USA. The most inexpensive airfare options commonly known as Basic Economy airfares do not include any checked bags nor seat assignments before the day of departure. However, for some airlines, other airfare categories also do not include checked baggage. This will be clearly displayed in our airfare selection and on your invoice. Where available, we highly recommend selecting airfares which include at least 1 piece of checked baggage. Gate 1 Travel is not responsible for checked bag fees, excess luggage or weight charges levied by an airline. Checked baggage allowances displayed on reservation details and invoices reflect the applicable allowance at the time of booking but are subject to change by your airline(s). For your airline’s requirements and fees, visit www.gate1travel.com/baggagefees.aspx. For important baggage information, visit www.gate1travel.com/luggage.aspx. Avoid placing valuables in your checked luggage. Federal law forbids the carriage of hazardous materials aboard the aircraft in your luggage, your carry-on or on your person. A violation can result in five years’ imprisonment and penalties of $250,000 or more (49 U.S.C. 5124). Hazardous materials include explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosives and radioactive materials. Examples: Paints, lighter fluid, fireworks, tear gases, oxygen bottles, and radio-pharmaceuticals. There are special exceptions for small quantities (up to 70 ounces total) of medicinal and toilet articles carried in your luggage and certain smoking materials carried on your person. Check the Transportation and Safety Administration (TSA) website www.tsa.gov to find out the current list of acceptable items you may bring on a plane before packing. We recommend that you use brightly colored luggage tags, straps or other identifiers to help you locate you luggage upon arrival or to describe it in the event that it is lost. |
| Brazil - Intra-Brazil flights have a weight restriction for luggage of 33 lbs. per piece of luggage with a limit of one piece of checked luggage per person. This differs from international flight luggage limits and should be taken into account when preparing for your trip. |
| Argentina - Most domestic flights in Argentina have a weight restriction 33 lbs. per piece of luggage with a limit of one piece of checked luggage per person. This differs from international flight luggage limits and should be taken into account when preparing for your trip. |
| Chile - Flights within Chile flights have a weight restriction of 33 lbs. per piece of luggage with a limit of one piece of checked luggage per person. This differs from international flight luggage limits and should be taken into account when preparing for your trip. |
| Day of Departure |
| Flight Services |
| What to do if You Need Assistance |
Whether you purchased your airfare from Gate 1 Travel or from the airline directly, please bear in mind that Gate 1 Travel does not own nor operate the airline(s), nor the airport facilities where they operate. At times, flying can be a frustrating experience, especially when things do not go exactly as planned, and airline explanations can be confusing or even misleading. Should you face a problem, remain calm and seek assistance either from the airline directly or from Gate 1. Please be aware that in most cases, on the day of your flight(s), airlines pass responsibility for your reservation to their staff at the airport and it is not always possible for Gate 1 Travel to intervene on your behalf, either through our reservations system or directly with your airline. |
| Arrival & Departure |
| Arrival Procedures |
| Upon arrival, please complete immigration formalities if necessary and claim your luggage. If your program includes airport arrival transfers, check your voucher for specific instructions, as they vary with every destination. In most cases, you will be met after collecting your luggage or passing through Customs by the local representative who will be holding a Gate 1 Travel sign and/or a sign with your name on it. In some instances you will be instructed to walk a short distance to a transportation counter. The company's name and location will be printed on your voucher. If for any reason you do not connect with the Gate 1 transfer personnel, go to the Tourist Information Desk and ask them to page the Gate 1 Travel representative or phone the number on your voucher. If you are delayed due to lost luggage, phone the number on the voucher or have a companion exit the Customs Area to advise the transfer representative. Be wary of airport scammers who offer unwanted assistance. If you are arriving without a pre-arranged transfer, we strongly recommend going to the Tourist Information Desk to ask for a licensed taxi or transfer service. You may be asked to pay for the transfer at the desk prior to the trip, this will ensure you are not charged extra during the trip. |
| What To Do When Your Flight Is Delayed |
| Airlines do not share flight manifest information. Therefore, the only way we may learn of a delay or schedule change while you are traveling is from you, the traveler. The sooner you are able to contact one of our offices, the better we can respond. Please refer to the Emergency Assistance instructions on this same document. Gate 1 Travel is only able to guarantee pre-reserved arrival transfers for up to one hour from the scheduled time, no matter the cause. In case you are delayed for any reason, and are unable to follow the instructions on your voucher, please make independent transfer arrangements and retain your receipts. Unused tour services, including transfers and hotel nights are not refundable. Upon you return home you will need to contact your airline and/or insurance carrier to investigate the possibility of reimbursement for any unused tour services. |
| Departure Procedures |
| If your program includes departure transfers, instructions will be stated on your voucher or provided locally. |
| Transfers |
| Due to local traffic and other extenuating circumstances, we ask that you allow 30 minutes from your scheduled transfer time for our representative to arrive. This includes hotel, airport and cruise transfers. Such possible delays are taken into consideration in scheduling transfers and you should therefore have no concerns about arriving late for your tour, flight or cruise. For transfers from a hotel, let the hotel reception desk or concierge know that you are waiting for a transfer. In the case of a missed transfer, reimbursement for your out-of-pocket expenses will be considered provided you obtain a written statement from the hotel's front desk verifying the length of time you waited, and the time you left the hotel, and a receipt for your transportation with time and date. The cost of a transfer is more expensive than hiring a taxi, as a Gate 1 transfer necessarily includes round trip service, or 'dead-leg'. Often the places of call (airports, seaports, hotels) demand entrance and parking fees, where drivers may have to wait for up to an hour. Passengers comfortable hiring a taxi on their own and do not require assistance will save money. |
| Arrival Transfers - When exiting the airport and looking for your hotel transfer, please be aware of street scams. Please look for an official representative holding a Gate 1 sign. Do not accept ride from driver who will not accept voucher, provided in your travel documents, as payment. |
| Santiago Arrival Transfers - Passengers arriving to Santiago who choose to purchase an arrival transfer at the Santiago airport independently of Gate 1 are encouraged to purchase their transfer inside the airport, at the Official Taxi counters, which are located in the customs area, before the exit gate. |
| About Your Accommodations |
| Hotels |
| Gate 1 Travel has carefully selected each hotel based on overall quality, location, price, service, and cleanliness. All rooms are standard twin-bedded (two single beds) rooms with private facilities. Special requests such as bed types, smoking preference and connecting rooms are subject to availability. Room selection in all cases, unless otherwise reserved, is strictly at the discretion of the hotel's management on a run-of-house basis. Triple rooms consist of standard twin beds or one double bed plus a sofa/folding bed or cot for third person except in the U.S. and Canada, where triple rooms often consist of two double/queen beds for three persons; where available, a fee may be charged by the hotel for the addition of a cot/rollaway. The number of persons accommodated does not dictate the room size. Although available at most 4 and 5 star hotels, the use of air-conditioning abroad differs greatly from the United States, and is often shut down at night and from the end until the start of the summer months. Some lodges and accommodations in remote regions may not have all of the amenities, such as hairdryer, alarm clock and room service, that you might find in a larger hotel located in a city center. |
| Hotel Check-in/ Check-out |
| Hotel check-in time is generally not before 4:00 p.m. and check-out time is prior to noon. If you will be arriving early in the day or departing in the evening, hotels will usually allow you to store your luggage in their luggage room. Ask at the front desk if the hotel can check you in earlier, or let you stay later. |
| Argentina Hotels - Please be aware that accommodations in major cities may be limited to one large bed. A smaller bed or cot may be requested if two separate beds are preferred but cannot be guaranteed. |
| Brazil Hotels - Please be aware that accommodations in major cities may be limited to one large bed. A smaller bed or cot may be requested if two separate beds are preferred but cannot be guaranteed. |
| At Your Destination |
| Eco & Sustainable Tourism |
| We support global efforts to create a more eco-friendly world, intolerant of any forms of cruelty, abuse and intentional environmental destruction. To that end we ask that our clients maintain a watchful eye as they travel, and report any abuses they may encounter. One of the many benefits of tourism is the shared cultural knowledge and ultimate elimination of negative behavior through education. We rely on your good feedback to enable this element of symbiosis. As you travel and learn about foreign cultures, we ask first and foremost that you practice tolerance and respect for local customs. |
| Gratuities |
| Tipping is always a matter of personal discretion. For your convenience, please use the summary below as a guideline for recommended gratuity amounts. Gratuities may be paid in local currency or US dollar equivalent where accepted. Please be aware that tipping is considered by many locals to be a part of their normal remuneration and some may approach you for additional "compensation." There is no need to be intimidated by the request, nor should you feel pressured to pay more than recommended. If you become uncomfortable by any behavior you encounter, please advise your tour manager or phone our local office. Numbers are provided in your documents for your convenience. |
| Suggested Tipping: Escorted Tours |
Tour Manager (Coordinator; may or may not act as a guide): US $10 per person per day Driver (Provides chauffeur services and limited assistance with luggage): US $5 per person per day, US $3 per half day Local Guide (Offers in-depth information at specific locations. There may be one or many guides along a tour program): US $5 per person per day of sightseeing, US $3 per half day Hotel porters and wait staff: Included |
| Chile - Gratuities are appreciated and expected for good service in restaurants and other places that cater to tourists. |
| Argentina - Gratuities are appreciated and expected for good service in restaurants and other places that cater to tourists. |
| Brazil - Gratuities are appreciated and expected for good service in restaurants and other places that cater to tourists. |
| About Your Sightseeing |
| To ensure a pleasant and fair experience for passengers on our escorted tours, there is a mandatory seat rotation policy on our motor coaches which will be organized by your Tour Manager. On river cruises, color-coded group splits may be used for shoreside included and Optional tours. Some buses are equipped with toilet facility, however they are strictly intended for emergency use only and often require the vehicle to stop for safety reasons before use. When travel dates coincide with religious holidays and national celebrations, some monuments and sites may be closed, sometimes without prior notice. On these occasions, escorted touring itineraries may be amended to reflect these closures. Occasionally, during holidays and certain periods, and/or due to other unforeseen circumstances including weather conditions, there may be last-minute changes, sometimes after arrival, which may affect the sequence of the tour and locations visited. National monuments and tourist sites regularly undergo renovations, which can obscure the monument's view. No tour will be canceled due to renovations, however Gate 1 will decide based on the conditions whether to amend an itinerary. To respect the privacy of all tour participants, your tour manager will not organize a group photo or collect passenger email addresses for a group list. |
| Land Only Passengers (Escorted Tours) |
| Your tour manager will contact you after your arrival at your hotel. Passengers who have not purchased arrival transfers from Gate 1 Travel should proceed directly to the hotel for check-in. The details of the hotel can be found in your documents. |
| Purchasing Tours Locally |
| On escorted tours, the guides will generally sell optional tours to passengers who have not pre-purchased them. Payment can be made by cash or credit card, unless otherwise noted below. This does not apply to Independent packages. Please see Gate 1 Terms & Conditions for more information. https://www.gate1travel.com/terms.aspx#optional |
| Independent Activities - Gate 1 itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently and with due consideration. Gate 1 is not responsible for any activities not expressly included in its programs. Caution should be exercised when selecting certain activities that may require physical strength, coordination or exertion. Particular care should be taken when considering animal rides, such as on camels, mules or horses |
| Chile - The Chilean Peso is the currency of Chile. |
| Argentina - The Argentine Peso is the official currency of Argentina, however the U.S. Dollar (USD) can be used in some local establishments and for tipping. It is recommended to carry USD $90 per person for each day in Argentina to cover some cash expenses and withdraw additional local currency from international credit-card enabled ATMs where the official exchange rate will apply. U.S. Dollars may be exchanged at official banks, however travelers are encouraged to only exchange amounts of money that they anticipate using. It is not recommended to use non-official currency exchange offices as counterfeit currency is very common. It is recommended to carry new or like new banknotes as older, torn or poor condition notes may not be accepted. Large note denominations, such as $20, $50 and $100 notes are more widely accepted. |
| Brazil - The Brazilian Real is the currency of Brazil. It is recommended to carry new or like new banknotes as older, torn or poor condition notes may not be accepted locally. |
| Shopping |
| Most people enjoy bringing home at least one souvenir from the countries they visit. However, some find any amount of shopping to be too much while others never find enough opportunities. We have built into our Escorted itineraries a few shopping stops at recommended spots. These stops are designed to enhance your experience by providing an opportunity to see first-hand quality locally crafted merchandise which you may not be able to find on your own. Shops are checked to ensure the quality and authenticity of the products they offer, and we limit guides from visiting other locations. In some cases, we plan these stops to provide an opportunity to use clean bathrooms and to stretch your legs. All shops want your satisfaction, and therefore in case of any misunderstanding they ask that you kindly submit your claim to us within one week of the item's receipt. Claims submitted later will be subject to each store’s policies. While shopping independently, we advise you to exercise care and common sense when making any purchase. Always get a formal receipt. And remember that, just like in this country, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is! About Tax-Free Shopping Tax-Free Shopping allows shoppers to reclaim the VAT (Value-Added Tax) or GST (Goods and Services Tax) they have paid on their purchases in some foreign countries in accordance with restrictions and procedures as dictated by each country. Refund eligibility varies by country, but may require presenting a scanned copy of your passport at the time of purchase, a minimum amount spent, or providing original store receipts. For more details, check the respective country’s online website, with the shop salesperson, with your tour manager or at www.globalblue.com for specific country regulations and airport operation hours. Please keep in mind that you must apply for VAT refund in the airport of the country the items were purchased and allow enough time prior to your flight for the application. U.S. Customs & Shipping Charges You may carry items with a fair retail value totaling $800 into the U.S. Taxes may be applied to the next $1,000 worth of merchandise. U.S. Customs determines the value of your items, often honoring a genuine sales receipt. Items which are shipped home are always subject to duty when received in the U.S. (in addition to shipping charges). Some shops may offer to include shipping and duties in the price but this typically means shipping only to the customs facility closest to you and payment only of the export duties; you would still need to collect the item and pay U.S. import duties. Please be aware that it is illegal to import products made from endangered animal species. U.S. Customs & Border Protection will seize these items, as well as most furs, coral, tortoise shell, reptile skins, feathers, plants, and items made from animal skins. |
| Chile - For an interesting shopping experience, try the street markets in Santiago. Handicrafts are the best bargain in Chile. Local jewelry made of lapis lazuli, found only in Chile and Afghanistan, makes a unique and beautiful souvenir. |
| Argentina - Shops open at 9 a.m. and generally close at 7 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Good buys include high quality leather goods, jewelry and furs. |
| Brazil - Brazil offers a wide variety of interesting handcrafted articles at colorful street markets. Cosmetics are also highly popular, along with designer swimwear, fine leather goods, and some of the world's best coffee. |
| Your Safety is Very Important |
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Prior to your trip, if you are traveling overseas, we strongly recommend that you visit the website of the U.S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov, specifically the section which addresses International Travel. You should read the tips for foreign travel and travel warnings for the country or countries that you plan to visit. It is also important that you do not allow your common sense to take a vacation while on your trip. Here are several tips which, if followed, will save much potential hardship:
If you've purchased an escorted tour program, your travel documents will include telephone numbers of local Gate 1 Travel representatives who will do their utmost to assist you in the event of an emergency. The numbers are printed on your Gate 1 Travel vouchers. Please copy the numbers. Once you relinquish the voucher, you will not have this information. Passengers traveling independently should employ the services of hotel concierges and local authorities. |
| Brazil - While we recommend that you apply reasonable caution and common sense when traveling in any country, please be aware that in Brazil, and specifically Rio de Janeiro, there are significant issues with theft in public places. Always keep valuables in a safe place and avoid walking alone. We recommend that taxis be reserved via the hotel concierge desk when possible. As in most parts of the world, be aware of your surroundings and keep to well-lit and populated areas. |
| Tourist Street Scams |
Pickpockets and thieves can destroy an otherwise wonderful holiday. Be mindful of these precautions to help avoid being scammed or robbed:
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| Local Emergency Phone Numbers |
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| Languages |
| Chile - Spanish is the local language. English is generally spoken in tourist areas. |
| Argentina - Spanish is the local language. English is generally spoken in tourist areas. |
| Brazil - Portuguese is the local language. English is generally spoken in tourist areas. |
| Electricity |
| Please note: The U.S. uses 120 volts and you can purchase a converter and transformer at most hardware stores for your 120V appliances. |
| Chile - The voltage used is 220 volts. |
| Argentina - The voltage used is 220 volts. |
| Brazil - The voltage used is 110/220 volts. |
| Code of Conduct |
| Chile - Shaking hands is the standard greeting. Visitors should observe normal courtesies. The atmosphere is generally informal and casual dress is appropriate. Please demonstrate respect for the cultural artifacts of the indigenous peoples. |
| Argentina - Common courtesies should be observed. Conservative casual dress is appropriate. Beachwear should be confined to the beach or poolside. Smoking, though common, is prohibited on public transport and in cinemas and theaters. |
| Brazil - Shaking hands is the standard greeting. Normal courtesies should be observed. Offers of coffee and tea are customary. Casual dress is appropriate. Smoking is acceptable unless otherwise noted. The Catholic Church is highly respected in the community, and jokes at the expense of the Church are considered to be in poor taste. |
| Meals & Dietary Requests |
| Included meals are based on the restaurant's set menu or buffet and usually represent local cuisine. Vegetarian meals are available in most locations, while vegan, protein-rich or gluten-free menus are rare. Special dietary requests, which must be selected in the passenger details section of your reservation, cannot be guaranteed. We are unable to provide meals in accordance with strict religious requirements, such as Kosher or Halal, nor can we accommodate specifically salt-free, high-protein or low-carb meals.
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| Argentina - Argentine cuisine is a blend of Mediterranean influences, with Argentine barbecue being the national dish. Traditional foods include Asado, Locro, Humita, Provoleta, Choripan, and Milanesa. Some typical desserts to try: Medialunas (small croissants), Dulce de Leche, Alfajores (type of cookie), Rogel (cake). Yerba mate is a traditional herbal beverage. Argentina is famous for its fine wines like Torrontés (white wine), Bonarda (red wine) and is home to Malbec, a full-bodied red wine from the Mendoza region. Fernet is a dark syrupy liquor, usually served mixed with Coca Cola. Argentine mealtimes are as follows, lunch is from 1:00-3:00 pm and dinner from 9:00-11:30 pm. |
| Chile - Chilean cuisine is very diverse and unique due to the country's geography & climatic variance. Since Chile is a coastal country, seafood plays an important role in the Chilean diet. Traditional foods include: Pastel de Choclo, Sopa Patagonica, Empanada de Pino, Curanto en Hoyo, Arrollado de Huaso, Porotos Granados, Chorillana, Churrasco and Chacarero sandwiches. Some typical desserts are Tres leches cake, Chirimoya alegre, Kuchen and Sopaipillas. One of the most typical drinks is Mote con huesillo, a non-alcoholic drink that is popular in the summer. It's made from dried peaches soaked in a nectar syrup and mixed with water and brown sugar. Borgoña is a popular punch prepared with red wine and ripe strawberries. Carménère is the emblematic wine of Chile. This red wine is soft and rounded and should not be missed. Chilean mealtimes are as follows, lunch is from 1:30-3:00 pm and dinner from 8:00-11:00 pm. |
| Holidays |
| On public holidays, there may be reduced public transportation, as well as limited hours or closures of attractions, shops and restaurants. |
| Holidays - Chile |
Holidays 2024 Jan 1: New Year's Day Mar 29: Good Friday Mar 30: Holy Saturday Mar 31: Easter May 1: Labor Day / May Day May 21: Navy Day Jun 20: National Day of Indigenous Peoples Jun 29: St. Peter & St. Paul Day Jul 16: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Aug 15: Feast of the Assumption Sep 18: Independence Day Sep 19: Army Day Sep 20: Extended National Holiday Oct 12: Day of the Discovery of Two Worlds Oct 31: Reformation Day Nov 1: All Saints' Day Dec 8: Immaculate Conception Day Dec 25: Christmas Dec 31: New Year's Eve Holidays 2025 Jan 1: New Year's Day Apr 18: Good Friday Apr 20: Easter May 1: Labor Day / May Day May 21: Navy Day Jun 20: National Day of Indigenous Peoples Jun 29: St. Peter & St. Paul Day Jul 16: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Aug 15: Feast of the Assumption Sep 18: Independence Day Sep 19: Army Day Oct 31: Reformation Day Nov 1: All Saints' Day Dec 8: Immaculate Conception Day Dec 25: Christmas Dec 31: New Year's Eve |
| Holidays - Argentina |
Holidays 2024 Jan 1: New Year's Day Feb 12-13: Carnival Mar 24: Memorial Day (Truth and Justice Day) Mar 28: Maundy Thursday Mar 29: Good Friday Mar 31: Easter Sunday Apr 2: Day of the Veterans May 1: Labor Day / May Day May 25: Revolution Day Jun 17: Commemoration of General Don Martín Miguel de Güemes Jun 20: Flag Day Jul 9: National Independence Day Aug 19: St. Martin's Day Oct 14: Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity Nov 18: National Sovereignty Day Dec 8: Immaculate Conception Day Dec 25: Christmas Dec 31: New Year's Eve Holidays 2025 Jan 1: New Year's Day Mar 3-4: Carnival Mar 24: Memorial Day Apr 2: Day of the Veterans Apr 17: Maundy Thursday Apr 18: Good Friday Apr 20: Easter May 1: Labor Day / May Day May 25: May Revolution Day Jun 17: Commemoration of General Don Martín Miguel de Güemes Jun 20: Flag Day Jul 9: National Independence Day Aug 18: St. Martin's Day Oct 13: Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity Nov 17: National Sovereignty Day Dec 8: Immaculate Conception Day Dec 25: Christmas Dec 31: New Year's Eve |
| Holidays - Brazil |
Holidays 2024 Jan 1: New Year's Day Feb 12-14: Carnival Mar 29: Good Friday Mar 31: Easter Sunday Apr 21: Tiradentes Day May 1: Labor Day / May Day May 30: Corpus Christi Sep 7: Independence Day Oct 12: Our Lady Aparecida / Children's Day Nov 2: All Souls' Day Nov 15: Republic Proclamation Day Nov 20: Black Consciousness Day Dec 24: Christmas Eve Dec 25: Christmas Day Dec 31: New Year's Eve Holidays 2025 Jan 1: New Year's Day Feb 28-Mar 5: Carnival Apr 18: Good Friday Apr 20: Easter Apr 21: Tiradentes Day May 1: Labor Day / May Day Jun 19: Corpus Christi Sep 7: Independence Day Oct 12: Our Lady Aparecida / Children's Day Nov 2: All Souls' Day Nov 15: Republic Proclamation Day Nov 20: Black Consciousness Day Dec 24: Christmas Eve Dec 25: Christmas Day Dec 31: New Year's Eve |
We had a memorable and wonderful trip to Chile, Argentina & Brazil including the Patagonia region and Iguazu Falls! The tour manager, Alex, added so much to our experience and kept things running like clockwork. The tour guides in the various countries/areas were very experienced, passionate and professional - we loved each of them as well.
David A.
The trip was fabulous. Thank you to Gate1 for organizing the trip. The tour guide Nico was very knowledgeable and professional and weather cooperated.
Taru B.
Trip was wonderful. Ricardo is a great tour guide and we had a fun large group. Beautiful sights and we learned so much about the culture and history. Exceeded my expectations.
Bonnie I.
The trip was great. Guide was remarkably good - knowledgeable and in control - in a good way! Weather was perfect every day! Sites visited were interesting and accommodating! I'll give it a 10!
Jane C.
Thank you as always! G1 trip #52 for me and as have been to both Buenos Aires and Santiago a couple of times before, this was all about revisiting some favorite and new spots and getting to experience Mendoza wine country for the first time and the spectacular drive through the Andes into Chile. The whole trip did not disappoint - good and well located hotels, a couple of very nice included meals, interesting included sightseeing and optionals and as always stellar drivers and a fantastic tour manager, Marcos, to pull it all together. The pacing was great with a fair amount of free time to explore the cities more and seek out leisurely lunches and dinners, which here normally meant steak and wine at an amazingly reasonable cost! Absolutely loved Mendoza - in a beautiful setting with the snow capped Andes in the background, tours and tastings at three vineyards with an empanada lunch at the final one - picture postcard perfect in every way and a very luxurious hotel in the city with their own local wine tasting event too. Our group of 18 travelers was fun and cohesive and enjoyed every moment of this wonderful adventure! Now on to the next!
Lorraine P.
I just returned from the Argentina, Mendoza, Chile tour. Our Tour Manager, Andrea, is very professional, organized, and a wonderful human being. My husband Jose and I felt like we were part of her family and felt very comfortable and enjoyed the whole tour. In the near future, we would like to take another Argentina tour with Andrea. We highly recommend the tour and the manager to everyone we meet.
Alba D.
This was our first Gate 1 experience, and we definitely enjoyed it. It was organized very well, there were interesting things to do and see but what stood out in our minds was our great tour guide-Frederico. Fede was patient, friendly, funny, concerned, helpful in all our individual needs and really just made our trip the great experience that it was. I think all 36 of us on our tour came to think of him as family-if just for the 13 days! Thank you Gate 1 and Fede for the enjoyable experience.
Susan W.
This is my 7th Gate 1 trip and I have always had good guides. But, Lucas, was the absolute best guide. He goes above and beyond to make it a memorable trip. He has the knowledge and expertise to keep a group organized, on time and get the most out of our trip. We kept teasing him, that he has many jobs besides tour guide... he was tech support helping us with our iPhone, got a Dr when someone needed it, went to the pharmacy to pick up medicine, took us to places to eat during our leisure time and would have been his free time, just to mention a few. I was on the 13 day tour and some in the group went on to Brazil for the 17 day tour. I was by myself and he even texted me the day I left to make sure I got to the airport and had no problems. The entire group absolutely Loved him. I also need to rave about our local guide, Marcelo, in Patagonia. He was was 1 of the best local guides I ever had. And this feeling was shared by our group. His knowledge and passion for Patagonia shows through at all times. He really is a fascinating, interesting person with extensive knowledge of the area. He also went out of his way on his own time to talk to us about the area. He is hands down, the best local guide I ever had. I hope he is paid well... because he is a huge asset to Gate 1. And I also have to mention our driver in Patagonia, Patrice.... His driving on those narrow, rocky roads was amazing. And the 8 hr trip to El Calafate went smooth and without incident. I felt very safe with him.
Debra L.
I have been traveling with various reputable tour operators since the late 80s.. All tour managers were professional, courteous, and attentive. However, Jorge was by far one of the best, if not the best. Here are some examples why I think he's exceptional. In our first meeting, Jorge gave us a small card with his name, phone #, the names and phone numbers of all the hotels on it. He asked us to put the card behind our name tags so that we could referred to it when needed. No other tour managers have ever thought about doing that. All my previous tour managers would eat their meals with bus drivers and/or local guides. Sometimes they would eat by themselves. Jorge was different. After he made sure that everyone was seated, he would sit next to someone who had no one sitting next to him or her. By doing so, the person did not have to feel awkward and had some one to talk to during the meal. Jorge would give us a small souvenir every time we arrived at a new city. It's usually something the local was known for. It could be a cookie, a small bag of spices, and a refrigerator magnet. When he gave us the souvenir, he would say that it was from the local guide and him even though he was most likely the one who purchased them. It was such a generous and selfless gesture for him to include the local guides.
Shaw K.
I wanted to comment independently on how very much I enjoyed my trip to Patagonia. Specifically, I want to recognize, by name, the superb guides assigned to the tour. Jorge, the tour manager, was superb. He maxed out all the characteristics the "check list" provided. He is a credit to Gate1's reputation. You should retain his services. In Chilean Patagonia the local guide, Marcello, was articulate, highly knowledgeable, and personable. He brought Chilean Patagonia to life. Similarly, on the Argentinian side of Patagonia, Guadalupe was all any traveler could have wanted in a guide. You should try to obtain her services for your travelers in Patagonia.
Jay A.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Gate 1 and our very excellent tour manager, Mr. Jorge, for a fantastic journey to South America. The itinerary, lodging and food were wonderful. I am so very grateful to Jorge for his helpfulness, resourcefulness, kindness and graciousness. He really contributed greatly to the success of this wonderful tour. Our group enjoyed an amazing comradery thanks to the cheerfulness and travel magic by Jorge. Every day we awoke knowing that we faced an adventure of spectacular sights and experiences! Jorge made us all feel special and took special understanding and assistance of our needs. I also appreciate the many members of Jorge's team, local guides, and drivers. These individuals also contributed to the success of a seamless tour. Many members of our group had taken many trips with Gate 1. I now know why. Though this trip was my first with Gate 1 it won't be my last. I hope to book many trips with Gate 1 in the future.
Joyce S.
We took Gate 1 trip to Brazil and Argentina from 28 August to 7 September and enjoyed it Our tour Manager was Pablo and he did excellent support and care for everyone. His guidance, tips and managing time was excellent. He gave historical information about Argentina and Brazil which was very informative. Overall we all were very much pleased with his support and care. All transfers were excellent and without any glitch All drivers were very supportive and caring for all of us. Particularly Navier in Buenos Aires. Cared for all of us. Local guides in Rio Carlo was very educational in history and places which we enjoyed. Romana in Iguazú was very supportive and caring for all of us. Food choices and suggestions were excellent Our group of 10 persons from Dallas certainly enjoyed entire trip. This was our 5th trip with Gate 1 but many had taken more than 10 trips. Please convey our deep appreciation and gratitude to Pablo and his team.
Manoj P.
Our trip was fantastic. Iguazú falls, Christ the Redeemer and sugarloaf mountain were really on our bucket list. Is was amazing to see it in person especially the views from atop sugarloaf mountain and the thunderous roar of the 275 cascading waterfalls of the Iguazú falls. We like all of the hotels which were nice and clean and accessible to our needs. We enjoyed all of the optional tours. Our tour manager, tour guides and drivers were great. We are looking forward for our next tour. Probably in turkey.
George K.
Our trip was excellent! This was our first trip with Gate 1 Travel and we were very satisfied with every element of the experience. Our tour guide, Rosana was the best tour director we ever had. She did a fantastic job. Our local guides were also excellent and provided us with a great deal of information in each location. Thanks for providing a wonderful experience.
Robert B.
Alejandro was the BEST tour manager ever and we have been on several Gate 1 trips. Most of our guides have been outstanding so to say Alejandro was the best is quite an achievement. Our whole group was very impressed with his attention to detail and his kindness to all of us. He managed the group with ease, competence, and understanding. Our group was efficient and on-time each day. We didn't experience any issues. One day he even took us out to lunch and another evening he arranged for a free tango lesson. He was very helpful with offering suggestions or recommendations if we asked him about something. I can't imagine taking this trip without him. He was amazing. We thoroughly enjoyed this trip. We highly recommend it and if anyone has second thoughts about going to South America, don't entertain those thoughts. We felt safe and cared for the whole time. Our guide did tell us to be careful about our phones and everyone took his advice to heart adn we didn't experience any problems. We loved that one or two bottles of water were provided to us each day. The hotels were exceptional except in Iguazu Falls where it's difficult to find a fabulous hotel because of the location of the falls. We loved the Marriott in Buenos Aires and felt pampered the whole time we were there. The location was excellent. And the Lemme Windsor in Rio was great too. We wish we had discovered the rooftop restaurant a couple days earlier though. Fabulous trip and we are so glad we went. As always, kudos to Gate 1 for an excellent travel experience. We will be back for more.
Heidi M.
The trip was fabulous! I can not say enough positive things about Albano (Al-B)! Very well organized and kept all 30+ of us on time and accounted for. Everything ran smoothly, from our prospective. He arranged a few surprises for the group (drinks on the beach in Rio, pizza in Buenos Aires etc) were highlights and much appreciated. He represents Gate 1 and the experience you want customers to have very well! Both of our local guides were also excellent and provided insights into their respective cultures and customs. Bus drivers were also very polite, helpful and good at their job!
Heather H.
Alex was a top notch tour manager. He took care of everything for us and was very conscientious about safety. His daily recommendations for meals and things to do were spot on. Could not have been better. I don't know how you get us into these fabulous hotels but they were wonderful. The locations were super and centrally located. Everything went right on this vacation, and a big shout out to Juan in Iguazu and Vladimir in Santiago/Valparaiso--they were excellent guides.
Lizbeth K.
Nikolas is the best tour operator we have ever had, either at Gate 1, or of the only two other tours we took that were not with Gate 1. He is incredibly cheerful, warm, and kind. He put the needs of his travelers above anything else. He was extremely efficient and conscientious, while at the same time is never impatient or short tempered with anyone. I have never seen a tour operator or guide that is so irrepressibly cheerful and upbeat. Nothing ever ruffled him, even when Lat Am airlines screwed up and shredded everyone's boarding passes and luggage tags that Niko had been up until 2 AM printing for us. They re-issued 3 wrong tickets out of 4 to my husband and me, and then put us on a different flight than the rest of our group, telling Niko there were no more seats available on that flight when there actually were several. Niko practically sold his soul trying to get it all rectified and took personal responsibility for the fiasco, although it was totally out of his control. I so admired his handling of that stressful situation. He is a real jewel and a wonderful asset to your company, and I thought you should know.
Judean P.
Our trip to Chile, Patagonia, Argentina, Brazil, with the Iguazu Falls was one of the best travel experiences we have ever had. Emiliano...Emo...was outstanding as a tour manager. He is personable, extremely competent, able to handle us all in so many different airports with so many different needs. All our in-between travel went off perfectly. I can't say enough about how much we appreciated Emi and what a wonderful job he did for us. Vladimir, our guide in Santiago did a great job taking us around on our city tour and we enjoyed the excursion the to Undarraga Winery. Emi was our local guide in Buenos Aires, a beautiful city. He gave us excellent recommendations on where to spend our free time. My husband and I walked to the San Telmo flea market, which was blocks and blocks of handicrafts by local artisans that ended with an antiques market at the very tip. All of our hotels were great, but the Rio Serrano stood out as an amazing stay. The view from every window of the hotel was breathtaking. Our local guide in Torres Del Paine was Marcello, and how lucky we were to have him! His excitement and love of sharing his knowledge only added to the spectacular surroundings. Marcello even went out of his way to take a few of us who were interested on an evening walk to the confluence of the Grey and Serrano rivers, to show us how the colors and the flow of the waters converge. Being in Patagonia, in both Chile and Argentina is a once in a lifetime experience and we feel so lucky to have been there. The Iguazu Falls were a spectacular sight, from both the Argentinian and Brazilian viewpoints. Our tour ended in Rio, where we stayed right on Copacabana beach. The perfect ending to an amazing adventure.
Joanne K.
Our trip was fantastic! We had an amazing tour guide, Jorge who was very knowledgeable. He and the other local tour guides like Bruno, Cecilia and Eduardo, the whole team gave us lots of historical and cultural information and were more than happy to answer questions. We enjoyed everyday because Jorge made it very special with his great attitude and sense of humor, and also offered recommendations of other things to do/ see and places to eat during the tour. The whole group connection was positive because of Jorge. Thanks so much Gate One for such a great first time experience with your company, I will definitely recommend it to our friends!
Yesenia K.
The Chile, Patagonia and Argentina tour far exceeded my expectations. First, a big shout out for our tour guide, Al-B (Albano), while being very personable, knows how to conduct a tour. He knows how to balance history with personal stories which keeps us engaged. Our local guide for the Chilean portion of Patagonia, Marcello, was excellent. He was very accomplished and knowledgeable. I'm in awe of our various bus drivers -- Enrique, Danny and Juanca -- how they manage large buses on narrow city streets and curvy, bumpy terrain in Patagonia, is a true wonder. Thank you Gate 1 for putting together an incredible itinerary. This region and this trip should be a must on everyone's bucket list!!
Laura G.
Our recent trip to Rio, Iguazu and Buenos Aires was fantastic! The accommodation locations were excellent, the facilities were clean and comfortable, food served were great. The optional excursions were fantastic. It was a fun and informative vacation. This was made possible by Mr. Flavio, our Tour Manager. The local guides (Bruno in Rio, Juan in Iguazu). Flavio was enthusiastic, funny, informative, engaging, compassionate and extremely knowledgeable. They clearly loved doing their tasks. I am definitely a Gate1 Travel fan!
William E.
Having made reservations so far in advance, who knew we would be staying at the Marriott at the Obelisk in B.A. the day of the World Soccer Cup game with Argentina not only in the finals but winning it! What an experience. And we are especially pleased with how our tour manager - Fede, was able to arrange alternative activities for that day that included allowing us to watch the game one of the hotel's meeting rooms and have the hotel provide snacks and beverages. HE did a "S U P E R " job!
David R.
While exhausting, my wife and I found the trip interesting, educational, and memorable! We got more than what we expected from the tour itinerary. Gate 1 Travel lives up to its motto, "More for less!" Value-for-money, the best if not one of the best escorted tours we've taken so far in our many years of world travels. Well-coordinated international & intra flights, transfers, deluxe and centrally located hotels staffed with friendly and helpful personnel, beautiful, interesting, historical, and memorable attractions that have long been in our travel bucket list, the enriching tour per itinerary and optional tours taken, etc., which would have cost us more if we arranged them all ourselves. Contributing to this wonderful travel experience were the overall leadership provided by the Tour Manager, Pablo, and the knowledgeable local tour guides, Alvaro in Rio de Janeiro, Rodrigo in Iguassu Falls, and Pablo in Buenos Aires. Pablo led the group in more than a couple of off the beaten paths of Buenos Aires (optional walking tours) to provide us more enriching experience about this historical and enchanting "Paris" city in South America. Alvaro, Rodrigo, and Pablo, made all the necessary arrangements in obtaining attraction tickets well in advance so that the group's visits could beat the crowds. They also provided us security throughout the tour, and they volunteered their expert services to take photos of the group members in many attractions we visited. Thank you Gate 1 Travel, Pablo, Alvaro and Rodrigo.
Romeo F.
Our trip was absolutely amazing! We were so impressed with our manager Andria was OUTSTANDING! She is very professional, efficient, helpful, hardworking and funny. The entire trip with large group of 40 people was well organized. She went above and beyond to make sure everyone had a great time. The best compliment also for our local guide Pablo! He was fantastic, with great sense of humor, extremely friendly and helpful. He was very knowledgeable, we learned a lot from him not only about beautiful city Rio but Brazilian history, culture, people's life, politic, nature, food, language, technology, succor etc., about everything. We were very impressed by his love & passion to his job and his country. We were also very fortunate to watch the World Cup Brazil's and Argentina's winning succor games at Rio and BA, joined the local people's celebrations, touched by their enthusiasm and happiness for their team. Thanks to Gate1, Andria and Pablo, made this trip wonderful and memorable! We definitely will recommend Gate1 to our family and friends, and looking forward to our next Gate1 trip soon,
Huiming W.
I would like to comment that our tour director, Alex, for the Kaleidoscope of South America from Nov 21, 2022 to Dec. 6, 2022 was absolutely fabulous in every way. I was mortified to learn the group had 39 travelers in it. The largest group we had ever toured with was 20, and the most recent with 12, so I couldn't imagine how anyone would ever manage 39, keeping everyone happy and safe, and providing a rich experience in three different countries for everyone, bur Alex did it. He immediately built an atmosphere of fun, friendship, and caring. He was knowledgeable about every place and attraction we visited, and he always went above and beyond to provide the best experience for each person. He is the one who convinced my husband and me to try to travel again with Gate 1. We have travelled to 36 different countries, but usually on our own, and recently with CIE and Indus. We have told all our friends that this Gate 1 trip rivaled our best trips anywhere in the world, and Alex was the face of it. Food, tours, hotels, transportation were all above expectations, but Alex was simply amazing!
Linda S.
Our trip to Brazil/Argentina/Chile was amazing!!! Our Tour Manager, Flavio, was OUTSTANDING! He was knowledgeable, courteous, professional, organized and above all personable! He was a family member away from our home. He was the glue to all 31 passengers. He made us all very comfortable with each other. Respectful, fun, gaining culture of the three beautiful countries we visited and connecting flawlessly with each other. Flavio is an asset to Gate1. Kudos to Flavio. He made us want to travel with Gate 1 again and again!
Sokhary N.
I filled out a feedback survey, but I wanted to add a statement about what a wonderful tour manager Lucas was. He went above and beyond to make sure each of us was well taken care of and had everything we needed. It is obvious that he spends great effort to prepare every detail so we only had to show up and have fun. And we did! He dealt with unexpected emergencies (cancelled flights, serious injuries sustained by one of the group, and an unexpected family emergency requiring an early flight home) with grace and competence. We could really tell that he cared about each of us--our well being and enjoyment. Hang on to him, he is terrific.
Roslyn R.
My wife and I just completed a tour of BRAZIL and ARGENTINA with gate 1 for the first time . We've done quite a bit of traveling in the past using numerous agencies and we can candidly say that none of them can compare to how organized and efficient gate 1 is. The entire experience was seamless from beginning till end . GATE 1 left an exceptionally positive lasting impression that my wife and I made a solid conjugal decision that all our future travels will only be with GATE 1 and we won't settle for less. Needless to mention , the biggest factor that truly sealed the deal for us were the tour directors who were extremely professional, respectful, friendly, funny and most importantly knowledgeable. We would like to especially mention our most favorite tour guide from BUENOS AIRES named JORJE. He was passionate about what he did and he and he most certainly made sure everyone was having a good time. He is super funny and had a very vibrant personality. He also genuinely cared about the well being of his group. I can vividly recall having panic attacks during a couple of the excursions that involved heights and without any hesitation , he personally escorted me back to a safe area while waiting for the group to come back. I feel he went above and beyond and it is small gestures like this that make a big difference to customers. To me and my wife and I'm sure our tour mates as well JORJE represents the perfect image of GATE 1. We love him and we want to see more of him in our future travels . CONGRATULATIONS JORJE AND GATE ONE FOR A JOB WELL DONE!
Manolo E.
Hello! I just wanted to inform you that I have taken several tours with other tour companies and I have never experienced as high quality guides as I have with Gate 1 on this tour! Alex truly went above and beyond in every capacity. He was a pleasure to travel with and truly took care of us all and ensured we had as wonderful a trip as possible. Gate 1 should be so grateful to have someone as outstanding as Alex working on their team. All of the local guides were truly fantastic as well. I would 100% recommend Gate 1 to everyone I know and I am looking forward to my next trip!
Michelle D.
I'm writing as a seasoned Gate One traveler. I want to commend you on your guide, Virginia. She was an exceptional guide on my recent tour of Brazil, Argentina, Mendoza and Chile. What a valued employee she is to you. More importantly, what a value to your customers. She was tireless in effectuating an excellent trip for all on this journey including the added requirements that were imposed by the governments of all these countries due to Covid. She kept everyone informed and encouraged cohesion throughout the group through excellent communication skills. I am proud to have been her customer and appreciate all her friendliness, professionalism, courtesy and attention to detail for everyone to enjoy the time with her. Great job on your part to hire the RIGHT person!
Carol J.
I wanted to comment more about how wonderful our tour guide, Lucas , was. Lucas was excellent in every way--he went above and beyond his tour duties every day of our trip. He was beyond patient, extremely helpful, very organized, and always friendly and welcoming to all of us. Every time we had free time built into our schedule, he always offered to have lunch/dinner/walk around with us. Every time he offered, every person in our group accepted. I have been on one other Gate1 tour, and it was also great, but I, and everyone in my tour group, could tell that Lucas was exceptional. My husband and I were on the fence about group travel (for various reasons), but having a tour guide like Lucas makes us want to take more Gate1 tours. I cannot say enough about how great he was--he was just exceptionally great.
Kristin B.
We are very pleased with all tour guides and drivers, but having Marina with us the entire trip was excellent! She was not only well knowledge in the locations as well as being extremely organized/prepared or anticipated any questions or concerns we had, but very entertaining! She is a “hard working” woman. We all appreciate the excellent service she always provided with a big comforting smile and I love her jolly laugh. The itinerary provided a nice balance in learning about Rio de Janeiro, Iguazú Fall and Buenos Aires and time to explore on our own. This was another great experience with Gate 1 and we are looking forward to traveling with you again.
Carolyn P. Manassas, VA
Our trip to South America was wonderful! The best compliment should go to our tour guide, Alejandro. His organization and thoughtfulness made the trip very enjoyable. The itinerary and hotels were very good too, though we had to have a very early start on couple of days. We will definitely spread the word about the trip to our friends.
Tammy H. Walnut Creek, CA
The trip exceeded my expectations. Our guide Jorge is an expert guide and a very nice person. His passion for his work is evident as is his knowledge of local history and culture which he shares in the most interesting and understandable way. The other guides were excellent as well.
Kathleen B. Portland, OR
It was wonderful. Beautiful scenery. Great hotels. A super tour director who worked overtime to make sure everyone had a great time. And, wonderful memorable visits and tours to some of the world's most spectacular sites. Gate 1 did a wonderful job at putting this tour together.
Thomas J. Springfield, VA
This was one of my favorite Gate 1 trips. My daughter, Allison and I both really enjoyed ourselves. Our tour director, Rosanna was fantastic. We had a large group, and she handled it very well. Everyone was on time . That speaks for itself. Rosanna was knowledgeable and helpful, funny, polite, and always ready to help. She is one of the best ! The hotels we stayed at were beautiful. Also, they were centrally located , which made our lives much easier for exploring on our own. Our local tour guides, Pablo and Gisella were also very good. Great personalities and fun to be with. I loved visiting the school. I think it is wonderful that Gate 1 donates money to those less fortunate. I have nothing bad to say. Thank you Gate 1, thank you Rosanna for a memorable vacation.
Claire G. Delray Beach, FL
It was marvelous! My daughter and I were in a group going to Rio de Jeniro and Buenos Aires. Our guide, Lucas, was helpful, friendly, and informative. Carlos, our city guide was also friendly, helpful and informative. They were very professional and attentive to our needs. We learned a lot of new things about the history of Brazil and Argentina. We will recommend this and other tours to friends and family.
Loretta G. Deerfield Beach, FL
We would like to thank you for a fabulous trip to Argentina, Chile and Easter Island. Everything went according to plan, hotels were great, we loved all 3 of them, the offered excursions (we took the one to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar and the sunrise over the Moai) were awesome and our tour guides were great. We would like to commend Veni, Nelson and Lili for their outstanding support and assistance. The tidbits of information they offered on the respective countries was well researched, good and helpful information regarding customs, history, politics, any topic we had a question about was answered. The professional and caring guides and their drivers were available when stated, the airport pickups were timely and I especially wanted to mention Nelson who was the one to pick us back up from when we landed from Rapa Nui back in Santiago and he made sure we all knew about our onward travel arrangements. Veni came to see us off on the morning of departure to Rapa Nui and Lili at Rapa Nui was full of anecdotes and I understand she also participates in local dances which were very well received by the participants who went to the event. In all, it was another successful Gate 1 tour and we will look forward to book with you in the future. Please extend our thanks again to the great guides we had, our group to Easter Island was small and we will stay in touch which is an added bonus of making new friends who share the love of travel.
Carroll and Sabine M. Florence, AZ
Our trip was fabulous. Not only beautiful scenery especially Iguzu but the food, people and culture was awesome. Our guide, Sylvia, was the best ever. She was quick, organized, thoughtful, knowledgeable and all the time with a smile and patience with everyone.
Eleanor D. Charleston, SC
My trip was wonderful! Gate 1 is the best! Our guide, Fede, did so many extra things to make us feel special. You have my loyalty because you deliver quality and service!
Patricia G. Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
The trip was WONDERFUL!! Another Gate 1 success!!! I highly recommend this trip. Our tour manager, Lucas, was the absolute BEST!! I have never had a bad tour manager at Gate 1 but Lucas went well above and beyond in being attentive to us and seeking the best experiences for us. He is one of my top 2 all time favorites with Gate 1 tours.
Karen G. White House, TN
The SA trip was busy but great. We are amazed at how much we saw in two weeks. The Delta Comfort Plus seats were worth every penny. I knew about the famous SA cities but the spectacular natural sights of Chile and Argentina Andes / lake districts and the Iguazu falls were a huge surprise. We had amazingly good weather in these normally rainy areas. Our guides were first rate particularly Jorge, our tour director. Jorge took care of everyone individually ... We have done mostly DIY touring in the past but we could not have planned and maneuvered such a complex and complete tour on our own without a lot of uncertainty, discomfort, and risk. So far we are big Gate 1 fans.
Carl B. Catonsville, MD
We had a great trip, and Rapa Nui (Easter Island) was the highlight. Silvia was our tour manager, and she did a super job; not only organizing and arranging our activities, but also because she was very knowledgeable about restaurants and available services wherever we were. And Gino, our guide on Rapa Nui, was so good at painting a picture of the way things were that we could almost see the Moai being moved to their places on the island. And, thanks to Silvia, we were able to see the sunrise through the Moai on our final day.
Jeannine M. Goodyear, AZ
The tour was great! We had an amazing time in Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. It was more than I could have ever dreamed of. Our tour guide Alex was excellent, and the group of people traveling with us were the loveliest people ever. The meals were the best, plenty of great wine. WE HAD A GREAT TIME! GATE 1 GETS AN AA +
Sara G. San Antonio, TX
We had a GREAT trip. The weather cooperated, we saw spectacular scenery ... Our group was very compatible and our tour guide, SILVIA was THE BEST!!!!! This will go down as one of our favorite Gate 1 adventures!
Stephanie S. Port Angeles, WA
The trip was fantastic with Easter Island being spectacular. Veni, our guide was also phenomenal. Wow!
Cynthia H. Estes Park, CO
I had an amazing trip; the Glaciers of Patagonia were majestic, the waterfalls of Iguazú were spectacular, and the beaches of Rio were seductive. I left a piece of my heart in Buenos Aires.
Heather B. Antioch, CA
It was excellent. All of the services promised by Gate 1 were carried out efficiently and as scheduled. Our tour guide, Rosana, was superb. Friendly and cheerful. Very informative. Helpful to everyone. Extremely well organized. All three places on the itinerary were fascinating. The included meals were very good. The included excursions were enjoyable. Even the weather was ideal.
Richard L. Jamul, CA
... Our tour guide Miss Silvana was very energetic and kind and she was on top of everything. She is an amazing loving lady that we were fortunate to have her as our tour guide for the entire trip. Everyone in our group loved her and very much satisfied with her managing the entire tour.
Suren M. Manchester, MO