South America Guided Tours with Collette: Experience a Different Perspective

Have you heard about our Essential South America tour? This small group Explorations tour brings travelers into the heart of Chile and Argentina, from capital cities to the sprawling countryside.

The best part? It was designed by someone who loves immersive journeys just as much as our curious small group travelers.

“In my role, I have the challenging but highly rewarding task of creating dream tours for our travelers,” Product Design Manager Sam Kern says. “A lifelong adventure seeker myself, I am passionate about connecting people and cultures in impactful ways. My personal travel style is hands on and active. I want to see, meet, touch, smell, and taste everything!”

Sam’s style is a perfect match for small group touring, and it’s part of the reason that travelers on this tour get a close look at history and culture.

Here’s a look at some of the highlights she is most proud of:

Santiago

This South America guided tour kicks off in Chile, and the immersion into local culture starts right away in Santiago.

Sam says it’s important to get an authentic taste of daily life. And that’s why her favorite moment in the city includes a local chef at the Mercado Central de Santiago.

“Experience the sights, sounds, and the hustle and bustle at a local fish market,” she says.

With the chef by their side, travelers walk through the fish market, stopping along the way to learn about the local seafood and pick up some ingredients. Then they join a hands-on cooking experience at the chef’s restaurant before sitting down to a fresh feast for lunch.

Mendoza

Sam identified spending two nights in this wine region, known for Malbecs, as a huge highlight for travelers.

“Travelers go on two vineyard visits with tastings,” she says. “Desert vineyards with views of snowcapped mountains? It’s stunning scenery.”

The Mendoza wine region comprises several renowned sub-regions like Luján de Cuyo, Maipú with its mix of traditional and boutique wineries, and Valle de Uco, celebrated for high-altitude vineyards producing top-quality wines. The San Rafael and General Alvear regions, situated even further south, feature a desert-like climate with sandy soils.

In Mendoza city, travelers discover a blend of colonial architecture in a city known for its laid-back atmosphere.

From exploring the vineyards to simply taking in the breathtaking landscape, Mendoza promises a blend of relaxation and culture.

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is known as the Paris of South America, and Collette travelers spend four nights getting to know this city.

“This city is a melting pot of culture and has so much to offer,” Sam says. “Our time there is really spent immersing ourselves in the culture and flavor.”

Collette starts off time in Buenos Aires with flavor on a unique foodie city tour. Travelers learn about Buenos Aires’ immigrant influences with their tastebuds, exploring the fusion of flavors that comes from the city’s Spanish, Italian, and Jewish heritage.

Sam says that we also include a unique approach to tango on this tour. “We meet a professional dancer at a private studio who teaches us how to tango,” Sam explains. She says the instructor takes time to go beyond basic steps and teaches informal tango etiquette, like how to ask someone to dance without speaking, or how to decline a dance politely. Travelers then get closer to culture by visiting a local Milongas social club for a fully immersive evening.

“Our travelers can put their new dance moves to the test alongside locals, or if they prefer, they can just enjoy a drink and people watch,” she says. “Either way, it will be a night to remember.”

Argentina’s Pampas Region

As the designer for our Patagonia: Edge of the World tour, Sam is very familiar with South American gaucho culture. She spoke about it at length in a podcast episode on that tour, and it's an element she brought to Essential South America, too.

Sam says that this visit wraps the guided tour on an incredibly high note.

Picture it: Travelers get a feel for South American hospitality at a traditional estancia. The cowboy experience starts immediately, as they make their way down an unpaved road to the gates of the ranch. They find sprawling land beyond the gates, and an inviting, rustic house. Will you explore the property on a horse drawn carriage ride? Or take in the views of the property, being welcomed into the home?

The full day at the ranch includes a traditional asado lunch, with flame-cooked meats served at the table along with sides and wine.

The night ends with a folk performance of gaucho traditions with singing, dancing, and displays of horsemanship – topping off an unforgettable encounter with this South American way of life.

Booking Your South America Tour

Ready to experience the sights, flavors, and rhythms of Chile and Argentina?

A journey across two countries, from bustling cities to sprawling ranches, vineyards, and natural landscapes is within your reach.

When you’re ready to book your tour, check out the tour page on our website, call us, or see your travel professional and ask for Collette.