The thrills begin the moment you arrive in Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site nearly half of which ancient glaciers cover. An exhilarating ascent of Mount Frias in a 4x4 vehicle introduces the park’s unimaginable grandeur and prepares you for the next day’s options. You might cruise across turquoise Lago Rico for a riveting, up-close view of the jagged-peaked Perito Moreno Glacier. Or if you’re feeling more intrepid, trek across the glacial landscape with a wilderness guide and really experience the blue-hued ice mass.

Program includes:

• 1 night in Buenos Aires
• 2 nights in El Calafate
• Excursion up Mount Frias in a 4x4 vehicle
• Cruise to Perito Moreno Glacier for close-up sightseeing and the option of walking across the glacier
• Economy-class flights between Buenos Aires and El Calafate
• Half-day Buenos Aires sightseeing tour
• Select meals

Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin by exploring the Galápagos, a collection of islands with species not found anywhere else. Observing enormous Galápagos tortoises in the wild highlands and at the Darwin Research Center helps to demonstrate how that species has adapted to the islands to better survive. Hiking, snorkeling and boating excursions offer close-up views of other endemic animals, including sea lions, marine iguanas, flamingos and the famed finches about which Darwin theorized. Nature rules in the Galápagos and it can be eye-opening to experience firsthand.

Program includes:

• 3 nights in the Galápagos Islands at the Finch Hotel or similar
• Economy-class flights per the itinerary
• All meals per the itinerary
• Hiking, snorkeling, boating and sightseeing per the itinerary
• Galápagos National Park naturalist guide while in the Galápagos

It’s hard not to fall in love with Rio, especially when this irrepressible city is presented so beautifully. What better introduction than seeing the highlights from every conceivable angle, including from atop Sugarloaf Mountain, which you reach via cable car. Rio is synonymous with the uber-exuberant festival Carnival, and a behind-the-scenes look divulges exactly how the outlandish floats and lavish costumes are made. Even a taste of Rio leaves you wanting more, so an entire day is devoted to independent exploration.

Program includes:

• 3 nights in Rio de Janeiro
• 2 half-day tours that include Sugarloaf Mountain, the São Bento Monastery and the Museum of Tomorrow
• Select Meals

Savor characteristic Chilean wines and drink in the country’s wondrous natural beauty. The foothills on the outskirts of Santiago contribute to an inland terroir that produces enviable wines, as a tasting at Vina Santa Rita confirms. With the towering Andes as a backdrop, the sky-high ski resort Portillo offers spectacular views. The watershed Battle of Chacabuco was fought nearby, leading to Chile’s independence. Colonial architecture clings to the steep hills of Valparaiso, a lovely seaport that earned a UNESCO World Heritage designation for its 19th-century urban landscape.

Program includes:

• 3 nights in Santiago
• Select Meals
• Tour and tasting at Santa Rita Vineyard or similar
• Lunch at the historic Restaurant Doña Paula
• Tour of Portillo ski resort area in the Andes
• Panoramic tour of Valparaiso