10-Night South America Luxury Itinerary
Southern Cone
Three Countries, Four Landscapes, Ten Nights
Begin in the desert. Follow the Andes into wine country. Enter the rainforest, then end at the sea.
The Southern Cone brings together four Awasi destinations across Chile, Argentina and Brazil in a single 10-night journey. Spend three nights in the otherworldly landscapes surrounding Awasi Atacama, two among the vineyards of Awasi Mendoza, two immersed in the rainforest at Awasi Iguazú and three along the Atlantic coast at Awasi Santa Catarina.
There are no additional connecting nights to account for along the way. Each destination flows into the next, creating a South America travel itinerary that covers extraordinary distance without making the days themselves feel hurried.
At every Awasi lodge, each villa is paired with a private guide and dedicated 4WD. The route may cross three countries, but the pace remains entirely your own.
Your 10-Night South America Itinerary
Awasi Atacama — 3 Nights
Mineral-colored valleys, ancient villages and the immense landscapes of the high desert.
Awasi Mendoza — 2 Nights
Malbec country, Andean trails and Argentine traditions.
Awasi Iguazú — 2 Nights
Rainforest, thundering waterfalls and the meeting point of three countries.
Awasi Santa Catarina — 3 Nights
Historic islands, Atlantic waters and a final few days beside the coast.
Flights connect each chapter of the journey, with private transfers and guides waiting along the way. Within each destination, daily experiences remain flexible and can be shaped around your interests, arrival times and local conditions.
First Stop — Atacama: Into the High Desert
Arrive in Calama, where an Awasi guide meets you for the private journey toward San Pedro de Atacama.
The first three nights introduce a quieter side of the desert.
Begin at Rainbow Valley, where mineral deposits reveal bands of color across hills shaped by millions of years of geological change.
The following day pairs nature with history. Explore the landscape surrounding the Salado River before returning to the historic center of San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis town where adobe architecture and centuries of indigenous and colonial influence remain part of everyday life.
Then venture higher into the Andes toward the Alto Loa villages, a collection of pre-Columbian settlements surrounded by the expansive terrain of the Chilean altiplano.
Three days reveal the Atacama not simply as a desert, but as a landscape shaped by geology, culture and generations of life at altitude.
Second Stop — Mendoza: Beneath the Andes
From Chile, cross into Argentina and the vineyards of Mendoza.
The pace softens, but the landscape remains adventurous.
Spend a day discovering the wines of the region through private tastings before experiencing another expression of Argentine culture with an evening tango performance.
The following day takes you into the Andean foothills along the Condor Lookout Trail, where the open terrain offers the possibility of seeing one of South America’s most extraordinary birds overhead.
Back among the vines, explore another side of Mendoza through food and horseback riding. A cooking experience introduces the flavors of the region before a ride through Luján de Cuyo brings you into one of Argentina’s most celebrated wine landscapes.
Two nights. Wine, mountains and traditions distinctly Mendoza.
Third Stop — Iguazú: Where Three Countries Meet
The landscape turns green as the journey continues north.
Arrive in Puerto Iguazú, where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay converge amid subtropical rainforest and two immense rivers.
Begin with the Argentine side of Iguazú Falls, following pathways through the forest toward the waterfalls and the extraordinary Devil’s Throat, where immense volumes of water disappear into a cloud of mist below.
The following day widens the perspective with a Triple Frontier boat journey along the Iguazú and Paraná rivers. From the water, experience the geographical meeting point of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay—a fitting moment in an itinerary built around crossing borders.
Couples and travelers wanting another perspective on the falls can also arrange time on the Brazilian side, where panoramic viewpoints reveal their immense scale from across the gorge.
Final Stop — Santa Catarina: Out to Sea
After desert, vineyards and rainforest, the journey ends at the Atlantic.
Fly from Foz do Iguaçu to Florianópolis and continue to Awasi Santa Catarina, where three nights offer a final shift in pace and landscape.
Begin with Anhatomirim Fortress, set on an island off the Santa Catarina coast and connected to centuries of history along southern Brazil’s maritime frontier.
Then turn toward the water. Take a private surf lesson at Praia de Fora, or travel farther offshore for a full day of diving around Arvoredo Island, surrounded by one of the region’s richest marine environments.
The final days leave the mountains behind.
There is only forest, open water and the horizon.
When to Take the Southern Cone Journey
With four destinations and three countries, there is no single season that defines the entire journey. Instead, each landscape offers something different throughout the year.
The Atacama Desert can be explored year-round, with April through June and September through November often bringing particularly comfortable days and clear skies.
In Mendoza, February through April coincides with harvest season, bringing additional energy to the vineyards and wineries.
Iguazú Falls is also a year-round destination. January through March generally brings heavier rainfall and greater water volume, while April through September tends to be cooler and drier.
On the coast of Santa Catarina, summer brings warmer conditions for swimming, surfing and diving, while other times of year can offer a quieter experience.
The best time for this South America trip itinerary ultimately depends on which landscape you most want to experience at its peak.
Four Destinations, One Way of Traveling
Southern Cone moves quickly across the map without asking you to rush once you arrive.
There are no fixed group schedules at the Awasi lodges. Each villa has its own private guide and dedicated 4WD, allowing excursions to be adjusted around your interests, preferred activity level and the conditions of the day.
Regional flights carry you between Chile, Argentina and Brazil, with private transfers coordinated around each arrival.
Ten nights become four entirely different ways of experiencing South America—each connected by the freedom to explore it personally.
10-Night South America FAQs
What is included at each Awasi lodge?
At each destination, every villa is paired with a private guide and dedicated 4WD vehicle, alongside meals and tailor-made excursions. The experiences change with each landscape, while the private approach remains consistent throughout the journey.
Are children welcome on the Southern Cone itinerary?
All four Awasi lodges on this journey welcome guests aged 14 and older. Families traveling with younger children should contact the Awasi reservations team to discuss available options.
Is the Southern Cone itinerary suitable for a honeymoon?
Yes. Private villas, dedicated guides and individually tailored excursions make the itinerary particularly suited to honeymoons, anniversaries and milestone trips. Its progression from adventure to the coast also creates a natural balance between exploration and slower days together.
Is 10 days enough for a South America itinerary?
Ten nights can provide a varied introduction to South America when the route is thoughtfully connected. Southern Cone combines four destinations across three countries, with two or three nights in each location and coordinated flights and transfers between them.
Can the Southern Cone itinerary be customized?
Yes. Daily experiences at each lodge are tailor-made rather than fixed. Guests can adjust excursions according to their interests, activity level, weather and local conditions. Shorter multi-lodge combinations can also be arranged.
What is the best time to visit Santa Catarina?
Summer offers warmer weather for Santa Catarina’s coastal experiences, including surfing and diving. Traveling outside the peak summer period can offer cooler conditions and a quieter stretch of coastline.
What is the best time to visit Mendoza?
Mendoza can be enjoyed throughout the year, although February through April is particularly atmospheric because it coincides with the region’s grape harvest season. This itinerary’s wine, culinary and outdoor experiences can be enjoyed beyond the harvest period as well.
What is the best time to visit the Atacama Desert?
The Atacama’s dry climate makes it a year-round destination. April through June and September through November typically offer particularly comfortable daytime temperatures and clear skies.
Can I visit both sides of Iguazú Falls?
Yes. This itinerary includes the Argentine side of the falls and Devil’s Throat. Guests who would also like to experience the Brazilian side and its panoramic viewpoints can speak with their guide about incorporating it into their stay.
What is the best time to visit Iguazú Falls?
Iguazú Falls can be visited throughout the year. January through March generally brings heavier rainfall and more powerful water flow, while April through September tends to be drier and cooler for walking and outdoor excursions.
How many nights is the Southern Cone itinerary?
The itinerary includes exactly 10 nights: three nights at Awasi Atacama, two at Awasi Mendoza, two at Awasi Iguazú and three at Awasi Santa Catarina. There are no additional connecting-city nights to add to the itinerary.
What is the Southern Cone itinerary?
Southern Cone is a 10-night Awasi journey through Chile, Argentina and Brazil, combining four destinations: the Atacama Desert, Mendoza, Iguazú Falls and Santa Catarina.
