Jewish Buenos Aires & Santiago de Chile

Overview

Explore Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile’s best attractions and Jewish sites on this comprehensive 7 night-trip. Learn about Argentina and Chile’s Jewish communities, their history and culture in a meaningful way. Plan your walking tours, visit museums and Jewish institutions, explore historic synagogues and taste some of the best authentic local foods. Explore Jewish sites in Valparaiso and Vina del Mar where Jewish families of both Ashkenazi and Sephardic descent settled many years ago. Engage in discussions with Jewish leaders who are working to achieve a solution to the ongoing challenges facing Argentine and Chilean Jewry.

Memorable Moments

Immerse yourself in Buenos Aires’ nicest neighborhoods in the way locals experience it;
Visit the most emblematic places and buildings in Buenos Aires that tell us about the history of the largest Jewish community of South America;
Dine like a local and taste iconic dishes of Argentina and Chile;
Visit the only factory of “Kosher alfajores” in Buenos Aires;
See the best Tango dancers and modern Tango orchestra in an intimate setting;

Speak with volunteers at the only Jewish Fire station in South America;
Explore the Chilean coastal cities of Viña del Mar and Valparaiso and its most important Jewish sites;
Discover the best expressions of street art in Valparaiso;
Visit of the former residence of the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, now a museum with far-reaching Pacific views.

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1 – Buenos Aires – Arrival and Introduction Tour of the City
Day 2 – Buenos Aires – Jewish Heritage Tour
Day 3 – Buenos Aires – Jewish Experience in La Boca district – Shabbat Dinner
Day 4 – Buenos Aires – Shabbat – Explore the City on foot
Day 5 – Fly to Santiago de Chile
Day 6 – Santiago de Chile – Jewish Heritage tour in Santiago
Day 7 – Valparaiso & Vina del Mar – Full Day tour including Jewish sites
Day 8 – Santiago de Chile – Departure or Extension trip to Torres del Paine (Chilean Patagonia)

Open Full Itinerary

Pictures of this itinerary

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Buenos Aires – Introductory Tour of the City

Upon arrival, your professional bilingual driver will meet you at the airport and will transfer you to your accommodations to check in. After freshen up, meet your local guide who will lead an introductory overview tour of Buenos Aires. This tour will give you an in depth view of the highlights and major attractions in town. This tour includes ample time to not only drive, but also have a walk through downtown and historical areas which shed light into the development of Buenos Aires.

Ideal for first-time visitors, the tour includes highlights such as Plaza de Mayo square, 9 de Julio Avenue, Puerto Madero the Colon Opera house, Congress Palace, Recoleta district and many other sites and buildings of architectural, historical and cultural interest.

Welcome dinner will take place at an authentic restaurant within walking distance from the hotel. *Clients who keep Kosher will have dinner at one of the best Kosher restaurants of the city.

Meals: Dinner.
Accommodations: Sofitel Buenos Aires

Day 2: Buenos Aires – Jewish Heritage Tour

Today, visit the most emblematic places and buildings in Buenos Aires that tell us about the history of the largest Jewish community of South America. How did the Jewish community begin to grow in Buenos Aires? Where did its members hail from? What is the experience for a Jewish person living in a Catholic country? How were Jewish citizens affected by the military government? Find out these answers and much more as you visit a local synagogue, a memorial of the former Israeli Embassy building, and stroll through Once, Buenos Aires equivalent to the Lower East Side in New York. Afternoon at leisure for optional tours or personal activities.

At night, enjoy a delightful Argentine dinner and first class tango show.
A Kosher dinner is also available for those who keep Kosher.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodations: Sofitel Buenos Aires

Day 3: Buenos Aires – Jewish Experience in La Boca district

Start your day off with a comprehensive visit of La Boca area, the city’s original port, where the first Jewish immigrants from Europe originally settled. Learn about Jewish immigration, visit the only factory of “Kosher alfajores” (traditional Argentine pastries filled with dulce de leche) and visit some of the oldest synagogues of Buenos Aires. You will also visit “La Bombonera” Stadium (home of Boca Juniors soccer team) and Caminito street, a narrow alley flanked by houses painted in very bright colors.

Afternoon at leisure.

Attend Shabbat Services at the oldest Synagogue of Buenos Aires located within walking distance from your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Shabbat dinner.
Accommodations: Sofitel Buenos Aires

Day 4: Buenos Aires – Explore the City on Foot

This morning, head to San Telmo district at the southern tip of Buenos Aires for a walking tour through historical districts, colonial tunnels, antique stores, art galleries, cobble stone streets and colonial architecture. This walking tour covers areas such as Monserrat, San Telmo and the renovated Puerto Madero docklands and Riverwalk. We include stop offs at some of Buenos Aires most impressive monuments, including one by sculptor Lola Mora that was outrageous for its time. We are confident you will enjoy a fabulous day sightseeing.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodations: Sofitel Buenos Aires

Day 5: Fly to Santiago de Chile

Early in the morning, you will be transferred to Ezeiza International airport to board your flight to Santiago de Chile. Upon arrival at Santiago airport, you will be met by your driver who will transfer you to your hotel. Check in and time to freshen up. In the afternoon, enjoy a panoramic city tour of Santiago that introduces you to some of the city’s main sights. Watch a beautiful Chilean sunset right from the best advantage point of the city.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodations: The Singular Santiago

Day 6: Santiago de Chile - Jewish Heritage tour in Santiago

Today, enjoy a tour of Santiago sites and Jewish Landmarks. Speak with local synagogue leaders, meet the volunteers at the only Jewish Fire station in South America, get to know members of a community center and visit the oldest synagogue of the city.

Dine at a traditional restaurant with local Young professionals of the Chilean Jewish community.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodations: The Singular Santiago

Day 7: Valparaiso & Viña del Mar - Full Day tour including Jewish sites

During this full-day sightseeing tour, we explore the Chilean coastal cities of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. Valparaiso, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, is considered one of the urban art capitals of the world. Discover the best expressions of street art, featuring entertaining and political artwork. Visit “La Sebastiana”, the former residence of the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, now a museum with far-reaching Pacific views. Visit a Sephardic Synagogue Max Nordau and learn about ongoing challenges that the Chilean Jewish community faces today. In Viña del Mar, visit a Jewish Day School and Synagogue and have an engaging conversation with School Director and Young Leaders. Stroll on the beach and return to your hotel in Santiago de Chile.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodations: The Singular Santiago

Day 8: Santiago de Chile - Departure or Extension trip to Patagonia

This can be the last day of this itinerary. If you are available to travel more days, you can extend this journey and fly to Patagonia (Torres del Paine National Park is a great option ) or fly North of Chile, to Atacama Desert.