Day 1 Thursday 27 September – Melbourne to Santiago
We will depart via Melbourne and Sydney on our economy class flight to Santiago. South America here we come! As we will be crossing the International Date Line, you will gain an extra day. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.

Chile’s capital, Santiago de Chile, is located in the central valley, approximately 1800 feet above sea level, framed by the majestic Andean mountain range and only 120km from the Pacific Ocean. Santiago was founded in 1541 by conquistador Pedro de Valdivia and is the fifth largest city in South America. Less than an hour from the city centre are world-class ski resorts and white-water rafting opportunities, famous beaches and the colorful port city of Valparaíso.

Tonight we will have a welcoming function at the hotel, including our jumper presentation. We will also cover the rules of the infamous “Downlow” medal and introduce you to “Chopper”.

Day 2 Friday 28 September – Santiago
In the morning we will enjoy a light training session to dust off the cobwebs and get ready for our first match tomorrow.

In the afternoon we will conduct an Australian football clinic for local kids in conjunction with the Santiago Saints.

Day 3 Saturday 29 September – Santiago
Today we will play our first match against the Chile national team. Lining up in the green and gold for the first time while listening to the national anthem is an awesome experience and one that you will never forget. Tonight our after match party will be held in conjunction with the Santiago Saints, where the Convicts Cup will be presented to the winning team.

Day 4 Sunday 30 September – Santiago
Today we will visit the the mythical harbor of Valparaiso.
Valparaiso is known as the Jewel of the Pacific and is famous for its funiculars which transport you up into the hills from where there are always spectacular views. We will visit the port, the financial district, the squares and the monuments. By taking a walk on Concepción Hill you will have the chance to discover the fascinating alleys and enjoy the constantly changing views which make Valparaiso so special.
In the afternoon we will visit the nearby cities of Viña del Mar and Reñaca.

Day 5 Monday 1 October – Santiago
After breakfast we will depart on our Santiago City tour, visiting the Civic Centre, La Moneda Presidential Palace, Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, Huerfanos, Ahumada, Bellavista district, San Cristobal hill, Vitacura, Las Condes and Providencia.

Day 6 Tuesday 2 October – Santiago to Buenos Aires
This morning we will depart Santiago and fly to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival we will check into our hotel in downtown Buenos Aires, a magnificent location from which to explore this magnificent city!

More European than South American in flavour, Buenos Aires is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city that boasts bustling streets, grand avenues, old-time cafes and stylish restaurants.

Day 7 Wednesday 3 October – Buenos Aires
Today we will enjoy a city tour of Buenos Aires. The capital’s many attractions include 9 de Julio Avenida, the widest street in the world, Colon Opera house, the Obelisk commemorating the first founding of the city in 1536, Plaza de Mayo, Government House, Metropolitan Cathedral with the Mausoleum of General San Martin, the Cabildo, La Boca San Martin Square, Palermo Park and the famous Recoleta district. We will return to the hotel along the stylish Alvear Ave.

In the evening we will enjoy a traditional Argentine dinner, including the chance to sample some of Argentina’s finest wines. After dinner you will view the dance that Buenos Aires is famous for, the Tango. The performers will keep you enthralled with their dancing and the haunting tango music. Afterwards we will head out on the town, where you will have the opportunity to try out your new dance moves.

Day 8 Thursday 4 October – Buenos Aires
After breakfast we will visit one of the Gaucho farms (Argentine cowboys) at Santa Susana Ranch. This full day tour will take you out of the city of Buenos Aires and into the Pampas (countryside) to spend a day on a Gaucho farm.

You will have the opportunity to take a horse ride or hayride, and listen to the Gauchos perform their traditional songs and dances, and enjoy a traditional Argentine “asado criollo” (barbecue).

Day 9 Friday 5 October – Buenos Aires
In the afternoon we will play our second match of the tour, which will be held as part of a Tri Nations footy tournament involving both Chile and Brazil.
Tonight our awesome after party will be a night to remember! *
(* memory not guaranteed)

Day 10 Saturday 6 October – Rosario
Today we will jorney to Rosario, where we will support the Wallabies as they take on the Argentina Pumas in a Four Nations Rugby match! This will be an awsome experience as we will be heavily outnumbered by Argentina fans. We will let the boys know we are there as we cheer them on to victory!

Day 11 Sunday 7 October – Buenos Aires
Today is a free day to recover from the night before. You can choose to either rest in your hotel room or do some optional sightseeing.
If you are a soccer fan, you are welcome to join us as we head to a First Division match to experience the passion and vibrancy of soccer in South America.

Day 12 Monday 8 October – Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast you will then be transferred to the airport for your flight to Rio!

Gaspar de Lemos set sail from Portugal for Brazil in 1501 and entered a huge bay in January 1502. Mistaking it for a river, he named it Rio de Janeiro. Rightly considered the world’s most exciting and most beautiful city, Rio is the crown jewel of Brazil. Nowhere else can you find the combination of spectacular scenery, fabulous beaches, exciting nightlife and, of course, beautiful people. The locals thrive on dance, drink, beach, sport and sun.

Upon arrival at Rio de Janeiro you will be transferreds to your hotel, which overlooks the beach, an amzing location. Tonight we will get amongst it and check out the legendary Brazilian nightlife!

Day 13 Tuesday 9 October – Rio de Janeiro
Today you’ll start to experience the Rio of legend. After breakfast you’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Rio’s beaches – Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon.

The tour includes the cable car ride up Urca hill to Sugar Loaf Mountain, located at the entry of Guanabara Bay. Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf) is almost too beautiful to be real. Two cable cars lift you 396m above Rio and the Baía de Guanabara. From here, Rio is the most dazzling city in the world.

After enjoying a barbecue lunch we will drive along Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon and arrive at the bottom of Corcovado Hill where you will travel via train to the top of the mountain. Here the massive statue of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) overlooks Rio and its famous bay. The Corcovado peak stands at 2297 feet above sea level. At night, the brightly lit statue is visible from all over the city.

Day 14 Wednesday 10 October – Rio de Janeiro
Today we will enjoy the delights of Rio’s world-famous beaches. No doubt we will take a footy and show the locals the world’s greatest game.

Going to the beach is a ritual and way of life for the locals. The famous Copacabana beach runs 4.5km along the Atlantic, yet crammed into this narrow strip of land are 25,000 people per sq km, one of the highest population densities in the world – most of it half naked and sizzling in the sun.

This evening you will enjoy a taste of the Rio Carnival atmosphere. You’ll enjoy dinner at a popular “churrascaria” (Brazilian barbeque house) followed by a two hour extravaganza of Brazilian samba, folklore and Carnival costumes.

Day 15 Thursday 11 October – Rio de Janeiro
Today is your last full day in South America and so you are free to either relax on the beach or see more of Rio.

Options include a visit to Maracanã stadium, Brazil’s temple of soccer. It’s a giant among coliseums, easily holding more than 100,000 at a time. The stadium is home to local rivals Flamengo, Vasco, Fluminense and Botafogo. The sports museum inside the stadium is well worth visiting.

Day 16 Friday 12 October – Depart Rio
After breakfast the rest of the morning is free. All good things must come to an end and unfortunately Convicts tours are no exception. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Australia. If you would like to spend more time in South America before returning to Australia this is a good opportunity to do so.