Be sure to check that the ARG visa suspension has been continued. It was originally suspended for 90 days in March.

I don't think I understand Day 6. Your trip from PV to Bariloche will take you all day so not clear what you plan to tour.

We didn't use guides so can't help there.

Thanks!

Does Chile require a VISA?

Don't think LATAM works with AMEX points. Will go look later this evening.

Cerro Campanario looks beautiful. Will definitely go there. Am thinking of hiring guides as much for their transportation as for the actual tour. Any comments?
Did research on Valparaiso, and I agree, looks much nicer than Santiago. However, we arrive in SA on Day 2 and will not be at the hotel much before noon. That gives us 1/2 day then and a full day the next day. That 2nd day we want to visit some wineries. Since time is so short, does it still make sense to go directly from Santiago airport to Valparaiso? Would love to work in if not too "rushed".

Thanks for VISA warning. Had not even thought about any VISAs since Europe does not require. I will check Argentina, Chile and Brazil -- with Iguazu Falls -- any other countries I should check?

Day 6 -- sorry, should have put most of those TO DO in Day 7. Your correct, made no sense.

I didn't know how much I didn't know.

Well, rome2rio reckons it's a bit over two hours from SCL to Valparaiso by public transport with one change. Depends how you think you'll feel getting off the flight.

Phil....I'm sharing these pics hoping to give you some ideas. I do not do TR's and therefore I go by the old adage, a picture is worth 1000 words. We loved Das Cartaratas on the Brazilian side. Drove half of Chile to Perto Montt. The Puerto Varas to Bariloche boat/bus trip overnight is excellent (see pix)https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...ESIguacuFalls# You will enjoy this part of thehemisphere. Your familiarty with Spanish will help a lot.

Phil...having trouble with Google since they took over Picasa..above addresses may not work. Please try these
https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...ocheArgentina# Same for this address. Can't figure this out.https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...ESIguacuFalls# Let me know whether or not you were able to get them. Thanks

I heartily endorse your itinerary. I did BA, Bariloche, Frutillar, Santiago, Valparaiso in 2013. Bariloche and the Lake District of Chile were the high points. Iguaçu is a world-class experience, and while the Brazilian visa for Americans is a giant pain, it is worth it to see both sides of the falls.

"is it easier to stay Sheraton since landing at Foz do Iguazu or any problem with Belmond Hotel das Cataratas"

Why would you fly into IGU (the airport for the Brazilian side town Foz do Iguacu) rather than IGR (the airport for the Argentine side town of Puerto Iguazu) if you are not coming from Rio, but apparently from Buenos Aires.

Stay on the side you are flying out of.

Personally I feel the isolation of staying inside the park and having to taxi to sample cuisine outside the hotel dining is a disadvantage that weighs out over any supposed advantage of being inside the park after hours. How early before opening are you really going to get up to wander around, and how late, in the dark, would you plan to? I would stay in town.

Also, I would recommend saving Rio for a separate, dedicated trip to Brazil, when you could explore more of the unique culture and history (and beaches) of that vast country. Learn some Portuguese beforehand; Spanish does not help in Brazil.

Couple of brief notes based on things you mentioned in your post:

"Day 2 -- arrive Santiago; HOTELS Le Reve, Aubrey or Castilla Rojo; RESTAURANTS Singular, Peumayen, Bocanariz or Ox; private or group tour of city"

What I did (and my reviews of both are in my trip report: http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...acama-solo.cfm) was a drink on the rooftop of the Singular, followed by wine and dinner at Bocanariz. Fantastic pairing, both close by and walking distance to where I stayed. Heartily recommend.

"Don't think LATAM works with AMEX points. Will go look later this evening"

I booked most of my flights (NYC to BA, Santiago to NYC, and a few internal flights) on LATAM. Like you I had Amex points, and a bunch of British Airways Avios miles, so I transferred to British Airways and booked the LAN flights through them. So that's an option if you already have British Airways Avios, or are doing everything strictly from Amex Membership Rewards points. And even if you don't book the international travel using BA, you could transfer some to Singapore to do your international awards, and if you had points remaining, transfer those to BA to book some of the internal flights on LATAM, which can be a big savings win since BA has the distance based awards chart.

I had a different itinerary/interests than you, but think you'll be as enchanted with South America as I was. Have a great trip!