Trip Region: South America
Country(ies): Chile, Argentina
Partners Trek? No
Cost: $2750
Airfare Estimate: $1000
Structure: •
Lodging: •
Nightlife: 7 •
Activity: 9
The most quotable Game of Thrones line is not only a great description of bschool, it is also a great description of this *delightful* Mtrek. Along with your fearless and fabulous leaders, you’ll spend your time touring and learning about some epic South American cities, balanced with a healthy dose of wine tasting (seriously we read wine is good for you!). We’ll do just enough outdoor physical activity to help you get your steps in and capture that beautiful Andes #content, but we’ll also save some energy to party like portenos in Buenos Aires to finish off the trip. It’s really the best of all worlds, so…see you in Santiago?
Day 1 — Saturday, Aug 17
HAYY New Friends! — You’ve arrived in Santiago, Chile’s capital, known for its markets and galleries. We’ll get settled today and maybe even check out the market before our Welcome Dinner in the evening. Get ready for some classic Arjun hypotheticals and authentic Chilean cuisine as we get to know each other. For those who want to extend the night, we may make a stop in the Bellavista neighborhood.
Day 2 — Sunday, Aug 18
Walk It Out — We promises insta magic in the Andes, so today we’ll be taking a group hike across Cajon del Maipo, one of Chile’s most famous hiking areas. La Meseta Trail is known for its panoramic views where you’ll even be able to see the Argentinian side of the mountains, so get your camera (phones) ready. Tim will be leading the way as our resident skilled backpacker, but don’t worry, you’re not expected to get on his level. Once we get our steps in, we’ll grab some lunch and have some time to relax with a bevvie or two. After getting back to Santiago, we’ll get some rest time (or not) before one last night in Santiago.
Day 3 — Monday, Aug 19
We Drink Things (pt. 1) — Today, we’ll head to Valparaiso, a boho chic town outside of Santiago . On the way, we’ll go to a local, organic winery in the Casablanca Valley. We’ll probably learn about the biodiversity of the region, so if you’re an Erber like Lauren or Kelsey or just a total nerd like Arjun, you might be into that. After getting in some quality day drinking, we’ll complete the trip to Valpo and give you some time for R&R (rest and rally), before some festivities in the city.
Day 4 — Tuesday, Aug 20
We Know Things — Today, we explore the beauty and style of Valparaiso. Known for its street art and 19th century architecture, the old town is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You can also get to feel a little more poet and little less quant when we check out the home of Chilean writer Pablo Neruda. After getting in some culture, we’ll make our way back to the downtown to celebrate our last night in Chile in Bohemian style.
Day 5 — Wednesday, Aug 21
Chasing Waterfalls — Pack your bags and say goodbye to Chile! We’ll be boarding a quick flight over to Mendoza, a city known for stealing your heart and ruining your ability to drink 2-buck chuck. Maybe you’re starting to feel the love for all your fellow MTrekkers, so naturally this is the place to be. After checking into our hotel and grabbing some food, we’ll make our way to the Quebrada del Angel Trail for a chance to see the Andes from the Argentinian side. The waterfall waiting for you at the end of the trek is worth the walk.
Day 6 — Thursday, Aug 22
We Drink Things (pt. 2) — Today, we’ll be checking out the wineries of Mendoza, because as every good MBA student knows, you need a larger sample size to test your hypotheses (#nerdjokes). We’ll be spending the day checking out some vineyards and getting some solid Argentinian food along with it. After a long day taking in the tannins, we’ll get back to the hotel to pack/pass out before we head out for our final stop on this journey…
Day 7 — Friday, Aug 23
FRIYAY in BA — Lonely Planet says that Buenos Aires combines faded European grandeur with Latin passion. Not entirely sure what that means but we’re into it. After a short flight from Mendoza, we’ll check into our hotel and then experience all that this majestic city has to offer. La Recoleta and La Boca will definitely be part of the city tour. Maybe you can even act out your inner Evita as we walk past La Casa Rosada. Save your energy though, because the Argentinian *pre-game* starts at midnight.
Day 8 — Saturday, Aug 24
Wake Up Slow - Depending on your style, you may still be partying at 5:00AM today (Anna may or may not lead the charge on this). We’ll give you most of the day to recover as today will be a free day. Feel free to just chill at a local bar, go to the gorgeous Teatro Colon, or catch up on some much-needed sleep in your bed. Either way, bring your dancing shoes for our final night together! After an evening tango class where we’ll learn some of the basic steps, we’ll head out for a farewell dinner where we can relive all the memories of the past week and solidify our status as BFF’s.
Day 9 — Sunday, Aug 25
We Out — And just like that, our glorious trek has come to an end. Spend some time recovering and maybe grabbing a souvenir for your friends who may be feeling some FOMO because let’s be clear, you definitely made the best life decision here. Make sure you don’t miss your flight, because we can’t wait for the reunions to start back in Ann Arbor!