Discover South America - Tour Itinerary
Day 01- Arrive in Santiago, Chile -. Met on arrival and transferred to our hotel.
Day 02 - Santiago, Chile to Rio de Janiero, Brazil via Sao Paulo - Nestled between towering mountains and the sea is the vibrant and beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro with its magnificent shoreline and beaches. (Breakfast).
Day 03 - Rio de Janeiro - Corcovado Tour - Depart for the Corcovado railway station at the foot of the mountain. Take a train ride through the forest to the summit to see the awe-inspiring statue of Christ the Redeemer which overlooks Guanabara Bay. Return by train and continue the tour by bus past Lake Rodrigo de Freitas, Sao Conrado and Tijuca forest and alongside the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon. This evening we go to a typical churrascaria (barbeque house) for dinner and afterwards enjoy a typical Brazilian Samba and Folkloric variety show. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 04 - Rio de Janeiro - Sugar Loaf Mountain Tou - Travel by cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain from where you will enjoy superb views over the city and bay. On the return journey visit the downtown area before returning to your hotel. (Breakfast)
Day 05 - Rio de Janeiro to Iguazu Falls - Situated in the Northeast of Argentina, the Iguazu River joins the Parana River creating a natural border with Brazil and Paraguay. It is here you will find the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, the "Cataratas del Iguazu" plunging into a massive gorge. There are 275 falls along a 3km (1.8mile) front, with an average height of 70m (253ft). Completely surrounded by a dense tropical forest, this is the home of many small native mammals and over 400 different kinds of birds and butterflies. Today we visit the Brazilian side of the falls.
Day 06 - Iguazu Falls (Argentine Side) - This morning we explore the Argentine side of the falls to visit the Lower and Upper trails of the Iguazu National Park which allows close views of the many falls that drop from the Iguazu River. We take the tourist train that meanders through the park and drops you right at the walkway leading to the heart of the falls - the magnificent Devil's Throat cascade. The thundering noise and the falling water is incredibly impressive. (Breakfast)
Day 07 - Iguazu Falls to Buenos Aires - Morning at leisure to further explore the Falls then transfer to the Iguazu Falls Airport (Argentine side) for your domestic flight to Buenos Aires, the elegant capital city of Argentina. Buenos Aires is a charming, sophisticated city with a strong European influence and culture. With its blend of Spanish, French and Italian architectural styles, its great variety of nightspots, and its cultural life, it is often referred to as the 'South American Paris'. This evening, enjoy dinner and a night of music and tango at one of the excellent venues where typical songs and dances are performed. (Breakfast/Dinner)
Day 08 - Buenos Aires - City Tour - This morning's half day city sightseeing tour visits Plaza de Mayo (May Square) around which are El Cabildo (City Hall), the Cathedral and Casa Rosada (Government House). Also visit the colourful district of La Boca, Recoleta Cemetery, Plaza San Martin, Avenida Santa Fe and the widest avenue in the world - Avenida 9 de Julio. Buenos Aires is a very large city, but it is easy to explore on foot.(Breakfast),
Day 09 - Buenos Aires - Estancia Villa Maria Tour - We drive (1½ hours) to the Estancia Villa Maria which was built in 1890 by the renowned architect, Alejandro Bustillo, Villa Maria is a lovely place to visit. The house, an imposing Tudor-styled building, sits on a 1,500 hectare property that is a working ranch. Enjoy horse rides, cycling and walks, as well as lunch at the estancia. In the afternoon, take a stroll in the wonderful gardens or just relax before returning to your hotel in Buenos Aires. (Breakfast/Lunch)
Day 10 - Buenos Aires, Argentina to Lima, Peru - Located on the Pacific coast, Lima, the capital of Peru, was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 and became the centre of all Spanish trade and culture in the New World. Today, it is a city of contrasts with its colonial churches, old mansions and modern residential areas. Our half-day tour visits Lima's colonial churches, promenades and palaces that illustrate Peru's Spanish heritage.
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Top: Satue of Christ the Redeemer. - Rio
Left:
Machu Picchu |
Day 11 - Lima to Cuzco - We fly from Lima to Cuzco, this fascinating city is situated 3,310m (10,860ft or 2.056miles) above sea level in the high Peruvian Andes, is remarkable for its many colonial churches, monasteries and convents, and for its extensive Inca ruins. Many streets are lined with perfect Inca stonework now serving as foundations for more modern buildings. The remainder of the day is free to acclimatise to the high altitude. (Breakfast).
Day 12 - Cuzco - Depart your hotel this morning on a half-day city sightseeing tour. Visit the Plaza de Armas (main square), the Cathedral, Santo Domingo church, the surrounding ruins of Kenko and Tambo Machay, and the renowned fortress of Sacsayhuaman. (Breakfast)
Day 13 - Cuzco - Day at leisure to further explore this truly fascinating city. Enjoy the local markets, the people and colour, and shopping for local handicrafts, weavings, pottery, and more. (Breakfast)
Day 14 - Step aboard the "Vistadome" train service to Machu Picchu. On arrival take a short 20 minute bus ride to the "Lost city of the Incas" for a guided tour of the ruins. For centuries Machu Picchu was buried in jungle until the American historian Hiram Bingham stumbled upon it, almost by accident, in 1911. Although little is known about the "Lost City of the Incas" it is obvious, by the quality of the stonework and the abundance of ornamental sites, that Machu Picchu must have been an important ceremonial centre. After a guided tour you are free to explore the ruins on your own.(Breakfast//Dinner)
Day 15 - Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo and Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Free morning to further explore the ruins in peace before the tourist train arrives, then board the "Vistadome" train for the journey to Ollantaytambo. We overnight at a charming hotel located on the outskirts of the small village of Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (2,800m or 9186ft)). (Breakfast/Dinner)
Day 16 - Urubamba (Sacred Valley) to Cuzco - Depart your hotel this morning for a tour of the town and the magnificent Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. In the upper and western part of the city rises a mountain scattered with houses and innumerable pre-Hispanic constructions such as temples and terraces. The archaeological complex itself was a gigantic agricultural, administrative, social, religious and military centre in the era of the Tahuantinsuya (Inca) empire. Visit the bustling Indian market at Pisac where local Indians from different communities congregate to trade their goods, not only for money but also by barter. You may even trade your t-shirt for some very beautiful Indian handicrafts. Return to your hotel in Cuzco for overnight. (Breakfast/Lunch)
Day 17 - Cuzco to Puno on the Andean Explorer classic train. We transfer from your hotel to Cuzco railway station for a comfortable and interesting train journey across the vast alti-plano (high plain), this journey is considered by some to be one of the great train journeys of the world. On the journey you will pass through beautiful, stark landscape and many small villages before arriving in Puno (3,855m or 12,648ft), situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Puno's history revolves round the Quechua and Aymara natives, who have managed to sustain a productive lifestyle through the centuries in this most extraordinary region. Puno's location makes it a good starting point for exploring Lake Titicaca's Peruvian environs and islands. It is also on the main overland route to Bolivia. (Breakfast/Lunch)
Day 18 - Puno - Uros Floating Reed Islands Tour - Depart your hotel on a half day tour to visit the Uros Indians who live on floating totora reed islands on Lake Titicaca. The lives of the Uros are completely interwoven with the totora reed that grows abundantly in the shallow waters of Lake Titicaca. Thor Heyerdahl had the boatmen from Lake Titicaca build him the Ra II, which he successfully sailed across the Pacific from Morocco to Barbados in 1970, (Breakfast).
Day 19 - Puno to La Paz - Today we travel from Peru to Bolivia, across Lake Titicaca by catamaran on the way to La Paz in Bolivia You will cruise across the bright azure waters of Lake Titicaca to the Island of the Sun, believed by Andean civilisations to be the birthplace of the Incas. Bolivia is the highest and most isolated country on this continent and presents amazing extremes of scenery - from altiplano and arid desert; to lowland Amazon rainforest, from the vast whiteness of the world's largest salt flats to the soaring heights of the snow-capped Andes mountains (Breakfast).
Day 20 - La Paz - City and Moon Valley tour. Relive centuries of colonial history as we wander thru the streets of La Paz, and observe the little-changed traditional Indian culture when we visit the local sights and markets. Today, La Paz is a vibrant city, growing and expanding in all directions with a population of more than a million inhabitants. Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) is located about 10km (6.2miles) from the city center, where this eroded hillside maze of canyons and pinnacles creates an incredible view, likened to the starkness of the moon. (Breakfast).
Day 21 - La Paz to Santiago in Chile - Transfer to La Paz Airport for your international flight to Santiago. Located in the Central Valley and framed by the majestic Andes mountain range, Santiago, the capital of Chile, was first settled in 1531. The city has grown into a major metropolis where the many historic colonial buildings contrast with the gleaming new high-rise architecture and bustling shopping malls. (Breakfast)
Day 22 - Santiago - Our tour this morning visits the Pre-Colombian Art Museum, an old 18th century building which originally housed the Real Aduana (Customs) during the colonial period and which has now been adapted as a modern museum with an extensive collection of pre-Colombian art. The tour continues with a visit to the San Francisco Church and Museum. The church is Santiago's oldest, built in the 16th century and now a National Monument; it houses a rich collection of colonial art. The tour ends with a visit to the Cousino Palace, built between 1870 and 1878 by French architect Paul Lathaud for a wealthy Chilean family. The quality construction, including furnishings, have kept the residence in perfect condition for more than a century. This afternoon and evening you will transfer to Santiago Airport for your international flight home. (Breakfast)
The Tour Ends and the Memories Begin!
