south america

A magnificent holiday complete with spectacular scenery and exciting cities.
Starting in Santiago Chile, you will fly to Peru.
Here a highlight will be the gorgeous colonial city of Cuzco, from where you will visit the incredible ancient ruins of Machu Picchu,
the colourful Indian market of Pisac and Ollantaytambo Fortress in the Sacred Valley.
Cross stunning Lake Titicaca by catamaran to La Paz in Bolivia, then fly to cosmopolitan Buenos Aires.
Visit the breathtaking Iguazu Falls, undoubtedly one of the most impressive waterfalls in the world,
before completing this fabulous journey in Rio de Janeiro, famous for its beaches and legendary nightlife.

INCLUSIONS:
• Transfers and land transportation with bilingual guides
• 20 Nights accommodation
• 20 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 2 dinner (D)
• Coach and private excursions with bilingual guides
• Hotel pick up/drop off for excursions and transfers

Price Starting From AUD 9450 Per Person

DEPARTURE TIME & POINT
This tour departs Tuesday from Santiago airport.

ITINERARY:

Day 1     Arrive Santiago
Founded in 1541 by the Spanish conquistadors, Santiago is a collage of styles and epochs making it a pleasure to explore. Met on arrival by our representative from ADS Mundo for a private transfer to your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 2     Santiago
9.30am hotel pick up for a half day coach city tour visiting the Plaza de Armas, where we will see important National Monuments, such as the Iglesia Catedral (The Cathedral Church), Correo Central (The Main Post Office) and the Municipalidad de Santiago (The City Hall). We will continue our trip going to the Cerro Santa Lucía (the Santa Lucia Hill), where the city was founded in 1541. We will then cross the Mapocho river and then pass through different residential districts giving us an overview of the city. Drop off at hotel around 1pm. Afternoon at leisure. 
Day 3     Santiago – Lima
After breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airport for your departure flight. Met on arrival in Lima for transfer to your hotel. Lima, the capital of Peru is located on the Pacific coast. It was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 becoming the centre of all Spanish trade and culture in the New World. A city of contrasts, with its colonial churches, old mansions and modern residential areas. Afternoon city tour begins with some of Lima’s republican highlights: Miguel Grau Monument, Palace of Justice and Plaza San Martin. Then visit Lima’s colonial churches, promenades and palaces which reflect Peru’s Spanish heritage: The Cathedral, Plaza Mayor, Torre Tagle Palace, San Francisco Monastery and Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology. This museum is a great introduction to Peru’s history and contains enlightening scale models of Machu Picchu and other sites, as well as some of the original stelae and obelisks from Chavin. The museum grounds are attractive too.
Day 4     Lima – Cuzco
Morning transfer to the airport for the spectacular flight over the Andes to the old Inca capital of Cuzco. Cuzco situated at 3,310m above sea level in the Peruvian Andes is the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. Cuzco is surrounded by the wonders of nature and impressive architectural ruins. Many streets are lined with perfect Inca stonework now serving as foundations for more modern dwellings. Our local representative will meet you as you exit from the arrival hall for transfer to your hotel, remainder of the day free to acclimatize to the high altitude.  FLIGHT:TBA
Day 5     Cuzco
Morning at leisure. 1.30pm city tour including the Plaza de Aramas (main square), the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church (Koricancha), and the surrounding ruins of Puka Pukara, Kenko, Tambo Machay, and the renowned fortress and religious site of Sacsayhuaman famous by its cosmic energy. Drop off at your hotel around 6.30pm. 
Day 6     Cuzco – Sacred Valley
Today enjoy a full day tour to the Sacred Valley including the bustling Indian market at Pisac where you can bargain for and buy some very beautiful Indian handicrafts. The local merchants offer for sale all sorts of handicrafts, textiles and ceramic goods, plates, ashtrays, necklaces and replicas of pre-Hispanic pottery. There are also woollen ponchos; sweaters, blankets and bags made from llama and alpaca.  On Tuesday/Thursday and Sundays, the market is visited by many of the native communities who come to stock up on produce or sell their wares. After lunch visit the town and magnificent fortress at Ollantaytambo. Overnight in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. 
Day 7     Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu
Early morning transfer to the railway station to board the train for a scenic train journey through the Urubamba Valley followed by a 20 minute bus ride ascent to Machu Picchu (2,280m), Lost City of the Incas. 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 still 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 and lunch you are free to explore the ruins on your own. Overnight at Aguas Calientes. 
Day 8     Machu Picchu – Cuzco
Day at leisure to further explore the ruins at your own pace. Enjoy the sunrise over the ruins and watch the mist rise over this mountain top citadel at dawn or perhaps climb Huayna Picchu. Be sure to leave yourself enough time to be back at the train station at Aguas Calientes in time for your afternoon departure to Cuzco. You will be met at the train station for transfer to your hotel in Cuzco.
Day 9     Cuzco – Puno
7.30am hotel pick up for a transfer to the train station for your journey on board the Andean Explorer from Cuzco to Puno. This spectacular rail journey begins in historic Cuzco (Cusco) and travels south to the beautiful city of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. On the journey, the train makes a gentle climb to higher and cooler altitudes. The first half of the journey is dominated by the magnificent Andean mountains which towers over the deep valleys of the meandering Huatanay River. It then reaches the gentler, rolling Andean Plains, where vicuña and alpaca can be seen. The glass-walled observation car provides the perfect opportunity to view the beautiful scenery. The journey is broken by a scenic stop at La Raya, which is also the highest point on the route. A delicious three-course lunch is served and bar service is available (additional cost) throughout the journey. Drop off at your hotel in Puno around 6pm. 
Day 10     Puno – Uros and Taquile Islands – Puno
Full day excursion to Taquile, an island located 38 kilometres from Puno on Lake Titicaca. On the way, visit to the floating “totora” islands of the Uros Indians, ancient inhabitants of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Taquile´s Island is inhabited by just 1,600 Quechua-speaking Indians, and is considered to be paradise for visitors. Pre-Inca ruins, world famous hand weavings and an ancient communal way of life will be admired. Lunch is included. Return to Puno late afternoon. 
Day 11     Puno – La Paz
Early morning departure (approximately 6.30am) for coach journey crossing the border into Bolivia (Border Crossing fee USD1.00 approx). At Copacabana you will have time to visit the great Moorish style cathedral, famous for its statue of the dark virgin, the patron saint of Bolivia. Board the Catamaran that will take you across spectacular Lake Titicaca to the Inca Steps of Sun Island, where it is said that the Inca Empire began. Continue on through Tiquina Strait to Chua, before boarding a coach for around 50 kilometres to La Paz. At an altitude of 3,636m La Paz lies in a natural basin, surrounded by imposing snow-covered mountain peaks. Arrive at hotel at approximately 7.30pm.
Day 12     La Paz
8.30am hotel pick up for a private half day city sightseeing tour. Highlights include a visit to a typical Indian street market and the famous witches market, San Francisco colonial church, and the Plaza Murillo where the Cathedral and Government Palace and National Congress buildings are located. Visit old colonial La Paz with its cobbled streets before travel south through the residential areas to the natural wonder of the Moon Valley, with its weird lunar landscape and eroded earth pillars. Drop off at hotel around 12pm. Remainder of the day at leisure. La Paz is a very pleasant and fascinating place to explore and as the central part is relatively compact the best way to do it is on foot. 
Day 13     La Paz – Buenos Aires
Private transfer to the airport for your departure flight to Buenos Aires. Met on arrival for a transfer to your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. Buenos Aires is a sophisticated city with a strong European influence and culture. With its blend of Spanish, French and Italian architectural styles, great variety of night spots and cultural life it is often referred to as the “South American Paris”. Although Buenos Aires is a very large city it is easy to explore on foot.
FLIGHT:TBA
Day 14     Buenos Aires
Hotel pick up at 9am for a private city sightseeing tour visiting: Plaza de Mayo surrounded by El Cabildo, the Cathedral and La Casa Rosada (the pink house – Government House).  The colourful La Boca district, drive past the national Congress, 9 de Julio Avenue, Palermo and Recoleta. Drop off at hotel around 1pm. Afternoon at leisure. Hotel pick up at 7.30pm to enjoy dinner and a night of music and tango at one of theexcellent show places where typical songs and dances are performed. Drop off at hotel around midnight. 
Day 15     Buenos Aires
Day at Leisure. 
Day 16     Buenos Aires – Iguazu Falls
Your will be met at the pre-appointed time and transferred to the airport for your flight to Iguazu Falls . Met on arrival by our local representative for transfer to your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. In the Northeast of Argentina the Iguazu River joins the Parana River creating a natural border with Brazil and Paraguay. It is here that the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, the “Cataratas del Iguazu” plunge into a gorge of over 275 falls in a length of over 3km and more that 70mts down. Almost all the Falls are on Argentine territory since the natural boundary goes through the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) completely surrounded by a dense tropical forest, home of native small mammals, over 400 difference kinds of birds and full of butterflies. This area is one of the world’s most impressive sights.

FLIGHT:TBA
Day 17     Iguazu Falls
Today enjoy a half day tour of the Argentine side of the Falls including a visit the famous “Devil’s Throat”. The Falls are visited on foot from the hotel following a series of pathways that afford different views of the cascades. The lower walkway, some 1200m long follows the river and will take you to the foot of some of the Falls. The upper walkway follows a similar path and will enable you to see the falls up close. The final stage of the days sightseeing will be on the Great Adventure tour. Travel in a jeep for approximately 3km through the forest and see a variety of species of subtropical plants and trees, including the heart-of-palm, which grows abundantly here. With luck, animals and some of the beautiful birds of the region can also be seen. You will then go for a short walk through the forest toward the Macuco Falls and the banks of the Iguazu River. You will board open boats and travel upriver in the middle of the Iguassu Canyon to provide an unforgettable view of the Iguassu Falls. Return to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure. 
Day 18     Iguassu Falls – Rio De Janeiro
You will be met at the pre-appointed time and transferred to the airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro. Met on arrival by our representative from Rentamar for a private transfer to your hotel. Rio de Janeiro is nestled between the mountains and the sea. Rio is such an extraordinary city that its visitors are impressed at first sight by the climate and the striking landscape. From the sun-drenched beauty of its white sandy beaches to the generous hospitality of the “Cariocas” (as the town’s natives are called), Rio offers a combination that is hard to match. It is not only a beach resort combining tropical beauty and mountain views, but a sophisticated city as well.  FLIGHT:TBA
Day 19     Rio De Janeiro
Today you will experience the best of Rio, on your full day private sightseeing tour. 9am hotel pick up to visit the Christ the Redeemer statue, it stands on the top of the Corcovado Mountain (2,300 feet above sea level). To get there, we will drive through the Laranjeiras residential district and the quaint Cosme Velho to the Corcovado train station, where you will board a cogwheel train for a 15-minute ride that crosses Tijuca forest – the largest urban forest in the world. It has 8,000 acres of tropical rain forest right in the middle of Rio de Janeiro. Once on the mountaintop, you will be amazed with the construction of the statue, which consists of 120 feet of concrete and soapstone above the spectacular 360° view over the city. Continue through the Rebouças Tunnel, which leads to the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, a mirror lake bordered by residential buildings and gracious mansions, rolling, green hills and exotic gardens. Lunch will be served at a buffet restaurant, including traditional Brazilian BBQ. After lunch we will visit Sugar Loaf Mountain for superb views over the city and bay. Starting at the hotel, you will drive along famous beaches, such as Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana and Leme, reaching Praia Vermelha or Red Beach, in the Urca district. There, a cable car ascent is made in two stages toward the top of the Sugar Loaf Mountain. It will take three minutes to reach the first stage, the Urca mountain., where the gardens and sightseeing view will invite you to enjoy this midway stop before proceeding to the peak; where the crescent of the Atlantic ocean beaches comes fully into view and you will be amazed and certain of the city’s beauty. The return trip will be through Flamengo Park and there will also be a stop at the famous New Cathedral downtown. Drop off at hotel around 5pm.

Hotel pick up at around 8pm for a taste of the Rio Carnival atmosphere, enjoy dinner in one of Brazil’s famous BBQ places, where you will taste the delicious “churrasco”. The “rodizio” style of dining serves all sorts of meat in an all-you-can-eat-buffet. After dining, you will drive to the Plataforma show house to hear the spectacular Brazilian folk music. Carnival costumes and dances emphasize on the world-famous “samba” and the beautiful “mulata” dancers. The exotic mystery that has passed from generation to generation and the poetic magic blended together in music and dance come through in this show that reflects the spirit of Brazil. Drop off at your hotel around midnight. 
Day 20     Rio De Janeiro
Day at leisure.
Day 21      Depart Rio De Janeiro
After breakfast, hotel pick up for a private transfer back to the airport for your departure flight. Tour concludes. 


THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Due to unforeseen circumstances sightseeing tours may vary at the discretion of the tour operator.
Altitude affects each person differently – you may feel no discomfort at all or only slight light-headedness.
To reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness we recommend that you drink plenty of fluids:
water, fruit juices, herbal tea and the local `mate de coca’ (avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol)

On day 6 when you go to the Sacred Valley and on to Machu Picchu ,
please remember it is not possible to take large pieces of luggage on the train and bus.
We suggest you store the bulk of your luggage at the hotel and take only a small bag.
Please don’t leave any valuables stored in your luggage.
And don’t forget  your sun block, hat and mosquito repellent!

The second day or subsequent days entry fee to Machu Picchu is not included in your tour cost (USD 37.50 per person).
The bus ticket on the second day from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu return is also additional (USD12.00 return trip).
Entrance fees for visiting Machu Picchu can only be purchased in Cuzco or Aguas Calientes.

Transportation from Cuzco/Ollantaytambo/Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu)/Ollantaytambo/Cuzco is based on the Vistadome train.
While we endeavour to use this service wherever possible,
due to high demand it is often necessary to use coaches between Cuzco/Ollantaytambo/Cuzco to connect with rail services.
Costs and clarification of services will be provided at the time of confirmation.
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