Essence of South America
23 DAY ESCORTED TOUR
DEPARTURE DATE: 14 March 2011
***
Day 1: AUSTRALIA - SANTIAGO Transfer to hotel.
Day 2: SANTIAGO - LIMA (B) Transfer out to airport for flight to Lima, transfer in and half day city tour.
Day 3: LIMA - CUZCO (B) Transfer to airport for your flight to Cuzco. Transfer to hotel.
Day 4: CUZCO - SACRED VALLEY (B, L) Full day tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Overnight.
Day 5: SACRED VALLEY - MACHU PICCHU (B, L) Train to Machu Picchu, ruins tour and overnight.
Day 6: MACHU PICCHU - CUZCO (B) Morning free to visit ruins. Return train and land transfer to Cuzco.
Day 7: CUZCO (B) Half day city tour of some of the sites in and around Cuzco including the cathedral, Q'oricancha (the temple of the sun) and the fortress of Sacsahuaman.
Day 8: CUZCO - PUNO (B, L) Spectacular Andean Explorer train journey across the Altiplano Puno to the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Day 9: PUNO (B) Half day tour of Uros, to visit the communities that live on these reed islands.
Day 10: PUNO - LA PAZ (B, L) Cross from Peru into Bolivia, via the lovely lakeside village of Copacabana, boarding a comfortable catamaran to begin the scenic crossing of the magical Lake Titicaca. Stop at the complex on Sun Island for an introduction to the mysterious Tiwanaku civilisation on the way to La Paz.
Day 11: LA PAZ (B) Half day city tour including the rock formations of Moon valley and learn about the local "Pacenos" customs and traditions including a trip local witchery market.
Day 12: LA PAZ - SANTIAGO (B) Transfer to airport for flight to Santiago. Transfer to hotel.
Day 13: SANTIAGO (B) Half day city tour of Santiago, dramatically set at the foot of the Andes mountains to discover the city's many layers of cultural influence, visit "La Moneda" government house and try some pisco sour.
Day 14: SANTIAGO - RIO DE JANEIRO (B) Transfer to airport for flight to one of the most scenic and lively cities in the world, Rio de Janeiro. Transfer to hotel.
Day 15: RIO DE JANEIRO (B) Tour and cable car trip to one of the city's favourite landmarks Sugar Loaf mountain, the famous granite and quartz peaks overlooking Guanabara bay for a fantastic view.
Day 16: RIO DE JANEIRO (B) Half day trip to the top of Corcovado mountain, catching a small train through the Tijuca forest before reaching the top to see the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.
Day 17: RIO DE JANEIRO - IGUAZU FALLS (B) Transfer to airport for flight to Iguazu. Transfer and tour to the Brazilian side of the falls for a panoramic view of the 275 falls spanning nearly 3 kilometres and running along the border of Brazil and Argentina.
Day 18: IGUAZU FALLS (B) Guided walk along the many trails on the Argentine side of the falls, including a small train journey to the impressive Devil's Throat, the impressive point during which most water passes.
Day 19: IGUAZU FALLS - BUENOS AIRES (B) Transfer to airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Transfer to hotel.
Day 20: BUENOS AIRES (B) Half day tour of South America's stylish capital, Buenos Aires, whose architecture and boulevards are steeply influenced by a European heritage. Visit the bohemian street market of La Boca, the tango barrio of San Telmo and the famous Recoleta cemetery, home to the resting place of Eva Peron.
Day 21: BUENOS AIRES (B, D) Free day to discover this exciting city or go shopping. In the evening, experience the tango in all its glory and sample the succulent local beef with a dinner and show.
Day 22: BUENOS AIRES - AUSTRALIA (B) Transfer to the airport for flight home.
Day 23: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA
**Pre and post tour extensions available to the Galapagos Islands and Southern Lakes Distrist. Please inquire for prices.
COST PER PERSON:
TWIN - $9737.00
SINGLE - $12,656.00
TOUR INCLUDES:
- International economy airfares ex MEL/BNE/SYD
- 6 internal flights within South America
- Accommodation in selected class hotels with private facilities
- Meals as indicated (21 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 1 dinner)
- Return economy Vistadome train to Machu Picchu
- First class train journey from Cuzco to Puno
- First class catamaran journey across Lake Titicaca
- Transport by air conditioned vehicles
- Comprehensive sightseeing and excursions
- Meeting service and airport transfers
- English speaking local guides
- Tour Escort (minimum 6 people)
TOUR EXCLUDES:
- Air taxes (taxes invoiced as tickets are issued
- Departure taxes (paid locally at airports)
- Tipping