Tour members depart from their respective home cities by domestic flights to Sydney or Auckland where they join their international flight to Santiago. Upon arrival you will connect to your flight to Buenos Aires, arriving early evening. After clearing Customs & Immigration you will be transferred to your hotel for a three-night stay.
Hotel De Las Americas (Breakfast)
Today you depart on an interesting day tour into the surrounding Pampas for an insight into Argentine rural life. You will see Gauchos at work and enjoy a barbecue lunch accompanied by a Gaucho band. Later you will be treated to some Argentine folk dances along with horse riding and mustering demonstrations.
Hotel De Las Americas (Breakfast)
Morning sightseeing tour, including the Presidential Palace, Cathedral, Colon Theatre and the picturesque Boca Waterfront district. Afternoon free, when there will be an opportunity to do some bargain hunting and shopping, for which the city is renowned. In the evening you will be taken to a famous Steakhouse, and after dinner there will be a Tango Folkloric Show .
Hotel De Las Americas (breakfast)
Morning transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Iguazu. After a tour of the Argentinian side of the Falls, including the famous Devil's Throat, we continue to our hotel for an overnight stay. Afternoon free for shopping and sightseeing. In the evening there is an optional Brazilian-style barbecue and a local Folkloric Show, after which we return to our hotel.
Continental Inn (Breakfast)
This morning we visit the National Park followed by a short walking tour and an exciting boat ride before continuing to the Brazilian side of the Falls, where there will be an opportunity for a scenic helicopter flight . Afternoon departure for the airport for a short flight to Rio. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Orla Copacabana Hotel (Breakfast)
Full-day tour of Rio, including a funicular railway ride through the forest to the top of Corcovado Mountain, which offers beautiful views of the city and a chance to see the 40-metre-high statue of Christ the Redeemer. After lunch we continue to the Sugerloaf Cable Car Station for a six-minute cable car ride to the top of the mountain. We return to our hotel late afternoon.
Orla Copacabana Hotel (Breakfast & Lunch)
After breakfast you will be taken on a tour of the Favelas, the poorer districts of Rio, for an insight into the lives of these unfortunate people. Afternoon free, and in the evening you will enjoy a barbecue dinner. You may also wish to visit one of the famous Samba Show houses for entertainment and a drink (own expense).
Orla Copacabana Hotel (Breakfast & Dinner)
After breakfast we travel by coach along the scenic Brazilian coastline to the historic town of Paraty. This afternoon you will be taken on a walking tour of the city, which has been inhabited since 1650 and has been accorded UNESCO status.
Pousada Do Marquesa(Breakfast)
Free day to explore this historic jewel and relax in the many coffee shops and bars. There is an optional sailing boat cruise which stops at various islands and beaches.
Pousada Do Marquesa (Breakfast)
Today we travel via a spectacular highway to Sao Paulo and the airport for your flight across the continent to Lima, where you arrive late evening. After clearing Customs & Immigration you will be transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay.
Faraona Grand Hotel (Breakfast)
Today you will be taken on a Special City Tour, including the Presidential Palace, San Francisco with its amazing art, the Catacombs and the world-famous Laco Herrera Museum . Balance of day free.
Faraona Grand Hotel (Breakfast & Lunch)
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Cuzco, an ancient city and former Inca capital. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Time at leisure to acclimatise to the altitude (3,400 metres). This afternoon you will be taken on a City Tour, including the Main Square and Cathedral as well as the impressive ruins of the Sacsayhuaman Fortress before returning to our hotel.
Ruinas Hotel (Breakfast)
A visit to the famous Market town of Pisaq in the Sacred Valley is a memorable experience. After lunch we visit the impressive ruins of the Fortress of Ollantaytambo before returning to our hotel.
Pakaritampu Hotel (Breakfast & Lunch)
Today you will have more time to explore the Sacred Valley. You may wish to visit the village or take an optional downhill trek through unspoiled native villages and the Laras Pass on the old Inca Trail.
Pakaritampu Hotel (Breakfast & Lunch)
Morning transfer to Ollanta Station to join a scenic train ride. The train crosses many swift-flowing rivers and runs parallel to the Inca Trail. Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes you will be transferred by minibus to the Machu Picchu citadel. These world-famous Inca ruins are not visible from the base of the mountain and remained hidden untill 1911. A three-hour guided tour of the ruins is an undoubted tour highlight. You will also have time to explore the ruins at your leisure before being transferred to your hotel at the base of the mountain.
Inti Inn (Breakfast)
After breakfast there will be an opportunity to revisit the ruins (transfers and entrance fee at own expense). After an early lunch you will be transferred to the station for your return train trip to Cuzco, arriving late afternoon.
Ruinas Hotel (Breakfast & Lunch)
This morning we visit the mountain town of Moray and the Maras Saltpans, which have been worked continuously since Inca times. Afternoon at leisure.
Ruinas Hotel (Breakfast)
Free day to explore this fascinating town, with opportunities to purchase local handicrafts and visit an alpaca wool factory. Your tour leader will be on hand to assist and direct you.
Ruinas Hotel (Breakfast)
After breakfast we depart by coach and, travelling at a height of over 4,300 metres, cross the Altiplano to Juliaca and continue to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca . Lunch is provided en route, and attractive local handicrafts such as rugs and ponchos are available for purchase.
Plaza Mayor Hotel (Breakfast & Lunch)
Early morning departure for the famous floating islands of Lake Titicaca, where you will have an opportunity to stop on one of the islands and visit the local Uros Indians. We then travel by coach to Copacabana, a small attractive town on the shores of the lake. After lunch we visit the local church. Balance of day free.
Rosario Del Lago (Full Board)
After breakfast we join our motor cruiser and sail to Sun Island, the legendary birthplace of the Incas, before returning to Copacabana, where we rejoin our coach and continue to La Paz , the capital of Bolivia.
Presidente Hotel (Breakfast)
Morning tour of the city, including the colonial sector and the Witchcraft Market, where many of the women stall holders still wear bowler hats which were introduced by the British. From here we continue to the spectacular landscape of Moon Valley, which has been planted with eucalypt trees to prevent further soil erosion. Afternoon free.
Presidente Hotel (Breakfast)
Free day to catch that last-minute bargain at one of the many markets, including silver and Lapis, wood carvings or Alpaca handicrafts.
Presidente Hotel (Breakfast)
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Santiago. From here tour members will connect to their flights to Auckland or Sydney.
In Flight (Breakfast)
Today you will cross the International Date Line.
Arrive Auckland early morning. Queensland tour members will connect directly to Brisbane while other tour members continue to Sydney and their respective destinations.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
BUENOS AIRES, TIGRE TOUR
Visit the Presidential residence in Olivos before taking the coastal train to Tigre and the Parana River delta, an ecological zone containing semi-tropical forests and thousands of islands. Tour includes a canal boat excursion and the Tigre street markets.
Cost: $ 27.00
IGUAZU, GRAN AVENTURE SAFARI BOAT RIDE
An exciting adventure inside the national park, travelling through the jungle by open wagon and exploring humid subtropical forests to the banks of the Iguazu River. Tour includes a boat ride to the Iguazu Falls and the viewing catwalk.
Cost: $ 54.00
IGUAZU, HELICOPTER FLIGHT
Take a helicopter ride over the falls for a truly spectacular bird's eye view.
Cost: $ 125.00
IGUAZU, RAFAIN CENTRO SHOW AND BBQ
Enjoy a typical Brazilian style BBQ and an interesting evening of local folkloric entertainment.
Cost: $ 63.00
RIO DE JANEIRO, GUANABARA BAY BOAT CRUISE
Take a traditional schooner cruise in historical and picturesque Guanabara Bay with Rio de Janeiro as the backdrop. Highlights include the Santa Cruz and Sao Joao fortresses at the bay entrance, Rio-Niteroi Bridge, Museum of Contemporary Art, the "Fiscal" Island and Green Palace, several Brazilian Navy ships and tropical fruit tasting.
Cost: $ 50.00
RIO DE JANEIRO, HISTORIC CITY AND SANTA TERESA JEEP TOUR
Visit Santa Teresa, a traditional Rio district, which is the centre for craftsmanship galleries and the only part of the city where trolley cars still operate.
Cost: $ 63.00 (min. 2 passengers)
PARATY, SCHOONER CRUISE
Take a tour of the bay on a typical schooner, stopping at various islands and beaches.
Cost: $ 25.00 or $ 42.00 including lunch
PARATY, GOLD ROUTE TOUR
Experience authentic Brazil and the thrilling contrasts of the Paraty hinterland and dense Atlantic rainforests, climbing through flowering hills and valleys to the village of Cunha, famous for its ceramic artists and local market, before visiting the distilleries of Cachaca to view local artesian production.
Cost: $ 36.00
CUZCO, LARAS PASS HIKE
Trek downhill through the Laras Pass along the old Inca Trail through a panoramic splendour of valleys, mountains and canyons, with an opportunity to visit unspoiled native villages whose inhabitants still wear traditional costumes. Upon arrival in Totora you will be returned to your hotel.
Cost: $ 223.00 (min. 2 passengers)
CUZCO, MYSTICAL TOUR
Meet an Andean priest who demonstrates clairvoyant practices by reading coca leaves - a ritual steeped in Andean tradition - before continuing to a fountain in Tipon to take part in a ceremony of offering and worship to the water.
Cost: $ 166.00 (min. 2 passengers)
LA PAZ, GOLF
Play a 9-hole game of golf at the world's highest commerical golf course. (Transfer not included. Cost depends upon number of participants).
Cost: $ 125.00
LA PAZ, MT CHACALTAYA TOUR
Travel to Mt Chacaltaya, the worl's highest ski field, offering spectacular views over the vast Bolivian Altiplano encompassing La Paz and Lake Titicaca.
Cost: $ 45.00 (min. 4 passengers)
LA PAZ, HALF-DAY TIWANAKU TOUR
Travel via the Altiplano to Tiwanaku, the former capital of a civilization founded around 700AD. Once the largest capital in the world, Tiwanaku is considered to be the cradle of American civilization, with pre-Inca ruins dating back to 1580 BC. The tour includes a visit to the town of Laja, where La Paz was founded in 1548.
Cost: $ 63.00 (min. 2 passengers)