South America Highlights

Day 1: Arrive in Lima
On arrival in Lima, transfer to your hotel.

Day 2: Lima
Breakfast. Tour of the City of the Kings, you will start in Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological center active between 400-700 AD. Proceed to the historical centerof Lima, declared by Unesco as a World Heritage. Here you will see the XVIIIth century Cathedral, the Government Palace, the City Hall and Archbishop Palace. Proceed to San Francisco monastery, masterpiece of colonial arquitecture. Drive through the residential districts of Miraflores and San Isidro from where you can see the remarkably cold Pacific Ocean.

Day 3: Lima - Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for departure flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, assistance at the airport and transfer to your selected hotel. In the afternoon, explore this most magical city, capital of the Inca Empire (15th century), on a tour* including Plaza Regocijo, Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Convent and the legendary Korikancha Temple "site of gold", the most important temple devoted to worship of the sun and whose walls were plated with sheets of gold, and the old town with its very narrow streets. Drive out of the city to visit the archaeological Inca remains of Tambomachay, Kenko, Puca Pucara and the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, overlooking Cusco. Overnight Cusco. (* this tour may include other people)

Day 4: Sacred Valley
Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Drive through the valley to Ollantaytambo, stroll by the quaint streets of the present town and proceed to admire the magnificence of the Inca fortress. Enjoy lunch at a nice hostelry in the countryside and continue to Pisac for an opportunity to bargain with vendors at its typical market. Lunch / Dinner.

Day 5: Machu Picchu
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the hotel to Ollanta station and board the railcoach for one-and-a-half hour train ride to Machu Picchu. 25-minute motorcoach ascent to "The Lost City of the Incas". Guided tour of the marvelous citadel, an awe-inspiring experience. Enjoy lunch at Orient Express Sanctuary Lodge next to the citadel. Lunch / Dinner.

Day 6: Machu Picchu - Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel. Early wake up to admire Machu Picchu at sunrise. Stroll by these extraordinary Inca remains or hike up the Huayna Picchu. Afternoon motorcoach or rail transportation to Cusco. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Day 7: Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure. Enjoy Cusco´s colonial churches and mansions built over original Inca constructions, admire its beautiful plazas or just stroll its picturesque cobblestoned streets. Visit San Blas quarter, or simply spend the day shopping and relaxing.

Day 8: Cusco - Lima - Rio
Breakfast at the hotel.Transfer from the hotel to the airport. Assistance on departure flight. Upon arrival in Lima, assistance to connecting internacional flight. Upon arrival in Rio, our representative will be waiting for you at the airport and he will take you to your hotel.

Day 9: Rio (city tour, Sugar Loaf)
After breakfast, a half day tour of the city and Sugar Loaf. With Corcovado Mountai, Sugar Loaf is one of Rio’s most emblematic landmarks. Two cable cars rise 396m above Rio, the first to the top of Urca Hill with its great view of Guanabara Bay and the winding coastline. The second cable car goes up to the peak. Rio lies at our feet, and we are offered visual proof that the city deserves its nickname ‘Cidade Maravilhosa’ (Marvellous City). The afternoon is free.

Day 10: Rio (Corcovado mountain, Tijuca Forest)
After breakfast, a half day tour by jeep of Corcovado & Tijuca Forest. Corcovado, topped by the 32m statue of Christ the Redeemer, is the most famous image of Rio and the views are simply stunning. Corcovado is in the Tijuca Atlantic Forest, the world´s largest urban forest. The jeep takes you through this, stopping for a walk in a forest trail up to Cascatinha Fall. The afternoon is free.

Day 11: Rio (Petropolis)
A day trip to imperial Petrópolis. When Rio became too muggy in summer, the imperial family escaped to this charming mountain retreat, 53 kilometers (33 miles) to the north. Petrópolis is inextricably linked with Brazil’s great historic figure, Dom Pedro II. The son of Austrian empress Leopoldina and Brazil’s first emperor, Dom Pedro II reigned for 50 years from 1840, abolishing slavery and forging a nation. The neo-classical Imperial Palace is a perfectly-preserved summer palace. Not to be missed are the imperial scepter and the 1.7kg crown with 639 diamonds and 77 pearls. We then visit the Gothic-style Cathedral. The buildings, parks and squares of historic interest reveal the city’s undeniable European face. Lunch* at a local restaurant before returning to Rio. (* Not included in economy).

Day 12: Rio - Iguazu (Brazilian falls)
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguazu. Upon arrival at IGU airport, transfer to your hotel. After check in, a walking tour of the famous Brazilian falls and a safari boat trip along the Iguassu River to see the mighty waterfalls from below. The national park of Iguassu is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first encounter with the largest rain forest of Southern Brazil is at the Visitor Center. The Brazilian side offers a superb panoramic view of the immense waterfall and one of the best views of the most spectacular section of the falls. The impact of 13,000 cubic meters of water per second on basalt rock produces an impressive rainbow-spanned cloud of spray. A catwalk, reached by a winding foot trail and an elevator, provides more intimate views.

Next stop, the national park Macuco Trail. A jeep is the best way to explore the rain forest with its 2,000 species of subtropical plants in different layers from the forest floor to high tree canopies. After 3km we start walking with eyes and ears open for animals and birds. A hiking trail leads to the Macuco Falls, one of the most picturesque places in the national park. At the banks of the Iguassu River, we take a specially-adapted boat and head towards the Iguassu Canyon for close-up hypnotizing views of the waterfalls crashing down from the cliffs high above.

Day 13: Iguazu (Argentine falls)
The Argentine falls are noted for close-up views of the individual falls and the forest. After breakfast we leave the hotel and cross the frontier at the Tancredo Neves Bridge. On the Argentine side a scenic highway leads up to the Argentine Iguazu Park. The park covers an area of 55,000 hectares; its fauna includes jaguars, tapirs, brown capuchin monkeys, along with a huge variety of birds and butterflies. We have ample time to visit the upper Argentine Falls and the San Martin Falls.

Day 14: Iguazu - Buenos Aires
Buffet breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the Iguazu IGR airport. Arrival in Buenos Aires and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, city tour sightseeing the most interesting places in Buenos Aires city: Plaza de Mayo Square, the Government House, the Cabildo, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Mayo Avenue, the Congress Palace, the Colón Theatre, La Boca neighbourhood, Palermo, the Planetarium and La Recoleta with its famous cemetery.

Day 15: Buenos Aires
Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure for optional tours: we recommend the Fiesta Gaucha: full day excursion dedicated to the visit of an estancia, a typical Argentine ranch, ideal place to appreciate the Argentine gaucho skills in cattle breeding and horseback riding. We will also enjoy the typical Argentine barbecue, the “asado": beef ribs placed on an iron grid and grilled on wood embers.

Day 16: Buenos Aires - Puerto Madryn
Meeting at the airport. Transfer to Punta Tombo Penguin Rookery to admire a magnificent colony of millions of Magellan penguins that meet for mating and giving birth every year. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 17: Puerto Madryn
Breakfast. Full day excursion to the ecological world of Valdés Peninsula (lunch not included). We will pass between San Jose and Nuevo Gulfs, stop to watch the Birds Island and finally arrive at Puerto Pirámide. We will continue to Punta Delgada to watch its fauna, such as elephants and sea lions. (From July to November an optional boat excursion can be taken from Puerto Pirámide to watch the whales). Return to the hotel.

Day 18: Puerto Madryn - Ushuaia
Breakfast. Transfer to Trelew airport to board flight to Ushuaia. Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. In the afternoon, city tour visiting Ushuaia´s most important places and the "End of the World Museum".

Day 19: Ushuaia
Breakfast. Half day excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park and Lapataia Bay, visiting Pipo River, Mt. Susana, Cañadon del Toro, Lake Roca with a short stop at "The Woods Little House" where you will be able to taste its delicious cakes (optional). Afternoon at leisure to take optional tours, we recommend the Beagle Channel navigation. This option will allow you to navigate among the Bridges Islands, the Archipelago and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. It´s an excellent opportunity to see marine mammals and birds. Return to the hotel.

Day 20: Ushuaia - El Calafate
Breakfast and transfer to the airport to board flight to El Calafate. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Day at leisure: we suggest dinner at El Galpon with show.

Day 21: El Calafate
Breakfast. Day at leisure: we suggest a Full day optional excursion to see the Upsala & Onelli Glaciers, navigating among hundreds of icebergs that have broken off the glaciers.

Day 22: El Calafate - Buenos Aires
Breakfast. Full day excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the biggest glaciers in the world declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Transfer to the airport to board flight to Buenos Aires. Reception in J. Newbery local airport and transfer to the hotel.

Day 23: Buenos Aires - Santiago
Breakfast. Transfer to Ezeiza International Airport to board the international flight. Arrival in Santiago and transfer to the hotel.

Day 24: Santiago
Breakfast. Half day Santiago City Tour: Pick up from your hotel to explore the historic and modern sights of Santiago de Chile. We will start our trip at the Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago’s main avenue, visiting La Moneda, the Government Palace, where your guide will explain to you the historical and actual meaning of this place. Following this we will enjoy a walk through the pedestrian streets of Huérfanos and Ahumada, where the main commercial activity of the city is concentrated.

Afterwards we will visit the famous Plaza de Armas, the main square of the city, which is surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral and other historical buildings. We will continue by visiting the Santa Lucia hill, the hill upon which the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. It is a lone steep rock, with many plants and an antique building rising steeply from the city below. From here you can see the Parque Forestal (park) on one side and the Mapocho River on the other. We will cross the river to visit Bellavista, the cultural and artistic neighborhood of Santiago. We will drive along the shores of the Mapocho river and reach the area of Santa Maria de Manquehue to have an spectacular view of the city, Finally we will visit Los Dominicos handicraft market. Return to the hotel.

Day 25: Santiago - Calama
Breakfast. Transfer to Santiago airport. Arrival at the airport of Calama and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. San Pedro is an unusual colourful village located 2,440m / 8,000ft above sea level in the middle of a green oasis. In the afternoon you will be taken into the mystifying Valle de la Luna, the famous Moon Valley. At sunset you can see how the light intensifies the impression of a moonscape. We will climb a sand dune to watch this spectacle and then return to the hotel. Overnight in San Pedro.

Day 26: San Pedro, historical sites & the Atacama Salt Lake
Breakfast. After breakfast you will visit San Pedro de Atacama - the centre of a Paleolithic civilization that built impressive rock fortresses on the mountains encircling the green valley. The colonial church was constructed in 1577 and is the largest and most beautiful church in the region. The extraordinary archaeological museum (closed on Mondays) of Padre Gustavo Le Paige shows, among its many archaeological pre-Hispanic artifacts, several amazingly well preserved mummies, including one known as "Miss Chile."

After this visit you drive 4 km /2.5 miles to reach the pre- Columbian village Tulor with an approximate age of 3,000 years. The archaeological remains are the oldest evidence of human settlement in the valley. We will then continue our morning tour to Pukara de Quitor a fortress, which was conquered in 1540 by the Spanish conquistadores defeating the Incan troops who,in turn, had captured it from the pre-Incan cultures and extended the fortification. In the afternoon you will start your tour to Toconao, a village where locals dedicate themselves to the manufacture of white volcanic stone sculptures.

You continue to the huge Atacama Salt Lake, an inland sea formed millions of years ago. You will be overwhelmed by the vast emptiness with the white salt crusts stretched out in front of you as far as your eyes can see. It simply is one of the most spectacular and dramatic landscapes in Chile. Return to the hotel. Overnight in San Pedro. (BoxLunch)

Day 27: El Tatio and Machuca
Breakfast. In the morning we leave early at 4am to reach the El Tatio Geysers at an altitude of 4,300m / 14,108ft before sunrise. It is the highest geothermal field in the world in a remote setting and has spectacular scenery. Make sure to bring warm clothes because it is very cold in the morning at this altitude. At dawn, powerful spurts of steam shoot out from various blowholes. The steaming ponds are encrusted with brilliant salt crystals reflecting the metal-blue sky at dawn.

You will have enough time to enjoy this beautiful natural wonder before we return and drive to the village Machuca where the ancient llama caravans used to rest from their travels on the "Inca Highway". Today only few people live here. Afterwards, we will return to San Pedro de Atacama. Leisure time in the afternoon. Overnight in San Pedro.

Day 28: San Pedro - Calama - Punta Arenas
After breakfast, a transfer takes you to the Calama airport to board your departure flight. Upon arrival, late afternoon transfer to Puerto Natales; on our way to the town we will visit the penguin colony at Seno Otway. Overnight at Puerto Natales.

Day 29: Punta Arenas - Torres del Paine
Breakfast. Transfer to Torres del Paine National Park. We will make a tour through the Pampa Steppes and watch out for typical animals like the ñandu and a variety of smaller birds. We will stop to visit the Milodon Cave where a herbivore giant sloth lived about12.000 years ago. Arriving at Torres del PaineNational Park, we will pass the Laguna Amarga and Lake Pehoé (depending on the hostería we stay in). We will have beautiful views of the Paine Massif, Almirante Nieto, and Torres del Paine and can observe the wildlife of the area that includes guanacos,rheas, foxes, skunks, cauquenes,black-necked swans, flocks of flamingos, condors, and eagles. Overnight at Torres del Paine.

Day 30: Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales
Breakfast. After breakfast you will have the rest of the day at your leisure. Enjoy a hike near the lodge or one of the optional excursions offered by the lodge; please ask at the reception of your hostería upon arrival on Day 2 which tours they offer. In the afternoon you will return to Puerto Natales, overnight in Puerto Natales.

Day 31: Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas - Santiago
Breakfast. After a breakfast at the hotel you will be taken to Punta Arenas Airport for your afternoon flight. Arrival in Santiago and transfer to the hotel.

Day 32: Fly out from Santiago
Breakfast. Transfer to Santiago airport for your international flight.