South America Highlights

South America Highlights Itinerary

Day 1 – Lima
You arrive in Lima and are transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to savour the experiences of Peru.
Hotel: Hotel Boulevard

Day 2 – Lima
Today you will join our half day excursion to colonial Lima, visiting the Cathedral, the main square, Government Palace and other attractions of Lima downtown. Afterwards we will arrive at the modern and residential district of San Isidro. We continue to the “garden districts” of Lima, where you will find the best restaurants, hotels and entertainment in town. We end our tour in Mira Flores, the most modern district in the city, brimming with shops, restaurants, cafes, wide avenues and an active nightlife.
Hotel: Hotel Boulevard (B)

Day 3 – Lima / Cuzco
You are transferred to the domestic airport this morning for a flight to Cuzco where we will first check-in at the hotel. This afternoon join our excursion to the centre of the Inca empire to see the Plaza de Armas, the Inca Palace, and the magnificent colonial buildings at the old town. Afterwards we make our way up to Sacsayhuaman, a ruin situated 3km above Cuzco, offering a stunning view of the city.
Hotel: Hotel Los Andes de America (B)

Day 4 – Cuzco
Today is free at your leisure to explore the area or join our optional full day excursion to the Pisac Indian Market and a visit to the ruins of Ollantaytambo with inclusive lunch.
Hotel: Hotel Los Andes de America (B)

Day 5 – Cuzco / Machu Picchu / Cuzco
Today’s excursion is one of the highlights of the tour: Machu Picchu, known as the lost city of the Inca Empire. Our journey starts in a train that zig-zags up and through the mountainous hillside, then descends into the sacred valley, passing lush green hills and colourful villages in the foothills of the Andes until we reach Aguas Calientes. Here a mini coach will drive us up the steep mountain to the spectacular ruins. Never discovered by the Spanish invaders, and hidden for centuries under jungle greenery, the Incas’ holy city was found in 1911. The most important archeological site in South America, its towers, temples and terraces are a fantastic feat of engineering, and its haunting atmosphere is often enhanced by the mountain mists. After an extensive guided visit of this impressive site, we return to Cuzco by train.
Hotel: Hotel Los Andes de America (B)

Day 6 – Cuzco / Puno
Today enjoy a full day coach tour from Cuzco to Puno. During the ride through the Peruvian highland we will drive along snow-covered peaks, ascending up to 4300 m above sea level and then descending to Puno, which is situated on the Titicaca lake. En route we will visit the town of Andahuaylillas, the ruins of Racchi, and the small town of Pucara beside another Inca remains. Lunch is provided today in a local restaurant. You will be escorted to your hotel as soon as we arrive at Puno.
Hotel: Posada Del Inca (B,L)

Day 7 – Puno / Lake Titicaca / La Paz
Early in the morning we will visit the Uros Indians, famous for living on their floating islands of reed. Afterwards the coach will take us to Copacabana, likely the most important place of pilgrimage in Latin America, which also gave the name to the famous beach in Rio de Janeiro. Here we will board a Catamaran that takes us over the Titicaca Lake to the Island of the Sun, part of the modern Republic of Bolivia. Lunch will be served on board before we arrive at Chua this afternoon. Upon arrival we take a coach to La Paz, the highest metropolis on earth (ca. 4.000 meters).
Hotel: Hotel El Rey Palace (B,L)

Day 8 – La Paz
Today’s programme starts with a city tour through La Paz. The city offers many well preserved colonial buildings and in the narrow lanes of the old town the picturesque Indian market still takes place. We take in the chic suburbs of La Paz to the Moon Valley, where wind and rain have formed a moon like landscape over millions of years.
Hotel: Hotel El Rey Palace (B)

Day 9 – La Paz / Buenos Aires
Today we transfer to the airport for a flight to Buenos Aires, where you will be immediately escorted to your next hotel. The rest of the day is at your own leisure.
Hotel: Hotel De Las Americas (B)

Day 10 – Buenos Aires
After breakfast you will explore this unique city in our half day city tour, which takes you to see the delights and attractions that Buenos Aires has to offer. The tour continues onto La Boca to see its colourful tin-houses, before moving onto the cemetery of Recoleta for the grave of Eva Duarte, who became famous as Evita Perón. We travel along the widest avenue in the world, the Avenida 9 de Julio, to Plaza Lavalle with the Federal Court of Justice and the Teatro Colón, before visiting the parks and gardens of Palermo. The rest of your day is free after we return to our hotel, although you can join us on the optional tour to the San Telmo market, no doubt the best kept historical neighbourhood and eldest district of Buenos Aires.
Hotel: Hotel De Las Americas (B)

Day 11 – Buenos Aires / Iguassú
We will board a flight this morning to Iguassú, where we will visit the Argentinean side of the Iguassú Falls. Stretching for 2.7km and split into a series of 175 cascades, the Falls mark the borders of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, their rainforest setting a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we will proceed on a walking tour along the falls’ circuits, which offer a multitude of magnificent views. Afterwards we will embark on an Ecological Jungle Train that leads us to the most impressive observation point – the Garganta Del Diablo (Devil’s Throat). We will then transfer to our hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls.
Hotel: Hotel Falls Galli (B)

Day 12 – Iguassú
Today we will take a coach across the Iguassú National Park towards the Brazilian side of Iguassú falls. We will walk along the paths following the cascades and then along the catwalk leading us very close to the bottom of Devil’s Throat, enjoying spectacular views. An elevator will take us back to the road where our coach will return us to our hotel.
Hotel: Hotel Falls Galli (B)

Day 13 – Iguassú / Rio de Janeiro
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Rio de Janeiro, the final destination of this tour. After checking in the hotel you may wish to take a stroll along Copacabana Beach and join us in the afternoon for a beach tour. We will board a cog-train for the ride through Tijuca Forest up to Corcovado Mountain, which provides a wonderful opportunity to take a closer look at the forest’s lush vegetation and enjoy the scenic landscape of the beaches and the city. Disembarking at the top of the mountain, we will proceed to the top lookout where the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer stands above the breathtaking views unfolding below.
Hotel: Hotel Mirador Copacabana (B)

Day 14 – Rio de Janeiro
The day is yours to enjoy at your leisure to explore the delights of the city, though you will have the opportunity to sign up on one of our optional excursions.
Hotel: Hotel Mirador Copacabana (B)

Inclusions

• ■ Flights on scheduled airlines
• ■ 14 night’s accommodation
• ■ Excursions described as included in the itinerary
• ■ Baggage porterage
• ■ Meals included as detailed: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)

Please be aware:
2010 Itineraries may vary slightly to the 2009 itinerary shown. Please contact reservations for more information.

Please note:
Alternative but similar hotels may be used at certain times of the year.