SOUTH AMERICA REVEALED 16 DAYS FROM $4,895 US Details below or
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Immerse yourself in the music, cuisine and culture of South America while exploring the celebrated sites of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Stroll the energetic streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina and discover the Mayan archeological sites of Machu Picchu, Cuzco and Lima in Peru. Stand in awe at Iguassu Falls and take in Sacred Valley for a taste of South America’s famed natural beauty.
Highlights Rio de Janeiro,
Iguassu,
Buenos Aires,
Lima,
Sacred Valley,
Machu Picchu,
Cusco
Day 1 to Day 2 DEPART GATEWAY - ARRIVE RIO DE JANEIRO (4 NIGHTS)
Board your overnight flight to South America (not included in vacation price). Bemvindo ao Rio! Upon your early morning arrival, you’ll be met and taken to your luxury oceanfront hotel, where your room is available for immediate check-in. The rest of the morning is at leisure. This afternoon, take a classic cogwheel train to the summit of Corcovado, home to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Descend the mountain and see the famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches on your way back to the hotel. Enjoy a festive Welcome Reception with your Tour Director and fellow travelers at the hotel.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
Hotel: Rio Othon Palace (MD)
Day 3 RIO DE JANEIRO SIGHTSEEING & FREE TIME
Spend the morning exploring the cidade maravilhosa (marvelous city) and its many contrasts - from the 18th century aqueduct and colonial Candelaria Church to the 20th century Opera House, Sambadromo and city Cathedral. Then stretch your legs in lovely Flamengo Park before ascending Sugarloaf Mountain via cable car for astounding views over the city and the bay. The rest of the day is yours to explore on your own. This evening, learn how to mix the perfect Caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail made with cachaça, and indulge in a traditional Brazilian Highlight Dinner at a local churrascaria followed by a lively Samba show, highlighting the costumes and traditions of Rio’s world-famous Carnival parade.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 4 RIO DE JANEIRO FREE TIME
Enjoy a full day to discover the wonders of Rio on your own. Or choose to embark on an optional half-day journey by jeep and foot into the lush Tijuca National Park - the world’s largest urban rainforest. Perhaps explore Petropolis, the Imperial City of Brazil, or, if you prefer, cruise the emerald waters of Sepetiba Bay, stopping at an island for lunch and a swim. Your Tour Director will be happy to help you plan your day.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
Day 5 RIO DE JANEIRO - IGUASSU FALLS (2 NIGHTS)
This morning you will be introduced to one of Brazil’s most famous specialties: gemstones. Learn and watch the fascinating creative process as precious metals and rough gemstones are transformed into works of art, design and luxury. Then fly southwest to Iguassu Falls, on the border of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. This evening, enjoy a convivial dinner with your traveling companions at the hotel.
Day 6 IGUASSU FALLS SIGHTSEEING & FREE TIME
Enter Iguassu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore the Brazilian side of the cascades with an expert guide, including a scenic walk through the rainforest at the base of the falls. Enjoy a Highlight Lunch at a local restaurant with a view of the falls, then return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. You may choose to take an optional excursion into the lush Macuco rainforest to get up close and personal with jungle nature and then cruise the river to see the falls from below.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Highlight Lunch)
Day 7 IGUASSU FALLS - BUENOS AIRES (3 NIGHTS)
Cross the border into Argentina to see the falls from a different perspective. Stop at the Visitors Center to learn about the geography of the area. Take a guided walk along a scenic catwalk and board the open-air Ecological Jungle Train to view the mighty falls and see the thunderous Devil’s Throat Falls. Then fly to Buenos Aires and arrive at your stylish hotel, located in the heart of Argentina’s exciting capital with easy access to designer boutiques, fine restaurants, museums, theaters and the famous Teatro Colon. This evening enjoy a light buffet dinner with drinks at your hotel, followed by a Local Expert presentation on the essence and roots of being Argentinean and learn about Argentina’s culture, traditions and passions.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Sheraton Libertador Hotel (SF)
Day 8 BUENOS AIRES SIGHTSEEING
Embark on an in-depth tour of the passionate city where the tango was born. See the Casa Rosada, Metropolitan Cathedral and other government buildings; world-renowned Teatro Colon; La Boca; San Telmo with its famed outdoor market and lovely Palermo. Stop at the workshop of a master leather artisan and learn how Argentine leathers are turned into fine leather goods. Lastly, visit the elegant Recoleta where you visit the museum dedicated to Eva Peron (Evita) as well as the impressive cemetery where she is buried. This evening, join your Tour Director and fellow travelers for an exclusive Be My Guest experience as you are welcomed by a local family into their elegant mansion. Your hosts share their passion for art and invite you to learn how to make delicious empanadas - rolled pies stuffed with an array of delicious fillings. Sample these treats and other hors d’oeuvres while learning about and tasting some of Argentina’s best vintages and varietals from the Cafayate and Mendoza wine regions.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)
Day 9 BUENOS AIRES FREE TIME
Relish a morning and afternoon at leisure to pursue your own interests in the “Paris of South America.” The possibilities are endless. Visit one of the country’s finest museums at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. Or, take an optional excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Colonia del Sacramento across the Rio de la Plata in Uruguay. And if you’d like to experience a different side of Argentina, take an optional trip out into the countryside to spend the day at a traditional estancia (ranch), including a lively equestrian show and traditional parrillada (barbeque) lunch. This evening, linger over a Highlight Dinner and a chance for an authentic taste of world-renowned Argentinean beef! Cap off the evening watching the best tango dancers in Buenos Aires perform the tango and experience the passion and power of Argentina’s beloved, traditional tango music.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 10 BUENOS AIRES - LIMA
Bid Adios to Buenos Aires and Hola to Lima as you fly to Peru. Enjoy a unique Be My Guest experience at Casa Diez Canseco, the private home of an illustrious Lima family. Meet the friendly owner and learn about the history of your host’s ancestors as he leads you on a tour of his home. Then celebrate your arrival in Peru with a sumptuous home-cooked meal of traditional Peruvian delicacies. After lunch, spend the afternoon exploring Peru’s capital. Visit Lima’s colonial sights, including the Plaza San Martin with its impressive cathedral and the stately government palace. Then tour the splendid Church of San Francisco with its atmospheric catacombs and interesting library. Conclude your afternoon sightseeing with visits to the upscale suburbs of Miraflores and San Isidro, home to fashionable shops, cafes and restaurants.
Meal(s): (Be My Guest dinner)
Hotel: Novotel Lima (F)
Day 11 LIMA - CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY
This morning, fly to Cusco, and head for the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Stop at Awanakancha, where you can see and touch llamas, alpacas and vicunas and learn about traditional Andean textiles as you see weavers at work. Enjoy a box picnic lunch before visiting the vibrant market of Pisac, where local Quechua people gather to sell their produce and handicrafts. Later this afternoon, arrive at your lovely hotel, a former 18th century monastery, in the heart of the Urubamba Valley. Enjoy dinner with your traveling companions at the hotel.
Day 12 SACRED VALLEY - MACHU PICCHU
After breakfast, head to Ollantaytambo to visit this famous Inca hilltop fortress built from immense blocks of stone. Then board the Vistadome train and view incredible scenery through panoramic windows as you journey up to the great citadel of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, take a short bus ride to the entrance gate and begin your exploration of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Your expert guide takes you through the ruins of this once-great fortress, built in the 15th century and abandoned nearly 100 years later with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. See the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the great Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the Intihuatana, an intricately carved rock most likely used as a sundial or calendar by the ancient Incans. This evening, share your stories with your traveling companions over dinner at the hotel.
Day 13 MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO (2 NIGHTS)
Your morning is free to return to Machu Picchu and continue your discoveries on your own. If you’re feeling adventurous, hike up to the Gate of the Sun for stunning views over the fortress and the valley below. In the early afternoon, descend from your mountaintop aerie and head toward the great colonial city of Cusco. On the way, stop at a local chicheria for a taste of chicha and to learn how this Peruvian corn beer is made by women only.
Day 14 CUSCO SIGHTSEEING & FREE TIME
Take a morning tour of Cusco, the capital of the Incas during their reign. See the highlights of the city, including the incredible baroque cathedral on the main Plaza de Armas. Visit the 17th century Church of Santo Domingo, which was built atop the foundations of the Inca Temple of the Sun, or Korikancha. Just outside of town, explore the impressive ruins of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, perched on a hill overlooking the Sacred Valley. Back in Cusco, meet with Kike Pinto, founder and Director of the Museum of Andean and Amazon Musical Instruments, for an entertaining presentation on Andean instruments and music. This evening, celebrate your travels through the lands of the Incas at a festive Farewell Dinner of delicious Cuscuenian dishes served at a popular local restaurant with demonstration of ancestral dances.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Day 15 CUSCO - LIMA
Fly back to Lima this morning and enjoy a day at leisure. Perhaps visit the impressive Larco Museum, pick up some souvenirs or just relax.
Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
Hotel: Novotel Lima (F)
Day 16 DEPART LIMA
Say hasta luego to Lima and transfer to the airport for your flight home (not included in vacation price). Depending on your next destination and flight schedule, you may be transferred to Lima International Airport in the late evening of Day 15 for overnight flights with an arrival home on Day 16.
Meal(s): (Continental Breakfast / Full Breakfast)
What's Included
Sightseeing Highlights
Rio de Janeiro
Discover the city’s sights; ride up Corcovado Mountain by cogwheel train to see Christ the Redeemer; ride a cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain; experience a Samba Show.
Iguassu Tour the falls from both Brazil and Argentina; ride the Ecological Jungle Train.
Buenos Aires Explore the city’s sights; visit the Evita Museum and Recoleta Cemetery; enjoy a tango show.
Lima Visit San Francisco Monastery and the catacombs; explore Lima’s historic center.
Sacred Valley Get up close with llamas, alpacas and vicunas; browse the Pisac market; explore the fortress of Ollantaytambo.
Machu Picchu Discover these famed Inca ruins.
Cusco Explore the Plaza de Armas; visit the church of Santo Domingo and Temple of the Sun; explore the citadel of Sacsayhuaman and nearby shrines and Inca warehouses.
Dining Highlights
Welcome Reception with your Tour Director in Rio de Janeiro.
15 full breakfasts.
1 lunch.
4 three-course or buffet dinners.
1 Highlight Lunch in Iguassu Falls.
Highlight Dinner with wine and Samba Show in Rio de Janeiro.
Highlight Dinner with wine and Tango Show in Buenos Aires.
Be My Guest Peruvian Lunch with wine in Lima.
Be My Guest Dinner with wine in Buenos Aires.
Farewell Dinner with wine and folklore show in Cusco.
First Class Travel Highlights
Includes all First Class features.
A Tour Operator bonus: guaranteed early hotel check-in and immediate use of your room on arrival in Rio de Janeiro on Day 2.
A Tour Operator bonus – all Intra-Air Flights: Rio to Iguassu, Iguassu to Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires to Lima, Lima to Cusco and Cusco to Lima, including porter service at all airports.
Qualified local guides in Iguassu, Buenos Aires, Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Capture treasured memories of your trip with a complimentary group photo taken at a landmark location.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
IN RIO DE JANEIRO
HALF DAY PANORAMIC TOUR INCLUDING NITEROI
Pass by the beaches and Flamengo Park on your way to the boat station. Board the ferry bound to beautiful Niteroi, a city located across the bay from Rio. Stop for pictures at the Contempory Art Museum, then proceed along the beaches up to the Santa Cruz Fortress. The return will be via the 9 mile Presidente Arthur Costa e Silva Bridge that links the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi. Tour length: 4 hours
HALF DAY TIJUCA FOREST JEEP TOUR
Experience Rio off the beaten path. Take an open-top jeep ride through the urban Tijuca Forest, a section of the endangered Atlantic Rainforest. Stop for a walk past mountains, streams and waterfalls. This is an ideal place to experience the breathtaking sights, sounds and smells of the rainforest. Light clothing, walking shoes and sun protection are advisable. Tour length: 4 hours
HALF DAY GUANABARA BAY CRUISE
Transfer to the Marina da Gloria pier and board a schooner for a 2-hour cruise. The route follows the coastline of Rio de Janeiro, with wonderful views of the city and Sugar Loaf Mountain. Sail past Niteroi, Jurujuba, Charitas and Icaraí beaches. You will also see Fiscal Island, the Rio-Niteroi Bridge, historic fortresses and more. Tour length: 3 hours
HALF DAY TOUR TO PETROPOLIS
Enjoy a scenic drive up the Serra dos Orgaos Range and through the lush vegetation of the Atlantic Rainforest. See the Summer Palace, the Cathedral, the Crystal Palace and charming city square. Tour length: 4 hours
FULL DAY TROPICAL ISLAND CRUISE
Head south along the Green Coast to the quaint fishing village of Itacuruça. Here, board a schooner for a leisurely cruise on the placid green waters of Sepetiba Bay with its tropical islands. Stop at one of the islands for a refreshing dip followed by a tropical style buffet lunch. Afterward there is free time for swimming and relaxing on the beach. Beverages are not included. Tour length: 8 hours
IN IGUASSU FALLS
HALF DAY MACUCO SAFARI AND BOAT TOUR
This tour starts at the Macuco Trail in Brazilian National Park, just a few miles from Iguassu Falls. Open-air wagons pulled by jeeps and accompanied by bilingual guides allow for an unhindered view of this lush, subtropical ecosystem. Watch for birds and wildlife, and see the orchids and unusual flora. After a short ride, take an easy hike down the canyon where the Macuco Falls tumble over basalt cliffs and into the Iguassu basin. At the river, board specially designed, inflatable motorboats for a 20-30 minute ride into the canyon to the base of Iguassu Falls. Tour length: 4 hours
IN BUENOS AIRES
TIGRE DELTA WITH RIVERSIDE TRAIN
On a coach with other travelers head to Tigre, a playground for the rich and famous located 20 miles from Buenos Aires. Along the way visit the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires, drive along Libertador Avenue and pass the residential government house in Olivos. Board the Riverside Train. Ride past lovely homes, then stop in San Isidro to enjoy its beautiful square and the cathedral. In Tigre, embark on a cruise on the Tigre River. Tour length: 4 hours
TANGO LESSON MANSION DANDI ROYAL
Located at San Telmo, the Tango’s birthplace, Mansion Dandi Royal is a unique residence constructed in an eclectic architectural style and filled with art nouveaux pieces. The public spaces are decorated with murals portraying Tango scenes and original objects d’art. Guests have the opportunity to take a group lesson with experienced instructors.
COLONIA DEL SACRAMENTO TOUR INCLUDING LUNCH
Colonia is one of the few remaining colonial towns of South America. Over 300 years of history has left its mark on this territory declared a Historic Heritage of Humanity site by UNESCO. On a city tour, pass cobblestone streets and admire the charming houses. Transfers to Colonia from Buenos Aires are by ferry or hydrofoil. Tour length: 8 hours
FULL DAY ESTANCIA SANTA SUSANNA INCL LUNCH
Drive out to Los Cardales and the Estancia Santa Susana, where the Gauchos – Argentine cowboys – will welcome you with a drink. Visit the Estancia and learn about the daily life of the Gauchos, one of the best known cultural symbols of Argentina. Savor a rustic barbecue or “asado” lunch, with a variety of meats and sausages. Afterward, enjoy an exciting folkloric and Gaucho show. (Minimum: 2 passengers).
IN LIMA
DINNER AT JUNIUS RESTAURANT
You will enjoy a variety of local dishes at Junius Restaurant in Miraflores. This grand restaurant offers not only a rich Peruvian cuisine but also a spectacular and colorful folklore show. Tour length: 2 hours
DINNER AT LA DAMA JUANA RESTAURANT
Savor the local cuisine at the Dama Juana located in the luxury shopping center Larcomar in Miraflores. From the terrace you have a great view of the ocean. Inside the restaurant you will be delighted by its atmosphere, the food and the folklore shows that are presented. Tour length: 2 hours
LUNCH AT CAFE DEL MUSEO AND LARCO HERRERA MUSEUM
Enjoy a variety of local dishes in the Café Del Museo in the Larco Herrera Museum. Located in the garden of the colonial building, you can sit outside on the terrace surrounded by beautiful flowers or inside in a modern and bright environment. After lunch, visit the museum, which features the most extensive collection of pre-Columbian art in Peru. There are fine examples of textile work, one with a world record 398 threads per inch, the tools ancient Peruvians used to produce metals, huaco ceramics, and gold and silver pieces with semiprecious stones. Tour length: 5 hours
HALF DAY LARCO HERRERA MUSEUM AND PUEBLO LIBRE
Visit the Larco Museum, housed in an 18th-century colonial mansion that showcases the most extensive collection of pre-Columbian art in Peru. Featured are fine examples of textile work, one of which has a world record 398 threads per inch, the tools ancient Peruvians used to produce metals, huaco ceramics, gold and silver pieces with semiprecious stones, and the famous erotic archaeological collection. Continue to the Pueblo Libre District with its beautiful villas that preserve the architectural and cultural vestiges of the different stages of Peru’s history. You will also see the historic Church of Santa Maria Magdalena, constructed in 1557. Tour length: 4 hours
HALF DAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND LARCO HERRERA MUSEUM
Enjoy an overview of Peru's pre-Columbian history with two of Lima's finest museums. The Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology, with its collection, documents the development of every major culture and civilization of Peru from the first hunter-gatherers to modern times. Next, the Larco Herrera Museum, housed in an 18th-century colonial mansion and holding the most extensive collection of pre-Columbian art in Peru. Also displayed are fine examples of textile work, one of which has a world record 398 threads per inch, the tools ancient Peruvians used to produce metals, huaco ceramics, and gold and silver pieces with semiprecious stones. Tour length: 4 hours (Not available on Mondays)
HALF DAY HUACA PUCLLANA AND HUACA HUALLAMARCA
Visit two of Lima's ancient oracle centers with an archaeologist. You will start with the Huaca Pucllana archaeological center that was active between the 5th and the 8th centuries. Next is Huaca Huallamarca, an oracle centre that functioned for 1,200 years, up to the Spanish Conquest. Tour length: 4 hours (Not available on Mondays or Tuesdays)
IN CUZCO
HALF DAY FOUR LAGOONS
Four lagoons is located 80 miles from Cuzco. Your first stop is at Lake Pomacanchi. Around the lake, you will find grassy plains and some medicinal plant species. The next lake, Acopia, is located close to a village of the same name. The third lake is Asnaqocha, Quechua for “bad smelling.” It is the highest of the circuit at 12,300 feet. The last lake on the route is Lake Pampamarc, surrounded by reeds and home to a large variety of wildlife including flamingos. Tour length: 4 hours
HALF DAY AWANA KANCHA AND SAN BLAS
Begin your tour visiting Awana Kancha. Learn about llamas and alpacas and their superb fibers used in ancient and modern weaving. Continue to San Blas and visit its beautiful colonial church, with an impressive pulpit and filigree woodcarving. There is time to stroll through the craft market, art galleries and the old section of the town. Tour length: 4 hours
HALF DAY MARAS MORAY
Visit two unique sites, starting with Maras, a salt production center that dates back to colonial times. The people of Maras still produce salt to this day using handmade pans. Continue to Moray, where the Incas constructed greenhouse terraces to study and improve their farming techniques. The place is renowned for its amphitheatre formed by agricultural terracing and the circular terraces, which seem to disappear into a crater. Tour length: 4 hours
DINNER AT CHICHA RESTAURANT
Enjoy dinner at the Chicha Restaurant, the first restaurant in Cuzco from Gaston Curio, Peru's biggest celebrity. The original menu features Andean and regional cuisine. There is one dining room set in a colonial room with a beautiful beamed ceiling.
Code: CUZ-7
Adult Price: 63 US$
Child Price: 63 US$
Child Prices: a 25% discount will apply to children under the age of 16 at time of travel. (Optionals for North American tours are already discounted.)
DEPARTURE DATES January- December
PRICES From approx $4,895 US per
person double occupancy
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