South America Discovery

(Peru - Bolivia - Argentina - Brazil)

22 DAY GROUP TOUR FOR 15-26 PEOPLE

 

 

 

 

 

Day 1 - DEPART LONDON

Day 2 - LIMA – D
Arrival in Lima, transfer to hotel Jose Antonio. Dinner
 

Day 3 - LIMA – (B,L,D,)
In the morning you will be collected from your hotel, to begin your city tour of Colonial Lima for a glimpse of its majestic past. You will visit the Cathedral, which is located in the Main Square. After the earthquake in 1746, the Cathedral was rebuilt on the same site under the direction of Jesuit priest Juan Rehr. Both its facade and interior are austere with its remarkable wooden choir stalls, altars and the tomb of Francisco Pizarro, who died in 1541. You will later visit the Church of San Francisco, its convent, museum of colonial art, cloisters and catacombs. Afterwards, you will have a panoramic view of the Main Square with the Government Palace, the Municipal Hall, the “Desamparados” Train Station, and finally you will drive through the old streets, where you will have a spectacular view of traditional mansions and Moorish style balconies. You will then continue through the most traditional residential and commercial areas of contemporary Lima, passing by sites of pre-Columbian Civilisations, dating back to the beginning of the Christian era. Then, you will enjoy an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean.

Day 4 – LIMA – AREQUIPA . (B,L,D,)
After your breakfast you will be transferred to the local airport of Lima to take your flight to Arequipa, a beautiful Spanish Colonial city nestled beneath the magnificent and majestic Volcano called Misti. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel El Cabildo. Later in the afternoon, you will begin your city tour, visiting the magical Convent of Santa Catalina, which is the most important convent in Peru. It is a walled fortress, which for four centuries served as the only physical world for several generations of secluded nuns.

During the city tour, you will visit the Church Cloisters of the Company, a tremendous collection of domes, arches, which can all be found in its galleries and alters.

Visit the Main Square, the Complex of San Francisco, which consists of a public square, two temples (the Church of San Francisco and the Temple of the Third Order), a convent and the Fierro Foundation where there is a museum and a handicraft market. The Cathedral, located in the main square and which was destroyed by fire in 1844 and restored in 1868 by Arequipa-native Lucas Poblete in Neo-renaissance style with French influence, is considered to be one of the biggest in South America.

Finally you will visit the Spanish Colonial district of Yanahuara, 2 km 7 1.2 miles from the city’s centre, consisting of narrow cobblestone streets and old white volcanic stone houses. From the viewpoint there is a magnificent view of the city with its three volcanoes: Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu. End of the afternoon return to hotel. Overnight.

Day 5 – AREQUIPA – COLCA. (B,L,D,)
In the morning you will begin your unforgettable tour to one of the deepest Canyons in the World "The Colca". The Tour begins with the winding road that leaves the "White City" of Arequipa crossing the snow capped Misti, Chachani and the Ampato Volcanoes, to arrive at the Colca Canyon. Here you will find the famous Andean Condor and also elegant Vicuñas wander the high plains. After that you will past through the villages of Torja, Chucura, Patapampa and you will see its Colonial Churches and Inca Farming Terraces. In the afternoon, visit the village of Chivay or enjoy La Calera thermo-medicinal baths. Transfer to hotel El Refugio and overnight.

Day 6 – COLCA VALLEY – AREQUIPA. (B,L,D,)
Breakfast and departure to the “Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint”, the most strategic area to see the Colca Valley and the flight of the Condors’. Latter you will continue on your way observing the pre-Inca tombs and stop in the villages of Pinchollo, Maca, Yanque, Cabanaconde, Coporaque and the amphitheatre of Ocolle, Chichinea and Colcas. Return to Arequipa, passing by the Andean viewpoint and the highway of Chucura. Transfer to hotel El Cabildo.


Day 7 – AREQUIPA – CUSCO. (B,L,D,)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco. In Cusco, reception and transfer to hotel Picoaga. Transfer to and from local restaurant for Lunch. Free afternoon.

DAY 8 - CUSCO. (B,L,D,)
In the Morning, you will visit Cusco’s historical Inca and Spanish colonial monuments, such as the main square, known in Inca times as Huacaypata or the Warrior’s Square. It used to be the scene for many key events in Cusco’s history. You will visit the Cathedral, which was originally built on the site of the old temple of Suntur Wasi (House of God), and continue onto the church and convent of Santo Domingo, which is a Spanish construction belonging to the Dominican order and was built upon the foundations of the Inca temple of Koricancha or Temple of the Sun. Koricancha (in quechua, site of gold) was the main religious building of the Incas, dedicated to the worship of the Sun and whose walls, according to the chronicles, were plated with sheets of gold. Magnificent blocks of finely carved stone were used in its construction. Afterwards, you will visit the surrounding ruins of the city of Cusco, such as Sacsayhuamán. This huge Inca fortress was built on three overlapping platforms, each of them over 360 m / 1,181 ft. long. Then, you will continue onto Tambomachay, which is known as the Inca baths. It was apparently a site dedicated to the worship of water and a resting place for the Inca monarch. Subsequently, you will visit the Kenko ruins, which is said to have been a worship site. There is a huge 5,9 m / 19 ft. high stone block that looks like a puma, passages, canals and stairways with stone engravings representing animals. As the last stop of today, you will visit Puca Pucará, which was an administrative and military centre formed by terraces, stairways, passages, turrets and vaulted niches.
Afternoon is free. Overnight in Hotel Picoaga.

DAY 9 – CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY. (B,L,D,)
Full day visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a pre-Hispanic agriculture centre. You will visit the old Inca Community of Pisac , located at the entrance to the Sacred Valley, 32 Km from Cusco. Its traditional colorful local market has over the centuries attracted the local traders and remote communities from all over the valley, to come and sell their wares. Dressed in their traditional and colorful costumes, now attract many visitors. Afterwards, you will visit the Inca temple of Ollantaytambo, with its Inca Streets, traditional Squares and dwellings which have been built onto the ancient foundations of the Incas. Typical lunch. Overnight in Casa Andina Private Sacred Valley.

DAY 10 – SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO. (B,L,D,)
Early in the morning, you will be transferred to the train station to take the first class train from Ollantaytambo to visit the sanctuary of Machu Picchu. On this train journey, you will have an amazing view of Cusco’s landscape while crossing valleys, mountains and typical communities. The altitude will descend from 3,500 to 1,500 m.a.s.l. / 11,484 to 4,922 ft., as you will cross two different regions from the sierra to the rainforests. Snow peaks, eucalyptus, deep canyons and orchids are also part of this beautiful scenery.
Machu Picchu is located 2 hours from the Sacred Valley, and was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. The citadel was built on a very special spot covered by vegetation, between two mountains: the Machu Picchu (old mountain) and Huayna Picchu (young mountain), at the foot the Urubamba or Vilcanota River. When you arrive, you will shortly begin your tour of the sanctuary. Following this fascinating tour of Machu Picchu, you will return to Cusco by train. On arrival you will be transferred to your Hotel Picoaga , where you will spend the night.

DAY 11 – CUSCO – PUNO. (B,L,D,)
Morning transfer to the train station to take the Andean Explorer Train from Cusco to Puno. A deluxe train decorated in the 1920’s style. The train has a wagon with a bar and an observation deck from where one can enjoy the scenery as well as a restaurant. All wagons have pullman style seats, wide aisles, catering service as well as oxygen available. The wagons are connected to each other by gangway bellows so passengers and crew can go from one another safely. The journey takes approximately 10 hours. Lunch included. On arrival transfer to your Hotel Casa Andina Private Puno.

DAY 12– PUNO. (B,L,D,)
In the morning you will begin your full day visit to the floating island, known as “Uros” in Lake Titicaca. Located 4 km (2.5 miles) from Puno, the original inhabitants of these floating islands are said to descend from one of the most ancient peoples of the Americas, and still to this day practise their ancient traditions. Their dwellings made of totora reed, are built on the surface of Lake Titicaca.Afterwards, you will make your way to the unique Island of Taquile, where time appears to have stopped. The Mediterranean atmosphere of this place is striking, with its steps of stone and its houses centred around the square. Its indigenous community that lives there has around 350 families that are descendants of the Incas and well-known for their textile activities, such as their beautifully woven chumpis (belts), chullos (caps), and ojotas (and sandals). According to the custom, officials are distinguished by black or brown caps. Taquile also offers a magnificent lake landscape from where the impressive snowfalls of the Cordillera Real (Real mountain chain) can be seen. In the afternoon you will return to the hotel, where you will spend the night. Overnight Casa Andina Private Puno.

DAY 13 – PUNO – COPACABANA – SUN ISLAND. (B,L,D,)
Breakfast at the hotel in Puno. Transfer to Copacabana and then board catamaran to cross Lake Titicaca. Overnight on Board Early Pick up from your hotel land transfer to Copacabana, en route visit Sanctuary, then board the Catamaran Cruise Ship sailing to Sun Island, the legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire. Buffet Lunch on board. Visit Challapampa Village and enjoy the opportunity to interact with one of the most unspoiled indigenous Titicaca villages through an innovative program organized with the local community visiting their own museum, chapel, school, a typical house, sailing in their vessels to an Inca holy temple and walking through Inca trails. Romantic candle light dinner and overnight on board the Catamaran in lake view cabins with private facilities.

DAY 14 – SUN ISLAND – LA PAZ . (B,L,D,)
In the morning you arrive at Chua harbor. From here, transfer to La Paz by land. On arrival (around noon), transfer to hotel Plaza. In the afternoon, pick up from the hotel to visit the famous Witch Doctor's Market, San Francisco Colonial Church and the typical handicrafts of the Sagarnaga Street. Continue to Plaza Murillo where the Cathedral, the Government Palace and the National Congress buildings are located. Then, visit the famous colonial street Jaen where interesting museums are clustered together, followed by a visit to the replica of the semi subterranean temple of the Tiwanaku Culture. To change scenery the tour continues to the residential areas of Obrajes, Calacoto and La Florida. The tour ends with a visit to the unique Moon Valley, where passengers will have the opportunity to walk around, and visit a ceramic workshop with a demonstration of the art of pottery.

DAY 15 – LA PAZ - BUENOS AIRES. (B,L,D,)
Transfer to airport for flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival, transfer from airport to hotel Forcadell for overnight.
Known as the “Paris of South America” Buenos Aires is a fascinating capital full of interesting corners and grand boulevards and outdoor cafés.

DAY 16 – BUENOS AIRES – (B,L,D,)
Morning tour to discover the city’s most traditional neighborhoods. Visit May Square, the historical scenery of the main political events before driving to San Telmo, which still preserves its colonial buildings and cobbled streets. Continue to La Boca, the birthplace of the Tango dance. End the tour at Recoleta Cemetery, the final resting ground for some of the country’s most influential people including Eva Peron. In the evening, dinner and Tango Show at Los Angelitos Café.

DAY 17 – BUENOS AIRES – IGUAZU – (B,L,D,)
Transfer to airport for flight to Iguassu. On arrival, reception and on route tour of the Argentinean Falls. Once at the Iguassu National Park, you will go through the visitor’s centre and on to the falls by train (using by green fuel).

The tour inside the park is divided into three parts:
- Upper Circuit: A 1200 meters (3937 feet) footbridge above the falls which provides a panoramic view of the waterfalls from above.
- Lower Circuit: A 1700 meters (5577 feet) that allows you to observe the falls from another perspective.
- The Devil's Throat View Point: Located on the upper Iguassu River.

After the tour, lunch and continue transfer to Hotel Recanto Park in Foz do Iguassu.

DAY 18 – IGUAZU - (B,L,D,)
This morning you’ll visit the Brazilian side of the Iguassu Falls. The falls are located 24 kilometres away from downtown Foz do Iguaçu. On arrival you’ll enter the Visitors Centre of the falls, where one can find exhibits of Iguassu Falls photographs, a souvenir shop and any necessary facilities. After passing through the Centre, you may now continue into towards the falls. On arrival you may begin the walking tour along the Iguassu Catwalk. This catwalk is one kilometre long and will take you directly over the fall ending at “the Devils’ Throat” and the main falls. The tour ends at the upper part of Iguassu Falls accessed through a panoramic elevator. Next you shall travel to Espaço Porto Canoas (The Canoe Port)), where there is a view point from which you can see the extension of the upper Iguassu River. Next, you will join the Macuco Safari expedition to take a closer look at the local fauna and flora. The expedition starts at Macuco trail, with a 3 km journey inside the forest in open coaches pulled by electric cars. This is followed by a 600 meter (1969 feet) walk to reach the Macuco Fall. Finally you shall take the boat safari upstream and along the Iguassu River.In the afternoon. you shall visit the world's largest power plant in operation, the Itaipu Dam. The dam was built 17 years ago, and during the peak of its construction, there were more than 40,000 working at the site. Itaipu has an extension of 7,600 meters and capacity of generating 12.600 MK. The Itaipu artificial lake has a size of 1,350 Km2 and volume of 29 billion cubic meters. It is considered one of the largest artificial lakes in the world. The Itaipu Dam was named one of the Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World in 1994 by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

DAY 19 – IGUAZU – ITAIPU – RIO –(B,L)
At the coordinate time, transfer to airport with an on route visit to Iguassu’s Bird Park. The Park is one of the most important tour attractions of Foz do Iguaçu. It is an protected area that combines the ecotourism and preservation.The trip goes through a trail into Iguassu’s native forests, where the visitor can observe more than 900 tropical birds of 150 species. Among other attractions, there is a butterfly cage, hummingbird aviaries and a reptile sector. The trip takes around 1 hour. After the tour, lunch and then continue the transfer to local airport to board your flight to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival, reception and transfer to Hotel Porto Bay.

DAY 20 – RIO – (B,L,D,)
The tour begins at the Corcovado hill. From any place of the city, the visitor can see the most beautiful postcard of Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer statue in the mountain of Corcovado, located at 710 meters above the sea level and inaugurated in 1931. From Cosme Velho's neighborhood, the cog train starts a trip through the Tijuca Forest, the largest urban forest in the world, up to the statue. Once there, a panoramic and extraordinary view of Rio will be seen including the Sugar Loaf, the Guanabara Bay, the beaches of Southern Zone and the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon.

Afternoon is free and in the evening, Rio By Night Dinner & Samba Show. Music and joy are key ingredients to a good night out in Rio. Enjoy a delicious dinner in a typical Barbecue House and the move on to Plataforma 1 where a show of Samba music with native “mulatas” will be presented in which you will feel the energy so many times shown in Brazil’s Carnaval.

DAY 21 – RIO – (B,L,D,)
Today, a full day City tour including Sugar Loaf. This tour takes you to bustling downtown Rio, where modern office towers stand next to relics of the Portuguese colonial past, it includes visits to several of these important monuments. To visit Sugar Loaf, ascend by cable car to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain, a granite rock and well-known Rio landmark. 395 metres high. Here you can enjoy spectacular vistas of the city and beaches. Ride by aerial cable car from which you’ll have one the most wonderful views of the whole city and a breathtaking view of Guanabara Bay. Down by cable car. Return to the hotel. Lunch at a local restaurant.

DAY 22 – RIO – (B)
Transfer to airport to take your flight home, OR take the extension to BUZIOS BEACH. (Please check Buzios Extension Itinerary)


PRICES

No of PAX	15-17	18-19	20-23	24-26	Single Supp
Cost (£) per person	was 5782 now 5047	was 5734 now 5015	was 5699 now 4945	was 5622 now 4928	was 1258 now 703

 

 

NOTES:

    ▪  Tours are inclusive and not optional

    ▪  Full Board instead of just Breakfast, as specified, drinks are mostly not included
    ▪  Transfers are a mixture of private and shared, as appropriate.
    ▪  If there is a Tour Leader there are additional charges in some countries like Bolivia and Brazil.
 
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
 
    ▪  Tips of any kind, except in Lima
    ▪  Meals not specifed as pax may be flying or having a free day
    ▪  Personal expenses of any kind.
    ▪  Drinks with meals as specified

 

EXTENSION TO BUZIOS

Day 22 – RIO-BUZIOS - D

Transfer to Buzios and to hotel Pousada Perola, Overnight.

Buzios is a picturesque fishing village, considered to be one of the ten most beautiful areas in the world, famous for its unique combination of rustic charm, architectural harmony, incredible beauty and sophisticated boutiques and restaurants frequented by discerning visitors who come from all over the world to sample its magic.  

Day 23 – BUZIOS - BLD

Free day to relax at the beach.

Day 24 – BUZIOS – B

Transfer to Rio to take your flight back home.

    ▪  2 nights at Pousada Pérola Búzios LUXURY ROOM – FULL BOARD (BLD)
    ▪  English speaking guides for all tours and transfers.

 

 

PRICES FOR ADD-ON TO BUZIOS

 

No of PAX	15-17	18-19	20-23	24-26	Single Supp
Cost (£) per person	378	373	366	364	608

 Vegetarian meals are available with all our tour packages 

*Please note that prices are per person and include international flights. Please note that flight prices are subject to change until booked and tour prices may change depending on season. Terms and conditionsapply. 
 

For more information on any of our packages featured or to book, please call us on: 0207 312 1742