AMAZON TO ANDES TOUR ITINERARY - 27 DAYS
Day 1: Lima
For those traveling from NZ , depart late afternoon across the Pacific to Santiago with a connection to Lima . On arrival transfer to our hotel
Day 2: Lima
A relaxing day free to explore Lima or just relax and get ready for the Andes.
Lima was the principal city of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until the independence of the South American republics in early 19th century. It never rains in Lima and only for 2 months of the year are the skies blue – January and February. You have the whole day to explore Lima with a visit to the world famous Gold Museum where you can browse through the unique ceramics gold and weavings. There is also one of the world’s largest collections of armoury and a very extensive display of Pre-Columbian textiles. A city tour of the Greater Colonial Lima allows you to appreciate the wonderful colonial buildings in downtown Lima such as the Santo Domingo Convent and the Casa Aliaga, one of South America’s oldest Spanish homes.
Day 3: Fly to Tambopata Ecological Reserve
Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Puerto Maldonado where you will transfer to your motorised dugout canoe for the 4 hour river trip to your Ecological Lodge in Tambopata Reserve.
Day 4: Tambopata Ecological Lodge
Experience life in the jungle for the night, listen to the jungle aria of howler monkeys and exotic birds. Witness turtles, caiman, alligators, macaws, many rare birds and 'just the feel' of being in the Amazon Jungle!
Day 5: Tambopata Eco Lodge
Day 6: Tambopata Eco Lodge
Day 7: Puerto Maldonado to Cusco
An early morning start to being the boat trip to Puerto Maldonado to catch the flight back to Cusco.
Cusco – Walking Tour
This afternoon take a slow walking tour of this lovely city with a local guide and acclimatise to the altitude.
Day 8 Cusco
Visit Sacsayhuaman - this magnificent Inca fortress, which overlooks the city of Cusco. Sacsayhuaman can be variously translated as 'speckled falcon' or 'speckled head'. The last interpretation refers to the belief that the city of Cusco was set out in the form of a puma whose head was the hill of Sacsayhuaman. The origins are uncertain but the fortress is generally attributed to the period of Inca Pachacuti, the man who essentially founded the Inca empire.
We also visit the ruins of Qenko, an area of well - preserved archaeological ruins and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara.
Afternoon at leisure
For the June departure ,this is the day of the Inti Raymi - The Quechua name for the Festival of the Sun. It was a time of offerings, sacrifices, dancing and celebration. In the old capital city of the Incas, this festival continues with all its ancient royal pomp and energy.
Dances and ceremonies are played out at the worship center of Sacsayhuaman above Cusco.
Day 9 Cusco - Sacred Valley Trekkers in group depart for Inca Trail Day 1
Leaving Cusco. Continue into the beautiful Sacred valley of the Incas.
A visit will be made to Latin Link?s aid project run by Peru Challenge
Next is Pisaq where you will enjoy a panoramic walk along the original Inca pathways and terracing to the ancient town below. Visit the markets then continue through this lush valley where the towering fortress of Ollantaytambo dominates the surrounding area. Stay overnight in an old monastery (completely restored of course!).
Day 10 Sacred Valley Day 2 - Inca Trail-
Drive through stunning scenery to Chinchero, the most colourful and authentic market in Peru. Continue on to Maras Salt Pans. Another fabulous walk today. Discover these amazing salt pans still mined as they were hundreds of years ago, then a beautiful walk back down to the Sacred Valley.
In the afternoon relax and enjoy the countryside and visit the Semanario Pottery - it's hard to resist.
Day 11 Train to Aguas Calientes or Day 3 - Inca Trail
After breakfast you have an early morning transfer to Ollantaytambo to catch the train to Aguas Calientes, a small railroad town with tons of character ? enjoy a soak in the hot pools under the Andean sky or explore the town
Day 12 Bus to Machu Picchu- Cuzco or Day 4 - Inca Trail
It's an early start today. This is the best time to enjoy the peace and tranquillity not to mention the magic of Machu Picchu is before the trainload?s of visitors arrive. Machu Picchu, known also as 'Lost City of the Incas'. It is undoubtedly the best known and most spectacular archaeological site on the continent and is considered a must for all visitors to Peru. You will travel by bus up the zig-zag, the Hiram Bingham highway, to the ruins where your first views will take your breath away. Enjoy a fully guided tour of the ruins, some time to explore on your own, before returning down the mountainside. Time for a snack and then board the train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to our hotel in Cusco.
Day 13 Cusco
Free day to explore this delightful city - everyone's favourite. The day is yours to enjoy, all the convents, churches, museums, alpaca and jewellery bargains.
Day 14 Cusco - Puno
Bus ride to Puno through the dramatic landscapes of the highland plateau, with occasional views of tiny Andean villages and herds of llamas and vicunas. We will stop at Andahuaylillas, where there is a beautiful baroque church built at the beginning of the XVIIth century. It is very well known thanks to its beautiful mural paintings. We will make a second stop at Raqchi, where there is an Inca temple built to worship Wiracocha, one of the most important Inca gods. Finally, we will stop at the archaeological museum of Pukara (200BC-AD300) then we will lunch at a restaurant en route.
Arrive in Puno late afternoon.
Day 15 Visit Floating Reed Islands Lake Titicaca - into Bolivia
What an experience! By boat visit the curious floating reed islands and the Uros Indians who live there. Everything is made of these reeds, houses, schools, boats, churches etc. Once you reach the reed islands, you can experience gliding across Lake Titicaca in an authentic reed boat - you can't beat it! Return to Puno.
This afternoon continue through lovely scenery, which follows this mighty lake to the Bolivian border.
After border formalities continue to the sleepy town of Copacabana.
Day 16 Isla del Sol - La Paz
Up early for a boat trip out on the lake to tranquil Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) where legend has it that the first Inca King rose out of the lake.
On this legendary island, visit the Pilkokaina Inca Palace and enjoy a short walk to the Gardens, Sacred Stairs and Fountain of the Inca. As we ascend to Yumani village, we have a magnificent view of the lake set to the backdrop of Mount Illampu.
Return to Copacabana and continue through even more stunning scenery, with snow-capped peaks and the blue lake, to La Paz, capital of Bolivia and highest capital in the world.
Known as City of Contrasts, here ancient traditions meet the new millennium of chaotic traffic and towering buildings.
Day 17 City tour and shopping
A morning tour takes you down to where the air is thicker and the elite live. Visit the witches markets, Calle Jaen with its museums, San Francisco Church, Plaza Murillo, National Congress, Cathedral, Presidential Palace, continuing to the very unusual eroded formations of the Moon Valley.
The afternoon is free to enjoy the uniqueness of this colourful bustling city and shop for bargains and gifts.
Day 18 Explore La Paz
Optional tour to Tiwanaku (Pre-Columbian) ruins outside the city or a Mountain Bike down the world's most spectacular road or spend the day with a little more shopping and people watching. A great city to do that!
Day 19 La Paz - Buenos Aires
An early start as we say adios to the Andes and transfer to the airport for our flight to Buenos Aires
You will be transferred to our hotel
Day 20 Buenos Aires
A leisurely start today with a walk to a few of your guide's favourite areas of the city close to the hotel.
This afternoon our tour will allow us to discover the city of Buenos Aires. We will visit its Civic Centre, the impressive National Congress and May Square (Plaza de Mayo) surrounded by Government House (Casa Rosada), the Metropolitan Cathedral and City Hall from colonial days (Cabildo). We will visit the Colon Theatre (Teatro Colón), one of the world's best known opera houses and the cultural pride of the "Porteños" (Buenos Aires natives). Next, we will tour the traditional barrio of San Telmo where the magical atmosphere of the district will take you back in time. We will then stop at La Boca, home of the first Italian immigrants and you will observe its picturesque and colourful architecture. We will then continue to the residential neighborhood of Palermo and many parks. Finally, we will go to Recoleta, the city's most exclusive district, with its famous cemetery where Evita Peron is buried, elegant boutiques, gourmet restaurants and side walk cafés under ficus trees (gomeros).
Day 21 Buenos Aires
Day at leisure. There is still time to explore the city further or perhaps enjoy an optional trip across to Colonia in Uruguay.
Tonight get into the Argentine mood with a juicy steak and Tango show.
Day 22 Buenos Aires - Iguacu
Transfer to the airport for our morning flight to Iguazu
Travel to the Argentine side of the falls, these falls defy description! Enjoy the majesty of the world's most spectacular waterfalls. Set in pristine rainforest with countless birds and butterflies, situated on the borders of Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil, they plunge in a series of gigantic waterfalls over 3kms long and more than 80 metres high. The thunderous roar of crashing water and the multicoloured mist is natural beauty at its best. It is undoubtedly one of the world's most impressive sights. Later see the mighty Devils Throat Cataract. We then transfer across the border to the Brazil town of Foz do Iguacu.
Day 23 Iguacu Falls
Morning tour to the Brazilian side of the falls followed by a visit to the Bird Park , an opportunity to enter the huge 8-meter high forest aviaries to study and photograph birds in their natural habitat without the restrictions of netting and cages. There are over 160 species, both indigenous and from other continents
Day 24 Iguacu - Rio
Transfer to the airport for your am Depart Iguacu on TAM Brazil Airlines flight to Rio
Welcome to Rio de Janeiro - 'River of January' - is a beautiful city full of vibrant people. Brazilians say God made the world in 6 days the 7th day he devoted to Rio.
Transfer to your hotel in Copacabana
This afternoon starts with a panoramic tour of downtown Rio where you'll pass by the infamous Sambadrome, the exhibition area for the renowned Samba schools in Rio. A brief stop is made at the Metropolitan Cathedral, made famous for its unusual pyramid shape. Admire its beauty and rareness from both the outside and the inside! Your panoramic city tour continues with a visit to the traditional Cinelandia Square where you'll tour the various historic buildings such as the Municipal Theatre, the National Library and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Head towards the Urca neighborhood, where one of Rio's most iconic symbols is located, Sugar Loaf Mountain.
Travelling up Sugar Loaf mountain in a cable car, you will make a brief stop at a vantage point approximately 700 feet (215 meters) above sea level. Capture unparalleled panoramic views of the city, Guanabara Bay, the Rio-Niteroi Bridge and Corcovado Mountain. You'll then ascend to the peak of Sugar Loaf for breathtaking views of Copacabana Beach, the Santa Cruz Fortress and the beaches of Niteroi.
Day 25 Rio de Janeiro
This morning travel to the Cosme Velho Train Cog Station at the bottom of the Corcovado Mountain, you will stop by Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. Once at the mountain, you will take the ride up to the top, through the dense Tijuca rain forest to the 38m tall Christ the Redeemer Statue. From the top, you will enjoy the spectacular views of Rio and the surrounding countryside.
Afternoon at leisure Options available to explore Petropolis or the quaint Santa Teresa district.
Day 26 Depart Rio
You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight
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