SOUTH AMERICA CONTRASTS
TOUR ITINERARY - 22 DAYS
Day 1: Lima
Arrive Lima. Transfer to your hotel
Day 2: Lima (B)
A morning city tour of Lima, capital of Peru, City of Kings and this afternoon visit the world famous Gold Museum where you can browse through artefacts from ancient cultures and learn more about Peru’s fascinating history.
Day 3: Lima – Cusco (B)
Fly into the Andes and beautiful Cusco, lying in exceptionally beautiful countryside 3400 metres above sea level, Here you will encounter a fine blend of Spanish and Inca cultures, colourful Quechua Indian markets, Inca temples and Spanish cathedrals.
Most of the central streets are lined with massive stonewalls built by the Incas and now form the foundations of Colonial Cusco. The city's Cathedral drips with magnificent colonial art and the Koricancha displays the best example of Inca stonework in Cusco.
This afternoon explore the magical capital of the Incas on a tour including a visit to Plaza Regocijo,Plaza de Armas,the Cathedral and the Santo Domingo Convent Monastery. The Santo Domingo monastery was built over the Koricancha temple, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. According to the chronicles, it was covered in gold sheet and filled with golden representations of nature. Then walk around the old town with its very narrow streets.After seeing the most interesting sites of the city, you will drive to the countryside outside Cusco to visit some of the remarkable Inca ruins in the area: the cult centre of Sacsayhuaman, the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko,the Inca Baths of Tambomachay and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara.
Day 4: Chinchero Market & Ollantaytambo (B,L)
Explore the impressive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, which dominates the ancient town.
Next stop is Chinchero Market, the most authentic and colourful market in Peru, at over 4000 metres above sea level set in fabulous scenery. This is the real Andes. After plenty of time to browse, bargain and take great photos, continue to the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Pisco where you enjoy a panoramic walk along the original Inca pathway and terraces to the town below. After lunch visit the impressive inca site of Ollantaytambo with its ancient village lying below-just as it was back in Inca times .Stay overnight in this beautiful valley.
Day 5: Train to Macchu Picchu (B,L)
It’s up early for one of the world’s great train journeys from Ollyantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. Passing through fabulous scenery we travel towards the jungle.
Arrive at Aguas Calientes and catch the bus up to Machu Picchu.
Suddenly it is spread out before you like a giant picture postcard. Enjoy a 2 hour guided tour, explore on your own and discover the mysteries of this lost civilisation and admire their workmanship and the unique location of this magical citadel.
After lunch (included) return by bus down the zigzag mountain road to Aguas Calientes at the base of Macchu Picchu.
Day 6: Machu Picchu – Cusco (B)
The opportunity for another optional return visit to see Macchu Picchu at sunrise. This afternoon return by train to Cuzco and transfer to your hotel.
Day 7 :Cuzco - Arequipa (B)
Transfer to the airport and connect by air to Arequipa. Transfer to your hotel. This afternoon a city tour of Arequipa, also known as 'the White City' because of the white volcanic rock,sillar, used in its constructions.You will visit the beautiful Santa Catalina convent, founded in 1580.This convent is an almost self-sustained village,made up of houses for the nuns and their servants,cloisters, plazas and narrow streets,kitchens,refectory and laundry. From there proceed to the Jesuit Church,where you will be impressed by the beauty of its facade,considered the best example of the mestizo baroque style in Arequipa. The ancient vestry is particularly beautiful with its cupola and walls covered in murals that recall the jungle.The ancient Jesuit seminary is famous for its beautiful principal cloister. After visiting the Main Plaza continue to the residential districts of Yanahuara and Chilina,where you will have a magificent view of Arequipa's countryside and the Misti volcano
Day 8: Arequipa - Colca (B,L,D)
Early morning departure for a 2 day overland trip to the Colca Valley.Drive across Pampa Canahuas within the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, the habitat of herds of vicunas. Admire beautiful pre-Columbian terraces where native Collaguas. still work.(Lunch included)
Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Colca
Day 9 : Colca - Puno (B,L)
Early departure to'Condors'Cross',observation point from where you can view these great Andean birds.Impressive panorama of the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world (3,000 mts/9,800 ft). Then departure overland.
Day 10: : 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. Glide across tranquil Lake Titicaca in an authentic reed boat - you can't beat it!
Return to Puno for late lunch.
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 – stay overnight in a rather plush hotel on the lakefront.
Day 11: 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. Return to Copacabana for lunch 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 12: La Paz (B)
This morning you will get your bearings on a city tour, which includes the weird landscapes of the Moon Valley. Learn about the dubious history of Bolivia and enjoy the complete contrast of this busy city where ancient cultures sit side by side with modern skyscrapers and chaotic traffic of the new millennium. This afternoon you are free to browse through the many colourful markets near your hotel.
Day 13: La Paz – Asuncion(B)
An early start as we say ‘adios’ to the Andes and fly via Santa Cruz to Asuncion in the heart of South America. Here you find a vibrant, challenging and largely unvisited destinations that welcome travellers to the riverside capital of Asuncion.
Transfer to your hotel.
Day 14 Asuncion
Much of the historical section, with its charming colonial buildings and plazas is near the river and is easily walkable. You will see: Plaza de los Héroes, Casa Viola, Casa de la Independencia, Casa de los Diputados and The Museo de Bellas Artes
Day 15 Asuncion – Iguazu Falls
Fly to Iguazu. First transfer to the Brazil side for an amazing and very photogenic panoramic view of these magical falls.
Day 16 Iguazu
Travel to the Argentine side of the falls, these falls defy description! Gasp at 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
Day 17 Iguazu – Rio de Janeiro
Fly 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”.
Stunning views from famous Sugar Loaf Mountain as begin our sightseeing by bus and gondola.
Day 18 Rio de Janeiro
This morning enjoy a stop at the Ipanema markets then cogwheel train straight up the mountainside to the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer (Corcovado) and even more stunning views. Afternoon at leisure - enjoy the famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. Enjoy the scenery - and I mean the people - and the atmosphere.
Day 19 Rio de Janeiro – Buenos Aires
Morning flight to the bright lights of Buenos Aires where you will have time for a walking tour of the city.
Day 20: Buenos Aires
Enjoy a fully guided city tour to get your bearings. Tonight get into the Argentine mood with a juicy steak and Tango show.
Day 21: Buenos Aires
A free day to explore more of this stylish city – known as ‘Paris of the South’.This evening transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
|
