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HIGHLIGHTS OF SOUTH AMERICA
TOUR ITINERARY - 25 DAYS
Day 1: Auckland – Santiago – Buenos Aires
Depart Auckland on your flight direct to Buenos Aires. On arrival transfer to your hotel.
Day 2: Buenos Aires (B)
Morning tour visiting the most outstanding sites. Departing from the Hotel to get to 9 de Julio Ave. the widest in the world, past the famous Colon Opera house, the Obelisk commemorating the first founding of the city in 1536 to get to Plaza de Mayo (May Square), and the buildings surrounding it: Government House, Metropolitan Cathedral with the Mausoleum of General San Martin, Argentina’s greatest national hero and the Cabildo, the colonial town hall built in 1751. Then on to La Boca, typically Italian district, where the first Italian immigrants settled on ‘Caminito’ street. The tour continues to Buenos Aires port area, past San Martín Square towards Palermo Chico residential district and Palermo Park with its jacaranda and palo borracho trees which flower in the spring and late summer. The ride continues to Recoleta elegant district to visit Recoleta Cemetery where the famous are laid to rest (including Eva Peron). Return to the hotel along the stylish Alvear Ave. Afternoon at leisure. We suggest visit the antique market in San Telmo square.
Day 3: Buenos Aires (B)
Day at leisure.
Day 4: Buenos Aires – Iguazu Falls (B)
You will be transferred to the airport and connect by air to Iguazu. On arrival commence a tour of the Argentine side of the falls walking along the paths that cross the jungle that leads to the falls. The lower path runs 1200meters by the river to see the foot of some of the cascades. After this walk and a short train ride to Puerto Canoas, board a small motorboat to the footbridge over the mighty Devils Throat Cataract. Then transfer across the Argentine- Brazilian border to your hotel on the Brazilian side.
Day 5: Iguazu Falls - Rio (B)
This morning visit the Brazilian side of the Falls. Afterwards transfer to the airport and connect by air to Rio. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 6: Rio for NEW YEARS EVE!!!! (B)
This morning we take beautiful scenic drive along Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon beaches and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, arrive at the bottom of the Corcovado hill and embark on a comfortable train taking you up the mountain to where the statue of Christ, the Redeemer, overlooks Rio and its famous beaches. Return to Tijuca and then to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure, but get ready to party later on. New Year's Eve marks the date for Fiesta de Iemanjá in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Crowds head to the beaches to offer flowers and gifts to Iemanjá, the Goddess of the water in the Brazilian Umbanda religion. You could also join the crowd and flock to Copacabana beach with the other two million people who have come together for Réveillon (New Years Eve) and watch approximately a gazillion candles float to sea. Bonita, belo. This will definitely be a New Years to remember.
Day 7: Rio (B)
Day at Leisure.
Day 8: Rio (B)
This morning visit to the world famous Sugar Loaf Mountain in the middle of the Guanabara Bay, from where one of the most breathtaking views of the city of Rio can be seen. Take the two-stage car up to the top of the Mountain. The tour also offers a panoramic tour to downtown Rio, which is a great opportunity to see some of the historical sites of the city such as the Cathedral and the Municipal Theatre. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 9: Rio – Lima (B)
In the morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Lima. On arrival transfer to your hotel.
Day 10: Lima (B)
Tour of the "City of the Kings". You will start in the Huaca Pucllana archaeological centre that operated between the 5th and 8th centuries. Proceed to the historical centre; see the Plaza Mayor surrounded by the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and the archbishop's Palace. Proceed to the San Francisco Monastery, a masterpiece of Colonial architecture. Drive through the residential districts of Miraflores and San Isidro where you will enjoy a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 11: Lima – Cuzco (B)
Transfer from your hotel to the airport. Upon arriving in Cuzco you will be transferred to your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure to get adjusted to the altitude.
Day 12: Cuzco (B)
This morning take a slow walking tour of this lovely city with a local guide and acclimatise to the altitude. Cuzco is a true experience.
Lying in an exceptionally beautiful countryside 3300 metres above sea level, here you will encounter a fine blend of Spanish and Inca cultures, colourful Quechua Indian markets, Inca temples and massive stone walls which form the foundations of the city but were originally from Sacsayhuaman. Explore the Koricancha – Inca Temple – along with some of the streets, which are lined with intricate stonework, which is sure to impress you.
Day 13: Cuzco – Machu Picchu (B,L)
Transfer from the hotel to the station to board the rail coach for a train ride to Machu Picchu. You will take a motor coach ascent to 'The Lost City of the Incas’. Take a guided tour of the marvellous citadel visiting the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial and the Burial Grounds. Lunch at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. Overnight in Agua Calientes.
Day 14: Machu Picchu – Sacred Valley (B)
We strongly recommend that you wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu, it is an incomparable sight. For hiking enthusiasts, we suggest a walk up to the peak of the Huayna Picchu. Then take the afternoon train to Ollyantaytambo.
Stay in an old monastery. (Completely restored of course!)
Day 15: Sacred Valley – Pisac & Ollyantaytambo (B,L)
Full day to explore the sacred Valley of the Incas.
Drive through stunning to Pisaq where you will enjoy a panoramic walk along the original Inca pathways terracing to the ancient towns below.
We then continue through this lush valley where the towering fortress of Ollyantaytambo dominates the surrounding area.
Day 16: Sacred Valley – Cuzco (B,L)
Chinchero Market - the photo opportunities here are fantastic as the locals gather to barter and sell their produce and weavings to the tourists. This afternoon we return to the outskirts of Cuzco to visit Sacsayhuaman, a hilltop fortress. Sacsayhuaman is from a construction point of view, even more impressive and mysterious than Machu Picchu you will also visit some more of the remarkable Inca ruins in the area: the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko, the Inca Baths of Tambomachay and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara.
Overnight in Cuzco.
Day 17: Cuzco – Puno (B,L)
Bus ride to Puno along 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 site of Pukara (200BC-AD300).We will lunch at a restaurant en route.
Arrive in Puno late afternoon.
Day 18: Lake Titicaca - Uros Islands (B,L)
What an experience!
By boat visit the curious floating reed islands and the Uros Indians who live here. Everything is made of these reeds, houses, schools, boats, churches etc. Glide across tranquil Lake Titicaca on an authentic reed boat – you can’t beat it! The islands themselves are constructed from many layers of reeds, which rot away from the bottom and are replaced regularly at the top.
After lunch say adios to Peru and continue through magnificent scenery to Bolivia - the sleepy lakeside town of Copacabana and a rather plush hotel.
Day 19: Puno – Santiago (B)
This morning we fly via Lima to Santiago, Chile. On arrival Transfer to your hotel.
Day 20: Santiago (B)
Touring Santiago by bike.
After touring the outskirts of downtown Santiago, ride by the beautiful Forest Park to the Source of the Aviation and Sculpture Park. From there we head east to the entrance of the Parque Metropolitano (Cerro San Cristobal), we stop at the Tupahue pool with the imposing Cordillera des Los Andes as a backdrop. Our cycling adventure culminates on the terrace of the Cero San Cristobal, with a tasting of cheeses and fine wines from Chile. For the more enthusiatic, the decline can be done by bicycleor in our van.
Afernoon at leisure.
Day 21: Santiago – Mandoza (B)
You will be transferred to the bus station for an exciting days bus journey over the Andes to the wine region of Argentina – Mandoza. On arrival in Mendoza Bus station you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 21: Santiago – Mandoza (B)
You will be transferred to the bus station for an exciting days bus journey over the Andes to the wine region of Argentina – Mandoza. On arrival in Mendoza Bus station you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 22: Mendoza (B,L)
In the morning your host will pick you up to take you on a full-day wine tour and sightseeing experience. Tiburcio Benegas, together with Silvestre Ochagavía (Chile) and Agoston Harszthy (California), are considered the first three pioneers in the wine industry in America. Convinced that it was imperative to achieve excellence in their products, Benegas brought the first French grapevines ever introduced in Argentina, along with the most advanced technology available at the time.
The Benegas family has a long a tradition in the wine history. Agustín Alvarez, Governor of the Province of Mendoza finished the construction of this winery in 1901. It is one of the few historic relics that remain from the old Mendoza of the end of the XIXth century. It is made of adobe with a stone underground cave to stow casks and it has spacious areas to store bottles. All Benegas wines are exclusively made with grapes from their own vineyards.
Day 23: Mendoza – Santiago - Auckland (B)
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight home.
Day 24: In flight
Day 25: Auckland
Arrive in Auckland
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