South American Panorama

An unforgettable journey traversing the South American Continent, travelling from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean through five contrasting countries. Ancient Incan wonders, the mighty Amazon rainforest and Rio’s iconic sights are just some of the varied highlights you will experience.

Guide

GUIDE
•   This tour is escorted from Heathrow and back to the UK on the flights specified.
•   If you choose to travel on alternative flights, you will be met on arrival in Lima and will meet your tour guide at the start of your tour.

MEAL PLAN
•   Prices include breakfast throughout. Lunch is included on Days 3, 4, 7, 10, 11 and 12 and dinner on Days 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 17 and 21.
•   On the Galapagos extension the MV Santa Cruz includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
•   The Brazil beach extension includes breakfast and dinner.

ACCOMMODATION
•   All hotels chosen are of at least four star standard unless otherwise stated.

GROUP SIZE
•   Maximum 24 passengers.

MINIMUM NUMBERS
•   This tour is subject to a minimum number of passengers, please call for further details.

GRATUITIES
•   Tipping in bars and restaurants is customary and is at your discretion.

TRAVEL TIPS
•   Covering everything from tropical jungle to stylish cities, packing for such an extensive trip can be a bit of a challenge. However, make sure to leave some extra space in your luggage as there will be plenty of shopping opportunities.

NB
•   This is without doubt, one of the most exciting journeys in the world and whilst carefully planned, the itinerary can be strenuous, visiting altitudes of over 14,000 feet above sea level.
•   The holiday involves a number of early starts, considerable travel, as well as changes in food and climate, so a healthy constitution and an adaptable state of mind are recommended.
•   Security throughout South America is of particular importance so we advise leaving any valuable jewellery at home and exercising reasonable caution while out and about.
•   On such an extensive tour, the itinerary may on occasion be subject to amendment.

DAY 1 - LONDON TO LIMA
Meet your tour manager at Heathrow for your flight with Iberia to Lima via Madrid. On arrival transfer to the Casa Andina Private Collection hotel in a Standard room situated in the wealthy Miraflores district for two nights.

DAY 2 - LIMA
Today, enjoy a guided tour of Peru’s capital, exploring the city’s colonial centre and discovering antiquities at the archaeological museum.

DAY 3 - LIMA TO AMAZON
Fly to the jungle town of Puerto Maldonado, in the Peruvian Amazon. Continue by boat along the Madre de Dios River to the Reserva Amazonica Lodge for two nights. The area is home to a variety of remarkable wildlife including parrots, caiman, toucans, monkeys, tapirs and thousands of species of butterfly.

DAY 5 - AMAZON TO SACRED VALLEY Fly to Cuzco. On arrival, transfer to a Standard room in the Casa Andina Private Collection in the Sacred Valley for two nights. Carved through the Andes, the Sacred Valley is a beautiful area once revered by the ancient Incas. Lower than Cuzco, it offers a chance to acclimatise to the high altitudes of the Andes. We include a full day excursion to explore the Sacred Valley, visiting the dramatic hilltop ruins at Ollyantaytambo and the charming market at Pisac.

DAY 7 - SACRED VALLEY TO MACHU PICCHU
A memorable journey by Vistadome train to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. Long sought by the conquistadors but never found, this remarkable site was eventually rediscovered by the American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Set beneath the peak of Huayna Picchu and surrounded by cloud forest there is a genuine feeling of magic about the place. Overnight at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu hotel in a Superior room.

DAY 8 - MACHU PICCHU TO CUZCO
Time at leisure to enjoy the variety of activities available at the hotel or revisit the ruins (entrance fee payable locally). In the afternoon continue by rail to Cuzco for two nights at the Libertador Palacio Del Inka staying in a Standard room.

DAY 9 - CUZCO
Former capital of the Incan Empire, Cuzco is a fascinating city where the Spanish built churches and mansions upon original Incan foundations. Explore the city and nearby Incan fortress of Sacsayhuaman on our half day tour.

DAY 10 - CUZCO TO PUNO
Travel across the high Altiplano aboard the Andean Explorer train to the shores of Lake Titicaca. Enjoy dramatic mountain vistas as you climb out from Cuzco before continuing across the vast Andean plains. This will be the highest part of your whole trip with a stop at over 14,000 feet above sea level. On arrival in the late afternoon transfer to the Libertador Lake Titicaca in Puno in a Classic room set overlooking the lake for one night.

DAY 11 - PUNO TO BOLIVIA
Transfer to Copacabana, in neighbouring Bolivia for a hydrofoil cruise across the lake, visiting the important Incan sites of Sun and Moon Island. Continue to Huatajata, to visit the Andean roots eco-village, spending time with a Kallaway (natural medicine doctor) and learning about the tortora reed boats. Overnight at the Inca Utama hotel (three star) in a Standard room.

DAY 12 - BOLIVIA
Continue to Bolivia’s largest city, La Paz – the highest capital city in the world. Tour the heart of the town with its fine colonial buildings and colourful markets before heading out to see the remarkable scenery of the Moon Valley. Spend two nights at the Radisson Plaza in a Standard room.

DAY 14 - BOLIVIA TO SANTIAGO
Fly La Paz to Santiago, arriving late afternoon and check in to the Plaza el Bosque in a Standard room for two nights. A short tour introduces you to Chile’s capital, one of the most developed in South America.

DAY 16 - SANTIAGO TO BUENOS AIRES
An early start for the onwards flight to Buenos Aires, dubbed the ‘Paris of the Americas’ this elegant city has a distinct European feel with wide boulevards and classical architecture. A city tour has been arranged to show you the colourful La Boca district, the beautiful gardens of Palermo Park, the old quarter of the artistic district of San Telmo and the Recoleta Cemetery, resting place of Eva Peron. Spend two nights at the excellently located Emperador Hotel in a Deluxe room. An evening visit to a traditional tango show is included.

DAY 18 - BUENOS AIRES TO IGUAZU FALLS
Fly north to spectacular Iguazu Falls, one of the world’s great natural wonders with over 270 cascades spread over almost two miles. The most impressive of which is the Garganta del Diablo (devil’s throat) a U-shaped cliff marking the border between Argentina and Brazil. Visit both sides of the falls during your two nights at the Sheraton Iguazu.

DAY 20 - IGUAZU FALLS TO RIO
Fly onwards by TAM Brazilian Airlines to the city of Rio de Janeiro and transfer to the Sofitel Rio in a Classic room for two nights (for 2012 this will be the JW Marriott). Rio is a magnificent city and there is much to discover including the statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Hill and the wonderful beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. There is free time to explore Rio before our special farewell dinner.

DAY 22 - RIO TO LONDON
Overnight Iberia flight back to Heathrow via Madrid, or alternatively extend your stay in Rio.

BRAZIL BEACH
Extend your stay with time to relax on the peaceful beaches of Angra dos Reis.
DAY 22 RIO TO ANGRA DOS REIS
Transfer by road to the Pestana Angra in a Superior bungalow for five nights.

DAY 27 - ANGRA DOS REIS TO LONDON

Return to Rio for your Iberia flight to Heathrow via Madrid, arriving the following day.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (PRE TOUR)
Straddling the equator these volcanic islands are located at the confluence of three marine currents creating the rich environment that sustains an incredible diversity of life.
DAY 1 - LONDON TO QUITO

Fly Iberia via Madrid to Quito, two nights at the Hilton Colon in a Deluxe room.

DAY 3 - QUITO TO MV SANTA CRUZ

Fly Tame Airlines to the Galapagos Islands and embark on your four night cruise aboard the MV Santa Cruz (see Days 8 to 11 of our Galapagos Cruises & Ecuador).

DAY 7 - MV SANTA CRUZ TO GUAYAQUIL TO LIMA
Fly Tame Airlines back to the mainland and overnight at the Hilton Guayaquil in a Deluxe room. The next day fly onwards to Lima and join the main itinerary from Day 1.