2008
South American Panorama - Classic Escorted Tour
A truly unforgettable journey through this fascinating continent.
Our opinion
Experience the spectacular scenery, history and treasures of some of the most exciting countries in South America – Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.
Escorted
The services of a professional experienced tour manager from London throughout the tour, and back to London again. (Applies to Iberia flight only, passengers on other airlines will meet the tour manager in Lima).
Itinerary
- Lima: 2 nights
- Amazon: 2 nights (optional)
- Cuzco and Machu Picchu: 6 nights
- Puno: 1 night
- Bolivia: 3 nights
- Santiago: 3 nights
- Buenos Aires: 3 nights
- Iguacu Falls: 2 nights
- Rio De Janeiro: 3 nights
Day 1 Fri London/Madrid/Lima
Depart Heathrow with Iberia for your flight to Lima via Madrid. Arrive the same day and transfer to the Libertador San Isidro Hotel.
Day 2 Sat Lima
A morning tour of the Peruvian capital, which the Spanish conquistador Pizarro called the ‘City of Kings’. A stop is included at the cathedral where you can see his supposed remains in a glass coffin. Afternoon at leisure. B.
Day 3 Sun to Day 4 Mon Lima/Amazon
Fly LAN Peru to Cuzco and transfer to the Libertador Palacio Del Inka. Located high in the Andes, Cuzco was the ancient capital of the Incas until the Spanish conquistadors conquered it in the 16th Century. An introductory tour takes you round the old centre where many of the Spanish colonial buildings have been constructed upon original Incan foundations and to the Incan fort of Sacsayhuaman, overlooking the city. B. Alternatively, fly LAN Peru from Lima to Puerto Maldonado located on the Madre De Dios River in the Amazon basin. Continue by boat to the Reserva Amazonica lodge situated in a private ecological reserve where you will spend two nights in rustic bungalows, with private facilities. This area of the Amazon is rich in biological diversity and excursions are included into the surrounding jungle in search of some of the rare and exotic wildlife, which includes parrots, caiman, monkeys and the giant river otter. B,L,D.
Day 5 Tue Amazon/Cuzco
Those on the alternative itinerary will take the short LAN Peru flight from Puerto Maldonado to rejoin the rest of the group in Cuzco. B.
Day 6 Wed Cuzco
At leisure to further explore the city or take one of the optional excursions available. B.
Day 7 Thu Cuzco
A memorable journey to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas by narrow gauge railway, climbing as you head out from Cuzco before descending into the Sacred Valley of the Incas and onwards to Aguas Calientes. 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 almost a magic about the place, especially early in the day when the palaces, temples and terracing are often shrouded in mist. Overnight at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu hotel, set amid the cloud forest in a private mountainside reserve. B,L,D.
Day 8 Fri Cuzco
Time at leisure to further explore the ruins (entrance fee payable locally) or enjoy the variety of activities available at the hotel. In the afternoon return by rail to Cuzco. B.
Day 9 Sat Cuzco/Puno
Travel across the high Altiplano aboard the Andean Explorer train to the shores of Lake Titicaca. Enjoy the dramatic mountain views 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 La Raya, located at over 14,000 feet above sea level. On arrival in the late afternoon transfer to the Libertador Puno set on Esteves Island overlooking the lake. With good weather there are fantastic views across the water to the snow covered peaks of the Cordillera Real in Bolivia. B,L,D.
Day 10 Sun Puno/Bolivia
Transfer to the small village of Juli, from where you take a hydrofoil cruise across the lake, stopping off at the important Incan sites of Sun and Moon Island. Continue to Huatajata, where you visit the Andean roots eco-village, spend time with a Kallaway (natural medicine doctor) and learn about the locally produced reed boats. Overnight at the Inca Utama hotel where after dinner you will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of the stars to the local people. B,L,D.
Day 11 Mon Bolivia
Visit to the Uros-Iruitos islands, made by the Uros people out of buoyant totora reeds these islands literally float on the surface of the lake. After lunch continue to Bolivia’s largest city, La Paz – the highest capital city in the world. Tour the heart of the town with its many fine colonial buildings and colourful markets before heading out to see the remarkable scenery of the Moon Valley. Overnight hotel El Presidente B,L.
Day 12 Tue Bolivia
Day at leisure to take one of the optional excursions available locally or further explore the city. B.
Day 13 Wed to Day 14 Thu Bolivia/Santiago
Fly LAN Chile from La Paz to Santiago, arriving late afternoon and check into the Sheraton Santiago for three nights. Located in the central valley, Chile’s capital is one of the most developed in South America. A tour is included to introduce you to the city. B.
Day 15 Fri Santiago
Visit the Concha Y Toro winery, located in the Maipo Valley beneath the high Andean peaks. Considered one of the most prestigious vineyards in South America it is particularly noted for its merlots and sauvignon blancs which you will have the opportunity to sample. B.L.
Day 16 Sat to Day 18 Mon Santiago/Buenos Aires
Fly LAN Chile onwards to Buenos Aires, dubbed the ‘Paris of the Americas’ this elegant city has a distinctly European feel with its wide boulevards and classical architecture. A city tour has been arranged to show you 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. The remainder of your time is at leisure to enjoy the excellent shopping and dining opportunities. B.
Day 19 Tue to Day 20 Wed Buenos Aires/Iguacu Falls
Fly LAN Argentina from Buenos Aires to the spectacular Iguacu falls, one of the world’s great natural wonders with over 270 cascades spread over almost two miles. The most impressive of these is the Garganta del Diablo (devil’s throat) a Ushaped cliff marking the border between Argentina and Brazil. Two nights are spent at the Sheraton Iguazu hotel located amid the rainforest within the Argentine National Park. B.
Day 21 Thu to Day 22 Fri Iguacu/Rio De Janeiro
Fly onwards with TAM Brazilian Airlines to the city of Rio de Janeiro and transfer to the Ibersotar Grand Copacabana. Rio is a magnificent city and there is much to discover including the statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado, Sugar Loaf Mountain and the wonderful beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. B.
Day 23 Sat Rio de Janeiro
Day at leisure before a farewell dinner at the Marius Carne restaurant, a typical churrascarias (Brazilian barbecue house). B,D.
Day 24 Sun Rio de Janeiro/Madrid/London
Iberia flight back to Heathrow via Madrid, arriving the next day or extend for five nights to the Casas Brancas hotel in Buzios. B.
