South American Sojourn - 30 days Rio to Lima

TRIP SUMMARY:

• Duration: 30 days from Rio to Lima
• Departure dates: Start 4th July – 2nd August 2016
• Trip focus: An moderately active sightseeing trip exploring the highlights of South America
• Accommodation: 25 nights hotels, 3 nights rainforest lodge
• Transport: flight, bus, train, boat, van
• Group Size: Maximum 12, Minimum 6 plus tour leader

• Spectacular Samba show
• Corcovado and Sugar Loaf tours in Rio de Janeiro
• Brazilian and Argentine Falls tour
• Buenos Aires city tour and Tango show
• Excursion to the Valley of the Moon in San Pedro
• Colca Canyon excursion & entry to hot springs
• Lake Titicaca full day guided tour
• Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu guided tour
• Half day Cusco city tour
• Guided tour of the Uros Islands and Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca
• Eco Lodge Amazon Excursion (3 nights)
• Half day Lima city tour
• Bilingual tour leader throughout and local guides for excursions
• All flights and transport within South America, transport & accommodation. *Airfares subject to change. If not arriving with Lan Airlines, an airfare surcharge applies. 
• Tips for local guides & driversTip pool.
• The cost of entry fees for all scheduled tours.

• All items of a personal nature, laundry, drinks, souvenirs etc
• International flights, and internal flight departure taxes
• Travel insurance, visas and vaccinations

Most of our adventure tours involve a local payment. Payment is made to your tour leader in USD cash at the commencement of your tour. Paying locally allows us to keep the overall cost of our tours competitive and pass the savings on to you. These funds are put towards local expenses. In some developing countries the transferring of funds is at times problematic so this is a way to help us serve you, whilst saving you money. Payment is to be made to your leader upon arrival in cash.
All prices are approximates and subject to currency fluctuations until final payment has been made.

ITINERARY:

DAY 1
 – Arrival in RIO DE JANEIRO
Arrive in stunning Rio de Janeiro, where we are met and transferred to settle in to our hotel for the next 3 nights.

DAYS 2 & 3 – RIO DE JANEIRO
We’ll a have a morning breifing on the adventure ahead. Then there’s time to sunbathe and swim at Copacabana or Ipanema Beach, before trying the local cuisine and night life. Rio by night – enjoy a dazzling show featuring Brazilian folkloric music, Carnival costumes and dances, with special emphasis on the world famous “Samba”. On day 3 we take you to Corcovado, Statue of Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf.
 From the gigantic statue of Christ the Redeemer enjoy one of the most wonderful views of Rio de Janeiro: the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon; the Lagoon and Sugar Loaf, which are nothing short of breathtaking. (2B,D)

DAYS 4 & 5- IGUAZU FALLS
Transfer to the airport for our flight to the most beautiful and spectacular waterfalls in the world –Iguassu Falls. There are 275 falls along 2.7 kilometres of the Iguazu River. Enjoy a half day tour on arrival of the Brazilian side of the falls, then transfer to the Argentine side and our family run hotel in Puerto Iguazu. In the morning visit the spectacular “Devils Throat”. There are many walkways to explore on both the upper and lower circuits, and plenty of wildlife to see. Later in the afternoon of day 5 we fly to Buenos Aires.(2B)

DAYS 6 & 7 – BUENOS AIRES
This exciting cosmopolitan City, often known as the “Paris of the Americas” is a mix of colonial architecture and European influences – and a shoppers paradise. Our hotel is steps away from the major shopping area of Recoleta. Walk down to the Recoleta cemetery where Eva Peron is buried, and stroll the labyrinth of alleyways. We’ll take you on a full day insightful walking tour of Buenos Aires visiting the Plaza de Mayo, then on to the colourful Bohemian district of La Boca with it’s many artists and street markets. One evening will feature the fabulous ‘Argentine Experience” and the next night a Tango show”. (2B, 1D)

DAY 8 – SALTA
Truly one of the most beautiful cities in northern Argentina. Relax and enjoy the local craft market for great souvenirs and ride the cable car up San Bernardo Hill for a spectacular view. In the evening we sugest an absolute “must do” while in Salta, going to a peña restaurant. Loved by locals as much as by visitors they serve up wonderful regional food and have live shows of traditional dancing. This area is also know for its fabulous Torrontes wine and is the northernmost wine region of Argentina. (B)

DAYS 9 to 12- JUJUY PROVINCE & SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
The next few days find us off the beaten track, exploring canyons of multi coloured rocks and surreal eroded formations. We venture high into the Andes to catch our first glimpse of shimmering salt lakes, but we have to be flexible with the itinerary and the exact places visited on our way to San Pedro will be determined by local conditions. Please be prepared for a long traveling day into Chile of at least 10 hours. However you will be amply rewarded with stunning scenery and the privilege of visiting less touristed areas. We’ll get to enjoy the atmosphere of beautiful San Pedro de Atacama, visit the valley of the moon or take an optional trip to the Tatio Geyser field or a horse ride through the desert. (3B)

DAYS 13 to 15 – CHILE TO AREQUIPA
We travel to Antofagasta for our flight to Arica, Chile’s northern most city to cross the border into Peru. A bus trip through the Atacama desert in Southern Peru, takes us to arguably Peru’s most beautiful city. Arequipa exhibits delightful colonial past. Situated under the volcano “El Misti”, stroll around the city enjoying the local museums, churches, the gorgeous Santa Catalina Monastery and sample some of the many superb regional dishes. (3B)

DAY 16 to 18 – COLCA CANYON
Home to the famous Andean Condor. View these birds close up, as they soar above us while on the edge of the canyon. Visit local villages, soak in thermal baths and sample the life, music and spectacular scenery. We continue through to the city of Puno on Day 18, located on the shore of Lake Titicaca, Sacred Lake of the Incas and the world’s highest navigable lake (3860 m above sea level). Enjoy spectacular Altiplano scenery along the way, with plenty of photo stops. (3B)

DAY 19 – LAKE TITICACA
After breakfast we board our boat to explore the lake. Visiting the fascinating floating reed islands of the Uros people, where houses, schools, boats and the islands themselves are made of the Tortora Reed. Continuing on to Taquile Island for an insight to this unique communal culture. (B)

DAY 20 & 21 – SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
Today we depart Puno and travel by road across the Altiplano to Cuzco and then we head out to the beautiful Urubamba Valley (Sacred alley of the Inca’s) where we’ll spend the next two nights. The following morning we will visit the famous Pisac Inca site and vibrant Pisac market. If time allows, we’ll drive to Ollantaytambo to explore the township and the Inca ruins. (2B)

DAY 22 – MACHU PICCHU
A highlight of the trip is taking a scenic train ride through spectacular mountain vistas to Aguas Calientes – then transfer by coach to Machu Picchu – the “Lost City of the Incas”. Machu Picchu, rediscovered by archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911, is one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world. After our guided tour of Machu Picchu we return to Cuzco in the evening. (B)

DAYS 23 & 24 – CUZCO
A half day tour today reveals to us the ancient city that was known by the Incas as the “Navel of the World”. We also visit the surrounding Inca site of Sacsayhuaman. Cuzco is an exquisite mix of Incan and Spanish colonial influences. A free day to explore Cuzco and enjoy the special atmosphere. Browse in the many craft shops, enjoy a coffee overlooking the plaza, or relax in the courtyard of your colonial style hotel. The day is yours. Dinner this evening will feature regional Andean cuisine.(2B, 1D)

DAY 25 to 27 – AMAZON RAINFOREST LODGE
After a short flight we arrive in the steamy Amazon town of Puerto Maldonado, where we’re met and taken to our lodge. First we ride by boat from the Tambopata Port to the lodge trail head, then walk 3km to stunning Sandoval lake, where we are canoed across to the lodge.
Amazon lodge – Nature walks, canoeing, medicinal plants and their uses, wildlife videos and lectures will have you enthralled. We have the chance to see spider, capuchin and howler monkeys, macaws, sloths, giant river otters which are resident in the lake, hummingbirds, caimans and a vast variety of insects. The lodge’s unique location is sure to be a highlight of your trip. (3B,3L,3D)

DAY 28 & 29 – LIMA
We retrace our river and road journey back to Puerto Maldonado. A short flight takes us to Lima via Cusco. On day 28 we visit Lima’s historic city center during an insightful city tour. Rest of the afternoon free to relax or explore further or we can take a short orientation walk in the neighbourhoods of Miraflores and Barranco, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Our final dinner will feature regional Peruvian specialties. (2B, 1D)

DAY 30 – DEPARTURE DAY

(B) **Ask us about joining on to our Galapagos Adventure Tour