South American Small Group History and Culture Tour

Upon arrival in Santiago, we will come to our accommodation individually. We will enjoy dinner at the hotel.

(D)

We will take a morning tour of the city’s highlights, starting at the Civic Center with the Neoclassical La Moneda Palace, the Plaza de Armas surrounded by the 18th century Cathedral, the National Historical Museum, and the Central Post Office. We will visit the central market to see its colorful display of fruits, seafood, fish, and flowers, then ascend the San Cristobal Hill for a panoramic view of the city. We will enjoy lunch during the tour.

(B,L)

We will Transfer to the airport to board a flight to Lima. On arrival we will be transferred to the hotel.
This morning we visit Pachacamac, the pre-Inca sacred and ceremonial site of the beginning of the Christian era, where millions of Peregrines arrived to leave their offers and to consult the oracle of Pachacamac. The site is comprised of pyramidal temples and enclosures built by several Pre-Columbian cultures and the Incas. Tonight we will dine at the La Dama Juana.

(B,D)

Today we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Lima, including visits to the Government Palace, the Cathedral, San Francisco Church, and the residential areas of San Isidro and Miraflores. After lunch at Brujas de Cachiche restaurant, we will visit the Larco Herrera Museum, a 17th century mansion from the viceroyalty period, built on a Pre-Colombian pyramid that dates from the 8th century. This impressive museum contains a famous erotic art chamber and holds the exquisite collection “Gold and Silver From Ancient Peru.” The Larco Museum has the largest private collection of Peruvian Pre-Colombian art in the world. Dinner tonight will be at Lima’s famous Rosa Nautica Restaurant. We will continue to the coast for spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

(B,L,D)

This morning we will transfer to the airport for a flight to Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival, we will drive 10 minutes to Refugio Amazonas Puerto Maldonado headquarters. While enjoying our first taste of the forest in our gardens, we will pack only the necessary gear for our next few days, and leave the rest at our safe deposit. This helps us keep the boats and cargo light.

We will transfer from Puerto Maldonado Headquarters to Tambopata River Port, entering the Native Community of Infierno. The port is a communal business. The 2 and a half hour boat ride from the Tambopata Port to Refugio Amazonas will take us past the Community of Infierno and the Tambopata National Reserve´s checkpoint and into the buffer zone of this 1.3 million hectare conservation unit. Upon arrival, the lodge manager will welcome us and brief us with important navigation and security tips. After dinner we will go on a caiman search at the river’s edge at night, scanning the shores with headlamps and flashlights to catch the red gleams of reflection from caiman eyes.

(B,L,D)

We will paddle around Oxbow Lake on a canoe or a catamaran to look for lakeside wildlife such as hoatzin, caiman, horned screamers, macaws, and possibly even otters.
A 30 minute walk from Refugio Amazonas leads to the 25 meter scaffolding canopy tower. A bannistered staircase running through the middle provides safe access to the platforms above. The tower has been built upon high ground, therefore providing an excellent view of the continuous primary forest extending out towards the Tambopata National Reserve. From here we will view mixed species canopy flocks as well as toucans, macaws, and raptors.

After lunch, we will travel 5 minutes downriver from the lodge to take an ethnobotanical tour on a farm owned and managed by charismatic Don Manuel from the neighbouring community of Condenado. He grows a variety of popular and unknown Amazon crops – just about every plant and tree we will see serves a purpose. We will learn about the medicinal uses of Ajo-Sacha, Yuca de Venado, Uña de Gato, Charcot-Sacha, Para-Para, and several others. After dinner, we will attend a lecture at Tambopata National Reserve. Nightly lectures prepared by the staff of Refugio Amazonas cover conservation threats, opportunities, and projects in the Tambopata National Reserve.

(B,L,D)

After an early breakfast, we will return by motor canoe to the Puerto Maldonado Airport. En route we will see early morning wildlife activity along the river. From here we will fly to the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, where our jungle adventure ends. En route to the Sacred Valley, we will visit Awana Kancha, where we will be introduced to the camelids of Peru, including species of llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas. We will also enjoy textile weaving onsite, then continue to the hotel where we will enjoy dinner and some time to rest and adjust to the altitude.

(B,D)

Today we will explore the colourful Pisac Market where the locals meet to barter and sell their merchandise. We will also visit Ollantaytambo, the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the Americas. We will return to the hotel for dinner.

(B,D)

Early morning we will take a train ride to Aguas Calientes, the small village below Machu Picchu. From there, we will travel by mini bus up the winding road to the ruins where we will have a guided tour and time to wander at our leisure. Machu Picchu is the most famous of the Inca settlements, straddling a mountaintop thousands of metres above the Urubamba Valley. During the years of the Spanish conquest, this citadel remained undiscovered and therefore intact. In 1911 an American explorer, Hiram Bingham discovered the city buried in jungle, and staircases, terraces, temples, palaces, towers, and fountains have since been uncovered. Archaeologists believe the citadel was built in the mid 15th century by the Inca Emperor Pachacutec.

(B,L,D)

This morning there will be some free time to explore on your own. We will leave from Aguas Calientes at 10:50 am to travel to Ollanta Station in Cusco. From here we will be transferred to the colourful market at Chinchero. Afterwards we will be at leisure to stroll through Cusco’s narrow winding cobbled streets and admire the remains of its former splendour, much now covered by churches and mansions of the conquering Spaniards. This evening enjoy a Peruvian folk show and typical dinner at El Tunupa restaurant, which is walking distance from the hotel.

(B,D)

This afternoon we enjoy a tour of the city and nearby ruins. We will visit the Korikancha temple, the Cathedral, the fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking the city, and the Tambomachay Ruins. We will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant this evening.

(B,D)

We will enjoy a day at leisure in Cusco.

(B,D)

We will travel by train across the vast altiplano from Cusco to Puno, a journey of approximately 10 hours. We will enjoy the views from the brass-railed open carriage at the rear or sit in the bar lounge. This unique train is a faded reminder of the Orient Express with its seating and service. On arrival we will transfer to our hotel.

(B,L,D)

This morning we will visit the remarkable floating reed islands built on layers of totora reeds on Lake Titicaca, home to the Uros Indians who still live as their ancestors did a thousand years ago. After lunch we will visit the “Chullpas” of Sillustani, a cemetery from Pre Inca times with circular, tower-shaped tombs made of stone. We will return to our hotel in Puno for the night.

(B,L,D)

After breakfast, we will transfer to Copacabana to see the churches of Pomata, Juli, and the Copacabana cathedral. Then we will board Hydrofoil Cruise to Huatajata, the “Andean Roots Eco Village.” We will continue to Sun Island, visit the Inca Staircase, and taste the sacred water believed to give eternal youth and happiness from the Sacred Fountain. Lunch will be at “Uma Kollu” archaeological restaurant and we will visit a picturesque handicraft market.

We will visit The Altiplano Museum, where a state of the art audio system will explain the cultural heritage of the Aymaras and the Incas, the colonial time, and the Jacques Cousteau Expedition to Lake Titicaca. We will meet the Limachi family, builders of the RA II and Tigris for Thor Heyerdhal epic expeditions across the Atlantic Ocean and much more. We will transfer by coach to La Paz on a road that runs parallel with the Royal Range of the Andes. We will check into the hotel for dinner and overnight.

(B,L)

This morning we will enjoy breakfast and then visit the Tiwanku Ruins, which run parallel with the royal range of the Andes. Our activity for this afternoon is an exploration of La Paz, where we will visit indigenous, colonial, and modern areas, as well as the Moon Valley.

(B)

Early morning, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Buenos Aires, where we will be transferred to our accommodation. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Buenos Aires offers great shopping opportunities. Leather goods of excellent quality are special bargains you cannot miss. Buenos Aires’ chic shopping district is Recoleta, along Alvear and Quintana Avenues, where you will find the best local and international brands. Florida street is also a must for tourists. Many of the most important jewelry shops, art galleries, fur shops, and leather goods shops are located along this attractive pedestrian street. We will enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.

(D)

This morning we will enjoy a tour of the southern side of charming Buenos Aires with its strong European influence. Buenos Aires is a city of grand architecture, beautiful parks, wide avenues, and wonderful walks. We will see Plaza de Mayo, Teatro Colon, Casa Rosada, and the famous La Boca District, followed by lunch in a local restaurant and visits to Congress and the Colon Theater. We will return to the hotel and then later have dinner in a local restaurant.

(B,L,D)

Today we will explore areas on the northern side of Buenos Aires, including visits to Recoleta Cemetary, the rose garden, and Evita Musuem. Lunch will be in a local restaurant. This evening features a Tango dance lesson at La Ventana, followed by dinner and a Tango show.

(B,L,D)

We will board a domestic flight to Iguazú Falls on the Argentine side, and transfer to the Brazilian side for a guided walking tour of the Brazilian side of the falls. We end the day with a transfer to the hotel.

(B)

This morning we will depart our hotel and cross the Tancredo Neves Bridge into Argentina for a tour of the Argentine side of the falls. This excursion takes us along the upper and lower trails of the Iguaçu National Park, allowing us to get a closer look at some of the 275 falls that drop from the Iguaçu River. We will enjoy the fantastic wildlife and jungle that surrounds it. At the end of the trail, we will appreciate the Devil’s Throat Cataract. Take a coat or buy a plastic disposable one nearby for the included boat safari. On this trip, we board a twin engine boat specially designed for this river’s conditions and cruise up into the Iguaçu Canyon, shooting several rapids to arrive at the very base of the majestic waterfalls. During this tour an experienced pilot will maneuver into the midst of the falls themselves, for a completely different view and experience. This is a thrill never to be forgotten.

(B)

After breakfast we will check out of our hotel and enjoy a visit to the local bird park. (Opposite the bird park, there may be an opportunity for helicopter rides over the falls at personal cost and dependent on weather). Afterwards, we will transfer to the airport where we will board a flight to Rio de Janeiro and stay at famous Copacabana beach.

(B)

Today our full day tour of Rio includes a cruise on Guanabara Bay aboard a classic Brazilian Schooner, with lunch at a seafood restaurant included before visiting the Sugar Loaf, known world over as Rio’s postcard and a must to visit. The Sugar Loaf is reached on a two stage cable car ride taking 80 passengers per trip on a 2 minute ride each stage. The first stage, Morro da Urca, has a restaurant, amphitheatre, a heliport for scenic rides and a privileged view of the yacht club and Botafogo Bay. The second stage takes one up to the Sugar Loaf thus named because of the loaves of sugar that were commonly used by the Portuguese at the time of the discovery of the city. The all-encompassing views from this privileged 270 metre high lookout is unrivaled.

(B,L)

We will take a morning tour of the Corcovado Mountain and see the Christ Statue, which has been Rio’s top attraction widely sung by famous Brazilian composers. Driving along the beaches of Rio and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, we will reach the Rebouças Tunnel which links the southern and northern parts of the city cut in half by the Tijuca Ridge. Rio is the only city in the world to have a national park 5 minutes from downtown. As we reach the Cosme Velho district, we will board a cogwheel train that climbs the mountain from its base at 15 metres to almost its summit at 670 metres. The very top can be reached by either lift or climbing a flight of steps to reach the base of Christ the Redeemer statue. This evening we will enjoy farewell dinner buffet at the hotel.

(B,D)

We will explore Rio de Janeiro this morning at leisure. This tour concludes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(B)