Ultimate South America

Overview

Offering a wide range of authentic South American experiences, this 24 day tour begins in Quito. Visit a local community, and the stunning Galapagos Islands before seeing the Sacred Valley and the world-famous Machu Picchu. Enjoy a road trip like no other as you journey across beautiful landscapes, experiencing everything from floating islands made of reeds, to salt lakes and the Atacama Desert. See both sides of the Iguazu Falls and finish the tour enjoying the very best of Rio de Janeiro, with time to relax on legendary beaches.

Itinerary

DAY 1: QUITO
On arrival in Quito, you will be met and transferred to your HOTEL for your two nights stay. (B)

DAY 2: QUITO
This morning you will be taken on a colonial city tour of Quito to experience the bustling streets and squares of the historical old town and visit the “Middle of the World” situated at 0º0’0” latitude. (B, L)

DAY 3: QUITO – GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Today you will be transferred via light aircraft to the Galapagos Islands (additional cost). On arrival, you will be met by a naturalist guide and taken to Puerot Ayora, with a stopover in the highlands to see the giant land tortoises. Here you will have a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, visit Tortuga Bay and return to your HOTEL for dinner and your overnight stay. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
After breakfast, you will be taken to the dock to board your yacht to North Seymour Island. Here you can enjoy hiking, swimming, snorkelling and seeing the local wildlife. Overnight at your HOTEL. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: GALAPAGOS ISALANDS
Today, you will return to the dock and sail to Bartolome Island. Afterwards, you will return to your HOTEL for dinner and your overnight stay. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: GALAPAGOS – LIMA
After breakfast, you will be able to visit the Charles Darwin Station to see a variety of giant tortoises and learn about the station’s ongoing conservation efforts. You will then head to the airport for your light aircraft transfer back to Quito where you will board a flight to Lima (additional cost). On arrival, you will be transferred to your HOTEL. (B)

DAY 7: LIMA – CUSCO
Today, you will be taken to the airport for your flight to Cusco (additional cost). On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. The afternoon will begin at the Mercado San Pedro before visiting the Museo del Inka and Cusco’s famous Cathedral. The last stop of the day will be the Curinacancha, also known as the Temple of Sun. Return to your HOTEL for your overnight stay. (B, L, D)

DAY 8: CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU
Today begins with a visit to the village of Pisac, in the Sacred Valley of Incas, with its famous artisanal market and Inca Ruins. Continue on to the Hacienda Sarapampa, where you will be taken on a guided tour and enjoy lunch as you overlook the beautiful landscape and surrounds. After lunch you will be transferred to Ollantaytambo station for your train journey to Aguas Calientes, located at the base of Machu Picchu. Overnight at your HOTEL in Aguas Calientes. (B, L)

DAY 9: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
This morning you will be taken on a guided tour of the world-famous Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. After lunch, board the train back to Cusco for your overnight stay. (B)

DAY 10: CUSCO – PUNO
Today you will travel through the highland plateau, stopping en route at the archaeological site of Andahuaylillas and the pre-Inca ruin of Raqchi. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way before arriving back in Cusco in the early evening, where you will be transferred to your HOTEL for your overnight stay. (B, L)

DAY 11: PUNO – COPACABANA – LA PAZ
After breakfast, you will be taken to the Port of Puno to board a motor boat that will transfer you to Uros, an archipelago of more than 60 handmade floating islands. Enjoy a guided tour via an authentic reed raft. Afterwards, return to Puno where you will start the journey to La Paz via Copacabana. On arrival, you will be transferred to your HOTEL for your overnight stay. (B)

DAY 12: LA PAZ – UYUNI
This morning you will be taken to the airport for your flight to Uyuni (additional cost). On arrival you will be taken to San Pedro de Atacama, en route visiting the Salt Flats, the village of Colchani and Incahuasi Island to see the amazing giant cactus. Enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing on to your HOTEL in San Juan for your overnight stay. (B, L, D)

DAY 13: UYUNI
After breakfast, you will be taken to Mallku Cueva Villamar, passing by the church of San Cristóbal and the villages of Culpina K and Alota with a stop at the Valley of the Rocks. Overnight at your HOTEL. (B, L, D)

DAY 14: UYUNI – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
This morning, you will visit San Pedro de Atacama and Laguna Colorada to see the famous James’s Flamingos as well as the perennial ice. Your journey continues to Laguna Verde on the banks of the Licancabur Volcano and then on to the Hito Cajón border for your transfer to San Pedro de Atacama for your two night stay at your HOTEL. (B)

DAY 15: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
After an early breakfast, you will be taken on a half day tour of the Tatio Geysers. Sitting at an altitude of 4,320 metres above sea level, this is the highest geothermal field in the World. Enjoy a visit to “Pozón Rústico”, and in the afternoon, travel across Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountain Range) to reach the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), and witness the valley’s incredible colours as the sun sets. (B)

DAY 16: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA- SANTIAGO
This morning, enjoy a visit to the Salar de Atacama, one of the world’s largest salt lakes, and an important lithium reserve. It is also where you can see a variety of bird species. En route you will visit the village of Toconao where the locals, who are famous for their knitted products, live in white volcanic stone houses. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for your
flight to Santiago (additional cost) where you will be met and transferred to your HOTEL for an overnight stay. (B)

DAY 17: SANTIAGO – BUENOS AIRES
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires (additional cost). Two nights at your HOTEL. (B)

DAY 18: BUENOS AIRES
Today you will be taken on a sightseeing tour to one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires. You will visit La Boca with its colourful homes and pedestrian streets, Puerto Madero, Palermo and the Recoleta. In the evening enjoy a Tango show with dinner at La Ventana. (B, D)

DAY 19: BUENOS AIRES – IGUAZU
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Puerto Iguazu (additional cost). On arrival you will be transferred to your HOTEL. The evening is at your leisure.

DAY 20: IGUAZU
Today you will experience Iguazu Falls from the Argentinian side. Here you can explore the suspended walkways on both the upper and lower circuits. (B)

DAY 21: IGUAZU – RIO DE JANEIRO
After breakfast, you will visit the Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian side, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the lower Iguazu River and the Devil’s Gorge Canyon. Afterwards, you will be transferred for your flight to Rio de Janeiro (additional cost). On arrival, you will be transferred to your HOTEL in Copacabana for two nights. (B)

DAY 22: RIO DE JANEIRO
Enjoy a full day tour of Rio de Janeiro, beginning with a scenic drive from Copacabana Beach to Christ the Redeemer. Visit the district of Urca and the famous Sugarloaf Mountain where you will be taken by cable car to the top of Urca Hill. After a traditional Brazilian barbecue lunch, you will head to the Monument to the Fallen in World War II and the beaches of Flamengo and Botafogo. (B, L)

DAY 23: RIO DE JANEIRO
Today is at leisure to explore this vibrant city or relax on the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. (B)

DAY 24: RIO DE JANEIRO
After breakfast you will be transferred to Galea Airport for your onward flight. (B)

Includes

• 23 nights accommodation in superior hotels on a twin share basis
• Meals as indicated (B, L, D)
• Guided excursions and tours as detailed
• Yacht excursions in Galapagos Islands
• Entrance Fees
• Vistadome Train

NOTE: Internal flights NOT included

Based on a minimum of 2 passengers travelling together. This tour can be reduced, extended or amended to suit. Please contact South American Travel Specialists for full details.

Subject to change without notice.

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