GRAND SOUTH AMERICA TOURS

PERU 

Peru is one of the most fascinating countries in the world. Rich in history, cultural traditions, archaeological sites. Blessed with an incredible topography from her desert fringed coast dotted with ancient cities, to the towering Andes running north to south in the central region, to the Amazon basin’s rain forests covering more than half the Peruvian land mass and cruising ground for nature lovers and adventurers. In almost any corner of the country, Peru offers her visitors wondrous experiences, great comforts and a warm welcome…!

ITINERARY

Day 01 LIMA

Arrival in Lima. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon visit to Colonial and Modern Lima. Guided tour through the historic center of the city. Admire the beauty of San Martin and Major squares, the Cathedral, the Government Palace and visit the Convent of San Francisco and its catacombs, a religious building from the end of the XVI century. Drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.

Day 02 LIMA – CUSCO

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Balance of the morning at leisure to adjust to the high altitude (11,000 feet). Afternoon city tour and nearby ruins. Visit Main Square, the Cathedral and its religious Art Museum, the Church of Santo Domingo or Koricancha, This tour includes visits to Sacsayhuaman and Puca-Pucara fortresses, the temple and amphitheater of Kenko and the water shrine of Tambomachay. (Breakfast).

Day 03 CUSCO – URUBAMBA SACRED VALLEY

Full day bus excursion to the village of Pisac. Visit the authentic and traditional Indian Market, where Indians barter their products. Continue through the Urubamba Valley to Ollantaytambo, favorite residence of the Incas, with its terraces running up the steep slope to the top where a carved stone throne allowed the ruler a magnificent view of his holdings. 

You will also see the fabulous Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo. Lunch included. Overnight at one of the nice countryside hotels in the area. (Breakfast – Lunch).

Day 04 URUBAMBA – MACHU PICCHU

Morning transfer to the train station. Train takes us through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to the town of Machu Picchu. From here, we will board a bus to the mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu. We will then have a guided tour of the ruins. Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marshes of the Inca empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stone works of the Cusco Imperial style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. It was associated with the earth cult revolving around the coca leaf, which was a privilege of the Inca royal family and priests. Guided tour. You will have time to enjoy a light lunch or snack and return to your hotel at your leisure. In the evening, we will enjoy a wonderful dinner at the hotel or in Machu Picchu Pueblo. Overnight at one of the hotels in the area. (Breakfast – Dinner).

Day 05 MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Morning at leisure. You may choose to return to Machu Picchu, hike Huayna Picchu or relax in the village of Aguas Calientes and its hot springs. 

Midafternoon departure by train to Ollanta, then continue by car to Cusco, ending to your hotel. (Breakfast).

Note: Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu on this day are not included. Please advise if you go back to the ruins or hike the Wayna Picchu at time of booking (subject to availability)

Day 06 CUSCO – PUNO

Transfer to the station to take the bus or *train to Puno. Lunch included (approx. 9 hours). Reception and transfer to your hotel. (Breakfast – Lunch).

*Andean Explorer Train from Cuzco to Puno (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday 07:50/18:08): Fantastic train ride that takes a gentle climb to higher and cooler altitudes. The first half of the journey is dominated by the magnificent Andean mountains which tower over the deep valleys of the meandering Huatanay River. It then reaches the gentler, rolling Andean Plains, where vicuña and alpaca can be seen. The glass-walled observation car provides the perfect opportunity to view the beautiful scenery. The journey is broken by a scenic stop at La Raya, which is also the highest point on the route. Three-course lunch included. Restaurant and bar service is available at an additional cost.

BOLIVIA

Bolivia is one of the most intriguing countries in Latin America, land locked in the heart of South America, it will offer you the mystery of the Tiahuanco culture, the legends of Lake Titicaca, the beautiful colonial towns of Sucre and Potosi and the Jungles of Beni and the Madidi National Park (part of the Amazon basin) and the largest and highest salt lake in the world..!!

ITINERARY

Day 07 PUNO – COPACABANA – MOON ISLAND-SUN ISLAND

Pick up from hotel in Puno and overland transfer to Copacabana, Bolivia. En route we will stop at the church of Pomata. Upon arrival in Copacabana, we will visit the famous shrine of the Dark Virgin. Then we will board a hydrofoil cruise that will take us to Moon Island, and visit the Sun Virgins Temple “Iñak Uyu”. Continue to the Sun Island, to visit the “Pilcocaina” Sun Temple. Llama trek to “Posada del Inca” (25 to 40 minute trek), and enjoy lunch at “Posada del Inca Eco Lodge”. Afternoon at leisure to explore the surroundings, and dinner at the Posada del Inca Eco Lodge. (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner). Note: Soft trekking involved.

Day 08 SUN ISLAND – CRUISE TO HUATAJATA – LA PAZ

After breakfast, visit the Inca “Grand Stairs” and the Sacred fountain, where we will drink the water believed to give eternal youth and happiness. We will enjoy lunch at the “Uma Kollu” archaeological restaurant, and visit the small handicraft market. After lunch, take the hydrofoil cruise to Huatajata, where we will visit the “Andean Roots Eco Village”: The Altiplano Museum; Handicrafts village, the Mud Igloos and the mortuary towers of the Urus Chipayas. We will meet the Limachi family, builders of the RA II and Tigris for epic expeditions across the Atlantic Ocean. Bus transfer to La Paz, on a road is running parallel with the Royal Range of the Andes. Arrival to La Paz and transfer to your hotel. (Breakfast).

Day 09 LA PAZ – THE WITCHES MARKET – MOON VALLEY – LA PAZ

This one-day tour takes you through indigenous, colonial and contemporary areas, all beneath the gaze of the imposing snow-capped Mount Illimani. You will visit the fruit and vegetable markets and see the biodiversity with which Bolivia is blessed. There is also an art and contemporary design market where impeccable handicrafts are made. The Witches’ Market is an obligatory stop on the route: a perfect example of the syncretism prevalent in this country. There is also an excursion to the Moon Valley, whose clay formations resemble the surface of the moon. Here you can easily disengage from modern life and enter a parallel universe in another time and dimension. (Breakfast)

Day 10 LA PAZ-UYUNI SALT FLATS:

Transfer to the airport for flight Uyuni. Arrive and continue with a full day tour of the largest salt flat on Earth, located on the Bolivian Andean Altiplano with 12.000 square Km; the Bolivian Andes offer stunning sceneries which can be hardly matched. It has to be -a once in your life time journey-. The noise of silence makes the heart beat faster and the surreal pentagons of crystalline salt, the pure sky, the cacti and the flamingos, will certainly make you feel that there is no place like this in the whole world, then drive to “Isla Pescado”. 

At a distance this island has the shape of a fish. Its historical name is Inka Wasi. It is located at the center of the Uyuni salt pan. Nature has bestowed a singular type of flora on this place. The surface rocks contain fossils of marine algae. This is the largest island in the group that forms an isolated oasis-type ecosystem within the salt pan; the landscape against the background of the salt pans that extend to the horizon makes it an ideal place for photography fans.  After lunch return to Uyuni. (Breakfast, lunch) 

DAY 11 UYUNI-LA PAZ 

Transfer to the airport for flight to La Paz. Arrive and transfer to hotel (B)

CHILE

As legends reveal, when God created the world, He saved a little piece of every continent to form this beautiful southern country. Come to Chile to enjoy splendid ski slopes, astound in the mysteries of Easter Island, Patagonia, impressive glaciers, mountains, beaches, rivers, lakes, forest and the world’s most arid desert. Countless natural wonders are awaiting for you in Chile. Come join us to discover one of the most beautiful countries in the world !!

ITINERARY

Day 12 LA PAZ – SANTIAGO DE CHILE

Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Santiago (Breakfast).

Arrive in Santiago and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon tour of Santiago, Capital of Chile, City tour begins at Santa Hill and continues with drive through residential areas of Pedro de Valdivia Norte, El Golf and Vitacura. Returning to town, take in such famous landmarks as Fine Arts Museum, National Congress Building and La Moneda. Chile’s Presidential Palace. (Breakfast)

Day 13 SANTIAGO Visit Winery 

Discover Concha y Toro Vineyard, the main exporter of wine in Latin America and one of the most important wine brands in the world, with presence in more than 135 countries. At the end of the 19th century, in 1883, when the wine industry was just taking off in Chile, the renowned Chilean politician, entrepreneur and visionary Don Melchor Concha y Toro brought noble French varietals from the Bordeaux region and planted them in Pirque, Maipo Valley. It took place more than 130 years ago.

The Wine Tour: A walk through the gardens, park, and exterior of the summer residence of the Concha y Toro family in the late years of the 19th century. A visit to the garden of grape varietals, with 26 varietals of wine grapes, to know where the Concha y Toro wines comes from.  Visit to Old Pirque vineyard. Visit to the Cellars and Casillero del Diablo. Among these, the centennial Casillero del Diablo, where it began the famous legend of that wine. Wine tasting plus a souvenir glass.

Return to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 14 SANTIAGO –at leisure   

At leisure to explore the city on your own or take an optional tour to Visit Vina and Valparaiso. (Breakfast)

Day 15 SANTIAGO-BUENOS AIRES

Transfer to the airport for flight to Buenos Aires. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. (Breakfast) 

ARGENTINA

Come to discover the wonders of Argentina. Bustling, exciting Buenos Aires. Iguassu Falls with its plunging cataracts. The majesty of the Andes. The super-scenic Lake District. The wine center of Mendoza. Patagonia stretching south to glacier lakes and fjords before meeting Tierra del Fuego and its capital Ushuaia, meeting point for the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at the tip of the Continent.

Day 16 BUENOS AIRES 

Morning sightseeing tour of Buenos Aires, The Argentina capital boasts a population of 18 million. City tour takes you to the Plaza de Mayo for view of Cathedral and Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace). Then along 9 de Julio Avenue, widest street in the world, with its much-photographed Obelisk and Colon Theater and finally, to the colorful La Boca District. (Breakfast) 

Day 17 BUENOS AIRES

At leisure to visit famous Florida Street for leather buys. (Breakfast)

Day 18 BUENOS AIRES-IGUAZU

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguazu (Argentinean side). Arrive and transfer to hotel selected on the Argentinean side for 2 nights (Breakfast) 

Day 19 IGUAZU

Morning tour of the Argentinean side of Iguazu Falls. Upon arrival to the Visitors Center and the Iguazu National Park Entrance, you will board a gas-propelled train, that will take you to the upper falls circuit and the Devil’s Throat. Once you are at the Devil’s Throat Station you will walk for about one kilometer on a flat catwalk built over the Upper Iguazu River. 

This catwalk crosses several islands where there are snack bars. Once you get to the end of the catwalks, on the side of the gorgeous Devil’s Throat. The tour to Devil’s Throat has an approximate duration of 1 ½ hour. (Each station and catwalks have snack bars and toilets to cater to the visitor) During this visit the Falls will be seen from up close allowing for the detailed appreciation of both flora and fauna as well the Falls who are literally at the reach of one’s hands. Overnight on the Argentinian side. (Breakfast)

Day 20 IGUAZU-RIO DE JANEIRO

Morning departure. Transfer from the Argentinean side, to the Brazilian side of the falls (immigration formalities at the border) then tour of the Brasilian side of the falls with spectacular views. Continue to the airport (on the Brasil side) for flight to Rio de Janeiro “The Carnival City of the World”.  Upon arrival in Rio, transfer to your hotel. (Breakfast) 

BRASIL

Join us to discover Brasil, one of the most amazing countries in all Latin America, larger than the continental USA, where soccer, samba, spectacular sightseeing and 210 million friendly people await your visit.  From spectacular Rio de Janeiro, dynamic megacity Sao Paulo, mighty Amazon, Pantanal, romantic Iguazu Falls, historical Salvador Bahia, Ouro Preto and endless summertime will fascinate the fortunate traveler. Brasil today offers a unique travel experience set in a warm, casual, safe environments, good food, drink, music, dance and fun…!

Day 21 RIO DE JANEIRO

Morning sightseeing tour of Corcovado-Cascatinha-Bosque de Tijuca, your tour guide will drive you up Corcovado peak, where imposing Statue of Christ the Redeemer over-looks Guanabara Bay, Rio and fabulous beaches. From Corcovado, proceed to Tijuca Forest and beaches of Ipanema and Leblon. (Breakfast) 

Day 22 RIO DE JANEIRO

Days at leisure to enjoy the beaches, the sidewalk or the Rio night life. (Breakfast) 

Day 23 RIO DE JANEIRO-HOME

Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Breakfast) END OF SERVICES