Itinerary
OCTOBER 2010 25 DAYS INCLUDING FLIGHTS
OCTOBER 02
Christchurch/Auckland/Sydney-Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is known as the Paris of Latin America not only for the elegant shops, restaurants & side walk cafes but also the fashionable dress of the people. This is the home of the Tango where it is even performed daily in the streets & malls
Hotel Republica where we stay for 3 nights overlooks the Obelisk in the center of Av.7 de Julio (the widest street in the world).
Only 2 blocks away is one of the most famous theatres worldwide called Teatro Colon the interior is resplendent with red plush & gilt, the stage is huge and the banquet halls are sumptuous. There are daily tours to the theatre and it may be possible to see a performance
The city tour will include a visit to the mausoleum where Eva Peron was buried, to the colorful area of La Boca which is the artist quarters close to the port and then take a walk down Florida (a street closed to traffic) where good quality cashmere & soft leather are worth purchasing. One evening we will experience the famous Argentinean steak.
OCTOBER 05
Buenos Aires-Iguazu
These falls span 3kms and border 3 countries (Paraguay. Argentina & Brazil) without a doubt they are the most spectacular falls in the world.
During the 2 nights at Bella Italia Hotel (Brazilian side) we visit The Tropicana Bird Park, entering a vast aviary where you come into close contact with over 1000 birds with over 150 species including Macaws & Toucans.
We then enter the National Park for panoramic views of the falls. A Macucu Safari tour is included after lunch where we board a powerful twin engine inflatable boat for an unforgettable ride under the falls.
BBQ buffet dinner is included this evening at Rafain's with an exciting non stop floorshow. A visit the Argentinean Falls is also included.
OCTOBER 07
Iguazu-Rio de Janeiro
We stay for 3 nights at Orla Hotel situated on Copacabana beach. The city tour will include Paca de Acur (Sugar Loaf) climbing by 2 cable cars to 396m, where we will have breathtaking views of Guanabara Bay, the city, and the beaches round to Ipanema.
We will lunch at Corcovado a jagged peak rising 710m where a 40m statue of Christ with his arms outstretched over the city has been built weighing 1200 tons
A day of leisure is included where a number of optional tours are available
OCTOBER 10
Rio de Janeiro-Santiago
Santiago is situated between the spectacular snow capped Andes rising to 6000m and only 100 kms away lies the Pacific Ocean.
During our 3 night stay at the Four Points Sheriton Hotel, we will take a city tour, lunch at a large modern shopping center also time to visit some of the many museums.
A full day tour is included through vineyards & lush fruit orchards to Vina del Mar which is the main seaside resort of Chile. We will also visit Valparaiso which is built on a crescent of hills in a maze of winding streets & alleys. Lunch will be by the sea to taste their great variety of fresh sea food and try the most perfect red wine named Camanere
OCTOBER 13
Santiago-La Paz
Today we arrive in one of the most unusual cities, being the highest capital in the world at 4000m The city is shaped like a large bowl with the poor at the top and the wealthy in the bottom. Our hotel El Rey Palace where we stay for 3 nights is close to San Francisco Square a colorful market which we visit during the city tour. The local women still wear their national dress of bowler hats & very full skirts. A full days tour is included to Tiwanaka where you will see pre-Inca ruins dating back to 800bc, our tour will finish at Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) this has weird rock formations similar to the moon.
OCTOBER 16
La Paz-Copacabana by private bus
Our tour takes us by road to the small picturesque town of Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. We arrive at Hotel Rosario de Lago in time for a delicious lunch of Trout or Perjury freshly caught from the lake.
Copacabana-Puno by private bus
We continue this afternoon and cross the border by bus into Peru continuing on to Puno arriving at Puno Plaza Hotel for 2 nights. This town is also on the shores of the Lake where our boat takes us to the Uros Floating Islands made of reeds, here whole communities live. Take plenty of change as the people sell their beautiful interesting tapestry & crafts. The highlight will be to take a ride in one of their ancient reed boats.
OCTOBER 18
Puno-Cuzco
We travel by First Class tourist bus (with English speaking guide) to Cuzco visiting several ancient sites on the way, we will also enjoy a buffet lunch after passing La Raya the highest point on the road at 4300m (again you will be able to buy many articles made of Alpaca including jerseys for $25-30). We stay at the Casa Andina Plaza hotel for 4 nights (right in the heart of the city or simular), this ancient city has to be one of the highlights of the tour with its incredible architecture, the home of the Inca Empire and the starting point for Machupicchu.
The next day we cross the mountains into the Sacred Valley of the Incas to visit an authentic Indian market at Pisac, here you can buy good silver jewelry, Alpaca rugs etc. and also see the local Indians buying their fruit, spices and vegetables. This colorful scene makes it a photographer’s paradise. We travel by the Delux Vistadome train to Maccupichu on the third day. The next day is free to explore all the many alleys and small shops, or you may just want to relax with a coffee in Plaza de Armas...
On our last night you can experience a very enjoyable evening at Don Antonio’s restaurant where you will enjoy a huge buffet and afterwards hear some professional groups playing Peruvian music (not included).
OCTOBER 22
Cuzco/Lima/Iquitos
The Amazon
Transfer to your Hotel for 1 night situated close to the main square and just a short stroll to the Amazon River.
Early next day we will be taken by Explorama staff to their dock to board our boat for the 30kms ride to Ceiba Tops 5* resort for 2 nights in your own private bungalow with aircon. Returning from the jungle you can cool off in the swimming pool or spa before our buffet dinner.
Programs are always subject to change due to weather conditions, however a typical program is as follows:-
Short walks into the primary rainforest surrounding Ceiba Tops with your English speaking guide (taken at a leisurely pace).
Boat ride to see the Pink Dolphins
Visit to Indian villages, with opportunity to buy their crafts and a lesson on hunting with a blow pipe.
Visit to Monkey Island where you will see and hold tame monkeys
Fishing expedition for Piranhas
We return to Iquitos for 1 night on our final afternoon to relax or shop for souvenirs
OCTOBER 26
Iquitos/Lima/Buenos Aires
Overnight flight
OCTOBER 27
Buenos Aires-Sydney/Auckland/ Christchurch
OCTOBER 28
IN FLIGHT
OCTOBER 29
Arrive Auckland/Cristchurch/Sydney
Program subject to change due to local conditions
Tour Inclusions
Return economy class airfares from Auckland
Twin rooms with private facilities- 3* & 4* hotels
Breakfasts (most will be buffet)
All ground transport
All airport/hotel transfers
English speaking guides
City tours as specified
Tours in Santiago to Valparaiso & Vina del Mar
Tours in Rio to Corcovado & Sugar Loaf
Tours in Iguazu to Bird Park, entrance fees to National Park. Maccu Safari, Rafain BBQ dinner
Tour in Puno to Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca
Tours in Cuzco to Machupicchu & Pisac Market
Escorted from NZ
Tour Exclusions
Visas (Australians need visa for Brazil)
Travel Insurance
Optional Tours
International Departure Taxes
(Australian price includes departure taxes except Lima & Buenos Aires where we pay at the border)
Items of personal nature eg. Water, drinks, laundry & tipping (see note below)
Tipping, my usual practice is to collect this at our briefing meeting in Buenos Aires, you can then forget this for the whole tour.
Optional Tour to Arequipa
Cuzco-Arequipa
Transfer to the Sonesta del Pasada for 2 nights, tomorrow we have a city tour with views of Misti Volcano, the afternoon is free to explore this interesting city.
Today we drive to Chivay stopping for sightseeing on the way, including a visit to the pre-Inca cultivation terraces at Mirador of Chivay., overnight at Colca Lodge where our hotel has hot spring medicinal thermal baths.
Up early the next morning as we drive to Condors Cross a natural observation point where the magnitude of Colca Canyon and the spectacular flight of the Condor can be appreciated.
Later we return to Arequipa for 1 night, visiting Chinina on the way. The cliffside tombs and the hanging bridge that joins the towns of Yanque & Coporaque are found here. We will stop for a while in the latter town for a rest and to view the old buildings.
Arequipa-Lima-Buenos Aries-Sydney/Christchurch (depending on flight schedules you may have to overnight in either Lima or Buenoa Aires)
Optional Tour to Arequipa will not be escorted by myself but you will have local qualified english speaking guides.
Inclusions
Return economy flights
Airport/hotel/airport transfers
English speaking guides
First Class hotels
Buffet breakfasts
All ground transport
Tours as specified
Exclusions
Tipping,drinks, laundry
Internation & Domestic departure taxes
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