35 days Best of South America

General Info

Ideal for those with a little more time for this wonderful continent-
See the traditional highlights of Peru & Bolivia, Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls & Buenos Aires at a leisurely pace...and enjoy the added extras of Ecuador with its traditional Otavalo Market & famous Avenue of the Volcanoes; plus the Andean Lakes District for an extensive South American experience.

Itinerary

Day 1 Quito

Arrive in Quito Airport; you will be met by your English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel with the evening at leisure.

Day 2 Quito

Few cities have the setting of Quito. The city sits in a hollow at the foot of the volcano Pichincha. The towering mountains and their snow-capped peaks surround the city. Quito’s charm lies in its colonial centre where cobble streets are steep and narrow. This morning you will be taken for a city tour travelling through the broad boulevards of the residential district. See the commanding Legislative Palace, its stone murals recording Ecuador’s history, the Sala Capitular at San Agustin’s convent, Independence Plaza – the town’s colonial centre and La Compania church with its glittering gold alters. Continue to the Equatorial Monument, which marks the exact Middle of the World, latitude 0. (B)

Day 3 Quito

Depart this morning on a full day tour of the beautiful Otavalo Valley. We travel north out of the city, along the Panamerican Highway through dramatic mountain scenery to the textile market of Otavalo, where guests will enjoy visiting the many stalls full of ponchos, scarves, blankets, wall hangings, woven belts (fajas), hats, handbags and much more. Here Otavaleños barter in silence, in marked contrast to the raucous noise of other markets; take your time to negotiate the best bargains. Then, proceed to Peguche, an Indian village very near Otavalo that is home to the artisans who do the weaving in their homes; guests can learn about their culture and everyday life. Lunch is at one of the charming country inns or haciendas of the area. (B/L)

Day 4 Quito/Patate

Depart this morning on your overland tour through the Valley of the Volcanoes. After a brief stop at an artisans hat shop we arrive at Cotopaxi National Park, which surrounds the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano, for an up-close view of the Andean paramo habitat and its unique flora and fauna; a number of high-altitude birds can be observed around Limpiopungo Lagoon, and occasionally, wild horses. On clear days, the perfect snow-capped cone of the Cotopaxi Volcano is quite a sight! At the foot of the volcano is a charming hacienda, where lunch is served in a room with Inca walls, perfectly preserved through the centuries -a true archaeological jewel. Punords the town of Patate, to spend the night at a 300-year old hacienda, hidden among the mountains. (B)

Day 5 Patate/Riobamba

After breakfast, take a spectacular route along the gorge of the Pastaza River to the town of Baños (Baths), right at the foot of Tungurahua Volcano, from where the thermal waters that gave it its name emerge. Continue along the Route of the Waterfalls to the Devil’s Cauldron where we can observe the impressive waterfall up close.

Lunch is served at a local hacienda followed by a short stroll through Baños. Our journey continues to Riobamba, with views to Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest mountain, en route and stunning photo opportunities! Arrive to Riobamba for dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 6 Riobamba/Cuenca

Depart early this morning for the small town of Alausí, the starting point for the thrilling train ride through the Avenue of the Volcanoes. . The highlight is the thrilling 800-metre (2630-foot) descent on the zigzag cuttings on the rock of the Devil’s Nose. At the bottom one finds the newly renovated Station of Sibambe. Here there is time to visit the local museum “Condor Puñuna” built and run by the Nizag community, see the display of local handcrafts, fruit and medicinal plants and try the local coffee. The train whistle calls guests back on board for the return to the Station of Alausí, where a light snack is served to regain strength. Continue exploring the Andean world by motorcoach to the south, visiting the Inca Fortress of Ingapirca and enjoying lunch en route.

Arrive Cuenca this afternoon & transfer to your hotel where dinner is included this evening. (B/D)

Day 7 Cuenca

Cuenca is Ecuador’s third largest city; yet it still retains its pleasant provincial air. Your city tour begins at the Plaza of San Sebastian, a colourful artisans market, where handicrafts are sold. We then visit the Museum of Modern Art, featuring an excellent collection of contemporary fine art. Next is a visit to the flower market at the small plaza in front of the carved stone entrance to the church of El Carmen de la Asunción.

Continue with a stroll to the main square, surrounded by the imposing blue-domed Cathedral, the Court of Justice, the Municipal Palace, the Governor’s Palace and the Church of El Sagrario. Then, a drive along the Tomebamba River to admire the city’s overhanging houses. Lunch is at one of the excellent restaurants in Cuenca, and in the afternoon, drive for a short visit to a ceramics handcraft shop. (B/L)

Day 8 Cuenca/Guayaquil

Transfer to the airport after breakfast for your flight to Guayaquil; on arrival you will be transferred to your hotel with the afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 9 Guayaquil/Lima

Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to Lima. Arrive Lima Airport; you will be met by our English speaking local guide & transferred to your hotel, located in the seaside barrio of Miraflores. (B)

Day 10 Lima

Depart this morning on a half day sightseeing tour of Lima, including a visit to the Larco Herrera Museum. Your tour includes the city’s most important monuments: The Plaza Mayor, Government Palace, the City Hall and the Cathedral. Torre Tagle, an exceptionally beautiful mansion built in 1735, today houses the offices of the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Nearby, the recently renovated Palacio de Osambela, built between 1803 and 1805, serves as a venue for art exhibitions and cultural events.

The Larco Museum has the most important archaeological collection of the north coast of Peru and is located in an old Vice Royal mansion that was constructed on a pre-Columbian pyramid from the 18th century. This fabulous museum has also an exquisite collection of gold and silver of ancient Peru and a room full of erotic art. The pieces in this museum are now world-famous after having been exhibited in the best museums around the world.(B)

Day 11 Lima/Sacred Valley

Transfer to the airport for your onwards flight to Cuzco, capital of the Incan Empire. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Located at around 2,700m above sea level, the valley is a great place to spend your first few days acclimatising before moving up to the more challenging heights of Cuzco (3,400m). (B)

Day 12 Sacred Valley

Depart this morning on a full day tour traveling through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the famous Pisac Markets, where you have a chance to experience the vibrant and colourful atmosphere of a traditional marketplace. After lunch, we continue to Ollantaytambo, the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the Americas. Located on the Patakancka River and surrounded by agricultural terraces, Ollantaytambo is one of the prettiest towns in the Sacred Valley. Return to your hotel with the evening at leisure. (B/L)

Day 13 Sacred Valley /Machu Picchu

Transfer to the train station in Ollantaytambo for your 90 minute Vistadome train ride to the deserted city of Machu Picchu, the most renowned example of Inca architecture. Today’s visit to magical Machu Picchu will undoubtedly be a highlight of your trip!

Enjoy a guided tour of the ruins & lunch at Sanctuary Lodge before taking a mini-bus back to Aguas Calientes where you will overnight. (B/L/D)

Day 14 Machu Picchu/Cuzco

Early this morning, board the mini bus for a second trip to the ruins with your entry included. As dawn breaks, watch the mist rise over the top of the mountain citadel, a truly unforgettable experience. Explore the ruins at your own pace before returning to Cuzco by train this afternoon. (B)

Day 15 Cuzco

Depart this afternoon on a half day sightseeing tour of Cuzco. Visit the Cathedral and Koricancha Temple, before continuing to the Pre-Colombian Art Museum with its impressive collection of archaeological pieces. Finally we head out of the city to the surrounding ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay. The Cuzco Tourist Ticket, which gives you access to sixteen sites in and around Cuzco, is included in today’s tour. (B)

Day 16 Cuzco

Day at leisure to relax and explore. We recommend a stroll up to the artisan’s district of San Blas to visit the pretty adobe Iglesia San Blas and explore some of the handicraft workshops nearby. Despite its simple exterior San Blas Church contains one of the most impressive colonial jewels in the country- an intricately carved 17th-century cedar pulpit hewn from a single tree trunk and dominated by the triumphant figure of Christ. (B)
Ask us about participating on a full or half day Community Project!

Day 17 Cuzco/Puno

Depart by bus this morning on a full day tour across the altiplano to Puno, situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Entry fees to local sites along the way are included. This daily service from Cuzco to Puno steadily climbs up the Vilcanota Valley towards the head waters of the Urubamba River and the highest point of the trip, Abra La Raya at 4321 metres above sea level. From Abra La Raya, it is a gradual descent into the opening grassy plains towards Lake Titicaca and towards the Bolivian Altiplano and eventually to down to the lake’s edge where Puno is nestled. (B/L)

Day 18 Puno

Depart this morning on a half day tour out to the famous Uros Islands. After short 20-minute trip out of Puno harbour, you arrive at the floating islands of Uros, where 300 Uros Indians live and fish on the man-made islands made entirely of totora reeds that grow in the lake. Enjoy the colourful traditional dress of the men and women and perhaps take a ride in s surprisingly stable totora canoe before returning to your hotel. (B)

Day 19 Puno/La Paz

Early this morning you’ll depart Puno by bus, travelling around Lake Titicaca and across the border into Bolivia where you will visit the small town of Copacabana, with its Moorish-style cathedral containing the Virgin of Candelaria, the patron saint of Bolivia.

Board the catamaran for Sun Island, the birthplace of the Inca King and Queen, Manco Kapac and Mama Huaca. Lunch will be served on board. On Sun Island you will be given time to visit the museum; explore the terraced hillsides and Inca steps. Depart Sun Island by catamaran to the port of Chua from where you will continue your journey to La Paz by bus. The tour will terminate at your hotel in La Paz. (B/L)

Day 20 La Paz

Depart this morning on a half day sightseeing tour of La Paz, including the city’s fantastic street markets, rich in handicrafts, weavings and witchcraft artefacts. We visit the colonial part of the city, including San Francisco Church, the Gold Museum, Murillo Square and the outdoor replica of the Tiahuanaco temple, before continuing to the modern part of town. Finally, admire the natural geological formations of the Valley of the Moon. (B)

Day 21 La Paz/Rio de Janeiro

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel, located along the famous Copacabana Strip, with the evening at leisure. (B)

Day 22 Rio de Janeiro

Depart this morning on a private full day tour of Rio de Janeiro with lunch included. The tour begins with a drive along the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon to the station to ride the scenic cog railway to the base of the 125-foot tall statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain. The train ride takes 20 minutes and is a wonderful chance to experience the lush tropical vegetation of the Tijuca Forest. Disembark at the top of Corcovado and marvel at the breathtaking view below before descending once again by train and head to a churrascaria restaurant for a bbq lunch.

After lunch, continue the tour driving through downtown passing by Rio’s traditional and historical sites. This afternoon’s highlight will be the cable car ride to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain for a 360 degree view of Rio including Guanabara Bay & its famous beaches. Continue to downtown Rio and visit the City Palace, Candelaria Church, Saint Sebastian Cathedral, Lapa Arches, Municipal Theatre, National Library, Fine Arts Museum, and the Sambadrome, site of Rio’s famous Carnival parade. (B/L)

Day 23 Rio de Janeiro

Day at leisure to relax and explore. Consider a trip to the beautiful Botanic Gardens, a tour through the surrounding forest and spectacular peak of Pedra de Gavea or a boat trip across Guanabara Bay to the Museum of Modern Art in Niteroi. (B)

Day 24 Rio de Janeiro/Iguazu Falls

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Foz do Iguassu. On arrival you will be met and taken for a half day tour of the Brazilian side of the Falls. Walk along the paths inside the park and see the imposing Bozzeti Falls across the border. The path continues to the spectacular lookout over the Garganta del Diablo, or Devils Throat Falls, just 150m away. At the end of the path, you have the option of boarding a panoramic elevator for an even greater view of the surrounding scenery. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to your hotel. (B)

Day 25 Iguazu Falls

After breakfast we depart on a full day tour of the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls. From the Visitor’s Centre we take an open train to make a 15-minute journey up to ‘Cataratas Station’. We walk along the Upper and Lower trails of the Iguazu National Park allowing you to get a closer look of the 275 Falls that drop from the Iguazu River and the amazing variety of ferns, orchids, begonias, birds and butterflies. Continue by train to ‘Garganta Station’ and from there you will descend walking 1200 meters to the Devil’s Throat balcony, to share one of the greatest shows on earth. Return by train to the Visitor’s Centre & transfer back to your hotel. (B)

Day 26 Iguazu Falls/Buenos Aires

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel with the evening at leisure. (B)

Day 27 Buenos Aires

Depart this morning on a half day tour of Buenos Aires, known as the “Paris of the Americas” with its strong European influence. A city of grand architecture, beautiful parks, wide avenues and wonderful walks. The tour takes in the most important monuments and sights of the city, including Plaza 25 de Mayo, Government House (La Casa Rosa) and City Hall, the old neighbourhood of San Telmo, with its cobbled streets, the eclectic neighbourhood of La Boca and the portside district of Puerto Madero. The tour finishes in Recoleta, home to the famous Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Peron is buried. Return to your hotel. (B)

Day 28 Buenos Aires

Day at leisure to relax and explore the city on your own.

This evening you will be taken for Dinner & a Tango Show at the renowned Esquina Carlos Gardel; named after Argentina’s most celebrated tango icon. Enjoy superb cuisine in an exquisitely decorated art nouveau dining room as you watch today’s tango artists perform this sensual dance. (B/D)

Day 29 Buenos Aires/Bariloche

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bariloche; on arrival you will be met & transferred to your hotel with the afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 30 Bariloche

This morning you will be met at your hotel and taken on a small circuit sightseeing tour of the city and surrounding area. Depart your hotel on a drive along the Nahuel Huapi Lake through the residential area and onto Playa Bonita (beautiful beach) for a wonderful view of Huemul Island. Continue to Campanario Mount (1050m) for a chair lift ride to the top to enjoy breathtaking views of the Nahuel Huapi and Moreno Lakes, St Peters Peninsula, the Llao-Llao area, Victoria Island and the city of Bariloche. Finally, tour the Llao-Llao peninsula to visit its chapel and the famous Hotel Llao-Llao for some more great views of the area. (B)

Day 31 Bariloche/Puerto Varas

Depart at 9.00 a.m. from your hotel to Puerto Panuelo, where you sail for one hour across Lake Nahuel Huapi to Port Blest on time for lunch (not included). A short bus ride to Puerto Alegre follows, where a catamaran sails for the Argentine customs at Puerto Frias. From there a bus will meet you to cross the Argentine border into Chile, and for 28 km. will take you through the Valdivian forest climbing to an altitude at the border of 796 m. (covered with snow in winter).

A two hour boat ride across Lake Todos Los Santos (All Saint Lakes), also known as Lake Emerald for is colour, gives you a spectacular view of Osorno Volcano on the other side. On arrival you will have time to visit the National Parks Museum to learn about the formation of the regions volcanoes. Leaving Petrohue, you arrive at Petrohue Falls, with time for a short walk to see the famous cascades. From there, we skirt one of the largest lakes in South America, Lake Llanquihue, to arrive in Puerto Varas, the city of roses and transfer to your hotel. (B)
Between the months of May & August the Lakes Crossing includes a night in Peulla and one less in Puerto Varas

Day 32 Puerto Varas

Day at leisure to relax and explore this pretty town, dominated by the Osorno Volcano. (B)

Day 33 Puerto Varas/Santiago de Chile

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Santiago; on arrival you will be met & transferred to your hotel with the afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 34 Santiago de Chile

Depart from your hotel this morning on a half day sightseeing tour of the city. We visit the O’ Higgins Park & Club Hipico before heading into the Civic Centre to admire the colonial architecture of La Moneda Presidential Palace, the Palace of the Courts of Justice, the Cathedral and Santiago’s Central Plaza. Our tour continues to Santiago’s bustling Central Market and Santa Lucia Hill, where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the city and surrounding Andean peaks. Later we visit the districts of Bella Vista and Providencia, home to the city’s best bars, restaurants and cafes. Return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

Day 35 Santiago de Chile

Transfer to the airport at the appointed time for your onwards flight. (B)

Prices

Description	Price
Tourist Class	$6745
First Class	$7685
Deluxe Class	$10835

Price per person, twin share, low season

Please note that Australian passport holders require a visa to enter Brazil which must be issued prior to departure from Australia.
Please note that airfares are not included- please contact your Contours Travel representative for competitive wholesale South American airfares & airpasses

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