Sensational South America

General Info

Itinerary

Day 1 Lima

You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel to meet your
fellow travellers and Tour Director.

Day 2 Lima

Sightseeing tour of Lima with the city’s most important monuments, including a visit to the Larco Herrera Museum. The pieces in this museum are now worldfamous after having been exhibited in the best museums around the world. This evening you will have dinner at one of Lima’s most famous restaurants.(BD)

Day 3 Lima/Amazon Lodge

Fly to Puerto Maldonado to begin your Amazon journey. On arrival you’ll transfer to the port for a 45 min boat journey down the river into the Community’s Primary Forest Private Reserve. After a short hike, arrive at your eco-lodge, run by the local community and built out of local materials. Rooms have private facilities with rustic comfort. Afternoon walk to the 30 metre scaffolding canopy tower. A banister staircase running through the middle provides safe access to the platforms above. From atop you obtain spectacular views of the vast expanses of forest cut by the Tambopata River. Now and then Toucans, Parrots or Macaws are seen flying against the horizon or landing in the treetop next to you. (BLD)

Day 4 Amazon Lodge

Days in the Amazon begin early to take advantage of the cooler temperatures & better wildlife viewing opportunities. Activities today include a canoe ride searching lakeside wildlife such as Caiman, Giant River Otters, Hoatzin and Horned Screamers. After lunch there is a short boat ride to learn all about forest plants and medicine. Continue with a visit to a clay lick where you’ll see dozens of Parrots and Parakeets descend to ingest the clay on a river bank. Species such as Mealy and Yellow Headed Amazon, Blue-headed Parrot and Dusky Headed Parakeet descend at this clay lick. Tonight you will have the option to participate on a night walk! (BLD)

Day 5 Amazon Lodge/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). We will have a picnic lunch at a great viewpoint on the way. (BL)

Day 6 Sacred Valley

At a very leisurely pace we start your full day tour of the Sacred Valley with a visit to the town of Chinchero for a private weaving demonstration at our friend’s house. Next we will visit the amazing rings of Moray, thought to be an ancient agricultural “greenhouse”. Lunch is at HeartsCafe in Ollantaytambo, followed by a walking tour of the town and ruins. (BL)

Day 7 Sacred Valley

Visit Pisac and its famous Indian markets and enjoy some free time. We continue on a Community Project day with one of Contours Travel’s partners. Meet the local people and have the chance to make a contribution to changing people’s lives while enjoying an authentic cultural experience. (BL)

Day 8 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. Option to walk from km 104 to the Inca Trail entering Machu Picchu at the Sun Gate. (See page 20). (BLD)

Day 9 Machu Picchu/Cuzco

Today is a free day to go back to the ruins at your own pace. Either early in the morning to watch dawn break and the mist to rise over the ruins, or walk back up along the Inca Trail to Sun Gate, or just find your special spot. Late afternoon we return back to Cuzco. Note: as per new regulations, if you want to hike the Wayna Picchu Mountain we need to pre-pay the ticket so please advise us when booking the tour. (B)

Day 10 Cuzco

Half day walking tour of Cuzco and visit the ruins of Kenko, Tambomachay and Sacsayhuaman. Rest of the day free to continue exploring this amazing city on your own. (B)

Day 11 Cuzco

Day at leisure to explore the Inca Capital. Get lost in this ancient city, with its beautiful cobblestone streets or visit any of the 16 sites (entrance fee incl). Alternatively you can join your Tour Director on a Discovery Walk. (B)

Day 12 Cuzco/Puno

Full day sightseeing as we travel across the altiplano stopping at Andahuaylillas, Rachi, La Raya (4314m.a.s.l.) and lunch on the way. Arriving at your hotel right on the edge of Lake Titicaca.(BL)

Day 13 Puno

This morning your expert local guide will introduce you to the lifestyle of the Uros community. We will visit a family on one of the islands and experience the strange sensation of walking on floating islands. In the afternoon visit the Sillustani ruins. (B)

Day 14 Puno/Sun Island

Early departure by bus, skirting Lake Titicaca to Copacabana. Sail to Sun Island on a motorboat for an authentic Aptapi communal lunch prepared by local people. Hike to the Eco-Lodge, exploring the Incan terraces along the way, take your time and enjoy the spectacular views! (BLD)

Day 15 Sun Island/La Paz

Make sure you wake early this morning to take advantage of the justifiably famous sunrises across Lake Titicaca. After breakfast we’ll take a boat north to the Chincana ruins and Challapampa with time to explore the island and the wonderful views. Continue to Copacabana, visit the famous Dark Virgin and its church, lunch and a stroll around town. Continue overland via the Taquile Straits across the altiplano to El Alto, where we enjoy stunning views of the city of La Paz below. (BL)

Day 16 La Paz

Half day city tour of La Paz with a visit to the Witches’ Market where you’ll learn about local traditions and customs. Continue to the Valley of the Moon to see the amazing landscape. (B)

Day 17 La Paz/Rio de Janeiro

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Rio. Transfer to your hotel on famous Copacabana beach with stunning views! (B)

Day 18 Rio de Janeiro

Full day tour of Rio. Visit the statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado and after lunch ride the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf, for stunning views. (BL)

Day 19 Rio de Janeiro

Free day to relax and explore glorious Rio on your own or join your Tour Director on a Discovery Walk. (B)

Day 20 Rio de Janeiro/Iguazu Falls

Fly to spectacular Iguazú waterfalls, and tour on the Brazilian side. Transfer across the border to your breathtaking hotel, set in the National Park on the Argentine side with unique views to the falls. (B)

Day 21 Iguazu Falls

Full day tour of the Argentine Falls walking along the upper and lower trails for the best views of the falls. Experience the staggering power of the falls by riding the Iguazú River rapids, with the roaring waterfalls towering over your head. Continue by train and on foot to the Devils Throat platform. (B)

Day 22 Iguazu Falls/Buenos Aires

Morning at leisure. You can either keep on exploring the park with its many trails or just relax in your hotel. In the afternoon fly to Buenos Aires, with the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

Day 23 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 includes Plaza 25 de Mayo, Government House (La Casa Rosa), City Hall, the old neighbourhood of San Telmo, with its cobbled streets and explore one of Buenos Aires’ hidden secrets on our unique tour to El Zanjon. Continue with a
visit to 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.

In the evening you will be taken for a private one-hour tango class followed by dinner & tango show at El Querandi. (BD)

Day 24 Buenos Aires

Today you will have the full day at leisure to relax and explore. Alternatively you can join your Tour Director on a Discovery Walk. (B)

Day 25 Buenos Aires/Bariloche

Fly to Bariloche. Arrive at your hotel, located on the beautiful Llao Llao peninsula with stunning views of Lake Nahuel Huapi and the Andes in the background. Enjoy the facilities of this deluxe hotel and just relax and take in the beauty that surrounds you. (B)

Day 26 Bariloche

Depart on a half day tour of Bariloche’s surrounding mountains, lakes and parks. 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. Rest of the day free.(B)

Day 27 Bariloche/Puerto Varas

Full day crossing of the spectacular Andean Lakes. Sail across Lake Nahuel Huapi to Port Blest on time for lunch (not included). Enjoy a short bus ride to Puerto Alegre where a catamaran sails to Puerto Frias. From there enjoy a bus ride to cross the Argentine border into Chile. Continue climbing through the Valdivian forest. Followed by a boat ride across Lake Todos Los Santos (All Saint Lakes).You arrive at Petrohué Falls, with time for a short walk to see the famous cascades. Continue beside one of the largest lakes in South America, Lake Llanquihue, to arrive in Puerto Varas, the city of roses. (NB: Between May and August the crossing includes one night in Peulla). (B)

Day 28 Puerto Varas

Day at leisure to explore this lovely town on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, dominated by the Osorno volcano or you can join your Tour Director on a Discovery Walk. The Chilean Lake District is famous for its spectacular scenery of deep blue mountain lakes, snow-capped volcanoes, pristine beauty of Alerce (larch) forests, popular resorts, year-round sports, and traditional folklore, handicrafts and legends. (B)

Day 29 Puerto Varas/Santiago

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Santiago. Enjoy an afternoon 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 Lastarria, home to the city’s best bars, restaurants and cafes. We will finish with a wine tasting of famous Chilean wines. (B)

Day 30 Santiago

Today you will have the full day at leisure to explore or join your Tour Director on a Discovery walk. (B)

Day 31 Santiago

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home or ask us about extending your stay in South America. (B)

Prices

	Twin Share	Single Supplement	Land and Domestic Flights Ex-Santiago
2012 Departures	$15490	$3500	$13495
2013 Departures	$15750	$3850	$13755

DEPARTURE DATES 2012:
Mar 03 / Apr 07 / May 26 / Jun 16 / Jul 21 / Sep 08 (*) / Sep 29 / Nov 03

DEPARTURE DATES 2013:
Jan 07 / Mar 04 / May 13 / Jul 29 / Sep 02 / Nov 11

(*) This tour starts on Saturday September 8 in Santiago and finishes in Puerto Varas on October 8
*Rates are based on Economy Class flight with Lan Chile (V class), they are subject to availability, taxes and fuel surcharges are subject to change without notice.
** Price Ex Lima is based on arrival in South America with One World Carrier. If arriving with another carrier this price has to be re-quoted.
***If departing from Melbourne & Brisbane please add $100; If departing from Adelaide, Cairns or Hobart please add $300; If departing from Perth or Darwin please ad $500.
**** Business Class Fare upgrades available on request.

Prices for 2013 will be set in August 2012. Deposits for 2013 tour are refundable until 60 days after prices have been published..

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