Destination Country: Chile Ecuador Peru Brazil Argentina
Regions/Cities include: Santiago Quito Amazon Jungle Galapagos Islands Lima Sacred Valley Machu Picchu Cuzco Puno Lake Titicaca La Paz Rio de Janeiro Iguazu Falls Buenos Aires	Activities include: Sightseeing & discovery in a small group

Grand Tour of South America including Galapagos Islands

Airfare included.  Comprehensive tour for a  'once-in-a-lifetime' experience.  Don't be put off by the price - it is amazing value for your money with so many amazing inclusions and staying in 4 + 5* accommodation and unique lodges and small ships.

AUGUST 2020

Sun 23: Auckland > Santiago Fly to Santiago and transfer to our hotel.

Mon 24: Santiago > Quito (B) Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Santiago followed by an evening flight to Quito and transfer to our hotel.

Tue 25: Quito (B-D) Explore this charming city, once the northern capital of the Incan Empire and the first ever designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Welcome dinner this evening.

Wed 26: Quito (B) A day to explore or perhaps visit the famous Otavalo market.

Thu 27: Quito > Amazon Jungle (B-L-D) We take a short flight over the Andes into the Amazon jungle. Then we transfer two hours by river to the stunning Sacha Lodge, set in primary rainforest.

Fri 28 & Sat 29: Amazon Jungle (B-L-D) Spend our days on nature walks, twilight river excursions and discovering the incredible birds, butterflies and wildlife. Other activities include piranha fishing and a treetop canopy walk, a great place to watch the sunset! Superb naturalist guides will help bring this incredible environment alive!

Sun 30: Amazon Jungle > Quito (B) Morning transfer by river then fly to Quito for overnight.

Mon 31: Quito > Galapagos Islands (B-L-D) Fly to the Galapagos and transfer to our expedition ship, the Santa Cruz II. Later, enjoy an excursion to see lagoon birds and swim or snorkel from a beautiful white beach.

SEPTEMBER 2020

Tue 01: Galapagos Islands (B-L-D) Spend the morning at Buccaneer Cove, home to a range of marine birds and some impressive geological formations. In the afternoon visit Puerto Egas for amazing lava formations and a great place to witness the marine iguana. Swim or snorkel with sea lions, marine turtles and a myriad of fish.

Wed 02: Galapagos Islands (B-L-D) See Rabida Island with its red sandy beaches and very rich marine and bird life. In the afternoon visit Bartolome Island and enjoy a zodiac ride to spot the Galapagos penguins.

Thu 03: Galapagos Islands (B-L-D) Visit Tower Island and moor inside a collapsed volcanic crater. Once ashore, marvel at the incredible range of birdlife. In the afternoon, visit Darwin Bay which is very rich in bird and marine life. Here you may swim, snorkel or enjoy a glass bottom boat ride.

Fri 04: Galapagos Islands > Lima (B) Our final morning includes a real highlight, visiting the giant tortoise in their natural habitat in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Then fly to the mainland and connect to Lima.

Sat 05: Lima (B) A full day of great sightseeing in this historic city, including a visit to the wonderful Larco Herrera Museum.

Sun 06: Lima > Sacred Valley of the Incas (B-D) We take a short flight to Cuzco and then transfer to the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas, situated at a lower altitude which will help us to acclimatise to altitude.

Mon 07: Sacred Valley of the Incas (B-L) A full day exploring this picturesque valley. Visit the Inca salt mines at Maras, amazing Moray and the very impressive Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo. Enjoy a Peruvian Paso Horse show at our special lunch.

Tue 08: Sacred Valley of the Incas > Machu Picchu (B-L-D) Travel by train to Machu Picchu, the incredible 'Lost City of the Incas'. We will have lunch and then enjoy a guided tour around this archaeological gem. Dinner and overnight in our luxury hotel.

Wed 09: Machu Picchu > Cuzco (B) Return by train to visit the famous weaving village of Chinchero and amazing scenery on our way back to Cuzco.

Thu 10: Cuzco (B) Morning tour of historic Cuzco, including the beautiful Cathedral and the impressive Incan fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Then enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore.

Fri 11: Cuzco > Puno (B) Luxury train to Puno. Overnight at a lakeside hotel.

Sat 12: Lake Titicaca (B-L-D) Cruise Lake Titicaca and overnight aboard a catamaran with private facilities. Enjoy a fascinating visit to Isla del Sol, the birthplace of the Incas.

Sun 13: Lake Titicaca > La Paz (B-L) Continue across the lake, then by road to La Paz. We'll see some amazing views of the Royal Chain of the Andes.

Mon 14: La Paz (B) Morning tour to the markets of the most 'Indian' of South American capital cities. Also visit the mysterious Moon Valley and Mario Sarabia, a world-famous ceramics artist.

Tue 15: La Paz > Rio de Janeiro (B) We fly to Rio de Janeiro and transfer to our hotel.

Wed 16: Rio de Janeiro (B) Visit the historical centre of old Rio, then take two cable cars to the summit of Sugarloaf. Afternoon at leisure.

Thu 17: Rio de Janeiro (B) Visit the statue of Christ the Redeemer and later pass by Rio's famous beaches. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

Fri 18: Rio de Janeiro > Iguazu Falls (B) Fly to the mighty Iguazu Falls and tour the Brazilian side. Visit a wonderful bird and wildlife park before transferring to our hotel situated in Argentina.

Sat 19: Iguazu Falls (B) Morning tour with amazing falls views then the highlight, the Devil's Throat Cataract - the most impressive in the world.

Sun 20: Iguazu Falls > Buenos Aires (B) Fly to elegant Buenos Aires and transfer to our hotel.

Mon 21: Buenos Aires (B) Tour Buenos Aires, the 'Paris of the Americas'.

Tue 22: Buenos Aires (B-D) Explore, shop, or relax in this great city. In the evening we will enjoy a special farewell dinner and tango show.

Wed 23: Buenos Aires > Auckland (B) Transfer to the airport for our flight home via Santiago.

Thu 24: In Flight

Fri 25: Auckland

 

Price

NZ$30,180 per person twin share

NZ$35,875 single   (if you would like to twin share with same gender we will endeavour to find you a room mate)

 

Includes:

• Economy Class international airfares ex Auckland

• Airline and airport taxes

• Fully escorted from Auckland

• Accommodation in 4 and 5 star hotels and lodges

• Galapagos accommodation in a Horizon Deck

• Explorer Cabin on the Santa Cruz II. Cabin upgrades are possible at additional cost - subject to availability

• Transfers, sightseeing, and entrance fees as per the itinerary

• Meals as indicated

• Gratuities

Book this journey and pay your deposit by 30 November 2019, and save $200 per person.

Subject to change until confirmed and paid in full.

Email for full itinerary.

WJ