South America

South America (4)

Saturday, 13 October 2012 12:07

South America - Special

Written by

Buenos Aires (4 nights)

Day 1-5

International arrival

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires 

The capital of Argentina is unique in the way of combining Latin American lifestyle along with that of European architecture and culture. Buenos Aires enchants with its beautiful parks, colonial buildings, recreational activities and the tango and football...all in symbiotic harmony. While here, don't forget to taste the world's finest beef products on offer.

Activities:

City Tour: Latin America's cultural metropolis is yours to discover on a 3.5 hours private guided tour. Experience the Europrean flair that has given the city its fame. Visit important historical monuments of the city and tour its ecclectic neighborhoods from antique San Telmo and colorful working class La Boca to fancy and chic Recoleta. You set the pace and your guide will be happy to tailor the tour to your preferences.

Tango Lessons: Mi Buenos Aires Querido! Sensuality, artistry, and soulful music combine to create the magic of Tango. Match steps with an instructor to learn the basics or try out more the advanced steps and tricks that will help you own any ballroom.

Tango Show: With dozens of shows to choose from, we have selected one in which traditions are preserved and where the ambience exudes the charms of the bygone era. Sensuous moves, stirring music and mouth-watering delicacies await you in the authentic tango barrio of San Telmo.

Hotel Option 1

Mine Hotel

Mine Hotel
(Superior Room)

Included: 
Breakfast

Hotel Option 2

Legado Mitico

Legado Mitico
(Classic Room)

Included: 
Breakfast

Ushuaia (3 nights)

Day 5-8

Flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.

Ushuaia

Ushuaia 

The southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia is an ideal place to begin cruising this majestic, snow-covered landscape. Ever changing climatic conditions, incessant storms, and furious waves reinforce the sense that this really is the end of the world. Enjoy great views of the Beagle canal and breath in some of the freshest air on earth.

Activities:

Visit Estancia Harberton and Penguin Colony: Travel to the historical Estancia Harberton enjoying the beautiful Fuegian landscape unfold as you venture out of city limits. Once reaching the Estanica, embark on a short navigation along the Beagle Channel to the Martillo Island penguin colony. Here you will have the unique opportunity to disembark on the island and walk along it's trails experiencing these quirky and curious animals up close.

Visit to Escondid, Tierra Del Fuego, and Fagnango Lakes: Relax and enjoy the splendid landscapes of the hidden Escondido Lake, Tierra del Fuego, and the Fagnango Lake on a privately guided walk.

Hotel Option 1

Los Yámanas

Los Yámanas
(Standard Room)

Included: 
Breakfast

Hotel Option 2

Los Cauquenes

Los Cauquenes
(Standard Channel View)

Included: 
Breakfast

Buenos Aires Province (2 nights)

Day 8-10

Flight from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires. Drive from Buenos Aires to Buenos Aires Province (110 km, 1 hr).

 

Buenos Aires Province

Time passes differently in this little village near Buenos Aires. From the gauchos working on the ranches nearby, to the flavors of Argentinean national dishes at a barbecue, there's nothing like a first hand experience of the village life and its customs and traditions.

Activities:

Visit the ranches and enjoy the local food; see folklore dance shows and take rides with the local Gauchos.

Hotel Option 1

La Candelaria del Monte

La Candelaria del Monte
(Standard Room)

Included: 
Full Board

Hotel Option 2

La Candelaria del Monte

La Candelaria del Monte
(Standard Room)

Included: 
Full Board

Rio de Janeiro (3 nights)

Day 10-13

Drive from Buenos Aires Province to Buenos Aires (110 km, 1 hr). Flight from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janerio.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro 

Rio de Janiero's famous icons include Copacabana, Sugar Loaf, Samba, Ipanema, Caipirinha cocktails, beach culture and of course the magnificent subtropical rainforests. Brimming with vitality and life, there has never been a better time to explore the beauty and energy of Brazil's unofficial capital.

Hotel Option 1

Casa Amarelo

Casa Amarelo
(Suite Junior)

Included: 
Breakfast

Hotel Option 2

Casa Amarelo

Porto Bay
(Sup. Limited ocean view)

Included: 
Breakfast

Paraty (1 night)

Day 13-14

Drive from Rio de Janerio to Paraty (235 km, 4 hrs).

Paraty

Paraty 

The well preserved colonial town of Paraty will surely enchant you! Its colorful houses lining the cobblestone streets, the deep blue waters of the bay and the encompassing secretive flair combine to make Paraty a truly unique destination in Brazil. Experience the architectural influence of free masons who left their mark in many hidden places of the town. It is little wonder the Nobel Prize laureate

'Thomas Mann' always came back to his birth place, regardless of where in the world he was.

Activities:

A private half-day tour takes you through colonial treasures and exciting tales of Paraty, allowing you to gain a deep insight into the history of this picturesque colonial town.

Hotel Option 1

Porto Imperial

Porto Imperial
(Standard Room)

Included: 
Breakfast

Hotel Option 2

Pousada do Sandi

Pousada do Sandi
(Deluxe Room)

Included: 
Breakfast

Picinguaba (4 nights)

Day 14-18

Drive from Paraty to Picinguaba (35 km, 30 min).

Picinguaba

Picinguaba 

Amidst scenic tropical fauna reminiscent of the Caribbean, the small charming fishing village of Picinguaba is ideally located in the Atlantic's bay...with deep blue waters and far away from the touristic hustle-and- bustle. The untouched beaches of Picinguaba invite you for a leisurely stroll and a refreshing bath, after which you can catch glimpses of freshly caught fish being brought to the harbor. It is an ideal

destination for those who have already traveled to Brazil but are now looking for a more different and unique experience. An absolute insider tip: for those wishing to spend a couple of days in solitude and peace, head for Picinguaba.

Drive from Picinguaba to Rio de Janerio international airport.

               

Additional Info

  • Days 18 Days / 17 Nights
Saturday, 13 October 2012 12:03

Peru

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Days 1 & 2: Lima

Arrive into Lima and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. Lima has a number of interesting museums specifically the Gold Museum and the Larco Herrera (great for lunch or dinner too). There are a number of very good restaurants particularly in the Miraflores and Barranco districts.

Days 2 & 4: Arequipa

Transfer to the airport and fly to Arequipa. Met and driven to your hotel for the next two nights. Arequipa is picturesque and much easier to get around than Lima. There are a number of miradors around the city with fine views and the countryside is very pretty. There is a small but good museum and the convent of Santa Catalina is a must see.

Days 4 & 6: Colca

Collected and driven to the high canyons of Colca for the next two nights. The scenery is beautiful with many farmers using the steep terraces to grow hardy crops. A visit to the Cruz del Condor is a must, in the early morning the condors rise from the canyon on the warm thermal air currents. Although wildlife is never guarenteed it is a magnificent sight.

Days 6 & 8: Lake Titicaca

Collected and driven by shared transfer to Puno for your two night stay on Lake Titicaca. Puno is a higgledy piggledy town but fun to explore. The most popular boat trip is to visit the floating reed islands of Uros and Taquile, home to a small agricultural community. Further afield is Suasi Island, perfect for relaxing. This is a perfect border crossing into Bolivia as Sun Island is on the Bolivian side.

Days 8 & 10: Cusco

Take the bus or luxury train to Cusco, stay for the next two nights. Cusco has a rich historical past, capital of the Inca empire there are some amazing examples of Inca masonry work and impressive colonial buildings. A city tour is really recommended and it is easy to visit the archaeological sites just outside of town. There are plenty of bars, shops and restaurants.

Days 10 & 12: Sacred Valley

Be driven to the Sacred Valley for the next two nights. There are plenty of things to do in the area, including white water rafting, mountain biking, riding and walking. The Sacred Valley has artisan markets and a number of small villages specialising in textiles. There are plenty of interesting Inca architectural sites such as the fortress of Ollantaytambo.

Days 12 & 13: Machu Picchu

Take the train to Aguas Calientes and stay in Machu Picchu for the night. The Inca Citadel is unique and does take time to explore, to climb up Huanya Picchu takes a few hours and requires a pre-purchased ticket. It is possible to walk the classic Inca Trail/Mountain Lodges of Peru, or you can opt for the 1 day Inca Trail which involves no camping.

Days 13 & 14: Cusco

Take the train back to Cusco for an overnight before flying elsewhere.

Additional Info

  • Days 13 Days
Saturday, 22 September 2012 08:16

Chile

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Days 1 & 2: Santiago

Stay in downtown Santiago at your selected Hotel and have an afternoon tour of the highlights of the city.

Day 3: Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales

Fly to Punta Arenas where you will be driven towards the national park for a night in the sleepy town of Puerto Natales, at your selected Hotel.

Days 4 & 5: Torres del Paine

Transfer into the Torres del Paine national park, to stay for two nights at remote selected Hotel, which is perfectly positioned for hiking and exploring the mountain scenery.

Days 6 & 7:

Cross into a different part of the park to stay two nights at your selected Hotel with lovely views from the sitting room and close to the Grey glacier.

Days 8 & 9: The Lake District

Leave the park and fly north from Punta Arenas to Puerto Montt, to stay for two nights in the Lake District, at a comfortable Hotel of your choice. Have an excursion to the Osorno volcano or Petrohue Falls.

Days 10 & 12: The Atacama Desert

Fly up to Calama to start a three day adventure in the Atacama desert region. Choose a Hotel which offers comfortable base from which to see the geysers and stunning arid landscapes.

Days 13 & 15: The wine valleys

Return to Santiago and transfer one hour south of the city to the wine region, to stay at a comfortable hotel on the estate of the Santa Rita vineyard.

Additional Info

  • Days 15 Days
Saturday, 22 September 2012 06:44

Argentina

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Days 1 & 2: Buenos Aires

 Spend your first 2 nights in Buenos Aires at your selected Hotel.

Days 3 & 4: North of Salta: Jujuy and Humahuaca

 Fly to Jujuy where you will be met and driven to the village of Tilcara and Posada de Luz, your base for 2 nights. Visit the Quebrada de Humahuaca and villages of Humahuaca, Uquia and Purmamarca while all the time admiring the surrounding colourful rock formations.

Days 5 & 7: Altiplano

 Driven up and over an Andean pass at 4,100 m to enter the desert and see your first salt lake, Salinas Grandes. Continue further west through the desert to reach the small town of Susques and Hotel el Unquillar. Visit the beautifully maintained church before heading south, further into the desert passing various mines, volcanoes and crossing 'The Labyrinth' with unique formations of sand and rock. The small village of Tolar Grande is your base for 2 nights staying in simple but comfortable hostal managed by the local community. Cross Salar Arizaro to visit the cone of Arita Volcano before reaching a hidden oasis surrounded by the coloured mountains.

Days 8 & 9: Salta

 Driven back to Salta through San Antonio de los Cobres passing the famous railway line 'Tren a las Nubes'. Spend your final night at your selected Hotel where you can relax and unwind after you tour of the desert. Fly back to Buenos Aires for international connections.

Additional Info

  • Days 9 Days