CLASSIC GRAND SOUTH AMERICA Visiting All of South America's Highlights Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands Peru's Cuzco and Machu Picchu Bolivia and Lake Titicaca Lake District Crossing Chile to Argentina Buenos Aires Iguassu Falls Amazon Cruise Marvellous Rio de Janeiro 33 Days

Locally Hosted Independent Tour Suggested Departure Day: Friday

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

Friday - Miami - Quito: Mid-afternoon flight from Miami to Quito. Meeting and transfer to Hilton Colon in the heart of the city for three night stay on the Executive Floor with breakfast included daily.

Saturday - Quito: Full day excursion to the famed Otavalo Indian market, considered the best shopping market in South America. Plenty of time to shop for ponchos, rugs, textiles, handicrafts and the Panama hat (actually made in Ecuador) and to roam the market. Lunch at a nearby hacienda and late afternoon return to Quito. (B/L)

Sunday - Quito: Spend the day exploring Quito's main points of interest, including the gold-altared La Compania Church and historic La Ronda among other places of interest. Then drive out to the Equatorial Monument where you can visit the excellent ethnographic museum and stand in two hemispheres at once. Enjoy lunch en route. (B/L)

Monday - Quito - Galapagos Islands: Morning flight 600 miles due west along the Equator into the Pacific Ocean to Baltra Island in the Galapagos Islands . Transfer to the M/V Santa Cruz. Lunch and initial briefing before your first afternoon excursion ashore on the north shore of Santa Cruz hosts Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill). A dinghy ride among mangrove-lined islets where various types of birds can be seen, such as boobies, frigates, pelicans, along with a chance to see marine turtles, rays and sharks. Dry landing and a walk that includes a brackish water lagoon frequented by greater flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks and a variety of shore / lagoon birds. Dragon Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western area of the archipelago, is a natural nesting site of a fairly large number of land iguanas. (B/L/D)

ABOUT THE M/V SANTA CRUZ: The 1,500 ton Santa Cruz carries only 90 passengers. Cabins are on three decks: Main, Upper and Boat Decks. All cabins are carpeted and have air-conditioning, private bath with plenty of hot & cold water, under the bed storage area and between bed desk. The primary difference between cabins is the location & not size or amenities. There is a cocktail lounge and bar, a dining room, boutique and plenty of deck space. With Ecuadorian registry, the M/V Santa Cruz meets all international safety requirements for her A-1-A rating from the American Bureau of Shipping and SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea). Operations and services are maintained by a 48-person crew.

ABOUT GOING ASHORE: Excursions ashore take places each morning and afternoon, with staggered debarking in groups of 20 based on language. Landings are "wet" (step out of the boat & walk ashore in the surf) or "dry" (using natural promontories as make-shift piers). Walks are generally not difficult though some sites, such as Hood can be challenging but not impossible for the average person. Essential gear for shore visits include hat with brim or bill, plenty of sun protection, insect repellent, good walking shoes (but not overkill mountain trekkers!) and plenty of film.

SPECIAL NOTE: If you don't like animals and you don't like being an active ingredient in the wildlife experience, don't visit the Galapagos. The sole reason to go to the islands is the flora and fauna, and you have to go ashore and exert energy to experience it. The guides teach you a motto the first day you arrive: "Take nothing from the islands but memories and leave nothing behind but footprints."

Tuesday - Galapagos: Morning at Bartolomé Island (dry landing) for a hike to the summit via a wooden staircase; the view from the top is worth the effort. Panga ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, time to enjoy the beach (wet landing) and snorkeling. Chance to snorkel next to Galápagos Penguins. There is also the possibility to ride on the glass bottom boat for great views of the underwater world. Lunch on board. In the afternoon go ahore at Puerto Egas (wet landing), a great location to see particularly shore birds, while land birds can be observed a little more inland. The trail brings us to a colony of the endemic Galápagos fur-sea lions. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon emerald green algae beds. Outstanding snorkeling and swimming from the beach before the walk. (B/L/D)

Wednesday - Galapagos: Morning ashore at Rabida, with a red-colored beach, due to the unusually high content of iron in the volcanic material. Walk along the beach of this small island (1.9 sq. mi.) allows the observation of a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s Finches. Very close to the beach, hidden behind a strip of green saltbush, is a salt pond where at times Greater Flamingos migrate to; these spectacular birds feed exclusively on the brine shrimp found in this saline pond. Afternoon disembarkation  to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the rearing in captivity program for the giant tortoises. Impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and many land birds can be also seen. Then, a stroll along the main street of Puerto Ayora will allow you to see how Galapagueños live in this magical paradise. Good opportunity to contact friends and family from an Internet Cafe or browse in the many handcraft shops. (/B/L/D)

Thursday - Galapagos:   Morning ashore on Santa Cruz for bus ride will take guests to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for breakfast and then the opportunity to view the giant tortoises in their wild habitat.  The vegetation of the area includes the Scalesia Forest (an endemic giant daisy tree) and birds such as the vermilion flycatcher, will delight everyone with its scarlet feathers against an emerald green forest. Look for Darwin’s finches (most of them from the tree-finch group), particularly the famous Woodpecker Finch.  Afternoon at North Seymour Island, one of the few uplifted islands in Galápagos Archipelago. The trail leads guests to explore colonies of blue footed boobies, Magnificent frigate birds, and swallow-tail gulls. The sandy shore teems with Galápagos sea lions and marine iguanas. Vegetation is made up of cacti, Palo Santo trees and Salt Bushes. (B/L/D)

Friday - Galapagos - Guayaquil - Lima: Disembark at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, located in a natural setting, where it allows visitors to obtain information that will help them understand more the natural history of the Galápagos, with a great emphasis on human history and conservation. Afterwards, you can stroll through Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, where souvenir shops and Internet cafés welcome world travelers who are willing to catch up with the world, and share the many wonders witnessed, before heading back to the mainland. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the continent. In Guayaquil, make connections to your late afternoon flight to Lima, arriving in the evening. Meeting and transfer to the Swissotel for overnight stay. (B)

Saturday - Lima - Cuzco: Early morning transfer for flight over the Andes to Cuzco, ancient Inca capital. Meeting and transfer to Hotel Monasterio. Balance of morning at leisure to adjust to the altitude (11,600 feet). Afternoon visit to the main points of interest in Cuzco, considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere, and to the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenkko and Tambo Machay. (B)

Sunday - Cuzco - Urubamba: Morning drive over the mountains into the Sacred Valley of the Incas to visit the colorful, bustling Indian market at the town of Pisac. YOu'll have time to shop and bargain for textiles and souvenirs, then visit the ruins perched high above the town of Pisac, offering great views of a complex set of ruins cascading down the mountain. Then continue through the valley to the ruins of Ollantaytambo, precariously perched on the mountainside, for a visit. Lunch en route and afternoon drop-off at your hotel in the valley, the charming Sol y Luna. (B/L)

Monday - Urubamba - Machu Picchu: Morning transfer to the rail station at Ollantaytambo to board the VistaDome rail service for one of the world's great train journeys through scenic countryside, to Aguas Calientes where shuttle buses take you up a 2000 foot serpentine road to the entrance of Machu Picchu, fabled Lost City of the Incas, never found by the Spanish Conquistadores and only rediscovered in 1911 by American archaeologist Hiram Bingham. Enjoy a guided tour of the ruins, lunch at the hotel and time to explore at your own pace. Your guide will return to Cuzco in the mid-afternoon but you'll overnight at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge just outside the ruins, affording you plenty of time to explore at your own pace. (B/L/D)

Tuesday - Machu Picchu - Cuzco: Plenty of time this morning to re-enter the ruins and explore at your own pace.  Lunch at the hotel and early afternoon shuttle back to Aguas Calientes for return VistaDome rail journey to Cuzco, arriving early evening.  Meeting and transfer back to your hotel, the Monasterio. (B/L)

Wednesday - Cuzco - Juliaca - Puno: Morning transfer to the rail station for one of the world's great train journeys on a day long crossing of the Altiplano. The first half of the journey is dominated by magnificent Andean mountains, towering over the deep valleys of the meandering Huatanay River. It then reaches the gentler, rolling Andean Plains, where vicuña and alpaca are often seen. Sightseeing while on board the train is now easier than ever, thanks to the new glass-walled observation car. Excellent dining is served which includes a three-course lunch, followed by coffee served in the observation car. The journey is broken by a scenic stop at La Raya, which is also the highest point on the route. A small exhibition of local crafts has been arranged by PeruRail at this juncture. Upon arrival at Juliaca, meet your local guide and transfer overland 40 minutes to Puno for overnight at the Hotel Libertador Esteves, right on the shores of Lake Titicaca.   (B/L)

Thursday - Puno - Lake Titicaca - La Paz: Early morning transfer to Juli to board the hydrofoil for your "flight" on the world's highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca, to Moon Island for a visit to the Sun Virgins Temple and then on to Sun Island where you can visit the Inca fountain and walk up ancient Inca steps to the Uma Kollo Archaeological Restaurant for lunch and time to admire the Royal Range of the Andes. After lunch re-board your hydrofoil for "flight" through Tiquina Strait to the Urus-Iruitos Floating Islands for a visit to Juti Island & the Sustainable Tourism Project on Quewaya Island with specially built greenhouses. Then continue on by hydrofoil to Huatajata harbor and the Inca Utama. Visit the cultural and eco musuems and then transfer to La Paz and your hotel, Hotel Europa for overnight stay. (B/L)

Friday - La Paz- Santiago: Morning transfer for flight south along the Andes to Santiago. Meeting upon arrival Santiago and transfer to the Ritz Carlton for two night stay. (B)

Saturday- Santiago: Full day excursion visiting  the main points of interest in the city of Santiago, founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia. Then scenic drive west to Chile's main seaside resort, Vina del Mar to visit the main points of interest in both Vina and it's sister city and main port of Chile, Valparaiso. Stop at popular seafood restaurant for lunch (cost not included). (B)

Sunday - Santiago - Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas: Morning flight to Puerto Montt, gateway to the scenic Lake District. Meeting and visit to the main points of interest in Puerto Montt and nearby Angelmo's fish market and handicraft market.  Then transfer north to Puerto Varas, on the shores of Lake Llanquihue with snowcapped Osorno Volcano as a backdrop. Overnight at the Cabanas del Lago with commanding views of the lake and volcano. (B)

Monday - Puerto Varas - Peulla: Morning transfer along Lake Llanquihue with Osorno Volcano in the distance, to Petrohue Falls for a visit before boarding your first motorlaunch for cruise across Lake Todos Los Santos to Peulla and the Hotel Natura, tucked away along a narrow fjord-like lake for dinner and overnight. (B)

Tuesday - Peulla - Bariloche: Today continue your Lake District crossing via motorcoach and motorlaunch, with superb scenery of glimmering lakes and snow-capped towering mountains. Afternoon arrival at Puerto Panuelo and 30 minute transfer to Bariloche, on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. You'll enjoy a two night stay at the Hotel Llao Llao Resort and Spa, majestically perched on a hill overlooking the lake and mountains. (B)

Wednesday - Bariloche: Day at leisure to explore this summer and winter resort area at your own pace. (B)

Thursday - Bariloche - Buenos Aires: Morning at leisure to enjoy the hotel and its facilities. Transfer for mid-afternoon flight across the Andes to Buenos Aires. Meeting and transfer to Hotel Alvear Palace in the heart of fashionable Recoleta for three night stay. This evening enjoy dinner and tango show at the Esquina Carlos Gardel. (B/DS)

Friday - Buenos Aires: Today enjoy an entire day exploring the main points of interest in this bustling and sophisticated city, often called "The Paris of South America". Drive the widest avenue on earth, 9 de Julio, and visit colorful La Boca, among other places of interest. (B)

Saturday - Buenos Aires: Day at leisure to explore Buenos Aires at your own pace.  Stroll the historic San Telmo barrio, explore the shops and galleries along Calle Florida or some of the museums of the city. (B)

Sunday - Buenos Aires - Iguazu Falls (Argentina) - Iguassu Falls (Brazil): Morning flight to Iguazu Falls, Argentina.   Upon arrival, meeting and visit the Argentine side of the falls for an "up-close and personal" encounter with the falls, via metal catwalks along the base of several smaller falls and to the mirador for spectacular views into the Devil's Throat. Then transfer to your hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls, the stately Hotel Das Cataratas for two night stay. (B)

Iguassu Falls is truly spectacular. On the Argentine-Brazilian border, they are 60 feet taller than Niagara and about half as wide again. Spanning more than a mile wide precipice, 275 falls plunge an average of 300 feet to the river below. Above the impact of the waters on the rocks at the top hovers a perpetual cloud of mist. Eleanor Roosevelt is said to have exclaimed when she first saw Iguazu Falls: "Poor Niagara! This makes Niagara look like a kitchen faucet!"

Monday - Iguassu Falls: Today you will spend the day visit the Brazilian side of the falls - from this vantage point you will have panoramic vistas of the falls. You'll take the walking tour to view the falls from many angles and levels, with plenty of time to photograph and explore at your own pace. Then take the Macuco Safari Excursion - a jeep-train ride through the National Park and thrilling motorlaunch excursion to the Salto de Macuco for a totally different vantage point. Then make a stop at the Parque de Aves for a visit to the huge walk-through aviaries highlighting the birds of Brasil and from around the world. Lunch is included enroute with afternoon return back to your hotel. (B/L)

Tuesday - Iguassu Falls - Sao Paulo - Manaus: Early morning transfer to the airport for flight to Sao Paulo, connecting to flight to  Manaus, deep in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon. Mid-day arrival and transfer to Hotel Tropical, a huge sprawling hotel on the banks of the Rio Negro. Afternoon visit to the main points of interest in Manaus including the famed Opera House and the Indian Museum. (B)

Wednesday - Embark Amazon Clipper Premium: Morning at leisure. Noon hotel check-out and meet the representatives of the Amazon Clipper Premium in the hotel lobby at 2:30 PM for short walk to the pier to begin your three night Amazon River cruise. Once aboard, cabin assignments and begin navigation along the Rio Negro to the Ariau River for sunset motorized canoe excursion to witness the descent of night in the jungle. Dinner and evening navigation to Acu Creek or other nearby tributary. (B/D)

ABOUT THE AMAZON CLIPPER PREMIUM: The Amazon Clipper Premium is 106 feet long with a beam of 30 feet and hosts only 32 guests in 16 spacious all outside cabins, with lower beds, private bathroom facilities with hot shower, individual air-conditioning and safety box. Click here for more information.

Thursday - Cruising: Morning jungle walk with expert native guide to observe the flora and to visit a Caboclo family with a chance to see their way of life, preparation of manioc flour and health/education systems. After lunch aboard, navigation through the Anavilhanas Archipelago and visit to small, isolated town of Novo Airao. In the evening, canoe trip to hunt (by flashlight) caimans and other nocturnal animals. (B/L/D)

Friday - Cruising: Morning navigation to Praia Grande or other white-sand beach for time to swim and explore the vegetation next to the beach. Then enjoy a canoe trip on Lake Acajatuba or adjacent lake to see typical flora and fauna and an opportunity to fish for piranha. After lunch visit another local community or canoe in the Jacareubal area. Evening navigation along the river. (B/L/D)

Saturday - Manaus - Rio de Janeiro: Sunrise canoe trip on Lake Januari for birdwatching. After breakfast, navigation to the "Meeting of the Waters", a unique phenomenon on the Amazon where the black Rio Negro and the muddy Rio Solimois meet and travel side by side for many miles without their waters mixing due to a chemical and temperature imbalance. Arrive at the Hotel Tropical pier at 11:30, debark and  transfer to the airport for your mid-afternoon flight to Rio de Janeiro, arriving in the late evening. Meeting and transfer to Copacabana Palace on famed Copacabana Beach for three night stay in Deluxe oceanfront accommodations. (B)

Sunday - Rio de Janeiro: Morning drive along the beaches and through lush tropical Tijuca Forest to modern cogwheel train to the summit of Corcovado Mountain. Then 220 steps (or modern escalators) take you to the base of the statue of Christ the Redeemer, standing arms outstretched welcoming all to Rio. Time for photographing Rio from this vantage point, offering a dramatic 360 degree vista. Afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace. You can visit the Hippi Market in Ipanema for a chance to shop for art, leather goods and other handicrafts and local artists creations. (B)

Monday - Rio de Janeiro. This morning you'll take the two stage cable car to the summit of Sugar Loaf with yet another spectacular panormaic view of the city, bay and beaches.  In the afternoon you are free to continue exploring at your own pace. (B)

Tuesday - Depart Rio de Janeiro: Day at leisure to explore at your own pace - no need to hurry through the day as your room is paid for late check-out. Evening transfer to the airport for return overnight flight to the U.S.A. (B)

Wednesday - Arrive Miami: Morning arrival in Miami, clear customs and immigrations and make connections to your home city.

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