Itinerary
Monday 31 August: Auckland to Santiago
Fly to Santiago and transfer to your hotel.
Tuesday 1 September: Santiago
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Santiago. (B)
Wednesday 2 September: Santiago
Embark on a full-day excursion to the historic coastal city of Valparaiso. Afterward, delve into a winery experience featuring a guided tour, wine tasting, and a special 'welcome to South America' lunch, culminating in your return to Santiago. (B,L)
Thursday 3 September: Santiago to Quito
Proceed to the airport for a morning flight to Quito via Lima. Upon reaching Quito, transfer to your hotel for the next phase of your journey. (B,D)
Friday 4 September: Quito to Amazon Jungle
Embark on a brief flight over the Andes, soaring into the heart of the Amazon jungle. From there, transfer by river to the luxuriously appointed Sacha Lodge, nestled in the midst of pristine primary rainforest. (B,L,D)
Saturday 5 September: Amazon Jungle
Dedicate the following two days to immersive experiences, including nature walks, twilight river excursions, and exploration of the remarkable birds, butterflies, and wildlife surrounding you. Engage in activities such as piranha fishing and a treetop canopy walk, offering an excellent vantage point to witness the sunset. Expert naturalist guides will enrich your understanding of this extraordinary environment, making it come alive with their insights and knowledge. (B,L,D)
Sunday 6 September: Amazon Jungle
A full day of guided jungle activities. (B,L,D)
Monday 7 September: Amazon Jungle to Quito
Morning transfer by river then fly to Quito for overnight. (B)
Tuesday 8 September: Quito
Discover this enchanting city, formerly the northern capital of the Incan Empire and recognized as the inaugural UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B)
Wednesday 9 September: Quito
Today enjoy a tour to picturesque Otavalo market with lunch included at a historic hacienda.. (B,L)
Thursday 10 September: Quito to Galapagos Islands
Fly to the Galapagos and on arrival visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to learn about its unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Then see giant Galapagos tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station and Breeding Centre before joining your comfortable expedition ship, the Isabela II. (B,L,D)
Friday 11 September: Galapagos Islands
This morning visit Bartolome Island for magnificent views, before enjoying a zodiac ride searching for the amazing Galapagos penguin and many other species of marine bird life. Later explore Santiago Island, an excellent location to see many different species of Galapagos finches, along with mockingbirds, lava lizards, Galapagos hawks and colourful flamingos. (B,L,D)
Saturday 12 September: Galapagos Islands
Explore Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island, the ideal place to spot enigmatic land iguanas, and follow this with a chance to swim or snorkel. In the afternoon, explore the coastline of Buccaneer Cove on Santiago Island, which is very rich in bird and marine life. (B,L,D)
Sunday 13 September: Galapagos Islands
Two of the best islands in the Galapagos await you today. In the morning cruise in zodiacs along the coast of Isabela Island spotting birds including the delightful blue footed boobies. Those interested can then snorkel with the sea turtles or alternatively, non-snorkellers may take a glass bottom boat cruise. The afternoon sees a landing on the youngest island in the archipelago, Fernandina. This area has an amazing volcanic landscape, with incredible vegetation and a huge number of marine iguanas sunning themselves on rocks. (B,L,D)
Monday 14 September: Galapagos Islands to Lima
Fly late morning to the mainland and connect to Lima. (B)
Tuesday 15 September: Lima
A full day of great sightseeing in this historic city, including a visit to the wonderful Larco Herrera Museum. (B)
Wednesday 16 September: Lima to Sacred Valley of the Incas
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 acclimatise to being at altitude. (B,D)
Thursday 17 September: Sacred Valley of the Incas
This morning explore this picturesque valley. Visit the Inca salt mines at Maras and the amazing Inca ruins of Moray before enjoying a Peruvian Paso Horse show at our special lunch. (B,L)
Friday 18 September: Sacred Valley of the Incas to Machu Picchu
This morning visit the very impressive Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo before catching the train to Machu Picchu, the incredible ‘Lost City of the Incas’. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at the amazing Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel. (B,L,D)
Saturday 19 September: Machu Picchu to Cuzco
This morning enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu and then lunch before returning by train and coach to Cuzco. (B,L)
Sunday 20 September: Cuzco
Morning tour of historic Cuzco, including the beautiful Cathedral and the impressive Incan fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Then enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore. (B)
Monday 21 September: Cuzco to Puno
A very scenic and interesting day is spent travelling to Puno, situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca. (B,L)
Tuesday 22 September: Puno to Lake Titicaca to La Paz
Cross into Bolivia and cruise Lake Titicaca for a fascinating visit to Sun Island, the birthplace of the Incas. From here marvel at the azure blue lake and magnificent alpine views of the Royal Chain of the Andes. Continue to La Paz. (B,L)
Wednesday 23 September: La Paz
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. (B)
Thursday 24 September: La Paz to Buenos Aires
We fly to Buenos Aires and transfer to our hotel.(B)
Friday 25 September: Buenos Aires
Tour Buenos Aires, the ‘Paris of the Americas’.(B)
Saturday 26 September: Buenos Aires
Explore, shop or relax in this great city. In the evening we will enjoy a tango lesson before a special dinner and tango show.(B,D)
Sunday 27 September: Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls
Fly to the mighty Iguazu Falls before transferring to our hotel situated inside the National Park. (B)
Monday 28 September: Iguazu Falls
Morning tour with amazing falls views then the highlight, the Devil’s Throat Cataract – the most impressive in the world. (B)
Tuesday 29 September: Iguazu Falls to Rio de Janeiro
Tour the Brazilian side of the falls and visit a wonderful bird and wildlife park before flying to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival transfer to our hotel overlooking Copacabana Beach. (B)
Wednesday 30 September: Rio de Janeiro
Visit the historical centre of old Rio, then take two cable cars to the summit of Sugarloaf. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
Thursday 1 October: Rio de Janeiro
Visit the statue of Christ the Redeemer and later pass by Rio’s famous beaches. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. (B)
Friday 2 October: Rio de Janeiro to Auckland
Saturday 3 October: In Flight
Sunday 4 October: Arrive Auckland
Early morning arrival into Auckland.