A South American Cultural Experience

TOUR COST

Twin Share: AUD $13,500 per person *

Single Share: AUD $15,500 per person *

Tour Highlights include:


4 Countries, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Argentina

Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, Cuzco,

Lake Titicaca, Sacred Valley, Bariloche,

Lakes Crossing

Spectacular Andes Mountains

Tour Itinerary (note; subject to change without notice)

DAY 1 – Saturday 19th September 2009 (D)

Ex AUSTRALIA (Sydney) – SOUTH AMERICA (Santiago)


Your flight departs Sydney mid morning to fly across the International Date Line arriving the same day just after lunch into Santiago. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for some free time to relax after your flight or to start exploring the city.


DAY 2 - Sunday 20th September 2009 (BD)

LA PAZ

After your flight from Santiago you will arrive in La Paz the world’s highest commercial airport. On arrival you will be amazed at the scenery of the city’s buildings that are blended with the natural contours of the land. You will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel.


DAY 3 - Monday 21st September 2009 (B)

LA PAZ (CTD)

Today will be a day at leisure to acclimatise to your new surroundings and altitude. You may want to explore one of the many museums or if you prefer there are several markets to choose from.


DAY 4 - Tuesday 22nd September 2009 (B)

LA PAZ (CTD)

After breakfast you will have one last opportunity to either explore La Paz at your own pace or you may wish to just spend the day relaxing.

DAY 5 - Wednesday 23rd September 2009 (BD)

LA PAZ – PUNO


Transfer to Puno through the border town of Desaguadero including a visit to Tiawanacu ruins, one of the most important archaeological complexes in South America. The culture of Tiahuanaco was said to have flourished from 600 BC to 900-1000 AD. The origin of these ruins is still a topic of discussion today. Your guided tour includes a visit to “The Gate of the Sun”, the “Akapana Pyramid”, the “Kerikala Palace” and the aqueducts and monolithic pillars.

DAY 6 - Thursday 24th September 2009 (BLD)

PUNO

Your excursion by boat starts with a visit to the floating reed islands of the Uros Indians and is followed by the Taquile Island. Here the indigenous community has conserved across the centuries many of the customs of the old lake population, such as a communal life where everything is shared. Men always seem to be walking around the island knitting the woolen caps they wear and women weave beautiful traditional clothes. Here, in the strong highland sunlight, the soil with its deep earthy red colour contrasts magnificently with the deep blue of Titicaca Lake. The backdrop of the snowcapped Cordillera Real on the far side completes a splendid picture.

DAY 7 - Friday 25th September 2009 (BLD)

PUNO – CUZCO

This spectacular rail journey begins in Puno and travels north to the historic city of Cuzco. This classic and luxurious Orient Express train journey, recently voted ‘one of the top ten railway journeys of the world, cuts across the formidable Peruvian Altiplano. The journey is dominated by the magnificent Andean mountains and rolling Andean Plains, where vicuña and alpaca can be seen. The glass-walled observation car will provide the perfect opportunity to view the beautiful scenery. The journey includes a scenic stop at La Raya, the highest point on the route, as well as a three-course lunch which will be served onboard. Upon arrival in Cuzco you will be transferred to your hotel.

DAY 8 - Saturday 26th September 2009 (BD)

CUZCO

Your comprehensive morning tour includes the beautiful Koricancha or Sun Temple, the Cathedral, as well as the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a most remarkable Inca building, the amphitheatre of Kenko. This is followed by a visit to Puca Pucara, a strategically located ‘red fortress’ that dominates the entire area, and then a visit to Tambomachay, with its two distinctive aqueducts, that to this day continue to provide clean water to the area.

DAY 9 - Sunday 27th September 2009 (BLD)

CUZCO – SACRED VALLEY

This morning you will drive to the valley of the Urubamba River, known as the Sacred Valley of the Inca. Travel onto Pisaq, where hundreds of people from remote communities dress in their traditional and colourful attires, meet to market and barter their products. The market also has a tourist element, so there is an opportunity to buy souvenirs. Afterwards, you will travel along the valley to Ollantaytambo, where the Temple of the Sun (formed by six gigantic monoliths, whose total weight exceeds 50 tons) and the Terrace of the Ten Niches stand out. Ollantaytambo was the site of the only successful Inca battle against the Spanish conquerors and the only town in the area to still retain its original Inca layout.


DAY 10 - Monday 28th September 2009 (BLD)

SACRED VALLEY - MACHU PICCHU

Morning transfer to Ollanta train station. The 1 ½ -hour train ride takes you through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to Machu Picchu. On arrival, a small coach will take you up the steep roads to the entrance of the citadel. Machu Picchu remained undiscovered by the Spaniards for centuries, only to be found in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. The uniqueness of its location and the genius that went into its construction make this Inca archaeological site truly one of the great wonders of the world.

After the excursion, a well deserved buffet lunch will be served in the restaurant of ‘Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge’, the only hotel located within the very sanctuary of the Machu Picchu Inca citadel.

DAY 11 - Tuesday 29th September 2009 (BD)

MACHU PICCHU – CUZCO

After breakfast you have the remainder of the morning free to roam around the majestic site of Machu Picchu, climb the Huayna Picchu (at 3000 m) and get panoramic pictures from Machu Picchu. In the afternoon you will board the train back to Cuzco, where you will be transferred to your hotel.

DAY 12 - Wednesday 30th September 2009 (BD)

CUZCO

Day at leisure. We suggest you stroll through the streets of San Blas artisan quarter. Its steeped cobblestone alleys not only offer spectacular views of the city but are lined with workshops and galleries, a great way to soak in the artistic atmosphere. San Blas Church houses an imposing pulpit considered one of New World’s finest woodcarvings. If you want to enjoy a good cup of coffee in a cosy atmosphere, we suggest you visit the Coffee Shop of Bartolome de las Casas Cultural Centre.

Here you’ll find international newspapers as well as interesting books in different languages. Experience Cuzco’s old city onboard an old wooden streetcar, now motorised. The tour lasts 85 min. and departs several times daily from the Plaza de Armas.

DAY 13 - Thursday 1st October 2009 (BD)

CUZCO – LIMA - BUENOS AIRES

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for the flight Buenos Aires via Lima. Upon arrival in Buenos Aires the capital of Argentina you will be transferred to your hotel.

DAY 14 - Friday 2nd October 2009 (BD)

BUENOS AIRES - IGUAZU FALLS

Today you fly Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls, from bustling city to tranquil countryside. Igauzu Falls means big water in Guarana language. These falls are certainly this as the falls are made up of 250 waterfalls 70 metres high. You will have the opportunity of viewing the amazing falls from one of the many boardwalks and viewing areas. Dinner & accommodation tonight is at the Sheraton Hotel Iguazu Falls with magnificent views of the Iguazu National Park & Falls.

DAY 15 - Saturday 3rd October 2009 (BD)

IGUAZU FALLS - BUENOS AIRES

This morning you will have one last chance to view the thunderous falls either on foot or by joining an optional boat trip right into the heart of the Devils Throat. You will return to Buenos Aires this afternoon to enjoy an evening dinner in the city.

DAY 16 - Sunday 4th October 2009 (BD)

BUENOS AIRES

Today’s travels take you a little way into the surrounding countryside of the city to be entertained by Gaucho’s (cowboys) with a show and a BBQ lunch with beautiful Argentinean beef on the menu. Tonight a special dinner awaits, including a Tango show.

DAY 17 - Monday 5th October 2009 (BD)

BUENOS AIRES - BARILOCHE

Your day begins with a city tour of Buenos Aires before a flight south into Patagonia and the spectacular city by the lake of Bariloche, with its European feel, chocolate shops and spectacular views in all directions of the Andes. You will certainly enjoy your stay here.

DAY 18 - Tuesday 6th October 2009 (BD)

BARILOCHE

A leisurely day today with some guided walking around the town, enjoying the shops and views of the Lake and Andes Mountains. You will also have some free time to relax and enjoy this spectacular region.

DAY 19 - Wednesday 7th October 2009 (BD)

BARILOCHE - PUERTO MONTT

Today you will journey by boat through amazing Fiords and view spectacular mountain scenery as you travel the Lakes Crossing to the coastal town of Peurto Montt, Chile. This small provincial city is a main port and gateway into the Chilean lake and volanco district. There is a distinctive European flavour that has remained from the early German settlers.

DAY 20 - Thursday 8th October 2009 (BD)

PUERTO MONTT - SANTIAGO

Your journey continues as you fly from Puerto Montt to Santiago. On arrival you will have time to do some last mintute shopping as your South American adventure is coming to an end. You will enjoy a farewell dinner tonight to celebrate your journey.

DAY 21 - Friday 9th October 2009 (BD)

SOUTH AMERICA - AUSTRALIA

After breakfast you will bid farewell to South America with your return flight back to Sydney.

CROSSING INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE

DAY 22 - Saturday 10th October 2009

SOUTH AMERICA - AUSTRALIA

Arrival into Sydney, with connections to home ports.


BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS

*Prices subject to change without notice.

Upon paying your initial deposit you agree to all terms and conditions outlined.

Tour includes all flights, transfers, attractions, accommodation and meals as indicated in the tour itinerary.

All prices are subject to change until such time as the final payment is made.

At times on this tour you will be required to travel with only a small carry on bag that is no larger than 5kg and 157 cm in dimension.

Travel insurance is not included in your tour fare and is offered subject to conditions set out by the insurance company. If you require insurance, please inform our consultants. Insurance cover offered is with various Travel Insurance companies. This as an additional service to you and acts as an agent only. (This insurance is not compulsory and can be arranged by you or deleted. Please advise when booking if insurance is not required).

International touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing to take full advantage of the itinerary and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in all activities, without the need of assistance from others. In addition, we recommend that travellers seek advice from a medical practitioner regarding current health requirements, if any for the countries to be visited. Travellers undertaking trekking tours offered herein need to have a very good level of fitness.

Vaccinations are required for this tour, however are not included in the tour fare. We recommend that you consult a medical practitioner regarding your current requirements.

Air fares are subject to change and availability and conditions apply. A surcharge may apply if variations from pre-booked flights are requested , the applicable class is not available or the booking is made less than 75 days prior to departure. We reserve the right to issue all airline tickets upon deposit and amendment/cancellation fees will apply. Please note that air fares and applicable taxes are subject to increase with-out notice due to fare and tax changes, surcharges dependant on class available at the time of booking and other factors outside our control.

As some cities in the tour are at an altitude of 3200 metres above sea level most people will experience some level of altitude sickness. We recommend that you visit a medical practitioner prior to departure to ensure you have an adequate level of fitness and health..

This tour does not include passport and visa costs, these will remain the responsibility of the passenger. Should you require assistance please contact contact us and view our Visa/Passports information page. Additional fees will apply.

All amendments made to your tour arrangements will attract a fee of $75.00 per change.

The following cancellation policy applies to this tour. All cancellations must be received in writing. Please note that cancellation fees may be claimable through travel insurance.

90+days Loss of deposit

89-75 days 45% of the tour fare

74-46 days 60% of the tour fare

45 days or less 100% of the tour fare