South America Experiences 15N-16D

Board your flight to Lima, Peru. On arrival at Lima airport, you will be welcomed by an English-speaking guide and transfer to your five star hotel.
Lima In the morning, guided sightseeing tour to the most attractive and important sites in Lima, the "City of Kings". The tour includes Lima's Historical Centre, passing by Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the City Hall. We will visit the Convent and Church of San Francisco, the greatest monumental complex of Colonial Art in America and Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The tour includes a visit to the Basilica of 21 altars, Convent of Cloisters, Capitulary and Clementine Rooms, Chorus and Library of the monks, a Museum showing 11 paintings of the Rubens School, the Sacristy with paintings of Surbaran and Ribera, its great patio decorated with Seville tiles of the XVIth Century, Moorish arches and underground Catacombs. Larco is one of the few museums in the world where visitors can also choose to enter the storage area with its 45,000 classified archaeological objects. Its masterpieces are considered worldwide icons of pre-Columbian art, after being exhibited in the world's leading museums. We continue to the famous Archaeological museum where many cultures of Peru are on display, including the Chavin, Paracas, Nazca, Chimu and Ica. Return to the hotel
Early in the morning our staff will meet and transfer you to the airport for your departing flight to the Capital of the Incas Cusco. Upon your Arrival in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, we greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel following brief orientation and a cup of traditional coca tea to assist in the acclimation to the 11300 ft. in the Inca Capital of Cusco. In the afternoon City tour of Cusco, Colonial sites such as the Cathedral, Qoricancha, temple of the Sun, the most important of Inca ceremonial sites. Later you will continue to the most important site of Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Qenqo and Puca Pucara. Return to the hotel
After breakfast and Leaving Cusco in the rear view mirror, we travel in a private van over a low pass then down into the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas. The scenery is unsurpassable, close and distant snow peaks glistening in the sun. Visit the Ancient Pisaq market, where many of the local s sell their hand made textiles. Lunch at the local hacienda restaurant and continue to Ollantaytambo the major Inca temple / fortress. Probably built by the great Inca ruler, Pachacuti in the 1460s, it was the site of Hernando Pizzaro’s defeat by Manco Inca in 1536. We have ample time to examine the complex and ponder its many mysteries before returning to Cusco and visit the traditional market town of Chinchero. Return to the hotel
Early in the morning after breakfast we pick you up at your hotel and take you to the railway station for the tourist class train to Machu Pichu. The 3 hour train journey passes through picturesque Andean scenery, passing traditional villages, Inca ruins and rushing rivers. We'll descend 1300 meters through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and follow the Urubamba river until the final stop at Aguas Calientes. Afterward we'll take the 20 minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu, perched 600 meters above the river. Our guide will explain you the history and the myths that surround this archeological wonder MACHU PICCHU! The famous lost city of the Inca is one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth! Stand 2,430m above sea-level in the middle of a tropical mountain forest. In an extraordinarily beautiful setting, it was probably most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height, its giant walls, terraces and ramps seen as, if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna, the site is frequently shrouded in misty clouds pierced by the powerful equatorial Sun. Afterwards we take the bus for your return to the Aguas Calientes for lunch and take back the train to Cusco. Reception and transfer to the Hotel.
After breakfast, we enjoy a scenic drive through the Peruvian Highlands and along snow-covered peaks, about 4,300 meters above sea level. A long the way you will have stops and guided tours to the Incas sites of Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, and Pikillaqta. We have lunch at the restaurant in Sicuani. After your arrival to Puno our staff will meet and transfer you to the hotel.
It's an early start today as we visit the Uros s, famous for living on their floating islands. Then we join our bus and transfer to Copacabana to explore South America's largest lake aboard a catamaran cruise boat, stopping at the sacred 'Island of the Sun'. In the afternoon we continue to La Paz, the world's highest metropolis (11,910 feet above see level)
We enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of La Paz which shows us its many well kept buildings and its narrow lanes in the old town where the picturesque market still takes place. We will also drive through the chic suburbs of La Paz on our way to visit Moon Valley, a geological offense caused by mother nature, a place that must be visited! From here we visit the Tiwanaku open air museum before heading back to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Today we ransfer to the airport for our flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival we are transferred to our hotel. This evening we enjoy dinner at a typical restaurant.
After breakfast our guided sightseeing tour begins with a stop at the Plaza de Mayo with the pink colored Casa Rosada, and we see the balcon where Eva Peron and her husband used to address the crowds below. Next, we see the Cabildo (town hall) and the Metropolitan Cathedral before heading to the districts of San Telmo and La Boca, with a visit to the cemetery of Recoleta, the burial site of Eva Duarte who become famous as Eva Peron. We continue along Avenida 9 de Julio, the widest avenue in the world, and more. Finally, a stop at Palermo before we return to Buenos Aires with time at leisure perhaps to shop for some souvenirs.
Enjoy a full day at leisure in this exciting city. You may wish to join a full day optional excursion to visit a typical Argentine Estancia and experience real local culture. Or maybe just explore on your own and relax. In the evening, why not join your fellow companions at an optional Tango Show including dinner to enjoy the city's best show performed by prominent interpreters of the tango's excitement.
Today we transfer to the airport for our flight to Iguassu. On arrival, we board our coach and drive to the Argentine side of the falls to explore this side of the famous falls. Then we head to the hotel, where the rest of your day and evening is at leisure.
After breakfast time is your to maybe explore the falls from the Brazilian side. This afternoon we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Rio de Janeiro, on of the most exciting cities in the world. On arrival we are taken to our hotel with time to check-in and relax. Later, you may wish to explore or shop. Remember Rio is known for its nightlife, so be sure to check it out this evening!
This morning we will enjoy a half-day guided sightseeing tour including the main city sights. Next, the highlight of our day is a brathtaking ride by cable car to the summit of 1,300 foot Sugar Loaf Mountain. Our afternoon highlight is a visit to the Corcovado, upon which stands the famous Christ the Redeemer statue. En route we drive through old and modern Rio before we take a cogwheel train to the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer. Time to enjoy this stunning panorama before we descend. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
This morning after breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure perhaps to visit the Saara, for bargains in silver jewelry, leather goods or lacework. For the culture vultures there are museums and art galleries, or your can take a samba lesson! This evening, why not enjoy dinner at a vibrant restaurant and then visit a Samba club!
'Adeus' to Rio as we transfer to the airport for our return flight to your home

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