WONDERS OF SOUTH AMERICA AND ANTARCTICA PREMIUM ESCORTED 31 DAY CRUISE AND TOUR February 7 to March 9, 2009 With Fiona and Gary Butchart Back to Main Page
FEB 07 FLY VANCOUVER TO RIO DE JANEIRO
FEB 08 ARRIVE IN RIO DE JANEIRO
Upon arrival in Rio, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon is at leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel Excelsior Copacabana (3 nights)
FEB 09 FULL DAY RIO DE JANEIRO TOUR (B/L)
Today you will enjoy a full day tour to Sugar Loaf, Corcovado Mountain and Tijuca Rain Forest. Drive along Rios famous beaches to the Praia Vermelha cable car station where you will be taken to the Urca Mountain (mid-way station) with its gardens and lookout Points. Then, the second part of the ride will take you to the peak of the Sugar Loaf Mountain, 1.300 ft. above sea level. Continue to the Cosme Velho train station. The cogwheel train will climb up through the Tijuca Rain Forest and will bring you to the steps of the Christ Statue. At 2.300 ft. above sea level, a breathtaking view of the City of Rio de Janeiro, the Guanabara Bay, Sugar Loaf Mountain, the 9 mile Rio
FEB 10 RIO DE JANEIRO (B/D)
Day free to enjoy Rio, or choose from one of our optional day tours. Evening Rio by Night! We will pick you up at your hotel for a wonderful samba show with dinner at one of Rio’s liveliest restaurants. The Samba show includes “mulatas” and “batuqueiros” showing you Brazilian rhythms, folklore and fancy Carnival costumes. Dinner and round trip transfers included.
FEB 11 FLY RIO DE JANEIRO TO IGUAZU (B)
This morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to Iguazu. Upon arrival at Foz Iguazu, transfer to your hotel on the Brazil side of the waterfalls. In the afternoon you will have a guided tour to the Brazilian side of the falls. The thunderous crash of tons of rushing water against basaltic rocks amidst the jungle of birds, butterflies and orchids will take your breath away!
Accommodation:Hotel Bourbon Cataratas Resort (1 night)
FEB 12 FLY IGUAZU TO BUENOS AIRES(B)
Transfer to the Argentinian domestic airport to take your flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Accommodation: Regal Pacific Deluxe hotel (2 nights)
FEB 13 BUENOS AIRES (B/D)
Today you are free to enjoy this city however you like. Tonight is a dinner and Tango show with transfers and drinks included.
FEB 14 TRANSFER TO THE PIER (B)
Check out and transfer from hotel to the pier to board your cruise!
MAR 02 SANTIAGO CITY TOUR (D)
Upon arrival in Valparaiso, transfer to your hotel in Santiago. This afternoon you will enjoy a city tour of Santiago. Santiago is a city of contrasts, with traditional areas, commercial centres and modern districts. Our tour starts at the church of San Francisco, built between 1572 and 1618. We continue to the West, pass Club Hipico, one of the most beautiful in South America due to its end- of-the-century architecture, and continue to the city-centre, passing the palace of Cousino Macul. We visit the old and traditional neighbourhoods where we learn about the life-style and commercial situation of Chile around 1900. On our way to the centre we pass La Moneda, the seat of the government and the Presidential palace. Then we visit the historical centre of Santiago, including Plaza de Armas with the Cathedral, the Central post office and the National History Museum. Later we reach Cerro Santa Lucía where Pedro Valdivia founded Santiago in 1541. Crossing Rio Mapocho, we pass through the bohemian quarter of Bellavista before ascending Cerro San Cristobal. From here we have a beautiful view of Santiago with the Andes as background. Once visited the eastern parts of Santiago, we continue westwards. We drive through Providencia, a traditional sector with a bustling commercial and social life, including many restaurants, pubs and boutiques. We continue our way through the modern areas of Santiago with big commercial centres (Santa Maria de Manquehue, Vitacura and Las Condes) until getting to the feet of the Andes where we find residential areas with beautiful houses, big gardens, private colleges and commercial areas. Return to your hotel for dinner this evening.
Accommodation:Hotel Bonaparte (2 nights)
MAR 03 SANTIAGO (D)
Today you are at leisure to enjoy this lovely city and its surrounding area however you wish. Return to your hotel for dinner this evening.
MAR 04 FLY SANTIAGO TO CUZCO VIA LIMA (D)
This morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima and connect to the flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. You will enjoy a dinner show at Inka Wall restaurant, which has a very rustic, Peruvian-décor and authentic cuisine.
Accommodation:Libertador Cusco (2 nights)
MAR 05 CUZCO CITY TOUR (B/D)
Morning half-day city tour of Cuzco, visiting the Korikancha temple or Temple of the Sun, the Cathedral and its Art Museum and the artisan’s quarter of San Blas and San Blas church. Continuing to the nearby water shrine of Tambomachay (the Inca Fountains), Puca Pucara (the Red Fortress), amphitheater of Kenko and finally the Sacsayhuaman Fortress. Tonight enjoy a dinner and show at the Cava San Rafael restaurant.
MAR 06 VISTADOME TRAIN (B)
Morning transfer to the train station. The Vistadome train takes us through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to the town of Aguas Calientes. From here, we will board a bus to the Lost Citadel of Machu Picchu. We will then have a guided tour of the ruins. Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marches of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stone works of the Cusco Imperial style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. It was associated with the earth cult revolving around the Coca leaf, which was a privilege of the Inca Royal family and priests. You will have time to enjoy a light lunch, and return to your hotel at your leisure.
Accommodation:Sumaq Hotel (1 night)
MAR 07 DAY AT LEISURE / VISTADOME TRAIN (B/D)
Day is at leisure. You may choose to return to Machu Picchu, hike Huayna Picchu, or relax in the village of Aguas Calientes and its hot springs. In the afternoon, we will board the train to return to Cuzco. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening.
Accommodation:Libertador Cusco (1 night)
MAR 08 FLY LIMA TO HOUSTON (B)
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima. Private shopping tour taking you to the handicraft markets. You will have the opportunity to buy all of the wonderful things made by the local people of Peru. Evening transfer to the airport to take the flight home. Accommodation: JW Marriott (Day Room only).
MAR 09 FLY HOUSTON TO VANCOUVER
Continue flight home via Houston, TX.
3 DAY AMAZON RAINFOREST EXTENSION - $799 PER PERSON March 8th - 11th, 2009
Day 1 : Arrival in Iquitos (B)
Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Iquitos. Overnight Dorado Plaza.
Day 2 : Iquitos / Ceiba Tops (L/D)
Brief city orientation and transfer to the Explorama dock. Twenty-five mile journey down the Amazon River to Ceiba Tops, where rooms with air conditioning and private bathrooms provide the comforts of home in the rainforest. Afternoon hike in the beautiful primary rainforest reserve surrounding the lodge which includes many huge trees festooned with epiphytes. After dinner there may be local flute or guitar music at the El Toucan Bar or the guides are always ready to relate some of the many legends of the Amazon forest. Overnight Ceiba Tops.
Day 3 : Ceiba Tops (B/L/D)
Morning boat ride, spotting for dolphins, to visit a small village of Yagua Indians where your guide will explain the local Yagua Indian culture and how it was affected by the arrival of Europeans and the passing of time. There will also be an opportunity to see some of the local crafts and for a demonstration of the blowgun which some of the Yagua elders still use for hunting. Afternoon walking excursion to the neighboring town of Indiana. Originally a Franciscan mission, Indiana has grown into a large river community with its own market, high school and small hospital. Overnight Ceiba Tops.
Day 4 : Ceiba Tops / Iquitos
Your choice of morning walking or boating excursion to further enjoy the rainforest and Amazon River. Afternoon transfer to Iquitos and to the airport. Breakfast, Lunch (if departure flight permits)
Due to the everchanging nature of the rainforest, day-by-day activities are subject to change due to weather, trail or river conditions. Bring rain gear and sunscreen as for all Explorama Rainforest programs
Inclusions:
Departure transfer in Lima to airport
Domestic flights Lima to Iquitos
Arrival transfer in Iquitos to hotel
3 nights and 2 days Ceiba Tops Package with Full American Breakfast plan (and other meals as indicated)
Domestic flights from Iquitos back to Lima
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