Grand South America Tour

TOUR ITINERARY : SOUTH AMERICA GRAND TOUR

Arrive in Lima, the capital of Peru and proceed for the city tour and visit the Main Square (Plaza Mayor), Government Palace, City Hall, the Cathedral, the San Francisco Convent and its “Catacombs” ancient underground cemetery of Lima, El Oidor, Torre Tagle Palace, a beautiful mansion dating back to the 18th century and the Osambela House. Afterwards visit the Gold Museum and splendid collection of guns. The tour continues to the modern and high end side of Lima city, the Mira Flores.Overnight in Lima..

After breakfast, transfer to airport to take an early morning flight to Cuzco. Arrive at the hotel. After acclimating to the altitude, we continue to enjoy a city tour in the afternoon. Visit nearby Ruins “Cusco” of Tambo Achy, Kenki, Puca – Pucara, and finally the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Also visit the Koricancha, or Temple of the Sun. Overnight in Cuzco

Begin your day with a breathtaking train ride which goes through Urubamba Valley, and mountain top ruins of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is an eye tantalizing tribute to man in harmony with nature. It is located high above the clouds. The city’s streets, temples, and staircases spread across a jungle ridge that eventually plunges more than 300 meters into the treacherous waters of the Rio Urubamaba below. High above the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu has become one of most popular destinations in South America. Take an afternoon train back to Cuzco. Overnight in the hotel.

Today, travel from Cusco past Saqsaywaman & Tambomachay, over the mountains toward the Sacred Valley. We descend 1500 feet to the valley floor of the sacred Urubamba river and the village of Pisac, where we will visit a traditional market and you can buy some local souvenirs. On the guided walk into the Citadel of Pisac, you can observe temples, residences, altars, channels, carvings, tunnels/caves, and the famous Intihuatana, “The hitching post of the Sun.” The amazing temple of the Sun: enormous blocks of rock perfectly carved and polished, stone water fountains, stairs, terraces, and the beauty of the local people in their traditional dress, all surrounded by the sacred mountains and Valley of Patacancha and Willoq. On our return to Cusco, we visit the famous church and archaeological site in Chincheros. Overnight in Cusco.

Take a morning flight to Santiago. Upon arrival, proceed for the hotel to check in. Proceed for half day city tour of Santiago, and later proceed for the beautiful wine country to Chile’s legendary Concha y Toro Winery. After a relaxing drive, pass through the traditional winery’s grand entrance to spend a pleasant afternoon enjoying the grounds.

Visit the garden city, Viña del Mar, Spanish for “Vineyard of the Sea.” The most famous and most visited beach in the Central Coast has much to offer. The city is ripe with beautiful parks, gardens, and avenues scattered across miles of sparkling beaches. Sights include the Presidential Castle, Liberty Avenue, the 1930’s Casino, and various classic century old “palaces.” Later, return to Santiago.

After breakfast, we depart for El Calafate to visit the magnificent Moreno glacier. A trip to this imposing glacier gives you a chance to walk on the ice wearing cleats, and to see and hear a truly astounding spectacle: blocks of ice rupturing and floating away as icebergs.

After having morning breakfast, we proceed for a whole day excursion to the Moreno glacier. On arrival at Moreno glacier, we shall proceed to board the wharf which takes you closer to the well-known Moreno glacier. After disembarking from the cruise, we shall board our coach & proceed back to El Calafate. Enjoy dinner.

After breakfast, transfer to airport and fly to Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina. After completing all the immigration formalities, you will be transferred to the hotel. Buenos Aires is one of the largest cities in Argentina, with over 11 million inhabitants. It is also the most elegant, sophisticated and active city in South America, and undoubtedly the one that summarizes the varied and heterogeneous essence of Argentine being. A city with modern structure and dynamic activities, it has found a way to preserve old traditions and lovely spots. Overnight in Buenos Aires.

After breakfast, we tour the city of Buenos Aires. You get a first-hand look at the historic architectural and demographic aspects of the city. We will visit “Plaza de Mayo,” the Pink House, the Buenos Aires Cathedral, the 9 of July Avenue, the Colon Theatre, the Obelisk, the National Congress, La Boca neighborhood with the traditional “Caminito Street,” “San Martin Plaza,” Recoleta Cemetery, and the Palermo Woods. In the afternoon, we will tour the Tigre and Parana’s Delta River, residential area north of the city that includes Vicente Lopez, Olivos (Presidential Residence), Martinez, and San Isidro. On arrival at Tigre, a bus will take us to the port to enjoy a ride on the catamaran traveling through the Delta of the Paraná River. Then we will return by bus along the Pan-American Highway to the city of Buenos Aires. Overnight in Buenos Aires.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day Fiesta Gaucho Tour at Estancia Santa Susana and meet ‘gauchos’ in their own environment. Ride to the outskirts of the city into the countryside, the ‘pampas,’ cradle of the ‘gaucho’ and the rich ‘gaucho’ tradition. Visit typical Estancia, who will welcome you with delicious Argentine ’empanadas,’ After dinner, enjoy the TANGO SHOW. This is a diverse and superb show with the great tango orchestras of the forties. A group of master tango musicians invite you to listen to excellent music while the passion, fire and charm of the tango dance is expressed by dancing couples. Also included are a folklore show with dancers and musicians from the Altiplano. Overnight in Buenos Aires.

After breakfast at the hotel, you depart Buenos Aires and fly to the natural wonder, Iguassu Falls, on the border of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. On arrival, visit the Argentina side of Iguassu Falls, and take a walking tour of this natural wonderland. You will see a never to be forgotten spectacle of 275 falls from different angles, walking through the raised platforms, and finally getting near the Devil’s Throat, with the immense amount of water spraying a large area around it. Overnight in Iguassu.

Today we enjoy the tour of Itapúa Dam, which is one of the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant, and a technological wonder. Stop at panoramic overlooks for photo opportunities. The spectacle of the spillway of the dam, with its huge flow of water, is particularly impressive. Then, we proceed to enjoy the falls by touring the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls National park. You will walk with the guide, descending a walkway, contemplating the lovely waterfalls in all of nature’s exuberance, with panoramic views of both sides- Brazilian and Argentinean. Reach the highest elevation, then descent into the Brazilian side lookout, which provides magnificent photo opportunities and views. Overnight in Iguassu.

Transfer to the airport to catch a flight for Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel, check in and enjoy lunch. Afternoon is at leisure, relax at the hotel. We will visit the Sugar Loaf, drive to “Praia Vermelha” (Red beach), to take the two stage car up to the top of Sugar Loaf (270 meters-high), which grants the entrance to Rio’s harbor and Guanabara Bay. The Italian made cable car holds 80 passengers, and each of the two stages takes two minutes. The first stage is Morro da Urca at 170 meters. The second stage goes to the Sugar Loaf itself, thus named for its resemblances to the loaf made with sugar baked by the Portuguese at the time of the city’s discovery. The view is spectacular at sunset. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Rio.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day city tour of Rio. Ascend on Corcovado Mountain by train to visit one of the world’s most famous landmarks, the gigantic statue of Christ, the Redeemer. Then proceed to Cascatinha, Tijuca Forest, to the top of Corcovado Mountain. Cidade Maravilhosa, “the marvelous city,” as it is known to its residents (or carioca’s) and to the rest of Brazil, is is known as the most beautiful city in the world. As a tropical resort with near perfect weather all year round, Rio offers miles of golden beaches, including, Ipanema and Copacabana, two of the most famous stretches of sand in the world. The tour continues with the visit to Metropolitan Cathedral, samba stadium and view of architectonic monuments of Rio. Overnight in Rio.

Today, we will check out from the hotel, transfer to airport and board the flight. Your memorable trip to South America ends here as you return back home.