DISCOVER SPECTACULAR PERU, BRAZIL ARGENTINA

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Aubrey Peters
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1 DISCOVER SPECTACULAR PERU, BRAZIL + ARGENTINA * Return flights from Australia to South America Guided touring around South America 2 night cruise aboard the Amatista Riverboat All flights within South America as per the itinerary Home to airport transfers (Adelaide metro area only) 16 breakfasts (B), 8 lunches (L) & 6 dinners (D) Discover the Sacred Valley and the pre-inca salt pans of Las Salineras Explore the Ollantaytambo and Pisac ruins Visit the Parque de la Papa (Potato Park) Enjoy a guided tour of the Machu Picchu ruins Look to the night sky at the Cusco Planetarium Explore the Pacaya Samiria Reserve in the Amazon Rainforest Experience a night excursion to Piranha Creek Discover Buenos Aires, South America s liveliest city Witness the might of the Iguazu Falls Explore the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro

Enjoy a guided tour of the Machu Picchu ruins on your tour, with transport by train from Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes and Cusco.

Follow your local guide to Machu Picchu to learn about its history at a leisurely pace.

Take time to sit and feel the energy of this 15 th -century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

Relax and soak in the natural beauty of the wild rainforest and step out onto the deck to watch the riverbanks go by, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife such as grey

Naturalist guides will lead you on jungle excursions by skiff and on foot, giving you informative lectures that point out unique species of bird and marine life as you

You ll also visit the Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm and the Pilpintuwasi Wildlife Rescue Center during your cruise to learn about the centre s passionate conservation work.

2 Enjoy a guided tour of the Machu Picchu ruins on your tour, with transport by train from Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes and Cusco. You ll depart your hotel in Aguas Calientes in the early morning to see the Lost City of the Incas in the early morning light the best time to see the ruins. Follow your local guide to Machu Picchu to learn about its history at a leisurely pace. Gain local insight into the Inti Mach ay Cave, Inti Watana, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Water, the Temple of the Condor, and the Room of the Three Windows. Take time to sit and feel the energy of this 15 th -century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Your 2 night riverboat exploration cruise is one of the best ways to explore the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, part of the Amazon Rainforest. Relax and soak in the natural beauty of the wild rainforest and step out onto the deck to watch the riverbanks go by, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife such as grey and pink dolphins. Naturalist guides will lead you on jungle excursions by skiff and on foot, giving you informative lectures that point out unique species of bird and marine life as you explore the smaller tributaries of the river. You ll also visit the Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm and the Pilpintuwasi Wildlife Rescue Center during your cruise to learn about the centre s passionate conservation work. Explore the mighty Iguazu Falls in depth with a 2 day stopover, visiting both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides of the falls. The falls are 2 kilometres in length, and are made up of 275 waterfalls in total, some of which stretch up to 80 metres high. This makes them both higher than Niagara Falls and wider than Victoria Falls. The Brazilian side of the falls offers great sweeping panoramic views of the falls, whilst the Argentinean side gets you up close and personal with the falls. During your tour, you can also choose to take an optional zodiac boat ride below the falls to get an even more exhilarating look at the Iguazu Falls.

Your South American adventure begins today with a flight from your homeport to the city of Lima, Peru.

Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome briefing where your tour guide will review the details of your tour.

Salineras still in use today. Marvel at the terraced pools set amongst the beauty of the Sacred Valley.

Climb down to the bottom of the great circular depressions and notice how the temperature shifts with the depth sometimes as much as 15C.

The thousand year-old tradition of Pachamanca involves baking an assortment of meat and vegetables in an oven of hot stones, earth, and grass.

guinea pig. Savour this traditional meal prepared by an experienced chef.

unique experience that is exclusive to your tour.

Learn about life in an Andean agricultural community.

head out to the fields to watch the planting or harvesting process, depending on the season.

Learn about the natural dyeing process and witness alpaca wool strands being transformed into beautiful textiles through a centuries-old backstrap

Your visit to this special community means this local enterprise can continue earning an income that supports their development and conservation goals.

3 Your South American adventure begins today with a flight from your homeport to the city of Lima, Peru. On arrival in Lima, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation for your overnight stay. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome briefing where your tour guide will review the details of your tour. Hotel stay: San Augustin Exclusive Hotel or similar (1 night) Board an early flight to Cusco this morning, then visit the pre-incan salt pans of Las Salineras still in use today. Marvel at the terraced pools set amongst the beauty of the Sacred Valley. Then, explore the ancient site of Moray, which archeologists believe was used to conduct agricultural experiments. Climb down to the bottom of the great circular depressions and notice how the temperature shifts with the depth sometimes as much as 15C. Tonight, you ll enjoy a traditional Pachamanca Dinner. The thousand year-old tradition of Pachamanca involves baking an assortment of meat and vegetables in an oven of hot stones, earth, and grass. Meat is usually seasoned with local spices and wrapped in a banana leaf before it s placed on the hot stones and can include lamb, pork, chicken or guinea pig. Savour this traditional meal prepared by an experienced chef. Hotel stay: Hotel San Augustin Urubamba or similar (2 nights) Continue exploring the Sacred Valley with a visit to the Parque de la Papa (Potato Park), a unique experience that is exclusive to your tour. Here, six communities of approximately 6000 indigenous people are working together to preserve over 700 species of potato a cornerstone of life here. Learn about life in an Andean agricultural community. Walk through the park here with a local guide, dropping by the seed bank (which has direct ties to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway) and then head out to the fields to watch the planting or harvesting process, depending on the season. Enjoy some of the delicious varieties of potato and visit the small stone hut where traditional weaving takes place. Learn about the natural dyeing process and witness alpaca wool strands being transformed into beautiful textiles through a centuries-old backstrap weaving style. Your visit to this special community means this local enterprise can continue earning an income that supports their development and conservation goals. Tour the fascinating hilltop citadel of Pisac, an Incan ruin with plunging gorges, a ceremonial centre, and winding agriculture terracing that's still in use today. Be captivated by this truly amazing site sitting amid sweeping green valleys and mountain peaks. Explore the back of the site to see a pocketed cliff across Kitamayo Gorge, which once contained hundreds of Inca tombs. Contribute to sustainable tourism in Huchuy Qosqo, a small village of 65 families in the Sacred Valley, by eating at the Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn how this resident-run restaurant became a successful farm-to-table program that boosts the local economy and several spin-off microenterprises. Tour the town and fortress of Ollantaytambo with a local guide. Take a step back in time at this Inca archaeological site - it still shows signs of its former glory, including agricultural terraces, a Temple Hill, and storehouses. Learn how the area, overlooking the Urubamba River Valley, was an important stronghold during warfare between the Spanish and Incas.

Catch an early transfer to Ollantaytambo station and board the scenic train to Aguas Calientes with option to visit

For serious archaeology buffs, there is time for an optional independent visit to Machu Picchu before the guided

Note: Please bear in mind that the town has several amenities, but is also geographically remote meaning services

As the only option for travellers visiting Machu Picchu, the development of infrastructure has happened quite

experienced in other parts of the country.

the Incas is in the early morning light.

Gain local insight into the Inti Mach ay cave, Inti Watana, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Water, the

Take time to sit and feel the energy of this 15thcentury site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one

Hotel stay: Taypikala Hotel Cusco or similar (2 nights) There's plenty to see and do in Cusco, and we wanted to

Feel free to relax or try optional activities like visiting Museo Inka, Museo de Historia Regional, and whitewater

4 Catch an early transfer to Ollantaytambo station and board the scenic train to Aguas Calientes with option to visit the market. For serious archaeology buffs, there is time for an optional independent visit to Machu Picchu before the guided tour the following morning. Note: Please bear in mind that the town has several amenities, but is also geographically remote meaning services are sometimes more basic than one would assume. As the only option for travellers visiting Machu Picchu, the development of infrastructure has happened quite quickly, much without proper planning, and the focus on providing quality service may not be up to the standards experienced in other parts of the country. Hotel stay: Hotel Taypikala Machupicchu or similar (1 night) Rise and shine the best time to see the Lost City of the Incas is in the early morning light. Follow the local guide to Machu Picchu to learn about its history at a leisurely pace. Gain local insight into the Inti Mach ay cave, Inti Watana, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Water, the Temple of the Condor, and the Room of the Three Windows. Take time to sit and feel the energy of this 15thcentury site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World (in a worldwide Internet poll). Hotel stay: Taypikala Hotel Cusco or similar (2 nights) There's plenty to see and do in Cusco, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like visiting Museo Inka, Museo de Historia Regional, and whitewater rafting. This evening, look to the night sky for a different view of the city. Explore the Cusco Planetarium surrounded by the serene nature of the Llaullipata Ecological Reserve. Enjoy a presentation on the southern sky, contemporary astronomy, and the ancient Incas relationship with the cosmos. Check out the on-site museum and use the telescopes to admire the stars (weather-permitting). Catch an early morning flight to the bustling jungle port town of Iquitos. Enjoy an orientation of the town, then travel by boat to a unique floating restaurant specializing in local Amazonian cuisine. Feel free to bring your bathing suit to the restaurant as they have a pool to cool off in. Hotel stay: Victoria Regia Hotel or similar (1 night)

Enjoy a morning excursion by boat to visit the Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm, which has replicated the natural environment of 17 different butterfly species.

If we are lucky, we ll witness a release.

The centre works with ecological authorities to take in animals (including monkeys, capybaras, jaguars, and more) confiscated from markets, airports, and private homes.

After, transfer to the riverboat, our home for the next two nights. Settle in to your comfortable cabin and enjoy a briefing from ship crew.

Take advantage of this nighttime boat ride in the wild, and watch the Amazon become a different domain.

See if our flashlights will reflect the red eye shine of the black caiman or show the glowing yellow eyes of a jaguar.

Step out on deck to watch the riverbanks go by, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as grey and pink dolphins.

river. Cruise: Amatista Riverboat or similar (2 nights) Head out into Pacaya-Samiria Reserve on a boat excursion and search for monkeys, sloths and macaws.

Try to spot parrots, macaws, herons, kingfishers, swallows, martins, falcons, black collared hawks and many more.

5 Enjoy a morning excursion by boat to visit the Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm, which has replicated the natural environment of 17 different butterfly species. Learn about the centre s passionate conservation work and the importance of butterflies to the Amazon ecosystem. 70% of all the butterflies they breed here are released into the wild. If we are lucky, we ll witness a release. Also visit the Pilpintuwasi Wildlife Rescue Center a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting animals affected by poaching and trafficking. The centre works with ecological authorities to take in animals (including monkeys, capybaras, jaguars, and more) confiscated from markets, airports, and private homes. Learn about the important work this center does in saving animals and in educating local communities about the importance of conservation and wildlife protection. After, transfer to the riverboat, our home for the next two nights. Settle in to your comfortable cabin and enjoy a briefing from ship crew. The river exploration begins with an evening boat excursion by motorized skiff with our expert guide. Watch as the jungle comes alive with nocturnal species at nighttime. Take advantage of this nighttime boat ride in the wild, and watch the Amazon become a different domain. Be on the lookout for bats, capybaras, black caimans, poison frogs, and a vast number of other species. See if our flashlights will reflect the red eye shine of the black caiman or show the glowing yellow eyes of a jaguar. Relax and soak in the natural beauty of the wild rainforest onboard the Amazon Riverboat. Step out on deck to watch the riverbanks go by, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as grey and pink dolphins. Naturalist guides will lead jungle excursions by skiff and on foot, give lectures, and point out unique species of bird and marine life as you explore the smaller tributaries of the river. Cruise: Amatista Riverboat or similar (2 nights) Head out into Pacaya-Samiria Reserve on a boat excursion and search for monkeys, sloths and macaws. Rise early to head out in this birdwatching haven on the search for over 200 bird species that call the Amazon home. Try to spot parrots, macaws, herons, kingfishers, swallows, martins, falcons, black collared hawks and many more. The guides will point out the interesting wildlife species that inhabit the riverbanks, and unusual fish and vegetation that can be found in the river. Stay on the lookout for squirrel and wooly monkeys, caimans and sloths. In the afternoon, take a walk through the jungle and visit a local community to learn about their traditions. After dinner, opt to go on a night excursion to Piranha Creek. Explore the shoreline by boat keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife. In the afternoon, leave the peacefulness of the river behind and visit the Amazonian Manatee Rescue Centre. Learn about the efforts of this centre, an organization focused on rescuing orphaned manatees that were the victims of poaching. The centre helps to rehabilitate and reintroduce these very rare and endangered mammals back into the Amazon Basin. Take this opportunity to observe these amazing and lovable animals be sure to bring your camera! Later this afternoon, board your flight back to Lima and enjoy the evening in the city. Hotel stay: San Augustin Exclusive Hotel or similar (1 night)

A transfer will meet you at your hotel this morning to take you to Lima Airport in time for your flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival, a transfer will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.

Hotel stay: Tango de Mayo Hotel or similar (2 nights) This morning, get ready to be captivated by Argentina s most famous dance - the Tango.

You will then be invited to join an hour long beginner s class to learn some of the basic techniques and understand the rhythm.

Today s lunch will be a home-made empanada lunch at a local social project dedicated to empower local women teaching them how to make alfajor (a local delicacy), employing them in the factory and

Next, wander the cobbled streets of San Telmo and finish the tour getting to know the most iconic place of Buenos Aires and maybe even Argentina, Plaza de Mayo.

6 A transfer will meet you at your hotel this morning to take you to Lima Airport in time for your flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival, a transfer will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Welcome to Buenos Aires, the cosmopolitan epicentre of South America. You will be transferred to your hotel upon arrival. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm. Hotel stay: Tango de Mayo Hotel or similar (2 nights) This morning, get ready to be captivated by Argentina s most famous dance - the Tango. In a private space, a professional Tango couple will explain the dance s origin and history, as well as demonstrating the intimately fluid movements for you. You will then be invited to join an hour long beginner s class to learn some of the basic techniques and understand the rhythm. Following our dance lesson, join your local guide on a visit to Recoleta Cemetery the final resting place of some of the city s most famous residents and walk among the tombs and monuments. Today s lunch will be a home-made empanada lunch at a local social project dedicated to empower local women teaching them how to make alfajor (a local delicacy), employing them in the factory and selling Empanadas since Walk around La Boca and its well-known Caminito district, before moving on to the lesser-known side of this colourful neighbourhood to visit an artist's gallery. Next, wander the cobbled streets of San Telmo and finish the tour getting to know the most iconic place of Buenos Aires and maybe even Argentina, Plaza de Mayo. Fly to Puerto Iguazu in Argentina, the gateway to the mighty Iguazu Falls. Spend the next two days exploring the falls in depth, seeing them from both the Argentinean and Brazilian sides. The falls are two kilometres in length, and are made up of 275 waterfalls in total, some of which stretch up to 80 metres high. This makes them both higher than Niagara and wider than Victoria Falls. The Brazilian side of the falls offers great panoramic views of them. For birds-eye views of the falls, you can take an optional helicopter flight over the top of them. Hotel stay: Hotel El Pueblito or similar (2 nights) Make an early start, 7:30am, to visit the Argentinean side of the falls today, which has boardwalks allowing you to get up close and personal with these towering rapids. Choose to get an even more exhilarating look at Iguazu with an optional zodiac boat ride below the falls. Later today, you will have the opportunity to meet one of the few remaining original inhabitants of the region, the Guarani. Return to the hotel at approximately 5pm.

Cross the border into Brazil and take a flight from Foz do Iguacu to Rio de Janeiro.

monarchy fled Europe under the threat of Napolean and took up residence here.

The white sands of Cobacapana and Ipanema beaches offer an interesting snapshot of local life.

Head up to Santa Teresa, a beautiful artistic neighbourhood situated on a hill overlooking the city.

the famous Selaron Stairs. Continue on to Corcovado for an eagle-view of the city from the base of Christ the Reedemer.

Accompanied by your local guide, you'll head through narrow alleys, learn about local life and meet some of the people who

The tour will conclude at a local house in the favela, where you will taste the most authentic food the city can offer!

caipirinha; the national cocktail made with cachaça, sugar & lime.

Sadly, your South American tour ends after breakfast this morning.

here. Mar: 18 $9,850 pp twin share Apr: 15, 29 $9,980 pp twin share Jun: 10 $9,850 pp twin share Jun: 24 $9,690 pp twin

7 Cross the border into Brazil and take a flight from Foz do Iguacu to Rio de Janeiro. Witness the intense green of Guanabara Bay and the beauty of the surrounding slopes of the Corcovado and Sugarloaf that make Rio such a majestic place. Take in the Portugese influence here, which is especially apparent in the opulent buildings constructed when the Portuguese monarchy fled Europe under the threat of Napolean and took up residence here. Be struck by the contrast between this extravagance and the destitute poverty of the favelas. The white sands of Cobacapana and Ipanema beaches offer an interesting snapshot of local life. Hotel stay: Hotel Arena Copacabana or similar (2 nights) Today, you ll visit some of Rio de Janeiro's most iconic sights. Head up to Santa Teresa, a beautiful artistic neighbourhood situated on a hill overlooking the city. While walking the cobbled streets you'll discover eclectic architecture, art galleries and restaurants before stopping by the famous Selaron Stairs. Continue on to Corcovado for an eagle-view of the city from the base of Christ the Reedemer. One of the new Seven Wonders of the World, this enormous white statue stands over Rio, offering sweeping 360-degree views of the city s natural wonders. Next, it s time to experience a different side of the city, with a visit to the Santa Marta favela. Accompanied by your local guide, you'll head through narrow alleys, learn about local life and meet some of the people who make up this vibrant community. The tour will conclude at a local house in the favela, where you will taste the most authentic food the city can offer! Our local host Sallete will welcome you into her home with a readiness to answer questions, a smile and of course a caipirinha; the national cocktail made with cachaça, sugar & lime. Lunch will be a typical dish called Feijoada, a stew of black beans, kale and pork. Sadly, your South American tour ends after breakfast this morning. You will be transferred from your hotel to Rio de Janeiro Airport in time for your flight home. Arrive back in Sydney this afternoon. Interstate travellers will need to recheck-in their bags for their domestic flight after clearing immigration and customs here. Mar: 18 $9,850 pp twin share Apr: 15, 29 $9,980 pp twin share Jun: 10 $9,850 pp twin share Jun: 24 $9,690 pp twin share Jul: 8 $9,690 pp twin share Nov: 11, 25 $9,690 pp twin share Add $300 per person to the prices above From $3,150 per person Upgrade your cabin on the Amatista Riverboat to one on the Upper Deck. Add $200 per person to the prices above Add a 4 day stopover package in Santiago, a lively, cultured city that is full of surprises. Sitting between the Andes and the Chilean coastline, the city serves as a perfect sampler of all that Chile has to offer. Your stopover package includes 3 nights centrally located accommodation in Santiago, breakfast each morning, a private tour that traces the city s history, access to a Local Host throughout your stay, and return airport transfers. The package will be added to the end of your adventure before you fly home. TO BOOK THIS STOPOVER HOLIDAY, ADD: From $950 per person twin share Single supplement: from $890 per person

Inca Discovery Plus - 3 (Cusco Stay)

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