31 days Rome to Rio De Janeiro Tick off the Seven New Wonders of the World on this 31-day roundthe-world adventure. Visit Rome s Colosseum, the Rose City of Petra, the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, Chichen Itza, Machu Picchu and Christ the Redeemer in Rio plus the Pyramids of Giza, the solesurviving ancient wonder. HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Trip Highlights Wonders of the World - Visit all 7 of the modern wonders of the world as well as the last remaining ancient wonder of the world Rome - Explore the beautiful city of Rome and Indulge yourself in the amazing history of the Colosseum Cairo - The iconic Pyramids of Giza and the great Sphinx - the only remaining ancient wonder of the world. Visit the impressive Egyptian National Museum Petra - Adventure through UNESCO-listed Nabataean city that was all but lost to the modern world until its rediscovery in 1812 Dead Sea - Relax in the warm buoyant mineral-rich waters Agra and the Taj Mahal - Admire India s most famous monument and visit nearby Agra Fort - 31 days Delhi - Take in the sights of old and new Delhi Beijing - Explore the fascinating history of this amazing city, visiting Tienanmen Square and the Forbidden City Great Wall of China - Travel to China's greatest engineering triumph and explore this incredible feat of defence that can be seen from space Chichen Itza - Be transported back in time to one of the best preserved examples of the architecture of the Maya people Machu Picchu - Discover one of the most fascinating ancient sites in the world in a truly spectacular setting Rio De Janeiro - Marvel at iconic Christ the Redeemer and the opportunity to visit the world-famous beaches of Copacabana or Ipanema during free time What's Included Guided sightseeing as per the itinerary in Rome, Cairo, Petra, Agra Fort and Taj Mahal, Delhi, Beijing, The Great Wall of China, Chichen Itza, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu and Rio De Janeiro. Led by an English speaking tour guide 27 Breakfast 27 nights 3-5 star hotels Arrival airport transfer on day 1 and departure transfer on day 31 All relevant transfers and transportation in a private vehicle Entrance fees to all included sites What's Not Included Visas - Visas are your own responsibility. Please ask for further information about visa requirements Tipping - an entirely personal gesture Rome City Tax - 6 per person per night, to be paid locally. International Flights - Please contact our reservations team who can assist with booking the specific flights necessary for this tour DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1 : Rome Your adventure begins! Our tour starts with in Rome, the capital of Italy and home of the first New World Wonder on your amazing month long tour. On arrival you ll be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight - Rome -1-
Days 2-3 : The Colosseum of Rome Day 5 : Pyramids of Giza After check in at the hotel the rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight - Petra (B) Day 8 : The Rose City of Petra On day 2 we enjoy a tour of the highlights of Rome. We start at the Piazza Venezia, the central hub of Rome, from here we walk to the famous Piazza Del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo from where you will have a fantastic view of the Roman Forum. Later we continue past the Circus Maximus and the Aventino Hill. Admire the beautiful statue of Moses by Michelangelo located in the Church of St. Peter s in Chains before we continue to our first wonder of the world on this tour, the symbol of the eternal city: The Colosseum. Built over 1,900 years ago, it is thought to be the largest amphitheatre ever made. We will explore this incredible engineering feat, learning about the history of why it was built and the gruesome sport that took place here many years ago. Day 3 is free for you to explore more of the city independently. Overnight - Rome (B:2) Day 4 : Rome to Cairo Today we take a group transfer to the airport to catch our flight to Cairo. The capital of Egypt is home to the only remaining survivor of the original Seven World Wonders and has a special place on our Wonders of the World tour. On arrival you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel for check in with the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight - Cairo (B) On day 5 enjoy a guided tour of the incredible Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza. The planets oldest tourist attractions, the Pyramids are constructed from over 2.5 million limestone blocks. Research suggests it took over 20 years to build the Pyramids and they are an amazing sight to behold. You ll have the opportunity to enter inside one of the Pyramids, whilst an unbelievable experience, do remember the inside of the Pyramids is hot and humid and definitely not recommend for people who are claustrophobic. This afternoon we continue to the Egyptian National Museum of Antiquities. Boasting an extensive collection of over 120,000 ancient Egyptian artefacts, there are numerous exhibits to be fascinated by. One of the highlights of the museum is the funerary treasures of King Tutankhamen, including his legendary solid gold death mask. Also during the visit you can choose to visit the Royal Mummy Room, where 9 royal mummies from the New Kingdom is displayed. Day 9 : Ancient Mosaics of Madaba Day 6 : Free time in Cairo Today is a free day to enjoy Cairo your own way. Consider relaxing by the hotel swimming pool, snapping up a few bargains at the Khan el Khalili bazaar or further sightseeing. Overnight - Cairo (B) Cairo - Amman - Petra. Today we depart Cairo and fly onward to Jordan. Arriving in Amman you ll be met at the airport before being transferred south to the magical city of Petra. The drive time is around 3 hours and you ll pass some stunning scenery on the way. city further, discovering tombs, temples, a roman colonnaded street and a remarkable amphitheatre. If you're feeling energetic ascend the hundreds of rock-cut steps to AdDeir. Better known as the Monastery, Ad-Deir has a similar facade to that of the Treasury, but is far bigger and the views from the nearby cliff-tops are incredible! Overnight - Petra (B) Overnight - Cairo (B) Day 7 : Cairo to Amman - 31 days This morning we make our way to the ancient Nabatean Rose City of Petra a UNESCO world heritage site. To access the hidden treasures of the Rose City we must walk down a narrow, deep siq, building suspense until the rocks finally part to reveal the famous facade of Al-Khazneh (the Treasury). From here we will explore the ancient Petra - Shobak Castle - Madaba - Mt Nebo - Dead Sea. Departing Petra this morning we head for the Dead Sea. We will journey through the Heisha mountains stopping first to tour the 12th century Shobak Crusader Castle. Continuing to Madaba we see the world s largest collection of ancient mosaics before visiting St George s church with a beautiful 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land. Next stop is Mount Nebo, the place -2-
where Moses viewed the Promised Land, from here you ll be able to see Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, Jericho and even Jerusalem on a clear day. We finish our day by descending to the Dead Sea, the shores of which are the lowest point of land on earth s surface. This afternoon you ll have the opportunity to take a dip in the unusually warm and incredibly buoyant mineral rich waters. The Dead Sea, renowned for its curative powers and therapeutic qualities, is the world's oldest spa! Overnight - Dead Sea (B) Day 10 : Amman to Delhi Today offers some free time to relax at the Dead Sea before this afternoon making our way to Amman Airport for our evening, overnight, flight to Delhi. Overnight - Flight (B) Day 13 : Agra Fort Agra - Delhi. We begin our day at the Agra Fort, Behind its colossal walls are some of the finest Mughal buildings in India. Construction of the fort commenced during the reign of Emperor Akbar and additions continued to be made until the rule of his grandson Shah Jahan. During Akbar s time, it was primarily a military fort though later the focus shifted and it partially became a palace. After touring this impressive fort we will make the journey back to Delhi. Overnight - Delhi (B) Day 14 : Guided tour of Old and New Delhi Day 11 : Arrive Delhi This morning we arrive into Delhi and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax at your hotel or explore Delhi. Overnight - Delhi Day 12 : Taj Mahal at Sunset Today we enjoy a guided tour of Old and New Delhi taking in Humayun's Tomb, Jama Masjid - India s oldest and largest mosque and Raj Ghat - the site of Gandhi s cremation in Old Delhi, and in New Delhi we visit Rajpath and India Gate. Late this afternoon we will transfer to the airport for our overnight flight to Beijing. Overnight - Flight (B) established in 1045BC and served as the capital of a number of dynasties spanning 800 years. Today we enjoy a sightseeing tour, starting at Tiananmen Square, the world s largest public square. To the south of the square you will find the Zhengyang Gate, built in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty. Towards the centre of the square you ll find the Monument to the Peoples Heroes, this tenstory obelisk is dedicated to the martyrs of the revolutionary struggles during the 19th and 20th century. Next we ll visit the Forbidden City, a formidable palace complex that was once only opening to those on imperial business. Measuring 720,000sqm in size, it is dominated by vast gates, temples, halls and palatial buildings. Surrounded by a moat it is said that the Forbidden City is made up of 9,999 rooms. This afternoon we visit Silk Alley, here you ll have a chance to splash some cash in a retail haven that is a Beijing institution. Some bling jewellery for the lady and perhaps a genuine copy Rolex watch for the gent? Overnight - Beijing (B) Days 17-18 : The Great Wall of China Day 15 : Arrive Beijing Delhi - Agra. This morning we head out of the hustle and bustle of Delhi and make our way to Agra. Home to the awe inspiring Taj Mahal. This afternoon we will visit the most extravagant monument ever built for love, just as the sun is setting. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved second wifemumtaz Mahal, who died tragically during childbirth, the Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble, construction began in 1631, the year in which Mumtaz died, and was not completed until 1653. It s estimated that up to 20,000 people worked on the construction of the Taj Mahal. Overnight - Agra (B) Arriving into Beijing today we ll be transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight - Beijing Day 16 : Forbidden City Not only is Beijing the capital but also the political, economic and cultural centre of China. With a fascinating history, Beijing was - 31 days Beijing - Great Wall of China - Beijing. Today we head out of Beijing to Badaling to visit the imposing Great Wall of China. The sometimes steep walk is made all the more breathtaking by the stunning views and the realisation that this 2,200 year-old wall isn t just a common or garden wall, but a 6700 kilometre wall that at one time served to protect the new China from marauding invaders from the north. Today s excursion then continues to the imperial Ming tombs, where some 13 emperors were -3-
interred in elaborate mausoleums, a couple of which can be seen. we ll be met and transferred to our hotel for our overnight stay. Overnight - Lima (B) Day 24 : Lima to Cuzco Day 18 offers free time for you to explore Beijing your own way. Perhaps head to the hutongs, where the hire of a rickshaw will take you through Beijing s old back lanes that are lined with courtyard homes and offer a fascinating snapshot of the city s traditional domesticity. Overnight - Beijing (B:2) Today we return to the airport to catch our flight to Cuzco. Once we ve been escorted to our hotel in Cuzco the rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight - Cusco (B) Day 25 : Incan fortress of Ollantaytambo Day 19 : Beijing to Cancun Day 22 offers further free time; you may wish to take an optional tour to Tulum, another place of importance to the Mayan history or simply relax by the beach. Overnight - Playa del Carmen (B:3) Day 23 : Cancun to Lima On day 23 we transfer to the airport for our flight to the capital of Peru, Lima. Upon arrival - 31 days Day 27 : Overnight Flight Cusco to Rio De Janeiro Days 28-30 : Christ The Redeemer Days 20-22 : Chichen Itza two different periods in the Mayan history: one purely Mayan and the other one with Toltec influence, these can be seen in the different types of architecture and sculptures. In Chichen Itza we will visit the highlights including Kukulkan pyramid, the Castle, the Ballgame and the Tiger Temple. Incas on the summit of "Machu Picchu", it overlooks the deep canyon of the Urubamba river in a semi-tropical area. This afternoon we return to Cusco. Overnight - Cusco (B) Today offers free time to explore the beautiful city of Cusco. Later this afternoon we ll transfer to the airport for our overnight flight to Rio. Overnight - Flight (B) Today we transfer to the airport for our flight across time zones to Cancun. Upon arrival we ll transfer to our hotel close to the beautiful beach of Playa Del Carmen. Overnight - Playa del Carmen (B) Day 20 offers some free time to relax before we visit Chichen Itza on day 21. Chichen Itza is an immense archaeological site spanning an area of over 300 hectares. It is a very interesting and important site and represents of the highlights including the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial and the Royal Quarters. The legendary 'Lost City' is without a doubt one of the world's most impressive archaeological sites. Built by the Cusco - Pisac - Ollantaytambo. Departing Cusco this morning we make our towards the Urubamba Valley, here we will visit the Pisac archaeological complex. This collection of Incan dwellings, temples and terraces are perfectly situated within the beautiful landscape of the Sacred Valleys. We then continue to the famous Pisac Markets, known for its colourful traditional handicrafts. You ll have some time to barter with the local merchants before we continue to Ollantaytambo. This Incan fortress and citadel were built in the mid 15th century and was constructed to guard the entrance to this part of the valley. Overnight - Ollantaytambo (B) Day 26 : Machu Picchu This morning we transfer to the train station for our scenic train journey through the mountains to the town of Aguas Calientes, the gateway to the famous Incan Citadel of Machu Picchu. Here you ll enjoy a guided tour Arriving into Rio de Janeiro this morning we ll be escorted to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. On Day 29 we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city. A very photogenic city, we ll make our way up to Sugar Loaf Mountain this morning, rising up from a small peninsula in Guanabara bay. We reach the summit by taking two cable cars, from here you ll have amazing views out across the city. Look out on some famous part of the city including Botafogo and Copacabana Beaches, the Corcovado and downtown Rio. This afternoon we make our way to Corcovado to witness our final World Wonder of the tour, the statue of Christ the Redeemer. Constructed between 1922 and 1931 it was funded it was almost entirely funded from donations by Brazilian Catholics. Day 30 offers free time to explore the amazing beaches of Rio and the other parts of the city -4-
not yet explored. Overnight - Rio De Janeiro (B:2) Day 31 : Rio De Janeiro Check out at midday today. The rest of the day is at leisure before our transfer to the airport where your amazing round the world trip ends. (B) International Flights This tour has been designed around international flight schedules and specific flight timings. Our reservations team, therefore, will be happy to assist with booking your flights for this tour or providing the necessary information to make sure you're booked on the correct flights to correspond with the arrival and departure arrangements for the individual destinations included on this tour. All arrival and departure transfers will be on a group basis. If you choose not to book the flights as recommended by us then there may be additional costs for arrival or departure transfers that fall outside of those that have been arranged for the group. For passport holders of other nationalities not included here, please check your local consulate or embassy for more information. As the flights on this tour will transit through the United States of America you will need to Egypt Visas are required by all visitors to Egypt. It still remains possible for nationals of some countries to procure their tourist visa upon arrival at Cairo International Airport. Jordan A visa is required for most nationalities to visit Jordan. If you are travelling with On The Go Tours, we can obtain this for you upon arrival free of charge. If you are a UK, EU, AUS, NZ, SA, CAN and USA passport holders and travelling with us, (on a holiday including a stay of more than 2 consecutive nights in Jordan or if arriving via a land border staying more than 3 nights) we will arrange the visa for your stay/s and present it to you upon arrival. Please see the visa section under Jordan on India you will depart on day 19 and arrive on day 20, instead of the travel taking place all on day 19 as per the itinerary. All foreign nationals must obtain a visa for a visit to India. Visas are the responsibility of the travelling passenger and the below information is a guide to where you may or may not need visas. All visa information is subject to change so please check with the relevant authorities for the most up to date information. Italy UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA passport holders do not require a visa to visit Italy, for a stay of less than 90 days in any 180day period. - 31 days apply for an ESTA. This can be done online at the below website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ Mexico Please see the visa section under Egypt on Please note: For the 6th of March departure, due to flight options available between Beijing and Cancun, our recommended flight means Visas USA British, other EU, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders travelling to Mexico for touristic purposes do not require a visa for stays up to 180 day but do need a Blue Tourist Card which can be obtained by completing an immigration form available at border crossings or on board flights to Mexico. Please see the visa section under Mexico on Peru UK, US, Canadian, South African, Australian and New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa for entry into Peru for stays of up to 90 days. Please see the visa section under Peru on our Brazil UK, Australian, New Zealand, USA and Canadian passport holders can take advantage of India's online visa service (subject to eligibility). Please see the visa section under India on our UK, South African and New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa for entry into Brazil. US, Canada and Australian passport holders require a visa to enter Brazil and this must be obtained prior to departure. For further details contact the embassy. Please see the visa section under Brazil on our China All foreign nationals must obtain a visa for a visit to China. It is essential that the China visa is obtained prior to travel. Please see the visa section under China on -5-