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 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. Overnight - Cairo (B) 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) 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) Day 7 : Cairo to Amman 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. - 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 interred in elaborate mausoleums, a couple of which can be seen. -3-
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) Day 24 : Lima to Cuzco 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) return to Cusco. Overnight - Cusco (B) Day 25 : Incan fortress of Ollantaytambo Day 19 : Beijing to Cancun 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) Days 28-30 : Christ The Redeemer Days 20-22 : Chichen Itza 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. Day 27 : Overnight Flight Cusco to Rio De Janeiro 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 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 two different periods in the Mayan history: one purely Mayan and the other one with Toltec influence, these can be seen in the is without a doubt one of the world's most impressive archaeological sites. Built by the Incas on the summit of "Machu Picchu", it overlooks the deep canyon of the Urubamba river in a semi-tropical area. This afternoon we 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 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. 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 This afternoon we make our way to Corcovado to witness our final World Wonder of the tour, the statue of Christ the Redeemer. simply relax by the beach. Overnight - Playa del Carmen (B:3) Constructed between 1922 and 1931 it was funded it was almost entirely funded from donations by Brazilian Catholics. Day 23 : Cancun to Lima On day 23 we transfer to the airport for our flight to the capital of Peru, Lima. Upon arrival we ll be met and transferred to our hotel for our overnight stay. Overnight - Lima (B) - 31 days 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 of the highlights including the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial and the Royal Quarters. The legendary 'Lost City' Day 30 offers free time to explore the amazing beaches of Rio and the other parts of the city not yet explored. Overnight - Rio De Janeiro (B:2) -4-
Day 31 : Rio De Janeiro to escape the chaos of the city. In your free time, why not indulge in one of the rejuvenating treatments, available at the luxurious spa, further facilities also include a gym, outdoor swimming pool featuring a 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) HOTELS The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard when necessary. Hotel Diana In the heart of the city, a short distance from the Termini station, the welcoming family-run Hotel Diana is situated in a prime location within a 10-minute walk of Teatro dell Opera di Roma and Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. The Trevi Fountain and Roman Forum are also within 1 mile (2 km). Enjoy the spectacular views overlooking the rooftops of this amazing city whilst enjoying a delicious dinner or glass of fine Italian wine whilst watching the sun set from the panoramic gardens. The charming air-conditioned rooms feature a minibar, free wi-fi and satellite TV, as well as private bathrooms. Radisson Blu Hotel Radisson Blu is in the Heliopolis area of Cairo, just 3 kms from Cairo International Airport and 18 kms from the city centre. Providing spacious, well appointed guest rooms with amenities such as a daily newspaper and turndown service, the hotel is the perfect oasis for guests visiting the city. Its two restaurants, lobby lounge, and gourmet bakery offer a range of culinary choices. To top it all off, the hotel boasts a rooftop spa and pool with panoramic Cairo views. - 31 days The Petra Guest House Hotel is situated at the entrance of ancient Petra, perfect yoga deck. When it comes to dining you will discover a range of delicious cuisines are served in the various restaurants that can be found within the hotel. The sophisticated surroundings at the Cherry Tree bar offer for those looking to rise early and visit the incredible lost city before the crowds. The comfortable rooms are traditionally furnished in muted tones reminiscent of the sands of Petra and Wadi Musa. Set in landscaped gardens the hotel provides impressive panoramic views of Petra and the surrounding mountains. Dine on Arabic and European cuisine in the Cave Bar, set in a restored 1st century Nabatean house. the perfect escape to enjoy a tipple or two. Guestrooms are beautifully designed with rich furnishings and are equipped with a flatscreen cable TV, minibar and a tea/coffee maker. The spacious en suite bathroom is fitted with a bath and shower. Leela Ambience Convention Hotel is around 3 km away from Karkardooma and Mansarovar Park metro stations and approximately 15 km from New Delhi Railway station. Holiday Inn Resort Crystal Sarovar Premiere Graced with interconnecting palm fringed swimming pools leading to the Dead Sea, the Holiday Inn is an Arabesque style hotel. Guest rooms are elegantly furnished and benefit from complimentary high speed internet. The hotel also has an on site fitness centre and a fine choice of Spa facilities. The 24 hour sleek bar is the perfect place for a tipple at any time of the day or night. The accommodation is located on the shores of the world famous Dead Sea. The luxurious Crystal Sarovar Premiere encompasses everything needed for a perfect stay in Agra. Each of its guestrooms has been exquisitely designed with splashes of colour, plush furnishings and elegant ensuite facilities. In their free time, guests are invited to take a dip in the sparkling roof top pool, which commands stunning vistas of the hotel's surroundings. The hotel also has a fitness club with state of the art equipment. When it comes to dining, guests can choose from multiple restaurants, each serving mouth-watering dishes from around the world. The hotel is just 1.9km from the Taj Petra Guest House Hotel Mahal. The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel The luxurious Leela Ambiance Convention Hotel is a modern property located in East Delhi a superb choice for those looking -5-
Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel Centrally located on East Chang An Street opposite the railway station, just a short distance from the top Beijing attractions such as Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. The culinary options available at the hotel include the Sunshine Atrium Café, offering local and international delights, the Rainbow Garden Restaurant specialising in Hunan and Cantonese cuisine the why not end the day relaxing with a tipple from the Noble Lounge bar. The modern guest rooms are equipped with the latest conveniences including mini bar, flat screen TV and WIFI access. Hotel Illusion A small boutique style hotel in Playa del Carmen, in an exceptional location, just 2 minutes walk away from the beach and the famous 5th Avenue, you will certainly be close to the multitude of restaurants, cafes and vibrant nightlife Playa del Carmen has to offer. On the rooftop there is a spectacular large terrace with fabulous views over the Mexican Caribbean Sea and a plunge pool, perfect for relaxing by during the day. The hotel offers spacious, contemporary rooms with king or queen size beds, each decorated distinctly, with Juliet balconies overlooking the interior courtyard. outdoor pool with an onsite restaurant where guests can dine on a variety of local and international dishes. The hotel is located in the affluent Miraflores district of Lima where you will find numerous restaurants and cafes. It's also just three blocks from Makaha Beach. PRICES / DATES INFO Departure dates noted with a 'G' are guaranteed to operate. All other departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 persons. Prices shown Sonesta Hotel are per person travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person apply when there are Hotel Pakaritampu Located in the heart of the Sacred Valley in the village of Ollantaytambo just 50 yards from the train station which is on the mainline to Machu Pichu. This delightful property exudes Peruvian charm in an idyllic setting amidst stunning gardens, perfect for relaxing in after a busy day. The onsite restaurant offers a variety of both local Peruvian delicacies and international meals for you to sample, after dinner head into the cosy lounge, kick back and enjoy the warmth from the log fire. Charmingly decorated rooms offer standard king size or twin beds, safety-deposit box, a TV with cable channels and Free WiFi access. The main square is only a ten-minute walk away. Here you'll find a selection of shops and restaurants, as well as remnants of Ollantaytambo s magnificent Inca fortress. 2 people travelling, sharing a room. The 'Single supplement' applies for single travellers and needs to be added to the 'Twin/Double' price. If you are happy to be paired up with another single traveller of the same sex on your tour, this can be arranged provided there is another single traveller booked on the tour date of your choosing. If a roommate cannot be found the single room supplement will apply. PRICES / DATES 2018 Date 03 Oct Twin Share USD 12,995 Single USD 17,640 PRICES / DATES 2019 Date 06 Mar 08 May Twin Share USD 12,995 USD 12,995 Single USD 17,640 USD 17,640 Windsor Excelsior Hotel Hotel Jose Antonio Executive The Jose Antonio Executive is a smart modern hotel in downtown Lima. The rooms are contemporary in design with dark wood floors and a neutral colour palette. Free WiFi is provided in all rooms. There's an attractive - 31 days Located in the heart of Copacabana beach, this hotel is just a stones throw away from the ocean. Boasting a rooftop pool with views across the South Atlantic Ocean. The nearest metro station is just 50 yards away making it a perfect location to explore the rest of the city. -6-