As well as taking you to South America’s famous cities, ancient attractions and natural wonders, this Small Group Journey provides the quintessential South America wildlife experience. Encounter nature at its grandest in Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve during a five day cruise along the Amazon River and get up close to the unique creatures of the Galapagos Islands on a cruise you’ll never forgot.
Day 1. Arrive Buenos Aires (Argentina)
On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel before a Welcome Reception this evening.
Day 2. Buenos Aires
After a tour of Buenos Aires, head to Café Tortoni for a basic Spanish class over croissants and coffee. After, continue your exploration of the city then enjoy a three-course dinner at a fine Argentinian parilla (steakhouse) in Puerto Madero.
Day 3. Buenos Aires, Colonia del Sacramento (Uruguay), Dine Around Dinner
This morning cruise to Uruguay’s oldest town, Colonia del Sacramento, and enjoy a guided tour. Back in Buenos Aires tonight, choose from four restaurants at which you’d like to dine.
Day 4. Buenos Aires, Freedom of Choice Touring
Cruise the Tigre River; enjoy a Fiesta Gaucha; take a museums tour; or visit the Palermo and the Galerías Pacífico shopping mall. Then, after free time, head to Rojo Tango for dinner, fine Argentinian wine and an exclusive tango show.
Day 5. Buenos Aires, Iguassu Falls (Argentina and Brazil), Dine Around Dinner
Fly to Iguassu Falls, a system of 275 falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil. Land on the Argentinian side of the falls and ride a train through forest to a series of walkways and viewing points. Afterwards, travel into Brazil and on to your hotel. Tonight dine at the Ipê Grill or Restaurante Itaipu at your hotel, or perhaps dine at Rafain Restaurant, a Brazilian BBQ establishment in town.
Day 6. Iguassu Falls
This morning enjoy time in Brazil’s Iguassu National Park. View the falls from close to the base then visit the Parque das Aves Bird Park. Walk through the giant aviaries and get up close to a range of native South American birds including a number of species of the iconic toucan. You’ll then enjoy a boat ride close to the base of the Devil’s Throat and the Three Musketeers.
Day 7. Iguassu Falls, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
Fly to Rio de Janeiro and, during free time, perhaps visit the workshop of the acclaimed jeweller, H. Stern. At sunset, ride a cable car to the peak of Sugarloaf Mountain. Afterwards, head for Porcão Rio’s to sample Brazil’s national cocktail, the caipirinha, before a delicious BBQ.
Day 8. Rio de Janeiro, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning, take a jeep tour through two local favelas; visit the Sambódrome and enjoy a samba lesson; tour the Botanical Gardens and Tijuca National Park by jeep; visit Petrópolis; or ride a ferry to Niterói for a visit to the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum.
Day 9. Rio de Janeiro, Dine Around Dinner
Travel to Corcovado and its iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer. This evening, choose from four different restaurants.
Day 10. Rio de Janeiro, Santiago (Chile)
Departing Brazil, you’ll fly to Chile’s capital, Santiago, and check in to your five-star hotel.
Day 11. Santiago, Dine Around Dinner
Enjoy a tour of Santiago before travelling to Casas del Bosque vineyards for a tour, wine tasting and lunch. Back in Santiago, perhaps dine at Akarana; try seafood at Coco Loco; head to the city’s oldest restaurant, Confiteria Torres; or head to the steakhouse, Happening.
Day 12. Santiago, Lima (Peru)
After breakfast, fly to Peru’s capital, Lima. On arrival, a tour includes a visit to the historic city centre. Tonight, dine at the renowned Brujas del Cachiche.
Day 13. Lima, Cusco, Chincheros, Sacred Valley
Fly to Cusco then head for Chincheros. See a weaving demonstration, then enjoy a BBQ lunch and a horse demonstration at Wayra.
Day 14. Sacred Valley
Visit Pisac, assist with a school project in Taray, explore Ollantaytambo and enjoy a meal at a local Andean home.
Day 15. Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu
Board PeruRail’s Vistadome train and travel to Machu Picchu. Enjoy lunch at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge then set off on a guided tour.
Hike the Famous Inca Trail
The more adventurous can replace Day 15 touring with a five-hour hike to Machu Picchu, before rejoining the group for dinner at your hotel. A box lunch is included along the walk. A$295 pp twin share. Must be pre-booked.
Day 16. Machu Picchu, Cusco
Perhaps return to Machu Picchu to experience the site in the peace of morning. This afternoon, board the Hiram Bingham by Orient-Express for a luxurious rail journey to Cusco.
Day 17. Cusco, Dine Around Dinner
Take a walking tour of Cusco this morning then, after free time, choose to dine at Tupananchis Restaurant and Pizzeria; Cicciolina; Incanto; or the MAP Café. Alternatively, take in a folklore show and dinner at Tunupa Restaurant Bar and Grill.
Day 18. Cusco, Puno
Today, board the Andean Explorer train and travel into the highlands and on to Puno, almost 4,000 metres above sea level. Travel in Andean Explorer Class (first class) and be treated to a three-course lunch along the way.
Day 19. Puno, Lake Titicaca
After breakfast, cruise to the home of the Uros people - a group of more than 40 man-made islands on Lake Titicaca made from floating reeds. Continue to the Capachica Peninsula for a BBQ lunch, then visit the local community of Llachon.
Day 20. Puno, Iquitos, Amazon Cruise
Today fly via Lima to Iquitos, located on the mighty Amazon River. From here, board your river ship for your Amazon River cruise, during which you’ll enjoy the unique opportunity to go fishing for piranhas, among many other highlights. Tonight enjoy your first dinner of Amazonian-Peruvian cuisine on board.
Day 21. Amazon Cruise, Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
Today watch for the wildlife of the Amazon River, having entered Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. The most extensive area of protected floodable forest in the Amazon Rainforest, the reserve is home to over 500 bird species, more 100 mammal species, nearly 70 species of reptiles, 58 species of amphibians and almost 270 fish species - as well as more than 1000 species of plants. After breakfast, drift along a back water stream in the reserve and watch for the parrots, macaws and monkeys. Disembark at the village of Belluda Caño for a walk through two ecosystems: flooded forest and terra firme forest. Spot species such as the Snail Kite, Black-tailed Antbird, hummingbirds, orioles and blackbirds, before reaching a lagoon. After a canoe journey on a lake, return to your ship for lunch then cruise the El Dorado River, also within the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Here, you’ll encounter gray and pink river dolphins, with which you’re able to go swimming. As you drift along the river, keep an eye out for Snail Kites, Scarlet Macaws, hummingbirds, Amazonian Parrotlets, iguanas and squirrel monkeys.
Day 22. Amazon Cruise
Today starts with a hike among trees that stretch up to 55 metres high. Watch for birds such as the Bluish-fronted Jacamar and Red-capped Cardinals. You may even see giant otters nesting in a small forest stream. Enjoy lunch on board then travel by skiff over the Pacaya River, watching for monkeys and admiring the reflection of the jungle in the river at sunset. Later, join a night safari in search of owls, pauraques and fish bats flying over the water.
Day 23. Amazon Cruise
This morning you’ll head off in skiffs in search of shore-birds such as Black Skimmers, sandpipers and kingfishers. After lunch, visit the Yanallpa community to interact with villagers and learn about their unique, riverside way of life. This afternoon, enjoy a slide show re-capping the sites you have explored and the wildlife you’ve seen. Later enjoy a Farewell Dinner followed by live music.
Day 24. Amazon Cruise, Iquitos, Lima
Board a skiff bound for Puerto Miguel to meet local villagers and learn about their culture, traditions and folklore. You may also like to visit one of the villager’s homes, to see how they live. Returning to the ship, you’ll disembark after lunch, transfer to Iquitos and then fly to Lima.
Day 25. Lima, Quito (Ecuador)
Today you’ll fly to Quito, Ecuador’s capital. On arrival, check in to your hotel.
Day 26. Quito, Galápagos Islands Cruise
Fly to San Cristóbal Island, part of the Galápagos archipelago. On arrival, board your ship. This afternoon, explore Cerro Brujo (Wizard Hill), home to a range of Galápagos wildlife including Blue-footed Boobies, iguanas and more.
Day 27. Galápagos Islands Cruise
Spend today exploring Española Island, which plays host to an incredible number of different creatures. In the morning, perhaps spend time on the white sandy beach, head for Gardener Island to go snorkelling or see the fish as you snorkel off Osborn Islet. At Punta Suarez, enjoy a wildlife walk.
Day 28. Galápagos Islands Cruise
On Santa Cruz Island, enjoy a walk and look for sea lions, iguanas and birdlife. Then cruise to Rabida Island, where you’re likely to see boobies, flamingos, several species of finch and more.
Day 29. Galápagos Islands Cruise
Explore Puerto Ayora, and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see giant Galápagos Tortoises including Lonesome George, the last known Pinta Island Tortoise. Later, cruise to South Plazas Island and set off on a walk, looking out for marine and land iguanas.
Day 30. Galápagos Islands Cruise, Quito
After breakfast today, your cruise ends as you disembark your ship on Baltra Island and fly back to Quito. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner at Theatrum Restaurante and Wine Bar, located in Quito’s Sucre National Theatre, in the Old Town.
Day 31. Depart Quito
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
