A trip to South America is not quite complete without a visit to the Galapagos Islands, home of an array of native plants and animals that, because of the isolated environment, have adapted far differently to their ancestors. On this 29 Day Small Group Journey, you’ll take in the best of the South American mainland before setting off on an incredible five day Galapagos Islands cruise.
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
Today begins with a guided tour of Buenos Aires then continues at Café Tortoni, a literati coffeehouse established in 1858. Enjoy coffee and croissants and attend an introductory Spanish class. Afterwards, take a ride on the subway, enjoy time to explore the city’s oldest barrio (district), San Telmo, visit the colourful barrio of La Boca, drive along Avenida 9 de Julio, see the tree-lined streets of Palermo and visit La Recoleta Cemetery. After free time, head to Puerto Madero, located on the Río de la Plata riverbank, and enjoy a three-course dinner at a fine Argentinian parilla (steakhouse).
Day 3. Buenos Aires, Colonia del Sacramento (Uruguay), Dine Around Dinner
After a cruise across the Río de la Plata, arrive in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay’s oldest town. Here, a tour will take you to the World Heritage-listed historic quarter, Barrío Historico. After time at leisure to further explore, return to Buenos Aires. Tonight, enjoy French cuisine at Le Sud; indulge in Mediterranean cuisine at Sorrento Recoval; feast on an Argentinian BBQ at El Mirasol de la Recova; or sample Italian fare at Piegari Restaurant.
Day 4. Buenos Aires, Freedom of Choice Touring
Perhaps cruise the Tigre River; enjoy a Fiesta Gaucha; take a museums tour; or enjoy a visit to the trendy streets of Palermo and the Galerías Pacífico shopping mall. Afterwards, enjoy free time, then head to the Philippe Starck-designed cabaret, Rojo Tango, for dinner, drinks and the most exclusive tango show in the city.
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 within 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, perhaps embark on a jeep tour through two local favelas. Or visit the Sambódrome - site of the Carnival Parade - then head to a local samba school to try on a costume and take part in a samba lesson. Alternatively, experience the Botanical Gardens and Tijuca National Park on a jeep tour, take a full-day excursion to Petrópolis, or ride a ferry across the bay to the island of Niterói for a visit to the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum.
Day 9. Rio de Janeiro, Dine Around Dinner
Travel to Corcovado, a mountain that’s famous for its iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer. Visit the statue and travel to the platform at its peak for stunning panoramic views over the city. Tonight, perhaps dine at Plataforma Restaurant then enjoy a show; savour an Italian meal at Don Camillo; take in views over Copacabana Beach from Restaurante Atlantis; or head to a samba bar for dinner and live samba music.
Day 10. Rio de Janeiro, Santiago (Chile)
Departing Brazil this morning, you’ll fly to Chile’s capital, Santiago, and check in to your centrally-located five-star hotel.
Day 11. Santiago, Dine Around Dinner
On a tour of Santiago, visit the Plaza de Armas and San Cristóbal Hill. Later, travel to Matetic vineyards for a tour, wine tasting and lunch. Back in Santiago, a Dine Around Dinner offers you the chance to sample Pacific Rim delicacies at Akarana; taste seafood at Coco Loco; indulge in contemporary cuisine at 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 city tour includes a visit to the World Heritage-listed Historic Centre of Lima. After checking in to your hotel, dine at the local restaurant, Brujas del Cachiche, set in an old rustic mansion overlooking a park.
Day 13. Lima, Cusco, Chincheros, Sacred Valley
Today fly to the World Heritage-listed city of Cusco. On arrival, travel to the lovely city of Chincheros, high in the Andean highlands. During a traditional weaving demonstration, learn how the famously colourful materials of South America are created. Later, in the Sacred Valley, head for Wayra, a boutique restaurant and equestrian centre in the Andes. Enjoy a traditional BBQ lunch and watch a Peruvian Paso horse demonstration as well as a performance of the ‘la marinera’ - known as Peru’s national dance.
Day 14. Sacred Valley
A full day tour in and around the Sacred Valley begins with a visit to the markets of Pisac. You’ll then appreciate the chance to contribute some time to the community of nearby Taray during a special school project. Later, it’s on to the site of Ollantaytambo. Afterwards, visit the home of a local family to sample a typical Andean meal.
Day 15. Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu
Board PeruRail’s Vistadome train and admire the mountainous Andean landscape outside your large panoramic windows as you travel to Machu Picchu. Enjoy lunch at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge then set off on a tour of the World Heritage-listed Lost City of the Incas - Machu Picchu. After your time here, return to town and check in to your charming hotel.
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
After breakfast, perhaps return to Machu Picchu to experience the site in serenity - for the day travellers don’t arrive until later. This afternoon, board the Hiram Bingham by Orient-Express for a truly luxurious rail journey from Machu Picchu to Cusco. On board, savour a Pisco Sour, enjoy live Peruvian music and indulge in a four-course Andean-inspired dinner.
Day 17. Cusco, Dine Around Dinner
On a tour of Cusco today, visit the square in the city’s historic heart, as well as the sacred sites of Koricancha and Santo Domingo. After free time, enjoy dinner at Tupananchis Restaurant and Pizzeria; tapas at Cicciolina; Italian at Incanto; fine dining at the MAP Café; or take in a folklore show and dinner at Tunupa Restaurant Bar and Grill.
Day 18. Cusco, Puno
Today, board the Andean Explorer for a picturesque day-long rail journey into the highlands and on to Puno, almost 4,000 metres above sea level. Travelling in Andean Explorer Class (first class), you’ll enjoy access to the lounge car and the open-air observation bar car, and be treated to a three-course lunch. On arrival in Puno, check in to your hotel, on the shore of Lake Titicaca.
Day 19. Puno, Lake Titicaca
On the border of Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the largest high-altitude lake in the world. After breakfast, cruise to the home of the Uros people - a group of more than 40 man-made islands made from floating reeds. Continue to the Capachica Peninsula for a BBQ lunch, then visit the local community of Llachon, overlooking the lake.
Day 20. Puno, Lima
After flying back to Lima, transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time before dinner at Restaurant Huaca Pucllana, set within a compound built between 200 and 700 AD. As you dine, take in views of the illuminated adobe pyramid, digs and walls of the complex.
Day 21. Lima, Quito (Ecuador)
Fly to Quito, capital of Ecuador. On arrival, check in to your hotel.
Day 22. Quito
This morning, take a guided tour of Quito’s World Heritage-listed Old Town, nestled high up in the Andes. At 2,800 metres elevation, Quito is the second-highest administrative capital city in the world. After your tour, travel to the site of the ‘Middle of the World’ - where the southern and northern hemispheres meet. After exploring here, return to Quito and enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Day 23. Quito, Otavalo
Today you’ll enjoy a day trip to Otavalo, notable for its textiles and Indian clothing markets. Enjoy a tour here, and see how the locals weave a variety of designs in belts, tapestries, ponchos and other clothing items. Then continue to Cotacachi, famous for its leatherworks. Stop off at Hacienda Pinsaqui for a typical Ecuadorian lunch then return to Quito and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 24. Quito, Galápagos Islands Cruise
Fly to San Cristóbal Island, the easternmost island in the Galápagos archipelago. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your ship. This afternoon, set out to discover Cerro Brujo (Wizard Hill), a collapsed volcano with a beautiful white fine-sand beach that’s home to a range of Galápagos wildlife including sea lions, Blue-footed Boobies, frigatebirds, marine iguanas and more. Tonight, enjoy your first dinner on board.
Day 25. Galápagos Islands Cruise
Spend today exploring Española Island, an unforgettable island that plays host to an incredible number of different creatures. In the morning, you have a choice of three touring options. In Gardener’s Bay, a wet landing will see you arrive on a long, white sandy beach, where colonies of sea lions and marine iguanas laze in the sun and sea turtles swim offshore. Keep an eye out for Warbler Finches, Small Ground Finches, Large Cactus Finches and Hood Mockingbirds. You’re also offered the chance to go snorkelling with the sea lions. Your second option is to head for nearby Gardener Island, lined with vertical cliffs that drop to sandy ledges and large boulders. Snorkelling here will reveal a plethora of fish including schools of snappers, Creole Fish, King Angelfish, butterflyfish, jacks and large puffer fish. Or choose to visit Osborn Islet, to the southeast of Española Island, where snorkelling allows you to take in the colours of the tropical fish that call the waters home. After lunch, you’ll disembark at Punta Suarez, where a wildlife walk provides one of the highlights of your journey.
Day 26. Galápagos Islands Cruise
Arrive at Santa Cruz Island and Bahia Ballena (Whale Bay), a newly opened site. Disembark for a short walk to observe sea lions and marine iguanas on the rocks. During your time ashore, watch for birdlife including finches and frigate birds waiting to steal fish from other birds. You’ll then cruise to Rabida Island, a bird-watching paradise. Here you’re likely to see pelicans, White-cheeked Pintails, boobies, and up to nine different species of finch as you wander the red sand beaches and visit the saltwater lagoon, which is inhabited by pink flamingos and a sea lion colony. Thanks to its varied volcanic activity, the island’s landscape is studded with small craters along sharp slopes and cliffs.
Day 27. Galápagos Islands Cruise
On the south side of Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Ayora is the most populated town in the Galápagos. On a tour here, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, a biological research station that conducts a range of scientific research with a view to conserving the incredible environment of the Galápagos. See giant Galápagos Tortoises including Lonesome George, the last known Pinta Island Tortoise and thought to be the rarest creature in the world. Later, cruise to South Plazas Island, home to one of the largest populations of land iguanas in the Galápagos. After a dry landing, set off on a walk, keeping
an eye out for iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, frigatebirds and other wildlife.
Day 28. Galápagos Islands Cruise, Quito
Your Galápagos cruise ends today 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 29. Depart Quito
After breakfast, your South American adventure ends and you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
