south american adventure tour 2013

SOUTH AMERICAN ADVENTURE TOUR 2013
CHILE • PERU • ECUADOR • BOLIVIA • GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Tour Departs: 7 June 2013 • Tour Length: 25 Days
South America is a continent of absolute diversity and you will experience that every
day on tour. We start in Chile, the city of Santiago and then move up to Peru, visiting
Lima and Cusco before travelling to the Lost City of The Incas – Machu Picchu. We
cross the Altiplano to Puno where we visit the “reed” islands before our 2 day
crossing of Lake Titicaca and on to the Bolivian capital of La Paz. Then, its north to
Quito, Ecuador and the 5 day/4 night cruise of the mystical Galapagos Islands before
returning to Guayaquil, returning home via Santiago.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Machu Picchu – Discover the Empire of the Incas, the amazing mountain citadel,
from the high Andes, steeped in indigenous culture. The legendary “Lost City of the
Incas” is one of the most magical and mysterious places on earth and one of the
world’s most impressive archaeological sites. Discover this incredible site forgotten
for centuries by the outside world.
• Cuzco – Puno – Lake Titicaca - A spectacular journey between Cuzco and the
beautiful city of Puno with the magnificent Andes dominating the view. Lake Titicaca,
a 2 day (one night) cruise, visiting the floating islands of the Uros. Unbelievable, built
of Totara reeds, these floating islands (4 in total) are villages, homes and trade
centres to the locals. This is an insight into and the opportunity to discover the
marvels of Peru and Bolivia, the most exotic countries in the America’s.
• 5 day Galapagos Islands Cruise - An incredible journey far out in the Pacific
Ocean to discover the captivating wildlife on and around the enchanting Isles of
Galapagos Archipelagos. The Galapagos experience offers travellers a way to step
back in time to visit an isolated relatively untouched place on earth.
COSTS INCLUDE:
• Economy class air travel from Auckland or Sydney (Business Class available-price
on request)
• Prepaid airport/government security charges/taxes and fuel surcharges (as at
01/10/12)
• Superior tourist/first class accommodation throughout
• First class air conditioned coach transportation
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary B=Full Breakfasts, L=Lunches, D=Dinners
• Sightseeing and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
• Services of a tour director and local guides for touring and sightseeing
• Baggage handling of one suitcase per person
• All tips and gratuities to cruise staff and all coach drivers and tour directors/guides
• Fully Escorted
COSTS EXCLUDE:
• Any meals and sightseeing tours not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
• Travel insurance (Advice together with excellent insurance package will be offered)
• Items of a personal nature such as room service, laundry, drinks, telephone
charges etc.
• Visa fees
TO REGISTER FOR THE TOUR:
Please complete the Tour Booking Form and return it to our office together with the
deposit of $750.00.
Note our tour booking conditions are detailed on the back of the booking form. For
any further enquiries,
don’t forget our toll free lines: NZ: 0800 500 518 and AUS: 1800 358 741.
W P MAHER SOUTH AMERICA ADVENTURE TOUR 2013
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY:
Friday 7 June
Home – Santiago (D)
Today we depart from home and, after crossing the International Dateline, we arrive
in Santiago early in the afternoon of the same day. On arrival, we are met and
transferred to our hotel for a two night stay. The remainder of the afternoon is at your
leisure to relax after our long flight. Dinner is at our hotel this evening.
Saturday 8 June
Santiago (B, D)
After breakfast we will be taken on a panoramic city tour. The excursion begins with
a tour of the main avenues of the city’s civic center. After leaving the downtown area,
the tour proceeds to the Forestal Park passing in front of the Fine Arts Museum
towards Bellavista, the bohemian quarter of Santiago. Then we ascend the San
Cristobal hill, a beautiful public park dominated by the monumental sculpture of
Virgin Mary (36 meter high). The ride goes downhill and continues toward the
modern residential neighbourhood of Pedro de Valdivia Norte, Las Condes and
Vitacura. The rest of your day is at leisure.
Sunday 9 June
Santiago - Lima (B)
We have an early flight to Lima this morning. On arrival you will be met and
transferred to your hotel for a two stay. The rest of the day is at leisure and tonight
you will enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant.
Monday 10 June
Lima (B, L, D)
After breakfast you will be picked up and taken on a morning city tour of Lima.
The tour will begin with a drive to the main square, Plaza Mayor, visiting the
Government Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, the City Hall and the
XVII century church and cloister of San Francisco, a world cultural heritage building.
After the city tour is finished you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon
is at leisure, tonight you will enjoy dinner at Rosa Nautica, which offers ocean views.
Tuesday 11 June
Lima – Cusco (B, L, D)
After breakfast, depart to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival you will be
met and transferred to you hotel for a two night stay. After check in and some free
time to freshen up, you will be taken to a local restaurant for lunch. The rest of the
day is at leisure. Tonight you will enjoy dinner and a folklore show at a local
restaurant.
Wednesday 12 June
Cusco (B)
Today you will enjoy a half day city and ruins tour. Cusco, the Archaeological Capital
of the Americas, exists in the present and the past at the same time, being a living
example of the meeting of two different age of culture. Visit to the Koricancha or
Temple of the Sun, the Cathedral from the early 17th century, a fine example of
colonial baroque art. You will then return to your hotel and have the afternoon at
leisure.
Thursday 13 June
Sacred Valley (B, L, D)
Today you will drive towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas, taking direct route to
Pisac. We will stop on the way to have a classic view of the Urubamba Valley, with
crops dressing the mountains like carpets. We will then travel to the colourful
markets of Pisac, where we will have free time to interact with the local craftsmen,
who sell their hand-made souvenirs. In the afternoon, you will visit the remarkable
fortress of Ollantaytambo, built by the Incas. A very steep stone staircase leads into
the fortress. Beyond another esplanade, six huge rectangular monoliths (estimated
weight: 50 tons) form the Temple of the Sun. Later in the day, we travel on to our
hotel where we have dinner tonight.
Friday 14 June
Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu (B, L, D)
This morning there is an early pick up and transfer to the Ollanta Railway station to
board the tourist train that goes through the Urubamba Valley or Sacred Valley of the
Incas, to the fabulous mountaintop ruins of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu was never
discovered by the Spaniards. For centuries it was buried in the jungle until Hiram
Bingham found it in 1911. The Holy City of Machu Picchu was built in stone among
the flanks of two hills belonging to the eastern mountain range of the Andes,
descending into the Amazonian upper sylvan. There is no doubt that Machu Picchu
represents an extraordinary example of architecture and engineering. Later in the
day we arrive at our Machu Picchu hotel.
Saturday 15 June
Machu Picchu - Cusco (B, L)
You have the morning at leisure to stroll through the colourful markets of Aguas
Calientes, or take an optional second visit to the amazing ruins. This afternoon you
will begin your journey back to Cusco by train and coach. Upon arrival into Cusco
you will be met and transferred to your hotel for your overnight stay.
Sunday 16 June
Cusco - Puno (B, L, D)
After breakfast you will have an early morning transfer to the train station to board
the train to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the
world. Enjoy incredible views of the herds of alpaca and llamas grazing on these
highland pampas, interspersed with small villages, and the majestic backdrop of the
Andes. You will be served lunch at a local restaurant and later in the afternoon arrive
at our Puno hotel where we stay for two nights.
Monday 17 June
Puno (B, D)
Today you will visit, by boat, the floating island of the Uros Indians on Lake Titicaca,
the highest navigable lake in the world. Today they still live as they have done for
generations, building their huts and boats with the totara reeds from the lake and
seeking out a living by fishing and selling handicrafts. Your afternoon will be at
leisure.
Tuesday 18 June
Puno – Lake Titicaca (B, L, D)
This morning you will be picked up early and transferred to the Copacabana
Sanctuary to board the catamaran Cruise ship. You will have a snack on board while
sailing to Sun Island, the legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire. Visit the Inca
Garden, steps and fountain followed by the Inti Wata Cultural Complex including the
Ekako Underground Museum, the traditional medicine and the Titicaca Reed
Shipbuilders display centers, the Pachamama agricultural Inca terraces, a handicraft
center, the Intica lounge and at the Manco Kapac look out the largest variety of
Andean camelids. Also, the Inti Wata Complex at Sun Island includes a unique
sailing experience aboard a huge Titicaca Traditional vessel for a panoramic visit to
the Pilkokaina Inca Palace. Catamaran Cruise to Sun Island’s isolated Challapampa
Village, while enjoying lunch on board. Dinner and overnight on board the
Catamaran in lake view cabins with private facilities.
Wednesday 19 June
Lake Titicaca – La Paz (B, D)
Enjoy your breakfast and the panoramic views while cruising along the lake. After
breakfast you will leave the ship and travel by land to La Paz. Upon arrival into the
city you will be transferred to your hotel where we stay for two nights. The afternoon
is at leisure and this evening dinner will be served at the hotel.
Thursday 20 June
La Paz (B, L, D)
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel to visit the famous Witch Doctor’s
Market, San Francisco Colonial Church and the typical handicrafts of the Sagarnaga
Street. Visit the famous colonial street Jaen where interesting museums are
clustered together, followed by a visit to the replica of the semi-subterranean temple
of the Tiwanaku Culture. A change of scenery as the tour continues to the
residential areas of Obrajes, Calacoto and La Florida. The tour ends with a visit to
the unique Moon Valley, where you will have the opportunity to walk around, and
visit a ceramic workshop with a demonstration of the art of pottery, after which you
return to the La Paz hotel.
Friday 21 June
La Paz - Quito (B, D)
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Quito, via Lima. Arrival into
Quito is mid afternoon and you will be met and transferred to your hotel for your
overnight stay. Dinner is included tonight at a local restaurant.
Saturday 22 June
Quito - Galapagos Islands Cruise (B, L, D)
Today you will transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands. Arrive
San Cristóbal Island and transfer to the expedition cruise ship, the M/V Santa Cruz,
anchored at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital of the Galápagos
Islands. After lunch on board, disembark on the eastern tip of San Cristóbal Island.
Pitt Point is an eroded tuff cone and the trail that ascends from the beach provides
spectacular views of the shoreline. This is the only site in the Galápagos where the
three species of boobies can be found together, as well as the two frigate species,
plus a colony of bachelor sea lions along the beach. After the walk, if conditions are
favourable, there is a chance to swim from the beach or snorkel at the nearby islets.
Sunday 23 June
Cruising Galapagos Islands (B, L, D)
After breakfast, land on a sandy white beach Santa Fe Island, with many sea lion
harems. Bulls vie for the right of “Beach Master”, while smaller males masquerading
as females make stealthy mating moves. Galápagos hawks are often easily
observed, perched atop salt bushes. The giant prickly pear cactus found here live up
to their name with tree-sized trunks! The endemic land iguana, unique to this island,
may be spotted during the afternoon walk. Snorkelling and swimming from the beach
rounds off the rewarding experience, with the glass-bottom boat available for nonsnorkelers. After lunch on board,
disembark in the channel between North and South Plaza Islands, where the island
tilts toward the water, the approach makes for a colourful sight; the turquoise waters
of the channel contrasting brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the
shoreline. The rocks have grown thick with green seaweed in places, speckled with
bright orange ‘Sally Lightfoot’ crabs. Further up the shore a carpet of scarlet
sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of luminescent green
prickly-pear cactus. Yellow-grey land iguanas sit beneath these, waiting patiently for pears to drop. Along the
coastline one finds sea lion colonies, while frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and
shearwaters glide playing with the thermals that form along the cliffs of this small but
amazing island.
Monday 24 June
Cruising Galapagos Islands (B, L, D)
Morning disembarkation Santa Cruz Island with visit to the Charles Darwin Research
Station and the giant tortoise pens, including tortoise celebrities like “Lonesome
George” within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land
birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation and the
National Park administration. Following our visit, we board our transport to enjoy
lunch in the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a completely different ecosystem.
There are several activity options available for the afternoon, such as forest walks,
kayaking, etc. Late in the afternoon, we return to Puerto Ayora and embark back on
board the M/V Santa Cruz.
Tuesday 25 June
Cruising Galapagos Islands (B, L, D)
This morning’s outing is at Punta Suárez, Espanola (Hood) Island for an exciting
walk on lava/boulder terrain to visit its unique sea bird colonies, including waved
albatrosses, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls as well as a view
of the Galápagos famous “blow-hole”. Among its land birds, the Hood island
mockingbird, Galápagos hawks, Galápagos doves and three species of Darwin’s
finches are common highlights. Also, look for red-green-black marine iguanas. Back
on board for lunch. In the afternoon, disembark at a white coral beach, Gardner Bay
for a short walk to observe the sea lions, mockingbirds and finches. There is great
snorkelling in this area and you can also see the marine life aboard the glass-bottom
boat.
Wednesday 26 June
Galapagos Islands – Guayaquil (B, D)
This morning, disembark at Baltra Island and transfer for the flight back to Guayaquil.
On arrival into Guayaquil you will be met and taken to your hotel for a two night stay.
The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Thursday 27 June
Guayaquil (B, D)
Today enjoy a scenic tour of Guayaquil. Drive through the bustling streets of
Ecuador’s largest city, visiting the Simon Bolivar Park with iguanas roaming freely,
the busy waterfront and docks, La Rotonda with its statues of Bolivar and San Martin
clasping hands as they did in 1822, marking the only meeting of these two leaders of
the South American Independence movement. The afternoon is at leisure
Friday 28 June
Guayaquil – Santiago (B, D)
Today transfer to the airport for your flight to Santiago where you overnight. Dinner
will be served at the hotel restaurant.
Saturday 29 June
Santiago -Home (B L,)
Our last day in South America is spent exploring the coastal towns of Central Chile
on a leisurely day trip from Santiago. Travel through the famous wine country; arrive
in the “Garden City” of Vina Del Mar. Continue on to the bohemian coastal town of
Valparaiso where you will enjoy lunch and some time at leisure. Return to Santiago
airport to join the late evening flight home.
Monday 01 July
Home
The tour concludes with an early morning arrival.