Ancient ruins, magnificent scenery, vibrant dances, cosmopolitan cuisine, friendly people, and awe-inspiring sights—all this and more await you on this wonderful vacation to South America! If you want to see stunning beauty that can’t be found anywhere else in the world, this tour is for you. See Iguassu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina, and witness the amazing beauty created as the water plummets over the falls. You’ll hear a thunderous roar and view spectacular rainbows. For even more amazing scenery, you’ll visit the Amazon Jungle, where you’ll see the incredible lush vegetation and see firsthand the many species of wildlife that call this area home.And that’s just a start…there’s also Machu Picchu. About 1000 people once lived there, in around 200 structures, but archaeologists still don’t know its true purpose. Regardless, the first glimpse of this city poised high above the jungle-covered ravines is one of the most majestic images in South America.On this South America vacation, you’ll also get the chance to explore Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires at a more relaxed pace. Experience the varied restaurants, shops, and optional excursions offered in both cities. Dance the Tango in Buenos Aires; sip caipirinhas, a popular Brazilian cocktail, in Rio; and walk on Rio’s famous Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches. In Buenos Aires, see the Cemetery of the Recoleta, where Eva Peron is buried, and hear more about her life.From the vibrant cities to the scenic beauty, this trip to South America will leave you with vacation memories to last a lifetime.A good story starts with a good vacation. What story might you discover next?
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Manaus, Brazil. After arriving at your hotel, meet up for guided city sightseeing of Manaus to view the vestiges of its glory days during the rubber boom. Your first stop will be the famous OPERA HOUSE, built in 1896 with materials imported from Europe. Next, visit the MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES before a stroll through a bustling LOCAL MARKET abundant with local foods and wares. (D)
Day #2 Manaus–Amazon Jungle. Today your “Meeting of the Waters” tour passes by the impressive British-built Custom House and the floating port. CRUISE along the chocolate-colored Rio Negro to its confluence with the yellow-gray Rio Solimões, where the two rivers form the mighty Amazon. For four miles the differently colored bodies of water flow side by side and never mix! After lunch on the river, explore a JUNGLE ISLAND (if the water level is not too low) with fascinating native flora and fauna. Later this afternoon, arrive at the Ecopark Jungle Lodge situated on the banks of the Rio Negro inside the Amazonian rainforest. (B,L,D)
Day #3 Amazon Jungle. Accompanied by a Naturalist, enjoy a guided JUNGLE WALK introducing you to the flora and fauna that thrives in the Amazon. After lunch, depart the lodge and sail up the river to visit a Caboclo’s NATIVE AMAZON VILLAGE to learn about their traditions, costumes, and culture. Also try your hand at piranha fishing! Later, visit the MONKEY JUNGLE RESERVE, where researchers work to rehabilitate captive primates and reintroduce them to the jungle. Here, you have the opportunity to see a feeding of spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, woolly monkeys, and capuchin monkeys. This evening you may wish to venture back out on canoe with your Naturalist into the flooded forest to appreciate the sounds of the jungle at night, with the possibility to spot small alligators (or other night creatures). (B,L,D)
Day #4 Amazon Jungle–Rio de Janeiro. This morning, depart the Ecopark for a flight to fabulous Rio for an overnight stay. (B)
Day #5 Rio de Janeiro. Today is a free day in Rio to explore as you please. This evening, meet your fellow traveling companions for caipirinhas at SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAIN followed by a welcome dinner. (B,D)
Day #6 Rio de Janeiro. The city’s landmark, the statue of Christ the Redeemer, crowns CORCOVADO MOUNTAIN, a rounded peak rising 2,300 feet from the bay below. A scenic ride by cog railway leads to the top, where a breathtaking 360-degree panorama affords sweeping views. From here, proceed to bustling downtown Rio, where modern office towers stand next to relics of the Portuguese colonial past. View the Sambodromo and visit the CATHEDRAL. The afternoon and evening are at leisure for you to experience this vibrant city on your own. Tonight, you may opt to join in a fun outing to a churrascaria for a feast of barbecued meats marinated and roasted over charcoal in true Brazilian style, followed by a SAMBA SHOW, where the sheer vitality of this country explodes in a colorful extravaganza. (B)
Day #7 Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy a full day at leisure to fill as you wish. This morning, you may choose to join the optional Jeep tour to visit the Botanical Garden with its splendid orchid exhibit, and the dazzling green world of Tijuca National Park. This afternoon, sightseers might elect to discover historic Petropolis, a mountain resort and the site of the former summer palace of Emperor Dom Pedro II. (B)
Day #8 Rio de Janeiro–Iguassu Falls. Fly to Iguassu Falls. The afternoon is dedicated to enjoying the magnificent panorama of waterfalls. The spectacle of this 2-mile-wide torrential downpour—with some cataracts as high as 250 feet—is nothing short of hypnotic. The clouds of spray, the incessant roar, and the surrounding luxuriant tropical growth make this an unforgettable natural wonder. (B,D)
Day #9 Iguassu Falls–Buenos Aires, Argentina. This morning, take the ECOLOGICAL JUNGLE TRAIN and tour the Argentine side of the Falls before your flight to Buenos Aires, proud capital of the vast country that occupies most of the southern part of the continent. After arriving at your central hotel, an orientation walk acquaints you with the “Paris of South America” and its wide boulevards and outdoor cafés. Enjoy an evening at leisure. (B)
Day #10 Buenos Aires. Your included sightseeing this morning starts in La Boca, a colorful district and site of the city’s first port. Take a short walking tour of this unique neighborhood at the mouth of the river and then on to San Telmo—famous for its late-colonial buildings and a popular gathering spot for artists. At the Plaza de Mayo, see La Casa Rosada (the President’s Pink House) and the METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL, which houses San Martin’s Mausoleum. Drive past the ornate Colon Opera House before reaching the CEMETERY OF THE RECOLETA, the burial site of Eva Peron. Spend the afternoon at leisure. This evening, savor the atmosphere of this cosmopolitan capital on your farewell evening excursion with dinner followed by a flawless performance of Latin America’s most sensuous dance—the Tango! (B,D)
Day #11 Buenos Aires. Today is at leisure, or consider an optional excursion to the Pampas. Experience the atmosphere of Argentine country life as you visit an estancia (ranch). Get acquainted with the lifestyle of the gauchos and enjoy a barbecue lunch and the warm hospitality of your hosts before returning to the city. (B)
Day #12 Buenos Aires–Lima, Peru. A morning flight takes you to Lima, Peru. This afternoon a guided sightseeing tour focuses on Lima’s colonial heritage. See the 18th-century SAN FRANCISCO MONASTERY with its unique cloisters, the Government Palace, and Cathedral situated around the vast Plaza de Armas. Later, tour the LARCO HERRERA MUSEUM with its dazzling collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian artifacts. (B)
Day #13 Lima–Cusco–Sacred Valley. Fly to Cusco, the impressive Andean city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Spend the day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas with a visit to semi-circular KENKO Amphitheater with its stone altars and labyrinth of passages. Stop at the ancient site of PUCA PUCARA before reaching the TEMPLE OF SACSAYHUAMAN, perched on a hillside overlooking Cusco. It remains unfathomable how and when this fortress of gigantic stones—with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons—was built. Continue to Pisac, an old mountain village where you will have the opportunity to visit a home, meet some of the locals, and experience their way of life. Enjoy free time here to shop for local wares such as alpaca sweaters and blankets, jewelry, or hand-painted ornamental dishes and vases. Stay in the Sacred Valley tonight, with dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)
Day #14 Sacred Valley–Machu Picchu–Sacred Valley. Board a TRAIN for a short journey through the lush Urubamba Valley. Then, transfer to a motorcoach for the ascent to legendary MACHU PICCHU, the “Lost City of the Incas.” Your Local Guide will bring you closer to the mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures. Later this afternoon, return to the Sacred Valley. (B,L,D)
Day #15 Sacred Valley–Cusco. Visit the Inca Fortress of OLLANTAYTAMBO this morning before returning to Cusco. Learn more about the Incas on your guided tour, with visits to the imposing CATHEDRAL and the SANTO DOMINGO MONASTERY. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by ANDEAN FOLKLORIC MUSIC. (B,D)
Day #16 Cusco–Lima. Fly to Lima, where the remainder of your day is free. (B)
Day #17 Lima. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B) Note: Air-inclusive passengers will depart Lima early in the morning on Day 17 before breakfast.
Hotels:
Manaus Tropical Manaus Resort & Convention Center (MD),
Amazon Reserve Ecopark Jungle Lodge (BA),
Rio de Janeiro Excelsior Copacabana (F),
Iguassu Falls Hotel Mabu Thermas (F),
Buenos Aires Sheraton Libertador (SF),
Lima Casa Andina Private Collection Miraflores (MD),
Sacred Valley Casa Andina Private Collection Sacred Valley (SF),
Cusco Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco (SF)