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South America / Classic South America
Day 15. Puerto Natales [B] Puerto Natales is located over the border in Chile. It is a 4hour drive from El Calafate during which time you may be lucky enough to get your first view of the mighty granite massifs that are the centrepiece of Torres del Paine National Park. Puerto Natales has a wonderful setting on an inlet from the Pacific Ocean where you spend the rest of the day. Spend one night at the Capitan Eberhard. Days 16 to 19. Torres del Paine [B] The Torres del Paine National Park is without doubt one of the world's premier national parks. It is located north of Puerto Natales and is a stunning mix of deep blue lakes, high peaks, ice fields and open valleys. You have four days to explore the park, during which time you can trek to the base of the mighty granite towers of Paine, take a boat ride along a glacial lake, travel by jeep to a glacier or simply watch condors circling above you. You spend four nights at Hosteria Las Torres. Day 20. Punta Arenas [B] Head for Punta Arenas visiting the breeding colony of Magellenic Penguins at Seno Otway Penguin Reserve en-route, for a 1-night stay at the Hotel Costa Australis. Day 21. Santiago [B] Fly on to Santiago where you spend your final night at the Hotel Fundador. Santiago is flanked by the Andes to the east and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is a modern cosmopolitan city and taking the funicular railway up to San Cristobal you will have spectacular panoramic views of Santiago and the surrounding Chilean countryside. Days 22 & 23. Homeward [B (Day 22 only)] Transfer to the airport in time for your homeward overnight flight.
Cost per person: Jan to Mar, Oct to 9 Dec 10 to 31 Dec From £3,995 From £4,095
Mountains, Rainforests & Reefs
A tropical mix of Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos 27 days London to London
the many Inca sites within the town and take a guided excursion to Pisac and Ollantaytambo (the oldest recorded town in the Americas). You will be based at the Pousada del Inca Hotel, during your time here. Days 9 & 10. Machu Picchu [B]
Days 1 & 2. Depart London [B (Day 2 only)] Depart London on the daytime flight to La Paz (via Miami) where you spend two nights at the Hotel Gloria. La Paz is the highest capital city in the world and it is a great introduction to travel in South America. The city itself is built around an old volcanic crater and is a never ending maze of winding streets, fine plazas and exotic markets. Day 3. Puno [B] A 5-hour drive over the altiplano takes you to Puno. Even higher than La Paz, Puno is the jumping off point for excursions to Lake Titicaca and its setting by the lake really is quite stunning. Your hotel, the Hotel Libertador, is located right on the lake and has spectacular views. Day 4. Lake Titicaca [B] Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, is the legendary birth-place of the Inca sun god and with its back-drop of the snow-capped Andes it is truly stunning. You spend the night on an island with one of the local families in simple traditional accommodation. You will also visit the unique Uros Islands which are constructed entirely from reeds. Day 5. Puno [B] Return by boat to Puno where you spend a further night at the Hotel Libertador.
A 4-hour train journey takes you to the base of the plateau on which Machu Picchu 'The Lost City of the Incas' stands. Re-discovered by American Archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1921 the site is perhaps one of the best known of all South Americas attractions. You stay at Hotel Pueblo in the nearby village of Aguas Calientes and after early morning sunrise-viewing you return by train to Cuzco for the night. Days 11 to 14. Sandoval Lake Lodge [B, L, D] Today you fly to Puerto Maldonado and from here you canoe to a wonderful lodge located deep in the jungle, the Sandoval Lake Lodge. There are guided walking trails and river trips available from here. Resident wildlife includes Giant Otter, Jaguar, Black Caiman and Emperor Tamarins in addition to over 900 species of bird and some 1,200 species of butterfly. Day 15. Lima [B] Return by canoe to Puerto Maldonado for the flight to Lima where you spend the night at the Pousada del Inca. Days 16 & 17. Quito [B] A 2-hour flight takes you on to the Ecuadorian capital of Quito, beautifully located high in the Andes. Relaxation time is mixed with a visit to Cotopaxi National Park to see the world's highest active volcano. You spend two nights at the Grand Hotel Mercure Alameda. Days 18 to 24. The Galapagos [B, L, D]
Days 6 to 8. Cuzco [B] Transfer to Puno train station for the spectacular journey passing jagged mountain peaks, deep blue lakes and grassy plains, to Cuzco. Wildlife you may see en-route includes Andean Condor, Mountain Fox, Llama and Alpaca. Cuzco is dominated by fine colonial buildings and intricate Inca stone masonry. You will be able to visit
The final part of this South American extravaganza is a voyage exploring the Galapagos Islands. Made famous by Darwin and his Theory of Evolution, the Galapagos are like no other archipelago anywhere else in the world. (The islands and the boats we work with are described in detail on our Ecuador pages 124 to 129.) You will have a week aboard a boat exploring the archipelago. The price below is based on the Cachalote, however we can tailor the trip to use any of our featured vessels. Days 25 & 26. Quito [B] Return to Quito where you spend your final night at the Grand Hotel Mercure Alameda before returning to the UK. Day 27. Arrive home
Cost per person: Jan to Jun, Sep to 9 Dec Jul to Aug, 10 to 31 Dec From £4,695 From £4,995
Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Accommodation: Departure dates: Flights, meals as indicated, transfers & guided activities Hotels & lodges Daily, October to March
Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Accommodation: Departure dates: Flights, meals as indicated, transfers & guided activities Hotels, boats, local homes & jungle lodges Daily, throughout the year
Giant Tortoise
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