South America Expedition

Day 1 : Quito

At an altitude of 9,210 feet, surrounded by the snowcapped Andes, this was once the capital of the Inca Empire and a base for the Spanish Conquistadors. The cathedrals and churches are its treasures, especially San Francisco Cathedral, which serves as a showcase for the Indian artist Caspicara. We drive up Panecillo Hill for a breathtaking view of Quito and the Andes. Return to your hotel for overnight. (B)

Day 2 : Quito / Otavalo

Today we drive to Otavalo, through the fertile valleys of Guayllabamba, famous for its orchards and local fruit, and Cayambe, known for its local cheese and savory shortbread. En route, stop at the village of Calderon, home of the renowned bread-dough dolls painted bright color. Overnight at a typical hacienda. (L,D)

Day 3 : Otavalo / Quito

This morning, we visit the colorful Otavalo Indian market, one of Ecuador's best shopping markets. The Otavalenos are superb craftsman and weavers and the market is filled with colorful ponchos, textiles, blankets and rugs. En route, we visit the impressive woodcarving village of San Antonio de Ibarra. Check-in for overnight at your hotel in Quito.(B)

Day 4 : Quito / Galapagos Islands

This morning we embark on a remarkable journey to the beginning of time as you transfer to the airport for the 600-mile flight to the Galapagos Archipelago of volcanic islands, five million years in the making. Board the The M/V Galapagos LEGEND, a 300 foot Ocean-going cruise ship with all the facilities and services to make the cruise enjoyable and comfortable. With a capacity for 90 passengers and all the commodities of a cruise liner, the Galapagos Legend is small enough to provide an intimate eco-experience with nature. Six naturalist guides aboard lead daily shore excursions and offer briefings to prepare passengers for the islands to be visited the next day. Afternoon dry landing at Bartolome. Arriving on this island, passengers will se volcanic formations including lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After a hike to the summit visitors will enjoy an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. During the hike to the summit, travelers will often see large colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards, tiquilla, bushes and various cacti. Also, enjoy a chance to cool off while snorkeling. Here it is possible to see the Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, and white tipped sharks from a safe distance. Return to the ship for overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 5 : Galapagos Islands

Today a wet landing at Urbina Bay (Isabela). Walk towards the fossil beach to observe many endemic organisms such as giant tortoises, land iguanas and flightless cormorants. Afternoon dy landing at Fernandina (Espinosa Point). Here we will see the biggest marine iguanas mingling with sally-light foot crabs. Among the flora and volcanic formations observers will note brachycereus cactus, and two kinds of lava formations "pa-hoe-hoe" lava and "AA". (B,L,D)

Day 6 : Galapagos Islands

This morning a wet landing along the dark sand beach at Puerto Egas (Santiago). Most of the landscape is tuff-stone layers and lava flows, a good location for spotting and observing Hunting Herons, Great Blue Herons, Lava Herons, Oyster Catchers, and the Yellow Crowned Night Heron. Here you’ll view Marine Iguanas grazing upon algae beds at low tide sharing space with Red Sally Light-Foot Crabs. Afternoon dry landing at Rábida (Jervis) at the dark red colored beach of volcanic origin, frequented by sea lions. This is a small island, just over 2 km in width and 400 meters above sea level at its highest point, is one of the most volcanically varied islands in the Galapagos. (B,L,D)

Day 7 : Galapagos Islands

This morning we visit Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill), a newly opened site on the northern tip of Santa Cruz Island where we view land iguanas and pink flamingos. Continue to the Darwin Station where you'll view the famous Galapagos 500-pound tortoises. Some free time to stroll through Puerto Ayora, a small pocket of civilization, where you may purchase souvenirs. (B,L,D)

Day 8 : Galapagos Islands / Guayaquil / Lima

This morning we return to Santa Cruz Island. Dry landing a South Plaza Island and walk along rocky trail circumnavigates the island displaying the combination of dry and coastal vegetation zone. The island is home to enormous Prickly Pear Cacti and the endemic succulent Sesuvian. South Plaza has one of the largest populations of Land Iguanas in the Galapagos and they seem to be everywhere once you land. At Puerto Ayora we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station staffed with international scientists conducting biological research and conservation projects. Here we also see Giant Tortoises which are part of the breeding program. Next we head to Baltra´s airport to board our flight to Guayaquil with connecting service to Lima, Peru. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to your Lima hotel. (B)

Day 9 : Lima / Cuzco(Pisac Market)

Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Cuzco. Meeting upon arrival and transfer to the hotel. Some time to adjust to the high altitude and then you make your way down Urubamba, the "Sacred Valley of the Incas" to visit Pisac, the colorful Indian market. Here you may bargain for local handicrafts such as woodcarvings, local textiles and jewelry. After lunch, continue to visit the Ollantaytambo Ruins, once an Inca fortress, admired for it's impressive, huge, steep terraces whose design kept Pizarro's soldiers from defeating the Incas at their first attempt and serves as the best surviving example of Inca city planning. Return to Cuzco for overnight. (B, L)

Day 10 : Cuzco

Following breakfast, a sightseeing tour to the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose gigantic 3-tiered walls are built from 18-foot boulders and weigh over 300 tons. We visit the stone carvings of Kenkco and the royal baths of Tambo Macay. Return to Cuzco and visit the city's colonial section to observe the most important colonial buildings built during the 17th and 18th centuries. (B)

Day 11 : Cuzco / Machu Picchu

After an early breakfast, we board the train for a 3-1/2 hour journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Machu Picchu. This significant archaeological find is situated along remote mountains, amid a semi-tropical jungle. From the train station, our tour bus will make the ascent to this ancient citadel to explore the complex of temples, altars and more than 200 building. After lunch, free time to explore on your own and overnight at your Machu Picchu hotel. (B,L)

Day 12 : Machu Picchu / Cuzco

After breakfast, morning free to explore the ruins at leisure. Afternoon train journey back to Cuzco. Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Cuzco and transfer to your hotel for overnight. (B)

Day 13 : Cuzco / Lima

Morning flight back to Lima, meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to your hotel. Founded in 1535 by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro, this colonial city became the political and military capital of the New World until it was declared the capital of Peru in 1821. Afternoon tour of the city includes the historical heart of the city, starting at the Plaza de Armas with its two-tiered water fountain and visit the surrounding Colonial Cathedral, Government Palace and the Court of the Inquisition. Continue to the famous Gold and Arms Museum which houses a priceless collection of Pre-Columbian artifacts as well as a private armory of Miguel Mujica Gallo. Overnight in Lima. (B)

Day 14 : Lima / Santiago

Departure transfer early this morning for your flight to Santiago, Chile. Arrival in this capital city nestled between the Pacific Ocean on the west and the majestic Andes Mountains on the east. An afternoon city tour includes Club Hipico, a horse racing track, the historical Cousino Palace, "La Moneda" Government Center, The Pre-Columbian Art Museum, the city's main square Plaza des Armas - and Cristobal Hills. We stop at the Wine House for a tasting of some superb Chilean wines. Return to Santiago for overnight. (B)

Day 15 : Santiago

This morning we drive to the Central Valley to experience first-hand some of Chiles best vineyards. First, the Cousino Macul Winery and then on to Pirque, a picturesque village and home to the renowned cellars of Concha y Toro. For lunch, we will have a typical South American barbecue at a countryside restaurant.(B,L)

Day 16 : Santiago/Puerto Montt-Puerto Varas

A morning flight takes us south to Puerto Montt, a quaint fishing village that is the gateway to the Lake District. This is a region of glittering emerald lakes set among snowcapped volcanoes, deep woodland meadows and flowering gardens. We make our way to Puerto Varas - "The City of Roses" - situated on the shores of Lake Llanquihue. (B)

Day 17 : Puerto Varas / Peulla

Our day begins with a scenic excursion through the Andes. We travel by bus to the Petrohue River with its falls and rapids where we cross Lake Todos Santos by launch. Continue on to the Swiss-styled Hotel Peulla for lunch, dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 18 : Peulla / Bariloche

We cross the border from Chile into Argentina at the Perez Rosales Pass to Puerto Frias. Our journey continues over the crystalline blue waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi, passing Victoria Island, as we arrive at Puerto Panuelo Pier. (B)

Day 19 : Bariloche / Buenos Aires

Morning free to shop for local cashmere sweaters or the famous Bariloche chocolates. Afternoon flight to Buenos Aires, called "The Paris of South America." (B)

Day 20 : Buenos Aires

Built in the 19th Century, during an era of plenty for the wealthy gaucho land barons of Argentina, this city of 10 million rivals the architecture and sophistication of Paris. This morning city tour takes us along the 9th of July Avenue, the widest in the world, with stops at the Plaza de Mayo where we view the "Casa Rosada" (Pink House) before continuing on to the chic quarter of Recoleta with sidewalk cafes. Nearby is its famous cemetery, a necropolis of elaborate mausoleums, including that of Eva Peron. Enjoy a tango show and dinner at La Ventana Restaurant. (B,D)

Day 21 : Buenos Aires

The day is at leisure to visit the pedestrian walkway of Florida or visit the historic and artistic section of San Telmo to browse through the market. (B)

Day 22 : Buenos Aires / Iguassu Falls

Take a short flight to Iguassu Falls, where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay share borders. You'll be treated to a sensational sound and light show brought to you by nature. A show with no intermissions - 275 separate waterfalls, spanning 2-miles, wider than Victoria, higher than Niagara and more magnificent than both. We visit the Argentine side of the falls including "Devils Throat" (weather permitting), a point from where waterfalls never cease and later transfer to the Brazilian side of Iguassu for a different panoramic view. (B)

Day 23 : Iguassu/Rio de Janeiro

Morning visit to the Brazil side of the Falls, followed by a late afternoon flight to Rio, the pulsating sun and fun capital of South America. (B)

Day 24 : Rio de Janeiro

Following breakfast, we drive through the fashionable Barra District making our way to the Tijuca Rain Forest and base of Corcovado Mountain. A short train ride takes us 2,400 feet up to the summit, the site of one of South Americas most famous landmarks, the 125-foot statue of "Christ the Redeemer." We stop for lunch at a "Churrascaria", for a typical Brazilian barbecue lunch and continue our tour of the city's Southern District which includes the world-famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. Next we drive to Flamingo Park where we board the cable cars, making our way to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain - 1,200 feet of sheer rock overlooking Guanabara Bay. (B)

Day 25 : Rio de Janeiro

Day is free to shop, sunbath or just relax. Optional tours are available. Tonight a treat for the senses as we make our way to a Farewell Dinner followed by a spectacular Brazilian cabaret and carnival show at Plataforma. (B,D)

Day 26 : Rio/Salvador

Departure transfer to the airport for your flight to Salvador da Bahia. Meeting, assistance and transfer to your hotel. (B)

Day 27 : Salvador

This morning we tour the old quarter of Bahia, Brazil's first capital city founded by the Portuguese. This city's unique African character is a holdover from years of slave trading. We will view historical relics, religious art and the Pelourinho district, considered an important complex of colonial baroque architecture. Afternoon is at leisure to feast your senses with the sights, sounds and unique cuisine of this mystical city. (B)

Day 28 : Salvador/Recife - Pto. Galinhas

Morning transfer to the airport for your short flight to Recife. Meeting upon and arrival, and visit to Olinda, an authentic colonial town, designated by UNESCO as Patrimony of Mankind, founded in 1537 as the capital of the Portuguese captaincy of Pernambuco. Olinda is noted primarily for its 16th and 17th-century ornate churches monasteries and for other colonial buildings. There is a large colony of artists who produce wood carvings and pottery. We continue to Pto. de Galinhas, and your hotel, the gorgoeus Nannai Beach Resort or the Summerville Beach Resort for overnight. (B)

Day 29 : Pto. de Galinhas

The area is a feast for the eyes with its long, sandy beaches, famous tide pools of warm, crystal-clear waters, schools of colored, tropical fish, and balmy weather of perennial sunny days. Spend your stay snorkeling in calm ocean waters, strolling the semi-deserted beach, cruising on a traditional jangada (sailing raft), and enjoying many other water sport options. Or you may simply relax and indulge with a massage, work on your sun tan, or go on a shopping spree in nearby Porto de Galinhas numerous galleries and handicraft shops. (B)

Day 30 : Pto. de Galinhas / USA

At the appointed time, departure transfer back to Recife Airport for your connecting flight home. (B)

Remarks

Not included: Gratuities, local airport departure taxes, meals unless included in the itinerary, beverages, port taxes/park fees.

Restrictions apply.

Special visas/vaccinations required for this journey.

This program may be CUSTOMIZED to ADD or DELETE portions of the journey.

Sample Extensions:
* Ecuador Tropical Forest Resort & Spa
* Amazon Jungle Cruise or Lodge
* Mysterious Nazca Lines
* Lake Titicaca Crossing
* Wineries & Vineyards
* Explora Patagonia or Atacama
* Easter Island
* Perito Moreno Glacier
* Fishing trip from Praia do Forte
* Fortaleza Brazilian Dunes
* Pantanal Safari
* Private helicopter rides
* Private Guide Companion in each country

International First Class/Business Class air upgrade rates upon request.
"Land Only" rates also available, please inquire.

Call us for details, or to plan your private Grandioso Journey.

Private Jet transportation supplement upon request.

Cruise itinerary subject to change.