Tour Itinerary |
| Day 1.
Board your overnight flight to South America. |
|
| Day 2. ARRIVAL IN MANAUS, BRAZIL : Welcome to
South America's largest and most populous country. Rooms are ready so you can rest before
the day's activities. Meet your tour director and fellow traveling companions at 1 p.m.
for your afternoon city tour. While Manaus is located in the densest part of the Amazon
Jungle, it retains vestiges of its glory days during the rubber boom. This is evident
during today's stop at the famous OPERA HOUSE, built in 1896 with materials imported from
Europe. You'll also visit two museums documenting a way of life of a bygone era to present
time: the MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES and the INDIAN MUSEUM. (B,D) |
|
| Day 3. MANAUS : Your "Meeting of the
Waters" tour starts near your hotel, passing by the impressive British-built Custom
House and the floating port. Cruise down river along the yellow-gray Rio Solimoes to its
confluence with the chocolate-colored Rio Negro, where the two rivers form the mighty
Amazon. For four miles the differently colored bodies of water flow side by side but never
mix! After lunch on the river, explore a JUNGLE ISLAND (if water level is not too low)
with fascinating native flora and fauna. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
(B,L,D) |
|
| Day 4. MANAUS-RIO DE JANEIRO : Some free time in
the morning before the midday flight to fabulous Rio. (B) |
|
| Day 5. RIO DE JANEIRO : A full day dedicated to
touring the sights. Drive along famous Ipanema and Copacabana beaches to the base of
1,300-foot SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAIN. Ascend by cable car to its summit for a bird's-eye view of
the sprawling city. From here proceed to bustling downtown Rio. View the Sambodromo and
visit the CATHEDRAL. Lunch is at Sol e Mar, one of Rio's finest eateries. Tonight sample
local cuisine in one of the excellent restaurants in nearby Leblon or Ipanema. (B,L) |
|
| Day
6. RIO DE JANEIRO : This morning visit the statue of Christ the Redeemer
crowning CORCOVADO MOUNTAIN, a rounded peak rising 2,300 feet from the sea of houses
below. Take the scenic cog railway ride to its top, where a 360-degree panorama affords
sweeping views. Tonight a fun outing to a churrascaria for a feast of barbecued meats
marinated and roasted over charcoal in true Brazilian style. Then on to a samba show,
where the sheer vitality of this country explodes in a colorful extravaganza. (B,D) |
|
| Day
7. RIO DE JANEIR : A full day for you to live it up in one of the world's
most exciting cities. The shoppers will want to browse the Hippie Fair for silver jewelry,
leather goods, and lacework. This can be combined with a trip to historic Petropolis, a
mountain resort and the site of the former summer palace of Emperor Dom Pedro II. Another
option is a jeep tour to visit the Botanical Gardens, with its splendid orchid exhibit,
and Tijuca National Park to view native flora and fauna. Tonight, dinner at the hotel.
(B,D) |
|
| Day
8. RIO DE JANEIRO-IGUASSU FALLS : A morning flight from Rio takes you to
Iguassu Falls. Spend the afternoon touring the magnificent horseshoe of waterfalls on the
Brazilian side. The spectacle of this two-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) |
|
| Day
9. IGUASSU FALLS-BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA : Enjoy a different perspective of
this natural phenomenon this morning with a tour of the Argentine side where you can
actually walk behind and under the falls. Then on to Iguazu International Airport for your
flight to Buenos Aires. After your hotel check-in, begin familiarizing yourself with the
"Paris of South America" and its wide boulevards, outdoor cafes, and charming
shops on a walking orientation tour. Evening at leisure. (B) |
|
| Day
10. BUENOS AIRES : Your included sightseeing this morning starts in La Boca,
the colorful district where the city was founded. 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 as a popular gathering spot for artists. At the Plaza de Mayo you
will see the President's Pink House and the METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL, housing San Martin's
Mausoleum. Drive past the ornate Colon Opera House before reaching THE CEMETERY OF THE
RECOLETA, the burial site of Eva Peron. Savor the atmosphere of this cosmopolitan capital
on the included evening excursion. Dinner at a typical restaurant features succulent
Argentine steaks and other specialties. The evening is topped off by a thrilling folkloric
show and a flawless performance of Latin America's most sensuous dance-the tango. (B,D) |
|
| Day 11. BUENOS AIRE :
Today enjoy an included excursion to the pampas. Experience the atmosphere of Argentine
country life as you visit an estancia (cattle 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. Still time today to explore the city's downtown shopping gallerias
for the best buys in leather goods and other local handicrafts. (B,L) |
|
| Day
12. BUENOS AIRES : For those who wish to visit another South American
country, we recommend a day excursion to nearby Uruguay. Travel by catamaran to the
capital, Montevideo. After a tour of the Old Town, which has remained virtually unchanged
since the last century, enjoy a gourmet lunch at a typical local restaurant. Then on to
Colonia. Founded by Portuguese settlers from Brazil in 1680, this town held a strategic
position as a smuggling outpost for transporting British goods across the Rio de la Plata
into the Spanish colonies throughout the 17th century. Today its charm lies in its narrow
streets and colonial buildings. Return to Buenos Aires by late afternoon. (B) |
|
| Day
13. BUENOS AIRES-BARILOCHE : Today fly south to Bariloche on the shores of
fjord-like Lago Nahuel Huapi in the heart of Argentina's Lake District. Arrive in the
early evening, with time to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the picturesque town center.
See the city hall and the clock tower in Municipality Square, and admire the famous
chocolate factories-each built like a Swiss chalet. (B,D) |
|
| Day
14. BARILOCHE : This chic alpine resort boasts some of the most
glorious scenery in the country. Cameras ready for today's chairlift ride to a lookout
point at Cerro Campanario. You'll want to capture the vistas of surrounding lakes and
mountain peaks. The tour continues with a leisurely drive around the Llao Llao Peninsula,
Lago Moreno, and Lopez Bay. (B,L) |
|
| Day 15. BARILOCHE-PUERTO
VARAS, CHILE : Board a boat for the cruise across Lago Nahuel Huapi to
Puerto Blest, the first leg of a memorable journey to Chile. Then proceed by motorcoach
through a pristine wilderness adorned by emerald lakes, thick pine forests, and
snow-capped peaks. Look out for soaring Osorno Volcano as you cross Lago Todos los Santos
by ferry. Then take your pictures of the thundering PETROHUE RAPIDS and skirt the southern
shore of Lago Llanquihue on the way to Puerto Varas. Drive to your hotel along the festive
rosebush-lined streets of this lakeside resort. (B,L,D) |
|
| Day 16. PUERTO
VARAS-PUERTO MONTT-SANTIAGO : Your morning tour of the nearby seaport of
Puerto Montt takes you to the harbor brimming with fishing vessels and along a busy
waterfront lined with seafood stalls. Transfer to the airport for your flight north to
Santiago. Perched between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, Santiago has evolved as the
country's political, commercial, and cultural capital. (B,D) |
|
| Day 17. SANTIAGO
: Step back into the 16th century as your local guide traces the city's
history and heritage. Start at La Moneda, the official Government Palace, and nearby SAN
CRISTOBAL HILL with its landmark statue of the Virgin Mary. At the ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
study a great collection of pre-Columbian art. Your tour ends at Plaza de Armas, the main
square, with a visit to the 18th-century CATHEDRAL. Tonight an optional dinner outing:
drive through floodlit downtown Santiago to the popular Los Adobes de Argomedo restaurant
for a sumptuous four-course dinner with Chilean wine, followed by a lively folkloric show.
(B) |
|
| Day 18. SANTIAGO
: The day is free for independent activities. You may want to take advantage
of our optional excursion to the beautiful coastal region west of Santiago. Drive through
the undulating hills of Chile's wine country to the historical port of Valparaiso, and
continue along the coast to nearby Vina del Mar. This chic seaside resort with palm
tree-lined avenues and lovely villas truly deserves the sobriquet "Pearl of the
Pacific." Tonight your tour director hosts a special farewell dinner, a festive
finale to a great touring adventure. (B,D) |
|
| Day 19. SANTIAGO-HOMEBOUND
FLIGHT : A full free day to catch up on last-minute souvenir shopping. Late
this evening your homebound flight departs. (B) |
|
| Day 20. An
early morning arrival is ideal for making homebound connections. |
|
Note |
| Maximum elevation on tour 2,300 ft |
|
Globus
Hotels |
| MANAUS Tropical Manaus Resort and
Convention Center (SF), RIO DE JANEIRO Sheraton Rio Hotel and Towers (D), IGUASSU FALLS
Hotels das Cataratas (F), BUENOS AIRES Sheratin Buenos Aires Hotel and Convention Ceneter
(D), BARILOCHE Panamericano Bariloche (SF), PUERTO VARAS Hotels Cabanas del Lago (F),
SANTIAGO Sheraton Santiago Hotle and Convention Center (D), LIMA Swissotel Lima (D), YUCAY
Posada del Inca (F), CUZO Golden Tulip Libertador Cusco (F). |
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Departure
Dates & Prices Tour Highlights Tour Itinerary |
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