Itinerary

We’ll explore the local waters today on a private boat excursion. View an amazingly scenic coastline where waterfalls and rainforest meet the sea. Along the way watch for dolphins, sea turtles or manta-rays that occasionally greet us with a visit. Snorkel at many fantastic reefs. There will be a stop for lunch.

Fly to Belem where we will transfer to the Golden Tulip hotel. 

Belem’s Old Town is characterized by vibrant and gentile façades ornamented with ceramic tile, true historical relics imported long ago from Europe, and narrow streets that give the impression that time has stopped there.

On today’s tour we will discover the highlights of this beautiful city. The town’s historical Pelourinho district has UNESCO Cultural Heritage status and is a fascinating mix of colonial grandeur and African vibrancy.

A  full day tour will show us the highlights of the city including a cable car ride to the top of Sugar Loaf, a climb to the foot of the Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) and to Ipanema, Copacabana and many other historical and spectacular sights.

We’ll take a boat tour up-river through the canyon to the base of the falls to see the great horseshoe known as “Devil’s Throat”. Rainbows, blue sky, mist and profuse water punctuate this natural spectacle. View “The Three Musketeers” – the three main streams of the lower falls. You’ll get close enough for a quick and refreshing shower! 

The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.

We will take a morning tour to discover the elegant and cosmopolitan Buenos Aires including the Recoleta Cemetery (where Eva Peron rests), Plaza 5 de Mayo and the large Parisian type avenues that testify the city’s incredible past wealth.

Afterwards, we’ll stop for lunch at one of the charming bistros around the Recoleta area. 

The remainder of the day will be free to explore on your own and if you wish, indulge in some great shopping. 

This evening we will enjoy dinner and a Tango performance - a delight not to be missed!

Fly to El Calafate. There will be a technical stop in Trelew.

El Calafate is a small and picturesque town located in the southwestern tip of the Argentine Patagonia.

Today a choice of selected tours will be available to either explore the lakes and glaciers, enjoy several waterfalls, or hike on one of the many tranquil trails. Excursion options include walks, treks, horseback rides, bicycle rides and scenic tours.

Transfer back to El Calafate and fly to Puerto Montt – the capital of the Lake District. 

Situated on the on the shores of Llanquihue Lake (the largest lake in Chile), Puerto Varas was colonized by German settlers and is known for its German traditions, beer seafood, and natural scenery. The perfect cone of Osorno Volcano, the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Calbuco and Mt Tronador are visible from the lakefront.

Our flight will follow the rugged coast of Chile. Admire the peaks of the Andes and see the well-manicured slopes of Chile’s famous wine region and land in the sophisticated and very European city of Santiago. 

Today we will explore Easter Island, one of the most isolated islands in the world but 1,200 years ago a double-hulled canoe filled with seafarers from a distant culture landed upon its shores.

Over the centuries that followed a remarkable society developed in isolation on the island. For reasons still unknown, they began carving giant statues out of volcanic rock. These monuments, known as “moai”, are some of the most incredible ancient relics ever discovered. The people of Easter Island called themselves the Rapa Nui. Where did they come from and why did they disappear? Science has learned much about the enigma of Easter Island but questions and controversies remain.

Today we will take a commercial flight back to Santiago (cost of round trip ticket not included).

Fly to Calama, located 60 miles northwest of San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis in the desert, Valley of the Moon. 

We have selected our hotel Tierra Atacama, a deluxe hotel near San Pedro de Atacama, to enjoy excursions which will capture profound landscapes, natural events and inhabited places that bare the ingredients and surprises that make the experience unforgettable. Select your tours with the hotel (included).

Enjoy the casual and friendly ambiance at the hotel such as a seat in a private corner by one of the terrace fire pits, lounge next to the pool or relax on one of the shady outdoor decks.

When night falls, take in the brilliant stars, bask in the peace and wonder that is the Atacama Desert.

Your tour guide will be available to help you select from numerous tours available including hiking, trekking or biking.

Over the Quitor hill, a short distance from San Pedro are the ruins of the Pukará (fortress), constructed by the atacameños to defend themselves from other inhabitants of South America. Built on the summit of a hill overlooking the San Pedro River, Pukara de Quitor is an ancient Indian fortress whose construction dates back to the XII century. It was declared a national monument in 1982.

Discover colonial Arequipa with our local guide who will introduce us to some of the city’s most important historical sites. Visit several districts including Cayma and Vallecito, and explore landmarks like the 17thcentury Recoleta Convent and the colonial-era Casa del Moral. Enjoy fabulous views of Arequipa and its spectacular scenery from the Carmen Alto viewpoint.

With our local guide we’ll explore the ancient world of the pre-Incan Moche and Chimu civilizations. We’ll visit the Temple of the Moon (Huaca de la Luna) to learn the history and significance of the terraced temple, built by the Moche out of adobe brick. Then we’ll visit Huaco el Dragon, the Temple of the Dragon, built for religious and ceremonial purposes by the Chimú people who lived in northern Peru from about 900 to the 1400s.

We’ll continue to Chan Chan, the former Chimú capital. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the largest pre-Columbian city in South America and was the center of Chimú political and cultural life from approximately 900 to 1470, when the Incas arrived and conquered the city.

Enjoy a full day tour to experience Cartagena’s colonial charm with its tiled roofs, balconies and flower-filled courtyards and relive history in the old walled city, the Ciudad Amarullada, where we’ll explore the four sectors, each one with a peculiar story to tell: San Diego, La Matuna, Getsemani and Santo Domingo. The tour will include a walking tour and a city tour to enjoy the highlights of this beautiful city.