South America Escorted Group Tour
13 Sep - 12 Oct 2012
There is an almost endless list of interesting and scenic areas within South America. We have designed a 30 day holiday that covers Chile, Argentina and Peru. In addition to visiting major cities such as Santiago, Buenos Aires and Lima, we will also visit ‘unusual’ places that allow you to experience traditional lifestyles. You will experience world famous landmarks and wonders including Iguazú Falls, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. Over the years, we have found people enjoy travelling via land rather than flying between towns. This gives you an opportunity to enjoy more of the scenery and local countryside. This tour incorporates travel on a variety of transport including rail, coach and ferry. |
| ||||||||||||||
Santiago City Tour
As the capital of Chile, Santiago is a very cosmopolitan city with impressive squares. On our sightseeing tour we visit the wonderful Old City and the bohemian neighbourhoods. We drive up to San Cristobal Hill where there is an opportunity to take in panoramic views of the city and the spectacular backdrop of the soaring snow capped Andes. We also visit a nearby vineyard for a tasting tour and lunch in a hacienda.
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas is one of Chile's most charming communities. It is located on the shore of Lake Llaqihue and surrounded by snow capped volcanoes and picture perfect farmlands. The town is home to dozens of National Historic buildings that offer a fine picture of the area's original German inhabitants at the end of the 19th century.
Frutillar Day Tour
We depart from Puerto Varas to Frutillar, passing by Llanquihue, a city with an important agriculture, forestry and livestock activity. Through a secondary road, the tour gets into Frutillar, a charming lakeside resort, which preserves the German style legacy of the first settlers of the region.
Chiloé Island Tour
We start our tour by driving from Puerto Varas to Pargua. We then board a ferry boat and cross the Chacao Channel before arriving on Chiloe Island. The main town of Castro is renowned for its succulent seafood, fine woollen handcrafts and is characterised by fleets of yellow boats and houses.
Bariloche Big Circuit Tour
On our full day tour we cover two hundred kilometres visiting areas such as the Enchanted Forest and Arrayanes Forest with its cinnamon coloured trees and the scenic seven lakes region. Rumour has it that Walt Disney based the scenery of Bambi on the Arrayanes Forest.
‘Expreso Patagónico’ Express Train
The Old Patagonian Express was made famous by Paul Theroux the renowned travel writer. It is one of the last long distance great train journeys in Argentina from Bariloche through to Viedma. Whilst on board you might like to sample one of the succulent steaks and a glass red wine, accompanied by traditional music ballads.
San Antoino de Areco
This exquisite town has quaint cobblestone streets, colonial buildings and is bordered by a lovely riverside promenade. It is one of the most ancient and traditional settlements in the Province of Buenos Aires. One of the features of our visit is staying at a working ranch complete with gauchos.
Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tour
Our half day sightseeing tour of Buenos Aires travels through broad tree avenues lined with old time cafes. In the Congress district, you can admire the Legislative Palace, which was built in the beginning of the 20th century. In the historic heart of Buenos Aires is the Plaza de Mayo (May Square), which is surrounded by some of the oldest and most important buildings.
Iguazú Falls Tour
The Iguazú Falls span the border between Argentina and Brazil. The Falls, which are located in a tropical rainforest, are one of the most imposing natural attractions in Argentina. The surrounding area is home to abundant birds and wildlife.
Lima Sightseeing Tour
The capital city of Peru has a rich blend of colonial architecture, revered pre-Columbian sites and interesting shopping areas. On our city tour we will visit the cathedral, the San Francisco Convent and the Larco Museum. The tour also takes us along the city’s lovely Pacific Coast through charming residential areas.
Cusco
Cusco, located in southern Peru, is a city with perhaps the most beautiful views in the world. It is surrounded by six mountains, some more than 6,000 meters high, as well as being the oldest city in the western hemisphere and the cradle of the ancient Inca civilization. Of course, it is known all over the world for its proximity to the amazing archaeological ruins of Machu Picchu.
Sacred Valley Day Tour
In the morning we visit Pisac, which is famous for its colonial church, where Mass is held every Sunday. The Mass is attended by the 'mayors' of the neighbouring villages, complete in typical dress and carrying their traditional 'varayoc' or staff of office. In the afternoon you will tour the remarkable Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo with its magnificent mountain stairway.
Machu Picchu
On our tour to Machu Picchu we are picked up and transferred to the railway station. We travel on the tourist train that goes through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the fabulous mountaintop ruins of Machu Picchu. These ruins were never discovered by Spaniards and for centuries were buried in the jungle.
Andean Explorer Train
The Andean Explorer train is decorated in subtle, delicate style of the great Pullman trains of the twenties. During this ten hour train journey, which ends at the majestic Lake Titicaca, you will view dramatic changes in landscapes as we travel from the mountains to the rolling plains.
Lake Titicaca Cruise
On our Lake Titicaca cruise we explore the Uros Islands. These islands are made of reeds rising six metres above the lake level. They are anchored by logs and connected to each other by ropes. We then continue to Taquile Island which has two essential characteristics; its location which offers a spectacular view from the hills and its standing as a first rate textile centre.
|
Thu
13
Sep
|
Melbourne to AucklandTravel from Melbourne to Auckland on a midday flight. Airport hotel (1 night) |
|
Fri
14
Sep
|
Auckland to SantiagoLan Chile flight. Hotel Kennedy (3 nights) |
|
Sat
15
Sep
|
Santiago - City TourMorning city tour of this very cosmopolitan city and lunch in a hacienda. Welcome dinner tonight in a nearby atmospheric restaurant. Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
|
|
Sun
16
Sep
|
Santiago - Chilean RodeoToday we attend a traditional Chilean rodeo with colourful pageantry. Here pairs of costumed skilled horsemen compete to tightly control steers. A Chilean styled BBQ lunch is included. Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
|
|
Mon
17
Sep
|
Santiago to Puerto VarasWe fly to Puerto Mont and transfer to nearby Puerto Varas, which is located on Lake Llaqihue and surrounded by snow capped volcanoes. Dinner tonight on the ‘Captain Haase’ a traditional sail boat. Hotel Cabanas del Lago (3 nights) Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
|
|
Tue
18
Sep
|
Puerto Varas - Frutillar TourDay tour to nearby Frutillar with its pronounced Germanic architecture, food, street names and water mill. Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
|
|
Wed
19
Sep
|
Puerto Varas - Chileo Island TourDay tour to Chileo Island in its national park setting. Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
|
|
Thu
20
Sep
|
Puerto Varas to Lakes CrossingWe commence our two day crossing of the Chilean Lakes by coach and ferry through spectacular scenery of national parks, rushing rivers, waterfalls, woods, parklands and mountains. Hotel Natura (1 night) Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
|
|
Fri
21
Sep
|
Lakes Crossing to BarilocheContinue on into Argentina and the attractive lakeside city of Bariloche. Hotel Tres Ryos (2 nights). Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Sat
22
Sep
|
Bariloche - Day TourOn our full day tour, we cover two hundred kilometres visiting areas such as the Enchanted Forest, Arrayanes forest with its cinnamon coloured trees and the scenic seven lakes region. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Sun
23
Sep
|
Bariloche to ViedmaEnjoy the morning at leisure. In the afternoon, we join the ‘Expreso Patagonico’ Express train. Sleeper on train (1 night) Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Mon
24
Sep
|
Viedma to TandilLate morning arrival at Viedma, then drive through pampas country to the former Rodrigos outpost of Tandil. Hotel Elegance (1 night) Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Tue
25
Sep
|
Tandil to San Antonio de ArecoContinue onto the exquisite town of San Antonio de Areco with its quaint cobblestone streets and colonial buildings. Tonight we stay at a working ranch complete with gauchos. Estancia El Ombu de Areco (1 night) Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner
|
|
Wed
26
Sep
|
San Antonio de Areco to Buenos AriesToday travel onto Buenos Aries. Hotel De Las Americas (2 nights) Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Thu
27
Sep
|
Buenos Aires - Sightseeing TourBroad tree avenues lined with old time cafes; Plaza de Mayo, La Bocha, birthplace of the Tango and San Telmo, revitalised area of cobblestone streets, artistic cafes and antique/bric-a-bac stores. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Fri
28
Sep
|
Buenos Aries to Iguazu FallsMorning flight with airport transfers. Hotel Saint George (2 nights) Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Sat
29
Sep
|
Iguazu Falls - Sightseeing TourHalf day sightseeing tour of the impressive Iguazu Falls, higher than Niagara and situated in a tropical rainforest. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Sun
30
Sep
|
Iguazu to LimaFly to Lima (Peru). San Augustin Exclusive (2 nights) Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Mon
1
Oct
|
Lima - City TourOn our city tour we will visit the cathedral, the San Francisco Convent and the Larco Museum. The tour takes us through charming residential areas along the city’s Pacific Coast. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Tue
2
Oct
|
Lima to CuscoIn the morning we fly to Cusco. In the afternoon we tour the Tamboachay ruins water fountains, Puca-Pucara and two fortresses. Picoaga Hotel (2 nights) Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Wed
3
Oct
|
Cusco - Sacred Valley TourOn our Sacred Valley day tour, we visit Pisac with its colourful fairs of handcrafts. We then continue to the fortress of Ollantaytambo that was built by the Incas. Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
|
|
Thu
4
Oct
|
Cusco to Machu PicchuTwo day excursion with all meals included. Depart on the vista dome train to the fabulous mountaintop ruins of Machu Picchu. Afternoon guided tour of the ruins. El Mapi Hotel (1 night) Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
|
|
Fri
5
Oct
|
Machu Pichu to CuscoIn the morning you will have the opportunity to visit the ruins again. In the afternoon we take a train back to Cusco. Picoaga Hotel (1 night) |
|
Sat
6
Oct
|
Cusco to PunoAll day journey on the excellent ‘Andean Explorer’ train. Sonesta Posada de Inca (2 nights) Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
|
|
Sun
7
Oct
|
Puno - Lake Titicaca CruiseDay cruise on Lake Titicaca. We make a stop at the floating Islands of the Uros, made from rushes, which is home to fishermen and hunters. There is time to see boat building, textile making and exceptional woollen goods. Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
|
|
Mon
8
Oct
|
Puno to LimaWe transfer to Juliaca and fly back to Lima. San Augustin Exclusive (2 night) Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Tue
9
Oct
|
Lima to SantiagoFly to Santiago. Hotel Kennedy (1 night) Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Wed
10
Oct
|
Santiago to In FlightEvening Lan Chile flight back to Australia Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Thu
11
Oct
|
In FlightIn Flight |
|
Fri
12
Oct
|
In Flight to Australia via AucklandConnecting Qantas flight direct to Melbourne while Sydney passengers continue on Lan Chile. |
Tour Notes & Options
Prices based on twin share accommodation, please contact us for single pricing.
Extending Your Trip
We are happy to help plan and to make recommendations for further adventures in South America.
contact us to begin planning your trip today!
Testimonials
Read what some of our customers had to say... here