BEST OF SOUTH AMERICA

LIMA

Buffet Breakfast at the hotel
Today you will explore the city on a sightseeing tour through Lima. See the Plaza de Armas with the
beautiful buildings of the government Palace, the town hall, the Palace of the archbishop and the
cathedral are still the most important places in town. After that you will visit the beautiful San Francisco
monastery which displays the largest collection of religious art in America. The highlight of this convent
is the visit of the underground vaults known as “catacumbas” or catacombs.
Proceed through the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores and to the Coastline enjoying the view
over the beaches of Lima and the Pacific Ocean.
Afterwards enjoy a guided visit of one of the Lima’s most noted museums, the Rafael Larco Herrera
Archaeological Museum which houses the world’s largest private collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian
Art. Mr. Rafael Larco Hoyle founded the museum on July 28, 1926, in the Chiclin sugar estate in Trujillo,
naming it as his father as an expression of filial homage. In 1958 he moved the collection to Lima,
installing the Museum in a Colonial house in the district of Pueblo Libre, where it currently functions.
This locale was adapted to the characteristics style of the 18th century Colonial houses from Trujillo. The approximate 45,000 objects of the collection have been exhibited to the public in the Permanent Hall,
Jewellery Vault and the Classified Storage Area ever since. The Halls of the Larco Museum are organized by subjects. The Metals, Ceramics, the Stones, the Culture, the Great Jewellery Vault and Textile Halls
emphasize the technological aspects by Pre-Columbian cultures.

Finally the World’s unique Erotic Hall gives us a glimpse of the fascinating sexual life of ancient Peruvians.

YUCAY

Buffet Breakfast at the hotel
The morning is free or take optional tours to Moray and Maras. Visit to Moray, a little Andean community
which is famous for its embedded amphitheater, formed by four circular terraces which seem to
disappear into the interior of the puna, like an artificial crater. Later visit the Salt Mines of Maras. With
the salt which is tapped by exposing salt water that bubbles to the surface from a spring called Qoripujio
in men-made wells to the sun, people earn their living. The view of this complex of nearly 3,000 wells is
spectacular. The local people demonstrate the ancient techniques, even allowing you to participate.
**Remarks: Visits are not recommended during the rainy season (November to April).
In the afternoon, a visit to Ollantaytambo, a typical Inca community, is included. Towering above the town of Ollantaytambo we will find the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Steep stone terraces rising from
the edge of town lead up to the fortress ruins at the top of the hill. A stone stairway leads up through the terrace walls, allowing visitors to step out on them. One of the best-preserved areas lies north of the Hanan Huacaypata square: an area of 15 blocks of houses built on top of carved stone walls.
Overnight in Yucay.

CUSCO

Buffet Breakfast at the hotel
This morning enjoy half-day city tour of Cusco.
Visit the exact centre of the Inca Empire, the Plaza de Armas. See the cathedral built on the ruins of the
ancient Inca Palace. The cathedral borders on other churches on both sides. Next stop will be the old town with its magnificent renovated colonial buildings; some of them are being used as hotels. Then
proceed to Sacsayhuaman, a ruin located approx. 3 km above Cusco. Sacsayhuaman also offers a fabulous view of the city. Afterwards visit the surrounding ruins.
**Remark: To protect the historic center of Cusco, vehicles are no longer allowed in the main square.
The afternoon is free at leisure
Overnight in Cusco.

PUNO – LIMA

Buffet Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Puno’s dock where you will
depart towards the Uros Islands on Titicaca Lake. The Uros are 40 small floating islands made of
packed totora (reed), located within the Titicaca National Reserve. Here the inhabitants of the lake, the
Uros, live just as their ancestors did, maintaining their customs and idiosyncrasies.
After visiting the Uros Islands we will continue by boat to Taquile Island. There are no roads
or electricity in Taquile and the locals have maintained their traditions and culture and many still wear
traditional dresses. The Taquileños are known for their high-quality handicrafts, especially for the knitting, which is exclusively performed by males. In the main square there is a cooperative shop, selling
woollen goods and hand-woven items, as well as a small church.
A typical lunch at Taquile Island is included.
**Remark: The excursion is shared with international travellers and accompanied by an English speaking guide.
Transfer from the hotel to the airport of Juliaca. A box dinner will be provided during the transfer.
On arrival at Lima Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Lima.

IGUASSU

Buffet Breakfast at the hotel.
Today leave your hotel on the Brazilian side by motor coach and cross the Iguassu National Park
towards the Brazilian Falls. You walk along the paths following the cascades and then along the
catwalk which leads you very close to the bottom of the Devil’s Throat. You will enjoy magnificent views. Afterwards you take an elevator to go up back to the road, and there you will board the motor
coach which will take you to the Argentinean side of the falls.
You will make a short stop at the Visitor’s Centre and proceed from there along the Inferior Circuit, the down-river falls, to the Superior Circuit, the up-river cascades. The Ecological Jungle Train leads you to the most impressive observation point of the falls – The Devil´s Throat. After visit transfer to the hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls.
Overnight in Iguassu, Brazilian side.

BUENOS AIRES

Buffet Breakfast at the hotel.
Today visit the most the most important sites on Buenos Aires city tour.
During the city tour you will see the Plaza de Mayo, with the Casa Rosada (the pink house), seat of the
government, the Cabildo (town hall) and the Metropolitan Cathedral, home of the Archbishop of Buenos
Aires. The tour goes then onto the district San Telmo. Until 1888 this part of the city was a river port,
today San Telmo is one of the most modern and desired places to live in Buenos Aires. The worker district La Boca is famous for its colourful tin-houses and its history as living district of Italian seamen and dock workers in the 19th century. The Barrio Norte, also called Recoleta, is the quarter of the rich of Buenos Aires. On the cemetery of Recoleta one will find the grave of Eva Duarte who became famous as Evita Perón. Continue along the widest avenue in the world, the Avenida 9 de Julio, and continue to the
Plaza Lavalle with the Federal Court of Justice and the Teatro Colón. Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Buenos Aires.

RIO DE JANEIRO

Buffet Breakfast at the hotel.
Today enjoy full day Rio de Janeiro City Tour including Sugar Loaf & Corcovado. Leaving the hotel and proceeding as far as Cosme Velho Station to board a cog-train(*) for the ride through Tijuca Forest up Corcovado Mountain at 748m (2.454 ft) high. The train ride takes 20 minutes
and is a wonderful opportunity for a closer look at the forest’s lush tropical vegetation and to enjoy scenic landscapes of the beaches and city.
Disembarking at the top of Corcovado and then proceeding up the steps that lead to the top lookout where the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. After appreciating the breathtaking view unfolding below, passengers will descend by train. The tour proceeds passing by Rio’s world-famous beaches as far as Urca District to board a cable car for a two-staged ascent up Sugar Loaf Mountain at 390m (1.280 ft) high. Then coming down and proceeding along Guanabara Bay and Flamengo Park as far as downtown.
Visit downtown area, passing by the financial and business centre and by other attractions such as the Candelaria Church, Saint Sebastian Cathedral, Lapa Arches, Municipal Theatre, National Library, Fine
Arts Museum, and by the Sambadrome, site of Rio’s famous Carnival parade.

Optional: Rio by night – Show in the evening
Visit a folklore and Carnival show featuring skilled dancers, entertainers, samba bands and wonderful costumes in a wonderful display of Brazilian folklore and Carnival.
Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.