South American Panorama

For SINGLE TRAVELLERS 40 to 59 years
17 August - 05 September 2010 (20 days)

Itinerary

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Spectacular mountain flight across the Andes to the Amazon Rainforest
• The splendour of Cusco with its churches, cathedrals, plazas, markets and cultural heritage
• Explore the beautiful Sacred Valley
• Visit Machu Picchu on two occasions and at the best times of day
• Tourist train to/from Machu Picchu
• Classic railway journey on the 'Orient Express' train across the vast Bolivian altiplano to Lake Titicaca
• Sightseeing in La Paz
• Sightseeing and Tango Show in Buenos Aires - the 'Paris' of South America
• Experience one of the world's most magnificent waterfalls at Iguazu Falls

 ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

Download Full Trip Notes

TRIP GRADING
This trip is graded as Adventure Touring.

Download 'How Fit Do I have to be' information

Although there is no commitment to extended walking on this journey, we nonetheless want to keep the 'accent on the active'. We therefore advise that any physical training you complete before undertaking the trip will be to good effect. Although the day walks are optional, there is no shortage of advantages of packing as much into your time in South America as possible. Whether you are exploring the jungle, Cusco or Machu Picchu, the fitter you are the more this will enhance your experience. Much of this trip takes place at altitudes in excess of 3000m in the Andes. Upon booking we shall send you much more information about altitude and how to cope with it.

A TYPICAL DAY

Touring Routine:
Depending on the itinerary for the day, you will either be travelling or sightseeing. Local experts generally fill the mornings with tours to the local sites. After lunch, further sightseeing will take place or there will be leisure time for you to read, relax at the hotel, or explore.

Accommodation:
During the trip your accommodation has been chosen for local flavour, central location and cleanliness. The majority of hotels are 3-4 star.

Leaders:
During the trip you will be accompanied by a number of different guides and staff. In Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls and Lima you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel and if included, also have a city or museum tour (as specified in main itinerary). These services are carried out by local representatives and city guides (Please note in these places you will not be accompanied by your main guide - so all your meals and free time will be on your own) In Peru you will have 2 different guides; one in the jungle and your main guide will meet you in Cusco and be with you for the majority of the trip from day 5 to day 17.

Fellow Travellers:
Share your journey with other single/solo travellers.

There are 8 places on this trip reserved for the A Rendezvous for Singles community. Subject to demand, these places may increase or decrease. Travellers from other ages who may or may not be single may also join this departure.

DAY 1    Arrive Lima                                17AUG
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the group hotel where you are free to rest or just wander around Miraflores, the area of Lima where our hotel is located. Some of Lima's best galleries, shops and restaurants are found in this area. Founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, Lima is the oldest capital in South America, with a superb combination of Spanish Colonial and 19th century European architecture.

DAY 2    Lima city tour                            18AUG
Today you will be taken on a guided tour of the city. Founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, it features a superb combination of Spanish colonial and 19th-century European architecture. We'll also visit the famous Gold Museum - containing the world's largest private collection of gold and silver artefacts. B

NOTE: please be sure to repack your luggage for the jungle. See the Clothing and Equipment List in your Pre-Departure Notes.

DAY 3    Fly to Puerto Maldonado - Amazon Jungle Lodge          19AUG
We transfer to the airport for the flight to Puerto Maldonado in south-eastern Peru near the border with Bolivia. Transfer to boat and on foot to our jungle lodge set deep in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. We spend 2 nights in our comfortable but basic lodge that was originally built as a base for naturalists. The rainforest surrounding the lodge is a nature lover's paradise. The lodge has comfortable twin share rooms - some with private facilities - others with shared bathrooms - it is quite definitely the most comfortable and well-appointed lodge in this jungle area.  BLD

Day 4    Amazon Jungle Lodge              20AUG
Day walks in jungle and canoe journeys on the local waterways - there is a particularly abundant birdlife - including anhinga, hoatzin, horned screamers, raptors, plovers, terns, macaws, parrots, kingfishers and toucans. It is likely that you will see monkeys and possibly troops of spider & howler and the possibility of seeing large caiman. Overnight in the lodge. BLD

PLEASE NOTE: it is important to be aware that the programs may vary according to flight schedules, weather, river height, group sizes, etc and participants should be aware there is no guarantee of seeing specific animals or birds and in general you may not see much wildlife since the rainforest provides such good camouflage for its inhabitants - but you will have a good chance to experience true rainforest first hand.

DAY 5    Fly to Cusco                              21AUG
Early morning departure after breakfast for the downriver trip to Puerto Maldonado and the short flight back to Cusco 11,200' (3,400m), arriving there around midday. You'll be met by your guide and transferred from Cusco airport to our hotel for a short initial briefing and then a few hours of rest, essential to initiate successful acclimatisation. B

DAY 6    Cusco & Chinchero                   22AUG
After breakfast we drive for one hour to the Sunday Market at the town of Chinchero 3750m (12,300ft). Once the agricultural centre of the empire and still renowned for its traditional weavings. B

DAY 7  Sacred Valley of the Incas          23AUG
The following morning we drive (2 hours) from Cusco into the Sacred Valley of the Incas for lunch. During our time in the valley we visit some of the enthralling citadels, fortresses and temple ruins, including the site at Ollantaytambo. The valley follows the course of the famous Urubamba River, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon. We'll also be able to visit some of the small markets in the valley so you'll have the opportunity to do some ‘tourist shopping', selecting from a variety of expertly made craft work, including alpaca sweaters and hats, ceramics, weavings and traditional Andean instruments. The evening is spent at our hotel in the heart of the valley.  B

DAY 8    To Machu Picchu                       24AUG
From our hotel, we drive to the railway station at Ollantaytambo where we take an early morning train to Machu Picchu. Today we start early to thoroughly explore these remarkable and truly enigmatic ruins. After a professionally led tour of the site we're free to wander around the rest of the amazing sights. We then take a late afternoon bus down to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night. B

DAY 9 Machu Picchu. Return Cusco      25AUG  
Without a doubt the best time to view Machu Picchu is at dawn before the crowds arrive on the train. We drive up to the ruins in time for the opening and savour the views and the atmosphere as the light changes as the sun rises. We have the rest of the morning to explore the ruins at our own pace and perhaps walk up the famous Inca Trail to the ‘Gateway of The Sun' (Inti Punku) for the best view of Machu Picchu. During the afternoon we descend from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes railway station, and embark on the afternoon train which slowly winds its way through the Andean countryside to Ollantaytambo where we transfer to our vehicle for the drive back to our hotel in Cusco. B

DAY 10    26AUG
Every alleyway we enter or corner we turn brings another surprise or enigma in the form of the superbly constructed Inca walls or the more architecturally extravagant colonial churches and palaces. The city, once capital of the extensive Inca Empire, has seen many changes since Francisco Pizarro's men took the city with such apparent ease in November 1533. We also take a short drive to visit the monolithic walls of Sacsayhuaman, spectacularly set above the city. In the afternoon you may have time to explore some of the central parts of the city and a chance to look at some of the great varieties of local craft work on sale in open air stalls and shop. B

DAY 11    Cusco - free day                      27AUG
A good day to relax, do your washing and  perhaps a chance to do some 'tourist shopping', selecting from a great variety of expertly made craft work - including alpaca sweaters and hats, ceramics, weavings and traditional Andean instruments. In the evening we prepare for the next stage of our journey through the Andes. B

DAY 12    Train to Puno & Lake Titicaca 28AUG

We depart early in the morning for the 8 to 10 hour long railway journey to Puno set on the shores of Lake Titicaca at 12,530' (3,820m).  The journey has been described as one of the last remaining classic train journeys of the world. (It was one of the featured sections of the BBC series "Great Railway Journeys of the World"). These days the train belongs to the Orient Express Company and it is a luxurious ride, with just 2 stops along the way, in La Raya, the highest point between Cusco and Puno 14,200' (4,330m) and Juliaca, before Puno. From the comfortable carriages, one of which has been converted into a glass lounge, we watch the Andean scenes flash by. BL

DAY 13    Lake Titicaca-Uros Islands      29AUG
Puno is a typical high Andean town, set on the shores of the lake and located on the great altiplano that stretches all the way to La Paz. There will be an opportunity to cruise Lake Titicaca - the highest navigable lake in the world - and visit some of the unique floating ‘tortora' reed islands of the Uros Indians. We'll also visit the impressively built pre-Inca burial towers or ‘chulpas' at Sillustani near Lake Umayo, an hour's drive from Puno.   B

DAY 14    Drive Puno to Copacabana     30AUG
Today we drive around the lake and across the border into Bolivia to the town of Copacabana - beautifully situated on the lake's shores. We overnight here and have an opportunity to savour the delicious Lake Titicaca trout. B

DAY 15    Drive to La Paz                         31AUG
After breakfast we take a four-hour drive across the immense altiplano to Bolivia's capital city, La Paz - at 3800m (12,800ft), this is the world's highest capital city. B

DAY 16    In La Paz                                    01SEP
We take a morning walking tour of this fascinating city, visiting its many local and tourist markets and one of its museums. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city centre on your own. B

DAY 17 Fly to Buenos Aires (Argentina) 02SEP
In the morning we transfer to La Paz Airport set high up on the altiplano.  We fly to Buenos Aires and are met and transferred to our city centre hotel.   B

DAY 18    In Buenos Aires                         03SEP
This morning we will take a tour of Buenos Aires taking in a walk in the Recoleta area where we visit the Cemetery where Eva Peron is buried. In the afternoon you are free to enjoy BA and you may choose to visit La Boca, take a cruise on the Rio Plata or visit one of the cities museums. This evening for a real treat we shall enjoy a Tango show for dinner and an authentic performance. Return to hotel. B

DAY 19    Fly to Iguazu Falls                    04SEP

Today we leave early for the domestic airport to take a flight north to Iguazu Falls, set in lush rainforest on the border of Argentina and Brazil. Though they are not the highest or largest falls in the world, they are without a doubt one of the most spectacular. The area contains more than twenty-five different cataracts - some small, some absolutely massive. The largest of all is the Boca or Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat). The remainder of the day is yours to explore both sides of the falls, or just simply relax and soak up the atmosphere. Overnight at Iguazu at the Sheraton Internacional, the best located hotel on the Argentine side of the Falls.             B                                                                                                      

Note: Brazilian Side of the Falls
Some nationalities including Australians require a pre-organised visa to visit Brazil. This must be organised prior to departing Australia. Allow approximately 10 days for processing of visa. You can book a side trip to Brazil side of falls from your hotel.

DAY 20    Fly to Buenos Aires                  05SEP
Your morning will include a tour of the falls, from the Argentinian side.  In the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires, where your trip concludes. B

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