Grand Tour of South America

Day 1: USA-RIO DE JANEIRO
Depart USA via overnight flight to Rio de Janeiro with meals on board.

Day 2: RIO DE JANEIRO
Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Rio, and transfer to your hotel. Balance of day at leisure. Rio de Janeiro is considered by many as the world's most beautiful city. It is woven between 20 miles of white sand beaches trimmed by green, rolling peaks. There are several beaches, the most famous of which are Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon.

After breakfast, you will visit Tijuca Forest and continue towards the Lagoon District, until Cosme Velho, where the cog-wheeled train station to Corcovado is located. Riding the train, one reaches the top of Corcovado Mountain about 2200 feet above sea level, where you see the 125-foot statue of Christ the Redeemer, Rio's landmark. Here, you get a panoramic view of the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro.

Day 4: RIO DE JANEIRO (B)
Today you will embark on a tour to Sugar Loaf Mountain. Leave the hotel headed towards the downtown area, passing by Rio's traditional and historical sites. Then on to Sugar Loaf Mountain, the guardian of Guanabara Bay. Enjoy the breathtaking view at the top, which includes a panorama of the Copacabana, Ipanema and Flamenco beaches, as well that of Corcovado Mountain and its Christ the Redeemer. Return to your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 5 : RIO DE JANEIRO - IGUASSU FALLS (B)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguassu Falls. Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Iguassu Falls and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls. Stroll around catwalks and admire the beauty and abundance of one of the world's great natural wonders, spanning over two and a half miles across, with 275 separate cataracts.

Day 6 : IGUASSU FALLS -BUENOS AIRES (B)
After breakfast, you will tour the Argentine side of the Falls. Continue to the viewing platform overlooking the roaring Devil's Throat, the main Falls, from where the Iguassu River precipitates. Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Buenos Aires and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure.

Day 7: BUENOS AIRES (B)
After breakfast, begin your day by getting acquainted with the city of Buenos Aires, also known as the "Paris of Latin America". You will visit the major attractions of the city, including the Plaza de Mayo, Avenida 9 de Julio and the famous Italian district of La Boca. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 8: BUENOS AIRES (B,L)
After breakfast, you will embark on a full day excursion across the pampas to a typical estancia (Argentine ranch), where you will experience local ranch life and enjoy a Argentine-style barbecue lunch. Late afternoon return to Buenos Aires for overnight. Balance of day at leisure.

Day 9: BUENOS AIRES- BARILOCHE (B)
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Bariloche. Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Bariloche and transfer to your hotel. The afternoon is at leisure to explore on your own.

Day 10: BARILOCHE-PEULLA (B,D)
After breakfast, depart Bariloche to Puerto Panuelo. Cruise by motorboat along the Blest branch of Nahuel Huapi Lake up to Puerto Blest. Continue by bus to Lake Frias and board another motorboat to sail across the lake. Cross the Andes and the Chilean border by bus until you arrive in Peulla for dinner and overnight.

Day 11: PEULLA-PUERTO MONTT (B)
After breakfast, continue your Lake District journey by boat along lake Todos Los Santos, passing by Techado, Puntiagudo and Osorno Volcanoes. Arrival in Petrohue and transfer by bus for the rest of the journey. A stop will be made to enjoy a beautiful view of Petrohue Falls. Continue along Lake Llanquihue to Puerto Montt for overnight.

Day 12: P. MONTT-SANTIAGO (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Santiago. Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Santiago and transfer to your hotel. Balance of day at leisure.

Day 13: SANTIAGO (B)
Unlike other capital cities, Santiago is not a replica of a colonial past, but a gleaming modern Mecca looking ahead to the future. Today, you will visit the old residential part of the city, including Club Hipico Racetrack, Cousino Palace, San Francisco Church, and the Santa Lucia Hill, site of Santiago's foundation in 1541. Drive up San Cristobal Hill for a beautiful view of the city. Experience wine tasting at the Enoteca Museum and continue to the Pre-Columbian Art Museum. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 14: SANTIAGO-USA (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. The afternoon is at leisure for some last minute shopping. Transfer to Santiago Airport for your flight home.

PERU EXTENSION
6 Days/5 Nights

Days 1 -13: AS PER MAIN TOUR

Day 14: SANTIAGO-LIMA (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Santiago Airport for your flight to Lima. Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Lima and transfer to your hotel. Balance of day at leisure.

Day 15: LIMA (B)
Your morning tour today visits landmarks of the city, such as the magnificent 17th century San Francisco monastery & its unique cloisters, Plaza de Armas to see the Government Palace, the court of the Inquisition & the Cathedral. Continue through the Boulevard of the Republic and the districts of San Isidro & Miraflores to enjoy a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. In the afternoon you will visit the impressive Gold & Arms Museum which houses a priceless collection of artifacts of Peru's past civilizations as well as the impressive armory collection of Miguel Mujica Gallo. Overnight.

Day 16: LIMA-CUZCO-PISAC- OLLANTAYTAMBO (B,L)
Following a very early breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your short flight to Cuzco. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to your hotel. Free time to adjust to the altitude. Today embark upon a full day excursion to the famous Pisac Indian Market in the Urubamba valley (sacred valley of the Incas) & the magnificent fortress of Ollantaytambo, the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the Americas. It is believed construction was cut short by the arrival of the Spaniards. Lunch is included. Return to Cuzco for overnight.

Day 17: CUZCO (B)
Following breakfast, you will enjoy a City Tour of Cuzco, the former capital city of the four regions that formed the Inca Empire. The tour includes highlights of the Colonial city such as the Cathedral, Santo Domingo church, the Plaza de Armas & visits to the Inca ruins of Tambomachay, Kenko, Puca-Pucara & Sacsayhuaman's gigantic zigzag-walled fortress.

Day 18: CUZCO-MACHU PICCHU (B, L)
Early morning you will board the train for a three-hour journey through Urubamba Canyon to the famous ruins of Machu Picchu "the Lost City of the Incas". Machu Picchu was only discovered in 1911 and consists of over 200 buildings. A guided tour will take you through Temples, Houses & Sacred Altars of this advanced hidden world. Buffet lunch is included. Return to Cuzco for overnight.

Day 19: CUZCO-LIMA- DEPARTURE (B)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima, where you will connect with your homeward bound flight.