26 Nights Ms Zaandam
Includes Flights, Hotels, Meals, Guided Sightseeing
Departures
Santiago, Puerto Montt, Castro Isla Chiloe, Puerto Chacabuco, Punta Arenas, Chile; Ushuaia, Puerto Madryn, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Stanley, Falkland Islands; Montevideo, Uruguay; South America, Antarctica
Designed to carry fewer guests while providing more space for maximum comfort, MS Zaandam is a prize in the midsize ship category. Offering spacious public areas and plush accommodations, many staterooms have private verandahs. The musically themed Zaandam offers a unique shipboard atmosphere. Inspired by the world's great music, artefacts and memorabilia from a variety of musical genres decorate the ship. You'll find musical instruments such as Bill Clinton's saxophone and signed guitars from Queen, Iggy Pop, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones used as art objects throughout the ship. At the heart of Zaandam, in a soaring three-story atrium: you will find a Baroque-style Dutch pipe organ, inspired by the traditional barrel organs still found on the streets of The Netherlands. A voyage on the MS Zaandam is a unique experience to be savoured and remembered.
Day 1 Wednesday 8 January, 2020 Santiago, Chile
Today we board our flight to Santiago, Chile. As we cross the International Date- Line we will arrive in Santiago on the day that we depart. After clearing Customs we will be transferred to our hotel where we will have free time to relax.
Day 2 Thursday 9 January, 2020 Santiago, Chile
This morning we will have a sightseeing tour of the city of Santiago and see the Civic Centre, La Moneda Presidential Palace and the Plaza de Armas which is the main square of the city. We then head towards the Bellavista district, an area that is home to many of Santiago’s artisans, and is lined with galleries as well as openair cafes and restaurants. We will also go to San Cristobal Hill, the tallest peak rising 880 metres above sea level, for a panoramic view of the city. This afternoon we are transferred to the port to board the MS Zaandam.
Day 3 Friday 10 January, 2020 Day at sea
Today we have a day at sea to enjoy the facilities of the ship. This evening join us for Welcome Drinks to celebrate the beginning of this incredible cruise holiday.
Day 4 Saturday 11 January, 2020 Puerto Montt, Chile
This morning wake as we cruise the Reloncavi Sound, a body of water located immediately south of Puerto Montt, Chile. It is the place where the Intermediate Depression falls into the Pacific Ocean and is an ideal place to catch a glimpse of three of the volcanoes, Mt Osorno, Mt Calbuco and in the distance, Mt Puntiagudo. We then arrive into the port of Puerto Montt, in the heart of the Chilean Lakes District. We have an included sightseeing tour of the Chilean Lakes District one of the last truly unspoiled regions on earth. We return to the ship in the mid to late afternoon.
Day 5 Sunday 12 January, 2020 Castro, Isla Chiloe, Chile
Today we arrive at Catro on the Isla Chiloe. Although it's only a 30-minute ferry crossing away from mainland Chile across the Chacao Channel, verdant Isla Chiloe – the largest in the Chiloe archipelago – is another world. On our sightseeing tour we will visit some of the 16 wooden churches clustered around Castro on the island's east coast which have UNESCO World Heritage status. We will see the traditional palafitos (houses on stilts) which dot its shores. We also visit the Chiloe National Park which is a spectacular natural biosphere and shelters foxes, sea lions and otters.
Day 6 Monday 13 January, 2020 Puerto Chacabuco, Chile
Situated along the wild-west fjord land coast of Chile, 250 miles south of Puerto Montt, it is here that the northern Patagonian ice sheets fall into the sea in neon blue splendour. One of the last frontiers, there are few such remote, unspoiled and underdeveloped places left on earth as Puerto Chacabuco. On our tour today we travel to the Rio Simpson National Reserve, 37 kms west of Coyhaique, which provides an opportunity to enjoy cascading waterfalls, canyon rivers, valleys, beaches and forests.
Day 7 Tuesday 14 January, 2020 Chilean Fjords
Today we continue cruising through the Chilean Fjords stretching from the Strait of Magellan to Puerto Montt in Chile. These are some of the most magnificent fjords in the world. As your eyes work their way up the jagged walls of mammoth glaciers, you may be rewarded with an Andean condor sighting. On the ocean's surface, the Magellan penguins always put on a good show.
Day 8 Wednesday 15 January, 2020 Amalia Glacier & Canal Sarmiento
Over the next few days we will cruise past some of the most spectacular glaciers in the world, including the Amalia Glacier, one of the highlights of the cruise. Located in the central part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Fields, the Amalia Glacier descends from the Andes Mountains and sits towering above the sea. Because of the glacier's immense weight, the oxygen has been pressed out of the ice, giving it an amazingly beautiful crystalline appearance. The Amalia Glacier is one of three spectacular glaciers that are truly one-in-a-lifetime sights to behold. Cruising through Tierra del Fuego and the snow-capped peaks, we see the ethereal blue glaciers of Canal Sarmiento. Cutting through Chile's Torres del Paine National Park, this majestic waterway is surrounded by other-worldly beauty.
Day 9 Thursday 16 January, 2020 Punta Arenas, Chile
Today we sail through the Straits of Magellan. This 580 km strait is named for the ambitious Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, who sought a way to circumnavigate the globe. We will retrace his route as we make the only available crossing between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with the exception of the Panama Canal. Early in the morning we arrive at Punta Arenas, the most southerly city in Chile. The city is surrounded by two million sheep in the wilds of Patagonia. On our sightseeing tour today, explore the town lined by the impressive townhouses of the sheep barons. We will also visit the tree-lined Plaza de Armas Square and the top of La Cruz Hill where we can see the start of the Antarctic in the far distance.
Day 10 Friday 17 January, 2020 Ushuaia, Argentina
The day starts with us cruising through the Cockburn Channel, a strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago on the extreme southern tip of South America, partly in Chile and partly in Argentina. We then enter The Beagle Channel, about 240 kilometres long and about 5 kilometres wide at its narrowest point. It extends from Nueva Island in the east to Darwin Sound and Cook Bay in the west. Glacier Alley is embedded in the Darwin Range on the north-west arm of the Beagle Channel. From a lookout at Pia Glacier, we have a spectacular view of the entire glacier tongue, stretching from high in the mountains all the way to the sea. Listen to the thunderous noises caused by the large masses of ice cracking and dropping into the bay. We will also sail past glaciers such as Italia, Holanda, Alemania, Francia and Romanche among others before arriving at Ushuaia, known as the "City on the bottom of the World". Located on the island of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) it is a spectacular region, known for its plains surrounded by snow-capped mountains. We take a sightseeing tour of the city and the surrounding Tierra del Fuego National Park to see the spectacular scenery of this island.
Day 11 Saturday 18 January, 2020 Cape Horn, Argentina
Today we cruise around southern South America, past the tip of the continent. Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of South America, remains a maritime legend to this day, as sailing around this remote point and then through the Drake Passage was one of the most challenging nautical routes on the planet.
Day 12 Sunday 19 January, 2020 Day at sea
A day at sea to enjoy the facilities of the ship. This afternoon Mark will host a talk about his life in the media.
Day 13 Monday 20 January, 2020 The Palmer Archipelago, Antarctica
We arrive at the first islands in Antarctica today. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as we cruise through the Palmer Archipelago, also known as Antarctic Archipelago, a group of islands off the north-western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. It extends from Tower Island in the north to Anvers Island in the south. It is separated by the Gerlache and Bismarck Straits.
Day 14 Tuesday 21 January, 2020 The Danco Coast, Antarctica
A highlight of the trip: the mainland of Antarctica. View the spectacular Antarctic landscape of icebergs and ice covered scenery. The Danco Coast is that portion of the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula between Cape Sterneck and Cape Renard. This coast was explored in January and February 1898 by the Belgian Antarctic Expedition under Adrien de Gerlache, who named it for Lieutenant Emile Danco who died on the expedition.
Day 15 Wednesday 22 January, 2020 Antarctic Sound
The Antarctic Sound is a body of water about 50 km long and from 11 to19 km wide, separating the Joinville Island group from the northeast end of the Antarctic Peninsula. The sound was named by the Swedish Antarctic Expedition under Otto Nordenskiöld for the expedition ship Antarctic in 1902.
Day 16 Thursday 23 January, 2020 Day at sea
A day to further enjoy the unique sights of the Antarctic and to enjoy the facilities of the ship. This afternoon Mark will host a talk about his life in the Media.
Day 17 Friday 24 January, 2020 Day at sea
A day to further enjoy the facilities of the ship.
Day 18 Saturday 25 January, 2020 Stanley, Falkland Islands
Today we arrive in Stanley, the capital of the archipelago of more than 700 islands that make up the Falkland Islands, located off the east coast of South America. This quaint seaside town is dotted with colourfully painted houses, small shops and restaurants and a truly unique scenic landscape. On our sightseeing tour we will see the traditional British charm that is preserved in this overseas territory of the United Kingdom. We will see Pioneer Row and Drury Street, home to the original British colonist's cottages, while the Jubilee Villas built in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee are an excellent representation of traditional British houses. We will see the Stanley House, the only brick house in town, and the Government House, the home of both the islands' governor and beautiful flower gardens. We also see some sights from the 1982 Falklands War and a local Penguin colony to see how these birds live is this remote location.
Day 19 Sunday 26 January, 2020 Day at sea
A day at sea to enjoy the facilities of the ship. This afternoon Mark will host a talk about his life in the Media.
Day 20 Monday 27 January, 2020 Puerto Madryn, Argentina
Today we call in at the port of Puerto Madryn, in the Patagonian province of Chubut. We will visit the nearby Peninsula Valdés, a wildlife sanctuary for birds and marine species, including rheas, oystercatchers, flamingos, egrets, whales, sea elephants, sea lions and many other species of wildlife. In addition, Puerto Madryn has an interesting history. Long after Spanish explorers landed, this area was also settled by Welsh colonists who left Great Britain seeking autonomy for their culture and language. The original settlers came ashore in July 1865 and named their first settlement Port Madryn in honor of Baron Madryn of Wales.
Day 21 Tuesday 28 January, 2020 Day at sea
Our last day at sea to enjoy the facilities of the ship. This afternoon Mark will host a discussion about South America.
Day 22 Wednesday 29 January, 2020 Montevideo, Uruguay
We arrive in Montevideo, capital of the small country of Uruguay, known as the "Switzerland of South America." We have a sightseeing tour of this historic city with its blend of traditional and European architecture. We will visit the Ciudad Vieja or Old Town, which is the heart of the city and the cultural centre.
Day 23 Thursday 30 January, 2020 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Today we arrive at our cruise destination, Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, known as the "Paris of South America". On our tour of Buenos Aires, we drive down 9 de Julio Ave, the widest avenue in the world, past the famous Colon Opera House, the Obelisk – commemorating the first founding of the city in 1536 - to get to Plaza de Mayo (May Square). We will also see the surrounding buildings; Government House, the Metropolitan Cathedral with the Mausoleum of General San Martin, Argentina's greatest national hero and the Cabildo, the colonial town hall built in 1751. Then we head to La Boca, the typically Italian district where the first Italian immigrants settled and 'Caminito' street. The tour continues to the Buenos Aires port area, past San Martin Square towards the residential district of Palermo Chico and Palermo Park with its jacaranda and palo borracho trees which flower in the spring and late summer. The ride continues to Recoleta elegant district to visit the Recoleta Cemetery where we see the famous tomb of Evita (Eva Peron). We return to the ship for our last evening on board the MS Zaandam.
Day 24 Friday 31 January, 2020 Buenos Aires
Disembarking early this morning we visit a ranch on the Pampas to experience some of the heritage of this country and for an authentic Argentinean BBQ – a BBQ like no other in the world. We also watch a group of Gauchos
Day 25 Saturday 1 February, 2020 Buenos Aires
A free day to enjoy, relax and shop in the city of Buenos Aires. This evening we have a celebratory dinner at a restaurant that includes a spectacular Tango show to celebrate our fabulous cruise to South America and Antarctica.
Day 26 Sunday 2 February, 2020 Buenos Aires
This morning we are transferred to the airport for our return flight to Australia.
Day 27 Monday 3 February, 2020 In flight
Day 28 Tuesday 4 February, 2020 Australia
Having crossed the International Date Line east to west we lose one day and we arrive in Australia today and the tour package concludes.
| CABIN | CATEGORY | DECK | TWIN FARE PP | SINGLE FARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin | Cabin Category | Deck | Twin Fare | Single Fare |
| L | Inside | 2,3 | $11,990 | $15,990 |
| K | Inside | 2,6,7 | $12,190 | $16,490 |
| J | Inside | 1,2 | $12,490 | $16,690 |
| I | Inside | 3,6 | $12,690 | $16,890 |
| EE | Oceanview | 1,3 | $13,490 | $18,190 |
| E | Oceanview | 1,2,3 | $13,590 | $18,290 |
| DD | Oceanview | 2 | $13,690 | $18,490 |
| DA | Oceanview | 2 | $13,790 | $18,690 |
| D | Oceanview | 1,3 | $13,890 | $18,890 |
| C | Oceanview | 2 | $13,990 | $19,090 |
| AA | Balcony | 6,7 | $19,290 | $30,190 |
| A | Balcony | 6,7 | $19,590 | $30,690 |
| SB | Deluxe Balcony Suite | 7 | $31,990 | $56,990 |
| SA | Deluxe Balcony Suite | 7 | $32,690 | $57,990 |
| Included port and handling charges | $1,347 | $1,782 | ||
| Included on-board gratuities | $396 | $396 | ||
| Included air taxes as at 1 Feb 2019 | $200 | $200 | ||
|
CabinL
CategoryInside
Deck2,3
Twin Share$11,990
Single Fare$15,990
|
|
CabinK
CategoryInside
Deck2,6,7
Twin Share$12,190
Single Fare$16,490
|
|
CabinJ
CategoryInside
Deck1,2
Twin Share$12,490
Single Fare$16,690
|
|
CabinI
CategoryInside
Deck3,6
Twin Share$12,690
Single Fare$16,890
|
|
CabinEE
CategoryOceanview
Deck1,3
Twin Share$13,490
Single Fare$18,190
|
|
CabinE
CategoryOceanview
Deck1,2,3
Twin Share$13,590
Single Fare$18,290
|
|
CabinDD
CategoryOceanview
Deck2
Twin Share$13,690
Single Fare$18,490
|
|
CabinDA
CategoryOceanview
Deck2
Twin Share$13,790
Single Fare$18,690
|
|
CabinD
CategoryOceanview
Deck1,3
Twin Share$13,890
Single Fare$18,890
|
|
CabinC
CategoryOceanview
Deck2
Twin Share$13,990
Single Fare$19,090
|
|
CabinAA
CategoryBalcony
Deck6,7
Twin Share$19,290
Single Fare$30,190
|
|
CabinA
CategoryBalcony
Deck6,7
Twin Share$19,590
Single Fare$30,690
|
|
CabinSB
CategoryDeluxe Balcony Suite
Deck7
Twin Share$31,990
Single Fare$56,990
|
|
CabinSA
CategoryDeluxe Balcony Suite
Deck7
Twin Share$32,690
Single Fare$57,990
|
|
Included port and handling charges
Twin Share$1,347
Single Fare$1,782
|
|
Included on-board gratuities
Twin Share$396
Single Fare$396
|
|
Included air taxes as at 1 Feb 2019
Twin Share$200
Single Fare$200
|
All cabins are subject to availability. Please call 1800 630 343 for fares and information on other cabin categories.
International touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the need of assistance from others.
TOUR OPERATOR:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005817 078) is the tour organiser. The MS Zaandam is operated by Holland America and the fly/cruise arrangements are subject to the terms and conditions and general information detailed in the Holland America website www.hollandamerica.com .
DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT:
A deposit of $1000 per passenger should be sent with a completed Travelrite International booking form that lists your requested cabin category. As soon as the booking is confirmed, (usually within 24 hours), a cruise confirmation advice will be posted to the client. The passenger must also complete Holland America cruise personaliser. Final payments are due to be paid to Travelrite International 90 days prior to the commencement of the fly/cruise. A 1.5% administration fee will be added to payments by credit card
CANCELLATION CHARGES: Number of days before sailing.
| Days prior to Departure | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|
| Over 120 days | Loss of deposit |
| 120 to 91 days | 25% of full fare |
| 90 to 61 days | 50% of full fare |
| 60 days or less | 100% of full fare |
| Non appearance/no written notice | 100% of full fare |
REFUNDS:
The cruise is based on arrangements which do not allow for any refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals or other services not utilised after the tour has commenced.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
All passengers will require a valid passport. A visa will be required for Brazil. Chile requires a Reciprocity fee to be paid on arrival. If you are not an Australian passport holder check with Travelrite International for visa requirements.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Adequate travel insurance is highly recommended to cover cruise members for the consequences of unforeseen events during the cruise and for cancellation fees which could result from events such as illness, accident, death etc.
BAGGAGE:
Passengers qualify for a 23kg free baggage allowance on flights to join or return from the cruise.
MINIMUM TOUR NUMBERS:
The fly/cruise arrangements have been made on the basis of a minimum number of passengers travelling. In the event that less than the required number of passengers have confirmed their booking 90 days from the date of departure, Travelrite International reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full refund of monies paid, or offer arrangements to proceed with the tour at a modified fare.
TOUR PARTICIPATION:
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ATAS No. A10538) is the tour organiser. Neither Nationwide News Pty Limited nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any of its newspapers have any involvement in the tour, and have no liability of any kind to any person in relation to the tour. Travelrite International Pty Ltd, its agents, officers, affiliates, and/or suppliers of services pursuant to, or in connection with these fly/cruises, shall act only as agents in making arrangements for hotels, transportation, including transportation by ship, restaurants, or any other service and do not assume any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, death, loss, accident or delay to person or property due to an act of negligence or a default of any hotel, carrier restaurant company or person rendering any services included in fly/cruises, or by act of God. Further, no responsibilities are accepted for any damage or delay due to sickness, pilferage, labour disputes, machinery break-down, quarantine, government restraints, weather, terrorism or other causes beyond their control. No responsibility is accepted for any additional expense, omission, delays, re-routing or acts of any government authority. Baggage is at owners’ risk throughout the fly/cruise. The passage contract between the carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the purchasers of this fly/ cruise and/or the passengers. The right is reserved to withdraw any fly/cruise and/or make such changes in the fly/cruises as may be found desirable or necessary for the convenience of the parties and the proper carrying out of the fly/cruise. If the tour leader is unable to lead the tour due to unforeseen circumstances, for example illness, Travelrite International reserves the right to replace the tour leader. This contract shall be construed in accordance of the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia and any action must be undertaken in the State of Victoria. Attention is also directed to the terms and conditions of the Holland America fly/cruise passage contract with Holland America, detailed on the back of the Holland America reservation form. If you do not have a copy of this form please contact Travelrite International and we will send one to you.
DELAYS AND UNFORESEEN EVENTS:
You engage Travelrite to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite acts as your agent for the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers of accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to you, any good or service which Travelrite reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such good or service may become required.
HOW TO BOOK:
Bookings can be made by completing a booking form and sending it with a deposit of $1000 per person to:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd
423 Whitehorse Road Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information can be obtained by telephoning
Toll Free: 1800 630 343
Telephone: (03) 8803 6868
Email: [email protected]
www.travelrite.com.au
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL:
Travelrite Inter-national Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established travel company which has been marketing throughout Australia for over 20 years and operating in Victoria for more than 30 years. It has two fully ATAS (No A10538) and IATA offices at Balwyn and Heathmont. As such they directly represent the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international hotel, tour and transport operators. Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents – AFTA.
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Cruise Offers will collect and store the data contained on this booking form on our secure PCI Compliant server. Your email address will be stored on our mailing list and may be used for sending out relevant Cruise Offers promotions or upcoming tours. By completing this booking you agree to these terms. You may request the removal of your data from our system at any time after your tour has completed. To do so you can fill in a data removal request.
Taller than Niagara Falls, twice as wide with 275 cascades spread in a horseshoe shape over nearly two miles of the Iguazu River, the rate of flow of water going over the Iguazu Falls may reach 12,750 cubic metres per second. These matter of fact details do nothing to describe the awe inspiring grandeur of the falls, the tremendous amount of water thundering down 82 metres, the tropical location and the sheer beauty of the Iguazu Falls. Take a helicopter ride out over the falls from Foz do Iguaçu or a boat ride out to the falls. See the spectacular Devil's Throat, garganta del diablo, where fourteen falls drop 107 metres with such force that there is always a 30 metre cloud of spray overhead. For a close up view, walk through the subtropical forest of National Iguaçu Park to the base of Salto Floriano and take the elevator to the top of the falls.
Day 1 Friday 3 January, 2020 Lima, Peru
This morning we board our flights to Lima, Peru. On arrival we are transferred to our hotel.
Day 2 Saturday 4 January, 2020 Cusco, Peru
This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flights to Cusco, Peru. On arrival into Cusco, often referred to as the ‘Archaeological Capital of the Americas' the group will be transferred to our hotel and the rest of the day will be free to relax and acclimatize to the altitude.
Day 3 Sunday 5 January, 2020 Valley, Peru
Today we take a tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas outside Cusco. We visit the ancient town of Pisac and see its colourful Indian market and the great Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, an elegant and intricate granite complex of temples, baths and impressive military installations before we return to Cusco.
Day 4 Monday 6 January, 2020 Cusco, Peru
Today we have a sightseeing tour of the historic city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas. You will see the enormous monolith blocks of stone out of which the city has been constructed. We will visit the centre of the city, the Plaza de Armas, known in Inca times as Huancaypata, once the centre of the Empire. We see the cathedral that was built on the Palace of Inca Viracocha. We see the Santo Domingo Church that was once the Temple of the Sun, the most important and magnificent religious complex under the Incas. The walls, which mainly still exist, were covered with gold. We will also see the ancient monolithic fortress of Sacasayhuaman, where one of the last battles between the Incas and Spanish took place.
Day 5 Tuesday 7 January, 2020 Machu Picchu, Peru
Today we visit the famed UNESCO World Heritage lost city of Machu Picchu. Discovered by the archeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911, this spectacular ancient city is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. You will be in the presence of one of the most powerful and mysterious places on earth. We have a guided tour of the site and see the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Plaza and the Astronomical Observatory. The highlight of the trip! Later in the afternoon we return to Cusco by train.
Day 6 Wednesday 8 January, 2020 Santiago, Chile
This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Santiago. On arrival we will be transferred to our hotel.
Peru has a history that traces back to a time before the Egyptians were building pyramids at Giza, and Machu Picchu is one of the most visited attractions in South America. Situated between the crest of two mountains along the Peruvian Andes at more than 2,400 metres above sea level, the almost intact remains of an ancient culture consisting of alcoves, terraces, plazas, and temples make this ancient city the premiere archaeological site of South America. Marvel at the Lost City of the Incas, the Sacsaywaman fortress, the Temple of the Sun, & the Temple of Wiracocha. A visit to Macho Picchu is not complete without also visiting Cusco, the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America and often referred to as "The Archaeological Capital of America". The ruins of the old Inca city became the foundation for the Spanish architecture that exists today. Walking through the narrow streets you can't help but feel the history that surrounds you.
Day 1 Sunday 2 February, 2020 Iguazu Falls, Brazil
This morning we are transferred to the airport for the short flight to the Iguazu National Park, on the border of Argentina and Brazil where we will spend the next two nights exploring one of nature's great wonders of the world. Be prepared to get wet as our guide takes us to the Argentinean side of the falls. We will probably see some of the 2,000 species of butterflies that inhabit the park as we take the new Eco electric train around the top of the falls to see the Devil's Throat, a u-shaped cliff, 150 metres wide and 700 metres long, where the fall of water is impressive for its staggering strength and power. This afternoon we experience the Gran Aventura consisting of a fantastic open wagon trip through the jungle that finishes with an exciting boat ride up to the falls. Today will be a wonderful opportunity to view the extensive range of wild flowers, orchids and bromeliads within the park. Legend has it that a god intended to marry a beautiful aborigine called Naipu, who then fled in a canoe with her mortal lover. The angry god then sliced the river in two, creating the waterfalls and condemning the lovers to an eternal fall.
Day 2 Monday 3 February, 2020 Iguazu Falls, Brazil
We travel by coach across the border to Brazil today. Our guide takes us on an exhilarating walking tour on the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls, where many observation decks provide breathtaking panoramic views. Our tour will conclude on a platform literally within a hands reach of the falls, whilst an adjacent elevator can take us up to a viewing tower. Undoubtedly one of the greatest natural phenomena on our planet, Eleanor Roosevelt allegedly said that Iguazu makes Niagara Falls look like a "leaky faucet". The pounding of nearly 300 waterfalls with heights averaging 70 metres is deafening – remember to bring the ear-plugs! Remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 3 Tuesday 4 February, 2020 Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Today we have free time to walk around the Falls area or relax in the hotel until late afternoon, when we depart Iguazu for exhilarating Rio de Janeiro, known as cidade maravilhosa or marvellous city. Before arriving at the airport we drive through the town of Iguazu to visit the point where we get a wonderful view across the Iguazu River and see three countries: Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Rio has one of the most spectacular settings of any city in the world. This tropical cocktail paradise can leave you punch-drunk. It is a little cheeky, but according to Brazilians, God made the world in 6 days and devoted the 7th to Rio!
Day 4 Wednesday 5 February, 2020 Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Today will be stunningly spectacular – definitely check your camera before you leave! Visits to the world famous Impanema and Copacabana beaches will be followed by a visit to Rio's modern Cathedral, the 17th century Saint Benedict Monastery's Church, Sambadrome, home to the famous carnival parade and 250 year old artistic bohemian neighbourhood of Santa Tereza. Our guide will take us on a memorable visit to the thrilling Corcovado, a mountain 710 metres above sea level, with a sheer granite face topped with the prodigious Cristo Redenator statue, rising more than 130 feet and weighing more than 635 tonnes. A rack-and-pinion train will take us to the statue which in 2007 was declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and will provide magnificent 360 degree views. We then take the two stage cable car, spanning 1,400 metres, to Sugar Loaf Mountain, a massive granite boulder 396 metres above the harbour for another amazing view.
Day 5 Thursday 6 February, 2020 Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Today will be a free day for some sightseeing and shopping.
Day 6 Friday 7 February, 2020 Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
This morning will be free for some last-minute shopping before we are transferred to the airport for our return flight to Australia.
Day 7 Saturday 8 February, 2020 In flight
Day 8 Sunday 9 February, 2020 Arrive Australia
Having crossed the International Date Line east to west we lose one day and we arrive in Australia today and the tour package concludes
