GRAND TOUR OF SOUTH AMERICA WITH AREQUIPA and COLCA CANYON (ISGD2012)

Day 1:
Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Welcome to South America’s capital of glamour—Rio de Janeiro! Your Local Host will be available with suggested activities during your free time. Tonight, you may opt to join an outing to a fun churrascaria for a feast of barbecued meats marinated and roasted over charcoal in true Brazilian style, followed by a Samba show, where the sheer vitality of this country explodes in a colorful extravaganza.

Day 2:
Rio de Janeiro. An included city TOUR takes you to bustling downtown Rio, where modern office towers stand next to relics of the Portuguese colonial past. View the Sambodromo and the Cathedral before visiting 300-foot-high SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAIN. Ascend by cable car to its summit, where you can savor spectacular vistas of the city and beaches. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. (B)

Day 3:
Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy a full day at leisure. Your Local Host will suggest an optional Jeep tour to the rainforest in the middle of the city, Tijuca National Park and its bird sanctuary. This afternoon you may elect to discover historic Petropolis, a mountain resort and site of the former summer palace of Emperor Dom Pedro II. (B)

Day 4:
Rio–Iguassu Falls. Fly to IGUASSU FALLS at the crossroads of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. This masterpiece of nature encompasses 275 separate falls and spans almost two miles. The afternoon is dedicated to enjoying the spectacle of this 2-mile-wide torrential downpour. With some cataracts as high as 250 feet, it’s nothing short of hypnotic. The clouds of spray, the incessant roar, and the surrounding luxuriant tropical growth make this an unforgettable natural wonder. (B)

Day 5:
Iguassu Falls. This morning, take the ECOLOGICAL JUNGLE TRAIN and tour the Argentine side of IGUASSU FALLS with numerous walkways that wind under the crashing water. (B)

Day 6:
Iguassu Falls–Buenos Aires, Argentina. Fly to Buenos Aires, proud capital of the vast country that occupies most of the southern part of the continent. After arriving at your central hotel you will have time to become acquainted with the “Paris of South America” and its wide boulevards and outdoor cafés. Enjoy an evening at leisure. (B)

Day 7:
Buenos Aires. Included SIGHTSEEING this morning starts in the colorful La Boca district, site of the city’s first port. Take a short walking tour of this unique neighborhood, then on to San Telmo, famous for its late-colonial buildings and a popular gathering spot for artists. At the Plaza de Mayo, see La Casa Rosada (the President’s Pink House) and the Metropolitan Cathedral, which houses San Martin’s Mausoleum. Drive past the ornate Colon Opera House before reaching the CEMETERY of the Recoleta, burial site of Eva Peron. Spend the afternoon at leisure. This evening, perhaps savor the city’s atmosphere on an optional dinner at a local restaurant followed by a performance of Latin America’s most sensuous dance—the Tango! (B)

Day 8:
Buenos Aires. Today is at leisure. Your Local Host will suggest an optional excursion to the Pampas. Experience Argentine country life as you visit an estancia (ranch). Get acquainted with the lifestyle of the gauchos and enjoy a barbecue lunch and the warm hospitality of your hosts before returning to the city. (B)

Day 9:
Buenos Aires–Lima, Peru. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima, where you will be met by your Local Host. (B)

Day 10:
Lima. Your included city TOUR focuses on Lima’s rich colonial history as well as the modern city. Lima was the bastion of Spanish South America from its founding in 1535 until the independence of the South American republics in the early 19th century. See the Cathedral, where the remains of Francisco Pizarro are sealed in a wooden coffin and with its eerie burial crypts. (B)

Day 11:
Lima–Cusco. Fly to Cusco high in the Andes. Your guided TOUR visits the Santo Domingo MONASTERY, previously the Koricancha Temple, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. It is said it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. In the Plaza de Armas, see the Cathedral before taking a short drive outside the city to the ruins of SACSAYHUAMAN with its intricate stone walls, amphitheatre of KENKO, and the Red Fortress of PUCA PUCARA. (B)

Day 12:
Cusco. Today, a short drive into the Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, brings you to AWANAKANCHA, where you will learn about the importance of the alpaca (llama) for Inca cultures as well as the ancient weaving techniques still in use today. Continue to the market town of PISAC. Handmade rugs, alpaca sweaters, and jewelry can be bought here at bargain prices. At the other end of the valley, visit OLLANTAYTAMBO. Here, some of the finest examples of Inca masonry can be seen. Tonight, try out area cuisine at one of the many Cusco restaurants recommended by your Local Host. (B,L)

Day 13:
Cusco–Machu Picchu. Board a TRAIN bound for MACHU PICCHU and cut a path through the Sacred Valley to this “Lost City of the Incas,” discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. On a guided tour, explore this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct. For hikers, a brisk one-hour walk leads to the Sun Gate, the ancient entrance used by the Incas, or hike to the peak of Huayna Picchu. (B,L,D)

Day 14:
Machu Picchu–Cusco. A morning at leisure in Machu Picchu allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over MACHU PICCHU. Return to Cusco, where your Local Host will recommend options for your free time. Perhaps visit the Inca Museum or wander through the artisan district of San Blas. (B)

Day 15:
Cusco–Arequipa. Fly to Arequipa, located in the Chili River Valley and flanked by three snowcapped volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. Known as the “white city,” Arequipa definitely does justice to its nickname, as its buildings are made of sillar, a white volcanic rock found throughout the area. The stone embellishes the facades of the city’s homes and churches. Upon arrival, a city TOUR of Arequipa shows off the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral before visiting the JESUIT CHURCH, considered the best example of the mestizo baroque style. Continue to the residential districts of Yanahuara and Chilina, where you enjoy a magnificent view of Arequipa’s countryside and the Mount Misti volcano. (B)

Day 16:
Colca Canyon. Depart for Colca Valley. Drive across Pampa Cañahuas within the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, the habitat of vicuñas and a variety of birds. Admire beautiful pre-Columbian terraces still being cultivated by native Collaguas. Stop for lunch in the town of Chivay. This afternoon, relax at LA CALERA hot springs. (B,L)

Day 17:
Colca Canyon. Today is free for independent exploration. Colca Canyon is an impressive geological formation carved out by the river as it descended between the mountains (made of largely volcanic materials) over millions of years. More than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, Colca Canyon is one of the deepest in the world. Observe the spectacular terracing, considered among the most extensive in southern Peru. These terraces, which allow cultivation and meticulously controlled irrigation of the steep slopes of the canyon, were built by Collagua and Cabana ethnic groups between the 9th and 14th centuries. (B)

Day 18:
Colca Canyon–Arequipa. Proceed to CONDORS’ CROSS, an observation point where you have the possibility of observing the flight of the condor in its native habitat. From here, also enjoy the impressive Colca Canyon panorama. Next, visit the towns of Yanque, Maca, Achoma, and Pinchollo. In the afternoon, return to Arequipa. (B,L)

Day 19:
Arequipa–Lima. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima. (B)

Day 20:
Lima. Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (B)

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/19/2012 - 6/8/2012	$3,519
5/20/2012 - 6/9/2012	$3,519
5/21/2012 - 6/10/2012	$3,519
5/22/2012 - 6/11/2012	$3,519
5/23/2012 - 6/12/2012	$3,519
5/24/2012 - 6/13/2012	$3,519
5/25/2012 - 6/14/2012	$3,519
5/26/2012 - 6/15/2012	$3,519
5/27/2012 - 6/16/2012	$3,519
5/28/2012 - 6/17/2012	$3,519
5/29/2012 - 6/18/2012	$3,519
5/30/2012 - 6/19/2012	$3,519
5/31/2012 - 6/20/2012	$3,519
6/1/2012 - 6/21/2012	$3,519
6/2/2012 - 6/22/2012	$3,519
6/3/2012 - 6/23/2012	$3,519
6/4/2012 - 6/24/2012	$3,519
6/5/2012 - 6/25/2012	$3,519
6/6/2012 - 6/26/2012	$3,519
6/7/2012 - 6/27/2012	$3,519
6/8/2012 - 6/28/2012	$3,519
6/9/2012 - 6/29/2012	$3,519
6/10/2012 - 6/30/2012	$3,519
6/11/2012 - 7/1/2012	$3,519
6/12/2012 - 7/2/2012	$3,519
6/13/2012 - 7/3/2012	$3,519
6/14/2012 - 7/4/2012	$3,519
6/15/2012 - 7/5/2012	$3,519
6/16/2012 - 7/6/2012	$3,519
6/17/2012 - 7/7/2012	$3,519
6/18/2012 - 7/8/2012	$3,519
6/19/2012 - 7/9/2012	$3,519
6/20/2012 - 7/10/2012	$3,519
6/21/2012 - 7/11/2012	$3,519
6/22/2012 - 7/12/2012	$3,519
6/23/2012 - 7/13/2012	$3,519
6/24/2012 - 7/14/2012	$3,519
6/25/2012 - 7/15/2012	$3,519
6/26/2012 - 7/16/2012	$3,519
6/27/2012 - 7/17/2012	$3,519
6/28/2012 - 7/18/2012	$3,519
6/29/2012 - 7/19/2012	$3,519
6/30/2012 - 7/20/2012	$3,519
7/1/2012 - 7/21/2012	$3,519
7/2/2012 - 7/22/2012	$3,519
7/3/2012 - 7/23/2012	$3,519
7/4/2012 - 7/24/2012	$3,519
7/5/2012 - 7/25/2012	$3,519
7/6/2012 - 7/26/2012	$3,519
7/7/2012 - 7/27/2012	$3,519
7/8/2012 - 7/28/2012	$3,519
7/9/2012 - 7/29/2012	$3,519
7/10/2012 - 7/30/2012	$3,519
7/11/2012 - 7/31/2012	$3,519
7/12/2012 - 8/1/2012	$3,519
7/13/2012 - 8/2/2012	$3,519
7/14/2012 - 8/3/2012	$3,519
7/15/2012 - 8/4/2012	$3,519
7/16/2012 - 8/5/2012	$3,519
7/17/2012 - 8/6/2012	$3,519
7/18/2012 - 8/7/2012	$3,519
7/19/2012 - 8/8/2012	$3,519
7/20/2012 - 8/9/2012	$3,519
7/21/2012 - 8/10/2012	$3,519
7/22/2012 - 8/11/2012	$3,519
7/23/2012 - 8/12/2012	$3,519
7/24/2012 - 8/13/2012	$3,519
7/25/2012 - 8/14/2012	$3,519
7/26/2012 - 8/15/2012	$3,519
7/27/2012 - 8/16/2012	$3,519
7/28/2012 - 8/17/2012	$3,519
7/29/2012 - 8/18/2012	$3,519
7/30/2012 - 8/19/2012	$3,519
7/31/2012 - 8/20/2012	$3,519
8/1/2012 - 8/21/2012	$3,519
8/2/2012 - 8/22/2012	$3,519
8/3/2012 - 8/23/2012	$3,519
8/4/2012 - 8/24/2012	$3,519
8/5/2012 - 8/25/2012	$3,519
8/6/2012 - 8/26/2012	$3,519
8/7/2012 - 8/27/2012	$3,519
8/8/2012 - 8/28/2012	$3,519
8/9/2012 - 8/29/2012	$3,519
8/10/2012 - 8/30/2012	$3,519
8/11/2012 - 8/31/2012	$3,519
8/12/2012 - 9/1/2012	$3,519
8/13/2012 - 9/2/2012	$3,519
8/14/2012 - 9/3/2012	$3,519
8/15/2012 - 9/4/2012	$3,519
8/16/2012 - 9/5/2012	$3,519
8/17/2012 - 9/6/2012	$3,519
8/18/2012 - 9/7/2012	$3,519
8/19/2012 - 9/8/2012	$3,519
8/20/2012 - 9/9/2012	$3,519
8/21/2012 - 9/10/2012	$3,519
8/22/2012 - 9/11/2012	$3,519
8/23/2012 - 9/12/2012	$3,519
8/24/2012 - 9/13/2012	$3,519
8/25/2012 - 9/14/2012	$3,519
8/26/2012 - 9/15/2012	$3,519
8/27/2012 - 9/16/2012	$3,519
8/28/2012 - 9/17/2012	$3,519
8/29/2012 - 9/18/2012	$3,519
8/30/2012 - 9/19/2012	$3,519
8/31/2012 - 9/20/2012	$3,559
9/1/2012 - 9/21/2012	$3,559
9/2/2012 - 9/22/2012	$3,559
9/3/2012 - 9/23/2012	$3,559
9/4/2012 - 9/24/2012	$3,559
9/5/2012 - 9/25/2012	$3,559
9/6/2012 - 9/26/2012	$3,559
9/7/2012 - 9/27/2012	$3,559
9/8/2012 - 9/28/2012	$3,559
9/9/2012 - 9/29/2012	$3,559
9/10/2012 - 9/30/2012	$3,559
9/11/2012 - 10/1/2012	$3,559
9/12/2012 - 10/2/2012	$3,559
9/13/2012 - 10/3/2012	$3,559
9/14/2012 - 10/4/2012	$3,559
9/15/2012 - 10/5/2012	$3,559
9/16/2012 - 10/6/2012	$3,559
9/17/2012 - 10/7/2012	$3,559
9/18/2012 - 10/8/2012	$3,559
9/19/2012 - 10/9/2012	$3,559
9/20/2012 - 10/10/2012	$3,559
9/21/2012 - 10/11/2012	$3,559
9/22/2012 - 10/12/2012	$3,559
9/23/2012 - 10/13/2012	$3,559
9/24/2012 - 10/14/2012	$3,559
9/25/2012 - 10/15/2012	$3,559
9/26/2012 - 10/16/2012	$3,559
9/27/2012 - 10/17/2012	$3,559
9/28/2012 - 10/18/2012	$3,559
9/29/2012 - 10/19/2012	$3,559
9/30/2012 - 10/20/2012	$3,599
10/1/2012 - 10/21/2012	$3,599
10/2/2012 - 10/22/2012	$3,599
10/3/2012 - 10/23/2012	$3,599
10/4/2012 - 10/24/2012	$3,599
10/5/2012 - 10/25/2012	$3,599
10/6/2012 - 10/26/2012	$3,599
10/7/2012 - 10/27/2012	$3,599
10/8/2012 - 10/28/2012	$3,599
10/9/2012 - 10/29/2012	$3,599
10/10/2012 - 10/30/2012	$3,599
10/11/2012 - 10/31/2012	$3,599
10/12/2012 - 11/1/2012	$3,599
10/13/2012 - 11/2/2012	$3,599
10/14/2012 - 11/3/2012	$3,599
10/15/2012 - 11/4/2012	$3,599
10/16/2012 - 11/5/2012	$3,599
10/17/2012 - 11/6/2012	$3,599
10/18/2012 - 11/7/2012	$3,599
10/19/2012 - 11/8/2012	$3,599
10/20/2012 - 11/9/2012	$3,599
10/21/2012 - 11/10/2012	$3,599
10/22/2012 - 11/11/2012	$3,599
10/23/2012 - 11/12/2012	$3,599
10/24/2012 - 11/13/2012	$3,599
10/25/2012 - 11/14/2012	$3,599
10/26/2012 - 11/15/2012	$3,599
10/27/2012 - 11/16/2012	$3,599
10/28/2012 - 11/17/2012	$3,599
10/29/2012 - 11/18/2012	$3,599
10/30/2012 - 11/19/2012	$3,599
10/31/2012 - 11/20/2012	$3,599
11/1/2012 - 11/21/2012	$3,599
11/2/2012 - 11/22/2012	$3,599
11/3/2012 - 11/23/2012	$3,599
11/4/2012 - 11/24/2012	$3,599
11/5/2012 - 11/25/2012	$3,599
11/6/2012 - 11/26/2012	$3,599
11/7/2012 - 11/27/2012	$3,599
11/8/2012 - 11/28/2012	$3,599
11/9/2012 - 11/29/2012	$3,599
11/10/2012 - 11/30/2012	$3,599
11/11/2012 - 12/1/2012	$3,599
11/12/2012 - 12/2/2012	$3,599
11/13/2012 - 12/3/2012	$3,599
11/14/2012 - 12/4/2012	$3,599
11/15/2012 - 12/5/2012	$3,599
11/16/2012 - 12/6/2012	$3,599
11/17/2012 - 12/7/2012	$3,599
11/18/2012 - 12/8/2012	$3,599
11/19/2012 - 12/9/2012	$3,599
11/20/2012 - 12/10/2012	$3,599
11/21/2012 - 12/11/2012	$3,599
11/22/2012 - 12/12/2012	$3,599
11/23/2012 - 12/13/2012	$3,599
11/24/2012 - 12/14/2012	$3,599
11/25/2012 - 12/15/2012	$3,599
11/26/2012 - 12/16/2012	$3,599
11/27/2012 - 12/17/2012	$3,599
11/28/2012 - 12/18/2012	$3,599
11/29/2012 - 12/19/2012	$3,599
11/30/2012 - 12/20/2012	$3,599
12/1/2012 - 12/21/2012	$3,599
12/2/2012 - 12/22/2012	$3,599
12/3/2012 - 12/23/2012	$3,599
12/4/2012 - 12/24/2012	$3,599
12/5/2012 - 12/25/2012	$3,599
12/6/2012 - 12/26/2012	$3,599
12/7/2012 - 12/27/2012	$3,599
12/8/2012 - 12/28/2012	$3,599
12/9/2012 - 12/29/2012	$3,599
12/10/2012 - 12/30/2012	$3,619
12/11/2012 - 12/31/2012	$3,619
12/12/2012 - 1/1/2013	$3,619
12/13/2012 - 1/2/2013	$3,619
12/14/2012 - 1/3/2013	$3,619
12/15/2012 - 1/4/2013	$3,619
12/16/2012 - 1/5/2013	$3,619
12/17/2012 - 1/6/2013	$3,619
12/18/2012 - 1/7/2013	$3,619
12/19/2012 - 1/8/2013	$3,619
12/20/2012 - 1/9/2013	$3,619
12/21/2012 - 1/10/2013	$3,619
12/22/2012 - 1/11/2013	$3,619
12/23/2012 - 1/12/2013	$3,619
12/24/2012 - 1/13/2013	$3,619
12/25/2012 - 1/14/2013	$3,619
12/26/2012 - 1/15/2013	$3,619
12/27/2012 - 1/16/2013	$3,619
12/28/2012 - 1/17/2013	$3,619
12/29/2012 - 1/18/2013	$3,619
12/30/2012 - 1/19/2013	$3,619
12/31/2012 - 1/20/2013	$3,679
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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