Day 1 London – Lima
Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® transports you from your front door to London Heathrow Airport in time for a scheduled TAM Airlines flight to Sao Paulo and connecting flight to Lima. Upon arrival, we transfer to the Doubletree Hotel or the Hotel Estelar, located in the upscale Miraflores district of the Peruvian capital, known for its excellent shops, parks and gardens.
Day 2 Lima
A tour of Lima begins with a walk around the Plaza Mayor, the city’s historic heart, where the surrounding buildings have been given a new lease of life thanks to a decade of painstaking restoration and renovation. Here, we visit the 18th century cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, City Hall and baroque Government Palace. We then continue to San Francisco Monastery, with its stunning Mudejar-style interior and hugely significant library of parchments dating from the 15th century, sitting on top of an extensive network of underground chambers once used as the city’s cemetery. After stops at Plaza San Martin, the centrepiece of modern Lima, and the Museum of Anthropology, Archaeology and History, where we learn more about ancient Peruvian cultures including the Nazca, Paracas, Chavin, Ica and Chimu, the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 3 Lima, Sacred Valley
We transfer to Lima Airport for a LAN flight into the Inca heartland of Peru. We land in Cuzco, the high altitude capital of Incan civilisation and travel onwards to the Sacred Valley, a river-carved area of flat, fertile land which sustained many ancient towns and villages. We visit the well-preserved fortress of Ollantaytambo, sophisticated 16th century stronghold of Inca resistance against the Spanish, and the village of Pisac, noted for its lively market and stone Inca buildings, beforen arriving at our hotel, the Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay.
Day 4 Machu Picchu
One of the standout highlights of Latin America – and indeed world travel – is Machu Picchu. Every aspect of our full day excursion is memorable, from the Orient Express-operated train that winds its way up the Sacred Valley to the breathtaking first sight of this legendary mountaintop city and the fascination of exploring its atmospheric ruins in the company of a knowledgeable guide. As you do so, take some time to imagine the excitement of American archaeologist Hiram Bingham (a possible inspiration for the film character Indiana Jones) who, in 1911, became the first ‘outsider’ to experience the majesty of Machu Picchu since its abandonment at the time of the Spanish Conquest. There is plenty of time to appreciate the glory of this Inca citadel before we retrace our steps back into the Sacred Valley.
Day 5 Sacsayhuaman, Cuzco
The ruins of another Inca fortress at Sacsayhuaman offer a wonderful, panoramic vantage point on Cuzco and the surrounding plains and mountains. From here, Inca warriors launched forays against Spanish-controlled Cuzco in the 1530s and the blocks used in its mighty walls well demonstrate the masterful stonework of that civilisation – though they each weigh up to 200 tonnes, they are so precisely cut and aligned that a single piece of paper will not fit between them. We take some time to absorb the site and its views before proceeding to Cuzco, where you are at leisure to admire its fine colonial architecture independently. Our hotel is the Eco Inn.
Day 6 Cuzco, Santiago
It is time to bid farewell to Peru and fly south via Lima to Santiago. Upon arrival in the evening, or early the following morning we transfer to the Santiago Park Plaza Hotel or Plaza San Francisco or the first of three nights.
Day 7 Santiago
Though it may not quite enjoy the reputation of many of the continent’s other illustrious cities, Santiago is a delight to explore – a city of splendid colonial buildings sitting cheek by jowl with modern towers, all framed by the majestic, snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Our tour commences at the National Museum, and also takes in Santiago’s historic centre, the bohemian Bellavista district and San Cristobal Hill, presenting superb city and mountain views. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 8 Valparaiso, Vina Del Mar
A full day excursion north of Santiago introduces two contrasting cities. Valparaiso, Chile’s main port city built over 42 hills, has in places a strong British character from the 19th century days of empire when Britain was Chile’s biggest trading partner. The port’s turbulent past included piratical raids and, over many years, heavy fortifications were established to protect the city and its cargoes. The historic quarter is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vina del Mar could scarcely be more different – a popular, yet peaceful summer resort noted for its fi ne beaches, pristine parks and private gardens. En route back to Santiago, we stop at an award-winning winery for a brief tour and a tasting session with an expert sommelier.
Day 9 Santiago, Puerto Varas
Today we fly to the city of Puerto Montt in the Chilean Lake District, founded in 1852 by German colonists, who were actively “recruited” by the Chilean government. We take a short tour of the city and gain views of the Angelemo and Reloncavi Bays before continuing on to the town of Puerto Varas, which enjoys a location on the shores of the huge Lake Llanquihue. The lake covers over 330 square miles, the fourth biggest in South America, and is shadowed by the snow-capped Osorno and Calbuco Volcanoes. Our hotel this evening is the Cabanas del Lago.
Day 10 Puerto Varas, Vicente Perez Rosales National Park
A long – but unforgettable – day of scenic exploration takes us across lakes and through the dramatic Andes Mountains into Argentina and the city of San Carlos de Bariloche. We begin our journey tracing the south shore of Lake Llanquihue beyond the Osorno Volcano to Petrohue, a small town from which departs a catamaran, crossing Lake Todos los Santos in Vicente Perez Rosales National Park. The lake was created many centuries ago, when volcanic eruptions prevented water from the Petrohue River draining into Lake Llanquihue. As we cruise this picturesque, narrow lake with steep forested sides, we admire stunning views of Osorno and Tronodor volcanoes.
We disembark at Peulla, with free time for lunch, then it is onwards by road across the Andes and the Perez Rosales Pass into Argentina. We cross two further lakes by boat – Lake Frias and the immense, glacier-carved Lake Nahuel Haupi – and make a final transfer to San Carlos de Bariloche, where our base for two nights will be the Hotel Edelweiss.
Day 11 San Carlos De Bariloche
Your morning is free to explore San Carlos de Bariloche which, thanks to the influence of Swiss, Austrian and German settlers, somewhat resembles a European alpine resort. Then, in the afternoon, we take a scenic tour of the region, stopping at the foot of the Campanario Mountain (with an optional chair-lift ride to the summit for breathtaking lake and mountain views), the Llao Llao peninsula and the Angostura River, in the shadow of the Lopez Mountains, where a natural vantage point presents further sensational views.
Day 12 San Carlos De Bariloche, Buenos Aires
After a second morning to enjoy Bariloche, we board a LAN flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, we transfer to the Hotel de Las Americas or the Elevage Hotel, our comfortable base for three nights.
Day 13 Buenos Aires
The ‘Paris of the south’, Buenos Aires is a city of simmering excitement and a tango heartbeat. Our morning tour begins at the Plaza de Mayo, lined with grand buildings including the Presidential Palace, Casa Rosada, Cabildo and the Metropolitan Cathedral. We then continue to San Telmo, a former port area now transformed into one of the city’s most desirable residential districts, and La Boca, a district famous for its colourful tin houses and Italian immigrant history. Finally, we visit the walled cemetery of Recoleta to view the elaborate mausoleums and resting places of Argentinean luminaries, including Eva Peron. Buenos Aires is the birthplace of the tango, and you may like to join an optional evening dinner excursion, including a performance of this passionate dance.
Day 14 Buenos Aires
Free for you to explore Buenos Aires further. Alternatively, why not join an optional full day excursion to a typical Argentinean estancia to learn about the daily life of the gaucho, South America’s answer to the cowboy?
Day 15 Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls
A further LAN flight takes us to the World Heritage Site of Iguazu Falls, a series of 275 distinct waterfalls on the Iguazu River, which forms a stunning natural border between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Taller than Niagara and twice as wide, Iguazu Falls are an unforgettable sight – we view them from the Argentinean side today, presenting an awe-inspiring aspect of thunderous cascades set against a lush jungle backdrop, before crossing into the fourth and final country on this amazing tour, Brazil. The Hotel Bourbon Cataratas hosts us for two nights.
Day 16 Iguazu Falls
A further day in the environs of Iguazu Falls, this time on the Brazilian side, where carefully constructed walkways and viewing points yield breathtaking panoramic vistas – a photographer’s delight! Take some time to relax this afternoon, or enjoy further optional exploration.
Day 17 Iguazu Falls, Rio De Janeiro
A further flight delivers us to Rio de Janeiro (possibly indirect). Upon arrival, we transfer to the Hotel Excelsior or Plaza Copacabana for the first of three nights.
Day 18 Rio De Janeiro
The ‘samba city’ of Rio de Janeiro is another ‘must-see’ of world travel. Our full day tour includes a cog-train ride through the Tijuca Forest to the summit of ‘hunchback’ Corcovado Mountain, appreciating far-reaching views from virtually the same perspective as the iconic Statue of Christ the Redeemer, set in an eternal, open-armed embrace of the city, recently voted one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’. We also pass some of the famous beaches and ascend the equally iconic Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car for more outstanding city views, this time with Christ the Redeemer in sight.
Day 19 Rio De Janeiro
Free to relax and reflect on a wonderful journey, make your own discoveries in Rio, or join an optional trip to the city of Petropolis, where Brazil’s second emperor spent his summers in the later 19th century. We include a farewell dinner at a popular churrascaria restaurant this evening, and those who wish may continue to a ‘Rio by Night’ show (extra cost), where skilled dancers in wonderful costumes perform to the accompaniment of enthusiastic samba bands.
Day 20 Rio De Janeiro, In Flight
Enjoy a few last hours at leisure in Rio de Janeiro, before we transfer to the airport for a direct, scheduled, overnight TAM Airlines flight to London.
Day 21 London
Arrival at London Heathrow airport where our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan transport for your return journey to your front door.
IMPORTANT TOUR INFORMATION
Please note: This tour includes areas of high altitude and clients that may be concerned about this are recommended to consult their doctor. This tour also includes areas of rough terrain and clients are advised that a significant amount of walking is involved.
Titan Travel have a reputation for innovative and enthralling escorted holiday itineraries, and through the guidance of their founding principles, “quality, service and value” which have remained unchanged since the 1970′s, their expertise and experience are second to none.
Titan Travel strive to ensure that aspect of their holidays whispers quality, before you fly, you get to appreciate a comfortable, chauffeur-driven transfer from your front door to the airport with our peerless VIP Home Departure Service, check-in assistance and complimentary porterage. All international flights are with world-renowned scheduled airlines and cruises with acclaimed operators. Touring holidays are expertly designed by the product team to present a comprehensive, imaginative introduction to the destination of choice yet still offer plenty of time for relaxation. The services of a tour manager or cruise manager are included throughout. When you return to the UK, you are met in the arrivals hall of the airport and shown to your VIP Home Departure Service vehicle, waiting to return you to your front door.
Our Opinion
“Titan Travel’s guiding principles of customer service, quality of product and value for money are undoubtedly a contributing factor to them being voted, on many occasions, the UK’s best tour operator.”
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