SOUTH AMERICA CIRCUIT

South America offers a world of unique experiences to suit any traveller. A region of contrasts this trip includes many highlights such as a visit to the vibrant and colourful city of Rio in Brazil, the historic ruins of the Incas and most recognisable symbol of Peru, Machu Picchu, the impressive Iguazu falls on both the Brazil and Argentina sides, as well as a spectacular wildlife extravaganza on a cruise around the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

The itinerary below is a sample of what we can create for you however this is just to give you an idea. We will create a tailor-made holiday just for you to suit your interests, travel needs and travel dates.

ITINERARY

Santiago:

Founded in 1541, Santiago has been the capital city of Chile since colonial times. The Andes Mountains can be seen from most points in the city. The city outskirts are surrounded by vineyards and Santiago is within a few hours of both the mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The city is now home to a growing theatre and restaurant scene, a rising skyline, including the tallest building in Latin America, the Gran Torre Santiago.

Rio De Janeiro:

Famed for Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Christ the Redeemer statue (38 metres tall) atop Mount Corcovado and for Sugarloaf Mountain, a granite peak accessed by cable car to its summit. The city is also known for its sprawling favelas (shanty towns). Its raucous Carnival festival, featuring parade floats, flamboyant costumes and samba dancers, is considered the world’s largest.  The city also has many excellent restaurants and museums and couple of days are needed to explore this famous city.

Iguazu Falls:

In a tropical region of magnificent rainforest and deep flowing rivers in the far north-east, you’ll see the mighty Iguazu Falls. The thundering waterfalls are an incredible sight and sound sensation. 3km wide and plunging 70m into the gorge that separates Brazil and Argentina and Paraguay. You can see the wide angle view of the falls from the Brazilian side and a up-close detail from the Argentinian side

Buenos Aires:

Buenos Aires is a charming, sophisticated city with a strong European influence and culture.  With its blend of Spanish, French and Italian architectural styles, its great variety of nightspots, and its cultural life, it is often referred to as the ‘South American Paris’.  Enjoy dinner and a night of music and tango at Esquina Carlos Gardel, one of the excellent venues where typical songs and dances are performed.

The Atacama Desert:

Located in northern Chile the Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar desert on earth, a virtually rainless plateau, with starkly beautiful landscapes of sand dunes, salt pans, lava flows and soaring volcanoes. The Valley of the Moon near San Pedro de Atacama is an area of dramatic land formations in fascinating colours and shapes. Visit the turquoise blue salt lakes 4,500m above sea level and the typical Atacama Indian village of Socaire. A dawn excursion to the El Tatio Geysers, high in the altiplano, is an amazing experience.

In addition to dramatic landscapes the region is also home to a great variety of wildlife including; vicunas, guanacos, viscachas (which looks like a long tailed rabbit and is actually a rodent/chinchilla), andean geese and Andean gulls to name a few.

The Amazon Rainforest:

The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world, spanning an enormous 5.5 million square kilometres. It is one of the great wild places left on earth, home to thousands of species of fauna and flora shared by settlements of indigenous inhabitants.

Machu Picchu:

The fabled ‘Lost City of the Incas’, Machu Picchu is, unquestionably, the highlight of any visit to Peru. Built at the height of the Inca Empire’s power, then abandoned after Spanish conquest, the citadel lay hidden and untouched for almost five centuries, enshrouded by jungle and protected by its mountainous isolation high above the Urubamba River.
It may have been ‘lost’ to the world before being rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 but the descendants of the Incas had always known its secrets. You can reach this wonderful site either by making the traditional trek along the Inca Trail or by rail from Cuzco to the town of Aguas Calientes.

Lake Titicaca:

The highest navigable lake in the world and the legendary birthplace of the Inca civilisation, this sparkling jewel of the altiplano is deep and intensively blue and surrounded by limitless horizons.  Visit the floating reed islands, home to the Uros Indians as well as the larger island of Tequile, renowned for its fine hand-woven textiles and clothing.

The Galapagos Islands:

A trip to the Galapagos is so many things rolled into one – a cruise, a relaxing holiday and, foremost, a wildlife extravaganza. It truly is the experience of a lifetime, not only for birdwatchers or wildlife obsessives but for every traveller who has any interest in seeing the incredibly diverse and often unique species of birds, reptiles and mammals. The isolation of the islands and the minimal contact with humans has made the wildlife almost totally unafraid and allows visitors to see them at closer quarters.

In addition to dramatic landscapes the region is also home to a great variety of wildlife including; vicunas, guanacos, viscachas (which looks like a long tailed rabbit and is actually a rodent/chinchilla), andean geese and Andean gulls to name a few.