Icons of South America
DAY 1 RIO DE JANEIRO
Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro & after clearing the mandatory Immigration & Customs formalities, you will be met by a fluent English speaking Beacon Holidays representative & in a private air-conditioned vehicle, transferred to the confirmed hotel. Accommodation for three (3) nights in Rio de Janeiro with breakfast included.
DAY 2 RIO DE JANEIRO – city historic highlights sightseeing & Sugarloaf gondola ride Breakfast
This morning after breakfast, you will be picked up & in the company of a bi-lingual English speaking local tour guide embark on a regular half day ´Rio highlights´ sightseeing excursion which will include the old city center of Rio & its historic buildings, churches, theaters & museums. The excursion will culminate with a ride up the famed Sugar Loaf cable car. The first of its kind installed in Brazil & the third in the world, the Sugar Loaf cable car is a major icon of Rio & has become a trademark of the city. Since its inauguration on 27 October 1912 it has transported 31 million tourists. In the nine decades since inauguration that it has operated, the cable car has received tourists from all over the world, including many internationally known personalities & artists. The eleventh in a sequence of James Bond movies - ´Moonraker` - had a spectacular fight scene filmed atop the cable car. At the conclusion of the excursion guests will be returned to their hotel where the remainder of the afternoon is free of any pre-organized activities.
DAY 3 RIO DE JANEIRO - a day to set your own timetable & pace - Breakfast
Today, nothing that has been pre-organized, so by all means set your own timetable & your own pace in this city that beats to a samba pulse - how about an optional excursion to the top of Mt Corcovado & the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer, or head out to one of Rio`s famous beaches (Copacabana, Leblon or Ipanema), where ´people watching´is a fascinating occupation, or perhaps go shopping, or just relax & takes things easy.
DAY 4 RIO DE JANEIRO / IGUAZU FALLS Breakfast
After breakfast this morning, check out of your room & a private air-conditioned transfer vehicle will collect you & take you to Rio de Janeiro airport, there to check in for a flight to Iguazu. Upon arrival to Foz do Iguassu airport you will be met by a fluent English speaking Beacon Holidays representative & in a private air-conditioned vehicle, transferred to your confirmed hotel on the Argentine side of the Iguazu falls. Accommodation is confirmed here for the coming two (2) nights withbreakfast & local tax included.
DAY 5 IGUAZU FALLS – National Park outdoor activities guided excursion - Breakfast
After breakfast this morning you will be picked up & driven to the Iguazu National Park Headquarters entrance, to there be accompanied by an English speaking guide & embark on full day regular excursion of the Argentine side of our planet's most majestic waterfalls. Iguazu Falls is made up of more than 270 cataracts, spread around three large half-moon shaped valleys. There are two walking trail circuits, the upper walking trail leads to incredible panoramic views of the falls along its 1.3km length & also an unforgettable experience, the lower trail which leads down a series of steel staircases & viewing platforms, to the base of the San Martin cataract where the intense water volume releases a misty spray into the air.
There also is as an included part of your Iguazu experience, the ´People Mover` narrow gauge train which provides guests access along a track of some 3.5km, to the steel & concrete raised walkway that goes out across the mezzanine level of the river some 1.1km to the point where Argentina & Brazil international border is defined by the thunderous ´Garganta del Diablo` – the Devil’s Throat. At the conclusion of your day’s activities here at Iguazu Falls, you will be returned to your hotel where the remainder of the evening is at leisure.
DAY 6IGUAZU/ LIMA, PERU - Breakfast
After breakfast & at a pre-designated time, you will need to check out of your hotel room. The majority of today is free of pre-organized activities so why not go for a walk to the tree border viewing point at the confluence of the Iguazu & Parana Rivers, or, as an optional excursion, as you are being picked up to transfer by private air-conditioned vehicle to the Iguazu airport, going to Parque das Aves en-route Parque das Aves is South America's premier outdoor exhibit of exotic tropical rainforest birds who dwell in a rainforest canopy aviary enclosure & visitors can walk among them on raised wooden walkways for wonderful up-close digital photo opportunities. There are also many South American rainforest mammals, reptiles & tropical butterflies here in separate enclosure. So whether guests opt to transfer early & go to Parque das Aves or not, the transfer is included to get guests to Foz do Iguassu airport in good time to there check in for a non-stop early evening flight to Lima, Peru.
Upon arrival in Lima & after clearing Peruvian Immigration & Customs formalities you will be met by a fluent English speaking Beacon Holidays local representative & by private air-conditioned vehicle, transferred to your Lima city hotel. Accommodation is confirmed here in Lima for two (2) nights, with breakfast & local tax included.
DAY 7 LIMA – historical city sightseeing guided excursion - Breakfast
This morning after breakfast, you are going to embark on a regular Lima historic city sightseeing excursion.
This regular sightseeing excursion, hosted by a local professional guide who is fluent in English, explores the modern districts of Lima - Miraflores & San Isidro, then the city's historic centre, Plaza de Armas, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The excursion includes a visit to the city’s most visited church – Basilica San Francisco, constructed first in 1674, which subsequently has had several refurbishments. Its underground tunnels lead to catacombs that served as cemetery until 1808 & still contain thousands of human bones & skulls. At the conclusion of the sightseeing excursion, you will be transferred back to your Lima city accommodation.
DAY 8 LIMA to CUZCO & transfer down into the SACRED VALLEY - Breakfast
This morning after breakfast, check out of your Lima hotel & you will be transferred by private vehicle to Lima airport, there to check in for a flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival to Cuzco airport which is located high in the Los Andes cordillera at 11200`above sea level, you will be met by a fluent English speaking Beacon Holidays representative & transferred in a private vehicle by road, down into the Sacred Valley. This will help immensely with your acclimatisation to altitude process, as the Sacred Valley is approx 2000` lower than is Cuzco. Accommodation here for two (2) nights in Sacred Valley with buffet breakfast & local tax included.
DAY 9 SACRED VALLEY – historic Inca highlights guided sightseeing - Breakfast & Lunch
This morning after breakfast you will be picked up & with a bi-lingual English speaking guide hosting this regular excursion, you will visit the century old Pisaq market in the Sacred Valley. Originally a place where people from remote communities used to barter their products, Pisaq has evolved to one of South America’s most famous artisan markets. Make sure to sample some "empanadas" baked in traditional clay ovens. This afternoon you are going to the massive hillside Ollantaytambo Fortress where the Temple of the Sun (formed of six gigantic monoliths, whose total weight exceeds 50 tons) & the Terrace of the Ten Niches stand out. At the conclusion of the excursion you will be returned to your Sacred Valley Hotel.
DAY 10 VISTADOME TRAIN & guided excursion of MACHU PICCHU - Breakfast & lunch
After an early breakfast check out of your room as you will be picked-up & transferred by private air-conditioned vehicle to the Ollanta train station, where you board the famous Vistadome train for a 90 minute scenic journey down the Urubamba River Valley to the end of the line at Aguas Calientes. Here, you will transfer to a regular shuttle coach, which climbs the zig-zag road up to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas.
Your shuttle bus round-trip from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu & the Machu Picchu National Park entrance ticket, with the services of a local expert English speaking guide for the group of visitors you will be traveling with, is included. Machu Picchu remained for centuries undiscovered by the Spaniards, only to be stumbled upon in 1911 by an American explorer, Hiram Bingham. The uniqueness of its location & the genius that went into its construction make this Inca archaeological site truly one of the outstanding iconic `Wonders of the World.´ Upon entering Machu Picchu, which in 1999 was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage site, you will proceed with a fluent English speaking local expert guide on what is likely to be a three hour interpretive walking excursion, in & among the sprawling remains of what was an amazing hidden Inca city.
At the conclusion of the guided walking excursion, back to the shuttle coach & return down to Aguas Calientes to check-in at your confirmed hotel.
Accommodation here for one (1) night in Aguas Calientes, with breakfast & local tax included.
DAY 11 MACHU PICCHU & VISTADOME TRAIN with transfer to CUZCO -Breakfast
After breakfast you have the morning free to roam around the majestic site of Machu Picchu on your own if you wish. Otherwise as an option & additional cost, take the very early shuttle from Aguas Calientes up to the Lost City entrance, buying your entrance ticket & taking your time to enjoy the sunrise over this amazing man-made wonder before the day-tripper crowds arrive.
You can spend literally as much of the morning here as you choose, however you need be aware of the check-out time from your hotel room & the appointed time in the afternoon, when you need to make your own way to the Aguas Calientes train station to board the Vistadome train & travel to Ollanta train station. There you will be met & transferred by coach to Cuzco City. Accommodation is confirmed here for two (2) nights in Cuzco City, with breakfast included.
DAY 12 CUZCO - historic Inca highlights guided sightseeing - Breakfast
This morning after breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel to embark on a half day regular sightseeing excursion, hosted by a bi-lingual English speaking local guide that includes the beautiful Koricancha, also referred to as the Sun Temple, Plaza de Armas & Cuzco Cathedral as well as the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a most remarkable Inca site high above the city. Onto the amphitheatre of Kenko, followed by a visit to Puca Pucara, the strategically located 'red fortress' that dominates the entire region, before visiting Tambomachay, with its two distinctive aqueducts that are fed by a spiritual spring, flowing from a hillside which to this day continue to provide clean water to the surrounding area.
This afternoon is free of any pre-organized activities so you can set your own timetable & pace, to browse the many artisan boutiques, shop for souvenirs or simply ´people watch` in this fascinating high Andean city.
DAY 13 CUZCO / LIMA / BUENOS AIRES - Breakfast
This morning the first order of the day is breakfast. Then, depending on your flight departure time, check out of the hotel & by prearranged schedule, you will be picked up to transfer in a private vehicle to Cuzco airport, where you will check in for a domestic flight to Lima. On arrival to Lima, you'll be assisted to the International terminal to check in for a flight up & over the Andes & on to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival at EZEIZA International airport & after clearing the mandatory Argentina Immigration & Customs procedures you will be met by a fluent English speaking professional Beacon Holidays local guide, then by way of a private air-conditioned vehicle, transfer to your confirmed centrally located city hotel.
Accommodation for a total of three (3) nights in a Buenos Aires with breakfast included.
DAY 14 BUENOS AIRES – historic city guided sightseeing excursion - Breakfast
This morning after breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel to embark on a 3 hour regular Buenos Aires historic city sightseeing excursion, hosted by a bi-lingual English speaking local guide. Sense, feel & soak up the emotions & ambiance of South America’s most glittering capital city.
Take in all the major plazas: Plaza San Martin, Plaza 25 de Mayo, Plaza Congreso & Plaza San Martin; traverse the major boulevards & avenues: Av. Corrientes, Av. Cordoba, Av. 9 de Julio, Av. Callao & Av Libertador; visit the historic districts of San Telmo, La Boca, Montserrat, Once, Recoleta, Puerto Madero & the elegant neighbourhoods´ of Palermo & Belgrano. You’ll see the historic civic buildings, fountains & monuments for which this city is standout: pause in Plaza 25 de Mayo at the Presidential Palace - Casa Rosada, the reverence within Buenos Aires Cathedral, the famous Cabildo & the iconic Obelisco, all the while gaining a knowledge & education through the descriptions & in-depth commentary provided by your local expert bi-lingual English speaking guide.
DAY 15 BUENOS AIRES at your own pre-determined pace - Breakfast
This is your chance to strike out on your own & explore Buenos Aires as today is free of any pre-organized activities, until this evening. Ideally & as an optional choice, we suggest you go to one of the premium Tango shows with dinner, drinks & round-trip hotel to auditorium transfers included. This is a fantastic way to finish up with an iconic evening's entertainment & dining that will live on in your memory forever. Hotel pick-up is usually set for 1930hrs & you would be returned to your hotel, shortly after midnight.
DAY 16 BUENOS AIRES departure - Breakfast
This morning after breakfast you will check out of your hotel & at a time that will be advised to you well in advance, transfer in a private air-conditioned vehicle to EZEIZA International airport to check in for your international outbound flight.
Cost per person on a twin sharing basis starting from - $2315
Cost Includes
- Accommodation at selected hotels with private facilities
- Meals as indicated
- Rio do Janeiro regular historic city guided sightseeing excursion including Sugar Loaf gondola ride
Iguazu Falls- regular excursion inclusive of guided outdoor activities on the Argentine side of the Falls
Lima- regular historic city guided sightseeing excursion & entrance fees included
Cuzco & Sacsayhuaman- regular historic city guided sightseeing excursion & entrance fees included
Machu Picchu – full dayexcursion including travel on the Vistadome train & entrance fee included
Buenos Aires - regular half day historic city guided sightseeing excursion
All airport to hotel & v.v transfers in a private vehicle
All regular sightseeing services with a bi-lingual English speaking local expert guide
Cost does not Include
● All items of a personal nature
● International & domestic air tickets
● Medical Insurance & personal effects insurance
● Additional meals, beverages that are not specified in the itinerary
● Additional sightseeing & entrance fees that are not specified in the itinerary
● Hotel laundry service,
● WI-FI, internet access & Hotel Business Centre services
● Ancillary hotel charges such as room service, in-room entertainment & phone charges.