South & Central America

Excellence in Travel

south & central america

H35 H over

years of travel experience

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Tours and Travel Small personable groups 4-star or 5-star properties All guaranteed to depart

www.incatours.net

enjoy latin a Inca Tours is a member of the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) and the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA).

with inca australia’s small

includes all tipping & porterage all inclusive Journeys No hidden extras, all tipping, all porterage, all entrance fees and all transfers are included.

all inclusive of flights Includes all economy-class flights in Latin America

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includes some of the best properties

includes all sightseeing

Inca Tours uses some of the finest hotels, lodges, trains and cruising vessels in the world. Where possible, we utilise properties with local charm, style and character, avoiding foreign chains with their generic decor and international design styles.

Inca Tours includes all sightseeing with expert local guides, so you do not have to pay extra when you get there.

If it is worth doing or seeing, we include it for everyone in our small groups. This way, you do not have to choose between various options.

inca tours - excellence in travel

america tours

100% of our departures are guaranteed

group specialists

includes fine dining

includes all activities

Where possible, Inca Tours’ lunches and dinners are in local restaurants with free choices, not at set menu or buffet “tourist restaurants”.

Let us surprise you with various special event meals, included to enhance your Latin America experience.

Inca Tours has chosen the very best sights and activities so you can simply sit back, relax and enjoy the exclusive and pampered Latin America experience. When it comes to including sights and activities in our tours, it’s our attention to detail that sets us apart.

incatours.net

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contents experience south & central america with inca tours, the small group specialists page

superior-class south america

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FULLY-escorted GROUP TOUR, with tour leader south america sensations tour first part of sensations tour second part of sensations tour

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luxury-class south america

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private non-group tour, with local guides exclusive gold south america first part of exclusive gold second part of exclusive gold

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short tours & extensions

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private non-group tours, with local guides galapagos islands cruises antarctic cruises australis south patagonia cruise skorpios II chilean fjords cruise amazon river luxury cruises the best of colombia perito moreno & upsala glaciers torres del paine National park the atacama desert easter island a taste of ecuador & TREN CRUCero spirit of the andes & mashpi lodge, ecuador uyuni salt flat, bolivia nazca lines & paracas marine reserve, peru

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superior-class central america

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FULLY-escorted GROUP TOUR, with tour leader cuba, guatemala & mexico sensations tour

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short tours & extensions

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private non-group tours, with local guides copper canyon, mexico Panama city & the panama canal costa rica

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inca tours - excellence in travel

over 35 years of travel experience!

incatours.net

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inca tours will show you the real latin america Latin America is surprise & mystery —from the Amazon to the majestic Andes; from vast deserts and salt flats to the scenic beauty of Patagonia; from gigantic waterfalls to lakes like seas, Latin America is home to it all. the andes mountains & its many gifts The majestic Andes is the longest mountain range in the world, extending from Venezuela down to Chile and Argentina, where it forms the border between the two before gradually tapering into the sea north of Antarctica. The Andes offer so much, including fabulous Cuzco, the original Inca Capital; the fertile Sacred Valley of the Incas; Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas and possibly the highlight of South America; the sea-like Lake Titicaca, birthplace of Manco Capac, the first Inca; and La Paz, the world’s highest (unofficial) capital—all fabulous destinations in their own right. Far south of Peru and Bolivia, we find a very different Andes in Patagonia. Here the Andes Mountains invite you to walk, trek or simply relax in pristine places such as Torres del Paine National Park, recently recognised as the 8th Wonder of the World.

The amazon river, basin & rainforest The Amazon is the world’s second longest river and it varies from one and a half to ten kilometres wide!

Its Basin, often referred to as the “Lungs of the World” extends into no less than seven countries and is mostly covered by rainforest, the largest in the world. This pristine place is legendary for its indigenous peoples, flora and abundant but secretive wildlife. You have many exciting choices here offering a vast variety of experiences, from jungle lodges to canopy walkways to luxury cruises on the mighty river itself.

The pacific, atlantic & caribbean coasts After the Andes and Amazon, Latin America’s other main regional attractions are on or close to its spectacular coastlines. The Pacific Coast features a diversity of attractions, including fjords and UNESCO listed glaciers such as San Rafael; picturesque Puerto Montt in Patagonia’s Southern Lakes District; the Atacama Desert in Chile’s north; Peru’s Nazca Lines and Colonial City, to name just a few. The Atlantic Coastal region boasts cosmopolitan Buenos Aires City, upbeat Rio de Janeiro and further south the disputed Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). The Caribbean Coast, bordering Cuba and much of Central America, also laps the north west of South America and boasts the charming and historic city of Cartagena, one of the many fabulous jewels of Colombia.

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inca tours - excellence in travel

cultures at their most unique!

includes unique fauna and flora, as well as some of the most stunning scenery in all of latin america.

includes contact with quechua speaking descendants of the incas, one of the friendliest of peoples. incatours.net

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with inca tours, you are in very good hands Inca Tours, a destination specialist, is very proud to have over 35 years experience organising small group journeys to various parts of the world. Just imagine what we can do for you in South & Central America! we have done all the planning for you In planning a visit to a diverse region, one not only has to decide what to see and how much time to spend in each location but just as importantly, what to avoid. Tours must be planned to satisfy special interests, whether they be the majestic scenery, dynamic cities, the monuments of past civilisations, the colourful people who call it home, meeting new friends or just having a good time! We do all this and more. Our tours are planned and operated by people who know and above all, love Latin America.

your tour leader is there for you Your Inca Sensations Tour is hosted by one of our experienced tour leaders. (This is subject to a minimum group size of four guests.) They in turn, are assisted by our expert English-speaking local guides, drivers and ground handlers to ensure your journey is as seamless as possible and you get to remember it for all the right reasons. As our group sizes are small, you have regular access to your tour leader and your local guides. This usually occurs on a one-on-one basis, so you get the absolute most from your holiday. As the Exclusive Gold operates as personalised private departures (for 2 or more), it does not require a tour leader and involves just our handpicked expert English-speaking local guides.

guaranteed departures & group sizes allow you to book with confidence Many tour companies have in their fine print that the tour may be cancelled without a minimum number of clients. We know this uncertainty causes many problems for travellers, so for all Sensations Tours and Exclusive Gold departures, we guarantee that the tours will operate with two or more guests.

However as mentioned above, Sensations Tours will only have a tour leader with four or more.

In the same way that we guarantee our departures, we also place a cap of only eighteen guests on each of our Sensations Tours. For financial reasons, most other tour companies do not do this. We believe your tour should give you the opportunity to connect with the people and places you visit and enable your tour leader to get to know you personally, not just by a name tag. This is only possible if travelling in a small group, not in the large crowds often seen on other tours.

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inca tours - excellence in travel

why choose inca tours?

australian owned & operated

• Superior-class & Luxury-class hotels and lodges.

• Pristine Sandoval Lake, Peru.

• Lake Titicaca and an overnight stay on the Island of the Sun. • Three nights on the Brazil side of the fabulous Iguassu Falls.

• Dedicated tour leader and expert specialist local guides.

• Most dining is included.

• All cultural & sightseeing activities are included.

• Special dining events.

• All flights in Latin America as outlined in itineraries.

• All city & sightseeing tours and associated entrance fees.

• All porterage is included.

• All private airport transfers.

• All tipping and gratuities.

Inca Tours’ personalised groups (a Maximum of only 18) means you are not just another face in the crowd.

your tour leader, with assistance from our englishspeaking local guides will ensure a seamless journey. incatours.net

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with inca tours’ small groups, you won’t miss a thing We were one of the pioneers in small group travel, boasting more than 35 years of continuous service. You are in very good hands when you choose to travel with us, as our small groups mean you won’t miss out on a thing. inca tours has led the way & still does For many destinations, we were the first or one of the first to take small group journeys into what was considered “out of the way” places. Our tour leaders and office staff regularly visit these destinations, as well as new ones, which ensures that our destination knowledge is always up-to-date and second to none. Because of this we are able to plan and execute the very best itineraries, many of which are now emulated by those who have followed our lead. Regular destination updates also mean we are equipped to make changes if any aspect of the journey has changed or if better options have become available.

no gimmicks!

Because of our extensive knowledge, we do not have the “free choice” gimmicks that others offer.

If it is worth doing or seeing, we simply include it!

no need for headsets Up to 40 people on a tour is not a small group! With a maximum of only18 guests, our groups are small and intimate, which means there is no need for clumsy and uncomfortable headsets to allow you to hear what the local guide or tour leader is saying. With us you hear it directly from “the horse’s mouth” as they say. Our small group sizes also mean that it is much easier for you to ask questions and be heard and more importantly, answered.

inca tours’ style of meals Where ever possible, we arrange for the included lunches and dinners to be enjoyed at local restaurants, with guests having free choice from the menu and thus avoiding limited “set menus” or buffets. Many of these restaurants are chosen because of their location and/or because of their quality and style, which turns the dining experience into a highlight in itself. Only touring with small groups provides the flexibility in this area and subsequently, greatly enhances your South or Central America experience.

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inca tours - excellence in travel

with inca, you won’t miss a thing!

with a maximum of only 18 guests, you are assured of the most personalised service on your inca tour.

with daily one on one interaction with your tour leader, you will have the greatest experience possible. incatours.net

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inca tours’ extraordinary experiences There is a big difference between visiting a destination and truly experiencing it. There are numerous activities built into our journeys so that you experience Latin America in all of its unique charm and glory.

Surprise yourself in Lima, when you come to appreciate how much this extraordinary city has to offer the visitor.

GLIDE by boat across the serene waters of the pristine Sandoval Lake, deep in the Amazon Rainforest. immerse yourself in the Inca traditions and culture of Cuzco City and the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru. explore Machu Picchu over almost two enchanting days. observe the sunrise over the sea-like Lake Titicaca. feel the spray and force of the mighty Iguassu River, as it thunders and cascades over the spectacular Iguassu Falls.

Marvel at the natural beauty and charm of Rio de Janeiro. enjoy an upmarket Tango Show in Buenos Aires. experience Havana, the UNESCO listed Cuban capital.

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inca tours - excellence in travel

once in a lifetime experiences

one day you marvel at iguassu falls from below, the next you delight in rio from the base of the statue of christ.

whether exploring buenos aires or sailing the amazon, experience the real latin america with inca tours. incatours.net

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spectacular hotels & lodges in really stunning locations Most hotels and lodges used by us have been inspected and stayed in by members of the Inca Tours’ team.

They are chosen for their location, history, character or ambiance, so you’ll experience only the very best. estelar miraflores hotel, Lima, Peru.

Sandoval Lake Lodge, Amazon Basin, Peru. aranwa boutique hotel, Sacred Valley, Peru. inkaterra el mapi hotel, Aguas Calientes, Peru. aranwa boutique hotel, Cuzco, Peru. casa andina private collection, Puno, Peru. la casona boutique hotel, La Paz, Bolivia. hotel das cataratas, Iguassu Falls, Brazil.

Porto bay rio INTERNATIONAL, Rio, Brazil melia hotel, Buenos Aires, Argentina HOTEL nacional de cuba, Havana, Cuba.

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inca tours - excellence in travel

latin america’s finest properties

truly spectacular hotels and lodges sit in the most stunning locations to be found in latin america.

follow the footsteps of HRH queen elizabeth II, as you stay in the famous Das cataratas hotel, at the Spectacular iguassu falls. incatours.net

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spectacular rail & cruise experiences Our tours include truly authentic experiences, some of which could have come from a by-gone era, such as Belmond’s fabulous rail service.

Why rough it on your once in a lifetime journey to South America? vistadome & hiram bingham trains The Vistadome Train offers fantastic scenery as it makes its way to Machu Picchu Village from Ollanta Rail Station in the Sacred Valley. It boasts high windows which merge into the carriage’s ceilings, allowing you to see the mountain peaks from far below. A light breakfast or late lunch is included in the onboard service as well music and other entertainment. The Hiram Bingham is a more luxurious train linking Poroy (near Cuzco) and Machu Picchu Village, also via the Sacred Valley. Its service includes live music and brunch or a gourmet dinner, as the train travels through spectacular and everchanging scenery. This historic-style train, named after the North American who re-discovered Machu Picchu in1911, captures the romance and atmosphere of a by-gone era. It features dining cars, a bar car and an open-deck observation car. Although both of these return train journeys can be made as a day excursion, we recommend taking them with an overnight stay at Machu Picchu Village, below the ruins.

andean explorer train Enjoy the mysticism offered by the beautiful Peruvian Altiplano (high plain) aboard this luxury train linking Cuzco to Puno and Lake Titicaca. Riding the Andean Explorer is a unique and special experience, a journey between highlands, mountains and clouds. The journey takes ten hours and includes an a-la-carte lunch, afternoon tea and welcome drinks. The train is decorated with the subtle, delicate style of the great Pullmans of the1920s. It includes a bar car and an open-deck observation car.

The Andean Explorer offers the most leisurely and comfortable trip between Cuzco and Lake Titicaca.

southern lakes’ catamarans The spectacular Southern Lakes Crossing from Chile to Argentina (and vice versa) involves three different sailing vessels crossing three separate lakes. You sail along Lake Todos Los Santos, Lake Frias and Lake Nahuel Huapi and be amazed at the different colours of their respective waters. Weather permitting you should see Osorno and Calbuco Volcanoes and El Tronador Mountain in the pristine national parks you sail through. The Lakes Crossing multi-level catamarans have cental heating, bars, cafeterias, very comfortable seating, small souvenir shops and open air upper decks. The vessels are designed so you can appreciate the outside natural scenery that has remained virtually unchanged for centuries.

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soak up the atmosphere of yesteryear

journey across the wide open altiplano in style, while enjoying a freshly prepared a-la-carte lunch.

cruise to one of the southern most parts of the world on board an australis cruise vessel or the fine skorpios II. incatours.net

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cuzco, sacred valley, machu picchu & lake titicaca Cuzco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu were very important places in the Inca Empire. Likewise today, they and Lake Titicaca are important places to visit for anyone interested in Pre-Colombian civilisations. cuzco Peru’s Cuzco region is one of the main reasons people choose to visit South America. Cuzco exudes a special ambiance with its Inca and Colonial buildings and is believed to be the America’s oldest continually inhabited city, settled in the11th or12th Century. There is much to see in Cuzco, including an ornate main cathedral, a beautiful Main Square (close to where the Sensations Tour and Exclusive Gold hotels are located), the Temple of the Sun and Sacsayhuaman, one of the city’s many gems.

the sacred valley of the incas The Sacred Valley of the Incas lies between Cuzco and Machu Picchu. When travelling to Machu Picchu your journey takes you via the Sacred Valley, so it’s well worth spending a night or two in this absolutely stunning location. The Sacred Valley is home to a very important site, the Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo, which is a must see. Also situated here are the villages of Pisac and Chinchero and their well known markets. The valley is now home to a number of up-market boutique hotels, which makes it the perfect place to include some time at leisure and simply relax in this stunning destination.

machu picchu Your first view of Machu Picchu with its surrounding cloud forests and mountains will take your breath away. Most find it an unforgettable and sometimes spiritual experience! Machu Picchu is undoubtedly the best known and most spectacular archaeological site on the continent. The ruins (urban, agricultural and religious areas) require at least a day or two to explore properly. The mountain overlooking the site, Huayna Picchu, has steps to the top (permits are required) for a superlative view of the entire area below.

lake titicaca Lake Titicaca is best visited from Cuzco, either by rail or road. At 3,800 metres above sea level, it is the world’s highest navigable lake. The lake is believed to be the birthplace of the first Inca ruler Manco Capac. There are a number of well located hotels and lodges near the lake, including one on Sun Island.

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inca tours - excellence in travel

titicaca, an enchanting place to stay

Cuzco’s streets are stepped, narrow and filled with quechua speaking descendants of the incas: a gem of peru.

The site discovered in 1911 was different to the one you see today, with All the buildings very thickly overgrown. incatours.net

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buenos aires, Iguassu falls & rio de janeiro Buenos Aires, Iguassu Falls & Rio are diverse yet all wonderfully exciting places in their own distinctive ways.

Combined, they make for a unique immersion in South America’s culture, nature and scenic beauty. buenos aires The cosmopolitan Argentine Capital of Buenos Aires, replete with historic buildings and once home to Eva Peron, is often referred to as the “Paris of the Americas”and for good reason. As well as having many European cultural and architectural influences, it is the most fashionable city in South America and boasts many beautiful parks and plazas. There is much to experience here, so we recommend a number of nights to get a feel for this exciting city. Buenos Aires is the birthplace of Tango, offering numerous Tango shows and schools. The hotels utilised on our Sensations Tours and Exclusive Gold South America departures are all located in the fashionable downtown district of the capital.

iguassu falls The Iguassu River forms part of the border between Argentina and Brazil and just a short distance down river where it flows into the Parana River, you see the border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay!

Iguassu Falls are considered the most impressive waterfalls in the world, surpassing in grandeur both Niagara and Victoria Falls. Almost 300 separate cascades fall in a wild array of spray over a winding three kilometre long cliff front. It is a must that the falls be seen from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides. It is best however, to stay (as we do) in the hotel on the Brazil side as about 70 per cent of the falls are in Argentina and are therefore best viewed and photographed from across the river in Brazil.

rio de janeiro Rio de Janeiro with its spectacular sights, legendary beaches and home of Samba is not to be missed.

Rio sweeps twenty kilometres along the narrow alluvial strip between the mountains and the open sea.

The combination of dark blue sea, studded with rocky islands, with the tumbling wooded mountains and expanses of bare grey rock which surround the city is very impressive. You will be equally impressed with the variety of food available in Rio. From fresh seafood to some of the best beef in the world and from all types of vegetables to a vast array of tropical fruits, your taste buds are certainly in for a treat.

Our two preferred hotels are located right opposite Copacabana Beach, with expansive views looking out over the Atlantic Ocean.

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rio, like nowhere else on earth!

iguassu falls was the setting for the award winning film ‘the mission’, starring Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons.

buenos aires is a stylish city, with artistic & historical attractions that rival many of the finest cities of europe. incatours.net

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ecuador, the galapagos islands & easter island Ecuador is an often overlooked South American gem, with the Galapagos Islands being only one of its many attractions. Chile’s Easter Island is unique in very different ways but is also a perfect place to spend time. ecuador Ecuador boasts spectacular mountain scenery, friendly locals and a very interesting history. Like Peru, Ecuador is comprised of three distinct regions: the Pacific Coast, the Amazon Jungle and the Andes Highlands, each with their own culture, lifestyle and ethnicity. Most well known are the Galapagos Islands with their unique fauna and flora but Ecuador has much more to offer. Quito, the capital, is one of South America’s most beautiful cities, the historic part of which has one of the largest, least-altered and best-preserved Colonial centres in the Americas. Along with Krakow, it was the first World Cultural Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in1978. Other places worth visiting include Banos, Riobamba, Ingapirca and Cuenca, all in the Andes. Ecuador’s second largest city Guayaquil, on the Pacific, is very different to Quito due to its sea level location. It’s also a great place to spend some time.

the galapagos islands The Galapagos Islands are comprised of 18 major islands, 3 minor islands and scores of tiny islands that lie almost1,000 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador. It is here that rare ecosystems co-exist in one of the most active volcanic areas on earth. Made famous by Charles Darwin, the islands are a very popular cruise destination with their fascinating scenery and unique wildlife. Cruises range from 3 to14 nights and depending on their length, follow different itineraries. One of the highlights of a cruise is visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to very young and very old, Giant Galapagos Tortoises.

The largest weigh up to 400 kilograms, are almost 2 metres long and live to between 100 and150 years!

“Lonesome George” as he was known, the last remaining Pinta Island tortoise was moved to the research station, where scientists attempted to breed from him but he died in 2012 without producing offspring.

easter island 4,000 kilometres from Chile, the most remote place in the world is an island which still holds a special mystery and magic. Rapa Nui, as the natives called it, was discovered on Easter Sunday1722 and thus to this day, is still referred to as Easter Island. This isolated place, entirely volcanic in origin, is a vast outdoor museum dotted with over 600 giant Moai statues that have intrigued the world for centuries.

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home to the blue-footed booby!

retrace charles darwin’s steps with a galapagos Cruise & visit the research station so named in his honour.

spend a few nights on Easter Island, one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world & home to 600 moai statues. incatours.net

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antarctica, the falklands & ushuaia Antarctica, the “White Continent” is one of the planet’s most spectacular places and best experienced by embarking on a cruise. Some cruises also take in the Falklands, which are bursting with all manner of wildlife. antarctica, the “white continent” Walk in the footsteps of Shackleton and Scott and discover the magic of Antarctica. A cruise to the “White Continent” is one of the most spectacular expeditions on the planet! Most cruises depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, sail through the Beagle Channel, explore Cape Horn and cross the mythical waters of the Drake Passage before entering the Antarctic Peninsula. Antarctica is almost completely covered by an icecap formed by the constant accumulation of snow over the course of hundreds of thousands of years. At its deepest, the covering is approximately four kilometres, hiding beneath it mountains, valleys and plains. Huge ice masses break off daily, forming icebergs that can measure up to several kilometres.

Wildlife in the Antarctic is unique. As there is virtually no history of hunting, its animals are usually unafraid of humans and are sometimes actually ‘intrigued’ by us. The opportunity to be able to wander among thousands of penguins and sea lions makes this special place a paradise for photographers.

the falkland islands The Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are an archipelago on the Patagonian Shelf, about 500 kilometres east of Argentina. They are comprised of two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, as well as about 800 smaller islands. Roughly 3,000 people live there, the majority in Stanley the capital. Falkland Islands culture is predominantly of British origin but has some South American characteristics, as well as plenty of old world Victorian charm. Fauna, especially penguins such as Magellanic, Gentoo, King and Rockhopper Penguins are one of the main natural attractions of the islands. The Falkland Islands can be visited as part of an Antarctic Peninsula cruise or by plane from Santiago de Chile.

ushuaia Ushuaia is often referred to as the “Southernmost City in the World” and this alone makes it an attractive destination for some. More importantly however, it is from Ushuaia that the majority of Antarctic Cruises set sail. Other tourist attractions include Tierra del Fuego National Park, which can be reached by road or via the End of the World Train. The city has a very interesting museum of Yamana, English and Argentine settlements, including its years as an Argentine prison colony.

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absolutely remarkable scenery

antarctica is one of the most remote places on earth & also the coldest, windiest, driest & most inhospitable continent.

falklands boast vast colonies of blackbrowed albatross, elephant seals & five species of penguins. incatours.net

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the amazon basin, amazon lodges & river cruises A trip to the Amazon Basin is like no other. The sights, sounds and smells of the jungle are unique. Despite including morning, afternoon and some night activities, you are bound to leave invigorated and relaxed! the amazon basin The Amazon Basin extends from Venezuela in the north to Bolivia in the south and from the Atlantic in the east to the Andes in the west. The Amazon River at the heart of this catchment has more fresh water in it than any other river on earth. Other major rivers in the basin are the Rio Negro, originating in Venezuela, the Rio Napo originating in Ecuador and the Madre de Dios of Peru. We utilise two very good jungle lodges in Peru, both of which are accessed from Puerto Maldonado, only a short flight from Cuzco. We also regularly utilise a number of luxurious Amazon cruises which sail out of Iquitos, Peru.

amazon lodges Sandoval Lake Lodge (used on our Sensations Tour), overlooking the pristine Sandoval Lake and also accessed from Puerto Maldonado, is rustic and good for sighting wildlife. It is constructed almost entirely of ecologically-harvested mahogany trees collected from the floods that carry logs down river.

The lodge is one extended structure consisting of a large screened main dining and lounge room with fully-screened rooms arranged in two wings. All rooms have ceiling fans and ensuite bathrooms and all rooms and communal areas have electricity (at certain times), as well as kerosene lamps and candles.

Reserva Amazonica Lodge (used on the Exclusive Gold departures) is a little more comfortable than Sandoval Lake Lodge. Reserva Amazonica is a private ecological reserve and research centre covering an area of10,000 hectares and is easily accessed from Puerto Maldonado, Peru. The lodge is ideally located on the banks of the Madre de Dios River. Built with natural materials, it gives you the feeling of being part of the jungle but does not hold back on comfort. All rooms are separate free-standing dwellings and are screened, have ceiling fans and ensuite bathrooms. Despite its relative comfort, Reserva Amazonica Lodge provides an authentic Amazon Jungle experience. It also has its own tree-top canopy walkway.

amazon river cruises We offer five superb 4 or 5-star Amazon Cruises on the Amatista, Aqua Amazon, Aria Amazon, Delfin I and II. All depart from Iquitos, Peru’s major jungle city and take you to the heart of the Pacaya-Samiria.

A more budget cruise on the Tucano, sailing from Manaus in Brazil, is also a great experience.

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the amazon, “the lungs of the world”

The amazon river pushes a vast plume of fresh water about 400 km out into the atlantic ocean before it turns salty.

jungle lodge stays & river cruises are the best ways to experience the amazon’s wildlife, as well as the way of life of its people. incatours.net

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patagonia, the southern lakes & el calafate Patagonia, Chile’s Lakes District and El Calafate’s enormous glaciers offer vivid displays of colour. From the blue ice of Patagonia and Calafate, to the green, yellow and orange forests and emerald waters of the Lakes District. patagonia Patagonia is not a province (state) but a geographic region shared by Argentina and Chile, extending south of the Colorado River. Argentine Patagonia includes Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) and Chilean Patagonia includes Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine) National Park. Patagonia is a land of fjords, lakes, glaciers and mountains. Here the spine of the Andes tapers into the sea and the scenery is among the most spectacular in the world, with jagged peaks, awe-inspiring volcanoes and vivid blue ice. There are a few superb luxury options for staying in Patagonia, in addition to more budget hotels and lodges.

There are also excellent small vessel sea cruises which explore the islands, fjords and glaciers off the coast.

the southern lakes district The Southern Lakes District in the south of Argentina and Chile is defined by many magnificent lakes cutting through the foothills of the Andes. The area boasts some of South America’s most spectacular scenery extending east from Puerto Varas in Chile, across the Andes to Bariloche, Argentina. The Lakes Crossing takes you across this region and can be undertaken over one or two days. In winter when the days are shorter, it is best to do it over two days and spend the night in Puella, mid way through. The crossing involves four buses and three vessels, all of which are very comfortable multi-level catamarans.

Three separate lakes are sailed during the crossing with private roads connecting one lake to another.

el calafate & its spectacular glaciers El Calafate is a picturesque Patagonian village of less than10,000 residents located on the shores of Lake Argentino. From El Calafate you have access to Los Glaciares National Park, only 50 kilometres away and sheltering more than 300 glaciers. The most famous of them is the Perito Moreno Glacier, declared World Natural Heritage by UNESCO. From El Calafate you also have access to the Upsala Glacier, which is 595 square kilometres in area, three times the size of Buenos Aires city! It is 60 kilometres long, seven kilometres wide and varies from 60 to 80 metres in height. Certainly a sight to behold.

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amazing scenery at the world’s end

patagonia will leave you with the most unique and most unforgettable memories, literally at the base of the world.

the lakes crossing takes you from chile to argentina, traversing the andes mountain range from west to east. incatours.net

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cuba, guatemala & mexico Cuba, Guatemala and Mexico, three historically rich and colourful Latin American countries are well worth visiting. Despite their reasonably close proximity, they offer diverse and often unique experiences.

Cuba Cuba is the largest island in the northern Caribbean Sea, located150 kilometres south of the United States and just over 200 kilometres east of Mexico. Cuba is also the last, albeit fading, outpost of Communism however change is rapidly taking place, so there has never been a better time to visit.

Old Havana, the colourful16th Century UNESCO listed section of the capital with its well-preserved Spanish Colonial architecture; Cienfuego, on the beautiful Cienfuegos Bay; and the “Museum Town” of Trinidad are just three of Cuba’s many attractions. Cuba is known for its white-sandy beaches, rolling mountains, classic old North American cars, cigars, sugar cane rum and the salsa dance.

Guatemala Guatemala, meaning “Land of Trees” is a heavily forested and beautiful mountainous Central American nation, located south of Mexico. The country is distinguished by its steep volcanoes, vast rainforests and ancient Mayan sites and was for centuries the core of the Mayan Civilisation. Guatemala’s attractions include the small Colonial city of Antigua, containing cobblestone streets, beautifully preserved Colonial buildings and many Spanish schools; Panajachel, on the shores of the picturesque volcano ringed Lake Atitlan; Chichicastenango, the centre of the Maya-Quiche Highlands; Flores and nearby Tikal, Guatemala’s most famous Mayan Ruins. The country is also very well known for its rich and distinctive culture.

mexico Mexico perhaps not surprisingly, is the world’s largest producer of both avocados and silver! Bordered on the north by the United States and on the southeast by Guatemala, it features a diverse landscape of mountains, deserts and jungles. Mexico boasts a rich history and many ancient Aztec and Mayan archeological sites, including Teotihuacan, Palenque, Uxmal and Chichen Itza, the capital of the Mayan Empire founded in 432 AD. Hundreds of quaint Colonial-era towns are scattered throughout the country and by contrast, Mexico City, the cosmopolitan capital offers many world-class attractions including its renowned National Anthropology Museum.

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inca tours - excellence in travel

remains of civilisations long gone

follow the footsteps of writer ernest hemingway, as you stroll the narrow cobblestone streets of old havana.

from local markets to ancient mayan pyramids, each day in Guatemala & mexico will intrigue & enrich you. incatours.net

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costa rica & panama, including its famous canal Costa Rica and Panama are two small Central America countries with much to offer. Costa Rica is most famous for it biodiversity and of course, Panama is known around the world for its ingenious canal. costa rica Costa Rica, literally meaning, “Rich Coast” is a tiny, rugged, rainforested Central American nation where almost a quarter of its land mass is declared national park or national reserve. It is situated south of Nicaragua and northwest of Panama. Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes and immense biodiversity with much of it made up of protected jungle, rich with wildlife including spider monkeys and quetzal birds. Its natural attractions include the classic cone-shaped Arenal Volcano rising1,633 metres; the Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge; the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, home to the shy and rare Resplendent Quetzal; and the lush and pristine Manuel Antonio National Park. Costa Rica is considered a paradise by many renowned environmentalists and for good reason. In 2007 its government announced that it would become the world’s first carbon-neutral country by 2021; in 2009 it was voted the greenest country in the world and in 2012 it became the first country in the Americas to ban recreational hunting.

panama Panama, which shares a border with Costa Rica to its west, is a Central American country situated between North and South America. It is unique in that it is on the isthmus which links Central America and South America. Panama is most well known for its man-made Panama Canal, the greatest engineering masterpiece of the last century, which cuts through its centre, linking the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. In fact, the canal is considered the Eighth Wonder of the Modern World and a visit to Panama is not complete without the exhilarating experience of a partial boat transit of its locks and waterways. Old Panama City, founded in1519 boasts a rich and colourful history and its many Colonial buildings contrast with the modern parts of Panama City, the capital. Covering almost half of the country, Panama’s jungles boast an abundance of tropical plants, animals and birds, some of them found nowhere else on earth.

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inca tours - excellence in travel

nature abundant & diverse!

marvel at costa rica’s classic cone shaped arenal volcano from the gardens of your resortstyle hotel.

one day you sail through the locks of the panama canal, the next you explore the streets of old panama city. incatours.net

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useful check list when comparing alternative tours EXCELLENCE IN TRAVEL

south & central america

#35 # over

years of travel experience

#

It is difficult to compare tours when descriptions in brochures look the same but differ when experienced due to subtle differences. This check list should help you cut through some of the hype!

issues to consider when comparing

Inca other other tours tour? tour?

• Is the tour guaranteed to depart with only two guests? (As unlikely as this scenario is.)

YES

_________

_________

• Does the tour price include all airfares, fuel surcharges and airline / airport taxes?

(These can be a substantial additional cost.)

YES

_________

_________

• Are all activities / excursions included or do you have to choose between alternatives?

ALL included

_________

_________

• Do you have free choice from a menu or are all included meals from a buffet / set menu? MOSTLY free choice _________

_________

• Is everything described included or are there optional extras at additional cost if you choose to undertake them?

ALL included

_________

_________

• Does the tour operator have over 35 years of experience organising small group tours?

YES

_________

_________

• Do you need to use headsets to hear what is being said by the guide as the groups are so large? (Normally more than 20 guests.)

NO

_________

_________

• Are there excessive claims of EXCLUSIVE when in reality most are not exclusive but widely available and used on different tours?

NO

_________

_________

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inca tours - excellence in travel

life long friendships are formed

memories are not based on what you did not do! you have worked hard and deserve a great experience.

book your future memories now with inca tours, so you do not regret missing out later. incatours.net

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the inca sensations tour the ultimate escorted south america tour the highlights in a shorter period The Inca Sensations Tour of South America includes most of the highlights of South America over a relatively short duration. This is our moderately priced Superior-class tour to South America, designed for the more budget conscious guest. It visits most of the highlight destinations and is escorted by an experienced tour leader with assistance from our expert English-speaking local guides. The hotels and lodges used on the Sensations Tour are very well located, of a very high standard and exhibit all the charm and character that is South America.

guaranteed departures with 2 or more You have the confidence to book with Inca Tours knowing that the Sensations Tour is guaranteed to operate and won’t be cancelled due to low numbers at the last minute, as often happens with other tour operators. On all Sensations Tours, we guarantee that your tour will operate with only two or more.

ultimate small groups with a max of 18 In the same way that we guarantee our departures, we also place a cap of only eighteen guests on each Sensations Tour. This way you receive personalised attention all the way. For financial reasons, most other tour companies do not do this and book as many people as they can on each tour.

stay in south america’s best locations Why go all that way only to stay near the places you want to see? We select hotels which retain the charm and character of South America and are located at the places of interest. Iguassu Falls is just one example.We avoid the international chains, preferring to experience the culture and lifestyle first hand in properties with local flavour and style. You have worked hard during your life, you deserve it!

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inca tours - excellence in travel

superior class hotels & lodges

great hotels & lodges in the very best locations, combined with the must see & do inclusions, as well as fine dining.

guaranteed max 18 guests each tour, with tour leader & expert local guides means an extremely personalised experience. incatours.net

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sensations superior-class hotels, lodges, trains & vessels It is envisaged that you will be hosted in the following exquisite hotels, lodges & trains during your tour. peru estelar miraflores hotel, lima

el mapi hotel, machu picchu village

sandoval lake lodge, amazon basin

vistadome train, between cuzco & machu picchu

bolivia aranwa boutique hotel, sacred valley

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aranwa boutique hotel, cuzco

inca tours - excellence in travel

the very finest properties

porto bay rio international hotel, rio de janeiro

sun island eco lodge, sun island lake titicaca

andean explorer train, cuzco to puno

argentina

brazil lake titicaca hydrofoil, copacabana to sun island

melia hotel, buenos aires

la casona boutique hotel, la paz

casa andina private collection, puno

chile* belmond hotel das cataratas, iguassu falls

plaza san francisco hotel, santiago de chile

*Optional Santiago Stopover Please note: the interior hotel room photos on these two pages are for general information purposes only.

The specific rooms you are accommodated in on tour may differ slightly in terms of room type, standard and configuration.

incatours.net

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23 days south america’s best on an inca sensations tour

PERU BRAZIL Machu Picchu Lima Puerto Maldonado Cuzco Lake Titicaca La Paz Puno Rio de BOLIVIA Janeiro CHILE Iguassu Falls ARGENTINA Santiago

Buenos Aires

included highlights • A guaranteed departure with two or more guests.

• Experienced senior tour leader throughout the tour, from beginning to end.* • Expert private English-speaking local guides on all city / sightseeing tours and excursions.

• All airfares, airport departure taxes, tipping and porterage throughout the tour.

included fine dining

• Two nights in Lima’s fashionable residential, shopping and restaurant district of Miraflores.

• A tour of Casa Aliaga, Lima, home to Peru’s only remaining hereditary Spanish Count.

• Two nights in an Amazon Jungle lodge, directly overlooking Lake Sandoval.

• Two nights in the stunning and fertile Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru.

• A three course lunch at the Casa Orihuela, a private hacienda in the Sacred Valley.

• Peru Rail’s Vistadome Train to and from Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas.

• Overnight in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Village) and two visits to Machu Picchu.

• Two relaxing nights in historic and charming Cuzco, the original Inca Capital.

• The Andean Explorer Train from Cuzco to Puno, via the Altiplano and La Raya Pass.

• One night in Puno, on the Peruvian shores of stunning Lake Titicaca.

• Two-day crossing of Lake Titicaca, commencing in Peru and concluding in Bolivia.

• A visit to the Island of the Moon and an overnight on the Island of the Sun, Lake Titicaca.

• Many meals are included, with the exception of those during leisure time.

This allows you to do what you want and eat where you like in your free time.

Our experienced tour leader will make recommendations about where to dine.

• Where possible, lunches & dinners are not buffet or set menus. We visit local restaurants where you have a choice.

• 36 meals are included: 21 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners, some of which are tour highlights. In addition, a number of meals are served on flights.

• Two nights in La Paz (the world’s highest capital), including a tour of the Moon Valley.

• Three nights at the famous Belmond Hotel Das Cataratas, overlooking Iguassu Falls.

• Comprehensive walking tours of both the Argentine & Brazilian sides of Iguassu Falls.

• Two nights in fabulous Rio de Janeiro, staying directly opposite Copacabana Beach.

• Separate half day tours in Rio, including the Statue of Christ & Sugar Loaf Mountain.

• Three nights in Buenos Aires, staying in a pedestrian street in the city’s Downtown area.

• One of Buenos Aires’ very best Tango Shows, including an a-la-carte three course dinner.

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*Subject to 4 or more guests.

inca tours - excellence in travel

never more than 18 in an inca group!

sandoval lake, peru

lima, peru

south america sensations tour itinerary DAY 1

Monday australia / Lima

This morning you depart on your flight to South America. As you cross the International Date Line you ‘gain’ a day, so you arrive into Santiago on Monday. Here you connect with your flight to Lima, Peru. On arrival in Lima we are met and taken to our hotel for a two-night stay. Lima, “The City of the Kings” as it was known, is a very beautiful city. It was the first seat of the Government of Spain in1535 and still has many perfectly preserved buildings from this Colonial Period. (Meals Inflight)

DAY 2

Tuesday Lima

We tour Greater Lima visiting the three distinct historical periods of the city: PreColumbian, Colonial and Modern. We visit the Franciscan Monastery and Casa Aliaga (an Inca Tours Australian exclusive!), one of South America’s oldest Spanish homes, still inhabited by descendants of the original Aliaga family. After seeing the Government Palace and the Plaza de Armas we drive through the elegant residential tree-lined avenues of San Isidro and Miraflores, to Parque del Amor with its views of the Pacific Ocean. Late today we host a very informative tour orientation meeting in which we get to know each other and outline the important aspects of the dayto-day operation of your Sensations Tour. (BD)

DAY 3

Wednesday Lima / Amazon Jungle

DAY 5

friday Amazon / Sacred Valley

We fly to Puerto Maldonado, deep in the Early this afternoon we fly to Cuzco, the Amazon Basin, where we are met and driven original Inca capital, from where we are driven to the river port. A half hour journey down to a lower altitude in the Sacred Valley of the the Madre de Dios River by motor canoe Incas. Here we stay for two relaxing nights. brings us to the start of the trail. The trail The remainder of our afternoon is at leisure takes about one hour to walk and passes to enjoy this stunning destination. (BD) through a flooded forest of 30 metre high DAY 6 Saturday Mauritia Palms. This afternoon we board sacred Valley of incas a catamaran and set off to explore Here we visit the famous Inca pristine Sandoval Lake. In the Alecia, your attention Fortress of Ollantaytambo before flooded forest it is possible to to detail made the trip continuing to the traditional local drift beneath raucous red-bellied flow with tremendous markets of Pisac, where we can macaws as they return to the ease. And thank you bargain with the locals for their forest for the night. (BLD) Ross for your attentive fabulous weavings and ceramics. style, ensuring smooth DAY 4 Thursday We enjoy lunch at a private transitions from one Amazon Jungle hacienda (an Inca Tours’ Australian day to the next...

An early excursion on the lake exclusive) before being taken back Allan & Pauline Blake NSW may result in an encounter with to our hotel for the evening. (BL) the lake’s giant otters. In addition, DAY 7 Sunday most of the birds are active early so we should Ollanta / Machu Picchu see some prehistoric-looking Hoatzins. These We have an early morning transfer to Ollanta odd, leaf-eating birds are the size of chickens Train Station for our two-day excursion to and sport bare blue faces, red eyes and punk Machu Picchu. We follow the Urubamba River rock-type crests! After lunch and a siesta, we on one of the world’s great train journeys. again board the catamaran to explore the Machu Picchu, known as the “Lost City of the eastern part of the lake where we may see Incas” is the most spectacular archaeological site some of the five species of monkey who live on the continent. On arrival we are taken on a in the forest. They include Brown Capuchin and Squirrel Monkeys. (BLD) guided walking tour of Machu Picchu. (BLD)

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lake titicaca, bolivia

DAY 8

Monday Machu Picchu / Cuzco

We have the morning free to further explore the ruins of Machu Picchu without the hassle of large crowds. Early this afternoon we board the train for our return journey to Cuzco, where we spend the next two relaxing nights. (B)

DAY 9

Tuesday Cuzco

Cuzco is the archaeological capital of the Americas and the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city. We take you on a comprehensive city tour that includes the Main Cathedral, the Plaza de Armas, the Temple of the Sun (Koricancha), as well as other highlights.

Later we visit another very important Inca Ruin outside of Cuzco: Sacsayhuaman. (B)

DAY 10 Wednesday Cuzco / Puno We board the luxurious Andean Explorer Train for our rail journey across the Altiplano, via the La Raya Pass (until recently the world’s highest) and on to Puno. This journey takes about10 hours and provides a wonderful insight into local life as it has been for hundreds of years, as well as showcasing some of the world’s most spectacular views. On arrival in Puno we check in to our hotel on the shores of Lake Titicaca. (BL)

DAY 11 Thursday Puno / Lake Titicaca Another early start sees us on the road to Copacabana, Bolivia. On arrival we have a short tour of the shrine and local market before

boarding our hydrofoil to travel to Moon Island. We enjoy a breathtaking view of Lake Titicaca as we visit the Sun Virgins’ Temple.

From here we continue on to Sun Island where we take a reasonably strenuous climb to our eco lodge for tonight. Our afternoon is at leisure to explore our island surroundings. (BLD)

DAY 12 Friday Lake Titicaca / La Paz You have the option to take a walk through the local village to observe island life before we visit the Inca staircase and sacred fountain to touch the water that is believed to give eternal youth and happiness. Following lunch on the island we again board our hydrofoil bound for Huatajata. From here we are taken by road to La Paz for a unique two-night stay. (BL)

DAY 13 Saturday La Paz We undertake a morning tour of La Paz during which we visit the Indian and Pagan sacrificial markets, Calle Jaen with its museums, the San Francisco Church, Plaza Murillo, the National Congress, the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, Obrajes, Calacoto and the unusual formations of the spectacular Moon Valley outside La Paz. (B)

DAY 14 Sunday La Paz / iguassu falls An early start sees us fly to Iguassu Falls in Brazil after a plane change in Lima. On arrival we are met and taken to our hotel, the only one located within the National Park and near the falls, for three fabulous nights! (B) la paz, bolivia

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inca tours - excellence in travel

copacabana beach, rio

DAY 15 Monday Iguassu Falls

DAY 18 Thursday Rio de Janeiro

Iguassu is considered the most impressive falls in the world, surpassing in grandeur both Vic and Niagara. 275 separate cascades fall over a winding 3 km cliff front! This morning we are taken to the Argentinean side of the falls for a comprehensive tour. Later we take a spectacular boat ride towards the base of the falls. Tonight we enjoy a traditional Brazilian BBQ. (BD)

We begin the day with a tour to Corcovado Mountain and the Statue of Christ. The statue is one of Rio’s most famous landmarks. It is 37 metres high, weighs1,100 tons and has a 360 degree view of the entire area below, including the city, the bay, the mountains and the sea. (B)

DAY 16 Tuesday Iguassu Falls

After a leisurely morning we fly to Buenos Aires for a fabulous three-night, downtown stay. (B)

We undertake a panoramic walking tour of the Brazilian side of the falls this morning, before visiting the local bird sanctuary, home to a wide variety of species. This afternoon is at leisure. You may like to take an optional (at extra cost) helicopter flight over the falls. (B)

DAY 20 saturday Buenos Aires

DAY 17 Wednesday Iguassu / Rio de Janeiro Early today we fly to Rio de Janeiro for a twonight stay, at our hotel located directly opposite Copacabana Beach. Rio sweeps 20 km along a narrow alluvial strip where the combination of dark blue sea, rocky islands and tumbling mountains is very impressive. Brazilians say “God made the world in six days, the seventh He devoted to Rio”. This afternoon we visit Old Rio before being taken to Sugar Loaf Mountain, located uniquely above the entrance to Guanabara Bay. It is reached by a spectacular 2-stage cable car that offers a beautiful view of the city and its beaches far below. (B)

DAY 19 Friday Rio / Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is South America’s most fashionable city, with many beautiful parks and plazas. Here we have a half day city tour

seeing Government House (Casa Rosada), City Hall, the House of Congress, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Colon Theatre, Avenue 9th of July (the world’s widest avenue) and the Italian La Boca District. Tonight we dine at and enjoy one of the city’s very best Tango Shows. (BD)

DAY 21 sunday Buenos Aires We have the day at leisure in Buenos Aires. (B)

DAY 22 monday buenos aires / inflight Today we are taken to the airport for our flight to Sydney, via Santiago. (B & Meals inflight)

DAY 23 tuesday Inflight / australia You arrive home late today. Welcome Home!

tour Dates for south america sensations Tour

Departing 3rd September 2016 Returning 27th September 2016 Departing 5th April 2017

Returning 29th April 2017

Departing 6th September 2017 Returning 30th September 2017 Departing 4th April 2018

Returning 28th April 2018

costs for south america sensations Tour

$20,990 $19,390 $ 3,6 71 $4,500

Per person twin-share ex-Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney Per person twin-share starting in Lima & ending in Buenos Aires Single room supplement for solo travellers not wishing to share rooms Business-class upgrade for long-haul international sectors

Terms & conditions apply. Tour costs may change prior to receipt of full payment due to circumstances beyond our control.

incatours.net

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16 days bolivia & peru part PERU Lima

Machu Picchu Puerto Maldonado Cuzco Lake Titicaca La Paz Puno BOLIVIA CHILE

main square, lima, peru

first part of south america sensations tour

Santiago

This ever popular part tour includes most of Peru and Bolivia’s many highlights.

Sixteen days long, it allows those of you with limited leave time the opportunity to experience the attention to detail that our Sensations Tours are well known for.

included highlights • Experienced senior tour leader.

• Expert local guides in each location.

• All airfares, departure taxes & tipping.

• Two nights in Lima’s Miraflores district.

• A private tour of the Casa Aliaga, Lima.

• Two nights staying near Sandoval Lake.

• Two nights in the fertile Sacred Valley.

• A three course lunch at Casa Orihuela.

• The Vistadome Train to Machu Picchu.

• Overnight and two Machu Picchu visits.

• Two nights in Cuzco, the Inca capital.

• Andean Explorer from Cuzco to Puno.

• One night in Puno, on Lake Titicaca.

• Overnight on Sun Island, Lake Titicaca.

• Two nights in La Paz, Bolivia’s capital.

included fine dining

After two nights in Lima’s upmarket Miraflores, you fly to the Amazon’s Puerto Maldonado and the rustic yet beautifully appointed Sandoval Lake Lodge for two nights. A short flight then brings you to Cuzco, from where we take you down to the Sacred Valley for a couple of relaxing nights. You then train to Machu Picchu Village, from where you have almost two days to explore the ruins of Machu Picchu before training back to Cuzco for two nights.

It’s then on to Puno by train, from where you commence a two-day crossing of Lake Titicaca, including a night on Sun Island. To end, enjoy two nights in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia.

DAY 1 TO DAY 13 australia / la paz The itinerary for the First Part of Sensations is the same as South America Sensations from Day1 to Day13. Please see pages 41 and 42.

DAY 14 sunday lapaz/santiago/inflight Today you fly back to Santiago. On arrival you connect with your flight home to Sydney. (B)

• Many meals are included, with the exception of those during leisure time.

This allows you to do what you want and eat where you like in your free time.

• 26 meals are included: 13 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 6 dinners.

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From Lima on the Pacific, to the Amazon and beautiful Sandoval Lake; to the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cuzco, the original Inca Capital; on to Puno by train and Lake Titicaca by hydrofoil to your Sun Island lodge. Finally, spend time in La Paz, high in the Bolivian Andes.

DAY 15 monday inflight You ‘lose’ a day as you recross the Date Line.

DAY 16 tuesday inflight / australia

first part of tour Dates

Departing Departing Departing Departing

3rd September 2016 5th April 2017 6th September 2017 4th April 2018

First part of tour costs

$12,390 Per person twin-share $10,890 Per person twin-share starting in Lima & ending in La Paz $1,547 Single supplement $4,500 Business-class upgrade

You arrive home early morning. Welcome Home!

inca tours - excellence in travel

11 days argentina & brazil part BRAZIL

Iguassu Falls

Rio de Janeiro

ARGENTINA Buenos Aires

included highlights • Experienced senior tour leader.

• Expert local guides in each location.

• All airfares, departure taxes & tipping.

• Three nights at the Das Cataratas Hotel, overlooking Iguassu Falls.

• Walking tours of both the Argentine & Brazilian sides of Iguassu Falls.

• Two nights in fabulous Rio, staying directly opposite Copacabana Beach.

• Separate tours in Rio, including Sugar Loaf Mountain & the Statue of Christ.

• Four nights in the downtown of stylish and cosmopolitan Buenos Aires.

• One of Buenos Aires’ best Tango Shows including a-la-carte three course dinner.

included fine dining • Many meals are included, with the exception of those during leisure time.

This allows you to do what you want and eat where you like in your free time.

• 11meals are included: 9 breakfasts & 2 dinners.

view from sugar loaf mountain, rio, brazil

second part of south america sensations tour This fabulous part tour boasts three of the most popular and awe-inspiring destinations in Brazil and Argentina. At only eleven days, it allows those with very limited time the chance to experience a small taste of South America’s many sensational sights!

From what are undoubtedly the most awe-inspiring waterfalls in the world, Iguassu, where you visit both sides; to Rio, for a leisurely stay on the famous Copacabana Beach; then finally to Buenos Aires, the fashionable and European-style capital of Argentina. This tour will excite!

You begin with three relaxing nights at Iguassu Falls, where you get up close to this natural wonder from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides of the river. Here you stay in the charming Das Cataratas Hotel, overlooking the falls. You then “go to Rio” for two nights, staying right opposite the world famous Copacabana Beach and undertaking two half-day sightseeing tours, which feature Corcovado and the Statue of Christ and Sugar Loaf Mountain. To end, enjoy three relaxing nights in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, including a comprehensive city tour and an entertaining night at one of the city’s best Tango Shows, including an a-la-carte dinner.

DAY 1

saturday australia / buenos aires Today you fly to Buenos Aires, via Santiago, for a one-night stopover. As you cross the Date Line you ‘gain’ a day, so you arrive later on Saturday.

DAY 2

sunday buenos aires / Iguassu Today you fly to Iguassu Falls, where you are met and taken to your hotel for three relaxing nights. Later today you meet the other members of your Sensations Tour when they arrive. (B)

DAY 3 TO DAY 11 iguassu falls / australia The itinerary for the Second Part of Sensations is the same as the South America Sensations Tour from Day 15 to Day 23. Please see page 43.

incatours.net

second part tour Dates

Departing Departing Departing Departing

16th September 2016 19th April 2017 20th September 2017 18th April 2018

second part tour costs

$11,590 Per person twin-share $10,690 Per person twin-share starting Iguassu & ending Buenos Aires $2,229 Single supplement $4,500 Business-class upgrade

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exclusive gold the ultimate private luxury tour of south america the pinnacle of opulence & service Inca Tours has forged a reputation for opulence and outstanding service based on over 35 continuous years of travel experience. Exclusive Gold South America is the ultimate private luxury departure and includes most of the highlights of South America, staying in some of the very best hotels on the continent. It utilises our handpicked expert English-speaking local guides in each and every destination you visit.

private departures when you want You decide when you want to undertake the Exclusive Gold South America program. You decide how many other people you wish to travel with, be it one or more companions. You can also decide what standard of hotels you want to stay in. You have complete control over what you will and more importantly, what you won’t be doing. Our private departures “run like clockwork”, as most of our guests have reported. In each and every destination you visit, our handpicked expert English-speaking guides are there for you and you alone. From airport arrivals (and departures), to transfers, to land border crossings, to city and sightseeing tours, to special evening dining events, your experienced personal guides are at your service. Many of our local guides have been working with Inca Tours for many years, so they know precisely what we and our clients expect. You are in the very best of hands on a private Exclusive Gold South America departure!

stay in south america’s best properties We select hotels, trains and cruises which retain the charm and character of South America. We avoid where possible, the chrome and glass hotels of major international chains, preferring to experience the culture and lifestyle first hand in properties with a local flavour. You have worked hard all of your life, so you deserve it!

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inca tours - excellence in travel

the finest hotels & lodges

reside in some of the best hotels and lodges, combined with the ultimate inclusions, as well as fine dining.

private departures when you want, for two or more friends, utilising our handpicked expert local guides. incatours.net

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exclusive gold luxury-class hotels lodges, trains & vessels It is envisaged that you will be hosted in these exquisite establishments during your tour of a lifetime, however if you wish, they can be changed to suit your requirements. chile

peru sofitel, buenos aires

the aubrey boutique hotel, santiago

brazil cabanas del lago hotel, puerto varas

belmond copacabana palace, rio de janeiro

llao llao hotel & resort, bariloche

belmond hotel das cataratas, iguassu falls

argentina

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inca tours - excellence in travel

world class hotels & facilities

HOTEL B, lima

belmond hiram bingham train, cuzco to machu picchu return

andean explorer train, cuzco to puno

inkaterra reserva amazonica jungle lodge, Tambopata

inkaterra machu picchu pueblo hotel, machu picchu village

hotel titilaka, lake titicaca

bolivia* tambo del inka hotel, sacred valley of the incas

belmond hotel monasterio, cuzco

europa hotel, la paz * Optional 2-day Bolivia Extension.

Please note: the interior hotel room photos on these two pages are for general information purposes only.

The specific rooms you are accommodated in on tour may differ slightly in terms of room type, standard and configuration.

incatours.net

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30 or 32 days exclusive gold south america

PERU Puerto Lima Maldonado Machu Picchu Lake Titicaca Cuzco BOLIVIA Puno La Paz

BRAZIL

Rio de Janeiro

ARGENTINA Iguassu Falls Santiago Buenos Aires Puerto Montt & Puerto Varas Bariloche CHILE

included highlights • Expert English-speaking local guides in each and every location throughout the tour.

• All airfares and airport departure taxes throughout the tour.

• Two nights in Santiago de Chile, set against the stunning backdrop of the Andes.

• Views of the “Valley of the Volcanoes”, while flying from Santiago to Puerto Montt.

• A relaxing stay in the beautiful lakeside village of Puerto Varas.

• The spectacular full day Southern Lakes Crossing, from Chile to Argentina.

• Two nights at the Llao Llao Hotel & Resort, Bariloche, a Leading Hotel of the World.

• Three nights in Buenos Aires, the cosmopolitan and stylish capital of Argentina.

• The Rojo Tango Show, at the Philippe Starck designed Faena Hotel, Buenos Aires.

• Three nights in Rio de Janeiro, staying directly opposite the famous Copacabana Beach.

• Separate half day tours in Rio, including the Statue of Christ & Sugar Loaf Mountain.

• Two nights at Iguassu Falls, considered to be the most spectacular falls in the world.

• Comprehensive walking tours of both the Argentine & Brazilian sides of Iguassu Falls.

• Two nights in Lima, staying in the upmarket suburb of Miraflores near the Pacific Coast.

• A tour of Casa Aliaga, Lima, home to Peru’s only remaining hereditary Spanish Count.

• Three nights at Reserva Amazonica, a private ecological reserve and research centre.

included fine dining • Most meals are included, with the exception of those during leisure time.

This allows you to do what you want and eat where you like in your free time.

Our expert local guides will make recommendations about where to dine.

• Where possible, lunches & dinners are not buffet or set menus. We visit local restaurants where you have a choice.

• 55 meals are included: 28 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 14 dinners, some of which are tour highlights. In addition, a number of meals are served on flights.

• Two nights in the stunning and fertile Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru.

• Three course lunch at the Casa Orihuela, a private hacienda in the Sacred Valley.

• The Belmond Hiram Bingham Train from Cuzco to Machu Picchu and vice versa.

• Overnight in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Village) and two visits to Machu Picchu.

• Three relaxing nights in historic and charming Cuzco, the original Inca Capital.

• The Andean Explorer Train from Cuzco to Puno, via the Altiplano and La Raya Pass.

• Three nights at a luxurious and all-inclusive property, on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

• A full day Lake Titicaca crossing from Peru to Bolivia, including the Island of the Sun.* • Two nights in La Paz, the unofficial capital city of Bolivia, high in the Andes Mountains.* * Optional 2-day Bolivia Extension.

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a tour for two or more friends

santiago de chile at dusk

lake nahuel huapi & llao Llao Hotel, bariloche, argentina

exclusive gold south america itinerary DAY 1

wednesday australia / santiago

This morning you depart on your flight to Santiago. As you cross the Date Line you ‘gain’ a day so you arrive in South America later on Saturday. On arrival into Santiago you are met and taken to your luxurious uptown hotel for two relaxing nights. (Meals inflight)

DAY 2

thursday santiago

Your day starts with a Santiago City Tour visiting the Plaza de Armas, the16th Century Cathedral, City Hall, the National Congress Buildings and the Moneda Presidential Palace.

You also see O’Higgins Park, featuring the former Chilean Military Academy and Santa Lucia Hill, where Santiago was founded in 1542. Your afternoon is at leisure. (B)

DAY 3

Friday santiago / puerto Varas

This morning you fly to Puerto Montt, in the Southern Lakes District of Patagonia. This area contains a series of magnificent lakes cutting through and strung along the foothills of the Andes. On arrival you are taken to your hotel for tonight in nearby Puerto Varas, a beautiful alpine type town on the shores of Llanquihue Lake. Your afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore Puerto Varas, also known as “The City of Roses”. (B)

DAY 4

saturday Puerto Varas / Bariloche

DAY 5

sunday Bariloche

Today’s tour follows the southern shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi. You might catch sight of the highest mountain of the area, El Tronador After breakfast you commence the spectacular (The Thunderer), whose snow capped peaks Southern Lakes Crossing, a combination of rise to 3,554 metres. The road bus and boat travel traversing this then takes you through a coyhue Thank you very much picturesque area. You are collected forest, an indigenous evergreen from your hotel and travel by for organising such a of the beech family. You then coach around the shores of Lake great trip.Everything follow the southern edge of Lake Llanquihue. After entering went like clockwork.

Moreno under the steep cliffs of Vicente Perez Rosales National We felt so completely Mount Lopez to the spectacular Park you visit Petrohue Falls. You relaxed knowing we Panoramic Point for a magnificent then cross Todos Los Santos Lake, were in good hands. seeing Osorno Volcano and the view looking back towards the Mr & Mrs Zaitseff NSW peak of El Tronador Mountain, Andes. This breathtaking view to Peulla. After lunch in Peulla includes Lake Moreno, the Llao you cross the Vicente Perez Rosales Pass into Llao Hotel and the northern arm of Lake Argentina. You then travel by catamaran across Nahuel Huapi including Victoria Island. (BL) Frias Lake to Puerto Alegre where you board DAY 6 monday a bus to Puerto Blest. From Puerto Blest to Bariloche / Buenos Aires Puerto Panuelo is again by catamaran, this This morning you fly to cosmopolitan Buenos time on the famous Nahuel Huapi Lake. On Aires, where you have three fabulous nights. arrival at Puerto Panuelo you will be taken to Tonight enjoy dinner at a traditional Argentine the luxurious Llao Llao Hotel & Resort for steak house. (BD) two fabulous nights. (BL)

Bariloche, situated on the shore of beautiful Lake Nahuel Huapi is an internationally recognised ski resort with steep streets, wooden chalets perched Swiss-style upon a glacial moraine at the foot of Cerro Otto.

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DAY 7

tuesday Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and South America’s, most fashionable city, with many beautiful parks and plazas. “Portenos”, as the locals call themselves, are fun loving people who enjoy their city and music.

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iguassu falls & das cataratas hotel

After breakfast you are taken on a city tour seeing Government House (Casa Rosada), City Hall, the House of Congress, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Colon Theatre, Avenue 9th of July (the world’s widest avenue) and the Italian La Boca District. This evening you dine at the city’s most exclusive Tango Show. (BD)

DAY 8

wednesday Buenos Aires

Today is entirely at leisure in Buenos Aires. (B)

DAY 9

thursday Buenos Aires / Rio

You fly to Rio de Janeiro and are taken to your hotel, located opposite Copacabana Beach, for three nights. Rio sweeps 20 kilometres along the narrow alluvial strip between the sea and the mountains. The combination of dark blue

sea, studded with rocky islands, with tumbling wooded mountains and expanses of bare grey rock surrounding the city is very impressive.

Brazilians say “God made the world in six days, the seventh He devoted to Rio”. (B)

DAY 10 friday Rio de Janeiro You start with a visit to Corcovado Mountain and the Statue of Christ, located in the Tijuca Atlantic Forest, the largest urban rainforest in the world. The Statue of Christ is one of Rio’s most famous landmarks. It is 37 metres high, weighs 1,100 tons and has a 360 degree view of the entire area below, encompassing the city, the bay, the mountains and the sea, within a circle of up to160 km. Tonight you dine at one of Rio’s most popular local restaurants. (BD)

DAY 11 saturday Rio de Janeiro In the afternoon you visit the Old City of Rio before being taken to Sugar Loaf Mountain, located uniquely above the entrance to Guanabara Bay. It is reached by a spectacular 2-stage cable car that offers a beautiful look at the city and its beaches from a vantage point high above Rio. Here you may like to enjoy a cool drink as the sun sets over Rio. (B)

DAY 12 sunday Rio de Janeiro / Iguassu This morning you fly to Iguassu Falls in Brazil, considered the most impressive in the world, surpassing in grandeur both Niagara and Victoria Falls. Some 275 separate cascades fall in a wild array of spray over a winding 3 km cliff frontage. One of the most spectacular falls is aptly named “The Devil’s Throat”. On arrival you are met and taken to the famous and historic Das Cataratas Hotel, situated in the national park directly overlooking the falls.

Here you stay for two fabulous nights. This afternoon you tour the most spectacular side of the falls from a photographic point of view—the Brazilian side. (BD)

DAY 13 monday Iguassu Falls After breakfast you undertake a comprehensive walking tour of the Argentine side of the falls, including The Devil’s Throat. Later you are taken through the rainforest by 4-wheel drive jeep to the Iguassu River, for an exciting boat ride up river to the base of Iguassu Falls. (BLD) statue of christ, rio de janeiro, brazil

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the sacred valley of the incas, peru

DAY 14 tuesday Iguassu falls / Lima You start the day with a visit to the local bird sanctuary, home to a wide variety of South American species. The remainder of your day is at leisure. This evening you fly to Lima, Peru for a two-night stay. Lima, “The City of the Kings” is a very beautiful city. It was the first seat of the Government of Spain in1535 and still has many perfectly preserved buildings from the Spanish Colonial Period. (B)

DAY 15 wednesday Lima Your morning starts with a tour of Colonial Lima, during which you visit the Casa Aliaga, one of South America’s oldest Spanish homes, still inhabited by the original Aliaga family (an Inca Tours’ Australian exclusive!) and the Franciscan Monastery. You see the Government Palace and the Plaza de Armas, before driving through the elegant tree-lined avenues of San Isidro and Miraflores to Parque del Amor, with its spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. This afternoon you are taken on a tour of the world famous pre-Columbian Larco Museum. (BL)

research centre and your home for three relaxing nights. This afternoon you take a guided walk on one of the trails in the Reserva Amazonica Natural Reserve. The trails offer an excellent introduction to the Amazon Jungle. (BLD)

DAY 18 saturday Amazon Jungle

DAY 17 friday Amazon Jungle

you literally walk through the treetops for one

Your day starts early with a boat ride to the Tambopata Reserve, where you take the one hour walk to the pristine Sandoval Lake. Here you glide in a wooden boat across a mirror-like oxbow lake that is home to the endangered giant river otter, as well as red howler monkeys, macaws and anacondas. This afternoon you travel upriver to Hacienda Concepcion, home to a remarkable Botanical Garden with over 200 different species of rainforest plants. (BLD)

link eight observation platforms. You enjoy vistas

Today you take a short boat ride to Inkaterra’s private canopy walkway. After ascending the first tower, at 30 metres above the forest floor, and a half hours along suspension bridges that and landscapes that would be unimaginable from below, while looking for giant strangler fig trees, orchids, toucans, woodpeckers, trogons and with luck, monkeys or sloths. Later you walk to Gamitana Creek. The sights, scents and sounds of the jungle surround you as you walk along the banks of this winding, dark water creek that is home to piranha, caimans, turtles and brightly coloured birds. (BLD)

DAY 16 thursday Lima / Amazon Jungle You fly to Puerto Maldonado, deep in the Amazon Basin, where on arrival you are met and driven to the river port. You then take a 45-minute motor canoe journey down the Madre de Dios River, bringing you to Reserva Amazonica, a private ecological reserve and sandoval lake, amazon Jungle, peru

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Cuzco local & original inca stonework

DAY 19 sunday Amazon / Sacred Valley

DAY 21 tuesday ollanta / Machu Picchu

DAY 23 thursday Cuzco

This morning you fly to Cuzco, the Inca Capital, from where you are driven to a lower altitude in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You have accommodation in this stunning rural destination for two nights. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy your surroundings. (BD)

This morning you commence your two-day excursion to Machu Picchu. You follow the Urubamba River on one of the world’s great train journeys aboard the Hiram Bingham.

Machu Picchu, known as the “Lost City of the Incas” is the most spectacular archaeological site on the continent. On arrival you are taken on a guided walking tour of Machu Picchu. (BLD)

Cuzco is the archaeological capital of the Americas and the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Massive Incabuilt stone walls line most of Cuzco’s central streets to form the foundations of Colonial and modern buildings. This morning you undertake a comprehensive tour of Cuzco that includes the Main Cathedral, the Plaza de Armas, the Temple of the Sun (Koricancha), the local produce markets, as well as other highlights. You then visit one of the other very important Inca Ruins outside of Cuzco: Sacsayhuaman. (B)

DAY 20 monday Sacred Valley of incas After breakfast you visit the famous Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo, before continuing on to the traditional local markets of Pisac, with their fabulous artefacts, weavings, pottery etc. After lunch at a private hacienda, you are returned to your hotel. (BL)

DAY 22 wednesday machu picchu / Cuzco Your day is free to further explore Machu Picchu. This evening you make your way back to the train station for your return journey to Cuzco on the Hiram Bingham. On arrival you check into your hotel for three nights. (BLD)

DAY 24 friday Cuzco Today is entirely at leisure to further explore this historic and charming little city. (B)

DAY 25 saturday Cuzco / lake titicaca This morning you board the Andean Explorer Train for your journey across the Altiplano, via the La Raya Pass (until recently the world’s highest) and on to Juliaca. This journey takes about10 hours and provides a wonderful insight into local life as it has been for hundreds of years, as well as showcasing some of the world’s most spectacular views. On arrival in Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, you are met and driven to your luxury hotel for a unique three-night stay overlooking this remarkable lake. (BLD+) machu picchu, peru

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floating islands of los uros, lake titicaca, peru

DAY 26 sunday Lake Titicaca

DAY 29 wednesday SANTIAGO / inflight

Today you enjoy a boat excursion to the Uros Floating Islands. These islands are inhabited by local descendants from one of the most ancient cultures in South America. They live in an archipelago of more than 40 man-made totora reed islands. Here you learn how they survived by catching fish, by using reeds in amazing ways and by trading with land-based settlers. This afternoon you have another excursion. (BLD+)

Today you return to Santiago Airport for your direct flight to Sydney. (B & Meals Inflight)

DAY 27 monday Lake Titicaca

DAY 30 thursday inflight / australia You arrive in Sydney late today. Welcome Home!

2 DAY BOLIVIA EXTENSION DAY 28 tuesday titicaca / sun is / la paz

This morning sees you sail across the lake to Taquile, the most interesting island in the area because of its pristine way of life and unique past. Taquile people are of Quechua origin, as opposed to the majority of the region’s locals who are of Aymara origin. Being part of the Inca Empire, the island has ruins on the peak of its mountain. From Taquile you can view the impressive snowcapped Cordillera Real. After lunch you choose another excursion. You may visit Socca, another rustic community. Here you can walk along wide sandy shores and appreciate the local dress and slow pace of life. (BLD+)

An early start sees you on your way to Bolivia!

You are collected from your hotel and driven around the shores of Lake Titicaca to Juli, where you board your hydrofoil for the trip across the lake and into Bolivian waters.

Stopping at Moon Island to visit Inak Uyu, the Sun Virgins Temple, you have breathtaking views across the lake. You continue on to Sun Island and go ashore to visit the Inca staircase and sacred fountain, where you touch the water believed to give eternal youth and happiness.

After lunch on the island you again board your hydrofoil bound for Copacabana, from where you are driven to La Paz. On arrival you check into your hotel for a unique two-night stay. (BL)

DAY 28 tuesday titicaca / LIMA / SANTIAGO

DAY 29 wednesday La Paz

This morning, if not continuing on to Bolivia, you are taken to the airport to fly to Lima, where on arrival you connect with your flight to Santiago. You spend tonight at the conveniently located Santiago Airport Hotel. (B)

You undertake a comprehensive half-day tour of La Paz, during which you visit the Indian and Pagan sacrificial markets, Calle Jaen with its museums, San Francisco Church, Plaza Murillo, the National Congress, the Cathedral,

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the Presidential Palace, Obrajes and Calacoto.

You also visit the unusual formations of the spectacular Moon Valley, outside of La Paz. (B)

DAY 30 thursday la paz / Santiago Late today you fly to Santiago, via Iquique in the Atacama Desert on Chile’s far northern coast.

On arrival you check into your conveniently located airport hotel for the night. (B)

DAY 31 friday Santiago / inflight Today you return to Santiago Airport for your flight to Sydney. (B & Meals Inflight)

DAY 32 saturday inflight / australia You arrive in Sydney late today. Welcome Home!

Exclusive gold departs exactly when you want!

Overall, Spring and Autumn are the best times to undertake an extensive itinerary such as this. You avoid the winter and the summer.

costs for exclusive gold

$24,200 Per person twin-share $4,500 Business-class upgrade bolivia extension (2 days)

$1,6 6 0 Per person twin-share Terms & conditions apply. Costs may change prior to receipt of full payment due to circumstances beyond our control.

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16 days argentina brazil & chile BRAZIL

ARGENTINA Santiago

Iguassu Falls

Rio de Janeiro

Buenos Aires

young lions the southern lakes crossing & osorno volcano

Puerto Montt & Puerto Varas Bariloche

first part of exclusive gold south america

CHILE

This dynamic part tour takes in the very best that Chile, Argentina and Brazil have to offer. At only sixteen days duration, it also allows people with limited time to enjoy the luxury and pampering of an Exclusive Gold South America departure.

included highlights • Expert local guides in each location.

• All airfares & departure taxes.

• Two nights in stunning Santiago.

• Views of the “Valley of the Volcanoes”.

• One night in beautiful Puerto Varas.

• The stunning Southern Lakes Crossing.

• Two nights at Bariloche’s Llao Llao Hotel, a Leading Hotel of the World.

• Three nights in stylish Buenos Aires.

• The Rojo Tango Show, Buenos Aires.

• Three nights in vibrant Rio de Janeiro.

• Separate tours in Rio, including Sugar Loaf Mountain & the Statue of Christ.

From the south of Chile and Argentina with its pristine Patagonian scenery, to the stylish Argentina Capital; then on to the world’s most spectacular waterfalls and finally, a stay on Brazil’s most famous beach on the Atlantic Ocean, this tour covers many highlights.

After two nights in Santiago you have a relaxing stay in beautiful Puerto Varas, the gateway to Chile’s Southern Lakes District of Patagonia, before undertaking the Lakes Crossing to Bariloche in Argentina. After two nights at the fabulous Llao Llao Hotel on the shores of Bariloche’s Lake Nahuel Huapi, it’s a short flight to Buenos Aires for a cosmopolitan threenight stay, which includes the much acclaimed Rojo Tango performance and dinner. It’s then on to Rio for another three nights in one of Copacabana Beach’s most well appointed hotels.

Finally, the spectacular Iguassu Falls calls, for two fabulous nights staying on the Brazilian side.

DAY 1 TO DAY 13 australia / IGUASSU FALLS

• Two nights at fabulous Iguassu Falls.

Please see Days1 to13 on pages 51& 52 for the itinerary of the Exclusive Gold First Part.

• Comprehensive walking tours of the Argentine & Brazilian sides of Iguassu.

DAY 14 tuesday IGUASSU / SANTIAGO Today you fly to Santiago where you connect with your flight to Sydney, via Auckland. (B)

included fine dining

DAY 15 wednesday inflight

• Most meals are included, with the exception of those during leisure time.

• 21 meals are included: 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 5 dinners.

Today is spent inflight as you re-cross the International Date Line and ‘lose’ a day.

DAY 16 thursday inflight / australia

first part Exclusive gold departs when you want!

Overall, Spring and Autumn are the best times to undertake an itinerary such as this. You avoid the winter and the summer.

Having said that, the First Part of Exclusive Gold can be undertaken all year round, it’s up to you!

costs for first part

$13,190 Per person twin-share $4,500 Business-class upgrade Terms & conditions apply. Costs may change prior to receipt of full payment due to circumstances beyond our control.

You arrive home this morning. Welcome Home!

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inca tours - excellence in travel

17 or 19 days peru & Bolivia* PERU Lima Puerto Maldonado Lake Titicaca Machu Picchu Cuzco Puno La PazBOLIVIA machu picchu

CHILE Santiago

included highlights • Expert local guides in each location.

• All airfares & departure taxes.

• Three nights in Lima’s Miraflores.

• A tour of the Casa Aliaga, Lima.

• Three nights at Reserva Amazonica.

• Two nights in the fertile Sacred Valley.

• Three course lunch at Casa Orihuela.

• Overnight and two Machu Picchu visits.

• The fabulous Hiram Bingham Train.

• Three nights in Cuzco, the Inca capital.

• The Andean Explorer, Cuzco to Puno.

• Three nights of luxury at Lake Titicaca.

• Lake Titicaca crossing, Peru to Bolivia.* • Two nights in downtown La Paz.* • One night in Santiago de Chile. * Optional 2-day Bolivia Extension.

included fine dining • Most meals are included, with the exception of those during leisure time.

• 34 meals are included: 15 breakfasts, 10 lunches & 9 dinners.

second part of exclusive gold south america This popular part tour includes the highlights of Peru and Bolivia, with a little taste of Chile at the end. At nineteen days, it also allows those with limited time to enjoy the service and attention that the Exclusive Gold departures are famous for.

From Lima to the Amazon with its abundant flora and fauna; to Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo; then to Lake Titicaca, where you stay in the most luxurious property on the lake. You then cross the lake, visit Moon and Sun Islands and travel on to La Paz. After three nights in Lima, it’s off to an upmarket, yet authentic Amazon Basin lodge. A short flight then takes you to Cuzco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas for two relaxing nights. The luxurious Hiram Bingham Train then delivers you to the doorstep of Machu Picchu. After the best part of two days at Machu Picchu, you board this fabulous train again bound for Cuzco, where you have three nights in the city’s finest hotel. Another superb train then takes you on to Puno, from where you are taken to a virtual lakeside paradise for three nights. Extend for two days and cross Lake Titicaca by hydrofoil followed by two nights in unique La Paz, Bolivia!

DAY 1

tuesday australia / lima

Today you depart on your flight to Santiago.

As you cross the International Date Line you ‘gain’ a day so you arrive into South America also on Tuesday. On arrival in Santiago you connect with your flight to Lima, Peru, where you are met and taken to your hotel for two nights. (Meals Inflight)

DAY 2 TO DAY 17 lima / australia The itinerary for the Exclusive Gold Second Part is the same as the Exclusive Gold South America from Day15 to Day 30. Please see pages 53 to 55 for the detailed itinerary.

incatours.net

second part exclusive gold departs when you want!

Overall, Spring and Autumn are the best times to undertake an itinerary such as this. You avoid the winter and the summer.

costs for second part

$13,490 Per person twin-share $4,500 Business-class upgrade bolivia extension (2 days)

$1,6 6 0 Per person twin-share Terms & conditions apply. Costs may change prior to receipt of full payment due to circumstances beyond our control.

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4 to 15 days galapagos cruises Pinta

Marchena Genovesa

Puerto Santiago PAC I F I C O C E A N Egas North Seymour Baltra Fernandina Santa Cruz San Cristobal Puerto Charles Darwin Res St. Ayora Puerto Baquerizo Isabela Moreno Floreana Espanola

Almost1,000 km from Ecuador, the Galapagos has been called a unique “living museum and evolution showcase”. Located at the confluence of three ocean currents, the Galapagos Islands are a melting pot of marine species. Ongoing seismic and volcanic activity reflect the processes that formed the islands. This together with their extreme isolation, led to the development of unusual animal life, such as land iguanas, giant tortoises and many types of finch, that in part inspired Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

by Natural Selection following his visit in1835.

Depending on the number of days, some of the following islands are visited on our cruises.

sea lions, galapagos islands

galapagos islands cruising more to enjoy before heading home! san cristobal island San Cristobal hosts frigate birds, sea lions, giant tortoises, blue and red-footed boobies, dolphins, tropicbirds, marine iguanas and gulls. It is home to the second airport serving the Galapagos. santa cruz island Santa Cruz boasts large tortoise populations and the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here young tortoises are hatched, reared and prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitat. Santa Cruz is also famous for its gigantic lava tunnels.

isabela island Isabela is the largest of the Galapagos. Here Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, pelicans and Sally Lightfoot crabs abound. Land iguanas and Galapagos tortoises can also be seen, as well as Darwin finches, Galapagos hawks and Galapagos doves. floreana island Floreana has one of the most interesting histories of the Galapagos. At Post Office Bay, since the 18th Century, whalers kept a wooden barrel that served as a post office so mail could be collected and delivered by ships on their way home. Green sea turtles and flamingos nest on this island.

santiago island Santiago has marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals, land and sea turtles, flamingos, dolphins and sharks. Darwin finches and Galapagos hawks are usually seen, as well as a colony of fur seals.

bartolome island Bartolome is a tiny volcanic islet off Santiago’s east coast. It is one of the younger islands in the archipelago and one of the few that is home to Galapagos penguins, the only wild penguin to live on the equator. Green turtles also live here.

Fernandina island The famous flightless cormorants inhabit this young island, as do Galapagos penguins, pelicans, Galapagos sea lions and Galapagos fur seals. At Punta Espinosa hundreds of marine iguanas gather, largely on black lava rocks. baltra island Also known as “South Seymour”, Baltra is a small flat, arid island located near the centre of the Galapagos and houses the original airport.

espanola island Espanola is the oldest of the islands. Due to its remote location, it has many endemic species such as lava lizard, mockingbird and tortoise.

It is the only place where the waved albatross nests and its steep cliffs serve as perfect runways for these birds, taking off for their ocean feeding grounds. Espanola’s Gardner Bay is a swimming and snorkelling site. Punta Suarez has wildlife including bright red coloured marine iguanas, Espanola lava lizards, hood mockingbirds, swallow-tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, Galapagos hawks and three species of Darwin’s finches.

masked Booby

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giant galapagos tortoises

rabida island Here you may see white-cheeked pintail ducks, as well as brown pelicans and boobies. Nine species of finches have been seen on this island. daphne island Daphne is made up of two small islands, Minor and Major, located directly north of Santa Cruz and directly west of Baltra. Minor is partially eroded and smooth, while Major has a volcanic feature, a tuff cone. Daphne is home to redbilled tropic birds, Nazca boobies and finches.

north seymour island This island boasts a large population of bluefooted boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. It hosts one of the largest populations of frigate birds.

land iguana, galapagos islands

duration of cruises We have modest 3-star to luxurious 5-star Galapagos Cruises to suit all budgets and timeframes. The shortest cruises are 3-night, followed by 4-night, 7-night and the ultimate 14-night cruise experience. As a rule, the longer the cruise, the more islands you visit. Most popular are our 4 and 7-night cruises. numbers on board We usually recommend smaller vessels, where the service and attention to detail can be more personalised. Having said that, the Galapagos Legend and the Silver Galapagos (each100 guest capacity) both offer excellent cruise experiences.

cruise vessels Name of vessel Coral I & Coral II* Cormorant Galaven La Pinta# Majestic Ocean Spray Origin

Star rating 4-star 5-star 3-star 5-star 4-star 5-star 5-star

Max capacity 36 & 20 16 20 48 16 16 20

flights to the galapagos Most flights to the Galapagos depart from Quito and fly via Guayaquil, so you can fly from Quito or Guayaquil, depending on your tour itinerary. It is the reverse when flying back.

galapagos Cruise costs

genovesa island This island is also known as “the bird island� and for good reason! At Darwin Bay, frigatebirds and swallow-tailed gulls, the only nocturnal species of gull in the world, can be seen. Redfooted boobies, noddy terns, lava gulls, tropic birds, doves, storm petrels, Darwin finches and Nazca boobies are also found on this island.

$3,197 pp sharing Superior-class* $4,868 pp sharing Luxury-class# do it BEFORE 1 Before the South America Sensations Tour on page 40.

2 Before (or after) a Taste of Ecuador or Spirit of the Andes on pages 70 & 71.

south plaza island

do it AFTER

Iguanas (land, marine and hybrids of both species) are abundant on South Plaza Island and large numbers of birds can be observed from cliffs at the south of the island, including tropic birds and swallow-tailed gulls.

3 After Exclusive Gold South America on page 50.

4 After the Best of Colombia on page 65. off vessel excursion

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ARGENTINA

Falkland Islands (Isla Malvinas)

6 to 32 days antarctica Ushuaia

Drake Passage

Petermann Island Cuverville Island

King George Island

Deception Island crashing glacier, antarctica

Antarctic Peninsula

antarctica, the “white continent” explore the globe’s most remote place Antarctica, the world’s southernmost continent comprises an area of 14 million square km. It is the world’s fifth largest continent, nearly twice Australia’s size. About 98% of Antarctica is covered by ice that averages at least one to two km deep. Antarctica has the highest average elevation of all the continents. There is no permanent human population there, however it is home to many species of birds, penguins and seals, while the waters around the Antarctic Peninsula are home to Fin Whales, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales and Killer Whales.

Allow us to take you to this remote and amazing place to observe wildlife in its own habitat!

Antarctic Peninsula The Antarctic Peninsula is part of the Antarctic Continent and is the continuation of the mountain chain that runs from North America through South America to the Scotia Sea. Here it continues as a mainly sub-marine ridge until it appears above sea level at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Eight hundred km long with its highest peaks rising to 2,800 metres, the peninsula offers the most dramatic scenery and the greatest variety of wildlife in Antarctica. You will be overwhelmed by its number of icebergs!

The Ross Sea Join us for a spectacular expedition to the Ross Sea. This is your ultimate chance to sail to the southern parts of the Antarctic Peninsula and visit Shackleton’s and Scott’s huts, McMurdo Station, the Dry Valleys and enroute to New Zealand, Macquarie Island. The strongest iceclass vessel, is equipped with helicopters for this voyage, as the Ross Ice Shelf is a floating mass of ice, with a front 30 metres high. Ross Sea flora and fauna is very different to the peninsula’s.

Weddell Sea The huge Weddell Sea at its widest is more than 2,000 km across and is located on the south-east side of the Antarctic Peninsula. The borders of the Weddell Sea are formed by huge floating sheets of ice. These ice-shelves produce the huge tabular ice-bergs that are so abundant in the Weddell Sea. A colony of more than

100,000 pairs of Adelie Penguins live on volcanic Paulet Island. Recently an Emperor Penguin colony was discovered in the Weddell Sea.

South Shetland Islands The South Shetland Islands is a 540 km long chain of islands located 800 km from Tierra del Fuego and120 km from the Antarctic Peninsula.

They consist of eleven major islands and many smaller ones and are mountainous and glaciated.

South Georgia Island South Georgia is a mountainous island and one of the remotest and wildest places on earth. The island is considered to be an Antarctic Oasis because of the huge numbers of penguins and seals that breed there. It is also home to various species of Albatross. The island’s unearthly views and scenery are dramatic, as it is formed mostly of snowcapped mountains and huge glaciers.

Falkland Islands Although in the South Atlantic, the Falklands have an Antarctic appeal and are a treat for nature lovers. The islands offer a wide variety of spectacular fauna and scenery. Bursting with wildlife they boast vast colonies of Black-browed Albatross, Elephant Seals and at least five species of penguin, three of which are not found in Antarctica: Rockhopper, Magellanic and King.

The list of marine mammals is extensive: South American Fur Seal, Southern Elephant Seal, Southern Sea Lion, Killer Whale and Dolphin.

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zodiac excursion

our antarctic partners We work very closely with companies who manage and operate their own ice-class vessels and aircraft. They all comply with the highest international safety standards. The size, capacity and capability of these small ships has proven to be a successful formula for exploring remote Antarctica. Antarctic landings (regardless of the vessel) are restricted to a maximum of 100 people at a time. Most expedition vessels offer a comfortable, friendly and informal atmosphere and are ideal for exploration; manoeuvring through pack ice; bird watching; and helicopter landings. The two Silver Sea vessels on the other hand are luxurious and all-inclusive.

view from the deck

duration of cruises We have Antarctic Cruises (including cruise and fly options) to suit all timeframes and budgets.

The shortest start at 6 days, with our ultimate 32-day cruise being the most comprehensive.

Our fly and cruise options are available at 5 days, 7 days and 9 days. The longer cruises visit more destinations and tend to spend more time in each. Most popular are our 7 to11-day cruises. cruise vessels Most Antarctic Cruise ships are expedition vessels, not deluxe cruise liners. These ships are not luxurious but the accommodation and on-board life are always comfortable and cosy.

Name of vessel Ocean Nova* Ortelius Plancius Silver Discoverer # Silver Explorer

Star rating 3 to 4-star 3 to 4-star 3 to 4-star 5-star plus 5-star plus

Max capacity 68 106 114 128 132

cruise starting points Ushuaia is the main town of Tierra del Fuego and the embarkation and disembarkation port for most Antarctic cruises. Punta Arenas, Chile is the starting point for our Antarctic fly and cruise options. Some of the comprehensive 32-day Antarctic and Ross Sea Cruises sail from New Zealand, concluding in Ushuaia, Argentina.

Antarctic cruise costs

$6,382 pp sharing Superior-class* $13,185 pp sharing Luxury-class # do it BEFORE 1 Before the South America Sensations Tour on page 40. (March departure only) 2 Before the Australis South Patagonia Cruise on page 62. do it AFTER 3 After Exclusive Gold South America on page 50.

photogenic locals

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4 days australis cruise CHILE Punta Arenas

Magdalena Island ARGENTINA

Aguila Glacier

Ushuaia Wulaia Bay Cape Horn

DAY 1

australis cruise vessel & excursion

australis south patagonia cruise explore the “end of the earth” DAY 2

Wednesday Depart Ushuaia

Today you make your own way to the Australis Head Office in Ushuaia to check in for your Patagonia Cruise. Late this afternoon you board your MV Stella Australis cruise ship at the port.

After a welcome reception hosted by the Captain and his crew, the MV Stella Australis will set sail for one of the remotest parts of the planet.

Your voyage takes you through the Strait of Magellan and Beagle Channel to explore one of the most breathtaking wilderness regions in the world: Southern Patagonia, which includes the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago. (D)

Thursday Cape Horn – Wulaia Bay

Your vessel sails through the Murray Channel and Nassau Bay to reach Cape Horn National Park, where (weather permitting) you go ashore. The legendary Cape Horn was discovered in1616 and is a sheer 425 metre high rocky promontory. For many years it was an important navigation route between the Pacific and the Atlantic, and is referred to as the “End of the Earth”. The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2005.

In the afternoon, you go ashore at historic Wulaia Bay, originally the site of one of the region’s largest Yamana Aboriginal settlements.

Charles Darwin landed there in1833 during his voyage on the Beagle. This area is also renowned for its mesmerising beauty. Here you take a walk through the Magellan Forest of lengas, coigues, canelos, ferns and other endemic vegetation, to reach a panoramic viewpoint. (BLD)

DAY 3

Friday Agostini Sound & aguila

You sail through Brecknock, Ocasion, Cockburn and Magdalena Channels to enter spectacular De Agostini Sound, in the heart of the Darwin Mountain Range. This is where you see glaciers moving down the mountainside and into the sea. This afternoon you travel in well-equipped Zodiacs to Aguila Glacier, where you take an easy walk to its base. This is the perfect place to

experience the beauty of Patagonia’s cold rain forest and to observe how the power of nature has moulded this spectacular place. (BLD)

DAY 4

Early this morning (weather permitting) you go ashore on Magdalena Island, located in the middle of the Strait of Magellan.The island was once an essential source of supplies for explorers and navigators and is inhabited by an immense colony of Magellan Penguins which you see during your walk to the lighthouse. Late this morning you disembark in Punta Arenas and continue on with your own arrangements. (B)

australis cruise costs

$2,064 pp sharing Superior-class do it BEFORE 1 Before a visit to Torres del Paine National Park on page 67.

2 Before Skorpios II Cruise on page 63. do it AFTER 3 After the South America Sensations Tour on page 40.

4 After (or before) Exclusive Gold South America on page 50.

tierra del fuego, argentina

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Saturday arrive Punta Arenas

inca tours - excellence in travel

5 days skorpios II cruise CHILE

Puerto Montt

Chiloe

Puerto Aguirre Quitralco San Rafael Glacier

DAY 1

Saturday Arrive Puerto Montt / Skorpios II Cruise

On arrival at Puerto Montt Airport you are met and taken to the Cruise Ship Terminal.

Here you board your luxury touring vessel, the MV Skorpios II, for your 5-night cruise to the awe-inspiring and World Heritage listed San Rafael Glacier.

At noon your vessel departs and sails through the Llanquihue Archipelago before catching sight of Calbuco City. Later in the day you sail through the Ancud Gulf, the Archipelago of Chiloe and across the Corcovado Gulf. (LD)

skorpios II & san rafael glacier, chile

skorpios II chilean fjords cruise navigate chile’s fjords & glaciers DAY 2

Today your cruise vessel navigates through the Moraleda and Ferronave Channels, later arriving at the fishing village of Puerto Aguirre.

You continue on through the Ferronave, Pilcomayo and Costa Channels before dropping anchor at Hualas Cove, 20 nautical miles from the awe-inspiring San Rafael Glacier! (BLD)

there is a possibility of seeing humpback and blue whales. You continue to sail through the Yal Channel before arriving at the beautiful city of Chiloe in the early afternoon. You may disembark to visit this picturesque location.

Later this evening you set sail towards Puerto Montt and pass through the Lemuy, Dalcahue and Quicavi Channels. Tonight your captain hosts a Farewell Dinner and Dance. (BLD)

DAY 3

DAY 6

sunday skorpios II Cruise

Monday Skorpios II Cruise

While enjoying breakfast your vessel enters the San Rafael Lagoon and anchors a little way from San Rafael Glacier. Weather permitting, small boat excursions are undertaken among the multicoloured icebergs. This afternoon your ship moves closer to the glacier before setting sail for Quitralco Fjord early this evening. (BLD)

DAY 4

Tuesday Skorpios II Cruise

Today your vessel berths at Quitralco Pier where you have the opportunity to bathe in the hot springs. If weather permits, you undertake a boat excursion into the fjord. This evening your vessel sets sail towards Chiloe and navigates through the Moraleda and Perez Norte Channels. (BLD)

DAY 5

Wednesday Skorpios II Cruise

Thursday Depart Puerto montt

Following breakfast your vessel docks at the pier in Puerto Montt where your cruise ends.

Here you are met and taken to the airport. (B)

skorpios II cruise costs

$2,817 pp sharing Superior-class do it BEFORE 1 Before (or after) Exclusive Gold South America on page 50.

2 Before (or after) a visit to Torres del Paine National Park on page 67. do it AFTER 3 After (or before) the South America Sensations Tour on page 40.

4 After the Australis Cruise on page 62.

Around breakfast time your vessel undertakes the Corcovado Gulf Crossing during which off vessel excursion

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4 to 8 days amazon cruises Iquitos

PERU

Nauta

Maranon River

Amazon River

Pacaya River

aria amazon cruise vessel

Pacaya Samiria Reserve Ucayali River

amazon river luxury cruising sail the amazon in absolute comfort

Our luxury Amazon River Cruises take you to the heart of Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.

This reserve is one of the largest protected areas in Peru, with an area of more than 20,000 sq km and containing a rich eco diversity. PacayaSamiria is the largest nature reserve in the country and the second largest in the Amazon Basin! It is triangular in shape, bordered by the Maranon and Ucayali Rivers in the South, just before their union where they combine to form the mighty Amazon River itself. The reserve’s main purpose is to preserve the ecosystems of the Omagua Region and to promote the sustainable development of local towns.

In and around the reserve, there are five rivers and depending on which cruise you choose, you will sail on some of these rivers (as well as the Amazon itself) in your luxurious all-suite vessel, gliding gently on their pristine waters. There are also many lakes, gorges, canals and oxbows and on some of these you undertake morning or afternoon excursions aboard smaller boats.

You also have guided walks in the jungle in search of the reserve’s diverse flora and fauna, of which there is an abundance. Because the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve has an annual rainfall of up to 3,000 millimetres, it is able to support its huge biodiversity: over 500 bird species,100 mammal species (including pink dolphins), 70 species of reptiles, 60 species of amphibians, 270 fish species and over1,000 species of plants.

duration of cruises We have Amazon Cruises to suit most budgets and timeframes. From the five recommended vessels (listed in next column) you can choose either a 3, 4, 5 or a blissful 7-night cruise. The longer sailings usually involve more stops and off vessel activities. The 3, 4, 5 and 7-night cruises have all proved to be equally popular. starting point for cruises All of our Amazon Cruises involve flying into Iquitos, Peru’s main Amazon Jungle city in the north east of the country. There are a number of daily flights between Iquitos and Lima.

cruise vessels These cruises are of the highest quality available in South America. Furthermore, the vessels’ suites, decor, furnishings and service are of world-class standard. Aside from providing an authentic Amazon adventure, the cruises are unique culinary experiences, offering the best Amazonian-Peruvian cuisine in gourmet settings.

Name of vessel

Star rating

Max capacity

Amatista* Aqua Amazon Aria Amazon Delfin I Delfin II#

4-star cabins 5-star suites 5-star suites 5-star suites 5-star suites

31 24 32 8 28

amazon cruise costs

$2,332 pp sharing Superior-class* $4,167 pp sharing Luxury-class # do it BEFORE 1 Before the South America Sensations Tour on page 40. do it AFTER 2 After Exclusive Gold South America on page 50.

3 After the Best of Colombia Tour on page 65.

delphin amazon cruise vessel

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8 days the best of colombia Cartagena

EAN SEA

Bogota COLOMBIA San Augustin

cartagena, colombia

the best of colombia discover colombia’s hidden gems DAY 1

Arrive Bogota On arrival into Bogota, founded in1538, you are met and taken to your hotel for two nights.

Later you are taken on a city tour, including the Colonial La Candelaria District and the famous Colombian Gold Museum, housing the world’s largest collection of indigenous gold objects.

DAY 2

Bogota – zipaquira A pleasant drive takes you to Zipaquira, famous for its underground cathedral carved of salt! It is extraordinary, with its Stations of the Cross hewn from salt mine tunnels under the mountain and eerily illuminated. Though a popular tourist attraction, it is still a place of pilgrimage. (BL)

DAY 3

Bogota / San Agustin You have an early flight to Neiva, where on arrival you are driven to San Agustin for a two-night stay. Enroute you stop to see plantations of tobacco, sorghum, rice and cocoa. San Agustin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of pre-Colombian archaeological significance, the largest in South America. (B)

DAY 4

San Agustin You undertake a comprehensive tour of San Agustin archaeological park, extending over a lush 2,000 square kilometres. The area is dotted with more than 500 freestanding megalithic statues representing snakes, lizards and salamanders, carved from stone by an unknown pre-Colombian civilisation existing between the 6th and 14th Centuries. (B)

DAY 5

San Agustin / Cartagena Today sees you fly to colourful Cartagena for three relaxing nights. Cartagena was founded in 1533 and was the only port in South America until Buenos Aires was founded. Spanish fleets stopped here to take gold and other products back to Spain. Due to its richness, the city was a temptation for pirates and therefore had to be protected by fortresses and high walls to repel the buccaneers. Cartagena has the best preserved Colonial architecture in Colombia and also boasts an impressive UNESCO World Heritage Listing. (B)

DAY 6

Cartagena Your day starts with a city tour including the Convent of La Popa, built on a hill at the beginning of the17th Century and from where a magnificent view of the city is had. You continue to San Felipe Fort, built to protect the city, after which you are taken on a walk through the beautiful Old Walled City, home to streets of brightly coloured Colonial houses, beautiful balconies and quaint squares. (B)

DAY 7

Cartagena

You are at leisure to enjoy Cartagena. (B)

DAY 8

Depart Cartagena

Today you are taken to the airport. (B)

best of colombia costs

$3,086 pp sharing Tourist-class $3,310 pp sharing Superior-class $4,444 pp sharing Luxury-class do it BEFORE 1 Before the South America Sensations Tour on page 40.

2 Before a Galapagos Cruise on page 58.

3 Before a Taste of Ecuador on page 70 do it AFTER 4 After Exclusive Gold South America on page 50.

salt cathedral, zipaquira, colombia

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perito moreno glacier, argentina

4 days perito moreno & upsala ARGENTINA Buenos Aires

Upsala Glacier

Perito Moreno Glacier

perito moreno & upsala glaciers extend you stay and see the glaciers

El Calafate

DAY 1

arrive El Calafate On arrival into El Calafate you are met and taken to your hotel for three nights. El Calafate is a village located on the southern shore of Lake Argentino. Quiet streets and rose gardens make the scenery of this pretty Patagonian town. Your afternoon is at leisure to explore.

DAY 2

Calafate – Perito Moreno From El Calafate you access Los Glaciares National Park, which shelters more than 300 glaciers. The most famous is Perito Moreno, declared World Natural Heritage by UNESCO. Today you are driven about 80 km to the far end of Lake Argentino, where you see the

Perito Moreno Glacier. It is one of the few permanently advancing glaciers in the world, with a 5 km wide front and a height of sixty metres. Great blocks of ice break loose and fall thunderously into the lake making great waves and later surfacing to form icebergs. In a cycle of roughly three years, the glacier advances across the lake, cutting off Brazo Rico from the Canal De Los Tempanos, then finally the pressure breaks the ice and re-opens the canal once again.

You may like to undertake some optional “mini-trekking” on the glacier. This involves your guides providing crampons and explaining their use. From here the two-hour trek circuit introduces you to the landscapes of the glacier and includes ice of the most incredible blues! The surface over which you walk will be irregular but firm and the trekking is classified as “moderate”. This afternoon you return to the launch for a 20 minute cruise back to the pier from where you are returned to El Calafate. (BL)

DAY 3

Calafate – Upsala glacier

Early this morning you are met at your hotel and driven to Punta Bandera, where you board your vessel for a cruise among icebergs and stunning scenery, overlooking the western front of the mighty Upsala Glacier. The glacier’s size is 595 square km, three times the size of Buenos Aires city! It is 60 km long, seven km wide and its height varies from 60 to 80 metres.

Later you cruise through Cristina Canal to the disembarkation point at Estancia Cristina, where you have lunch. You have a guided visit of the Costumbrista Museum before being driven to the Continental Ice Shelter, where you have a short walk to the front of the Upsala Glacier. Late this afternoon you return to the estancia to board your vessel back to Punta Bandera. From here you are driven back to El Calafate and your hotel. (BL)

DAY 4

depart el Calafate At a convenient time today you are taken to El Calafate Airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires. (B)

perito moreno costs

$1,435 pp sharing Superior-class $1,625 pp sharing Luxury-class do it BEFORE 1 Before Exclusive Gold South America on page 50.

2 Before the Australis South Patagonia Cruise on page 62.

AFTER 3 After the South America Sensations Tour on page 40.

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4 to 5 days torres del paine np CHILE Torres del Paine NP Punta Arenas

Torres del Paine National Park (the largest national park in Chile) is situated in the far south of Chilean Patagonia, in a spectacular natural environment. Your days at the park are designed for you to simply relax and explore, combining nature and adventure in one of the most remote places on earth. You are accompanied by expert local guides to places with inspiring names like Mirador Condor, Laguna Azul or Glacier de Valle del Frances!

Here rheas and llamas live in peace with flamingos, while glaciers, emerald lakes, waterfalls, peaks of all shapes and shining valleys await you and your camera.

torres del paine & explora hotel

torres del paine National park a world famous wilderness area Most hotels and lodges in this region offer activities and excursions on foot, in vehicles, on horses, on mountain bikes or in boats. It is entirely your choice as to which you undertake.

torres del paine hotels There is a wide choice of properties located inside, bordering and some distance from Torres del Paine National Park.

duration of stays We suggest three or four nights to experience Torres del Paine National Park properly, although shorter stays are possible at the majority of hotels and lodges.

These range from the all-inclusive Explora and Tierra Patagonia luxury hotels, to other more modestly priced options. We recommend staying inside or adjacent to the national park.

getting to torres del paine NP There are daily return flights from Santiago to Punta Arenas, in the south of Chile. From Punta Arenas it takes approximately 4 to 5 hours to drive to Torres del Paine National Park.

Name of hotel Ecocamp Patagonia (unusual) * Explora Patagonia (inside the NP) Las Torres Patagonia Hotel# The Singular @ Tierra Patagonia

Star rating 3-star 5-star 4-star 5-star 5-star

torres del paine NP costs US$940 pp sharing Tourist-class* US$1,730 pp sharing Superior-class# US$2,145 pp sharing Luxury-class @

do it BEFORE 1 Before (or after) the South America Sensations Tour on page 40.

2 Before (or after) Exclusive Gold South America on page 50. do it AFTER 3 After the Australis Cruise on page 62 or the Skorpios II Cruise on page 63. torres del paine np, chile

guanacos, torres del paine np

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4 to 5 days atacama desert Calama Atacama Desert

San Pedro de Atacama Salar de Atacama (Atacama Salt Flat)

CHILE

pink flamingo, the atacama desert, chile

the atacama desert explore the world’s driest desert

The Atacama Desert (in places the driest desert

Most hotels in the Atacama offer activities and

in the world) is situated in the far north of

excursions which allow you to explore the nature

Chile, near San Pedro de Atacama village.

and history of the place. These activities can be

The Atacama possesses a strange environment,

on foot, on horseback, by bicycle or by vehicle

almost Mars-like in places! Your days here are

and are accompanied by our expert local guides.

designed to relax and explore these unique lands. You are accompanied by expert local guides on explorations taking you to places with inviting names like Rio Grande, Quebrada del Diablo and Valle de la Luna! You can either be in the Andes experiencing the wonder of volcanoes or visiting small villages with their traditions and folklore. Almost everywhere you should see cameloids and flamingos.

duration of stays We suggest three or four nights to experience the Atacama Desert properly, although shorter stays are possible at the majority of hotels. getting to the atacama desert There are daily return flights from Santiago to Calama, in Chile’s north. From Calama it takes about an hour to drive to San Pedro de Atacama.

atacama desert hotels There is a good choice of hotels both in the quaint village of San Pedro de Atacama and outside of the village, in the desert proper.

These options range from the all-inclusive and luxurious Alto Atacama Hotel, the Explora Hotel and the Tierra Atacama Hotel, to much more modestly priced hotels and lodges.

Name of hotel

Star rating

Alto Atacama Hotel #

5-star

Noi Casa Atacama Hotel*

4-star

Explora Atacama

5-star

Tierra Atacama Hotel

5-star

atacama desert costs

on application Superior-class* US$1,892 pp sharing Luxury-class #

do it BEFORE 1 Before (or after) the South America Sensations Tour on page 40.

AFTER 2 After (or before) Exclusive Gold South America on page 50.

3 After the Uyuni Salt Flat Tour on page 72.

licancabur volcano, the atacama

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4 to 5 days easter island Anakena Beach Terevaka Hill 507 m Rano Raraku Volcano Hanga Roa Ana Kai Hanga Piko Tangata Mataveri Vaihu Vinapu Orongo Rano Kao Volcano Motu Nui Island

Ahu Tongariki

moai statues, easter island

Akahanga SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN

4,000 kilometres from Chile, the most remote place in the world is an island which still holds a special mystery and magic. Rapa Nui, as the natives called it, was discovered on Easter Sunday 1722 and thus to this day, is still referred to as Easter Island. This isolated place, entirely volcanic in origin, is a vast outdoor museum dotted with over 600 giant Moai statues that have intrigued the world for many centuries. We usually recommend three or four nights on Easter Island. This allows you to undertake tours of the most important sites and also have some time at leisure to explore the local village or have a swim in the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

easter island spend time on this remote island!

We usually include a full-day tour of Easter Island’s famous Moai Route, where you pass

by Vaihu, an area surrounded by many Moai statues lying face down on the ground. You then visit the Akahanga Ruins, where the first King of the island was buried. The tour continues to Rano Raraku Volcano, the “Factory of the Moais” as it is known, where hundreds of Moais are still fixed to the rocky wall, some measuring twenty metres long and weighing over 200 tons. Finally, the tour visits Anakena Beach where other archaeological sites are viewed, the most important of which is Tongarki, the largest site with15 Moai statues each weighing an average of 50 tons.

We also include a separate half-day tour on the island. This excursion firstly visits the Rano Kao Volcano, whose deep crater contains a lake surrounded by exuberant vegetation. The tour continues on to Orongo, a ceremonial village from where the competition to elect the chief of the island started. The men had to swim to Motu Nui Island to get the Manutara Egg (a sacred bird) and swim back to the island. The first man to arrive back became chief for a year.

More than100 petroglyphs can be seen here, representing different symbols of the Rapa Nui Culture. The tour proceeds to Ana Kai Tangata Cave, used as a shelter during times of war and concludes at Ahu Vinapu, where the construction is said to resemble Inca techniques.

easter island hotels There is a range of hotels on Easter Island, from the all-inclusive and luxurious Explora Rapa Nui and Hanga Roa properties, to the more modestly priced Hare Noi and Iorana Hotels.

Name of hotel Explora Rapa Nui @ Hanga Roa Eco Village & Spa Hare Noi Hotel # Iorana Hotel *

Star rating 5-star 5-star 4-star 3-star

flights to easter island You can fly to and from Easter Island from Santiago, the capital of Chile. Daily flights take between 5 and 6 hours to and from the island.

easter island costs

on application Tourist-class * on application Superior-class # US$2,538 pp sharing Luxury-class @

do it after 1 After (or before) the South America Sensations Tour on page 40.

2 After (or before) Exclusive Gold South America on page 50.

rano kao volcano, easter island

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onboard the tren crucero, ecuador’s highlands

5 to 9 days a taste of ecuador Otavalo Quito ▲ Cotopaxi Guayaquil

ECUADOR

a taste of ecuador & Tren crucero make your tour more memorable!

DAY 1

arrive Quito On arrival in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, you are met and taken to your hotel for four nights.

DAY 2

Quito You start with a city tour seeing the carved facade of the Congress, the Presidential Palace, Independence Square and the Cathedral. You also visit the Church of La Compana from 1605 with its golden alters, the finest example of Baroque in South America, as well as the San Francisco Monastery from1535. Later you are driven to the Equatorial Monument, north of Quito. It marks Latitude Zero or the exact “Middle of the World”. (B)

DAY 3

Quito – Otavalo Markets Today you are driven north from Quito to reach the Awakening Valley, renowned for its colourful, bread-dough figures. You then pass through the beautiful Andean landscape before reaching Otavalo, home of the Otavalo Indians, a prosperous and enterprising group. You have ample time at the Otavalo Markets discovering artifacts such as textiles, paintings, ceramics, leather goods, jewellery, tapestries and much more. Lunch is enjoyed at a typical Ecuadorian hacienda. Before returning to Quito you visit Peguche, an Indian Village near Otavalo. (BL)

DAY 4

Quito – Cotopaxi

After being collected from your hotel you are driven through the panoramic scenery that surrounds Quito, to Machachi. On arrival in Machachi you undertake a short walk in the moorlands before lunch is served at a local hacienda. A blazing fireplace warms the dining room, where you enjoy a traditional meal made from fresh local produce. There is time to explore the surroundings before returning to Quito later in the afternoon. (BL)

DAY 5

depart quito You are collected from your hotel and taken to Quito Airport for your onward flight. (B) Alternatively, and at extra cost you can be transferred to Quito Rail Station for the unique 4-day Tren Crucero rail journey to Guayaquil.

the exceptional tren crucero Extend your Taste of Ecuador Tour with an exceptional rail journey on the unique Tren Crucero, recently named “South America’s Leading Train” at the World Travel Awards in Colombia. This journey offers unprecedented access to local communities and rich cultural experiences, travelling through coastal regions and up to 3,600 metres in the Highlands. You can take this train from Quito to Guayaquil or vice versa. You do not overnight on the train but rather, are accommodated at exclusive properties along the way, including beautiful Colonial haciendas and historical estates.

a taste of ecuador costs

$1,342 pp sharing Tourist-class $1,558 pp sharing Superior-class $2,669 pp sharing Luxury-class tren crucero cost (4 days)

$1,998 pp sharing Superior-class do it BEFORE 1 Before the South America Sensations Tour on page 40. do it AFTER 2 After Exclusive Gold South America on page 50.

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cotopaxi volcano, ecuador

4 to 7 days spirit of the andes Mashpi Reserve Quito

ECUADOR

spirit of the andes & MASHPI lodge chill out in ecuador’s highlands DAY 1

depart quito / Patate Today you depart Quito for Cotopaxi National Park and the Cotopaxi Volcano. On clear days, its perfect snow-capped cone is magnificent.

The evergreen landscape of these Ecuadorian Highlands is very beautiful. After lunch, stroll through a rose plantation, with many varieties ready for export. You then travel to Patate and spend the night in a 300 year old hacienda. (LD)

DAY 2

Patate / Banos / Riobamba

You continue on to Banos (baths), at the foot of Tungurahua Volcano, from where the thermal waters that gave it its name emerge.

Here you visit the Devil’s Cauldron, surrounded

by subtropical vegetation and orchids. Later you take a walk around Banos, a quaint town which Ecuadorians enjoy visiting. From here you travel to Riobamba, via hills and fields where the rich dark soil is still turned with hand plows. You spend tonight in Riobamba. (BLD)

DAY 3

Riobamba / Cuenca An early start sees you on the road passing multicoloured fields where most of Ecuador’s cereals are grown. Later you arrive in Alausi, the heart of the rehabilitation of Ecuador’s railways. Here you board the Devil’s Nose Train, the highlight of which is the thrilling 800 metre descent on the zig-zag line cutting into the rock of the Devil’s Nose. The train returns you to Alausi after which you continue by vehicle, visiting the fabulous Inca Fortress of Ingapirca enroute to Cuenca, where you stay for the night. (BLD)

DAY 4

depart cuenca Cuenca is a World Heritage Site, with its tiled roofs, cobblestone streets and plazas. Today you have a tour including the Plaza of San Sebastian, the Modern Art Museum and flower market.

After a stroll to the main square, surrounded by the imposing blue-domed Cathedral, you are driven to the river to see Cuenca’s overhanging houses. Following a visit to a Panama Hat workshop, you are taken to the airport. (BL)

mashpi cloud forest lodge Spending three days at Mashpi Cloud Forest Lodge before the Spirit of the Andes Tour is a perfect way to extend your time in Ecuador.

The wonders of the cloud forest will delight, as will staying at Mashpi Lodge. Perched at 900 metres above sea level amongst rainforest and cloudforest, the lodge is surrounded by a profusion of plant species, from ferns and bromeliads to hundreds of orchid species, many newly discovered. A staggering 500 species of bird (including 36 endemic species) inhabit the forest. Monkeys, peccaries and even puma also make their homes inside Mashpi Reserve.

spirit of the andes costs

$2,481 pp sharing Tourist to Superior-class mashpi cloud forest (3 days)

$458 pp sharing Tourist-class $1,058 pp sharing Luxury-class do it BEFORE 1 Before the Sensations Tour or Exclusive Gold on pages 40 & 50.

2 Before (or after) a Galapagos Cruise or A Taste of Ecuador on pages 58 & 70.

Alternatively and at extra cost, you can stay in Cuenca and be driven to Guayaquil tomorrow. markets, ecuador

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uyuni salt flat, bolivia

5 days uyuni salt flat La Paz

Uyuni Salt Flat

Ojo de Perdiz

BOLIVIA

Colchani Uyuni

Sucre Potosi

Red Lagoon

Atacama Desert

Green Lagoon

San Pedro de Atacama

CHILE

uyuni salt flat step on the world’s largest salt lake

Salar de Atacama (Atacama Salt Flat)

DAY 1

Arrive sucre On arrival into Sucre, situated at 2,800 metres above sea level, you are met at the airport and taken to your hotel for tonight. After lunch you are taken on a city tour of Sucre. (LD)

DAY 2

sucre / potosi / Colchani Today you are driven to Potosi, where you are taken on a tour visiting San Lorenzo Church, the Casa de la Moneda (Royal Mint) and Potosi’s significant Colonial streets. Later you continue to Uyuni and on to nearby Colchani, situated on the edge of the enormous Uyuni Salt Flat.

You have two unique nights here, staying in a hotel made entirely of large salt bricks! (BLD)

DAY 3

Colchani An early start sees you on the giant Uyuni Salt Flat, visiting the Ojos de Agua Geysers and the Salt Museum enroute. You drive to Isla Pescado (Fish Island), located in the centre of the salt flat and formed in the shape of a fish. The island is filled with a species of cacti that can grow to 12 metres high. Later today you are returned to your salt hotel in Colchani for the night. (BLD)

DAY 4

Colchani / Ojo de Perdiz

You start your day by visiting the Frog’s Valley, Chiarcota, Ramadita and Hedionda Lagoons.

You continue to the Siloli Desert and Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon). The lagoon is 4,278 metres above sea level, 60 square km in area and impresses because of the redness of its water. The colour is due to fine red sediment accumulated on the surface, as well as the pigmentation of a certain type of seaweed. It is inhabited by flocks of pink flamingos. The scenery is exceptionally beautiful at these heights, set off by the redness of the lagoon. Tonight you stay in the tiny village of Ojo de Perdiz. (BLD)

DAY 5

depart ojo de Perdiz / atacama desert (or la paz) The first stop of the day is at the Sol de Manana (Morning Sun) Geysers, where you see volcanic craters containing boiling lava and mud and geysers spurting hot water and steam 80 metres into the air. You then visit the Chalviri Salt Flat

and the Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon). This body of water is an impressive aquatic mirror that resembles a giant emerald with a particular brightness in the mornings and afternoons. The intense green hue is due to its high magnesium content. The spectacular and beautiful Volcano Licancabur (5,865 metres) can also be seen from the Green Lagoon. Later today you are driven across the border to the village of San Pedro de Atacama in Chile, where your tour ends. (BL) We recommend at least three nights in San Pedro de Atacama, please see page 68. Alternatively and at extra cost, you can return to La Paz if you don’t wish to visit the Atacama Desert.

uyuni salt flat cost

$3,822 pp sharing Tourist to Superior-class Not available in Luxury-class do it BEFORE 1 Before the South America Sensations Tour on page 40.

2 Before a visit to the Atacama Desert on page 68. do it AFTER 3 After Exclusive Gold South America on page 50.

the red lagoon, bolivia

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2 days nazca & paracas Lima

PERU

Ballestas Islands Pisco / Paracas

nazca lines, peru

Nazca

nazca lines & paracas marine reserve view these mysterious markings DAY 1

depart lima / pisco / Nazca Lines / Paracas This morning you are taken to Lima Bus Station to board the regular bus service to Pisco, on the Pacific Coast of Peru. This road trip takes approximately three hours. (The trip can also be done by private car at additional cost.)

On arrival in Pisco you board a small, highwing, light aircraft to overfly the mysterious Nazca Lines, the most famous of which are the condor, the hummingbird and the monkey.

The overflight allows you to appreciate the scale of this amazing work. The Nazca Lines are the most intriguing of the many remnants

of civilisations that prospered along the coastline for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. No one knows exactly why the inhabitants of these coastal valleys etched lines and figures in the desert some 2,000 years ago. The largest figures are over 200 metres across. Scholars differ as to their purpose but in general, they ascribe religious significance to them. During your overflight you may also see the Palpa Lines and other new discoveries in Pisco, Ocucaje and Cahuachi.

Following your overflight you are driven to your hotel in Paracas for the night. Here you enjoy a relaxing lunch. (L)

DAY 2

Paracas / Ballestas Islands / pisco / Lima Early this morning you are taken to the pier to board a boat to visit the Ballestas Islands, part of the Paracas National Reserve and the habitat of boobies, pelicans, sea lions, seal colonies, the Humboldt Penguin and an abundance of other bird species. The islands are simply spectacular, eroded into numerous arches and caves which provide shelter for thousands of seabirds, some of which are very rare, as well as hundreds of sea lions. You are then taken back to the bus station to board your service to Lima. (This can be done by private car at additional cost.) (B)

nazca lines & paracas costs

$910 pp sharing Tourist-class $931 pp sharing Superior-class $1,014 pp sharing Luxury-class do it BEFORE 1 Before the South America Sensations Tour on page 40.

2 Before the Second Part of Exclusive Gold South America on page 57. do it AFTER 3 After (or before) Exclusive Gold South America on page 50. coastline, paracas, peru

paracas marine reserve, peru

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central america sensations the ultimate mexico, cuba & Guatemalatour the highlights in a shorter period The Central America Sensations Tour includes most of the highlights of Cuba, Guatemala and Mexico over a relatively short duration. This is our moderately priced Superior-class tour to the Central America region, designed for the more budget conscious guest. It visits most of the highlight destinations and is escorted by an experienced tour leader with assistance from our expert Englishspeaking local guides. The hotels used on the Sensations Tour are very well located, of a very high standard and exhibit all the charm and character that is Cuba, Guatemala and Mexico.

guaranteed departures with 2 or more You have the confidence to book with Inca Tours knowing that the Sensations Tour is guaranteed to operate and won’t be cancelled due to low numbers at the last minute, as often happens with other tour operators. On all Sensations Tours, we guarantee that your tour will operate with only two or more.

ultimate small groups with a max of 18 In the same way that we guarantee our departures, we also place a cap of only eighteen guests on each Sensations Tour. This way you receive personalised attention all the way. For financial reasons, most other tour companies do not do this and book as many people as they can on each tour.

stay in central america’s best locations Why go all that way only to stay near the places you want to see? We select hotels which retain the charm and character of Latin America and are located at the places of interest. Chichen Itza is just one example.We avoid the international chains, preferring to experience the culture and lifestyle first hand in properties with local flavour and style. You have worked hard during your life, you deserve it!

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superior class hotels & lodges

great hotels & lodges in the very best locations, combined with the must see & do inclusions, as well as fine dining.

guaranteed max 18 guests each tour, with tour leader & expert local guides means an extremely personalised experience. incatours.net

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sensations superior-class hotels It is envisaged that you will be hosted in the following exquisite hotels during your tour. cuba

guatemala hotel nacional de cuba, havana

posada de don rodrigo, antigua

mexico brisas trinidad del mar, trinidad

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posada de don rodrigo, panajachel

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the very finest properties

hotel villa maya, flores

villa mercedes hotel, palenque

hacienda chichen, chichen itza

hotel casa blanca, mexico city

hotel plaza campeche, campeche

ocean coral, playa del carmen

Please note: the interior hotel room photos on these two pages are for general information purposes only.

The specific rooms you are accommodated in on tour may differ in terms of room type, standard and configuration.

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25 days MEXICO Mexico City

Havana Chichen Itza Playa del Carmen Campeche Uxmal Tikal Palenque Chichicastenango Flores Panajachel GUATEMALA Antigua Guatemala City

cuba, mexico & guatemala’s best on a sensations tour

Cienfuegos Trinidad

CUBA

included highlights • A guaranteed departure with two or more guests.

• Experienced senior tour leader throughout the tour, from beginning to end.* • Expert private English-speaking local guides on all city / sightseeing tours and excursions.

• All airfares, airport departure taxes, tipping and porterage throughout the tour.

included fine dining

• Three memorable nights in Havana, the grand and historic capital of Cuba.

• A comprehensive driving and walking tour of Old and New Havana.

• Visits to a Cuban Cigar Factory and the famous Havana Club Rum Factory.

• A typical Cuban Cabaret in Havana, the city of Salsa and Jazz.

• The city of Cienfuegos, on beautiful Cienfuegos Bay in the Caribbean Sea. • Two nights in the Cuban “Museum Town” of Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site • Three nights in cosmopolitan Mexico City, founded by the Spanish in1521.

• A comprehensive sightseeing tour of Mexico City.

• Mexico’s world famous and highly regarded National Anthropology Museum.

• The spectacular Teotihuacan Pyramids, which once housed 250,000 inhabitants.

• A visit to the Shrine of the Virgin Guadalupe, the Patron Saint of the Americas.

• Two nights in the beautiful Colonial city of Antigua, the cultural centre of Guatemala.

• Many meals are included, with the exception of those during leisure time.

This allows you to do what you want and eat where you like in your free time.

Our experienced tour leader will make recommendations about where to dine.

• Where possible, lunches & dinners are not buffet or set menus. We visit local restaurants where you have a choice.

• 41 meals are included: 22 breakfasts, 12 lunches & 7 dinners, some of which are tour highlights. In addition, a number of meals are served on flights.

• A traditional Guatemalan Cultural Show and Dinner in Antigua.

• Panajachel, on the shores of the volcano ringed Lake Atitlan.

• A boat ride on Lake Atitlan, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

• Chichicastenango and its markets, the centre of Guatemala’s Maya-Quiche Highlands.

• Tikal National Park and its magnificent Mayan Pyramids and Ruins.

• Mexico’s world famous archeological site of Palenque, dating from 226 BC to 799 AD. • Two nights in the beautiful Colonial City of San Francisco de Campeche, from1540.

• The Mexican State of Yucatan and its archeological site, the UNESCO listed city of Uxmal.

• The most famous Mayan archeological site: Chichen Itza, capital of the Mayan Empire.

• Two nights and a day at leisure in Playa del Carmen, on the idyllic Caribbean Riviera.

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* Subject to 4 or more guests.

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never more than 18 in an inca group! classic old america car, cuba

lake atitlan, guatemala

cuba, guatemala & mexico sensations tour itinerary DAY 1

Friday Australia / Lima

This morning you depart for South America.

As you cross the Date Line you ‘gain’ a day so you arrive into Santiago later on Friday and connect with your flight to Lima. On arrival we are assisted to our airport hotel. (Meals Inflight)

DAY 2

Saturday Lima / Havana

After breakfast we fly to Havana, the Cuban Capital, where we are met and taken to our well-appointed and historic hotel for three nights. Havana was founded in 1514 by explorer Diego Velazquez and the original city, with its narrow streets and rich diversity of Colonial buildings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At sunset Havana’s bars and cafes come to life with the rhythm of Salsa and Jazz. (B)

DAY 3

Sunday Havana

We tour Old and New Havana, firstly driving along The Malecon, Havana’s evocative eight km sea drive to visit Plaza de la Revolucion and the Capitol Nacional. We visit Plaza Viejo, Arms Square and Cathedral Square before strolling the cobbled, car-free Calle Mercaderes, restored and almost a replica of the splendid 18th Century original. We also visit the Del Medio Bar (an old haunt of Ernest Hemingway) and have lunch at a traditional restaurant. (BL)

DAY 4

Monday Havana

DAY 6

Wednesday Trinidad

Our day starts with a visit to a Cuban Cigar Trinidad was declared a World Heritage Site Factory where we see the process of rolling

by UNESCO in1988 and today this “Museum these world-class cigars. We then stop in at Town” exudes an obvious Spanish Colonial Cuba’s famous Havana Club Rum Factory. atmosphere of pastel painted buildings, with Later we visit the Museo de la Revolucion. tiled roof tops, cobbled stone streets, Baroque Fidel Castro, rose to power with a church towers and wrought iron historic assault on the capital that gates. The classic old American Our tour of Central has resulted in almost 50 years of cars and horse drawn carts add America & Cuba was to the ambiance of a by-gone era.

Communist rule. The Museum of above all expectations. the Revolution in Havana offers Today we undertake a tour of We enjoyed every day. exhibits that pertain to the Cuban the old town of Trinidad. One Vee, you were truly an Revolution, as well as to the of the highlights is a guided tour excellent tour leader, Cuban War of Independence. of the Museum of Architecture in fact you could not have been better.

Tonight we are taken out for showcasing upper-class domestic E Bryan & L Lander ACT dinner and a typical Cuban architecture of the18th and19th Cabaret. Ooh la la! (BD) Centuries. This afternoon you can relax and enjoy the sparkling waters of DAY 5 Tuesday the Caribbean Sea. (BLD)

Havana / Trinidad

This morning we are driven to Cienfuegos, with a strong French influence depicted in its imposing Neoclassic architecture. It sits on beautiful Cienfuegos Bay in the Caribbean Sea. On arrival we take a walking tour before visiting Punta Gorda, the aristocratic quarter and home to the outlandish Moorish-style Palacio de Valle, built in1917. We enjoy lunch here before proceeding to Trinidad. On arrival we check into our Caribbean seaside resort on Playa Ancon for two nights. (BLD)

incatours.net

DAY 7

Thursday Trinidad / Mexico City

We return to Havana for our flight to Mexico City where on arrival we are taken to our hotel for a fabulous three-night stay. Mexico is the third largest Latin American country and the world’s most populous Spanish speaking country. Mexico City, founded in1521, was built upon the remains of Teotihuacan, the Aztec Capital. Tonight we enjoy typical Mexican Mariachi Music. (BD)

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antigua, guatemala

DAY 8

Friday Mexico City

We tour Mexico City, firstly travelling along Paseo de la Reforma, a wide avenue that runs in a straight line, cutting diagonally across the city. We visit the Main Square with its centuries of tradition, the National Palace with its famous murals and the Metropolitan Cathedral. We also tour the world renowned National Anthropology Museum. (B)

DAY 9

Saturday Mexico City

This morning we drive out of the city to see the spectacular Teotihuacan Pyramids, a vast archaeological site containing some of the world’s most remarkable relics of an ancient civilisation. It dates from around 300 BC and

housed 250,000 people. On our return to the city we stop at the Shrine of Guadalupe Virgin, Patron Saint of the Americas. (BL)

DAY 10 Sunday Mexico City / Antigua Today we fly to Guatemala City and are then driven to Antigua, Guatemala’s cultural centre, where we have a wonderful two-night stay.

Tonight we enjoy a cultural show. (BD)

DAY 11 Monday Antigua This beautiful Colonial city was founded in 1543 and partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. Antigua is surrounded by three volcanoes, providing a dramatic backdrop to its fine churches, architecture and ruins. This morning we have a comprehensive tour of Antigua. (B)

DAY 12 Tuesday Antigua / Panajachel We travel to Panajachel located on the shores of Lake Atitlan, considered one of the world’s most beautiful lakes. Enroute we visit a traditional coffee plantation. (B)

DAY 13 Wednesday Panajachel – Lake Atitlan Lake Atitlan is a volcanic lake ringed by several small traditional villages all with unique, strong indigenous identities. Today we take a boat ride on Lake Atitlan and visit one of the villages. The afternoon is at leisure at your lakeside hotel. (B)

DAY 14 Thursday Panajachel / Flores We depart this morning for Chichicastenango, the centre of the Maya-Quiche Highlands.

Here we experience the real Mayan culture!

Ancient incense-burning rituals are practiced on the steps of Santo Tomas Church and the local market is a hive of activity for traditionally dressed locals. We then continue to Guatemala City Airport for our flight to Flores. (B)

Day 15 Friday Flores – Tikal Today we visit the magnificent ruins of Tikal National Park. We see the ‘Q’ Complex: a Great Plaza, squared-off with the pyramids of the Grand Jaguar and the Masks; the Palace of the Nobles and Pyramid IV. This is the highest of the Mayan Pyramids, from the top of which a complete view of Tikal can be had. After lunch we return to our hotel. (BL) traditional mayan weaving, central america

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chichen itza, mexico

Day 16 Saturday flores / Palenque

DAY 20 Wednesday Campeche / Chichen Itza

We depart by road and cross back into Mexico, where after entering the State of Chiapas, we find the world famous archeological site of Palenque. Here we stay for two nights. (BL)

We are driven from Campeche into the State of Yucatan to reach the archeological site of Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Maya cities most representative of the region. After a tour of Uxmal, we continue on to our hotel, located close to the most famous Mayan archeological site: Chichen Itza. (BL)

DAY 17 Sunday Palenque Today we enjoy one of the highlights of the tour with our visit to the Palenque Ruins, dating from 226 BC to 799 AD. This is a mediumsized site, much smaller than Tikal or Chichen Itza but containing some of the finest Mayan architecture and sculpture. Much of its history has been reconstructed from the hieroglyphics found there. After a fabulous day learning about the Mayan Culture, we return to our hotel. (BL)

DAY 18 Monday Palenque / Campeche We are driven north, stopping in Champoton, a small city that was originally part of the Mayan Civilisation. We then continue on to Campeche for a two-night stay. Tonight we take a walk through the beautiful softly lit streets of this Spanish Colonial city. (BL)

DAY 19 Tuesday Campeche We undertake a comprehensive city tour of Campeche, founded in 1540 by the conquerers and still retaining many of the Colonial Spanish walls which protected it from pirates. Its finely preserved quality architecture rightly earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999. (BL)

DAY 21 Thursday Chichen Itza / Playa del Carmen Chichen Itza was the capital of the Mayan Empire, founded in 432 AD. Today we see the Temple of Tigers and the Ball Court, where the first known ball games were played, the Observatory and the Sacred Cenote.

After visiting this amazing site we take a twohour drive to Playa del Carmen and our idyllic resort on the Caribbean for two nights. (BLD)

DAY 22 Friday Playa del Carmen Today is entirely at leisure to relax. (BLD)

DAY 23 Saturday depart playa del Carmen This morning we fly to Santiago. On arrival we connect with our flight back to Australia. (B)

DAY 24 Sunday Inflight Today we re-cross the Date Line. (Meals inflight)

DAY 25 Monday arrive Australia You arrive home this morning. Welcome Home!

tour Dates for cuba, guatemala & mexico sensations

Departing 4th November 2016

Returning 28th November 2016

Departing 3rd November 2017

Returning 27th November 2017

Departing 2nd November 2018 Returning 26th November 2018 costs for cuba, guatemala & mexico sensations tour

$19,590 Per person twin-share ex-Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney $2,70 0 Single room supplement for solo travellers not wishing to share rooms $4,500 Business-class upgrade for long-haul international sectors Terms & conditions apply. Tour costs may change prior to receipt of full payment due to circumstances beyond our control.

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6 days copper canyon Chihuahua Creel Bahuichivo Barrancas Los Mochis & El Fuerte

MEXICO one of forty bridges

mexico’s copper canyon train journey latin america’s most scenic rail trip

Mexico City DAY 1

Mexico City / El Fuerte This morning you fly to Los Mochis, where on arrival you are met and taken to El Fuerte for the night. This Colonial town, founded in1564 is famous for being the legendary birthplace of Señor Diego de la Vega, also known as “Zorro”.

DAY 2

El Fuerte / Cerocahui

You embark on the world famous Copper Canyon Train ride to Bahuichivo Train Station. This is an inspiring experience and an engineering marvel that took more than100 years to construct. It takes you from sea level to 2,400 metres above sea level via 86 tunnels

DAY 4

and 40 bridges in the unspoiled 65,000 square kilometre Sierra Madre Canyons. After alighting the train you are driven the short distance to Cerocahui where you have accommodation for tonight. You have the afternoon at leisure to explore or perhaps visit the Jesuit Mission. (B)

Barrancas / Creel This morning you are taken on a tour to the Balancing Rock and Three Canyons Overlook Point, where an aerial tramway is located.

Afterwards you continue by train to Creel where you stay for one night. (B)

DAY 3

DAY 5

Cerocahui / Barrancas Early today you are driven to Urique Lookout Point at 2,300 metres above sea level. You then reboard the Copper Canyon Train for the next leg of this thrilling train journey, featuring beautiful landscapes and amazing views, before arriving at Posada Barrancas Station mid afternoon. You stay in Barrancas tonight. (B)

Creel / Chihuahua

You undertake a tour of Creel during which you visit Arareco Lake, San Ignacio Mission and the Tarahumara Indian Caves. This afternoon you continue by train to Chihuahua where you have accommodation for night. (B)

DAY 6

Chihuahua / Mexico City

You fly to Mexico City where your tour ends. (B)

copper canyon costs

$1,167 pp sharing Tourist-class Not available in Superior-class do it BEFORE 1 Before (or after) the Cuba, Guatemala & Mexico Sensations Tour on page 78.

2 Before (or after) the Panama City and Panama Canal Tour on page 83.

3 Before (or after) the Costa Rica Tour on page 84.

the spectacular Sierra Madre Canyons

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3 or 4 days panama city PANAMA

Panama Canal

Panama City the panama canal

panama city & the panama canal the modern world’s eight wonder DAY 1

Arrive Panama City On arrival in Panama City you are met and taken to your hotel for three (or four) nights.

DAY 2

Panama Canal by train Today you are taken on a tour of the Panama Canal, Portobelo and the Gatun Locks. Ride the train along the historic trans-isthmus route to Colon, then visit the ruins of Fuerte San Lorenzo and Portobelo to hear about the historic gold trade. Later you are driven across the Panama Canal, the greatest engineering masterpiece of last century and considered the Eighth Wonder of the Modern World! You also visit the Gatun Dam today. (BL)

DAY 3

Panama Canal by boat Early this morning you are collected from your hotel and driven to the pier to board your vessel for a partial crossing of the Panama Canal. Your vessel will navigate canal locks as they are filled and subsequently emptied of water, allowing the vessel to rise and descend in elevation. This afternoon you are taken on a fascinating driving and walking tour of Old Panama City. The Spaniards’ efforts to settle colonies in the Atlantic Region of Darien failed due to the unhealthy location and food scarcity. This led to a move to the Pacific Ocean, founding Old Panama City on

15th August1519. Panama rapidly became an expensive, rich, legendary place, attracting buccaneers who roved along its coasts. The pirate-captain Henry Morgan attacked and ‘sacked’ the old city in1671. This afternoon’s sightseeing tour visits many historical sites.

Please note, the Panama Canal by Boat Excursion is only available on Saturdays. (BL)

DAY 4

Panama City OR depart You may choose to have (at additional cost) another night in Panama City and undertake the driving and walking tour of Old Panama City today. Alternatively, you are taken to the airport where your tour comes to an end. (B)

panama city & canal costs

$1,113 pp sharing Tourist-class $1,244 pp sharing Superior-class $1,391 pp sharing Luxury-class do it BEFORE 1 Before (or after) the Cuba, Guatemala & Mexico Sensations Tour on page 78.

2 Before (or after) the Copper Canyon Tour on page 82.

3 Before (or after) the Costa Rica Tour on page 84. old panama city

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4 to 10 days costa rica Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge

COSTA RICA

Arenal Tortuguero NP San Monteverde Jose Cloud Forest Manuel Antonio NP

suspended canopy walk, monteverde

costa rica more to enjoy before heading home!

Costa Rica is a very small country and all of its highlights can easily be combined as follows.

Alternatively, you may visit Costa Rica and only include some of them in your stay.

DAY 1

San Jose / Arenal

This morning you are collected from your hotel (or the airport) and driven across the Cordillera Tillaran to the Arenal Volcano Region. After passing through quaint villages, lush tropical jungle and rolling mountains, you travel along the shores of Lake Arenal, from where you have views of the classic cone-shaped1,633 metre high Arenal Volcano. This afternoon undertake one of the many optional activities available.

DAY 2

Arenal – Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica’s main attraction is its countryside, nature and wildlife. With 23% of this tiny country preserved in national parks and wildlife conservation areas, a trip to Costa Rica would not be complete without visiting Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica’s most important wetland.

Today you are driven north towards Nicaragua before taking a boat trip through dense, tropical vegetation into this wildlife paradise.

An endless variety of birdlife live here along with caimans, turtles, monkeys, sloths, iguanas and lizards. Your specialised local guide will point out all manner of wildlife as you slowly cruise the lake. You return to your hotel mid afternoon, with free time for optional activities such as jungle walks, the thermal baths, hanging bridge walks or a horse ride to a waterfall. (B)

DAY 3

Arenal / Santa Elena

You depart Arenal and travel to Santa Elena, where the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is situated. This private reserve is home to the shy and very rare Resplendent Quetzal. Later you take a canopy walk along suspended bridges, through and high above the tree tops of the cloud forest. You sometimes see monkeys, sloths and a variety of birds but the most striking feature is the forest itself and the myriad shades of green. (B)

DAY 4

Santa Elena / Monteverde / Manuel Antonio On a guided walk through Monteverde Cloud Forest this morning you learn about the fauna and flora of the reserve from your expert guide.

You may also be lucky enough to spot the spectacular Resplendent Quetzal.

Later you depart Santa Elena for Manuel Antonio. Descending from the cool climate of the cloud forest, you travel down to sea level and along the Pacific Coast to the village of Manuel Antonio with its beautiful beaches, views and its pristine national park.

DAY 5

Manuel Antonio You have an early morning guided excursion to Manuel Antonio National Park, with the remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy it.

Established in 1972, Manuel Antonio National Park is located on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica and as such, boasts a number of beautiful and safe swimming beaches. As well as swimming, you may like to take a snorkelling, diving or fishing trip which can be arranged at your hotel. The park is also well known for its hiking trails from which you can usually see troupes of monkeys as they take a well worn route through the trees to their resting place for the night. In 2011, Manuel Antonio was listed by Forbes magazine among the world’s twelve most beautiful national parks. (B)

butterfly, monteverde

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orchids, manuel Antonio NP

DAY 6

Manuel Antonio / San Jose After a leisurely breakfast you depart for San Jose. During your two-night stay you have the opportunity to take in the sights of the Costa Rican capital and its surrounds. This afternoon you are taken on a comprehensive city tour of San Jose after which you may like to visit one of the city’s many museums. (B)

DAY 7

San Jose & surrounds

Today you are taken to visit Poas Volcano National Park, covering an area of roughly 65 square kilometres. The Poas Volcano is located in the Central Volcanic Conservation Area in Alajuela Province, near to the Pacific Coast. The summit of the volcano is 2,700 metres high and one of the attractive and unusual features of Poas is that you can get all the way to the edge of its crater! The main crater is 290 metres deep and two more craters make up parts of the park, the extinct Von Frantzuis Crater and the Botos Crater. Botos is a beautiful cold, green water crater lake with a diameter of 370 metres. Well-marked trails will take you to see these two inactive craters. Today you also visit a coffee plantation and see the coffee production process taking place. (B)

iguana, cano negro National wildlife refuge

Tortuguero National Park is located on the Caribbean Coast and can be added to the beginning of any Costa Rica itinerary (from San Jose you transfer directly to Tortuguero) or to the end before departing Manuel Antonio NP for San Jose. You can also combine it with any of the destinations mentioned opposite.

DAY 2

tortuguero NP Multiple boat trips, jungle walks and activities are available for you to undertake today, such as the Green Turtle Nesting tour (available July to September). Alternatively, you may like to visit the local village of Tortuguero. (B)

DAY 3

DAY 1

arrive tortuguero NP This morning you travel by road and boat to the remote jungle paradise of Tortuguero NP. Later you embark on a guided boat adventure along Tortuguero’s waterways in search of wildlife before relaxing at your comfortable riverfront lodge. Here you stay for two nights.

tortuguero NP / san jose Today you return to San Jose, either by land or by air, to enjoy your last night in Costa Rica. (B)

DAY 4

depart san jose After breakfast you are collected from your hotel and taken to San Jose International Airport where your tour comes to an end. (B)

costa rica costs

$2,002 pp sharing Tourist-class $2,407 pp sharing Superior-class $2,946 pp sharing Luxury-class turtuguero NP (4 days)

$496 pp sharing Tourist-class $544 pp sharing Superior-class $1,001 pp sharing Luxury-class do it BEFORE 1 Before (or after) the Cuba, Guatemala & Mexico Sensations Tour on page 78.

DAY 8

Depart San Jose This morning you are taken to the airport where your tour comes to an end. (B) deer, manuel antonio NP

incatours.net

85

tour enhancers at iguassu falls, in rio, at machu picchu & in la paz You can choose to add the following activities to your tour at our special rates as listed on the price insert.

helicopter over iguassu falls

helicopter over rio de janeiro

harbour boat excursion, rio

climbing Huayna picchu

machu picchu from Huayna picchu

game of golf, la paz’s moon valley

86

inca tours - excellence in travel

combining tours sensations combinations days 27+ 27 28 27+ 31 27 27+ 27+ 27+ 28 27+ 28 25

sensations tour & extensions sensations TOUR + galapagos ISLANDS Cruise sensations TOUR + australis PATAGONIA cruise skorpios II FJORDS cruise + sensations tour amazon RIVER LUXURY cruise + sensations TOUR THE BEST OF COLOMBIA + sensations TOUR sensations TOUR + perito moreno GLACIER TORRES DEL PAINE NP + sensations TOUR sensations TOUR + THE ATACAMA DESERT sensations TOUR + EASTER ISLAND A TASTE OF ECUADOR + sensations TOUR THE SPIRIT OF THE ANDES + sensations TOUR UYUNI SALT FLAT + sensations TOUR NAZCA LINES & PARACAS + sensations TOUR

pages 40 & 58 40 & 62 63 & 40 64 & 40 65 & 40 40 & 66 67 & 40 40 & 68 40 & 69 70 & 40 71 & 40 72 & 40 73 & 40

exclusive gold combinations days 36+ 38+ 36 37 36+ 40 36 36+ 36+ 36+ 37 36+ 37 34

exclusive gold & extensions exclusive gold + galapagos ISLANDS Cruise antarctic cruise + exclusive gold australis cruise + exclusive gold skorpios II cruise + exclusive gold exclusive gold + amazon RIVER LUXURY cruise exclusive gold + THE BEST OF COLOMBIA perito moreno glaCIER + exclusive gold exclusive gold + TORRES DEL PAINE NP THE ATACAMA DESERT + exclusive gold exclusive gold + EASTER ISLAND exclusive gold + A TASTE OF ECUADOR exclusive gold + THE SPIRIT OF THE ANDES exclusive gold + UYUNI SALT FLAT exclusive gold + NAZCA LINES & PARACAS incatours.net

pages 50 & 58 60 & 50 62 & 50 63 & 50 50 & 64 50 & 65 66 & 50 50 & 67 68 & 50 50 & 69 50 & 70 50 & 71 50 & 72 50 & 73 87

Private non-group travel Inca Tours also specialises in designing tailor-made South and Central America tours for non-group private travel, for couples, individuals, families and groups of friends.

If the South America Sensations Tour, the Exclusive Gold South America or the Cuba, Guatemala and Mexico Sensations Tour in this brochure don’t suit you, just tell us what parts of Latin America you would like to visit, when you want to travel and we’ll design a personalised private itinerary to reflect your interests and your budget.

Additionally, for brochures on tours and travel to Africa, Bhutan, Egypt, India, Nepal or Tibet, please call us toll free on 1800 024 955 or email: sales@incatours.net Travel Agent’s Stamp

EXCELLENCE IN TRAVEL

africa & the middle east #35 #

EXCELLENCE IN TRAVEL

india bhutan, nepal & tibet #35 #

over

over

years of travel experience

EXCELLENCE IN TRAVEL

south america & antarctica

EXCELLENCE IN TRAVEL

africa egypt & middle east

years of travel experience

#

#

r Ove s year 30 nce erie Exp

Escorted Groups

Escorted Groups

Small personable groups 4 or 5-star, fully-escorted All guaranteed to depart

Small personable groups 4 or 5-star, fully-escorted All guaranteed to depart

www.incatours.net

www.incatours.net

Inca Experience Tours

Inca Experience Tours

Individual Tailor-made Tour

Individual Tailor-made Tour Packages, Safaris, Cruises & Small Group Departures

Packages, Cruises & Treks all with Guaranteed Departures

Please contact Inca Tours or your travel agent for any of the above travel brochures

INCA TOURS Head office 68 Pacific Highway, Wyong NSW 2259 Australia Telephone (02) 4351 2133 Facsimile (02) 4351 2526 Toll free from within Australia 1800 024 955 Email sales@incatours.net Web www.incatours.net ABN 28 112 971 838