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21-Nights Ultimate South America With Santiago Stopover - Value Vacation from $6,835
Cosmos
OFFER ID 1708135
Discover some of South America’s greatest cities – Santiago, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Lima – and some of its most spectacular sites on this South America tour to Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and Peru. You’ll overnight in Santiago, Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls, Buenos Aires, Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lake Titicaca.
First, break up your journey to Brazil with a 2-night stay in Santiago, scenic capital of Chile. Your adventure begins with an included guided sightseeing tour that introduces you to the city and its sites, and you’ll also have plenty of free time to explore on your own. Next, fly from South America’s west coast to its east coast and arrive in cosmopolitan Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for three overnights. In Rio, take the cog railway to the summit of Corcovado to view the famous Christ the Redeemer statue. Your time in Buenos Aires includes a visit to Recoleta Cemetery, burial place for Eva Perón. In Lima, your sightseeing focuses on the city’s colonial heritage.
Highlights of this South America tour include time at Iguassu Falls, one of the world’s most impressive sites. Experience the falls from both the Brazilian and Argentine sides, hear the thundering roar, be amazed at the brilliant rainbows created by the clouds of spray, and stand in awe as you witness these 275 falls spanning nearly two miles! You’ll also be amazed at Machu Picchu, set in a majestic mountainside with ruins dating back to the 15th century. Glimpse the ancient history and culture as you enjoy this stunning and mystical place. Other tour highlights include a visit to the Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, where stones weighing up to 350 tons piece together to form a complex housing up to 10,000 men. Time in Peru’s Lake Titicaca, a lake of floating islands maintained over centuries by the indigenous people, gives you a chance to experience the world’s highest navigable lake and to learn about local practices. All of this and more are included on this South America tour designed for the value-minded travel lover who wants to experience it all!
21 nights from $6,835 per person
Ultimate South America With Santiago Stopover
Day 1: ARRIVE IN SANTIAGO, CHILE Welcome to Santiago, where you will be met by a Cosmos representative. With a coastline more than 2,650 miles long, Chile is more than 10 times longer than it is wide. With a distinctly European flavor accented with Latin flair, Santiago is one of South America's most sophisticated and modern cities.
Please note: The Tour Director does not accompany guests on extensions. Guided service is as outlined in the day by day itinerary.
Day 2: SANTIAGO Step back into the 16th Century as your Local Guide traces the city's history and heritage. Your guided city tour introduces you to Santiago-the country's political, commercial, and cultural capital. View La Moneda Government Palace before visiting the Plaza de Armas, the main square, with a visit to the 18th Century Cathedral. This afternoon and evening are at your leisure. (B)
Day 3: SANTIAGO–RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL Today, Fly to Rio de Janeiro, home to white-sand beaches and world-famous Carnival! Relax this afternoon in spectacular Rio. (B)
Day 4: RIO DE JANEIRO Today, meet your Tour Director, who will have pointers for your free time exploration. (B)
Day 5: RIO DE JANEIRO Guided sightseeing begins with a drive along Rio’s famed Leblon, Ipanema, and more. Take the cog railway 2,300 feet up to the summit of Corcovado to view the Christ the Redeemer statue and enjoy 360-degree views of Guanabara Bay and the bustling city below. The famed statue was completed in 1931 becoming emblematic for both the city and the Brazilian nation as a whole. Your afternoon is free to explore. (B)
Day 6: RIO DE JANEIRO A free day in Rio allows you to relax on one of the beaches or take an optional excursion to the historic city of Petropolis. (B)
Day 7: RIO DE JANEIRO–IGUASSU FALLS Fly to Iguassu Falls, one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. Journey to the Brazilian side of the falls to see the 275 waterfalls cascading over a precipice almost two miles wide and 250 feet deep. Walk into Devil’s Throat Canyon, where clouds of mist, a thunderous roar, and 180-degree rainbows surround you—an unforgettable experience! (B,D)
Day 8: IGUASSU FALLS. EXCURSION TO IGUASSU FALLS, ARGENTINA Cross the Brazilian border by motorcoach and visit the Argentine side of Iguassu Falls. A series of boardwalks takes you above the falls for a look over the edge to see the water crashing down below into the Devil’s Throat. Return to Brazil’s side of Iguassu Falls for free time, or you may opt to visit the Bird Park, home to many species of endemic birds as well as flora from the area. (B)
Day 9: IGUASSU FALLS–BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA This morning, cross the Brazilian border into Argentina by motorcoach to transfer to the Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport for your flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital. After settling into your hotel, you may wish to familiarize yourself with the “Paris of South America” and its wide boulevards, outdoor cafés, and charming shops. (B)
Day 10: BUENOS AIRES Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide focuses on the city’s well-known landmarks, including the Teatro Colón Opera House and Plaza de Mayo, site of La Casa Rosada (the President’s Pink House), and Metropolitan Cathedral. Also, visit La Boca and San Telmo, one of Buenos Aires’ oldest neighborhoods, and Recoleta Cemetery, where Eva Perón is buried. End your day with an optional excursion to enjoy an Argentinean meal, followed by a sensuous Tango show highlighting this alluring dance so popular here. (B)
Day 11: BUENOS AIRES Today is free for independent activities, or you can take an optional excursion to visit a local estancia (ranch) to experience the life of the gauchos (cowboys) on a traditional Argentine ranch complete with a barbecue lunch. (B)
Day 12: BUENOS AIRES–LIMA, PERU Board a flight for Lima, Peru. Heralded as the “City of Kings” by Spanish conquistadors, Lima still carries vestiges of its opulent past with its colonial buildings and world-class museums. (B)
Day 13: LIMA Sightseeing today focuses on Lima’s colonial heritage. Founded in 1535, Lima was once the capital of Spain’s South American Empire. Visit the baroque 11th-century San Francisco Monastery, with Spanish and Moorish architecture throughout. Continue to Plaza Mayor, where you will see the Government Palace that houses the presidential palace and was once the home of Francisco Pizarro, founder of Lima and conqueror of Peru. Nearby, see the cathedral where Pizarro’s remains are buried. The remainder of your day is free to explore on your own. Tonight is free for independent exploration. (B)
Day 14: LIMA–CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY Fly to Cusco high in the Andes and, upon arrival, descend into the Sacred Valley of the IncasContinue to Pisaq, a charming village with a famous market, where you have plenty of time to browse the many colorful stalls selling handicrafts ranging from alpaca sweaters and blankets to painted vases and sterling silver. After enjoying an empanada, continue to your hotel, nestled in the peaceful Sacred Valley. (B,D)
Day 15: SACRED VALLEY Start the day with a visit to Ollantaytambo and the Inca ruins of the same name. Explore the archaeological site that was the scene of the Inca resistance during the Spanish conquest—the only place ever to resist Spanish attacks. You will see how the temple area at the top of the terraces provided the perfect defensive stronghold. Next, visit a local home to experience life in this traditional village, which has been remarkably well preserved. Then, visit the Seminario Ceramics Workshop to learn about Peruvian ancient and modern art. End your day at a local chichería for a taste of a typical Inca drink in Peru called chicha. (B)
Day 16: SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU Board the Vistadome train that cuts a path through the picturesque Urubamba Valley bound for Aguas Calientes, the quaint town closest to the “Lost City of the Incas.” Ascend the mountainside through tropical forest to the sacred refuge of Machu Picchu. Your guide recounts the many accomplishments of the Incas as you tour the terraced ruins dating back to the 15th century. Abandoned when the Inca Empire fell to the Spanish, these remarkable ruins remained undiscovered for nearly 400 years. For this reason, many of the mysteries surrounding Machu Picchu remain to this day. (B,D)
Day 17: MACHU PICCHU–CUSCO Enjoy some free time this morning to explore the mountain town of Aguas Calientes; perhaps visit the local market, quaint boutiques, or take a walk along nearby trails. Later this afternoon, return to Cusco on the Vistadome train to the former capital of the Inca Empire. (B)
Day 18: CUSCO Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco that focuses on the city that was once the political, military, and cultural epicenter of the Incas. In fact, Inca foundations can still be found in Cusco, with the Spanish baroque structures built on top. Visit the Santo Domingo Monastery, where these two forms of architecture are melded together with the temple of both cultures atop one another. Also, see the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas before a visit to the Temple of Sacsayhuaman. Some of the best examples of Inca masonry can be found at this fortress, where stones weighing up to 350 tons are pieced together to form a complex that could house up to 10,000 men. Learn about the ceremonies and battles that took place here on your tour. Learn about the importance of camelids (llama, vicuña, alpaca, and guanaco) for Inca cultures. See them up close and learn how their coats are transformed into colorful weaving fibers that are then used in ancient weaving techniques still in use today. Then roll up your sleeves to participate in a tree-planting project supporting the local community. (B)
Day 19: CUSCO–PUNO Today, drive south along the Route of the Sun, one of Peru’s most beautiful scenic drives. Stops along the way include visits to the stunning Sistine Chapel of America, the Temple of Wiracocha and more. Arrive in Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca where the legend says the first Inca, Manco Capac, arose from the waters of the lake by the power of the sun god to create the Inca Empire. (B,L)
Day 20: PUNO. EXCURSION TO LAKE TITICACA Experience fascinating Lake Titicaca today as you embark on a motorboat tour of the highest navigable lake in the world and its manmade islands. On Taquile Island, see how the local people integrate their Inca and Spanish past. Continue to the Uros floating islands, a group of approximately 40 artificially made islands. Learn how the Uros people construct their islands, homes, boats, and many other resources completely of totora reed, a centuries-old practice. Enjoy a farewell dinner hosted by your Tour Director this evening. (B,L,D)
Day 21: PUNO–JULIACA–LIMA En route to Juliaca, stop at the pre-Incan burial grounds of Sillustani. See the above-ground tombs, chullpas, in which the Aymara people buried their high priests. You will be welcomed into a local home for an inside look at life here. Fly to Lima and transfer to your hotel for a free evening. (B)
Day 22: LIMA Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (B)
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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