south & central america

88
over 35 years of travel experience H H H Tours andTravel Small personable groups 4-star or 5-star properties All guaranteed to depart www.incatours.net south & central america Excellence inTravel

Upload: inca-tours

Post on 28-Jul-2016

230 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

DESCRIPTION

Tours and Travel to South & Central America. Small personable groups staying in 4-star or 5-star properties with all tours guaranteed to depart.

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: South & Central America

over

35 years of travel

experienceH

HH

Tours andTravelSmall personable groups

4-star or 5-star properties

All guaranteed to depart

www.incatours.net

south & central america

Excellence inTravel

Page 2: South & Central America

enjoy latin awith inca australia’s small

includessome of thebest propertiesInca Tours uses some of thefinest hotels, lodges, trainsand cruising vessels in theworld. Where possible, we utilise properties with localcharm, style and character, avoiding foreign chains with their generic decor andinternational design styles.

includesall sightseeingInca Tours includes all sightseeing with expert localguides, so you do not have topay extra when you get there. If it is worth doing or seeing,we include it for everyone inour small groups. This way,you do not have to choose between various options.

includes all tipping & porterage

all inclusiveJourneysNo hidden extras, alltipping, all porterage,all entrance fees and alltransfers are included.

all inclusiveof flights

Includes all economy-classflights in Latin America

2 inca tours - excellence in travel

Inca Tours is a member of the Council of Australian

Tour Operators (CATO)and the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA).

Page 3: South & Central America

includesfine diningWhere possible, Inca Tours’lunches and dinners are inlocal restaurants with freechoices, not at set menu orbuffet “tourist restaurants”.Let us surprise you with various special event meals,included to enhance yourLatin America experience.

includesall activitiesInca Tours has chosen the verybest sights and activities soyou can simply sit back, relaxand enjoy the exclusive andpampered Latin America experience. When it comes toincluding sights and activitiesin our tours, it’s our attentionto detail that sets us apart.

100% of ourdepartures areguaranteed

america tours

group specialists

incatours.net 3

Page 4: South & Central America

contentsexperience south & centralamerica with inca tours,the small group specialists

superior-class south america 36

short tours & extensions 58

luxury-class south america 46

FULLY-escorted GROUP TOUR, with tour leadersouth america sensations tour 40first part of sensations tour 44second part of sensations tour 45

private non-group tour, with local guidesexclusive gold south america 50first part of exclusive gold 56second part of exclusive gold 57

private non-group tours, with local guidesgalapagos islands cruises 58antarctic cruises 60australis south patagonia cruise 62skorpios II chilean fjords cruise 63amazon river luxury cruises 64the best of colombia 65perito moreno & upsala glaciers 66torres del paine National park 67the atacama desert 68easter island 69a taste of ecuador & TREN CRUCero 70spirit of the andes & mashpi lodge, ecuador 71uyuni salt flat, bolivia 72nazca lines & paracas marine reserve, peru 73

4 inca tours - excellence in travel

short tours & extensions 82

superior-class central america 74

FULLY-escorted GROUP TOUR, with tour leadercuba, guatemala & mexico sensations tour 78

private non-group tours, with local guidescopper canyon, mexico 82Panama city & the panama canal 83costa rica 84

page

Page 5: South & Central America

incatours.net 5incatours.net 5

over 35years of travel

experience!

Page 6: South & Central America

6 inca tours - excellence in travel

inca tours will show you thereal latin america

Latin America is surprise & mystery—from the Amazon to the majesticAndes; from vast deserts and salt flatsto the scenic beauty of Patagonia;from gigantic waterfalls to lakes likeseas, Latin America is home to it all.

the andes mountains & its many giftsThe majestic Andes is the longest mountain range in the world, extending from Venezuela down toChile and Argentina, where it forms the border between the two before gradually tapering into the seanorth of Antarctica. The Andes offer so much, including fabulous Cuzco, the original Inca Capital; thefertile Sacred Valley of the Incas; Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas and possibly the highlightof South America; the sea-like Lake Titicaca, birthplace of Manco Capac, the first Inca; and La Paz, theworld’s highest (unofficial) capital—all fabulous destinations in their own right. Far south of Peru andBolivia, 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 the8thWonder of the World.

The amazon river, basin & rainforestThe 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 ismostly covered by rainforest, the largest in the world. This pristine place is legendary for its indigenouspeoples, flora and abundant but secretive wildlife. You have many exciting choices here offering a vastvariety of experiences, from jungle lodges to canopy walkways to luxury cruises on the mighty river itself.

The pacific, atlantic & caribbean coastsAfter the Andes and Amazon, Latin America’s other main regional attractions are on or close to itsspectacular 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; theAtacama Desert in Chile’s north; Peru’s Nazca Lines and Colonial City, to name just a few. The AtlanticCoastal region boasts cosmopolitan Buenos Aires City, upbeat Rio de Janeiro and further south thedisputed Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). The Caribbean Coast, bordering Cuba and much of CentralAmerica, also laps the north west of South America and boasts the charming and historic city ofCartagena, one of the many fabulous jewels of Colombia.

Page 7: South & Central America

includesunique faunaand flora,as well assome of the moststunningscenery inall of latinamerica.

includescontactwithquechuaspeaking descendantsof the incas,one of thefriendliest of peoples.

cultures at their most

unique!

incatours.net 7

Page 8: South & Central America

8 inca tours - excellence in travel

with inca tours, you are in very good hands

Inca Tours, a destination specialist, is very proud to have over 35 yearsexperience organising small groupjourneys to various parts of theworld. Just imagine what we can dofor you in South & Central America!

we have done all the planning for youIn planning a visit to a diverse region, one not only has to decide what to see and how much time tospend in each location but just as importantly, what to avoid. Tours must be planned to satisfy specialinterests, whether they be the majestic scenery, dynamic cities, the monuments of past civilisations, thecolourful people who call it home, meeting new friends or just having a good time! We do all this andmore. Our tours are planned and operated by people who know and above all, love Latin America.

your tour leader is there for youYour Inca Sensations Tour is hosted by one of our experienced tour leaders. (This is subject to aminimum group size of four guests.) They in turn, are assisted by our expert English-speaking localguides, drivers and ground handlers to ensure your journey is as seamless as possible and you get toremember it for all the right reasons. As our group sizes are small, you have regular access to your tourleader and your local guides. This usually occurs on a one-on-one basis, so you get the absolute mostfrom 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 confidenceMany tour companies have in their fine print that the tour may be cancelled without a minimumnumber of clients. We know this uncertainty causes many problems for travellers, so for all SensationsTours 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 eachof our Sensations Tours. For financial reasons, most other tour companies do not do this. We believeyour tour should give you the opportunity to connect with the people and places you visit and enableyour tour leader to get to know you personally, not just by a name tag. This is only possible if travellingin a small group, not in the large crowds often seen on other tours.

Page 9: South & Central America

Inca Tours’personalisedgroups (a Maximumof only 18)means youare not justanother face in thecrowd.

your tour leader, with assistancefrom our english-speakinglocal guideswill ensure a seamlessjourney.

incatours.net 9

whychoose

incatours?

• Superior-class & Luxury-classhotels 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.

australian owned & operated

Page 10: South & Central America

10 inca tours - excellence in travel

with inca tours’small groups, youwon’t miss a thing

We were one of the pioneers in smallgroup travel, boasting more than 35years of continuous service. You arein very good hands when you chooseto travel with us, as our small groupsmean you won’t miss out on a thing.

inca tours has led the way & still doesFor many destinations, we were the first or one of the first to take small group journeys into what wasconsidered “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 tonone. Because of this we are able to plan and execute the very best itineraries, many of which are nowemulated by those who have followed our lead. Regular destination updates also mean we are equippedto 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 headsetsUp to 40 people on a tour is not a small group! With a maximum of only18 guests, our groups aresmall 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’smouth” 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 mealsWhere 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. Manyof these restaurants are chosen because of their location and/or because of their quality and style, whichturns the dining experience into a highlight in itself. Only touring with small groups provides theflexibility in this area and subsequently, greatly enhances your South or Central America experience.

Page 11: South & Central America

witha maximum of only 18guests, youare assuredof the most personalisedservice onyour incatour.

withdailyone on one interactionwith yourtour leader,you will have thegreatest experiencepossible.

with inca,you won’t miss

a thing!

incatours.net 11

Page 12: South & Central America

12 inca tours - excellence in travel

inca tours’extraordinary experiences

There is a big difference between visiting a destination and truly experiencing it. There are numerousactivities built into our journeys so that you experience Latin Americain all of its unique charm and glory.

Surprise yourself in Lima, when you come to appreciatehow 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.

Page 13: South & Central America

one day youmarvel atiguassu fallsfrom below,the next youdelight inrio from thebase of thestatue ofchrist.

whether exploringbuenos airesor sailingthe amazon,experiencethe real latin americawithincatours.

once in alifetime

experiences

incatours.net 13

Page 14: South & Central America

14 inca tours - excellence in travel

spectacular hotels& lodges in reallystunning locations

Most hotels and lodges used by ushave been inspected and stayed in by members of the Inca Tours’ team.They are chosen for their location,history, character or ambiance, soyou’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.

Page 15: South & Central America

truly spectacularhotels andlodges sit in the moststunning locations to be foundin latinamerica.

follow thefootsteps ofHRH queenelizabeth II,as you stay inthe famousDas cataratashotel, at the Spectaculariguassu falls.

latinamerica’s finest

properties

incatours.net 15

Page 16: South & Central America

16 inca tours - excellence in travel

spectacular rail & cruise experiences

Our tours include truly authentic experiences, some of which couldhave come from a by-gone era, suchas Belmond’s fabulous rail service. Why rough it on your once in a lifetime journey to South America?

vistadome & hiram bingham trainsThe Vistadome Train offers fantastic scenery as it makes its way to Machu Picchu Village from OllantaRail 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 inthe onboard service as well music and other entertainment. The Hiram Bingham is a more luxurioustrain linking Poroy (near Cuzco) and Machu Picchu Village, also via the Sacred Valley. Its serviceincludes live music and brunch or a gourmet dinner, as the train travels through spectacular and ever-changing scenery. This historic-style train, named after the North American who re-discovered MachuPicchu in1911, captures the romance and atmosphere of a by-gone era. It features dining cars, a bar carand an open-deck observation car. Although both of these return train journeys can be made as a dayexcursion, we recommend taking them with an overnight stay at Machu Picchu Village, below the ruins.

andean explorer trainEnjoy 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 specialexperience, a journey between highlands, mountains and clouds. The journey takes ten hours andincludes 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’ catamaransThe spectacular Southern Lakes Crossing from Chile to Argentina (and vice versa) involves threedifferent sailing vessels crossing three separate lakes. You sail along Lake Todos Los Santos, Lake Frias andLake Nahuel Huapi and be amazed at the different colours of their respective waters. Weather permittingyou should see Osorno and Calbuco Volcanoes and El Tronador Mountain in the pristine nationalparks 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 soyou can appreciate the outside natural scenery that has remained virtually unchanged for centuries.

Page 17: South & Central America

journeyacross thewide open altiplano instyle, while enjoying a freshly prepared a-la-cartelunch.

cruise to one of thesouthernmost parts ofthe worldon board an australis cruise vesselor the fineskorpios II.

soak up the atmosphere of

yesteryear

incatours.net 17

Page 18: South & Central America

18 inca tours - excellence in travel

cuzco, sacred valley,machu picchu & lake titicaca

Cuzco, the Sacred Valley and MachuPicchu were very important places inthe Inca Empire.Likewise today, theyand Lake Titicaca are importantplaces to visit for anyone interestedin Pre-Colombian civilisations.

cuzcoPeru’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 oldestcontinually inhabited city, settled in the11th or12th Century. There is much to see in Cuzco, includingan ornate main cathedral, a beautiful Main Square (close to where the Sensations Tour and ExclusiveGold 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 MachuPicchu your journey takes you via the Sacred Valley, so it’s well worth spending a night or two in thisabsolutely stunning location. The Sacred Valley is home to a very important site, the Inca Fortress ofOllantaytambo, which is a must see. Also situated here are the villages of Pisac and Chinchero andtheir well known markets. The valley is now home to a number of up-market boutique hotels, whichmakes it the perfect place to include some time at leisure and simply relax in this stunning destination.

machu picchuYour first view of Machu Picchu with its surrounding cloud forests and mountains will take your breathaway. Most find it an unforgettable and sometimes spiritual experience! Machu Picchu is undoubtedlythe best known and most spectacular archaeological site on the continent. The ruins (urban, agriculturaland 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 titicacaLake Titicaca is best visited from Cuzco, either by rail or road. At 3,800 metres above sea level, it is theworld’s highest navigable lake. The lake is believed to be the birthplace of the first Inca ruler MancoCapac. There are a number of well located hotels and lodges near the lake, including one on Sun Island.

Page 19: South & Central America

Cuzco’sstreets arestepped, narrow andfilled withquechuaspeaking descendantsof the incas:a gem of peru.

The site discoveredin 1911 wasdifferent tothe one yousee today,with All thebuildingsvery thickly overgrown.

titicaca, anenchantingplace to stay

incatours.net 19

Page 20: South & Central America

20 inca tours - excellence in travel

buenos aires, Iguassu falls & rio de janeiro

Buenos Aires, Iguassu Falls & Rio arediverse yet all wonderfully excitingplaces in their own distinctive ways.Combined, they make for a uniqueimmersion in South America’s culture, nature and scenic beauty.

buenos airesThe 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 havingmany European cultural and architectural influences, it is the most fashionable city in South Americaand boasts many beautiful parks and plazas. There is much to experience here, so we recommend anumber of nights to get a feel for this exciting city. Buenos Aires is the birthplace of Tango, offeringnumerous 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 fallsThe Iguassu River forms part of the border between Argentina and Brazil and just a short distancedown 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 bothNiagara and Victoria Falls. Almost 300 separate cascades fall in a wild array of spray over a windingthree kilometre long cliff front. It is a must that the falls be seen from both the Argentine and Braziliansides. It is best however, to stay (as we do) in the hotel on the Brazil side as about 70 per cent of thefalls are in Argentina and are therefore best viewed and photographed from across the river in Brazil.

rio de janeiroRio 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 mountainsand expanses of bare grey rock which surround the city is very impressive. You will be equally impressedwith the variety of food available in Rio. From fresh seafood to some of the best beef in the world andfrom 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 lookingout over the Atlantic Ocean.

Page 21: South & Central America

iguassu fallswas the setting forthe awardwinning film‘the mission’,starringRobert DeNiro and Jeremy Irons.

buenos airesis a stylishcity, withartistic & historical attractionsthat rivalmany of thefinest citiesof europe.

rio,like nowhere else

on earth!

incatours.net 21

Page 22: South & Central America

22 inca tours - excellence in travel

ecuador, the galapagos islands & easter island

Ecuador is an often overlooked SouthAmerican gem, with the GalapagosIslands being only one of its manyattractions.Chile’s Easter Island isunique in very different ways but is also a perfect place to spend time.

ecuadorEcuador 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 AndesHighlands, each with their own culture, lifestyle and ethnicity. Most well known are the GalapagosIslands 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 firstWorld 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 thePacific, 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 of18 major islands, 3 minor islands and scores of tiny islands thatlie almost1,000 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador. It is here that rare ecosystems co-exist in one of themost active volcanic areas on earth. Made famous by Charles Darwin, the islands are a very popularcruise destination with their fascinating scenery and unique wildlife. Cruises range from 3 to14 nightsand depending on their length, follow different itineraries. One of the highlights of a cruise is visitingthe 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 between100 and150 years!“Lonesome George”as he was known, the last remaining Pinta Island tortoise was moved to the researchstation, where scientists attempted to breed from him but he died in 2012 without producing offspring.

easter island4,000 kilometres from Chile, the most remote place in the world is an island which still holds a specialmystery and magic. Rapa Nui, as the natives called it, was discovered on Easter Sunday1722 and thusto this day, is still referred to as Easter Island. This isolated place, entirely volcanic in origin, is a vastoutdoor museum dotted with over 600 giant Moai statues that have intrigued the world for centuries.

Page 23: South & Central America

retracecharles darwin’s steps with agalapagosCruise & visitthe researchstation sonamed in his honour.

spend a fewnights onEaster Island,one of themost remoteinhabited islands inthe world &home to 600moai statues.

home to theblue-footed

booby!

incatours.net 23

Page 24: South & Central America

24 inca tours - excellence in travel

antarctica, the falklands & ushuaia

Antarctica, the “White Continent” isone of the planet’s most spectacularplaces and best experienced by embarking on a cruise. Some cruisesalso take in the Falklands, which arebursting 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 fromUshuaia, Argentina, sail through the Beagle Channel, explore Cape Horn and cross the mythical watersof the Drake Passage before entering the Antarctic Peninsula. Antarctica is almost completely coveredby an icecap formed by the constant accumulation of snow over the course of hundreds of thousands ofyears. At its deepest, the covering is approximately four kilometres, hiding beneath it mountains, valleysand 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 usuallyunafraid of humans and are sometimes actually ‘intrigued’ by us. The opportunity to be able to wanderamong thousands of penguins and sea lions makes this special place a paradise for photographers.

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

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

Page 25: South & Central America

antarctica is one of themost remoteplaces onearth & alsothe coldest,windiest, driest & mostinhospitablecontinent.

falklandsboast vastcolonies of black-browed albatross, elephantseals & fivespecies of penguins.

absolutely remarkable

scenery

incatours.net 25

Page 26: South & Central America

26 inca tours - excellence in travel

the amazon basin,amazon lodges &river cruises

A trip to the Amazon Basin is like noother. The sights, sounds and smellsof the jungle are unique. Despite including morning, afternoon andsome night activities, you are boundto leave invigorated and relaxed!

the amazon basinThe Amazon Basin extends from Venezuela in the north to Bolivia in the south and from the Atlanticin the east to the Andes in the west. The Amazon River at the heart of this catchment has more freshwater in it than any other river on earth. Other major rivers in the basin are the Rio Negro, originatingin Venezuela, the Rio Napo originating in Ecuador and the Madre de Dios of Peru. We utilise two verygood jungle lodges in Peru, both of which are accessed from Puerto Maldonado, only a short flight fromCuzco. We also regularly utilise a number of luxurious Amazon cruises which sail out of Iquitos, Peru.

amazon lodgesSandoval Lake Lodge (used on our Sensations Tour), overlooking the pristine Sandoval Lake and alsoaccessed from Puerto Maldonado, is rustic and good for sighting wildlife. It is constructed almostentirely 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 withfully-screened rooms arranged in two wings. All rooms have ceiling fans and ensuite bathrooms and allrooms 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 thanSandoval Lake Lodge. Reserva Amazonica is a private ecological reserve and research centre covering anarea of10,000 hectares and is easily accessed from Puerto Maldonado, Peru. The lodge is ideally locatedon the banks of the Madre de Dios River. Built with natural materials, it gives you the feeling of beingpart of the jungle but does not hold back on comfort. All rooms are separate free-standing dwellings andare screened, have ceiling fans and ensuite bathrooms. Despite its relative comfort, Reserva AmazonicaLodge provides an authentic Amazon Jungle experience. It also has its own tree-top canopy walkway.

amazon river cruisesWe offer five superb 4 or 5-star Amazon Cruises on the Amatista, Aqua Amazon, Aria Amazon, Delfin Iand 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.

Page 27: South & Central America

The amazonriver pushesa vast plumeof freshwater about400 km outinto the atlanticocean beforeit turns salty.

jungle lodgestays & rivercruises arethe best waysto experiencethe amazon’swildlife, aswell as theway of life of its people.

the amazon,“the lungs ofthe world”

incatours.net 27

Page 28: South & Central America

patagonia,the southern lakes & el calafate

Patagonia, Chile’s Lakes District andEl Calafate’s enormous glaciers offervivid displays of colour.From the blueice of Patagonia and Calafate, to thegreen, yellow and orange forests andemerald waters of the Lakes District.

patagoniaPatagonia is not a province (state) but a geographic region shared by Argentina and Chile, extendingsouth of the Colorado River. Argentine Patagonia includes Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) and ChileanPatagonia 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 themost 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 districtThe Southern Lakes District in the south of Argentina and Chile is defined by many magnificent lakescutting through the foothills of the Andes. The area boasts some of South America’s most spectacularscenery extending east from Puerto Varas in Chile, across the Andes to Bariloche, Argentina. The LakesCrossing takes you across this region and can be undertaken over one or two days. In winter when thedays are shorter, it is best to do it over two days and spend the night in Puella, mid way through. Thecrossing 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 glaciersEl Calafate is a picturesque Patagonian village of less than10,000 residents located on the shores of LakeArgentino. From El Calafate you have access to Los Glaciares National Park, only 50 kilometres awayand sheltering more than 300 glaciers. The most famous of them is the Perito Moreno Glacier, declaredWorld 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 kilometreslong, seven kilometres wide and varies from 60 to 80 metres in height. Certainly a sight to behold.

28 inca tours - excellence in travel

Page 29: South & Central America

patagonia will leaveyou with themost uniqueand most un-forgettablememories, literally atthe base ofthe world.

the lakescrossingtakes youfrom chileto argentina,traversingthe andesmountainrange fromwest to east.

amazingscenery at theworld’s end

incatours.net 29

Page 30: South & Central America

30 inca tours - excellence in travel

cuba, guatemala & mexico

Cuba, Guatemala and Mexico, threehistorically rich and colourful LatinAmerican countries are well worthvisiting. Despite their reasonablyclose proximity, they offer diverseand often unique experiences.

CubaCuba is the largest island in the northern Caribbean Sea, located150 kilometres south of the UnitedStates and just over 200 kilometres east of Mexico. Cuba is also the last, albeit fading, outpost ofCommunism 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-preservedSpanish 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.

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

mexicoMexico perhaps not surprisingly, is the world’s largest producer of both avocados and silver! Borderedon 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 Mayanarcheological sites, including Teotihuacan, Palenque, Uxmal and Chichen Itza, the capital of theMayan Empire founded in 432 AD. Hundreds of quaint Colonial-era towns are scattered throughoutthe country and by contrast, Mexico City, the cosmopolitan capital offers many world-class attractionsincluding its renowned National Anthropology Museum.

Page 31: South & Central America

follow thefootsteps of writerernest hemingway,as you strollthe narrowcobblestonestreets ofold havana.

from localmarkets to ancientmayan pyramids,each day inGuatemala &mexico willintrigue &enrich you.

remains of civilisationslong gone

incatours.net 31

Page 32: South & Central America

32 inca tours - excellence in travel

costa rica & panama, including its famous canal

Costa Rica and Panama are twosmall Central America countrieswith much to offer. Costa Rica ismost famous for it biodiversity andof course, Panama is known aroundthe world for its ingenious canal.

costa ricaCosta Rica, literally meaning, “Rich Coast” is a tiny, rugged, rainforested Central American nationwhere almost a quarter of its land mass is declared national park or national reserve. It is situated southof Nicaragua and northwest of Panama. Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes and immensebiodiversity with much of it made up of protected jungle, rich with wildlife including spider monkeysand quetzal birds. Its natural attractions include the classic cone-shaped Arenal Volcano rising1,633metres; the Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge; the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, home to theshy and rare Resplendent Quetzal; and the lush and pristine Manuel Antonio National Park. CostaRica is considered a paradise by many renowned environmentalists and for good reason. In 2007 itsgovernment announced that it would become the world’s first carbon-neutral country by 2021; in2009 it was voted the greenest country in the world and in 2012 it became the first country in theAmericas to ban recreational hunting.

panamaPanama, which shares a border with Costa Rica to its west, is a Central American country situatedbetween North and South America. It is unique in that it is on the isthmus which links CentralAmerica and South America. Panama is most well known for its man-made Panama Canal, the greatestengineering masterpiece of the last century, which cuts through its centre, linking the Atlantic Oceanand the Pacific Ocean. In fact, the canal is considered the Eighth Wonder of the Modern World and avisit to Panama is not complete without the exhilarating experience of a partial boat transit of its locksand waterways. Old Panama City, founded in1519 boasts a rich and colourful history and its manyColonial 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 ofthem found nowhere else on earth.

Page 33: South & Central America

marvel atcosta rica’sclassic cone shaped arenal volcanofrom thegardens ofyour resort-style hotel.

one day yousail throughthe locks ofthe panamacanal, thenext you explore the streetsof oldpanama city.

natureabundant &

diverse!

incatours.net 33

Page 34: South & Central America

34 inca tours - excellence in travel

useful check list when comparing alternative tours

It is difficult to compare tours whendescriptions in brochures look thesame but differ when experienceddue to subtle differences. This checklist should help you cut through some of the hype!

EXCELLENCE INTRAVEL

over

35 years of travel

experience�

��

south & central america

issues to consider Inca other otherwhen comparing 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 doyou have to choose between alternatives? ALL included _________ _________

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

• Is everything described included or are there optional extras at additional cost ifyou 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 EXCLUSIVEwhen in reality most are not exclusive but widely available and used on different tours? NO _________ _________

Page 35: South & Central America

memories arenot based on what youdid not do!you haveworkedhard and deserve agreat experience.

book your future memoriesnow withinca tours, so you do not regret missing out later.

life longfriendshipsare formed

incatours.net 35

Page 36: South & Central America

36 inca tours - excellence in travel

the inca sensationstourthe ultimate escortedsouth america tourthe highlights in a shorter periodThe Inca Sensations Tour of South America includes most of the highlights of South America over arelatively short duration. This is our moderately priced Superior-class tour to South America, designedfor the more budget conscious guest. It visits most of the highlight destinations and is escorted by anexperienced tour leader with assistance from our expert English-speaking local guides. The hotels andlodges used on the Sensations Tour are very well located, of a very high standard and exhibit all thecharm and character that is South America.

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

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

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

Page 37: South & Central America

great hotels& lodges inthe very bestlocations,combinedwith themust see & doinclusions, as well as fine dining.

guaranteed max 18 guestseach tour,with tour leader & expert localguides meansan extremelypersonalisedexperience.

incatours.net 37

superior class hotels

& lodges

Page 38: South & Central America

38 inca tours - excellence in travel

superior-class hotels, lodges, trains & vessels

sensations

It is envisaged that you will be hosted in the followingexquisite hotels, lodges & trains during your tour.

peruestelar mirafloreshotel,lima

sandoval lakelodge, amazon basin

aranwa boutiquehotel,sacred valley

el mapi hotel,machu picchuvillage

aranwa boutiquehotel,cuzco

vistadometrain,between cuzco& machu picchu

bolivia

Page 39: South & Central America

incatours.net 39

the veryfinest

properties

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.

andean explorer train,cuzco to puno

casa andinaprivate collection,puno

lake titicaca hydrofoil,copacabana to sun island

sun island eco lodge,sun island lake titicaca

la casona boutiquehotel,la paz

belmond hotel dascataratas,iguassu falls

porto bay rio internationalhotel,rio de janeiro

melia hotel,buenos aires

plaza sanfrancisco hotel,santiago de chile

chile*brazil

argentina

*Optional Santiago Stopover

Page 40: South & Central America

40 inca tours - excellence in travel

includedhighlights

includedfine 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.Our experienced tour leader will makerecommendations 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: 21breakfasts,7 lunches& 8 dinners, some of whichare tour highlights. In addition, a number of meals are served on flights.

PERU

CHILE

BRAZIL

BOLIVIA

ARGENTINA

Lake TiticacaPuno

Machu Picchu

IguassuFalls

Puerto MaldonadoCuzco

Rio de Janeiro

Santiago

Lima

La Paz

Buenos Aires

south america’sbest on an inca sensations tour

23 days

• 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.

• 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.

• 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. *Subject to 4 or more guests.

Page 41: South & Central America

incatours.net 41

lima, peru

DAY 1 Monday australia / LimaThis 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)

DAY2 Tuesday LimaWe tour Greater Lima visiting the three

distinct historical periods of the city: Pre-

Columbian, 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 day-

to-day operation of your Sensations Tour. (BD)

DAY3 Wednesday Lima / Amazon Jungle We fly to Puerto Maldonado, deep in the

Amazon Basin, where we are met and driven

to the river port. A half hour journey down

the Madre de Dios River by motor canoe

brings us to the start of the trail. The trail

takes about one hour to walk and passes

through a flooded forest of 30 metre high

Mauritia Palms. This afternoon we board

a catamaran and set off to explore

pristine Sandoval Lake. In the

flooded forest it is possible to

drift beneath raucous red-bellied

macaws as they return to the

forest for the night. (BLD)

DAY4 Thursday Amazon JungleAn early excursion on the lake

may result in an encounter with

the lake’s giant otters. In addition,

most of the birds are active early so we should

see some prehistoric-looking Hoatzins. These

odd, leaf-eating birds are the size of chickens

and sport bare blue faces, red eyes and punk

rock-type crests! After lunch and a siesta, we

again board the catamaran to explore the

eastern part of the lake where we may see

some of the five species of monkey who live

in the forest. They include Brown Capuchin

and Squirrel Monkeys. (BLD)

DAY 5 friday Amazon / Sacred Valley

Early this afternoon we fly to Cuzco, the

original Inca capital, from where we are driven

to a lower altitude in the Sacred Valley of the

Incas. Here we stay for two relaxing nights.

The remainder of our afternoon is at leisure

to enjoy this stunning destination. (BD)

DAY6 Saturday sacred Valley of incas

Here we visit the famous Inca

Fortress of Ollantaytambo before

continuing to the traditional local

markets of Pisac, where we can

bargain with the locals for their

fabulous weavings and ceramics.

We enjoy lunch at a private

hacienda (an Inca Tours’ Australian

exclusive) before being taken back

to our hotel for the evening. (BL)

DAY 7 Sunday Ollanta / Machu Picchu

We have an early morning transfer to Ollanta

Train Station for our two-day excursion to

Machu Picchu. We follow the Urubamba River

on one of the world’s great train journeys.

Machu Picchu, known as the “Lost City of the

Incas” is the most spectacular archaeological site

on the continent. On arrival we are taken on a

guided walking tour of Machu Picchu. (BLD)

south america sensationstour itinerary

Alecia, your attentionto detail made the tripflow with tremendousease. And thank youRoss for your attentivestyle, ensuring smoothtransitions from oneday to the next...Allan &Pauline Blake NSW

never morethan 18 in aninca group!sandoval lake, peru

Page 42: South & Central America

42 inca tours - excellence in travel

DAY8 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)

DAY9 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

lake titicaca, bolivia

Page 43: South & Central America

incatours.net 43

DAY 15 Monday Iguassu Falls

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)

DAY 16 Tuesday Iguassu Falls

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 17 Wednesday Iguassu / Rio de Janeiro

Early today we fly to Rio de Janeiro for a two-

night 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)

copacabana beach, rio

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 Per person twin-share ex-Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney

$19,390 Per person twin-share starting in Lima & ending in Buenos Aires

$3,6 71 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.

DAY 18 Thursday Rio de JaneiroWe begin the day with a tour to CorcovadoMountain and the Statue of Christ. The statueis one of Rio’s most famous landmarks. It is 37metres high, weighs1,100 tons and has a 360degree view of the entire area below, includingthe city, the bay, the mountains and the sea. (B)

DAY 19 Friday Rio / Buenos AiresAfter a leisurely morning we fly to Buenos Airesfor a fabulous three-night, downtown stay. (B)

DAY20 saturday Buenos AiresBuenos Aires is South America’s mostfashionable city, with many beautiful parksand 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)

DAY21 sunday Buenos Aires

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

DAY22 monday buenos aires / inflight

Today we are taken to the airport for our flight

to Sydney, via Santiago. (B& Meals inflight)

DAY23 tuesday Inflight / australia

You arrive home late today. Welcome Home!

Page 44: South & Central America

PERU

CHILE

BOLIVIA

Lake TiticacaPuno

Machu PicchuPuerto Maldonado

Cuzco

Santiago

Lima

La Paz

44 inca tours - excellence in travel

main square, lima, peru

16 daysbolivia & peru part

includedhighlights

• 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.

includedfine 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.

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

first part ofsouth america sensations tour

DAY 1 TODAY 13 australia / la pazThe itinerary for the First Part of Sensations is the same as South America Sensations fromDay1 to Day13. Please see pages 41 and 42.

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

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

DAY 16 tuesday inflight / australiaYou arrive home early morning.Welcome Home!

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.

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.

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.

first part of tour Dates

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

First part of tour costs

$12,390 Per person twin-share

$10,890 Per person twin-sharestarting in Lima & ending in La Paz

$1,547 Single supplement

$4,500 Business-class upgrade

Page 45: South & Central America

incatours.net 45

includedhighlights

• Experienced senior tour leader.

• Expert local guides in each location.

• All airfares, departure taxes& tipping.

• Three nights at the Das CataratasHotel, 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 SugarLoaf Mountain& the Statue of Christ.

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

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

includedfine 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.

second part ofsouth america sensations tour

view from sugar loaf mountain, rio, brazil

DAY 1 saturday australia/ buenos airesToday you fly to Buenos Aires, via Santiago, fora one-night stopover. As you cross the Date Lineyou ‘gain’ a day, so you arrive later on Saturday.

DAY2 sunday buenos aires / IguassuToday you fly to Iguassu Falls, where you aremet and taken to your hotel for three relaxingnights. Later today you meet the other membersof your Sensations Tour when they arrive. (B)

DAY3 TODAY 11 iguassu falls / australiaThe itinerary for the Second Part of Sensationsis the same as the South America SensationsTour from Day15 to Day23. Please see page 43.

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.

second part tour Dates

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

second part tour costs

$11,590 Per person twin-share

$10,690 Per person twin-sharestarting Iguassu & ending Buenos Aires

$2,229 Single supplement

$4,500 Business-class upgrade

BRAZIL

ARGENTINA

IguassuFalls

Rio de Janeiro

Buenos Aires

11 daysargentina& brazil part

Page 46: South & Central America

46 inca tours - excellence in travel

the pinnacle of opulence & serviceInca Tours has forged a reputation for opulence and outstanding service based on over 35 continuousyears of travel experience. Exclusive Gold South America is the ultimate private luxury departure andincludes most of the highlights of South America, staying in some of the very best hotels on thecontinent. It utilises our handpicked expert English-speaking local guides in each and every destination you visit.

private departures when you wantYou 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 decidewhat standard of hotels you want to stay in. You have complete control over what you will and moreimportantly, what you won’t be doing. Our private departures “run like clockwork”, as most of ourguests have reported. In each and every destination you visit, our handpicked expert English-speakingguides are there for you and you alone. From airport arrivals (and departures), to transfers, to landborder crossings, to city and sightseeing tours, to special evening dining events, your experiencedpersonal guides are at your service. Many of our local guides have been working with Inca Tours formany years, so they know precisely what we and our clients expect. You are in the very best of handson a private Exclusive Gold South America departure!

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

exclusive gold the ultimate privateluxury tour ofsouth america

Page 47: South & Central America

reside insome of thebest hotelsand lodges,combinedwith the ultimate inclusions,as well asfine dining.

privatedepartureswhen youwant, fortwo or morefriends,utilising ourhandpickedexpertlocal guides.

the finest hotels & lodges

incatours.net 47

Page 48: South & Central America

48 inca tours - excellence in travel

luxury-class hotelslodges, trains & vessels

exclusive gold

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

brazil

peruthe aubreyboutiquehotel,santiago

cabanas dellago hotel,puerto varas

llao llaohotel & resort, bariloche

sofitel,buenos aires

belmond hotel dascataratas,iguassu falls

belmond copacabanapalace,rio de janeiro

argentina

Page 49: South & Central America

incatours.net 49

HOTEL B,lima

inkaterrareserva amazonica jungle lodge,Tambopata

tambo del inka hotel,sacred valleyof the incas

belmondhiram bingham train,cuzco tomachu picchureturn

inkaterra machu picchupueblo hotel,machu picchuvillage

belmond hotel monasterio, cuzco

andean explorer train,cuzco to puno

hotel titilaka,lake titicaca

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

world classhotels & facilities

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.

bolivia*

Page 50: South & Central America

50 inca tours - excellence in travel

includedhighlights

• 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.

• 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.

includedfine 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 ofwhich are tour highlights. In addition,a number of meals are served on flights.

exclusive gold southamerica

30 or 32 days PERU

CHILE

BRAZIL

BOLIVIA

ARGENTINA

Lake Titicaca

Puno

Machu Picchu

Iguassu Falls

PuertoMaldonado

Cuzco

Bariloche

Rio de Janeiro

Santiago

Puerto Montt & Puerto Varas

Lima

La Paz

Buenos Aires

Page 51: South & Central America

incatours.net 51

lake nahuel huapi & llao Llao Hotel, bariloche, argentina

santiago de chile at dusk

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)

DAY2 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)

DAY3 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)

DAY4 saturday Puerto Varas / BarilocheAfter breakfast you commence the spectacular

Southern Lakes Crossing, a combination of

bus and boat travel traversing this

picturesque area. You are collected

from your hotel and travel by

coach around the shores of Lake

Llanquihue. After entering

Vicente Perez Rosales National

Park you visit Petrohue Falls. You

then cross Todos Los Santos Lake,

seeing Osorno Volcano and the

peak of El Tronador Mountain,

to Peulla. After lunch in Peulla

you cross the Vicente Perez Rosales Pass into

Argentina. You then travel by catamaran across

Frias Lake to Puerto Alegre where you board

a bus to Puerto Blest. From Puerto Blest to

Puerto Panuelo is again by catamaran, this

time on the famous Nahuel Huapi Lake. On

arrival at Puerto Panuelo you will be taken to

the luxurious Llao Llao Hotel& Resort fortwo fabulous nights. (BL)

DAY 5 sunday BarilocheBariloche, 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.

Today’s tour follows the southern shore of Lake

Nahuel Huapi. You might catch sight of the

highest mountain of the area, El Tronador

(The Thunderer), whose snow capped peaks

rise to 3,554 metres. The road

then takes you through a coyhue

forest, an indigenous evergreen

of the beech family. You then

follow the southern edge of Lake

Moreno under the steep cliffs of

Mount Lopez to the spectacular

Panoramic Point for a magnificent

view looking back towards the

Andes. This breathtaking view

includes Lake Moreno, the Llao

Llao Hotel and the northern arm of Lake

Nahuel Huapi including Victoria Island. (BL)

DAY6 monday Bariloche / Buenos Aires

This morning you fly to cosmopolitan Buenos

Aires, where you have three fabulous nights.

Tonight enjoy dinner at a traditional Argentine

steak house. (BD)

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.

exclusive gold south americaitinerary

Thank you very much

for organising such a

great trip.Everything

went like clockwork.

We felt so completely

relaxed knowing we

were in good hands.

Mr& Mrs Zaitseff NSW

a tour fortwo or more

friends

Page 52: South & Central America

52 inca tours - excellence in travel

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)

DAY8 wednesday Buenos AiresToday is entirely at leisure in Buenos Aires. (B)

DAY9 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 JaneiroIn 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 FallsAfter 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

iguassu falls & das cataratas hotel

Page 53: South & Central America

incatours.net 53

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)

DAY 16 thursday Lima / Amazon JungleYou 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

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 17 friday Amazon Jungle

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)

DAY 18 saturday Amazon Jungle

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,

you literally walk through the treetops for one

and a half hours along suspension bridges that

link eight observation platforms. You enjoy vistas

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)

sandoval lake, amazon Jungle, peru

the sacred valley of the incas, peru

Page 54: South & Central America

54 inca tours - excellence in travel

DAY 19 sunday Amazon / Sacred Valley

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)

DAY20 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)

DAY21 tuesday ollanta / Machu Picchu

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)

DAY22 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)

DAY23 thursday Cuzco

Cuzco is the archaeological capital of

the Americas and the continent’s oldest

continuously inhabited city. Massive Inca-

built 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)

DAY24 friday Cuzco

Today is entirely at leisure to further explore

this historic and charming little city. (B)

DAY25 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

Cuzco local & original inca stonework

Page 55: South & Central America

incatours.net 55

DAY26 sunday Lake Titicaca

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+)

DAY27 monday Lake Titicaca

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+)

DAY28 tuesday titicaca / LIMA / SANTIAGO

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)

floating islands of los uros, lake titicaca, peru

DAY29 wednesday SANTIAGO / inflight

Today you return to Santiago Airport for your

direct flight to Sydney. (B& Meals Inflight)

DAY30 thursday inflight / australia

You arrive in Sydney late today.Welcome Home!

2 DAY BOLIVIA EXTENSION

DAY28 tuesday titicaca / sun is / la paz

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)

DAY29 wednesday La Paz

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,

the Presidential Palace, Obrajes and Calacoto.

You also visit the unusual formations of the

spectacular Moon Valley, outside of La Paz. (B)

DAY30 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)

DAY31 friday Santiago / inflight

Today you return to Santiago Airport for your

flight to Sydney. (B&Meals Inflight)

DAY32 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 extensiveitinerary such as this. You avoid thewinter and the summer.

costs for exclusive gold

$24,200 Per person twin-share

$4,500 Business-class upgrade

bolivia extension (2 days)

$1,660 Per person twin-shareTerms & conditions apply. Costs may change prior to receiptof full payment due to circumstances beyond our control.

Page 56: South & Central America

56 inca tours - excellence in travel

young lions

includedhighlights

• 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 LlaoHotel, 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 SugarLoaf Mountain& the Statue of Christ.

• Two nights at fabulous Iguassu Falls.

• Comprehensive walking tours of theArgentine& Brazilian sides of Iguassu.

includedfine dining

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

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

first part ofexclusive gold south america

DAY 1 TODAY 13 australia / IGUASSU FALLSPlease see Days1 to13 on pages 51& 52 for theitinerary of the Exclusive Gold First Part.

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

DAY 15 wednesday inflightToday is spent inflight as you re-cross the International Date Line and ‘lose’ a day.

DAY 16 thursday inflight / australiaYou arrive home this morning. Welcome Home!

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.

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 three-

night 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.

first part Exclusive golddeparts when you want!

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

Having said that, the First Part ofExclusive Gold can be undertaken allyear round, it’s up to you!

costs for first part

$13,190 Per person twin-share

$4,500 Business-class upgradeTerms & conditions apply. Costs may change prior to receiptof full payment due to circumstances beyond our control.

CHILE

BRAZIL

ARGENTINA Iguassu Falls

Bariloche

Rio de Janeiro

Santiago

Puerto Montt& Puerto Varas

Buenos Aires the southern lakes crossing & osorno volcano

16 daysargentinabrazil& chile

Page 57: South & Central America

second part exclusive golddeparts when you want!

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

costs for second part

$13,490 Per person twin-share

$4,500 Business-class upgrade

bolivia extension (2 days)

$1,660 Per person twin-shareTerms & conditions apply. Costs may change prior to receiptof full payment due to circumstances beyond our control.

incatours.net 57

machu picchu

includedfine 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 ofexclusive gold south america

DAY 1 tuesday australia / limaToday 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)

DAY2 TODAY 17 lima / australiaThe 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.

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!

PERU

CHILE

BOLIVIALake Titicaca

Puno

Machu PicchuPuerto Maldonado

Cuzco

Santiago

Lima

La Paz

17or 19 daysperu &Bolivia*

includedhighlights

• 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.

Page 58: South & Central America

Santiago

Santa Cruz San Cristobal

Pinta

North Seymour

Marchena

Isabela

Genovesa

Floreana

Fernandina

Espanola

Baltra

Charles DarwinRes St.

Puerto Ayora Puerto Baquerizo

Moreno

Puerto Egas

PACIFIC OCEAN

58 inca tours - excellence in travel

sea lions, galapagos islands

4 to 15 daysgalapagoscruises

galapagos islands cruisingmore to enjoy before heading home!san cristobal islandSan Cristobal hosts frigate birds, sea lions, gianttortoises, blue and red-footed boobies, dolphins,tropicbirds, marine iguanas and gulls. It is hometo the second airport serving the Galapagos.

santa cruz islandSanta Cruz boasts large tortoise populations andthe Charles Darwin Research Station. Hereyoung tortoises are hatched, reared and preparedfor reintroduction to their natural habitat. SantaCruz is also famous for its gigantic lava tunnels.

isabela islandIsabela is the largest of the Galapagos. HereGalapagos penguins, flightless cormorants,marine iguanas, pelicans and Sally Lightfootcrabs abound. Land iguanas and Galapagostortoises can also be seen, as well as Darwinfinches, Galapagos hawks and Galapagos doves.

floreana island Floreana has one of the most interesting historiesof the Galapagos. At Post Office Bay, since the18th Century, whalers kept a wooden barrel thatserved as a post office so mail could be collectedand delivered by ships on their way home. Greensea turtles and flamingos nest on this island.

santiago islandSantiago has marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals,land and sea turtles, flamingos, dolphins andsharks. Darwin finches and Galapagos hawksare usually seen, as well as a colony of fur seals.

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.

masked Booby

bartolome islandBartolome 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 islandThe 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 islandAlso known as “South Seymour”, Baltra is a

small flat, arid island located near the centre of

the Galapagos and houses the original airport.

espanola islandEspanola 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.

Page 59: South & Central America

incatours.net 59

land iguana, galapagos islands

duration of cruisesWe 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 boardWe 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.

rabida islandHere 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 islandDaphne 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 red-

billed tropic birds, Nazca boobies and finches.

north seymour islandThis island boasts a large population of blue-

footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. It hosts

one of the largest populations of frigate birds.

genovesa islandThis 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. Red-

footed boobies, noddy terns, lava gulls, tropic

birds, doves, storm petrels, Darwin finches and

Nazca boobies are also found on this island.

south plaza islandIguanas (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.

cruise vesselsName of vessel Star rating Max capacityCoral I& Coral II* 4-star 36& 20

Cormorant 5-star 16

Galaven 3-star 20

La Pinta# 5-star 48

Majestic 4-star 16

Ocean Spray 5-star 16

Origin 5-star 20

flights to the galapagosMost 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

$3,197 pp sharing Superior-class*

$4,868 pp sharing Luxury-class#

do it BEFORE

1 Before the South America SensationsTour on page 40.

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

do it AFTER

3 After Exclusive Gold South America on page 50.

4 After the Best of Colombia on page 65.

giant galapagos tortoises

off vessel excursion

Page 60: South & Central America

ARGENTINA Falkland Islands(Isla Malvinas)

Petermann Island

King George IslandDrake Passage

Deception IslandCuverville

Island AntarcticPeninsula

Ushuaia

60 inca tours - excellence in travel

crashing glacier, antarctica

antarctica, the “white continent”explore the globe’s most remote placeAntarctic PeninsulaThe Antarctic Peninsula is part of the AntarcticContinent and is the continuation of themountain chain that runs from North Americathrough South America to the Scotia Sea. Hereit continues as a mainly sub-marine ridge untilit appears above sea level at the northern tip ofthe Antarctic Peninsula. Eight hundred km longwith its highest peaks rising to 2,800 metres, thepeninsula offers the most dramatic scenery andthe greatest variety of wildlife in Antarctica. Youwill be overwhelmed by its number of icebergs!

The Ross SeaJoin us for a spectacular expedition to the RossSea. This is your ultimate chance to sail to thesouthern parts of the Antarctic Peninsula andvisit Shackleton’s and Scott’s huts, McMurdoStation, the Dry Valleys and enroute to NewZealand, Macquarie Island. The strongest ice-class vessel, is equipped with helicopters for thisvoyage, as the Ross Ice Shelf is a floating mass ofice, with a front 30 metres high. Ross Sea floraand fauna is very different to the peninsula’s.

Weddell SeaThe huge Weddell Sea at its widest is morethan 2,000 km across and is located on thesouth-east side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Theborders of the Weddell Sea are formed by hugefloating sheets of ice. These ice-shelves producethe huge tabular ice-bergs that are so abundantin the Weddell Sea. A colony of more than

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 zodiac excursion

100,000 pairs of Adelie Penguins live on volcanic

Paulet Island.Recently an Emperor Penguin

colony was discovered in the Weddell Sea.

South Shetland IslandsThe 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 IslandSouth 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 IslandsAlthough 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.

6 to32 daysantarctica

Page 61: South & Central America

incatours.net 61

view from the deck

photogenic locals

duration of cruisesWe 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 vesselsMost 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.

our antarctic partnersWe work very closely with companies whomanage and operate their own ice-class vesselsand aircraft. They all comply with the highestinternational safety standards. The size, capacityand capability of these small ships has provento be a successful formula for exploring remoteAntarctica. Antarctic landings (regardless of the vessel) are restricted to a maximum of 100people at a time. Most expedition vessels offer acomfortable, friendly and informal atmosphereand are ideal for exploration; manoeuvringthrough pack ice; bird watching; and helicopterlandings. The two Silver Sea vessels on theother hand are luxurious and all-inclusive.

Name of vessel Star rating Max capacityOcean Nova* 3 to 4-star 68

Ortelius 3 to 4-star 106

Plancius 3 to 4-star 114

Silver Discoverer# 5-star plus 128

Silver Explorer 5-star plus 132

cruise starting pointsUshuaia 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 SensationsTour on page 40. (March departure only)

2 Before the Australis South PatagoniaCruise on page 62.

do it AFTER

3 After Exclusive Gold South America on page 50.

zodiac excursion

Page 62: South & Central America

Aguila Glacier ARGENTINA

CHILE

Ushuaia

Cape HornWulaia Bay

Punta ArenasMagdalena Island

62 inca tours - excellence in travel

australis cruise vessel & excursion

4 daysaustraliscruise

australis south patagonia cruiseexplore the “end of the earth”DAY2 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 goashore. 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)

DAY3 Friday Agostini Sound & aguilaYou 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

DAY 1 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)

tierra del fuego, argentina

experience the beauty of Patagonia’s cold rain

forest and to observe how the power of nature

has moulded this spectacular place. (BLD)

DAY4 Saturday arrive Punta Arenas

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 SensationsTour on page 40.

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

Page 63: South & Central America

San RafaelGlacier

CHILE

QuitralcoPuerto Aguirre

Chiloe

Puerto Montt

incatours.net 63

skorpios II & san rafael glacier, chile

5 daysskorpios IIcruise

off vessel excursion

DAY2 sunday skorpios II CruiseToday your cruise vessel navigates through the Moraleda and Ferronave Channels, laterarriving at the fishing village of Puerto Aguirre.You continue on through the Ferronave,Pilcomayo and Costa Channels before droppinganchor at Hualas Cove, 20 nautical miles fromthe awe-inspiring San Rafael Glacier! (BLD)

DAY3 Monday Skorpios II CruiseWhile enjoying breakfast your vessel enters the San Rafael Lagoon and anchors a little wayfrom San Rafael Glacier. Weather permitting,small boat excursions are undertaken among themulticoloured icebergs. This afternoon yourship moves closer to the glacier before settingsail for Quitralco Fjord early this evening. (BLD)

DAY4 Tuesday Skorpios II CruiseToday your vessel berths at Quitralco Pier whereyou have the opportunity to bathe in the hotsprings. If weather permits, you undertake a boatexcursion into the fjord. This evening your vesselsets sail towards Chiloe and navigates throughthe Moraleda and Perez Norte Channels. (BLD)

DAY 5 Wednesday Skorpios II CruiseAround breakfast time your vessel undertakesthe Corcovado Gulf Crossing during which

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)

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)

DAY6 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 GoldSouth America on page 50.

2 Before (or after) a visit to Torres delPaine National Park on page 67.

do it AFTER

3 After (or before) the South AmericaSensations Tour on page 40.

4 After the Australis Cruise on page 62.

skorpios II chilean fjords cruisenavigate chile’s fjords & glaciers

Page 64: South & Central America

Iquitos

Pacaya Samiria Reserve

Maranon River

Ucayali River

NautaAmazon River

Pacaya River

PERU

64 inca tours - excellence in travel

aria amazon cruise vessel

4 to8daysamazoncruises

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 cruisesWe 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 cruisesAll 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.

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. Pacaya-

Samiria 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.

delphin amazon cruise vessel

cruise vesselsThese 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 capacityAmatista* 4-star cabins 31

Aqua Amazon 5-star suites 24

Aria Amazon 5-star suites 32

Delfin I 5-star suites 8

Delfin II# 5-star suites 28

amazon cruise costs

$2,332 pp sharing Superior-class*

$4,167 pp sharing Luxury-class#

do it BEFORE

1 Before the South America SensationsTour on page 40.

do it AFTER

2 After Exclusive Gold South America onpage 50.

3 After the Best of Colombia Tour onpage 65.

amazon river luxury cruisingsail the amazon in absolute comfort

Page 65: South & Central America

Bogota

San AugustinCOLOMBIA

Cartagena

EAN SEA

incatours.net 65

cartagena, colombia

salt cathedral, zipaquira, colombia

DAY3 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 UNESCOWorld

Heritage Site of pre-Colombian archaeological

significance, the largest in South America. (B)

DAY4 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 UNESCOWorld

Heritage Listing. (B)

DAY 1 Arrive BogotaOn 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.

DAY2 Bogota –zipaquiraA 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)

DAY6 Cartagena Your day starts with a city tour including the Convent of La Popa, built on a hill at thebeginning of the17th Century and from wherea magnificent view of the city is had. Youcontinue to San Felipe Fort, built to protectthe city, after which you are taken on a walkthrough the beautiful Old Walled City, hometo streets of brightly coloured Colonial houses,beautiful balconies and quaint squares. (B)

DAY 7 Cartagena You are at leisure to enjoy Cartagena. (B)

DAY8 Depart CartagenaToday 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 SensationsTour 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.

8 daysthe best ofcolombia

the best of colombiadiscover colombia’s hidden gems

Page 66: South & Central America

ARGENTINA

PeritoMorenoGlacier

El Calafate

UpsalaGlacier

Buenos Aires

66 inca tours - excellence in travel

perito moreno glacier, argentina

4 daysperitomoreno &upsala

perito moreno & upsala glaciersextend you stay and see the glaciersPerito 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)

DAY3 Calafate – Upsala glacierEarly 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.

DAY 1 arrive El CalafateOn 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.

DAY2 Calafate– Perito MorenoFrom 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

upsala glacier, argentina

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)

DAY4 depart el CalafateAt 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 Americaon page 50.

2 Before the Australis South PatagoniaCruise on page 62.

AFTER

3 After the South America SensationsTour on page 40.

Page 67: South & Central America

CHILE

Torres del Paine NPPunta Arenas

incatours.net 67

torres del paine & explora hotel

4 to5 daystorres delpaine np

torres del paine National parka world famous wilderness area

torres del paine np, chile guanacos, torres del paine np

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.

duration of staysWe 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.

getting to torres del paine NPThere 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.

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 hotelsThere is a wide choice of properties located

inside, bordering and some distance from

Torres del Paine National Park.

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.

Name of hotel Star ratingEcocamp Patagonia (unusual)* 3-star

Explora Patagonia (inside the NP) 5-star

Las Torres Patagonia Hotel# 4-star

The Singular@ 5-star

Tierra Patagonia 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 AmericaSensations Tour on page 40.

2 Before (or after) Exclusive Gold SouthAmerica on page 50.

do it AFTER

3 After the Australis Cruise on page 62or the Skorpios II Cruise on page 63.

Page 68: South & Central America

Salar de Atacama(Atacama Salt Flat)

CHILE

San Pedro de Atacama

Calama

Atacama Desert

68 inca tours - excellence in travel

pink flamingo, the atacama desert, chile

4 to5 daysatacamadesert

Most hotels in the Atacama offer activities and

excursions which allow you to explore the nature

and history of the place. These activities can be

on foot, on horseback, by bicycle or by vehicle

and are accompanied by our expert local guides.

duration of staysWe 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 desertThere 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.

The Atacama Desert (in places the driest desert

in the world) is situated in the far north of

Chile, near San Pedro de Atacama village.

The Atacama possesses a strange environment,

almost Mars-like in places! Your days here are

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.

licancabur volcano, the atacama

atacama desert hotelsThere 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 AmericaSensations 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.

church, san pedro de atacama

the atacama desertexplore the world’s driest desert

Page 69: South & Central America

MataveriHanga PikoHanga Roa

Motu Nui Island

Vaihu

AkahangaAhu Tongariki

Orongo

Ana KaiTangata

VinapuRano Kao Volcano

RanoRarakuVolcano

Terevaka Hill 507 m

AnakenaBeach

SOUTHPACIFICOCEAN

incatours.net 69

moai statues, easter island

4 to5 dayseasterisland

easter islandspend time on this remote island!

rano kao volcano, easter 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.

4,000 kilometres from Chile, the most remoteplace in the world is an island which stillholds a special mystery and magic. Rapa Nui,as the natives called it, was discovered onEaster Sunday1722 and thus to this day, isstill referred to as Easter Island. This isolatedplace, entirely volcanic in origin, is a vastoutdoor museum dotted with over 600 giantMoai statues that have intrigued the world for many centuries. We usually recommendthree or four nights on Easter Island. Thisallows you to undertake tours of the mostimportant sites and also have some time atleisure to explore the local village or have aswim in the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

easter island hotelsThere 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 Star ratingExplora Rapa Nui@ 5-star

Hanga Roa Eco Village& Spa 5-star

Hare Noi Hotel# 4-star

Iorana Hotel* 3-star

flights to easter islandYou 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 AmericaSensations Tour on page 40.

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

Page 70: South & Central America

ECUADOR

Otavalo

Cotopaxi▲

Guayaquil

Quito

70 inca tours - excellence in travel

onboard the tren crucero, ecuador’s highlands

5 to9 daysa taste ofecuador

DAY3 Quito – Otavalo MarketsToday 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)

DAY4 Quito – CotopaxiAfter 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 quitoYou 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.

DAY 1 arrive QuitoOn arrival in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, you

are met and taken to your hotel for four nights.

DAY2 QuitoYou 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)

middle of the world monument

the exceptional tren cruceroExtend 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 SensationsTour on page 40.

do it AFTER

2 After Exclusive Gold South America on page 50.

a taste of ecuador & Tren cruceromake your tour more memorable!

Page 71: South & Central America

ECUADOR

Quito

Mashpi Reserve

incatours.net 71

cotopaxi volcano, ecuador

4 to7 daysspirit ofthe andes

markets, ecuador

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)

DAY3 Riobamba / CuencaAn early start sees you on the road passing multi-

coloured 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)

DAY4 depart cuencaCuenca 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)

Alternatively and at extra cost, you can stay in

Cuenca and be driven to Guayaquil tomorrow.

DAY 1 depart quito / PatateToday 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)

DAY2 Patate / Banos / RiobambaYou 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

mashpi cloud forest lodgeSpending 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 toSuperior-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 orExclusive Gold on pages 40 & 50.

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

spirit of the andes & MASHPI lodgechill out in ecuador’s highlands

Page 72: South & Central America

Red Lagoon

UyuniSalt Flat

Green Lagoon

Salar de Atacama(Atacama Salt Flat)CHILE

BOLIVIA

UyuniOjo de Perdiz

Colchani

San Pedro de Atacama Atacama

Desert

PotosiSucre

La Paz

72 inca tours - excellence in travel

uyuni salt flat, bolivia

5 daysuyuni salt flat

DAY3 ColchaniAn 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)

DAY4 Colchani / Ojo de PerdizYou 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

DAY 1 Arrive sucreOn 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)

DAY2 sucre / potosi / ColchaniToday 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)

the red lagoon, bolivia

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 toSuperior-class

Not available in Luxury-class

do it BEFORE

1 Before the South America SensationsTour on page 40.

2 Before a visit to the Atacama Deserton page 68.

do it AFTER

3 After Exclusive Gold South Americaon page 50.

uyuni salt flatstep on the world’s largest salt lake

Page 73: South & Central America

PERUBallestas Islands

Pisco / ParacasNazca

Lima

incatours.net 73

nazca lines, peru

2 daysnazca &paracas

coastline, paracas, peru

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 1 depart lima / pisco / Nazca Lines / ParacasThis 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, high-

wing, 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

DAY2 Paracas / Ballestas Islands / pisco / LimaEarly 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

$931pp sharing Superior-class

$1,014 pp sharing Luxury-class

do it BEFORE

1 Before the South America SensationsTour on page 40.

2 Before the Second Part of ExclusiveGold South America on page 57.

do it AFTER

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

paracas marine reserve, peru

nazca lines & paracas marine reserveview these mysterious markings

Page 74: South & Central America

74 inca tours - excellence in travel

central americasensationsthe ultimate mexico, cuba & Guatemalatourthe highlights in a shorter periodThe 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 highlightdestinations and is escorted by an experienced tour leader with assistance from our expert English-speaking local guides. The hotels used on the Sensations Tour are very well located, of a very highstandard and exhibit all the charm and character that is Cuba, Guatemala and Mexico.

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

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

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

Page 75: South & Central America

great hotels& lodges inthe very bestlocations,combinedwith themust see & doinclusions, as well as fine dining.

guaranteed max 18 guestseach tour,with tour leader & expert localguides meansan extremelypersonalisedexperience.

incatours.net 75

superior class hotels

& lodges

Page 76: South & Central America

76 inca tours - excellence in travel

superior-classhotels

sensations

It is envisaged that you will be hosted in the followingexquisite hotels during your tour.

cuba

mexico

hotel nacional de cuba,havana

brisas trinidad del mar,trinidad

posada de don rodrigo, antigua

posada de don rodrigo, panajachel

guatemala

Page 77: South & Central America

incatours.net 77

the veryfinest

properties

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.

hotel villa maya,flores

hotel casa blanca,mexico city

villa mercedeshotel,palenque

hotel plazacampeche,campeche

haciendachichen,chichen itza

ocean coral,playa del carmen

Page 78: South & Central America

78 inca tours - excellence in travel

includedhighlights

• 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.

• 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 UNESCOWorld 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.

• 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. *Subject to 4 or more guests.

includedfine 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.Our experienced tour leader will makerecommendations 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: 22breakfasts,12 lunches& 7 dinners, some of whichare tour highlights. In addition, a number of meals are served on flights.

MEXICO

GUATEMALA

CUBA

Playa delCarmen

Chichen Itza

Palenque

Campeche UxmalTikal

Panajachel Antigua

FloresChichicastenango

Trinidad

Cienfuegos

Mexico City

Havana

Guatemala City

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

25 days

Page 79: South & Central America

incatours.net 79

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)

DAY2 Saturday Lima / HavanaAfter 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 in1514 by

explorer Diego Velazquez and the original city,

with its narrow streets and rich diversity of

Colonial buildings is a UNESCOWorld Heritage

Site. At sunset Havana’s bars and cafes come

to life with the rhythm of Salsa and Jazz. (B)

DAY3 Sunday HavanaWe 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)

DAY4 Monday HavanaOur day starts with a visit to a Cuban Cigar

Factory where we see the process of rolling

these world-class cigars. We then stop in at

Cuba’s famous Havana Club Rum Factory.

Later we visit the Museo de la Revolucion.

Fidel Castro, rose to power with a

historic assault on the capital that

has resulted in almost 50 years of

Communist rule. The Museum of

the Revolution in Havana offers

exhibits that pertain to the Cuban

Revolution, as well as to the

Cuban War of Independence.

Tonight we are taken out for

dinner and a typical Cuban

Cabaret. Ooh la la! (BD)

DAY 5 Tuesday Havana / TrinidadThis 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)

DAY6 Wednesday TrinidadTrinidad was declared a World Heritage Site

by UNESCO in1988 and today this “Museum

Town” exudes an obvious Spanish Colonial

atmosphere of pastel painted buildings, with

tiled roof tops, cobbled stone streets, Baroque

church towers and wrought iron

gates. The classic old American

cars and horse drawn carts add

to the ambiance of a by-gone era.

Today we undertake a tour of

the old town of Trinidad. One

of the highlights is a guided tour

of the Museum of Architecture

showcasing upper-class domestic

architecture of the18th and19th

Centuries. This afternoon you

can relax and enjoy the sparkling waters of

the Caribbean Sea. (BLD)

DAY 7 Thursday Trinidad / Mexico CityWe 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)

cuba, guatemala & mexico sensationstour itinerary

Our tour of CentralAmerica & Cuba wasabove all expectations.We enjoyed every day.Vee, you were truly anexcellent tour leader,in fact you could nothave been better.E Bryan& L Lander ACT

never morethan 18 in aninca group!

lake atitlan, guatemala

classic old america car, cuba

Page 80: South & Central America

80 inca tours - excellence in travel

DAY8 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)

DAY9 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 / AntiguaToday 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 AntiguaThis 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 / PanajachelWe 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 AtitlanLake 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 / FloresWe 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 – TikalToday 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

antigua, guatemala

Page 81: South & Central America

incatours.net 81

Day 16 Saturday flores / PalenqueWe 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)

DAY 17 Sunday PalenqueToday 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 medium-

sized 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 / CampecheWe 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 CampecheWe undertake a comprehensive city tour of

Campeche, founded in1540 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

UNESCOWorld Heritage status in1999. (BL)

chichen itza, mexico

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

$2,700 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.

DAY20 Wednesday Campeche / Chichen Itza

We are driven from Campeche into the State

of Yucatan to reach the archeological site of

Uxmal, a UNESCOWorld 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)

DAY21 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 two-hour drive to Playa del Carmen and our idyllicresort on the Caribbean for two nights. (BLD)

DAY22 Friday Playa del CarmenToday is entirely at leisure to relax. (BLD)

DAY23 Saturday depart playa del CarmenThis morning we fly to Santiago. On arrival weconnect with our flight back to Australia. (B)

DAY24 Sunday InflightToday we re-cross the Date Line. (Meals inflight)

DAY25 Monday arrive AustraliaYou arrive home this morning. Welcome Home!

Page 82: South & Central America

MEXICO

Mexico City

CreelChihuahua

Los Mochis& El Fuerte

Bahuichivo Barrancas

82 inca tours - excellence in travel

one of forty bridges

6dayscoppercanyon

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)

DAY3 Cerocahui / BarrancasEarly 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)

DAY 1 Mexico City / El FuerteThis 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”.

DAY2 El Fuerte / CerocahuiYou 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

the spectacular Sierra Madre Canyons

DAY4 Barrancas / CreelThis morning you are taken on a tour to theBalancing Rock and Three Canyons OverlookPoint, where an aerial tramway is located.Afterwards you continue by train to Creelwhere you stay for one night. (B)

DAY 5 Creel / ChihuahuaYou undertake a tour of Creel during whichyou visit Arareco Lake, San Ignacio Mission andthe Tarahumara Indian Caves. This afternoonyou continue by train to Chihuahua where youhave accommodation for night. (B)

DAY6 Chihuahua / Mexico CityYou 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 SensationsTour on page 78.

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

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

mexico’s copper canyon train journeylatin america’s most scenic rail trip

Page 83: South & Central America

PANAMA

Panama City

Panama Canal

incatours.net 83

the panama canal

old panama city

DAY3 Panama Canal by boatEarly 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

DAY 1 Arrive Panama CityOn arrival in Panama City you are met and

taken to your hotel for three (or four) nights.

DAY2 Panama Canal by trainToday 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)

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)

DAY4 Panama City ORdepartYou 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

$1,244pp 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 CanyonTour on page 82.

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

3 or4dayspanama city

panama city & the panama canalthe modern world’s eight wonder

Page 84: South & Central America

COSTA RICA

San Jose

Manuel Antonio NP

Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge

Arenal Monteverde Cloud Forest

Tortuguero NP

84 inca tours - excellence in travel

suspended canopy walk, monteverde

4 to 10 dayscosta rica

costa ricamore to enjoy before heading home!DAY2 Arenal – Cano Negro National Wildlife RefugeCosta 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)

DAY3 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)

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.

butterfly, monteverde

DAY4 Santa Elena / Monteverde / Manuel AntonioOn 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 AntonioYou have an early morning guided excursion

to Manuel Antonio National Park, with the

remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy it.

Established in1972, 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)

Page 85: South & Central America

incatours.net 85

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 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.

DAY6 Manuel Antonio / San JoseAfter 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 & surroundsToday 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)

DAY8 Depart San JoseThis morning you are taken to the airport

where your tour comes to an end. (B)

DAY2 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)

DAY3 tortuguero NP / san joseToday you return to San Jose, either by land or

by air, to enjoy your last night in Costa Rica. (B)

DAY4 depart san joseAfter 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

$2,407pp sharing Superior-class

$2,946 pp sharing Luxury-class

turtuguero NP (4 days)

$496 pp sharing Tourist-class

$544 pp sharing Superior-class

$1,001pp sharing Luxury-class

do it BEFORE

1 Before (or after) the Cuba, Guatemala& Mexico Sensations Tour on page 78.

orchids, manuel Antonio NP

deer, manuel antonio NP

Page 86: South & Central America

86 inca tours - excellence in travel

machu picchu from Huayna picchu game of golf, la paz’s moon valley

at iguassu falls, in rio, at machu picchu & in la paz

tour enhancers

You can choose to add the following activities to yourtour at our special rates as listed on the price insert.

harbour boat excursion, riohelicopter over iguassu falls helicopter over rio de janeiro

climbing Huayna picchu

Page 87: South & Central America

incatours.net 87

exclusive gold combinations

combining tourssensations combinations

days exclusive gold & extensions pages36+ exclusive gold +galapagos ISLANDS Cruise 50 & 5838+ antarctic cruise + exclusive gold 60 & 5036 australis cruise + exclusive gold 62 & 5037 skorpios II cruise + exclusive gold 63 & 5036+ exclusive gold +amazon RIVER LUXURY cruise 50 & 6440 exclusive gold +THE BEST OF COLOMBIA 50 & 6536 perito moreno glaCIER + exclusive gold 66 & 5036+ exclusive gold +TORRES DEL PAINE NP 50 & 6736+ THE ATACAMA DESERT + exclusive gold 68 & 5036+ exclusive gold + EASTER ISLAND 50 & 6937 exclusive gold +A TASTE OF ECUADOR 50 & 7036+ exclusive gold+ THE SPIRIT OF THE ANDES 50 & 7137 exclusive gold+UYUNI SALT FLAT 50 & 7234 exclusive gold +NAZCA LINES & PARACAS 50 & 73

days sensations tour & extensions pages27+ sensations TOUR+galapagos ISLANDS Cruise 40 & 5827 sensations TOUR +australis PATAGONIA cruise 40 & 6228 skorpios II FJORDS cruise + sensations tour 63 & 4027+ amazon RIVER LUXURY cruise + sensations TOUR 64 & 4031 THE BEST OF COLOMBIA + sensations TOUR 65 & 4027 sensations TOUR + perito moreno GLACIER 40 & 6627+ TORRES DEL PAINE NP + sensations TOUR 67 & 4027+ sensations TOUR +THE ATACAMA DESERT 40 & 6827+ sensations TOUR + EASTER ISLAND 40 & 6928 A TASTE OF ECUADOR + sensations TOUR 70 & 4027+ THE SPIRIT OF THE ANDES + sensations TOUR 71 & 4028 UYUNI SALT FLAT + sensations TOUR 72 & 4025 NAZCA LINES & PARACAS + sensations TOUR 73 & 40

Page 88: South & Central America

INCA TOURSHead office 68 Pacific Highway, Wyong NSW 2259 Australia

Telephone (02) 4351 2133 Facsimile (02) 4351 2526

Toll free from within Australia1800 024 955

Email [email protected]

Web www.incatours.net

ABN 28 112 971 838

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

EXCELLENCE INTRAVEL

africa& the middle east

over

35 years of travel

experience�

��

Escorted GroupsSmall personable groups

4 or 5-star, fully-escorted

All guaranteed to depart

www.incatours.net

Inca Experience ToursIndividual Tailor-made Tour

Packages, Cruises & Treks

all with Guaranteed Departures

southamerica

&antarctica

EXCELLENCE IN TRAVEL

EXCELLENCE INTRAVEL

indiabhutan, nepal & tibet

over

35 years of travel

experience�

��

Escorted GroupsSmall personable groups

4 or 5-star, fully-escorted

All guaranteed to depart

www.incatours.net

EXCELLENCE IN TRAVEL

Inca Experience ToursIndividual Tailor-made Tour

Packages, Safaris, Cruises &

Small Group Departures

africaegypt

&middleeast

Over

30 years

Experience

Private non-group travel

Inca Tours also specialises in designing tailor-made Southand Central America tours for non-group private travel,for couples, individuals, families and groups of friends.If the South America Sensations Tour, the Exclusive GoldSouth America or the Cuba, Guatemala and Mexico Sensations Tour in this brochure don’t suit you, just tellus what parts of Latin America you would like to visit,when you want to travel and we’ll design a personalisedprivate 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 tollfree on1800 024 955 or email: [email protected]

Travel Agent’s Stamp