Maureen�s South American Adventure 2008
Itinerary
Chile, Santiago. Peru, Lima, the heart of the Inca Empire, Cuzco, Machu Picchu, the white city of Arequipa, the incredible Colca canyon. Cross the altiplano and Lake Titicaca to Bolivia, La Paz, the unique Bolivian salt flats and the historical towns of Potosi & Sucre. Uraguay, Asuncion, Iguassu Falls. Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. Argentina, Buenos Aires.
Maureen has been working with Gary Tate of South America Journeys to put this itinerary together. We now have 11 of our friends signed up to go. (We needed 10 to qualify for discount airfares.) Last days if anyone else wishes to join us.
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Fri 9-May | Brisbane - Auckland - Santiago - Lima QF115 BNE 9:50 -> AKL 14:55 (Qantas) LA800 AKL 17:25 -> SCL 12:45 (Lan Chile) Sightseeing tour of Santiago LP5530/LA530 SCL 21:05 -> LIM 22:50 (Lan Peru, Santiago de Chile - Arturo Merino Benitez) Boulevard Hotel Av. Pardo N� 771 Miraflores Lima 18 - Per� Telf.: +51 1444-6562 +51 1444-6563 |
| Sat 10-May | Lima: A tour of the "City of the Kings". The Huaca Pucllana archeological center (5th to 8th centuries). Historical centre, the Plaza Mayor surrounded by the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and the archbishop's Palace. The San Francisco Monastery, a masterpiece of Colonial architecture. Residential districts of Miraflores and San Isidro, a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. Optional afternoon visit to the Gold Museum. |
| Sun 11-May | Lima � Cuzco LP0023 Lima 9:45 -> Cuzco 11:00 (Lan Peru) Hotel San Agustin El Dorado Av. El Sol 395, Cusco, +51 84 231 232 |
| Mon 12-May | Cuzco: The magical capital of the Incas, Plaza Regocijo, Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and the Santo Domingo Convent Monastery, built over the Koricancha temple, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. According to the chronicles, it was covered in gold sheet and filled with golden representations of nature. The old town with its very narrow streets. The countryside outside Cusco to visit remarkable Inca ruins: the cult centre of Sacsayhuaman, the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko, the Inca Baths of Tambomachay and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara. |
| Tue 13-May | Cuzco - Machu Picchu Train ride to Machu Picchu. Motorcoach ascent to 'The Lost City of the Incas'. The citadel, visiting the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the three Windows, the Circulal Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial and the Burial Grounds. Lunch at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. Return to Agua Calientes for overnight. Hatuchay Tower Hotel Carretera Puente Ruinas Mz 4, Machu Picchu - Urubamba +51 84 211-201 |
| Wed 14-May | Machu Picchu - Cuzco Sunrise over Machu Picchu, an incomparable sight. Optional return to the site of Machu Picchu. Walk up to the peak of the Huayna Picchu. Afternoon train to Cuzco. Hotel San Agustin Dorado. |
| Thu 15-May | Cuzco: A trip to the Urubamba valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, to visit the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. The site was built just as the Spaniards arrived and evidence of how it was constructed is still visible. After seeing the magnificent past of the spot stroll through the quaint streets of the present town. Lunch at a nice hostelry in the countryside, continue to Pisac handicrafts market, then back to Cuzco. |
| Fri 16-May | Cuzco - Arequipa LP0111 Cuzco 14:40 -> Arequipa 16:45 (LAN Peru, expected to reschedule to AM) City tour of Arequipa, also known as 'the White City' because of the white volcanic rock, sillar, used in its constructions. The beautiful Santa Catalina convent, founded in 1580, an almost self-sustained village, made up of houses for the nuns and their servants, cloisters, plazas and narrow streets, kitchens, refectory and laundry. The Jesuit Church, with its beautiful facade, considered the best example of the mestizo baroque style in Arequipa. The ancient vestry, with its cupola and walls covered in murals that recall the jungle. The ancient Jesuit seminary, famous for its beautiful principal cloister. The Main Plaza and the residential districts of Yanahuara and Chilina, a magnificent view of Arequipa's countryside and the Misti volcano. Casa Andina Hotel Calle Jerusal�n 603. +51 54 20-2070 |
| Sat 17-May | Arequipa - Colca Early morning departure for a 2 day overland trip to the Colca Valley. Drive across Pampa Canahuas within the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, the habitat of herds of vicunas. Beautiful pre-Columbian terraces where native Collaguas still work. Colca Lodge Fundo Puye-Yanque-Caylloma +51 54 531191 (Arequipa office +51 54 202587) |
| Sun 18-May | Colca - Puno Early departure to Condors' Cross observation point from where you can view these great Andean birds. Impressive panorama of the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world (3,000m/9,800ft) Then departure overland across the altiplano to Puno. Libertador Esteves Hotel Isla Esteves s/n, Lago Titicaca Puno, Per� +51 51 36 7780 |
| Mon 19-May | Puno � La Paz From Sunset to Sunrise on the Sacred Lake. Travel from Puno and transfer to Juli; Visit the churches of Pomata & Juli and the local native market. Hydrofoil cruise to Moon Island, the Sun Virgins Temple I�ak Uyu. Sun Island, the Inca Staircase & Sacred fountain, taste the sacred water believed to give eternal youth & happiness. Lunch at "Uma Kollu" archaeological restaurant and visit a picturesque handicraft market. Hydrofoil crossing Tiquina Straits to URUS-IRUITOS floating islands & Quewaya Sustainable Project, a rescue of over 5,000 years of history and a social project to assure their survival. A superb view of the Royal Range of the Andes. Continue to Huatajata to experience the Andean Roots Eco Village, the Altiplano Museum, where a system of art audio explains the cultural heritage of the Aymaras and the Incas, the colonial time and Jacques Cousteau Expedition to Lake Titicaca. Handicrafts and fisherman villages, the Mud Igloos of the Uru Chipayas; meet the Limachi brothers, builders of the RA II and Tigris for Thor Heyerdhal epic expeditions across the Atlantic Ocean. Kallawaya Natural Spa (thousand years� old methods and treatments for stress, well-being, and cosmetology). Coach across the altiplano to La Paz. Hotel Europa Calle Tihuanacu 64 +591 2 231 5656 |
| Tue 20-May | La Paz: Tour of La Paz and surroundings transports you to a mysterious past where any corner, any street, is a hidden treasure where adventure begins; a living history which can not release the pre-Hispanic times with all their traditions and magic rites spread out in the streets. Native, colonial and modern areas, Indian Market, Open Air Museum of Tiwanaku, Witch Doctor's Market, breathtaking panoramas framed by the majestic �Illimani�. The mysterious Valley of the Moon on the outskirts of La Paz. |
| Wed 21-May | La Paz � Uyuni 3 hour regular bus journey to Oruro. 7 hour train journey to Uyuni. Hotel Girasoles +591 2 693 3323 |
| Thu 22-May | Uyuni - Colchani Full day visit to the huge Uyuni Salt Lake, the cold water springs, the Colchani Salt Factory and Isla Pescado famous for its giant cactus. After lunch continue to Coquesa Mummys and then back to Colchani. Hotel Luna Salada (Salt Moon Hotel) 7km. from Colchani, Salar de Uyuni - Potosi Cel: +591 72429716 (Cochabamba office +591 4 4530672) |
| Fri 23-May | Colchani - Uyuni - Potos� Travel back to Uyuni, then by coach to Potosi (6 hours). Afternoon tour of Potos�, declared by UNESCO "The Historical and Cultural Legacy of Mankind". At an altitude of 4,090 meters above sea level, is this the highest city in the world? The Casa de la Moneda (the royal mint) conserving the unique wooden machinery brought in 17th century from Spain, The San Lorenzo church and the most important colonial Streets. Coloso Copajira Hotel (Not entirely certain, but THIS might be the hotel's website. - Mike) |
| Sat 24-May | Potos� - Sucre 3 hrs morning coach to Sucre, constitutional capital of Bolivia. Afternoon tour of Sucre including The Recoleta and San Francisco churches, the House of Liberty where Simon Bolivar signed the independence of Bolivia, the second oldest University of the continent San Francisco Xavier, and the local colorful market. Asur Museum. Parador Santa Maria Bolivar 625, Sucre +591 4 6439592 |
| Sun 25-May | Sucre: Full day tour to the colourful Sunday market of Tarabuco, one of the best in the Andes. |
| Mon 26-May | Sucre � Santa Cruz - Asuncion 5L0124 Sucre 11:05 -> Santa Cruz Viru Viru 12:50 AEROSUR BOEING 727-200 PZ0701 VVI 15:50 -> ASU 17:30 TAM Mercosur Airlines FOKKER 100 Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay in the heart of South America. Hotel Excelsior Chile 980 and Manduvira Street P.B. 2863 +595 21 495 632 |
| Tue 27-May | Asuncion - Iguassu Morning tour of Asuncion PZ0712 ASU 16:30 -> Cuidad del Este (Paragayuan Iguassu) 17:10 Mercure Grand Hotel Internacional Foz Rua Almirante Barroso, 2006 - Centro, Foz do Igua�� - PR, Brasil +45 3521-4100 |
| Wed 28-May | Iguassu Morning tour to view the Brazilian side of the Falls. Afternoon crossing the Argentinean border into the Parque National del Iguazu. A walking tour on the falls - the view is magnificent, specially the one right on top of the Devil's Throat. Return to hotel on the Brazilian side. See this spectacular PowerPoint slide show (2.6Mb) of the falls. |
| Thu 29-May | Iguassu � Rio de Janeiro JJ3186 Iguassu Falls 10:40 -> Rio De Janeiro International 12:35 TAM Brasil Airlines Royal Rio Palace Hotel Rua Duvivier, 82 - Copacabana 22020.020 +55 21 2122-9292 |
| Fri 30-May | Rio de Janeiro: Morning tour to one of the older parts of Rio called Cosme Velho. Train from here to the Corcovado Mountain with the gigantic statue of Christ the Redeemer (2.300ft above sea level). A modern Swiss-made cogwheel rail climbs the mountain from its base at 15 meters almost to the summit at 710 meters. The trip up takes 17 minutes approx, at a maximum speed of 15km/h. The trip down takes 22min. at a speed of 12km/h. Afternoon visit to the world famous Sugar Loaf Mountain in the middle of the Guanabara Bay, from where one of the most breathtaking views of the city of Rio can be seen. (A two-stage car up to the top of the Mountain). A panoramic tour to downtown Rio, a great opportunity to see some of the historical sites of the city such as the Cathedral and the Municipal Theatre. |
| Sat 31-May | Rio de Janeiro: more of Rio |
| Sun 1-Jun | Rio de Janeiro - Buenos Aires JJ8016 Rio De Janeiro International Terminal 2 12:15 -> Buenos Aires Ezeiza 15:30 Hotel Bel Air Arenales 1462, C1061AAO +54 11 4021-4000 |
| Mon 2-Jun | Buenos Aires: A three and a half hour sightseeing tour visiting the most outstanding sites. 9 de Julio Ave. the widest in the world, the famous Colon Opera house, the Obelisk commemorating the first founding of the city in 1536, Plaza de Mayo (May Square) and the buildings surrounding it: Government House, Metropolitan Cathedral with the Mausoleum of General San Martin, Argentina�s greatest national hero and the Cabildo, the colonia town hall built in 1751. La Boca, typically Italian district, where first Italian immigrants settled and �Caminito� street. The Buenos Aires port area, San Mart�n Square, Palermo Chico residential district and Palermo Park with its jacaranda and palo borracho trees which flower in the spring and late summer. The elegant Recoleta district, Recoleta Cemetery where the famous are laid to rest (including Eva Peron). Return to the hotel along the stylish Alvear Ave. |
| Tue 3-Jun | Buenos Aires more of BA |
| Wed 4-Jun | Buenos Aires - Santiago - Auckland LA466 Buenos Aires Ezeiza 18:15 -> SCL 19:30 LAN Chile LA801 SCL 23:05 -> AKL 4:15 Fri 6-Jun |
| Thu 5-Jun | Cross the international dateline and lose a day |
| Fri 6-Jun | Auckland - Brisbane QF116 AKL 6:10 -> BNE 8:00 |
