Fly from London Heathrow with British Airways via Miami. Connecting flights from selected UK regional airports available for a supplement of £95 per person. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Four Night Stay: Quito
Today we have included a half day walking tour of Quito, visiting the Itchimbia Cultural Centre. Tonight meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a private welcome function and tour briefing.
Today your tour of this UNESCO World Heritage listed city, includes the old city centre, the Santo Domingo Convent and the Cerro Panecillo for fantastic views over the city. Included in the tour is your visit to the “La Mitad del Mundo” (Middle of the World) which marks zero latitude. SCENIC ENRICH Tonight enjoy dinner in an elegant local restaurant in the old town, sampling delicious Ecuadorian Cuisine.
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) drive along the Avenue of Volcanoes to the Antisana Ecological Reserve; or (2) visit the small town of Mindo and the cloud forest; or (3) visit the colourful market town of Otavalo.
Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to the Galápagos Islands. On arrival at Baltra Island transfer to your luxurious all suite cruise ship, the MV Galápagos Explorer II, and settle into your Premium Suite for your four night cruise. The sailing schedule is flexible in order to take advantage of the different conditions and to maximise your chances to encounter the bird and wildlife of this unique island complex. A daily itinerary is advised by your Cruise Director. This afternoon cruise to Santa Cruz Island and visit Bachas Beach. Encounter sea birds, marine iguanas and sea turtles.
Four Night Cruise: MV Galápagos Explorer II
This morning your first stop is at Bartolomé Island where you will see volcanic formations like lava bombs and cinder cones. During a moderate walk to the summit you may see colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards and various cacti. Then cruise to Santiago Island where your Naturalist will educate you about the inactive lava terrain you are crossing. Observe hunting herons, great blue herons, lava herons, yellow crowned night herons and oyster catchers. See marine iguanas grazing on algae beds alongside red sally light-foot crabs.
Sail to unique Fernandina Island. No foreign species has ever invaded the island and therefore it is one of the world’s most pristine island ecosystems. See the biggest marine iguanas mingling with light-foot crabs, as well as flightless cormorants at their nesting sites, Galápagos penguins, Galápagos hawks, and sea lions. Then cruise to Isabela Island, the largest island in the archipêlago. At Urbina Bay, after a wet landing, visit the fossil beach. Depending on the season you may be able to observe giant tortoises, land iguanas and flightless cormorants.
Arrive today at North Seymour Island and take a walk along the visitor trail spotting Galápagos Sea Lions, Blue-footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigatebirds. Continue to Santa Cruz Island and walk through the amazing lava landscape including tubes measuring up to 800 metres in length. Keep your eyes peeled for the natives of the island including the endangered Galápagos giant tortoises.
This morning visit La Loberia or Isla Lobos and the Interpretation Centre in San Cristobal. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil, the main port for the country of Ecuador. This afternoon enjoy a city tour before transferring to your luxurious hotel.
Overnight Stay: Guayaquil
Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to Lima, the capital of Peru. Enjoy the day at leisure to explore at your own pace.
Two Night Special Stay: Lima
Today choose from one of the following SCENIC FREE CHOICE excursions: (1) Walking tour of the Colonial historic centre of the city, a former capital of the Conquistadors and a World Heritage site (2) Tour Pachacamac Ruins and see the Temple of the Sun God (3) Take a historical journey through Lima’s past visiting the Huaca Huallamarca ruins, the amazing Larco Herrera Museum and the Monastery of San Francisco.
Enjoy the morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for your flight to the remote Amazon city of Iquitos. On arrival transfer to the Iquitos main wharf and board the luxurious all suite MV Aria, your home for the next three nights. Stand on the Upper Deck to take in the view as the MV Aria leaves Iquitos behind. Enjoy a welcome briefing by your expert Naturalists. Then sit down, relax, sample some fine South American wine, and enjoy the truly world-class cuisine, created with the imaginative use of the freshest local products. Exclusive to Scenic Tours.
Three Night Cruise: MV Aria
This part of the Peruvian Amazon is an amazing area of biodiversity. The sailing schedule is flexible in order to take advantage of the different conditions of the seasons of low and high water. Over the coming days you will sail along the largest tributaries of the Amazon, and embark on a number of different activities by launch and foot. You are embarking on a spectacular adventure, to a place visited by only a few of even the most experienced world travellers. You will visit places like the Yacapana Isles, the “Isle of the Iguana” thanks to the great number of these reptiles, which inhabit them. You will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see and photograph both grey and pink freshwater dolphins (weather dependent). At night time, once the sun sets and the jungle becomes dark, begin your search for caiman, frogs, and different kinds of nightlife. During the day you will search for wildlife such as the bald uakari monkey, squirrel monkeys, saddleback tamarind monkeys, sloths and many other species. A highlight of the trip is the viewing of one of the great spectacles of the Southern Hemisphere: the sun rising over the birthplace of the Amazon River. Here – where the union of two major tributaries, the Ucayali and the Marañon, form the world’s greatest waterway - nature is at its most dramatic. You will also have the opportunity to visit native villages, where the local people will extend you a very warm welcome and you will gain insight into how the traditional Amazonian Indians live. Many of the villages were untouched by civilisation until recently and they are delighted to share their culture, traditions, and folklore with you. Each day on board the cuisine is a highlight. Each meal is carefully prepared and showcases regional specialities prepared with the freshest produce.
Cruising the Amazon.
After a morning excursion, enjoy lunch and then disembark for a visit to the Manatee Rescue Centre. Here biologists and volunteers care for the endangered Amazon manatees that conservation authorities have rescued. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima.
Two Night Special Stay : Lima
Today choose from one of the following SCENIC FREE CHOICE excursions: (1) Walking tour of the Colonial historic centre of the city, a former capital of the Conquistadors and a World Heritage site (2) Tour Pachacamac Ruins and see the Temple of the Sun God (3) Take a historical journey through Lima’s past visiting the Huaca Huallamarca ruins, the amazing Larco Herrera Museum and the Monastery of San Francisco.
This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Cuzco. On arrival you will transfer to the breath-taking Sacred Valley of the Incas. SCENIC ENRICH highlight is a visit to Hacienda Huayocarri set in a spectacular location overlooking the valley. The owners have a history spanning over three centuries. Enjoy a typical Andean lunch, prepared from the Hacienda’s own produce. Transfer to your hotel located in the heart of the Sacred Valley.
Three Night Special Stay: Sacred Valley
This morning your expert local guide will take you on a walking tour of the town of Ollantaytambo, the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the Americas. Your tour includes a visit to the imposing Incan fortress overlooking the town. SCENIC ENRICH Visit the community supported by Scenic Tours. Meet the students and teachers at the local school and learn about their lifestyle. Return to your luxurious hotel for some time at leisure. Tonight enjoy dinner in the hotel.
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) visit the town of Pisac and tour the Inca ruins; or (2) see the Inca salt mines then visit the ruins of Moray; or (3) visit Chinchero Village and enter a local’s house to learn about the weaving techniques; or (4) learn some of the Andean cooking techniques as you help the chef prepare lunch; or (5) visit a local Peruvian Paso Horse Ranch. SCENIC ENRICH Tonight enjoy a private performance of Andean music along with canapés and drinks.
This morning walk to the train station located at the hotel for your rail journey to Machu Picchu. A highlight of your tour is your full day visit to the ancient Inca site of Machu Picchu. Your expert local guide will share the mysteries of this fabulous “lost city of the Incas” before your lunch at Sanctuary Lodge.
Overnight Special Stay: Machu Picchu
You have the morning to explore the area at leisure. This afternoon take a rail journey to the Sacred Valley with afternoon tea served onboard the Vistadome train. Take in the breath taking views of the surrounding Andes mountains from from the glass ceilinged carriages. Continue to Cuzco and your luxurious hotel located in the heart of the city centre.
Three Night Stay: Cuzco
The charming city of Cuzco is a World Heritage listed site that was a former capital of the Incas. Included this morning is a walking tour of the city centre where you will marvel at the mix of Incan, Spanish and modern architecture. Then visit the imposing fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Tonight is a SCENIC FREE CHOICE dinner choose from: (1) local Restaurant and Folklore Show; or (2) fine à la carte dining at the Inka Grill; or (3) delicious Andean fusion dinner at the Inti Raymi Restaurant; or (4) fine dining at the MAP Café.
Enjoy a free day to explore this charming city at your leisure.
SCENIC ENRICH Board the Andean Explorer this morning for your first class rail journey to Puno. The open-air Observation Car provides the opportunity to take photographs of the magnificent scenery. On arrival transfer to your hotel located on an island in Lake Titicaca.
Overnight Stay: Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is one of the highest navigable lakes in the world and today enjoy an excursion to the unique floating islands of Uros. Your guide will show you the lifestyle of the Uros communities including a visit to a school on one of the islands. Transfer to the airport for your Included flight to Lima.
Overnight Stay: Lima
Transfer to Lima airport for your flight to Iguazu Falls and on arrival transfer to your luxurious hotel. Enjoy dinner on arrival at the hotel.
Two Night Special Stay: Iguazu Falls
This morning tour the majestic Brazilian Falls. SCENIC ENRICH exciting adventure takes you through the rainforest and onto the water for a thrill you won’t forget. See the ‘Devil’s Throat’ and come close to the base of the ‘Three Musketeers’. Tonight enjoy your is a Scenic Free Choice dinner choose from: (1) delicious BBQ buffet at Ipê Poolside Grill; or (2) fine dining in Restaurant Itaipu.
This morning cross the border for your tour of the Argentinean Falls. Board the ecological train and ride to the ‘Devil’s Throat’ viewpoint. The view from the top of the falls is spectacular. Transfer to the airport this afternoon for your flight to Buenos Aires.
Three Night Special Stay: Buenos Aires
This morning, visit the colourful districts of La Boca and San Telmo. Tonight is a SCENIC FREE CHOICE Dining evening where you choose your meal from the following inclusions: (1) 'Parrilla' (Steakhouse); (2) dinner and spectacular Tango Show (3) Fine dining at the elegant Le Sud Restaurant.
SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) Fiesta Gaucha horse show; or (2) cruise on the Tigre River and Delta; or (3) walking tour to discover Eva Peron; or (4) tour of the La Boca Soccer Stadium; or (5) visit the El Zanjon underground tunnels.
This morning take a flight to the vibrant and colourful city of Rio de Janeiro. On arrival, transfer to your hotel located on famous Copacabana Beach. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to savour the view from your balcony overlooking the beach. Tonight is a SCENIC FREE CHOICE Dining evening where you choose your meal from the following inclusions: (1) A typical Brazilian Churrascaria where you can sample some mouth-watering Brazilian cuts of meat (2) Visit a live Samba Music venue and sample typical Brazilian fare (3) Have a drink at the Girl from Ipanema Bar followed by dinner in a local seafood restaurant.
Three Night Special Stay: Rio de Janeiro
Today your tour covers all the highlights of this vibrant city! First ride the cogwheel railway to visit Corcovado Mountain and see the famous ‘Christ the Redeemer’ Statue. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before riding the cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain.
SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) take a tour to Petropolis; or (2) walking tour of downtown Rio; or (3) Jeep tour of the Tijuca Forest; or (4) tour the Favela’s (Shanty Town); or (5) Schooner Cruise on Guanabara Bay. SCENIC ENRICH Tonight enjoy your private farewell dinner.
Your tour ends after breakfast and you will be transferred to the airport.
Welcome home!
Brochure: IS/WW/GBP1213
Tour code: UAAG.1