Description

 Your Tour includes: 

·      Return international economy flights, including taxes

·      All accommodation

·      Touring with guides and entrance fees

·      All transportation and transfers

·      English speaking local guides

Total Eclipse South America Itinerary

DAY 1: FLY TO RIO DE JANEIRO

Fly to Brazil’s ‘Cidade Maravilhosa’, Rio de Janeiro. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, take a panoramic city tour, stopping at some of the city’s beautiful sights before ascending Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car for breathtaking views over the city, its beaches and the surrounding bay and islands. This evening, enjoy an exciting samba evening.

DAY 2: CHRIST THE REDEEMER

Climb onboard a jeep and head off to explore deeper into the city, the perfect way to soak up Rio’s carioca spirit. Pass through residential neighbourhoods, green hills on one side and the twinkling blue of the ocean on the other. The tour includes the 19th-century hillside neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, an area with a wonderfully bohemian atmosphere, and the world’s largest urban forest, tropical Tijuca.

DAY 3: IGUACU FALLS

On the border of Argentina and Brazil, Iguaçu is the largest waterfall system in the world, with hundreds of cascades pouring off the edge of the Parana Plateau. Today fly to Iguacu and discover paths and catwalks to wander. These will lead you to some of the numerous smaller cascades that dance their way along gullies and through lush greenery.

DAY 4: MBORORÉ ALDEA CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Today you will see a completely different side of the falls as you wander along the Argentinian half of Iguaçu which offers a fantastic overview of the whole of the falls and showcases its power and magnificence. Don’t miss the viewpoint of one of the falls’ most impressive sights, the Garganta del Diablo. This afternoon, take a unique opportunity to learn about the indigenous culture of the Mbororé Aldea people, who open the doors of their community and share fascinating stories of their ancestors, rituals, myths and legends.

DAY 5: FLY TO BUENOS AIRES

Fly to Argentina’s flamboyant capital city Buenos Aires. This evening there is the option (payable locally) to sit down to dinner and a sultry tango show.

DAY 6: EXPLORE BUENOS AIRES

An irresistible combination of Latin flair and European elegance, Buenos Aires is a delight to explore and that’s exactly what you’ll do today on a city tour. This will include the vibrant districts of La Boca, San Telmo and Recoleta.

DAY 7: VALPARAISO

Today fly to Santiago, Chile and travel to the coast to visit the manicured seaside resort of Vina del Mar and the bohemian port town of Valparaíso. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valparaíso is a unique and delightful tangle, draped over a series of hills. Funiculars connect the industrial seafront with the cerros (hill) neighbourhoods, each a maze of colourful, artfully-dilapidated mansions and enchanting street art. Ride the funicular up into the hills to explore, stopping for a visit to Chilean poet Pablo Neruda’s house.

DAY 8: VINEYARD TOUR

After breakfast, leave Valparaiso and head back to the city of Santiago. This afternoon, experience a fascinating and educational vineyard tour, tasting a variety of locally produced wines.

DAY 9: LA SERENA ECLIPSE EXPERIENCE

Early this morning you will leave the hotel and transfer to the airport for your 1-hour flight north by private charter to the seaside city of La Serena, one of the best place to witness the solar eclipse. From the airport you’ll be transferred to a prime vantage point, where you can settle yourself comfortably to enjoy the show with solar glasses. Wendy Wu Tours has a dedicated area at the vantage point for our customers, and you will enjoy a fantastic picnic lunch with wine while there. The eclipse is due to take place around 16:00. Later, return to the airport and fly back to Santiago. Please be aware that today will be a long day waking at around 4am and returning to your hotel in Santiago at around midnight.

DAY 10: SANTIAGO TOUR

Spend the morning at leisure, and then lunch on fish fresh from the morning’s catch at well-known restaurant El Galeon located in the bustling Central Market. Afterwards, embark on a city tour which will allow you to experience Santiago’s eclectic contrasts. Stroll around the Plaza de Armas and cathedral to admire the colonial facades before walking down Ahumada Boulevard, the city’s main commercial street. Explore bohemian Bellavista and ascend San Cristobal Hill for views over the city and the towering Andes Mountains.

DAY 11: INTO PERU

After breakfast today, bid goodbye to Chile and travel to Peru and the Scared Valley. By travelling straight to the Sacred Valley rather than staying in the nearby city of Cusco the risk of altitude sickness is minimised as you will have a while to acclimatise, however please still read the information at the end of this document in the section titled Altitude.

DAY 12: SACRED VALLEY

The Urubamba, or ‘Sacred’, Valley is home to Incan citadels and beautiful landscapes. Beginning in the charming town of Pisac, visit the excellent market to both mingle with the locals and to browse the plentiful Peruvian handicrafts, then see fascinating terracing at the Pisac ruins. Later, meet a typical Inca community at Ollantaytambo. The town has some wonderfully preserved Incan houses, whilst above it there is an old Incan fortress, both of which you can explore.

DAY 12: SACRED VALLEY

The Urubamba, or ‘Sacred’, Valley is home to Incan citadels and beautiful landscapes. Beginning in the charming town of Pisac, visit the excellent market to both mingle with the locals and to browse the plentiful Peruvian handicrafts, then see fascinating terracing at the Pisac ruins. Later, meet a typical Inca community at Ollantaytambo. The town has some wonderfully preserved Incan houses, whilst above it there is an old Incan fortress, both of which you can explore.

DAY 13: MACHU PICCHU

Transfer 30 minutes to Ollantaytambo to board the panoramic Vistadome train that will take you through the mountainous landscapes to the small town of Aguas Calientes in 1 hour 30 minutes. From here you will ascend to the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu by shuttle bus, along winding roads . Long abandoned by the Inca, it came to international attention when it was stumbled upon by Hiram Bingham in 1911, and is considered one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. A guided tour will give you some insight into the Inca Empire. This includes up to four hours of sightseeing, walking on uneven terrain. Return to the village of Machu Picchu for your overnight stay.

DAY 14: VISTADOME TRAIN TO POROY

Take a three-hour train ride back to the station of Poroy and transfer to Cusco, enjoying beautiful scenery along the way. This evening witness an enthralling folklore show and learn about the local culture to finish your incredible South American experience.

DAYS 15-17: DEPART TO AUSTRALIA

Fly to Lima to connect with your international flight to the Australia, arriving home two days later due to crossing the international date line.