South America Tour - The Western Highlights

As you arrive into Lima airport and exit customs and baggage, you will be warmly welcomed by our driver. You will be assisted with your luggage before escorted to your hotel in a private vehicle. Free evening.

After breakfast pick up for your group visit of colonial and modern Lima, starting in the centre of this vibrant, metropolis. The tour will include a visit of the cathedral, dating from 1654 which still houses the remains of the conquistador Pizarro in the foyer; the Main Square, with the original bronze fountain built in 1650, the Government Palace where the President has his official residence and the San Francisco Convent, with its famous catacombs. Lima, known as the city of the kings, was founded in 1535 by Pizarro and after several devastating earthquakes was rebuilt in 1991; the same year that UNESCO declared Lima a world heritage site. One of the very few South American cities that preserve the colonial past, Lima was home to the Spanish viceroy during the time of the Spanish colonial power. The tour will continue with a visit to the residential areas of San Isidro and Miraflores, before returning to your hotel.

After breakfast, with boarding passes in hand, you will be driven to the airport for your quick-check-in and brief one hour flight to Cuzco, the ancient Inca capital of the Incas. In Cuzco, you will be warmly welcomed and assisted with your luggage before your drive to the Sacred Valley. Free day. Accommodation in the Sacred Valley.

After breakfast at your hotel, start of a full-day's excursion of the beautiful Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, situated between Pisac and Ollantaytambo. It is an exceptionally fertile valley that was and remains the larder of Cuzco. You will visit the village of Pisac, founded during colonial times, and set at the foot of a hill crowned by the remains of an ancient Inca city. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, you will witness Indians bartering their products in the main square and artisans from around the area sell their woven alpaca wool blankets and ponchos, engraved gourds, antique reproductions, jewellery, etc. After lunch, visit to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that was not defeated by the Spanish with an opportunity to explore the ruins which tower above.

Today enjoy breakfast before your private transfer to the railway Station in time for the boarding of the Luxury Hiram Bingham train to Aguas Calientes. The train will depart at 10.00am for the 1 ½ hour journey and you will enjoy the company of fellow travellers and guides onboard this luxury train complete with 1920s styled Pullman carriages. Each carriage has been furnished in polished wood and brass with large comfortable armchairs. The bar car is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail accompanied by live Peruvian music. On the way to Machu Picchu, the bartender will show you how to make a traditional Pisco Sour. The observation car is furnished with large cushioned seats, making it the perfect place to sit, relax and watch the Peruvian landscape unfold as you gently ride towards Machu Picchu. A hearty brunch will be served on-board before you arrive to Aguas Calientes train station, gateway to the lost city of the Incas. As you disembark, you will be assisted with your luggage and welcomed to take the short walk to your hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Shortly after, walk to the bus terminal where a private bus will be waiting for all Hiram Bingham passengers. The short ride up to Machu Picchu will meander through breathtaking mountain scenery up to the ancient Inca citadel. Shortly after, a guided tour of Machu Picchu, the most spectacular ancient city in the world. Built by the Inca Pachacutec, and comprising stone blocks fitted with masterful precision, Machu Picchu harmoniously blends into the mountain landscape. There are many theories as to the origins behind Machu Picchu but three of the most popular ideas include a temple to the sun, a fortress against the jungle inhabitants or a sanctuary for the Incas. This fabulous city has houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square, all connected by narrow roads and steps, and is surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side which were used for agriculture. Take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for overnight accommodation.

Today you will enjoy a free day in Machu Picchu with an opportunity to see the site at sunrise. Today no guide is provided as we feel that Machu Picchu requires a certain amount of self discovery to be fully understood. Take any of the several paths around various parts of the site. Let Machu Picchu unfold all its mysteries for you, take in the breathtaking cloud forests and jagged mountains, or marvel at the extraordinary Masonic precision of the ancient Incas. Either way, your day of self discovery will be a day never to be forgotten. Afternoon tea will be served before taking the private Hiram Bingham bus down to Aguas Calientes in time for the return Luxury Hiram Bingham train to Cuzco. You will enjoy dinner and cocktails onboard before arriving back to Cuzco. Welcome and private drive back to your hotel.

Free morning. In the early afternoon, you will be met for a group tour of Cuzco including the Qoricancha temple or temple of the Sun, the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco city, Qenko, Tambomachay and Puka Pukara. Return to the hotel in the evening. Dinner and folkloric show.

After early breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima and connect with your flight to Santiago. Arrival in Santiago, reception and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, a city tour of Santiago including a visit to the Government Palace, the Main Square, the Cathedral and a visit to the museum of precolumbian art. An excursion to the Cerro San Cristobal viewpoint for a beautiful panoramic view of the city. Santiago de Chile was founded in 1541 and is in a beautiful setting with only 62 miles separating the Pacific coast from ski resorts in the high Andes. You will find 17th Century architecture and lively markets set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Punta Arena, at the very base of the South American continent. Arrival and transfer to Puerto Natales, some two hours drive, the gateway to the Torres Del Paine National Park, located in the fjords regions of southern Patagonia. Transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, a full day excursion by boat to the beautiful Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. Boxed lunch is included.
This boat trip through Ultima esperanza fjord at Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, leaves in the morning from the pier at Puerto Natales through the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, one of the four largest national parks in the world whihc includes the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the largest mass of ice on the American Continent.
At the end of the fjord the boat will dock to allow passengers to take a half-hour walk along a lake to the viewing point for the Serrano glacier. Later in the afternoon we will return to Puerto Natales by the same route. Return to Puerto Natales and transfer to your hotel.

Today, a full day tour to the attractions of Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site and Chile's showpiece: a world biosphere reserve with all the diverse scenery of Alaska in only 180,000ha (444,600ac). The Torres Del Paine are spectacular granite pillars which soar almost vertically for more than 2000m (6560ft) above the Patagonian steppe. Today's visit will include the Milodon cave; where in 1896 the scientific world was fascinated by the discovery of skin, bones and other parts of an extinct animal, the Milodon or giant sloth (Mylodon Darwini). The tour continues with visits to Lake Sarmiento, Nordennskjold, Pehoe, and Lago Grey; site of the Grey Glacier. Overnight in the park itself, Hotel del Paine or similar.

Today you will embark on a boat to visit the Grey Glacier, famous for its spectacular radiant hues of blue ice and ice bergs in turquoise -grey water.You will also enjoy views of Paine Grande Mountain, Paine Massif and forests that border the lake. You may also see and hear pieces of glacier ice detach and fall into the water. Return to your hotel in Puerto Natales.

After breakfast, transfer back to Punta Arenas and to the airport for your return flight to Santiago and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, a city tour of Santiago including a visit to the Government Palace, the Main Square, the Cathedral and a visit to the museum of precolumbian art. An excursion to the Cerro San Cristobal viewpoint for a beautiful panoramic view of the city. Santiago de Chile was founded in 1541 and is in a beautiful setting with only 62 miles separating the Pacific coast from ski resorts in the high Andes. You will find 17th Century architecture and lively markets set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Rapa Nui, otherwise known as the Easter Islands. The flight will take approximately 5 hours. Arrival, traditional welcome and transfer to your hotel. Rapa Nui is the most isolated, inhabited island in the world. Located 2000 miles (3200 km) west of Chile and over 4000 km from Tahiti, it was discovered by the Dutch in 1772, Admiral Jacob Roggeween landed there on Easter Sunday and gave the island its present name. He was the first European to describe the unusual statues carved from the volcanic rock from Rano Raraku. Standing as tall as 18 ft (5.5 m) and weighing up to 100 tons, the statues are known as moai, and each are supposed representations of clan chieftains. These moais, were placed on top of platforms called ahu, which in turn served as a family burial vault.

After breakfast, a full day's tour visiting Vaihu, where eight toppled Moai lie, Akahanga, Rano Raraku volcano, where the statues are half buried, Ahu Tongariki, where the largest Ahu (or platform) is located, Te Pito Kura (a large rock believed to have been brought from Tahiti) and Ahu Nau Nau (where the Moai are in particularly good condition).

Today, a half day's excursion to Rano Kau volcano, site of ancient petroglyphs and the ceremonial temple of Iorongo, Vinapu (site of meticulous stonework found nowhere else on the islands) along with the Anakai Tangata caves. Excursion to Ahu Akivi, the famous seven Moais, believed to be one of the last built around 1460 and measuring 14 feet in height and weighing 12 metric tons. The caves of Ana Tepahu and Puna Pau, a quarry, from where the red hats that are worn by some of the Moai were made is also visited today.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight back to Santiago and transfer to your continuing flight home.

End of our services.