South America Group Tours

EXCELLENCE INTRAVEL

Inca GroupToursSmall personable groups

4 or 5-star, fully-escorted

All guaranteed to depart

www.incatours.net

southamericaTake the holiday you deserve

over

35 years of travelexperience

H

HH

enjoy south with 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 inclusiveJourneys

No hidden extras, alltipping, all porterage,all entrance fees and alltransfers are included.

all inclusiveof flights

Includes all economy-classflights in South America

2 inca tours - excellence in travel

machu picchu cuzco iguassu falls

Inca Tours is both a tour wholesalerand a registered travel agent, being amember of the Council of Australian

Tour Operators (CATO) and the Australian Federation of

Travel Agents (AFTA).

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 yourSouth America experience.

includesall activitiesInca Tours has chosen the verybest sights and activities soyou can simply sit back, relaxand enjoy the exclusive andpampered South 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

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rio the amazon the southern lakes

contentsexperience south americawith inca tours, thesmall group specialists

luxury-class south america 32

short tours & extensions 54

superior-class south america 44

south america gold tour 36first part of gold tour 42second part of gold tour 43

south america sensations tour 48first part of sensations tour 52second part of sensations tour 53

galapagos islands cruises 54antarctic cruises 56australis south patagonia cruise 58skorpios II chilean fjords cruise 59amazon river luxury cruises 60the best of colombia 61perito moreno & upsala glaciers 62torres del paine National park 63the atacama desert 64easter island 65a taste of ecuador 66spirit of the andes, ecuador 67uyuni salt flats, bolivia 68nazca lines & paracas, peru 69


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over 35years of travelexperience!


inca tours will show you thereal south america

South 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, South 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 at the8th Wonder 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, South 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 much of the CentralAmerica Region, also laps the north west of South America and boasts the charming and historic cityof Cartagena, one of the many fabulous jewels of Colombia.

includesunique faunaand flora,as well assome of the moststunningscenery inall of southamerica

includescontactwithquechuaspeaking descendantsof the incas,one of thefriendliest of peoples

cultures at their mostunique!

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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 do for you in South 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 South America.

your tour leader is there for youEach component of your Inca Gold Tour or Sensations Tour is hosted by one of our experienced tourleaders. They are in turn, assisted by our expert English-speaking local guides, drivers and groundhandlers to ensure your journey is as seamless as possible and you get to remember it for all the rightreasons. As our group sizes are small, you have regular access to your tour leader and your local guides.This usually occurs on a one-on-one basis, so you get the absolute most from your holiday.

guaranteed departures & group sizes allow you to book with confidenceUnfortunately today, many tour companies have in their fine print that the tour may be cancelled ormay not be fully escorted without a minimum number of clients. We know this uncertainty causesmany problems for travellers, so for all Inca Sensations Tours and Inca Gold Tours, we guarantee thatthe tours will operate and that they will be fully escorted with two or more guests.

In the same way that we guarantee our departures and tour leader, we also place a cap of only eighteenguests on each of our Sensations and Gold Tours. For financial reasons, most other tour companies do not do this. We believe your tour should give you the opportunity to connect with the people andplaces you visit and enable your tour leader to get to know you personally, not just by a name tag. Thisis only possible if travelling in a small group, not in the large crowds often seen in other tour groups.

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

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whychooseincatours?

• Superior-class & Luxury-classhotels and lodges.

• The Southern Lakes Crossingfrom Chile to Argentina.

• Superb rail experiences: HiramBingham & Andean Explorer.

• Luxurious Lake Titicaca stay.• Dedicated tour leader and

expert specialist local guides.• Most dining is included.• All cultural & sightseeing

activities are included.• Special dining events.• All flights in South 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


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 America experience.

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 missa thing!

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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 South Americain all of its Latin charm and glory.

stroll the quiet streets of Puerto Varas, on the shores of Lake Llanquihue in the beautiful Chilean Patagonia.

traverse the Andean Lakes on the spectacular SouthernLakes Crossing, taking you from Chile across to Argentina.

enjoy the most upmarket Tango Show in Buenos Aires.

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.

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.

experience La Paz, the world’s highest capital city.

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

whether exploringbuenos airesor sailingthe amazon,experiencethe realsouth america withinca tours

once in alifetimeexperiences

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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.

Llao Llao Hotel & resort, a ‘Leading Hotel of the World’, Puerto Panuelo, Bariloche, Argentina.

sofitel buenos aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

das cataratas, by Orient Express, Iguassu Falls, Brazil.

windsor atlantica,Copacabana, Rio, Brazil.

inkaterra reserva amazonica, Amazon, Peru.

Tambo del Inka resort, Sacred Valley, Peru.

inkaterra machu Picchu pueblo hotel, Machu Picchu Village, Peru.

monasterio hotel, by Orient Express, Cuzco, Peru.

HOTEL TITILAKA, Lake Titicaca, Peru.

grand hyatt HOTEL, Santiago de Chile.

truly spectacularhotels andlodges sit in the moststunning locations to be foundin southamerica

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

southamerica’s finestproperties

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spectacular rail & cruise experiences

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

hiram bingham & vistadome trainsThe Hiram Bingham is a luxurious train linking Poroy (near Cuzco) and Machu Picchu, via the SacredValley. Although the journey can be made as a day excursion, we recommend doing it with an overnightstay at Machu Picchu Village. The service includes live music and brunch or a gourmet dinner, as thetrain travels through spectacular and ever-changing scenery. This historic-style train, named after theNorth American who re-discovered Machu Picchu in1911, captures the romance and atmosphere of aby-gone era. It features dining cars, a bar car and an open-deck observation car. The Vistadome Train ismore modest than the Hiram Bingham but still offers the fantastic scenery as it make its way to MachuPicchu Village. It boasts high windows which merge into the carriage’s ceilings, allowing you to see themountain peaks from way below. A light breakfast or late lunch are included in the onboard service.

andean explorer trainEnjoy the mysticism offered by the beautiful Peruvian Altiplano (high plain) aboard this luxury trainlinking Cuzco to Lake Titicaca and Puno. 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 involves three different sailingvessels crossing three separate lakes. You will sail along Lake Todos Los Santos, Lake Frias and LakeNahuel 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.

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 ofyesteryear

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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 Inca Sensations and Inca Gold Tour 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 literally takeyour breath away. Most find it an unforgettable and sometimes spiritual experience! Machu Picchu isundoubtedly the best known and most spectacular archaeological site on the continent. The ruins(urban, agricultural and religious areas) require at least a day or two to explore properly. The mountainoverlooking the site, Huayna Picchu, has steps to the top for a superlative view of the 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.

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

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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 Inca Gold and Inca Sensations Toursare 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.

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 elseon earth!

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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.

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-footedbooby!

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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.

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

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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 lodgesThe most comfortable of our two preferred Amazon Lodges is Reserva Amazonica (used on our GoldTour), which has its own canopy walkway. Reserva Amazonica is a private ecological reserve andresearch centre covering an area of10,000 hectares and is easily accessed from Puerto Maldonado, Peru.The lodge is ideally located on the banks of the Madre de Dios River. Built with natural materials, itgives you the feeling of being part of the jungle but does not hold back on comfort. All rooms areseparate free standing dwellings and are screened, have ceiling fans and ensuite bathrooms. Despite itsrelative comfort, Reserva Amazonica Lodge provides an authentic Amazon Jungle experience.

Sandoval 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.

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 SamiriaReserve. A more budget cruise on the Tucano, sailing from Manaus in Brazil, is also a great experience.

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”

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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 area 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 daysare shorter, it must be completed over two days and involves a 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.


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

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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

I

southamericaTake the holiday you deserve

over

35 years of travel

experience�

��

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 _________ _________

• Is the tour guaranteed to have a tour leaderregardless of minimum guest numbers? 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 _________ _________

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

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the pinnacle of opulence & serviceInca Tours has forged a reputation for opulence and outstanding service based on over 35 continuousyears of travel experience. The Inca Gold Tour is our ultimate luxury tour including most of thehighlights of South America and staying in some of the best hotels on the continent. It is led by anexperienced tour leader and includes expert English-speaking guides during all excursions and city tours.

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

ultimate small groups with a max of 18In the same way that we guarantee our departures and tour leader, we also place a cap of only eighteenguests on each of our Inca Gold Tours. This way you receive personalised attention all the way. Forfinancial reasons, most other tour companies do not do this and book as many people as they can onto their tour departures.

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!

the inca gold tourthe ultimate luxury tour ofsouth america

orient express lakes crossing rojo

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

guaranteed max of 18guests eachtour, with a dedicatedtour leader& expert english-speakinglocal guides

the finest hotels & lodges

incatours.net 33

tango hiram bingham casa aliaga


luxury-class hotelslodges, trains & vessels

inca gold

It is envisaged that you will be hosted in the followingexquisite establishments during your tour of a lifetime.

chile

brazil

perugrand hyatthotel,santiago de chile

cabanas dellago hotel,puerto varas

llao llaohotel & resort, bariloche

sofitel,buenos aires

windsor atlanticahotel,rio de janeiro

das cataratashotel, byorient express,iguassu falls

llao llao sofitel buenos aires Hotel

argentina

incatours.net 35

miraflorespark hotel, byorient express,lima

inkaterrareserva amazonica jungle lodge,Tambopata

tambo del inka hotel,sacred valleyof the incas

inkaterra machu picchupueblo hotel,machu picchuvillage

hiram bingham orient express,machu picchu to cuzco

el monasterio hotel, by orient express, cuzco

andean explorer orient express,cuzco to puno

hotel titilaka,lake titicaca

europa hotel,la paz

world classhotels & facilities

Please note: the interior hotel room photos on these two pages are for general information purposes only. The specific room you are accommodated in on tour may differ slightly in terms of room type, standard and configuration.

titilaka das cataratas el monasterio

bolivia


includedhighlights

• 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 tipping, porterage and departure taxes throughout the tour.

• Views of the “Valley of the Volcanoes”, while flying from Santiago to Puerto Montt.

• Two nights 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.

• Two nights at Iguassu Falls, considered by many to be the most spectacular in the world.

• Comprehensive walking tours of both the Argentine& Brazilian sides of Iguassu Falls.

• 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 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.

• Overnight in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Village) and two visits to Machu Picchu.

•The Orient Express Hiram Bingham Train from Machu Picchu to Cuzco.

• 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 shore of Lake Titicaca.

• A full day Lake Titicaca crossing from Peru to Bolivia, including a visit to the Sun Island.

• Two nights in La Paz, the unofficial capital city of Bolivia, high in the Andes Mountains.

• Two nights in Santiago de Chile, set against the stunning backdrop of the Andes.

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 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.

• 60 meals are included: 30 breakfasts,13 lunches &17 dinners, some ofwhich are tour highlights. In addition,a number of meals are served on flights.

exclusive south americagold tour

32 daysfive diverse and exciting countries:

PERU

CHILE

BRAZIL

BOLIVIA

ARGENTINA

Lake Titicaca

Puno

Machu Picchu

Iguassu Falls

Puerto Maldonado

Cuzco

Bariloche

Rio de Janeiro

Santiago

Puerto Montt & Puerto Varas

Lima

La Paz

Buenos Aires

incatours.net 37

lake nahuel huapi, bariloche, argentina

santiago de chile at dusk

DAY 1 Saturday sydney / Puerto Varas

This morning you depart on your flight to

Santiago. As you cross the International Date

Line you ‘gain’ a day so you arrive later on

Saturday. In Santiago we connect with our flight

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 we

are taken to our hotel for two nights in nearby

Puerto Varas, a beautiful alpine type town on

the shores of Llanquihue Lake. (Meals inflight)

DAY2 Sunday Puerto Varas

After a leisurely start 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 Gold

Tour. Later we are taken on a sightseeing tour

of Puerto Varas and nearby Puerto Montt,

including the local fish markets. (BL)

DAY3 Monday Puerto Varas / BarilocheAfter breakfast we commence the spectacular

Southern Lakes Crossing, a combination of

bus and boat travel traversing this picturesque

area. We are collected from our hotel and

travel by coach around the shores of Lake

Llanquihue. After entering Vicente Perez

Rosales National Park we visit Petrohue Falls.

We then cross Todos Los Santos Lake, seeing

Osorno Volcano and the peak of El Tronador

Mountain, to Peulla. After lunch in Peulla

we cross the Vicente Perez Rosales Pass into

Argentina. We then travel by catamaran across

Frias Lake to Puerto Alegre where we 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 we

will be taken to the luxurious Llao

Llao Hotel for two nights. (BL)

DAY4 Tuesday 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. We 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

us through the coyhue forest, an indigenous

evergreen of the beech family. We 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)

DAY 5 wednesday Bariloche / Buenos AiresThis morning we fly to cosmopolitan Buenos

Aires, where we have three fabulous nights.

Tonight enjoy dinner at a traditional Argentine

steak house. (BD)

DAY6 ThursdayBuenos 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.

After breakfast we 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

we dine at the city’s most exclusive and

upmarket Tango Show. (BD)

DAY 7 Friday Buenos AiresToday is entirely at leisure in Buenos Aires. (B)

south america inca goldtour itinerary

I do want to thank

Ross for his care &

company on tour.

He made it feel like

a group of friends

travelling together

—that was special!

Mrs Pamela Barnett QLD

never morethan 18 in aninca group!

argentina bolivia brazil chile & peru


DAY8 Saturday Buenos Aires / Iguazu

This morning we fly to Iguazu Falls, 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 we are taken on a walking

tour of the Argentine falls before transferring to

the Brazil side and to the famous Das Cataratas

Hotel, for a fabulous two-night stay. (BLD)

DAY9 Sunday Iguassu Falls

Our day starts with a comprehensive visit to

the most spectacular side of the falls from a

photographic point of view—the Brazilian side.

We are then taken through the rainforest by 4-wheel drive jeep to the Iguassu River, for aspectacular boat ride up river to the base ofIguassu Falls. There should also be time to visitthe local bird sanctuary, home to a wide varietyof South American species. (BD)

DAY 10 Monday Iguassu / Rio de JaneiroWe fly to Rio de Janeiro and are taken to ourhotel, located opposite Copacabana Beach, forthree nights. Rio sweeps 20 kilometres alongthe narrow alluvial strip between the sea andthe mountains. The combination of dark bluesea, studded with rocky islands, with tumblingwooded mountains and expanses of bare greyrock surrounding the city is very impressive.Brazilians say “God made the world in sixdays, the seventh He devoted to Rio”. (B)

DAY 11 Tuesday Rio de Janeiro

We start with a visit to Corcovado Mountain

and the Statue of Christ. The statue 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 we dine

at one of Rio’s most popular local restaurants

before experiencing Rio’s best Carnival and

Samba Show outside of Carnival. (BD)

DAY 12 Wednesday Rio de JaneiroIn the afternoon we 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 we enjoy a cool drink as

the sun sets over the emerging lights of Rio. (B)

DAY 13 Thursday Rio de Janeiro / Lima

Early this morning we 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

Colonial Period. This afternoon we are taken

to the world famous Lima Gold Museum,

which also houses one of the world’s largest

collections of armoury. (BD)copacabana beach, rio, brazil

iguassu falls & orient express’ das cataratas hotel

puerto varas bariloche buenos aires

incatours.net 39

DAY 14 Friday Lima

Our morning starts with a tour of Colonial

Lima, during which we visit 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. We 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. (B)

DAY 15 Saturday Lima / Amazon JungleWe fly to Puerto Maldonado, deep in the

Amazon Basin, where on arrival we are met

and driven to the river port. We then take a

45-minute journey down the Madre de Dios

River by motor canoe, bringing us to Reserva

Amazonica, a private ecological reserve and

research centre and our home for three relaxing

nights. This afternoon we 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’s rainforest

environment. (BLD)

DAY 16 Sunday Amazon Jungle

Our day starts early with a boat ride to the

Tambopata National Reserve, where wildlife

surrounds us as we take the one hour walk to

the pristine Sandoval Lake. Here we glide in a

wooden catamaran across a beautiful, mirror

like oxbow lake that is home to the endangered

giant river otter, as well as red howler monkeys,

macaws, anacondas, point-tailed palm creepers

and side-neck turtles. This afternoon we travel

upriver to Hacienda Concepcion, home to a

remarkable Botanical Garden with over 200

different species of rainforest plants, many of

which are used for medicinal purposes. (BLD)

DAY 17 Monday Amazon Jungle

Today we take a short boat ride to Inkaterra’s

private canopy walkway. After ascending the

first tower, at 30 metres above the forest floor,

we literally walk through the treetops for one

and a half hours along suspension bridges that

link eight observation platforms. We 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 we

walk to Gamitana Creek. The sights, scents

and sounds of the jungle will surround us as

we walk along the banks of this winding, dark

water creek that is home to piranha, caimans,

turtles and brightly coloured birds. (BLD)

DAY 18 Tuesday Amazon / Sacred Valley

This morning we fly to Cuzco, the Inca

Capital, from where we are driven to a lower

altitude in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We

have accommodation in this stunning rural

destination for two nights. The remainder of

the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy our

surroundings. (BD)

sandoval lake, puerto maldonado, peru

the sacred valley of the incas, peru

rio de janeiro lima amazon cuzco


DAY 19 Wednesday Sacred Valley of incas

Here we visit the famous Inca Fortress of

Ollantaytambo before continuing on to the

traditional local markets of Pisac, with their

fabulous artefacts, weavings, etc. After lunch at

a private hacienda, we return to our hotel. (BL)

DAY20 Thursday 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)

DAY21 Friday machu picchu / Cuzco

Your day is free to further explore Machu

Picchu without the hassle of large crowds. This

evening we make our way back to the train

station for our return journey to Cuzco on the

Hiram Bingham Train. On arrival we check in

to our luxurious hotel for three nights. (BD)

DAY22 Saturday 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 we take you on a comprehensive

tour of Cuzco that includes the Main Cathedral,

the Plaza de Armas, the Temple of the Sun

(Koricancha), as well as other highlights. We

then visit one of the other very important Inca

Ruins outside of Cuzco: Sacsayhuaman. (BD)

DAY23 Sunday Cuzco

Today is at leisure to further explore Cuzco. (B)

DAY24 Monday Cuzco / lake titicaca

This morning we board the Orient Express

Andean Explorer train for our 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, we are driven to our luxury hotel for

a unique three-night stay. (BLD+)

DAY25 Tuesday Lake Titicaca

Today we 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 we learn how they

survived by catching fish, by using reeds in

amazing ways and by trading with land-based

settlers. This afternoon we have another

excursion in this very remote yet incredibly

beautiful part of the world. (BLD+) machu picchu, peru

Cuzco local & original inca stonework

sacred valley machu picchu lake

incatours.net 41

DAY26 Wednesday Lake Titicaca

Today’s start sees us 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 we choose another excursion. We

may visit Socca, another rustic community.

Here we can walk along wide sandy shores

between wetlands and farms and appreciate

the local dress and slow pace of life. (BLD+)

DAY27 Thursday titicaca / sun is / la paz

An early start sees us on our way to Bolivia!

We are collected from our hotel and driven

around the shores of Lake Titicaca to Juli,

where we board our hydrofoil for the trip

across the lake and into Bolivian waters.

Stopping at the Moon Island to visit Inak Uyu,

the Sun Virgins Temple, we have breathtaking

views across the lake.We continue on to Sun

Island and go ashore to visit the Inca staircase

and sacred fountain, where we touch the water

believed to give eternal youth and happiness.

After lunch on the island we again board our

hydrofoil bound for Copacabana. Here we

have a short tour of the local market before our

private bus trip to La Paz. On arrival we check

in to our hotel for a unique two-night stay. (BL)

floating islands of los uros, lake titicaca, peru

titicaca altiplano la paz santiago

DAY28 friday La Paz

We undertake a comprehensive half day tour

of La Paz, during which we 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.

We also visit the unusual formations of the

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

DAY29 saturday la paz / Santiago

Late today we fly to Santiago, via Iquique in

the Atacama Desert on Chile’s far northern

coast. On arrival into Santiago we are met and

taken to our luxurious uptown hotel for two

relaxing nights. (B)

DAY30 sunday Santiago Our day starts with a city tour visiting the Plazade Armas, the16th Century Cathedral, CityHall, the National Congress Buildings and the Moneda Presidential Palace. We also seeO’Higgins Park, featuring the former ChileanMilitary Academy and Santa Lucia Hill, whereSantiago was founded in1542. Tonight weenjoy a special end of tour farewell dinner. (BD)

DAY31 monday Santiago / inflightToday we are taken to Santiago Airport for ourflight home to Sydney. (B&Meals Inflight)

DAY32 tuesday inflight / sydneyWe arrive in Sydney late today.Welcome Home!

tour Dates for south america Gold Tour

Departing 2nd April 2016 Returning 3rd May 2016

Departing 1st October 2016 Returning 1st November 2016

costs for south america Gold Tour

$29,990 Per person twin-share ex-Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney

$28,490 Per person twin-share starting in Puerto Montt & ending in Santiago

$7,960 Single room supplement for solo travellers not wishing to share rooms

$5,690 Business-class upgrade for long-haul international sectors

galapagos islands or patagonia cruise extensionsPlease consider our Galapagos Islands or Patagonia Cruises on page 54, 58and 59. They work very well before or after the South America Gold Tour.

Terms & conditions apply. Tour costs may change prior to receipt of full payment due to circumstances beyond our control.


young lions

includedhighlights

• Experienced senior tour leader.

• Expert local guides in each location.

• All tipping, porterage& departure taxes.

• Views of the “Valley of the Volcanoes”.

• Two nights 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.

• Two nights at fabulous Iguassu Falls.

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

• Three nights in vibrant Rio de Janeiro.

• Separate tours in Rio, including SugarLoaf Mountain& the Statue of Christ.

includedfine dining

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

• 24 meals are included:14 breakfasts,4 lunches& 6 dinners.

first part ofsouth america gold tour

DAY 1 TODAY 12 sydney / rio de janeiroPlease see Days1 to12 on pages 37& 38 for thedetailed itinerary of the Gold Tour First Part.

DAY 13 thursday rio / santiago / inflightToday you fly to Santiago where you connectwith your flight to Sydney, via Auckland. (B)

DAY 14 Friday inflightToday is spent inflight as you re-cross the International Date Line and ‘lose’ a day.

DAY 15 saturday inflight / sydneyYou 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 fifteen days duration, it also allows people with limited time

to enjoy the luxury and pampering of our Inca Gold Tour of South America.

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.

You have two relaxing nights in beautiful Puerto Varas, the gateway to Chile’s South Lakes

District of Patagonia, before undertaking the Lakes Crossing to Bariloche in Argentina.

After two nights at the fabulous Llao Llao Hotel& Resort 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. Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro

then calls, for another three nights in one of Copacabana Beach’s most well appointed

hotels, before returning to Australia, all “Latined out!”

first part: chile argentina brazil

CHILE

BRAZIL

ARGENTINA Iguassu Falls

Bariloche

Rio de Janeiro

Santiago

Puerto Montt& Puerto Varas

Buenos Aires the southern lakes crossing & osorno volcano

15 daysargentinabrazil chile

first part of tour Dates

Departing 2nd April 2016 Returning 16th April 2016

Departing 1st October 2016 Returning 15th October 2016

First part of tour costs

$13,990 Per person twin-share

$12,490 Per person twin-sharestarting Puerto Montt & ending Rio

$3,680 Single supplement

$5,690 Business-class upgrade

incatours.net 43

machu picchu

includedfine dining

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

• 40 meals are included:19 breakfasts,9 lunches& 12dinners.

second part ofsouth america gold tour

DAY 1 wednesday sydney / santiago / limaToday you fly to Santiago and then on to Lima,

Peru. As you cross the International Date Line

you ‘gain’ a day so you arrive in Lima later on

Wednesday. On arrival you are met and taken

to your hotel for three nights. Tomorrow you

meet your tour leader and the other members

of your Inca Gold Tour. (Meals Inflight)

DAY2 TODAY21 lima / sydneyThe itinerary for the Gold Tour Second Part

is the same as the South America Gold Tour

from the afternoon of Day13 to Day 32. Please

see pages 38 to 41 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 twenty-one days, it also allows those with limited time to

enjoy the service and attention that our South America Gold Tours 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 its down to the Sacred Valley for two relaxing nights. An

early morning train then delivers you to the doorstep of Machu Picchu. After the best part of

two days at Machu Picchu, you board the Orient Express Hiram Bingham Train to 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. A hydrofoil

crossing of Lake Titicaca is followed by a bus to La Paz. Finally, enjoy two nights in Santiago!

second part: peru bolivia & chile

PERU

CHILE

BOLIVIALake Titicaca

Puno

Machu PicchuPuerto Maldonado

Cuzco

Santiago

Lima

La Paz

21 dayschile peruBolivia

includedhighlights




• Three nights in Lima’s Miraflores.

• A tour of 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 Hiram Bingham Train to Cuzco.

• 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.

• Two nights in Santiago de Chile.

second part tour Dates

Departing 14th April 2016 Returning 3rd May 2016

Departing 13th October 2016 Returning 1st November 2016

second part tour costs


$17,090 Per person twin-sharestarting Lima & ending Santiago




the inca sensationstourthe ultimate superiorsouth america tourthe highlights in a shorter periodThe Inca Sensations Tour of South America includes most of the highlights of South America but overa shorter duration and at a more moderate level than the luxury Gold Tour. This is our more modestlypriced Superior-class tour to South America, designed for the more budget conscious guest. It too visitsmost of the highlights and is escorted by an experienced tour leader with assistance from our expertEnglish-speaking local guides. It utilises less extravagant hotels than the Gold Tour but the properties arevery well located, of a very high standard and exhibit all the charm 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 and tour leader, we also place a cap of only eighteenguests on each Sensations Tour. This way you receive personalised attention all the way. For financialreasons, most other 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!

casa aliaga andean explorer lake

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 45

titicaca sun island orient express

superior class hotels & lodges


superior-class hotels, lodges, trains & vessels

sensations

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

sandoval lake lodge rio sagrado

peruestelar mirafloreshotel,lima

sandoval lakelodge, amazon basin

rio sagradoorient expresshotel,sacred valley

el mapi hotel,machu picchuvillage

aranwa boutiquehotel,cuzco

vistadometrain,machu picchuto cuzco

bolivia

incatours.net 47

the finest properties to reside in

Please note: the interior hotel room photos on these two pages are for general information purposes only. The specific room you are accommodated in on tour may differ slightly in terms of room type, standard and configuration.

aranwa la casona das cataratas

andean explorer orient express,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

das cataratashotel, byorient express,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


includedhighlights

• 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 tipping, porterage and departure taxes throughout the tour.

• Two nights in Lima’s fashional 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 Orient Express Das Cataratas Hotel, 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.

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.

four diverse & exciting countries:

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

incatours.net 49

lima, peru

DAY 1 Monday Sydney / santiago / 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!

argentina bolivia brazil and peru

sandoval lake, peru


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 Orient Express 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

lima cuzco machu picchu titicaca

incatours.net 51

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 up river to the base of the falls. Tonight

we are taken out for a 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 South American species. This

afternoon is at leisure. You may like to take

an optional 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

la paz buenos aires iguassu falls rio

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 / sydney

You arrive home late today. Welcome Home!

tour Dates for south america sensations Tour

Departing 5th September 2015 Returning 29th September 2015

Departing 5th March 2016 Returning 29th March 2016

costs for south america sensations Tour

$19,990 Per person twin-share ex-Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney

$18,490 Per person twin-share starting in Lima & ending in Buenos Aires

$3,553 Single room supplement for solo travellers not wishing to share rooms

$5,690 Business-class upgrade for long-haul international sectors

galapagos islands or patagonia cruise extensionsPlease consider our Galapagos Islands or Patagonia Cruises on page 54, 58 and 59. They work very well before or after the South America Sensations Tour.

Terms & conditions apply. Tour costs may change prior to receipt of full payment due to circumstances beyond our control.

PERU

CHILE

BOLIVIA

Lake TiticacaPuno

Machu PicchuPuerto Maldonado

Cuzco

Santiago

Lima

La Paz


main square, lima, peru

16 daysbolivia & peru part

includedhighlights




• 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 sydney / la pazThe itinerary for the First Part of Sensations is the same as South America Sensations fromDay1 to Day13. Please see pages 49 and 50.

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 / sydneyYou 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.

sensations first part: peru & bolivia

first part of tour Dates

Departing 5th September 2015 Returning 19th September 2015


First part of tour costs


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



incatours.net 53

includedhighlights




• 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 sydney / 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 / sydneyThe itinerary for the Second Part of Sensationsis the same as the South America SensationsTour from Day15 to Day23. Please see page 51.

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.

the second part: argentina & brazil

BRAZIL

ARGENTINA

IguassuFalls

Rio de Janeiro

Buenos Aires

11 daysargentina& brazil part

second part tour Dates

Departing 17th September 2015Returning 29th September 2015


second part tour costs


$9,690 Per person twin-sharestarting Iguassu & ending Buenos Aires



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


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.

giant tortoises & albatross

incatours.net 55

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 will 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

Silver Galapagos 5-star + 100

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.

blue footed booby & iguana

giant galapagos tortoises

off vessel excursion

tour extension costs

$2,480 pp sharing Superior-class*

$4,138 pp sharing Luxury-class#

do it BEFORE

1 Before the South America SensationsTour on page 48.

2 Before (or after) a Taste of Ecuador orSpirit of the Andes on pages 66 & 67.

do it AFTER

3 After (or before) the South AmericaGold Tour on page 36.

4 After the Best of Colombia on page 61.

ARGENTINA Falkland Islands(Isla Malvinas)

Petermann Island

King George IslandDrake Passage

Deception IslandCuverville

Island AntarcticPeninsula

Ushuaia


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!

up close and personal

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.

snow capped peaks & icebergs

6 to32 daysantarctica

incatours.net 57

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.

albatross penguin & sea lion




do it BEFORE

1 Before the South America SensationsTour on page 48. (March departure only)

2 Before the Australis South PatagoniaCruise on page 58.

do it AFTER

3 After the South America Gold Tour on page 36. (October departure only)

zodiac excursion

Aguila Glacier ARGENTINA

CHILE

Ushuaia

Cape HornWulaia Bay

Punta ArenasMagdalena Island


australis cruise vessel

4 daysaustraliscruise

australis south patagonia cruiseexplore the “end of the earth”Day 2 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)

Day 3 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 will take 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)

Day 4 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)

cape horn & magellan strait


$1,858 pp sharing Superior-class

do it BEFORE

1 Before a visit to Torres del Paine National Park on page 63.

2 Before Skorpios II Cruise on page 59.

do it AFTER


4 After the South America SensationsTour on page 48.

San RafaelGlacier

CHILE

QuitralcoPuerto Aguirre

Chiloe

Puerto Montt

incatours.net 59

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 & 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)

san rafael glacier & chiloe is



do it BEFORE

1 Before (or after) the South AmericaGold Tour on page 36.

2 Before (or after) a visit to Torres delPaine National Park on page 63.

do it AFTER

3 After (or before) the South AmericaSensations Tour on page 48.

4 After the Australis Cruise on page 58.

skorpios II chilean fjords cruisenavigate chile’s fjords & glaciers

Iquitos

Pacaya Samiria Reserve

Maranon River

Ucayali River

NautaAmazon River

Pacaya River

PERU


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

iquitos & the mighty amazon




do it BEFORE


do it AFTER

2 After the South America Gold Tour onpage 36.

3 After the Best of Colombia Tour onpage 61.

amazon river luxury cruisingsail the amazon in absolute comfort

Bogota

San AugustinCOLOMBIA

Cartagena

EAN SEA

incatours.net 61

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)

a cathedral hewn from salt



$8,660 pp sharing Luxury-class

do it BEFORE


2 Before a Galapagos Islands Cruise onpage 54.

3 Before a Taste of Ecuador on page 66.

do it AFTER

4 After the South America Gold Touron page 36.

8 daysthe best ofcolombia

the best of colombiadiscover colombia’s hidden gems

ARGENTINA

PeritoMorenoGlacier

El Calafate

UpsalaGlacier

Buenos Aires


perito moreno glacier, argentina

4 daysperitomoreno

perito moreno & upsala glaciersextend you stay and see the glaciersPerito Moreno Glacier. It is one of the fewpermanently advancing glaciers in the world,with a 5 km wide front and a height of sixtymetres. Great blocks of ice break loose and fallthunderously into the lake making great wavesand later surfacing to form icebergs. In a cycle ofroughly three years, the glacier advances acrossthe lake, cutting off Brazo Rico from the CanalDe Los Tempanos, then finally the pressurebreaks the ice and re-opens the canal once again.

You may like to undertake some optional“mini-trekking” on the glacier. This involvesyour guides providing crampons andexplaining their use. From here the two-hourtrek circuit introduces you to the landscapes ofthe glacier and includes ice of the mostincredible blues! The surface over which youwalk will be irregular but firm and thetrekking is classified as “moderate”. Thisafternoon you return to the launch for a 20minute cruise back to the pier from where youare returned to El Calafate. (BL)

DAY3 Calafate / Upsala & OnelliThis morning you depart from Punta Banderaon a vessel and sail along the Northern Arm ofLake Argentino, one of the most beautifulareas of the national park. You navigate for twohours among huge icebergs, some several timesthe size of the ship, towards the Upsala Glacier.The glacier’s size is 595 square km, three timesthe size of Buenos Aires! It is 60 km long,

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

seven km wide and its height varies from 60

to 80 metres. On arrival at the glacier your

boat stops so you can take in the spectacular

scenery. Continuing on to Onelli Bay, you

experience some spectacular views of its surface,

almost completely covered by icebergs. It is

here that three glaciers converge from their

frozen peaks to form one. You sail back to

Punta Bandera and then continue on to your

hotel for the night. (BL)

DAY4 depart el CalafateThis morning is at leisure to further explore El

Calafate. This afternoon you are taken to the

airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires. (B)

perito moreno upsala onelli



Not available in Luxury-class

do it BEFORE

1 Before the South America Gold Touron page 36.

2 Before the Australis South PatagoniaCruise on page 58.

do it AFTER

3 After the South America SensationsTour on page 48.

CHILE

Torres del Paine NPPunta Arenas

incatours.net 63

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 row-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 will be

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

blue icebergs & white glaciers


US$1,620 pp sharing Superior-class*

US$1,980 pp sharing Luxury-class#

do it BEFORE

1 Before (or after) the South AmericaGold Tour on page 36.

2 Before (or after) the South AmericaSensations Tour on page 48.

do it AFTER

3 After the Australis South PatagoniaCruise on page 58.

4 After Skorpios II Cruise on page 59.

Salar de Atacama(Atacama Salt Flat)

CHILE

San Pedro de Atacama

Calama

Atacama Desert


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 will be 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

Casa Atacama Hotel* 4-star

Explora Atacama 5-star

Tierra Atacama Hotel 5-star

san pedro de atacama’s desert




do it BEFORE

1 Before (or after) the South AmericaSensations Tour on page 48.

do it AFTER


3 After the Uyuni Salt Flats Tour onpage 68.

church, san pedro de atacama

the atacama desertexplore the world’s driest desert

MataveriHanga PikoHanga Roa

Motu Nui Island

Vaihu

AkahangaAhu Tongariki

Orongo

Ana KaiTangata

VinapuRano Kao Volcano

RanoRarakuVolcano

Terevaka Hill 507 m

AnakenaBeach

SOUTHPACIFICOCEAN

incatours.net 65

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 s 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.

600 easter island moai statues


US$641 pp sharing Tourist-class@



do it BEFORE


2 After (or before) the South AmericaSensations Tour on page 48.

ECUADOR

Otavalo

Cotopaxi▲Quito


church of la compana, quito, ecuador

5 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

indigenous group. You have ample time at the

Otavalo Markets discovering enticing items

such as textiles, paintings, ceramics, leather

goods, jewellery, tapestries and more. Lunch

is served at a typical Ecuadorian hacienda.

Before returning to Quito you visit Peguche,

an Indian Village near Otavalo. (BL)

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)

otavalo markets, ecuador

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 will

be time to explore the surroundings before

returning to Quito later in the afternoon. (BL)

DAY 5 depart quitoThis morning you are taken to Quito Airport

for your onward flight. (B)

quito & the otavalo markets




do it BEFORE


2 Before (or after) a Galapagos Cruise orSpirit of the Andes on pages 54 & 67.

do it AFTER



middle of the world monument

a taste of ecuadormake your tour more memorable!

ECUADOR

Quito

Mashpi Reserve

incatours.net 67

the highlands, ecuador

4 to7 daysspirit ofthe andes

colonial houses, cuenca, 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 extensionSpending three days in Mashpi Cloud Forest

Reserve 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.

cotopaxi NP banos & cuenca

tour costs



do it BEFORE

1 Before the South America SensationsTour or Gold Tour on page 48 & 36.

2 Before (or after) a Galapagos Cruise orATaste of Ecuador on pages 54 & 66.

AFTER

3 After time in Mashpi Cloud Forest Reserve. Please see the above extension.


spirit of the andes, ecuadorchill out in ecuador’s highlands

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


uyuni salt flat, bolivia

5 daysuyuni salt flats

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 and

impresses because of the redness of it water.The

colour is due to fine red sediment accumulated

on it’s 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 Flats

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 64. Alternatively

and at extra cost, we can return you to La Paz

if you don’t wish to visit the Atacama Desert.

the world’s largest salt lake


$3,060 Tourist & Superior-class


do it BEFORE


2 Before the Atacama Desert Tour onpage 64.

do it AFTER


uyuni salt flatstep on the world’s largest salt lake

PERUBallestas Islands

Pisco / ParacasNazca

Lima

incatours.net 69

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. During your overflight you

may also see the Palpa Lines and other new

discoveries in Pisco, Ocucaje and Cahuachi.

Following your overflight you are taken to

the Ica Archeological Museum, which houses

mummies, ceramics, textiles and skulls from

the Paracas, Nazca and Inca Cultures. You are

then 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 Airport

to board your short flight to Pisco, on the

Pacific Coast of Peru. (This can also be done

by private car or by regular bus. The road trip

takes approximately three hours.)

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 will allow 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

airport to board your flight to Lima. (This can

also be done by private car or by regular bus.) (B)

nazca lines & paracas reserve




do it BEFORE


2 Before the Second Part of the SouthAmerica Gold Tour on page 43.

do it AFTER


4 After the Uyuni Salt Flats on page 68.

paracas marine reserve, peru

nazca lines & paracasview these mysterious markings


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

$151 pp $319 per person $85 per person

$88 per person$15 pp

incatours.net 71

popular gold tour combos

combining tours

popular sensations combos

days Tour & extensions pages36+ gold TOUR +galapagos ISLANDS Cruise 36 & 5438+ antarctic cruise +gold tour 56 & 3636 australis SOUTH PATAGONIA cruise +gold tour 58 & 3637 skorpios II CHILEAN FJORDS cruise +gold tour 59 & 3636+ gold TOUR +amazon RIVER LUXURY cruise 36 & 6040 gold TOUR +THE BEST OF COLOMBIA 36 & 6136 perito moreno & UPSALA glaCIERS +gold tour 62 & 3636+ gold TOUR +TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK 36 & 6336+ THE ATACAMA DESERT +gold tour 64 & 3636+ gold TOUR + EASTER ISLAND 36 & 6537 gold TOUR +A TASTE OF ECUADOR 36 & 6636+ gold TOUR+ THE SPIRIT OF THE ANDES, ECUADOR 36 & 6737 gold TOUR+UYUNI SALT FLATS 36 & 6834 gold TOUR +NAZCA LINES & PARACAS 36 & 69

days tour & extensions pages27+ sensations TOUR+galapagos ISLANDS Cruise 48 & 5427 sensations TOUR +australis PATAGONIA cruise 48 & 5828 skorpios II FJORDS cruise + sensations tour 59 & 4827+ amazon RIVER LUXURY cruise + sensations TOUR 60 & 4831 THE BEST OF COLOMBIA + sensations TOUR 61 & 4827 sensations TOUR + perito moreno GLACIER 48 & 6227+ TORRES DEL PAINE NP + sensations TOUR 63 & 4827+ sensations TOUR +THE ATACAMA DESERT 48 & 6427+ sensations TOUR + EASTER ISLAND 48 & 6528 A TASTE OF ECUADOR + sensations TOUR 66 & 4827+ THE SPIRIT OF THE ANDES + sensations TOUR 67 & 4828 UYUNI SALT FLATS + sensations TOUR 68 & 4825 NAZCA LINES & PARACAS + sensations TOUR 69 & 48

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Packages, Cruises & Treks

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southamerica

&antarctica

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INCA TOURS 68 Pacific Highway, Wyong NSW 2259 Tel (02) 4351 2133 Fax (02) 4351 2526 Toll free from within Australia1800 024 955 Email [email protected] Web www.incatours.net Licenced Travel Agent No 2TA5698 ABN 28 112 971 838

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Packages, Safaris, Cruises &

Small Group Departures

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&middleeast

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Please contact Inca Tours or yourtravel agent forany of the above

brochures

Group travel not for you?

Inca Tours also specialises in designing tailor-made SouthAmerica tours for non-group private travel, for couples,individuals, families and groups of friends. If the SouthAmerica Gold Tour or the South America Sensations Tourdescribed in this brochure do not suit you, just tell uswhat parts of South America you would like to visit,when you want to travel and we’ll design a personaliseditinerary to reflect your interests and your budget.

Additionally, for brochures on our tours and travel toAfrica, Bhutan, Central America, Cuba, Egypt, India,Mexico, Nepal or Tibet, please call us toll free on1800 024 955 or email: [email protected]

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