Luxury Overland Tours

We join LAN and fly from Sydney to Buenos Aires (via Santiago, gaining a day crossing the International Date Line). On arrival we will be driven to the heart of Buenos Aires for a four night stay at the luxurious Park Tower Hotel. Buenos Aires is a wonderful introduction to Latin America.

Our morning tour of this elegant city includes the Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, the beautiful Colon Theatre, the famous ornate tombs in Recoletta Cemetery and the colourful Boca District. After lunch we drive to Tigre for a cruise on the canals of the Tigre Delta. This evening we will enjoy a spectacular Tango Show and a traditional Argentine steak dinner.

Today we will take a trip into the Pampas to see the gauchos (cowboys) with a spectacular horse show and Argentine barbecue.

This evening is a dine-around dinner, choose from a selection of restaurants.

Enjoy a free day for independent exploration or shopping; join an art historian to visit local art galleries; or enjoy a massage at the Hotel Spa.

Dinner is at a local restaurant this evening.

A short flight takes us to Iguassu Falls on the Argentine side. The roar of the torrent and the view of the falls spread over several kilometres is an awe inspiring sight.

You will have the option to take an exhilarating boat trip, skimming over the rapids to the base of the falls (additional cost).

We stay overnight at the Sheraton Iguassu Resort & Spa in rooms with views of the falls.

We cross to the Brazilian side to walk at leisure through the rainforest to the base, which provides a new perspective of the falls.

You may wish to take a helicopter flight over the falls (additional cost).

Later this afternoon we fly to Rio de Janeiro for three nights at the luxurious Sofitel Rio de Janeiro in deluxe ocean view rooms beside Copacabana Beach.

This morning we take a fleet of jeeps waiting beside Copacabana Beach and wind our way through the Tijuca Forest to the summit of Corcovado Mountain with its imposing statue of Christ The Redeemer overlooking Guanabara Bay and the city. After enjoying the view we will take a spectacular drive through the cobblestone streets of the historic Santa Teresa District to the historic centre of Rio. After visiting the futuristic Metropolitan Cathedral designed by Oscar Niemeyer we lunch at Porcao, a delicious Brazilian barbecue restaurant beside Guanabara Bay. After lunch return to the hotel or enjoy time for shopping or visit the Jewellery Museum in Ipanema. This evening we go into the hills for a view of Rio by night before we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. The evening ends with an entertaining Samba Show, in the spirit of Carnivale.

A day to relax and immerse yourself in one of the world’s greatest cities. Enjoy shopping for Brazil’s fine jewellery and handicrafts; join the cariocas on the beach; visit a Favela (shanty town); or simply relax.

Late this afternoon we drive beside Copacabana Beach to join the cable car up Sugar Loaf Mountain for a stunning sunset view over Rio de Janeiro and its beaches.

A morning flight takes us to La Paz, Bolivia, located over 3,000m above sea level. We check into our centrally located Europa Hotel and relax as you become accustomed to the high altitude.

La Paz is an extraordinary city surrounded by the higher peaks of the Andes. This morning is free to explore on your own. This afternoon we tour La Paz including the unique Witchcraft market and later see the lunar landscape of the Valley of the Moon.

We travel by coach to the sacred Lake Titicaca. We explore the lake by boat this afternoon before spending the night in Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Today we join our train for the spectacular rail journey to Cuzco across the Altiplano. The glass walled observation car aboard the Andean Explorer provides a comfortable way to admire the amazing scenery passing by. We arrive into the ancient Incan capital of Cuzco late this afternoon where we will enjoy two nights at the superb Libertador Hotel, located within a historic building.

This morning we will visit the famous Pisac Indian market in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Lunch will be served before touring the many Incan remains around Cuzco including the fortresses of Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay and Kenko. We also take a walking tour of this pleasant city of Cuzco with its Spanish colonial influences.

We travel by train climbing above Cuzco then descending beside the raging Urubamba River to the Lost City of the Incas – Machu Picchu. The city, located on a remote mountaintop, is still intact (except for the straw roofs) and we will explore a maze of empty chambers, palaces and stairways carved from solid rock. This evening we stay close by within the village of Machu Picchu.

Early this morning we make our way to the Lost City to view one of the most spectacular sights in South America – sunrise over Machu Picchu. Take in this special morning prior to returning to Cuzco for a further night. Enjoy a free afternoon in Cuzco to explore or shop independently.

A morning flight takes us to Puerto Maldonado. We transfer by boat to our accommodation, Reserva Amazonica Lodge, located in the heart of the Tambopata National Reserve, where the Madre de dios River meanders through the Southern Peruvian rainforest region.

Over the next two days you are offered a range of land and river excursions, introducing you to the magic of the Southern Amazon rainforest.

A full day of exploration by foot and boat. We visit one of the nearby Indian villages or take the Inkaterra Canopy Walk. After dark we search for caiman (alligators) and other nocturnal animals by motorised canoe along the Tambopata River.

We join our riverboat this morning making our way back to Puerto Maldonado for a flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima we embark on a short city tour visiting the Cathedral, the Plaza de Armas, the Gold Museum and the elegant modern suburbs of Miraflores and San Isidro. We have our Farewell Dinner this evening before our group disperses tomorrow.

Passengers taking the Galapagos Islands Cruise Option please refer to the itinerary below.

Depart early afternoon for your LAN flight home, via Santiago and Auckland.

Today is spent in transit.

Arrive into Sydney early this morning, with connections to other cities.

Galapagos Islands Cruise Option

Day 19, Lima – Quito (Ecuador)
This afternoon we fly to Quito, the quaint capital of Ecuador, located only 23km from the Equator, almost 3,000m high in a huge valley in the Andes. Quito’s rich colonial architecture radiates the charm of old Europe and the excitement of the modern world. UNESCO has declared the whole city a World Heritage Site. We will take a brief tour of the colonial heart of the city this afternoon followed by a transfer to our hotel, the JW Marriott.

Day 20, Quito – Join Galapagos Explorer II
This morning we fly to San Cristobal Island. Upon arrival we visit Wizard Hill, which is famous for its sea lion colonies, frigate birds and abundant flora. Later this afternoon we join Galapagos Explorer II. Our ship offers the highest standards in this remote part of the world with quality suites and excellent food, combined with the best naturalist guides, landing craft and itineraries. (Please note: actual itinerary in the Galapagos may alter.)

Day 21, Cruising Gardiner Bay, Osborne Islet & Espanola Island
This morning we visit Gardiner Bay and Osborne Islet, ideal for swimming and snorkelling and with a spectacular view from its hilltop. We hope to see Galapagos penguins, lava lizards and sea turtles. After lunch onboard we land at Espanola Island in search of weaved albatross, hawks, red billed tropic bird, blue-footed boobies and coloured marine iguanas.

Day 22, Santa Cruz Island & Rabida Island
This morning we visit Santa Cruz Island where you may get to view flamingos, turtles and a variety of mangroves and other fauna. After lunch we cruise to Rabida Island famed
for its red sand beach and cliffs, brown pelicans, finches and Galapagos mockingbirds.

Day 23, Santa Cruz Island & Plazas Island
This morning we land at Santa Cruz Island and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station at Puerto Ayora and see giant tortoises, turtles, vermilion fly catchers and Darin finches. This afternoon we visit Plazas Island. Formed by a lava current, sea lions, land iguanas and frigate birds regularly visit this island.

Day 24, Galapagos – Lima (Peru)
After disembarking we transfer to Baltra airport for a flight to Lima via Guayaquil.

Day 25, Depart Lima
Relax before our early afternoon flight home, via Santiago and Auckland.

Day 26, Travelling
Today is spent in transit.

Day 27, Arrive Australia
We arrive in Australia today.