The top drawcards of South America, including Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires and the ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu, combine with Antarctica to create an exclusive, new cruise tour designed by Cruise Express.
Departing Australia on January 2, 2017, the full 36-night ‘Best of South America and Antarctica’ Unique Journey offers travellers a luxury, guided journey to five Latin American countries – Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Peru plus the British territory of the Falklands and the pristine wilderness of Antarctica.
Tailored to the growing number of Australians interested in visiting South America, the extensive itinerary begins with three nights in Rio de Janeiro and visits to Rio’s famous beaches, Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Guests then fly to one of South America’s most spectacular sights – thundering Iguazu Falls – for a two-night visit. Three nights are also spent in elegant Buenos Aires where guests will be guided to landmarks made famous by Argentina’s iconic first lady, Eva Peron – ‘Evita’. The itinerary features a full day tour to a local gaucho ranch for a horse show and a barbecue showcasing the country’s premium meats. A private tango lesson is also offered in Buenos Aires along with a colourful dinner show in which Latin America’s renowned ‘dance of love’ will shine.
This image shows Colorful La Boca, Buenos Aires
The tour then moves to sea for a 21-night cruise from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso aboard Holland America Line’s 1440 passenger ship, ms Zaandam. The voyage includes eight ports in Uruguay, the Falkland Islands, southern Argentina and Chile with scenic cruising around legendary Cape Horn and the mighty glaciers of Patagonia. Three memorable days are also spent cruising along the white expanse of the Antarctic Peninsula.
The cruise ends in Valparaiso, Chile, where guests fly to Peru for a five-night overland tour beginning in the capital, Lima, where a tour showcases the city’s 350-year-old monastery and grand Plaza de Mayor. Guests will then venture into Peru’s beautiful Sacred Valley in the Andean Highlands to visit Spanish colonial villages like Pisac with its colourful craft markets.
From Ollantaytambo, guests will board Peru Rail’s scenic Vistadome train for a trip through the Andes to the remote village of Aguas Calientes nestled in a deep gorge below the ruins of Machu Picchu. Next day, a short bus trip up the mountain will reveal the glory of the lost Incan city, only discovered in 1911. After a guided tour of the world-famous site, lunch is included in the lodge adjacent to the ruins. The following day, passengers will visit the World-Heritage-listed city of Cuzco, established around 1000 BC and once the capital of the Incan empire. The final night of the tour is spent in the Chilean capital of Santiago before the flight back to Australia.
Including return flights from Australia, flights in South America and extensive sightseeing, the full 36-night ‘Best of South America and Antarctica’ tour is available from $19,480 per person, twin-share. A shorter 31-night itinerary without Peru is available from $14,990 per person, twin-share, and a 26-night option including the cruise via Antarctica and three nights in Buenos Aires is priced from $11,990 per person, twin-share.
Call Cruise Express on 1300 764 509 or visit www.cruiseexpress.com.au
SOURCE: Cruise Express