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Highlights of South America & the Galapagos

4.0/5 Based on 2 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Flights Included Fully Guided Locally Guided Coach Small Group Cruise Island Hopping Wildlife Scenic
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 Trip Length
29 Days
 Trip Starts
Buenos Aires
 Trip Finishes
Lima
29 Day Highlights of South America & the Galapagos Itinerary (Bunnik Tours)
Countries Explored: Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Galapagos
Cruise Line
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz
No Reviews
Accommodation
3.5 - 4 Star
Ship Type
Expedition Cruise Ship
Max. Group Size
20
Guide Level
Fully Guided, Locally Guided
Trip Code
BUN68778

Overview

Read 2 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Bunnik Tours 29 Day Highlights of South America & the Galapagos. Uncover incredible South America on this cross-continental adventure. Dance the tango in Buenos Aires, see the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio and the powerful Iguazu Falls. Experience the contrasts between modern and ancient Peru in Lima and Cusco, fly over the remarkable Nazca Lines and visit the abundant wildlife on the Ballestas Islands. Then follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin on the incredible Galapagos Islands. Return international...read more flights are included between Australia and the start & end point of your trip. Surcharges may apply.

Itinerary

Bienvenido a grand Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital! It's also affectionately known as the ‘Paris of the South'!

Our sightseeing this morning includes Plaza de Mayo, Recoleta Cemetery and Caminito Street in the colourful La Boca district. We also visit the opulent Colon Theatre. (B/D) Special Experience: Don your dancing shoes for a traditional tango lesson, then enjoy a lively dinner and show.

The day is at leisure to discover more of the city. (B)

We fly to colourful Rio de Janeiro. (B)

Discover the icons of Rio today, including Corcovado Hill, the Statue of Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain. (B)

Enjoy a day at leisure before a traditional churrasco grill dinner at Fogo de Chao. (B/D)

This morning we fly to thundering Iguazu Falls. (B)

Straddling the border of Argentina and Brazil, Iguazu Falls is one of the world's largest and most spectacular waterfalls. Standing on a platform suspended over the thunderous Devil's Throat, we'll sense the incredible power of the falls. (B)

On the Brazilian side of the falls, we wander along the canyon path, enjoying the panoramic views. We also visit the Parque das Aves. Set deep in the rainforest, it is home to more than 150 species of tropical birds, including toucans and macaws. (B)

Our sightseeing in Lima includes the Lima Cathedral, Convento de San Francisco and the Larco Museum, home to priceless Incan artefacts. (B)

Today we fly to Cusco, the former Incan capital. Our afternoon walking tour begins with a visit to the 17th century Cathedral of Santo Domingo. We'll also see Koricancha, the Temple of the Sun. (B)

We travel into the incredible Sacred Valley, stopping to meet the llamas and vicuñas in Awanacancha and to visit Pisac's lively market. We'll also visit the town of Ollantaytambo. (B) Special Experience: Enjoy a traditional chicha and taste some cuy, a regional delicacy of guinea pig, at a local chicheria.

Today we'll trek through the beautiful Sacred Valley from Patacancha to Ollantaytambo. Admire the superb scenery as we walk, taking in serene waterfalls, ancient ruins and villages. (B/L)

A magical day as we travel by Vistadome train through the Sacred Valley to the legendary Lost City of the Incas - Machu Picchu! (B/D) Inca Trail: Optional Inca Trail trek available.

There's time to head back to Machu Picchu this morning if you wish. In the afternoon we'll return to Ollantaytambo and visit the ruins of the impressive Incan fortress, before heading to Chinchero for a traditional weaving demonstration. (B)

Today we explore the fortress of Sacsayhuaman and the San Pedro Market. (B)

Enjoy a day at leisure in Cusco. Full of plazas, archaeological ruins and interesting craft shops, it's a great place to explore and experience on your own. (B)

From Cusco, we fly to Lima and travel south to Paracas, a beach resort town on Peru's coast, home to a stunning national reserve. (B)

Special Experience: Fly in a light plane over the mysterious Nazca Lines in the middle of the Nazca Desert. We'll see ancient geoglyphs depicting hundreds of figures. We'll also enjoy a tour of the pristine Paracas National Reserve. (B)

We board a boat to the Ballestas Islands, a vibrant sanctuary home to much wildlife, including the endangered Humboldt penguin. We'll also be able to see the famous Paracas Candelabro formation from the boat. We return to Lima and enjoy a group dinner overlooking the Huaca Pucllana ruins. (B/D)

Fly to Guayaquil and explore the city on a tour. (B)

Embark Cruise: We fly to the incredible Galapagos Islands and board the Isabela II. (B/L/D) Special Experience: Enjoy a relaxing lunch among the giant tortoises in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island.

Anchor at Santa Fe Island, home to many sea lion colonies and land iguanas. Visit South Plaza Island in the afternoon. (B/L/D)

Enjoy more wildlife and bird watching on North Seymour Island and Bachas Beach, home to abandoned WWII barges. (B/L/D)

Discover iconic Bartolome Island, enjoy a dinghy ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock and visit beautiful Sullivan Bay. (B/L/D)

Disembark Cruise: Our Galapagos adventure ends. We fly to Lima, via Guayaquil. (B)

Today we begin our journey home. (B)

Trip Inclusions

Dance the night away in Buenos Aires
  • Discover the grand city of Buenos Aires on a city tour, including the colourful La Boca district, the impressive Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Peron is buried, and a visit to the stunning Colon Theatre.
  • Experience Argentina's famous Tango at a dinner show and lesson in Buenos Aires.
Feel the thunder of Iguazu Falls and experience the excitement of Rio
  • Spend 3 nights in Rio de Janeiro staying in the heart of Copacabana Beach.
  • Tour the iconic sights of Rio including the Statue of Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain and Corcovado Hill.
  • Enjoy a traditional Brazilian churrasco grill dinner at Fogo de Chao.
  • Spend 2 nights at the Belmond Das Cataratas hotel inside Iguazu Falls National Park, with the amazing waterfalls right on your doorstep.
  • Visit the thunderous Iguazu Falls! Explore both the Brazilian and Argentinean sides, including the famous Devil's Throat.
  • Get up close and personal with stunning, exotic birds at the Parque Das Aves Bird Park.
Discover the wonders of Peru
  • Discover the sights of Lima on a city tour and visit the famous Larco Museum, containing priceless Incan artefacts.
  • Discover Cusco on a walking tour, visiting the 17th century cathedral and Koricancha, the Temple of the Sun, considered the most spectacular temple of the Incan empire.
  • Travel into the magical Sacred Valley and visit the village Awanacancha to see locals weaving and meet the herds of llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicunas.
  • Stop in the small town of Pisac and explore the lively market.
  • Tour the town of Ollantaytambo, then visit a house for a taste of local life.
  • Visit a local chicheria. Learn about and taste the traditional chicha and try some of the local delicacy, guinea pig.
  • Day trek through the villages and incredible scenery in the Sacred Valley.
  • Travel by Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, gateway to Machu Picchu!
  • Feel the magic of the Lost Incan City of Machu Picchu on an in-depth guided tour and enjoy some time to explore the ruins at your own pace.
  • Spend the night in a nature retreat in Aguas Calientes.
  • Travel by Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo and visit the fortress ruins.
  • Stop at Chinchero for a traditional weaving demonstration.
  • Explore the San Pedro Market and the ancient Incan fortress of Sacsayhuaman in Cusco.
  • Take a scenic flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines, a series of ancient geoglyphs depicting hundreds of figures in the middle of the Nazca desert.
  • Enjoy a visit to scenic Paracas National Reserve.
  • Discover the amazing wildlife of the Ballestas Islands in Paracas, a vibrant sanctuary home to many birds and animals, including the endangered Humboldt penguins.
Follow in the footsteps of Darwin on the Galapagos Islands
  • Take a panoramic tour of Guayaquil including Parque de las Iguanas, Cathedral of Saint Peter, Malecon 2000, City hall and the Simon Bolivar and San Martin Monuments.
  • Spend 4 magical nights aboard the luxury motor yacht, Isabela II, and marvel at the wildlife in the famous Galapagos Islands. Enjoy lunch among the giant tortoises, visit Santa Fe, South Plaza, North Seymour and Bartolome islands and witness the unique animals and birds that call this archipelago home - blue-footed boobys, frigate birds, iguanas, sea lions and brilliant coloured crabs!

  • Return economy-class flights from Australia to South America. Taxes included
  • 9 economy-class flights within South America
  • Airport transfers on the first and last day of tour
  • All touring in air-conditioned vehicles
  • Tipping Made Easy, $290pp pre-paid for land arrangements. On board the cruise tipping is payable locally, suggested amounts of approx. $15pp US per day for crew and $10pp US per day for the guide
  • Porterage included where available

  • 19 nights in 3½-4½ star hotels
  • 2 night stay inside Iguazu Falls National Park at the 5 star Belmond das Cataratas Hotel
  • 1 night stay at the 4½ star Inkaterra Machu Picchu Eco Retreat, Aguas Calientes
  • 4 nights on-board luxury motor yacht, Isabela II, in an Upper Classic Twin cabin
  • 26 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 8 dinners, including group welcome and farewell dinners

  • English-speaking locally based tour director (based on minimum of 8 passengers and excluding cruise)
  • English-speaking locally based guides

  • Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Disruptions to itinerary may occur.
  • The following fees are not included in the tour price: INGALA Galapagos Visitor Card – $20pp US, Galapagos National Park Fee - $100pp US, Wetsuit rental fee - $17pp US + tax
4.0
AVG. RATING 4.0 / 5
2 Reviews
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4 Star
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1 Star
Bucket List Trip to South America 2 , NSW, Australia, Oct 2015
No tour is perfect but this was excellent value for money, one of our most memorable trips, plus we made a few lifelong friends :) The weather was on our side, especially at Machu Picchu and the first day at Iguazu Falls but it rained pretty heavily on the second day. Our group, compared with the other Bunnik group was more active and less whingey, ...read more so we thank God for His perfect matching! I really liked the SMALL group concept. All of us survived the high altitude. Our local guide(s) were all knowledgeable and one was so helpful in calmly helping my wife when we had visa issues at the Bolivian border and pre-filling out the entire group's immigration forms at the airport!

Our tour director was competent but we can only rate her 3/5. Accommodation was standard (though we were unfortunate guides pigs for Bunnik's new hotel option which provide woeful service) but the fantastic hotels in Machu Picchu and Iguazu Falls made up for it. Tip: When booking Easter Island extension, ask for a hotel upgrade as the default one was very very mediocre & a massive let down after our South American tour :( Ending with a cruise was ideal as it provided down time, especially to review our 'digital mountain'! Last but not least, though I started to get the flu on the last day, God miraculously provided us with an upgrade to Business Class, so I could rest before returning to work. Yvonne Brooks was fantastic in answering all our queries and expediting our requests. Yes I would recommend this tour... and I saw they have a luxury version, which I think I would have gone for re accommodation!
An excellent way to tour South America 0 , Australia, Feb 2014
Touring 6-7 countries in South America over just under 6 weeks was an excellent way to do it & considering it included 15 flights as well as a 2 week cruise seeing glaciers etc it's very good value. Our tour guide, Gina, was excellent & a very caring person as well as extremely efficient & I know all people on our tour gave her 15 out of 10; she also ...read more came on the ship with us (a first for Bunnik) & continued her excellent service (I'm sure Marion Bunnik does appreciate her as she also joined us for a few days as did her son Dennis; both lovely people & willing to listen to feedback good or otherwise. As it was Bunnik's first inclusion to Galapagos Island with the Grand Tour of South America we provided her with some suggestions - eg the Darwin Centre is a bit tired & something else would be better. We put Yvonne at Global Journeys through some extra paces but she handled it all willingly so thanks Yvonne; we're now looking at booking a tour of UK & Ireland at your terrific discount (again) so we are standing by our recommendation of Global Journeys & their unbeatable prices. Thanks heaps. PS Bunnik Tours were excellent value, but again the optional tours with the HAL cruise ship were very expensive.
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Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Bunnik Tours. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Bunnik Tours. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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