SPIRIT OF SOUTH AMERICA (SA2013)

Day 1:
Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Welcome to South America’s largest and most populous country. This afternoon, meet your Tour Director and fellow traveling companions for a drive along famous Ipanema and Copacabana Beaches to the base of 1,300-foot-high SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAIN. Ascend by cable car to its summit, where you can savor spectacular vistas of the city. Next, toast the start of a memorable vacation at a local restaurant with caipirinhas, a favorite Brazilian cocktail. Cap off the evening with a welcome dinner. (D)

Day 2:
Rio de Janeiro. The city’s landmark, the statue of Christ the Redeemer, crowns CORCOVADO MOUNTAIN, a rounded peak rising 2,300 feet from the bay below. A scenic ride by cog railway leads to the top, where a breathtaking 360-degree panorama affords sweeping views. From here, proceed to bustling downtown Rio, where modern office towers stand next to relics of the Portuguese colonial past. View the Sambodromo and visit the CATHEDRAL. The afternoon is at leisure for you to experience this vibrant city on your own. Tonight, it’s a fun outing to a CHURRASCARIA for a feast of barbecued meats marinated and roasted over charcoal in true Brazilian style, followed by a SAMBA SHOW, where the sheer vitality of this country explodes in a colorful extravaganza. (B,D)

Day 3:
Rio de Janeiro. A full day at leisure to savor Rio. Relax on one of the world-famous beaches or take advantage of the world-class shopping or fine dining. Alternatively, you may choose to join an optional Guanabara Bay cruise that delivers gorgeous views of Rio from the harbor. This afternoon, you might elect to discover historic Petropolis, a mountain resort and the former summer palace of Emperor Dom Pedro II. (B)

Day 4:
Rio de Janeiro–Buenos Aires, Argentina. Fly to Buenos Aires, proud capital of the vast country that occupies most of the southern part of the continent. After arriving at your central hotel, an orientation walk acquaints you with the “Paris of South America” and its wide boulevards and outdoor cafés. Spend an evening at leisure. (B)

Day 5:
Buenos Aires. Your included sightseeing this morning starts in La Boca, a colorful district and site of the city’s first port. Take a short walking TOUR of this unique neighborhood at the mouth of the river and then on to San Telmo, famous for its late-colonial buildings and as a popular gathering spot for artists. At the Plaza de Mayo, see La Casa Rosada (the President’s Pink House) and the METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL, which houses San Martin’s Mausoleum. Drive past the ornate Colon Opera House before reaching the CEMETERY OF THE RECOLETA, burial site of Eva Peron. After an afternoon at leisure, top off the evening at a famous TANGO CLUB. Start with a [LF] DANCE LESSON followed by dinner of Argentine steaks and other local specialties and end with a show featuring flawless performances of Latin America’s most sensuous dance—the Tango! (B,D)

Day 6:
Buenos Aires. Enjoy a full day at leisure, with an optional excursion to the pampas. Experience the atmosphere of Argentine country life as you visit an estancia (ranch). Get acquainted with the lifestyle of the gauchos and enjoy a barbecue lunch and the warm hospitality of your hosts before returning to the city. (B)

Day 7:
Buenos Aires–Iguassu Falls. This morning, fly to IGUASSU FALLS. The spectacle of this 2-mile-wide torrential downpour—with some cataracts as high as 250 feet—is nothing short of hypnotic. The clouds of spray, the incessant roar, and the surrounding luxuriant tropical growth make this an unforgettable natural wonder. Upon arrival, journey to the Argentinean side of the falls and take the ECOLOGICAL JUNGLE TRAIN for a bird’s-eye view from the catwalks perched over part of the Devil’s Throat, where 14 falls drop over 300 feet into the Devil’s Gorge below. Continue to your hotel this evening for an included dinner. (B,D)

Day 8:
Iguassu Falls–Lima, Peru. Today is dedicated to exploring the Brazilian side of the FALLS from a completely different vantage point than in Argentina. A walk along the pathway at the base of the falls takes you into the Devil’s Throat Canyon, with spectacular panoramic views of many of the 275 cataracts that make up Iguassu Falls. Have dinner in Iguassu before flying to Lima, Peru. (B,D)

Day 9:
Lima.Your city sightseeing TOUR focuses on Lima’s rich colonial history as well as the modern city. See the 18th-century SAN FRANCISCO MONASTERY with its unique cloisters, Government Palace, and the cathedral situated around the vast Plaza de Armas. Tonight, visit the [LF] LARCO HERRERA MUSEUM, which houses the largest private collection of pre-Colombian Peruvian art in the world. Enjoy dinner at the museum’s restaurant. (B,D)

Day 10:
Lima–Cusco–Sacred Valley. Fly to Cusco, the impressive Andean city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Spend the day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and visit the semi-circular KENKO Amphitheater with its stone altars and labyrinth of passages. See the ancient site of Puca Pucara before reaching the TEMPLE OF SACSAYHUAMAN, perched on a hillside overlooking Cusco. It remains unfathomable how and when this fortress of gigantic stones—with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons—was built. While at the ruins, experience an [LF] El Pago a la Tierra, or MOTHER EARTH CEREMONY, performed by a local shaman. These ceremonies thanking Mother Earth and asking for good health and safe travels have been practiced in Peru since before the arrival of the Incas. Continue to PISAC, an old mountain village where you will have free time to shop for local wares such as alpaca sweaters and blankets, jewelry, or hand-painted ornamental dishes and vases. Stay in the Sacred Valley tonight, with dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

Day 11:
Sacred Valley–Machu Picchu. This morning, visit the Inca Fortress of OLLANTAYTAMBO followed by the opportunity to visit a [LF] HOME, meet some of the locals, and experience their way of life in the Sacred Valley. Then, board a TRAIN for a scenic journey through the lush Urubamba Valley. Upon arrival, ascend the mountainside to legendary MACHU PICCHU, the “Lost City of the Incas.” Your Local Guide will introduce this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct, and will bring you closer to the mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures. Tonight, learn how to make the perfect Pisco Sour before your included dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 12:
Machu Picchu–Cusco. A morning at leisure in Machu Picchu allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over MACHU PICCHU with your second included entrance to the ruins. After lunch, return to the Sacred Valley by TRAIN and continue on to Cusco. (B)

Day 13:
Cusco. On your guided sightseeing tour of Cusco today, learn more about the Inca and Spanish influence. Begin at the heart of Cusco in the Plaza de Armas (main square), with a visit to the imposing CATHEDRAL, where construction began in 1550 and was finally completed 100 years later. Continue to Koricancha and the SANTO DOMINGO MONASTERY, and see how the two sites have become one. The Temple of the Sun at Koricancha was once the most important Inca site, dedicated to the worship of the Sun. The walls, altars, and decorations were all said to be covered in gold—until the Spaniards looted the temple and then built the contrasting Baroque Santo Domingo Monastery on top of the temple’s foundations. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore on your own. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a festive farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 14:
Cusco–Lima. A short morning flight returns you to Lima. For a special treat, make a stop at a [LF] LOCAL PERUVIAN FOOD MARKET to get a real taste of the life of the local people. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore on your own. (B)

Day 15:
Lima. Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

YOU CAN BOOK THIS TOUR ONLINE. Click here to check rates and availability online, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Or, to speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
6/25/2013 - 7/9/2013	$5,310
7/9/2013 - 7/23/2013	$5,310
8/6/2013 - 8/20/2013	$5,310
9/17/2013 - 10/1/2013	$5,310
10/1/2013 - 10/15/2013	$5,310
10/15/2013 - 10/29/2013	$5,310
10/29/2013 - 11/12/2013	$5,310
11/12/2013 - 11/26/2013	$5,310
11/26/2013 - 12/10/2013	$5,310
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Globus Disclaimer - Indicates that this departure and vacation is available for 2012 early booking. Book and deposit to lock in an early guaranteed price and save 10% on the land-only price. Booking must be made and under deposit between June 29, 2011 and September 13, 2011 for travel between April 1 and December 31, 2012. All tours will be open for 2012 bookings in the Fall of 2011. Vacation upgrades and/or additions will not be available for early booking, as well as, any extra pre- or post-night pricing until the Fall of 2011. With the exception of Journeys Club discounts, future travel promotions are not applicable and are not retroactive on early bookings. Offer reliant on space availability. Applies to new 2012 bookings only. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.

Price Details US
Dates & Prices do not include air travel. Participation in this vacation requires purchase of the following flights from Globus, not included in pricing: (1) roundtrip air from your U.S. gateway and intra-vacation air segments, starting at $1050 (based on Miami, departure in March, 2013); or (2) intra-vacation air segments only. Required intra-vacation air segments: Rio de Janeiro/Buenos Aires; Buenos Aires/Iguassu Falls; Iguassu Falls/Lima; Lima/Cusco; Cusco/Lima. Air prices were effective on August 15, 2012 and their availability is limited. At the time you purchase your tour, air prices may be higher.Prices based on double room occupancy. Single Room Supplement:$1535.Triple Room Reduction per person:$62.Extra Nights per person in Rio de Janeiro:in single room $339; in twin room $175; in triple room $167.Extra Nights per person in Lima:in single room $147; in twin room $79; in triple room $73.2014 prices and itineraries are subject to change. Details will be available in August 2013.

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Jim rated this tour a 5 on 7/20/2012 3:50:54 PM and says:

"My wife and I had a lovely experience on this one. Excellent Hotels ( the Food occasionally over-rated ), Hotel locations were superb... we are Walkers however and Rio may be difficult, though free transport back to the Hotel is easy to find. If you have breath, walk to the top of Ollaytaytambo ( 2 of us did, I'm a 50 year Smoker, it's worth the 20 min. climb ). Tour Manager Mauro Rubinstein was spectacular. A couple small sites listed on the itinerary were not actually seen, a couple that weren't were. This was our 5th trip with Globus/Avalon. Already scheduling next year."

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