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Home , Lima, PeruRail, Santo Domingo convent

Journey from to September 06 - 26, 2020

B Y R A I L S O U T H A M E R I C A

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

Considering the character of our trips, we may be making ongoing improvements to this itinerary. Below you find the day-by-day itinerary for the tour "Journey from Buenos Aires to Lima." We do our maximum to comply with the scheduled tour program, but due to the travel style and regions we visit, we may deviate the journey slightly to take full advantage of encounters with the destination and its people, and culture.

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1 st Day, Sunday: Arrival in Buenos Aires Welcome to Buenos Aires. Our driver welcomes you at Ezeiza International Airport and drives you to the 4* Hotel in Buenos Aires. After the check-in procedure, we meet for a short coordination meeting to revise the latest updates of our tour program. For the rest of the day, you have free time.

2 nd Day, Monday: Tour in Buenos Aires Discover the most important neighborhoods and landmarks in Buenos Aires during a half-day city tour. Admire the , the symbol of Buenos Aires, and the many open squares of Spanish colonial descent. Enjoy our drive on the widest street in the world containing 22 lanes. The visit to La Boca neighborhood and a walk on the “ Street” are other highlights of the tour. In the evening, we celebrate our welcome dinner at the Tango show of “El Querandi.” You’ll then spend the night at our hotel in Buenos Aires. (B/D)

3 rd Day, Tuesday: River Cruise El Tigre We board the boat at and head to El Tigre. The cruise goes along the Costanera Navigation Canal, parallel to the Buenos Aires shoreline, passing the River Plate Stadium and the University of Buenos Aires. Then, we cruise through the canals of the Rio de la Plata Delta, one of the largest in the world. Puerto de Frutos is a lively and favorite spot where you’ll have some time to take photos and walk around. We have lunch in a local accessible only by boat. Finally, we head to the Tigre train station, where we’ll take a train back to the city of Buenos Aires. (B/L)

4 th Day, Wednesday: Buenos Aires - Tucuman - Cafayate Transfer to the airport in Buenos Aires and flight to Tucuman in Northwestern . After a short panoramic city tour in Tucuman, we continue the journey through the Calaqui Valley to Colalao del Valle. Lastly, we check into our hotel in Cafayate where we stay overnight. (B/L)

5 th Day, Thursday: Cafayate Valley We do a walk inside a viñard under the guidance of a local wine specialist. Discover the famous Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tannat grapes. Enjoy beautiful views of the valley when walking in the wiñard. We have a wine degustation in one of the best-known wineries of the valley. We have lunch in a typical house in the middle of a viñard, within walking distance of our hotel. The rest of the afternoon you have free time. Overnight we stay at our Hotel in Cafayate. (B/L)

6 th Day, Friday: Cafayate - Salta W e leave Cafayate in the morning following the breathtaking "Rio de las Conchas Valley" towards Salta. During the journey, we do several photo-stops at scenic places. We check into our hotel in Salta after lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the main attractions of the city of Salta. We visit the “Plaza 9 de Julio”, the cathedral, the municipality, the Convent of San Francisco, and the San Bernardo Hill. We stay overnight in Salta. (B/L)

7 th Day, Saturday: Tren a las Nubes Departure with our vehicle from Salta to the small village of Alfarcito. Then the journey continues through the “Quebrada de las Cuevas” to San Antonio de los Cobres where we embark on the “Tren a las Nubes” and travel to the Polvorilla Viaduct. The journey takes an hour to the viaduct, at 4,200 meters (13’780 ft) above sea level. The train stops for 30 minutes at the viaduct. During that time, you can take photos and buy souvenirs for your family and friends at home. We have lunch in San Antonio de los Cobres before we return to Salta where we arrive in the evening. You stay overnight in Salta. (B/L)

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8 th Day, Sunday: Salta – Quebrada Humahuaca North of Salta lies the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO listed valley. Steep rock faces characterize the valley, changing their color depending on the hour of the day and from where you look at them. Ancient traders used this trade route through the valley 10,000 years ago already. We do an easy hike inside colored rocks in Purmamarca. In the afternoon, you have time to discover the picturesque village of Purmamarca on your own. We stay overnight in Purmamarca. (B/L/D)

9 th Day, Monday: Border crossing to and Wara Wara Express to Uyuni Early morning, we continue our journey traveling on the Route no 9 to the north. You can observe authentic dusty indigenous villages spread along the route north. We reach the Bolivian border before midday. In case of time permits, we do a short tour of Villazon before we board the "Wara Wara Express" to Uyuni. From the train, you’ll observe fascinating landscapes, especially before we reach the railway station of Tupiza. The train reaches Uyuni early morning. A local guide welcomes us at the railway station and brings us to the Hotel Palacio de Sal, where we spend the rest of the night. (B/L/D)

10 th Day, Tuesday: Uyuni You visit the train cemetery in Uyuni. Explore various oxidized steam engines and wagons on this spectacular site surrounded by an extraordinary salt scenery. In Colchani, we visit an artisanal salt processing plant and witness traditional salt extraction methods. At the Incahuasi Island in the middle of the world’s largest salt flat, you see terrific giant cactus. Good and fit walkers can hike to the highest point of the island from where you have fantastic views over the salt flat and the surrounding mountains. Lunch is a picnic in the middle of the salt flat. Overnight we stay at the Hotel Palacio de Sal. (B/L/D)

11 th Day, Wednesday: Uyuni - In the morning, we drive to a place where you can watch the salt excavation. You can also observe how locals produce salt bricks for construction. We visit a viewpoint above Coquesa Village from where you have fantastic views over the salt flat. Lunch is a Picnic on the central square in Coquesa. We drive over the salt flat to the small city of Uyuni where we have an early dinner. We take the evening flight to La Paz where we stay overnight. (B/L/D)

12 th Day, Thursday: City Tour in La Paz We do a city tour of this fascinating city. Discover the indigenous cosmovision and their mystical rituals at the Witches Market. The San Francisco Church, the historic district around the “Plaza Murillo” with the legislative and the are other sights of interest that we visit. Enjoy breathtaking views of La Paz from the Killi Killi viewpoint. In La Paz are cable cars (Telefericos) the primary public transport system; therefore, we do an extensive cable car tour in the afternoon. You have breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding mountains from the cable cars. We return to the hotel in the afternoon. (B/L)

13 th Day, Friday: Day at leisure in La Paz You have a free day. We stay overnight in La Paz. (B)

14 th Day, Saturday: La Paz - Copacabana - Sun Island We travel from La Paz to Copacabana, a small town on the Bolivian side of the . We board a boat in Copacabana and cruise over to the nearby Sun Island where we have an “Aptapi”, a typical lunch with a

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variety of potatoes. We cruise after lunch along the Sun Island visiting the ruins of the Pilkokaina Inca temple before we return to Copacabana. We stay overnight in Copacabana at the Hotel Rosario del Lago. (B/L)

15 th Day, Sunday: Copacabana - In the morning you have free time in Copacabana. For those who want can participate in a tour with our guide where we visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Copacabana. This virgin is one of the most important religious figures in . In was named the most famous beach after her. Pilgrims from all over South America come to the Bolivian side of the Lake Titicaca prising this virgin. We have lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, we cross the border to and reach after about 2 hours the city of Puno. The rest of the day you have free time. We stay overnight in a hotel on the outskirts of Puno. (B/L)

16 th Day, Monday: “Titicaca Train” to Early morning, we head to the Puno Railway station and board the “Perurail Titicaca Train” that brings us to Cusco. This fascinating journey goes through a dramatic high Andean scenery. The train travels the 390 km (242 Mi) to Cusco in about 11 hours. In La Raya, the train reaches its highest point at 4.321 meters (15177 ft.) above sea level. The downhill train ride to Cusco follows the Urubamba River and calls at remote villages, reaching Cusco in the evening. The driver awaits us at the railway station and brings us to our hotel in Cusco where we stay overnight. (B/L)

17 th Day, Wednesday: of the Incas We visit the picturesque small town of Pisaq. Walk on cobblestoned streets and buy souvenirs for your family and friends at home. On the way to , we stop at the rural Inca sites of Moray and Salinas. We have lunch at a local restaurant. Characterized by narrow streets and street canals, Ollantaytambo is the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the . We return to Cusco where we stay overnight. (B/L)

18 th Day, Thursday: We travel on the Incarail First Class Train from Cusco San Pedro Station to Machu Picchu; the train journey takes about 4 hours. We have lunch on the train. We explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas with an expert guide. In the evening, we have to be at the railway station in Aguas Calientes to board the “Belmond Hiram Bingham Train” to Porroy. We have a gala dinner on the train. From Porroy, we return to Cusco with our private vehicle. We spend the night in Cusco. (B/L/D)

19 th Day, Tuesday: Cusco We do a city tour of Cusco in the morning. One of the highlights is the Convent, which was built over an ancient Inca Palace. Outside of Cusco, we visit the Inca military fortress Sacsayhuaman and have a look at the Inca ruins of Qenko, Puca-Pucara, and Tambomachay. We have our Farewell Lunch after the city tour. In the afternoon, you have free time for shopping and relaxing. Overnight we stay at our hotel in Cusco. (B/L)

20 th Day, Friday: Cusco – Lima We transfer to the airport in Cusco to board the flight to Lima, then transfer to our Hotel in Lima’s Miraflores district. Enjoy an interesting city tour of Lima’s colonial past. Discover the Plaza San Martin and the Plaza Mayor with the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Cathedral. We drive through the modern district of San Isidro and Miraflores on our way back to the hotel. We invite you to our “Farewell Lunch” in one of Lima’s famous . You’ll spend the night in Lima. (B/L)

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21 st Day, Saturday: Departure At the agreed time, our driver transfers you to the international airport in Lima in time to board your international flight. (B)

TOUR PRICE 2020

Double Room accommodation ………………….. USD 6’998.-- per person

Single Room supplement ………………………....USD 987.-- per person

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WHAT IS INCLUDED

Tour Price Includes All services mentioned in the program, accommodation, meals, entrance fees, train tickets, and taxes. All Services are private for our tour group except the train and boat rides and the bus up from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu . English speaking Tour Leader and English speaking local guides Flights in Economy Class Buenos Aires - Tucuman, Uyuni - La Paz, Cusco - Lima 1 Piece of luggage up to 15kg (33 lb) per person

Tour Price Excludes International flight tickets to Buenos Aires/Argentina and out of Lima/Peru. Meals not mentioned in the itinerary and drinks to ALL the meals. Travel, Health and Accident Insurance Visa costs Tips for local guides and driver

IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER

Bear in mind that the high altitude doesn’t suit everyone! The effects of high altitude on can be considerable. Before you confirm the tour consult your medical doctor about the effects that a journey over several days at a height between 3500m (11’483ft) and 4000m (13’123 ft) above sea level might have on your body.

Apart from the high altitude, the trip is physically not particularly challenging; a healthy level of fitness is enough to participate. The most challenging parts are the hike to the highest point of the Incahuasi Island in the middle of the Uyuni Salt Flat (there is no obligation to go up) and the visit of the citadel of Machu Picchu with lots of ups and downs on well-marked paths and stairs, visited by millions of people of all ages every year.

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotel Anselmo, Buenos Aires

The Hotel Anselmo is located in the traditional San Telmo district. The hotel has a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar/lounge. All 50 individually decorated rooms provide free Wifi and minibars. Especially to mention is the Sunday market which takes place just in front of the hotel, a must see if you arrive a day earlier to the tour.

Boutique Hotel Villa Vicuña, Cafayate

This boutique hotel features traditional Argentinian country interiors built around a cobblestone courtyard. The rooms at the Villa Vicuña Hotel have cozy fur rugs, ornamental lamps, and fine solid wood furniture. All include cable TV and heating. Free Wifi is available.

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Hotel Salta, Salta

Arranged in a neo-classical building which has been declared National Cultural Heritage, rooms at the Hotel Salta feature free Wifi and flat-screen TVs. All of them have air conditioning, mini-bars, and enjoy city views. The hotel is located right on the “Plaza 9 de Julio” in Salta.

Hotel Manantial del Silencio, Purmamarca

Featuring a large garden with a swimming pool at the foot of the Hill of Seven Colors, the Hotel El Manantial del Silencio offers rooms with free Wifi (very slow), and a restaurant. The rooms have large windows offering garden and mountain views. All rooms have fans, heating, and a private bathroom.

Hotel Palacio de Sal, Colchani

Staying at the Hotel Palacio de Sal is a very special experience. Built out of salt bricks and also featuring salt furniture, Palacio de Sal offers guests accommodations with free Wifi and a private bathroom. The hotel has a Spa with a small swimming pool for which it is well worth bringing your swimwear.

Hotel Europa, La Paz

Rooms at Hotel Europa include a sofa, LCD cable TV, and mini-bar. The hotel has 2 restaurants and a bar on the top floor. There are many restaurants in walking distance of the hotel. Central parts of the city can easily be reached on foot.

Hotel Rosario Lago Titicaca

This is the highest location where we stay overnight. The accommodations at Hotel Rosario del Lago provide CableTV, telephone, and heating and all rooms have a private bathroom. At any time, guests are welcomed to have a cup of hot coca tea. The hotel has an excellent restaurant where we have dinner and lunch the next day.

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Hotel Jose Antonio, Puno

The Hotel Jose Antonio is located outside of Puno, separated from the Lake Titicaca only by a road. The Hotel has comfortable rooms, all with Cable TV and private bathrooms. The hotel restaurant is excellent. Wifi is available in all parts of the hotel.

Novotel, Cusco

Located in a 16th-century building in Cusco, Novotel Cusco offers modern rooms with heating and cable TV. It is only 3 blocks from and the cathedral. All rooms of Cusco Novotel are equipped with a mini-bar, a work desk, and a private bathroom.

Hotel Jose Antonio Deluxe, Lima

The hotel is very centrally located near Kennedy Park in Miraflores. Many restaurants and shopping centers are in walking distance of the hotel. The rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, private bathroom, a desk, and a coffee machine.

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