Grand Southern America Journey
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Ecuador - Peru -Bolivia -Chile -Argentina -Brazil – 23Days CORE PURPOSE & MISSION To curate premium customized holiday experience for clients globally; by offering tour programs and related arrangements, through our handpicked global partners and suppliers so that our clients and guests experience the ultimate travel products and services with utmost ease, comfort and luxury. OUR OFFERINGS Experiences | customized experiential holidays Themed Holidays | for people who think alike Indulgence | super luxury experiences Events & Weddings | for memorable events MICE | corporate & mice movements Essentials | accessories for smooth travel glassapple | the travel lounge #330, 1st Floor, Raghuleela Mall, Kandivali (W), Mumbai 400067. India. Ph: +91 22 4972 4665 | Email: [email protected] | www.glassapple.in ITINERARY DAY 1) QUITO - / - / - Arrival in Quito followed by the transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the selected hotel DAY 2) QUITO B / - / - A UNESCO world heritage site since 1978, Quito is ripe with contrasts. The old city merges with the modern in a landscape surrounded by mountains and valleys at 2,850 meters above sea level. As the tour begins, you head out from your hotel to the heights of barrio de Guápulo. The views from the look-out platform are magnificent and on a clear day you see the barrio’s XVII century church, and the road that once carried the Spanish Conquistadors towards the Amazon. The tour continues to the Centro Histórico (Historic Center), where the impressive Neo-Gothic Basilica towers over the skyline, and down the narrow streets of old multicolored houses, before arriving at the Plaza Grande. Next, the route continues towards the Compañía church, a stunning example of the influence of Baroque architecture in Quito, before heading to the Plaza de San Francisco. Each of these attractions houses works of art from the XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries, making up part of Quito’s cultural and historical legacy. The tour ends at the top of Panecillo hill which offers panoramic views over the city and is topped by an enormous metal sculpture, the Virgin of Quito. The Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) is found in Pomasqui, approximately 40 minutes from the city. On the way there, you have the opportunity to taste the exotic flavors of the helado de paila, a type of Popsicle made with local fruit- an over 50 years old recipe. The monument of the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) houses an ethnographic museum which gives an introduction to the different ethnic groups that live in Ecuador. Outside the monument, you have a unique photo opportunity to pose for pictures with one foot in each hemisphere! The monument is part of a large complex surrounded by local handicraft stores. You also find busts of members of the French Geodesic Mission who visited Ecuador in 1736. Another big tourist attraction is the Intiñan interactive museum. Here you discover and participate in various physical phenomena that only occur on the equator. Overnight at the selected hotel. DAY 3) QUITO – OTAVALO – QUITO B / - / - Today´s tour begins early in the morning hading north on the road to Imbabura province. During the journey you travel through Guayllabamba valley. Next, you continue to Cayambe where, on a clear day, you have an incredible view of the volcano. In Cayambe village you can taste biscochos, a type of crispy bread that is still baked in traditional wood stoves. The tour continues towards the viewpoint at San Pablo Lake, situated at the foot of Imbabura volcano: a stunning site for a photo. The next site on the itinerary is the Plaza de los Ponchos at Otavalo’s market. This is one of Ecuador’s most visited places due to its traditional handicrafts. Here you will find a wide variety of hand-spun fabrics made from natural fibers. The market is open every day of the year. However, on Saturdays, when the market is at its biggest, the Plaza becomes even more colorful. The tour continues towards Cotacachi, an area known for producing and selling leather goods. This village is the jumping off point for the volcanic Cuicocha Lake in the Cotacachi-Cayapas ecological reserve. Here you have the opportunity to hike along marked trails or take a boat trip around the islets on the volcanic Crater Lake. glassapple | the travel lounge #330, 1st Floor, Raghuleela Mall, Kandivali (W), Mumbai 400067. India. Ph: +91 22 4972 4665 | Email: [email protected] | www.glassapple.in Overnight at the selected hotel. DAY 4) QUITO - LIMA B / - / - After breakfast have free time on your own in Quito, at arranged time you have the transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. Arrival in Peru and transfer to the hotel, where you have a briefing about the itinerary. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about your journey in our country. Overnight at the selected hotel. DAY 5) LIMA B / - / - Get acquainted with Peru's Capital City, its 2000 years of history and colonial heritage. Experience the artistic traditions and contemporary lives of its residents. Tour Lima’s Historical Center, cultural heritage of humanity according to UNESCO and admire its imposing Cathedral. Visit Casa Aliaga, America's best preserved colonial mansion, occupied by the same family since 1535. Continue to San Francisco Monastery, a masterpiece of colonial architecture housing important colonial paintings. Finally drive through the residential districts of Miraflores and San Isidro where you enjoy a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean and its beaches before returning to your hotel. Overnight at the selected hotel. DAY 6 LIMA – CUSCO B / - / - Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Allin Hamusqa Kapaychik!! This means welcome in Quechua, the official language of the Incas. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon take a tour of the city, starting out at the Santo Domingo convent monastery. This former colonial monastery was previously the Koricancha Temple, one of the most important temples devoted to worship the sun. According to the chronicles, it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Also included in the tour are stops at the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral. After touring the most interesting sites of the city, drive to the surroundings of Cusco to visit some of the remarkable Inca Ruins in the area. Included are the cult center of Sacsayhuaman, the Temple and Amphitheater of Kenko, and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara. Overnight at the selected hotel. DAY 7) CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY B / - / - Take a trip to the Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, to visit the Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo. The site was built just as the Spaniards arrived and evidence of how it was constructed is still visible. After admiring the site's magnificent past, stroll through the quaint streets of today’s town. Continue to Pisac for an opportunity to haggle with vendors at its handicraft market. You have a magnificent view of the Urubamba Valley along the way. Overnight at the selected hotel. DAY 8) SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO B / - / - In the morning transfer to Ollantaytambo Station to board the train towards Machu Picchu. Upon arrival to the station you will take a 25-minute motor coach ride to "The Lost City of the Incas", which was discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Enjoy a guided tour of the marvelous citadel, a unique awe-inspiring experience. Afterwards, stroll around the archaeological site.To further enhance your travel experience we recommend you to visit the private art gallery: "Machu Pictures - Inspiring Views of the Sanctuary", located within Cafe Inkaterra in Machu Picchu pueblo, nearby the rail station. A privileged access created for you. glassapple | the travel lounge #330, 1st Floor, Raghuleela Mall, Kandivali (W), Mumbai 400067. India. Ph: +91 22 4972 4665 | Email: [email protected] | www.glassapple.in In the afternoon take the train back to Ollantaytambo Station. After arrival transfer to your hotel in Cusco. Overnight at the selected hotel. DAY 9) CUSCO – LA PAZ B / - / - Transfer to the airport for your international flight from Cusco to La Paz. Arrival in flight from Cusco and transfer from the airport to your hotel in La Paz. The airport is located at 25 minutes from your hotel. Transportation, bilingual guide, assistance on departure and porterage at the airport are included. In the afternoon City Tour including the Moon Valley. The City of La Paz and its surroundings can transport you to a mysterious past where any corner, any street, is a hidden treasure where adventure begins; a living history which treasures the pre Hispanic times with all their traditions and magic rites on its streets. The indigenous, colonial and modern areas, Indian Market, Witch Doctor's Market & breathtaking panoramas are all framed by the majestic "Illimani" mountain. Visit the Moon Valley, a clay formation resembling the face of the Moon. Overnight at the selected hotel. DAY 10LA PAZ – LAKE TITICACA – LA PAZ B / L / - In the morning overland drive to Huatajata at the shores of Lake Titicaca. On arrival, visit the Andean Roots Eco Village: The Altiplano Museum; Handicrafts village, the Mud Igloos and the mortuary towers of the Urus Chipayas. Meet the Limachi family, builders of the RA II and Tigris for epic expeditions across the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy our elegant vicuñas, llamas, alpacas and the mythical Suri. Hydrofoil cruise to Moon Island, visit the Sun Virgins Temple “Iñak Uyu”. Continue to Sun Island. Visit the Inca “Grand Stairs” & the Sacred Fountain; taste the water believed to give eternal youth & happiness. Lunch at the "Uma Kollu" archaeological Restaurant; Visit the small handicraft market. Continuation to Copacabana and visit the shrine and the Dark Virgin.