CHILE, ARGENTINA &

SEPTEMBER 25 – OCTOBER 13, 2017 TOUR LEADER: CHRIS CARTER

Overview

South America is a huge continent that includes a broad and varied range of environments. The people who inhabited these lands developed a Tour dates: September 25 – October 13, 2017 range of cultures that persist in the modern populations along with the Tour leader: Chris Carter more recent impact of global migration.

Tour Price: $11,420 per person, twin share This 19-day tour does not attempt to cover to the entire continent but has selected a range of cities and sites that will provide an overview of the Single Supplement: $2,785 for sole use of central western area of these lands. We visit , the iconic double room Inca estate but also experience the cultures that developed over thousands of years and are still active today. We walk through Booking deposit: $500 per person cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, visit the spectacular Iguazú Falls, see the colonial architecture of Lima and and the Inca sites of Recommended airline: Qantas Sacsayhuaman, Pisac and . Maximum places: 20 Much of this tour is set in the and there is no escaping the need to Itinerary: Santiago (3 Nights), Buenos Aires (3 climb stairs and walk up and down inclines. The tour is not overly Nights), Puerto Iguazú (2 Nights), strenuous but we spend a number of days over 3,000m ASL. There is no (2 Nights), Aguas Calientes (1 Night), Sacred way you can predict how the altitude will affect any of us – some will Valley (1 Night), Cusco (3 Nights), Santiago (1 hardly feel any negative effects; others may feel ill for a day or two but Night) there are medications to help ease the effects.

Date published: October 25, 2016 Your tour leader

Christopher Carter has an Honours and Master’s degree in archaeology from the Australian National University (ANU). He has recently completed a PhD based on research he conducted on the coast of the Atacama Desert in far northern Chile.

He has carried out archaeological research in South America for over 20 years including mapping the Inca trails in the Chilean Andes, surveying valleys in the Atacama Desert and excavating burial grounds on the Chilean coast.

Chris has designed and led study tours to Central and South America for over 20 years and works as a consultant archaeologist and casual tutor at the ANU.

“My interest in South America came about in a very round-about way. I haven’t always been an archaeologist but an earlier career introduced me Enquiries and to this continent and I keep going back because there is so much more to see and learn. Most people have heard of the Inca and Machu Picchu, bookings and how they built without mortar, but how many people know that the finest masonry in South America comes from Bolivia and was constructed For further information and to over a thousand years before the Inca were established? What about the secure a place on this tour exquisite of the Moche who built the first city near Cusco (it wasn’t please contact Hannah the Inca)? Where are the world’s oldest artificial ? This tour Kleboe at Academy Travel on won’t answer all of these questions but I hope that it will make you realize 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 how much there is on offer in this continent.” (outside Sydney) or email [email protected]. au

Tour Highlights

Feel the power and hear the thunder from the numerous mighty cascades that make up the falls as you experience this natural wonder from both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides.

Marvel at the impressive finely worked and hand carved stone fortifications of the Inca at Sacsayhuaman, , Pisac and Ollantaytambo.

Admire the colonial heritage of the city centres and plazas of Santiago, Buenos Aires and Lima established by the Spanish as they sought to rule the Americas.

Contemplate the mystery of the glorious mountain estate of Machu Picchu built at the height of the and only rediscovered by the outside world in 1911.

Indulge in wines of the new world with tastings at the excellent vineyards of the Maipo Valley outside of Santiago and the emerging world class cuisine of Peru.

Many people have heard of ‘The Inca Trail’, a spectacular from Chile and Argentina, I led a group heading south. We walk that links Machu Picchu to the outside world. At just had hardly started our work when we came across two locals over 40kms in length and with two passes over 4,000m ASL who were curious about what we were doing and offered to it is challenging for all but the fittest walkers. Yet it is just a show us along the trails back to their village. tiny part of a network estimated to extend over 35,000kms – from in the north to beyond Santiago in the south. As we progressed we found evidence of prehistoric stonework, drainage and culverts. Scant ruins appeared every few kilometres and the locals could not explain what The heart of the network was the Capaq Ñan, the trail that ran north/south through the main Andean range. The Inca they were. When we looked closer we found fragments of Trail network was a major contributor to the success of the ceramics that were Incan in provenance, the trail became expansion of the Inca Empire in the 15th century; but it also more orderly, the surface was paved and had neat kerbing. assisted in the downfall of the Inca. The Spanish, under the The locals said it had always been like this. We took this as leadership of , were able to use the a sign that we were approaching a settlement that had been network to penetrate the Andes and eventually move to established by the Inca. Cusco. Once they were established, the Conquistadors used the trails to explore further afield and discover sites that they After several days we felt quietly confident that we were on may have otherwise missed. the Capaq Ñan. The ruins we saw were the ‘casquihuasi’ or small houses where the runners would rest between tasks In recent times there has been a concerted effort to map as they delivered messages across the Incan realm. Corrals previously unrecorded sections of these trails so that they we saw still in use may have once held llamas used in may be listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Register. A caravans to carry goods back to Cusco. few years ago I was approached to assist with the recording of sections of the trails in northern Chile. In particular, we Our work along The Inca Trail network helped to achieve its were to link known sections of the Capaq Ñan near Putre, listing on the World Heritage Register in 2014. not far from the Bolivian border. Working with archaeologists Detailed itinerary

Included meals are shown with the symbols B, L and D.

Monday September 25 Arrive Santiago The tour begins at the Santiago Hotel this afternoon. There is a light dinner available in the hotel this evening. Overnight Santiago (D)

Tuesday September 26 Touring Santiago This morning we begin our explorations with a tour of Santiago including the neoclassical La Moneda Palace which houses the seat of the government, the gardens and monuments on Santa Lucia Hill, the Metropolitan Cathedral in the Plaza De Armas and the house of Pueblo Neruda, the celebrated Chilean poet. Our welcome lunch is in a fine local restaurant in the cultural neighbourhood of Lastarria. Overnight Santiago (B, L)

Wednesday September 27 Day trip to the wineries Today we make travel a short distance out of Santiago towards the Andes Mountains to the village of San Jose de Maipo. We sample Chilean wines and enjoy lunch at a local vineyard. In the afternoon, we explore the plazas and village markets and spectacular mountain landscapes of the Maipo Valley. Overnight Santiago (B, L)

Thursday September 28 to Buenos Aires We take a morning flight over the Andes to Buenos Aires. On arrival, we embark on an orientation tour of the city including the Obelisk in the Plaza de la Republica, the Casa Rosada, or pink house, where Eva Perón regaled the masses from the balcony and the 18th-century Cabildo building, the original government house and now a museum Above: The Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago in Plaza de Armas; feel housing exhibits from the Spanish Colonial era. This evening the heat of the tango, Argentina’s dance of passion we have dinner and experience some Argentinian passion Below: Ornate mausoleums and decorative statues in Recoleta cemetery with a tango show. Overnight Buenos Aires (B, L, D)

Friday September 29 touring Buenos Aires Our day begins with a guided tour of the Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires’ well regarded 2500 seat opera house. We continue on to the cosmopolitan and vibrant neighbourhood of La Boca characterised by its colourful houses. La Boca has a rich cultural history and a lively political and arts scene. After lunch in the neighbourhood we head to the Recoleta cemetery and wander through the paths lined with marble mausoleums and decorative statues. Argentina’s rich and famous, past president, national heroes and Eva Perón are all buried here. Overnight Buenos Aires (B, L) Saturday September 30 El Tigre

We travel a short distance from Buenos Aires to El Tigre in the Paraná Delta; a popular weekend retreat for the locals. We cruise the canals past homes built on stilts by the riverbank and explore the port of Paseo Victoria with its stately homes and rowing clubs. Overnight Buenos Aires (B, L)

Sunday October 1 To Puerto Iguazú Today we fly to Puerto Iguazú. We transfer to our hotel and check in before viewing the falls for the first time from the Brazilian side. Overnight Puerto Iguazú (B, D)

Monday October 2 Iguazú Falls Above: Words can’t capture the power of the mighty Iguazú Falls This morning we cross the border to view the falls from the Argentinian side. Returning to our hotel, the afternoon and

Below: The Cathedral of Lima retains it colonial façade evening are at leisure to explore the town. Overnight Puerto while the interior is a mix of various styles; see the local craftswomen Iguazú (B) display their expert skills at the Centre for Andean textiles Tuesday October 3 to Lima Today we fly to Lima, Peru’s capital, a modern city with large sections of preserved colonial architecture. This evening we enjoy dinner at La Rosa Nautica seafood restaurant on the historic pier overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Overnight Lima (B, D)

Wednesday October 4 touring Lima Our day begins at the Larco Hoyle Museum, a converted 18th-century viceroy’s mansion. Founded in 1926 by pre- Columbian collector Larco Hoyle the museum houses one of the best collections of ceramics in Peru with pieces from the Cupinesque, Chimú, Chancay, Nazca and Inca cultures. We enjoy lunch in the private garden of the museum’s café. This afternoon we embark on a tour of the city including the Plaza de Armas, Lima Cathedral with its baroque façade and neoclassical interior, and the San Francisco Monastery, famous for its bone-filled catacombs and vast library with antique texts, some of which pre-date the Spanish conquest. Overnight Lima (B, L)

Thursday October 5 to Cusco This morning we fly to Cusco, arriving in time for lunch. We continue to the Andean village of Chinchero, believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. We see the Incan ruins and visit the Centre for Andean textiles to see the local craftswomen give a weaving demonstration. Overnight Sacred Valley (B, L) Friday October 6 Ollantaytambo

We explore the ruins at Ollantaytambo where the Spanish conquistadors suffered a rare defeat in 1536 against the Manco Inca. The fortress also served as a temple with a ceremonial centre at the top of the terraces. The main structure of the is an incomplete building featuring the wall of the six monoliths built from enormous stones, quarried from the mountainside six kilometres away. After lunch in Urambamba we head to Maras to see the terraced salt evaporation ponds used by the Inca. At , we encounter circular terraces thought to have been used as an agricultural laboratory or Incan seed bank. Overnight Sacred Valley (B)

Saturday October 7 Machu picchu We depart by train for Aguas Calientes and have lunch before exploring Machu Picchu in the afternoon, when most tourists have left for the day. Undoubtedly the highlight of the tour, the 15th-century Inca citadel evokes a sense of awe and mystery amongst the most seasoned travellers. Undiscovered by the Spanish conquistadors, Machu Picchu lay abandoned and unknown to the outside world until the local guided American historian Hiram Bingham to the site in 1911. There is plenty of time to explore the sprawling ruins as we depart when the site Above: A fine example of Inca city planning, the ruins at Ollantaytambo, closes in the late afternoon. Overnight Aguas Calientes (B, while largely of religious significance, served as a defensive structure in the L, D) defeat of the Spanish conquistadors; salt evaporation ponds at Maras that have been in use since Inca times

Sunday October 8 Below: Mysterious Machu Picchu built without mortar, high above the Machu picchu Sacred Valley is the pinnacle of our visit to Peru

After a free morning with the opportunity to return to Machu Picchu, we return by train to Ollantaytambo and our Sacred Valley Hotel. Overnight Sacred Valley (B, D)

Monday October 9 Pisac Today we visit the ruins of the hilltop Incan citadel at Pisac overlooking the Sacred Valley. After a picnic lunch overlooking Sacsayhuaman we spend the afternoon exploring the Inca citadel, an immense and impressive ruin of religious and military significance. The site comprises magnificent three-tiered zigzag fortifications, retaining walls, carved stone benches known as the Inca’s Throne and a flat parade ground where an important Inca religious ceremony called Raymi is held every year. Overnight Cusco (B, L)

Tuesday October 10 Coricancha This morning we visit the Inca sun temple, Coricancha, which means Golden Temple in the Quechua language. Dedicated to the sun god, Inti, it was the most important temple in the Incan Empire. Its walls were once lined with gold and filled with gold statues used in ceremonial rituals. The Spanish colonists demolished the temple, stripping out the gold and used the Inca stonework to build the of Santa Domingo that now stands on the site. From Coricancha we head to Cusco Cathedral completed in 1654 which, in addition to being a place of worship, is also a major repository of Cusco’s colonial art. The afternoon is free to explore Cusco. Overnight Cusco (B, L)

Wednesday October 11 Andayhualillas We depart for Andayhualillas and visit the colonial church which is considered the Sistine Chapel of America due to the quality of its art works. The baroque church dates from the 17th century and houses many great carvings and paintings, the centrepiece being a canvas of the Immaculate Conception. After lunch in a local restaurant there is the opportunity to witness a shamanic ceremony and receive a blessing for the group before returning to Cusco in the afternoon. Overnight Cusco (B, L) Above: Pisa, a ceremonial centre showcases the painstakingly neat stone masonry skills of the Inca and receives relatively few tourists Thursday October 12 Return to Santiago Below: Cusco Cathedral took over a century to build using stones taken from the site at Sacsayhuaman; and the San Pedro Apóstol Chapel in Andayhualillas, built by Jesuits in the 16th-century over a pre-Columbian Today we fly back to Santiago in Chile. There is a farewell huaca, or ceremonial space dinner in Santiago this evening. Overnight Santiago. (B, D) Friday October 13 Depart The tour ends after breakfast this morning. (B)

Hotels

Hotels have been selected principally for their central location.

 Santiago, Hotel Plaza San Francisco (4 nights)

 Buenos Aires, Lancaster Hotel (3 nights)

 Puerto Iguazú, Belmond Hotel (2 nights)

 Lima, Lima Country Club (2 nights)

 Sacred Valley, Aranwa Sacred Valley (3 nights)

 Aguas Calientes, Inkaterra Hotel (1 night)

 Cusco, Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel (3 nights)

Hotels may be subject to change (to another hotel of equivalent quality). Any changes will be advised to all clients booked on the tour.

Tour Price Fitness Requirements

The tour price is $11,420 per person, twin share (land of THIS tour content only). The supplement for a single room is $2,785 per person. A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is Grade Three required to secure a place on the tour. It is important both for you and for your fellow travellers that Included in the tour price you are fit enough to be able to enjoy all the activities on this  Four economy class flights from Buenos Aires to Puerto tour. To give you an indication of the level of physical fitness Iguazú, Puerto Iguazú to Lima, Lima to Cusco, Cusco to required to participate on our tours, we have given them a Lima star grading. Academy Travel’s tours tend to feature  Land travel throughout by private coach extended walking tours and site visits, which require greater  All accommodation in four and five-star hotels fitness than coach touring. We ask you to carefully consider  Visa fee into Brazil your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour.  Porterage of luggage in and out of hotels  All meals as indicated in this itinerary Participation criteria for this tour  All entrance fees to sites mentioned in this itinerary This Grade Three tour is among our most physically  Services of an Australian tour leader and Spanish demanding. To participate on this tour, you should be able to speaking tour manager throughout the tour comfortably undertake up to seven hours per day, over  Comprehensive tour notes several days. Activities may include travelling long distances,  Tips to local guides, drivers and restaurants walking on difficult terrain, climbing stairs, embarking and Not included disembarking trains and/or boats, exposure to high altitudes and long days of touring. These tours may include one night  International air fares to Buenos Aires via Santiago, stops and early starts. returning from Lima via Santiago, taxes and surcharges You should be able to:  Travel insurance  Meals not mentioned in itinerary  keep up with the group at all times  Expenses of a personal nature  walk for 5-7 kilometres at a moderate pace with only  Reciprocity fees to enter Chile and Argentina short breaks  stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and Air travel OPTIONS museums  tolerate varying climatic conditions such as cold weather The tour price quoted is for land content only. For this tour,  a reasonable level of physical and respiratory fitness we recommend Qantas or Lan Chile. Please contact us for  tolerate a diet that can be significantly different from a further information on competitive Economy, Business and typical Australian diet, and where some dietary First Class airfares. Transfers between airport and hotel are requirements cannot be met included for all passengers booking their flights through  walk up and down slopes Academy Travel. Transfers may be group or individual.  negotiate steps and slopes on archaeological sites or mountain paths, which are often uneven and unstable Enquiries & bookings  get on and off a large coach with steep steps, train or boat unassisted, possibly with luggage For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Hannah Kleboe at Academy Travel on  move your luggage a short distance if required 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email [email protected] High altitude  The tour spends number of days over 3,000m ASL. You may feel ill for a day or two, although there is no way of Galápagos extension predicting how this may impact individuals. Medication is available to counter the effects and we strongly It may be possible to extend recommend you speak to your doctor prior to travel. your trip to join a tour to the Galápagos Islands A note for older travellers dependant on schedules. Please advise Hannah if We regret that we are not able to accept bookings on a you are interested in this Grade Three tour from people more than 80 years old, or option. with restricted mobility.