Florida Hotel

Rua Ferreira Viana 81

Flamengo

Rio de Janeiro

Tel: ++55-21-2555-6000

Rio de Janeiro - Parati.  There can’t be many more beautiful and exciting cities in the world to start this tour. Rio is one of the worlds’ most famous cities, and with good reason. There is so much to do and see in Rio that we recommend you arrive a couple of days early to take as much in as you can. No visit to Rio is complete without a trip to the world famous statue of Jesus Christ on the Corcovado mountain, which can be viewed from almost anywhere in the city. Standing 100 feet high on the mountain, the statue commands the best view in town. We advise getting there early in order to beat not only the crowds but also the haze, which covers the city about, mid-morning. Keep an afternoon free to spend at the golden beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, sunbathing and watching the locals in their element. Visit the many market stalls along the waterfront areas at both beaches. From the beach, head up to Sugarloaf mountain to enjoy a fantastic sunset and a few drinks. Another recommendation is to take a Favela Tour to some of the poorer districts of Rio. It is a very unique and interesting insight into how the local people live.

From Rio we head south along the coast to the lovely town of Parati. Parati is an old port town with cobblestone streets and quaint little shops. Here we can treat you to a fantastic day out on an old schooner sailing around the nearby islands. Spend the day relaxing on board or swimming in the warm waters and soaking up some sunshine.

Bonito. From the Pantanal we continue south to the town of Bonito. Here we spend two full days with many optional activities available. The most popular of these is a trip to what the locals refer to as one of the clearest rivers in the world. The river, fed by natural springs, is kept incredibly clear because of the limestone at the bottom of the river. Here you will have the opportunity to drift down this crystal clear river with a wetsuit, snorkel and mask and gaze at the abundance of different species of fish living there. It is a truly amazing and unique opportunity. Other trips available from Bonito include a trip to the Blue Cave with its amazing colour and formations. There is the possibility to abseil down into other caves and then scuba dive or snorkel through them.

Jesuit Missions - Salto.  Onto the Jesuit Ruins of northern Argentina. Once settlements of the Guarani Indians, we take a trip to one of the best-preserved ruins. The Jesuits established many communities in this area of Paraguay and also Northern Argentina, with great success in the 17th and 18th centuries. However, it was their success, which brought about their downfall, as jealous landowners nearby could not compete with their production methods, forcing the Spanish government to expel them in 1767. However, many ruins of these communities remain, and Trinidad is one, which has been very well preserved. While visiting this area we camp at a nearby farm where you can explore by horse or jeep, or just relax by the pool. We travel through the rolling hills and citrus groves of western Uruguay to Salto where we can enjoy a couple of days at the thermal springs and spas – this is overlanding at its most luxurious.

Colonia - Buenos Aires.  Our journey heads to Colonia – now a World Heritage Site. Stroll the colonial streets, maybe snack on a Uruguayan chivito, or perhaps kick back and relax on one of the sandy beaches that line the Rio de la Plata. We continue south into Argentina and onto the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires known as ‘the Paris of South America’. A lively city with many attractions it offers fantastic restaurants, shopping and nightlife. Our hotel is centrally located and close to a lot of the major attractions and main shopping streets of Florida and Santa Fe. At Plaza De Mayo you may see the Mothers of the Disappeared and nearby you can find the obelisk and bustling Recoleta. We recommend you take a city tour, which the hotel can organise, for you. This will take you to all the major sights, which are centrally located, and also to the area of La Boca, the home of Buenos Aires most notorious football team, Boca Juniors. Another must in Buenos Aires is a Tango show. Buenos Aires is the home of tango and our hotel can organise for you to see one of these fantastic shows, an opportunity not to be missed.

Valdes Peninsula.  From here we proceed to our first main stop of Puerto Madryn, gateway to the Valdes Peninsula. Reaching the Valdes Peninsula we spend a day visiting various sites renowned for sea lions, sea elephants and a variety of bird life. At certain times of the year (July to December) it is also possible to see Southern Right Whales, which gather in great numbers for the breeding season in the waters around the peninsula.

Ushuaia.  As we continue south, we enter the region of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire), and the scenery changes once more into rugged mountain wilderness. Situated in this beautiful setting is the lovely town of Ushuaia. It is perfectly located overlooking the Beagle Channel and with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks behind. From Ushuaia it is possible to take an optional boat excursion onto the Beagle Channel. The boat trip offers the opportunity of not only spectacular views of Ushuaia and surrounding area, but also to see the local wildlife such as sea lions, albatross and many other species of sea birds. You can also make a visit to the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park where the Pan-American highway ends. Here there are some wonderful hiking trails through the beautiful beech forests.

El Calafate.  From Torres del Paine we re-enter Argentina and drive along the shores of Lago Argentino, the third largest lake in South America, and onto the town of El Calafate. From here you can take an amazing optional excursion to the spectacular Moreno Glacier, a massive field of ice towering up to 60 metres and reaching four kilometres across. It is an awesome sight to behold, and even more so when massive chunks of ice break off and plunge into the icy water below. Two optional excursions are available here, and both include transport and English-speaking guides. The first is a trip, which includes a hike in the forested area in front of the glacier with a boat trip taking you up close, both of which ensure that you get spectacular views from the best vantage points. After firstly spending some time at the best viewing points, you will be fitted with crampons and can then walk around on the glacier for up to 2 hours.

Bariloche. From El Chalten we begin our long journey across the dry, windswept expanse of Patagonia. As we follow the road North, we are treated to many beautiful views of the Andes, and opportunities to see condors, flamingos and the odd armadillo scuttling across the road. Before arriving in Bariloche we spend a night in the lovely Los Alerces National Park, which has many beautiful lakes and mountain views. The area to the north of here is also famed as once being the home of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. They spent time here in the early 20th century attempting to avoid the detectives looking for them from the United States. We finish our journey through this area in the spectacular Argentinean lakes district and the lovely town of Bariloche.

Bariloche has a beautiful setting on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. It is a Swiss-like resort town famous for its chocolate fondue and winter skiing, but also home to many other outdoor activities in the surrounding area particularly in Summer. There are many hiking and mountain biking options around, and some great horse-riding adventures.

Santiago.  From Pucon we travel North through the lakes district, vineyards and fertile farmland, and onto the finishing point for this tour, Santiago, the capital of Chile. Pedro de Valdivia founded Santiago in 1541 whilst exploring new territories for the Spanish colonies in South America. It has become a beautiful city with a pleasant climate all year round. The main focal point of the city is the main square, Plaza de Armas. Our hotel is just 3 blocks from the plaza. It is a very attractive tree-lined plaza, dominated on one side by the magnificent cathedral. Other sites near the centre are the Government Palace, and Cerro Santa Lucia – a small mountain a few blocks from the plaza, which affords great views over the city, or a chance to relax in the parks around it.  The area around Santiago has some of the finest wineries in Chile and an optional winery tour is available to go exploring and taste the local delicacies.

Valle de La Luna (Moon Valley National Park) - Talampaya National Park. Heading north we drive towards La Rioja and the stunning National Park of Talampaya, situated nearby. Within the deep, red cliffs of the wild-west style canyon you can find all manner of rock formations as well as pre-Colombian petroglyphs. We also take a trip to the magnificent Valley of the Moon National Park, which is a paleontologist’s paradise with a multitude of bizarre and beautiful rock formations and 200-million year old fossil remains. This entire area is famous for its wine and olive production.

Salta - Humuhuaca. The land becomes more fertile as we journey towards the picturesque colonial city of Salta, a tourist and handicraft centre. There are many fine colonial buildings and a cathedral with the highest church tower in South America! Other attractions include a cable car ride, excellent shopping and ‘Empanadas’, small meat pasties for which Salta is famous. We then travel through the stunning Humahuaca Canyon with its many colourful rock formations, giant cacti and the small colonial towns of Humahuaca, Tilcara and Purmamarca, the latter that is famous for its seven-coloured mountain and after entering Bolivia we asscend onto the Altiplano.

Uyuni and the Salt Flats. Our journey continues towards Uyuni, the jumping off point for our expedition out on to the great, blinding-white Salt Flats. This natural phenomenon is a massive, salt lake, which forms a strange lunar landscape that shimmers in the sunshine and stretches for hundreds of kilometres dotted with cacti and a few islands, which are home to strange colonies of rodents! Don’t forget your sunglasses!

Please note that occasionally at the height of the rainy season (February, March) it may not be possible to drive across the salt flats due to flooding. Instead we will drive up to the edge of these. This is for safety reasons.

La Paz - Rurrenabaque. A long drive from Potosi brings us to La Paz where we catch an early morning flight and cross the impressive Andes range, descending from the giddying heights of the Altiplano to the lush jungle town of Rurrenabaque for the start of our 3-day Pampas trip. Approaching Rurrenabaque we can see flat land stretching as far as the eye can see and jungle, which stretches 3000km all the way to the mouth of the Amazon! Here we board motorised canoes and we head upriver to our lodge, which set on stilts by the riverbank, for the start of our adventure. Between thick forests of trees are large areas of Pampas grasslands, birds swoop low over the river and turtles hop into the water as you approach. You might even spot a troop of curious Capuchin monkeys clambering down from the trees to get a better look. Jump into the river to and take a swim to keep cool – perhaps even swim alongside pink dolphins if you’re lucky! Watch the sun go down from a viewing deck accompanied by a cold beer before we head back to the cool climates of La Paz at 3700m.

Lake Titcaca and Puno. From La Paz we travel into Peru and follow the lakeshore to our next destination - the town of Puno, which is across the Altiplano on the shores of the legendary Lake Titicaca. At an altitude of 3820m, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. The lake has great spiritual significance for the local people, and particularly the Inca culture, as it was here that Inca legend says that the first Inca Emperor, Manco Capac rose from its waters to begin the Inca Empire. Titicaca means rock of the Puma.

In the early morning we take a boat trip across the blue waters of the lake to the Floating Reed Islands of the Uros Indians. They make the islands from the tortoro reeds that grow on the lakeside. Our experienced local guide will give us information on the various customs of these people and you have the chance of buying some of their handicrafts and taking a short boat ride on one of their traditional fishing boats.

From there we travel across the lake to Amantani Island where the Ayamara Indians live. Here we spend the night with a friendly local family, and get to know about how they live -a very different life from our own. In the early evening we climb to the top of the island for spectacular views of the sunset around Lake Titicaca. That night after dinner your family will dress you up in traditional costumes and take you dancing. Dance the night away to traditional music and learn some of the local dance moves.

The next day we cross to the nearby island of Taquille. After a 45-minute hike to the top of the island you arrive at the small plaza, which has fantastic views of the lake. Taquille Island is famous for its superb handicrafts, which you can see in the cooperative market in the plaza. After a delicious fish lunch we return on the boat back to Puno for the night before heading to our next destination, the beautiful city of Cuzco.

Chivay and Colca Canyon. Chivay is a very traditional mountain town with many of the locals dressed in traditional costume. Chivay is our base to do our trip to see the Condors in Colca Canyon nearby. But another great attraction of Chivay is the nearby hot springs. You can enjoy a drink as you relax in the soothing waters of the baths.

We head to Cruz del Condor, the edge of the mighty Colca Canyon. Not only does this spot provide some spectacular mountain views, but we are in a prime position at 1,200 metres above the canyon floor to get a memorable sight of the magnificent Condors, the heaviest flying bird in the world, and a wingspan of 3 metres, soaring majestically up the canyon on the thermals. Great photo opportunity! Our route from Colca Canyon takes us past amazing Inca farming terraces and away from the valley as we continue further down into the Peruvian Andes towards Arequipa. On the way we drive though spectacular mountain scenery, and over a pass at 4900 metres altitude. We also see many of the South American Camelids, the most well known being the Llama, along with its smaller relations the Alpaca and the Vicuña, which is said to have the finest wool in the world.

Puerto Inca - Nazca - Ballestas Islands. From the Andes we head to the coast and we camp on the beach at Puerto Inca. There are ruins of the Inca fishing village on either side of the bay. This is where ocean produce was stored and traded for items brought down from the Andes. It is said that in Incan times messages and fresh sea fish were sent 240km to Cuzco using a series of runners posted every 7km, the whole delivery taking 24 hours. While you are here you can relax on the beach, and in the evening by the light of a campfire.

From the ancient Inca fishing port of Puerto Inca we continue through the desert to Nazca. On the way we make a guided tour of the Chauchilla Cemetery, which also dates from the Nazca period. Excavations at the site have uncovered real mummies with hair and clothing intact.

Next stop is the town of Nazca, which has an ancient culture. The people of the Nazca culture are responsible for creating a very mysterious series of shapes on the desert floor in the area surrounding the town of Nazca. This series of shapes is known as the Nazca Lines. They were discovered in the 1930´s when the first flights started to go over this area. The discovery prompted many archaeologists to come to this area to try and decipher these mysterious figures. Many theories have been brought forward as to the significance of the lines. While you’re here you can take a flight over the desert (optional), which is the best way to see the intriguing Nazca Lines and develop your own theory on the meaning of the lines. The lines were etched into the desert floor over 2000 years ago. They show a series of shapes - huge birds, spiders, whales and other creatures plus geometrical figures.

Time to check out more of the coastline with a trip north to the fishing village of Paracas. Paracas is the gateway to the Paracas National Park, with fantastic desert scenery, great beaches and spectacular coastline. The following morning we hop on a boat here for the trip out to the Ballestas Islands. Our voyage takes us past the Candelabra - a giant figure carved in the hillside, which can only be seen from the sea. The Ballestas Islands are home to a great variety of wildlife. You can’t miss the huge colonies of sea lions and unusual marine birds, such as - Humboldt’s Penguin, cormorants, Peruvian booby and Peruvian pelican. There are some mega jellyfish around as well. As we return you might get lucky and see dolphins, and flocks of flamingos in search of food in the shallow waters of the bay.

Huaraz. The Andean town of Huaraz is sandwiched between the Cordillera Blanca (“White Mountain Range”) and the Cordillera Negra (“Black Mountain Range”), two of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the Andes. The surrounding area is stunning and Huaraz sits against a backdrop of 6km-high peaks with permanent glaciers, glacial lakes and hot springs. There are plenty of outdoor activities to try out: trekking or a visit to a glacier One great day out is a day trip to a glacier about 2 hours from Huaraz, and you can try your hand at ice climbing there if you're up for it.

Punta Sal. From the coastal resort of Huanchaco we drive north through the Sechura desert to the tiny beach resort of Punta Sal, where we will set up camp on the beach for the next 3 nights. Punta Sal is a fantastic place to relax and soak up the sun and play in the surf. A fishing trip is available here, as well as the chance to learn some of the local dance moves with some Salsa classes.

Baños and Rio Verde. From Riobamba we travel to the lovely resort town of Baños and the tiny village of Rio Verde, set in the mountains. The area is tucked into the foothills of the active volcano, Tungurahua, and affords spectacular views down the valley in both directions, with many waterfalls in the surrounding area. In such a setting, it is no wonder Baños is one of the adventure capitals of Ecuador. It’s a great place for walking, white water rafting, canyoning, mountain biking and horse riding (optional). But Baños is most famous for the hot springs, which give the town its name. After a day exploring the area, a relaxing soak in the baths is a perfect end to the day.

Quito. Quito is the capital of Ecuador. It was once one of the main cities of the Inca Empire before the Spanish Conquest. The Spanish established Quito on the same site as the Inca city, and founded Quito in 1534. Quito is divided up into the old city and the new city. The Old City of Quito is very attractive with many churches, plazas, buildings with balconies and steep cobble-stoned streets. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Local colour is supplied by markets and the Quechua Indians. You can’t help noticing that the Pichincha Volcano dominates the city. The new city, where our hotel is situated, is approximately half an hour walk from the Old City area. In the new city you will find many outdoor cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, internet cafes and shops here. The Old City of Quito is unfortunately earning a reputation as a city with many pickpockets and muggings. Be especially careful with your belongings here. We strongly advise to not visit the Old city area after dark, and during the day wear your daypacks at the front, and your money securely put away. The new city has not got quite the same reputation, but it still pays to be cautious here too.

Hotel Jardin del Sol

Calama 166 y Diego de Almagro

Quito new town

Ecuador

Tel: +593-2-2230941 / +593-2-2230945

All optional excursions, visas and meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary.

The Pre-Departure meeting is held at 6pm THE DAY BEFORE the scheduled departure date. The pre-departure meeting is held to discuss the tour itinerary in more detail, meet your crew and fellow passengers.

In addition the crew will check that all passengers have the necessary travel documents, insurance and immunization certificates for the tour. It is IMPORTANT that you attend this meeting. Please advise TRAVEL AMAZING SOUTH AMERICA if you CANNOT attend this meeting.

All passengers MUST bring:
1. Passport.
2. Vaccination Certificate.
3. Travel Voucher.
4. Travel Insurance Policy.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your South America trip. Please consult your Travel Agent or relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.

Please note that clients travelling on SA6 Buenos Aires to Rio tours should be aware that Brazilian visas (if required) can take up to 3-4 working days to issue.  We strongly advise that you arrive into Buenos Aires at least 4 working days before your trip starts in order to ensure that you have sufficient time to obtain your Brazilian visa.

We for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

Prophylactic tablets are essential in some areas of South America. They are prescribed by your vaccinating doctor and should be taken as directed.

• We recommend that you do not take unnecessary valuables with you. Wearing jewellery and expensive watches will attract attention.
• A money belt, or something similar, worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports, airline tickets and money.
• DO NOT leave any valuables in ANY hotel room, please use SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES. Items are left at your own risk.
• Pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in tourist areas and in crowded markets; you must always exercise care. Be aware that anything left lying around will also be liable to theft.
• Overland vehicles carry a safe on board.  We recommend using it to store your valuables.  They also have secure doors and windows but it is never foolish to be cautious.

We suggest passengers budget for between US$25-30 per day for personal expenses, souvenirs, evening out, alcoholic drinks etc. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget.

Take your money in US dollars only. This is the only foreign currency readily exchanged in Latin America.

Traveller’s cheques should be AMERICAN EXPRESS. American Express is the most widely accepted.

Cash is far easier to exchange than Travellers Cheques, but also more risky as once lost, is irreplaceable. However, we do recommend that you take some US dollars cash in small denominations ($10 and $20).

In many countries (except Brazil), you may exchange US Dollars traveller’s cheques for US cash, or retrieve US dollars cash from ATMs (with a credit card), usually for a small commission but please do not rely solely on this option.

Credit cards are accepted frequently, particularly in the larger cities. They can also be used to get money from ATMs.

Visa, MasterCard and American Express are the most widely accepted credit cards. Visa being the most useful.

How much should I take?

• The best rule for packing is to limit your self to a weight limit of 20 KGs. It will inconvenience you and your fellow passengers if you bring more. If your luggage does not arrive at the airport, please inform your crew at the Pre Departure Meeting.
• A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles. Please note that we do not recommend that passengers bring suitcases.
• A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. This can also be used for carrying 2 days of clothing so it is not always necessary to unload the large backpacks every night.
• Sleeping Bag - a good quality sleeping bag, rated for sub-zero conditions is the best for tours, which travel through the Andes and Patagonia. You can purchase extra blankets in South America cheaply. We recommend a Four Seasons sleeping bag.
• Inner Sheet - for your sleeping bag. Can also be used as a sleeping bag when it's hot.
• Sleeping Mat - A self-inflating mat. "Thermarest" is best, although a compressed foam mat is adequate.
• Mosquito Net -if you wish to sleep outdoors. All tents have built in mosquito nets.
• We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers cheques etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything!

In Patagonia temperatures can fall to below zero, even in the height of summer. Be prepared for very cold conditions. You should bring a warm jacket, gloves and woolly hat if you are doing a trip in Patagonia.

Spanish is the language most widely spoken in the countries we visit in Latin America but English will be spoken in the larger cities. You might like to take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.

We provide hearty meals, and your tour cost covers most breakfasts, lunches and dinners while camping, as well as some road lunches when travelling on the vehicle.

Most food substances are stored on the truck in bulk quantities including all types of condiments, pastas, rice etc. Markets in the countries through which we travel are always well stocked and we purchase as much fresh food as possible including fruit, vegetables and meats on the road. Those designated as cooks on the rotating roster system help in buying, preparing and cooking the food for the group under the guidance of your Tour Leader. The variety of food will differ, as you will be visiting a number of different countries. Everyone helps out with the cooking and all are encouraged to put their culinary skills (or lack there of!) to the test over the campfire! You will be surprised with what you can create over the campfire with a little imagination!

Vegetarians or those with special dietary needs or allergies can also be catered for however in some countries the type of food may be limited. Please let the Reservations team know your special requirements as soon as possible so we can do all possible to assist your needs. Please note we will attempt to provide for these special requests,
however they cannot be guaranteed - please ensure the tour leader is aware of any special requests.

When camping, we usually prepare and cook our own meals, at other times whilst staying in hotels it is more convenient to eat out. When staying in hotels, meals are the responsibility of each passenger. This allows you a
chance to try the local cuisine. The amount of time spent in hotels on each tour section is given in the brochure and in the itineraries. These are flexible and each tour will differ from the next.

Local Restaurants - Latin American food is delicious, nutritious and varied and local restaurants provide an important insight into local ways of life. There is always an excellent range of restaurants to choose from. An evening meal can range from US$1 up to US$20. Most travellers spend an average of US$5 to US$10 plus drinks. Local alcoholic drinks are generally inexpensive even in restaurants and bars.

Vegetarians are easily catered for.

All our tours begin with a pre-departure meeting when you meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. On the last day of the tour we usually arrive at our final destination in the late afternoon, when the tour ends. If you would like to book accommodation for that night or even stay additional nights, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).

Tipping porters and trekking crew is a tradition on the Inca Trail and Lares treks. However, tipping is at your discretion: please do not feel obliged to do so.

On the Inca Trail you will be expected to tip US$12-15 for general porters, cooks and trekking crew and a further US$5 for the porters who carried your personal allowance of 9kgs. These tips are shared out amongst the trekking crew on the 3rd night. It is also customary to voluntarily tip the guides after the Machu Picchu tour on the 4th day.

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. Seven days after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still write a review on the tour page you've done on our site.

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email at tours [at] travel-amazing-southamerica.com