Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Chile & the remote Easter Island

Hi there,

Append hereunder our itinerary from our South America trip in Dec 2012, for your reference! Do check out my blog entry under the respective Cities for review / photos of the sites visited!

Happy traveling! I would be most happy to hear about your trip!

South America Highlights
Day Activity Country / City Location Remarks
1 Arrival to Rio de Janeiro Brazil – Sao Paulo Rio de Janeiro/Galeao Airport or Carlos Jobim International Airport We flew from Singapore to Sao Paulo (via Singapore Airlines) and took a domestic flight via TAM Airlines to Rio de Janeiro
Explore the City of Rio De Janerio Brazil – Rio De Janerio Explore the city at your leisure. Make sure to take advantage of Rio’s restaurants and exciting nightlife. We hit the samba & salsa clubs!
2 Christ the Redeemer Rio de Janiero — Corcovado Mountain Ride through the Laranjeiras, one of the city’s oldest residential districts, and into the traditional Cosme Velho neighborhood. Here, you will board a mountain train for a scenic trip through the Tijuca Forest–the largest urban forest in the world.
Upon reaching the top, (2,300-feet above sea level) you will be greeted by spectacular 360-degree city views. Soak up the scenery and feel dwarfed by the 130-foot tall religious statue, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
3 Depart Rio de Janiero /arrival to Iguazú (Argentina side) Border of Brazil, Argentina & Uruguay Rio de Janeiro- Rio de Janeiro/Galeao Airport or Carlos Jobim International Airport Flight from Rio de Janeiro to Iguazu airport via TAM Airlines (c. 3 hours)
Argentina – Iquazu Iguazú Airport Road trip through the borders between Brazil & Argentina
Enjoy Iguazú Iguazú Relax in your hotel and explore the charming Puerto Iguazú and its many attractions. The little town is safe and small to wander around on foot.
4 Puerto Iquazu Falls Tour Iguazú Falls, Iguazú National Park Tour on the Argentine side of the magical and impressive Iguazú Falls. Explore the Iguazú National Park and ride the train up to the famous Devil’s Throat, the most impressive part of the falls. FYI – The falls are shared by the Iguazú National Park (Argentina) and Iguaçu National Park (Brazil).
5 Depart Iguazú /arrival to Buenos Aires Iguazú Airport Domestic flight via LAN Airlines (c. 2 hours)
Enjoy Buenos Aires Argentina – Buenos Aires Argentina – Buenos Aires Airport Transfer from hotel to the Iguazú airport (c. 45 mins)
Argentina – Buenos Aires Explore the tango capital of Latin America
6 Buenos Aires Tour Key Points in Buenos Aires Tour through the city’s highlights which includes: the National Congress, Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Cabildo, which used to be the City Hall under Spanish colonial rule and is now a museum.
Visit the Colon Theater, considered one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world, and from where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the entire area.
Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires Visit the lovely neighborhoods of San Telmo and the old colourful Italian district of La Boca. Thereafter, continue on toward the chic and trendy Palermo neighborhood before ending off in the upscale and elegant Recoleta district. Do take your time to admire the beautifu, artistic old marble tombstone cementaries.
Tango show and Dinner at Tango Porteño Exceptional tango and delicious dinner (included) at one of the most exclusive Buenos Aires tango houses
7 Depart Buenos Aires/ Arrival in Chile, Santiago Chile – Santiago Buenos Aires Airport Via LAN Airlines
Chile – Santiago Airport
Santiago City Tour Chile – Santiago Join those half-day Historical City Tour to see the most interesting sites in the city and to learn about the country’s fascinating history.
Drive up the Santa Lucia hill where Santiago was founded. and continue on to the historic downtown, Plaza de Armas (Main Square), where some of Santiago’s historic buildings stand. You will see the Cathedral, City Hall, Central Post Office, and the National Historical Museum.
Drive onwards to the civic area to see the Moneda Presidential Palace, current seat of the Chilean government. Thereafter, continue through charming streets lined with 19th century buildings, passing the statue of Typical Zone, the Cousiño Palace, and the Basilica de los Sacramentinos (inspired by the Montmartre church of Paris).
End off at the Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago’s main avenue where you will visit the San Francisco church and its beautiful colonial museum and monastery. The church boasts a peaceful garden and an important collection of religious art.
8 Depart Santiago/ Arrive to Easter Island Chile – Easter Island Santiago Airport to Easter Island Airport Via LAN Airlines
Relax and Explore Easter Island Explore the quaint area around your hotel
9 Easter Island Cultural Tour Easter Island – Ahu Tahai and the Anthropological Museum Excursion to Ahu Tahai and the Anthropological Museum. Ahu Tahai is a site on the western shores of the island where the moais (stone statues) have unusual and unique characteristics. Also visit the Anthropological Museum.
Ahu Akivi, Puna Pau, and Te Pahu Visit Ahu Akivi, an ahu composed of several moai. You will then head to Puna Pau, a small quarry located on the outskirts of the principal quarry on Easter Island, and the sole source of the red scoria rock that are used in making the topknots for the moai. Also visit the Te Pahu caves, which is where the island’s inhabitants once lived.
10 Volcano Tour Rano Raruku Volcano (on the southern tip of the Easter island) The volcano’s crater is full of pooled rain water and lush vegetation and is easily the most beuatiful volcano on the island.
Head to the largest ahu on the island, Ahu Tongariki, where 15 moai face the sunset. These statues were originally toppled during the civil ward on the island when rival clans competed for resources.
Descend from the hills and visit the white coral sand beach of Anakena. There are two ahus here, one with a single moai and one with six. Anakena is one of the two beaches on Easter Island and an important spot for the Birdman rituals. If you ride, ask for the Horse Riding Trails to go up the mountain ranges.
11 Depart Easter Island/ Arrive in Lima Peru – Lima Easter Island Airport Via LAN Airlines
Peru – Lima Airport Explore Lima
12 Depart Lima/ Arrive in Cusco Peru – Cusco Lima Airport Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco via STAR PERU
Cusco Airport
Cusco City Tour Historical Sites in Cusco Tour of the ancient and colonial Cuzco sights, including the Cathedral and the temple Koricancha. Continue to the hilltop fortress of Sacsayhuaman and the Incan sites Q’enko, Puka Pukara, and Tombamachay.
Relax Stroll through the city and bask in its ambiance.
13 Sacred Valley Tour Pisac Full-day Sacred Valley tour begins with a scenic drive to Pisac, where you will visit its famous, lively market. Hundreds of traditionally-dressed artisans and sellers journey from surrounding villages to sell their crafts and produce at this market. Ceramics, carvings, weavings, and jewelry are popular items.
Urubamba Explore the town and have lunch. If you ride, ask for the Cusco Riding Trail.
Ollantaytambo Continue to the ancient and serene town of Ollantaytambo, which has been continuously inhabited since the 13th century, and visit its impressive hillside fortress ruins.
14 Terrace and Salt Flat Tour Moray Moray is believed to have been an agricultural research center for the Incan Empire. You will see a set of downward spiraling terraces of stone worked into the ground. Layer after layer, you will descend until you reach the circular center at the bottom.
Maras At Maras, you will see the salt flats, an astounding spectacle of numerous white drying pools used by the Incas to extract the natural salt from the mountain stream.
15 Machu Picchu Tour Aguas Calientes Find your way to the small town of Aguas Calientes, check in to your hotel, and prepare for your ascent to Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu Explore the spectacular ruins starting with a dawn hike to the mountain top for the bird’s eye view of Machu Picchu.
*Huayna Picchu If you are interested in exploring the picturesque Huayna Piccu (opposite Machu Picchu), tickets must be purchased in advance online.
16 Leisure in Aguas Calientes and return to Cusco Enjoy an afternoon of lesiure in Aguas Calientes before boarding your afternoon train back to Cusco (beautiful 4 hour journey with spectular views of the Andes mountains)
17 Leisure in Cusco Enjoy the day at leisure enjoying this wonderful Incan city. There are many museums, shops, markets, restaurants, bars, and unique areas you can visit.
18 Depart Cusco/ Arrive in Lima Peru – Lima Cusco Airport Via STAR PERU
Lima Airport
Lima City Tour Tour of Lima’s colonial center, including the main Plaza, the Cathedral, the Convent of San Francisco, the handsome Plaza de San Martin, plus many of the other highlights of old-town Lima.
19 Depart Lima/ Arrive in Sao Paulo Lima Airport Via LAN Airlines
Sao Paulo Airport Upon arrival to Sao Paulo airport, return trip back to Singapore via Singapore Airlines.

annacflower

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