South America's Great Train Journeys

For many inveterate travellers, South American remains the last frontier: stunning natural wonders - Iguazu Falls, the Andes, the Lakes, Tierra del Fuego; world treasures - Macchu Picchu; indigenous and colonial culture; and many of the world’s great train journeys.

An optional post-tour “3 day break in Rio”   Also departs June 3rd 2013 »

Day 1, Monday Sept. 3rd:  

On arrival you are transferred to your hotel in the ‘South American Paris, Buenos Aires’. Meet your fellow travellers at Welcome Drinks and Dinner. [D].

Day 2, Tuesday Sept. 4th:  

Our city sightseeing tour includes Plaza de Mayo, the city heart, as well as the colourful district of La Boca. This evening, enjoy dinner and a night of music and tango. [B] [D].

Day 3, Wednesday Sept. 5th:  

This morning is at leisure to continue your exploration of this fascinating city and, in the afternoon, we fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in Argentina, situated on the banks of the Beagle Channel close to Cape Horn. It is the main tourist centre for Tierra del Fuego. [B] [D]

Day 4, Thursday Sept. 6th:  

After breakfast we ride the Tierra del Fuego Southern Railway steam engine - known as ‘The Train at the End of the World’ to the gates of the Tierra del Fuego National Park, which we visit by bus. We enjoy the forests, blue lakes, imposing glaciers and varied fauna and flora, as well as some of the park’s most stunning sights - Ensenada Bay on the Beagle Channel coast, Lake Roca and Lapataia Bay. [B]

Day 5, Friday Sept. 7th:  ^ Top ^

We fly this morning via Buenos Aires to Salta, at 1,171metres in Argentina’s North West, a beautiful city of colonial architecture. [B] [D]

Day 6, Saturday Sept. 8th:  

Today, an amazing high altitude train journey of 217km on the ‘Train to the Clouds’ one of the highest railways in the world, through 21 tunnels and over 29 bridges, 13 viaducts, 2 spirals, and 2 zigzags, to its highest point, the La Polvorilla viaduct, 4,200 metres above sea level. [B]

Day 7, Sunday Sept. 9th:  

A city tour of Salta today, the city that contains the best preserved colonial remains in all Argentina. Then a visit to the MAAM museum of Inca culture and heritage. [B]

Day 8, Monday Sept. 10th:  

We are transferred today to the airport for our flight to the Iguazu Falls on the Argentine - Brazilian - Paraguayan border and check into the Sheraton Hotel right at the Falls on the Argentine side. The most spectaclar waterfalls in the world, there are 275 falls along a 3km front, averaging 70m in height. Completely surrounded by a dense tropical forest, this is home to many small native mammals and over 400 different species of birds and butterflies. [B] [D]

Day 9, Tuesday Sept. 11th:  ^ Top ^

Today we visit the Lower and Upper trails of the Iguazu National Park that allow close views of the many thundering falls. Then we make a visit by tourist train to the Devil’s Gorge right in the heart of the Iguazu waterfall, followed by an exciting boat ride on the river below the falls. [B]

Day 10, Wednesday Sept. 12th:  

Today we cross the International Bridge ‘Tancredo Neves’ to explore the Brazilian side of the falls for a quite different perspective and a panoramic view back to the Argentine side. There is a bird park and, depending on the weather, helicopter flights are available. [B]

Day 11, Thursday Sept. 13th:  

This morning we transfer to the airport for our domestic flight via Buenos Aires south to Patagonia and Esquel, a picturesque city resting in a green mountain range valley in the Andean foothills. [B] [D]

Day 12, Friday Sept. 14th:  

Today our sightseeing includes Fautaleufau Dam and the pretty town of Trevelin, settled in the 19th century by migrants from Wales. Enjoy a traditional Welsh afternoon tea before returning to our hotel. [B]

Day 13, Saturday Sept. 15th:  

A great day for train buffs: we ride Argentina's famous narrow-gauge steam train the Old Patagonian Express, locally called Trochita "the Little Narrow Gauge". In the afternoon we take a coach through the Andean foothills to the ski-town of Bariloche, the Argentine gateway to the famous Lakes District. This vast area on the Argentine - Chilean border is considered one of South America’s most beautiful regions with its lakes, rivers, and snow-capped peaks. [B] [D]

Day 14, Sunday Sept. 16th:  

Today we begin our two-day scenic Lakes Crossing, alternating between cruiser and bus from lake to lake. Over the Argentine - Chilean border, we stay the night in an inn at the remote settlement of Peulla, in a beautiful location amongst the forests and lakes. [B] [D]

Day 15, Monday Sept. 17th:  

The last of the lake crossings today, we cruise across the vivid blue-green waters of Todos Los Santos Lake. We visit Petrohue Falls, then take a lakeside drive through a volcanic landscape to Puerto Varas, the City of the Roses. [B]

Day 16, Tuesday Sept. 18th:  ^ Top ^

Today we fly via Santiago to Lima, the capital of Peru. Founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, it became the centre of all Spanish trade and culture in the New World. Today, it is a city of contrasts with its colonial churches, old mansions and modern residential areas, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. We see the city lights on our sightseeing tour. [B] [D]

Day 17, Wednesday Sept. 19th:  

We take a domestic flight today, over the Andes, to Peru’s Inca capital of Cuzco, a fascinating city, situated 3,310m above sea level in the high Peruvian Andes. It is remarkable for its many colonial churches, monasteries and convents and for its extensive Inca ruins. The afternoon is free to acclimatise to the high altitude. [B] =[D]

Day 18, Thursday Sept. 20th:  

Depart your hotel on a half-day city sightseeing tour. Visit the Plaza de Armas (main square), the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church, the surrounding ruins of Kenko and Tambo Machay, and the renowned fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The remainder of the day is at leisure. [B]

Day 19, Friday Sept. 21th:  

A 3 hour ride on the Vistadome train and a 20 minute bus ride bring us to the Machu Picchu ruins (2,380m). For centuries Machu Picchu lay undiscovered in the jungle until, in 1911, the American historian Hiram Bingham stumbled upon it almost by accident. After a guided tour and lunch you are free to explore the ruins on your own. [B] [D]

Day 20, Saturday Sept. 22nd:  

A second day’s entry to Macchu Picchu is provided today. In the afternoon we join again the Vistadome Train to Ollantaytambo and the small village of Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas at 2,800m. [B]

Day 21, Sunday Sept. 23rd:  

Depart this morning for a full day tour through the Sacred Valley and to the local Indian village markets. To our hotel in Cuzco. [B]

Day 22, Monday Sept. 24th:  ^ Top ^

An early start on what is considered by some to be one of the great train journeys of the world, the Andean Explorer across the vast altiplano to Puno (3,855m), situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca. [B] [D]

Day 23, Tuesday Sept. 25th:  

We enjoy a half-day tour to visit the Uros Indians who live on floating totora reed islands on Lake Titicaca. The lives of the Uros are completely interwoven with the totora reed that grows abundantly in the shallow waters of Lake Titicaca. After lunch we transfer to Juliaca airport for our domestic flight to Lima, where we connect with our International flight to Santiago and transfer to our hotel. [B]

Day 24, Wednesday Sept. 26th:  

The tour ends this morning after breakfast. [B] An optional post-tour “3 day break in Rio”» is available. See below

Tour costs:  

$AUD 15,950* per person Twin Share.

Single supplement $AUD 3,200.

What's included?^ Top ^  

All Great Trains of Europe Tours include:

• 23 nights bed and breakfast accommodation in central First hotels
• 12 dinners
• Rail travel as indicated in reserved seats
• Economy class flights within South America
• Most stops 2 or 3 nights
• All sightseeing and entrances
• Full-time Australian Tour Director who is the Company Principal
• Local specialist guides

The TOUR COST does NOT include:^ Top ^

• Hotel incidentals (eg. Mini-bars, telephone calls, laundry), airport and departure taxes, local transport in any city,
• Optional excursions listed or meals other than breakfast and the one restaurant dinner in each city - the first night in each new city, except Luzern where it takes the form of a farewell dinner. On other nights, the Tour Leaders are available to accompany group members to local, authentic restaurants.

RIO Post Tour Add-On ^ Top ^ 

About the 2012 South America's Great Train Journeys

Note well: Booking Conditions « Tours index ^ Top ^