Your Itinerary
Welcome to Manaus!
Settle into your hotel with time to explore on your own. (D)Please note: You will meet your Tour Director in Rio de Janeiro.
Rivers of Life
Today your “Meeting of the Waters” tour passes the impressive British-built Customs House and the floating port. Cruise on the chocolate-hued Rio Negro to its confluence with the yellow-gray Rio Solimões, where the two rivers form the mighty Amazon. For four miles the different bodies of water flow side by side and never mix! After lunch, explore a jungle island (water level permitting) with native flora and fauna. Arrive at the ecolodge on the banks of the Rio Negro inside the Amazonian rainforest. (B,L,D)Please note: The itinerary in the Amazon is subject to favorable weather conditions and water levels. When conditions are unfavorable (draught season is generally September – November), alternative eco-lodging and excursions will be provided.TOUR HIGHLIGHTACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Stay in the Amazon on the banks of the Rio Negro at an ecolodge. Each day spent here brings new adventures from guided nature walks, visit with a Caboclo local, to night-time adventures and much more.
Monkey Business
Accompanied by a Naturalist, enjoy a guided walk to see the flora and fauna that thrive in the Amazon. After lunch, sail up the river to visit with a Caboclo local to learn about their traditions and culture. Later, visit the Monkey Jungle Reserve (seasonal), where researchers work to rehabilitate primates like spider, squirrel, woolly, and capuchin monkeys and reintroduce them into the jungle. This evening, venture back out on a canoe with your Naturalist to appreciate the sounds of the jungle at night, with the possibility to spot small alligators (or other nocturnal creatures). (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHT CONSERVATION HEROES During your stay at an Amazon ecolodge, you will have the chance experience the jungle at night with an expert Naturalist guide who sheds light on the intricate relationships between the fascinating array of flora and fauna who call the Amazon home.
AMAZON JUNGLE–MANAUS–RIO DE JANEIRO
Brazilian Boomtown
This morning, depart for Manaus. Take a guided sightseeing tour to explore the city’s vestiges of its glory days during the rubber boom. See the famed Opera House, built in 1896 with materials imported from Europe. Visit a local market, abundant with local foods and wares. Continue to the airport for your flight to Rio and an overnight stay. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURE & TRADITIONS Experience an authentic local market in Manaus. See the fresh fish brought in daily, fruit, spices, and indigenous medicines all locally sourced from the Amazon Basin.
Reaching New Heights
After free time this morning, meet your Tour Director at 3:30pm for a drive along Ipanema and Copacabana beaches to the base of 1,300-foot-high Sugarloaf Mountain. Ascend by cable car to its summit, where you can take in spectacular vistas of the city. Next, toast the start of a memorable vacation with [LF] caipirinhas, a traditional Brazilian cocktail, from atop Sugarloaf Mountain during a cocktail party. (B)LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES A once-in-a-lifetime experience awaits atop Sugarloaf Mountain overlooking Guanabara Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Take in the breathtaking panoramic views as you join a private cocktail party with your fellow travel companions. Toast with a traditional caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail, made with fresh lime, cachaça, and sugar. Deliciosa!
Heavenly Views
The city’s landmark, the statue of Christ the Redeemer, crowns Corcovado Mountain, a rounded peak rising 2,300 feet from the bay below. A scenic ride by cog railway leads to the top, where a breathtaking 360-degree panorama affords sweeping views. From here, proceed to bustling downtown Rio, where modern office towers stand next to relics of the Portuguese colonial past. View the Sambódromo and visit the Cathedral. The afternoon is at leisure for you to experience this vibrant city on your own. Tonight, it’s a fun outing to a churrascaria for a feast of barbecued meats marinated and roasted over charcoal in true Brazilian style. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTEPIC RIDE Soar to the summit of Corcovado Mountain by cog railway to reach the site of the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer. This crowning jewel of Rio and Brazil was constructed between 1922 and 1933. The statue of Jesus Christ stands 98 feet high (or 124 feet including the pedestal) with an arm span of 92 feet wide. Towering over the city, this piece of art is truly an engineering marvel and was even voted one the New7Wonders of the World.
Beaches, Boutiques & Bites
A full day at leisure to enjoy Rio. Relax on one of the world-famous beaches or take advantage of the world-class shopping or fine dining. (B)ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE Spend free time in Rio de Janeiro with an optional excursion to Petropolis, (mountain resort and former summer palace of Emperor Dom Pedro II). This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus. Get local maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO app.
RIO DE JANEIRO–IGUASSU FALLS
What a Rush!
A flight from Rio takes you to Iguassu Falls. Experience the clouds of spray, the incessant roar, and the surrounding luxuriant tropical growth that make this an unforgettable natural wonder. Head into Brazil’s Iguassu National Park to enjoy the magnificent panorama of waterfalls from the Brazilian side. Your Local Guide introduces the spectacle of this 2-mile-wide rushing torrent. With some cataracts as high as 250 feet, Iguassu Falls is nothing short of hypnotic! (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTNATURAL WONDERS Explore incredible Iguassu National Park (Brazilian side) and walk the pathways skirting Iguassu Falls. Watch for amazing wildlife in this protected area, including toucans, agoutis, giant otters, anteaters, tapir, and even jaguars!
IGUASSU FALLS. EXCURSION TO IGUASSU FALLS, ARGENTINA
Taking the Plunge
Today, journey across the Brazilian border by motorcoach to the Argentine side of Iguassu Falls, where you will take the Ecological Jungle Train and enjoy a closer perspective on a walking tour of the falls. Meander along the walkways from atop the falls and enjoy an exhilarating view looking over the precipice of the falls as the water plunges to the rocks below. You will also have the chance to walk through the rainforest on the lower falls trails that will bring you up close to some of the smaller cataracts. Cross back into Brazil and return to the hotel, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTPICTURE PERFECT Iguassu National Park (Argentinean side) – From this side of the falls you get a bird’s-eye view from the catwalks perched over part of the Devil’s Throat, where 14 waterfalls drop more than 300 feet into the Devil’s Gorge below. A completely different perspective from that of Brazil’s side which is why you always need to see both sides of the falls!
IGUASSU FALLS–BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
The Boulevards of Buenos Aires
This morning, cross the Brazilian border into Argentina by motorcoach to transfer to the Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. After arriving, an orientation walk acquaints you with the “Paris of South America” and its wide boulevards and outdoor cafés. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCITY SIGHTS Elegant European architecture, epicurean cuisine, and a café culture to rival any rue de Paris, Buenos Aires is a city of leisurely afternoons sipping café con leche or the choicest Argentinian wines.
Dining, Dancing & Dazzling
Your sightseeing starts in La Boca, a vibrant district and site of the city’s first port. Take a short walking tour of this unique enclave and then on to San Telmo, famous for its late-colonial buildings and a popular gathering spot for artists. At Plaza de Mayo, see La Casa Rosada (the President’s Pink House) and the Metropolitan Cathedral, housing San Martin’s Mausoleum. Drive past the ornate Teatro Colón opera house before reaching Recoleta Cemetery, burial site of Eva Perón. Next, [LF] learn how to make a traditional Argentinean dish during your empanada cooking class. After an afternoon at leisure, top off the evening at a famous Tango club. The Tango and Argentina go hand in hand and tonight you will [LF] visit a local milonga, or tango house, where professional tango dancers teach the traditional techniques of the Argentine Tango. After your lesson, enjoy a farewell dinner featuring Argentine steaks and other local specialties. Top off the evening when the professionals delight you with a Tango Show featuring the dance as it has evolved through the ages! (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITELOCAL TASTES Immerse yourself in Argentina’s culinary culture when you learn how to make empanadas. This hands-on cooking class teaches you the different fillings and the various 'repulga' techniques (how to close the empanada.) After perfecting your creation, enjoy your homemade empanada and a glass of Malbec.
Ranch Life
Today, head into the heart of the pampas (grasslands) and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of rural, country life at a working [LF] Argentina estancia (ranch). After a traditional welcome with empanadas and local beverages, get acquainted with the lifestyle of real gauchos (cowboys) on a carriage ride through the pampas. Later, at lunch, enjoy an authentic feast, complete with world-renowned Argentine beef, salad, desserts, and live music and dance by the gauchos themselves. Top off the day with an equestrian demonstration by the gauchos before saying adios to the countryside and heading back to the city. (B,L)LOCAL FAVORITE CULTURE & TRADITION Argentinean Estancias date back to the 16th Century during Spanish colonization when conquistadors where gifted land to raise and breed cattle. Today, these lands and traditions that go along with them have been passed down from generation to generation. Today, you step into the traditional, local life of a gaucho and embrace Argentinian heritage.
Patagonian Pleasures
Fly south to Bariloche in Patagonia on the shores of fjord-like Lago Nahuel Huapi in the heart of Argentina’s Lake District. Arrive in the early evening and join your Tour Director for a leisurely stroll through the picturesque town. See the city hall, the clock tower in Municipality Square, and the famous chocolate factories. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEMS You are in Argentina but, you feel like you are in a small town in Switzerland when in Bariloche! Use your time here to sample its famous chocolate, sip locally crafted beer, dine on world class cuisine, and take in the breathtaking views of this Patagonian mountain town.
Alpine Treasures
This chic alpine resort boasts some of the most glorious scenery in the country. Cameras should be ready for today’s guided sightseeing including a chairlift ride to a lookout point at Cerro Campanario. You’ll want to capture the vistas of surrounding lakes and Andes mountain peaks. The tour continues with a leisurely drive around the Llao Llao Peninsula, Lago Moreno, and Lopez Bay followed by lunch at a local restaurant. (B,L)TOUR HIGHLIGHTEPIC RIDE Sit back and relax on the 7-minute chairlift ride to the Campanario summit at 3400 feet. From here you will experience the best views in Patagonia. Take in the sweeping vistas of the surrounding snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes, and lush forests.
BARILOCHE–PUERTO BLEST–PUERTO VARAS, CHILE
Peak Perfection
Set out today for your [LF] Andes Lake crossing! Board a boat for the cruise across Lago Nahuel Huapi to Puerto Blest. Proceed by motorcoach and see emerald lakes, thick pine forests, and the snow-capped peaks of the Andes Mountains. Look out for soaring Osorno Volcano as you cross Lago Todos los Santos by catamaran. Skirt the southern shore of Lago Llanquihue on the way to Puerto Varas. Drive to your hotel along the rosebush-lined streets of this lakeside resort. (B,L)LOCAL FAVORITE NATURAL WONDERS Why go around the Andes Mountains when you can cut a path directly through them? That’s exactly what you will do today on a full-day Andes Lake Crossing from Argentina to Chile! Sail across glacial lakes, travel through national parks, watch for giant condors, and cruise past active volcanoes into Chile. Today will be an unforgettable adventure.
PUERTO VARAS–PUERTO MONTT–SANTIAGO
Summits & Seas
Your morning tour of the nearby seaport of Puerto Montt in Chilean Patagonia takes you to the harbor brimming with fishing vessels and along a busy waterfront lined with seafood stalls. Transfer to the airport for your flight north to Santiago. Perched between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, Santiago has evolved as the country’s political, commercial, and cultural capital. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTLOCAL TASTES Discover a wide variety of fresh seafood during your visit to the local market in the seaside village of Angelmó near Puerto Montt. If seafood isn’t your preference, you’ll also find fruits, vegetables, cheese, meats, handicrafts, and much more.
Santiago Especial
Today, your Local Guide traces the city’s history and heritage on a guided city tour. Start at La Moneda, the official Government Palace, before heading to the Plaza de Armas, the main square, with a visit to the 18th-century cathedral. Conclude your tour of Santiago with lunch at a local restaurant, including a glass of regional wine. Return to your hotel for a free evening. Your Tour Director will have recommendations on how to spend your evening. (B,L)ENHANCED FREE TIMESIGHTS & CITY LIGHTS Chile’s capital city shines amid the heights of the Andes and the horizons of the sea with plenty of head-turning panoramas. If you’ve got a head for nightlife, Santiago’s streets are brimming with restaurants, bars, and cafes. Explore the Barrio Bellavista where trendy restaurants, bars, discos, music venues, street art offer something for every taste.
Hasta Luego, Chile
The day is free for independent activities. You may want to take advantage of an optional excursion to the beautiful coastal region west of Santiago. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner to celebrate a great touring adventure. (B,D)ENHANCED FREE TIMEEXPLORE MORE Take an excursion to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. Drive through the hills of Chile’s wine country to the historic port of Valparaiso, and continue along the coast to nearby Viña del Mar. This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus. Get local maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO mobile app.
Welcome to Easter Island!
Transfer to the airport and fly from Santiago to Easter Island, considered the world’s largest open-air museum, boasting over 400 moai, ruins, and temples. Meet with a Globus representative and be transferred to your hotel for a free evening. (B)Please note: The Tour Director does not accompany guests on extensions. Guided service is as outlined in the day by day itinerary. TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORY & MYSTERY Check off this bucket list destination when you travel to the most remote island in the world. Located 2,200 miles off the coast of Chile, this island is a territory of Chile but, feels more like Polynesia. At the time of the arrival of the Europeans in the 18th Century, the island had been completely decimated of all resources, the population was no larger than 700 people, the now famous moai toppled, and history forgotten. Many mysteries endure around the island’s history.
Curious Quarries
Your first stop on your private tour will be Ahu Vaihu, where eight large moai lie in ruins. Continue on to Ahu Akahanga. According to legend, this is the burial site of the first king of Easter Island (Hotu Matu’a). Next, at the Rano Raraku quarry, you’ll find 394 statues in various stages of completion. It appears that the moai production was abruptly abandoned, leaving us a frozen snapshot that reveals how the moai were carved out of volcanic rocks. At Ahu Tongariki, see 15 beautifully restored moai, and at Ahu Te Pito Kura, see the largest moai ever transported and erected. Last stop is the beach of Anakena, where King Hotu Matu’a first landed on Rapa Nui. (B,L)TOUR HIGHLIGHTLEGENDS & LORE Over 600 massive volcanic rock sculptures pepper the island, with many dating back to 700 AD. Each of these structures, some close to 40 feet tall and 80 tons, were carved from one single rock. If an imperfection was found, it was abandoned. It remains an enigma how these massive moai were transported from there quarries. Now you get the opportunity to stand next to one and come up with your own theory!
Cauldrons & Cryptic Carvings
This morning, visit the Rano Kau Volcano, with a caldera that contains one of the island’s freshwater lakes. Head to Ana Te Pahu, a tube formed by the flow of volcanic lava thousands of years ago, which the ancient Rapa Nui are believed to have used as a dwelling and refuge during times of social instability. Here, you can see archaeological remains that will allow you to imagine what life was like. Next, visit Vinapu, an impressive ceremonial platform known for the precision and quality of its stonework. Observe remains of moai and pukao that reflect the remarkable craftsmanship of the ancient Rapa Nui civilization. The day concludes at the Tahai ceremonial complex, one of the most important archaeological ensembles on the island, featuring three restored platforms and moai with distinctive features that represent different periods of Rapa Nui history. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOT Hear the legend of The Birdman Competition on an excursion to the sacred site of Tahai, where an ancient annual competition was used to determine the Birdman, a sacred designation. The challenge required contestants (appointed by a sponsor) to descend the steep cliffs, swim offshore to an islet, and wait for the first tern egg of the season and then return it safely to their sponsor. Upon delivery of the egg, the sponsor became a leader of the island for the year.
Hasta Luego, Chile!
Transfer to the airport and return to Santiago for a final night in Chile. (B)ENHANCED FREE TIMEEXPLORE MORE Upon your arrival back to Santiago, you may enjoy a night of relaxation or a night on the town where the city lights up with a vibrant nightlife. Refer to your GlobusGO mobile app for maps and tips.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)