CHILE, ARGENTINA & PERU 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 range of cultures that persist in the modern populations along with the more recent impact of global migration. 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 central western area of these lands. We visit Machu Picchu, the iconic Inca estate but also experience the cultures that developed over thousands of years and are still active today. We walk through cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, visit the spectacular Iguazú Falls, see the colonial architecture of Lima and Cusco and the Inca sites of Sacsayhuaman, Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Much of this tour is set in the Andes and there is no escaping the need to climb stairs and walk up and down inclines. The tour is not overly strenuous but we spend a number of days over 3,000m ASL. There is no way you can predict how the altitude will affect any of us – some will hardly feel any negative effects; others may feel ill for a day or two but there are medications to help ease the effects.

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 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, and how they built without mortar, but how many people know that the finest masonry in South America comes from Bolivia and was constructed over a thousand years before the Inca were established? What about the exquisite gold of the Moche who built the first city near Cusco (it wasn’t the Inca)? Where are the world’s oldest artificial mummies? This tour won’t answer all of these questions but I hope that it will make you realize how much there is on offer in this continent.”

Enquiries and bookings

For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Kathy Wardrop at Academy Travel on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email kathy@academytravel.com.au

CHILE, ARGENTINA & PERU Tour dates: September 25 – October 13, 2017

Tour leader: Chris Carter

Tour Price: $11,420 per person, twin share

Single Supplement: $2,785 for sole use of double room

Booking deposit: $500 per person

Recommended airline: Qantas

Maximum places: 20

Itinerary: Santiago (3 Nights), Buenos Aires (3 Nights), Puerto Iguazú (2 Nights), Sacred Valley (2 Nights), Aguas Calientes (1 Night), Sacred Valley (1 Night), Cusco (3 Nights), Santiago (1 Night)

Date published: October 25, 2016

Tour Highlights

IGUAZU FALLS 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.

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

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

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

FINE FOOD AND WINE 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.

THE INCA TRAILS

Many people have heard of ‘The Inca Trail’, a spectacular walk that links Machu Picchu to the outside world. At just over 40kms in length and with two passes over 4,000m ASL it is challenging for all but the fittest walkers. Yet it is just a tiny part of a network estimated to extend over 35,000kms – from Ecuador in the north to beyond Santiago in the south. The heart of the network was the Capaq Ñan, the trail that ran north/south through the main Andean range. The Inca Trail network was a major contributor to the success of the expansion of the Inca Empire in the 15th century; but it also assisted in the downfall of the Inca. The Spanish, under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro, were able to use the network to penetrate the Andes and eventually move to Cusco. Once they were established, the Conquistadors used the trails to explore further afield and discover sites that they may have otherwise missed. In recent times there has been a concerted effort to map previously unrecorded sections of these trails so that they may be listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Register. A few years ago I was approached to assist with the recording of sections of the trails in northern Chile. In particular, we were to link known sections of the Capaq Ñan near Putre, not far from the Bolivian border. Working with archaeologists

from Chile and Argentina, I led a group heading south. We had hardly started our work when we came across two locals who were curious about what we were doing and offered to show us along the trails back to their village. 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 they were. When we looked closer we found fragments of ceramics that were Incan in provenance, the trail became more orderly, the surface was paved and had neat kerbing. The locals said it had always been like this. We took this as a sign that we were approaching a settlement that had been established by the Inca. After several days we felt quietly confident that we were on the Capaq Ñan. The ruins we saw were the ‘casquihuasi’ or small houses where the runners would rest between tasks as they delivered messages across the Incan realm. Corrals we saw still in use may have once held llamas used in caravans to carry goods back to Cusco. Our work along The Inca Trail network helped to achieve its listing on the World Heritage Register in 2014.

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 housing exhibits from the Spanish Colonial era. This evening we have dinner and experience some Argentinian passion 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)

Above: The Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago in Plaza de Armas; feel the heat of the tango, Argentina’s dance of passion Below: Ornate mausoleums and decorative statues in Recoleta cemetery

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

This morning we cross the border to view the falls from the Argentinian side. Returning to our hotel, the afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore the town. Overnight Puerto Iguazú (B)

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)

Above: Words can’t capture the power of the mighty Iguazú Falls Below: The Basilica Cathedral of Lima retains it colonial baroque façade while the interior is a mix of various styles; see the local craftswomen display their expert skills at the Centre for Andean textiles

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 Sun Temple 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 Moray, 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 Quechua people 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 closes in the late afternoon. Overnight Aguas Calientes (B, L, D)

Sunday October 8 Machu picchu

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 Inti 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

Above: A fine example of Inca city planning, the ruins at Ollantaytambo, while largely of religious significance, served as a defensive structure in the defeat of the Spanish conquistadors; salt evaporation ponds at Maras that have been in use since Inca times

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

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.

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 Church 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)

Thursday October 12 Return to Santiago

Today we fly back to Santiago in Chile. There is a farewell dinner in Santiago this evening. Overnight Santiago. (B, D)

Friday October 13 Depart

The tour ends after breakfast this morning. (B)

Above: Pisa, a ceremonial centre showcases the painstakingly neat stone masonry skills of the Inca and receives relatively few tourists

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 huaca, or ceremonial space

Fitness Requirements of THIS tour

Grade Three

It is important both for you and for your fellow travellers that you are fit enough to be able to enjoy all the activities on this tour. To give you an indication of the level of physical fitness required to participate on our tours, we have given them a star grading. Academy Travel’s tours tend to feature extended walking tours and site visits, which require greater fitness than coach touring. We ask you to carefully consider your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour.

Participation criteria for this tour This Grade Three tour is among our most physically demanding. To participate on this tour, you should be able to comfortably undertake up to seven hours per day, over several days. Activities may include travelling long distances, walking on difficult terrain, climbing stairs, embarking and disembarking trains and/or boats, exposure to high altitudes and long days of touring. These tours may include one night stops and early starts. You should be able to: keep up with the group at all times walk for 5-7 kilometres at a moderate pace with only

short breaks stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and

museums tolerate varying climatic conditions such as cold weather a reasonable level of physical and respiratory fitness tolerate a diet that can be significantly different from a

typical Australian diet, and where some dietary requirements cannot be met

walk up and down slopes negotiate steps and slopes on archaeological sites or

mountain paths, which are often uneven and unstable get on and off a large coach with steep steps, train or

boat unassisted, possibly with luggage move your luggage a short distance if required

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 predicting how this may impact individuals. Medication is available to counter the effects and we strongly recommend you speak to your doctor prior to travel.

A note for older travellers We regret that we are not able to accept bookings on a Grade Three tour from people more than 80 years old, or with restricted mobility.

Galápagos extension It may be possible to extend your trip to join a tour to the Galápagos Islands dependant on schedules. Please advise Hannah if you are interested in this option.

Tour Price The tour price is $11,420 per person, twin share (land content only). The supplement for a single room is $2,785 per person. A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to secure a place on the tour.

Included in the tour price

Four economy class flights from Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazú, Puerto Iguazú to Lima, Lima to Cusco, Cusco to Lima

Land travel throughout by private coach All accommodation in four and five-star hotels Visa fee into Brazil Porterage of luggage in and out of hotels All meals as indicated in this itinerary All entrance fees to sites mentioned in this itinerary Services of an Australian tour leader and Spanish

speaking tour manager throughout the tour Comprehensive tour notes Tips to local guides, drivers and restaurants

Not included

International air fares to Buenos Aires via Santiago, returning from Lima via Santiago, taxes and surcharges

Travel insurance Meals not mentioned in itinerary Expenses of a personal nature Reciprocity fees to enter Chile and Argentina

Air travel OPTIONS The tour price quoted is for land content only. For this tour, we recommend Qantas or Lan Chile. Please contact us for further information on competitive Economy, Business and First Class airfares. Transfers between airport and hotel are included for all passengers booking their flights through Academy Travel. Transfers may be group or individual.

Enquiries & bookings For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Kathy Wardrop at Academy Travel on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email kathy@academytravel.com.au