Ultimate Chimu Adventure - South America & Antarctica

Arrival day in the Chilean capital of Santiago. You will be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel by private car transfer. The rest of the day is yours to recover from your flight.

Spend your morning getting to know Santiago on a half-day city tour. You will visit the highlights that this cosmopolitan city has to offer. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the local area near your hotel. Barrio Lastarria is an upmarket, vibrant, and safe neighbourhood, home to some of Santiago’s best cafes, bars, and restaurants, with lots of boutique retail stores.

This morning we will head west and our first stop will be in the Casablanca Valley, famous for its many wineries, where we will stop in at a cellar door to enjoy a premium wine tasting. Then, we continue onto Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is one of Chile’s largest coastal cities. Its charming and picturesque colourful houses hang from the hills that surround the city and create a natural amphitheatre where the historic port life blends with the cultural life on the hills. In the afternoon, you will be dropped back to your hotel in Santiago.

Today you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Quito, Ecuador, a City declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1978. You will be transferred from the airport to your hotel which sits nestled in the Andean foothills, 2,850 metres above sea level. The city is known for its stunning colonial architecture, artwork and amazing snow-capped mountain backdrop.

You will tour the bustling streets, charming squares and majestic churches of Quito city and its old town before venturing into the city’s surrounds. There, we will head 25km north and visit the Equatorial Monument. It marks the exact middle of the World, Latitude 0º, where you can stand with one foot on each side of the hemisphere. The surrounding volcanic scenery is stunning and you can choose to visit either the Ethnographic Museum or the Intinan Museum, both located near the site of the monument.

Today you will head south from Quito to visit Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world. Despite the altitude, the park is home to numerous birds and varied plant life. Weather permitting, there are spectacular views from the north face of the mountain. The surrounding scenery includes volcanoes like Pasochoa, Ruminahui and Sincholagua. You will also have the opportunity to visit a local indigenous market.

Fly from Quito to the Galapagos. On arrival you will meet your naturalist guides who will collect your luggage and escort you by bus to the harbour to board the MC Galapagos Seaman Journey. In the afternoon you will visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Centre to learn about the history of the islands, local conservation efforts and the natural history.

Today begins with a trip to Galapaguera, a breeding station and sanctuary for the giant Galapagos tortoise. The species is under threat and this centre provides a safe place to observe them in their natural habitat. This afternoon, head to the beautiful white coral sand beach of Cerro Brujo where there is the chance to swim and snorkel with sea lions and Galapagos turtles. Spot other local species like the blue-footed boobies, frigate birds and the San Cristobal lava lizard.

This morning we head to the isolated southern island of Espanola. Brimming with native species like the Espanola mockingbird, lava lizard and waved albatross. Gardner Bay is a prime location for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing. You may also see sea lions, sharks and sea turtles in the clear waters. This afternoon’s excursion takes you to Suarez Point. Watch the blue-footed and Nazca boobies dance and the large albatrosses launch off the cliff. There’s a blowhole which can create spurts of 30-50 metre high.

One of the most impressive flamingo lagoons is located at Cormorant Point on Floreana Island. There you will see flamingos and various other shorebird species and there are two beaches to visit, Green Beach and Flour Sand Beach. Here green sea turtles come to nest and you can also see rays in the water. You will have the chance to take a walk and go snorkelling. Spend the afternoon relaxing at Post Office Bay, which is a post office like no other. Today tourists leave letters and post cards here and you can sift through them to find any that might be close to your home. The idea is to take one and deliver them by hand.

Spend your final morning learning about the protection and conservation efforts of the islands at Turtle Trails. After, you will head to Baltra Airport to fly back to Quito. Overnight at the airport hotel.

Today take the shuttle back to the airport in time for your onward flight to Lima, the capital of Peru. Lima is a bustling metropolis and one of South America’s largest cities. Home to a plethora of interesting museums and a foodie’s delight, being the ‘gastronomical capital of the Americas’.

Embark on a walking food tour in Lima’s Historic Centre. During this food tour, you will have the chance to taste popular on-the-go delicacies that locals devour while learning more about Peru’s history and interesting facts about the local economy and daily life in Peru.

You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Cusco, where you will descend into the Sacred Valley below Cusco. The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a region in Peru’s Andean highlands which, along with the nearby town of Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu, formed the heart of the Inca Empire. The Sacred Valley’s elevation is 2,800 meters above sea level, so it’s recommended to take it easy for the afternoon as your body acclimatises to the altitude.

On today’s Sacred Valley of the Incas tour, you will be presented with plenty of photo opportunities of ancient Incan villages and ruins, whilst learning about the culture and beliefs of the Incan people. This tour is the perfect start to understanding the unique way of life, farming techniques, and archaeological design of the Incas. The first stop is the village of Pisac. Wander the colourful market stalls before heading uphill to the famous Pisac ruins, Intihuatana, Q’allaqasa and Kinchiracay ruins. Enjoy a fine buffet lunch in gardens overlooking the Valley before continuing along the River Urubamba, to Ollantaytambo, which is dominated by a giant Incan fortress.

Today will be one of your highlights in South America with a visit to Machu Picchu. A transfer will collect you and transfer you to Ollantaytambo train station to board a scenic train and arrive in one of the world’s most famous ruins after the morning fog and crowds have cleared. A guide will meet you on arrival and take you directly to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will spend the afternoon marvelling at the stunning display of ancient architecture and incredible surroundings. located 2,430 metres above sea level, your guide will explain the 15th-century Inca site before taking you to your hotel for the night in the local village of Aguas Calientes.

Start your journey back to Cusco by boarding a return train to Ollantaytambo. A transfer will be waiting as you arrive back to Ollantaytambo station to continue onwards to Cusco. En route, you will visit the Maras Salt ponds, believed to pre-date the Inca period. These shallow pools, dug into the mountainside, are filled with salt water from an underground spring from an adjacent mountain. Continue to Moray, which boasts an impressive Inca ruin of giant circular terraces that are believed to have been used for agricultural experimentation. You will then be dropped to your hotel in Cusco, set at an altitude of 3,400 metres in the Peruvian Andes.

Join our Chimu Adventures exclusive day tour and explore the city’s fascinating history. This specially designed tour has been perfected to show you the best of this incredible city without the crowds and other tourists. Learn about this city from the Inca times to colonial rule to the present day, winding through narrow cobble-stoned streets and visiting the market of Cusco. Visit the fascinating Koricancha Temple of the Sun, Cusco’s Plaza de Armas and Cathedral, built on the ruins of an Inca Palace and finish up at Sacsayhuaman, a former Inca fortress perched atop the hill above Cusco.

Today is at leisure, allowing you to spend time wandering the cobble-stoned streets of the ancient Inca capital. With treasures around every corner, Cusco is a wonderful city to explore on foot. Vibrant markets and stores give the traveller a plethora of shopping opportunities set amongst fine Inca and Spanish colonial architecture. Included is a BTG ticket which provides access to most of Cusco’s attractions and museums, so you choose where you wish to spend your day.

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Rio De Janeiro. Rio never fails to amaze with its sandy beaches, carefree lifestyle, and unparalleled natural beauty.

Join a discovery tour of Rio de Janeiro that heads downtown to the main financial district and Carioca Square before visiting the neighbourhood of Santa Teresa. This area of Rio de Janeiro is known for its cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, charming upper-class residential homes and stunning views from the hillside overlooking the city. You will also find the Carmelitas’ Convent and the famous Selaron Staircase. The colourful stairway is covered in mosaic tiles, the work of Chilean born artist Jorge Salaron. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy the beaches of Rio. (B)

With an early start, today you will join a city tour taking in all of Rio’s famous sights, including Corcovado, to get up close to the Christ the Redeemer statue. The next stop is Sugar Loaf Mountain, where you will board a cable car to the top of Urca Hill, with spectacular views of Rio’s famous beaches, bays, hills, and the city. Enjoy a traditional Brazilian BBQ for lunch and continue exploring more of the city including a visit to the Maracanã Stadium via the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, a stop at the Sambadrome, the city’s historic downtown area, and more. (B,L)

Today you will be transferred to the airport and fly to Foz de Iguazu Airport. You will enjoy a half-day tour of the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls where you will experience great panoramic views of the falls. After your tour you will cross the border into Argentina and transfer to your hotel.

Get ready for a full day of exploring the Argentine side of the falls. We start early to beat the crowds and get the first train to the Devil’s Throat. Walk along the paths over the islands which take you to a balcony over the falls and the most spectacular view of the entire Devil’s Gorge. You will then have plenty of time to walk the paths on the upper circuit, providing you with a magnificent panoramic view, and the lower circuit, which has great views from below and around the falls. On completion of the tour, you will be taken to your hotel.

Today you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. On arrival your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in one of Buenos Aires’ most elegant, historic, and picturesque neighbourhoods, Recoleta, where you will be free to relax for the rest of the day.

The morning is at leisure before you are collected from your hotel for a three hour afternoon city tour. We have designed this tour exclusively for our guests. You will visit the main square; Plaza De Mayo, home to the famous Casa Rosada and then continue on to the charming suburb of La Boca - the birthplace of Tango where you will have some time to wander the streets. Then head to Recoleta Cemetery, one of the most beautiful in the world. Entrance is included and your guide will point out the graves of famous Argentinian's such as Eva Peron, or Evita. (B).

You will be collected from your hotel in the afternoon for a unique half day walking tour with your own local guide. You will start by exploring the streets of the upscale and exclusive neighbourhood of Recoleta through a local’s eyes. Continue on through the beating heart of the city, Reteiro, home to many significant government buildings filled with fascinating history of Buenos Aires. Chat with your guide over a local Patagonian Ice Cream or a Coffee, before heading over to the bohemian barrio of San Telmo to explore the local markets, tasting local specialties like Empanada's. You will also visit an old Conventillo and the quaint Plaza Dorrego.
In the evening you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to an Asado restaurant where you will enjoy a traditional Argentinian steakhouse. A closed-door dining experience awaits you that explores new ways of serving Argentine Asado classics, along with a wine pairing menu that has also been designed to best enhance the flavours of the ingredients while presenting you with some of the best boutique wines from Argentina.

Today you will be transferred to the airport in time for your onward flight to Ushuaia. Your polar adventure begins here! Ushuaia is nestled within the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, Ushuaia boasts many shops, museums, restaurants and cafes that you can enjoy before your voyage. This Argentine town is the ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. If you feel adventurous, the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park offers plenty of outdoor activities.

Following your embarkation onto the Ocean Endeavour in the late afternoon, you begin your Antarctic journey south, passing through the infamous Beagle Channel. Named after the famed ship on which Charles Darwin voyaged, the channel presents great photo opportunities of landscapes and seabirds.

The infamous Drake Passage is wild and unpredictable. Soak up some fresh air on one of the Ocean Endeavour's many outer decks while you feel the breeze of the roaring forties and furious fifties – waters not yet tamed even by the most intrepid of explorers. The Expedition Team will provide insights into the adventures ahead and offer educational lectures on everything from history and geology to photography and ornithology.
During these two days at sea, you’ll witness plenty of seabirds crossing the Southern Ocean. With favourable sea and weather conditions, the first sighting of land will appear on day four.

This is when your Antarctic adventures truly begin. The South Shetland Islands come into view – a region that has long captivated the attention of many explorers alike. The Expedition Team and Captain will scout for whales and seabirds and alert you to any new sightings. Enjoy in-depth explanations and more lectures on the glaciology, history, and wildlife of the region as we explore them.
Even more exciting will be your first land excursion. Daily Zodiac cruises and shore excursions take you to explore local bays, channels, and landing sites with wildlife opportunities always at the forefront of your Expedition Team's mind. Walk on beaches dotted with penguins, visit penguin rookeries, and search for southern seal species, including the fearless penguin eater, the Leopard seal.

No two days or landing are the same, with each day presenting new photo opportunities and sightings. But it won’t take long for you to spot the difference between an Adelie, Gentoo and Chinstrap penguin.

You might hike to a penguin rookery one day and take a Zodiac cruise among towering icebergs the next. From coming eye to eye with a Humpback whale to the sound of a calving glacier, you will wake up excited each day with a desire to explore this icy wilderness.

You also have the option to treat yourself to an overnight ice camping experience on land, a snowshoeing excursion to explore further afield, or hit the water for a day paddle excursion giving you a more intimate Antarctic experience.

An average day onboard begins with a wake-up call from your Expedition Leader around 7am, giving you time to prepare for the day before joining your fellow expeditioners for breakfast in the Polaris restaurant. You will usually have two excursions per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with a delicious lunch served on the Ocean Endeavour in between excursions.

Your journey back across the Drake Passage provides a final opportunity to enjoy the Antarctic air. So make sure to spend some time on the outer decks scouting for whales, watching seabirds or enjoying a presentation by your Expedition Team. Celebrate the unforgettable experiences you have shared with your fellow passengers exploring the remarkable world of Antarctica.

After arriving in the port of Ushuaia, the Expedition Team will gather on the deck to farewell you as you disembark the Ocean Endeavour after breakfast. You will be transferred to Ushuaia Airport for your onward flight to Buenos Aires and transferred to your hotel in Buenos Aires for the final evening of your 'Ultimate' Adventure'.

Today you will be transferred to Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport in time for your departure flight. Say farewell and take a moment to reflect on the amazing journey you have had, exploring many wonders of South America and Antarctica on this awe-inspiring adventure.