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Grand South America, Cuba & the Panama Canal

(34 days, Lima - Buenos Aires, 2013)
Grand South America, Cuba & the Panama Canal
Experience exotic Havana and historical Panama plus Patagonia, the Galápagos Islands, Santiago and the icons of South America in 34 sensational days.

Argentina
Your city tour of Buenos Aires, home of the tango, visits the colourful districts of San Telmo and La Boca plus you will have the choice of visiting an estancia (horse ranch), cruising the Tigre River, touring the famous opera house, Teatro Colón, or uncover the city’s intriguing history in the El Zanjón underground tunnels. Plus visit Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, and the majestic Argentine side of Iguazú Falls.

Brazil
Wake up to the sounds of Iguazú Falls, and see ‘Devil’s Throat’ and the base of the ‘Three Musketeers’. Visit all of Rio’s iconic sights including Sambadrome, home of Carnival, ride the cogwheel railway to Corcovado Mountain’s Christ statue and take a cable car to Sugar Loaf Mountain. Plus dine at your choice of a churrascaria or tapas bar and choose cruising Guanabara Bay, visiting the favelas, a jeep tour of Tijuaca Forest or visiting Petrópolis.

Cuba
World Heritage-listed Havana is a fascinating and eclectic city and you will discover its charm over four fabulous nights. See the sights as you ride in a 1950s car, plus visit the Museum of the Revolution, and choose from included activities including following in Hemingway’s footsteps or visiting a cigar plantation.

Chile
Discover the highlights of Santiago on your walking tour of the Barrio Lastarria enclave, home to belle époque landmarks plus visit Cerro San Cristobal and ride the funicular railway for exceptional city views.

Ecuador
Discover Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil, and tour all the city’s highlights including Seminario Park, home to a population of friendly land iguanas.

Galápagos Islands
This exceptional luxury cruise to the ecologically extraordinary Galápagos Islands archipelago will showcase the island cluster’s rich and relatively untouched variety of landscapes, unusual lava formations, and unique, fearless animals and birdlife.

Panama
Panama City is a contrast of shimmering buildings and cobblestoned streets and you’ll discover the historic centre, Panama Canal Museum and spend a full day transiting the famous canal.

Peru
Be immersed in all the highlights of Peru, including travelling through the Andes in a glass-domed carriage, exploring Machu Picchu, and meeting the students of a Sacred Valley school. Plus witness Cuzco’s marvellous mix of architecture and ancient Incan ruins, journey to Lake Titicaca, home to the unique floating islands of Uros; and uncover Lima’s richness of history and gastronomy.

Amazon pre or post-tour extension is also available.

Ultimate Inclusions

  • Explore Havana, Cuba for four days
  • Transit the Panama Canal
  • 5-star expedition cruise on board mv Galapagos Explorer II in Classic Suites
  • Exclusive stay at Swissôtel Lima
  • Exclusive three night stay at Tambo del Inka Luxury Collection, Sacred Valley
  • Exclusive stay at Hotel Monasterio by Orient-Express, Cuzco
  • Exclusive three night stay at Hotel Das Cataratas by Orient-Express
  • Small group touring
  • Scenic Free Choice Activities and Dining
  • Fully escorted by experienced Tour Director including on board cruise
  • Expert Local Guides
  • ALL TIPPING, GRATUITIES AND PORTERAGE

Included Scenic Enrich

  • Meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers at a private tour briefing and supper
  • Tour the Museum of the Revolution in Havana, Cuba
  • Cruise the streets in a 1950s vintage car taking in the colourful sights of Havana
  • Sample traditional Cuban cuisine and be entertained by Cuban musicians
  • Transit the Panama Canal for an unforgettable experience
  • Fully inclusive, 5-star expedition cruise of the Galápagos Islands on board mv Galapagos Explorer II
  • Meet the students and teachers at a local community school, which is supported by Scenic Tours
  • Share stories of your day’s activities and delight in a private performance by local Andean musicians
  • Travel on board the Vistadome Rail and admire the Andes Mountains through the glass-domed carriages
  • Three night relaxing stay at Iguazú Falls inside the Brazilian National Park
  • Marvel at the majestic Iguazú Falls as you journey on the river up close to the base of the ‘Three Musketeers’
  • Try on the colourful carnival costumes at the Sambodromo
  • Enjoy a private supper at Hotel Sofitel Buenos Aires

Included Scenic Free Choice

  • In Lima, walking tour of the historical centre; or tour Pachacamac Ruins; or visit Huaca Huallamarca ruins and Museo Larco; or pamper yourself with a relaxing spa
  • In Havana, tour in Hemingway’s footsteps; or visit the coffee fields in the Las Terrazas nature reserve; or at Viñales visit a tobacco farm and cigar factory
  • In the Sacred Valley, explore the Inca ruins of Pisac; or see ruins of Moray and the Inca salt pans; or in Chinchero visit with a local family; or visit a local Peruvian Paso horse ranch
  • In Rio de Janeiro, visit a local favela (shanty town); or tour Petrópolis; or walking tour of Downtown Rio; or jeep tour of Tijuca Forest; or cruise Guanabara Bay
  • In Buenos Aires, see the Argentine horsemanship; or cruise the Tigre River; or private tour of the Teatro Colón; or visit the El Zanjón underground tunnels

Included Scenic Dining

  • 63 superb meals including 33 Full Breakfasts (FB), 13 Lunches (L), 3 Suppers (S), 4 Highlight Dinners (HD) and 10 Dinners (D)
  • Local beer, wine and soft drinks at Intercontinental Playa Bonita during meals
  • All beverages on board mv Galapagos Explorer II during meals
  • All beverages included with meals at Explora Hotel Salto Chico

Included Scenic Free Choice Dining

  • In Cuzco, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires

Included Scenic Special Stays

  • Swissôtel Lima, exclusive to Scenic Tours
  • Tambo del Inka Luxury Collection, Sacred Valley
  • Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, exclusive to Scenic Tours
  • Hotel Monasterio by Orient-Express, Cuzco, exclusive to Scenic Tours
  • Hotel Das Cataratas by Orient-Express, Iguazú Falls

Included Scenic Highlights

  • Tour the charming and quirky historic centre of Havana
  • Explore both old and modern Panama
  • Visit Panama Canal Museum for an insight into its construction
  • All small group, offshore excursions are escorted by an expert naturalist guide on mv Galapagos Explorer II
  • VIP lounge access at Lima airport
  • Three night stay in the breathtaking Sacred Valley
  • Take a walking tour of Ollantaytambo, an ancient Incan village
  • Full day touring the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu
  • Take a walking tour of Cuzco and the ruins of Sacsayhuamán
  • Visit the community of the unique floating islands of Uros
  • Tour the Brazilian and Argentinean sides of Iguazú Falls
  • See the ‘Christ’ Statue and ride the cable car ride to Sugar Loaf Mountain
  • Tour Buenos Aires and see San Telmo and La Boca
  • Complimentary Medical Assist Card included in Peru
  • Personal ‘oxyshot’ canister included in Peru
  • Audio headsets for the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cuzco and Iguazú Falls
Day 1: Lima, Peru
Welcome to Lima, the capital of Peru. On arrival at the airport you will be met by a Scenic Tours Representative and transferred* to your luxurious hotel.
Two Night Special Stay: Lima
Day 2: Lima (FB,L,S)
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity. Choose from: (1) a walking tour of the historic centre; or (2) tour Pachacamac Ruins; or (3) Huaca Huallamarca ruins and the Museo Larco; or (4) pamper yourself with a relaxing spa treatment. SCENIC ENRICH: Tonight meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a private tour briefing and supper.
Day 3: Lima - Havana, Cuba (FB)
Take a flight (flight not included) to charming Havana, the capital of Cuba! Havana is a fascinating city with architecture influenced by its communist and Spanish colonial past. Transfer to your hotel located in the centre of the historic old city.
Four Night Stay: Havana
Day 4: Havana (FB,L)
The centre of this vibrant city is a World Heritage-listed site and your Included tour today will take you from modern to old Havana. Included visit to Revolution Square to see the enormous profile of Che Guevara and the viewpoint from Castle Morro over the city. SCENIC ENRICH: Visit the Museum of the Revolution to discover the importance of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro to the Cubans. After an Included lunch, take a walking tour of the historic centre, along the quaint cobblestoned streets and marvel at the architecture and charm of a city relatively untouched by commercialism. SCENIC ENRICH: There is no better way to see Havana than to step on board a 1950s vintage car and cruise the streets like a local.
Day 5: Havana (FB,L)
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) follow in the footsteps of Hemingway; or (2) visit Las Terrazas and tour the coffee fields; or (3) drive to Viñales and visit a tobacco farm and cigar factory.
Day 6: Havana (FB,HD)
Enjoy a full day to explore this charming quirky city at your own pace. SCENIC ENRICH: Tonight’s dinner is in a local restaurant where you will dine on Cuban specialities and be entertained by the resident musicians.
Day 7: Havana - Panama City, Panama (FB,L)
Take an Included flight to Panama City. A thriving city for banking and industry, Panama City offers a contrast of shimmering glass and steel buildings against the Casco Antiguo centre of historic buildings and cobbled stoned streets. Your Included tour visits the Panama Canal Museum for a fascinating insight into the canal’s construction. Walk onto the observation platform and be amazed as you watch the Miraflores Locks in operation. Transfer to your luxurious hotel located on Panama Bay.
Three Night Stay: Panama City
Day 8: Panama Canal (FB,L)
SCENIC ENRICH: Today is an unforgettable experience as you transit the Panama Canal. Board your yacht at the Galliard Cut and cruise under the Centennial Bridge to enter the Pedro Miguel Locks, the narrowest part of the canal traverse. Once inside, the yacht will drop nine metres in one step and then traverse Miraflores Lake, an artificial lake connecting the two sections of the lock. Enter Miraflores Locks where the yacht is lowered 18 metres in a series of two locks, before entering the Pacific Ocean. Your cruise ends as you sail under the Bridge of the America’s into Panama Bay.
Day 9: Panama City (FB,D)
Included tour of the Casco Antiguo, founded in 1673 and walk through the heart of this beautiful historic centre. Afternoon is at leisure to experience all of the hotel’s magnificent facilities.
Day 10: Panama City - Guayaquil, Ecuador (FB)
Take an Included flight to Guayaquil, the main port for the country of Ecuador.
Two night stay: Guayaquil
Day 11: Guayaquil (FB,D)
A highlight of your city tour is an Included visit to Seminario Park where the friendly land iguanas are easily accessible lying on the ground or in the trees. Enjoy the chance to photograph these unusual creatures with the backdrop of the surrounding city.
Day 12: Guayaquil - Galápagos Islands (FB,L,D)
Take an Included flight to the Galápagos Islands and meet your crew as you board your luxurious all-suite cruise ship, the mv Galapagos Explorer II. Enjoy lunch and a cruise briefing by your Cruise Director before settling into your suite cabin. You are embarking on adventure to see a rich variety of landscapes and remarkably fearless wildlife and birdlife, still relatively untouched by man. The sailing schedule is flexible in order to take advantage of the different conditions and to maximise your offshore excursions. Each evening join your expert guides to discuss the next day’s Included activities.
Three Night Cruise: mv Galapagos Explorer II – Classic Marco Polo Suite
Day 13: Galápagos Islands (FB,L,D)
Each day you will visit two different areas, which will involve walking in a small group led by your expert naturalist guide. Depending on the season you will have the chance to observe different species of herons, magnificent frigate birds and the unique blue-footed boobies. A highlight of every visit is the chance to see marine iguanas, the famous giant tortoises, the Galápagos Sea Lions and the unusual land iguanas. Between excursions there is time to relax and enjoy the facilities of the ship including the hot tub and the Naturalist room stocked with informative maps and books. Delicious meals are served in the elegant restaurant where you can relax and share stories of your wildlife encounters with your fellow travellers and your Tour Director.
Day 14: Galápagos Islands (FB,L,D)
Cruising the Galápagos Islands
Day 15: Galápagos Islands - Guayaquil (FB)
After a last morning excursion you will say a fond farewell to your crew and take an Included flight to Guayaquil.
Overnight Stay: Guayaquil
Day 16: Guayaquil - Sacred Valley, Peru (FB)
Early morning Included flight to Cuzco traveling via Lima. Transfer to your luxurious hotel in the heart of the Sacred Valley.
Three Night Special Stay: Sacred Valley
Day 17: Sacred Valley (FB,D)
This morning your expert local guide will take you on an Included walking tour of the quaint town of Ollantaytambo. SCENIC ENRICH: Visit the community and school supported by Scenic Tours and meet the students and their teachers.
Day 18: Sacred Valley (FB,L,S)
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) at Chinchero visit with a local family; or (2) at Pisac tour the Inca ruins; or (3) visit Moray ruins and the Inca salt pans; or (4) visit a local Peruvian Paso horse ranch. SCENIC ENRICH: Tonight share stories of your day with your fellow travellers as you enjoy a private performance by local musicians complemented with a private supper.
Day 19: Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu (FB,L,D)
Take an Included rail journey to Machu Picchu for your Included full day visit to this ancient site where your expert local guides will share the mysteries of the ‘lost city of the Incas’.
Overnight Special Stay: Machu Picchu
Day 20: Machu Picchu - Cuzco (FB)
Morning at leisure. SCENIC ENRICH: This afternoon marvel at the spectacular views from the glass-dome carriages of the snow-capped peaks of the Andes on board the Vistadome train. Continue to Cuzco by coach to reach your luxurious hotel in the heart of the old city centre.
Three Night Special Stay: Cuzco
Day 21: Cuzco (FB,HD)
Included walking tour of the charming city of Cuzco and the ruins of Sacsayhuamán. Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE DINNER choose from: (1) Limo Restaurant; or (2) El Tupay Restaurant; or (3) MAP Café.
Day 22: Cuzco (FB)
Day at leisure to explore this picturesque city.
Day 23: Cuzco - Lake Titicaca (FB,D)
Morning at leisure then take an Included flight to Lake Titicaca. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the magnificent views.
Overnight Stay: Titicaca
Day 24: Lake Titicaca - Lima (FB,L)
Included excursion to visit the unique floating islands and the communities of the Uros. Take an Included flight to Lima and transfer to your luxurious hotel.
Overnight Special Stay: Lima
Day 25: Lima - Iguazú Falls, Brazil (FB)
Late morning Included flight direct to Iguazú Falls. On arrival, transfer to your luxurious hotel, the only hotel located within the boundaries of the Brazilian Falls National Park.
Three Night Special Stay: Iguazú Falls
Day 26: Iguazú Falls (FB,D)
This morning cross the border for your Included tour of the Argentinean side of the falls where you board the ecological train and ride to the ‘Devil’s Throat’ viewpoint. Tonight enjoy an Included delicious gourmet barbeque buffet dinner at the Ipê Grill.
Day 27: Iguazú Falls (FB,D)
Take an Included tour of the majestic Brazilian side of the falls where you will be awed by the world’s largest volume waterfalls. SCENIC ENRICH: Travel onto the water for an exciting adventure you won’t forget as you come close to the base of the ‘Three Musketeers’ and feel the spray of water on your face. Relax and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Day 28: Iguazú Falls - Rio de Janeiro (FB,HD)
Take an Included flight to the vibrant and colourful city of Rio de Janeiro where your hotel has a fabulous location on Copacabana Beach. On arrival take an Included ride on the cable car to Sugar Loaf Mountain. Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE DINNER choose from: (1) a typical Brazilian Churrascaria (steakhouse); or (2) a live samba music venue and traditional tapas dinner.
Three Night Stay: Rio de Janeiro
Day 29: Rio de Janeiro (FB,L)
On your Included tour ride the cogwheel railway to the top of Corcovado Mountain to see the ‘Christ’ Statue. SCENIC ENRICH: Visit the Sambodromo, the home of the famous Carnival Parade and try on some of the colourful costumes.
Day 30: Rio de Janeiro (FB)
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE day choose from: (1) tour of Petrópolis; or (2) a walking tour of Downtown Rio; or (3) a jeep ride through the Tijuca Forest; or (4) tour the favelas (shanty towns); or (5) cruise Guanabara Bay.
Day 31: Rio de Janeiro - Buenos Aires, Argentina (FB,HD)
Take an Included flight to Buenos Aires, where your luxurious hotel is situated in the elegant Recoleta area. Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE DINNER choose from: (1) Happenings Steakhouse; or (2) dinner and lively tango show; or (3) Le Sud Restaurant.
Three Night Special Stay: Buenos Aires
Day 32: Buenos Aires (FB)
This morning your Included tour will show you all the highlights of this beautiful city famed as the ‘Paris of the Americas’ continue to the colourful districts of La Boca and San Telmo.
Day 33: Buenos Aires (FB,L,S)
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) see the Argentine horsemanship; or (2) cruise the Tigre River to admire the old residences and enjoy lunch; or (3) private tour of the famous Teatro Colón; or (4) visit the El Zanjón underground tunnels. SCENIC ENRICH: This evening enjoy a private supper with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Day 34: Buenos Aires (FB)
Your tour ends after breakfast and you will be transferred* to the airport for your onward or homebound flight (flight not included).

*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For guests who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.

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Depart Date Price
Oct 2013
5
from $20,995
Itinerary and departure dates subject to change. Please inquire for full details. All prices are in CAD and based on per passenger twin share. Refer to the terms and conditions.
Itinerary and departure dates subject to change. Please inquire for full details. All prices are in USD and based on per passenger twin share. Refer to the terms and conditions.

At a glance

Duration
34 Days
From
$20,995
per person twin share
Dates
05 Oct 2013
On Request