South America Touring, Amazon River Cruise, Brazil, Chile, Galapagos Islands, Peru, Antarctic Cruising
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58 Stroll along Rio de Janeiro's iconic white-sand beaches Day 18. Cusco, Lake Titicaca. This morning, board the Andean Explorer for a day-long rail journey into the highlands and on to Puno, reaching up to 4,335 metres above sea level. As you travel, the start of your trip is dominated by the Andes towering over the valleys below. Later, you'll reach the Andean plains, home to wild vicuña and alpaca. On the way, enjoy access to the lounge car and the open-air observation bar car and be treated to a three-course lunch. On arrival in Puno, settle in to your hotel on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Two Night Stay: Puno, The Libertador Lake Titicaca, Lake View Rooms. BL Day 19. Puno, Lake Titicaca. Located on the border of Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is situated at 3,800 metres above sea level, making it the highest altitude lake in the world. Travel by speedboat to the village of Luquina. Here, visit a unique school project where you can appreciate the donation to the local community that APT has contributed on your behalf. After spending time with teachers and pupils, enjoy a local village lunch with views of the Capachica Peninsula. This afternoon, cruise to the islands of the Uros people, which have been built entirely with reeds that grow in the shallows of the lake. BL Day 20. Lake Titicaca, Lima. After flying back to Lima, transfer to your hotel. Tonight, enjoy an exclusive evening of fine dining and camaraderie at one of Lima's most impressive historic residences, Casa Garcia Alvarado. Your night begins in the elegant drawing room, where you'll be served hors d'oeuvres and pisco sours. Take a tour of the magnificent property and soak up its colonial-style interior, before being joined by a member of the Garcia Alvarado family for a delicious Peruvian dinner. Stay: JW Marriott Hotel Lima, Ocean View Rooms. BD Day 21. Lima, Guayaquil (Ecuador). Today, fly to Guayaquil in Ecuador. On arrival, transfer to your hotel before embarking on a tour of this bustling coastal city. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Stay: Guayaquil, Hilton Hotel. BL Day 22. Guayaquil, Embark Galápagos Islands Cruise, San Cristóbal Island. Fly to the Galápagos Islands and transfer to your luxurious ship. After lunch, journey to Cerro Colorado on San Cristóbal Island's southern shore. Here, you'll visit the breeding centre of the endangered giant tortoise, which is set amid a beautiful deciduous forest. Three Night Cruise: Yacht La Pinta. BLD Day 23. Galápagos Islands Cruise, San Cristóbal Island. Disembark at the eastern tip of San Cristóbal Island today. Starting at the beach, set out on an exciting walk which takes in spectacular views of the coast. These are the same shores that Charles Darwin walked upon in 1835. Along the way, you'll be able to spot frigatebirds and see a noisy colony of male sea lions. Afterwards, you might like to go swimming or snorkelling. Later, take a dinghy ride to the white-sand beach of Cerro Brujo. The beach is ideal for birdwatching and is also home to striking Sally Lightfoot crabs. BLD Day 24. Galápagos Islands Cruise, Española Island. Arrive at Española, the southernmost island of the Galápagos. Embark on an enchanting walk across the lava terrain at Punta Suárez. With your naturalist guide, explore the rocky shores and visit colonies of waved albatross, boobies and swallow-tail gulls, and keep an eye out for marine iguanas making their way to the water. You'll also see the famous blowhole. Later, perhaps head out in a sea kayak or board your ship's glass-bottom boat with a guide and watch for reef sharks, turtles and many species of tropical fish. BLD Day 25. Disembark Galápagos Islands Cruise, Quito. This morning, disembark at Santa Cruz Island and see the majestic giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station. You'll learn all about the remarkable species, with some of the tortoises here being more than 100 years old. Transfer by bus across the island and take a short ferry ride to Baltra. Head to the airport for your flight to Quito. Two Night Stay: Quito, Casa Gangotena. BD Day 26. Quito. This morning, take a guided tour of the city and discover Quito's colonial splendour. The remainder of the day is yours to perhaps wander through the beautiful World Heritage-listed Old Town. B www.aptouring.com.au