South America Getaway with Amazon, Santiago & Easter Island

Day 1

ARRIVE IN MANAUS, BRAZIL Welcome to Manaus!
Upon arrival, you will meet your Globus representative. (D)

Day 2

MANAUS–AMAZON JUNGLE 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 Ecopark Jungle Lodge on the banks of the Rio Negro inside the Amazonian rainforest. (B,L,D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Stay in the Amazon Reserve on the banks of the Rio Negro at the Ecopark Jungle Lodge. Originally created as scientific research facility, it has opened its doors to guest and invites them to stay in the rainforest surrounded by dense jungle, waterways, medicinal plants, and a monkey rehabilitation facility. Bungalows feature air-conditioning, private bath, balcony, and a minibar. Each day spent here brings new adventures from guided nature walks, indigenous community visits, piranha fishing, to night-time canoe rides and much more.

Day 3

AMAZON JUNGLE 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 an Amazon native Caboclo Village to learn about their traditions and culture. Also, try your hand at piranha fishing! Later, visit the Monkey Jungle Reserve, 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 the Ecopark Jungle Lodge you will have the chance to visit its Monkey Jungle Reserve, created in 1991 to rescue animals from illegal trade. Here, the animals are evaluated and treated by veterinarians and then rehabilitated to be reintroduced into the wild. At feeding time, you will have the opportunity to see these animals up close in a safe environment.

Day 4

AMAZON JUNGLE–MANAUS–RIO DE JANEIRO Brazilian Boomtown
This morning, depart the Ecopark for Manaus. Take a guided sightseeing 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 HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & 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.

Day 5

RIO DE JANEIRO Brazilian Beauties
Enjoy free time this morning. At 3:30 pm, meet your Tour Director 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 (a distilled sugarcane spirit), and sugar. Deliciosa!

Day 6

RIO DE JANEIRO 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 Sambodromo 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 HIGHLIGHT
EPIC 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.

Day 7

RIO DE JANEIRO Unplug & Recharge
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)

FREE TIME TIPS
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 mobile app.

Day 8

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 HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT 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!

Day 9

IGUASSU FALLS Taking the Plunge
Today, journey 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. Return to the hotel, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Visit Iguassu National Park (Argentinian side) where, 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. From this completely different perspective compared to Brazil’s side, you’ll understand why you must see both sides of the falls!

Day 10

IGUASSU FALLS–BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA The Boulevards of Buenos Aires
Today, fly 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 HIGHLIGHT
CITY 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.

Day 11

BUENOS AIRES 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, learn how to make a traditional Argentinean dish with an [LF] 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 (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 FAVORITE
LOCAL 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 with a glass of Malbec wine.

Day 12

BUENOS AIRES 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, local wine, and live music and dance by the gauchos themselves. Top off the day with a horsemanship show 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 the era of Spanish colonization when conquistadors where gifted land to raise and breed cattle. Today, these lands and traditions endure, having been passed down from generation to generation. Step into the traditional, local life of a gaucho and embrace Argentinian heritage on a working estancia.

Day 13

BUENOS AIRES–SANTIAGO Welcome to Santiago!
Fly over the Andes to Santiago, Chile’s capital, where you will be met at the airport by a Globus representative. Tonight, dinner is included. (B,D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC ADVENTURE More than 10 times longer than it is wide, Chile boasts 2,650 miles of pristine Pacific coastline. Add a rich history and resplendent vineyards, and you’re sure to be awed with the bold culture and beautiful landscapes of Chile.

Day 14

SANTIAGO Old Meets New
Step back into the 16th century as your Local Guide traces the city’s history and heritage. Start at La Moneda, the official Government Palace, before visiting the Plaza de Armas, with a visit to the 18th-century cathedral. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Santiago’s Plaza de Armas (square of weapons) dates back 100s of years to the conquistador era as cultural and defensive plaza. Today, the cultural and historic heart of Santiago bustles with entertainers and vendors. Enter the magnificent Baroque-style Metropolitan Cathedral to see stunning frescoes, chandeliers, and gilded columns above the intricate black and white tiles on the expansive floors.

Day 15

SANTIAGO–EASTER ISLAND Island Intrigue
Fly from Santiago to Easter Island, considered the world’s largest open-air museum, boasting over 400 moai, ruins, and temples. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORY & 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.

Day 16

EASTER ISLAND 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 HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & 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!

Day 17

EASTER ISLAND Cauldrons & Cryptic Carvings
This morning, your private tour visits the Rano Kau Volcano, with a caldera that contains one of the island’s freshwater lakes. At the nearby ceremonial village of Orongo, see the restored houses and remains of an ancient Ahu. Head to Ana Kai Tagata, an ancient cave with wall paintings on the rock. This afternoon, visit Ahu Akivi, with seven restored moais in the middle of the island. According to legend, the statues represent the seven scouts sent to Easter Island by King Hotu Matu’a. Finally, visit the Puna Pau topknot quarry with its red scoria stone, where the Pukaos on top of the moai were made. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Hear the legend of The Birdman Competition on an excursion to the sacred site of Orongo, where an ancient competition began at the sacred site of Orongo and was used to determine the Birdman, a sacred position, for the year. The challenge required contestants (appointed by a sponsor) to descend the steep cliffs from Orongo, swim offshore to an islet, and wait for the first tern egg of the season, and then return it safely to their sponsor at Orongo. Upon delivery of the egg, the sponsor became a leader of the island for the year.

Day 18

EASTER ISLAND–SANTIAGO Hasta Luego, Chile!
Return to Santiago for a final night in Chile (B)

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE 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. Ask your Tour Director for suggestions or refer to your GlobusGO mobile app for maps and tips.

Day 19

SANTIAGO Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)