31st October - We fly out of Melbourne. we fly to sydney, then argentina, then up to Quito, where we are spending several days before our tour starts. Very exciting!!!
The tour has so many options for us to do, like horse riding through old ruins, museums, white water rafting, hang gliding, flights over falls and the nazca lines, seeing ruins, bungy jumping, hiking up active volcanos as well as stacks of historical and cultural things...so this is what the tour company has outlined (not including all the amazing other things we will be doing!! yay) with ofcourse my own little add ins
Nov 5-6 Quito - Wander through the capital's atmospheric Old Town.
Nov 7-8 Amazon Jungle - Accompanied by a local guide, journey into the Amazon's green heart, one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world. Retire to a rustic lodge and fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle. SUPER EXCITED FOR THIS!!! perhaps we will bring you back monkeys or a disease!! hehe
Nov 9-11 Banos- Soak in steaming therapeutic thermal springs - or, better yet, dip just in time for sunrise. why hello there little slice of heaven, how are you?
Nov 12-13 Cuenca - Visit the colourful flower markets and peruse the colonial architecture in this picturesque city.
Nov 14-17 Mancora/ Trujillo - Enjoy free time to get accustomed to Peruvian culture in Mancora. Why not follow Hemingway's route along the beach? In Trujillo, choose to visit nearby Huaca del Sol y la Luna, a pre-Icna site that's still baffling archaeologists. Look out for Peruvian hairless dogs, and maybe head out to Huanchaco - home of the surfing fishermen.
Nov 18-19 Lima - Try ceviche, Peru's seafood specialty and perhaps sample pisco, the local tipple of choice. replace seafood with sangria, and you've got yourself a deal, buddy! Also please note that harry potter comes out at the movies at this time, so we will be madly going to see it (what can i say, i still love harry in every country!) he may be dubbed in spanish, but i can live with that :)
Nov 20 Pisco- Spot flamingos on an optional boat tour to the Paracas National Reserve.
Nov 21-22 Nazca - Witness the enigmatic Nazca Lines - best seen from the air. Why not splurge on a scenic flight? don't you worry, we will be doing that!!
Nov 23-25 Arequipa/ Colca Canyon - Spot Andean condors gliding above the canyon.
Nov 26-28 Cuzco/ Ollantaytambo - Explore the terraced Sacred Valley, filled with Inca ruins, colourful markets and scenic towns. markets...the things that take our money because they are awesome!!
Nov 29-Dec 2 Inca Trail/ Machu Picchu/ Cuzco - Trek through ruins, cloud forests and up ancient staircases on the way to Machu Picchu. Very exciting that we will be spending Sally's 22nd birthday along the Inca trail!! what a way to spend it!!!
Dec 3 Cuzco - Thrill-seekers can take advantage of the adventure sports on offer in Cuzco, while others might opt to simply enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere from one of the cafes.bit of both perhaps?
Dec 4-6 Puno/ Lake Titicaca - Enjoy an island homestay on the turquoise waters of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake.hehehe, titicaca *insert inappropriate giggling*
Dec 7 Copacabana - Enjoy free time in enchanting 'Copa'. The mudejar (Moorish-style) cathedral houses the saintly La Virgen Morena Del Lago (the Dark Virgin of the Lake), a statue carved by a direct descendant of the last Inca Emperor. Reputed to have worked many miracles, this spiritual relic is the essence of the town's Inca and Spanish heritage.her name was lola, she was a show girl, with yellow feathers in her hair, and her dress cut up to there....
Dec 8-11 La Paz - Shop for trinkets at the Witches Market, or pick up some handmade alpaca wool socks at the Artesanias.i wish i had a pet alpaca....
Dec 12-13 Sucre - Stop by Bolivia's whitewashed capital to admire the spectacular interior of the Iglesia de la Merced.
Dec 14-15 Potosi - The adventurous might choose to take a mine tour in Potosi. anyone claustrophobic???
Dec 16-20 Salar de Uyuni/ Tupiza - Hit the salt plains and discover a surreal landscape filled with volcanoes and multicoloured lakes.
Dec 21-24 Salta - Cross the border to Argentina. Spend time in Salta's shady plaza and don't miss visiting its ornate central cathedral.
Dec 25-27 Mendoza - Try some Malbec wine against a backdrop of mountains. what an amazing way to spend Christmas!!! We hope you guys will be having a wonderful day also :)
Dec 28-31 Santiago - Get a breathtaking city view from Cerro San Cristobal and sample the world famous wines from this region. Quick find a south american boy to party with into the new year!!...very important...
Jan 1-3 Pucon - Enjoy adventure sports galore beneath the gaze of the snowcapped Villarrica Volcano.
Jan 4-5 Puerto Varas - Chill out the scenic lakeside villages or enjoy the world-class fishing.
Jan 6-8 Bariloche - Stroll along the lake or head further afield to the forests of Bariloche. frolicking in forests? YES PLEASE!!
Jan 9-10 Buenos Aires - There is plenty of free time to soak up the vibrant atmosphere of Buenos Aires.
Jan 11 Colonia - Stroll around the picturesque narrow streets in Colonia.
Jan 12 Montevideo - Explore the capital's Old City to glimpse its colonial past.
Jan 13-16 Estancia Stay - Experience country living at an estancia. Lend a hand around the ranch and feast on hearty home-cooked meals.i hope its an alpaca farm!!!!!
Jan 17-19 Foz do Iguazu - Take an optional visit to Iguazu Falls and be blown away by the 270 massive waterfalls that make up the Iguazu Falls. One of the things i am most looking forward to!! - Ruby
Jan 20-21 Paraty - Swim in the bay's warm waters or watch the tide rise among the cobblestone streets in this charming colonial town. Paraty, sounds a little like party right?....well, when in paraty....
Jan 22-24 Ilha Grande - It's pure relaxation on this tropical island getaway, home to Brazil's best beach.
Jan 25-26 Rio de Janeiro - Dance to a samba beat in Lapa or sip a caipirinha on one of Rio's sun-drenched beaches. Celebrate the end of the adventure overlooking this beautiful city from atop Corcovado.
Jan 27-31 - we will be spending more time relaxing and partying in Brazil, before we fly back on the 31st...and arrive home on the 2nd of Feb!!! LOVELY!!!
For a full intinerary description and all the other info check it out here
http://www.intrepidtravel.com/tripnotes/GRIA/2010-01-01
