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Argentina & The Atlantic Patagonia
For Travel Agents Only
Amazing Nazca Lines "The Extra Terrestrials of Peru plus The Lost City of the Inkas
"Machu Picchu"
8 days/7 nights
DEC 4 WED. AM ARRIVE-LIMA: PM Half Day Lima City tour and Larco
Museum
Arrive in Lima, Capital of Peru. After going through customs and
immigration, you will transfer on your own to the new HOTEL PULLMAN
Lima-Miraflores.
PM Enjoy a private sightseeing tour of modern and colonial Lima
known as the "City of Kings” and founded by Francisco Pizarro in
1,535 it was the most important city in the Americas during the
Spanish Viceroy times. The first stop is Huaca Pucllana, a huge
archaeological site which was an important ceremonial and
administrative center of the Lima culture. We will then head to the
historic center of Lima, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Here
we see the Plaza de Armas (Lima’s main square) which is surrounded
by impressive buildings from the colonial era. These include the
Government Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, the Archbishop’s Palace,
and many other landmarks. We will visit the Cathedral of Lima, which
houses the tomb of the conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Then we will
walk one block to the Santo Domingo convent. It is one of the most
important religious buildings in Peru.
Finally, you will visit the fantastic Larco Museum with more than
15,000 pieces from Inka and Pre-Inka times. Here you can see a wide
range of artifacts, including ceramics, textiles, and metal work.
Then, you will return to your hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Hotel Pullman Lima-Miraflores
MEALS: None
DEC 5 THU. LIMA-CUZCO-URUBAMBA-SACRED VALLEY:
Transfer to Lima airport for your flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival, you
will be met and driven to your hotel. On the way we will stop at the
wonderful Inca town and archaeological site of Ollantaytambo.
Ollantaytambo was the royal estate of the Inca emperor Pachacuti,
who conquered the region and built the town and ceremonial center.
We will spend about an hour exploring these magnificent ruins,
visiting the incredible Temple of the Sun, and seeing huge blocks of
rock that were perfectly carved by Incan master stonemasons.
Ollantaytambo is a fine example of Inca agricultural construction
and hydraulic engineering, with a complex series of stone water
sources. We will see the extent of the water system when we return
to the town, where the fast-flowing water channels built by the
Incas are still in use today. Walking towards the town square, we
will have great views of the ruins above us, as well as the Inca
granaries built into the surrounding mountain slopes. Here we can
also observe the daily life of Ollantaytambo, where many of the
locals still wear traditional clothing.
OVERNIGHT:
Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado
MEALS: Breakfast
DEC 6 FRI. URUBAMBA - OLLANTAYTAMBO- MACHUPICCHU
This AM we head to the train station to board the train to Aguas
Calientes. The two-hour train journey is a memorable experience as
we pass through river canyons and rolling hills. Upon arrival we
will walk to the bus for a short but zigzagging ascent up the road
to Machu Picchu. Here we will begin an approximately two-hour guided
walking tour of this incredible archaeological site. We will see the
most famous and spectacular parts of this extensive complex. These
include the House of the Guardian, Intihuatana, Temple of the Sun,
Sacred Plaza, and other key locations. Once we have finished our
tour of Machu Picchu, we have lunch and afterward a
bus will take you back to Aguas Calientes where you can relax, enjoy
thermal hot springs, or walk around the colorful markets throughout
the town.
OVERNIGHT: Inkaterra El Mapi Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DEC 7 SAT. MACHU PICCHU-AGUAS CALIENTES TO CUSCO
Morning is at leisure to explore the area on your own. We recommend
you either pre-book an optional early morning visit to Machu Picchu
with bus ticket and enjoy the sunrise over the ruins and watch the
mist rise over the mountain top citadel at dawn or climb Huayna
Picchu.
Optional services:
Second entrance to Machu Picchu- Cost per person $90. (Only Entrance
Fee and Bus Tickets).
Wayna Picchu- Cost per person $105 (Only Entrance Fee and bus
Tickets).
In the afternoon, we will board the train back to Poroy. Upon
arrival we will transfer by bus to our hotel in Cusco.
OVERNIGHT: At the beautiful Aranwa Cusco Boutique & Museum Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast
DEC 8 SUN. CUZCO CITY TOUR & VISIT RUINS NEARBY
Morning tour of Cuzco, considered the oldest continuously inhabited
city in the Western Hemisphere, rises 11,400 feet above sea level.
Founded in the 15th century by the Incas, it was later conquered by
Spain, whose influences can still be seen in the dramatic
architecture known as Cusco Baroque. We will first head to the
wonderful Koricancha, next door to Santo Domingo Church. The
Koricancha was the most sacred and most important temple in the Inca
Empire. Its walls were covered with gold, and life-size statues of
plants and animals – all made of pure gold and silver – decorated
its rooms and hallways. Then, we’ll head to Cusco Cathedral, located
on the Plaza de Armas. Built between 1560 and 1654 on top of the
foundations of an existing Inca temple, this spectacular cathedral
houses many works of art by the Cusco School of painters, and its
main altar and pulpit are covered in gold and silver relief work.
Our next stop is the imposing Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which
sits on a hill above Cusco. Here you will see some of the finest
examples of Inca stonework and construction, including massive rocks
that were carefully cut and perfectly fitted together to form the
walls. Then, continue to Tambomachay Archeological Complex, also
known as the Inca spa. Inca hydro-engineering is apparent here with
a series of aqueducts, canals, and waterfalls running through the
terraced rocks. Return to your hotel
OVERNIGHT: Aranwa Cuzco Boutique & Museum Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast
DEC 9 MON. CUZCO-LIMA-PARACAS
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to
lima. We will meet our local tour guide and be transferred by private
van/bus to Paracas Bay.
OVERNIGHT: San Agustin Paracas
MEALS: Breakfast
DEC 10 TUE. NAZCA LINES
Transfer to the local Ica airport. Then board a smaller plane for a
flight over the Nazca lines. Each passenger will have
noise-canceling headphones through which you can hear the
informative narration by the pilot. The pilot will take you over all
the main geoglyphs, which span over an area of roughly 19 square
miles. It is fascinating to think how the Nazca Lines were made and
for whom. Transfer back to your hotel in Paracas.
Overnight HOTEL SAN AGUSTIN PARACAS
MEALS: Breakfast
DEC 11 WED PARACAS-BALLESTAS ISLANDS-LIMA
The trip to the Ballestas Islands will begin at 8:00AM, after we
transfer to the harbor and head out into the Bay of Paracas. It
takes about 30 minutes to reach the islands. On the way, we will
pass the famous El Candelabro, a large-scale geoglyph built by the
Paracas culture around 200BC. While its exact purpose is unknown,
some theories suggest it represents the trident or lightning rod of
the god Viracocha, and might have served as a sign to sailors, who
could easily see it from the sea. When we reach the islands, we will
have about an hour to explore by boat. There, you can see a
magnificent view of the islands and the various residents that live
there. The guide will point out many of the animals in the area such
as the Humboldt penguins, and an incredible number of seabirds,
including gulls, terns, pelicans, guanay cormorants and blue footed
boobies. We will also be able to spot hundreds of fur seals, sea
lions, and maybe marine otters if you are lucky. Once we finish, we
will transfer back to your hotel in Paracas. In the early afternoon you
will depart Paracas for Lima airport (3h30m ride) to connect with your
international flight back to USA. End of services.
MEALS: Breakfast
TRAVEL AGENT RATE PER PERSON DBL: US$2,680; Companion $3,184 ; Single Supplement $790 (very limited)
E-mail us for the application and registration form to Tara@taratours.com
INCLUDING:
Hotel accommodations for 7 nights with room taxes and service charges. • Daily breakfast.• Transfers for local flights to/from airport and train station (transfers are private, except bus up to M.Picchu). • Tours as mentioned including entrance fees. • VISTADOME train. • English speaking tour guide. • Tips to airport and hotel porters. • Local airfare Lima-Cuzco-Lima. Tara Tours Tour conductor with a minimun of 8 agents. Private Transportation Lima-Ica-Lima, local flight Ica-Nazca-ica, Shared boat ride to see Ballestas Islands. Tips to tour guides, airport porters and bus/van drivers. Local airport taxes.
NOT INCLUDED:
•Meals, unless specified in itinerary. • Travel & Health Insurance. • Any other service not mentioned in itinerary. • USA departure tax upon leaving Peru $28.00 (Usually inlcuded in your international air ticket). • Re-entry fee to Machu Picchu. International airfare.
ARGENTINA FAM TO THE ATLANTIC PATAGONIA
BUENOS AIRES, PENINSULA DE VALDEZ & USHUAIA
MARCH 23 - 30, 2025
8 days / 7nights
MARCH 23 SUN ARRIVE BUENOS AIRES:
Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, transfer yourself to hotel Double Tree
by Hilton for 2 nights.
At night, Dinner and Tango show with plenty of wine at Gala Tango
MEALS TODAY: DINNER
MARCH 24 MON BUENOS AIRES: City
tour (5 hours)
After breakfast, you will attend a morning sightseeing tour around
South America’s most elegant capital. On the way, we will see Plaza
de Mayo and the buildings that surround it: Casa Rosada (Government
Place), Cabildo (Old City Hall) & the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Continue on to see the monumental Congress Building and its Square.
Along the famous 9th de Julio Avenue, the widest in the world, we
will see the Colon Theater, a famous Opera House that stages the
most important artists and musicians from all over the world. We
will also visit the old San Telmo neighborhood, La Boca neighborhood
with its famous Caminito alley, Puerto Madero, Palermo Park with
Jacarandas and Palo Borracho trees which flower in spring and late
summer, the Polo Field and the historical Recoleta Cemetery with its
ornate memorials. (FOR THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN IN BUENOS AIRES
BEFORE, WE"LL OFFER AN EXCURSION TO THE DELTA TIGRE AREA)
MEALS TODAY: BREAKFAST & SNACKS
MARCH
25 TUE BUENOS AIRES-USHUAIA AM FLIGHT TBA PM BEAGLE CHANNEL -Sea
Lions & Bird Island
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight to Ushuaia. Upon
arrival transfer to our hotel Las Hayas.
In the afternoon, we will depart to the Beagle Channel. Have your
camera ready to photograph the 600 pounds male sea lions, who are
surrounded by their harems, only 3 yards away, posing specially to
look elegant. This is one of many unusual pictures we can take
during the trip.
We will sail in a very comfortable vessel around Bridges Islands,
the Archipelago, and Les Eclaireurs lighthouse. This is a
remote-controlled lighthouse “that is at the end of the world” that
was built on an island off of Southern Argentina. We will then sail
opposite Túnel Farm where some archaeological work takes place. Here
you will see colonies of cormorants, albatrosses, petrels,
"cauquenes" (Chloephaga), etc. This is an excellent opportunity to
watch sea mammals and birds without disturbing them in their natural
habitat.
MEALS TODAY: BREAKFAST
MARCH 26 WED USHUAIA: FULL DAY
LAPATIA NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, full day tour to Lapataia National Park.
At 7.5 miles westward from Ushuaia lies the entrance to Tierra del
Fuego National Park, the only one with a seacoast in Argentina
consisting of 126,000 acres. Here we can find Lengas trees which are
native to the southern Andes, Sour cherry trees, Nires trees,
Calafate bushes, and flowers such as orchids, violets and senecios
can be seen.
A trip around this national park, with the panoramic views of the
Beagle Channel framed by the mountains and forest, will immerse us
in nature, to breathe in the sea and forest air. We follow the road
that traces a very thin strip in the mountain foothills; we go past
peat bogs, beavers dams and finally we arrive in Lapataia River.
After crossing the river, the road becomes winding and full of
bushes with some panoramic views like Verde Lagoon. Kaikenes and
storks come here every summer.
If the passenger wants to feel like the main character in a short
story, we suggest taking the hike along the path that leads to Negra
Lagoon or Beavers Path to interpret these curious animals work.
The end of the Lapataia Bay marks the end of National Route 3 also
know as the Pan American highway. It is here that the old
inhabitants of this area left their legacy: the shelly deposits and
some incredible archaeological sites. Before returning to Ushuaia,
we stop at Roca Lake whose color changes according to the weather.
There we will savor a chocolate coffee.
MEALS TODAY: BREAKFAST & BOX LUNCH
MARCH 27 THU USUAHIA / PENNSULA
DE VALDEZ FLIGHT TBA PM Paleontology Museum
After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for our flight to
Peninsula de Valdez. On arrival transfer to hotel Posada de Madryn.
Afternoon Tour of the Museum of Paleontology The Museum of
Paleontology Egidio Feruglio is a science research and exhibition
center.
The permanent exhibition is a journey into the natural past of
Patagonia. It begins about 10,000 years ago, with the first human
settlements in the area. In each room, specimens from both
terrestrial and marine life forms are shown for each geological
period, up to the early Paleozoic. The Mesozoic hall depicting the
giant dinosaurs of Patagonia is perhaps the most popular attraction
in the museum. The journey continues to the mini theatre with a film
showing the evolution of the Universe back to the Big Bang itself.
The exhibition also offers a view into the Museum of Paleontology
Egidio Feruglio largest, state-of-the-art preparation laboratory,
where fossils are carefully cleaned and separated from the rock
encasing them. Visitors here can witness the progress of actual work
done on the most recent fossil findings.
MEALS TODAY: BREAKFAST
MARCH 28 FRI PENINSULA DE VALDEZ Full
day Estancia San Lorenzo and Penguin Colony
After breakfast we will depart for The Estancia San Lorenzo. A
Nature Reserve which is located within the Peninsula Valdés
Protected Natural Area, 100 miles from the city of Puerto Madryn, in
the province of Chubut, in the Argentine Patagonia. A large colony
of Magellan penguins is located on its coast, with an estimated
population of 600,000 penguins per season. San Lorenzo is the
largest and most spectacular Continental Penguin Colony known. An
hour later, we arrive in the charming, friendly village of Puerto
Pirámides for a boat tour to see sea lions, Orcas and Cormorants
from December to March. Our next stop is the Estancia San Lorenzo, a
traditional Patagonian sheep farm that shelters the world’s largest
Magellan penguin colony. For lunch we can taste the renowned and
tasty Patagonian lamb BBQ. Then, we will visit the phenomenal
penguin rookery located 4 Miles from the farmhouse. Our next stop is
the Wildlife Reserve Punta Norte, where depending on the time of
year we can observe Southern Sea lions, Southern Elephant seals and
eventually Orcas. On our way back to Puerto Madryn, we make a stop
at the Visitor Center Carlos Ameghino, a compendium of the natural
wealth of the peninsula. Along the journey we will have a good
chance of spotting local wildlife such as guanacos, rheas (South
American Ostrich), foxes, armadillos, and even skunks. Mid-afternoon
return to your hotel.
MEALS TODAY: BREAKFAST & LUNCH
MARCH 29 SAT PUNTA NINFAS full
day tour
After breakfast full day tour to Punta Ninfas. Our vehicles will
pick us up from our hotel early in the morning to begin our journey
to Punta Ninfas, 44 miles from Puerto Madryn. We will explore one of
the most pristine and virgin areas in our destination. All the
wildlife sightings, with our naturalist guide, will take place
within the boundaries of Estancia El Pedral. A diversity of stunning
wildlife in its natural habitat can be observed such as Magellan
penguins (September to March), Cormorants, Sea Lions and Elephant
seals. Land mammals and birds such as Guanacos, Rheas and Hares will
be crossing our way frequently. Throughout the tour you will be
offered drinks, as well as a full box lunch, and a sweet treat later
in the day before starting our trip back to the hotel.
MEALS TODAY: BREAKFAST, BOX LUNCH & SNACK
MARCH 30 SUN PENINSULA DE
VALDEZ-BUENOS AIRES FLIGHT
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take flight to Buenos
Aires and connect to your destination.
MEALS TODAY: BREAKFAST
INCLUDED:
TARA TOURS TOUR CONDUCTOR. Hotel accommodation for 7 nights
including room taxes and service charges. Tours as noted including
entrance fees and English-speaking tour guide on a private basis.
Transfers for all local flights. Meals as mentioned in itinerary.
Local airfare from B.Aires to Puerto Madryn-Ushuaia and back
to B.aires. Tips to tour guides, drivers, and porters.
NOT INCLUDED:
International airfare. Cost of passports, personal items, alcoholic
beverages, Travel & Health insurance, vaccinations or Covid tests
and any other services not mentioned in itinerary.
LAND TOUR RATES PER AGENT (double) US$2,950; Companion: US$3,350
For further information and registration form, please send your request to: famtrips@taratours.com
Coming for 2025
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Please e-mail us at: famtrips@taratours.com