ft 2017 south america brochure 170426 - … · the tasting notes you become intrigued as curious to...

FORWARDTRAVEL.COM.AU 1

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2017/18

PERU ∙ BOLIVIA ∙ CHILE ∙ PATAGONIA ∙ ARGENTINA ∙ BRAZIL ∙ ECUADOR ∙ GALAPAGOS ∙ COLOMBIASOUTH AMERICAJourneys to savour

NEW Escorted Journeys

We’ve been nominated as

Australia’s Best Travel Agency in the 2017

National Travel Industry Awards (single location)

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The Uyuni Salt Flats is the world’s largest salt desert and an incredible HIGHlight of any trip, at 3,650m. This is one of the most spectacular sights in Bolivia, and a photographer’s paradise. It is a surreal landscape mixing salt pans, wind-eroded rock formations, and llamas in a completely unspoilt region. In the wet season the water forms a mirror like base creating this amazing scene.


WELCOME TO SOUTH AMERICA ...A feast for al l travel lers

South America is possibly the best, and most complete, menu you could ever read. Everything sounds delicious, and you will salivate in anticipation of actually tasting the ‘dishes’.You’ll want to try a few entrees, to get a taste, then carefully consider your main course, wondering about what ‘sides’ you could add. Then you might explore the dessert list to find a fitting finale. Be warned though, you’ll find each dish so tasty you’ll want to dine at the restaurant of South America again.

Some of the ‘dishes’ that you recognise are the wildlife abundant Amazon, generously spread across 7 countries, including Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, and the smorgasbord of nature and wildlife found in The Galapagos. You probably also know the history laden Incan areas spread over 3,000km, most celebrated at Machu Picchu.

Sometimes you see things you don’t recognise, but reading the tasting notes you become intrigued as curious to try them too. The immaculately beautiful Patagonia and the expansive Atacama, using a ‘less can be much more’ approach, are two we think will appeal.

Natural beauty is found everywhere, with steaming and snow-capped volcanoes, vast deserts, soaring peaks and ancient forests reaching across many borders. Manmade beauty also abounds in colonial, modern and UNESCO preserved cities, each one with their own music, traditions and cultures.

You already have images of the places that will lure you to South America, so our goal is to introduce you to more places that are also worthy of making it to your menu.

This brochure is a short introduction to the delights of South America, so grab a beverage, find a comfy chair, and turn the page to start your own South America Journey to Savour.

We hope you find something to tempt your travel buds and look Forward to talking to you soon.

Enjoy the read.

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Brazil

Colombia

Bolivia

Argentina

Peru

Chile

Ecuador

Falkland Islands

GalapagosIslands

Antarctica

Quito

Bogotá

Stanley

Iguazu Falls

EasterIsland

Rio de Janeiro

Salvador

Pantanal

Manaus

Puerto Varas

South Georgia

Bariloche

El ChaltenEl Calafate

Torres del PaineThe Singular

Punta Arenas

Ushuaia

Patagonia

Pucon

Chiloé

Lima

La Paz

Uyuni Salt Flats

Santiago Buenos Aires

San Pedro de Atacama

Machu Picchu

Arequipa

Cuenca

Medellin

Cartagena

Peru’s Valle Sagrada is a traveller’s haven. Often overlooked, it is full

of amazing sites, authentic markets and welcoming communities.

Fantastic accommodation options make it even better

SACRED VALLEY

One of the most bio-diverse country

on the planet. Colonial cities,

indigenous villages and remote

jungles, make it more than just the

gateway to The Galapagos.

ECUADOR

Spanning northern Chile and Bolivia, stark desert landscapes, enormous salt pans and soaring volcanoes will transport you to another planet

THE ATACAMA

The biggest wetland in the world,

with more wildlife than the Amazon.

Open marshes make it great for

animal viewing. With no towns and

few people, it’s a fantastic ‘time out’.

THE PANTANAL

It’s all about the scenery. Soaring,

stunning peaks and rumbling

glaciers abound. Ancient forests

and tranquil lakes will vie for your

attention. Fantastic for all travellers.

PATAGONIA

Chile’s Carretera Austral is a long,

winding road. It’s mostly gravel with

changing weather. It’s also hugely

rewarding and possibly the most

beautiful road you will ever travel along.

SOUTHERN ROAD

SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE PLACES......TO ADD TO YOUR INGREDIENT LIST


WELCOME TO FORWARD TRAVEL Travel Better - Travel Further - Travel Forward

WE CREATED FORWARD TRAVEL WITH A SIMPLE GOAL, TO HELP TRAVELLERS TRAVEL BETTER.

We are dedicated to giving all our travellers the best possible experience and a journey to Chile will certainly be one of them. If you think travel is part of life and not a break from it, you are a Forward Traveller. Travel deserves proper planning and careful preparation and that is exactly what you can expect from the experienced team at Forward Travel.

If your hope is to truly experience a destination not just pass through it, then you are a Forward Traveller. If your priority is to have it planned well so you can focus on enjoying where you are, then you are definitely one of us.

We have been travelling the globe for more than half our lives and helping curious travellers for almost as long. We’ve journeyed far and wide enjoying the road less travelled in preference to the busy highway. We use our first hand knowledge to create the perfect journey, tailor made specifically and especially for you.

TRAVEL BETTER IS ABOUT GIVING YOU A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE. We’ll put the effort and energy into planning and organising your trip so you can fully focus on enjoying where you are, without having to take time out to plan the next step. Proper planning gives you a BETTER Holiday. TRAVEL FURTHER IS ABOUT GOING BEYOND THE TOURIST TRAIL. We’ll find places and activities to match your interests, taking you FURTHER, giving you better ‘dinner party’ stories.

TRAVEL FORWARD IS OUR ULTIMATE GOAL. We’ve had so many travellers praise us for informed, rewarding, and stress free travel, that we hope they continue to travel FORWARD.

We do this by taking the time to get to know you, and by focussing on destinations and travel styles we know well. We work with you every step of the way to make your dream a reality. We have travelled as excited passengers, tour leaders and researchers, gaining great perspective to benefit our travellers.

This means we can offer informed and independent advice based upon your specific interests, time frame and budget.

We carefully choose everything - destinations, hotels, and travel partners so you are sure you will be well looked after.

Your journey starts from the moment of your first phone call to us or when you click the send button on an email. YOU’LL START YOUR JOURNEY WITH US AS A TRAVELLER. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU HOME AS A FRIEND.

We’re looking FORWARD to helping you start your journey.

Rose and David,Directors, Forward Travel

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We prefer LATAM due to their daily service, South American network, and the great discounts availble to their travellers. LATAM flies from Sydney to Santiago daily, with a short stop in Auckland, and from October 2017 they willl fly direct from Melbourne to Santiago 3 times a week. QANTAS and LATAM are both One World partners. This means you can purchase a ticket with one airline and fly on the other if there are seats available. Don’t worry though – we will explain it all when planning your trip.

LATAM was formed in 2012 when LAN and TAM merged, combining their networks which now covers over 115 cities in South America. in 2016 they will complete their merge by rebranding both airlines to LATAM, so you will start to see the LATAM livery rolled out across South America. Buying a LATAM airline ticket to South America gives you up to 50% discount on flights within South America, making them the best option. Our close relationship with LATAM ensures we have great value airfares in both economy and business and are experts in booking them.

In 2015 LATAM intrduced the Boeing 787 Dreamliner between Sydney and Santiago. This new aircraft features:

• Larger windows with auto-dimming and dynamic lighting to create a better atmosphere.

• Aerodynamic technology to reduce the impact felt by passengers due to turbulence.

• 30% more storage space for carry-on luggage.• New air humidification techniques to significantly reduce

fatigue and dryness associated with long trips.• Noise reducing technology inside and outside the aircraft.

GETTING TO SOUTH AMERICA LATAM AND QANTAS FLY FROM SYDNEY (AND FROM MELBOURNE IN LATE 2017) TO SANTIAGO WITH CONNECTIONS AVAILABLE FROM ALL AUSTRALIAN STATES, AND ONTO OVER 115 CITIES IN SOUTH AMERICA. AIR NEW ZEALAND FLIES VIA AUCKLAND TO BUENOS AIRES.


• Arrival and departure transfers where mentioned.• All land transportation, and cruises/ferries where mentioned.• Good quality, well located hotels with private bathrooms.• Breakfast daily. Other meals as listed.• English speaking guided touring. • Prepayable entrance fees. Some National Parks are pay as you go. We’ll let you know if this applies to you.• 24 hour assistance by our trusted partners in each country.• Prices are ‘from’ prices and are subject to availability and seasonal price changes. Prices are correct at time of printing. Prices are valid to March 2018, but are subject to change• See page 51 andour website for full terms and conditions.

Flights are NOT included. Some internal flights can often be included with your International ticket to save you money. We will discuss this with you and advise the best option for your trip.

Most people convince a partner or friend to travel with them so prices shown are per person, based on two people travelling to-gether and sharing a room. If you are looking for some solitude we can plan a trip just for you. Most of these trips are sug-gestions and can be tailored as you wish. We welcome larger groups and can often secure discounts for them. To keep things simple all the itineraries in this brochure have our signature Forward inclusions.

We think planning travel is just like cooking. We choose the best ingredients then creatively find ways to showcase their highlights and cook it fresh for each diner. We’ll talk to you to find out how hungry you are and what flavours you like, so we can then create the perfect recipe tailored to your ‘travel buds’. In keeping with our cooking theme here is our menu, with the symbols below to help follow the recipes. ‘Icing on the cake’, and ‘Side dishes’ will help you add your own Forward Flavour to each itinerary. We hope you like our way of thinking.

THE FORWARD MENU

COOKING TIME(TRIP DURATION)

KEY INGREDIENTS(INCLUSIONS)

SEASON(TRAVEL DATES)

RECIPE (DAILY ITINERARY) HOTEL / LODGE LOCAL FLAVOUR

KEY AIRPORTS((WHERE THE TRIP STARTS AND ENDS)

FROM PRICE CHEF’S NOTES(TRIP OVERVIEW)

ICING ON THE CAKE(OPTIONAL ADD ON) BOAT / SHIP LOCAL DRINKS

All our journeys are customised for each person, so our style of travel is really your style. We’ll discuss how you like to travel, the type of hotels and touring you prefer as well as how enegertic you want to be. We’ll then make suggestions to suit your preferences.We don’t pigeon hole you by star ratings, instead we discuss your preferences and match properties to suit. The hotels used here are mainly good quality 3.5-4 star, well located with local style. We have fantastic indulgent places to mix it up when suitable.

ESCORTED JOURNEY - ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS 8-9

ESCORTED JOURNEY - WONDERS OF CHILE 10-11

ESCORTED JOURNEY - THE W TREK 12-13

ESCORTED JOURNEY - ULTIMATE PATAGONIA 14-15

HOTEL SAMPLES 16

CITY STOPOVERS 17

THE AMAZON - 7m sq kms over 8 countries 18-19

PERU, includes walking journeys 20-24

BOLIVIA 25-26

CHILE 27-31

PATAGONIA, includes walking journeys 31-37

ARGENTINA 38-39

BRAZIL 40-41

ECUADOR 42-43

GALAPAGOS, includes ‘Where is what’ guide 44-49

COLOMBIA 50

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 51

TRAVELLING FORWARD

FORWARD PRICING

FORWARD INCLUSIONS

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DAY 1, 21 OCT - QUITOWelcome to Quito, jam-packed in a 5 x 55km Andean Valley. We’ll be met at the airport and taken to our hotel in the vibrant New Town.

DAY 2, 22 OCT - QUITO AND EQUATOR (B,D)We’ll be guided through the World’s first UNESCO World Heritage City. The 17C La Compañia de Jesus is one of the most beautiful baroque churches in South America, and the Church of San Francisco still has some original features from the 16C.We’ll then drive 30km north to stand on the actual Equator and have some unique fun. Try to balance the egg on a nail, and keep your balance as you ‘walk the line’. You’ll also see water going round the drain in different directions, just metres apart. This evening we’ll enjoy an authentic Ecuadorian welcome dinner. DAY 3, 23 OCT - CLOUD FOREST (B) Mindo is an ecological paradise where the humidity rising up from the coast forms a mist, known as the Ecuador Cloudforest. See the diverse flora and fauna, with an exceptional variety of birds and visit an Orchid garden and chocolate factory before we drive back to Quito.

DAY 4,24 OCT - ALL ABOARD TREN CRUCERO NORTHERN VILLAGES AND VOLCANOES (B,L,D) Drive 90 minutes drive north to Otavalo, where a carefully restored steam engine awaits us. We’ll discover its many wonders: musicians, painters, weavers and skillful woodcarvers. Taste some more Andean cuisine and a visit a rose plantation we return to Quito.DAY 5, 25 OCT - AVENUE OF THE VOLCANOES (BLD)We board our train and begin our journey along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, hoping to see some of the twenty volcanoes from the train. The Andes range splits into two arms that run parallel down south. The fertile valley trapped between hosts a treasure trove of biodiversity. From the comfort of our panoramic cars we watch the change of vegetation and landscape as we slowly climb to 3,575m. In the skirts of mount Chimborazo we meet the last ice-merchant and learn the story of his ancestral trade.

DAY 6. 26 OCT - MARKETS, DEVIL’S NOSE (B,L,D)Depart Riobamba towards Colta, where the Spanish built their first settlement in Ecuador. Pass colourful quinoa fields painted in purples,

Travel by steam train along the Avenue of the Volcanoes

QUITO

MINDO CLOUD FOREST

Meet your Tour leader, Dave BestDave is a renegade town planner. Originally from London, he’s been based in Australia since1993. He has trodden paths in 5 continents, from France, Italy and Spain to various parts ofAsia, the Americas and Africa. Each year he offers a variety of one-off tours, each with walkingand cultural components. If you are unfamiliar with the Dave Best travel style, think of it asadding the ‘extra’ to the ‘ordinary’, providing good value tours filled with ‘must do’ attractionsbut enhanced with insights into the culture, history, cuisine and people of the destination

EQUATOR FUN

Ecuador really is the Middle of the World, and over 15 days we'll discover how wonderfully diverse it is as well. From the soaring peaks of The Andes, ancient cities and warm smiles of the locals, we’ll discover the heart of this compact and incredibly diverse country.

A Forward Travel escorted JourneyQUITO AND EQUATOR ∙ 5 DAY RAIL JOURNEY ∙ 8 DAY GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

ECUADOR BY TRAIN AND GALAPAGOS 14 DAYS

LIMITED TO JUST 15 PEOPLE


yellows and reds, indigenous settlements and the remains of ancient cultures. Visit one of the last indigenous markets in the Andes, before continuing south to the mythical Devil’s Nose pass, where a vertiginous descent of 450m zig zag takes us from the Andean highlands down towards the coastal plains, a true marvel of engineering. Pass through the impressive cloud forest in the Chanchán river gorge to Bucay. DAY 7. 27 OCT - LOWLANDS AND GUAYAQUIL (B,L)The changing landscape brings us to sugar cane, pineapple and banana plantations. Lunch at a traditional hacienda, and learn about the best cocoa bean in the world. Later, the steam engine wends its way across the fields towards the shores of the Pacific Ocean and the end of our trip in a hotel in Guayaquil for overnight.

DAY 8. 28 OCT – GALAPAGOS – HIGHLANDS (B,L)Fy to The Galapagos and travel to the highlands. Call in to a ranch and wander the grounds in search of tortoises. After lunch we’ll continue to Puerto Ayora for an afternoon at leisure.

DAY 9. 29 OCT - AYORA, TORTUGA BAY (B,L)Take a walk 1hr to Tortuga Bay, passing many land birds. The first beach is beautiful and expansive and a little further is “Playa Mansa” home to many marine iguanas and ideal for swimming. Return to town this afternoon.

DAY 10. 30 OCT - FLOREANA – SNORKELLING (B/L)We’ll take our private speed boat 2.5hrs to Floreana, the first island inhabited and still home to descendants of the original inhabitants. This afternoon we’ll visit la Loberia to swim with sea lions, marine turtles, manta rays and a variety of colourful fish. Relax in the lodge and hopefully meet some members of the original families. DAY 11. 31 OCT - PIRATES - ISABELA (B,L)Take a traditional bus to the highlands, learning some of the island’s colourful history and about the Pirates that visited, and the “Enigma of Floreana”, the unsolved mysterious deaths of

several settlers. Explore pirate caves and fresh water springs before taking our boat 2.5hrs to Isabela. Time for a leisurely lunch and relax for the rest of the day on the pristine beaches of the biggest and one of the newest Islands.Ride bikes to the “Wall of tears”, a 6km ride. The 6m high, 100m long wall was built by prisoners and is a reminder of a time of cruelty and torture. DAY 12. 01 NOV - VOLCANOES (B,L)Travel to the base of the Sierra Negra Volcano, and walk about 2 hours to reach the crater. There we will have a wonderful view into the crater and hopefully see the Galapagos Sparrow Hawk. After lunch we visit the Tintoreras Islets, home to a great variety of wildlife. The turquoise, waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, penguins, turtles and sea lions. This is one of the few sites marine iguanas can reproduce.

DAY 13. 02 NOV - FLAMINGOS - TUNELES (B,L)Morning visit to the Flamingos’ Lagoon, where we hope to see Flamingos feeding in this lake. In the afternoon we will visit a unique place in the islands, “Los Tuneles”, a treasure hidden from most Galapagos visitors. The Tunnels were formed millions of years ago when lava rivers ran across the island to the coast. The cold water froze their outer layer isolating the interior while liquid lava kept flowing into the sea. When the eruption finished,the hollow walls broke allowing water to come inside creating tunnels. Our guide will lead us along hundreds of tunnels to snorkel and discover the marine life such as sharks, lobsters, penguins, sea lions, boobies, marine turtles and other species. If we’re lucky, we will see giant manta rays feeding in open waters. Afternoon return to Isabela for our final night.

DAY 14. 03 NOV - FLY BACK TO GUAYAQUIL (B)This morning as a final treat we’ll fly back to Santa Cruz to connect with our flight to Guayaquil where we’ll be met and taken to the hotel for our final night in Ecuador.

DAY 15. 04 NOV - ONWARD TRAVEL.Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

QUITO AND EQUATOR ∙ 5 DAY RAIL JOURNEY ∙ 8 DAY GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

∙ FULLY ESCORTED BY DAVE BEST

∙ 4 DAY LUXURY ANDEAN RAIL JOURNEY ∙ 7 DAY PRIVATE JOURNEY IN THE GALAPAGOS TO 3 DIFFERENT ISLANDS∙ FLIGHT OVER THE GALAPAGOS∙ THE DEVIL’S NOSE TRAIN, ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREAT RAILWAYS∙ WELCOME DINNER IN QUITO∙ MINDO CLOUD FOREST ∙ MEET WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES ∙ STAY IN DELIGHTFUL HACIENDAS ∙ STAND ON THE ACTUAL EQUATOR ∙ MEET DESCENDANTS OF THE ORIGINAL GALAPAGOS FAMILIES ∙ SNORKEL AT TUNELES ON ISABELA ∙ VISIT PLACES NOT ACCESSIBLE TO CRUISE BOATS∙ PRIVATE TRANSFERS FROM AND TO AIRPORTS WITH ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDES∙ ENGLISH SPEAKING LOCAL GUIDES∙ GOOD QUALITY ACCOMMODATION∙ NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEES∙ 28 MEALS (13-B,8-L,7-D) ∙ DAILY BOTTLED WATER ∙ LIMITED TO JUST 15 PLACES

2017: OCTOBER 21 - NOVEMBER 4

$8,870 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE$1,523 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

AIRFARES FROM SYD/MEL START FROM $2,480PP ECONOMY AND $6,840BUSINESS. ASK FOR OTHER CITIES

NOT INCLUDED:∙ ENTRY FEES TO GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK $100 ∙ ECUADOR TRANSIT CARD (INGALA) $20 ∙ BEVERAGES∙ EXTRA MEALS AND ACTIVITIES∙ TIPS (SUGGESTED TIPPING KITTY OF USD180PP)

∙ PERSONAL EXPENSES

ASK FOR THE DETAILED BROCHURE

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1. 17 NOV - SANTIAGO Welcome at Santiago airport and transfer to our hotel in the charming, bohemian district of Lastarria. Take some time to freshen up before joining the rest of our group for a welcome lunch on the roof terrace and perhaps try your first Pisco Sour. After lunch we’ll take a tour of Santiago, a fascinating mix of old and modern, blending classic architecture with soaring skyscrapers. We’ll be guided through Santiago’s central square and cathedral before delving into the some of the Barrios where Santiago comes to life, including our own Lastarria. Finish our tour by heading up Santa Lucia Hill for a panoramic view over the city and Andean Cordillera. (L)

2. 18 NOV - MARKETS AND WINESDay at leisure to explore as you wish. You can join Rose as she heads to Los Dominicos Artisan’s Village. It’s a great place where local artisans work on their craft and to learn about Chilean traditional heritage. You’ll also know you are paying a fair price and your money is going direct to the artisan. On Saturdays there is also a colourful food market in the park next door, with some of the freshest ceviche to be found. Anyone feeling more active might like to walk up Cerro San Cristobal, or there are plenty of museums to explore.(B)

3. 19 NOV - VALPARAISO AND WINEWe leave the city today and head west through the famous wine valleys to the World Heritage city of Valparaiso. We’ll call in to a vineyard to learn about and taste the local delights including ‘Carmenere’ which is only grown in Chile. Valparaiso is renowned for its beautiful and colourful homes that hang off the hills and into the sea; this World Heritage city is a labrynth of steep, narrow streets filled with beautiful, multicoloured and multi level architecture and renowned street art. We’ll visit hill top lookouts and take in the view from the other side of the Pacific.(B,L)

4-6. 20-22 NOV - THE ATACAMA DESERTFly north along The Andes to Calama, gateway to The Atacama. We’ll be met and driven across the desert to the oasis of San Pedro, and our lodge, the Alto Atacama, totally enveloped by the desert surroundings. Fill your days from the extensive menu of excursions and activities. See the steam rise on the sun’s rays at Tatio geysers, hike to beautiful Altiplanic lakes of Meniques and Miscanti (pictured on the cover) or simply float in a Salt Lake. The guides and services here are excellent and will happilly help you choose. Our luxury lodge includes meals and beverages, and our private location away

A local legend says that when God finished creating the wonders of the world there were many pieces left over; so to maximise their brilliance he put them together in a long, thin country, and called it Chile.

Rose has hand picked her favourite pieces to create this escorted tour, to share her love of Chile with you and show you why she thinks it is South America’s hottest country.

Join Rose as she leads you from the historic heart to the northern desert. Then follow the soaring peaks and volcanoes of The Andes south to the turquoise lakes and the vastness of Patagonia. We’ll finish our journey with a luxurious 3 night stay in The Singular, Chile’s best hotel, and the perfect base for our exploration of the majestic Torres Del Paine NP.

TATIO GEYSERS

MEET ROSE

I’ve been wandering the globe for 30 years and love helping other people do so as well. Chile is my favourite country to travel in, and I’m so excited to share it with you. It is visually spectacular and Chilean people are so welcoming it a a joy to explore. I hope you’ll join me so we can experience all the wonders together.

LASTARRIA, SANTIAGO

VALPARAISO

A Forward Travel smal l group escorted JourneyTHE WONDERS OF CHILE

SANTIAGO ∙ VALPARAISO ∙ ATACAMA DESERT LAKES DISTRICT ∙ CHILOE ∙ TORRES DEL PAINE

14 DAYS



from town ensures dark skies and wonderful star gazing. We’ll enjoy a private dinner under the stars on evening. (B,L,D)

7. 23 NOV - LAKES DISTRICTFly via Santiago to Puerto Montt, the gateway to northern Patagonia and home to lakes and volcanoes. Transfer to our lakeside hotel in picturesque Puerto Varas, and if the sky is clear we’ll see all four nearby volcanoes with the perfectly conical Osorno looming large to the east. It is definitely a great idea to borrow one of the complimentary ponchos and sit on the terrace to take in the view.(B)

8. 24 NOV - CHILOEToday is dedicated to exploring the culture and heritage of Chiloe. The 30 islands in the archipeligo offer visitors rolling hills and villages filled with brightly coloured wooden houses. You’ll feel the genuine charm of it’s people, the Chilotes, descendents of Spanish colonisers and the Huilliche people, who are renowned for their hospitality, their legends and their crafts. We’ll visit some of the 16 World Heritage sites and Dalcahue, a relaxed village with a seafront decorated with wooden boats, and Rose’s favourite market in Chile. We’ll also visit the traditional Palifitos of Castro and enjoy a local lunch before returning to our hotel in the late evening. (B,L)

9. 25 NOV - ANDEAN LAKE CRUISE.Today we’ll become part of the picture by cruising through The Andes on the beautiful turquoise waters of Todos los Santos. Pick up from the hotel and drive along the shore of Lago LLanqihue toward the perfectly conical Osorno volcano, stopping to visit to the Petrohué Falls. Pass behind Osorno and board the boat to cruise across the turquoise waters to Peulla. We’ll have plenty of time for lunch

and exploring before we cruise back to Puerto Varas, arriving in the evening. (B,L)

10. 26 NOV - SOUTHERN PATAGONIA.Transfer to the airport and fly south to Punta Arenas where we are met and transferred to our hotel in the city centre. Chile’s southernmost city is known as its friendliest, and windiest as well. Join Rose for dinner this evening at one of the more interesting restaurants in town.(B,D)

11-13. 27-29 NOV - THE SINGULAR AND TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARKThese 2 icons will be the breathtaking culmination of our journey. Torres del Paine reigns as king of Chilean Patagonia with soaring peaks visible from afar. The Singular is Chile’s best hotel is as a destination in itself. The luxury rooms, attentive service, excellent guides and delicious meals, combine to create a wonderful experience. Choose your activities and excursions from the extensive menu, including a full day to explore Torres del Paine, and an exclusive private boat journey to the Serrano and Balmcadea glaciers. and as a special treat we’ll have a private Asado (bbq) one evening. (B,L,D)

DAY 14, 30 NOV. ONWARD TRAVELOur journey ends with a transfer to the airport, or to El Calafate if you wish to continue exploring. (B)

CHILOE

SANTIAGO ∙ VALPARAISO ∙ ATACAMA DESERT LAKES DISTRICT ∙ CHILOE ∙ TORRES DEL PAINE

∙ FORWARD TRAVEL DIRECTOR ROSE

TOOHEY AS YOUR TOUR LEADER (NOV, 17)∙ RELAXED PACE WITH 3 NIGHTS IN SANTIAGO, ATACAMA, LAKES AND PUERTO NATALES ∙ WELCOME LUNCH IN SANTIAGO∙ PRIVATE TOURING IN SANTIAGO, VALPARAISO, AND CHILOE∙ 4 DAY ATACAMA STAY WITH ALL MEALS AND YOUR CHOICE OF DAILY EXCURSIONS ∙ DINNER UNDER THE STARS IN ATACAMA∙ 4 DAY STAY AT THE SINGULAR, PATAGONIA WITH ALL MEALS AND DAILY EXCURSIONS ∙ PRIVATE PATAGONIAN ASADO BARBEQUE∙ PRIVATE TRANSFERS FROM AND TO AIRPORTS WITH ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDES∙ ENGLISH SPEAKING LOCAL GUIDES∙ CRUISE ON ANDEAN LAKE ∙ GOOD QUALITY ACCOMMODATION∙ NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEES∙ 28 MEALS (13-B,8-L,7-D) ∙ DAILY BOTTLED WATER ∙ LIMITED TO JUST 15 PLACES

2017: NOVEMBER 17-302018: JANUARY 18- 31 FEBRUARY 1-14

$7,740 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE$9,780 FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS


PRICES ARE PER PERSON TWIN SHAREPRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

The majestic Torres del Paine


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DAY 1, 18 NOVEMBER. ARRIVE IN PUERTO NATALES. (D)Arrive in Puerto Natales, 100km south of Torres del Paine. This afternoon we’ll have a briefing about the trek.Join Brent this evening for a ‘Welcome to Patagonia’ dinner so we can get to know our fellow Great Walkers.

DAY 2, 19 NOVEMBER. TO TORRES DEL PAINE. (B,D)You’ll have time to this morning to enjoy the town, maybe stroll along the shore and then visit the supermarket to grab some trail snacks. We’ll then go by bus to to Torres del Paine National Park, entering through Laguna Amarga in the Eastern side. On the way we’ll stop in Cerro Castillo Village, a small frontier settlement near the Argentine border.Upon arrival in the park we’ll purchase our entry ticket and take the shuttle to Las Torres hotel.

DAY 3, 20 NOVEMBER “BASE OF THE TOWERS” (B,L,D)

TIME/LENGTH: 8-9HRS - 19KM DIFFICULTY LEVEL: HIGH.RECOMMENDED START TIME: 9.00 AM. The iconic view of the Torres seen from standing at their base is the goal of many trekkers and today we will do just that. The first hour and a half walking is steep with fantastic views of lake Nordenskjöld and Almirante Nieto Mountain with its hanging glacier until we reach Refugio El Chileno. We’ll continue the trail for an hour through a millenary Lenga forest until the base of “the moraine”. A challenging 45min ascent will have us scrambling over rocky moraine till we reach our goal: the lookout of the “Base of Torres del Paine” where you will enjoy the view of Torre Sur 2,850m, Torre Central 2,800m, Torre Norte 2,600m, and Cerro Nido de Cóndor. After plenty of time for contemplation we’ll return to the hotel.

• Get ready to feel completely insignificant in comparison to nature among the turquoise waters, glaciers and towering granite horns of the Torres del Paine National Park. The jaw-dropping landscapes of this eighth wonder of the world are humbling indeed. Join Brent McKean, Great Walks editor and immerse yourself in this vast national park. We’ll take full advantage of the long daylight hours and make sure we’re up for the sunrise, to see the Torres del Paine massif glow purple and red. As special bonuses on this trip we’ve added a cruise on Lake Grey to admire the eponymous glacier, and will start our journey with a traditional Patagonian dinner. We’ll enjoy terrific wildlife-watching and hope to see majestic condors flying in the pristine skies overhead. We’ll look out for foxes, huemul (Andean deer) and guanacos along the way, and if we’re quiet and patient might be lucky enough to spot the reclusive puma.

Meet your Tour leader, Brent McKean, Brent has been the editor of Great Walks magazine for ten years and has spent much of his journalism career working for travel magazines and exploring many parts of the world. Kiwi by birth, Brent took off on his OE (overseas experience) when he was 22 and never looked back. He spent a year in South and Central America and has visited numerous Asian and African countries. Brent also spent two years as a journalist in the Sultanate of Oman in the Arabian Gulf. Brent has written hundreds of travel articles so he knows how to string a sentence together. Join Brent on this Great Walks/Forward Travel guided walk on the W Trek in Chile, Patagonia’s most iconic walk.

Trek to the Base of The Towers

CABANAS LOS CUERNOS

THE W TREK WITH GREAT WALKS MAGAZINE 7 DAYS

A Forward Travel smal l group escorted Journey



DAY 4, 21 NOVEMBER. TO CABANAS LOS CUERNOS (B,L,D).

TIME/LENGTH: 4-5HRS - 11KMRECOMMENDED START TIME: 9.00 AMDIFFICULTY LEVEL: MEDIUM.

A relatively easy day today as hike West into the central area of the park. The trail goes along the base of Almirante Nieto, part of the Paine Massif, with fantastic views to Nordenskjöld Lake. In November the flora changes colour as the prolific “Ciruelillo” or “Fire Bush”, with its bright red flowers comes into bloom. Our cabins are located at the base of Los Cuernos (the Horns), considered by many one of the most charming sites in the whole park, a perfect spot to rest and recover energies for the next day challenging trek: “The French Valley”.

DAY 5, 22 NOVEMBER. TREKKING TO FRENCH VALLEY (B,L,D)

TIME/LENGTH: 10-12HRS - 11KMRECOMMENDED START TIME: 8.00 AMDIFFICULTY LEVEL: HIGH.

The delightful French Valley (Valle del Francés) is a natural amphitheatre surrounded by sheer cliffs, hanging glaciers and dramatic rock formations. We will be very well rewarded for our efforts today with a 360 degree view of the park. It is common to feel overwhelmed trying to take in the view, as each direction seems to compete for our attention. Standing at the Britannico viewpoint, in the midst of the valley is a very humbling experience. The first 2 hours is quite undulating with views to Nordenskjöld Lake, till we reach “Campamento Italiano”. Here we can leave our big backpack,

and continue with a small day backpack. The ascent goes for about 90min to French Glacier lookout, where we’ll see its hanging glacier and the regular calvings of ice falling from its tip. Another 20 minutes will take us to the point considered by many as one of the most overwhelming spots in the Circuit: Mirador Británico. Paine Grande, Cerro Hoja, Cerro Máscara, Cerro Catedral, Cerro Aleta de Tiburón, Cuerno Norte, will all be here to great us. The return is the same way back to “Campamento Italiano”, and then to Pehoé sector.

DAY 6, 23 NOVEMBER. TREKKING TO GREY GLACIER (B,L)

TIME/LENGTH: 4-5HRS, 11KMRECOMMENDED START TIME: 8.00 AMDIFFICULTY LEVEL: MEDIUM

Trek to Grey Glacier lookout The trail takes us through the western side of the Paine Massif with views to Grey Lake and Mountains. After 90min we will reach the first lookout, where we can see the distant Grey Glacier. Another 2 hours of hiking will take take us to the main lookout, in front of the glacier. As a special treat, we will board the catamaran and cruise along the face of the glacier and across Lago Grey instead of returning along the same trail. Our trek is almost complete now, with just a short walk to the catamaran to cross Pehoé Lake, where our bus will be waiting to take us back to Puerto Natales, arriving late evening.

DAY 7, 24 NOVEMBER. ONWARD JOURNEY (B)Depart after breakfast. There is more fantastic trekking in Argentina, accessed by a 5hrs bus trip from Puerto Natales.

Travel by steam train along the Avenue of the VolcanoesExplore the beauty of The French Val ley

∙ GREAT WALKS EDITOR BRENT MCKEAN AS YOUR JOURNEY LEADER ∙ FULLY GUIDED PRIVATE W TREK∙ PATAGONIAN DINNER ON DAY 1∙ GLACIER CRUISE ON LAGO GREY ∙ CATAMARAN PEHOÉ ∙ 6 NIGHTS OF ACCOMMODATION: 2 NTS IN PUERTO NATALES 2 NTS SUPERIOR ROOM AT LAS TORRES 1 NT CABANAS LOS CUERNOS 1 NT REFUGIO PAINE GRANDE (SHARED)∙ TRANSPORTATION FROM PUERTO NATALES ∙ ALL MEALS ON TREK∙ ENGLISH SPEAKING LOCAL GUIDES∙ LIMITED TO JUST 12 PLACES

2017: 18 - 24 NOVEMBER

$4,380 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE$822 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT




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Put yourself in this picture in the marble caves

OUR ULTIMATE PATAGONIA ADVENTURE CARRETERA AUSTRAL ∙ MARBLE CAVES ∙ VALLE CHACABUCO ∙ TORTEL ∙ EL CHALTEN ∙ EL CALAFATE

Come with me far away from the tourist trail, along the legendary Carretera Austral. This is my Ultimate Patagonia journey, living inside a postcard, where every single view is worthy of a photograph. We'll ride with gauchos, glide through caves of marble, barbeque with settler families, and hike with passionate guides. We'll immerse ourselves in the sublime Chacabuco Valley, hike above the Great Glacier, and complete our journey by walking to Argentina through an untouched valley. This is a slow journey to allow time to really explore, paying homage to the Gaucho saying,’he who rushes, wastes time”. I really hope you will join me.

2 NOV: BALMACEDA – RIO SIMPSON We meet our guides at Balmaceda airport and drive to Coyhaique.Afternoon visit the beautiful Simpson Natural Reserve to stretch our legs and start breathing in the fresh air. Tonight we’ll dine at the famous Dali restaurant.

DAY 2: CERRO CASTILLO – RIO TRANQUILLOEarly start south along the Carretera Austral to Villa Cerro Castillo, where the mountain peak really does look like a castle. We'll visit caves to see the 5,000 year old hand prints then hike, by horse and foot, to the glacial lagoon. We say goodbye to bitumen and continue to Rio Tranquillo on the shore of Lake General Carrera.

DAY 3: ICE TREKKING ON EXPLORADES GLACIERDrive 52km west to reach the glacier. We'll put on crampons and be immersed in a quiet world of blue, green and white. We’ll explore some of the ice caves and walk through the crevasses, touching ice that is tens of thousands of years old.

DAY 4, MARBLE CAVES AND PUERTO BERTANDA peninsula of solid marble, 300 million years old, has been slowly eroded by waves creating a labyrinth of marble caverns. Entering the caves we’ll be surrounded by the marble, the clear water of the lake, and light filtering in from the outer world, creating a spectacle of colour and contrasts. Floating within these immense walls of marble is one of the most surreal travel experiences there is.Back on the road we have

our first sighting of The Baker river, one of the most beautiful in the world, and the longest in Chile. We can go horse riding and relax in the hot tubs before a short drive to Parque Patagonia, our base for 3 nights.

DAY 5. PARQUE PATAGONIA.An amazing result of the passion and vision of Kris and Doug Tompkins. This future National Park was once an overgrazed sheep and cattle ranch that now protects an abundance of Patagonian steppe grasslands, glaciated peaks, and rebounding wildlife.

After a hearty breakfast challenge yourself on the spectacular 23-km Lagunas Altas day hike. Walk towards the summit of Mount Tamanguito before winding around stunning alpine lakes

with dramatic views of the valley. It has been named one of “Patagonia’s best five treks” and continues to offer visitors an incredibly rewarding challenge. There are other options as well, including rafting on the Baker river, kayaking and fly fishing.

DAY 5. PARQUE PATAGONIA. Touring the Chacabuco Valley and hike the Lago Chico Loop.Experience the dramatic transformation in ecosystems as we drive east to the border with Argentina. In less than two hours, we’ll be looking across the vast expanse of the Argentine Patagonian steppe. For dinner, gather around the parrilla (grill) in the restaurant for a traditional asado (BBQ) and buffet alongside staff and other guests.

A Forward Travel smal l group escorted Journey


17 DAYS


CARRETERA AUSTRAL ∙ MARBLE CAVES ∙ VALLE CHACABUCO ∙ TORTEL ∙ EL CHALTEN ∙ EL CALAFATE

VALLE CHACABUCO

Take time to be thankful in The Chacabuco Val ley

RIO SIMPSON

MARBLE CAVES

CERRO CASTILLO

VALLE CHACABUCO

HIKE TO ARGENTINA

ICE TREKKING

CALETA TORTEL

FLY OVER ICE FIELD

GREAT GLACIER

DAY 7. CALETA TORTELOn the world’s most scenic road, Caleta Tortel stands out for not having any. 7.5km of raised walkways connect the village, and invites visitors to take a stroll through the various sites of this picturesque place declared a national monument due to its architecture and lifestyle. Hike above the village and take a boat to Isla Muerta and find one of Patagonia’s great mysteries.

DAY 8. VILLA O’HIGGINS: END OF THE ROADOur final drive takes us to the end of the Carretera Austral. We’ll celebrate our journey with a scenic flight over the Icefields which we have been following. It will give us an amazing perspective and finally the realisation of the vastness of the world’s largest hold of fresh water outside of the polar regions.

DAY 9 – VILLA O’HIGGINSPlenty of options to explore today. Mountain biking, hiking, and fly fishing. We’ll cruise to Great Glacier and have the chance to 'put ourselves in the picture' below. DAY 10. CANDELARIO MANSILLAW'll stay at Calendario Mansilla for our final night in Chile before crossing to Argentina. DAY 11 – CROSSING TO ARGENTINAFor all adventure seekers and nature lovers completing the crossing from Chile to Argentina at O’Higgins is a must. The scenery is superlative, the landscape is stunning with

turquoise blues and emerald greens. Amazing views greet us as we pass glaciers and mountains. We'll be met and taken to El Chalten, for a well earned rest.

DAY 12. EL CHALTEN One of Patagonia’s most spectacular treks is today's goal. The 17km Laguna Los Tres hike rises through the forest for stunning views of Fitz Roy.

DAY 13. EL CHALTENTo is free to explore as you wish.

DAY 14. EL CALAFATETravel by bus 3hrs south to the charming town of El Calafate. Our hotel on the lake shore offers free bikes, perfect for exploring the lake and village.

DAY 16. PERITO MORENO GLACIER Experience the majestic icy expanse of the Perito Moreno Glacier today and get a close up perspective of the fantastic formation with a boat ride on the glacial lagoon. We’ll then have plenty of time to wander the boardwalks on its Northern side to try and take it all in. I alway allow plety of time to sit and watch in the Rumble Zone; the glacier’s most active area, where even seemingly small pieces crash like thunder to the water below.

DAY 17. ONWARD TRAVEL Our wonderful journey ends after breakfast.

∙ ROSE TOOHEY AS YOUR JOURNEY LEADER∙ FANTASTIC ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE AND DRIVER.∙ FLIGHT OVER THE NORTHERN ICEFIELD.∙ THE BEST LOCAL GUIDES FOR ACTIVITIES∙ YOUR CHOICE OF ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT ∙ THE BEST ACCOMMODATION ∙ ALL MEALS IN CHILE. BFST IN ARGENTINA∙ FLEXIBLE ITINERARY∙ 3 NIGHTS IN CHACABUCA VALLEY∙ LOCAL ENCOUNTERS AND OUT OF THE WAY EXPERIENCES ∙ LIMITED TO JUST 8 PLACES

2017: 2-18 NOVEMBER

$8,280 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE


START: BALMACEDA, CHILEFINISH: EL CALAFATE, ARGENTINA

ASK US FOR THE FULL BROCHURE

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ANTARCTICA - LET’S START WITH DESSERT

CHOOSING YOUR EXPEDITION The highest, driest, coldest, windiest and most remote continent on the planet,

Antarctica is a breathtaking banquet of wilderness and wildlife, and the ultimate ‘cherry on the cake’ to a South American journey. Standing on the bow as you gently glide through the still waters enclosed by towering ‘meringue’ covered peaks, you are entranced by the silence, interrupted by the thunderous crash of calving glaciers, rolling icebergs, or whales passing by.Wildlife abounds, with busybody penguins, graceful whales and curious seals combining to put on one of nature’s finest performances, leaving you inspired, amazed and eager for an encore. There is a range of expeditions available, with ship choice and duration being the key factors. We have been to Antarctica multiple times so can offer first hand advice to help you choose your expedition. We really like and recommend the One Ocean Expeditions operated, Akademik Ioffe and Akademik Sergey Vavilov. We offer fly/cruise options from Punta Arenas, getting you there quicker and avoiding The Drake, as well as the classic cruise options from Ushuaia in Argentina.

The ultimate dessert, the icing on the cake, or maybe even the cherry on top of any South America journey

Antarctica is just a 2.5hr flight from Punta Arenas, making it an easy addition to any Chile journey. Express journeys let your fly down, meet your cruise and spend 3-4 days exploring the icy frontier. A great way to experience the magic if you are short of time.

FLY-FLY

11 - 22 DAYS

The abundance and accessibility

of the wildlife have rightly earned it

the nickname - “Galapagos of the

South”. Multiple penguin species,

large albatross colonies, and

many marine are just some of the

delights awaiting you.

FALKLANDS

10 - 22 DAYS Cruises are from 10-13 nights for the Antarctic Peninsula, and 18-19 nights if you wish to visit the wildlife rich sub Antarctic islands of The Falklands and South Georgia as well.

The new Epic voyages combine selected expeditions starting from Punta Arenas, visiting Antarctica and The Falkland Islands over an incredible 22 days.

NOV-MAREarly season is great for ice and scenery, with shiny snow covered mountains resembling meringues as they glisten in the beautiful light.

Anticipation builds in mid-season as the light extends and you can reach further south, crossing the Antarctic Circle.

Late season is full of action as whales prepare for the journey north and penguin chicks start to explore, with leopard seals and orcas ready and waiting to greet them.

ASK FOR OUR ANTARCTICA

BROCHURE FOR MORE DETAILS


BUENOS AIRES Be seduced by its sophistication and style

RIO DE JANEIRO Flashy and fabulous. Fal l in love with Rio

∙ CITY TOUR∙ TANGO DINNER SHOW∙ STAY IN RECOLETA

HOTEL FROM

ARC RECOLETA $580MELIA RECOLETA $770

Spectacularly surrounded by mountains, lush rainforests and white sand beaches, Rio is as beautiful as the locals are. She is unfairly endowed with many graces; confidence abounds, music dances through her veins, and her famous features of Corcovado, Sugar loaf, Copacabana and Ipanema, are the envy of other cities. You could almost be jealous of how good Rio is but before you realise it she has gotten under your skin and you are hooked.

DAY 1. Arrive in Rio and transfer to hotel. Feel the rhythm with dinner and a Samba show tonight.(D)

DAY 2. Full day visiting the famous sights of Rio with a lunch at a traditional Churrasqueria.(B,L)

DAY 3. Transfer to the airport. (B)

LIMA Be surprised by the new revamped Lima

SANTIAGO Vibrant and colourful, with charming neighbourhoods 3 DAYS

Buenos Aires is the most elegant and European city in South America. Beautiful antique buildings are mixed in with bold modern architecture, and graceful wide avenues provide fabulous walking trails. After visiting the famous sights, venture into the stylish neighbourhoods where the city really comes alive, with fabulous restaurants and bars, boutiques and bookshops. Embrace the rhythm of the city with a tango lesson, dinner and show tonight. If time permits we can add a football game as well to really feel the beat of Buenos Aires.

DAY 1. Arrive Buenos Aires and transfer to your hotel

DAY 2. Morning city tour including Recoleta and La Boca. Afternoon to explore further before a tango lesson and dinner tonight.

DAY 3. Transfer to airport. (B)

∙ PANORAMIC CITY TOUR∙ VALPARAISO AND VINA

DEL MAR∙ STAY IN LASTARRIA

HOTEL FROM

LUCIANO K $781LE REVE $865

Mixing first world infrastructure with old world charm, Santiago rewards those who delve into its various ‘Barrios’. Gourmet delights can be found in Bellavista and Providencia, fine museums await you in Barrio Brasil, and leafy parks and cafes dot the city. This trip also includes a private guided visit to the coastal city of Vina del Mar and UNESCO World Heritage listed Valparaiso with its colourful narrow laneways.

DAY 1. Arrive Santiago and transfer to your hotel in beautiful Lastarria. Afternoon guided city tour mixing driving with walking.

DAY 2. Full day tour to Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. (B)

DAY 3. Transfer to airport. (B)

Shrouded in as much sea fog as history, Lima’s beauty can be difficult to see, but don’t let that put you off. Lima is a revamped vibrant and sophisticated city worth exploring. The centre is now a series of pedestrian plazas linking historic colonial buildings. The Larco museum is a fantastic introduction to Peru’s rich history with coastal Miraflores and arty Barranco being lively neighbourhoods where you can find fresh Peruvian cooking.

DAY 1. Arrive Lima and transfer to hotel.

DAY 2. Morning sightseeing tour looking at the colonial and modern Lima followed by lunch. Afternoon visit to wonderful Larco museum to gain an introduction to ancient Peru. (B,L)

DAY 3. Transfer to airport.(B)

∙ FULL DAY GUIDED TOUR∙ DINNER AND SAMBA SHOW∙ STAY IN COPACABANA

HOTEL FROMWINDSOR MARTINIQUE(NO VIEW) $920MIRAMAR BY WINDSOR (OCEAN FRONT) $1,145

∙ CITY TOUR∙ VISIT TO LARCO MUSEUM∙ PERUVIAN FUSION LUNCH

HOTEL FROM

SECOND HOME $690HOTEL B $980

PRICES ARE PER PERSON. TWIN SHARE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE

3 DAYS

3 DAYS

3 DAYS

Tasty entrees to whet your appetite





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THE AMAZON: 7 mil lion sq km, across 8 countries It’s the largest forest on the planet and has an immense diversity - over 30,000 plant species, 1,800 fish, 1,300 bird species, 311 mammals and 165 types of amphibian. The 7,000km Amazon River enters the Atlantic in northern Brazil, is 10km wide in low water and up to 48km wide in high water.

It’s a RAINforest, and the rain is fairly constant, falling 200 days of the year, usually in regular, short bursts. The so called Dry season, let’s be accurate and call it ‘Drier’, (Jul - Dec) receives just 10% less rainfall than the wet season (Jan-Jun). The rain raises the rivers up by 10m, flooding the low-lying forests, opening channels and bringing the canopy much closer. In the drier season the temperature goes up, mosquito numbers go down, and the receding water exposes trails and beaches. This can be good for hiking and fishing and for sightings of caiman as they compete for dwindling food sources.

This rustic lodge is a great authentic experience. Easily accessible from Manaus but surprisingly quiet. Wooden bungalows are dotted throughout the forest with screened windows providing a beautiful jungle sound track at night. Natural swimming holes are great for cooling off and, as the lodge is on black water, mosquitoes are not a problem. The Indian guides will introduce you to all sorts of wildlife and you can try your hand at pirhana fishing and local hunting techniques. Your package includes all transfers, meals, and activities, and a boat trip to the mysterious phenomenon that is the “Meeting of the Waters”.

ECUADOR

Iquitos is the starting point for trips to the Peruvian Amazon River, with small luxury cruises being the main option. Puerto Maldonado in the south lies in the Amazon basin and is very popular for its profusion of wildlife and being easily combined with a visit to Machu Picchu. Trips here are lodge based with excur-sions by boat and on foot.

Nearly 30% of Bolivia lies within the Amazon basin. Much of it is impenetrable wilderness made up of marshy swamps, open savannah and rainforest. Exploration has been limited so wildlife roams unaffected deep within its reaches. Jaguars, tapirs, and snakes commanding the forest floor while birds crowd the skies above.

The Pantanal in southern Brazil is the wildlife hot spot, but the Amazon still has romantic appeal. Wildlife watching is not as rewarding as in other areas but you will see the iconic Meeting of the Waters’, where the Rio Negro and Solimoes flow side by side for 6km before merging to become part of the Amazon River.

The Amazon in Ecuador is widely recognised as home to some of the greatest biodiversity on Earth. Lodges and cruises are more rustic and there is a strong connection with local tribes. Highlights include the indigenous communities, and the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve.

PERU BOLIVIA BRAZIL

Manaus

YEAR ROUND

FROM TWIN SINGLE

$1,480 $2,350

BRAZIL - Unique meeting of the waters and easy Amazon experience 4 DAYS

THE WET - AND ‘LESS WET’ SEASONS

IT’S BIG


THE AMAZON: 7 mil lion sq km, across 8 countries

BRAZIL

LODGE TWIN SINGLE

HACIENDA $790 $960

RESERVA $1,180 $1,430

Enter another world at Inkaterra Amazon lodges, just a 40 min boat ride from Puerto Maldonado. Let the birdsong be your morning alarm and let jungle sounds drift you to sleep. Hacienda Concepcion offers comfortable accommodation and a set schedule of activities to give you a well-rounded jungle experience. Reserva Amazonica offers larger rooms, and a suite of excursions for you to tailor your stay, including jungle treks, energetic paddling trips, enchanting & accessible rainforest trails. Both lodges give you the canopy walk, 30m above the ground, giving you amazing access and a bird’s eye view to the forest heights.

Delfin II has 14 suites, with movie screen sized windows offering all the comforts of a luxury hotel, delivered in a spirit of casual and re-fined elegance. Experience an ideal combination of natural wonders, dramatic sceneries, indigenous cultural history and a relaxed self-contained way to explore the Amazon while seeing nature at its best.

It’s warm atmosphere and multiple relaxing spots allow you to ob-serve, enjoy and absorb the surroundings, especially the hammock sundeck. An extensive excursion prgagramme gives you plenty of time exploring the forest.

∙ HUGE BIODIVERSITY OF FLORA AND FAUNA

∙ FULL BOARD AND EXCURSIONS

YEAR ROUND

∙ INTIMATE LUXURY CRUISE∙ SUPERB GUIDES AND ACTIVITIES∙ FULL BOARD AND EXCURSIONS

YEAR ROUND

PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE. INCLUDE TRANSFERS FROM IQUITOS

4 DAYS4 DAYS

ECUADOR -COCA

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN SGL

4 DAYS $1,860 $2,730

5 DAYS $2,420 $3,250

Flora, fauna and Indigenous communities 4 DAYS

BOLIVIA -RURRENABAQUE

YEAR ROUND

FROM TWIN SINGLE

PRIVATE $620 $850 PRIVATE MEANS YOUR ROOM HAS ITS OWN BATHROOM. ROOMS WITH SHARED BATHROOMS HAVE A LOWER PRICE.

Madidi NP is considered the most biological ly rich protected area on earthMadidi Jungle Ecolodge is a low-impact eco-venture 100% created and sustained by indigenous people from the heart of Madidi National Park. Accessible by a 3 hour boat ride from Rurrenabaque, it’s in a prime location for wildlife viewing, and a great base for hikes. The lodge offers comfortable accommodation for a maximum of 18 visitors. Delicious meals are based on traditional rainforest ingredients, and with the staff being locals, the passion and knowledge are second to none. The goal is to improve living conditions for their indigenous community by supporting conservation and protection of the biological diversity.

4 DAYS

COCA

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN SGL

4 DAYS $1,480 $2,150

5 DAYS $1,780 $2,640

FROM SUITE MASTER

2016 $4,560 $4840

Sacha lodge is a 5,000-acre private ecological reserve. A pristine sanctuary to enjoy a true jungle adventure in safety and comfort, 80km down river from Coca. Sacha is a favourite of bird lovers; 587 different species of birds have been recorded here. This is staggering considering that there have been only 900 recorded across the entire continental USA and Canada.The lodge offers comfort while preserving the environment and rainforest ambience. Each of the 26 cabins has a high thatched roof and private shaded terrace, perfect for relaxing in a hammock and watching the forest.

The Manatee has been cruising Ecuador’s Amazon for over 20 years. It has all the comfort and activities to give you a comprehensive adventure deep within the Ecuadorian Amazon. You’ll visit places not reachable from lodges, with first-class guides, an extensive range of excursions, excellent service and a heartfelt commitment to the communities and nature of the Amazon. 4, 5 and 8 day cruises offer an incredible, eco-friendly journey to the Amazon Rainforest, with itineraries that include an impressive diversity in the most pristine areas of the Ecuadorian Amazon.

PERU - The biggest range of Amazon options with areas stil l untouched

THERE ARE MANY MORE OPTIONS FOR AMAZON EXPERIENCES. THESE ARE JUST A SMALL SELECTION TO SHOW YOU THAT THE DIVERSITY OF THE AMAZON IS NOT RESTRICTED TO GEOGRAPHY, WILDLIFE AND VEGETATION

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PERU

KALEIDOSCOPE OF PERU

∙ CULTURAL LIMA ∙ WHITE WASHED AREQUIPA ∙ CONDORS SOARING AT COLCA ∙ CRUISE ON LAKE TITICACA∙ MARVEL AT MACHU PICCHU

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN

2017 $3,850

PRICES ARE PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE

DAY 1. ARRIVE LIMA Met upon arrival and transfer to your hotel.

DAY 2. LARCO MUSEUM - TO AREQUIPA (B) Morning tour with a visit to the excellent Larco museum to gain an overview of Peru’s history. Fly to colonial Arequipa. DAY 3. AREQUIPA. (B)Morning walking tour visiting Arequipa’s most traditional quarter and the famous 18th century white stone buildings. Afternoon at leisure. DAY 4. COLCA CANYON (B,L) Early departure to the Colca valley. Condors, volcanoes, and glaciers greet us with panoramic views on the way. Visit the market at Chivay then arrive at your lodge,complete with its own thermal springs. DAY 5. CONDOR WATCHING - LAKE TITICACA (B) Early morning drive to ‘Mirador Cruz del Condor’ to look down 1,200 m into the canyon. Watch the condors rising and circling on the morning thermals, silhouetted against the magnificent backdrop of the mountain scenery. Drive higher to the Altiplano, rising to 4,500m as you reach Puno. DAY 6. LAKE TITICACA (B,L)Spend the day on the world’s highest navigable lake. Visit the floating Islands of Uros and Taquile where centuries old customs are preserved and the traditional weaving is amongst the most beautiful in South America. The deep earthy red of the soil, combined with the altitude and the sunlight contrasts magnificently with the deep blue of Lake Titicaca.

Snow-capped Cordillera Real on the far side completes a splendid picture. DAY 7. SPECTACULAR ANDES CROSSING (B,L) A 10 hour bus trip along the Andes to Cusco takes you through picturesque landscapes. Stops are made so you can enjoy views of the snow-capped Andes and important cultural sites. DAY 8. EXPLORING CUSCO (B) This afternoon you are guided around the major sites in and around Cusco, including Tambomachay, Temple of the Sun, and the Cathedral. DAY 9. MACHU PICCHU (B,D)In the morning a bus and train take you through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. Enjoy a private guided tour of the citadel and realise how the uniqueness of its location and the genius of its construction make this one of the great wonders of the world. Explore further on your own and maybe stay long enough to enjoy the beautiful light of the late afternoon when most tourists have left. Overnight in nearby Aguas Calientes. DAY 10. MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO (B)Rise early for an optional visit to Machu Picchu and your chance to climb Huayna Picchu before returning to Cusco mid-afternoon. DAY 11. FREE DAY IN CUSCO (B) Day at leisure so you can tailor it as you wish. DAY 12. ONWARD TRAVEL (B)Transfer to airport for onward flight.

Blessed with great natural beauty, secret sites and ancient cultures, Peru offers fabulous food too

CEVICHE: raw fish marinated in citrus juice.

PISCO SOUR: Both Chile and Peru claim this as their own. You can judge the best one.

The classic tour around Southern Peru. Enjoy snow-capped peaks and ancient pre-Inca terraces on your marvelous drive to the Colca Canyon. Explore Cusco´s alleys and experience Machu Picchu´s attraction. See some of the most beautiful views of Lake Titicaca.

From the oldest civilisation in

America, to the largest and most

powerful empire of the southern

continent, Ancient Peru conserves

the architectural and artistic

vestiges of fascinating cultures.

HISTORY

12 DAYS

EXPRESS TO MACHU PICCHU

AREQUIPA, COLCA CANYON TO PUNO

The 3-day stay in Colca allows for a more relaxed exploration. Discover beautiful sceneries with imposing volcanoes and charming villages


KALEIDOSCOPE OF PERU

PISCO SOUR: Both Chile and Peru claim this as their own. You can judge the best one.

EXPRESS TO MACHU PICCHU

Go straight to the ‘top’ and linger longer to let the majesty of Machu Picchu really soak in.

5 DAYS

10 DAYS

PARACAS AND NAZCA LINESExplore the Peruvian Coast

highlights in a relaxed pace.

AREQUIPA, COLCA CANYON TO PUNO

The 3-day stay in Colca allows for a more relaxed exploration. Discover beautiful sceneries with imposing volcanoes and charming villages

∙ PRIVATE TOUR OF MACHU PICCHU

∙ STAY IN MACHU PICCHU TOWN∙ 2ND ENTRY TO MACHU PICCHU∙ HUAYNA PICCHU TICKETS

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN

ANDINA* $1,280

PUEBLO* $1,630

*PRICES ARE FOR THE 4 DAY TRIP BASED ON THE HOTEL LISTED IN MACHU PICCHU TOWN.PRICES ARE PER PERSON SUBJECT TO CHANGE

DAY 1. Met upon arrival in Cusco, and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, your comprehensive private city tour includes the beautiful Koricancha or Sun Temple, the Cathedral as well as the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a most remarkable Inca building, the amphitheater of Kenko. This is followed by a visit to Puca Pucara, a strategically located ‘red fortress’ that dominates the entire area before visiting Tambomachay, with its two distinctive aqueducts that to this day continue to provide clean water to the area.

DAY 2. Morning train through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu town where you’ll meet your guide for your private tour of the citadel and realise how the uniqueness of its location and the genius of its construction make this one of the great wonders of the world. Explore further on your own and look for the beautiful light of the late afternoon when most tourists have left. Overnight in Machu PIcchu town. (B,D)

DAY 3. Rise early for an extra visit to Machu Picchu and your chance to climb Huayna Picchu before returning to Cusco mid-afternoon. (B)

DAY 4. Transfer to airport for onward flight. (B)

∙ CONDORS IN COLCA CANYON∙ COLONIAL AREQUIPA∙ STAY IN COLCA LODGE WITH ITS

OWN THEMRAL SPRINGS

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN

SHARED $950

PRIVATE $1,485

PRICES ARE PER PERSON SUBJECT TO CHANGE

∙ WILDLIFE HAVEN OF BALLESTAS ∙ FLIGHT OVER THE NASCA LINES ∙ OASIS OF HUACACHINA

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN

SHARED $985

PRIVATE $1,960

PRICES ARE PER PERSON SUBJECT TO CHANGE. SHARED MEANS TRANSFERS AND TOUIRNG WILL BE WITH OTHER PEOPLE. PRIVATE MEANS TRANSPORT AND TOURING IS FOR YOU ONLY WITH A PRIVATE GUIDE (BOAT CRUISE IS SHARED)

5 DAYS

4 DAYS

DAY 1 - LIMA – PARACAS (260 KM – APPROX. 4 HOURS) Travel by comfortable coach to Paracas. Met upon arrival and transfer to your hotel.DAY 2 - PARACAS – ICA – NASCA (B) (230 KM – APPROX. 3 ½ HOURS)Take a speed boat out to the Ballestas Islands. Enjoy viewing of dozens of sea lions in the water and on shore and watch hundreds of birds including cormorant, pelicans and hopefully Humboldt penguins. Returning to shore you’ll continue your trip to Nasca stopping enroute in Ica to explore Huacachina, an oasis surrounded by giant sand dunes and palm trees. Transfer to your hotel upon arrival in Nasca.DAY 3 - NASCA – LIMA (B) (442 KM – APPROX. 7 ½ HOURS)This morning board a 12 seater plane for a 30 minute flight over the Nasca Plains. See the most famous images: The Condor, the Hum-mingbird, and many more. Best viewed from the air, these huge geometric patterns, animal figures and hundreds of perfectly straight lines were carves into the desert sand by the Nasca people centuries ago. Return by bus to LIma and transfer to your hotel. DAY 4. ONWARD JOURNEY.(B)Transfer to the airport to continue your journey.

DAY 1. AREQUIPA. (B) Met upon arrival and transfer to hotel. Afternoon walking tour to Arequipa’s most traditional quarter and the famous white stone buildings. End with a fantastic view of the city and Misti volcano. DAY 2. COLCA CANYON (B,L) Early drive to the Colca valley where condors, volcanoes, glaciers and panoramic views greet us. Visit the market at Chivay then arrive at your lodge,complete with its own thermal springs. DAY 3. CONDOR WATCHING - LAKE TITICACA (B) Early morning drive to ‘Mirador Cruz del Condor’ 1,200m above the valley floor. Watch the condors circling on the morning thermals, against the magnificent backdrop of the mountain scenery.

DAY 4. CONDOR WATCHING - LAKE TITICACA (B) Continue to the Altiplano: landscapes featuring volcanoes, lakes and alpaca herds, and altitude reaching 4,500m. After a 6-hour ride you reach Puno. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.

DAY5. TRIP ENDS AFTER BREAKFAST. (B)

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SACRED VALLEY AND MACHU PICCHU

Set out on a journey through the Incan empire in the beautiful ‘Valle Sagrada’. Discover superb sites, warm hospitality, ancient trails and be mesmerised by the terraces at Moray. A great extended introduction to Machu Picchu, or a relaxing unwind after.

∙ PISAC MARKETS∙ CIRCULAR TERRACES AT

MORAY∙ LLAMA TREK ∙ LOCAL COMMUNITIES

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN

2017 $1,950

7 DAYS

DAY 1. Met upon arrival in Cusco and be driven to the village of Chinchero, renowned for the high quality textiles. Wander the market and see the techniques used to create the beautiful shawls and ponchos.

DAY 2. Morning tour to the famous Pisaq market and nearby ruins, set high above a valley rimmed by vast terracing. The citadel is magnificent and in the main ruins we will find temples of the sun, moon, rain, rainbow, and stars. Lunch will be with a local family in Urubamba where we sample a delicious Andean soup. Afternoon visit Ollantaytambo to see the Temple of the Sun, formed with six gigantic monoliths.

DAY 3. Visit Moray, the surprising circular terraces hidden among the hills. Learn the fascinating history of how the Incas used the slightly different climate on each level to maximise the crops. Walk through the valley to the salt mines of Maras.(B,L)

DAY 4. See a different side of the valley on a hike with llamas through pristine landscapes to the remains of Inkarakai, formerly a retreat for the Virgins of the Sun. Enjoy a picnic in the beautiful setting and end the day at nearby waterfalls. (B,L)

DAY 5. Take the scenic train up to Machu Picchu. Indulge in a private guided tour of the site and then have time to explore on our own before returning to Aguas Calientes to take the late afternoon train to Cusco and on to the hotel. (B)

DAY 6. Discover the charm of Cusco on your guided tour. Visit the famous cathedral and Temple of the Sun. Walk along Hatunrumiyoc Street to see the 12-angled stone in the walls of what used to be Inca Roca’s Palace. Visit San Blas quarter with its steeped cobblestone alleys lined with workshops and galleries, a great place to soak in Cusco’s artistic atmosphere.

DAY 7. Transfer to the airport or station to continue your journey.(B)

SACRED VALLEY AND LAKE TITICACAThe Sacred Valley of the Incas is one of our favourite places in Peru. Ancient sites and terraces, vast fields of corn and beautiful weather, make it a great place to linger longer. The world’s highest navigable lake is a real surprise, as seen on the 3 islands we feature. Visit the postcard popular Uros then see the exceptional weaving on Taquile. Suasi’s relaxed charm and beauty await those with time to relax and absorb the tranquility.

The Chinchero market is the most

authentic in the valley. On Sundays

locals come from across the valley,

in their traditional dress, for the

produce market. This is a rare

chance to see genuine bartering,

an ancient practice here.

MARKETSPisaq, welcomes you to the Sacred

Valley with a beautiful cluster of

archaeological fortresses built

to guard Machu Picchu. Today it

is also home to one of the best

markets in Peru, so maybe it’s your

wallet that needs guarding.

PISAC

Taquile island’s locals are experts in the art of traditional textiles, and were recognised by UNESCO in 2005 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

TAQUILE ISLAND

THE INCA TRAIL


DAY 1. ARRIVE CUSCO This afternoon you are guided around the major sites in and around Cusco.

DAY 2. ACCLIMATISE IN CUSCO (B) Wander the ancient city and get ready to walk.

DAY 3. SACRED VALLEY TO PISAC (B,L,D)Drive through the Sacred Valley for a short hike to incredible views of the snow-capped peaks. Walk along an Inca trail to Pisaq. Driven to your lodge.

DAY 4. HIKING TO HUACAWASI (B,L,D) One of the most beautiful trails in the valley, dotted with lakes and grazing alpacas. Take in amazing views as you walk to Huacawasi, where locals still wear the

brightly coloured traditional clothing. DAY 5. ANDEAN LIFE (B,L,D) Be immersed in the rural life. See local weaving and children walking to school. Hike to Ipsaycocha Pass, and take in stunning views and soaring condors.

DAY 6. TRAIN TO MACHU PICCHU TOWN (B,L,D)Visit the impressive Incas site and then take the train to Machu Picchu town, for an overnight stay.

DAY 7. MACHU PICCHU (B,L,D) Guided tour of the citadel; one of the great wonders of the world. Later return to Cusco (B,L)

DAY 8. TOUR ENDS AFTER BREAKFAST (B)

WALKING IN PERU

∙ CLASSIC INCA TRAIL∙ FULLY GUIDED ‘COMFORT’ TREK∙ 3 NIGHTS IN CUSCO

MAR -JAN

FROM: TWIN

TWIN $2,360

SINGLE $2,980

THE INCA TRAIL

LARES LODGE TREK

DAY 1. CUSCO Afternoon tour of Cusco including Tambomachay, Temple of the Sun and the Cathedral.

DAY 2. ACCLIMATISE IN CUSCO (B) Wander the ancient city and get ready to walk.

DAY 3. SACRED VALLEY - WAYLLABAMBA. (BLD)Early morning drive through the Sacred Valley takes you to your trailhead at kilometre 82. Hike through the Urubamba canyon to see Llactapata, on the banks of the Kusichaca side river. A 5 hour climb takes you to your camp site at Wayllabamba.

DAY 4. LLULLUCHA - PACAYMAYO (BLD) Climb the Llullucha valley then cross the rim of a small plateau, to arrive in the grasslands of the high Andes. Spectacular views of the sweeping snow-capped peaks and valleys. Descend to the forested Pacaymayo valley to camp.

DAY 5. THE MOST IMPRESSIVE DAY. (BLD)Full of Inca sites (and staircases) including the ruins of Sayacmarca, perched precariously overlooking the Aobamba valley. Walk in the cloud forest to gaze down on Phuyupatamarca, and explore the wondrous maze of Inca towers, fountains and stairways. Camp by Wiñay Wayna, the most exquisite of the Inca Trail sites.

DAY 6. SUN GATE - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO (B)An early morning hike to and through Sun Gate to feast your eyes on the unforgettable natural beauty and human artistry of Machu Picchu. Walk into the heart of the citadel and explore on your guided tour. Return to Cusco by bus and train.

DAY 8. ONWARD TRAVEL. (B) Transfer to airport for onward flight, or have more time in Cusco.(B)

8 DAYS ADV

8 DAYS MID

A‘bucket list’ goal for many people, our version adds plenty of time in Cusco and extra comforts on the trek.

Remote villages and welcoming lodges on the way to Machu Picchu.

∙ SPECTACULAR SCENERY∙ COMFORTABLE LODGES∙ FULLY GUIDED∙ INCLUDES ALL MEALS∙ SMALL GROUPS

MAR - DEC

TWIN $3,680SINGLE $4,580

If time or fitness does not allow for

the full trail, you can still take part.

Start the trek at km102 and you

can do a one day walk to the best

sights and be at Sun Gate in the

same day. Ask for details.

QUICKIE !

TREKKING AND PERU ARE SYNONYMOUS WITH EACH OTHER.The Inca Trail is a goal for many travellers but there are many more options to experience the wonderful scenery and remoteness you only get when you leave the roads behind. From camping to lodges, and from strenuous days to relaxing sojourns, there are options for everyone.

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∙ LUXURY LODGE ∙ ALL EXPLORATIONS INCLUDED∙ INCLUDES ALL MEALS AND DRINKS

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN SINGLE

JUL-OCT $2,220 $2,830

NOV-APR $2,980 $3,420

TO BOLIVIA: OVERNIGHT ON LAKE TITICACA

2 DAYS

∙ SUN ISLAND∙ LOCAL COMMUNITY VISIT∙ SAIL ON TRADITIONAL REED

BOAT

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN

2016 $620

DAY 1. PUNO (D) You’ll be met upon arrival in Puno and taken to your lakefront hotel. Enjoy dinner in its acclaimed restaurant.

DAY 2. ISLANDS OF LAKE TITICACA (BLD)Visit the floating reed islands of the Uros people then visit southern Taquile, the weavers’ island, where men and women weave some of the most beautiful cloth in Peru. Cruise to the beautiful and tranquil Suasi Island, a largely unknown private paradise, built with natural materials and thatched with ‘ichu’ local grass. Perfectly positioned on a hilltop the hotel has stunning views, and is an ideal place to relax and encounter the Andean world. Walk (slowly) to the island’s peak for an inspiring sunset across the lake.

eXPLORA SACRED VALLEY - Opens July 2016 5 DAYS

Your base for exploring the Sacred Valley, is a hotel built for linking you to the present and past and the mysteries of nature. explora Valle Sagrado is locked away in one of the valley’s most secluded corners, close to both Cusco and Machu Picchu.

DAY 1. OVERNIGHT ON LAKE TITICACA. (D) Transfer to Lake Titicaca, board the catamaran to Sun Island, the legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire. Wander through the typical village of Challapampa, visiting the museum, school, and walk along the Inca trails. Dinner and overnight on board the Catamaran.

DAY 2. SAIL ACROSS THE LAKE TO BOLIVIA. (B)Gaze in awe are the overwhelming panorama, which will most liekly take you rbreath away. Visit the Pilkokaina Inca Palace and the Inti Wata Cultural Complex, with the examples of traditional medicine and various Andean wildlife. You can wander through the Inca Garden and have a unique sailing experience aboard a traditional Titicaca vessel. Sail to shore and transfer by bus to La Paz.

Spend the night on the lake to really capture the history and scenery.

DAY 3. SUASI ISLAND.(BLD) Fill the day as you like. Walk, hike or take a canoe around the island, looking out for llamas and alpacas along the way. Relax in a hammock in the lovely garden, join the staff on a walk to see the various birds and plants. In the evening watch the night sky come alive with bright stars and finish the evening with a romantic campfire.

DAY 4. RETURN TO PUNO (B)Around midday you return to Puno and return to your hotel.

DAY 5. ONWARD JOURNEY. (B) Transfer to airport, train station or bus station to continue your journey.

∙ PRIVATE ISLAND PARADISE∙ VISIT 3 ISLANDS∙ INCLUDES ALL MEALS ON SUASI

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN

2016 $1,360

SUASI ISLAND ON LAKE TITICACA 5 DAYS

Rose fell in love with this private island and its charming hotel and now we give you the chance to do the same. It’s a perfect combination of spectacular scenery, wonderful hospitality, culture, flora, fauna and wellness.

explora Valle Sagrado opened in 2016. It is the frist of it’s kind in Peru, offering fully inclusive programmes (min 3 nights), with explorations, transportation, meals and bar, inluded, so you can concentrate on enjoying your experience. explora belives travel is all about the journey. They believe in honoring travelers as well as the destination itself, which is why there’s far more toeach exploration program than simply reaching certain locations and sites in the Sacred Valley. Beyond routes, each of our explorations has been designed as a journey in itself, due to how the widely different sceneries influence each traveler’s overall experience. Either on foot, bicycle or van, in groups of up to

8 travelers, explora offers over 20 different ways of discovering the natural and cultural wealth of the Sacred Valley and its fascinating Inca heritage. Specially trained by our exploration team, every one of our guides plays a key part in your experience.

You can visit Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Zapacto, Maras, Quimsacocha, Pisac, Cusco, Moray, among others.

2 DAYS


BOLIVIA - Wild, diverse and amazing.

BOLIVIA CIRCUIT: LA PAZ TO UYUNI

∙ COLONIAL SUCRE AND POTOSI∙ UYUNI SALT FLATS

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN

2016 $2,680


5 DAYS

CYCLE THE WORLD’S MOST DANGEROUS ROADDURATION: 1 DAY SEASON: YEAR ROUND PRICE: $325

Leaving from La Paz, you get on your bike at the summit of La Cumbre. Descend rapidly down the twisting roads, navigating through tiny villages and past drug check-posts as you try to glimpse the quickly passing scenery. The cloud then closes in as you enter the jungle and a 1,000m sheer drop is your nearest neighbour. Give thanks and rest upon arrival in Yolosi before returning to La Paz.

INCLUDES: TRANSPORT, WATERPROOF CLOTHING, WATER, SNACKS, LUNCH

Spend five days exploring the colonial heritage of Bolivia’s official capital Sucre and Potosi, a key city to retrace the history of Spanish colonialism in South America. And before you fly back to La Paz you visit the ‘Salar de Uyuni’ the largest salt flats in world, a unique and ‘other-worldly’ place.

DAY 1 - LA PAZ – SUCRETransfer to the airport. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

DAY 2 - SUCRE – POTOSI (B) Morning tour visiting the cathedral, churches and cloisters of La Recoleta, San Felipe and Guada-lupe, the House of Liberty, where Simon Bolivar signed the Declaration of Independence as well as the University Museum, located in the second oldest University in South American, which offers fine examples of anthropology, and colonial and modern art. A three-hour drive through dry moun-tain ranges of the Andes brings you to the world’s highest city, famous for its immense source of silver during colonial times.

DAY 3 - POTOSI – UYUNI (B) Today you visit the cathedral, the church of San

Francisco, Santa Teresa Convent and the famous Royal Mint, with its wooden machinery used to make silver coins for Spain during the colonial time. Drive to Uyuni. We will cross the villages Chaquilla and Tika Tika and many spurs of the Andes range, which offer incredible landscapes where erosion has made up incredible shapes, before arriving to Uyuni.

DAY 4 - UYUNI (B,L)Excursion to the Uyuni’s salt desert, visiting ‘Isla Pes-cado’ a bizarre island surrounded by salt and studded with 7-meter (20 ft) tall cactus. Finally we will stop at Colchani, a small village on the shores of the Uyuni salt flats that lives on the salt they produce in a non-artificial way.

DAY 5 - UYUNI – SUCRE – LA PAZ (B)After enjoying the sunrise return to Sucre. Transfer to the airport

Nature lovers will feast on the high altitude highlights of Lake Titicaca, the sublime Uyuni salt flats and the untouched National Parks. History and culture buffs will be engaged by the rich traditions and colonial history in South America’s most indigenous country. Whatever draws you here, Bolivia is definitely going to be a Highlight of your trip.

One of the oldest and highest urban cities ever built, Tiwanaku is an enigma, shrouded in mysteries of how, when, and by whom it was constructed. Many of the stone creations defy explanation, posing more questions than answers.

TIWANAKU

Largely untouched by tourism, this

UNESCO world heritage site is a

goldmine of unexplored treasures and

cultural activity. It’s one of the cheapest

and safest cities in South America,

making it a great place to visit.

SUCRE

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3 DAYS

CROSSING THE ATACAMA TO SAN PEDRO

∙ SALAR DE UYUNI∙ RED AND GREEN LAGOONS∙ GEO THERMAL FIELD∙ EXCLUSIVE REMOTE ‘CAMPS’∙ SIGNATURE EXPLORA LUXURY∙ SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA∙ SURREAL DESERT SUNSETS

APRIL - SEPTEMBER

FROM: TWIN

2017 $7,980

8-9 DAYS

Ignoring designated tourist trails and not confined by political lines on a map, explora has made your journey their priority. Venture deep into the remoteness, to experience the vastness of a desert filled with so many memories waiting for you. Remoteness is not an excuse: you will dine on delicious meals paired with great local wines, while sleeping in exclusive desert camps where the brighest lights shine from high above. The remote camps have been designed to fit the location, allowing for peaceful sleep in unexpected places. They include reinvented containers, and restored shepherd cabins, each with sleeping area, a bathroom with hot (and cold) water and a living area.

TRAVESIA EXPLORA UYUNIDuring the Travesia you will delve deep into the high plains of Bolivia and be confronted by the 10,000 km2 of salt of the Salar de Uyuni, the largest and highest salt pan on earth. Trying to understand its overwhelming immensity is a hopeless thought so we will simply appreciate its beauty and infinity and try to comprehend its magnificence. From Uyuni you will have 4 days to explore the region, and with the specially selected remote camps explora has the freedom to avoid towns and choose their own path. Upon arrival in the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile you have a further 3 nights to savour the delights in and near the town.HIGHLIGHTS: The Salar de Uyuni, the Tunupa Volcano, the multicolored lagoons, geothermal fields and surreal Altiplanic landscapes.

explora has redefined itself and of travelling to remote areas in South America, by creating in-depth journeys in mobile luxury. Not wanting to be contrained by the walls of its lodges, explora has created Travesias, the ultimate in exploration, and comfort, reminiscent of voyages from yesteryear. The chosen routes allow you to access hiking in some of the world’s most isolated landscapes, and with a máximum of 6 guests on each trip, you are guaranteed the signature explora service all the way.


UYUNI BY AIRSTREAM CAMPER∙ STAY IN YOUR OWN

AIRSTREAM CAMPER∙ CHAUFFER/GUIDE/CHEF∙ UNIQUE EXPERIENCE∙ SLEEP AND DINE ON THE

WORLD’S LARGEST SALT FLATS.

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN

2016 $4,350


A very special four-day trip to the ‘Salar de Uyuni’. During this trip, you will explore the landscape in a comfortable and stylish vintage-style Airstream camper, a truly unique way to experience the Salar de Uyuni. Accompanied by your chauffeur/guide, you will be pampered by a personal chef and get up close and personal with Uyuni’s endless white panoramas and open skies. 4x4 Jeeps complement your visits to the major highlights of the area.

Your package starts upon arrival at Uyuni airport where your guide will meet you. Spend the next 2.5 days being amazed at the vastness of Uyuni, and trying to comprehend it. Your camper is your personal wilderness lodge giving you the unique chance to remove yourself from the world and be immersed in an entirely different one. Meals and lodging are proided at the camper. At the end of the trip you will be dropped back to Uyuni airport for your onward flight.

4 DAYS

8 DAYS

THE ATACAMA - CHILEAn oasis in the desert, San Pedro is a very special place, where it feels like you have stepped back in time and onto another planet. The narrow dirt streets are filled with mysticism of ancestral cultures and all the comfort

required for modern tourism. The altitude and dryness make distant volcanoes seem touchable.

A fabulous escape to a an oasis within a desert oasis that alraeady feels like another planet.


explora has redefined itself and of travelling to remote areas in South America, by creating in-depth journeys in mobile luxury. Not wanting to be contrained by the walls of its lodges, explora has created Travesias, the ultimate in exploration, and comfort, reminiscent of voyages from yesteryear. The chosen routes allow you to access hiking in some of the world’s most isolated landscapes, and with a máximum of 6 guests on each trip, you are guaranteed the signature explora service all the way.

UYUNI BY AIRSTREAM CAMPER THE ATACAMA - CHILEAn oasis in the desert, San Pedro is a very special place, where it feels like you have stepped back in time and onto another planet. The narrow dirt streets are filled with mysticism of ancestral cultures and all the comfort

required for modern tourism. The altitude and dryness make distant volcanoes seem touchable.

Tatio geysers is a HIGHlight of the

Atacama at 4,300m. The rising sun

lights up the steaming fumaroles

creating an eerie scene. Bring

warm clothing and swimmers as

the temp’s low but the water’s hot.

GEYSERS

DAY 01. Met upon arrival at Calama airport and transfer to San Pedro. This afternoon watch the sunset from the Mars and Moon valleys. DAY 02. The day is dedicated to exploring your surroundings. Wander around town or choose an excursion from the hotel menu. DAY 03. Depart before dawn for the Tatio Geysers. Breakfast is served at the geysers. The return trip passes through a landscape of mountains and volcanoes looking out for the stunning birds that live in the small rivers. DAY 04. Transfer to Calama airport for onward flight.

∙ ATACAMA DESERT ∙ SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA ∙ TATIO GEYSERS ∙ MOON VALLEY

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN SGL

DON TOMAS $1315 $1540

SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA 4 DAYS

A more indepedent trip giving plenty of time to enjoy the oasis of San Pedro as well as the surrounding desert.

ALMA is the largest ground based astronomical project in existence. It is

a global collaboration, cost USD1.4 billion, and is 50km from San Pedro.

That tells you how good Atacama star

gazing is. This is one of their pics.

ASTRONOMY

∙ LUXURY IN THE DESERT∙ ALL INCLUSIVE HOTEL∙ RETURN AIRPORT TRANSFERS∙ ALL MEALS AND ACTIVITIES

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN

ALTO $2,591

CUMBRES $1,873

# DAYS

Located 2kms from town, THE ALTO was designed to blend seamlessly with it's natural surroundings. The setting, the sweeping views, the peaceful silence, and the hotel’s wonderful outdoor spaces make the Alto Atacama a destination in itself.

Rooms range from 50-70sqm with private terraces perfect for watching the night sky. Meals are superbly created by expert chefs and feature the best regional produce, making a stay here as delicious as it is beautiful.

ATACAMA: INCLUSIVE PACKAGES 4-8 DAYS

A fabulous escape to a an oasis within a desert oasis that alraeady feels like another planet.


Perfectly located 2km from town, CUMBRES is a tranquil oasis, where the ancient blends with modern style. Spacious 52sqm rooms have private terraces with views of the Atacama Desert landscape and Volcán Licancabur. Each room is a private retreat, with classic furnishings and a minimalist décor existing in harmony with the natural environment.

The desert permeates every corner, with footpaths meandering through garden courtyards and stone patios. Delicious meals are created with local flavours.

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10 DAYSCHILE: GATEWAY TO SOUTH AMERICA

Vibrant and colourful, with charming neighbourhoods, rooftop bars, great markets and the ever present Andes as a backdrop.

∙ PANORAMIC SANTIAGO TOUR ∙ WORLD HERITAGE VALPARAISO∙ STAY IN LASTARRIA, ONE OF

SANTIAGO’S BEST BARRIOS

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN SGL

SU MERCED $740 $1280

LUCIANO K $780 $1330

LASTARRIA $1015 $1890

Modern city life meets old world charm, and those who delve into Santiago’s ‘Barrios’ are richly rewarded. Our package puts in the heart of our favourite one, Lastarria, where gourmet delights, cobbled lanes and leafy parks await you. Fine museums and historic sites dot the city. A private guided visit to the coastal city of Vina del Mar and UNESCO World Heritage listed Valparaiso shows you its colourful narrow laneways. DAY 1. Met upon arrival in Santiago and transfer to hotel. Santiago will surprise you with much more than you anticipate. Ancient traditions and history blend with modern life on every street and in each of the vibrant and varied neighbourhoods that give it its charm. Discover these on your afternoon panoramic city tour. (B) DAY 2. Full day tour to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. Valparasio is renowned for its beautiful and colourful homes that hang off the hills and into the sea; this World Heritage, bohemian city is a labrynth of steep, narrow streets filled with beautiful, multicoloured and multilevel architecture and renowned street art. Chile is well known for its wine so you’ll call in to a winery to taste some local delights on the way back to Santiago. (B) DAY 3. Transfer to airport to continue your journey. (B)

3 DAYS

It’s hard to miss Chile; It’s the world’s longest country, and we think it’s the hottest in South America.

SKI THE ANDES 1-7 DAYS

In summer it offers trail rides, trekking, and rappelling. In winter there are 37 ski runs covering 900 hectares of terrain, suitable for beginners to advanced, and plenty for snowboarders too. You can also try heli-skiing,

60km from Santiago, Valle Nevado is the largest mountain resort in the southern hemisphere

off-piste skiing and bumps. You can get day passes and stay in Santiago, or if you have more time, go up and stay on snow for a few days to really make the most of skiing the Andes.

DAY SKIING FROM SANTIAGO START AT $390PP. WEEK LONG PACKAGES FROM $2,380PP

3 DAYS

Bounded by the pacific and the Andes, Chile stretches from the stark Atacama desert to the lush rainforests and peaks of Patagonia.It is a veritable feast for all travellers.The dryness of the Atacama gives you spectacular light and clear skies, making it seem possible to reach out and touch the snow-capped volcanoes. The central area gives you vibrant and historic cities, and fabulous wineries to savour the local flavours. South is Patagonia with its perfect conical volcanoes, verdant green lakes and lush rainforests in the north giving way to the vastness of the Patagonian steppe and the spectacular peaks of Torres del Paine NP further south. From top to bottom Chile will inspire and reward you, surpassing all expectations.

SOPAIPILLA -a flat circular deep fried ‘bread’ served with Pebre, a Chilean type of salsa

PISCO AND CARMENERE: Both Chile and Peru claim Pisco as theirs, but Chile is the home of Carmenere wine

Santiagos’s true personality comes alive in its ‘barrios’. Stroll the cobbled lanes and browse the local markets. Chat to the locals, and savour the delights in the cafes and shops along the way.

SANTIAGO

Valparaiso’s famous multicoloured

houses, perched at crazy angles,

are held together by a labyrinth of

streets, stairs and lookouts. Inside

you’ll find a city with beautiful

architecture and atmosphere.

VALPARAISO

Villarrica Volcano is one of the most

active volcanoes in South America.

You can climb to its 2,847m peak

in 3-4 hrs. You don’t need to be an

experienced hiker, just fit and keen

CLIMB A VOLCANO

SANTIAGO AND SURROUNDS 3 DAYS

ISLANDS OF CHILE: EASTER & CHILOÉ


It’s hard to miss Chile; It’s the world’s longest country, and we think it’s the hottest in South America.

CLIMB A VOLCANO

∙ TRADITIONAL HOTEL∙ GUIDED SIGHTSEEING∙ ALL TRANSFERS

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN SGL

1326 $870 $1450


CHILOÉ - Palafito stay Palafitos are wooden houses built on stilts over the water and are a uniquely quintessential part of Chiloe.

4 DAYS

DAY 1. Met upon arrival at Castro airport and transfer to your waterfront Palafito. (You could begin the trip in Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt). Relax in the unique hotel and take time to admire the view form the rooftop deck.

DAY 02. The day is dedicated to exploring the island.Start with a visit to Dalcahue to visit the the first church, and spend time in the fabulous artisanal markets, specialising in unique handmade local treasures, and considered by the shoppers in our team as the best in Chile. Take a 10min ferry to the island of Quinchao, to visit some onf the most famous churches of Chiloe. (B)

DAY 03. Day at leisure to tailor as you wish. (B)

DAY 04. Transfer from hotel to Castro airport or the bus station for your onward journey. (B)

ISLANDS OF CHILE: EASTER & CHILOÉ

∙ WELL LOCATED HOTELS∙ GUIDED SIGHTSEEING

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN SGL

TAHA TAI $980 $1520

Your 4 day package includes all transfers, accommodation and two and a half days of guided sightseeing to all the key places. Visit the archaeological centre of Akahanga, the Rano Raraku quarry where all existing Moais were sculpted, Ahu Tongariki, Te Pito Kura, Ahu Ngau Ngau.

Have a picnic lunch on Anakena beach. Visit Rano Kau vol-cano, the ceremonial village of Orongo. See the only Moais that face outward to the sea at Ahu Akivi, the Caves of Ana Tepahu, and Pun-a-Pau quarries.

EASTER ISLAND Covering all the key Moai and scenic sites.

4 DAYS

Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is a unique, special place. Historically intriguing, culturally compelling and scenically magical, this tiny speck of land looks like it’s fallen off another planet. It is blissfully isolated, and full of surprises set to astound you. Did you know the famous Moai statues actually have bodies buried in the ground attached to the heads? As well as the statues, there are extinct volcanoes to climb, islets to dive or snorkel, and bikes or horses to ride. Devoid of big resorts, it’s all about low key eco-travel, mainly run by local families, ensuring an authentic experience.

A mystical island paradise, history, culture, volcanoes and beaches, and not a big resort in sight. Paradise.

PRICES ARE PER PERSON TWIN SHARE.SUBJECT TO CHANGE

The 30 islands in the archipelago of Chiloé offer visitors views of rolling hills and villages filled with brightly coloured wooden houses. One of the first things that you will notice is the genuine charm of its people, the Chilotes, descendents of Spanish colonisers and the Huilliche people, who are renowned for their hospitality. The colourful houses on stilts, or palafitos, have become one of the classic images of Chiloé, as have its 18th and 19th century wooden churches, 16 of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

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CHILE - TOP TO BOTTOM

A fabulous ‘top to tail’ journey through Chile’s hottest places. From the heart of the central region the heights of the Atacama and the peaks of Patagonia. Be astounded by the diversity and overawed by the beauty.

10 DAYS

∙ SANTIAGO AND VALPARAISO∙ ATACAMA DESERT∙ LAKES AND VOLCANOES∙ ANDEAN LAKE CRUISE∙ TORRES DEL PAINE

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN

OCT -MAR $3,150

DAY 1. SANTIAGO Met upon arrival at Santiago airport and transfer to hotel. This afternoon be guided through Santiago’s main attractions, rich history and modern architecture. La Moneda palace, Plaza de Armas main square, Santa Lucía Hill, and some of the Barrios where Santiago comes to life, including where you are staying; Lastarria.

DAY 2. VALPARAISO AND VINA DEL MAR (B)Tour to the World Heritage city of Valparaiso. A steep and bustling maze of lanes and alleys hid-ing fabulous architecture and the finest street art. Ride a funicular to the top and admire the view from the other side of the Pacific.

DAY 3. SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (B)Fly to Calama, and transfer to the adobe town of San Pedro. Watch the sunset from the best spot in northern Chile: the Mars and Moon valleys which turn into a lunar landscape at dusk.

DAY 04. ATACAMA EXCURSIONS (B)Your choice today, either visiting the Tatio Gey-sers, or the Altiplano lakes. Depart before dawn to explore the Tatio Geysers, a geothermal field at 4,300 metres where steam clouds soar up to 50 metres in height lighting up as the suns rays greet them at dawn. Or travel through the small villages of the altiplano to Miñiques and Miscanti lagoons also at 4.300m. Visit the salt flats to see the flamingoes then reach the stark and strik-ing lagoons (pictured on pages 2-3) and walk (slowly) around them before returning to San Pedro.

DAY 5. ATACAMA - DAY AT LEISURE (B) Day to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

DAY 6. NORTHERN PATAGONIA (B)Fly via Santiago to Puerto Montt, the gateway to northern Patagonia and home to lakes and volcanoes. Transfer to picturesque Puerto Varas and check in to your hotel on the shores of beau-tiful Lake Llanquihue where, on a fine day you can see up to four volcanoes.

DAY 7. CRUISING THE ANDES (B) A beautiful day cruising through the Andes on Lago Todos los Santos. Pick up from the hotel and drive along the shore of the lake toward the perfectly conical Osorno volcano and call in to Petrohué Falls. Board the boat and cruise across the turquoise waters to Peulla. Take time for lunch and enjoy the surroundings before return-ing to Puerto Varas in the afternoon.

DAY 8.SOUTHERN PATAGONIA (B) Fly south to Punta Arenas where you are met and transferred to the bus station for the three hour trip by bus across the far reaching Patagonian steppe to Puerto Natales.

DAY 9. TORRES DEL PAINE (B) Be amazed on inspired on a full day trip through the majestic Torres del Paine National Park. Gaze in awe at the mighty ‘Torres’, and then again at the jaw dropping ‘Cuernos’, and try to adequately capture their beauty in memory and on camera.

DAY 10. ONWARD JOURNEY (B) Take the bus back to Punta Arenas (or across to Argentina) to continue your journey.


FROM $820


A PATH THROUGH PATAGONIA

Experience the wonders of Patagonia on this specially designed trip. A relaxing journey that meanders through the amazing scenery of Patagonia. From the turquoise lakes and dramatic volcanoes in the north to the majestic glacier of Perito Moreno and inspiring peaks in Torres Del Paine in the south.

10 DAYS

∙ SANTIAGO AND VALPARAISO∙ CHILE AND ARGENTINA PATAGONIA∙ ANDEAN LAKES CROSSING ∙ PERITO MORENO GLACIER∙ 4 DAYS IN/NEAR TORRES DEL PAINE

SEPTEMBER TO MAY

STAYING AT: TWIN

LAS TORRES $5,120

SINGULAR $5,880

EXPLORA $6,780 PRICE IS FOR THE 11 DAYS BASED ON HOTEL LISTED IN/NEAR TORRES DEL PAINE

DAY 1. SANTIAGO Met upon arrival in Santiago, and transfer to hotel. This afternoon get acquainted with the sights on a panoramic city tour, then perhaps try the gourmet delights in Bellavista and Providen-cia.

DAY 2. VALPARAISO AND VINA DEL MAR(B)Tour to the World Heritage city of Valparaiso. A steep and bustling maze of lanes and alleys hid-ing fabulous architecture and the finest street art. Ride a funicular to the top and admire the view from the other side of the Pacific.

DAY 3. NORTHERN PATAGONIA (B)Fly to Puerto Montt and transfer to Puerto Varas along the shores of Lake LLanqihue, framed by four beautiful volcanoes.

DAY 4. ANDEAN LAKES CROSSING (B)The spectacular 12hr Lakes Crossing transfers you between Chile and Argentina via a series of boats and buses. The trip starts by passing close to the perfectly conical Osorno volcano, and a visit to Petrohue falls. Cruise across Andean lakes surrounded by snow covered peaks and drive through thick forests with superb views. Drop off at your hotel in Bariloche.

DAY 5. TOURING BARILOCHE (B) Morning tour along the picturesque ‘Circuito Chico’, probably the world’s most scenic city tour. See why the view from Campanero Hill over lake Nahuel Huapi and the Andes is justifiably regarded by National Geographic as one of the finest on the planet.


A great combination of Chile and Argentine Patagonia - from Santiago

FROM $440

DAY 6. EL CALAFATE (B) Fly south to El Calafate, the Glacier Capital of Patagonia. It’s a lovely little town on the shores of Lago Argentina, where flamingoes are often found.

DAY 7. PERITO MORENO GLACIER (B)Tour to the colossal Perito Moreno Glacier. The most accessible advancing glacier in the world, it creaks and groans as it pushes forward. Stroll along the walkways and take a front row seat to watch and listen as the regular ice calving, thunderously crash into the water below.

DAY 8. TORRES DEL PAINE (BLD)Early pick up from your hotel to be driven across the border to your chosen lodge in or near the breathtaking Torres Del Paine National Park for your 3 night all inclusive stay.

DAY 9-10. TORRES DEL PAINE (BLD)Choose from the wide range of guided excur-sions in and around the park. There are short walks and long treks, horses and bikes to ride, or spa treatments if you want to simply unwind.

DAY 11. DRIVE TO PUNTA ARENAS (B)Be driven south to Punta Arenas, for a final night before your Antarctic adventure begins. (B)

DAY 12. ONWARD ADVENTURES (B)Trip ends after brakfast. If you are continuing south your cruise operator will transfer you to the airport, otherwise we will arrange it for you.

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CHILE'S LAKES, RIVERS AND VOLCANOES Experience ‘green’ Chile at its purest : volcanoes, forests and translucent lakes, and Mapuche culture

4 DAYS

The beautiful region of snow capped volcanic mountains and forests, sprinkled with picturesque lakeside towns with a distinctly European elegance. The area attracts travellers who marvel at the scenery, climb the volcanoes and hike in the National Parks.

Each area offers good accommodation, dining and shopping, and opportunities for both sport and relaxation are limitless. It is a great region to enjoy the outdoors during the days and the warmth of cosy lodges in the evening.

PUERTO VARAS

∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN SGL


LAKES,VOLCANOES AND HERITAGE

∙ ANDEAN LAKE CRUISE∙ OSORNO VOLCANO AND

PETROHUE FALLS∙ FULL DAY TOUR TO CHILOE ∙ LAKESIDE HOTEL

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN SGL

DEL LAGO $850 $1480


A delightful escape to the tranquil lakes and dominant volcanoes of Puerto Varas.

DAY 1. PUERTO MONTT - PUERTO VARASMet upon arrival at Puerto Montt airport and transfer to your lakeside hotel in Puerto Varas, on the shore of the beautiful Lake Llanquihue. Explore the town and maybe indulge in some of the chocolate shops.

DAY 2. CRUISING THE ANDES (B)Morning trip to Petrohué, skirting Lake Llanquihue under the gaze of the mighty Osorno volcano. Boat trip across beauti-ful Lake Todos los Santos to Peulla. Return to Puerto Varas in the afternoon.

DAY 3. CHILOE CHURCHES AND DALCAHUE MARKETS (B)Full day guided tour of the heritage and culture on. Wooden churches and palafitos (timber houses on stilts) are the drawcards for full day tours of Chiloe. Visit some of the 16 World Heritage sites and then the handcraft markets in Dalcahue, the best in Chile.

DAY 4. PUERTO VARAS (B)Breakfast at hotel. Transfer from hotel to airport.

4 DAYS

The perfectly conical, Osorno volcano looms large. In a calm display of Forward thinking, and perhaps a little vanity, she has never ‘blown her top’, preferring to let off steam through the 40 fissures around her base, ensuring she is always the centre of attention.

OSORNO

It’s called the Lakes Region for

a reason, and each one offers

postcard views. Become part of

the picture by cruising through The

Andes on the beautiful turquoise

waters of Todos los Santos.

LAKES

Nov-Mar reaches 25°C while Apr-

Oct peaks around 15°C. Rain can

come all year, with Apr-Sep getting

the most. You’lll need warm and

waterproof clothes, and swimmers

for cooling off in summer and

warming up in hot springs in winter.

CLIMATE

Fine food is found throughout the region with seafood the star. If you can can see water, think seafood! Make sure you save room for chocolate, a local treat. Try some in the the many chocolaterias in Puerto Varas.

FOOD


PUERTO VARASLAKES,VOLCANOES AND HERITAGE

DOUBLE ANDEAN LAKES CROSSINGCriss cross the Andes twice through lush forests, around soaring volcanoes, and along turquoise lakes. Drive yourself to have the freedom and flexibilty to really make the trip your own or. sit back and relax on buses and boats, including the famous Andean Lakes crossing.

DAY 1. TEMUCO - PUCON Met upon arival in Pucon and transfer to your hotel in Pucon, at the foot of the Villarrica volcano. Surrounded by native forests, this is a great base for visits to national parks, hot springs, waterfalls and lakes.

DAY 2. EXPLORE Pick up your car this morning and then start to explore. We recommend a hike in Huerquehue NP, and a visit a thermal spring.

DAY 3. ARGENTINA - SAN MARTIN (B) A beautiful drive across the Andes to the picturesque town of San Martin. Drive to Panguipulli, and on to Puerto Fuy to board the small ferry to cross this peaceful lake. The road passes through beautiful scenery along the shore of the Lacar Lake.

DAY 4. 7 LAKES AND BARILOCHE (B) Explore the 7 beautiful lakes enroute to Bariloche. Stop at the tranquil village Villa Angostura, then follow Nahuel Huapi Lake to Bariloche, watching for Condors as you go.

DAY 5. EXQUISITE CIRCUITO CHICO (B) Drive along the ‘Circuito Chico’ and take the cable car up Campanero Hill to get a bird’s eye view over the specactular region.

DAY 6. OVER THE ANDES - HOME TO CHILE (B) Cross back to Chile through from Nahuel Huapi NP into Puyehue NP. Take a break at the hot springs before driving to Puerto Varas, on the shores of Llanquihue Lake. Drop your car in Puerto Varas. Rest of day at leisure.

DAY 7. ONWARD TRAVEL (B) Transfer to the airport to continue your journey.

∙ VERDANT FORESTS∙ BEAUTIFUL LAKES ∙ QUAINT VILLAGES∙ 7 NIGHTS ACCOM∙ 8 DAYS CAR HIRE MAPS & DRIVING KIT

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN

XTRAIL $2,140

∙ VERDANT FORESTS∙ BEAUTIFUL LAKES ∙ QUAINT VILLAGES∙ 6 NIGHTS ACCOM∙ LAKES CROSSING

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN

XTRAIL $2,950

DAY 1. TEMUCO - PUCON Met upon arival in Pucon and transfer to your hotel in Pucon, at the foot of the Villarrica volcano. Surrounded by native forests, this is a great base for visits to national parks, hot springs, waterfalls and lakes.

DAY 2. EXPLORE (B) Day at leisure to explore the area, and an option to climb the nearby Villarrica volcano. DAY 3. ARGENTINA - SAN MARTIN (B) A scenic bus to trip San Martín, entering Argentina through a wonderful forest, pasing through beautiful scenery along the shore of the Lacar Lake.

DAY 4. SEVEN LAKES TO BARILOCHE. (B)Travel through lush forests and along crystal clear rivers to Seven Lakes Alley. Arrive in delightful La Angostura and visit its pier and gardens. Continue to Bariloche, on the shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Be sure to visit some of the numerous chocolate shops.

DAY 5. CIRCUITO CHICO (B)Morning tour along the fabled ‘Circuito Chico’ skirting the shore and Nahuel Huapi, with a chairlift ride up Campanero Hill, rated by National Geographic, one of the world’s top 10 vistas.

DAY 6. THE ICONIC ANDEAN LAKES CROSSING (B)A 12 hr journey across the lakes and around th mountains to Chile. Time out for lunch and walk before cruising across Lake Todos Los Santos to Petrohué. Visit the powerful falls then continue under the watchful eye of the mighty Osorno volcano to your lakeside hotel in Puerto Varas.

DAY 7. ONWARD TRAVEL (B)Transfer to the airport to continue your journey.

SELF DRIVE 7 DAYS BUS AND BOAT 7 DAYS

PRICES ARE PER PERSON TWIN SHARE. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

CLASSIC ANDEAN LAKES CROSSING 6 DAYS

∙ SANTIAGO∙ ANDEAN LAKES CROSSING∙ BARILOCHE∙ SCENIC TOURING IN

BARILOCHE∙ BUENOS AIRES∙ TANGO DINNER AND

SHOW

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN

OCT -MAR $2,280

APR-SEP $1,980

DAY 1. SANTIAGOWelcome at Santiago airport and transfer to

your hotel. Afternoon Panoramic city tour covering city highlights and charming neighbourhoods.

DAY 2. LAKE SIDE AT PUERTO VARAS(B)Fly south to Puerto Montt and transfer to your lakeside hotel in Puerto Varas, overlooked by 4 snow-capped volcanoes.

DAY 3. ANDEAN LAKES CROSSING (B)Full day enjoying the famous Andean Lakes Crossing. Drive past the mighty Osorno Volcano, visiting Petrohue Falls before cruising across Todos Los Santos. Cross the border and continue by bus and boat to Bariloche. Drop off at hotel.

DAY 4. CIRCUITO CHICO TOUR (B)Morning ‘Circuito Chico’ tour showcasing the spectacular scenery, culminating with a ride up the chairlift at Campanero hill for exquisite views.

DAY 5. BUENOS AIRES (B,D)Fly to Buenos Aires. This afternoon join a small tour to see the highlights of the city. Later this evening take in a traditional Tango show with all inclusive dinner and drinks to really soak up the rhythm of the city.

DAY 6. ONWARD TRAVEL (B)Journey ends after breakfast.

The classic trip through charming villages, lush forests and volcano rimmed lakes, linking two of South America’s most exciting cities.

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GRAND PATAGONIA Experience the wonders of Patagonia on this specially designed trip. A relaxing journey that meanders through the amazing scenery of Patagonia. From the turquoise lakes and dramatic volcanoes in the north to the majestic glacier of Perito Moreno and inspiring peaks in Torres Del Paine in the south.

∙ CHOCOLATE SHOPS AND SCENERY IN BARILOCHE ∙ THE FAMOUS ANDEAN LAKES

CROSSING ∙ LAKESIDE VILLAGE OF PUERTO

VARAS∙ HERITAGE AND MARKETS OF

CHILOE∙ TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL

PARK∙ PERITO MORENO GLACIER

SEPTEMBER TO MARCH

FROM $3,580 PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE


PATAGONIA Patagonia straddles the Southern Andes of Chile and Argentina. It’s a land of perfect volcanoes, serene lakes, glorious glaciers and breathtaking fjords. This place is jaw droppingly good! The north is home to forests, lakes and volcanoes, and the south gives you rugged wilderness including Torres del Paine, perhaps South America’s greatest National Park, and the breathtaking performance that is Perito Moreno glacier. If you like the outdoors, picturesque villages, and inspirational landscapes then you need to put Patagonia on your menu.

9 DAYS

It’s called the Lakes Region for

a reason, and each one offers

postcard views. Become part of

the picture by cruising through The

Andes on the beautiful turquoise

waters of Todos los Santos.

LAKES

The 200km road from Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins is mainly gravel, with winding curves and unpredictable weather. It’s also enormously rewarding and possibly the most beautiful road you will ever travel along.

CARRETERA AUSTRAL

Patagonian Lamb is succulent and

sought after. Typically a whole lamb

is slow roasted over an open fire

for several hours so that once it

reaches your plate a knife is merely

ornamental. Add a glass of local

red and a feast is created.

LAMB

CALAFATE SOUR: The local calafate berry is used to flavour Pisco here. One sip means you’ll be coming back

LAMB, FISH, CRAB. King Crab and Black Hake are the other local delights

DAY 1. BARILOCHE (B)Met upon arrival in Bariloche, on the shore

of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Transfer to hotel.

DAY 2. CIRCUITO CHICO (B)Morning tour along the picturesque ‘Circuito Chico’ is probably the world’s most scenic city tour, and the view from Campanero Hill is justifiably regarded by National Geographic as one of the finest on the planet.

DAY 3. ANDEAN LAKES CROSSING (B)Sit back and enjoy one of the most beautiful ways to cross a border on the famous Lakes Crossing which transports you to Chile via a series of boats and buses, during this 12 hr journey. Sail across Andean lakes surrounded by snow covered peaks and drive through thick forests with superb views. Be dropped off at your lakeside hotel in Puerto Varas.

DAY4. CHILOE CHURCHES AND MARKETS (B)Full day guided tour of the heritage and culture of Chiloe. Visit some of the 16 World Heritage wooden churches, the iconic palafitos (timber houses on stilts), and have some time in the handcraft markets in Dalcahue, the best in Chile.

DAY 5. PUERTO NATALES (B)Transfer to the airport and fly to Punta Arenas where you will take a regular bus across the Patagonian steppe 3hrs north to Puerto Natales. Transfer to your hotel on the shores of the fjord.

DAY 6. TORRES DEL PAINE (B,L)Full day trip to the astonishingly beautiful Torres del Paine NP, the 8th wonder of the world. Gaze in awe at the majestic Towers and Cuernos.

DAY 7. EL CALAFATE (B)Take a bus across the border to Argentina and onto the pretty village of El Calafate. Afternoon to explore the town and maybe search for flamingos on the lakeshore.

DAY 8. PERITO MORENO GLACIER (B)Full day trip to the colossal performance that is the Perito Moreno Glacier. The most accessible advancing glacier in the world, it creaks and groans as it pushes Forward. Stroll along the walkways and take a front row seat to watch and listen as the regular ice calving, thunderously crash into the water below.

DAY 9. ONWARD JOURNEY (B) Transfer to the airport for your onward travel.


PATAGONIA

CHILE - THE ‘W’: The most famous walk in Patagonia

FROM: 2 PAX 1 PAX

NOV-FEB $2,811 $3,794

OCT/APR $2318 $3,065PRICES ARE PER PERSON. SUBJECT TO CHANGE

7 DAYS

The most famous walk in Patagonia. During your four-day, 76km trek, you will see the park’s most important landmarks, including the Torres Lookout, the Cuernos Lodge and its visiting condors, the constant murmurs of the Francés Glacier, and the much-anticipated finale at the Grey Glacier. BONUS: includes upgrade to Cabanas Los Cuernos on Day 4.

DAY 1. PUERTO NATALES.Arrive in Puerto Natales and check in to

your hotel. Time to stock up on some snacks to take on your walk over the next 4 days.

DAY 2. TORRES DEL PAINE. (B)Afternoon bus to Torres del Paine NP, arriving late afternoon. Shuttle bus to Las Torres Hotel.

DAY 3. BASE OF THE TOWERS (B,L,D)A steep start with fantastic views of Lake Nordenskjöld and Almirante Nieto Mountain with its hanging glacier. Continue through a millenary Lenga forest before the challenging climb to one of the most impressive places in the park: the lookout of the “Base of Torres del Paine” with a view of all three Torres.

DAY 4. BASE OF LOS CUERNOS (B,L,D).Walk through part of the Paine Massif to reach the Base of Los Cuernos (4hrs) where Cabanas Los Cuernos is located, possibly the most charming site in the whole park. Rest and recover in its exclusive outdoor hot tub.

DAY 5. THE FRENCH VALLEY (B,L,D)A beautiful and challenging 23km day. After 3hrs reach the French Glacier lookout, watch its hanging glacier and look for small avalanches. A short walk leads you to “Mirador Britanico” considered by many as the most overwhelming view on the W.

DAY 6. LAGO GREY (B,L,D)A return trek through the western side of the Paine Massif with views to Grey Lake and Mountains. A relatively gentle walk to distant and closer viewpoints point of the Grey Glacier. Take the boat across Pehoe Lake where your bus will be waiting to take you back to Puerto Natales, arriving 10:00pm.

DAY 7. ONWARD JOURNEY (B)Bus transfer back to Punta, or across to Calafate.

∙ THE MOST ICONIC WALK IN PATAGONIA∙ ALL MEALS ON THE TREK∙ 4 NT HOTELS, 1 NT DORM, 1 NT CABIN

OCTOBER - APRIL

THERE ARE MORE HIKING AND ACTIVE OPTIONS TO EXPLORE PATAGONIA, IN CHILE AND ARGENTINA.ASK FOR OUR PATAGONIA BROCHURE TO SEE SOME OF THEM

ADVANCED

SOUTHERN WANDERER: The best of Southern PatagoniaA great trip combining the mighty Perito Moreno glacier with wild

and rugged peaks in Chile and Argentina. Choose the intensity of your hikes giving you the freedom to season the trip to your taste.

DAY 1. CALAFATE TO EL CHALTEN Arrival at El Calafate and drive to Chalten in the Fitz Roy area. Meet your guide to discuss your walking preferences. DAY 2. TREKKING (B) Guided trek along the amazing Laguna del Los Tres trail, on e of the very finest in Patagonia.

DAY 3. FREE DAY (B)Free day to explore other walks. Then take the late bus to El Calafate. DAY 4. PERITO MORENO GLACIER (B) Full day tour to the amazingly active Perito Moreno Glacier.

DAY 6. TORRES DEL PAINE. (B,D)Full day tour through the spectacular Torres del Paine NP. One of the very best in South America. Drop off at your hotel in the park for your 3 night stay. DAYS 7-8. TORRES DEL PAINE (B,L,D)Choose from a range of options excursions within or near the park, or simply set off for your own exploration. DAY 9. ONWARD TRAVEL (B)Private transfer to Puerto Natales aand take a bus to Punat Arenas airport.In Summer you can fly out form Puerto Natales airport too.

FROM: TWIN

TWIN $2,380

SINGLE $3.460

∙ HIKING IN LOS GLACIARES NP∙ PERITO MORENO GLACIER∙ 3 NIGHT STAY IN TORRES DEL PAINE NP

OCTOBER - APRIL

A WALKER’S PARADISE With a variety of landscapes to choose from, and no altitude issues to worry about, Patagonia is a feast for active feet. From half day strolls to week long treks your efforts will be very well rewarded with spectacular vistas awaiting you. Here are two fantastic walking trips from southern Patagonia to whet your appetite. Call us to discuss these and others which may tempt your‘travel buds’.

9 DAYSMEDIUM TO ADVANCED

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TORRES DEL PAINE -

THE SINGULAR EXPERIENCE 4 DAYS

BONUS - FREE NIGHT AT SINGULAR SANTIAGO 3NT STAY CONDITIONS APPLY

A feast for all your senses. Excellent service, luxurious

comfort and fantastic scenery.

The Singular is about 100km south of Torres del Paine, on the shores of Last Hope sound, is partly heritage listed, was completely rebuilt internally and opened in 2011. It has consistently won awards since opening and is regularly voted Chile’s best hotel. We call it The Singular Experience as that is what it is, an experience. The concept, the rooms, the dining, the excursions, and the service are all wonderful, which is we like it. Comprising 57 luxurious rooms (45sqm) all with views overlooking the fjord, the feeling is understated opulence. The common areas have a welcoming club feel with every piece of furniture being designed and built specifically for the hotel. The care and thought that has gone in to each aspect of your stay has been equally well crafted.

∙ LUXURIOUS ACCOMMODATION ∙ TRANSFERS FROM PUNTA ARENAS OR EL CALAFATE∙ SUPERB DINING AND BEVERAGES∙ PERSONALISED ACTIVITY PLAN

SEPTEMBER TO MAY

FROM: TWIN SINGLE

3 NTS $3,360 $4,375

4 NTS $3,980 $5,250 PRICES ARE PER PERSON TWIN SHARE PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

An expedition leader will help you choose excursions from the extensive menu, ranging from horse riding, glacial boat trips, relaxing sojourns through Torres del Paine or trekking to the Base of The Towers for those more energetic. Our 3 night package includes transport from/ to Punta Arenas or El Calafate, a personalised activity package, superb a la carte dining, and all house beverages. This gives you plenty of time to savour the magic of Patagonia, especially Torres de Paine NP, and indulge in the serenity of the hotel. We think of it as a mini holiday, or a delicious dessert.

There are places in the world where the view seems to go beyond the horizon, and you can be utterly at peace and at one with nature. Southern Patagonia is one such place; where the astonishing light is full of contrasts, colours and textures thanks to the southern latitude. It’s well worth the journey with some of the finest sights in Patagonia, including the magnificent ‘Towers’ and ‘Horns’ of Torres del Paine National Park. Spend one day or several days in the park, to see condors, guanacos and if you’re really lucky, pumas up close. We think 3 nights in or near the park is excellent to give you a really good insight and fill your memory cards, both in the camera and the mind.

It’s a question we get asked often,

and the answer is always the

same: It depends on you.

If you want to do extended hikes,

multiple park activities, or have the

most spectacular park views right

from your room, then you should

stay ‘in’. If you want to see the

highlights, and more of the region

then you may be better staying

‘out’. We’ll talk about it and help

you make the right choice.

IN OR OUT ? A great base for hiking and horse riding.


TORRES DEL PAINE -

THE SINGULAR EXPERIENCE

BONUS - FREE NIGHT AT SINGULAR SANTIAGO 3NT STAY CONDITIONS APPLY

eXPLORA - In the most spectacular location in the park

LAS TORRES - At the Base of the Towers trail head.

∙ SUPERB EXPERIENCE∙ STUNNING LOCATION∙ WELL CRAFTED AND

PERSONALISED EXCURSIONS

YEAR ROUND

FROM: SALTO PAINE

SUMMER $4,650 $5,380

SHOULDER $3,690 $5,380

WINTER $2,820 $3,350

∙ AT BASE OF TOWERS∙ 150 HORSES∙ GREAT PUBLIC AREAS∙ TRADITIONAL LODGE FEEL

SEPTEMBER - MAY

FROM: LOW HIGH

GARDEN $2,280 $2,580

MOUNTAIN $2,530 $2,835

A great base for hiking and horse riding.

5 DAYS

The best located lodge for views and the most indulgent experience in Torres del Paine.

7 DAYS

Las Torres is in a great location. It’s the starting point for the Las Torres (Base of the Towers) trail; one of

the park’s great walks.

Rooms are spacious and there’s lots of lounge areas with picture windows to catch the view away from the wind and weather. It has two levels, a nice lodge feel, and even the cliched uniforms of the staff add to its charm. Its our pick in the park if you are keen and fit enough to do some of the challenging walks.

The restaurant serves regional dishes and sources much of the vegetables from its own organic garden. It has 150 horses and a spa to help recover from your walks. Guests on our programmes receive a 35% spa discount. The All inclusive programs includes transfers from Punta Arenas or Calafate, excursions, all meals (evenings are buffet) and an open bar.

Anchored like a white ship on the shores of turquoise Lake Pehoé, explora Patagonia’s unique location places you literally in the middle of Torres del Paine National Park, while greeting you with award winning architecture.

Over 50 carefully planned and guided excursions offer you breathtaking views of glaciers, lakes and mountains giving you the most in depth experience of Torres del Paine.

Simplicity and luxury are the keys for the hotel deisgn with light wood and a ‘country club’ feel creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

The views are superb from every window, a constant reminder of how special it is to be here.

THERE ARE MANY MORE OPTIONS FOR ACCOMMODATION IN AND NEAR TORRES DEL PAINE. WE HAVE CHOSEN THESE FOR THEIR DIVERSITY. PLEASE ASK FOR OUR FULL LIST

PRICES ARE PER PERSON TWIN SHARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

ESSENTIAL TORRES DEL PAINE - Puerto Natales

∙ RETURN BUS TRANSFERS TO PUNTA ARENAS

∙ FULL DAY TORRES DEL PAINE NP TOUR

FROM: TWIN SGL

NOI/WESKAR 896 1,271

COSTAUSTRALIS 992 1,432

PRICES ARE PER PERSON IN AUD.

A great value option for a visit to Torres del Paine, with all the iconic sites.

21-28 ROOMS

HOTEL MARTIN GUSINDE: With a seaside location just steps away from the city centre, Noi Indigo features spectacular views of the Last Hope Fjord, and facilities include complimentary Internet, hot buffet breakfasts, pool, a spa and sauna, fire pit and Jacuzzi overlooking the sound.

WESKAR LODGE: A rustic lodge lovely views of the Ultima Esperanza Fjord and mountains just 3km from town. Built with local wood it is a warm, relaxed atmosphere with a grand fireplace, and bar with a view to the fjord.

COSTAUSTRALIS: Located on the waterfont, just a 10 minute walk to the town centre, the chalet designed hotel features a restaurant, bar/lounge, and a coffee shop/café. All 110 rooms provide free WiFi, free wired Internet, and pillowtop beds.

INCLUDES: Bus transfers from Punta Arenas/El Calafate, 2 nights accommodation with breakfast daily, full day coach tour to Torres del Paine.

PRICES ARE PER PERSON TWIN SHARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. SUMMER IS 4 NIGHT STAY

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ARGENTINA

Steak and Asado (bbqs like you have never experienced). Try the local Malbec, Argentina’s signature red wine.

IGUAZU FALLS∙ GUIDED VISITS TO

BOTH SIDES OF THE FALLS∙ PARQUE DAS AVES

IN BRAZIL∙ MACUCO BOAT SAFARI

YEAR ROUND

$980 - JARDIN DE IGUAZUPER PERSON, TWIN SHARE

DAY 1. PUERTO IGUAZU Met upon arrival in either the Brazil of Argetine side of Iguazu Falls and transfer to your hotel.

DAY 2. BRAZILLIAN FALLS (B) Guided tour to Brazillian Falls, with Macuco Safari and visit to Parque das Aves.

DAY 3. ARGENTINE FALLS (B) Guided visit to the Argentine Falls, with boat trip to Devil’s Throat.

DAY 4. END OF TOUR (B) Transfer to airport.

Don’t under estimate the sophisticated cities, wonderful wineries, the wilderness of Patagonia, and make sure to leave room for a tango show or football game. Buenos Aires is a fabulous city renowned for its elegance, and perhaps surprisingly, its European feel. Whether you venture north to the astounding Iguazu Falls, or south to the magical vastness of Patagonia, there are so many places to visit we can’t fit them all in but will happily flavour your trip to your taste. Just let us know.

‘Iguazu’ means ‘great water’ and it is very great indeed. Every second, over 6 million litres of water, extending 1.5km through lush rainforest, plunge 100m to the Iguazu River below! And nearly as many photos are taken. This extended visit has been designed to give you the complete Iguazu experience, visiting both the Argentina and Brazil sides of the Falls, so you can judge which is better. You will ride the famous Macuco boat trip to the Devil’s Throat, and enjoy a special bonus visit to the beautiful bird park giving you close encounters with the myriad of South American birds as you stroll through the enormous aviaries. Make your visit even better by staying at Hotel das Cataratas inside the National Park, giving you access to the Falls before the crowds arrive.

4 DAYS

Argentina moves to the rhythm of the Tango. It pulses through all aspects of life and understaning it will give you a great insight to the locals. Take a tangos lesson in Buenos Aires and follow the rhythm as you travel.

TANGO


∙ FABULOUS BUENOS AIRES∙ IMPRESSIVE IGUAZU FALLS∙ THE LAKES OF BARILOCHE∙ PERITO MORENO GLACIER∙ USHUAIA – THE WORLD’S

SOUTHERNMOST CITY

FROM $2,880 PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE

FROM $1180

ENCHANTING ARGENTINA DAY 1. BUENOS AIRESArrive in Buenos Aires. Transfer to hotel.

DAY 2. TOURING AND TANGO (B,D)Morning city tour and afternoon to explore at leisure. This evening embrace the Tango and Argentine steak at your dinner show.

DAY 3. BRAZILLIAN IGUAZU FALLS. (B)Fly up to Iguazu Falls and journey across to Brazil to tour the Falls and visit the impressive bird park.

DAY 4. ARGENTINE IGUAZU (B)A full day guided along the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls, and the chance to take a boat ride under the falls.

DAY 5. BARILOCHE’S LAKES (B)Fly south to the picturesque lake district of Bariloche. Transfer to your lakeside hotel.

DAY 6. SPECTACULAR CIRCUITO CHICO (B)Morning touring the famous ‘Circuito Chico’ with a cable car ride up Campanero Hill with spectacular views across the lakes and Andes.

DAY 7. SOUTH THE EL CALAFATE (B)Fly to El Calafate in Southern Patagonia and enjoy this wonderful village.

DAY 8. PERITO MORENO GLACIER (B)A full day to explore the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier, listening to it groan and watch the calvings as it advances.

DAY 9. SOUTHERN MOST CITY IN THE WORLD (B)Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world and a fabulous frontier town.

11 DAYS

Upgrade to a stay at the fabulous Das Cataratas hotel in Iguazu Falls.

GOURMET SALTA AND THE NORTHWEST 5 DAYS

∙ IMMENSE NATURAL BEAUTY∙ 7 COLOURED HILL∙ REMOTE AND UNTOUCHED∙ FANTASTIC LOCAL FOOD AND

WINE

YEAR ROUND

$1,320 PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE

DAY 1. SALTAArrive Salta. This afternoon take a guided walk around the city and try some local food.Includes cable car, snack and drink.

DAY 2. CALCHAQUIES VALLEY (B,L)Depart to the Calchaquíes Valleys, crossing the tobacco towns of Valle de Lerma to Talapampa, southern boundary of the valley and the beginning of the Quebrada del Río las Conchas, through unique and colourful forms of the mountain as Devil’s Throat, The Amphitheatre which was carving by the wind and water over many years. Once in Cafayate, visit Bodega El Porvenir for lunch and taste the local wine. In the afternoon we continue our journey towards Molinos, crossing the Gorge of the Arrows, enjoying a stroll through the amazing and colourful rock formations.

DAY 3. LOS CARDONES NATIONAL PARK (B)In the morning, we return to Salta, crossing the path of the Artisans, passing through towns like Seclantas, up to Cachi. We continue our way through the Los Cardones National Park, passing the winding Cuesta del Obispo up to the city of Salta.

The quintessential Argentina experience from top to bottom

DAY 10. EXPLORING TIERRA DEL FUEGO (B)Morning tour to Tierra del Fuego National Park, the end of the Trans American road stretching from Alaska to Patagonia.(B)

DAY 11. ONWARD TRAVEL (B) Tour ends after breakfast.

Learn the culture of northern Argentina, its people, its music and custom; revelling in the extraordinary flavours of Creole colonial kitchen. Delight our senses with every visit to towns steeped in history, with natural beauty so great it’s difficult to believe, and fabulous wineries and cuisine to delight our palate.

DAY 4. UNESCO HERITAGE CIRCUIT (B,L)Today we will have a full day tour to Jujuy by the trade route through San Salvador de Jujuy, Leon, and Yala to begin to our walk through the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO Natural and Cultural Heritage Circuit. Pass through villages steeped in history, and customs, with unique features. Tour of the Archaeological Ruins of Pucara de Tilcara. Enjoy a cooking class with regional products then savour our own Andean creation. We will continue our way to Humahuaca through Uquia and retake our way back to the city of Salta.

DAY 5. END OF TOUR (B)Transfer to airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires

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BRAZILBrazil’s beauty and vibrancy is hard to match in any other country.It really has a bounty of nature’s finest work, (including the locals) and man’s architectural masterpieces. Search for elusive wildlife in virgin forests and waterways in the Amazon, Pantanal or Iguazu, lose yourself in the cobblestone laneways in towns of yesteryear, shake to the Samba rhythms at fabulous restaurants and bars in the cities, or find your own paradise along the 8,000km of coastline. The biggest country in South America really knows how to show off. Prepare to be impressed!

PANTANAL WILDLIFE SAFARI

DAY 1. ARRIVE AT THE LODGE (D) Transfer from Cuiaba to the lodge. This evening try the delicious piranha soup. After dinner, discuss the activities for your stay.

DAY 2. JUNGLE EXPLORING. (B,L,D) Guided walk through the jungle and open fields in search of wildlife. Afternoon photographic safari by boat on the Mutum River. where many birds and animals are found along its banks. (B,L,D)

DAY 3. CHOICE OF ACTIVITES. (B,L,D) Early canoe trip for sunrise and the beauty of wildlife at the break of dawn. Afternoon safari with a visit to a small fishing village.Day 4. Morning horse ride in the jungle, then an afternoon boat trip looking for birdlife and a chance for piranha fishing. In the evening, cayman feeding with the freshly caught piranhas. (B,L,D)

DAY 4. ONWARD TRAVEL (B) Sunrise walk then checkout and head back to Cuiabá.(B)

5 DAYS∙ FANTASTIC WILDLIFE∙ WORLD’S BIGGEST

WETLANDS∙ BEST CHANCE FOR

JAGUAR SPOTTING YEAR ROUND

$2,470PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE

There is no bad time to visit Brazil. December to February are the busiest. June to September (dry season) are best for wildlife viewing. Carnival season (7 Sundays before Easter) is premium for people viewing.

Feijoada, black bean stew with smoked meats, and Pao de Queijo, cheese bread. A must at the breakfast buffet.

Music is a contant in everyday life in Brazil. In religion, in rhythms, in the food and in the football and the cultural identity. It’s hard to stand still with music your invitation to get up, get out, get active, or just dance.

MOVE!

4 DAYS

The biggest nature reserve in the Americas. A stay at Rio Mutum will fully immerse you in nature and its wildlife giving you a great opportunity to observe the huge biodiversity of the Pantanal.


BRAZILBrazil’s beauty and vibrancy is hard to match in any other country.

∙ IGUAZU FALLS∙ SALVADOR DE BAHIA∙ RIO DE JANEIRO

FROM $3,090PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE

FROM $650 PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE

BRILLIANT BRAZIL 9 DAYS

Upgrade to a boutique beachfront hotel on Copacabana beach. Ask us for details

SENSATIONAL SALVADOR 4 DAYS

∙ HISTORIC PELOURINHO∙ COASTAL PRAIA DO

FORTE∙ CAPOEIRA SHOW

YEAR ROUND

FROM $790PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE

African rhythms, colonial charm and beautiful beaches.

The African heart of Brazil, Salvador beats to the frenetic rhythm of Capoeira drums.The historic centre of Pelourinho is a maze of cobbled lanes hiding 17th Century plazas, gold laden churches and buzzing cafes. Praia do Forte, a charming fishing village to the north has some of the best beaches in Bahia and is a perfect place to relax under palm trees with your feet in the sand, fresh seafood on the table and the worries of the world a million miles away. DAY1. Arrive Salvador. Transfer to your hotel in historic Pelourinho. Embrace the energy with dinner and a Capoeira performance. (D).

DAY 2. Morning tour exploring the coastal areas of Salvador before a guided walk through the historic centre. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

DAY 3. Head north along the Coconut coast to Praia do Forte, explore the ruins, and the markets, then relax with lunch at a beachfront restaurant, and return to Salvador. (B,L)

DAY 4. Transfer to airport for onward journey (B).

A magic carpet ride through spectacular scenery, historic towns, leading to the feast that is Rio De Janeiro.

DAY 1. IGUAZU FALLS Arrive in Iguazu. Transfer to hotel.

DAY 2. ARGENTINE IGUAZU. (B) Full day guided tour of the Argentine side of the Falls. Visit Devil’s Throat, the most impressive waterfall where a catwalk rising 1100 metres from the Iguazu River will lead you to the magnificent views of the largest and most striking waterfall where you will feel all the power and magic of that unforgettable destination. DAY 3. BRAZILIAN IGUASSU FALLS (B)Half day Brazilian falls tour. DAY 4. SALVADOR DE BAHIA (B)Fly to Salvador for a walking tour culminating in the historical centre of Pelourinho, the largest assemblage of colonial buildings in Latin America and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stroll the colonial district’s cobbled stone streets, flanked by houses in pastel shades and visit the exuberant São Francisco Church, the most ornate Baroque church in Brazil. DAY 5. BEACH AND COAST (B,L)Head to the tranquil fishing village of Praia do Forte, home to some of Bahia’s best beaches. Visit the ruins of the imposing Garcia D’Ávila castle (1556), once home to the largest landowner in the New World. Visit the TAMAR Project, dedicated to sea turtle preservation. DAY 6. YOU GO TO RIO. (B)Fly to Rio and transfer to your hotel. There is no other place in Rio that embodies the happiness of the Brazilian people more than Lapa’s nightlife scene. Once the sun goes down this normally quiet neighbourhood turns into a bustling and vibrant area full of restaurants, nightclubs and bars. The streets fill with cariocas and gringos alike, who flock to this Rio nightlife Mecca with one thing in mind…fun!! Head right to the heart of the action where your local guides

will accompany you to Rio Scenarium – an unusual bar which is a mix between an antique shop and an auction room – where the locals come to listen to traditional Brazilian jazz and samba. (B) DAY 7. JEEP TOURING (B)A fun day starts with pick up in an open jeep, where you will be taken to the stunning Tijuca Atlantic Forest, the largest urban forest in the world, with magnificent views of Ipanema and Copacabana beaches. Visit the Corcovado Mountain, home to Christ the Redeemer statue – recently named one of the 7 New Wonders of the World”. After lunch, the tour continues up to the Sugar Loaf Mountain, which has become an iconic symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro. DAY 8. CARNIVAL SECRETS Half day Carnival behind the scenes - Watch real floats up close and see Carnival costumes from the past Carnival or being prepared for the next one, while learning about unique percussion instruments that hammer out that irresistible samba beat. (B)

DAY 9. ONWARD TRAVEL.(B) Transfer to the airport with English speaking driver. (B)

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A delightful journey by rail and road through traditional towns and markets following under the watchful of eye of the magnificient Andean volcanoes, your constant companion.

∙ QUITO ∙ MIDDLE OF THE WORLD∙ OTAVALO MARKET∙ COTOPAXI VOLCANO∙ PRIVATE TOURING

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN SGL

COMFORT $3,540 $6,170

INDULGE $4,270 $7,320


ECUADORIt may be a smal l country but it’s also one of the world’s most bio-diverse.

Covering nearly half of Ecuador the iconic Amazon region is known for its ethnic groups and rich diversity of flora and fauna. The north is favoured by travellers, with the south being more for serious adventurists.

AMAZON

Soaring mountains and colourful locals

give a special atmosphere to the region.

History abounds: sacred sites and

buildings, mix with colonial haciendas

UNESCO cities of Cuenca and Quito

are matched by fertile valleys and cloud

forest mountains.

THE ANDES

ECUADOR TO ITS FULLEST

10 DAYS DAY 1. QUITO Met upon arrival and tranfer to your hotel.DAY 2. QUITO AND MIDDLE OF THE WORLDMorning to relax and adjust to the altitude then have a private tour of the World Heritage city. After drive north to the Middle of the World where the equatorial line divides the northern and southern hemispheres. Visit the Inti Ñan Museum located on the equator line to have some unique equatorial fun.(see page 10 for more information) DAY 3. LAKES AND OTAVALO (B,L)Drive north through the lakes area sampling traditional Andean delights along the way and over lunch. Visit a project where women share with you the history and crafts of their culture. Wander the Otavalo Market, one of the most famous Indian markets in South America.DAY 4: LIBERTY TRAIN, COTOPAXI (B,L)Board the Liberty Train for a 30km ride to Salinas. The train combines comfort with adventure, through some of the best landscapes in the north. Visit the happy Afro-Ecuadorian community of Mascarillas who will share their history and music with you. Lunch is served before heading to your hacienda near Cotopaxi.DAY 5: COTOPAXI – ROSES - BAÑOS (B,L)Touring through Cotopaxi NP to Limpiopungo, a glacial Andean lake, along the slope of the volcano. Here you will have a magnificent view of the volcano. Then visit an organic rose plantation. Ecuador is one of the world’s largest flower exporter and its mainly roses. You’ll see and hear

how and why and then join staff for a unique rose seasoned lunch before driving to beautiful Banos located in a valley with waterfalls and hot springs.DAY 6: WATERFALLS - RIOBAMBA (B,L)Moring at leisure to try out some of the activities or walk the trails. In the afternoon you’ll be driven to Riobamba to be ready for tomorrow’s early start. DAY 7: DEVILS NOSE TRAIN - CUENCA (B,L)Ride on the famous “Devil’s Nose” train, a masterpiece of railway engineering, know as the most difficult railway in the world, descending 500m in just 30 minutes. After lunch visit Ingapirca ruins, the best-preserved Inca ruins in Ecuador, before arriving in colonial Cuenca.DAY 8: CITY TOUR CUENCA (B,L)Morning tour of this magnificent World Heritage city. A maze of picturesque plazas, narrow cobblestone streets, white washed buildings, and 52 impressive churches (one for each Sunday) can make you think that time has stood still here. Cuenca is also home to the Panama Hat, and there are plenty of places to grab a local souvenir. Afternoon at leisure. DAY 9. EL CAJAS - GUAYAQUIL (B,L)Drive along the spectacular Cajas road. The road reaches 4,000m, through beautiful Paramo landscape before descending to the coast city of Guayaquil, Ecuador’s second city and gateway to the Galapagos Islands. Brief city tour before arriving at the hotel. DAY 10. TRANSFER OUT (B) After breakfast transfer to the airport.

10 DAYS


ECUADORIt may be a smal l country but it’s also one of the world’s most bio-diverse.

QUITO AND SURROUNDS

The first city awarded World Heritage status and home to the best preserved historic centre in South America, Quito is a HIGHlight of your trip. With many cultural and scenic attractions nearby it blends old and new, nature and architecture to give you an unforgettable experience.

∙ WORLD HERITAGE QUITO ∙ EQUATORIAL FUN∙ OTAVALO MARKET∙ COTOPAXI VOLCANO∙ PRIVATE TOURING

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN SGL

MERCURE $1,170 $2,180

CASONA $1,370 $2,580


DAY 1. Met upon arrival in Quito and transfer to your hotel.

DAY 2. Morning to relax and adjust to the altitude then afternoon guided tour of the World Heritgae city. Start with a great view of the Orellana path and Guapulo Sanctuary. Afterwards, walk through the old city including the beautiful churches. Then drive 15 km north of Quito, to the Middle of the World where the equatorial line divides the northern and southern hemispheres. Visit the Inti Ñan Museum located in the exact crossing of the equator to have some unique equatorial fun.

DAY 3. Visit the Otavalo Indian Market. The market is famous for its colour, both in the crafts and the clothes worn by the indigenous community.

DAY 4. Drive along “The Volcanoes Avenue” towards the world’s highest active volcano, Cotopaxi. Drive through the Pine forest to Limpiopungo Lake located at 3,800m along the slopes of the volcano. Hike up to the refuge at 4,800m or visit an Indian Market. Return to Quito in the afternoon.

DAY 5. Transfer to the airport.

5 DAYS

CENTRE OF THE WORLDLatitude 00.00’00”

WILL YOU BALANCE THE EGG ON A NAIL?

All our journeys visit the Intinan Solar Museum, built on the equator (200m from the equator monument). Try some unique equatorial experiments: watch water go down drains in both hemispheres, feel the effects of the “Equator Walk”, and try to balance the egg. David had lots of fun but couldn’t balance the egg. Will you have better luck?

WORLD HERITAGE CUENCA CITY STAY

DAY 1. Arrival in historic Cuenca where you will be met and escorted to your hotel.

DAY 2. This morning you’ll be guided through the historic city. You’ll visit some of the 52 churches and cathedrals (there’s one for every Sunday!) as well as the parks, museums and the Cañari – Incas of All Saints ruins. You’ll visit the important Panama Hat museum to learn the history of these famous traditional Cuencan hats named for another city. Try your hand at hat making then have the after-noon to explore further on your own, maybe even tick off some more of the ample churches. (B)

DAY 3. Transfer to the airport for your onward journey. (B)

Historic Cuenca is a little time caspule taking you back to a grand colonial era. Wandering the cobbled paths is a constant journey of discovery and living history, where getting a bit lost is not a bad thing.

3 DAYS

∙ PRIVATE AIRPORT HOTEL TRANSFERS

∙ PRIVATE GUIDED CITY TOUR∙ EXCELLENT BOUTIQUE HOTELS

YEAR ROUND

FROM: TWIN SGL

SAN JUAN $325 $580

SANTA LUCIA $420 $720


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THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

ALL YEAR Dry season is Jul to Dec, and wet season is Jan to June, but don’t worry, the highlands receive more moisture from mist than rain. 4-15 DAYSA week is generally the most popular stay in the islands, but shorter stays work well when combined with other places.

ENTRY FEES

All prices shown are without the airfare to/from Galapagos Entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park (US$ 100 per person )Galapagos Migration Card (US$ 20 per person)

THE ISLANDSChoosing which islands you want to visit can be stressful, so don’t worry about it - everywhere is fabulous. Wildlife is spread throughout the islands with the famous marine iguanas, sea lions, blue footed boobies and Frigate birds being found on most islands. Four islands are inhabited, and have accommodation options for vis-itors how prefer to sleep on land rather than sea. Santa Cruz, Isabela, Floreana and San Cristobal.

The nineteen islands in the isolated Galapagos archipelago lying 960kms from mainland Ecuador, are a haven for wildlife, inspiring Charles Darwin to write his theory on the Evolution of Species. They are fascinating in their diversity as each plant and much of the wildlife have adapted to each unique island. Wildlife is abundant and fearless, offering close encounters above and below the water where you can walk or swim within inches of numerous species. The Galapagos Islands are most famous for their role in nature. Today, much of the wildlife studied by Charles Darwin still thrives. Nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts flock to the islands for a chance to see these rare and beautiful creatures in their natural habitats.

GALAPAGOS MAP AND GUIDES. AIR & WATER TEMP TABLE. CLIMATE AND WILDLIFE GUIDE

AIR AND WATER TEMPERATURES IN THE GALAPAGOS

CELSIUS MIN TEMP MAX TEMP WATER TEMP

JANUARY 22 29 23

FEBRUARY 23 30 24

MARCH 23 31 24

APRIL 22 30 24

MAY 22 27 23

JUNE 22 25 23

JULY 20 24 22

AUGUST 19 23 20

SEPTEMBER 23 24 21

OCTOBER 20 25 22

NOVEMBER 21 26 22

DECEMBER 21 27 23BI

RD

SAN

IMAL

SO

THER


GALAPAGOS MAP AND GUIDES. AIR & WATER TEMP TABLE. CLIMATE AND WILDLIFE GUIDE

WHAT

WHERE FERNANDINA ISABELA SANTIAGO BARTOLEMESANTA CRUZ

FLOREANASOUTH PLAZA & SANTA FE

GENOVESA ESPANOLASAN

CRISTOBAL

BLUE FOOTED BOOBY

RED FOOTED BOOBY

FRIGATE

GALAPAGOS PENGUIN

ALBATROSS

FLAMINGO

FLIGHTLESS CORMORANT

SEA LION

FUR SEAL

GIANT TORTOISE

MARINE IGUANA

LAND IGUANA

SEA TURTLE

SHARK

SNORKELLING

INHABITED BY HUMANS

FLIGHTS IN AND OUT

BIR

DS

ANIM

ALS

OTH

ER

- BREEDING CENTRE

WHAT IS WHERE? WHERE IS WHAT?Wildlife and attractions are spread through-out the islands so you will see plenty wher-ever you choose to go. • Each island has its own unique environ-ment, and as Darwin famously observed, some creatures don’t travel (unlike us) and are found only on specific islands. If your heart is set on seeing particular flora or fauna it is important to know where they call home. • Each island has several sites for visitors and not all sites will have each species listed in the below guide. This is especially true on Isabela which has a varied terrain. Be sure to let us know what you hope to see so we can find the best match for you. This is nature at its most amazing and wild, so whilst we can plan extremely well we can’t guarantee the wildlife will follow the recipe.

- LARGE POPULATION

1HR FLIGHT FROM QUITO OR GUAYAQUIL

- ONLY ACCESSIBLE ABOARD CRUISES

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The best way to really tailor your Galapagos stay is to stay on land and choose your excursions and islands based on your interests. Many people also choose an island stay after their cruise to really maximise the experience. We have developed really interesting itineraries, selecting the most outstanding highlights of the Islands, so you can experience the purest essence of the archipelago. Combine the four inhabited Islands, or we can tailor make a personalised itinerary for you.

SLEEPING ON LAND: Sleep on dry land and still experience the magic 4 - 8 DAYS

SANTA CRUZ The main starting point. Highly developed hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, dive centers, and souvenirs await you. The Charles Darwin Research Station is a great place to learn about the conservation, history, geology, and ecology of the Galapagos.The highlands offer excellent viewing of the famous Giant Tortoises. One great thing is many of its most beautiful sites can be easily reached without guides. Tortuga Bay and Laguna Las Ninfas,offer safe simming and wildlife viewing.

ISABELAA favourite of locals, and the largest island, with active volcanoes and excrusions only available to those staying on the island. It’s a birders paradise with the elusive flightless cormorant, amongs others. . Los Tuneles is only accessible if staying on Isabela. Here you can snorkel along hundreds of collpased lava tunnels seeing sharks, lobsters, penguins, sea lions, boobies, marine turtles among other endemic species.

FLOREANA The first island permanently inhabited, its history is rich with prisoners and pirates. The island’s Post Office Bay has the historic post office utilized by 19th century whalers. One of the best locations for snorkeling in the entire archipelago is Devil’s Crown, a half sub-merged volcanic cone.

SAN CRISTOBALThe provincial capital, and the only island with permanent fresh water is one of the most visited. The island offers white sand beaches, outstanding snorkeling and scuba-diving activities, great surfing spots and exciting wildlife observation points. Cerro Brujo is a beach known for its exotic wildlife, home to creatures like sea lions and the famous marine iguanas..


SLEEPING ON LAND: Sleep on dry land and still experience the magic GALAPAGOS TRIFECTA - 3 ISLAND STAY

∙ EXPLORE 3 DIVERSE ISLANDS∙ WEEKLY DEPARTURES∙ BILINGUAL NATURALIST GUIDE∙ CHOICE OF ACTIVITIES∙ INCLUDES ALL MEALS

YEAR ROUND FROM: HALF

BOARDFULL

BOARD

TWIN $2,380 $2,680

SINGLE $3,080 $3,780

PRICES ARE PER PERSON AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

IGUANA CROSSING BEACHFRONT HOTEL ON ISABELA

A fabulous place to just unwind and relax with fantastic excursions available if you want to explore. Kayaking and snorkelling in isolated marine sanctuaries, cycling and horse riding through highland forests, are just some of the options. This 4 day package includes return speed boat transfers from Santa Cruz, accommodation, breakfast daily and guide assistance upon arrival and departure.

DAY 1. Lunch in Santa Cruz. Then go by speed boat to Isabela. (L)

DAYS 2-3. Choose from a range of optional tours, or simply relax in the hotel, stroll the beach or cool off in the beachfront infinity pool. (B)DAY 4. Transfer by boat or plane back to Santa Cruz airport. (B)

Fly one way instead for $160 extra per person

Picturesquely nestled between a pristine beach and wildlife-filled lagoon, Iguana Crossing occupies the prime spot on Isabela. Marine iguanas wander from beach to the lagoon where brilliantly coloured flamingos wade. Watch from your balcony or get out and be active.

DAY 1: SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS Met upon arrival in Baltra and drive to the highlands with its green vegetation where we’ll see Giant Turtles in their natural habitat. We’ll have lunch at a ranch then continue to Puerto Ayora.

DAY 2: FLOREANA ISLAND – SNORKELING (B,L,D) Take our speed boat to Floreana Island, place of the first inhabitants of the Galapagos Islands. Take a 30-minute walk towards la Loberia, a sea Lion breeding space. Here in the bright turquoise waters you might swim with sea lions, marine turtles, manta rays and a variety of colorful coral fishes. In the afternoon we can relax in the lodge sharing stories with locals and even meet descendents of the original families.

DAY 3: HIGHLANDS - PIRATES’ CAVE – TORTOISE BREEDING CENTER –ISABELA (B,L,D Visit the highlands, with our guide sharing the colourful history of Floreana, from the first families and the pirates. Our naturalist guide will point out the wildlife and we’ll take an easy hike, exploring pirate caves, and fresh water springs. Look out for Giant tortoises on the way before boarding our speed boat to Isabela. Lunch upon arrival then the afternoon is to relax on the pristine beaches of the biggest, and one of the newest Islands.

DAY 4: SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO (B, BL,D) Go by car up into the mountains near to the Sierra Negra Volcano, considered as one of the oldest

of Isabela. Walk 40 minutes then continue on horseback to the crater, keeping an eye out for local wildlife. Most of this part of the island was formed by lava, which makes it very different to other islands.

DAY 5: TINTORERAS - SANTA CRUZ (B,L,D) Morning tour to Tintoreras Island to see the blue shark, marine iguanas and sea lions. Take the boat to Santa Cruz for an afternoon at leisure.

DAY 6: CHARLES DARWIN - FLY BACK (B) Visit the Charles Darwin Station, a centre of information on habitats and local conservation. The most striking attraction is the Tortoise Breeding Center, where we’ll see tortoises of all shapes and sizes. You can freely walk around and take photos with the tortoises. There are also land and marine iguanas and many bird species. Afterwards we are transferred to the airport for the flight back to the mainland.

You can extend your your trip and have more time on Isabela, or another island. Just let us know what you would like to do.

This new journey allows you to sleep on dry land and explore 3 of the islands usually only available on cruises. Your speed boat, operated exclusively by our local agent, takes you between the islands letting you stay on each one instead of having to return to Santa Cruz each night.

6 DAYS

4 DAYS

∙ BEACHFRONT HOTEL ∙ WILDLIFE AT THE DOOR∙ HIKING, HORSE RIDING OPTIONS∙ SNORKEL IN OLD LAVA TUNNELS

YEAR ROUND

FROM: VOLCANO VIEW

OCEAN VIEW

TWIN $1,420 $1,550

SINGLE $2,180 $2550

PRICES ARE PER PERSON AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND SURCHARGES

Prices do not include flights to/from Galápagos (from $700), NP Entrance fees (USD100) and Migration Card fees (USD20). All prices are per person

Prices do not include flights to/from Galápagos (from $700), NP Entrance fees (USD100) and Migration Card fees (USD20). All prices are per person

48 1300 738 168

4-15 DAYSThe 64 boats cruising The Galapagos waters are strictly regulated to ensure the environment and wildlife remains protected. Each boat/ship works on a 15 days cycle, broken down into 4,5, and 8 day itineraries. An 8 day cruise is the most popular stay, but shorter stays work well when combined with other places, especially if you just want to experience the islands. If you have the time we recommend an 8 day cruise to get a really good insight, but shorter trips will still give you a taste of it. Many people add an island stay after their cruise to relax and maybe ex-plore somewhere else. ( we have included some of our favourites on the next page).

ABOUT THE BOATS

Size, comfort, and the number 16 are the keys for boat choice, as shore excursions are capped at 16 passengers per guide. A 16 passenger boat will have one group, with a multilingual guide. Larger boats often have less people per group, and often have English only groups as they can divide groups by language. Larger ships have more space and facilities and are more stable, good to know if your sea legs are not very sturdy. Catamarans are very popular due to the double hull which gives great stability. There are many boats ranging from the budget “Tourist” class, through to indulgent “Luxury” class. We have shown a sample of them over the page, but have access to many more.

SLEEPING ON WATER: Go further afield to find treasure 4 - 15 DAYS

Cruising the Galapagos Islands gives you access to some islands and sites not available if staying on land. each day brings new locations and wildlife. There are over 60 boats cruising the islands so these are just a few of our recommended boats showing you the diversity of comfort and sizes avaialble. Choose the style you like and we can then match it with dates and destinations that interest you.

TOURIST CLASSThese 'lead-in' options often have smaller cabins, usually bunk beds, small portholes or even non opening windows. Common space is limited and the guides tend to have less experience.

TOURIST SUPERIORMoving to lower berths and larger windows, with more expasive out door space. These are quite a popular way of balancing budget and comfort.

FIRST CLASSQuality on all counts, cabins, service and guides. These will pretty much give a great experieince although wildlife viewing is never guaranteed. Guides tend to have more knowledge, and offer a more personal experience.

LUXURYGetting to excellent comfort, private balconies and indulgences. Presonal attention, excellent guides and well crafted itineraries.


SLEEPING ON WATER: Go further afield to find treasure

EDEN (YACHT) 16 PEOPLEFeaturing full air conditioning , comfortable dining room and bar, social area, TV, VCR, small library, water purifier, spacious sundeck, diving platform and snorkeling equipment. The boat also has a recreational deck where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful landscape.

4 DAYS THU $2,4805 DAYS SUN $3,5808 DAYS SUN $4,980

TOURIST

SAN JOSE (YACHT) 16 PEOPLEDesigned and built specifically for the Galapagos, she is a great Tourist Superior class choice. Cabins are spacious, and the boat has minimal engine noise. There are several deck areas, including a sun deck which is great for panoramic views.

4 DAYS TUE $2,4455 DAYS FRI $3,4808 DAYS TUE $5,480

THE BOATS: Choose your boat size and style 4-15 DAYS

TOURIST SUPERIOR TOURIST SUPERIOR

FIRST CLASSTREASURE (CATAMARAN) 16 PEOPLEDiscover the Galapagos on board this first class motor catamaran offering spacious suites with private balconies. In addition to the restaurant, lounge and bar areas there is also a meeting room and library. You’ll love the extensive sun deck that features a bar, hot tub and solarium.

5 DAYS TUE/FRI $3,8607 DAYS SAT $5,7509 DAYS FRI $7,720

FIRST CLASSANAHI (CATAMARAN) 16 PEOPLEAll cabins feature private facilities, locker, closet and are air conditioned. Additionally the yacht has ample resting areas, sundeck, library, TV-DVD room, comfortable dining room, bar, lounge, and Jacuzzi.

4 DAYS TUE $3,4205 DAYS FRI $4,1808 DAYS FRI $6,680

LUXURYEVOLUTION (EXPEDITION SHIP) 32 PEOPLEThis luxury expedition cruise ship features an observation deck and a canopied bar on the roof deck. Other comforts include an air renewal system, air conditioning, boutique, MD on board, hot tub and two person kayaks. All cruises last for 8 days and begin on a Saturday.

8 DAYS DELUXE $8,690 8 DAYS PREMIUM $9,1808 DAYS SUITE $9,680

ANGELITO (YACHT) 16 PEOPLEWith lower beds and opening windows. This superior Tourist class choice features 8 double cabins with private bathroom (toilet and shower), air conditioning and fan, cozy dining room, lounge and sun terrace, TV, VCR and stereo.

4 DAYS THU $2,4855 DAYS SUN $3,6808 DAYS SUN $5,550

CRUISE PRICES VALID FOR 2017. ASK US FOR 2018 RATES. THERE’S 56 OTHER BOATS TOO! ASK FOR DETAILS

50 1300 738 168

COFFEE, COAST AND ESCOBAR 10 DAYS

COLOMBIA, Variety is the word.

∙ BOGOTA∙ COFFEE TRIANGLE∙ CLOUD FOREST∙ GUIDED TOURING THROUGH

COFFEE PROCESSING∙ MEDELLIN∙ SPEICAL PABLE ESCOBAR TOUR∙ CARTAGENA

YEAR ROUND

FROM:

TWIN $2,772

SINGLE $3,972

FROM: $195

PRICES ARE PER PERSON AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Colombia offers a unique mix of cultures, traditions and extraordinary people all keen to welcome you and proudly show off their rejuvenated country. It has coasts on the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and we all know it is a prime coffee growing region. Recent history is in focus too in Medeillin, once the most dangerous city in the worl. Whether you want to track the country’s enourmous changes, or curiously explore the life and location of Pablo Escobar, Medellin is now eager and ready to welcome you with open (and unarmed) arms.

DAY 1. BOGOTA Arrive in Bogota and transfer to hotel.

DAY 2. BOTOGTA TOURING (B) Morning city tour.

DAY 3. THE COFFEE TRIANGLE (B) Fly to Pereira in the coffee region. Transfer to your traditional hacienda in the lush green hills.

DAY 4. CLOUD FOREST AND WILDLIFE. (B) Travel through the central mountains to Parque Nacional de los Nevados and head into the cloud forest to enjoy the vast array of birdlife. Visit a trout farm for a traditional meal of smoked trout before visiting the old villages of Salento and Filandia, soaking up the regional atmosphere and maybe even a local spirit.

DAY 5. COFFEE HEAVEN. (B) Visit coffee plantations to follow the process from harvest to cup in one of the world’s best coffee regions, before a transfer to Medellin.

DAY 6. FOLLOWING ESCOBAR (B) In the early 90s the hunt for Pablo Escobar was at its peak. Visit some of the emblematic sights of Pablo Escobars life in Medellín. Start at his old house, now a ruin in one of the most fancy areas of town. Visit

the “Virgin of the murders”, where they prayed before every crime and learn why he was so popular. Visit the former prison built for him, and finish at his grave to understand why people still bring him flowers. DAY 7. CARTAGENA (B) Transfer to the airport and fly to Cartagena. Transfer to hotel then be guided through the sights of town, starting with a panoramic view of the city from the Monasterio and Iglesia de La Popa. Then explore the old city and the handicraft zone. After lunch visit the city’s colonial district, the Gold Museum, and the Inquisition Palace.

DAY 8. CARTAGENA (B) Take the day to wander at leisure exploring the city.

DAY 9. ONWARD TRAVEL. Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Covering Colombia’s thriving captial, the coffe heartland, and the history of Pablo Escobar.


COLOMBIA, Variety is the word. TERMS & CONDITIONS OF BOOKINGPlease read carefully these Terms and Conditions. If you are unsure of any matter, or have any questions please call us.OUR CONTRACT:These terms and conditions are important. You need to care-fully read and understand them. These conditions constitute a legally binding contract between Forward Travel and you. By paying your deposit you acknowledge that you have read and understood and accept these terms and conditions. This contract comes into existence once your deposit is received by Forward Travel.“You”/”your” is referring to the person and/or entity appear-ing first on the booking form, and all people on whose behalf the booking is made.“We/Us/Our/Forward Travel refers to Forward Travel Pty Ltd ACN 164 700 832.Tour/Trip/Land Arrangements/Service(s) refers to travel ser-vices provided involving a booking made by Us for you other than a Cruise. Cruise refers to travel arrangements where accommodation is on a ship or boat.MAKING A BOOKINGWe will work with you to tailor make the perfect trip just for you. Once you are happy with the trip we arrange let us know and we ask you to complete a booking form. We will then request all the Services and once the arrangements are confirmed you will have seven (7) days to pay a deposit.PRICING:We book your arrangements directly with the service provider at your destination. We pay them in the local currency, or USD. This means we can keep our prices lower, and means if there is a big shift in the exchange rates it may affect the price you pay. We strive to maintain the price although if the change is significant your price will either decrease or increase accordingly. We welcome clients to pay early, either in full or partial, to remove the risk of fluctuations. Once you have paid in full for your trip there will be no changes to the price. We must however reserve the right to amend our prices, at any time up to final payment has been received.PAYMENT METHODS:We accept payment by bank transfer, Visa or MasterCard, and personal cheques. Australian issued Visa and MasterCard payments incur an administration fee of 2%. Payments by Amex will incur a fee of 3%.OVERSEAS ISSUED CARDS: A fee of 2.5% will be added to the amount charged as that is what our bank charges us to accept your payment. Payment by personal cheque is a payment deemed to have been made on clearance of the cheque.DEPOSITS:We only ask for your deposit once each tour component has been confirmed.- Upon confirmation a non-refundable deposit of 20% of the value is due within seven (7) days.- For cruise bookings a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the cruise value is required.Further deposits may be required, and some components, especially airfares, may need to be paid in full. We will tell you about these before making the booking.FINAL PAYMENTS:Final payment is due 60 days prior to your trip commencing. For cruise bookings, the final payment is due 120 days before departure. Exceptions to this will be advised when booking.Airfare payments are dependent upon the airline and the due date will be advised upon booking.If you have made your booking within these time periods full payment will be required immediately.If there are changes to your trip which affect the price we will give you a minimum of 3 days to make the final payment at the invoiced price before the changes are applied. PASSENGER DETAILSIt is your responsibility to provide the correct details for your-self and anyone travelling with you. We are not responsible for incorrect passenger details for flights and other services, including the Land Arrangements, which can be costly to change.All travellers are required to provide passport copies at the time of booking to ensure names are correct. Changes to passenger details after booking will incur charges and may cause cancellation of Services.We are only responsible for the Service you have booked with us. You must advise Us of details of Services booked with other tour companies, and any subsequent changes. We are not responsible for any issues that may arise when you have booked other Services with another company.DOCUMENTATION:You will receive all necessary documentation for your trip fourteen (14) days before commencement of our Services. All vouchers, coupons for Services booked by our local op-erators will be provided to you upon arrival in each country.CHANGES TO YOUR TRIPChanges by You: Amendments:If you wish to change your arrangements after they have been confirmed a $150 administration fee will be charged, in

addition to any extra costs. If you wish to defer travel, 50% of your deposit will be held in trust to be applied to another trip booked with Us which departs within 12 months of your original departure date. If you do not travel within this time, this remaining deposit will be forfeited. This only applies to deposits held by Forward Travel, not those passed to tour operators, which have other conditions. You will be advised of these when booking.UNUSED SERVICES:We will not be liable to refund any monies paid by you for any component of your Trip which you do not use, be it voluntary or involuntary.CANCELLATIONS:If you wish to cancel your booking you must notify us in writing before we can accept it. Upon receipt by us of your written advice, cancellation will take effect. Cancellation fees are:Cruises:- 90 days or more before departure – loss of deposit. (One Ocean Expeditions, 120 days or more – Loss of deposit )- Less than 90 days or before departure – 100 % of cruise price. (One Ocean Expeditions, less than 120 days before departure – 100% of cruise price )Land based touring:- 60 days or more before departure – loss of deposit- 30 days or more before departure – 50 % of tour price- Within 30 days of departure – 100% tour cost.Airfares:Airfare cancellations vary. The minimum cancellation fee is the deposit you have paid. After final payment some will be 100% non-refundable, and some will have airline cancellation charges. The rules for your airfares will be advised at time of booking.CHANGES BY US:Amendments and Cancellations:We plan everything to run smoothly but sometimes changes have to be made, and sometimes they have to be made quickly, perhaps without notice. You need to understand that your itinerary could change due to weather, political situa-tions, airline or cruise schedule changes, transport delays, force majeure events or any other circumstance. Forward Travel cannot accept liability for loss of enjoyment, distress, disappointment or delays or any costs you may incur as a result of such changes.On rare occasions, where a component of your booking is subject to a minimum number of passengers, and that num-ber is not reached, or for other reasons, our operators may decide to cancel a tour or service that you have booked. We will always endeavour to provide alternative arrangements for you which may affect your final tour price.If we cannot book a suitable alternative for you we will refund you any payments you have paid for the component. In the event of such a situation you will not be entitled to make any further claim for compensation or damages for any loss, consequential damage, expenses, and loss of time, distress, disappointment or inconvenience which may result from such cancellation.TRAVEL INSURANCE:You must have comprehensive travel insurance appropriate for your destination and health to travel on our trips. This is to protect you. The policy needs to include cover for emer-gency evacuation and repatriation and you must carry a copy of your insurance with you when you travel.We strongly suggest you take out the policy when you pay your deposit. Your deposit is non-refundable so you should really have cover in place when you pay it.We recommend you visit your doctor and dentist when you book and you must disclose any pre-existing medical condition. If you fail your medical, a full refund of the deposit paid will be given providing you send us a medical certificate within two weeks of the date of your booking.We guarantee any travel insurance policy purchased through Forward Travel for travel booked through Forward Travel will have appropriate cover. Any travel policy will be subject to the terms and conditions on the policy. We cannot accept responsibility for any policies obtained elsewhere.ACCEPTANCE OF RISK: You accept that all travel involves risk, and that our trips take you to some areas where accommodation, transport, safety, conditions, medical facilities and comfort may be considered adventurous and involve a significant amount of personal risk. By booking with us you understand and accept there may be inherent risks which include, without limitation, the possibility of injury or death, psychological trauma, disease, loss or damage to property, inconvenience and discomfort.You assume all such risk for all itineraries, bookings and tours, and release Us from all losses, costs, damages, expenses, payments, claims or actions arising from illness, injury, disease, misadventure, loss or damage to property, discomfort and inconvenience or death resulting from these inherent risks. You agree that Forward Travel will not be liable to you for any losses, costs, damages, expenses, payments, claims or actions suffered or incurred by you in relation to all

itineraries, bookings and tours that you take.Forward Travel acts as a coordinator of tours and an agent for the owners, contractors and suppliers of transportation, accommodation and/or other related travel services provided and assumes no responsibility for the loss or damage to bag-gage, property or for injury, illness, death or for any damages or claims howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly from accidents, loss or damage to person or property, delays, transport failures, strikes, wars and uprisings or acts of God etc. over which we have no control.By booking with Forward Travel you accept the risks of travel.PASSPORT AND VISASYou are responsible for your own choices in regard to des-tinations, including reviewing all travel advisories. It is your Responsibility to obtain all of the appropriate visas, permits, vaccinations and certificates for the country/ies in which you will visit during your trip.We are not responsible if you are refused entry to a country because you lack the correct passport, visa or other travel documentation or conditions. Your passport must be valid for 6 months after your planned return to Australia.We recommend you visit www.smarttraveller.gov.au for more information and register your trip.HEALTH AND SAFETYAll dietary needs, medical conditions, allergies need to be advised at the time of booking to ensure arrangements are suitable. We reserve the right to cancel your participation at any time if your health is deemed to adversely affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other tour members.LIMITATION OF OUR LIABILITYWe will plan a fabulous trip for you, and most of the time it will go smoothly. However, if things do not go as planned we need to tell you what we are not liable for:- Anything that happens before you commence travel booked with us.- The amount of sunshine, wind or rain on your travels.- Any poor photography because you didn’t read the manual- The amount of wildlife you see.- Any recommendations for goods or services you purchase or accept while away.- Illnesses, accidents or medical emergencies.- Unexpected delays to transport, even if resulting in missing a connection or a tour. (We do recommend buffer days before important event(s).- Inconvenience or disappointment at laws, culture and standards of service and behaviour in any country/ies you may visit;- Changes our operators reasonably make to your itinerary as needed due to better manage your trip.- Weight gains from indulging in the local food and wine- Any kind of injury, loss, damage, misadventure and/or dam-age or loss of any property.PEACE OF MIND AND PRIVACYForward Travel is a fully licensed, Australian-owned travel company. We are accredited with IATA, a Member of AFTA and fully covered by the Travel Compensation Fund.We value your privacy and will not disclose any of your details other than is necessary to provide the services and arrangements you have paid us to do or otherwise in ac-cordance with any legal obligation. You agree that Forward Travel, its agents and related entities may collect, retain, use and disclose your personal information for the provision of services you have booked.Furthermore, you agree that Forward Travel will maintain your information on our newsletter and mailing list. Your subscription can be cancelled upon your request.If there is anything particularly sensitive you want us to know about please advise us immediately. This is especially in the case of surprises you are arranging for someone.FEEDBACKWe love the ‘welcome home’ phone call and emails as they are usually very positive. We accept though that sometimes things do not go according to plan and you may wish to complain about an aspect of your trip. If you encounter any such situation you need to let the local operator, or Us, know at the time so we can try to resolve it on the spot. We cannot be liable for any complaint that you make when you return home, that was not mentioned when it occurred.If you were not happy with how something was resolved and wish to make a complaint you must advise us in writing within 30 days of your return to Australia.VALIDITYTo the extent that any part of this agreement is found to be void or invalid, the balance of the agreement is taken to oper-ate with full effect.BINDING LAWThis contract shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of Australia and the state of NSW. Any dispute arising in connection with this contract shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the NSW Courts.

52 1300 738 168

FORWARD TRAVELLevel 2, 15 Randle Street,

Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia

Toll free: 1300 738 168

Ph: (02) 8021 6680 Fx: (02) 8572 9906

CALL THE KITCHEN: 1300 738 168EMAIL: [email protected]

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