South
America by Private Jet Private Jet Package
South America, Revealed.
On an extraordinary journey by private jet.
On October 30, 2006, a small group of far-sighted travellers
will set off on a unique journey.
They
will visit a remarkable selection of South America’s most
exciting and important destinations—places that embody
the mystery of lost civilizations, the diversity of modern city
life, the vigor of traditional folkways and the power of untrammeled
nature.
They
will enjoy the unparalleled luxury of fine hotels, elegant resorts,
and gala dining and entertainment events.
They
will fly point-to-point aboard a private jet exclusively dedicated
to their comfort, convenience and safety.
They
will never forget their Circumnavigation of South America, 2006.
Monday,
October 30: Miami, Florida
Meet your fellow passengers and private-jet crew at an oceanside
cocktail reception this evening, followed by a gala welcome
dinner at your hotel on shimmering Biscayne Bay. Mandarin Oriental
Hotel D
Tuesday,
October 31: Miami — Panama City, Panama
Board your private jet for the first time, en route to Panama
City and the luxurious Gamboa Rainforest Resort on Panama’s
famed canal. On arrival in Panama, board a local cruiser to
travel through the Panama Canal and adjoining Gatun Lake—an
experience delightfully different from that of most visitors,
who only peer at the canal from its locks. Watch for the abundant
wildlife of the dense rainforest that lines these waterways—you’re
likely to see monkey, osprey and, in the lake itself, manatee
and crocodile.
Land
at the Gatun end of the canal and drive to the Gatun Locks nearby
for a first glimpse of the sparkling Caribbean Sea, before driving
on to Colon. Here you board the historic Panama Canal Railroad
for the journey back across the isthmus, riding in style along
the canal to Panama City and on to check in at your resort hotel.
Built in conjunction with the Smithsonian Tropical Research
Institute, the Gamboa Resort combines luxury-resort ambiance
with incredible opportunities to explore the surrounding tropical
rainforest. This evening, join fellow travellers for a dinner
enlivened by traditional music and dance, with the local pollero
(the most expensive traditional dress in the world) on lavish
display, and a performance by a raucous “Dirty Devils”
dance troupe. Gamboa Rainforest Resort B L D
Wednesday, November 1: Panama City
Design Your Day(sm) and spend it as you please. Helicopter out
into the rainforest to visit Emberá and Kuna Indian communities;
walk the resort’s adjoining nature paths and exhibits;
set off on a diving expedition that takes you under the waves
of both the Pacific and Caribbean seas; or choose kayaking,
snorkeling or mountain biking. Feeling less energetic? Relax
at the resort’s tri-level cascade pool or visit the spa
for a complimentary treatment. This evening, rejoin fellow travellers
for cocktails and a gala dinner aboard the ‘Principesa,’
a beautifully restored turn-of-the-century cruiser. Sail south
on the Panama Canal, under the Bridge of the Americas and out
into the open waters of the Pacific, as a jazz ensemble plays
and a lavish dinner is served. Disembark at Marina en Flamenco
for a nightcap before returning to your resort. Gamboa Rainforest
Resort B L D
Design Your
Day(SM): Wednesday, November 1
Emberá and Kuna Adventure
Board a helicopter this morning to fly into the rainforest surrounding
your resort, to travel even deeper into the jungle in a dugout
canoe on the Chagres. As you slip along this tranquil river,
you’re riding back in time to an Emberá Indian
village; little has changed in their way of life since the 1500s.
You are welcomed to the community and introduced to the Emberá
way of life: with a traditional dance, a “botanical walk
“ that showcases the Emberá’s contributions
to modern pharmacology and perhaps a display of the wood and
tagua-nut carvings for which local artisans are famous. Continuing
eastward by helicopter, land on a small island in the San Blas
archipelago. Here, as honored guests of a local Kuna community,
you are treated to a fresh-caught lobster feast, accompanied
by centuries-old dances and a vivid display of the many-layered,
hand-stitched cloth panels known as molas, for which the women
of the San Blas Islands are famous. Return by chartered plane
to Panama City. B L D
Freshwater Fishing
Gatun Lake is most famous for its boldly-striped peacock bass
(though tarpon, snook and tropical bluegill are also plentiful).
A Super Panga whisks you out to the action quickly and comfortably,
and an experienced local fishing guide shows you the best spots
for success. Perhaps you’ll land a record 20 pounder!
For the avid sport fisher, this is the tropical fishing adventure
of a lifetime. You can also add snorkeling or kayaking to the
day’s fun.
Nature Hiking
Prefer to stay “closer to home”? The rainforest
surrounding your resort is threaded with pathways and trails
lined with informative displays. Or visit the freshwater aquarium,
orchid and botanical gardens, butterfly nursery and turtle and
iguana nesting areas on the grounds. If you wish, a private
guide can take you further afield to wildlife observation areas
and other rainforest highlights.
Watersports
Within easy striking distance of Gatun Lake, the Chagres River,
and the Caribbean and Pacific oceans, it’s not surprising
that this region is a paradise for anyone in a bathing suit.
Seasoned paddlers can ride a jetboat out into the middle of
peaceful Gatun Lake, for unforgettable ocean kayaking back to
the verdant shore. Or splash out on a ride along a turbulent
stretch of the Chagres in oversized innertubes; the base camp
for your whitewater tubing excursion is an Emberá village,
and the downriver leg of your journey is led by indigenous guides.
Nearby Buena Ventura is a snorkeling nirvana, with fringe reefs
home to sheet coral, sea fans, blue tang, parrotfish and fire
worms; after a typical Caribbean lunch you also visit Portobelo,
site of pitched battle between Sir Francis Drake and Spanish
defenders in the 16th century. Another option: dive two oceans
in one day by exploring both sides of the Panamanian isthmus,
in the Bay of Portobelo in the Caribbean side and off Taboga,
“isle of flowers,” in the Pacific.
Thursday, November 2: Panama City — Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil
Return to Panama City and your private jet for today’s
flight to Rio de Janeiro, South America’s most flamboyant
city. For nearly five hundred years, Rio has twinkled like a
star from her marvelous oceanside setting—an outpost of
Portuguese culture in the New World that has also managed to
create its own unique (and now world-famous) style and outlook
on life. On arrival, transfer to your luxurious hotel. Copacabana
Palace Hotel B L D
Friday,
November 3: Rio de Janeiro
Perhaps no single image is more evocative of Rio than the imposing
statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado (“Hunchback”)
Mountain. A short ride by jeep brings you to the summit, to
admire a stunning panorama out over the city and the Atlantic
shore. The road back down the mountain winds through the tropical
landscapes of the Tijuca National Forest that cover its slopes.
After a Brazilian churrasco (barbeque) lunch, visit one of the
local Samba schools for a behind-the-scenes look at preparations
for Rio’s famous carnival parades. This evening, head
up to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, 1,300 feet above sea level
on its shoreline peninsula, for a panoramic view of the lights
of the city spread before you. Cocktails, as you watch the sun
set from the gardens of Urcaf Hill, precede dinner at a local
restaurant. Copacabana Palace Hotel B L D
Saturday, November 4: Rio de Janeiro
Design Your Day(sm) options fill the morning hours (see right/left),
and the remainder of the day is free to relax or explore the
city that, since the 17th century, has had a reputation for
spending its time “ … in parties, in singing and
in making merry.” Join in the festivities this evening
at your own private gala dinner and Carnival show. Copacabana
Palace Hotel B L D
Design Your
Day(SM): Saturday, November 4
Rio’s Summer Resort: Petropolis
In the 19th century the Imperial Court of Portugal spent its
summers in the mountain town of Petropolis, just 50 miles from
Rio—and its cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages
still leave you feeling as though you might meet Dom Pedro I,
for whom the city was named in 1830, around any corner. Visit
the Municipal Cathedral and the impeccably appointed Palace
of Dom Pedro II, now the Imperial Museum, housing the Crown
Jewels and other spectacular displays. After lunch in town,
sightseeing continues at the elegant Barão de Mauá
and Santos Dumont houses, the Crystal Palace and the Rio Negro
Palace. Return to Rio in the late afternoon.
Art and
Architecture in Niteroi
Just ten minutes by road from central Rio, this picturesque
coastal town is a showcase for the work of renowned Brazilian
architect Oscar Niemeyer (designer of the spectacular series
of government buildings in the capital city of Brasilia). Niteroi’s
dramatic seaside setting is reminiscent of Hong Kong, Sydney,
Monte Carlo…with the unique addition of Niemeyer’s
futuristic Museum of Contemporary Art. After a museum tour,
travel along the coastline to Fortaleza de Santa Cruz, one of
Brazil’s oldest and best-preserved fortresses, with glorious
views across Guanabara Bay back to Rio. Lunch at the Olimpo
Restaurant.
“Shoppings”
in Rio
Shopping malls are “shoppings” in Rio, and the city
is host to some two dozen of them, with stores ranging from
the ultra-elegant to the downright funky. Ipanema is the most
fashionable shopping district, where quiet arcades are lined
with exclusive boutiques; Copacabana is known for bookshops
and branches of Rio’s better department stores. Looking
for a “typical” souvenir? The headquarters of famed
gem dealer H. Stern are located in the city; Brazil is a huge
exporter of gold and colored gemstones including aquamarines,
emeralds, rubies and amethysts. Or, if you’ve been visiting
the gym on a regular basis, try one of the “dental floss”
bikinis seen to great effect on the city’s beaches. This
shopping option includes a guide and vehicle, at your disposal
for six hours of browsing in Rio’s finest shops.
Sunday,
November 5: Rio de Janeiro — Iguassu Falls —
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Board your private jet this morning for the short flight to
Iguassu Falls on the border between Brazil and Argentina: one
of the most impressive sights in the world, with a breathtaking
275 cascades spread across a gulf of nearly two miles.
On arrival
transfer by jeep to the river, travelling through lush Iguassu
National park, alive with toucan, parrot and monkey. Board stable
inflatable boats for an up-close look at the base of the misty
falls, near the narrow “Devil’s Throat” gorge.
From this vantage point the world is a tumbling, roaring panorama
of rainbows, blue sky and swirling mist: an unforgettable experience
of great beauty and power. Dayrooms at the nearby Hotel das
Cataratas have been reserved; use yours for a quick nap or to
change from wet clothing (if necessary) before lunch. After
an excellent meal served in a private area of the hotel, a walking
tour in the National Park provides a close look at this lush
region’s population of tropical flowers, ferns, butterflies
and exotic birds.
Then rejoin
your private jet to fly to Buenos Aires, where the evening is
at leisure to relax at your fine hotel and dine at leisure.
Four Seasons Hotel B L D
Monday, November 6: Buenos Aires
Choose your own introduction to Argentina’s exciting,
European-accented capital as you Design Your Day(sm) this morning
(see right/left). After lunch, reconvene with fellow travellers
for a private tango lesson, as a group of renowned master-teachers
and local dancers lead you through the steps of this sensual
dance. Once everybody has “mastered the art,” return
to the hotel to prepare for an evening in the heart of the city
where the tango was born; a performance at the El Querandi nightclub
traces the history of tango from its dubious origins right up
to the time of the last great performers. Four Seasons Hotel
B L D
Design Your
Day(SM): Monday, November 6
Parks, Palaces and “Peronismo”: A Buenos Aires Tour
Board a private car for a morning tour of Buenos Aires, with
special emphasis on the city’s most historical and picturesque
districts. Visit colorful La Boca and San Telmo as well as major
sights and countless examples of fine architecture. See the
spreading parks of Palermo, and travel down the leafy boulevards
of Recoleta, the district so identified with the legacy of “Peronismo.”
Finally, visit the Recoleta Cemetery, where Eva Duarte de Peron—“Evita”
of popular legend—is buried.
Behind the
Scenes at the Teatro Colon
The city’s elaborate Teatro Colon opera house has played
host to many of the 20th century’s greatest performers:
Igor Stravinsky, Arturo Toscanini, Maria Callas and Luciano
Pavarotti have all performed in its 2,500-seat main auditorium,
whose domed ceiling was painted by Raúl Soldi. Tour the
main theater, where a local artist offers a brief vocal performance
to demonstrate the hall’s excellent acoustics, then go
behind the scenes to explore the backstage, costume shop and
scenery workshop.
Art on Display
Visit Buenos Aires’ most important cultural centers, beginning
with the National Museum of Fine Arts and its collection of
works by national and European artists, including Rembrandt
and Van Gogh. The Palais de Glace, onetime skating rink and
tango hall, is now the National Room of Expositions, home to
an exhibition during our visit. At the Latin American Art Museum
of Buenos Aires, the drawing point is the Constantini Collection,
a comprehensive look at 20th-century Latin-American painting
and sculpture through the medium of 222 masterworks of art.
Finally, there’s time to relax at a traditional city café
before returning to your hotel.
Shopping
in Buenos Aires
Boutiques, malls, open-air markets: wherever you shop in Buenos
Aires, you’re sure to find exceptional leathergoods. Cowhide,
kidskin, pigskin, snakeskin, lizard and porcupine: make your
choice and, at many leather boutiques, you can order a custom-made
pair of shoes, bag or belt to be delivered to your hotel tomorrow.
Another unique purchase is the pink-to-ruby-red semiprecious
stone called rodocrosita (“rose of the Inca”), found
only in Argentina. Your shopping guide knows where to find it
all.
Exploring
The Tigre Delta
Less than an hour outside Buenos Aires lies the huge Tigre Delta,
once a country retreat for the city’s wealthy (and a hideout
for intellectuals and artists during the days of Argentina’s
dictatorship). Board a private boat to cruise its lagoons and
canals, and visit with the isleños who live on its scattered
islands, with lunch in a local restaurant.
Tuesday,
November 7: Buenos Aires
After a leisurely breakfast, travel outside the city to a typical
Argentine estancia, a historic ranch in San Antonio de Areco,
birthplace of the gaucho tradition. Estancia El Rosario de Areco
dates from the 19th century, established by a family of patriots
and pioneers whose descendents still live here, breeding and
training polo ponies. Warmly welcomed on arrival, your day here
begins with a short history of the estancia; a local gaucho
provides some fascinating insight into Argentina’s cowboy
culture and entertains with a folkloric show and riding demonstration.
After a
traditional country lunch, a polo demonstration is followed
by a private class for those interested in learning the game.
Then, simply to enjoy your “home for the day”—relax
by the pool, visit the stables or just take in the country scenery
before returning to the city in the late afternoon. Dine this
evening at your hotel. Four Seasons Hotel B L D
Wednesday, November 8: Buenos Aires —
Ushuaia, Argentina — Patagonia
Board your private jet en route to the southernmost city in
the world: Ushuaia, capital of Tierra del Fuego. Little has
changed here since the days of this rugged region’s first
intrepid explorers; it remains a remote frontierland of abundant
wildlife and wilderness beauty. On arrival, transfer directly
to Lapataia National Park, a tiny jewel of protected land along
the Beagle Channel. After a barbecue lunch served with views
of steep mountains, deep river valleys and azure lakes, travel
on to the pier where your expedition cruiser waits. ‘M/V
Mare Australis’ has been chartered exclusively for our
use; the Captain and crew welcomes you on board with cocktails
as the ship departs for “the end of the world.”
Sail through the Strait of Magellan into Patagonia as your adventure
begins. ‘M/V Mare Australis’ B L D
Thursday, November 9: Patagonia
In true expeditionary fashion, weather and ice conditions shape
the day’s explorations, enhanced by on-board talks on
the geography, wildlife and history of the region. Sailing southward
through the Beagle Channel and Seno Chico, we arrive Arriving
at Günter Plushow Glacier Bay this afternoon, disembark
for a close-up look at this awe-inspiring mass of ancient ice
via Zodiac. ‘M/V Mare Australis’ B L D
Friday, November 10: Patagonia
The rising sun finds us sailing through the Almirantazgo Inlet,
en route to the Marinelli Glacier in Ainsworth Bay. The ship’s
Zodiacs land us on shore, for a walk through a landscape shaped
by beaver dams in the midst of an impressive Magellanic forest.
The beach here is home to a large colony of elephant seals.
Back on board ship, sail on to Brookes Glacier Bay, where ‘Mare
Australis’ drops anchor off a shore lined with glacial
ice. In this spectacular setting, disembark via Zodiac for a
walk near Brookes Glacier. ‘M/V Mare Australis’
B L D
Saturday, November 11: Patagonia — Punta
Arenas, Chile — Villarrica
A last expeditionary stop at Magdalena Island shows you a rookery
of more the 60,000 penguin pairs in a reserve they share with
a large colony of sea lions. You also visit the San Isidro Lighthouse,
now a small natural history museum. Your cruise ends at Punta
Arenas on the mainland, where you board your private jet for
a flight to Chile’s Lake District and your hotel. A welcome
drink greets you on arrival, with a relaxing evening (and an
à la carte dinner at your leisure) to follow. Villarrica
Park Lake Hotel B L D
Sunday-Monday, November 12-13: Villarrica
Nestled in a landscape reminiscent of Switzerland, Villarrica
is a lakeside city, founded in 1552 against the backdrop of
snow-capped Villarrica Volcano. This friendly resort town is
a perfect “base camp” from which to explore the
region’s many attractions over two leisurely days. Explore
as you choose—from volcano-trekking to thermal baths—and
A&K handles the details. On your last evening in Villarrica,
gather for a celebration of indigenous Mapuche and huaso (cowboy)
cultures at family-owned Huifquenco Estancia, where events include
a rodeo and other displays of horsemanship, combined with music,
dance and dinner. Villarrica Park Lake Hotel B L D
Sunday-Monday,
November 12-13: Design Your Day(SM)
Exploring the Villarrica Volcano
Sign on for an expedition to one of the eerie caves created
by volcanic eruption on the slopes of Villarrica. The truly
active can climb to the volcano’s summit: Not technically
difficult, it’s an unforgettable climb that requires only
an early-morning start, good physical condition and the crampons
and ice-ax provided. Your reward is the view from the rim of
the crater—green valleys on one side and a huge pit of
bubbling lava on the other.
Thermal
Baths
Where there are volcanos there are thermal springs, and Termas
Geometricas, in the hills of Villarrica National Park, boasts
16 pools of varying size and temperature, connected by wooden
catwalks and surrounded by lush greenery. A perfect place for
a relaxing soak accompanied by a champagne cocktail.
Rafting
on the Trancura River
An action-packed option that takes you through the pulse-pounding
whitewater of the glacier-fed lower Trancura River, through
Class III rapids. Rafters are accompanied by experienced guides
and all equipment is provided.
Hiking and
Horseback Riding at Malalco
Explore hidden corners of the Andes mountain range on a day
that starts with transfer to Corral de Agua in nearby Araucania
and a hearty ranch-style breakfast. Then start your ride through
the pristine meadows, native forest and mountain ridges of the
Villarrica National Reserve. Break at midday for a gourmet picnic
lunch.
Spa
The Aquarius spa and wellness center at your hotel offers a
full range of facilities and treatments, including a Finnish
sauna, steam baths, sensation showers, indoor and outdoor swimming
pools, massage and facials. One complimentary treatment is already
yours.
Tuesday,
November 14: Villarrica — Temuco — Easter
Island
Return to Temuco this morning, where you are reunited with your
private jet and crew for the journey to extraordinary Easter
Island. Some 2,347 miles from mainland Chile, this is the perhaps
most isolated place on the face of the earth, famous as an open-air
museum of a unique Polynesian culture. Between about 800 and
1600 AD, inhabitants erected hundreds of huge stone moai, staring
heads that still decorate the island’s slopes and beaches.
After a
traditional Polynesian greeting on arrival, your explorations
begin with a privately guided visit to the Sebastian Englert
Museum, hosted by the museum’s curator: an excellent introduction
to the island’s fascinating history. Your next stop, Ahu
Tahai, is one of the oldest sites on Easter Island, with three
burial platforms, all with their guardian moai. Pause for a
twilight cocktail in this remarkable location, overlooked by
the great stone heads with their backdrop of rustling palms.
This evening
you dine at local home, where your gracious hosts welcome you
to Easter Island with traditional dance, music and foods. Taha
Tai and Otai Hotels B L D
Wednesday, November 15: Easter Island
Begin a day of exploration of one of the great mysteries of
the modern world: the remains of the enigmatic Polynesian culture
of Easter Island. Start the day at the Rano Kau volcano, with
its huge crater lake and extraordinary archeaological site,
and visit mountaintop Orongo, once the center of the island’s
puzzling Birdman Cult. Back down at the beach, visit Ahu Tongariki,
the island’s largest moai platform, and the fascinating
Rano Raraku quarry, a moai “factory” with statues
abandoned in all stages of completion. At Akahanga with its
four fallen monoliths, legend says the first king of the island
lies buried. After a special picnic lunch in this spectacular
setting, drive along the northern coast to the archaeological
zone of Anakena, also home to one of the island’s best
beaches. There is time to stroll or swim before the Design Your
Day(SM) option you’ve chosen is scheduled to begin.
This evening, rejoin fellow travellers at a special farewell
dinner featuring some of the island’s culinary specialties.
Taha Tai and Otai Hotels B L D
Wednesday, November 15: Design Your Day(SM)
The Birdman Cult
Board a stable, agile Zodiac for “one-on-one” exploration
of the offshore islets famous for their role in Easter Island’s
Birdman Cult. Board a stable, agile zodiac for some “one-on-one”
exploration of the offshore islets famous for their part in
Easter Island’s “birdman” cult. Moto Iti,
Moto Kau Kau and Moto Nui played an important part in the fertility
cult whose practices ceased abruptly with the arrival of Christian
missionaries 150 years ago. Follow the path taken by the cult
members who climbed down the slopes of Orongo and swam out to
Moto Nui in search of a sooty tern egg; the first to return
with his egg unbroken earned the title of “Birdman”
and its attendant privileges for his sponsor.
Scuba Diving
With a Cousteau Expedition Member
Set off on a scuba diving excursion with a member of Jacques
Cousteau’s 1978 expedition, to explore the lava cliffs,
caves and platforms that underpin the island. Crystal clear
waters, warm water temperatures and dives suitable for those
with all levels of experience make this option an appealing
way to explore Easter Island’s pristine natural environment.
Moai Workshop
Join a local artisan to create your own Easter Island monument
at a moai workshop. Join celebrated local sculptor Miguel to
learn about the stoneworking techniques that shaped the huge
monoliths around you as you make your own replica in miniature.
Archaeology
on Horseback
Continue your Easter Island explorations with an expedition
to the ancient ruins of Vaihu and Puna a Pau on horseback, then
ride further along the coast to Ahu Akivi. Built in 1460, this
site, with its seven commanding and remarkably similar moai,
was one of the latest constructions built, probably at a time
when the island’s social fabric was beginning to unravel.
Thursday,
November 16: Easter Island — Lima, Peru
As you return to the airport this morning, pause to explore
the little village of Hanga Roa and its handicraft market before
boarding your private jet for Lima, gateway to the wonders of
the ancient Incan civilization. On arrival you are met and transferred
to your hotel, with time to relax before this evening’s
event at the unique Larco Herrera Museum. Tonight the museum
is open just for us, first for a privately guided tour of the
world’s largest private collection of pre-Columbian ceramics—including
a rare look, hosted by the museum’s owners, into private
storage rooms not ordinarily open to visitors. Then we are guests
at a lavish dinner hosted by a descendant of the museum’s
founder, accompanied by traditional music and dance. Swissotel
B L D
Friday, November 17: Lima — Cusco
A quick commercial flight this morning brings you to Cusco,
high in the Andes, where the rest of the morning is free tto
relax and acclimatize to the altitude. (Just do as the locals
do—put your feet up and sip a cup of coca-leaf tea!) This
afternoon, visit some of the city’s colonial highlights,
beginning at the Cathedral and continuing at Santo Domingo,
a Dominican church and convent. Just outside the city, explore
Incan Sacsayhuaman, an enormous military complex; Quenqo (“the
Labyrinth”); the rock-hewn Puka-Pukara fortress; and Tambomachay,
once a ritual bathing place for the Incan aristocracy. Evening
brings a private dinner and an innovative music and dance performance
inspired by Cusco’s Carnival, at Noche Cuzqueña,
a city nightspot. Hotel Monasterio B L D
Saturday, November 18: Cusco — Machu
Picchu
No one knows for certain exactly why Machu Picchu was built,
or when it was last occupied, but the uncertainty only adds
to its air of mystery. Your day at this evocative landmark begins
on board the new and luxurious Hiram Bingham Orient-Express
train. Arriving before the crowds, your explorations begin a
peace and quiet, with guidance by local experts and time to
wander the terraced walkways on your own. After afternoon tea
at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge within the compound, board
the train at the end of the day to return to Cusco. An à
la carte dinner is served on board, accompanied by traditional
entertainment. Hotel Monasterio B L D
Sunday, November 19: Cusco
Another day of exploration begins with a morning departure for
the Urubamba Valley, with an en-route stop at Pisac with time
to browse (and barter!) in the bustling village market. At your
lunchtime stop, a private marketplace has been established in
the courtyard of Huayoccari Hacienda, with llama herders, vendors,
weavers and musicians to entertain and enlighten you. After
lunch, it’s on to the imposing Ollantaytambo fortress
and its attendant town, still occupied and with its original
Incan street plan intact. As you return to Cusco, stop at the
studio of popular art potter Pablo Seminario and meet the artist
himself for a demonstration. This evening, gather for a gala
farewell dinner at La Merced Church, an exuberant 17th-century
Baroque setting for the close of your ‘Circumnavigation
of South America.’ Hotel Monasterio B L D
Monday, November 20: Cusco — Lima —
Miami, USA
Return to Lima on a commercial flight, to board your private
jet for the last leg of your journey. On arrival in Miami, transfer
to a homebound flight. B L
