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Inca World Tour - India, Africa & South America34 days duration (37 days including travel days from/to Australia)
We depart today aboard our flight bound for India, where we arrive late this evening after a plane change in Singapore. After clearing Customs and Immigration in Delhi, we are met and taken to our hotel for a relaxing two night stay. (Meals in flight)
This morning we undertake a comprehensive tour of Old and New Delhi in which we get to see India Gate, the Houses of Parliament, Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques. Our tour finishes with a fascinating rickshaw ride through the narrow streets and colourful alleys of Old Delhi's market places. This evening we are taken for a ‘tour welcome’ dinner. (BLD)
Today we will travel by road to Agra. Later in the day we visit the Agra Fort and the Itimad-ud-Daulah, a beautiful tomb with marble and intricate etchings in its walls. (BL)
Early today we visit what is one of the absolute highlights of the tour: the Taj Mahal, built in memory of his beloved empress, Mumtaz Mahal, by Emperor Shah Jahan. This marble mausoleum is the greatest gesture of love known to mankind. It is breathtakingly beautiful with many precious stones used in its inlays. Timed to correspond with the sunrise, we have ample time to explore this memorial.
In the afternoon we drive to Jaipur, the Capital of Rajasthan and often referred to as the ‘Pink City’. On arrival we check into our hotel for two magical nights. (BD)
We undertake a comprehensive full day tour of Jaipur taking in the highlights this interesting city has to offer. They include the Hawa Mahal, or the ‘Palace of Winds’, the Jantar Mantar (Astronomical Observatory) and the ornately decorated Amber Fort, located just outside the city. This was the seat of power before the City Palace was built, which is visited on our return to the city. (BL)
Early this morning we are taken to the airport for our flight to Udaipur where we are met and undertake one of the Inca Options listed below. Later you are taken to our hotel for a fabulous two-night stay. Udaipur is also known as the “Lake City” because of its two most beautiful sites, the dream-like Jag Niwas (Lake Palace) and the Jag Mandir marble palaces, which appear to rise from the blue waters of Lake Pichhola. (BL)
Included Inca Choices: Today you have the choice to undertake either a full day excursion to Ranakpur Temple OR an excursion to the village of Eklingji with its temples, some dating back to 734 AD. Both choices include lunch.
This morning we visit the famous City Palace. It is actually a collection of palaces all surrounded by the royal palace walls, which stretch over a mile on the eastern side of the lake. Following our tour of the palace we take a brief tour of Udaipur and then the remainder of the day is at leisure to further explore the palace or its surroundings. (BL)
A morning flight takes us to Mumbai or “Bombay”, as it was formally known. On arrival we are taken to our hotel to rest and freshen up. In the afternoon you can undertake one of the Inca Options listed below. In the early evening we embark on a tour to savour the ambience of the Mumbai streets using the traditional mode of transportation, a horse drawn ‘tonga’ or “Victoria”, as it is known. The ride takes us from the Gateway of India between the illuminated buildings and monuments of this city that never sleeps, then along Chowpati Beach and the Marine Drive. (BD)
Included Inca Choices: Today you have the choice to visit the Bollywood Studios for an afternoon tour and visit to a film set OR undertake a guided tour of the Elephanta Caves.
Today we undertake a comprehensive city tour which includes visits to the Gateway of India, the Hanging Gardens and Mani Bhawan, the house where the ‘Father of the Nation’, Gandhi, stayed on his early visits to the city. This afternoon you have time to explore the local bazaars or relax in the hotel.
Later we are taken out for dinner before being taken to the airport for our flight to Johannesburg departing early tomorrow morning. (BD)
Very early this morning we board our flight to Johannesburg in South Africa where we connect with our flight to Victoria Falls. On arrival we are taken to our hotel for a two night stay. We have the afternoon at leisure to recover from our flight of the previous night. (Meals in Flight)
After breakfast we are taken on a guided tour of the first of our great waterfalls to be visited on the tour. The Victoria Falls are one of the Natural Wonders of the World. This leisurely walking safari takes us through the magnificent rainforest surrounding the falls to where we can view the many cataracts, Livingstone’s Statue and a wide variety of birds and plants along the way. This afternoon you can choose from one of the Inca Choices below. In the early evening we are taken out to a traditional ‘Boma’ where we get to enjoy some traditional food as well as watch the local dancers. (BD)
Included Inca Choices: Today you have the choice to undertake a 15 minute ‘Flight of the Angels’ helicopter flight over Victoria Falls OR undertake a ‘Walk with the Lions’ encounter with captive lions in the bush.
This morning we are taken by road to your lodge located on the Chobe River and adjacent to the Chobe National Park in Botswana. With gorgeous, breathtaking vistas as a backdrop, we'll come face-to-face with the abundant creatures of the bush, and some of the most spectacular sunsets Mother Nature bestows. (BD)
Both days we enjoy guided game drives in open-sided 4X4 vehicles that take us to the heart of Africa's largest concentration of elephants, as well as hippos, buffalos, puku, antelope, lions and other creatures that gather on the banks of the Chobe River. As the sun sets we are taken on a sundowner cruise, particularly spectacular on the Chobe River, before returning to the lodge for dinner. (BLD)
This morning we are taken by road to the airport at Victoria Falls. Here we board our flight to Johannesburg. After clearing customs and immigration we connect with our flight to Cape Town. On arrival in Cape Town we are met and taken to our hotel for a relaxing three night stay. (B)
This morning we enjoy a city tour taking in all of the highlights of Cape Town, which include the Castle of Good Hope from 1666, the Malay Quarter and the magnificent Table Mountain. Here we ascend to the top (weather permitting) by revolving cable car, where we can marvel at the birds-eye view of the city and its beaches far below. After descending from the mountain you have a choice of one of the Inca Choices below. (BL)
Included Inca Choices: Today you have the choice to board a ferry to Robben Island; formerly a political prison, now a museum and National Monument; where you view what was once Nelson Mandela’s maximum-security prison cell during his 18 years of incarceration. (Subject to weather conditions on the day) OR undertake a half day ‘Winelands Tour” through historic Stellenbosch.
Today’s pleasant tour begins with a scenic drive along the Atlantic Coast, with its glorious views of the Twelve Apostles, part of the Table Mountain Range; the fishing village of Hout Bay, one of Cape Town’s best-kept secrets; and then on to Cape Point in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Following the False Bay Coastline, we return to Cape Town by way of Simon’s Town where we visit the Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach.
Before our return, we stop at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens for a short walking tour of these beautiful gardens. The final leg of the tour takes us past the University of Cape Town, Rhodes Memorial and the Groote Schuur Hospital where the world’s first successful human heart-transplant was performed in 1967. (BL)
Today is at leisure to explore the waterfront at leisure. In the afternoon we are taken to the airport for our flight to Johannesburg where we spend the night at a conveniently located airport hotel. (B + Meal in Flight)
Following breakfast we return to the airport for our flight to Buenos Aires in Argentina. On arrival we are met and taken to our hotel for a wonderful three night stay. (B + Meals in Flight)
Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and is the most fashionable city in South America, with many beautiful parks and plazas. Portenos, as the locals call themselves, are fun loving people who enjoy their city and music. This morning we are taken on a city tour taking in the Government House (Casa Rosada), City Hall, House of Congress, Metropolitan Cathedral, Colon Theatre, Avenue 9th July (the widest street in the world) and the famous and historic Italian La Boca District.
This evening we taken out to dinner to one of the best Argentine style restaurants and attend the city’s superior Tango Show. (BD)
Today you can chose from one of the Inca Choices options listed below or alternatively have a day at leisure and take advantage of the wonderful shopping available in the city. (B)
Included Inca Choices: Today you have the choice to undertake a tour out of the city to an estancia to view a Gaucho Folkloric Show and horseriding demonstration. Includes lunch OR undertake a comprehensive tour of the famous Colon Opera House.
Early this morning we are taken to the airport for our flight to Lima in Peru. After clearing customs and immigration we connect with our flight to Cuzco. On arrival in Cuzco we are met and driven to our hotel at a lower altitude in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here we stay for two relaxing nights. The remainder of your afternoon is at leisure to enjoy this stunning destination. (Meals in Flight + D)
This morning we visit the famous Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo. From here we are taken to the traditional Indian Market of Pisac where we have time to bargain with the local Indians for their fabulous weavings and ceramics. After lunch we are returned to your Sacred Valley hotel for the evening. (BL)
After breakfast we are taken to Ollanta Train Station for our two-day excursion to Machu Picchu. Our journey follows the Urubamba River on one of the great train journeys of the world. Machu Picchu, known as the “Lost City of the Incas”, is undoubtedly the best known and most spectacular archaeological site on the continent and is considered a must for all visitors.
Our lunch is provided at Machu Picchu and tonight we stay below the ruins in the township of Aguas Calientes—an absolute highlight in itself! (BLD)
You have the morning free to further explore the ruins of Machu Picchu without the hassle of large crowds. This afternoon you make your way back to the station for our return journey to Cuzco where on arrival we are met and taken to our hotel for two fabulous nights. Cuzco is the archaeological capital of the Americas and the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Massive Inca-built stonewalls line most of Cuzco’s central streets to form the foundations of Colonial and modern buildings. The streets are often stepped and narrow and thronged with Quechua-speaking descendants of the Incas. (B)
This morning we take a very comprehensive tour of Cuzco that includes the Main Cathedral, the Plaza de Armas, the Temple of the Sun (Koricancha), as well as other city highlights. In addition we also visit three of the important Inca sites surrounding Cuzco: Sacsayhuaman, Kenko and Puca Pucara.
Your afternoon is at leisure to explore this interesting city further. (B)
Following breakfast we are taken to the airport for our flight to Lima. On arrival we are taken on a tour of Greater Lima, visiting the three distinct historical periods of this capital city: Pre-Columbian, Colonial and Modern. The tour visits the Franciscan Monastery and the Casa Aliaga (an Inca Tours exclusive!), one of South America’s oldest Spanish homes and still inhabited by direct descendents of the original family. After seeing the Government Palace and the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) we are taken for lunch.
Later we drive through the elegant residential tree-lined avenues of San Isidro and Miraflores to Parque Salazar to enjoy spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Here in Miraflores we also visit the Huaca Pucllana, a 2000 year-old oracle which has recently been painstakingly restored. (BL)
After a leisurely breakfast we are taken to the airport for our flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival we are met and taken to our hotel for the night. (B + Meals in flight)
This morning we are collected from our hotel and taken to Buenos Aires’ Domestic Airport for our flight to the Iguazu Falls, considered by many as the most impressive in the world but you decide. Some 275 separate cascades fall in a wild array of spray over a winding 3 kilometre cliff frontage into a gorge 60 metres deep. One of the most spectacular of the falls is aptly named “The Devil's Throat”.
We are met from our flight and taken on a walking tour of the Argentine side of the falls. Following the tour we are taken to the Brazil side of the falls where we have two night’s accommodation. (B)
This morning we are taken through the rain forest by 4-wheel drive jeep to the Iguassu River where we board a powerful inflated boat for an incredibly spectacular ride up the river to the base of the falls. (B)
This morning you can chose from one of the Inca Options listed below before being taken to the airport for our flight to Rio de Janeiro.
On arrival in Rio we are met and taken to our hotel located right on Copacabana for three nights. Rio de Janeiro sweeps twenty kilometres along the narrow alluvial strip between the mountains and the sea. The combination of the dark blue sea, studded with rocky islands, with the tumbling wooded mountains and expanses of bare grey rock which surround the city is very impressive. Brazilians say: “God made the world in six days, the seventh He devoted to Rio”. (B + Meals in flight) Included Inca Choices: Today you have the choice to undertake a helicopter flight over the falls OR undertake a visit to the Iguassu Bird Park with its extensive collection of colourful South American birdlife.
Later this morning we are taken on a tour to The Sugar Loaf, located uniquely above the entrance to Guanabara Bay. It is reached by a spectacular 2-stage cable car ride that offers a beautiful look at the city and its beaches from a vantage point high above Rio City.
Your afternoon is at leisure. (B)
This morning you will be taken on a tour to Corcovado and the Statue of Christ. The tour passes by Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon to Cosme Velho, where the modern funicular train is boarded for the 20 minute ride high up to the top of the 770 metre high Corcovado Mountain. The Christ the Redeemer statue is one of Rio’s most famous landmarks. It is 37 metres high, weighs 1,100 tons and has a 360 degree view of the entire Rio area below, encompassing the city, the bay, the mountains and the sea within a circle of up to 160 km. The Tijuca Rain Forest and the famous beach suburbs of Barra and Sao Conrado are visited on your way back to the hotel. Your afternoon is at leisure to further enjoy Copacabana. We have the afternoon at leisure.
Tonight we are taken to one of Rio’s most famous traditional restaurants for dinner and then on to a spectacular Samba Show. (BD)
You have the day at leisure before being taken to the airport in the mid afternoon for you flight to Washington. (B + Meals in flight)
On arrival in Washington early this morning you remain in transit until your flight to Los Angeles departs around midday. On arrival in Los Angeles you remain in transit until your flight home departs later tonight. (Meals in Flight)
As we cross the dateline we ‘lose a day’ so today is in flight. (Meals in Flight)
Early this morning you arrive back in Australia where your ‘Around the World’ tour comes to an end.
Welcome home! All prices are subject to currency fluctuations, additional airline charges and changes in costs from ground suppliers. We reserve the right to vary any part of the tour at our sole discretion as circumstances may require.
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