Download Brochure - Rainbow Tours

Trekking the Inca Trail 

Family-friendly 

Central America 

Cruising to Antarctica 

Latin America 

Top 20 destinations 

A journey through 

Patagonia 

Hidden corners in 

Colombia & Guyana

Experience the world 

in colour 

It’s probably no 

surprise that we love 

travel. For us though 

it has to be a certain 

type of travel – 

journeys that leave 

the natural beauty of 

the destinations we 

visit unchanged, and 

where you really get 

to experience and 

understand other 

people and their 

cultures. 

Your financial protection 

The air holiday packages in this brochure are 

ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. 

Our ATOL number is 10417. Please see our 

booking conditions for more information. 

Western and Oriental Travel Limited is the parent 

company of Rainbow Tours, Western & Oriental 

and Regent Holidays. 

6 A journey through 

Patagonia 

Travel writer Nick Boulos journeys to 

the very end of the world to explore the 

southern stretches of Argentina and Chile 

23 Chilean Wines 

The Wine Detective reports on 

Chile’s exciting wine portfolio 

46 The Inca Trail 

Former Peruvian guide, Sonia Rojas, hikes 

the classic route to Machu Picchu and says 

its unforgettable every time 

84 Central America: 

My ultimate destination 

Well-travelled throughout the region, 

Amanda Sweeney explains her 

love affair with Central America 

112 Cruising to Antarctica 

Wendy Driver explores the polar regions 

020 7666 1260 

www.rainbowtours.co.uk

6 

84 

Responsible Tourism 

Pages 4-5 

South America 

8 Argentina 

10 Buenos Aires 

12 Iguazu & the Iberà Wetlands 

13 Mendoza & Wine Country 

14 Gaucho Life 

16 Patagonia 

20 Chile 

22 Santiago & Valparaiso 

24 The Atacama 

25 Lakes & Glaciers 

26 Patagonia, Torres del Paine 

30 Brazil 

32 Rio & the beaches 

34 Salvador & Bahia 

35 Iguazu Falls 

36 The Amazon Rainforest 

37 The Pantanal 

40 Peru 

42 Lima & Excursions 

43 Cuzco 

44 Machu Picchu 

48 The Sacred Valley 

49 Lake Titicaca 

50 Southern Peru 

51 Peruvian Amazon 

23 

86 

54 Bolivia 

56 Bolivian Towns 

57 Spectacular Southern Bolivia 

58 Ecuador 

60 Quito & Otavalo 

61 The Avenue of the Volcanoes 

and Cuenca 

62 Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest 

& Cloud Forest 

64 The Galapagos Islands 

66 Galapagos Cruising 

70 Colombia 

72 Bogota & the Coffee Region 

74 Caribbean Coastline 

76 Venezuela 

78 Canaima National Park 

& the Caribbean Coast 

80 Guyana 

82 Iwokrama & Giant River 

Otter Orphanage 

Central America 

86 Mexico 

88 Mexico City & Oaxaca 

90 North Western Mexico 

Call 020 7666 1260 | rainbowtours.co.uk | Visit your local travel agent 

46 

112 

92 Guatemala, Belize & Honduras 

94 Guatemala’s Highlands & Lake Atitlan 

95 Tikal & the Peten Jungle 

96 Mayan ruins in Honduras & Belize 

97 Beaches & diving on Belize’s 

Caribbean Coast 

100 Costa Rica 

102 Arenal Volcano & the 

Monteverde Cloud Forest 

104 Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast 

106 Nicaragua & Panama 

108 Nicaragua 

109 Panama 

Antarctica & the Falklands 

112 Antarctica cruise 

114 Antarctica 

115 The Falkland Islands 

116 Know before you book 

118 Preferred Airlines 

120 Booking Conditions 

121 Western and Oriental Travel Limited 

1

2 

Your choice in 

Latin America 

Every trip to Latin America is special. 

For many people, it genuinely is a once 

in a lifetime experience and we take 

this responsibility very seriously by doing all 

we can to make sure that every holiday we 

shape and organise lives up to the highest 

expectations. 

It’s always best to go with someone who 

really knows the place, whether you want 

to live like a local in Buenos Aries, sample 

characterful reds on the Maipo Wine Route 

or feel the hairs on the back of your neck 

tingle when you catch your first glimpse of 

Machu Picchu. 

Our firsthand knowledge from Mexico 

and the small Central American countries 

all the way through South America to 

Antarctica comes from years of travel across 

this incredible continent ourselves, so we 

are perfectly placed to address every last 

detail of your trip. 

We can confidently take you to worldrenowned 

highlights like Rio, the Galapagos 

Islands and Patagonia but also to the less 

visited corners such as Ecuador’s Amazon 

and Colombia’s Tayrona National Park. 

Some of the world’s most breathtaking 

journeys are in Latin America; the overland 

journey by 4WD from Chile to the blinding 

white Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia or the train 

ride through Mexico’s Copper Canyon are 

just two that come to mind. 

Tayrona National Park, Colombia 

Brochure pricing guide We have included prices for accommodation in the brochure so that 

readers can compare across a range of properties. Prices are estimated as ‘per person per night 

sharing’ and are shown as a low to mid season rate, or as a package where there is a minimum 

stay. Always ask us for a quote for the period in which you want to travel. 

Latin America appeals to anyone with a 

sense of adventure but first time visitors are 

often surprised that travel itself is relatively 

easy throughout the region. There are many 

well-maintained road networks with good 

buses or private transfers, regular flights 

within and between countries and a good 

train service. 

We offer tailor-made holidays that can 

include anything from a B&B to a 5-star 

mountain lodge or a Phillipe Stark hotel, as 

well as small group tours that visit all the 

top highlights. There are great options for 

families too, such as action packed ecoconscious 

Costa Rica or Mexico’s beaches 

and Mayan cultures.

Mexico 

Easter Island 

Guatemala 

Galapagos Islands 

Nicaragua 

Costa Rica 

Pacific 

Ocean 

Gulf of 

Mexico 

Ecuador 

Peru 

Chile 

Colombia 

Bolivia 

Honduras 

Panama 

Antarctic Peninsula 

Belize 

Caribbean Sea 

Atlantic 

Ocean 

Venezuela 

Guyana 

Falkland Islands 


“Add some of the world’s most iconic 

sights to its balmy tropical beaches 

and fascinating antiquities, and it’s 

easy to see why Latin America is 

topping people’s travel lists.” 

Kerry Golds, Managing Director 

Western and Oriental Travel Ltd 

Paraguay 

Uruguay 

Argentina 

Brazil 

South Georgia 

3

What is responsible 

tourism? 

4 

Travelling responsibly can help 

to sustain traditional ways of 

life for indigenous communities 

in the destinations you visit. 

The Amerindian Group Tour in 

Guyana, for example, was set up 

through a collaboration between 

the local Amerindian communities 

and our partner Wilderness 

Explorers. These indigenous 

communities have opened their 

Guyanan rainforest homes to offer 

a unique experience for visitors, 

providing an important income at 

local level.

Responsible tourism is a simple concept, but one that can change lives. It is 

about trying to create as much benefit as possible for the countries we visit, 

whilst doing our best to limit the environmental impact of our travels. 

The clearest method of helping 

local people is to ensure that, 

whenever possible, the money we 

spend remains in the host country. 

One important way of achieving this 

is, where possible to stay in hotels 

that are locally owned, employ local 

workers, pay them appropriate 

wages and buy as much produce 

locally as possible. 

Rainbow Tours goes to great 

lengths to offer a programme 

with strong responsible tourism 

credentials. For example, Costa Rica 

has an abundance of high-quality 

accommodation operating under 

strict environmental guidelines. The 

lodges we use in the Ecuadorian 

Amazon have a close relationship 

with the indigenous population, 

giving guests the opportunity to 

learn about, and even experience, 

traditional tribal life. 

Becoming an activity provider 

can also be a great way for local 

communities to earn an income 

from tourism. For example, in 

the Sacred Valley in Peru we 

can arrange a half day with an 

indigenous community - having 

lunch, talking to the families and 

playing football with the kids. In 

return for their hospitality, we pay 

the community. 

Rainbow Tours’ overriding aim 

is to provide the holidays that 

you want and that meet your 

needs. We have no intention of 

being overbearing in promoting 

responsible tourism, but we do 

believe that by offering hotels 

that assist and work with local 

communities and have sound 

environmental practices, everyone 

is better off. 

We can help organise a trip 

that both suits your needs and 

utilises responsibly run hotels 

and activities. At the same time, 

you can help yourself to be a 

responsible traveller by following 

these common-sense guidelines: 


• Eat out locally as much 

as possible 

• Pay for local guides or porters 

wherever possible. You will be 

helping them financially, and 

they will often provide you 

with invaluable insights that 

you will not pick up otherwise 

• Buy locally made souvenirs 

• Learn a little of the local 

customs and language. And 

bear in mind that it may not 

always be appropriate to take 

pictures of people or certain 

cultural situations 

• Try to visit as many national 

parks and reserves as possible. 

Your entrance fees will 

contribute to the success of 

the projects and the survival of 

the environments. 

David Pointer, Head of Product 

5

Journey to the very 

end of the world 

6

Travel writer Nick Boulos visited Patagonia and 

says “There’s something rather thrilling about 

journeying to the very end of the world; the 

allure of the unknown, the promise of wild 

landscapes and scenes of remote grandeur. 

Descending from the skies, 

I gazed below to a world 

where soaring peaks, dark and 

jagged, plummet into shallow 

waters and glaciers are the size 

of cities. Welcome to Patagonia. 

Despite being so remote, 

Patagonia - the southern 

stretches of Argentina and Chile 

- is surprisingly easy to get to. 

After a short three-hour flight 

from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, I 

was standing amongst some of 

the finest scenery known to man. 

Ushuaia, famed for being the 

southernmost city in the world 

and gateway to Antarctica, is the 

perfect introduction to Patagonia. 

Dramatically framed by the 

snow-capped Andes and the 

Beagle Channel, it’s surrounded 

by wildlife and nature with 

penguin colonies and the iconic 

Tierra del Fuego National Park 

on its doorstep. 

Travelling north, I became 

transfixed at the Perito Moreno 

glacier, the main attraction at 

Los Glaciares National Park. 

Its towering frozen plains and 

electrifying blue crevices that 

tumble into the icy depths 

of Lake Argentino continue as 

far as the eye can see. So vast, in 

fact, the glacier is the same size 

as Argentina’s capital. 

Getting around Patagonia is a 

doddle too. Like much of South 

America, the region is blessed 

with a network of efficient and 

comfortable buses. The shifting 

scenery beyond the window will 

hold you captive as mountains 

give way to infinite flat steppes 

with scatterings of grazing 

guanacos. Above, Andean 

condors circle in wide swoops. 

Across the border in Chile, 

things don’t get any less 

impressive with legendary 

natural wonders at every turn. 

Exploring the unspoilt landscapes 

of Torres del Paine and hiking to 

Mount Fitzroy are experiences 

that will stay with you long after 

you return home, much like 

Patagonia itself.” 

7

Argentina 

8 

With its dramatic 

landscapes, cosmopolitan 

cities and lively culture, 

Argentina is a traveller’s 

delight. From the glaciers 

of Patagonia and elegant 

boulevards of Buenos 

Aires to soaring Andean 

mountains, the dusty 

heat of the pampas and 

jungles in the north, it is 

a country of immense 

beauty. 

Argentina is vast, stretching almost 3,500 kilometres 

from its northern border with Bolivia to the tip 

of South America. It is most commonly associated 

with sensuous tango dancing, passionate football and 

impressive steaks, but offers much else besides. 

Most visits rightly include several days in the capital, 

Buenos Aires, where the influence of European settlers 

can be seen in much of the architecture. This, together 

with gourmet restaurants and old-world cafés, designer 

shopping and outdoor markets, plus a buzzing nightlife 

- take in a tango show - make BA a thoroughly enjoyable 

metropolis.

To the south, the Valdes 

Peninsula has a prolific marine 

life - highlights include colonies 

of penguins, elephant seals 

and Southern Right whales. 

The landscape here is flat, but 

as you head over towards the 

Andes you’ll reach a Patagonian 

area of jagged mountain peaks 

and magnificent glaciers - the 

Perito Moreno Glacier is one of 

the continent’s greatest natural 

wonders. 

You can head north to Fitzroy 

National Park, a great region for 

trekking. Or you can fly south to 

Ushuaia in the evocatively named 

Tierra del Fuego, or Land of Fire, 

from where you can take a cruise 

on the Beagle Channel, board an 

expedition boat to Antarctica or 

sail through straits and channels 

via Cape Horn to Chile. 

The Andes form a natural 

border between Argentina and 

Chile. An ideal base from which 

to explore this mountain region is 

Bariloche, in the impossibly scenic 

Lake District. There are over 20 

beautiful lakes on the Argentine 

side alone. 

Further north, you can visit 

Mendoza, where a good climate 

and rich soils combine to produce 

exceptional vineyards. Stay in 

town or on a nearby vineyard and 

sample some of Argentina’s best 

wines. Travel on to Córdoba for 

a few nights on an estancia - a 

working ranch - where you can 

ride the great open spaces and 

watch gauchos at work. 

The landscape changes to desert 

Chile 

Bolivia 

Salta 

Mendoza 

Bariloche 

Patagonia 

El Calafate 

Argentina 

Cordoba 

Buenos 

Aires 

Ushuaia 

Tierra del Fuego 

Paraguay 

The Pampas 

Uruguay 

Peninsula Valdes 

Iguazu 

Falls 

Brazil 

in the northwest towards Salta. 

See salt flats, the amazing Hill 

of the Seven Colours and the 

cactus-filled Humahuaca Gorge, 

before heading northeast to the 

thundering Iguazu Falls on the 

Argentine/Brazilian border. 

Recommended things to do: 

Buenos Aires is well worth a three-night stay 

Experience the wildlife of the Iberá Wetlands 

Gaze over the mighty Iguazu Falls 

Perito Moreno Glacier is truly awe-inspiring 

Visit Argentina’s world famous wineries 

When to go 

Covering a large distance, Argentina 

can be visited all year round. However, 

the southern half of the country is best 

visited between October and April, 

with the peak months being December 

to February. Even in these months the 

weather can be unpredictable. The 

northwest of the country is best visited 

between April and December when the 

weather is characterised by sunny days. 

The Iguazu Falls are an all year round 

destination and can become very hot and 

humid between December and April, but 

cooler at other times of the year. 

Getting there 

The main entry point by air into Argentina 

is Buenos Aires. British Airways operates 

a direct daily service from London 

Heathrow. Several European and South 

American airlines, such as TAM Airlines, 

fly to Buenos Aires via their home hubs. 

GMT: -3 hours 

Argentina 

Visas 

British passport holders do not require a 

visa to enter Argentina. 

Health 

There are no compulsory vaccinations 

required to enter Argentina. 

The tango is synonymous 

with Argentina and no visitor 

to Buenos Aires should leave 

the city without attending 

a show. A favourite venue 

is Esquina Carlos Gardel, 

named after one of the most 

famous figures in the history 

of tango. Following a three 

course dinner at this historic 

theatre, sit back and admire 

Buenos Aires’ finest tango 

performers dancing their 

sensuous and sophisticated 

moves, accompanied by an 

orchestra of violins, piano, 

double bass and bandoneons. 

Call 020 7666 1260 | rainbowtours.co.uk | Visit your local travel agent 9

Buenos Aires 

10 

Argentina’s capital city is commonly 

known as the Paris of South America, 

with its classic architecture, plazas, 

fountains and wide boulevards. 

It is also a fantastic city from which to get a real feel 

for Argentine culture and lifestyles, with cafés and 

steakhouses serving mouthwatering prime cuts of beef, 

interesting markets, museums and galleries. 

The city is split into very different and unique 

neighbourhoods. The areas of most interest to visitors 

include the old port district of La Boca, the trend setting 

shops and restaurants of Palermo, the modern skyline of 

Puerto Madero, the Parisianesque architecture of Recoleta 

and the Art Deco cafés and restaurants of Retiro.

Alvear Palace 

From £205 

B/B 

When it comes to luxury, the Alvear Palace has it in spades. One of the most famous hotels 

in Latin America, the Alvear Palace with its majestic Louis XV classical style is renowned for 

tradition, elegance and hospitality. Located in the heart of Recoleta and surrounded by the 

finest shops of the city, the hotel has 197 rooms and suites. In our opinion, no other hotel in 

Buenos Aires compares to the Alvear in terms of style and ambience. 

Faena Hotel & Universe 

From £185 

B/B 

The Faena is a chic, luxurious hotel that offers 

the last word in ultra-stylish design from 

Philippe Starck. The hotel is unashamedly 

modern with an outdoor pool in a terraced 

garden, stunning spa and great restaurant 

facilities. The hotel has its own tango show, 

Rojo Tango, which is an intimate show in 

one of the smaller tango locations that 

successfully recreates a 1940s ‘underworld’ 

nightclub atmosphere. The hotel is located in 

the restored dock area of Puerto Madero. 

Legado Mitico 

From £95 

B/B 

A stay in the Legado Mitico gives visitors a 

unique and highly enjoyable insight into the 

country’s history. Part of the fun of staying 

here is choosing one of the 11 individually 

decorated rooms, inspired by the lives of 

famous Argentineans such as Che Guevara, 

Eva Perón and Benito Quinquela Martín. The 

impressive library is stocked with Argentine 

literature as well as useful information for 

visitors. Located in the bohemian Palermo 

Viejo district, this hotel oozes old world style. 

Things to do in Buenos Aires: 

See a tango show 

Visit La Boca 

Eat steak 

Go to a football match 

Take a day trip to Colonia in Uruguay 


Sofitel Buenos Aires 

From £145 

B/B 

Argentina 

Situated close to the impressive Plaza San 

Martin, the Sofitel Buenos Aires is an excellent 

mix of French savoir-faire and Argentine 

tradition. The building is a beautiful example 

of 1920s Art Deco architecture, with 172 

rooms and suites decorated attractively in 

contemporary style. The restaurant and bars 

provide a relaxed setting for socialising and 

serve refined French cuisine as well as the 

latest in fusion dishes from around the world. 

Mine Hotel 

From £65 

B/B 

Located in the heart of the bohemian Palermo 

Soho neighbourhood, Mine Hotel is a 20room 

boutique hotel well positioned for 

sightseeing attractions like Plaza de Mayo, 

and for exploring the local art galleries, shops 

and cafés. The hotel has a chic and modern 

décor, using vivid colours and patterns to 

great effect, and the rooms are light and 

airy. Cocina, the in-house restaurant, serves 

gourmet Mediterranean cuisine and there is 

an outdoor pool and a pleasant garden. 

11

Iguazu & the 

Iberá Wetlands 

Situated in north east Argentina, 

Iguazu and the Iberà Wetlands 

bring together one of the world’s 

most impressive natural wonders 

with stunning wildlife. The Iguazu 

Falls lie on the border between 

Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay 

and consist of a network of 275 

different waterfalls spanning an 

area 3km wide. They have been a 

UNESCO World Heritage Site since 

1986 and are a must see when 

visiting Argentina. To the south of 

Iguazu the Iberá Wetlands are the 

second largest in South America – 

the largest wetlands being Brazil’s 

Pantanal – and are home to an 

abundance of wildlife, including 

anacondas, capybaras, cayman, 

marsh deer, howler monkeys and 

giant storks. 

La Aldea de la Selva 

From £75 

B/B 

Located just outside the town of Puerto 

Iguazu, La Aldea de la Selva has been built 

in complete harmony with the surrounding 

sub-tropical rainforest, creating a serene and 

peaceful base for exploring the Iguazu Falls. 

Constructed from local wood, all the rooms 

have a balcony and comfy hammock, and 

are linked to the main lodge by terraces and 

hanging bridges. The hotel also offers guided 

rainforest tours, canopy walks, bird-watching 

and abseiling, or simply choose to relax by 

one of the three pools. 

12 

Posada Puerto Bemberg 

From £125 

B/B 

Just a 40 minute drive to the Iguazu Falls, 

the Posada is secluded in miles of pristine 

and tranquil rainforest. Each of the 14 

rooms is uniquely decorated and we love the 

traditional rustic styling, original artifacts and 

fantastic views of the surrounding jungle. 

Local cuisine is served in the dining room 

or alfresco with delicious wines from their 

excellent Argentine cellar. Rainforest treks 

and boats trips on the Parana River to nearby 

waterfalls are just some of the activities on 

offer. 

Hotels can 

arrange fishing 

trips for keen 

anglers. 

Estancia Rincón de Socorro 

From £840 per person for 

a 3-night package 

Full-board 

This refined, eco-tourist estancia is a 12,000 

hectare former cattle ranch, now a dedicated 

nature reserve, in the Iberá Wetlands. There 

are just three small bungalows and six rooms 

in the main house, which also has a screened 

verandah sitting room and a large dining 

room where guests enjoy superb wines and 

delicious free-range meat. Enjoy Argentine 

barbecues lazing by the pool and explore the 

Iberá Wetlands by canoe or on horseback.

Mendoza & 

Wine Country 

W ith altitudes ranging from 

450m to 1100m and a variety 

of microclimates, it is no surprise 

that Mendoza is the wine capital of 

Argentina. Practise your wine-tasting 

skills at any one of the well-known 

wineries in the region, or spend 

a day or two exploring the city of 

Mendoza with its tree-lined avenues 

and pretty squares. From Mendoza, 

you can travel overland through the 

Andes on a wonderfully scenic drive 

to Santiago in Chile. 

For wine lovers looking for 

something a little different, try 

a combination of the remarkable 

Salta and Cafayate Wineries. 

Founded in 1582, Salta is one of 

Argentina’s most attractive cities, 

retaining much of its colonial 

charm and a great base from 

which to explore the northwest. 

Indigenous villages are much 

more common in this remote 

part of Argentina. From here you 

can visit the wineries at Cafayate 

or take a 4WD expedition to the 

spectacular Humahuaca gorge, 

that leads high up into the Andes 

towards the Atacama desert. 


Things to do in Iguazu & Mendoza: 

Canoe in the Iberá Wetlands 

Private tour of Iguazu Falls 

Fishing trips in the wetlands 

Wine-tasting 

Bike tour of the wineries 

Cavas Wine Lodge 

From £295 

B/B 

Argentina 

Delightfully situated in the foothills of the 

snow-capped Andes and at the heart of 35 

acres of fertile, green vineyards, Cavas Wine 

Lodge is just 30 minutes’ south of Mendoza. 

There are just 14 spacious rooms, all with 

views of the Andes, each with its own plunge 

pool and private terrace. The lodge has an 

outstanding wine cellar showcasing 250 

different wines from the Mendoza region, 

where you can enjoy a tasting session with 

the sommelier or a private dinner. 

Club Tapiz, Mendoza 

From £75 

B/B 

A short distance from Mendoza, charming 

Club Tapiz was built in 1890 and is 

surrounded by ten hectares of vineyards. The 

elegant main house, comprising just seven 

rooms, has been restored, preserving the 

Renaissance-style villa. A few metres from 

the house is an old winery which produces 

artisan wines; you can also borrow a bicycle 

to explore nearby bodegas. Relax by the 

pool or in the small spa, admire the views 

of the Andes and enjoy local cuisine in the 

sophisticated restaurant. 

13

Gaucho Life 

14 

Estancias and ranch life are the 

backbone of Argentine culture 

and history. In most areas of the 

country you can find ranches, 

rearing top-quality beef using 

traditional methods. 

The ranches here are called estancias and 

the soul of these working ranches are the 

cowboys, or gauchos. It is possible to stay on 

estancias, where horse riding is a major activity, 

and ride with the gauchos on the ranch, learning 

more about their daily life. Those who don’t ride 

will find that there are plenty of other fun activities 

to keep them busy.

Estancia el Ombú de Areco 

From £145 

Full-board 

Just an hour from Buenos Aires, Estancia el 

Ombú is a nineteenth century Italian-style 

farmhouse with just nine guest rooms. 

Immerse yourself as much or as little as 

you wish in the life of a working estancia, 

taking part in the stock-rearing activities, 

including milking and driving cattle. Explore 

the 300-hectare grounds on foot or, 

accompanied by seasoned gauchos, on one 

of the 38 horses that are part of the working 

drove. Horse drawn carriages, swimming and 

bird-watching are also available. 

Estancia Huechahue 

From £305 

All inclusive 

“The riding in Argentina is 

out of this world. If you love 

the outdoor life, the fishing, 

hiking and white-water 

rafting are terrific.” 

Enjoy outdoor life in northern Patagonia by 

spending a few days at Huechahue, a working 

estancia just 30 minutes from San Martin de 

los Andes and within easy access of Bariloche. 

Accommodation is very comfortable, 

comprising eight twin-bed rooms. Riders 

of all levels, from beginners through to the 

more experienced are catered for with a 

wide selection of horses. Other activities 

include fishing, rafting, walking, swimming 

or working with the gauchos, all in the 

surrounds of the beautiful Andean foothills. 


Estancia los Potreros 


a 4 day/3 night package 

Full-board 

Argentina 

A beautiful reserve at the top of the Cordoba 

hills, this estancia dates from 1574 and today 

is an organic working cattle farm breeding 

Aberdeen Angus cattle and Peru Pasano 

horses. Owned by the same Anglo-Argentine 

family for four generations, accommodation 

on the farm is simple yet comfortable, and 

all rooms have private facilities. Guests can 

work with the younger horses, play polo, ride 

out for the day or enjoy bird-watching, golf, 

trekking and wine-tasting. 

15

Patagonia 

16 

Patagonia encompasses a huge area of southern 

Argentina and Chile and the very name conjures 

up images of remote, unchartered territory. 

Argentina’s lowlands to the east give way to the 

southern Andes mountain range characterised by 

majestic peaks, lakes and glaciers. 

W ithin Argentina’s share of 

Patagonia, the highlights 

are the small towns of El Calafate 

and El Chalten. Reached from 

El Calafate, the Los Glaciares 

National Park is the gateway to the 

nearby Perito Moreno glacier, one 

of the continent’s most impressive 

sights, and the Upsala and Onelli 

glaciers. Several hours from El 

Calafate is the town of El Chalten, 

which attracts visitors interested in 

trekking through the spectacular 

scenery and the famous peaks of 

Fitzroy National Park. 

Ushuaia is another noteworthy 

mention in Patagonia. The capital 

of the Tierra del Fuego region, it 

is considered to be the world’s 

southernmost city. It is also the 

departure point for Antarctic 

expeditions (see page 114) and 

is the gateway to the Tierra del 

Fuego National Park.

Magellanic penguin 

Valdes Peninsula 

For wildlife enthusiasts we 

recommend a visit to the Valdes 

Peninsula which juts out into the 

South Atlantic coast to the east of 

Patagonia and is a haven for marine 

wildlife. The two main reasons for 

visiting the peninsula are that it is 

an important breeding ground for 

the Southern Right whales which 

occupy these waters between July 

and November to mate and give 

birth. It is also an opportunity to visit 

the Punta Tombo penguin rookery, 

south of the peninsula. This important 

site is the largest breeding ground 

for Magellanic penguins in South 

America with up to half a million 

arriving every year to breed. The best 

months to see penguins are from 

September to March, but the babies 

are hatched from November onwards. 

Casa los Sauces 

From £115 

B/B 

The Valdes Peninsula is an 

important breeding ground 

for the Southern Right whale. 

See them between July and 

November, and Magellanic 

penguins from September 

through to March. 

Eolo, El Calafate 

From £290 

Full-board 

The luxurious Casa los Sauces is a small 

Patagonian-style lodge near El Calafate that 

has just 18 elegant suites. It has excellent 

amenities and the contemporary artwork 

creates a real sense of individual style. The 

staff at this boutique lodge are attentive and 

attuned to people’s individual requirements. 

It has an excellent restaurant and on some 

evenings you can enjoy a real Argentine 

asado with the local gauchos. Enjoy the 

spectacular scenery whilst sampling fabled 

Argentine beef, grilled to perfection over 

glowing embers. 


Hosteria el Puma 

From £65 

B/B 

Argentina 

Eolo is a beautiful 17-suite country lodge located on a 3,000 hectare estate in the midst of 

the Patagonian wilderness, between the town of El Calafate and the Perito Moreno glacier. 

Every direction offers beautiful, uninterrupted views towards Lago Argentino, the valley, or 

towards Chile’s Torres del Paine peaks. Eolo has a restaurant, bar and library as well as an 

indoor swimming pool. Trekking and mountain biking are included, as well as presentations on 

Patagonia given by the hotel’s excellent staff. 

For hiking in the beautiful Fitzroy National 

Park, the family run Hosteria el Puma in El 

Chalten is the perfect choice. This charming 

lodge is set at the foot of the trailheads to 

the park and provides very comfortable and 

contemporary styled accommodation. It has a 

great restaurant and is an excellent choice for 

more serious hikers, offering easy access to 

all of the local trails. Take advantage of expert 

mountain guides who will help you to fully 

explore this mountain wilderness. 

17

Buenos Aires & Patagonia 

Buenos Aires – Calafate – Bariloche – Buenos Aires 

This 11-day private 

tour takes you right to 

the heart of Buenos 

Aires’ culture and 

also showcases the 

wonderful natural 

beauty of Patagonia. 

Combine the energetic city of Buenos 

Aires with the rugged beauty of 

Patagonia. In Buenos Aires you will 

visit the districts of La Boca, Recoleta 

and Palermo as well as enjoying a 

tango show. Afterwards head 

south to Patagonia and witness 

the glaciers, lakes and mountains 

of the region. 

DAys 1-4 

Overnight flight from London Heathrow 

to Buenos Aires. On arrival, transfer to the 

Mine Hotel (or similar) for a 3 night stay. On 

Day 3, a morning city tour of Buenos Aires is 

included as well as a dinner with tango show. 

Spend the next day exploring the city on your 

own 

DAy 5 

Fly south to El Calafate, the perfect base from 

which to explore the glaciers, and stay at Casa 

los Sauces for 3 nights 

DAy 6 

Full day tour to the famous Perito Moreno 

Glacier, a huge river of ice 30 km long and 

one of the highlights of the Glaciers National 

Park 

DAy 7 

Free time or take an optional cruise to Upsala 

and Onelli glaciers, which can be arranged 

locally 

DAys 8-9 

Fly to Bariloche and stay at the Design Suites 

Hotel for 2 nights. Here you explore the pretty 

town of Bariloche unguided, where you can 

fish, cycle, go rafting and in the Argentine 

winter, enjoy a day of skiing 

18 

DAy 10 

Fly to Buenos Aires for a final night in the 

Mine Hotel 

DAy 11 

Spend the morning at leisure and catch the 

overnight flight from Buenos Aires to London 

Chile 

Bolivia 

Bariloche 

Argentina 

El Calafate 

Buenos 

Aires 

Paraguay 

Prices from £2665 per person 

sharing, including international 

flights and breakfast throughout. 

Brazil 

Uruguay 

Uruguay 

Uruguay makes a great extension 

to a holiday in Argentina. Cross 

the River Plate by hydrofoil in a 

couple of hours or fly from Buenos 

Aires to Montevideo or Punta del 

Este. There are some lovely old 

Portuguese colonial-style towns 

and around Punte del Este there 

are miles of beautiful beaches, 

luxury hotels and restaurants 

and thriving nightlife. 

Claudia Morales, Branding 

Latin America, says: 

“Overshadowed by Argentina 

and Brazil, its vastly larger 

neighbours, little Uruguay is 

incredibly lovely but relatively 

unknown outside South America. 

One of my favourite places is 

ancient Colonia del Sacramento, 

with its cobblestone streets 

and many Portuguese colonial 

buildings - it’s an easy ferry ride 

from Buenos Aires. 

Want to go somewhere really 

glamorous? Rather than the ritzy 

resort of Punta del Este, head for 

laid-back José Ignacio just along 

the coast, which has gourmet 

restaurants and arty boutiques, 

and attracts celebs in their droves”.

Argentina & Chile 

Buenos Aires – Bariloche – Lakes Crossing 

Torres del Paine – Calafate – Buenos Aires 

Explore the scenic wonders of Argentinean and Chilean Patagonia on this 

spectacular 15-day private tour. 

DAy 1 

Overnight flight from London Heathrow to 

Buenos Aires 

DAy 2 

Arrive Buenos Aires for a 3 night stay at the 

Mine Hotel 

DAy 3 

Morning city tour of Buenos Aires which 

includes the colourful district of La Boca, the 

Plaza de Mayo, as well as La Recoleta and 

Palermo 

DAy 4 

Free day to explore Buenos Aires further or 

take time to relax in one of the many cafés, 

restaurants and bars that fill this vibrant city 

DAy 5 

Fly to Bariloche for a 2-night stay at the 

Design Suites 

DAy 6 

Explore Bariloche, one of Argentina’s most 

spectacular towns. Hike, bike or relax in this 

stunning part of the world, surrounded by 

snow-capped mountains and crystal clear 

lakes 

DAy 7 

Take the full-day spectacular journey as you 

cross the lake to Puerto Varas in Chile 

DAy 8 

Free day to explore 

DAy 9 

Fly south to Punta Arenas and continue by 

road to Torres del Paine where you stay for 

3 nights at the Hosteria las Torres 

DAyS 10/11 

Explore the national park on the various 

excursions that are included in your stay at 

the hotel 

DAy 12 

Travel back into Argentina and El Calafate for 

a 2-night stay at the Esplendor 

DAy 13 

Full-day visit to the Perito Moreno glacier 

DAy 14 

Fly to Buenos Aires and stay overnight at the 

Mine Hotel 

DAy 15 

Overnight return flight to London. 

Puerto Varas 


Chile 

Torres 

del Paine 

Bolivia 

Bariloche 

Argentina 

El Calafate 

Argentina 

There are so many highlights in this itinerary that showcases Patagonia, one of the most beautiful regions in the world. 

Traverse the Lake District from Argentina to Chile, experience the wildlife and jaw-dropping beauty of the 

Torres del Paine National Park and the Perito Moreno glacier. The trip begins in Buenos Aires where you can sample 

the vibrant culture of this exciting city. 

Buenos 

Aires 

Paraguay 


sharing, including international flights and breakfast on each day except 

for days 9-11 which are full-board. 

19 

Brazil 

Urugua

Chile 

20 

If natural beauty 

was a currency, 

Chile would be a 

superpower! 

A country of 

extraordinary 

scenery, it stretches 

from the salt lakes 

and red sand of the 

Atacama Desert 

in the north, to 

the glaciers and 

dramatic granite 

pillars of the 

Torres del Paine 

National Park in the 

Patagonian south. 

Chile is long and thin, stretching some 4,300 

kilometres down the south-western Pacific coast of 

South America. It also includes remote and mysterious 

Easter Island. The average width of the mainland, from 

the sea to the Andes, is just 180 kilometres. Whether 

you are cruising through the fjords, skiing during the 

northern hemisphere’s summer, hiking in Torres del Paine 

or exploring the salt flats and geysers of the Atacama, a 

holiday in Chile is bound to captivate your imagination. 

The capital, Santiago, is a very modern city, and one of 

the most enjoyable in South America. It is close to Chile’s 

world-renowned vineyards and, for those seeking an 

adrenaline rush, some of the country’s best ski slopes.

Easter Island 

Atacama 

In the north of Chile lies the 

unique Atacama Desert. Not 

only is it the driest place on 

earth, but also one of the most 

unforgettable. From the town of 

San Pedro de Atacama, you can 

visit vivid red desert landscapes, 

Altiplanic lagoons and the Valley 

of the Moon. 

In stark contrast to the arid 

desert, lying to the south of the 

country is Torres del Paine, Chile’s 

most spectacular and well-known 

national park. It is famed for its 

impressive granite pillars, but 

its awe-inspiring glaciers, vividly 

coloured lakes and rugged plains 

will also take your breath away. 

It is perfect for hikers and horse 

riders alike. 

Peru 

Arica 

Bolivia 

Iquique 

When to go 

Chile can be visited all year round. 

San Pedro 

de Atacama 

Paraguay Patagonia in the south is best visited 

between October and April, with 

Atacama 

Desert 

the peak months being December to 

February, though even in these months, 

the weather can be unpredictable. In the 

Brazil 

Atacama days are generally sunny but 

can cool down considerably in the winter 

Vina del Mar 

Valparaiso 

Santiago 

Argentina 

evenings of May to August. Santiago and 

Uruguaythe 

Central Valley enjoy a Mediterranean 

style climate. Easter Island has a 

subtropical climate. The wettest month is 

Chile 

May and the warmest months are from 

January to March. 

Puerto Varas 

Chiloé 


Puerto Natales 

Punta Arenas 

Chile has fabulous 

accommodation even in the 

remotest areas. After you’ve had 

your fill of its beautiful panoramas 

by day, in the evenings it’s time 

to feast on Patagonian lamb or 

Pacific seafood washed down 

with fine Chilean wines. 

Things to do in Chile: 

See flamingos in the Atacama Desert 

Be awestruck by Torres del Paine NP 

See the Moai statues on Easter Island 

Take a day trip to a winery 

Take an Australis Expedition cruise 

“Chilean wines are internationally 

recognised, great value for money and 

going from strength to strength, and if you 

only visit one winery while you’re there, 

make it the Matetic in San Antonio, out on 

the Maipo wine route, which is very easily 

accessible from Santiago.” 

Sarah Ahmed, The Wine Detective 

Read more about Chilean wine on page 23 

Getting there 

There are no direct flights from the UK to 

Chile. Most itineraries will involve flying 

via Madrid with a change of aircraft. 

However, according to your itinerary 

you may also change aircraft in South 

America. 

GMT: -4 hours 

EASTER ISLAND GMT -6 hours 

Visas 


visa to enter Chile. 

Health 


required to enter Chile. 

Chile 


Santiago & Valparaiso 

Chile’s capital is a modern, 

dynamic city which reflects the 

impressive economic growth of the 

country in recent decades. Enjoying 

a Mediterranean climate, it is within 

an hour or so of the best ski resorts 

in the Andes, some of the most 

productive vineyards in the world, 

the port of Valparaiso and resort 

of Vina del Mar. The city boasts 

a number of fine places to stay 

including many of the top chains and 

some fantastic boutique hotels. 

In recent years, there can be few 

dining tables in this country that 

22 

have not seen a bottle or two of 

Chilean wine. Many of the vineyards 

are in Chile’s Central Valleys close to 

Santiago and can be visited for the 

day. With the number of vineyards 

increasing five-fold in recent years, 

a number have opened their doors 

to visitors, with some offering 

accommodation. Further on from the 

Central Valley is the historic city port 

of Valparaiso, known locally as Valpo, 

which was granted UNESCO World 

Heritage status early this century on 

account of its unique architecture 

and historic importance. 

Easter Island 

Easter Island is but a tiny dot in the middle of the Pacific, five hours by air 

from the South American mainland. Rapa Nui, as the island is locally called, 

is most famous for its monolithic stone statues. There are a thousand or so 

of these Moai statues scattered about the island, which range in height from 

10 to 40ft and weigh more than 50 tons. Discovered by a Dutchman, Admiral 

Roggeveen, on Easter Day in 1722, this is one of the most isolated places on 

earth. The people and their culture are more closely linked to Polynesia than 

Chile. Beyond the Maois, the landscape of the island is undulating with a 

number of white sandy beaches and very few trees. The island is inhabited 

by around 5,000 people. A number of festivals take place throughout the 

year, with the most important being the early February Tapati Festival which 

includes traditional sporting contests, song, dance and processions. 

Le Rêve Boutique Hotel 

From £105 

B/B 

Le Rêve is situated amongst the embassies 

and houses of Providencia, one of the most 

prestigious and oldest areas of Santiago. 

Just a pleasant 15 minute walk from the 

restaurants, attractions and museums in the 

centre of the city, the style and service at Le 

Rêve are renowned for delivering one of the 

best overnight stay experiences in Santiago. 

This French-style hotel’s history and the 

sumptuous, luxurious rooms make you feel a 

part of a rich and varied past. 

Santiago Park Plaza 

From £55 

B/B 

Santiago Park Plaza is centrally located in the 

delightful residential district of Providencia, 

surrounded by restaurants and cafés. The 

hotel offers very friendly, personal service, 

which is combined with luxurious rooms. 

Other facilities include an informal pavement 

café, a great indoor rooftop pool and a 

luxurious spa. Whilst not as individual as 

some other hotels, the Park Plaza offers 

visitors comfort and service and is an excellent 

choice to recover from your long flight from 

the UK.

Chilean Wine 

Peppery reds & spicy whites 

Sarah Ahmed, the Wine Detective, shares her 

knowledge of Chilean wines with Rainbow Tours 

Independent, award-winning 

wine writer and communicator, 

Sarah Ahmed, first visited Chile 

in 2002. Six years later, when she 

was asked to return to judge 

the Annual Chile Wine Awards, 

she was delighted to find a 

broader, more exciting portfolio 

of grape varieties, plus a host of 

new regions already firing on all 

cylinders. 

“Bounded by the Pacific Ocean 

to the west, the snow-capped 

Andes to the east, desert to 

the north and chilly Antarctic 

influences to the south, it’s not 

surprising that long, thin Chile 

has an exciting diversity of 

climates - and a correspondingly 

wide number of wine styles” 

says Sarah. 

“The country has long 

produced a choice of wellstructured, 

deep fruited reds, 

particularly Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Today, the best wines are from 

the cooler regions such as Elqui, 

San Antonio and Limari. They 

are deliciously juicy with lots of 

pepper and spice, quite European 

in style. And if your taste is for 

white wine, you can’t beat the 

Sauvignon Blanc, especially those 

from Leyda, Limari and Elqui; the 

rarer, spicier Sauvignon Gris is 

worth a look too. 

Chile is known for its value 

for money entry level wines - it’s 

one of the few countries which 

can make good but affordable 

Pinot Noir. But don’t be fooled 

into thinking it’s a one trick pony 

- it produces some reassuringly 

(sometimes eye-wateringly) 

expensive wines too, but as a 

rule, I think it’s safe to say that 

you definitely get more bang for 

your buck with Chilean wines. 

Almost everyone visits Santiago 

on a visit to Chile, which is within 

easy distance of some of the 

country’s oldest and best wineries 

along the Maipo wine route. Out 

of town, if there’s one winery 

I’d visit, it would be Matetic in 

San Antonio. It’s a cutting edge, 

family-owned estate which is 

farmed organically. Not only can 

you taste some of Chile’s most 

characterful wines here, you can 

also tour the stunning winery 

and dine at the restaurant which 

is highly recommended by yours 

truly!” 

www.thewinedetective.co.uk 

Chile 


The Atacama 

The driest place on earth 

Awasi 

From £1390 per person 

for a 3-night package 

Full-board 

This luxury award-winning boutique hotel, 

right in the heart of the pretty adobe town 

of San Pedro de Atacama, consists of eight 

thatched cottages. Each cottage has a private 

sun terrace and outdoor shower. It’s a perfect 

hideaway for exploring the Atacama Desert 

region. Spend the long days exploring the 

desert by jeep, with knowledgeable local 

guides. Enjoy delicious home cooked food 

served at the hotel’s restaurant. 

24 

Rising from sea level to 

over 4,000 metres into 

the Andes towards Bolivia, 

the Atacama Desert is 

the driest place on earth, 

and home to one of 

the strangest and most 

beautiful landscapes 

found in Latin America. 

S an Pedro de Atacama is a fertile 

oasis town with a fabulous 

backdrop of volcanoes, from where 

it is possible to visit the local villages 

with their typical adobe built 

structures, the Tatio geysers, the 

Atacama salt flats, where you can see 

flamingos and other birdlife, the Valley 

of the Moon and the high Altiplano. 

Casa Atacama 



Full-board 

Casa Atacama was the first sustainable hotel 

in northern Chile, and promotes ecologically 

sound tourism, the responsible use of natural 

resources, recycling and conscientious energy 

use. The hotel’s design has been geared 

towards conservation, with a focus on water 

conservation, low energy consumption and 

a solar-heated water system. Immersed in 

one of the world’s most stunning natural 

landscapes, Casa Atacama strives to mirror 

its natural surroundings, with 25 rooms with 

interior gardens and terraces. A spa, pool and 

Jacuzzi complete the picture. 

Explora en Atacama 



Full-board 

Explora en Atacama is part of one of the 

most iconic hotel groups in Latin America, 

renowned for properties in spectacular 

locations. This hotel has 50 modern, 

extremely comfortable and stylish rooms 

and suites, and is the perfect place to 

fully appreciate the clear desert skies and 

unimaginably vivid stargazing at the hotel’s 

own observatory. In between the guided 

excursions, you can relax in one of the classy 

pools or sauna.

Lakes & Glaciers 

Waterfalls and virgin forests 

Australis Cruises 

Australis Cruises are for those who want to explore the 

wild and beautiful Patagonian fjords. Cruises operate 

from September to April between Punta Arenas in Chile 

and Ushuaia in Argentina, for either three or four nights. 

You will sail through the Straits of Magellan, the Beagle 

Channel and around Cape Horn on a journey through 

fjords, glaciers and islands. 

A highlight for many, weather permitting, is landing 

at Cape Horn and walking to the monument at the 

southernmost tip of the continent. Travel by zodiacs to 

explore uninhabited islands that provide sanctuary for 

many local birds as well as sea lions, and, occasionally, 

whales. Land excursions allow you to take a close look at 

penguins, elephant seals and an amazing array of birdlife. 

Your expedition leaders will help you identify and learn 

about the region’s flora, fauna, geography and history. 


The Lake District is one 

of the most beautiful 

areas in Chile, filled with 

volcanoes, pristine lakes, 

waterfalls and virgin 

forests. 

This is a great area to hire a car for 

a few days and explore nearby 

national parks, Chiloe Island (with a 

regular ferry service from the mainland), 

or the numerous surrounding lakes. 

From Puerto Varas, it is possible to 

make the full day lakes crossing to 

Bariloche in Argentina. Further south, 

one of the highlights is the magnificent 

San Rafael glacier. This can be visited 

from remote hotels in the region such 

as the Termas de Puyuhuapi. 

Chile 

25

Patagonia, 


26 

Chilean Patagonia 

offers a visitor the 

opportunity to 

experience true, 

untouched wilderness. 

One of the best 

examples of what this 

incredible continent 

can offer is the 

spectacular Torres del 

Paine National Park. 

T orres del Paine National Park 

is famed for its impressive 

iconic granite pillars but also has 

awe-inspiring glaciers, a wide 

variety of wildlife, pristine lakes 

and fabulous wide open spaces 

for hikers and horse riders alike. 

If hiking is your thing then Torres 

del Paine is home to one of the 

world’s great trekking routes, the 

W Trek. Apart from taking in the 

scenery, those looking for a less 

active time can take scenic boat 

trips on Last Hope Sound or Lago 

Grey. Torres del Paine is around 

five hours’ travelling time from 

Punta Arenas airport.

Explora en Patagonia 



Full-board 

Explora en Patagonia is the only lodge at the 

centre of Torres del Paine National Park, home 

to diverse and pristine ecosystems and the 

perfect base for some great Patagonia travel. 

Fifty comfortable rooms all have panoramic 

views of the park, and each day you will be 

consulted as to how you wish to spend your 

time exploring the area, selecting from 35 

different excursions on foot or horseback, 

from the very active to the more sedate and 

relaxing. 

Patagonia Camp 



Full-board 

If you’re looking for somewhere slightly 

different, try the first luxury camp in South 

America. Located just outside Torres del Paine 

National Park on the shores of Lake Toro, it 

has spectacular views of the Paine Massif and 

has been designed to have minimum impact 

on the environment. The entire complex 

is built on wooden stilts, including the 18 

Mongolian-style yurts, so that the plants that 

have grown in the area for hundreds of years 

are protected. 


Things to do in Torres del Paine National Park: 

See the Towers of Paine 

Take on the W Trek 

Boat ride to see Grey Glacier 

Enjoy a lamb BBQ 

Take a spectacular horse ride 

Hosteria las Torres 



Full-board 

The Singular 



Full-board 

Chile 

This comfortable lodge is located within the 

Torres del Paine National Park, adjacent to 

the pathway that takes hikers on the 

strenuous full-day walk to the base of the 

granite towers. There are 84 comfortable 

rooms including two suites, a bar, restaurant, 

spa, a wood-burning fire in the lounge 

and a daily choice of excursions. All meals 

are included as well as a variety of spa 

treatments. Return transfers from Punta 

Arenas or across the border to El Calafate 

are also part of the package. 

Opened in 2011 on the site of a cold storage 

industrial plant dating back 100 years in 

Puerto Baries, The Singular was designed by 

a famous Chilean interior designer and local 

architect. Accessible by water and land, there 

are 54 rooms and three suites with six metre 

wide glass panels offering views of the Fjord 

in Last Hope Sine. This luxury hotel has a 

world class spa, an award-winning chef and 

guests can exclusively access reserves and go 

trekking, biking and kayaking. 

27

Chile Express 

Small Group Tour 

Santiago – Atacama – Puerto Natales – Santiago 

A great value 14-day small group tour, that takes in the natural wonders of both 

the north and south of Chile. 

This itinerary offers you the 

opportunity to explore Chile in 

all its natural glory. From the 

Atacama desert to the peaks of 

Torres del Paine National Park, you 

have the chance to experience true 

wilderness. As a group trip this is 

also an incredible opportunity to 

visit Chile at great value. 

DAy 1 

Overnight flight from London via Madrid to 

Santiago 

DAy 2 

Morning arrival in Santiago where you will be 

met and transferred to the hotel. Afternoon 

tour of Santiago and north to San Cristobal 

Hill for a panoramic view of the city and 

Andes mountains beyond 

DAy 3 

Fly to Calama and travel to the pretty village 

of San Pedro de Atacama. Visit the Valley of 

the Moon and Death Valley 

DAy 4 

Today see the magnificence of the Atacama 

Desert and Chile’s largest salt flats with your 

guide. At the Chaxa Lagoon see Andean 

flamingos and other birdlife 

28 

DAy 5 

An early start is required in order to travel 

to the Tatio Geysers. This geothermal field is 

best viewed at dawn when you can watch the 

natural phenomenon of the steam columns 

rising as the sun rises over the volcanoes 

DAy 6 

After breakfast transfer to the airport of 

Calama to board the flight to Santiago 

connecting to Puerto Montt and journeying 

onto Puerto Varas 

San Pedro 

de Atacama 

Santiago 

Chile 

Chiloe 

Island 

Puerto Natales 

Punta Arenas 

Paraguay 

Brazil 

DAy 7 

Visit the towns of Puerto Varas and Puerto 

Montt with wonderful views of Lake 

Llanquihue and the Osorno Volcano. Also visit 

Upper and Lower Fruitallar and the port of 

Petrohue on the shores of All Saint’s Lake 

DAy 8 

Today you’ll head southwards to Chiloe 

Island. Visit the village of Quemchi and the 

area of Aucar. See the famous architecture 

and ancient churches 

DAy 9 

After breakfast take a flight to Punta Arena 

and from here, continue by comfortable 

regular bus service to Puerto Natales 

DAy 10 

Enjoy a full day tour with lunch, sailing from 

Puerto Natales through Last Hope Sound 

towards Balmaceda glacier, home to vast 

numbers of cormorants and sea lionss 

DAy 11 

Explore the dramatic Torres del Paine National 

Park on a full day excursion including lunch. 

Driving through the park you may see native 

flora and fauna such as guanacos 

DAy 12 

Travel from Puerto Natales by scheduled 

coach service to Punta Arenas arriving in time 

for your flight to Santiago 

DAy 13 

Transfer to the airport for your flight home to 

the UK. 



flights and many meals.

Chile North to South 

Santiago – Atacama – Patagonia – Buenos Aires 

This 15-day private itinerary explores Chile’s natural wonders, spanning the 

entire country, and includes a cruise through the Chilean fjords 

After two days exploring the city of 

Santiago, fly to the extreme north 

and experience one of the driest and 

most mysterious places on earth, the 

Atacama Desert. Then head south to 

the glaciers and fjords of Cape Horn 

and the Beagle Channel aboard the 

Australis expedition cruise. This trip 

ends with a few days to unwind in 

Buenos Aires before heading home. 

DAy 1 

Overnight flight from London via Sao Paulo 

to Santiago 

DAy 2 

Arrive in Santiago for a 2 night stay, based at 

La Rêve Boutique Hotel (or similar) 

DAy 3 

Enjoy a half-day Santiago city tour including 

the San Francisco cathedral, La Moneda and 

the main square 

DAy 4 

Fly to the north and transfer to the small 

town of San Pedro de Atacama and the Casa 

Atacama which will be your base for the next 

3 nights 

DAyS 5-6 

Explore the wild red landscapes of the 

Atacama Desert, active geysers and Andean 

villages by 4WD with your own personal 

guide, who will help you plan your daily 

excursions 

DAy 7 

Fly from north to south and overnight in 

Punta Arenas 

DAy 8 

Have a relaxing morning before checking 

in for your 4-night Australis expedition 

cruise. This takes you through the Straits of 

Megellan, the Beagle Channel and around 

Cape Horn to Ushuaia in Argentina 

DAyS 9-10 

On board the Australis there will be 

opportunities to travel by zodiacs to explore 

inhabited islands 

DAy 11 

Arrive at Cape Horn to disembark in the 

national park, weather permitting as winds 

can occasionally prevent landings at this 

desolate southerly spot 

DAy 12 


sharing, including international flights and breakfast throughout and full-board in the Atacama Desert and 

whilst on board the Australis cruise. 


Chile 

Disembark the Australis cruise ship and fly 

to Buenos Aires where you stay at the Mine 

Hotel (or similar) 

DAyS 13-14 

Spend 2 days exploring the Argentine capital 

of Buenos Aires, including a half-day city tour 

and a traditional tango show 

DAy 15 

Transfer to airport for return flight to the UK. 

Chile 

Atacama 

Santiago 

Punta Arenas 

Argentina 

Buenos 

Aires 

29

Brazil 

30 

Brazil is a vast country bursting 

at the seams with enticements 

for every traveller - from 

incredibly vibrant cities to dense 

jungle, and iconic beaches to a 

fun-loving culture that will have 

you smiling the moment you 

step off the plane. 

Brazil’s landscapes range from 

the golden beaches that stretch 

along 7,000 kilometres of coastline 

to the Amazon jungle and one of 

the world’s largest wetland areas. 

But equally alluring is the country’s 

incredibly diverse cuisine, music and 

religions - the product of Brazil’s 

mixed Amerindian, European and 

African heritage. 

Choosing where to start in 

Brazil is like asking a 10 year old to 

decide which Christmas present to 

open first. However, for many Rio 

is the number one attraction. An 

extraordinary place, full of energy, 

it has an incomparable setting of 

sweeping beaches back-dropped by 

granite, forested peaks. The colossal 

statue of Christ the Redeemer atop 

Corcovado mountain watches over 

the city. Far below lie Copacabana 

and Ipanema, among the most 

famous beaches in the world, and 

several hours from Rio are smaller 

resorts such as Ilha Grande and 

Paraty to the south and Buzios to 

the east.

Peru 

Chile 

Bolivia 

Manaus 

The Amazon 

Argentina 

Paraguay 

Uruguay 

Cuiabá 

Iguazu 

Falls 

Although you can visit the 

Amazon from several South 

American countries, its most 

famous home is in Brazil. The 

Amazon offers an amazing and 

unique experience for those 

wishing to explore the hidden 

world within the rainforest 

canopy. Brazil’s Amazon is not 

only a paradise for bird-watchers 

and nature lovers, but also 

provides great opportunities to 

experience the cultures that call 

the rainforest home. 

The Pantanal 

Belem 

Brazil 

Brasila 

Sao Paulo 

Florianópolis 

Belo Horizonte 

Rio de Janeiro 

Jericoacoara 

Salvador 

Fortaleza 

Another of Brazil’s many 

highlights is the world-famous 

Iguazu Falls, an astonishing 

natural wonder that can be 

enjoyed from three different 

countries. 

Whether you want activity 

and adventure, or relaxation 

on the beach, 

Brazil really 

does have 

something 

for everyone. 

Things to do in Brazil: 

Get to grips with Rio – there’s so much to see! 

View the Iguazu Falls from both sides 

Take an Amazon cruise 

See the wildlife of the Pantanal 

Explore Salvador and its beaches 

Natal 

Olinda 

Recife 

Maceió 

Brazil 

When to go 

Brazil can be visited all year. Rio is hotter 

and wetter between November and 

March but is pleasant in other months. 

The Pantanal is best visited from April to 

October. The Amazon is hot and humid 

all year round. 

Getting there 

British Airways and TAM Airlines both 

fly to Sao Paulo and Rio. Flying time is 

approximately 11 hours. 

Time Difference 

There are various time zones, but Rio 

and Iguazu Falls are GMT-2 or -3 hours 

according to the time of year. 

Visas 


visa to enter Brazil. 

Health 


required to enter Brazil. However, if you 

have visited Peru, Bolivia or Venezuela in a 

recent period prior to entering Brazil, then 

you must have a Yellow Fever Certificate. 

Precautions against malaria and yellow 

fever, if travelling to the Amazon, are 

suggested, but check with your GP. 

No trip to Brazil is complete 

without sampling their very 

own cocktail, the Caiparinha. 

Hailing from Paraty, the 

Caiparinha is made with one 

lime, two ounces of Cachaca, 

sugar and crushed ice. Sip one 

of these whilst 

lazing by the pool, 

and you will 

understand why 

it was invented. 


Rio & the beaches 

32 

It’s not until you have 

taken the train ride up 

Corcovado mountain, 

on top of which is the 

statue of Christ the 

Redeemer, that you 

fully appreciate the 

beauty of Rio’s setting. 

The panorama of beaches, 

mountains and islands, sea 

and bays is unforgettable. Take 

the cable car to the summit 

of Sugar Loaf mountain, stroll 

along the legendary beaches of 

Copacabana, Ipanema or Leblon, 

listen to the soothing tones of 

some bossa nova and enjoy a 

typical Feijoada (bean stew) dish 

washed down with a caiparinha.

Copacabana Palace 

From £180 

B/B 

Superbly positioned overlooking the sea, 

this glamorous Orient-Express landmark has 

welcomed the rich and famous since its Art 

Deco doors opened in 1923. Fred Astaire and 

Ginger Rogers danced here and the Rolling 

Stones tuned up in its grand salon before 

their concert on the beach. The magnificent 

pool and super-cool Bar do Copa are where 

Brazil’s style-setters gather to soak up the 

sun. The restaurants are destinations in 

themselves, whether for great local dishes or 

fine dining at Cipriani. 

Casas Brancas 

From £100 

B/B 

The Casas Brancas Boutique Hotel & Spa 

is both cool and elegant, nestled in the 

hills overlooking Búzios’ spectacular bay. It 

has 32 rooms, some with a private terrace 

overlooking the sea. The hotel’s refined, 

laid-back atmosphere, ocean view spa, 

restaurants, beach lounge and pristine open 

spaces are most attractive, but with the main 

street of Búzios and its many bars, restaurants 

and boutiques just a short walk away, Casas 

Brancas is the place to enjoy all that Búzios 

has to offer. 

The most famous carnival in the world 

takes place every year just before Ash 

Wednesday. The Brazilians celebrate with 

drums, singing and dancing in the streets 

in an explosion of colour, music and 

lavish and outrageous costumes. 

Porto Bay Rio Internacional 

From £115 

B/B 

For excellent value we recommend Porto 

Bay, which has an exceptionally high guest 

satisfaction rate and 117 bright, modern 

rooms overlooking Copacabana beach. A 

beautiful rooftop pool, complete with bar, 

offers stunning views to Corcovado and of 

the statue of Christ the Redeemer, and is the 

place to relax after a day of city sight-seeing 

and shopping, both of which are conveniently 

close to the hotel. The restaurant, La Finestra, 

has beautiful sea views and a delicious choice 

of menu. 

Ponta dos Ganchos Exclusive Resort 

From £300 

B/B 


Praia Ipanema 

From £120 

B/B 

Brazil 

Praia Ipanema is located in the quieter 

residential area of Ipanema and overlooks 

the beach of the same name. This great 

value hotel offers clean, contemporary and 

comfortable styling in its rooms which also all 

offer balconies with ocean views. In the hotel 

there is a small gym and guests can relax on 

chairs under umbrellas at beautiful Ipanema 

beach. Near to the Praia Ipanema, there is a 

selection of restaurants, bars and delightful 

boutiques to explore. 

Located on the Emerald Coast, in a small fishing village on a privately-owned peninsula, the area 

around Ponta dos Ganchos represents the old-fashioned Brazil of colonial times. Known as one 

of Brazil’s most exclusive beach resorts, 25 sophisticated and charming bungalows all have sea 

views. A cinema, games room, oceanfront tennis court, heated pool, massage gazebos, SPA 

by Christian Dior and nature trails complete the picture. Nearby is the best scuba diving site in 

south Brazil. 

33

Salvador & Bahia 

Salvador is where 

Brazil meets Africa 

and the Caribbean. 

W ander through the 

atmospheric cobbled streets, 

learn about capoeira, candomble 

or traditional forro music, visit 

magnificent baroque churches and 

museums and try the delicious 

Bahian cuisine. Salvador’s stunning 

setting looks onto the bay of Todos 

los Santos and is close to beautiful 

beaches. The Pelourinho area of the 

city has many colonial buildings and 

hotels and the Franciscan church 

here has the most stunning baroque 

interior of any church in Brazil. 

La Villa Bahia 

From £125 

B/B 

La Villa Bahia is a unique pousada in the heart 

of Salvador’s historical centre of Pelourinho, 

set in two magnificent colonial mansions 

where you will experience true Brazilian ‘art 

de vivre’. Overlooking the colourful façades 

of the district, the 17 rooms have been 

renovated to preserve their original spirit. The 

result is enticing: an authentic atmosphere 

is enhanced by two courtyards, a refreshing 

plunge pool and panoramic terrace. Your 

hosts have implemented genuine local 

participation and sustainable development 

practices within Villa Bahia. 

34 

Tivoli Eco Resort Praia do Forte 

From £170 

Half-board 

An hour north of Salvador airport on the 

coconut-palm fringed beaches of the Bahian 

coast, the Tivoli Eco Resort & Spa is an 

established larger resort which for over 25 

years has enjoyed an excellent reputation. 

Unlike some of the newer, larger, more 

recently developed resorts, where you could 

be anywhere, we think Praia do Forte has 

retained its Brazilian ethos. The hotel offers a 

full programme of activities including a tour 

to a sea turtle preservation project. 

Kiaroa Eco Resort 

From £140 

Hlaf-board 

Kiaroa is a stunning beach resort situated on 

the Maraú Peninsula within a conservation 

area of untouched Atlantic jungle, deserted 

beaches, natural swimming pools, coconut 

trees and mangroves. Inspired by exotic 

Polynesian, African and local Bahian 

designs, Kiaroa blends well with its natural 

surroundings. Access is by 35 minute daily 

flight from Salvador. Kiaroa has just 24 

rooms, each of which retains elements of 

local culture, most having ocean views with 

verandahs and some with private plunge 

pools.

Iguazu Falls 

Das Cataratas 

From £160 

B/B 

A Portuguese-colonial residence, this classic 

Orient-Express hotel is redolent of lazy days 

lounging on a verandah, and is the only 

hotel located within Brazil’s Iguazu National 

Park, enjoying an unrivalled location near the 

sensational waterfalls. Guests enjoy exclusive 

access in the evening and at dawn, when the 

park is closed to visitors. A natural paradise, 

the hotel also offers thrills in abundance: 

white-water rafting, helicopter trips over 

the gorge and jungle treks to view amazing 

wildlife including colourful toucans and giant 

butterflies. 

Bourbon Cataratas 

From £75 

B/B 

Located on the borders of Brazil, Argentina 

and Paraguay, this five-star resort, set in 

lush, tropical surrounds, offers modern 

accommodation just 14 miles from Iguazu 

Falls, or around a 20 minute drive from the 

entrance to the national park on the Brazilian 

side. The 300 tastefully decorated rooms have 

private balconies, and facilities include several 

restaurants, a spa and two pools. The town of 

Foz do Iguazu, with its numerous restaurants 

and shops, is just two miles from the hotel. 


Viale Cataratas 

From £40 

B/B 

Brazil 

The Iguazu Falls are 

one of South America’s 

most impressive natural 

wonders, bordering 

Brazil, Argentina and 

Paraguay. 

E leanor Roosevelt reportedly 

exclaimed on seeing Iguazu 

for the first time “poor Niagara”! 

With 275 separate waterfalls 

including the roaring Devil’s 

Throat, we certainly agree it is 

very impressive indeed. In fact, no 

matter how many times you visit 

Iguazu, it never fails to impress 

and the memories will live with 

you forever. 

Located on Avenida das Cataratas next to 

the lovely handicraft centre, Viale Cataratas 

enjoys a prime location close to the main 

attractions, best bars and restaurants and 

centre of Foz do Iguazu. It is just a 25 minute 

drive from Iguazu airport and the entrance to 

the national park on the Brazilian side of the 

falls. The hotel’s bars and restaurants offer 

panoramic views (don’t miss the caiparinhas 

in the Viale Bar), and facilities include pools 

interlaced with waterfalls. 

35

The Amazon 

Rainforest 

Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest 

It is almost impossible 

to comprehend the 

multitude of facts 

and figures about the 

Amazon region, the 

most diverse natural 

habitat on earth with 

thousands of tree, plant 

and bird species. 

Covering a large part of the South 

American continent, it is the 

world’s largest rainforest and home 

to over 300 indigenous tribes. 

The main Brazilian gateway to this 

fascinating region, teeming with lush 

forest and jungle wildlife, is the city 

of Manaus. From here you can travel 

by boat to a jungle lodge or board a 

cruise boat to float gently down the 

Amazon or Negro rivers, and where 

the two meet, you can witness the 

unusual sight where they run side by 

side without the waters mixing. 

36 

Pink dolphin 

From Manaus several boats operate 

cruises on the Amazon, the Rio 

Negro and their tributaries, with 

plenty to see and do from dawn until 

darkness. Dawn is often the best 

time to spot colourful toucans and 

parrots, but after dark, you can see 

caiman and nocturnal animals from 

the boat’s canoes. During the day 

look for pink river dolphins, and also 

learn about the local flora and fauna, 

and the part they play in the lives of 

the local people. 


Listen to the noises all around you on a night trek 

Enjoy fishing for piranha 

Jump in a canoe and see the rainforest from the river 

Put your feet up in one of the jungle lodges 

Experience the Amazon at dawn 

Amazon Eco-Park Jungle Lodge 


a 3 night package 

Full-board 

Located on the Taruma river, the Amazon 

Eco-Park is not only a jungle lodge but a 

scientific and educational establishment, 

offering a full range of excursions including 

sunrise and night tours, a visit to a native 

village, piranha fishing trips and a boat ride 

to the ‘Meeting of the Waters’. It also has 

its own monkey rehabilitation centre. From 

the lodge you can hike jungle trails, relax on 

the small private beach or cool down in the 

natural pools. 

Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge 



Full-board 

A small, pleasant lodge on the margins of 

the Negro river, here you will find adventure, 

contemplation and knowledge in the heart 

of the Amazon, combined with distinguished 

service and boutique accommodation. The 

lodge follows the principles of low-impact 

intervention, and conducts tourist activities 

responsibly and in harmony with the local 

community. It is one of Brazil’s most unique 

hotels and has a privileged view of the 

surrounding landscape and river. Don’t miss 

the Science Woods, rich with Amazonian 

plant and wildlife.

The Pantanal 

Less heralded than the 

Amazon, the Pantanal 

is the world’s largest 

wetland area. It is 

considered to be one 

of the premier locations 

for viewing wildlife, as 

the open spaces here 

are less dense than in 

the Amazon. 

An incredible number of species 

have been recorded here 

including up to 1,000 types of bird, 

several hundred species of fish, 

and other larger wildlife. Caiman 

and capybara can be found in vast 

numbers and on a typical visit you 

should see giant river otters, iguanas, 

anacondas, piranhas and deer. 

The Pantanal is also home to 

a number of endangered species 

such as the hyacinth macaw and 

the jaguar. The best time to visit the 

region is from April to November. 

Capybara 

Caiman 

Scarlet macaw 

Jaguar 


Pousada do Rio Mutum 



Full-board 

Pousada do Rio Mutum is in one of northern 

Pantanal’s most beautiful regions. Your 

wildlife experience begins even before you 

arrive at the lodge, as you will see birds, 

butterflies, amazing flora and other wildlife 

during your three-hour road journey. In this 

ecological paradise, bird calls at dawn, the 

enchanting waters, breathtaking sunsets, 

horse riding through the forests and 

wetlands, nature trails, watching Brazilian 

otters playing by the river and alligators 

enjoying the sun, will leave you with 

unforgettable memories. 

Pousada Araras Eco Lodge 



Full-board 

Brazil 

From this lodge, with its enviably preserved 

surroundings, it is possible to do first-class 

bird-watching, trekking in pristine forest, 

canoeing, horse riding, truck photo-safaris 

and night tours, all with the assistance of 

expert naturalist guides. Araras has been 

heavily involved in the protection of its natural 

environment, and since the lodge’s inception 

it has seen numbers of macaw living within 

its boundaries more than double. A homely 

atmosphere, rustic style and excellent regional 

food add to the lodge’s charm. 

37

tina 

Classic Brazil 

Rio de Janeiro – Paraty – Iguazu Falls – Buzios 

38 

Iguazu 

Falls 

Belem 

Brazil 

Paraty 


A 13-day private tour that showcases the best of 

Brazil’s cultural and natural highlights. 

This itinerary introduces you to 

Brazil’s many attractions – the 

fabulous city of Rio with her famous 

beaches and landmarks, the colonial 

city of Paraty, the magnificent 

waterfalls at Iguazu and finally, the 

bays and beaches of the beautiful 

Buzios peninsula. 

DAy 1 

Overnight flight from London Heathrow to 


DAy 2 

Arrive in the morning and spend the 

afternoon sightseeing 

DAy 3 

Full-day jeep tour visiting Christ the Redeemer 

on top of Corcovado Mountain and taking in 

Sugar Loaf Mountain in the afternoon. The 

views looking over Rio and its beaches and 

Jericoacoara bays are stunning 

DAy 4 

Fortaleza 

Natal 

Spend the day as you choose - relax on the 

beaches, Olinda or arrange further sightseeing locally 

Recife 

DAy 5 

Maceió 

Head south from Rio and travel along the 

Green Coast to the attractive colonial town 

of Paraty (journey time around 4 hours). Stay 

here for 2 nights. The afternoon is free for 

exploring 

DAy 6 

Day at leisure. With traffic forbidden in the 

historic centre, Paraty is a pleasant town 

to stroll around, and has many interesting 

buildings as well as nice restaurants and 

boutiques. Walk to the pier and see the 

fishermen bring in their catch, or take a 

schooner cruise to an offshore island where 

you can swim in the sea 

DAy 7 

Road transfer to Rio and fly to Iguazu. Stay at 

the Viale Cataratas Hotel 

DAy 8 

Today you will have a half-day to visit the 

Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls 

DAy 9 

Today you will take a half-day tour of the 

larger Argentine side of the Iguazu Falls 

DAy 10 

Morning flight to Rio, where on arrival you 

will be met and transferred to the Buzios 

Peninsula (journey time around 3 hours) 

DAyS 11-12 

Free time to relax by the pool or hire a jeep 

and explore the beautiful Buzios Peninsula, 

which has over 20 bays and beaches. In the 

evening, head down to the main street of 

Buzios with its numerous bars, restaurants 

and boutiques 

DAy 13 

In the evening return to Rio airport in time for 

your overnight flight to London. 



flights and breakfast throughout.

Across South America Tour 

Santiago – Mendoza – Buenos Aires – Iguazu Falls – Rio de Janeiro 

This 14-day tour takes you on a journey across South America, showcasing the 

highlights of Chile, Argentina and Brazil. 

Starting in Chile’s capital city of 

Santiago, this trans-continental 

journey goes from the Pacific 

shores of Chile to the Atlantic 

beaches of Rio. 

DAy 1 

Overnight flight from the UK to Santiago 

DAy 2 

Arrive in Santiago and transfer to your hotel 

DAy 3 

Full day excursion to UNESCO World Heritage 

town of Valparaiso and the resort of Vina del 

Mar 

DAy 4 

Free day to explore Santiago 

DAy 5 

After breakfast you will take arguably the 

continent’s most beautiful road journey, 

crossing the Andes by scheduled coach to 

Mendoza 

DAy 6 

Tour of Mendoza, home to some of the best 

known wines in the world, and the heart of 

Argentina’s wine industry 

DAy 7 

Fly from Mendoza to Buenos Aires and check 

in to your boutique hotel in the affluent 

Recoleta area 

DAy 8 

Morning sightseeing tour of the city including 

La Boca, the Plaza de Mayo as well as 

Recoleta and Palermo. Spend the afternoon 

at leisure 

DAy 9 

Free day and enjoy dinner and a spectacular 

tango show in the evening 

DAy 10 

Fly from Buenos Aires to Iguazu and tour the 

Argentinean side of the falls before crossing 

the border into Brazil, and transferring to your 

hotel 

DAy 11 

Half-day visit to the Brazilian side of the 

Iguazu Falls 


sharing, including international flights and breakfast throughout. 

DAy 12 

Fly to Rio 

DAy 13 


Brazil 

Full-day jeep tour of Corcovado Mountain and 

the statue of Christ the Redeemer, followed 

by the iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain 

DAy 13 

Return overnight flight to the UK. 

Chile 

Santiago 

Mendoza 

Argentina 

Buenos 

Aires 

Iguazu 

Falls 

Belem 

Brazil 


39 

Jericoacoara 

Fortal

Peru 

40 

Whilst Machu 

Picchu is its defining 

image, Peru offers so 

much more. Natural 

wonders and rich 

cultures blend 

perfectly to make 

the country one of 

Latin America’s most 

rewarding. 

Peru is home to one of the continent’s most sought-after 

highlights, iconic Machu Picchu. This Inca citadel is an 

awe-inspiring sight, and on many travellers’ lifetime mustsee 

list. 2011 was the centenary of its discovery by Hiram 

Bingham, however, it was also the year that the Peruvian 

government decided to reduce the number of entrance 

tickets to the citadel by half, so make sure you book early! 

Cuzco offers more than its tag as the starting point for 

trips to Machu Picchu. A beautiful Spanish colonial city built 

upon Inca foundations, it is at its most vibrant in late June 

during the annual Incan Inti Raymi festival. Between Cuzco 

and Machu Picchu lies the Urubamba or Sacred Valley, with 

many colourful markets and Inca ruins.

Ecuador 

Chiclavo 

Pacaya Samiria 

National Park 

Lima 

Lake Titicaca is the highest 

navigable lake in the world, and 

also the gateway to cross into 

Bolivia. Further south is the Colca 

Canyon. Deeper than the Grand 

Canyon, it is worth visiting not 

only for its extraordinary beauty, 

but also because it offers a 

unique opportunity to spend time 

watching the beautiful condor. 

Peru is one of the three 

most accessible countries from 

which you can visit the Amazon 

rainforest. You can stay in jungle 

lodges reached from Puerto 

Maldonado, or set off from 

Iquitos on a comfortable cruise or 

expedition on the world’s most 

famous river. 

Peru 

Iquitos 

Machu Picchu 

Sacred Valley 

Ica 

Nazca 

Colombia 

Arequipa 

Cuzco 

Puno 


Be wowed by Machu Picchu 

Take in the picture postcard views of Lake Titicaca 

Spot condors in the Colca Canyon 

Explore Cusco and the Sacred Valley 

Take a luxurious Amazon cruise 

Brazil 

Puerto Maldonado 

Bolivia 

One of the greatest changes 

in recent years to tourism in 

Peru has been the growth of 

luxurious accommodation, Chile not Argentina 

only in the cities but even in the 

remotest areas. 

So if you want 

full-on creature 

comforts all 

the way - and 

that includes 

an Amazon 

river cruise or 

a train journey 

to Machu Picchu 

- that can be 

arranged. 

When to go 

The best months to visit Peru are 

from April to November, although 

temperatures at night can be very cold 

at higher altitudes. The rainy season 

is between January and March. Lima’s 

climate is dry, though grey, throughout 

the year. The Amazon remains hot and 

humid year-round. 

Getting there 


Peru. You will fly via a European airport 

or the US. The quickest flight time is 

between 16 and 17 hours. Lima is the 

main arrival point. 

GMT: -5 hours 

Visas 

British passport holders do not require 

a visa to enter Peru. However if you are 

travelling via the US, it will be necessary 

to obtain the ESTA. 

Health 


required to enter Peru. Precautions 

against malaria and yellow fever, if 

Paraguay 

travelling to the Amazon, are suggested, 

but check with your GP. 

The floating islands 

are made of reed and 

are home to traditional 

communities. They can 

be visited from both the 

Peruvian and the Bolivian 

sides of Lake Uruguay Titicaca. 

Peru 


Lima & Excursions 

For many Lima is seen 

merely as the entry 

point to Peru. 

However the city does have 

its own gems worth visiting 

if you find yourself with a 

spare day. The main areas of 

interest are its historic centre (a 

UNESCO World Heritage Site), 

archaeological sites, museums, 

art galleries, festivals, the nightlife 

and popular local traditions. Lima 

has a good range of restaurants 

and bars where local as well as 

international cuisine is served. 

Lima is also the departure 

points for some of Peru’s less 

accessible highlights. 

The Nazca Lines 

The Nazca Lines are a series of 

hundreds of ancient geoglyphs 

etched into the Nazca Desert in 

southern Peru. The designs have 

provoked many discussions over 

the years between archaeologists 

and anthropologists about the 

purpose and meaning of them 

with still no firm conclusions. 

Many of the designs depict 

humans, animals, birds or fish. 

The best way to appreciate the 

designs is from the air. Light 

aircraft flights operate from a 

number of airstrips close to Nazca 

or nearby Ica and criss-cross 

their way over the lines. If you 

are not staying in the area, then 

it is possible to take a full day 

excursion from Lima. 

42 

Ballestas Islands 

The Ballestas Islands 

These are a cluster of rocks situated 

off the coast at Paracas and 

are renowned for their wildlife, 

sometimes being referred to as 

the Peruvian Galapagos. Boat trips 

operate in the morning and take 

visitors on a tour of the islands where 

you often see large colonies of sea 

lions as well as many seabirds. 

Back on land, the nearby region 

of Pisco is home to a number of 

vineyards from where the grape 

liqueur, Pisco Sour originates. The 

best accommodation in the area is 

the Paracas Hotel Luxury Collection 

which has 120 rooms, two large 

swimming pools and a spa.

Cuzco 

Palacio Nazarenas 

by Orient Express 

From £235 

B/B 

Palacio Nazarenas by Orient Express opened 

its doors to the public in June 2012 and 

is located conveniently close to the main 

square in Cuzco. Situated on the site of 

a former palace and convent, the Palacio 

Nazarenas is an all-suite hotel with 55 rooms. 

Luxury amenities include a pillow menu, 

complimentary Wi-Fi and an iPad with a guide 

to Cuzco. Guests can enjoy the wonderful 

outdoor heated swimming pool, relaxing 

guest lounge, boutique with local handicrafts 

and Hypnoze Spa. 

Casa Andina Private Collection 

From £50 

B/B 

This eighteenth century manor house near 

Cuzco’s Plaza de Armas is full of colonial 

character, offering the friendliness of a 

boutique hotel with the comforts of a much 

larger establishment. The hotel has three 

distinguishing interior patios; the principal 

patio features a gurgling stone fountain and is 

one of Cuzco’s most emblematic courtyards. 

The cosy lounge has a massive stone fireplace 

and guests dine by candlelight in the 

romantic restaurant, decorated with historic 

local paintings. Several rooms feature colonial 

frescoes, uncovered during renovation. 


Visit the Plaza de Armas in Cuzco 

Go horse riding in the Sacred Valley 

Take a tour of Pisac market 

Explore Cusco’s colonial centre 

Explore the ruins at Sacsayhuaman 


Inkaterra La Casona 

From £105 

B/B 

C uzco is not just the 

gateway to Machu Picchu, 

it’s a striking Spanish colonial 

city built on Inca foundations 

and well worth exploring in 

its own right. This former 

capital of the Inca Empire is 

a cultural delight, with local 

markets, museums and nearby 

Inca ruins to discover. It’s also 

home to the famous Inti Raymi 

festival of the sun that takes 

place on 24 June every year – 

book well in advance for the 

festival period. 

Peru 

Inkaterra La Casona is a boutique property 

located in the heart of Cuzco offering an 

elegant fusion of colonial and Inca styling. 

The striking 16th century manor house, built 

over the Palace of Inca Manco Capac, has 

been meticulously restored as a spacious 

11-suite luxury hotel with modern amenities 

such as iPod speakers. Colonial furnishings 

blend with contemporary comforts and 

impeccable service. This is a quiet oasis, a 

true home away from home, located on the 

serene Plaza Las Nazarenas. 

43

Machu Picchu 

South America’s most 

famous archaeological 

site, Machu Picchu, 

was lost to the outside 

world until 1911, when 

it was rediscovered by 

American archaeologist, 

Hiram Bingham. 

Machu Picchu has been voted 

one of the New Seven Wonders 

of the World. Although it can be 

visited as a day trip from Cuzco or 

the Sacred Valley, we recommend at 

least an overnight stay so that you 

have plenty of time to explore and 

admire this remarkable site. 

Article style 

Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge 

Inkaterra Machu Picchu 

Pueblo Hotel 

From £195 

Half-board 

Subheading 

Located in Aguas Calientes, just steps from 

the train station and in the valley immediately 

below Machu Picchu, this hotel is set in 

12 acres of private tropical gardens, which 

include many different types of orchid. A 

popular choice with many clients over the 

years, this first-class boutique property, 

with 85 spacious cottages, has a fabulous 

range of accommodation as well as a spa 

offering a wide range of treatments using 

natural essences, and two restaurants serving 

international and Andean dishes. 

44 

From Cuzco to Machu Picchu 

Trek or train? Starting in Cuzco, with 

perhaps a short stop in the Sacred 

Valley, your journey to Machu Picchu 

depends on how you prefer to 

travel. For those who like to arrive in 

relaxed style, there are train services 

from Cuzco that wind through the 

Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes. 

For those who prefer more active 

pursuits and who have more time, 

take a guided trek along one of the 

traditional trails. 

Trains 

Several train companies now 

operate services to Machu Picchu, 

the majority of which start from 

Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, 

and take about 90 minutes to reach 

Machu Picchu. Peru Rail’s recently 

From £370 

Half-board 

Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge is the only 

hotel located adjacent to this ancient Inca 

citadel. It offers its guests exceptionally easy 

access to Machu Picchu from early morning 

to late afternoon, when most of the day 

visitors and buses have left. Sit out on a 

terrace and savour Peruvian cuisine based 

on produce grown on the lodge’s own plot. 

This delightful Orient-Express hideaway is 

the perfect place to relax and unwind in the 

shadow of the Lost City. 

refurbished Vistadome carriages 

are not only very comfortable but 

have panoramic windows allowing 

great views of the Urubamba river 

and valley. Peru Rail also operate 

the Hiram Bingham, an elegant 

member of the Orient-Express train 

family from Poroy, near Cuzco. This 

offers a leisurely morning start with 

brunch served en route, returning in 

the evening with pre-dinner drinks 

accompanied by live entertainment 

and a four-course gastronomic 

menu. 

El MaPi Hotel by Inkaterra 

From £60 

Half-board 

El MaPi Hotel is an excellent and more 

affordable hotel choice in the heart of Aguas 

Calientes, the village below Machu Picchu. 

Contemporarily furnished, the hotel has 

48 comfortable rooms – some with scenic 

views – and a relaxed and informal feel. This 

is reflected in the hotel’s café that serves 

tasty, nutritious breakfasts and remains open 

throughout the day serving a range of healthy 

dishes. The hotel also has a ‘not so healthy’ 

but well stocked bar!

Trekking to Machu Picchu 

There are two alternative ways 

to trek from the Sacred Valley to 

Machu Picchu – take the Classic 

Inca route and stay under canvas 

(see our firsthand report on 

page 47), or choose the more 

luxurious seven-day trek along 

the Salkantay trail, and stay in 

welcoming purpose-built Incastyle 

mountain lodges. 

Most lodges have six rooms, 

all with en suite facilities, hot 

showers, excellent food and some 

with outdoor hot tubs to soothe 

aching muscles after a long day’s 

walking. The comfortable nature 

of the lodges should not disguise 

the fact that the trek is still quite 

strenuous, with the highest point 

being over 4,600 metres. 

We strongly suggest spending 

several days in Cuzco prior to 

the trek to acclimatise. Luggage 

is transported between each 

lodge by mules and you are 

safely overseen throughout the 

entire walk by knowledgeable 

local guides. You will meet few 

other trekkers en route and pass 

isolated communities where 

life has changed little. Frequent 

departures operate between 

March and December and for 

groups of between six and 12, it 

is possible to organise a private 

trek – ideal for a group of friends 

or family, or to celebrate a special 

occasion. Please ask for details. 


Peru 

45

46 

The Inca Trail 

A view from a former guide

Sonia Rojas, Travel Specialist at Rainbow Tours, 

is Peruvian. She used to work as a tour leader in 

Peru, and has done the Inca Trail many times. 

Spectacular Andean scenery... 

world-class historical ruins... 

the satisfaction of real physical 

achievement...the first time I 

tackled the four-day Inca Trail was 

the most amazing and fulfilling 

experience I’ve ever had. 

The second day is the toughest, 

with an ascent to the 4,215-metre 

high Dead Woman’s Pass - also 

known as The Gringo Killer! But 

all the hard work is worthwhile 

when you feast your eyes on 

the breathtaking landscape set 

against a backdrop of snowcapped 

mountains. 

The scenery on the trail is 

incredibly varied. On the third 

day, you descend into rainforest, 

before setting up camp near the 

Winay Wayna ruins. 

At night on the trek, you sleep 

in a tent on a comfy mattress. 

The tents are erected by porters, 

who also carry your bags, prepare 

meals and wake you with a 

hot cup of coca tea on chilly 

mornings. 


On the last day, you wake 

at 4am, and make your way to 

the Sun Gate to watch the sun 

rise slowly over Machu Picchu. 

Even though I’ve been lucky 

enough to have witnessed this 

about 45 times, the view still 

blows me away. You then have 

time to explore the site, before 

descending the easy way - by bus 

and train to Cuzco. 

The Inca Trail is challenging, 

but achievable by anyone who is 

reasonably fit and acclimatised - 

as part of your trip planning, we 

always incorporate two or three 

days of pre-trek acclimatisation 

in Cuzco. It’s worth it. Doing the 

trek is unforgettable, whether the 

first or the 45th time! 

The Peruvian authorities 

recently placed a daily limit on 

the number of visitors to Machu 

Picchu. By booking in advance 

through us, your entrance to this 

iconic site will be guaranteed. 

Peru 

47

The Sacred Valley 

48 

The Sacred Valley 

of the Incas is at a 

lower altitude than 

Cuzco. 

It has a mild climate, 

beautiful scenery, picture 

postcard villages and is 

home to fine Inca sites such 

as Ollantaytambo, and local 

markets such as Pisac. It is fed 

by rivers that descend through 

adjoining valleys and gorges, 

and contains numerous 

archaeological remains and 

villages. It’s a good place 

to go walking, horse riding, 

mountain biking or river 

rafting if you enjoy more 

active pursuits. The growing 

popularity of the valley has 

led to the development of 

a number of new hotels, 

many of which offer firstclass 

facilities. 

Sol y Luna Lodge & Spa 

From £60 

B/B 

This lodge is one of the Sacred Valley’s more 

established properties, and despite the arrival 

of new hotels, it is still regarded as one of the 

best. The hotel has 43 individual ‘casitas’ or 

small houses, some with displays of Peruvian 

art and tapestries. The hotel can arrange 

many of the activities available throughout 

the valley, uses local produce and employs 

people from the local community. The 

outstanding spa, beautiful natural gardens 

and delicious cuisine help you leave relaxed 

and re-energised. 

Hotel Rio Sagrado 

From £105 

B/B 

Hotel Rio Sagrado lies amongst verdant fields 

and towering mountains on the banks of the 

Urubamba river. This attractive Orient-Express 

hotel is built in natural materials to resemble 

an authentic Andean village. Situated at a 

lower altitude than Cuzco, it provides the 

perfect environment for relaxation and to 

acclimatise. It’s is a good base from which to 

explore the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. 

Savour fresh produce in the restaurant, enjoy 

a Sacred Valley massage in the spa and slip 

into the rhythms of Peruvian life.

Lake Titicaca 


Isla Suasi 


for a 2-day package Full-board 

This solar-powered eco-lodge is set on the 

remote and beautiful Isla Suasi, Lake Titicaca’s 

only private island. Featuring panoramic 

lake views from every room, surrounded by 

gardens and designed with native materials, 

the lodge is committed to ‘green practices’. 

Suasi is a magical place to disconnect from 

the world. Spot rare vicuna (a relative of the 

llama), hike to Itapilluni hill to contemplate 

the colourful sunsets, canoe around the 

island, enjoy quiet nature walks or visit the 

massage room and steam saunas. 


Puno 

From £40 

B/B 

Perched at the water’s edge, 3,800m above 

sea level, Casa Andina has extraordinary views. 

Most of the 46 rooms have unparalleled lake 

vistas and the gourmet restaurant has a glass 

wall that frames the lake view. A large terrace 

lets guests take in the seemingly endless 

vistas. Unique among Puno hotels, oxygen 

is available in all rooms (a bonus for guests 

having difficulty adapting to the altitude). The 

hotel also has its own train station for guests 

travelling to and from Cuzco. 


Peru 

At an altitude of 3,800 

metres and straddling 

the border between 

Peru and Bolivia, Lake 

Titicaca is the highest 

navigable lake in the 

world. Its intensely blue 

waters are a spectacular 

sight contrasted against 

the snow-capped 

Andean backdrop. 

The best way to arrive here is 

on the Andean Explorer train 

service from Cuzco which runs 

several times a week to Puno. 

Exquisitely decorated in the 

manner of the great Pullman trains 

of the 1920s, the Andean Explorer 

boasts a full fleet of refurbished 

coaches and is owned by Orient- 

Express. The journey takes you 

high up into the Altiplano on a 

leisurely trip through the Andean 

landscape, where you will spot 

vicuna and alpaca. 

The Uros, the Sun and the 

Moon and Taquile and Amantaní 

are some of the many islands on 

the lake that can be visited. Some 

are home to Peru and Bolivia’s 

oldest peoples, where traditional 

ways of life still survive. Visit small 

villages around the lake and the 

archaeological site of Sillustani. If 

you wish to continue your journey 

from Lake Titicaca, you can travel 

by road from Puno to Copacabana 

in Bolivia and on to La Paz. 

49

Southern Peru 

Arequipa & the Colca Canyon 

50 

The attractive city 

of Arequipa lies 

in the shadow of 

three imposing, 

often snow-capped 

volcanoes. It is from 

the white volcanic 

rock that many of its 

buildings are made, 

hence the nickname 

‘the White City’. 

The historic centre has a 

number of attractions 

including an impressive main 

square and the Santa Catalina 

monastery, one of Peru’s 

most important religious 

monuments. At an altitude 

of just under 2,400 metres, 

Arequipa provides a gradual 

introduction to higher altitude 

attractions, such as the Colca 

Canyon. 

Situated 160 kilometres 

from Arequipa, the Colca 

Canyon is a colourful valley 

dotted with picturesque, 

traditional villages that use 

agricultural methods from 

Inca times. However, the 

main attraction is the canyon, 

which is twice the depth of 

the Grand Canyon in the 

USA. At the popular ‘Cruz del 

Condor’ viewpoint in the early 

mornings or evenings, you can 

sometimes see the canyon’s 

true star attractions – the 

Andean condor. 


From £50 

B/B 

Restored to its original grandeur, this 

colonial mansion is one of the finest hotels 

in Arequipa’s historic centre, and is as much 

living museum as it is hotel. Inhabiting the 

1794 former Mint House, a national historic 

monument, it was meticulously restored 

and remodelled in 2008 after a century of 

neglect, and features vaulted ceilings, colonial 

courtyards and an elegant restaurant. Five 

large suites have Republican-era flavour, and 

36 new rooms occupy a modern adjunct 

structure situated off an interior patio. 

Sonesta Posada Del Inca 

From £30 

B/B 

Charming and intimate, with 58 guest rooms, 

the Sonesta Posada del Inca is located in the 

centre of Arequipa’s main square, the Plaza de 

Armas, within easy access of the city’s major 

historical treasures. This is a fantastic little 

hotel awash with Peruvian charm and is very 

comfortable. Your stay will be enhanced by 

various features including a rooftop pool and 

café with spectacular views. Eat your lunch or 

dinner in a relaxing setting on the restaurant’s 

balcony overlooking the Plaza de Armas.

Peruvian Amazon 

No journey to Peru is really complete 

without a few days in the Amazon 

rainforest. The diversity of lush flora 

and fauna makes a vivid contrast 

to the Andean highlands. The most 

pristine area for wildlife is the Manu 

Biosphere Reserve, but access is 

difficult and warrants a longer stay at 

one of the remote rainforest lodges. 

If you are short on time, rainforest lodges near Puerto 

Maldonado are a good choice. They are easily reached 

from Cuzco and Lima. If however, you yearn to travel 

along the mighty Amazon itself, take a leisurely cruise in 

style from Iquitos in the north through the Pacaya Samiria 

reserve on a luxury vessel. 

Rainforest Expeditions 



Full-board 

Rainforest Expeditions operates three awardwinning 

Amazon lodges: Posada Amazonas, 

Refugio Amazonas, and Tambopata Research 

Centre. Each lodge provides access to a 

unique set of eco-tourism experiences, 

including hikes, wildlife observation and 

river activities, in the jungle of southeastern 

Peru. By working closely with the Ese’eja 

native community, the lodge generates 

sustainable local development whilst caring 

for the environment. 

Reserva Amazonica Lodge 



Full-board 

Reserva Amazonica Lodge sits on the bank 

of the Madre de Dios River in a 40 square 

mile private reserve adjacent to Tambopata 

National Park and is accessed from Puerto 

Maldonado by motorised canoe. It offers 

some of the most luxurious lodge rooms 

in the Peruvian Amazon. Located nearby is 

the sister property Hacienda Concepcion 

by Inkaterra which offers a fixed excursion 

programme as opposed to the flexible one 

at Reserva Amazonica. A highlight of both 

lodges is the rainforest canopy walkway. 


Luxury Amazon Cruises 



Full-board 

Peru 

A luxury cruise will transport you to a new 

natural world. Every day is packed with 

discoveries as you explore remote places 

along the river by water and on foot, spot 

unusual wildlife and meet native people. 

Travel in comfort on a three, four or seven 

night cruise on the award-winning M/V Aqua 

and sister ship Aria. The 12 (Aqua) and 16 

(Aria) over-sized suites all have generous 

panoramic windows. After a day’s excursion 

with expert guides, relax in the lounge or on 

the outdoor observation deck. 

51

Treasures of Peru 

Lima – Arequipa – Colca Canyon – Lake Titicaca 

Cuzco – Machu Picchu – Sacred Valley 

This classic 13-day private itinerary showcases Peru’s best loved natural 

wonders and colonial gems, including Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. 

Watch for condors soaring over the Colca Canyon, and visit the Indian communities on Lake Titicaca before travelling 

to the Inca heartland of Cuzco and the wondrous site of Machu Picchu. If you’d like to stay on in Peru a little longer, 

you can extend your trip to the Amazon, or if you want to see more of South America; the Iguazu Falls and Rio, or 

Easter Island are excellent extensions. 

DAy 1 

Morning flight from London Heathrow via 

Madrid to Lima. At Lima, stay at the Casa 

Andina Private Collection Hotel. (Depending 

on flight availability, it may be necessary to fly 

from London the previous evening overnight 

to Lima) 

DAy 2 

Introductory tour of Lima and a visit to the 

fascinating Larco Herrera Museum 

DAy 3 

Morning flight to Arequipa. Overnight at 

the Casa Andina Private Collection, situated 

on the site of the former Mint Building. 

Afternoon sightseeing 

DAy 4 

Leave Arequipa by road for the Colca 

Valley. This journey takes several hours and 

reaches an altitude of over 14,000ft before 

descending into the valley 

DAy 5 

In the morning a tour will take you to 

Condor’s Cross at one end of the valley where 

not only can you gaze at the immense canyon 

but maybe see the Andean condor 

DAy 6 

In the afternoon travel by coach to Puno, on 

the shores of Lake Titicaca. Stay at the Casa 

Andina Private Collection Hotel overlooking 

Lake Titicaca 

52 

DAy 7 

Enjoy a full day excursion by boat on the lake 

and visit the Uros floating reed islands and 

one of the Indian communities on Taquile 

Island 

DAy 8 

Travel by coach for the full-day journey across 

the Altiplano to Cuzco. En route stop at La 

Raya, the highest point on the journey, the 

Inca complex at Raqchi and at Andahuaylillas 

where the church is known as the ‘Sistine 

Chapel of the Americas’ 

DAy 9 

Take a short guided tour of the city of 

Cuzco to discover some of its history and 

architecture, including the magnificent Inca 

stonework and structures at Sacsayhuaman 

DAy 10 

For many, today will be the highlight of a 

holiday to Peru. The day that you finally reach 

the magnificent Inca citadel of Machu Picchu 

DAy 11 

You have a free morning to return early to 

Machu Picchu independently if you wish or 

relax at the Pueblo Hotel and enjoy some spa 

treatments. In the afternoon, travel by train 

to the Sacred Valley and stay at the Sol y Luna 

Hotel 

DAy 12 

Free day to relax and enjoy the hotel spa or 

visit a local market. For the more active you 

Columbia 

can go trekking either on foot or horseback 

DAy 13 

Ecuador 

Fly from Cuzco to Lima. Continue by air via 

Madrid to London. 


sharing, including international Brazil 

flights and breakfast throughout 

Lima 

Peru 

Sacred 

Valley 

Arequipa 

Wonders of Peru 


Machu 

Picchu 

Cuzco 

Colca 

Puno 

Our small group tour offers 

exceptional value. It visits the iconic 

Chile 

Machu Picchu, the Colca Canyon, 

Lake Titicaca and the Sacred Valley. 

Prices are from £2195 per person 

sharing, including flights. Regular 

departures and guaranteed to 

depart with a minimum of two. 

Bolivia 

Argentin

Peru & Bolivia Highlights 

Lima – Sacred Valley – Cuzco – Lake Titicaca – La Paz 

Salar de Uyuni – Potosi – Sucre 

See the magnificent Inca ruins at Machu Picchu before enjoying Columbia the highlights 

of Bolivia on this 16-day, high altitude itinerary. By way of contrast this trip stays 

on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca. 

Ecuador 

Get to the heart of what makes Peru and Bolivia so special. From the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu to the salt flats of 

Uyuni, this trip takes you on a spectacular journey through the Andes. See magnificent landscapes and the colourful 

communities and cultures that thrive in the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes. 

DAy 1 

Take the morning flight from London 

Heathrow to Lima, via Madrid. Stay for 2 

nights in the pleasant Miraflores district 

of Lima 

DAy 2 

Sightseeing tour of Lima including many of 

the city’s colonial and cultural gems 

DAy 3 

Fly to Cuzco and transfer to your Sacred 

Valley hotel for 2 nights, the Sol y Luna 

(or similar) 

DAy 4 

Free day in the Sacred Valley to participate in 

any number of the activities or tours the hotel 

offers, which are booked locally 

DAy 5 

Take the train journey to Aguas Calientes and 

onto Machu Picchu with an afternoon guided 

tour of this impressive Inca Citadel 

DAy 6 

Free morning to return to Machu Picchu 

before taking the train to Ollanta and transfer 

to Cusco for a 2-night stay 

DAy 7 

Many people think Cuzco is just the gateway to 

Machu Picchu but with our half-day tour you 

will see just how much more it has to offer 

DAy 8 

Take a breathtaking train journey through the 

Andes, aboard the Andean Explorer to Puno, 

and the shores of Lake Titicaca 

DAy 9 

Today you will cross into Bolivia and stay 

at the Posada del Inca Eco Lodge which is 

situated on Isla del Sol 

DAy 10 

Continue your journey on to La Paz, a city 

nestled high in the Andes and surrounded by 

snow-covered peaks 

DAy 11 

Take the new flight from La Paz to Uyuni and 

explore the amazing salt flats. You will also 

spend the night in a hotel made entirely of salt 

DAy 12 

Transfer from Uyuni to the colonial town of 

Potosi. Afternoon visit to the mines 

DAy 13 

Today you will head to Sucre, some say 

Bolivia’s most beautiful town, and stay in its 

best boutique hotel, Hotel de su Merced 

DAy 14 

Half-day city tour of Sucre which includes a 

visit to the Liberty House where Simon Bolivar 

signed the Independence of Bolivia 

Lima 

DAy 15 


Sacred 

Valley 

Peru 

Machu 

Picchu 

Brazil 

Peru 

Cuzco 

Bolivia 

Puno 

Lake Titicaca 

La Paz 

Salar de Uyuni 

Chile 

Sucre 

Potosi 

Fly from Sucre to La Paz and enjoy a city tour 

of this magical city 

DAy 16 

Spend the morning sightseeing. In the 

afternoon, fly from La Paz to Lima, then 

continue on your overnight flight to London, 

via Madrid. 



flights. 

53 

Para 

Arg

Bolivia 

Uyuni Salt Flats 

54 

Straddling the 

Andes, Bolivia is a 

country waiting to 

be explored. Here 

you will find some of 

the most spectacular 

wildernesses in South 

America, from snowcapped 

mountain 

ranges down to the 

lush forests of the 

Amazon basin, and 

from sparkling lakes 

and great volcanoes to 

bright white salt flats. 

For good reason, it is difficult to find an advert for 

Latin America without an image of Bolivia’s 

extraordinary Uyuni salt flats. They are certainly a 

sight to behold, but far from the only highlight of 

this fantastic country. Bolivia is home to some of the 

most untouched and least visited areas of the Amazon 

rainforest, while the colonial cities of Sucre and the silvermining 

centre of Potosi are well-preserved windows into 

the country’s history. Bolivia is also becoming known 

as a destination for the more adventurous, who like 

the extreme thrill of cycling down a road that has been 

branded as the world’s most dangerous. 

With its rugged terrain, many colourful festivals 

and indigenous people holding strong religious beliefs, 

this land-locked country creates a lasting impression. 

Bolivia can be visited as a country in its own right, but 

it can also be combined with Peru and Chile as well as 

Argentina and Brazil.

or 

Columbia 

Peru 

Salar de Uyuni 

Laguna Colorada 

Chile 

Amanda Sweeney, 

one of Rainbow Tours’ 

much-travelled South 

America experts, 

explains why Bolivia is 

her favourite country. 

“When I first went to Bolivia over 

a decade ago, I was bowled over. 

The whole of South America is 

awash with spectacular scenery, 

but for me it is in Bolivia that it is 

at its most memorable. Bolivia is 

much less developed than other 

South American countries, and 

the accommodation, though 

comfortable, is nothing to write 

home about. However, the 

dramatic landscapes really take your 

La Paz 

Bolivia 

Potosi 

Laguna Verde 

Sucre 

Argentina 

Things to do in Bolivia: 

Explore La Paz 

Experience the Uyuni salt flats 

See the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca 

Spend time in Sucre 

Take on the Bolivian Amazon from Yungas 

Paraguay 

Brazil 

When to go 

The best months to visit Bolivia are from 

April to November, although night time 

temperatures can be very cold at higher 

altitude. The rainy season is between 

January and March whilst the Amazon 

remains hot and humid at all times. 

Getting there 


Bolivia. La Paz in Bolivia is less accessible 

than many other cities in Latin America 

with the probability of flying via Miami or 

another South American city. 

GMT: -4 hours 

Bolivia 

Visas 


visa to enter Bolivia. However if you are 

travelling via the US, it will be necessary 

to obtain the ESTA. 

Health 


required to enter Bolivia. Precautions 




breath away, and so much is true traditional lifestyle, much as they’ve 

wilderness. Luxury in Bolivia means done for thousands of years. 

the luxury of being the only people But my favourite place in Bolivia 

for miles and miles. 

has to be the Salar de Uyuni salt 

Whether Lake Titicaca is best flats. They’re dazzling, beautiful and 

viewed from the Bolivian or Peruvian eerie all at the same time – and you 

Uruguay 

side is an ongoing debate. But if can even see the curvature of the 

you want vast, sweeping views of earth. The salt hotel, Luna Salada, is 

the electric blue waters untouched a lot of fun: everything, including the 

by any kind of development, then furniture, is made from salt.” 

Bolivia wins hands down! 

Another real highlight for 

me was visiting the Urus 

Iruitos community on 

the floating reed islands. 

Our local agent provides 

support for these 

communities, so that 

they can continue their 


Bolivian Towns 

56 

La Paz 

La Paz is the administrative 

capital of Bolivia, but despite its 

mixture of colonial and modern, 

it retains the most indigenous 

flavour of all Latin American 

cities. Situated high up in the 

Andes in a steep-sided bowl with 

buildings perched on the side of 

the hills, you will still see Indian 

women in traditional dress in the 

markets and find colourful textiles 

and alpaca woollens at a bargain 

price. The Valley of the Moon, 

an area of unusual sandstone 

monoliths that has been shaped 

by the winds over many centuries, 

lies to the south of the city and is 

well worth a visit. 

Sucre 

The charming colonial city 

of Sucre, (the official capital 

city of Bolivia) is known as ‘La 

Ciudad Blanca’ because of its 

whitewashed buildings. Its centre 

has many buildings dating back 

to the sixteenth and seventeenth 

centuries such as the Casa de la 

Libertad, the cathedral and one 

of the earliest South American 

universities founded in 1624. 

These buildings have led to Sucre 

being designated a UNESCO 

World Heritage Site. Not far 

from Sucre is the town of 

Tarabuco where every Sunday 

a colourful market takes place, 

which is regarded as one of the 

most authentic in South America. 

The market is a great place to 

barter for locally woven goods 

such as ponchos. 

Potosi 

The discovery of silver (and tin) in 

the sixteenth century led to the 

rapid expansion of Potosi which 

became at one time the largest 

city in the Americas. Although 

no longer a boom town, the 

city retains much of its colonial 

heritage and has been declared a 

World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 

It has an abundance of churches 

and the Mint, which produced 

silver coins for the Spanish 

empire is well worth a visit. On 

a hill outside the city, silver is 

still mined and it is possible to 

make a brief visit inside these 

mines, though this is not for the 

claustrophobic!

Spectacular 

Southern Bolivia 

Uyuni Salt Flats 

The salt flats south of Uyuni are part of the 

Altiplano which reaches across from Bolivia 

into the north of Chile, and are the largest in the 

world. The breathtaking and unusual landscapes 

high up in the Andes are truly spectacular. 

Sunglasses and sun cream are 

essential as you journey by 4WD 

across a blinding white salt crust, 

bordered by azure blue skies and 

small islands dotted with giant 

cacti, to great expanses of red 

desert, where mineral rich and 

vividly coloured lakes support flocks 

of rare James’ flamingos. 

This is a remote, sparsely 

populated region with no luxury 

accommodation but the wild and 

beautiful landscapes are sure to 

capture your imagination. The best 

months to visit this region are from 

April to November, but be warned, 

temperatures at night on the high 

Altiplano can drop sharply in the 

winter months of June to August. 

If you are travelling from La 

Paz to Uyuni, you now have the 

opportunity to fly to Uyuni instead 

of a three hour drive followed by a 

five hour train journey. From Potosi, 

the drive to Uyuni takes around five 

hours. Apart from journeying on 

the salt flats, you will also see how 

the salt is produced on a visit to the 

hard-working local community in 

Colchani. 


Bolivia Airstream Campers 

Luna Salada Hotel 

From £35 

B/B 

Bolivia 

Luna Salada (literally meaning ‘salt moon’) has 

to be one of the most extraordinary hotels in 

the world, as it is almost entirely constructed 

of rock salt. Overlooking spectacular salt flats, 

the floors are strewn with colourful woven 

rugs over rock salt gravel and much of the 

furniture is carved from salt, which is also 

mined nearby. Comfortable en suite rooms 

and a cosy restaurant complete this unique 

experience, a tranquil spot from which to 

start your 4WD explorations. 

57

Ecuador 

Otavalo Market 

58 

Tucked in on the 

west coast of South 

America between 

Peru and Colombia, 

Ecuador is one 

of the smallest 

countries on the 

continent. However, 

it is filled to 

bursting point with 

fascinating places to 

discover. 

AIthough most famous for its off-shore island 

archipelago, the Galapagos, the mainland also 

deserves in-depth exploration. It consists of three regions: 

the coast, the Andes and the Amazon. The climate is 

tropically humid in the coastal region and the Amazon, 

but fresh and temperate in the highlands year-round, 

where, due to the proximity with the equator, there is 

little seasonal variation. 

Quito, Ecuador’s capital, has a sensitively restored 

historic area, and is a great base from which to take 

excursions. Many nearby villages produce a wealth of 

crafts such as paintings, leatherware, ceramics, baskets, 

woodcarvings and even bread-dough carvings. Markets 

throughout the country - the most famous of which is at 

Otavalo - display the workmanship of Ecuadorian artisans.


Not far from Quito is the 

Equatorial Monument, which 

contains a museum that covers 

many aspects of Ecuadorian 

history and present day life, and 

you are also within easy reach of 

cloud forests, lakes, mountains 

and volcanoes. South of Quito, 

you can enjoy magnificent 

scenery along the Avenue of 

the Volcanoes leading towards 

Riobamba and the beautiful 

colonial city of Cuenca, where 

Panama hats come from. Close to 

this area, you can also visit Inca 

ruins at Ingapirca, Ecuador’s most 

important archaeological site. 

A stay at a jungle lodge deep 

in the Ecuadorian Amazon is 

a must for wildlife and birdwatching 

enthusiasts. Moreover, 

in our opinion, Ecuador is 

the best country in which to 

visit the Amazon and gain an 

understanding of the indigenous 

communities living in the 

rainforest. 

Guayaquil 

Otavalo 

Quito 

Cuenca 

Kapawi Lodge 

Ibarra 

Ecuador 

Avenue of Volcanoes 

Colombia 

Peru 

While the Galapagos Islands are 

likely to be the highlight of any 

trip, encounters with friendly 

people in the small towns and 

villages on the mainland are what 

makes a tour to Ecuador really 

memorable. 

Things to do in Ecuador: 

Buy presents at Otovalo Market 

Explore Quito’s old town 

Visit Amazon communities 

Horse ride in Cotopaxi National Park 

Relax in colonial Cuenca 

When to go 

Ecuador can be visited all year round. 

Being so close to the equator, Quito 

has no major temperature fluctuations. 

Temperatures at night become very 

cold at higher altitudes. Guayaquil on 

the coast, along with the interior of 

the Amazon, remain hot and humid 

all year round. 

Getting there 


Ecuador, so depending on your itinerary, 

you will fly either via Europe or the USA. 

GMT: -5 Hours 

Ecuador 

Visas 


visa to enter Ecuador, though if you fly via 

the US, the ESTA will Brazil be compulsory. 

Health 


required to enter Ecuador. Precautions 




The Devil’s Nose Train 

In the nineteenth century, the 

Ecuadorians were determined 

to link Guayaquil on the coast 

to Quito, high in the Andes. 

Two American engineers 

built a section of railway near 

Riobamba, up a perpendicular 

wall of rock, known as the Devil’s 

Nose. Many lives were lost 

building what is now known as 

a masterpiece of engineering. 

The track zig-zags up the cliff, 

with an extra extension at each 

turn. The train advances along 

the extended track, and then 

reverses up the next section. It 

can then go front first up the 

subsequent section, before 

reversing up the next, and so on. 

Thus the train reaches the top 

without having to actually turn a 

sharp corner. 


Quito & Otavalo 

Ecuador’s capital city has an impressive 

location at 2,850 metres above sea 

level, overlooked by Mount Pichincha. 

In recent years considerable restoration work has been 

undertaken in Quito’s historic colonial centre, which has 

made this part of town a joy to explore on foot. Many 

buildings date from the seventeenth century and highlight 

the baroque era. Beyond Quito lie a wealth of attractions 

such as the Equatorial Monument and the spectacular 

natural beauty of the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Just a 

short journey from the capital, Otavalo is famous for its 

traditional and colourful market, which is still important 

within the local economy and very much a part of 

traditional life. 

Casa Gangotena 

From £145 

B/B 

Casa Gangotena is an intimate and boutique 

hotel situated in a pretty restored mansion 

overlooking the Plaza San Francisco in the 

heart of Quito. The results of a three year 

restoration process can truly be seen in this 

elegant hotel. Spread over three floors, Casa 

Gangotena has 31 stylish rooms and suites 

with high ceilings and plush furnishings. The 

restaurant serves tasty traditional Ecuadorian 

cuisine and the hotel is within walking 

distance of many of the attractions of Quito. 

60 

Hotel Patio Andaluz 

From £60 

B/B 

Located in the historic heart of Old Quito, 

with beautifully restored churches, museums 

and national monuments just on its doorstep, 

Hotel Patio Andaluz holds centuries of history 

within its walls, which date back to the very 

foundation of the city. The hotel has 32 

rooms and suites and a restaurant that serves 

local and Spanish cuisine. The Patio Andaluz 

is the perfect choice for those who like to be 

central and want to spend time exploring the 

capital’s rich history. 

La Mirage Garden Hotel & Spa 

From £150 

Half-board 

Otavalo is just a short journey from the 

capital and is famous for its traditional and 

colourful market. Its best hotel is La Mirage, 

a contemporary Relais & Chateaux property 

located in the grounds of a 200-year-old 

hacienda. La Mirage has 23 comfortable 

rooms and suites, each with its own 

fireplace, to ensure guests receive a warm 

welcome. Pamper yourself with luxurious spa 

treatments or relax in the hotel’s flower-filled 

gardens where you can also look out for 

hummingbirds.

The Avenue of the 

Volcanoes and Cuenca 

Hacienda San Agustín de Callo 

From £230 

Full-board & excursions 

If you would like to stay longer in this lush 

highlands region, great for hiking or horse 

riding, we recommend San Agustín de Callo. 

This hacienda was built on the site of an Inca 

palace and combines Inca stonework with 

Spanish colonial architecture. Located near 

Cotopaxi National Park, the hotel has 11 

spacious rooms and offers a variety of tours 

such as trekking, biking, horse riding and 

fishing. The atmosphere is relaxed and the 

cuisine fabulous, using fresh local ingredients. 

Samari Spa Resort 

From £135 

B/B 

Set in a beautifully restored 18th century 

Jesuit monastery located a few minutes 

from Baños de Agua Santa, the Samari Spa 

Resort is a wonderful 37 room hotel. A good 

range of facilities are spread throughout the 

spacious gardens including the tavern, an 

indoor heated swimming pool and a Spa with 

a sauna and Turkish bath. For a relaxing and 

peaceful stay in a unique setting, the Samari 

Spa Resort is a great choice. 

During his travels in the 

nineteenth century, the German 

scientist Alexander von Humboldt 

was so impressed by Mount 

Cotopaxi and its neighbouring 

volcanoes, that he christened the 

area the ‘Avenue of the Volcanoes’. 

T his stunning area stretches for 325 kilometres 

between a line of 19 volcanoes in the Cordillera 

Occidental and 20 volcanoes in the Cordillera 

Central. At 5,987 metres, Cotopaxi is the world’s 

highest active volcano. This and the majestic 

peaks of Tungurahua and the 6,310 metre high 

Chimborazo can sometimes be spotted above the 

clouds as you approach Quito by air. The region 

offers many authentic experiences – Ingapirca Inca 

ruins, local markets, hacienda accommodation, 

hiking and horse riding. 


Mansión Alcázar 

From £75 

B/B 

Ecuador 

The beautiful Mansión Alcázar is a nineteenth 

century house restored to its original 

splendour located in the heart of vibrant 

Cuenca. It has just 11 rooms and three suites, 

each individually and tastefully decorated 

with antique furniture pieces. Other facilities 

include a restaurant and a bar. Service in 

the hotel is personal and welcoming and 

for many years now, Mansión Alcázar has 

maintained its reputation as the best colonial 

style hotel in the city. 

61

Ecuador’s Amazon 

Rainforest & Cloud Forest 

62 

To the east of the Andes lie the tropical 

lowlands of El Oriente, an unspoiled 

wilderness of Amazonian rainforest. To the west 

is the lush cloud forest which offers excellent 

bird-watching, attractive waterfalls and superb 

flora and fauna. 

Over the years, a number of wildlife lodges 

have been discreetly developed to allow visitors 

the opportunity of witnessing the multitude of 

birdlife and wildlife that exist here. Excellent local 

naturalists are on hand to help enhance your 

understanding of these pristine wildlife zones. 

All the lodges we use here are either owned 

by or directly benefit their local indigenous 

communities, and each of them provides a truly 

unique and quite unforgettable experience. 

Top tips 

• Go on one or more night walks as this is when 

the forest comes alive. You feel completely 

surrounded by so many creatures that you can 

only hear. In the day it can be hard to spot 

wildlife through the dense vegetation, but at 

night you can catch the reflection of their eyes 

in the light cast by your torch. 

• Take the time to talk one-on-one with your 

guide as you will be rewarded with some 

fascinating insights and stories. 

• Go with an open mind as the magic of the 

Amazon will hit you when you least expect it!

Napo Wildlife Centre 

From £525 per person for a 3-night package 

Full-board 

The award-winning Napo Wildlife Centre is owned by the local community, the Anangu Kichua. 

It is an eco-tourism project that includes the conservation of approximately 53,500 acres of 

the most pristine Amazon rainforest within the Yasunì National Park, an important UNESCO 

Biosphere Reserve. A number of excursions and activities are included, such as a visit to the 

centre’s parrot and macaw clay lick, which is rich in natural minerals. 

Mashpi Lodge 



Full-board 

Environmentally conscious Mashpi Lodge is an 

impressive and magical retreat hidden inside 

a 1200 hectare private reserve in the Cloud 

Forest. Built on an area of raised ground 

offering guests a 360 degree forest view, 

there are 22 well-furnished rooms and suites. 

The lodge has created its very own canopy 

gondola which is used to transport guests on 

a two kilometre trail through the forest and 

guests can go bird-watching, take night walks 

and swim in waterfalls. 

Huaorani Ecolodge 



Full-board 

Deep in the Amazon rainforest, Huaorani 

Ecolodge offers the chance to sample and 

learn about the traditional way of life of the 

Huaorani people, one of the most isolated 

ethnic groups on earth. Their sustainable 

tourism project, the Ecolodge has just five 

traditionally built palm thatched rooms, all 

screened and with private facilities. Excursions 

are taken by dugout canoe, or you can hike 

along trails, learning about the environment 

and going out after dark to see nocturnal 

animals. 


Sacha Lodge 



Full-board 

Set within a 2,000 hectare private reserve 

with 26 thatched rooms, this lodge has a 

fantastic 275 metre long canopy walkway 

nearly 30 metres up in the treetops, providing 

an unbelievable opportunity for bird-watching 

and wildlife spotting in the rainforest. After 

a 30 minute flight from Quito to Coca, your 

wildlife adventure begins during the two hour 

boat transfer along the Napo River where you 

can spot many shore birds such as kingfishers 

and herons. 

Kapawi Lodge 



Ecuador 

Full-board 

Kapawi Lodge is a unique project run in 

conjunction with the Achuar tribe to promote 

sustainable resources, preserve nearly two 

million acres of pristine rainforest and minimise 

environmental impact, and is one of the most 

remote, ecologically responsible and culturally 

sensitive eco-lodges in the world. Accessible 

only by plane and boat, the nearest town is a 

ten-day walk away. Achuar craftsmen have built 

18 comfortable cabins using local materials and 

upgraded furnishings to appeal to the tastes 

and requirements of today’s traveller. 

63

The Galapagos 

Islands 

64 

Lying 600 miles off the coast of 

Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands 

offer a trip of a lifetime for 

nature lovers. With its unique 

ecosystem, the archipelago 

has some of the world’s most 

spectacular wildlife on both 

land and water. 

Charles Darwin formulated his theory of 

evolution following close study of the 

fauna he found on the Galapagos Islands. 

They are truly a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. 

You can expect close encounters with many 

species, including iguanas, albatross, bluefooted 

boobies, flamingos, giant tortoises, 

hammerhead sharks, manta rays and sea 

lions. If you wish to see a particular species 

at a particular time of year, then do ask us for 

advice on when to go and which island to visit. 

A wildlife expedition to the islands is an incredible 

journey of discovery and adventure, which will 

bring you literally face to face with inquisitive 

land and marine mammals and birds. The best 

way to see how species have evolved on different

Fernandina 

Isabela 

Bartolome 

Santiago 

Rabida 

Tortuga 

islands is to take a cruise. There 

are different boat sizes and cruise 

lengths to suit your needs. For 

example, some companies operate 

family-oriented cruises. In order 

to enhance your experience, the 

Galapagos National Park authorities 

limit the number of visitors to each 

island to just 100 per day, in groups 

no larger than 20. 

A Galapagos cruise will appeal 

to wildlife lovers, snorkellers and 

those interested in photography. 

If you want to visit the islands 

without spending too much time 

on a boat, some hotels in the 

archipelago, such as the Finch 

Equator 

Santa Cruz 

Floreana 

North Seymour 

Sante Fé 

San Cristobal 

Espanola 

Bay, operate day excursions to 

nearby islands. If you’d prefer to 

explore on foot, a limited number 

of walking tours operates on 

Isabela Island. 

Things to do in the Galapagos: 

Swim with sea lions and turtles 

Watch a blue-footed booby dance 

Walk with a giant tortoise 

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre 

Sip cocktails at sunset on your boat 

When to go 

The Galapagos Islands can be visited all 

year round. The temperatures are warmer 

between January and May, when there is 

also a greater chance of rain. In the latter 

half of the year, the weather is cooler. 

From the end of August for a month 

or so, the seas can be choppier; also at 

this time of year a sea mist can restrict 

visibility. 

Getting there 

Daily flights operate from Quito and 

Guayaquil on the Ecuadorean mainland 

to both Baltra and San Cristobal islands. 

Your flights are arranged in accordance 

with your cruise schedule. 

GMT: -6 hours 

The Galapagos Islands 

Visas 

The Galapagos Islands are part of Ecuador 

and no visas are required. 

Health 

There are no compulsory health 

requirements for visiting the Galapagos 

Islands. 

In 1835, Charles Darwin 

arrived in the Galapagos 

Islands on board the HMS 

Beagle. He soon noticed 

the same thing that amazes 

travellers today, namely that 

many of the animals that roam 

the shores of the Galapagos, 

swim in its seas and fly among 

the islands, were unique. What 

struck him was not just that 

the birds, plants and reptiles 

were different from those on 

the mainland, but also that 

they were distinct from ones 

on neighbouring islands. The 

observations Darwin made 

during his five weeks in the 

archipelago played a vital part 

in his theory of evolution. 


Galapagos 

Cruising 

66 

The boats featured here range from those with 

a capacity of 20 passengers to the maximum 

of 100. The mid-sized to larger boats (carrying 

between 40 and 100 passengers) will generally 

have more public facilities such as lounges and 

Jacuzzis. 

However, the larger the boat, the longer it may take for embarking 

and disembarking for shore excursions. The smaller boats have 

the advantage of landing at islands such as Tower Island where you 

can see red-footed boobies. They can also sail closer to shore and 

visit isolated bays. 

All schedules are carefully co-ordinated and schedules changed in 

2012. Each boat can only visit the same site once every two weeks. On 

a typical day, the first excursion might start after an early breakfast and 

is likely to last for several hours. Passengers then return to the boat 

before it moves onto the next island or visitor site. 

In the afternoon there will be another landing and again, several 

hours spent ashore. At some visitor sites, a choice of activity may 

be offered, for example the chance to go snorkelling to seek out 

underwater life, whilst others can opt for a glass-bottomed boat tour. 

In the evening, dinner is preceded by a talk by the boat’s naturalist 

reviewing the day, and also previewing the next day. 

Finch Bay Eco Hotel 



Full-board & excursions 

For those who wish to experience the 

Galapagos but don’t have particularly good 

sea-legs, this is a great choice. Named after 

the famous and abundant Darwin’s finches, 

the hotel is close to Puerto Ayora, the main 

port town on Santa Cruz Island and the 

location of the Charles Darwin Research 

Station. Twenty-one comfortable rooms and 

six ocean view suites are complemented by 

the pool and outdoor Jacuzzi. Many options 

for multisport activities are available for 

guests not wishing to take a yacht excursion 

to visit nearby islands. 

Galapagos Safari Camp 

From £230 

Half-board 

Galapagos Safari Camp is a new way to see 

the Galapagos. Whether you are staying 

on after a cruise or want to experience 

the islands from the comfort of land, the 

Galapagos Safari Camp follows the African 

safari tradition where guests can take full 

enjoyment of the surrounding natural beauty 

from one of the nine luxury tents. The camp 

is situated on the island of Santa Cruz and 

offers magnificent views over the Pacific 

Ocean as well as Isabela, Santiago, Baltra and 

Rabida islands.

La Pinta 

La Pinta commenced sailing in the Galapagos 

in 2008 and soon established herself as one 

of the islands’ top vessels. Sixty-three metres 

long, this mid-sized boat accommodates 

up to 48 passengers in 24 well-furnished 

cabins located on two of the three public 

decks. Offering a relaxed yet lavish expedition 

atmosphere, the ship’s facilities include 

an attractive bar and dining room, library, 

sundeck, three inflatable landing crafts and 

a glass-bottomed boat. 

Galapagos Explorer II 

For those who feel more comfortable on 

a larger boat, the Galapagos Explorer II 

is a good choice. With capacity for 100 

passengers in 50 suites spread over five decks, 

this boat probably has the best facilities of 

all those that we feature in the Galapagos, 

including a library, bar, conference room, 

restaurant, Jacuzzi, solarium, observatory 

deck, massage suite and internet centre. 

Expert naturalist guides focus on the 

Galapagos natural history. All soaps, 

detergents and shampoos are biodegradable. 

Endemic to Latin America’s Pacific 

Islands, the graphically named 

blue-footed booby is possibly the 

Galapagos’ most famous inhabitant, 

and if you are lucky you may see a 

special booby ritual, one of the bird 

world’s greatest mating dances! 

Ocean Spray 

Ocean Spray is a luxury Mega-Catamaran 

and is currently the newest boat that cruises 

around the Galapagos Islands. The vessel 

features just eight cabins and caters for a 

maximum of 16 passengers, ensuring an 

attentive service and personal experience. 

Other features include a spacious and elegant 

dining room, sunning area and covered 

seating area as well as a Jacuzzi. Ocean Spray 

offers a number of itineraries from 3 nights to 

14 nights. 

M/V Santa Cruz 

The M/V Santa Cruz has been a popular cruise 

boat for visitors to the Galapagos Islands over 

the last three decades. She accommodates 90 

passengers in 43 cabins, which along with the 

rest of the boat are air conditioned. The team 

of six guides includes a Chief Naturalist who, 

besides leading the shore excursions, also 

presents talks in the evenings, reviews the 

day’s sightings, and previews the next day’s 

activities in an informative and entertaining 

fashion. Facilities include snorkelling 

equipment and a glass-bottomed boat for 

non-swimmers. 


M.V. Eclipse 

The Galapagos Islands 

The Eclipse is a first-class ship with the feel of 

a small yacht, comfortably accommodating 

48 passengers and offering a choice of 

spacious air-conditioned cabins with 

portholes, and superior and deluxe stateroom 

cabins with picture windows. The two 

dedicated single cabins allow solo travellers to 

pay a much smaller supplement than on other 

similar boats. The Eclipse has been awarded 

the Smart Voyager green seal of approval by 

the Rainforest Alliance, has a crew of 31 and 

up to four naturalist guides. Alfresco dining is 

also offered on deck. 

Eric, Letty and Flamingo 

This flotilla of sister ships each has the 

capacity for 20 passengers in ten outside 

cabins. Although they sail together, shore 

excursions are still arranged in small groups, 

led by a naturalist guide in a maximum group 

size of ten, one of the best guide-to-guest 

ratios in the Galapagos. The boat owners 

have been at the forefront of conservation 

projects in the islands, being the first carbon 

neutral operator. Facilities on each of the 

boats include a dining room, well-stocked bar 

and conference area with a flat screen TV. 

67

Ecuador Explorer 

Quito – Amazon – Cotopaxi – Riobamba – Cuenca – Guayaquil 

A magical 12-day trip that showcases Ecuador’s array of natural beauty and the 

indigenous cultures of the Amazon and Andes. 

Explore the Amazon Rainforest and 

meet the communities who live 

there. Experience the spectacular 

beauty of the Avenue of the 

Volcanoes and Cotopaxi National 

Park, as well as the beautiful colonial 

towns of Cuenca and Quito. You 

can also take a ride on the Devil’s 

Nose Train, an incredible feat of 

engineering. Ecuador is a very special 

country and this itinerary shows just 

what it can offer. 

DAy 1 

Take the daytime flight to Quito, arriving in 

the evening for a 2-night stay 

DAy 2 

Enjoy a half-day city tour with a visit to the 

Middle of the World monument. Afternoon 

free to further explore the town or perhaps 

take the cable car up Pichincha for some 

spectacular views 

DAy 3 

Fly to the Amazon and transfer by boat to the 

Napo Wildlife Centre. Check into your luxury 

rainforest lodge 


sharing, including international flights, transfers and breakfast throughout, except for your stay in the Amazon 

which is full-board. 

68 

DAyS 4-5 

Free days to explore the Amazon jungle on 

foot or by canoe and take part in any number 

of the included activities such as piranha 

fishing and night walks 

DAy 6 

Fly back to Quito and head north to the 

Otavalo and its indigenous market. Overnight 

at the charming Hacienda Pinsaqui 

DAy 7 

Travel south to Cotopaxi national park which 

is home to Cotopaxi volcano. Overnight at 

Hacienda El Porviner 

DAy 8 

Continue your journey along the valley of the 

volcanoes and overnight in Riobamba 

DAy 9 

Take a spectacular journey on the Devil’s 

Nose Train, an incredible feat of engineering 

and later transfer to Cuenca via the Ingapirca 

ruins. Overnight at the colonial Santa Lucia 

DAy 10 

Half-day city tour of Cuenca 

DAy 11 

Transfer by road to Guayaquil via El Cajas 

National Park 

DAy 12 

Take the overnight flight from Guayaquil to 

London Heathrow via Madrid. 

Guayaquil 

Cotopaxi 

Quito 

Riobamba 

Cuenca 

Otavalo 

Ecuador 

Colombia 

Peru 

Amazon

Ecuador & 


Quito – Riobamba – Guayaquil – Galapagos Islands 

A 16-day trip that explores the colonial highlights of 

mainland Ecuador and takes you on a cruise around 

the world-renowned Galapagos Islands. 

This wonderful trip of a lifetime 

brings together Ecuador’s colonial 

treasures of Quito and Cuenca, as 

well as experiencing an unforgettable 

cruise around the Galapagos Islands. 

On this trip you are driven between 

locations and can stop along the way 

as you choose. An Amazon extension 

can be added to the start of this 

itinerary. 

DAy 1 

Fly to Quito on the daytime flight, arriving 

in the evening. Transfer to the Hotel Patio 

Andaluz, located in the historic centre 

DAy 2 

Morning tour of historic Quito and visit to 

the Equatorial Monument - experience life on 

both sides of the equator at one time! 

DAy 3 

Travel along one of the most beautiful 

routes in South America, the Avenue of 

the Volcanoes, past spectacular backdrops, 

including Cotopaxi. Overnight in Riobamba 

DAy 4 

Ride the Devil’s Nose Train as it chugs along 

one of the world’s great railways, and 

afterwards continue on to Cuenca where you 

stay at the boutique Mansión Alcázar 

DAy 5 

Half-day sightseeing tour of colonial Cuenca 

and its thriving indigenous cultures 

DAy 6 


sharing, including international flights and breakfast throughout, except 

on the cruise which is full-board. 


Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil via El Cajas 

National Park and overnight at the Hilton Colon 

DAy 7 

Fly to the Galapagos Islands to embark on 

your cruise on either Eric, Letty or Flamingo 

DAyS 8-13 

Spend your days on one of life’s great 

journeys, a cruise around the Galapagos 

Islands. Take daily excursions ashore to 

encounter wildlife with your expert naturalist 

guides 

DAy 14 

Disembark and return by air to Guayaquil for 

an overnight stay at the Hilton Colon 

DAy 15 

Free day before taking the overnight flight 

home via Madrid 

DAy 16 

Arrive in London the following morning. 


Guayaquil 

Cuenca 

Quito 

Ecuador 

Colombia 

Ecuador 

Riobamba 

Peru 

69

Colombia 

70 

Cartagena 

After years of being 

overlooked as a 

tourist destination, 

Colombia is enjoying 

something of a 

revival. It’s a vibrant 

and exciting place to 

go on holiday, with 

wonderful coastlines, 

Spanish colonial cities, 

pre-Colombian ruins, 

spectacular national 

parks and coffee 

farms. Colombia’s 

people have a zest for 

life, and the rhythms 

of salsa and merengue 

are never far away. 

Colombia’s capital Bogota, nestled high in the Andes, 

is one of the great Latin American cities. You might 

also want to visit Cali, which is often referred to as the 

world’s salsa capital, and head over to the Pacific coast to 

stay in stunning and remote beachside lodges. Another 

of the country’s major highlights is Tayrona National Park, 

where pristine white-sand beaches have back-drops of 

hills covered in untamed tropical forest. 

Historic Cartagena, on the Caribbean coast, is the 

jewel in Colombia’s crown. In its old quarter, many 

colonial mansions have been carefully restored and 

turned into attractive boutique hotels, sophisticated 

restaurants and wine bars. The city has a relaxed, 

cosmopolitan atmosphere, and in the balmy evenings

Cartagena 

Ecuador 

Cali 

Medellin 

Pereira 

Bogota 

Peru 

Colombians and visitors alike 

stroll along the narrow streets, 

or take a ride in a horse-drawn 

carriage along the seafront. 

After decades of producing 

world-famous coffee beans, 

Colombia now offers fantastic 

opportunities to experience 

these working coffee farms. 

You can both learn about 

coffee production and relax in 

magnificent coffee houses and 

haciendas that now double up 

as beautiful hotels. 

Colombia 

Brazil 

Venezuela 

Charlie Hargreaves 

from Four Corners PR 

travelled extensively 

in Latin America in 

2009-2010. 

She loved it all, but says that it 

was Colombia that had the most 

profound effect and left her longing 

to return. 

“It’s so easy to see why Colombia is 

fast becoming a must-see destination 

Things to do in Colombia: 

Relax in Tayrona National Park 

Explore Cartagena’s old town 

Experience Colombia’s coffee triangle 

Take a trip to San Andres Island 

Dance in Cali, the capital of salsa 

When to go 

Colombia can be visited all year round 

and has a hot and humid climate in all 

areas, unless you are visiting areas at 

altitude, such as Bogota. Rain is likely to 

occur at any time throughout the year, 

but is more pronounced towards the end 

of the year. 

Getting there 

There are no direct flights from the UK 

to Colombia, with the most widely used 

option of flying with Iberia via Madrid. 

GMT: -5 Hours 

Visas 


visa to enter Colombia. 

Health 


required to enter Colombia, however 

precautions against malaria if travelling to 

wildlife regions are suggested, but check 

with your GP. 

Uruguay 

Colombia 

cafés of La Candelaria. In historic 

Cartagena, the culture of music and 

dance is everywhere and you only 

need to venture just outside the 

walled city to join the locals dancing 

the night away at packed salsa bars. 

Beyond the cities, stepping off 

the beaten track brings massive 

rewards. A highlight of our trip was 

a day spent riding horses to the pre- 

Colombian ruins at the San Agustín 

UNESCO World Heritage Site; nearby 

for all discerning travellers. Not you can stay on organic coffee farms 

Paraguay 

only does it offer a huge variety of and bathe in waterfalls. And where 

experiences, but we also found it better to reflect on an 

to be home to wonderfully warm, amazing trip than lazing 

passionate Chile people, keen Argentina to share their in a hammock on the 

history and culture. 

beautiful Caribbean 

Bogota is as cool, cosmopolitan beaches of the Tayrona 

and easy to explore as Paris or New National Park – bliss.” 

York and with boutique shopping www.fourcornerspr.co.uk 

to match. We loved its Latin side, 

discovering the hidden markets and 

Call 020 7666 1260 | rainbowtours.co.uk | Visit your local travel agent

Bogota & the 

Coffee Region 

Bogota these days with the recent 

opening of many new hotels, 

restaurants and shopping complexes 

is completely cosmopolitan. In 

contrast, the Spanish colonial 

district of La Candelaria has pretty 

courtyards and fine architecture. The 

renowned Gold Museum is here, 

each corridor displaying a different 

episode from Colombian history. 

72 

Nearby, the Botero Museum exhibits 

works by Colombia’s most famous 

artist. Above the city is the sanctuary 

of Monserrate, accessible by cable 

car, which offers spectacular views 

of the city. To the north of the city, 

the underground salt cathedral 

at Zipaquira is another highlight. 

Farther afield is the pretty old town 

of Villa de Leyva. 

Colombian coffee is known around 

the world and the country is the 

world’s third largest producer. There 

are several main coffee production 

areas and one of these is to the west 

of Pereira. The mineral-rich volcanic 

soil and higher altitude of this area 

are the perfect combination for the 

cultivation of coffee beans. Tours 

usually include visits to the coffee

plantations. There are several 

delightful places to stay in this 

region including the charming 

Hacienda Bambusa, nestled in a 

scenic landscape with wonderful 

mountain views. 

Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia 

From £114 

B/B 

This comfortable Sofitel in Bogota, located 

15km from the El Dorado airport and five km 

from the city centre, is only a few steps from 

a variety of malls, luxurious boutiques and 

restaurants. All of the Sofitel’s rooms have airconditioning 

and it’s one of the most popular 

places to stay in Bogota – we regularly 

recommend it. It has good facilities including 

the exclusive Basilica restaurant that serves 

delicious Mediterranean and Colombian 

cuisine, a fitness centre, Jacuzzi, sauna and 

massage area. 

Casa de Huéspedes Sazagua 

From £80 

B/B 

Casa de Huéspedes Sazagua is styled in the 

form of an old coffee plantation house and 

is a boutique hotel situated one kilometre 

outside of Pereira in the Coffee Region. The 

hotel and nine luxurious rooms are welldecorated 

with period pieces and furnishings 

such as Spanish tiles and colonial floors. 

Guests can enjoy the outdoor swimming 

pool in the lush grounds and local and 

international cuisine at the restaurant as 

well as the relaxing Spa. 


Things to do in Bogota & the Coffee Region: 

Take in La Candelaria area in Bogota 

Visit the underground Zipaquira Salt Cathedral 

Stay in an old coffee hacienda 

Learn about the coffee industry 

Visit the town of Villa de Leyva 

Cité Hotel 

From £90 

B/B 

Hacienda Bambusa 

From £60 

B/B 

Colombia 

Situated by and facing the Virrey Park in 

the Zona Rosa district, the business and 

entertainment areas of Bogota, Cite Hotel 

is a great choice for those looking for a 

contemporary hotel set back from the 

bustle of the city centre. Cité Hotel offers 56 

comfortable, modern and spacious rooms 

with L’Occitane toiletries. The best features of 

this hotel are the outdoor rooftop swimming 

pool and gourmet French restaurant. 

A classic two storey hacienda built in guadua 

(bamboo), Hacienda Bambusa is set within 

the coffee region’s most scenic landscapes, 

surrounded by plantain farms and cattle 

pastures, with far reaching views over the 

central mountain range. It has eight bedrooms 

with private bathrooms, some with balconies 

and a hammock, with views to the swimming 

pool or the mountain. With its rich history, 

spectacular location and traditional styling, 

Hacienda Bambusa is a charming base from 

which to explore this famous region. 

73

Caribbean Coastline 

Cartagena & Tayrona National Park 

Ananda Hotel Boutique 

From £105 

B/B 

Ananda Hotel Boutique is ideally situated in 

the centre of the historic district in Cartagena 

and lives up to its name, meaning ‘a state 

of bliss’ in Sanskrit. Set in a renovated 

colonial house, Ananda has 23 luxury suites 

with lovely bathroom toiletries and scented 

candles. There is also a Mediterranean 

restaurant, bar-lounge and golf and tennis 

court access. Perfect for relaxing, the Ananda 

Hotel Boutique has a Jacuzzi, swimming pool, 

gym and day beds on the terrace. 

74 

Casa India Catalina 

From £60 

B/B 

The Casa India Catalina is a fantastic and 

affordable boutique hotel from which to 

experience the old world charm of Cartagena. 

A restored colonial building situated on an 

important historic street within the walls 

of Cartagena’s old town, it offers a pool 

in the internal patio overlooked by two 

strands of wooden balconies, and welcoming 

communal areas. All 16 bedrooms have 

air-conditioning, and most have balconies 

overlooking the old city. 

C artagena is Colombia’s ‘must see’ 

destination. Founded in 1533, 

Cartagena soon became one of Spain’s 

richest Caribbean possessions. News 

of its wealth attracted the unwelcome 

attention of pirates who attacked the 

city over many years. The city was 

fortified to try to repel these attacks and 

today it is possible to walk on the city 

wall. 

The historic old centre, a designated 

World Heritage Site, is a treasure-trove of 

narrow streets, Andalusian-style palaces 

and colonial-style houses with their 

ornate balconies, ideal for exploring. 

Further up the Caribbean coast from 

Categena, Tayrona National Park is 

located near the city of Santa Marta. 

Stay in one of the Eco Habs where you 

can go on guided treks through the 

dense jungle, book a snorkelling trip or 

relax on one of the unspoilt beaches. 

The Eco Habs 

From £150 

B/B 

Our favourite place to stay in the Tayrona 

National Park are the Eco Habs. These cabins 

are constructed using natural materials in 

the style of the houses inhabited by the 

local indigenous tribe, the Tayrona. Perched 

on the forest-clad hills, the Eco Habs have 

magnificent views over the Caribbean coast 

and are linked by wooden walkways. All 

cabins have balconies and hammocks, as well 

as private bathrooms. The Eco Habs are the 

best place from which to experience the park.

Colombia Highlights 

Bogota – Villa de Leyva – Coffee Region 

Tayrona National Park – Cartagena 

This 13-day itinerary is 

an excellent introduction 

to some of Colombia’s 

colonial towns, cultural 

gems and natural beauty. 

Starting in Colombia’s capital, 

Bogota, you can explore the old 

and new districts, and then head to 

the highlands of the coffee region, 

home to some of the world’s best- 

loved coffee beans. Take a flight to 

Colombia’s Caribbean coast where 

you can relax on the tropical beaches 

of Tayrona National Park, lapped by 

crystal clear waters, before heading 

off to explore Colombia’s colonial 

highlight, Cartagena. 

DAy 1 

Fly from London via Madrid to Bogota, 

staying for 2 nights in this modern and 

vibrant city still awash with Colombian 

cultural delights 

DAy 2 

Spend the day sightseeing, visiting the 

famous Gold Museum and the sanctuary 

at Monserrate, accessible by cable car, with 

incredible views back over the city 

DAy 3 

Drive via the underground salt cathedral at 

Zipaquira to the pretty town of Villa de Leyva, 

staying at the Posada de San Antonio 

DAy 4 

Return to Bogota and fly to Pereira for a 

3-night stay in Colombia’s coffee triangle 

DAy 5 

Visit a coffee plantation and experience 

firsthand how the coffee industry works 

DAy 6 

Day at leisure 

DAyS 7-9 

Fly to Santa Marta and on to Tayrona National 

Park for 3 nights. Enjoy the crystal clear 

waters and white beaches, all with a tropical 

forest backdrop 

DAy 10 

Road transfer to Cartagena and stay 3 

nights in Colombia’s jewel in the crown. 

Enjoy the amazing sights and sounds within 

Cartagena’s old town walls, including a 

city tour 

DAy 11 

Free time in Cartagena. Take an optional tour 

to the Rosario Islands 

DAy 12 


Free time in Cartagena 

DAy 13 

Cartagena 

Ecuador 

Santa Marta 

Pereira 

Peru 

Villa de Leyva 

Bogota 

Colombia 

Columbia 

Fly to Bogota and continue by overnight flight 

via Madrid to London. 



flights and breakfast throughout. 

75 

Brazil 

Chile 

Vene

Venezuela 

76 

Venezuela offers an 

enormous amount 

for holidaymakers 

looking for 

somewhere different 

and little visited - 

from spectacular 

waterfalls and 

mountains to 

abundant wildlife 

and white-sand 

Caribbean beaches. 

Angel Falls

Ecuador 

Peru 

Colombia 

Merida 

Caracas 

Venezuela 

In the Gran Sabana, you can climb 

table-top mountains, or tepuys, 

and gawp at the world’s highest 

waterfall, the Angel Falls. To the 

north, you can travel by dugout 

canoe on the mighty Orinoco River 

with its fertile delta and lush flora. 

Over to the west, you can stroll 

through the cobbled streets of 

Merida and then cross breathtaking 

Andean scenery towards Barinas, 

where you can discover by 4WD or 

on horseback the abundant wildlife 

of the ‘llanos’ (vast open plains). 

When you have had enough of 

adventure on a Venezuelan holiday, 

you can relax on any number of 

palm-fringed beaches along its 

Chile 

Caribbean coast. Our favourite spot 

is the archipelago of Los Roques, 

which has simple posadas along with 

great snorkelling and diving. But 

there are lots of other places to go 

on the long coastline. 

Canaima 

Santa Elena 

Brazil 

Margarita Island 

Roraima 

Things to do in Venezuela: 

Explore the Lost World of Canaima National Park 

Stand under the Angel Falls 

Horse ride in Los Llanos 

Relax on the beaches of Los Roques 

Visit the town of Merida 

Guyana 

Suriname 

When to go 

Venezuela can be visited all year round 

and has a hot and humid climate in all 

areas, unless you are visiting areas at 

altitude. Rain is likely to occur at any 

time throughout the year, but is more 

pronounced towards the end of the year. 

Getting there 


French Venezuela and you are likely to fly with 

Guiana Iberia via Madrid. 

GMT: -4.5 

Venezuela 

Visas 


visa to enter Venezuela. 

Health 


required to enter Venezuela. Precautions 

against malaria, if travelling to wildlife 

regions, are suggested, but check with 

your GP. 

Venezuela’s beaches 

Paraguay 

Created in 1972 to protect this beautiful marine ecosystem, Los Roques 

archipelago is Venezuela’s most well known beach destination. Its coral 

reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds support a multitude of marine life. 

The country does however offer an impressive array of options for all 

Argentina 

types of beach holidays including Choroni, Cumana and the Mochima 

National Park on the mainland coast. For a more lively scene, with 

cafés, bars and restaurants, Margarita Island, known as the ‘Pearl of the 

Caribbean,’ is situated 38 km northeast of the mainland of Venezuela and 

is a well developed resort. 


Canaima National Park 

& the Caribbean Coast 

Within Canaima you 

will find the world’s 

highest waterfall, Angel 

Falls, which cascades 

for almost a kilometre 

before meeting the 

rainforest floor. 

Weather permitting, you can fly 

over the falls in a light aircraft or 

go on an expedition to the base of 

the falls in motorised canoes. The 

landscapes and ‘table-top’ mountains 

of Canaima inspired Arthur Conan 

Doyle’s Lost World. There are several 

places to stay and our preferred 

choice is the palm-thatched Waku 

Lodge on the shores of the lovely 

Canaima lagoon. Its 15 comfortable 

rooms enjoy a gorgeous setting 

amidst tropical gardens overlooking 

a pink sand beach and the lagoon. 

78 

Los Llanos 

If you are interested in wildlife, 

then a visit to the vast savannahs 

of Los Llanos is a must. Apart 

from more than 300 species 

of birds – scarlet ibis, hoatzin, 

screamers, soldier storks and 

roseate spoonbills to name a 

few – the region is home to 

multitudes of capybara and 

caiman as well as anteaters and 

anacondas. With some luck you 

may see jaguars and ocelots. 

The best way to see this region 

is by staying at a ranch or ‘hato’. 

Hato El Cedral is a working cattle 

ranch which also has 25 airconditioned 

chalets and organises 

a variety of wildlife-sighting 

excursions. 

Beaches 

After your trek, you may wish 

to relax on an idyllic white-sand 

beach, lapped by the the crystalclear 

waters of the Caribbean 

coast. You are spoiled for 

choice in Venezuela, though we 

would highlight the Los Roques 

archipelago, with miles of pristine 

beaches within a large marine 

national park. 

There is also Moroccoy’s 

beautiful coastline studded 

with lagoons and home to pink 

flamingos. Surrounding coral 

islands have white-sand beaches 

and are good for snorkelling. 

Choroni is a charming colonial 

village on the edge of the Henri 

Pittier National Park, near to the 

lovely palm fringed beach of 

Playa Grande.

The Lost World & Los Roques 

Caracas – Canaima National Park – Angel Falls 

Orinoco Delta – Los Roques 

This 11-day itinerary 

takes you to the lost 

world of Canaima 

National Park and the 

Angel Falls, the Orinoco 

Delta and the stunning 

Caribbean islands of 

Los Roques. 

Canaima National Park, a UNESCO 

World Heritage Site, truly is a 

different world. Roughly 65% of the 

park is covered by tepui, or tabletop 

mountains, formations which 

constitute a unique biogeological 

entity. The sheer cliffs and waterfalls, 

including Angel Falls, the world’s 

highest at 979 metres, form a 

spectacular landscape. Follow this 

with the waterways of the fanshaped 

Orinoco Delta and learn 

about the area from the indigenous 

Indians, who call these amazing 

wetlands home. Finish your holiday 

by relaxing on the beautiful white 

sands and clear blue waters of the 

Los Roques archipelago. 

Ocelot 

Day 1 

Fly to Venezuela’s capital Caracas, via Europe 

Day 2 

From Caracas, make your way into the lost 

world of Canaima National Park, home to the 

Angel Falls 

Day 3 

Take a motorized canoe up the Carrao River 

for your overnight stay. Trek through virgin 

rainforest to the base of Angel Falls for a 

spectacular view 

Day 4 

Return to Canaima Lagoon and enjoy a halfday 

tour to Sapo waterfall. Optional scenic 

flight to Angel Falls taking in the amazing lost 

world landscape 

Day 5 

From Canaima make your way by flight, road 

and boat to the Orinoco Delta, a maze of 

waterways carrying the water from the mighty 

Orinoco River all the way to the Atlantic 

Day 6 


Venezuela 

Explore the Orinoco Delta. Experience the lives 

of the Warao Indians who call this delta home 

Day 7 

Make the journey back to Caracas for one 

night 

DayS 8-10 

Spend the next 3 days relaxing on the 

stunning white beaches of Los Roques 

archipelago, staying on Gran Roque, the only 

inhabited island where most of the streets 

are made of sand and house are decorated in 

bright, joyful colours 

Day 11 

Return to Caracas and continue your onward 

journey back to the UK. 



and domestic flights and breakfast 

throughout. 

79

Guyana 

Jaguar 

80 

Possessing 

some of the 

most dramatic 

rainforest and 

mountain scenery 

in the tropics, 

English-speaking 

Guyana is one 

of the last true 

wildernesses on 

the planet.

Venezuela 

Brazil 

Kaieteur 

Falls 

Travelling in Guyana may not 

be as comfy as elsewhere 

in the Americas. However, 

the experiences that await 

hold few equals. Guyana has 

incredible, pristine rainforests, 

open savannahs and spectacular 

waterfalls, not to mention vast 

populations of exotic wildlife and 

birdlife. 

Here it is possible to see the 

‘neo-tropical Big Five’ - jaguar, 

giant river otter, giant anteater, 

black caiman and harpy eagle. 

Guyana is also home to such 

diverse highlights as Kaieteur Falls, 

Iwokrama Conservation Centre, 

and Diane McTurk’s orphanage for 

giant otters. 

Iwokrama 

Guyana 

Surama 

Karanambu 

Georgetown 

When to go 

With its hot and humid climate, Guyana 

can be visited all year round. Rain can 

occur at any time throughout the year, 

but it is more pronounced towards the 

latter months. 

Getting there 


Guyana and you are most likely to fly via 

Barbados or Trinidad in the Caribbean. 

GMT: -4 hours 

Suriname French 

Guiana Visas 


visa to enter Guyana. 

While Guyana has a growing 

reputation as a wildlife paradise, 

it also offers an incredible 

opportunity to travel amongst, 

and learn from, indigenous 

communities who live in the 

rainforest. The country’s tourism 

infrastructure is a heart-warming 

example of community tourism 

at work. Many of the Amerindian 

tribes have embraced tourism and 

offer visitors accommodation and 

the opportunity to participate in 

activities with the community. 

Things to do in Guyana: 

See the giant otters at Karanambu 

View the mighty Kaietur Falls 

Meet indigenous communities 

Stay at Iwokrama Conservation Centre 

Try to spot the elusive jaguar 

Guyana 

Health 


required to enter Guyana. Precautions 

against malaria, if travelling to wildlife 

regions, are suggested, but check with 

your GP. 

In the early 1980s, Diane McTurk 

made the bold decision to open 

Karanambu, her family’s cattle 

ranch, to the few tourists that 

ventured into the savannah and 

wetlands of Guyana’s interior. It 

was also around this time that this 

inspirational woman started to care 

for injured and orphaned wildlife - 

and in particular for the giant otter, 

or waterdogs as they are called in 

Guyana. Diane has since become a 

world expert on the rehabilitation 

of giant otters, and in Karanambu 

Lodge she has 

created a unique 

opportunity for 

adventurous 

travellers to 

experience 

wildlife 

and habitat 

conservation 

at work. 


Iwokrama 

Conservation Centre 

and the Giant River Otter Orphanage 

82 

One of the highlights 

of Guyana is the 

Iwokrama International 

Centre where research 

is carried out into the 

conservation of the 

rainforest. 

The Iwokrama forest’s ecosystem 

teems with plant 

species as well as animal species 

that are under threat. Guests stay 

here at the Field Station which 

has a number of comfortable 

thatched cabins, all with private 

facilities. From Iwokrama there 

are opportunities to spot jaguar, 

Harpy eagle and black caiman 

(at night), or to trek to Turtle 

Mountain. The Iwokrama forest 

also has a 30 metre high canopy 

walkway from where you can 

view the treetops and listen to the 

dawn chorus. 

Karanambu Lodge 

Karanambu Lodge lies within 

the north savannah grassland 

and is home to Diane McTurk 

and her Giant River Otter 

Orphanage. Diane hosts 

guests at the ranch and has 

many a fascinating story to 

tell over dinner. Her work 

has attracted worldwide 

attention and the money 

raised by visitors goes 

towards protection of these 

magnificent animals. 

Harpy Eagle 

The Harpy eagle is the one 

of the largest birds in the 

world. The name is thought 

to be derived from a mythical 

bird of prey, referred to by 

Aristotle. The Harpie was 

a winged creature with a 

woman’s face and ferocious 

claws. The modern day Harpy 

can have talons as big as a 

grizzly bear’s!

Guyana Nature Experience 

Georgetown – Iwokrama – Surama – Rupununi Karanambu 

Yapukari – Georgetown 

This 2-week group tour 

takes in the incredible 

scenic, cultural and 

wildlife highlights that 

Guyana has to offer. 

You will see breathtaking natural 

wonders including the Kaiteur Falls, 

a magnificent waterfall plunging 

over a cliff, the Iwokrama forest and 

research centre, a unique project 

providing a dedicated site in which to 

test the concept of a truly sustainable 

forest; and Karanambu, a nature 

lover’s paradise and home to giant 

river otters. This trip also enables you 

to meet indigenous communities 

who live in Guyana’s forest. 

DAy 1 

Fly from London via the Caribbean to 

Georgetown for 2 nights at Cara Lodge, one 

of the oldest and grandest structures in town 

DAy 2 

Excursion by light aircraft to the majestic 

Kaiteur Falls, with incredible views over the 

Guyana Shield, the name for Guyana’s vast 

rainforest 

DAyS 3-11 

Columbia 

For the next 10 days, immerse yourself in 

Guyana’s rainforests and savannahs. Visit 

local communities, enjoy boat rides, spot 

birdlife and wildlife, take hikes and climb 

canopy walkways. Your itinerary takes you 

to Iwokrama, Surama and Karanambu. Learn 

about giant river otters and black caiman, a 

relative of the crocodile. You will travel mainly 

by 4WD vehicles and light aircraft 

DAy 12 

Venture into the savannah in search of 

the giant anteater. Later, travel to Caiman 

House where research is carried out on black 

caiman. See these reptiles caught, measured, 

weighed, sexed and tagged with a chip. 

Other activities include bird-watching, river 

trips and visits to the local village to meet the 

children and local craftspeople 

DAy 13 

Return to Georgetown for an overnight stay 

at the Cara Lodge 


Ecuador 

sharing, including international flights and many meals throughout the trip. 

DAy 14 


Guyana 

Fly via the Caribbean back to the UK, arriving 

the next day. 

Guyana 

Kaiteur 

Falls 

Georgetown 

Iwokrama 

Surama 

Karanambu 

83

Central America: 

My ultimate destination 

84

Amanda Sweeney is Rainbow Tours’ Latin America 

Programme Manager and has travelled extensively 

throughout the region. Here she explains her love for 

Central America and picks out her favourite parts. 

I may be biased, but I believe 

Central America is the ultimate 

travel destination. How so? Well, 

can you think of anywhere else 

on the planet where you can 

spend the morning climbing an 

active volcano, the afternoon 

wandering around a beautiful old 

colonial town, and by teatime be 

sipping cocktails on a gorgeous 

beach? Add to the mix incredible 

wildlife, magical ruins, and the 

countries’ fascinating and often 

revolutionary histories, and 

this compact part of the world 

punches well above its size in 

terms of travel highlights. Here 

are my top recommendations for 

where to go. 

For families 

With older children, I’d pick out 

Costa Rica. You can pack an awful 

lot into a ten-night trip - crossing 

hanging bridges over rainforest 

canopies, bathing in volcanoheated 

springs, learning about 

chocolate making, visiting a sugar 

mill and coffee plantation, and 

still have time for mucking around 

on a white-sand beach. Thanks to 

being relatively small and having 

good-quality hotels, Costa Rica is 

less challenging for travellers than 

some other Central American 

countries. 

With young children, I suggest 

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. 

There are great, family-friendly 

beach hotels around Cancun, 

from which you can make easy 

excursions to iconic Mayan sites 

such as Chichen Itza. 

For beach and dive bums 

Want a beach hotel with 

impressive facilities? Then 

head for the Yucatan or Costa 

Rica’s Guancaste coast. For top 

diving, make a beeline for the 

fish-teeming reefs off Belize’s 


Ambergris Caye and Honduras’ 

Bay Islands. Feeling intrepid? 

Consider Nicaragua’s remote 

and undeveloped Corn Islands. 

For culture vultures 

With the extraordinary Mayan 

ruins of Tikal deep in the 

jungle, plus some of the most 

colourful, indigenous markets 

in Latin America - such as at 

Chichicastenango - Guatemala 

fits the bill. 

For somewhere different 

Panama is still off the radar for 

mainstream holidaymakers, 

though its popularity is 

certainly on the rise. And 

rightly so, given its attractions: 

cruises on the engineering 

wonder that is the Panama 

Canal...wildlife-rich highlands 

and dense rainforests...beach 

escapes to unspoiled places 

such as the San Blas Islands, 

governed by tribes of Kuna 

Indians...and a cosmopolitan 

capital with something of the 

look and style of Miami. 

And finally... 

If you really want to climb a 

volcano, explore a colonial 

town and have a cocktail on 

the beach all on the same day, 

then go to Nicaragua! 

Canopy tram ride, Monteverde Cloud Forest 

85

Mexico 

86 

Mexico has it all: 

the ruins of ancient 

civilisations, a 

fascinating colonial 

history, wonderful 

Pacific and 

Caribbean beaches, 

dramatic canyons, 

steamy jungles, 

superb cuisine, 

excellent hospitality 

- and of course 

mariachi bands and 

tequila. 

Tours to Mexico usually start in the capital, Mexico 

City. One of the largest metropolises in the world, it is 

somewhere you should definitely spend a few days if you 

want a rounded picture of the country. Its outstanding 

Anthropology Museum is reason alone to visit, and ideal 

preparation for visiting Mexico’s archaeological sites. One 

of the most memorable, the colossal pre-Aztec city of 

Teotihuacán with its Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, is an 

easy day trip. 

Tours heading north from Mexico City can take you 

to the Copper Canyon - a series of awesomely deep 

and wild canyons that are best experienced on the 

famous Copper Canyon Railway. Or you can make for 

Baja California and the Sea of Cortes, between January 

and March, one of the best areas in the Americas for 

whale watching. You can also take in stunning colonial 

architecture in the silver mining cities of central Mexico, 

such as arty San Miguel de Allende and hilly Guanajuato. 

Chichen Itza

Baja 

California 

Chihuahua 

San Jose 

del Cabo 

Puerto Vallarta 

USA 

Copper Canyon 

Mazatlan 

Manzanillo 

Zihuatanejo 

Another option is to head to the 

rugged Pacific coast, although 

our most popular Mexican tours 

go southeast to Oaxaca - a 

delightful city with fine colonial 

buildings, colourful markets and 

Zapotec ruins nearby - then on to 

the Yucatan Peninsula. 

No trip to Mexico would be 

complete without visiting the 

Yucatan’s major Mayan sites of 

Chichen Itza and Uxmal, which 

offer fascinating insights into this 

ancient Mesoamerican civilisation. 

You can stay close to the sites, or 

visit them from the nearby city 

of Merida, or on day trips from 

the Riviera Maya - if, that is, you 

can tear yourself away! Running 

from Cancun in the north to the 

picturesque site of Tulum in the 

south, this coast is lined with a 

succession of stunning whitesand 

beaches. 

Mexico 

Guadalajara 

Acapulco 

Mexico City 

Oaxaca 

Gulf of Mexico 

Yucatan 

Peninsula 

Merida 

Cancun 

San Cristobal 

de las Casas 

Palenque 

GUATEMALA 

BELIZE 

EL SALVADOR 

HONDURAS 

A huge range of accommodation 

options are on offer here. You 

can stay right behind the beach 

in a small rustic hotel, a classy 

boutique property or a large-scale 

complex offering every facility 

imaginable. The snorkelling and 

diving off the coast are superb, 

and there are ecological reserves 

in the area. 

Things to do in Mexico: 

Get to know Mexico City and the 

Anthropology Museum 

Travel through the Copper Canyon by train 

Explore Chichen Itza 

Whale watching in Baja California 

Eat lots of Mexican food! 

Mexico 

The Western, or Gregorian 

calendar is based on the one 

invented by the Mayans. The 

Pyramid of Kukulkan at Chichen 

Itza was built as their calendar, 

with four stairways each with 91 

steps and a platform at the top, 

making a total of 365, the number 

of days in our calendar year. The 

Mayans were so advanced in 

their thinking that many people 

are concerned that the Mayan 

Calendar may herald the end of the 

world on 21 December 2012. 

When to go 

Mexico covers a large area and can 

be visited all year round. It has, within 

the main, a warm climate. Overall, the 

period from December to May is the 

best time to visit. Between July and the 

end of October, the Yucatan Peninsula 

can be affected by tropical storms, or 

occasionally hurricanes. 

Getting there 

British Airways fly non-stop from London 

Heathrow to Mexico City between three 

and four times a week, and also from 

London Gatwick to Cancun. 

GMT: -6/-7 hours 

Mexico City and the Yucatan Peninsula 

GMT-6. The Copper Canyon and Baja 

California GMT-7 

Visas 


visa to enter Mexico, though if you fly via 

the US, the ESTA will be compulsory. 

Health 


required to enter Mexico. 


Mexico City & Oaxaca 

Mexico City may be one of the 

largest cities in the world, but 

it is a fascinating start to any 

Mexican holiday. Visit the Zocalo 

(main square) where you’ll find 

the National Palace housing Diego 

Riviera’s colourful murals, or see 

the remains of the original Aztec 

floating city of Tenochtitlan. Stroll 

around Chapultepec Park and visit 

the excellent Anthropology Museum. 

An hour to the north of Mexico City, 

the impressive pre-Aztec ruins of 

Teotihuacan are situated, famous for 

its Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. 

To the southeast of Mexico City 

and easy to reach by plane, Oaxaca is 

one of Mexico’s most popular cities 

– it’s a delightful mix of the colonial, 

the indigenous and the ancient, 

with a large number of fine Spanish 

buildings and churches. 

Article style 

NH Centro Historico 

From £25 

B/B 

NH Centro Historico is located very near to 

Subheading 

the main square, cathedral and library in the 

Zocalo district of Mexico City. There are 105 

clean, modern and minimalist rooms and a 

restaurant serving a good buffet breakfast 

and Mexican and international cuisine at 

lunch and dinner. Guests can also enjoy drinks 

at the lobby bar and on the outdoor terrace. 

This is a good choice for visitors to Mexico 

City who want to focus on exploring the 

sights and museums. 

88 

Melia Reforma 

From £40 

B/B 

Melia Reforma is an extremely modern 

looking hotel located on the Paseo de la 

Reforma in Mexico City. There are 489 rooms 

and suites, some of which have views of 

downtown Mexico City. Guests can book 

to stay on the executive floors of The Level 

where they receive complimentary snacks and 

drinks throughout the day as well as an array 

of other services. In the hotel there is also a 

spa, gym, indoor heated swimming pool, two 

restaurants and live music in the evenings. 

Camino Real Oaxaca 

From £75 

B/B 

The Camino Real Oaxaca is a luxurious 

option, with 91 rooms, situated in the heart 

of Oaxaca. The hotel is housed in a former 

convent dating back to 1576. Every aspect 

showcases the building’s rich history and a 

stay here feels quite special. The hotel has 

a lovely maze of courtyards and walkways 

that are overflowing with bougainvillea. The 

grounds have a series of secret gardens and 

fountains that provide areas of peace and 

quiet away from the city’s hubbub.

Riviera Maya 

On the Yucatan Peninsula 

The Caribbean coastline of the Yucatan 

Peninsula is popularly known as the 

Riviera Maya due to its wonderful white 

sandy beaches and turquoise seas. 

Whilst the area has a number of large 

all-inclusive chain resorts, there are also 

a number of smaller boutique-style 

hotels, ranging from the exclusive to 

simple cabana-style cottages. 

This area is the perfect alternative 

to the Caribbean, as the beaches are 

comparable and in addition you can 

spend a few days exploring Mexico’s 

fascinating ancient history. World 

renowned sites, such as Chichen Itza and 

Tulum, are located relatively near to the 

coastal resorts. 

Another recommended trip is to the 

Mayan site of Uxmal, an impressive 

35-metre-high pyramid, which can be 

combined with an overnight stay in the 

colonial city of Merida. 

Esencia 

From £190 

B/B 

A small luxury boutique hotel on a two 

mile stretch of white sand beach at Xpu- 

Ha, Esencia has only 29 spacious rooms set 

within a series of beautiful villas and houses. 

The décor is tasteful and minimalist, with 

pristine white floors and airy patios set 

against elegant mahogany wood with lush 

tropical surroundings. Lounge on the beach 

underneath your own palm tree and linen 

parasol at this pretty, tranquil retreat. At 

mealtimes, savour international cuisine served 

with a Mayan twist. 

Las Palapas 

From £70 

B/B 

If you are looking for an affordable beach 

hotel with many activities nearby, head to 

Playa del Carmen, where Las Palapas features 

75 one- and two-storey rustic thatched 

cottages on the beach, tucked away amongst 

palm trees in lush, tropical gardens. The 

laid-back, relaxed atmosphere can be enjoyed 

from hammocks on each cabin’s porch or 

balcony. The rooms have an uncluttered, 

simple style and the resort is just a short walk 

from the many bars and restaurants of Playa 

del Carmen. 

Hotel Casa Sandra 

From £95 

Call 020 7666 1260 | rainbowtours.co.uk | Visit your local travel agent 89 

B/B 

Mexico 

Tulum 

Located to the northwest of Cancun, Holbox 

Island is separated from the mainland by a 

shallow lagoon and is home to many exotic 

animals. Even the streets of Holbox Island are 

made of brilliant white sand and it is largely 

untouched by tourism. Casa Sandra is a 

boutique hotel set directly on a lovely stretch 

of the beach and is surrounded by colourful 

birds and plantlife. The 16 guest rooms are 

beautifully designed with many local touches, 

and all have wonderful ocean views.

North Western Mexico 

The Copper Canyon & Baja California 

The Copper Canyon is located 

in northwestern Mexico and 

offers some of the country’s most 

spectacular scenery. It is actually a 

series of 20 canyons, right in the 

middle of Mexico’s wilderness. The 

best way to see the canyon is to 

ride the Copper Canyon Railway, 

known as the Chepe, which runs 

from Los Mochis to Chihuahua City. 

This impressive piece of engineering 

stretches for 600 kilometres passing 

over 39 bridges and through nearly 

80 tunnels. 

We recommend a minimum stop 

of one night en route, staying at one 

of the spectacularly located hotels 

which afford wonderful vistas of the 

canyon and beyond. 

90 

B aja California in the far northwest 

of Mexico offers fantastic options 

for those looking for spectacular 

scenery, hidden beaches and 

coves, world-class snorkelling 

and diving and some of the best 

accommodation options in the 

Americas. This long sliver of land on 

Mexico’s Pacific coastline is separated 

from the mainland by the Sea of 

Cortes, one of the most modern 

marine environments in the world, 

which is home to many endemic 

species. During the Arctic winters, 

hundreds of grey whales swim to 

these waters to breed and look after 

their young. It is one of the best areas 

in North America between January 

and March for whale-watching. 

Las Ventanas al Paraíso 

From £350 

B/B 

A Rosewood Resort, Las Ventanas al Paraíso’s 

name translates as ‘window to paradise’. 

This desert beach resort captivates its guests 

with expansive suites, a world-class spa, 

inspired cuisine and an intoxicating ambience. 

Arguably Mexico’s premier luxurious retreat, 

Las Ventanas al Paraíso is a true paradise 

overlooking the ocean in southern Baja 

California, near San Jose del Cabo. Pampering 

with excellent service, makes this a wonderful 

choice for a dream honeymoon or romantic 

holiday. 

Posada de las Flores 

From £50 

B/B 

This collection of three small, charming 

local inns are dotted along the coast of 

Baja California, all overlooking the Sea of 

Cortes, from Loreto to Punta Chivato and 

on to La Paz. La Paz is a great place for 

whale watching tours, in season, or look out 

when you are on the ferry to Los Mochis. 

Spend some time exploring this little known 

coastline, stopping at deserted beaches and 

tiny local villages en route. The posadas are 

typical of the area and provide a perfect 

alternative to the larger resorts.

Marvellous Mexico 


Mexico City – San Cristobal de las Casas – Palenque 

Campeche – Merida – Holbox Island 

USA 

Mexico 

Mexico City 

Puebla 

Merida 

Cancun 

Campeche 

Chichen Itza 

Palenque 

San Cristobal 

de las Casas 

On this 12-day small group tour you see the 

highlights of Mexico City and all the most famous 

Mayan sites, before spending four days on a 

gorgeous beach. 

All the most famous Mayan sites 

are included on this great value 

small group tour, as well as touring 

Mexico City and engaging with the 

indigenous communities of San 

Cristobal de las Casas. You’ll get a 

real insight into the Mayan world in 

Palenque, Uxmal and Chichen Itza, 

all before the Mayan calendar ends 

on December 21st 2012! You then 

have the opportunity to leave the 

group and spend four nights on laid 

back Holbox Island. Only two hours 

from Cancun, Holbox is a part of the 

Caribbean that has escaped mass 

tourism and offers a little slice of 

unspoilt paradise. 

DAy 1 

Take a daytime flight from London Heathrow 

to Mexico City with British Airways for a 2 

night stay 

DAy 2 

In the morning visit the Zocalo and the 

Metropolitan Church (the largest in Latin 

America) before continuing on to the Aztec 

site of Teotihuacan, which includes the 

Pyramids of the Sun and Moon 

DAy 3 

Fly to Tuxtla Gutierrez and drive through 

beautiful scenery to San Cristobal de las Casas 

via the Sumidero Canyon 

DAy 4 


Mexico 

Spend the day visiting the different towns and 

indigenous communities that make up this 

fascinating and historic area 

DAy 5 

Start your Mayan exploration by visiting 

Agua Azul waterfall, en route to the ancient 

city of Palenque 

DAy 6 

Spend the morning touring the site of Mayan 

Palenque, one of the finest in Mexico, before 

travelling on to Campeche 

DAy 7 

Transfer to Merida and on to the temples at 

Uxmal, where your expert guide will help you 

gain a real understanding of the Mayan world 

and culture 

DAy 8 

Today you will have the chance to visit the 

most famous Mayan city of them all, Chichen 

Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before 

continuing on to the tranquil surroundings of 

Holbox Island to stay at the Villas HM Paraiso 

del Mar 

DAyS 9-11 

Free days to enjoy the white sands and laid 

back life away from the crowds 

DAy 12 

Transfer to Cancun for your direct overnight 

flight home. 


sharing, including international flights and daily breakfast. 

91

Guatemala, Belize 

& Honduras 

Belize 

92 

In these enticing Central 

American countries, you can 

explore ancient ruins and 

colourful markets, admire 

sparkling lakes and impressive 

volcanoes, sightsee in pretty 

colonial towns and go diving 

off idyllic Caribbean islands. 

With a rich Mayan and colonial heritage and 

spectacular scenery, Guatemala is one of the 

most striking countries in Latin America. Overlooked 

by three volcanic peaks, Lake Atitlan in the central 

highlands has to be one of the most beautiful lakes 

anywhere in the world. The villages surrounding it 

seem lost in time, with locals wearing hand-woven, 

vividly coloured costumes. 

Any tour of the country should also include 

Antigua, an immensely attractive and relaxing city 

that serves as Guatemala’s cultural and artistic centre. 

Many of its painstakingly restored Spanish colonial 

buildings have been converted into stylish hotels. 

Also worth a visit is Chichicastenango, which holds 

the country’s largest and most colourful markets, and 

has the intriguing Iglesia de Santo Tomas, a unique 

church with its own style of worship blended from 

pre-Colombian and Catholic practices.

Mexico 

Chichicastenango 

Lake Atitlan 

Antigua 

Flores 

Tikal 

Belize 

Guatemala Honduras 

Guatemala City 

Another highlight is Tikal – 

surrounded by undisturbed 

rainforest and home to howler 

monkeys and toucans, it has 

probably the best setting of all 

the Mayan ruins. If you want to 

get off the beaten track, float 

down the Rio Dulce towards the 

Caribbean coast at Livingston, 

where you may be lucky enough 

to spot the elusive manatee. 

Belize is the only official 

English-speaking country in Latin 

America. It is known principally 

as a top diving and snorkelling, 

destination - the Belize Barrier 

Reef is the second longest in 

the world after Australia’s Great 

Barrier Reef. But that’s not all 

Belize has to offer. The offshore 

cayes and mainland coast have 

first-class, white-sand beaches. 

Lamanai 

Copan 

El Salvador 

San Pedro 

Belize City 

Xunantunich 

Roatan Island 

Tegucigalpa 

Protected forests in the interior 

shelter rare wildlife - you may be 

lucky enough to spot a jaguar 

around Orange Walk. You could 

visit cacao plantations along 

the southern coast, or venture 

deep into the jungle to once vast 

Caracol, the country’s largest 

known Mayan site. 

Honduras is one of the least 

explored countries in Central 

America. Nonetheless, 

it has one of the most 

rewarding of all Mayan 

ruins in Copan - its stelae 

are among the most 

intricate ever discovered 

- while some of the best 

diving and snorkelling to 

be found anywhere in the 

Caribbean awaits you off 

Roatan Island. 

Things to do in Guatemala, Belize & Honduras: 

Visit the beautiful town of Antigua, Guatemala 

Explore the Mayan city of Tikal 

Get to know the Copan ruins, Honduras 

Take a boat trip around Lake Atitlan, Guatemala 

Dive Belize’s Blue Hole 

Guatemala, Belize & Honduras 

When to go 

The best time of year to visit these 

countries is between December and May. 

Other months can see prolonged periods 

of rain. Honduras and Belize can be 

affected by tropical storms and hurricanes 

between July and October. Although the 

region is generally hot and humid all year 

round, Guatemala’s highlands can get 

very cold in winter, between October 

and March. 

Getting there 

There are no direct flights from the UK. 

Iberia flies from Madrid to Guatemala 

City; alternatively a number of US airlines 

fly to Guatemala, Belize and Honduras via 

their hubs in the USA. 

GMT: -6 hours 

Visas 


visas to enter these countries, though 

if you fly via the US, the ESTA will be 

compulsory. 

Health 


required to enter these countries. 

The Mayan site of Copan is 

located in Honduras, just 

60 km from the border 

with Guatemala. Copan is 

thought to have been the 

Mayan’s most important 

city in their southern 

realm, and is known for a 

series of portrait stelae. 

you can visit Copan on 

our Mayan world itinerary 

- see page 99. 


Guatemala’s Highlands 

& Lake Atitlan 

Lake Atitlan 

Antigua, the former capital of 

Guatemala, dates from 1543 and 

is one of the finest cities in Central 

America. This charming colonial town 

is delightfully set in the shadow of 

three volcanoes, surrounded by coffee 

plantations and haciendas. It boasts 

a number of fine properties which 

have been converted into comfortable 

boutique posadas. 

Northwest of Antigua, Lake Atitlan 

is truly is one of the most beautiful 

lakes in the world. Villages are dotted 

along the shoreline and you can see 

the evidence of Mayan culture and 

dress that has continued for centuries. 

Nearby, you can find the bustling and 

colourful market of Chichicastenango, 

the largest in Guatemala. 

94 

Posada del Angel 

From £65 

B/B 

We particularly like this Antigua posada, a 

romantic hideaway with all the splendour 

of a Mediterranean villa, complete with 

captivating architecture and beautiful 

landscaping. Fine attention to detail and 

excellent service make for a memorable stay. 

There are just five guest rooms and suites 

all overflowing with Guatemalan character. 

Each room is surrounded by a tranquil garden 

and pool, and guests also have access to the 

hotel library. Posada del Angel has become 

internationally renowned, and it is not 

difficult to see why. 

Casa Palopo 

From £85 

B/B 

Casa Palopo is a delightful property with 

seven rooms and a two-bedroomed villa 

terraced into the hillside with fabulous 

panoramic views over Lake Atitlan. The house 

has beautifully decorated interiors with 

smart contemporary furnishings and Mayan 

art. The villa, located higher than the main 

building, has its own pool for those seeking 

the ultimate private retreat. There can be 

no better or more romantic place to enjoy 

fine dining than the hotel’s restaurant which 

overlooks mysterious Lake Atitlan.

Tikal & the 

Peten Jungle 

Shrouded in dense tropical jungle, 

Tikal in the north of Guatemala 

is probably one of the most 

extraordinary and impressive of all 

the Mayan sites. It was first occupied 

as a small village sometime before 

300BC but by around 700AD had 

become an important city with great 

palaces, plazas and pyramids. Walk 

through densely forested trails before 

arriving at the main plaza, opened 

up from the surrounding vegetation 

and surrounded on four sides by 

huge pyramid temples. There are also 

a number of other temple sites near 

to Tikal including Yaxha. 


La Lancha, Lake Peten Itza 

From £40 

B/B 

La Lancha is a luxurious jungle resort 

overlooking peaceful Lake Peten Itza and 

close to the site of Tikal. Each of the ten 

secluded casitas has furniture and artwork 

from Bali and fabrics and carvings from 

Guatemala. The lodge has a split-level pool, 

ideal to escape from the jungle heat. The 

open-air restaurant serves Guatemalan dishes, 

and a short walk from the main lodge with 

its soaring thatch roof and open views takes 

you to the lake, which is the second largest in 

Guatemala. 

Ni’tun Eco Lodge 

From £65 

B/B 

Guatemala, 

Belize & Honduras 

Ni’tun Eco Lodge, situated on the shores 

of Lake Peten Itza, has just four cabins 

traditionally constructed from wood and 

stone and thatched with palm leaves. It is a 

perfect setting to relax and experience eco- 

expeditions. Days are spent in the jungle, 

trekking and watching birds and animals 

while learning about the rainforest. Totally 

involved in ecology and conservation, the 

lodge takes all the right steps to keep the 

lake waters pristine, the forest clean and the 

environment peaceful. 

95

Mayan ruins in 

Honduras & Belize 

Copan and Caracol 

Caracol 

96 

Although located 

just inside Honduras, 

Copan can be reached 

quite easily from 

Guatemala City and 

eastern Guatemala, 

and it’s well worth a 

diversion. 

The site consists of stone 

temples, two large pyramids, 

several plazas and a ball court. 

The stone monuments (stelae) 

here are the most intricate and 

sophisticated of any of the 

Mayan sites and the museum 

has a fantastic recreation of how 

a pyramid may have looked in 

its heyday. The nearby town of 

Copan Ruinas is a pretty, wellpreserved 

colonial town with 

good hotels. 

In Belize, Caracol is the most 

extensive Mayan site. It covers 

30 square miles of thick, high 

canopy jungle and includes five 

plazas, an astronomic observatory 

and over 35,000 buildings that 

have been identified. The loftiest 

among them, the massive pyramid 

Caana, is capped by three temples 

and rises over 140 feet above the 

jungle floor. This site can only be 

reached from hotels which are 

located in Mountain Pine Ridge 

or San Ignacio. In addition to 

Caracol, Belize has a number of 

other ruins including Xunantunich 

and Lamanai.

Beaches & diving on 

Belize’s Caribbean Coast 

Well-known as a top diving and 

snorkelling destination, Belize’s palm 

fringed beaches, boutique resorts and 

turquoise waters are reminiscent of the best 

of the Caribbean. 

The cayes and islands off the mainland 

coast of Belize are delightful places to 

stay before or after a trip spent exploring 

colonial treasures, Mayan ruins and 

rainforest trails. With its pretty white sandy 

beaches and easy access to the second 

largest coral reef in the world, just a mile 

offshore, Ambergris Caye is a lovely place to 

unwind. Many divers will head for the coral 

reef off the coast of Belize and the famous 

Blue Hole. Snorkelling, swimming and 

sailing are also popular activities in this area. 

The Bay Islands, off Honduras’ Caribbean 

coast, is another fantastic place for diving 

and snorkelling. 

Victoria House 

From £70 

B/B 

The beautiful Victoria House, a plantationstyle 

building, offers exclusivity and personal 

attention in a choice of casitas and private 

villas set in tropical gardens or steps away 

from the white-sand beach. All 42 rooms 

feature balconies or verandahs overlooking 

the clear azure waters of the Caribbean Sea. 

The ambience is one of barefoot elegance, 

and its restaurant serves excellent cuisine. 

Victoria House has a large pool and is a great 

place to bask in the warm sun, fish, dive and 

snorkel. 

Matachica 

From £80 

B/B 

A lovely secluded beach resort north of San 

Pedro, Matachica is set on a white sandy 

beach surrounded by beautiful tropical 

gardens. The accommodation comprises 

24 villas, including 21 single casitas, two 

2-bedroom villas and one 3-bedroom 

residence. Each is distinctively furnished with 

Central American textiles and fine linen. The 

Jade Spa offers a wide range of treatments, 

all with organic local ingredients, where you 

can enjoy a rejuvenating massage. Matachica 

has an award-winning restaurant, Mambo, 

and truly offers the best cuisine in Belize. 


Turtle Inn 

From £150 

B/B 

Guatemala, Belize & Honduras 

This 25-room seafront hideaway, owned 

by Francis Ford Coppola, combines natural 

wonders with luxury style. Thatched cottages 

are decorated with handcrafted Balinese 

furnishings. Just steps beyond your private 

deck, the white-sand beach dissolves into 

the Caribbean. With two restaurants and 

a rejuvenating spa, Turtle Inn is a perfect 

refuge. Its unique location provides a wealth 

of activities, from some of the best diving in 

the world and hikes to hidden lagoons, to 

canoe trips up Monkey River and exploring 

the nearby Belizean town. 

97

Guatemala & Belize 

Antigua – Lake Atitlan – Tikal – Ambergris Caye 

On this 11-day tour, you’ll discover the highlands and jungle of Guatemala and 

the turquoise waters of Belize’s Caribbean coastline. 

See the full kaleidoscope of 

Guatemala’s highlights - colonial 

towns, colourful markets, sparkling 

Lake Atitlan and the incredible 

Mayan ruins of Tikal. Combine the 

heat of the jungle with the breeze of 

the Caribbean in Belize, which has a 

simply stunning coastline. Whether 

you want to dive, snorkel or just lie 

on the beach and relax after your 

adventure, these two countries make 

a perfect combination. 

DAy 1 

Fly via the USA to Guatemala City and transfer 

to Antigua. Spend a total of 3 nights in the 

heart of this beautiful city at Posada del Angel 

DAy 2 

Transfer to Chichicastenango (market days 

are Thursday & Sunday), with time to explore 

the town and shop at the famous colourful 

market. Staying at Casa Palopo Villa on the 

shores of the lake 

DAy 3 

Free day to explore the lake area or take an 

optional full day boat tour of Lake Atitlan, 

stopping at local villages such as San Juan la 

Laguna and Santiago 

DAy 4 

Transfer back to Antigua 

DAy 5 

Free day in Antigua to take optional walking 

tours around its cobbled streets, or take time 

to explore colonial churches and attractive 

squares on your own 

DAy 6 

Early transfer to Guatemala City in order to 

catch the morning flight to Flores. Transfer to 

La Lancha, which overlooks Lake Peten Itza 

98 

DAy 7 

Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the 

mysterious and vast Mayan site of Tikal, 

with lunch included 

DAy 8 

Road transfer to Belize City for your flight to 

the crystal clear waters and white sands of 

Ambergris Caye. Stay at Victoria House for 3 

nights 

DAyS 9-10 

Spend time relaxing on the beach, taking 

snorkelling trips or venture out and dive in 

Belize’s famous Blue Hole 

DAy 11 

Leave Ambergris and fly to Belize. Continue 

via the US on your overnight flight to London. 



flights and daily breakfast. 

Mexico 

Guatemala 

Lake Atitlan 

Antigua 

Tikal 


Belize 

El Salvador 

Ambergris Caye 

Belize City 

Honduras

The Mayan World 

Copan – Tikal – Chichen Itza – Uxmal – Kabah 

This 10-day itinerary 

visits the major Mayan 

sites in Honduras, 

Guatemala and Mexico, 

as well as Central 

America’s volcanic 

scenery and tropical 

jungles. 

With the end of the Mayan calendar 

fast approaching – on 21st December 

2012 – there is no better time to 

explore the Mayan world. This 

itinerary takes you to the Mayan 

communities of Copan in Honduras, 

Tikal in Guatemala and Chichen Itza, 

Uxmal and Kabah in Mexico, all of 

which will contribute to in-depth 

understanding of Mayan culture and 

traditions. A great way to end your 

trip is with a relaxing beach break on 

the Riviera Maya in Mexico, just ask 

us for details. 

DAy 1 

Fly via the USA to Guatemala City and transfer 

to your hotel 

DAy 2 

In the morning journey across the border to 

Honduras for the Mayan site of Copan. Here 

you stay at Hacienda San Lucas, situated in 

the hills above the Copan Valley and spend 

the afternoon exploring the Copan ruins on a 

guided tour 

DAy 3 

Today you will travel back across the border 

into Guatemala and on to the town of Rio 

Dulce, close to Guatemala’s Caribbean coast. 

Enjoy an afternoon tour of the Rio Dulce area 

DAy 4 

Journey on to the Flores area where you will 

stay at La Lancha, a rainforest resort near to 

the Mayan site of Tikal. Here you have good 

views of Lake Peten Itza 

DAy 5 

Spend a full day exploring Tikal, one of the 

best known of all the Mayan sites, on a 

group tour 

DAy 6 

This morning is free to relax. Take the 

afternoon flight to Guatemala City where you 

spend the night 

DAy 7 

Today you fly to Merida, the capital of 

Yucatan, via Mexico City where you will stay 

in the boutique Hacienda Merida, a quiet 

retreat 

DAy 8 

Full day to explore the Mayan sights of Uxmal 

and Kabah with a guide 

DAy 9 

Journey to Hacienda Chichen located close to 

the ruins of Chichen Itza 

DAy 10 


Tour the ruins of Chichen Itza, one of the New 

Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO 

World Heritage Site, on your own 

DAy 11 

Travel to Cancun for your flight home. 

Alternatively, you can extend your stay in 

Mexico. 

Mexico 

Guatemala 

Merida 

via Mexico City 


Chichen Itza 

Uxmal 

Tikal 

Copan 

Belize 

Rio Dulce 

Cancun 

Honduras 



and domestic flights, transfers 

and daily breakfast. 

99

Costa Rica 

Arenal volcano 

100 

Costa Rica is a 

natural wonderland, 

somewhere to 

discover active 

volcanoes, 

bewitching cloud 

forests and lush 

rainforests, and spot 

exotic birds and 

flowers. It also has 

more than its share 

of fantastic beaches. 

This small, beautiful country on the narrow isthmus 

of land between the Pacific and the Caribbean 

has an enlightened approach towards conservation. 

Approximately a quarter of the land is protected by 

national parks and wildlife reserves, which encompass 

volcanoes (you can soak in their thermal springs), 

rainforest, tropical dry forests, mangroves, wetlands, 

coral reefs and beaches. 

Our favourite places include: Monteverde Cloud 

Forest Reserve, a magical place surrounded by whirling 

mists where you can visit orchid gardens and coffee 

plantations; and Tortuguero National Park, where you 

can journey by small boat down waterways in search of 

alligators, iguanas and a myriad of birdlife.

Liberia 

Tamarindo 

Nicaragua 

Nicoya 

Peninsula 

Arenal 

Monteverde 

Throughout the country, you can 

take walks on well-marked trails 

with expert local naturalist guides, 

who will point out monkeys, 

frogs, hummingbirds, and much, 

much more. 

After exploring Costa Rica’s 

many natural highlights, most 

visitors opt to relax on one of 

the country’s many pristine 

white-sand beaches that line its 

beautiful Pacific coast. 

Costa Rica 

Quepos 

Tortugeuro 

San Jose 

Manuel Antonio 

National Park 

Corcovado 

National Park 

Panama 

San Jose and the 

Central Valley 

San Jose, the nation’s capital and 

most likely your point of arrival, 

has a number of attractions 

on its doorstep, including the 

Poas volcano and the La Paz 

waterfalls. There’s a good range 

of comfortable hotels here which 

are ideal for recuperation after a 

transatlantic flight before heading 

off to explore. 

Just 15 minutes from the 

airport, the 300-room Costa Rica 

Marriott is located on a verdant 

30-acre coffee estate, and has 

been voted one of the best hotels 

in Central America. Alternatively, 

we recommend the smaller 

Xandari Resort & Spa, set in 

gorgeous tropical gardens, again 

within easy reach of the airport. 

Things to do in Costa Rica: 

Hideaway on the Osa Peninsula 

See turtles lay eggs in Tortugero National Park 

Explore Montverde Cloud Forest 

View Arenal volcano from the hot springs 

Relax in Manuel Antonio National Park 

When to go 

The best time of year to visit Costa Rica 

is between December and May. Central 

America has a long rainy season, though 

the characteristic of these months tends 

to be bright sunny mornings, followed 

by afternoon showers. September and 

October can be quite rainy. On the coast 

and at lower altitudes, it is hot and humid 

throughout the year. 

Getting there 

There are no direct flights from the UK. 

Iberia flies from Madrid to San Jose and 

a number of US airlines fly on a daily basis 

via their hubs in the US. 

GMT: -6 hours 

Costa Rica 

Visas 


visas to enter Costa Rica, though if you fly 

via the US, the ESTA will be compulsory. 

Health 



Juvenile three-toed sloth 


Arenal Volcano & the 

Monteverde Cloud Forest 

Volcanoes are prominent 

throughout most of 

Central America but 

Arenal is one of the most 

scenic. 

T he Arenal volcano lay dormant 

until 1968, when huge explosions 

triggered lava flows, and it has 

remained active ever since. Many 

adventures can be arranged locally 

including hikes on the slopes of the 

volcano, and relaxing in one of the 

hot springs created by the natural 

geothermal heat that warms the 

groundwater. 

A few hours away from Arenal, 

Monteverde Cloud Forest is a 

bewitching, enchanting place, with 

emerald green foliage surrounded by 

swirling mists, perched on the edge of 

the Tilaran mountains, 1,400 metres 

above sea level. Over 400 bird species 

have been spotted here, including 

30 known species of hummingbird. 

There is much to do here and it is 

popular with families - explore the 

cloud forest, take a canopy tour, visit 

the butterfly garden, take a night 

tour, visit orchid gardens and coffee 

plantations, and go trekking or 

horse riding. 

102 

Arenal Springs Resort & Spa 

From £45 

B/B 

Arenal Springs offers the perfect combination 

of relaxation, comfort and tropical scenery, 

as well as wonderful views of the Arenal 

volcano. The hotel features 87 colonial-style 

rooms, each with its own terrace and a view 

of the active side of the volcano. The hotel 

has two swimming pools, one for adults and 

one for children, both with thermal springs. 

The restaurant offers a variety of national and 

international dishes in a completely natural 

ambience with magnificent views. 

El Establo Mountain Hotel 

From £65 

B/B 

El Establo is a family-owned lodge in 

Monteverde, with 155 comfortable rooms. 

This lodge is a good option for those who 

love a blend of nature and luxury, as it offers 

everything you need from a top-class hotel 

including restaurants, bars and a pool. One 

of the main highlights is the hotel’s private 

canopy tour which guests can traverse at 

their own convenience. The lodge also has 

a serious commitment to the environment 

and promotes sustainable and responsible 

practices that ensure minimum impact on 

nature. 

Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa 

From £119 

B/B 

Arenal Kioro is a five-star luxury mountain 

hotel located ten kilometres northwest of 

La Fortuna in San Carlos, and is a natural 

viewpoint towards the Arenal volcano. The 

hotel is set on 11 hectares of undulating land, 

edged by two streams of crystalline waters 

that originate in the Arenal Volcano National 

Park, along with private thermal springs. 

This hotel features a total of 53 suites with 

balconies and panoramic views of the volcano, 

a superb restaurant and a relaxing spa. 

Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens 

From £85 

B/B 

Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens is a small, 

stylishly designed boutique hotel offering 

personal service and the most stunning views 

of Arenal volcano from each of its 50 selfcontained 

casitas. Set amidst lovely tropical 

rainforests, casitas are equipped with an 

outdoor shower and Jacuzzi. This awardwinning 

hotel has small whirlpools, a wet bar 

and a sushi restaurant. At the spa, guests can 

enjoy an unusual variety of treatments such as 

coffee scrubs.

Costa Rica Highlights 

San Jose – Tortuguero – Arenal – Monteverde – Manuel Antonio 

Enjoy the many highlights of Costa Rica on this 12-day itinerary, including 

volcanoes, lakes, cloud forest and both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. 

DAy 1 

Fly via Madrid or the US to San Jose 

DAy 2 

Free day in San Jose or take an optional 

excursion 

DAyS 3-4 

Head to Tortuguero, on the Caribbean 

coast, for 2 nights, exploring the many 

channels and wildlife habitats that exist here. 

In season you can see turtles laying their eggs 

on the beach and later in the year the baby 

turtles hatching 

DAyS 5-6 

Transfer to the Arenal region for a 2-night 

stay at the base of the magnificent volcano. 

Enjoy the national park and spend time 

relaxing in the Arenal hot springs 

DAyS 7-8 

Travel across Lake Arenal to the Monteverde 

Cloud Forest for a 2-night stay. Spend your 

time exploring the lush ecosystem 

DAyS 9-11 

From the coolness of the cloud forest, head 

to the steamier Pacific. Spend 3 nights at El 

Parador Resort, close to the Manuel Antonio 

National Park. Spend your days exploring the 

park or relaxing on the beach 

DAy 12 

Transfer to San Jose in time for your overnight 

flight back to the UK. 


sharing, including international flights, transfers and breakfast throughout. 


Costa Rica 

Costa Rica is a country of great natural beauty and every highlight has something unique to offer. Whether you are 

watching the Arenal volcano whilst bathing in hot springs, walking in the canopy of Montverde’s cloud forest or 

relaxing on one of the many beautiful beaches that adorn its coastline, Costa Rica really is a nature lover’s paradise. 

Nicaragua 

Monteverde 

Arenal 

Manuel Antonio 

San Jose 

Tortuguero 

Costa Rica 

103 

Panama

Costa Rica’s spectacular 

Pacific Coast 

Costa Rica’s Pacific coast 

offers something for 

everyone – everything 

from water sports, 

diving, deep sea fishing, 

adventure tours and 

a verdant rainforest 

backdrop - always with 

one thing in common, 

truly amazing beaches. 

W hether it is the sheer beauty 

of Manuel Antonio National 

Park, the remoteness of Corcovado 

National Park or the busier, but 

no less beautiful, beaches of 

Guanacaste, you will be able to find 

your perfect beach break along this 

amazing coastline. 

104 

Flamingo Beach Resort 

From £35 

B/B 

Situated on the northwest Pacific coast of 

Costa Rica at Guanacaste, Flamingo Beach is 

the perfect destination for those seeking an 

enchanting escape. Picture yourself lounging 

on the golden sands of one of the most 

beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, framed by the 

deep blue Pacific Ocean and lush mountain 

foliage. Use this relaxing setting to enjoy an 

array of adventure tours, engage in the wealth 

of water sports such as diving, snorkelling 

and deep-sea fishing, and explore spectacular 

national parks and nearby villages. 

Capitan Suizo 

From £65 

B/B 

Capitan Suizo is set directly on Guanacaste’s 

beautiful Tamarindo beach and is close to the 

bustling town of the same name. The hotel 

has eight thatched-roof bungalows and 22 

rooms, each spacious and comfortable, with 

a patio or balcony opening onto the tropical 

gardens. The large free-form swimming pool 

is surrounded by lush gardens where howler 

monkeys are frequent visitors and a variety 

of birds can be found. The hotel’s philosophy 

lays importance on supporting the local 

communities and the local nature and wildlife.

Parador Resort & Spa 

From £65 

B/B 

Perched high above the sweeping central 

Pacific coastline on 12 acres of rainforest 

teeming with wildlife, Parador is a secluded, 

environmentally-responsible resort boasting 

spectacular views and world-class amenities. 

Adjacent to a white sand beach, the resort is 

just minutes from Manuel Antonio National 

Park, great restaurants and the village of 

Quepos. Holding the Costa Rican Tourism 

Board’s highest 5-Leaf sustainability rating 

and the Ecological Blue Flag, Parador 

combines old-world charm with warm 

Costa Rican hospitality. 

Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge 



Fully inclusive 

On the Osa Peninsula, tucked away in the 

trees and cooled by the Pacific Ocean, 

this 170-acre private reserve borders the 

Corcovado National Park. It has been carefully 

designed and built by an American naturalist 

with over 30 years of local experience. In spite 

of its remote location, Casa Corcovado Jungle 

Lodge has a full range of facilities including 

two swimming pools, a bar, dining room, gift 

shop and a terrace where you can watch the 

famous sunsets. The deluxe bungalows each 

have their own private garden. 


Caribbean Coast & Tortuguero 

Situated on the Caribbean coast of 

Costa Rica, Tortuguero National Park 

offers great opportunities to spot 

wildlife including alligators, iguanas, 

howler monkeys, boa constrictors 

and a myriad of birdlife in their 

varied habitats whilst exploring the 

waterways and canals by small boat. 

From July to September you might 

also see giant green turtles come 

ashore at night to lay eggs. 

105

Nicaragua 

& Panama 

106 

Both Nicaragua 

and Panama have 

so much to offer 

visitors - volcanoes, 

virgin rainforests, 

wildlife, genuine 

interaction with 

indigenous 

communities, 

colonial history 

and exciting 

modern cities - yet 

amazingly they 

remain two of 

the least visited 

countries in Latin 

America. They 

are also both 

superb beach 

destinations, with 

Panama best for the 

Caribbean coast and 

Nicaragua’s best 

beaches along its 

Pacific coast. 

Ometepe

Leon 

Granada 

Nicaragua 

Lake Nicaragua 

Ometepe 

Island 

Costa Rica 

With its lush rainforests, 

beautiful Pacific beaches, 

fascinating colonial towns, 

volcanic islands and working 

coffee farms, Nicaragua is waiting 

to reward anyone who chooses 

to visit. The highlights of a trip to 

Nicaragua include a stay on the 

volcanic island of Ometepe, time 

spent on the beach at San Juan 

del Sur and wandering through 

the beautiful cobbled streets of 

Granada and Leon. 

However, be sure to delve 

a little deeper. Nicaragua can 

provide testing hikes up both 

dormant and active volcanoes, 

unique insights into the thriving 

coffee industry as well as offering 

visitors the chance to explore two 

gorgeous Caribbean islands. 

To the south of Nicaragua, 

Panama’s role as a corridor 

between South and Central 

America, and more recently as a 

link between the Pacific Ocean 

and the Caribbean Sea, has 

shaped its history. No one visiting 

the country should fail to visit the 

Things to do in Nicaragua and Panama: 

Explore colonial Granada 

Relax on the volcanic island of Ometepe 

Enjoy a drink or two in San Juan del Sur 

Wonder at the engineering of the Panama Canal 

Swim in the crystal clear waters of the San Blas Islands 

San Blas 

Bocas del Toro 

Panama 

Archipelago 

Panama 

Canal Panama 

City 

Darien 

Gap 

famous 80-kilometre-long Panama 

Canal. Completed in 1914, and 

now used by some 14,000 vessels 

a year, this astonishing feat of 

engineering is also home to a 

remarkable amount of wildlife, 

including sloths, monkeys and 

crocodiles. 

Panama is also a nature 

destination par excellence. On 

Panama City’s doorstep, the 

Soberania National Park has 

registered over 600 bird species. 

Other draws include the 

escapist San Blas Islands, governed 

by their indigenous communities, 

and lively Panama City. The capital 

has a growing number of great 

hotels and restaurants, and 

an absorbing Casco 

Viejo, or Old Town - a 

UNESCO World Heritage 

Site that is gradually 

being restored. 

Nicaragua & Panama 

When to go 

The best time of year to visit both 

Nicaragua and Panama is between 

December and May. Central America 

has a long rainy season, though the 

characteristic of these months tends 

to be bright sunny mornings, followed 

by afternoon showers. September and 

October can be quite rainy. On the coast 

and at lower altitudes, it is hot and humid 

throughout the year. 

Getting there 

There are no direct flights to Nicaragua 

from the UK. The best way to get to 

Managua is on a US airline, such as 

American Airlines, who fly on a daily basis 

via their hubs in the US. For Panama City, 

Iberia flies from Madrid to Panama City 

non-stop and KLM flies from Amsterdam 

to Panama City non-stop, or go via the 

US. 

GMT: 

Nicaragua is GMT -6 hours 

Panama is GMT -5 hours 

Visas 


visas to enter Nicaragua or Panama, 

although if you fly via the US, the ESTA 

will be compulsory. 

Health 


required to enter either country. 


Nicaragua’s colonial towns, 

coffee region & beaches 

Granada and Leon are Nicaragua’s 

two most attractive cities, 

with beautiful examples of colonial 

architecture. Granada is located on 

the shores of Lake Nicaragua where 

the focal point is Ometepe, an island 

dominated by two volcanoes. To 

the north, the coffee region offers a 

fascinating insight into the industry. 

Accommodation is on real working 

coffee farms, staying in lovely, but 

simple rooms. The coffee should only 

be drunk by hardened coffee fans… 

you have been warned! 

On the Pacific coast, San Juan del 

Sur has excellent hotels, restaurants, 

and beach bars. There are also small, 

quiet bays with lovely beaches and 

places to stay. In the Caribbean Sea, 

the Corn Islands offer visitors real 

Creole culture and beautiful beaches. 

108 

Iglesia La Recoleccion, the ‘Yellow Church Leon 

Hacienda & Ecolodge 

Morgan’s Rock 

From £180 

Full-board 

Close to San Juan del Sur, Morgan’s Rock has 

15 deluxe bungalows set on a forested hill 

sloping down towards the ocean. It is part of 

the local green movement that includes an 

extensive tree conservation project reaching 

over 1,800 hectares along the Pacific Ocean. 

The lodge is set in a nature reserve, a seasonal 

sanctuary for many types of animals, and 

is more than a luxury hotel; it’s a project of 

nature conservation, community development 

and reforestation. 

Jicaro Island Ecolodge 

From £225 

Full-board 

Jicaro Island Ecolodge is Nicaragua´s most 

upscale nature resort, and is located on Isla 

Ometepe, a private island in Lake Nicaragua. 

Just a short boat ride from the colonial 

town of Granada, it has spectacular views 

across the lake towards the Mombacho 

volcano. Nine private casitas serve as the 

perfect setting for romantic escapes, active 

exploration and wellness retreats. Immerse 

yourself in an island experience filled with 

peace and tranquillity. A stay at Jicaro is the 

perfect upscale alternative to hotels and 

resorts in colonial Granada. 

Pelican Eyes Resort & Spa 

From £90 

B/B 

Pelican Eyes offers a stunning hillside location 

and panoramic views of San Juan del Sur, 

Nicaragua’s premier beach destination, and 

the ocean beyond. The hotel features infinity 

pools, spacious accommodation, a spa, 

lush gardens, restaurants and open air bars. 

Rooms have graceful arch windows, airy 

terraces, handcrafted furniture and Central 

American artworks. The resort is within easy 

walking distance of all of San Juan’s lively 

restaurants and bars.

Panama - the canal, 

wildlife & beaches 

Trump Ocean Club Hotel 

From £125 

B/B 

Trump Ocean Club Hotel is an exclusive 

and über-luxurious property situated a few 

minutes from the financial district and Punta 

Pacifica in Panama City. Towering 70 stories 

above the bay, it’s Panama’s tallest and 

largest building. With 369 rooms and suites 

and some amazing facilities and services, this 

is a fabulous choice in Panama City. The Spa, 

casino, private island beach club and marina 

are all under development. 

Casa del Horno 

From £189 

B/B 

San Blas Islands 

Occupying the site of an old oven house 

believed to have been the bakery of the town 

and dating back to 1850, the Casa del Horno 

opened recently in 2011 as an eight room 

hotel. Situated in Casco Antiguo (or Viejo as it 

is locally known), Casa Del Horno is in a great 

location for those wanting to visit the art 

galleries, cool restaurants and funky bars. Old 

stone walls are coupled with modern fixtures 

and luxury amenities in this small, boutique 

property. 


More than just the canal, Panama’s 

geography of volcanic highlands, 

coastal plains and dense, orchid filled 

rainforests results in an impressive 

bio-diversity of wildlife species. A day 

trip from the capital takes you deep 

into the Chagres National Park, to 

spend an action-packed day with the 

Embera Parara Puru Community. 

Panama is also a superb beach 

destination. The idyllic Bocas del Toro 

islands on its Caribbean coastline, 

near the border with Costa Rica, have 

white sand beaches and aquamarine 

waters, fringed by lush rainforests. 

Spot dolphins, snorkel and look 

out for Hawksbill, Leatherback and 

Green turtles. Further east, the San 

Blas Archipelago is jaw-droppingly 

beautiful and home to the indigenous 

Kuna Indians. 

Punta Caracol 

From £159 

B/B 


Idyllically situated in Bocas del Toro on a 

stretch of coral reef coast, Punta Caracol 

is a peaceful retreat with the wow factor! 

There are eight two-level cabins standing 

on stilts above the Caribbean Sea, built with 

natural materials and boasting uninterrupted 

views of the water from the private terraces. 

Romantic candlelit dinners are served on the 

terrace at the restaurant. Guests can visit 

the local villages of the archipelago, relax on 

untouched beaches and go on snorkelling 

expeditions. 

109

Central America Journey 

Panama City – San Jose – Arenal – Monteverde – Granada 

Antigua – Lake Atitlan – Guatemala City 

This 13-day itinerary highlights the best of Panama, Costa Rica and Guatemala, 

and is a great introduction to the variety that each of these Central American 

countries has to offer. 

Your journey starts in Panama where 

you take a small boat cruise on the 

iconic Panama Canal, before moving 

on to the natural wonders of Costa 

Rica; the Arenal volcano is a real 

must-visit. Lakes and volcanoes form 

the backbone of Central America 

and you will see the best of these in 

Guatemala, along with the country’s 

vibrant culture. 

DAy 1 

Fly via the US to Panama City for a 3-night 

stay at the Deville Hotel 

DAy 2 

Half-day city tour of Panama City 

DAy 3 

Half-day cruise on the famous Panama Canal, 

where you experience this world-famous feat 

of engineering 

DAy 4 

Fly to San Jose, Costa Rica, and transfer to 

Arenal and the Arenal Springs Hotel 

Mexico 

110 


Lake Atitlan 

Guatemala 

El Salvador 

Belize 

Hounduras 

DAy 5 

Explore the Arenal Volcano National Park 

and relax in the hot springs with magnificent 

views of the volcano 

DAyS 6-7 

Continue to the Monteverde Cloud Forest 

for 2 nights, with the opportunity to explore 

the forest from the ground and the canopy 

walkways 

DAy 8 

Fly to Guatemala City and transfer to Antigua 

for a 2-night stay at Posada del Angel 

Nicaragua 

Monteverde 

Arenal 

San Jose 

Costa RIca 

Panama 

Panama 

City 

DAy 9 

Free day in Antigua to explore the beautiful 

cobbled streets and architecture of 

Guatemala’s most beautiful town 

DAy 10 

Travel to Lake Atitlan where you stay for 2 

nights at Hotel Atitlan 

DAy 11 

Spend the day visiting some of the indigenous 

communities that live on the shores of this 

amazing lake 

DAy 12 

Visit vibrant Chichicastenango market where 

you can buy some of Guatemala’s famous 

colourful textiles 

DAy 13 

Catch your overnight return flight from 

Guatemala City, via the US, to London. 



flights and daily breakfast.


Panama City – Panama Canal – Bocas del Toro – Granada 

Isla Ometepe – San Juan del Sur 

Granada 

San Juan del Sur 

Nicaragua 

Isla Ometepe 

Costa RIca Bocas del Toro 

Visit Panama City and the Panama 

Canal and then on to the beautiful 

beaches of Bocas del Toro, a 

Caribbean archipelago of lush 

vegetation and ancient traditions. 

In Nicaragua you can explore the 

beautiful colonial town of Granada, 

relax in volcanic beauty on Ometepe 

Island on Lake Nicaragua and let 

your hair down in San Juan del Sur, a 

buzzing beach town. 

DAy 1 

Fly via the USA to Panama City and stay 3 

nights at Las Clementinas 

DAy 2 

Explore the city on a half-day tour 

DAy 3 

Enjoy a half day small-boat cruise on 

the famous Panama Canal to grasp the 

astounding engineering that went into 

creating this waterway 

DAy 4 

Fly to Bocas del Toro and stay in an overwater 

bungalow 

Panama 

Panama 

Canal 

Panama 

City 

DAy 5 


Free time to relax and enjoy the laid back 

atmosphere of this unspoilt area of the 

Caribbean 

DAy 6 

Fly to Managua, Nicaragua, via Panama City. 

On arrival, you will be transferred to Granada 

DAy 7 

Half-day tour of this lovely example of a Latin 

American colonial city. Spend the afternoon 

relaxing in one of the eateries or wander 

through the city’s streets 

DAy 8 

Transfer via ferry to the beautiful island 

of Ometepe. Made up of two volcanoes, 

Ometepe is a sensational sight, and an 

inviting place to spend a few days 

DAy 9 

Free day to explore the island, climb a volcano 

or just relax on the beautiful dark beaches 

DAyS 10-11 

After the quiet of Ometepe, today you 

will head to San Juan del Sur where you 

will spend two days enjoying the many 

restaurants and bars along the beach, 

or taking a boat ride to one of the more 

secluded beaches on Nicaragua’s stunning 

southern Pacific coastline 

DAy 12 


Nicaragua and Panama are relatively unknown 

Latin American countries, but they are well worth 

exploring, in part for this very reason, on this highly 

rewarding 12-day itinerary. 

Overnight flight from Managua to the UK. 



and domestic flights, transfers and 

daily breakfast. 

111

Antarctica cruise 

Exploring the white continent 

112

Travel journalist Wendy Driver has been on 

several expeditions to the polar regions. 

Antarctica isn’t for the fainthearted. 

It may be the most 

stunningly beautiful place on 

earth, but getting there is a big 

adventure. The voyage from the 

Argentine port of Ushuaia, the 

world’s southernmost city, takes 

you through the Drake Passage - 

be prepared for days of pitching 

and tossing in the most stormwhipped 

seas on the planet. 

The Roaring Forties certainly 

lived up to their name on my 

expedition. We were travelling on 

a former Russian research vessel, 

and it felt like being tossed around 

in a washing machine. Seasoned 

sailors remained on deck watching 

for the first iceberg, while others 

preferred to stay below attending 

lectures, films and slideshows. 

With just 48 like-minded 

passengers on board, an 

atmosphere of camaraderie 

soon developed. Everyone was 

allowed on the bridge and we 

sat at communal tables at meal 

times. The ages of my fellow 

explorers ranged from midtwenties 

to early eighties, but 

everyone was reasonably fit and 

game for anything. 


Antarctica 

The best wildlife can be seen on 

the sub-Antarctic islands, which 

provide refuge to huge numbers 

of seabirds and mammals. To visit 

them we boarded small inflatables 

to land amongst colonies of 

elephant seals weighing up to 

three tons each. Muffled up in 

padded jackets and life vests, 

we bumped across the waves, 

narrowly avoiding killer whales 

diving beneath our craft. 

On South Georgia, a threeday 

voyage from the Antarctic 

Peninsula, we found ourselves 

surrounded by over a quarter of a 

million penguins. Foul-smelling fur 

seals lurched towards us in mock 

attack and wandering albatross 

nested on grassy tussocks, 

oblivious to us wide-eyed tourists 

just a few metres away. 

As we continued south, I got 

my first view of the Antarctic 

continent, a vast wilderness 

of endless snowfields and 

shimmering peaks. We glided 

past jewel-bright icebergs the size 

of tower blocks, immense silver 

glaciers, and blue ice cliffs where 

icicles sparkled like sapphires. 

No wonder the early explorers 

were drawn back again and again. 

I know I am planning to return. 

113

Antarctica 

114 

The spectacularly 

beautiful ‘White 

Continent’ is one of 

the most remote and 

fascinating natural 

reserves in the world. 

Six hundred miles south of Tierra 

del Fuego, Antarctica is surely 

the ultimate destination for wildlife 

enthusiasts. Find yourself at close 

quarters with large rookeries of 

penguins and seal colonies, and spot 

whales plying the icy offshore waters. 

Until recently, Antarctica was the 

domain of pioneering expeditions 

and intrepid explorers. Nowadays 

it is possible to visit this pristine 

wilderness as part of small groups 

on expedition vessels that let you 

experience Antarctica in relative 

comfort and luxury. 

For a short period in the southern 

hemisphere’s summer months there 

is a seasonal break up of the vast 

pack ice, which gives the specialist 

ships a passage through to the 

Antarctic Peninsula. Thousands of 

penguin, petrel and albatross come 

here to breed and seal colonies 

adorn the many ice floes. 

Some cruises combine the 

Antarctic Peninsula with the 

opportunity to visit the wildlife 

havens of South Georgia Island and 

the Falkland Islands. 

When to go 

Cruises to Antarctica operate between 

November and late February. You should 

be prepared for cold weather and also 

strong winds. 

Getting there 

As most cruises to the Antarctic operate 

from Ushuaia in Argentina, clients will fly 

to Buenos Aires. British Airways fly every 

day from London Heathrow. You will then 

need to take an internal flight direct to 

Ushuaia. 

GMT: -3 hours 

Visas 


visas to enter these countries. 

Health 



Antarctica Cruising 

Silversea Cruises 

Sailing to the Antarctic since 2008/9, 

Silversea Cruise Expeditions have 

introduced luxury to clients wanting 

the very best on their travels to this 

inhospitable region. On board the 

Silversea Explorer enjoy the benefits of 

all inclusive luxury with complimentary 

drinks throughout and 24-hour room 

service. The restaurant has an ‘openseat’ 

dining plan with gourmet menus. 

Guides and lecturers accompany the 

cruises, adding considerably to the 

Antarctic experience.

Antarctic Dream Expedition 

South Shetland Islands – Antarctic Peninsula 

This 11-day itinerary, 

starting and ending 

in Buenos Aires, takes 

you to the Antarctic 

Peninsula, South Shetland 

Islands and the amazing 

wildlife encounters they 

have to offer. 

Cruising gives you the opportunity 

to experience a slice of the white 

continent, crossing the Drake Passage 

on the Silver Explorer. 

DAy 1 

Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, Argentina 

Arrive in Ushuaia from Buenos Aires and 

board the Silver Explorer 

DAyS 2-3 

Drake Passage 

Wandering albatrosses, storm petrels and 

other seabirds will escort the vessel as you sail 

south across this famous passage named after 

Sir Francis Drake, the sixteenth century English 

navigator 

DAy 4 

Aitcho Island 

Disembark in the afternoon on Aitcho, the 

biggest island in the South Shetlands lying 

between Greenwich and Robert Islands. 

Continue across the Bransfield and Gerlache 

Straits and enter Andvord Bay, where you will 

find Neko Bay 

DAy 5 

Antarctic Peninsula & Neko Bay 

Besides the magnificent scenery of 

mountains, snow and ice, in Antarctica you 

can expect to see a wide variety of native 

wildlife and marine mammals including 

weddell crab-eaters and leopard seals, while 

orcas, humpback and minke whales may also 

be spotted at close range 

DAy 6 

Paradise Bay & Cuverville Island 

Start the return voyage. During the morning 

and, if weather permits, disembark on zodiacs 

in Paradise Bay. In the evening visit Cuverville 

Island, home to one of the largest colonies of 

gentoo penguins and skuas 

DAy 7 

Pleneau & Petermann Island 

Sail south through the narrow Lemaire 

Channel and visit Petermann Island, the 

southernmost land point of the expedition. 

Disembark to see the most southern colony 

of gentoo and adelie penguins 

DAy 8 

Deception Island, Whaler’s Bay 

& Pendulum Cove 

Continue sailing to Deception Island, home 

to the largest active volcano in the area on 

the northwest side of the peninsula. During 

the morning disembark in Whaler’s Bay 

and Pendulum Cove (subject to weather 

conditions) where you can swim in Antarctic 

waters – if you dare! 

DAyS 9-10 

Drake Passage 

Leave Antarctica and head north back across 

the Drake Passage 

DAy 11 

Ushuaia, Argentina 

After an early breakfast, land and bid farewell. 

Thus ends an incredible and unique expedition. 


sharing, including domestic flights 

to and from Buenos Aires, fullboard 

accommodation on the 

ship and all excursions during 

the cruise. 


Antarctica 

The Falklands 

The Falklands are renowned for 

their spectacular wildlife, with 

the majority of islands offering 

something for the wildlife, birdlife 

and photography enthusiast. More 

than 227 species of birds have been 

identified in the Falklands as well 

as 14 species of regularly occurring 

marine mammals. The most 

commonly seen birds are the blackbrowed 

albatross (the Falklands 

is home to 60% of the world’s 

population), followed by penguins. 

On Sea Lion Island, the 

endangered striated caracara, 

Antarctic skuas and southern giant 

petrels can all be seen. You can 

also view southern sea lions at East 

Loafers, and elephant seals basking 

on the white sandy beach at the 

appropriately named Elephant Corner. 

We also offer a 20-day Antarctic 

itinerary sailing from Ushuaia, 

including the Falkland Islands, 

South Georgia, South Orkney 

and the South Shetland Islands 

before heading on to the Antarctic 

Peninsula. If this is of interest please 

do call our travel specialists who can 

help you with suitable dates and 

prices. 

115

Know before you book 

Please read these notes carefully as they contain important information 

and can help to avoid misunderstandings about your trip. Thank you. 

BROCHURE ACCURACY 

Although we have made every effort to ensure that 

the content of this brochure is correct at the time 

of publication (October 2012), it is inevitable that 

circumstances may change. Facilities may be withdrawn 

due to maintenance - e.g. the pool is closed as it needs 

a tile replaced. Public and religious festivals may also 

impact on the availability of facilities both in the hotel 

and resort. We will endeavour to advise of changes we 

are aware of prior to travel. 

All pictures shown have been checked for their accuracy; 

however it is realistic to assume these have been taken 

during the most favourable conditions, so seasonal 

variation can apply. The room shots are intended to 

give an overall impression of the hotel and we can’t 

guarantee the decor will be the same in your room. 

No brochure, no matter how detailed, will be able to 

give you all the information you require, either prior to 

booking or during your holiday. So please do ring or 

email our expert travel specialists for first-hand advice. 

YOUR HOLIDAY, YOUR CHOICE 

Longer or shorter durations, different hotels, alternative 

airlines, upgraded rooms and flights. Our brochure 

really is a shop window on the variety of holidays 

available to you. Part of the enjoyment of a holiday is 

the ease to mix and match your destinations. Whilst we 

show a few examples of touring suggestions, these can 

all be easily adapted to your individual requirements. 

It is probable that many of you will be experienced 

travellers to exotic destinations. Whilst some of the 

resorts and countries may be new to you, it is likely 

that you will have appreciated that travel to these 

destinations is a rich and rewarding experience, 

enjoying lifestyles that are in complete contrast to the 

generally more commercialised hospitality of Europe or 

North America. Our experienced team will be delighted 

to assist you further should you wish to discuss either 

the hotels or resorts in further detail, although please 

bear in mind that we, like you, are individuals with our 

own personal likes and dislikes. 

BUILDING WORK 

If we receive prior advice we will inform you of any 

building work that we think will affect your holiday. 

Please note we have little or no control over building 

work taking place on a private residential property that 

may be adjacent to one of our featured hotels. 

Unlike Europe, much of Latin America does not have 

stringent laws on building works. Whilst many hoteliers 

will act responsibly on this, the same would probably 

not apply to a private residence next to a hotel. 

Unfortunately we have no control over these works or 

the notice given. We will endeavour to notify you as 

soon as we become aware of any such building work 

within or nearby a hotel that will impact on your holiday 

enjoyment. 

116 

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN OUR PRICE 

The guide prices in this brochure, and our tailor-made 

quotations, are per person in pounds sterling, unless 

otherwise stated. Generally they include return flights 

from the UK, accommodation on the occupancy and 

board basis stated and return transfers to the resort. 

Rainbow Tours offers you the flexibility to create your 

own holiday from a wide range of accommodation and 

services available. Because of the choice we can offer 

you, it is not possible to list every price on every date. 

A ‘from’ price is indicative of the lowest price available 

for the hotel or itinerary featured and is based on a 

shoulder season departure. These prices may also vary 

depending on a number of factors, such as your exact 

date of travel and choice of accommodation. Peak 

season prices are not shown. All our quotations are 

personalised to your exact requirements and each quote 

will utilise the very best rates available at the time, and 

can often be cheaper than the prices shown in our 

brochures. To help you in choosing a holiday which is 

tailor-made by us to your requirements, please call our 

Sales Specialists, or visit your travel agent. 

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE 

Unless specifically included in your quotation, the price 

does not include: 

• Holiday insurance 

• Transportation between your home and UK 

departure airport 

• UK regional flights 

• Drinks on flights (some carriers offer complimentary 

beverages) and during resort transfers 

• Porterage where not provided by the hotel 

• Meals 

• Expenditure of a personal nature such as drinks, 

laundry, room service etc. 

• Tips and gratuities 

PRICING ERRORS 

Whilst we endeavour to ensure that the most up to 

date and correct prices are shown on our website, there 

may on occasion be an incorrect price shown, due to a 

system error. When we become aware of any such error, 

we will ensure that we act promptly and will endeavour 

to notify you within seven days of the time of booking, 

or as soon as reasonably possible. We must reserve the 

right to cancel the booking and you will be given the 

choice to amend your booking to an alternative holiday, 

at the correct price. 

UK FOREIGN OFFICE ADVICE 

To make the most of your holiday, and to be aware 

of the information supplied by the UK government, 

we recommend you check with the Foreign Office 

(FCO) ‘Know Before You Go’ website at www.fco.gov. 

uk/knowbeforeyougo. This is based on information 

provided to the Foreign Office from the UK government 

representatives based in each country, and is updated 

on a regular basis. In addition to advice and warnings 

about possible acts of terrorism, this also carries 

relevant information that can be of interest to travellers, 

particularly relating to health and safety. For more 

information visit www.fco.gov.uk or call 0845 850 2829. 

CONSUMER PROTECTION 

The air holidays in this brochure are ATOL protected, 

since we hold Air Travel Organiser’s Licences granted 

by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 

10417. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA 

will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will 

arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an 

advance booking. For further information visit the ATOL 

website at www.atol.org.uk. We are a member of ABTA, 

membership number Y1152. 

SEASONALITY 

The majority of resorts and destinations shown in 

this brochure can be offered on a year round basis, 

although seasonal variances do apply. These are 

summarised on the relevant destination introduction 

pages. You will note that some of the lower prices and 

extra value offers apply in the quieter months, when 

the climate may not be so consistent. During the quieter 

months, hotels may decide to reduce facilities in line 

with anticipated occupancy (e.g. closure of restaurant/ 

re-painting of pool). Equally, in the busier months 

you should expect more demands to be placed on the 

facilities and attentions of the staff. 

We will endeavour to notify you when a supplier 

informs us in advance of any service closure or 

reductions, however some operate this based on their 

daily occupancy levels and we therefore cannot know 

of this in advance. If you feel that a particular service is 

paramount to your holiday enjoyment please do inform 

us in advance. 

GENERAL FACILITIES/CHILDREN’S FACILITIES 

The accommodation featured in this brochure covers a 

whole spectrum from shiny modern luxury city centre 

hotels to remote Amazon lodges with simple facilities. 

They range from global hotel chains to privately owned 

boutique hotels, or lodges run by local communities. 

In some hotels, a conscious decision may have been 

taken to depart from the modern day trappings of 

televisions and Wi-Fi connections. Generally the 

standard of accommodation throughout Latin 

America has increased over the last decade to 

very acceptable levels. 

PASSPORTS AND VISAS 

All clients must be in possession of a valid 10 year 

passport. This should have a minimum validity of six 

months from your scheduled return date. UK passport 

holders do not currently require visas to visit any 

country in Latin America. However, should you travel or 

transit via the US, then you will have to obtain an ESTA 

(the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) before 

travelling. It is your responsibility to check that you 

have all valid documents in advance of booking your 

holiday. It is important that your passport has at least 

one clean page for entry stamps to be inserted. Other

nationalities should enquire at the relevant embassy. 

This information is correct at the time of going to print 

and may be subject to amendment. Your passport and 

air ticket must be in the same name. Again it is your 

responsibility to inform us of the correct spelling of 

your surname and first name. Even if you are commonly 

known by your middle name, this will not satisfy 

airlines who have become very strict in recent years on 

changing named bookings. 

HEALTH & VACCINATIONS 

We do suggest consultation with your GP with regards 

to all health and vaccination issues. This is important 

if you are visiting either the more populous areas or 

forest/water regions. For travel to rural/jungle areas we 

strongly suggest precaution against malaria, typhoid 

and hepatitis A, as well as anything your doctor may 

suggest for you. 

Yellow Fever Certificates are required if visiting 

the Amazon region in Ecuador. Also, the Brazilian 

authorities require Yellow Fever Certificates to be shown 

upon arrival by those who have recently visited Peru, 

Bolivia or Venezuela. 

A number of destinations in the Andes are located 

at altitudes between 2,400 and 4,300 metres above 

sea-level. Such heights may not be suitable for those 

suffering from heart problems or very high blood 

pressure, and you are recommended to check with 

your doctor if you have these conditions. Our 

experienced team will advise you if your itinerary 

travels to high altitudes. 

All hotels and tours mentioned contract with us on the 

basis that they comply with local regulations governing 

health, safety and hygiene. Some of these standards 

may be less than applicable in the UK, whilst others may 

be even more stringent. Cases of hotel food poisoning 

are very rare. Less reliable would be the purchase of 

food or drinks from beach/roadside vendors. Having 

said that, please experiment with the local food from 

hotels and recommended restaurants. 

HOLIDAYS FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES 

Whilst we do accept bookings from those with a 

disability, we should mention that as typically many 

of our itineraries are multi-centred, they are not 

entirely suitable for those who have problems with 

mobility. Please enquire specifically if you do need 

any clarification and we will offer some suggestions 

based on your individual and personal requirements. In 

some cases we may need to contact hotels to ascertain 

specific confirmation of their suitability and their 

acceptance of your reservation and what qualifications 

they may wish to stress. It is important that we are 

advised well in advance of any disability that is relevant 

to what is mentioned above. 

AIR TRAVEL 

The only mainland destinations in Latin America with 

non-stop flights from London are Argentina, Brazil and 

Mexico. For all other countries, it will be necessary to 

change aircraft en route. We only use scheduled flights 

for international travel. 

We cannot be held responsible for specific seat requests 

and allocated seat numbers. 

UPGRADING YOUR FLIGHT 

We are able to offer flight upgrades to the extra 

comfort of enhanced economy on certain routes, as 

well as Business Class and First Class. Upgrades can be 

booked on a one way or return basis. 

OUR SELECTED HOTELS 

Virtually all of our hotels are at least tourist class 

although many are the best available in rural or remote 

areas and not necessarily graded. This will generally 

ensure a good standard of accommodation and 

associated features; however we have no control over 

bookings accepted by hotels other than our featured 

ones. The hotels we feature can be shared with 

guests from other countries, with differing customs 

and cultures which can add to the atmosphere and 

experience in varying ways. 

OUR HOTEL RATINGS AND FACILITIES 

Also note we are only legally responsible for resort/ 

property information contained in our brochures and 

or websites. We are specifically not responsible for third 

party brochures or website promotions – for example 

by hotels or tourist boards and of course other tour 

operators. If your holiday enjoyment is dependent on a 

specific item, advise us well in advance so we can clarify 

availability and obtain written confirmation. 

HOTEL SERVICES 

Even in the best of hotels, occasional hiccups can 

occur, although these are usually very quickly resolved. 

Minor problems can usually be resolved by reception, 

whilst others may need a prompt but discreet word 

with senior management. It is in everyone’s interest 

that problems are given the opportunity to be resolved 

whilst you are in the hotel/resort. This can particularly 

apply to items such as air conditioning, plumbing and 

hotel service. Please do not wait until you have returned 

to the UK to register your complaint. Hotels are much 

more receptive to dealing with such problems whilst 

you are there. 

Please acquaint yourself with the safety precautions 

such as the fire drill shown in your room, taking 

particular note of the fire exits. Most hotels will display 

this on the door or in your room information kit. If you 

are not certain please ask the hotel to explain. Please 

be vigilant with the safety of your children, particularly 

the younger ones, and ensure they do not play in unsafe 

areas (such as near a lift). Some of the hotel swimming 

pools may have lifeguards; however in most cases you 

will be responsible for your own safety. As such please 

familiarise yourself with the depth of the pool before 

you dive in. 


Thanks to… 

We would like to thank the tourist boards, hotels 

and lodges that have contributed photos for 

this brochure, as well as our own staff and the 

following individuals and organisations: 

Gary Calton – Panos Pictures, Laurie Gough 

(photo of Diane McTurk page 81), iStockphotos, 

John Warburton Lee – AWL images and 

Shutterstock Photo Library. 

Some of the hotels, and particularly those in the cities 

and major resorts, will seek to accommodate groups 

and conventions, especially in quiet months. We have 

no control over the acceptance of such bookings, other 

than our own. We are therefore unable to accept any 

responsibility for inconvenience caused by such groups 

or their activities. If a hotel is positioned close to a 

convention centre, it would be wise to anticipate that 

at certain times the majority of guests will be attending 

a conference. 

MEALS 

When meals have been included in the price, these will 

always be arranged on a table d’hôte (set meal) menu. 

Supplements will apply should you decide on à la carte 

items. This could particularly apply on all inclusive 

options. For those with specific diets of any kind, please 

let us know when you book and we will do our best to 

accommodate your requirements. If alcoholic beverages 

are included, these tend to be house wine or locally 

bottled beer and spirits and supplements will apply to 

more premium brands. 

DRESS REQUIREMENTS 

There are no specific dress codes on our itineraries. For 

itineraries that involve trekking, or visits to regions with 

extreme weather (e.g. Antarctica), you should dress 

appropriately. For other itineraries, if you are unsure 

about what clothing to take, our Sales Specialists will be 

able to offer advice. 

PERSONAL SAFETY 

Many of the countries featured are part of the 

developing world. Financial extremes do apply. Please 

do not tempt fate with obvious displays of your own 

success. Small change to you can be a week’s salary 

to others. Most of the hotels will provide security 

safes for the storage of your valuables. Please check 

your insurance policy to ensure all items of value 

are adequately covered and take note of the hotel’s 

comments on resort safety. 

Take sensible precautions. Walk purposefully, do 

not walk in unlit areas at night and adhere to local 

advice. Be particularly vigilant in crowded areas, 

such as markets, railway stations and airports. Avoid 

distractions. As with many areas that are seeing 

unemployment increase and job opportunities decrease, 

petty and not so petty crime is moving upwards. Be 

sensible in your security, just as you would at home. 

ECO ADVENTURE TOURS/WATER SPORTS/SAFARIS 

Eco adventure tours are increasingly popular. As the 

name suggests, there could be an element of risk, 

indeed for some that is very definitely part of the 

appeal. Some of these tours involve travel over unmade 

roads (for example) or at sea. You need to satisfy 

yourself that you are able to cope with such tours, 

particularly if you do not partake in regular exercise. 

This brochure is printed from sustainable 

forests from IS014001 certified mills. 

117

118 

Preferred Airlines 

British Airways 

Rainbow Tours has a long-standing commercial 

relationship with British Airways, and we are proud of 

our affiliation with the airline. Among the benefits to 

you as a Rainbow Tours customer is that you are able 

to take advantage of some truly remarkable low-cost 

upgrades to either British Airways First, Club World 

or World Traveller Plus – you can choose to upgrade 

both ways or one way in either direction. Please note 

that the number of seats allocated to each flight at 

our quoted upgrade supplement is strictly limited, 

therefore early booking is recommended. 

World Traveller 

• World Traveller has been designed with 

your comfort in mind, from ergonomically 

designed seats, complete with lumbar 

support and headrest, to your own seatback 

video screen 

• Choose from the latest films, TV 

programmes, games, audio books, music 

and radio with Highlife Entertainment 

Audio Video On Demand (AVOD)* 

• Complimentary bar service available 

throughout your flight with 3 course meals 

and snacks 

• World Traveller makes flying with children 

a little more enjoyable with a range of 

services designed especially for young 

families such as the ‘Kids Eat First’ policy 

and dedicated children’s TV content from 

Disney/Cartoon Network 

• Priority boarding to reduce stress levels! 

ClUB World 

• With a dedicated check-in and exclusive 

facilities, choosing Club World means 

travelling in comfort and freedom. 

Dedicated departure Lounges and Elemis 

Travel Spa∆ are designed to give you choice 

before your flight, whether you wish to 

relax, dine or be pampered. 

• The Club World seats give you your own 

space and time to do what you want, 

when you want. Bigger, wider and more 

comfortable than ever, you can guarantee 

complete comfort in any position. 

• The very best in local and international 

cuisine is served, along with a dedicated 

wine cellar. But if you are still peckish you 

are free to help yourself to healthy snacks 

and tasty treats from the Club Kitchen. 

Upgrade to Club World 

from £1451 † 

World Traveller PlUS 

• World Traveller Plus is a separate, quieter 

and smaller cabin with a maximum of six 

rows providing you with a more relaxing 

and peaceful journey. 

• Enjoy more personal space than 

World Traveller and enjoy a complimentary 

three-course meal with choice of entrée 

from the Club World menu. 

• Stretch out in the additional seven inches 

more legroom and benefit from the added 

recline, adjustable headrest, lumbar 

support, footrest and legrest. 

• Two USB ports which allow you to use 

personal electronic devices with the inflight 

entertainment system 

Upgrade to World Traveller Plus 

from £226 † 

* Fitted on most aircraft and currently rolling out across 

the rest of the fleet. 

∆ Available at London Heathrow and New York JFK 

Terminal 7. 

† Upgrade prices are per person and are one-way. 

Bookings are subject to availability and advance booking 

may be required

American Airlines 

Every day American offers direct flights from 

Heathrow and Manchester to the US and connecting 

flights across the Americas including Mexico 

and Latin America. Whichever route you fly and 

whichever class you choose, you’re sure to experience 

the best that American has to offer. 

On board is designed with your comfort in mind. 

In First Class, enjoy the finest award-winning wines and 

delectable cuisine during your flight. When you’re ready, 

a turndown service will transform your seat into a 6’6” 

fully flat bed. Pyjamas, slippers and a stylish amenity 

kit with Dermalogica ® products will ensure you stay 

comfortable during the flight. 

Fly Business Class and you’ll be inspired by new menus 

and fine wines too, and, if you’re flat out working or 

sleeping, you’ll appreciate the convenience of Dine Upon 

Request ® . It’s your choice. Premium passengers can slip 

on their Bose ® Acoustic Noise Cancelling ® headphones 

Iberia 

Iberia was founded in 1927. It was not only Spain’s 

first airline, but also the first to fly between Europe 

and South America (as of 1946), Iberia, together 

with new partners British Airways fly to most main 

destinations in Latin America. 

First (Business Plus) offers seats which recline and extend 

to convert into a bed, with more space available between 

rows, individual 10.4” touchtone screens with 15 audio 

and 26 video channels, as well as a large variety of games. 

• Iberia also offer VIP lounges, priority check-in and a 

larger luggage allowance 

• Iberia has selected for its Business Plus Menu, the best 

representation of Spanish haute cuisine, four young 

chefs each of them with two Michelin stars 


and immerse themselves in superb audio quality 

entertainment. Sit back and discover how relaxing 

long-distance travel can be. 

In Economy Class sit back in a generously sized seat 

and soak up the superb inflight entertainment, meal 

service and beverages including complimentary beer 

and wine. 

economy Class 

• Choice of meals onboard 

• Inflight entertainment (main screen) 

119

Booking Conditions 

Please read these Terms & Conditions carefully. They contain important information about your holiday contract. 

1. CONTRACT 

Your contract is with Western and Oriental Travel Limited trading as Rainbow Tours of Layden House, 76-86 Turnmill Street, 

London EC1M 5QU, referred to as “we” or “us” in this contract. A binding contract is only entered into when we issue a 

confirmation invoice. By contacting us, and/or your travel agent, to make a booking you accept that you have the authority to 

bind all members of your party to these terms and conditions. It is essential that you check the travel details on the confirmation 

invoice and inform us immediately of any errors. Your booking is also subject to the conditions of carriage of your chosen airline. 

2. YOUR FINANCIAL PROTECTION 

When you buy a holiday package from us, we are required to provide security for the monies that you pay for the package 

holidays booked from this brochure and ensure that your money is refunded or that you are repatriated in the unlikely event of 

our insolvency. 

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will 

be supplied with an ATOLCertificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other 

services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial 

protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate. 

3. ABTA 

We are a Member of ABTA, membership number Y1152. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s 

Code of Conduct. We can also offer you an arbitration scheme for the resolution of disputes arising out of this contract. The 

scheme is arranged by ABTA and administered independently. It is a simple and inexpensive method of arbitration on 

documents alone with restricted liability on you for costs. The upper limit on claims is £5,000 per person and £25,000 per 

booking form. The scheme doesn’t apply to claims which are solely in respect of physical injury or illness or their 

consequences. It can however deal with claims which include an element of minor injury or illness subject to a limit of £1,500 

on the amount the arbitrator can award per person in respect of this element. Your request for arbitration must be received by 

ABTA within eighteen months of the date of return from holiday. For injury and illness claims, you can request the ABTA 

Mediation Procedure and we have the option to agree to mediation. Further information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in 

resolving disputes can be found on www.abta.com. 

4. PAYMENT FOR YOUR HOLIDAY 

A deposit of £250 per person or 10% of the total holiday price (whichever is greater) is required at the time of booking. We 

reserve the right to vary the deposit as appropriate. The balance is due 8 weeks prior to departure. If the booking is made less 

than 8 weeks before departure, the full amount is due on booking. If any balance remains unpaid, travel documentation will not 

be issued and we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled and apply the cancellation charge set out below. Final 

travel documents will usually be sent out approximately 2 weeks before departure. All money paid to a travel agent will be held 

by the agent on our behalf. 

Payment must be in the currency of the invoice and you are responsible for bank charges. If you choose to pay the balance of 

your holiday by credit card a 2.5% levy will be charged. No charge is levied for payment by debit card. In some cases 

quotations will be based on instant purchase, limited availability non refundable airfares and full payment of the total holiday 

cost must be made at the time of booking. Full details will be given at the time of enquiry. 

5. INFORMATION 

Whilst we make every effort to ensure that the information in our brochure is as accurate as possible, it is published many 

months before your holiday takes place. We reserve the right to make changes to the brochure and any information it contains. 

You will be informed of any material changes before booking. Western and Oriental Travel Limited are only responsible for 

information contained within our own publications and websites. We are specifically not responsible for third party information 

(from tourist boards and hotels for example) contained in any other brochures or websites. 

6. AMENDMENT AND CANCELLATION BY YOU 

(A) AMENDMENT 

We will do our best to assist you in altering your arrangements after booking but cannot guarantee this will be possible. If 

alterations can be made you will be responsible for all extra charges and costs and we reserve the right to charge a £50 

administration fee per person plus any applicable charges levied by our suppliers. In some cases, flights cannot be changed 

after booking and the full cost of a new air ticket will be payable. We also reserve the right to treat any amendment less than 

eight weeks prior to departure as a cancellation and apply the cancellation charges set out below. 

(B) CANCELLATION 

All cancellations must be made in writing by the person who made the booking and are effective on the day we receive it. As 

we incur substantial costs and losses on a cancellation, we will apply the following cancellation charges: 

Number of days prior to departure Cancellation charge as percentage when cancellation notice received of total holiday price 

Up to 56 days Forfeit deposit 

55-43 Days 50% 

42-31 Days 75% 

30 Days or less 100% 

Agents or third party organisations acting on our behalf are unable to amend or change the contract or terms and conditions 

within it. 

7. AMENDMENT AND CANCELLATION BY US 

(A) AMENDMENTS 

It is occasionally necessary for us to make changes to advertised products and services and we reserve the right to make such 

changes. In exceptional circumstances we may have to modify your holiday after booking. If the change is minor we will do our 

best to notify you in advance but are not obliged to do so and no compensation is payable. If the change is material (for 

example, a change of flight time by more than 12 hours, change of destination or to a lower standard of accommodation), we 

will notify you as soon as practically possible and offer you the choice of (i) accepting the alternative arrangements or (ii) 

arranging an alternative holiday with us or (iii) cancelling your holiday. Whichever option you choose we will pay you 

compensation unless the change has been caused by force majeure or low bookings as defined below. 

Days before departure Compensation per person 

56 Nil 

56-29 £40 

28-15 £50 

14-0 £70 

(B) CHANGES DURING THE HOLIDAY 

If we are unable to provide a significant proportion of your holiday whilst you are away, suitable alternative arrangements will be 

made for you at no extra cost or, if we are unable to do so, you will be returned to your point of departure and given a pro-rata 

refund for any part of the holiday not received. This does not apply to minor changes in your accommodation, itinerary or 

transportation. 

(C) CANCELLATION BY US 

Whilst we hope we will never have to cancel your holiday this does very occasionally happen and we reserve the right to do so. 

Should it be necessary to cancel your holiday we will endeavour to offer alternative travel arrangements of equivalent or similar 

standards, together with a price refund if appropriate. Alternatively we will provide a full and prompt refund. 

(D) FORCE MAJEURE 

Compensation will not be payable in any cases where an amendment, change or cancellation is due to “force majeure”, being 

unusual or unforeseeable events or circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which neither we nor our suppliers 

could avoid. These include, but are not limited to, war, threat of war, riot, civil disturbance or strife, terrorist activity (actual or 

threatened), industrial disputes, technical or maintenance problems with transport, machinery or equipment, power failure, 

natural or nuclear disaster, fire, flood, drought, adverse weather conditions, levels of water in rivers, acts of God, closure of 

airports, changes of schedules or operational decisions of transport providers. 

120 

(E) LOW BOOKINGS 

Compensation is not payable if a holiday or tour does not take place because a required minimum number of passengers to 

enable the holiday or tour to take place has not been reached and you were informed of that requirement at the time of 

booking. We will notify you at least 8 weeks before departure if your holiday has not reached the minimum number and is 

therefore cancelled, where possible we will offer a similar holiday on a different date or an alternative departing at or around 

the original date. 

8. PRICES 

All prices advertised or quoted are per person based on sharing a twin/double room and are in pounds sterling unless otherwise 

shown and are subject to change, up or down, until the booking is concluded. After that, we will only increase the price in 

limited circumstances to reflect increases in transportation costs (including fuel and airfares), dues, government approved taxes 

(including VAT), both in the UK and overseas, fees chargeable for services (including landing taxes and embarkation and 

disembarkation and security fees at airports), Government action or exchange rate variation. If the surcharge would increase the 

cost of your holiday by 10% or more, you may cancel your holiday and receive a full refund (except insurance premiums). We 

will absorb, and you will not be charged, for any increase equivalent to up to 2% of the original price of your holiday (excluding 

insurance premiums and amendment fees). No surcharges will be made within 30 days of departure. Prices in this brochure 

were calculated on the exchange rate of £1 = US$1.50. 

9. OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO YOU 

We take care to ensure that all involved in the preparation and supply of your holiday maintain the highest standards. Please 

remember that the appropriate standards will be those prevalent in your destination which may not be the same as developed 

international standards. 

(a) We will pay reasonable compensation (subject to (c) below) if the product supplied to you is not of the standard described or 

contracted for by you. This compensation will be limited (except in the case of death or injury) to no more than twice the holiday 

price of the person affected. 

(b) Should you suffer injury, illness or death as a result of the proven fault of ourselves, our suppliers or their employees acting 

in the course of their employment we will offer you compensation as would be paid in an English Court. If the incident relating 

to you or any member of your party being killed, injured or becoming ill during or as a result of, carriage by aircraft, ship, train 

or coach as part of the holiday arrangements organised by us our liability to pay compensation is limited in accordance with the 

liability of the carrier/service provider under any international convention which governs such services. Copies of these 

Conventions are available upon request. 

(c) Our liability to you does not apply if you or any member of your group is at fault; if the failure is the fault of someone else not 

connected with providing the services which form part of our holiday contract with you; the failure is due to any unusual or 

unexpected circumstances beyond our control, which we could not have avoided even if we had used all care possible or the 

failure is due to any event which we or the supplier of any service could not help, expect or prevent. 

(d) Any acceptance of liability is subject to you agreeing to assign to us your rights against any third party responsible for the 

events leading to your claim and to you affording us all necessary assistance in pursuing that claim. 

10. COMPLAINTS 

If you have any complaint or problem whilst on holiday you must inform us, our representatives or the supplier as soon as 

possible to give us the maximum opportunity to rectify it. Any unresolved complaints must be notified to us in writing within 30 

days of your return. 

11. PASSPORTS, VISAS AND OTHER ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTATION 

It is your responsibility to ensure that all necessary passports are machine readable. You should also ensure that all necessary 

visas, international driving licences, vaccinations and other health documents are in order. All passports must have a validity of 

at least six months from your scheduled return date to the UK. You will generally need clear/clean pages for visas, as required, 

to be inserted. You must read all documentation that is supplied to you and ensure that all information contained within is 

correct. Failure to do so may incur amendment charges which are your responsibility. Some countries and airlines now require 

additional passenger information (API). We will inform you which countries require this information. This information is 

compulsory and is required by authorities. It is essential that all clients provide the API prior to travelling. Failure to provide this 

information may result in you being denied boarding for your flight. No refund will be permitted and any additional costs will be 

borne by the named clients. 

12. TRAVEL INSURANCE 

Your holiday package with us does NOT include travel insurance and it is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate 

insurance cover. In accordance with normal industry practice, we will require you to have adequate travel insurance to provide 

accident and medical cover before your holiday departs. Such insurance should ideally be valid from the date of booking, be 

valid throughout the holiday duration and financially cover any probable loss through cancellation, amendment, accident or 

health related problems. You should ensure you are covered for all activities you are planning on your trip. If you do not already 

have a travel insurance policy, you can visit our website to purchase excellent value single-trip and annual policies provided 

by Travel & General Insurance Company plc. For any assistance with insurance please call the insurers helpline directly on 

0845 345 3456. 

13. MEALS 

All pre-booked meals will be on a table d’hôte basis. Supplements can apply for à la carte items or restaurants. 

14. SPECIAL REQUESTS 

Whilst we will endeavour to comply with any special requests such as airline seating, diets and room requirements, we can only 

do so on a “goodwill” basis. As these are usually only provided at the discretion of the relevant supplier, we cannot guarantee 

availability and cannot be held responsible if they are not provided. 

15. EXCURSIONS AND ACTIVITIES 

We are only responsible for excursions and activities sold by us prior to departure and which form part of your holiday contract. 

Should you purchase excursions in resort, your contract and any liability arising from it will be with the supplier directly. 

16. JURISDICTION 

This contract is governed by English Law and is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. 

17. DATA PROTECTION POLICY 

In order for us to process your booking we need to store and record your information, including data as supplied. This may 

include transfer of such information outside of the European Economic Area to parties involved in the arrangements of your 

holiday. Equally we use such information for updating our mailing lists, for fraud prevention, market research and analysis and 

from time to time you may receive travel related information from us or from another company from within Western and Oriental 

Travel Ltd. Should you not wish to receive such literature please advise us in writing. 

18. UK FOREIGN OFFICE ADVICE ON OVERSEAS TRAVEL 

It is now assumed that British citizens are at risk of terrorism, be it in the UK or when travelling overseas. History has shown us 

these attacks can either be spontaneous or premeditated. For your guidance we suggest you visit the website of the Foreign 

Office on: www.fco.gov.uk or tel: 0845 850 2829. The website is regularly updated and provides you with country-specific 

information, including advice on terrorism and general matters on health and safety. 

19. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

In addition to these general booking conditions, specific relevant destination information may be contained within the individual 

brochures and website. 

Registered in England Number: 07558669 

4 Red Lion Court, Alexandra Road, Hounslow, TW3 1JS 

© Western and Oriental Travel Limited 

All rights reserved. 

Date of issue August 2012

Western and Oriental Travel Limited 

BeaCheS & reTreaTS 

Caribbean, Far east, indian 

Ocean, arabian Gulf & europe 

tel: 020 7666 1234 

WOrLdWide FamiLy hOLidayS 

mediterranean, indian Ocean, 

Caribbean, Far east, africa, 

north america, Latin america, india 

tel: 020 7666 1230 

The COLLeCTiOn 

at Western & Oriental, we are dedicated to providing exemplary luxury tailor-made holidays. Our wide range of destinations includes the 

stunning indian Ocean, exotic Far east, mystical india and the charming mediterranean. 

iceland & Greenland 

tel: 020 7666 1290 

www.WandOtravel.com 

www.rainbowtours.co.uk 

www.regent-holidays.co.uk 

Luxury india 

with Sri Lanka, 

Bhutan & nepal 

tel: 020 7666 1212 

africa & madagascar 

tel: 020 7666 1250 

russia, eastern europe 

and the alternative Far east 

tel: 020 7666 1244 

auThenTiC ranCh hOLidayS 

Cattle drives 

& Whitewater rafting 

tel: 0207 666 1217 

Pioneers of responsible travel in africa and madagascar, our sister company Rainbow tours, has been organising award-winning holidays to 

this region since 1997, and now also offers a comprehensive and specialist programme of tailor-made and small group tours to Latin america. 

Latin america 

tel: 020 7666 1260 

Regent Holidays is the third member of the Western and Oriental Travel Limited collection, and as a specialist tour and travel company 

they offer holidays and city breaks in destinations as diverse as russia, iceland, Kosovo, mongolia and Korea.

Layden House 

76-86 Turnmill Street 

London EC1M 5QU 

Tel: 020 7666 1260 

www.rainbowtours.co.uk 

Email: latinamerica@rainbowtours.co.uk 

ABTA No.Y1152

Download Brochure - Rainbow Tours

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