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  SOUTH AMERICA 2008 PRIVATE JET TOUR

SOUTH AMERICA 2008 PRIVATE JET ITINERARY:

January 11, 2008
Orlando, Florida
Meet lecturers, fellow travelers, and expedition staff for a welcome reception and dinner at our hotel. The Ritz-Carlton, Orlando

January 12 & 13
Amazon Rain Forest, Brazil
The Amazon rain forest — the world’s largest — contains thousands of unique plants and animals, many still unclassified. Board your private jet for Manaus to enjoy a choice of Amazon explorations. Aboard a chartered riverboat, explore the “meeting of the waters,” where the Rio Negro and the Rio Solimões join to form the mighty Rio Amazonas. Or take jungle walks amid the Parque Ecólogico’s flooded forests, giant floating lilies, and other extraordinary plants. In the heart of the Amazon basin, rubber barons erected a magnificent opera house in Manaus using imported European bronze, tile, and crystal. We enjoy a private visit with cocktails and a concert at this stunning Teatro Amazonas. Tropical Hotel, Manaus

January 14
Iguaçu Falls, Brazil
The widest stretch of interlinking waterfalls falls in the world, Iguaçu Falls span the borders of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay in one of nature’s most impressive spectacles. The falls are just a few minutes’ walk from our hotel — the only one inside this UNESCO World Heritage park. Visit the Argentine side of the falls for a different perspective, or join a combination jeep, hiking, and rafting safari. Ride in open vehicles through the lush jungle ecosystem; hike along an ancient native trail through orchids, bromeliads, and centenarian trees; then board inflatable boats for a thrilling expedition to the base of the falls. All your senses are engaged amid huge rainbow arcs, roaring water, drenching mists, and fragrant plants. The following morning, stroll among enormous walk-through aviaries in the Parque das Aves, home to parrots, toucans, crested cranes, boa constrictors, turtles, and iguanas. Before we depart for Buenos Aires, enjoy yet another spectacular perspective on Iguaçu Falls during an exhilarating helicopter flight. Tropical Das Cataratas, Foz do Iguaçu

January 15 & 16
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Explore some of the Argentine capital’s distinct, European-influenced neighborhoods: La Recoleta, including the ornate cemetery where Eva Peron and other Argentine elite are buried; the embassies, palaces, and mansions of Little Palermo; San Telmo’s arts community; and colorful La Boca, the working-class neighborhood where the tango was born. Enjoy lunch at one of Argentina’s finest steak houses. Or travel to a relaxing countryside estancia to enjoy gaucho activities, a horse-drawn carriage ride, and a barbecue lunch of local delicacies. In the evening we all enjoy dinner and a private tango performance. Alvear Palace Hotel, Buenos Aires

January 17
Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
Board a high-speed ferry to cross the vast Rio de la Plata from Argentina to Uruguay. On a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Colonia del Sacramento, discover a blend of Portuguese, Spanish, and post-colonial architectural styles. Explore some of the museums in this richly historic setting. We return to Buenos Aires for the night. Alvear Palace Hotel, Buenos Aires

January 18 & 19
Argentine Patagonia
At the southernmost point on our journey, we enter Patagonia’s spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site of Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. At the base of Glacier Perito Moreno, hear thunderous impacts ashuge chunks of ice calve into the water. You may wish to take a guided minitrek on a glacier, or view the magnificent icescapes from catwalks. The following day, we sail through the Cristina Channel to Upsala Glacier, watching for condors. We dock at the lovely Estancia Cristina, made available for our exclusive use. You may choose to hike, ride horses, or take a scenic four-wheel-drive excursion. Hotel Posada Los Alamos, El Calafate

January 20, 21 & 22
Atacama Desert, Chile
In Chile’s Atacama Desert — the world’s driest — we spend two full days exploring vast and varied landscapes. Among your options is to travel back through history at the remarkable Museo Gustavo Le Paige, with more than 300,000 items — including the world’s oldest mummies — preserved for millennia in the desert’s nearly rainless environment. See huge flocks of flamingos on the Salar de Atacama salt flats, watch El Tatio shoot great pillars of water and steam on the world’s highest geyser field, and find beautiful geological formations in the Valle de la Luna — a NASA test site for Mars landers. Or enjoy a hike that ends by scrambling down one of the largest sand dunes in the world, visit a local art studio where pottery is produced using 3,000-year-old techniques, ride horses through the desert, or gaze at the stars from a nearby observatory. Explora Lodge, San Pedro de Atacama

January 23, 24 & 25
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Lying 600 miles off the Pacific coast, the Galápagos Islands are the jewel of Ecuador’s extensive national park system. Naturalist Charles Darwin explored the islands for five weeks in 1835 observing wildlife and collecting specimens, and made them famous with his revolutionary book, The Origin of Species. Board the first-class Galápagos Explorer II expedition ship, our home for the next three nights. Hiking, snorkeling and cruising among the beautiful islands, we discover fascinating species, most which have not encountered natural predators. Among them are several species of lava lizard, tortoise, and finch, as well as the only penguins to live in tropical waters. From Zodiacs watch fur seals, sea lions, and colonies of blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca boobies. Also keep watch for dolphins, whales, rays, and sea turtles. MV Galápagos Explorer II

January 26, 27 & 28
Lima & the Nazca Lines OR Cusco & Machu Picchu, Peru
Upon arrival in Lima, we enjoy a private cocktail amid an excellent art collection at Casa de Aliaga, South America’s best-preserved colonial mansion. The following day, those who choose the Nazca Lines option will board a chartered sightseeing flight to explore these giant, mysterious glyphs etched into the pampa. Created more than 1,400 years ago, the figures include simple lines as well as stylized spider monkeys, hummingbirds, and lizards. Return to Lima and explore the ancient temple of the sun god, Pachacmac, as well as many other splendid landmarks in this UNESCO World Heritage city. If you prefer to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu instead, fly by charter air to Cusco, the oldest continually inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. Board the deluxe Hiram Bingham train for the ride through the wildly scenic Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu. This mysterious Inca citadel was constructed, occupied, and abandoned all within the span of a century, and lost to history for 400 years. Examine artfully cut stone altars, temples, fountains, staircases, and terraced gardens within this extraordinary archaeological site. Return by train to Cusco to explore the imposing cathedral in the Plaza de Armas and the remains of Sacsayhuaman’s great fortress. Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima, Monasterio Hotel, Cusco

January 29 & 30
Return to Orlando and Home
This morning we regroup in Lima, than board the private jet for the final leg of our journey. We enjoy dinner and overnight in Orlando. Following breakfast at our hotel, transfer to the airport for regularly scheduled commercial flights home. The Ritz- Carlton, Orlando

Itinerary and prices are subject to change.

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