Antarctica with South America & Galápagos Islands (Le Soleal)

Description

Antarctica with South America & Galápagos Islands 33 day Small Ship Cruise aboard Luxury Le Soleal.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
These once-in-a-lifetime moments allow you to experience an unforgettable world of exclusive moments, incredible cultures and charming surprises

FREEDOM OF CHOICE™ – Dining
Choose from a variety of included dining options sure to tantalise the tastebuds of every guest

FREEDOM OF CHOICE™ – Sightseeing
Personalise your holiday with a choice of included sightseeing options sure to leave you with lifelong memories

Trip Name

Antarctica with South America & Galápagos Islands (Le Soleal)

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 264 Built: 2013 Sailing under the French flag, this magnificent yacht of only 132 staterooms and suites, with balconies, joined in 2013. You will be enchanted by the contemporary decor inspired by the luxury yachting world, with fluid lines and a modern colour scheme combining natural wood with shades of grey and white. A refined ambience is enhanced by the quality of the workmanship and materials: white Corian counters in the lobby contrast with the warmth of leather to recall a boat's hull, while the central scuplture of enamelled pieces takes its inspiration from the sea. In the loungebar, the carpet picks up a tennis stripe theme symbolising a certain idea of cruising, one synonomous with French elegance and a chic seaside spirit.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 Arrive Guayaquil

Upon arrival in Guayaquil, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.Stay: Guayaquil Hilton

Day 2 - Day 2 Galápagos Islands

Fly to Baltra Island and take a small ferry ride across the channel to Santa Cruz Island. From here, transfer to Finch Bay Hotel, your home for the next four nights. Explore the Galápagos Islands National Park aboard the hotel’s private yacht and embark on excursions to discover the hidden coves and see the giant turtles. Kayaks and snorkelling equipment are also included.Stay: Four Nights, Santa Cruz Island, Finch Bay Hotel

Day 3 - Day 3 Galápagos Islands

As part of a small group of only 20 guests, explore the Galápagos Islands aboard the Sea Lion Yacht with four crew members, and a delicious buffet lunch. Your yacht offers day trips to some of the various islands within the national park including the wildlife-rich North Seymour, iconic Bartolomé, the wild and rugged South Plaza, and the beautiful Santa Fé. Enjoy a relaxed evening at your hotel tonight.

Day 4 - Day 4 Galápagos Islands

Today, take your choice of day exploration tours. Explore the Galápagos Highlands and see giant tortoises and visit Tortuga Bay. Continue to the Charles Darwin Research Centre, now an interpretation centre with a turtle breeding program. You may also like to relax on the pristine beaches at your resort, or explore by kayak and encounter the playful seals that frequent these waters.

Day 5 - Day 5 Galápagos Islands

Enjoy another day exploring the islands by yacht, getting up close to the wonderful wildlife that call this region home.

Day 6 - Day 6 Galápagos Islands, Guayaquil

This morning make your way to Baltra Island airport for your return flight to Guayaquil. Enjoy a city tour before dinner this evening.Stay: Guayaquil Hilton

Day 7 - Day 7 Lima

Transfer to Guayaquil airport for your flight to Lima. On arrival, discover the World Heritage-listed Historic Centre of Lima.Stay: Two Nights, Lima, Country Club

Day 8 - Day 8 Lima

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCEBe immersed in the upbeat rhythms of live music and dance, before enjoying lunch and a Peruvian Paso horse show.Today, a visit to a private hacienda will showcase regional traditions. Enjoy your Signature Experience.

Day 9 - Day 9 Lima, Sacred Valley

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCEDuring a traditional weaving demonstration, learn how the famously colourful materials of South America are created.Board a flight to Cusco, the historic capital of the ancient Inca Empire. Travel by coach to the Sacred Valley, home to incredible Inca sites and small colonial towns.Stay: Two Nights, Sacred Valley, Tambo del Inka, Luxury Collection by Starwood

Day 10 - Day 10 Sacred Valley, Maras, Moray

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCEWitness the dazzling sight of the Maras salt mines.After your Signature Experience, travel to the Moray archaeological site. Enjoy lunch with views of the Andes mountains and valleys.

Day 11 - Day 11 Machu Picchu

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCEBoard the Inca rail and travel to Machu Picchu, with lunch on board the train.On arrival at the ruins of the lost city of Machu Pichu, set off on a guided tour of the ancient Inca citadel.Stay: Machu Picchu, Sumaq Hotel

Day 12 - Day 12 Cusco

Board your train for your return trip to Sacred Valley. Continue by coach to Cusco. On arrival, check in to your hotel, absorbing its Spanish colonial charm.Stay: Two Nights, Cusco, JW Marriott Hotel

Day 13 - Day 13 Cusco

FREEDOM OF CHOICE™ - DiningFor lunch, perhaps head to Barrio Ceviche for a taste of local Peruvian dishes. Alternatively, choose from an eclectic menu at the MAP Café.A guided walking tour through Cusco takes you to the stunning square in the city’s heart, the Plaza de Armas, as well as the sacred sites of Koricancha and Cusco Cathedral.

Day 14 - Day 14 Buenos Aires

Fly to Buenos Aires and head for the Recoleta district, where your hotel awaits.Stay: Three Nights, Buenos Aires, Park Hyatt

Day 15 - Day 15 Buenos Aires

FREEDOM OF CHOICE™ - DiningPerhaps enjoy dinner and a tango show, learn to make empanadas during an Argentine dining experience, take part in a Craft Beer tour or dine in style at the Alvear Grill.Enjoy a tour of the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires. This evening there are four Freedom of Choice dining options.

Day 16 - Day 16 Buenos Aires

FREEDOM OF CHOICE™ - SightseeingPerhaps head to the island town of Tigre and enjoy a cruise, explore the city’s vibrant street art culture, discover the Parisian character of Buenos Aires’ architecture, or visit an Estancia to learn about gaucho culture and enjoy a horse ride.The choice is yours today with a selection of activities on offer. This evening we all meet for a ship briefing and reception in anticipation of our exciting cruise ahead.

Day 17 - Day 17 Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Embark Antarctica Cruise

Board your included flight to Ushuaia for your cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula. Board your luxury expedition ship, Le Soléal, to begin your 10-night cruise. Be greeted by your Expedition Leader and a team of expert naturalist guides. Settle in before enjoying the Captain’s Welcome Dinner. Afterwards, head to the deck to take in the stunning scenery of the Beagle Channel.

Day 18 - Days 18-19 Drake Passage

Sail across the Drake Passage, one of the great travel milestones. Learn about the adventures ahead during informative, interactive and entertaining presentations on the wildlife, history and geology of Antarctica, delivered by your expert Expedition Team.

Day 19 - Days 20-24 Antarctic Peninsula

On arrival in Antarctica, your itinerary becomes flexible in order to maximise your discovery of this enchanting world of ice and water. Your Captain will charter a course based on the most exciting sights and the most favourable ice and weather conditions. Each day on your cruise you’ll enjoy Zodiac rides. Visit penguin rookeries, seal colonies and keep an eye out for orca, humpback and minke whales that frequent these waters. Head to Deception Island, an active volcano and once home to a whaling station. You may also get the opportunity to stop at the Port Lockroy scientific base. From here, you can send a postcard with a rare Antarctic stamp.

Day 20 - Days 25-26 Drake Passage

Return across the Drake Passage. Enjoy time on board and wildlife spotting.

Day 21 - Day 27 Disembark Ship, Ushuaia, Buenos Aires

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCETake a tour through Tierra del Fuego National Park, South America’s most southern national park.Today, disembark your ship in Ushuaia for you Signature Experience. Later fly to Buenos Aires. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel.Stay: Buenos Aires, Park Hyatt Hotel

Day 22 - Day 28 Buenos Aires, Iguazú Falls

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCEStay close to Iguazú Falls at the Belmond das Cataratas, the only hotel within Iguaçu National Park, Brazil.Fly to the Argentinian side of Iguazú Falls. Upon arrival, you will ride the Rainforest Ecological Train to a series of walkways and viewing points, including one that takes you right to the thunderous Devil’s Throat. Continue to the Brazilian side of the falls to the Hotel das Cataratas.Stay: Two Nights, Iguazú Falls, Hotel das Cataratas

Day 23 - Day 29 Iguazú Falls

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCEGet a closer view of Iguazú Falls on an exhilarating jet boat ride.Begin your day getting up nice and close to Iguazú Falls on your Signature Experience. Then in the afternoon, spend some time enjoying the panoramic view of the falls with a leisurely walk between each of the viewing platforms. Spanning an area 2.7 kilometres wide, Iguazú Falls is made up of roughly 275 incredible waterfalls waiting to be explored.

Day 24 - Day 30 Rio de Janeiro

See colourful native South American birds at Parque das Aves Bird Park, then fly to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel located on the famous Copacabana Beach.Stay: Three Nights, Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana Palace

Day 25 - Day 31 Rio de Janeiro

FREEDOM OF CHOICE™ - SightseeingCruise the beautiful Guanabara Bay on a schooner boat, take a colonial walking tour or visit the colourful Santa Teresa arts district.This morning, enjoy your selected sightseeing activity in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro.

Day 26 - Day 32 Rio de Janeiro

Today you will travel to Corcovado mountain to see the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. As you visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, look out to simply stunning views across the city. Later as the sun sets, set off on a cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for panoramic views of this spectacular city. Afterwards, you will head to a local restaurant for Brazil’s famously delicious barbecue.

Day 27 - Day 33 Depart Rio de Janeiro

After breakfast this morning your unforgettable tour of South America concludes with a transfer to the airport.

Day 28 - Please Note:

Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

The Ultimate Wildlife Wonder. Home to thousands of animal and marine species, the Galapagos Islands is a definite must-see destination.
Guided Zodiac Excursions. Enjoy exhilarating Zodiac excursions in deep blue waters near spectacular icebergs and up close to penguins and seals.
Maras Salt Mines. View the amazing Maras Salt Mines followed by lunch overlooking the Andean Mountains.