SOUTHAMERICABOLIVIA  ARGENTINA 128 " The tour gave us a great insight into the country with the small amount of time we had. I loved it! It more than met my expectations. Everything was fantastic!" Amelia Savins south america Imaginative Facts Tour code: LAGR • Activities: 4WD around Uyuni Salt Flats • Accommodation: 11 nights simple hotels, 3 nights overnight bus • Transport: Public and private bus, 4WD jeep • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Easter Island Extension' DAY 1: LA PAZ- Arrival day. DAY 2: LA PAZ- A full free day in the high capital of La Paz. In the evening we take an overnight bus to Potosi. DAY 3: POTOSI- The chance to visit one of the silver mines that were the source of the city's wealth and which are still in use. DAY 4: POTOSI - UYUNI- We travel to the remote town of Uyuni, our base for exploring the salt flats of southern Bolivia. DAY 5: SALT FLATS EXCURSION- Our trip in 4WD jeeps from Uyuni in Bolivia into Argentina following the footsteps of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid begins. Today we visit Salar de Uyuni, the largest and highest salt flat in the world - an awe-inspiring sight. ( LD) DAY 6: TUPIZA - HUMAHUACA - TILCARA-Begin our experience of Argentina. Passing through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Quebrada de Humahuaca, a gorge of vividly coloured rock, we visit the charming villages of Humahuaca and Tilcara. ( B) DAY 7: PURMAMARCA - SALTA- We continue our journey towards Purmamarca, and walk around the famous ' Seven Colours Hill'. Drive to the colonial city of Salta which was an important stop on the trade routes during the Spanish colonial period. ( B) DAY 8: SALTA- A free day. Visit the beautiful town of Cachi or, depending on the time of year, there is the chance to experience one of the three highest railway services in the world, ' the train to the clouds'. Starting at Salta at an altitude of 1,187 m, this breath-taking journey takes you directly to the clouds during its 217 km itinerary, going via numerous tunnels, bridges and viaducts until it finally reaches 4,230m ( alternative excursions by road are available). ( B) DAY 9: CAFAYATE- Immerse ourselves in the Argentinean wine culture. Cafayate is well known for its famous Torrontes white wine, considered the best of its kind. Besides the delightful architecture of the city, there is the chance to visit the wine museums and cellars, and enjoy some wine tasting. ( B) DAY 10: QUILMES - TAFI DEL VALLE - TUCUMAN- Visit the Quilmes ruins, the largest pre- Colombian site in Argentina, and stop at the unique Pachamama museum, before continuing to the mountain resort of Tafi del Valle. Later in the evening, we drive to Tucuman. ( B) DAY 11: TUCUMAN- A full free day to explore the vibrant and historic city of San Miguel de Tucuman, the cradle of the Argentinean independence movement. Tonight we take an overnight bus to Cordoba. ( B) DAY 12: CORDOBA- The cultural heart of Argentina, Cordoba was home to the country's first university, and today has a large student population. This, combined with its beautiful historic buildings, makes it a great place to explore Argentina both past and present. DAY 13: CORDOBA- A second full day to explore Cordoba and its surroundings before we board an overnight bus to our final destination, Buenos Aires. ( B) DAY 14: BUENOS AIRES- Arrive in Buenos Aires, famous for its tango, football, beautiful European- style architecture, sophisticated shopping and some of the best and most varied cuisine in the whole continent. DAY 15: BUENOS AIRES- Tour ends. ( B) Cross the Andes along one of the oldest trade routes in the Americas • Free time in the Bolivian cities of La Paz and historic Potosi • Take a 4WD excursionto the vast Uyuni Salt Flats, the highest in the world • Enjoy the vivid colours of the Humahuaca Canyon and ' Seven Colours Hill' • Contrast colonial Cordoba, historic Tucuman and delightful Cafayate • Visit Salta, home of the ' train to the clouds'and Buenos Aires Bolivia Argentina The Gold Road Bolivia Argentina The Gold Road La Paz Salar de Uyuni Salta Cafayate Tilcara Tucuman Cordoba Buenos Aires UyuniPotosi Tupiza Brazil Argentina Buenos Aires to Rio Iguazu Falls Posadas San Ignacio Sao Paulo Paraty Angra dos Reis Ilha Grande Buenos Aires Rio de Janeiro Argentina Wild Patagonia Ushuaia Punta Arenas El Calafate Buenos Aires Fitzroy Massif Torres del Paine N. P. Single Supplement £ 315 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 27.80 * Price includes tour price of £ 980and local payment of US$ 300All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1135pp Land Only * adventurer Tour duration 15 days © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Sat La PazBuenos Aires 2009 03- Jan- 0917- Jan- 09 28- Feb- 0914- Mar- 09 18- Apr- 0902- May- 09 20- Jun- 0904- Jul- 09 01- Aug- 0915- Aug- 09 03- Oct- 0917- Oct- 09 26- Dec- 0909- Jan- 10 Starts SatEnds Sat La PazBuenos Aires 2010 16- Jan- 1030- Jan- 10 20- Mar- 1003- Apr- 10 01- May- 1015- May- 10 12- Jun- 1026- Jun- 10 24- Jul- 1007- Aug- 10 04- Sep- 1018- Sep- 10 16- Oct- 1030- Oct- 10 27- Nov- 1011- Dec- 10 We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

BRAZIL  CHILE  ARGENTINA 129 SOUTHAMERICA Imaginative Facts Tour code: LABR • Activities: Optional sailing and hiking in Paraty and Ilha Grande, optional snorkelling, diving and sea- kayaking in Ilha Grande • Accommodation: 12 nights simple hotels, 2 nights overnight bus • Transport: Public bus, ferries • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Easter Island Extension' DAY 1: BUENOS AIRES- Arrival day. DAY 2: BUENOS AIRES- Today there is the option of taking a trip across the Rio de La Plata to the charming town of Colonia in Uruguay. ( B) DAY 3: BUENOS AIRES- A full day to explore the Argentinean capital, famous for its tango, football, beautiful European- style architecture and sophisticated shopping. This evening we take an overnight bus to Posadas and then continue to San Ignacio. ( B) DAY 4: SAN IGNACIO- From San Ignacio it is possible to visit two of the most impressive Jesuit missions in South America. These missions were home to thousands of Guarani Indians and are both now listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. DAY 5: IGUAZU FALLS- The majestic Iguazu Falls, on the border between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, make for one of the most awe- inspiring natural wonders in the world. Situated in the middle of the rainforest, some 275 individual cascades plummet over the cliffs and into the gorge below. ( B) DAY 6: IGUAZU FALLS- In the morning there is time to visit the Argentinean side of the falls and get spectacularly close to the thundering water. Drive into Brazil. ( B) DAY 7: IGUAZU FALLS- This morning we can visit the Brazilian side of the falls. Later there is the chance to visit the nearby bird park, wander the rainforest, or even take a helicopter flight over the falls. Board an overnight bus heading to São Paulo. ( B) DAY 8: SÃO PAULO- This cosmopolitan metropolis is now the third largest city in the world, and boasts a number of museums, shops and a vibrant nightlife. DAY 9: PARATY- Travel to the colonial gem of Paraty, a charming town by the sea and the main port for exporting gold and coffee until the 19th century. ( B) DAY 10: PARATY- Plenty of time to enjoy this pleasant town and its surroundings. Hike along the Gold Trail, a partially cobbled trail through the mountains built by slaves in the 18th century to bring gold down to the port, take a trip in a schooner around the bay or admire the delightful architecture. ( B) DAY 11: ILHA GRANDE- We head north by bus to Angra dos Reis, from where a ferry takes us through the bay to the unspoiled paradise of Ilha Grande ( Big Island), a mountainous island, covered by forest and surrounded by crystal clear green waters. ( B) DAY 12: ILHA GRANDE- Ilha Grande is one of Brazil's best kept secrets. Among the choices are exploring the 100 beaches, sailing, sea- kayaking, snorkelling and diving, hiking, or simply relaxing by the sea. ( B) DAY 13: RIO DE JANEIRO- Continue to one of the most exciting cities in the world, Rio de Janeiro. ( B) DAY 14: RIO DE JANEIRO- We have a full day to explore Rio de Janeiro, the beating heart of Brazil, set against a stunning backdrop of lush green mountains, spectacular beaches and turquoise sea. There are endless options - sunbathe on Copacabana or Ipanema beaches or enjoy two of the landmarks that have made this beautiful city internationally famous: the enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer ( Corcovado) and Sugar Loaf Mountain. ( B) DAY 15: RIO DE JANEIRO- Tour ends. ( B) Journey between the two most fascinating cities in the Americas • Compare the cosmopolitan airs of Buenos Aireswith the Latin delights of Rio • Opportunities to visit Colonia in Uruguay and the Jesuit Missions in Paraguay • View the awesome Iguazu Falls from both Brazil and Argentina • Enjoy the charming Portuguese colonial coastal townof Paraty • Relax on the tropical beachesof idyllic Ilha Grande Brazil Argentina Buenos Aires to Rio Imaginative Facts Tour code: LAWD • Activities: Hiking in National Parks, boat trips in Torres del Paine and Moreno Glacier, ice hiking and climbing in Los Glaciares NP. Trek grade - Moderate • Accommodation: 7 nights simple hotels and lodges, 3 nights multi-share accommodation in refuges ( dormitories), 1 night camping • Transport: Private and public bus, boat, plane • Flights: Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, El Calafate to Buenos Aires • Fully Escorted: By tour leader days 2- 11, services of local representatives in Buenos Aires, services of local guides in Torres del Paine, Moreno Glacier and the Fitzroy Massif area, expert ice-climbing guides DAY 1: BUENOS AIRES- Arrival day. DAY 2: USHUAIA- Fly to Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, set between the frigid waters of the South Atlantic and high, snowcapped peaks. ( B) DAY 3: USHUAIA- A full free day to hike in the Tierra del Fuego National Park, or take a boat trip out on the Beagle Channel. ( B) DAY 4: PUNTA ARENAS- A long drive through the wilds of Patagonia to the small town of Punta Arenas. ( B) DAY 5: TORRES DEL PAINE- Travel via Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park. This park offers some of the world's most breathtaking scenery - lofty peaks topped with sheer rock pinnacles, unbelievably turquoise lakes and dramatic glistening glaciers. ( BD) DAY 6: TORRES DEL PAINE- Morning drive to the emerald Lake Pehoe and then set sail with the breath- taking skyline of Los Cuernos Del Paine ( the horns) in the background. From there we hike to Refuge Pehoe, close to the tumbling Gray Glacier, then sail across Lake Grey. ( BLD) DAY 7: TORRES DEL PAINE- We hike to the impressive scenic area of Las Torres. These granite towers soar high above us, piercing the sky and it is hard to believe that humans can scale their sheer walls. A mesmerising finale to our visit to the park. ( BLD) DAY 8: EL CALAFATE- Travel by bus to El Calafate, our base for exploring the famous Moreno Glacier. ( B) DAY 9: MORENO GLACIER- A full day excursion to the Moreno Glacier. One of the earth's few advancing glaciers, this monumental sheet of ice is up to 1km thick and 6km wide. We leave early to fully enjoy the area, and walk on some of the lesser visited trails to see the glacier's north face in all its splendour, whilst watching giant chunks of ice plummeting into the turquoise waters of Lake Argentino. At the main viewing area we have time to appreciate this amazing natural site at our leisure. To finish, we take a boat on the iceberg channel. ( B) DAY 10: FITZROY MASSIF- Drive to El Chalten where we meet our local guide for exploring the Fitzroy Massif. We then head into the National Park to start our hike. The views are staggering, as jagged peaks are interspersed with huge glaciers, towering over the Patagonian steppe. In the evening we set up our camp to spend the night. ( BLD) DAY 11: FITZROY MASSIF- We leave our camp and cross the Fitzroy River by zip- line, hanging by our harnesses. After an hour walking around the lagoon, we reach the glacier. Once there, we put on our crampons and start our trek on the ice until we reach walls of ice that block the way. At this point we will be given our first instruction in ice climbing, and after putting on all the necessary equipment we practice under the safe supervision of our guides. Expect to get hooked by the experience! Hike back to El Chalten and return to El Calafate by bus. ( BL) DAY 12: EL CALAFATE - BUENOS AIRES-Transfer to the airport for our flight back to Buenos Aires. Tour ends on arrival. ( B) An active journey through this unforgettable landscape • Visit Ushuaia and take an optional boat trip on the Beagle Channel • Hike amidst dramatic glacial sceneryin Torres del Paine National Park • Enjoy a full day at the magnificent Moreno Glacier • Trekbeneath the towering, jagged peaksof the Fitzroy Massif • Try your hand at zip- lining across a river and some inspirational ice climbing! Chile Argentina Wild Patagonia Single Supplement £ 455 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 24.68 * Price includes tour price of £ 990and local payment of US$ 375All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1185pp Land Only * Single Supplement £ 215 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 27.31 * Price includes tour price of £ 1630and local payment of US$ 450All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1865pp Land Only * adventureradventurer Tour duration 15 daysTour duration 12 days StartsEnds Buenos AiresRio 2009 Starts SunEnds Sun 18- Jan- 0901- Feb- 09 Starts FriEnds Fri 06- Feb- 0920- Feb- 09 * Starts SunEnds Sun 15- Mar- 0929- Mar- 09 Starts SatEnds Sat 25- Apr- 0909- May- 09 13- Jun- 0927- Jun- 09 08- Aug- 0922- Aug- 09 10- Oct- 0924- Oct- 09 21- Nov- 0905- Dec- 09 StartsEnds Buenos AiresRio 2010 Starts SatEnds Sat 30- Jan- 1013- Feb- 10 * 27- Mar- 1010- Apr- 10 08- May- 1022- May- 10 19- Jun- 1003- Jul- 10 31- Jul- 1014- Aug- 10 11- Sep- 1025- Sep- 10 23- Oct- 1006- Nov- 10 04- Dec- 1018- Dec- 10 * Corresponds with Rio Carnival StartsEnds Buenos AiresBuenos Aires 2009 Starts SunEnds Thu 04- Jan- 0915- Jan- 09 01- Feb- 0912- Feb- 09 01- Mar- 0912- Mar- 09 Starts MonEnds Fri 19- Oct- 0930- Oct- 09 16- Nov- 0927- Nov- 09 21- Dec- 0901- Jan- 10 StartsEnds Buenos AiresBuenos Aires 2010 Starts MonEnds Fri 11- Jan- 1022- Jan- 10 08- Feb- 1019- Feb- 10 08- Mar- 1019- Mar- 10 18- Oct- 1029- Oct- 10 15- Nov- 1026- Nov- 10 13- Dec- 1024- Dec- 10 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243