This enormous region offers visitors a huge choice of environments, many of which cross the artificial geographical borders man has created. You may visit the heart of the Amazonian rainforests in Ecuador, Peru or Brazil where ecological lodges lead visitors on walks and boat rides to learn more about the rainforest and the creatures that live there. As well as over 900 species of bird and 1,200 species of butterfly, you may see Black Caiman, Giant Otters, Jaguar and perhaps Emperor Tamarins. The Andes stretch the length of the continent and are considered to be amongst the most dramatic mountains in the world - famous for the remains of ancient Inca kingdoms such as Machu Picchu, great alpine lakes like Titicaca and the enormous icefields of Torres del Paine or El Calafate in the south. Amongst the many creatures that live here are Andean Condor, Mountain Fox, Llama and Alpaca. Great waterfalls occur throughout the region of which the most famous is the mighty Iguazu Falls on the border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Covering a total area of three kilometres the beautiful surrounding park is home to over 2,000 species of plants, 400 birds and many mammals. The great grass plains of Argentina, known as the pampas, are bordered by the Ibera marshlands, where Black Caiman, Boa Constrictors and Capybara can be searched for by canoe, on horseback and of course by boat; and in Brazil the vast open floodplain of the Pantanal is a refuge for animals such as Black Howler Monkey, Giant Anteater, Jaguar, Marsh Deer and many species of native and migratory birds. For many, a visit to Ecuador in combination with the Galapagos made so famous by Darwin many years ago is the ideal starting point for a South America trip. Highlights February • Orcas start arriving off the Valdes Peninsula and can be seen until the end of April. They are famous for deliberately beaching themselves in order to catch seal pups resting on the beach. March • Clear skies make this an excellent month to go trekking in Southern Patagonia. Mount Fitzroy in Argentina and Torres del Paine in Chile are usually excellent destinations this time of year. May • In Guyana the main wet season from now until August is considered the best time for Jaguar sightings, (although there are sightings year round). June • The start of the dry season in the Pantanal make this a good time to see mammals such as Black Howler Monkeys, Anteaters and Crab-eating Fox. July • Southern Right Whales start arriving off the Valdes Peninsula in order to mate and calve. They remain until December. November • The end of the wet season in Venezuela, but one of the best months to see the Angel Falls at it grandest. Climate South America covers a vast area - spanning the tropics and equatorial rainforests in the north - to the far south, which is strongly affected by the winds and weather systems of the Antarctic region. Many of the countries straddling the tropics will have their temperatures moderated by high altitude, and the sheer length of Chile and Argentina means that you will encounter a broad range of weather conditions depending on when and where you decide to visit. Our pre-trip documents will outline more detailed weather conditions for the regions you choose to visit. The Galapagos Islands off shore can be visited year round although it is generally warmer between December and April with slightly cooler weather and waters from May to November. July to October tend to have more prevailing winds. S E E U S O N T H E W E B AT wildlifeworldwide.com 141 South America / Introduction Guanacos

F O R R E S E R V A T I O N S C A L L U S O N 0845 130 6982 Classic South America 142 Wings of the Condor An exploration of Brazil, Argentina & Chile 23 days London to London Days 1 to 3. Rio de Janeiro [B (Day 3 only)] Depart on the overnight flight to Rio, where you spend the next two nights at the South American Copacabana Hotel, close to both Copacabana and Ipanema. Rio is surrounded by long golden beaches, the Atlantic laps at it from all corners and the wonderful Tijuana National Park is on its outskirts. Visit the park and take the cable car up the aptly named Sugarloaf Mountain, before finishing up on top of Corcovado next to the world famous statue of Christ. Days 4 & 5. Iguazu [B] After breakfast you transfer by air to the mighty Iguazu Falls where you spend two nights at the Sheraton Hotel. Days 6 to 8. Ibera Marshlands [B, L (Days 7 & 8 only), D] Today you cross into Argentina and continue south for five hours through the lush and fertile lands of the missionary region before arriving in the Ibera Marshlands. These marshes cover an area of 9,000 square kilometres most of which sees very few visitors. You will be based near the small town of San Juan Poriahu and stay in a traditional working Estancia, Pousada San Juan Poriahu. Wildlife-viewing in and around the marshlands is excellent. You will be able to explore on foot, by canoe or even on horseback and you may hope to see Black Caiman, Boa Constrictor and Capybara. Day 9. Buenos Aires [B] Depart for the town of Posadas to fly to Buenos Aires on the Atlantic coast where you spend the night at The Claridge. Visit the colourful district of La Boca, the antique stores in San Telmo or if you prefer, just relax in one of the many parks or by the dockside. Days 10 & 11. Valdez Peninsula [B] Today you fly to Trelew, two hours south of Buenos Aires - this is the gateway to Patagonia and to the wildlife of the Valdes Peninsula. Embark on a full day guided excursion around the peninsula and a half day tour to the Magellenic Penguin colony at Punta Tombo. Wildlife you may see on the peninsula includes Elephant Seals, Orca, and Southern Right Whales, Guanaco and Patagonian Foxes. You stay in the centrally located Hotel Valdes, in the coastal town of Puerto Madryn. Days 12 to 14. El Calafate [B] Return to Trelew for the flight to Rio Gallegos and then drive across the windswept plains to the small lakeside town of El Calafate, for a 3-night stay at Posada Los Alamos. This is the jumping off point for visits to the brilliant white glaciers of Perito Moreno and Upsala as well as to the many lakes and mountains of Los Glaciars National Park. Wildlife you may see here includes Blacknecked Swan, Black-Chested Buzzard and Andean Condor. Brazillian Sunset Machu Picchu