RENDEZVOUS
DATE

• The drama of Rio's physical setting—perhaps the most beautiful in the
  world—and its very animated beach life;
  
  
• Dining out—churrascaría (the Brazilian response to Argentine parrillada) and
  cachaças along Ipanema and Copacabana Beaches;
  
  
• Salvador's unique Afro-Brazilian character—candómble and capoeira,
  colonial Pelourinho, colorful Vero Paso Harbor and endless Atlantic Beaches;
  
  
• The Mato Grosso Pantanal—the world's largest swamp and one of the
  finest natural habitats on earth, with abundant wildlife and bird species;
  
  
• The Brazilian frontier, where cowboys, indians and oilmen make a gritty mix
  

• A one-day hike on the Inca Trail to the incomparable ruins of Machu Picchu;
  
  
• Cuzco—a UNESCO World Heritage Site...an Incan and Spanish Colonial gem;
  
  
• Lima's baroque opulence and treasure chest of museums;
  
  
• Crossing the Andes and down to the cloud forest of the High Amazon Basin;
  
  
• Pristine rain forest, hidden lakes and river runs on the Madre de Dios River;
  
  
• Giant otters, caimans, parrots, monkeys and macaws—and maybe a tapir or two;
  
  
• Lodging in 4-star historic hotels in centuries-old Spanish Colonial residences

• Close encounters with the fascinating wildlife of the Galápagos—led by world-class naturalists;
  
  
• For divers, likely encounters with penguins, sea lions, multiple shark species and big pelagics;
  
  
• Comfortable cruising and island-hopping on the 22-passenger "Coral II";
  
  
• Hiking in the Tortoise Reserve highlands on Santa Cruz Island;
  
  
• Historic Quito and a Cotopaxi Volcano day-hike