CAPE TO CAPE
Madeira Island • Burkina Faso • Walvis Bay • Cape of Good Hope • Rio de Janeiro • Buenos Aires
Cape Horn Cruise • Iguazú Falls • Panama
Day 1: Depart U.S.A.
Day 2: London, U.K.
Days 3 & 4: Funchal, Madeira Island
Choose from several options. Take a cable car ride up to Monte Palace — and a full-tilt toboggan ride back down! — for spectacular views of the North Atlantic and the city. Or explore the island’s back roads and magnificent outlooks — including Quinta Grande, one of the world’s highest sea cliffs — from 4x4 vehicles. As a third option, enjoy the local market, Sacred Arts Museum, and madeira wine-tasting at Funchal’s oldest wine lodge.
Days 5 & 6: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
We drive south to Tiebele, where local Kassena women cover octagonal, round, and square houses with painted symbols significant to the village’s animist beliefs. Nearby we also visit Nazinga Park, where several hundred elephants come to swim and cool off in a pool near thae visitor’s center.
Day 7: Bobo Bioulasso, Burkina Faso
Days 8 & 9: Walvis Bay, Namibia
Or if you prefer, explore Namibia’s coast by taking a sightseeing flight over the great red dunes of the Namib Desert; visiting a nearby township to gain insights into apartheid; or traversing lunar hills and valleys on a geologist-guided exploration and a search for the intriguing Welwitschia mirabilis plant.
Days 10 & 11: Cape of Good Hope, South Africa
As other options, you may choose to explore the fascinating museum on Robben Island, infamous as the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years – and where guides are ex-prisoners. Or visit a township and learn about one of its community welfare projects. Perhaps you prefer to ride the cable car to the summit of Table Mountain for an unsurpassed view of the city. Or travel into South Africa’s world-famous wine country and sample the wares at several wineries. Whatever your choice, you’ll enjoy famous South African hospitality.
Days 12 & 13: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
At the top of Corcovado, discover astonishing views of the city and explore the 125-foot statue of Christ the Redeemer – recently voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Also ride a cable car to the summit of iconic Sugarloaf Mountain. In the evening, enjoy a samba show and dinner.
If you have already visited Buenos Aires, you may choose to travel to a 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.
Days 16, 17 & 18: Cape Horn Cruise
Traveling aboard the world-class expedition ship Mare Australis, visit Horn Island for a panoramic view of mythical Cape Horn, where the Pacific and Atlantic oceans merge at this last promontory of South America. Explore the archaeological treasures at Wulaia Bay, a historic, indigenous settlement, and sail across the Beagle Channel to discover spectacular icebergs, stunning Pia Glacier, and unique vegetation.
Also disembark on Magdalena Island, the home of an immense colony of more than 120,000 Magellanic penguins. Our cruise ends in Punta Arenas, Chile, where we reboard our private jet to fly to Iguazú Falls.
Day 19: Iguazu Falls, Argentina
Days 20 & 21: Panama City & the Panama Canal
Our rainforest resort is just minutes from the Canal but feels like a world apart. Ride an aerial tram through the tropical rainforest treetops to a viewing platform, watching for giant tree lizards and howler monkeys. In the evening, we enjoy a festive farewell dinner.
Day 22: Orlando, Florida
Day 23: Depart Orlando for Home
Dates, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
Depart on individual overnight flights to London.
Meet fellow travelers, lecturers, and expedition staff for a welcome reception and dinner.
The Dorchester, London
Sitting on the great sea routes between Africa, Europe, and Latin America, Madeira was an important stop for world explorers. Two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park, and its natural wonders are plentiful and spectacular. Madeira is famed for its perfect climate, unique wine, striking scenery, and flowers.
Reid’s Palace Hotel, Funchal
Discover Burkina Faso, one of West Africa’s least visited countries – and also one of her most colorful, friendly, and safe. In the capital of Ouagadougou, enter the vast artisan village to discover prized bronzes, woodcarvings, batiks, jewelry, and straw goods.
Sofitel, Ouagadougou
We reboard our private jet for a day trip to explore Burkina Faso’s cultural capital, Bobo Dioulasso. A center of Islamic study, it features a mud-brick mosque built in classic West African style. We observe women potters at work in the market, then travel to the Domes of Febedougou, fascinating rock formations carved by ancient rivers into the shapes of trees, huts, and even faces.
Sofitel, Ouagadougou
Desert meets ocean in a dramatic blend of soaring red dunes and ancient shipwrecks, vast wildlife colonies, and historic seaside settlements rich with German colonial influence. From many available options, you may choose to cruise Walvis Bay, often escorted by dolphins and pelicans, to discover the haunts of Cape fur seals and catch sight of African black oystercatchers, petrels, shearwaters and terns.
Swakopmund Hotel, Swakopmund
Cape Town, situated at Africa’s southern tip and dominated by 3,000-foot-high Table Mountain, occupies a spectacular natural setting. Choose from a wealth of options to explore the Cape area. For instance, take a scenic helicopter flight along the coast to Cape Point where two oceans meet, then drive back along the shoreline and stop at an African penguin colony.
Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town
From our opulent Copacabana Beach hotel, the most famous in the city, we explore Rio’s world-famous sights. Visit Tijuca Forest, the world’s largest urban forest, and board a cogwheel train to scale the granite face of Corcovado.
Copacabana Palace Hotel, Rio de Janeiro
Days 14 & 15: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Argentina’s world-class capital is synonymous with intriguing political and aristocratic legacies, and European-inspired culture. Explore some of the Buenos Aires’ 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.
Alvear Palace, Buenos Aires
Next our private jet carries us to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city and the capital of Argentine Tierra del Fuego, where we embark on a three-night cruise through the beautiful Beagle and Patagonian Channels.
M/V Mare Australis
This mammoth string of 275 waterfalls cascades over a precipice nearly two miles wide, creating perpetual rainbows and thunder. This crescent lies along the border between Brazil and Argentina; we enjoy the views from the Argentine side.
Sheraton Iguazú Resort & Spa
In addition to its iconic engineering marvel, Panama boasts one of the world’s most complete ecosystems. The Panama Canal, on the 50-mile-wide fulcrum uniting North and South America and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, opened in 1914. Aboard a private boat, we cruise through two locks to gain a unique perspective on this world-famous shipping crossroads. From the Miraflores Visitors Center, enjoy a panoramic view overlooking the Canal.
Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Panama
Arriving in Orlando in the late afternoon, relax at our hotel and enjoy dinner at your leisure.
Following breakfast at the hotel, transfer tot he airport for commercial flights homeward.
| Date | Priced from |
| January 13 - February 4, 2009 | $54,950 |
| Single Occupancy: | $58,850 |
Please note that the following items are NOT included:
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To check availability or receive additional information on TCS Expeditions drop us a note, or call.... 800-777-7739 |
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