Unforgettable Ag-ventures

An Andean Ag-Venture

Winter 2010

The secret is out.... Chile has perhaps the purest air, some of the best wines, juiciest fruit, and nicest people in the world. Come and discover for yourself. In Santiago by night, you may learn to dance the cueca and sip a pisco sour… both Chilean symbols of a country that has rapidly progressed economically during the past decades. And by day you’ll learn more during a Q&A at the Canadian Embassy. With a desert at the top, cold climate to the south and bordered by the snow-capped Andes and the Pacific, this long narrow country forms a natural isolation zone for it’s diverse Agriculture. We’ll travel from valley to valley touring farms of avocado, almonds, peaches, apples, grapes and less common fruits like lucoma. We’ll learn the secret behind their award winning Carmenere wine and how they distil pisco. But, nothing can compare to the incredible Elqui valley with irrigated patches of green growing up nearly vertical, stark mountainsides and windscreens protecting grapes in narrow valleys below. Many countries boast star observatories in Chile. We’ll visit one for a narrated presentation and see stars by moonlight. The Elqui Valley is a favorite Chilean destination of mine... and it will be yours too.

It’s a short flight to Lima, Peru and on to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca empire where rich history is kept alive in architecture, native crafts and alpaca woolens. Our indigenous guide is well versed in this history. Based at Royal Inka II Hotel resort in the Sacred Valley, we’ll tour daily to Inca sites like the impressive stonework of Ollaytaytambo, the beautiful Vilcamaoy Valley beside the Urubamba River, the Moray agricultural terraces and other marvels. Of course, following a scenic train ride, the highlight will be ethereal Machu Picchu above Aguas Caliente This lost kingdom is still undergoing restoration to reveal more secrets of a remarkable Inca civilization which escaped the injustices brought about by European conquistadors.

Then, why not Add-On Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands. You may never be this close to Nature again.

Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands

For those Darwin believers, this is your chance to do an optional add-on for a few days at the Galapagos islands. After the Chile / Peru tour, fly from Lima tonever have a chance to be this close to Nature again. Enquire for details and pricing.