Highlights of South America

Early this morning you will be met by your private guide who will travel with you on the 45 minute bus journey to the site for sunrise. You will then have an informative and fun 2 hour guided tour with enough time afterwards to explore the site at your own pace. Please bring your passport with you and you can even get it stamped here if you wish.

The lost city of Machu Picchu (Old Mountain) was originally completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces to feed the population and watered by natural springs. While the ruins were only discovered by the outside world in 1911, the site was never really lost and has been continually used for farming by the local people. Located high above the fast flowing Urubamba River, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all so remarkably preserved that it will take your breath away.

As you will have return bus tickets, you can make your own way down to Aguas Calientes in time for your train back to Cuzco where you will be collected on arrival and taken back to your hotel by private vehicle. The evening is then at your leisure.

Included Excursions

Machu Picchu Entrance and Guided Tour

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Today you will be taken to the station by private vehicle to board the bus for the scenic drive to Puno. Whilst this is a full day of driving, there are plenty of stops along the way to stretch your legs and to appreciate some of the history that this route, ‘The Route of the Sun’, holds.

Your first stop will take in the Andahuaylillas church, also known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas thanks to its intricately painted ceilings and other murals. Jump back on the bus and whilst your journey takes you onwards, your next stop takes you further back in time. Built in the fifteenth century, Raqchi is considered by historians to be one of the most audacious Inca constructions. The remarkable Wiracocha temple, 100 metres long and 20 metres wide is made of adobe walls, built on top of volcanic stone foundations.

You will then stop for lunch in the picturesque Sicuani before driving over La Raya Pass where there is a stunning view across to the snow-capped mountains and over a beautiful old chapel, standing alone in the middle of the Andean plateau. Your final stop is the archaeological site of Pukara which dates back to approximately the first century. The small museum here has items of the lithic Pukara culture.

You will arrive in Puno in the early evening and you will then be taken to your hotel by private vehicle. Puno is located on the banks of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake and stands at an impressive 3,800 metres above sea level. According to legend, it was on this lake that the Sun God commanded his children, Mama Ocllo and Manco Cápac, to give birth to the Inca civilisation.

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Today you will join a group to explore two of the distinctly different islands to be found in Lake Titicaca. The ancient Uros were originally forced to take up residence on the floating islands when the Incas expanded onto their land and the mobility of the islands was a defence mechanism. Totora reed, which is plentiful along the edges of the lake, is used to make homes, furniture, boats and the islands they stand on. As reeds disintegrate from the bottom of the islands, which are four to eight feet thick, residents must add more to the surface. Each island has a collection of simple reed houses but they are not short of modern conveniences such as solar panels and televisions.

Later you will travel on to Taquile, an island untouched by the mainland\'s modernity. The local inhabitants, known as Taquileños, still wear traditional clothing and are known for their high-quality handicrafts. Since 1970, the islands have been governed by the Taquileños and visitors are greeted by these ancient communities and have the opportunity to share their ways of life. While the women make yarn and weave, knitting is done exclusively by men. Pre-Inca vestiges are found in the highest part of the island. You will return to your hotel in Puno in the afternoon and the evening is at your leisure.

Included Excursions

Lake Titicaca

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es)

This morning you will be met by your private driver and depart for La Paz. You will change drivers and vehicle at the border and your driver from Puno will help you cross the border. You will arrive in the late evening and you are then free at your leisure. The city sits within a narrow canyon and it has breath-taking views or it could just be the altitude as you are in the highest capital city in the world. A central cluster of church spires sits dwarfed by the magnificent icebound peak of Mount Illimani and two very distinct societies – the indigenous and the European – coexist with international banks sitting beside street markets selling ritual paraphernalia used in Aymara customs

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

You will be collected after breakfast to spend the morning exploring the city with your guide. Walk the narrow, meandering streets of Rosario, San Jorge and San Miguel, some of La Paz's oldest and liveliest neighbourhoods. Pass through the witches' market, in the middle of the city where Aymara women in traditional Altiplanic petticoats and bowler hats sell medicinal herbs and spices. There are a number of spiritual artefacts as well including, surprisingly, mummified llama foetuses which are supposed to bring good luck in traditional culture.

As you walk down from the stalls, you will come to the San Francisco cathedral, one of the oldest and largest cathedrals in the city and home to some impressive examples of colonial-era religious art. At the Plaza Murillo, your guide will point out the Presidential Palace and the National Congress, all impressive colonial edifices in the oldest quarter of the city. You can also visit the Costumes Museum and Gold Museum, located on one of the most traditional and oldest street in La Paz.

Your next stop will be the unique Moon Valley, a fascinating geological anomaly so called because of its bizarre, moon-like landscape. Valle de la Luna has a few kilometres of walking paths that run through the huge stalagmites and trenches of the valley, carved out over centuries of erosion by the wind and rain. In addition to its fascinating geology, there are some impressive views of the Andes Mountains of the Cordillera Real outside the city.

The afternoon is then free for you to explore as you wish. You will find that the colourful markets on Sagarnaga Street have some of the best shopping in La Paz. The Mercado Lanza, famous for its Api, a hot yellow or purple drink made with cornmeal and traditionally enjoyed with a fresh cheese empanada makes a great refuelling stop.

Included Excursions

Half day tour of La Paz and Moon Valley

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Today you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport to meet your flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival you will be collected and taken to your hotel by private vehicle. This evening you will head out to watch Argentina's most famous dance, the passionate and dramatic Tango. Folklore has it that it began in the bordellos of long-ago Buenos Aires as men waiting for their 'ladies' passed time by dancing amongst themselves. Today, tango shows are supremely entertaining with their grand feats of athleticism and you will witness these as you enjoy dinner.

Buenos Aires is an astonishing metropolis that looks a little like Europe, but with a Latin American twist; indeed it is known as the Paris of the Americas. The city's residents, Porteños ("people from the port"), are passionate and friendly. There are many very different neighbourhoods that make up this cosmopolitan city and each have an identity all their own. The city is easy to negotiate by public transport and it is lovely to cycle around. Check out what the city has to offer on your doorstep or jump on the metro to explore further afield. Buenos Aires is a food lover’s heaven with cuisine from all over the world; Italian food in particular is very good. Of course most people know Argentina for its steaks, and Parrillas (steakhouses) sit on practically every corner.

Included Excursions

Tango Show with Dinner

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Today you will join a group to discover the different barrios that make up the city on a panoramic tour. Once everyone has been collected, you will begin with a drive along 9 de Julio Avenue where you will find the renowned Colón Theatre, as well as the Obelisk which you will see rising high above the porteños below. You will also get a glimpse of the 10-story high portrait of Evita Peron which has been placed on the Health Ministry building as a tribute. The tour will then take you through the luxurious neighbourhood of Palermo, filled with beautiful buildings, all the way to Recoleta. Here, the incredible cemetrey of the same name is the final resting place of the city’s most famous residents with countless stunning mausoleums that range from Art Nouveau to neo-Gothic in style.

Your first stop of the day will be at Plaza de Mayo which is surrounded by historic buildings such as the Casa Rosada, the Cathedral and the City Hall. From here you will continue through the bohemian neighbourhood of San Telmo and on to the famous La Boca Juniors Football Stadium where there will be a stop and you can pay an optional visit inside if you wish.It is then time to make the short transfer to the colourful and iconic barrio of La Boca. This area retains a strong European flavour and you are likely to see Tango performances all around you as you stroll around. Next you will continue along the fashionable Avenida de Mayo and the dynamic Avenida Corrientes to the final stop and end of this trip which is Puerto Madero, a busy gastronomic and entertainment area with many restaurants and bars to choose from.

Included Excursions

Half day tour of Buenos Aires

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

This morning you will be transferred to the airport to fly to Iguazu where you will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel on the Argentinian side of the falls. After settling in, the remainder of the day is at your leisure. The Falls were declared a Natural World Heritage in 1986 by UNESCO. The park has 458,000 acres that borders the Argentinean and Brazilian National Parks and the two countries are divided by the Iguazu River. Together they make this region one of the largest natural protected areas in South America.

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Today you will be collected after breakfast to join your private guide to visit the National Park from the Argentinian side. The Lower Circuit is composed of a trail nearly a mile long that allows you to get close to some of the smaller waterfalls such as the Carlos Bozzetti Waterfall where you can take some great photos.

The Upper Circuit allows you to see the top of the majestic falls on the Argentinian side and you can enjoy a breath-taking panoramic view of the area. The view stretches from the Argentinean falls to San Martin Island and parts of the Brazilian falls. The Ecological Jungle Train takes you up to the Devil's Throat - the largest waterfall in the region. ?As you stand at the top of the impressive altitude of 107 metres, you get a feeling of the incredible power unleashed by millions of gallons of water cascading into space. Thanks to the newly built catwalk, you can get pretty close to this site. The entrance fee for this excursion is included.

Afterwards, you will be transferred to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Included Excursions

Iguazu Falls from Argentina

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Today you will take in the Falls from the Brazilian side as you stroll the 1,200 metres of catwalks with your guide and group on this half-day excursion. Walking along, take in the breath-taking views of the 275 waterfalls from a number of different perspectives. The four main rapids on the Brazilian side are: Floriano, Deodoro, Benjamin Constant and Salto Unión or The Devil´s Throat.

As you come to the end of the path, you can hear the roar and see the spray long before you see the water itself. Prepare to get wet, even from a distance, as the spray travels a long way and watch out for the almost permanent rainbow. The entrance fee for this excursion is also included.

Afterwards, you will be taken to the airport by private vehicle to catch your flight on to Rio. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Copacabana by private vehicle. Rio de Janeiro never fails to impress with its effervescent modern outlook that reflects the progression throughout its 500 year history. The historic sites, sparkling beaches, green belts music and literature, yearly Carnival celebration and jubilant attitude of the locals rightly attract millions to the city. The evening is yours to explore at your own pace.

Included Excursions

Iguazu Falls from Brazil

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Today you will join a group and travel to the top of Corcovado Mountain, and quite literally, into Christ the Redeemer's outstretched arms. Bypass the crowds as you drive up past the Tijuca Forest, the largest urban rainforest in the world. Upon arriving at the peak, enjoy breath-taking views as the entire city unfolds beneath you and the 40 metre high statue of Christ the Redeemer soars above.

Next you will begin the ascent to Sugarloaf Mountain. This trip is done by cable car in two stages. The first stop is at Morro da Urca where you can enjoy beautiful views of the city and beaches. If you choose to go higher, another cable car will take you to the very top which marks the entrance to Guanabara Bay. That evening, you will get to experience the rhythm of a colourful samba show. Costumed dancers and musicians perform the country’s national dance and capoeira, a mix of Brazilian dance and martial arts while you enjoy a barbeque buffet dinner.

Included Excursions

Half day tour of Rio de Janeiro

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels

Meals

1 Breakfast(s), 1 Dinner(s)

Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.

At the scheduled time, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport by private vehicle to meet your onwards flight.

Included Excursions

Departure Transfer

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)