18 Days | Ultimate South America | With Flights

Rio de Janeiro

Welcome to Brazil! Morning arrival in Rio, the vivacious "sun and fun" capital of South America. Meet and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest, relax and acclimate to your new surroundings. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately at 530PM, followed by dinner with your fellow travelers at a typical Brazilian Churrascaria. 

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Windsor Leme or similar

Rio de Janeiro

Awake this morning in amazing Rio. Begin the day with an ascent by a scenic cog railway to the summit of Corcovado Hill. Here, at 2,400 feet above the city stands the 125 foot tall statue of Christ the Redeemer. The Christ statue, that embraces the entire city, is designated as one of the seven "New Wonders of the World". See the thrilling 360 degree sweeping view of the city and understand why Rio is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Afterwards, continue along Rio's famous beaches, including Copacabana and Ipanema before returning to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Windsor Leme or similar

Rio de Janeiro

Today is at leisure to discover all of the delights of Rio on your own. Watch the volleyball and soccer matches on the beach, shop for local crafts, and linger at a waterfront café to just "people-watch". Join the optional not-to-be-missed glass cable car ride that takes you to the top of iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain, symbol of the city, where you'll see the stunning panorama of the beaches, Corcovado Mountain, downtown Rio and Guanabara Bay. In the afternoon attend the optional Carnival and Samba Experience. Visit one of the top Samba schools in the city and learn what made the Samba & Carnival icons of Brazilian national identity. On your last night in Rio at leisure, be sure to sample the cuisine at some of the fabulous restaurants and cafes ringing the beachfront

Optional: Half Day Sugar Loaf Mountain (AM)
Optional: Half Day Carnival and Samba Experience (PM)

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Windsor Leme or similar

Rio de Janeiro  Iguassu (Brazilian Falls)

Depart Rio this morning on a flight to Iguassu Falls. Upon arrival, walk along the winding pathways on the Brazilian side of the majestic and awe-inspiring Falls, one of the world's greatest natural wonders. Iguassu consists of over 275 separate cataracts across a span of two and one-half miles, wider than Victoria Falls and higher than Niagara Falls and more dramatic than both. Stand in awe at the unforgettable panoramic views before crossing the border to Iguazu, the Argentinean side of the Falls, for overnight. After a day filled with unforgettable memories, return to the hotel and enjoy a typical Argentine dinner.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Amerian Portal del Iguazu or similar

Iguazu (The Argentinean Falls)

Your adventure continues this morning on the Argentinean side of the Falls. A rail car takes you to the top of the Falls on the Upper Circuit,* and you will walk to the Lower Circuit where the power of nature surrounds you. Continue along the catwalks to Devil's Gorge - stand in amazement as you gaze at spectacular "Devil's Throat" the most magnificent of all of the cataracts. View, photograph and feel the spray of the thundering waters, one of nature's most impressive achievements and a unique experience for your senses. Spend the rest of the day exploring the natural treasures of Iguazu National Park, designated a World Heritage Site for its rare and endangered flora and fauna

*Please be advised that in order to access the falls, you are required to walk over uneven surfaces, followed by a series of narrow boardwalk paths. The paths feature many sets of stairs and can be slippery due to the mist.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Amerian Portal del Iguazu or similar

Iguazu  Buenos Aires, Argentina

This afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Arrive in the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires. Its beauty is apparent with its elegant architecture, wide tree-shaded boulevards, striking monuments and sprawling parks. Spend the rest of the day at leisure to get acquainted with the "Paris of South America" and its distinct European flavor. As you will have your night at leisure feel free to treat yourself to an Argentine dinner at one of the city's many superb steak restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Buenos Aires Marriott or similar

Buenos Aires

Discover the city's highlights this morning on a tour that includes the Plaza de Mayo, Metropolitan Cathedral and Casa Rosada (government palace); see the balcony where Eva and Juan Peron made their speeches. Then, to the colorful La Boca neighborhood, a working class barrio, and the old quarters of San Telmo and Caminito, a mix of colonial style homes, narrow lanes, artists' lofts and very trendy cafes. Drive to the Recoleta Cemetery, final resting place of many of the wealthiest and most important Argentine historical figures. The grounds here cover more than four city blocks, filled with tombs adorned by works of local and international sculptors, and more than 6,400 mausoleums including the tomb of Eva "Evita" Peron, always heaped with flowers and letters from adoring fans. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring some of Buenos Aires neighborhoods and fabulous collection of shops before this evening's tango lesson with professional Argentine Tango dancers. Tonight is at leisure, or participate in the optional Argentine Dinner and Tango Show

Optional: Buenos Aires Dinner & Tango Show (PM)

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Buenos Aires Marriott or similar

Buenos Aires

Revisit some of your favorite places in the city today, shop for leatherwear and designer clothes, or, join the optional fun-filled Gaucho Party at the Santa Susana Ranch. Get ready for a rustic experience at a typical Argentine ranch (estancia), dedicated to agriculture and the breeding of cattle and horses. After a tour of the grounds, enjoy a typical barbecue lunch, followed by a folklore show with live music and dancing. Return to the hotel with time to prepare for this evening's "Farewell to Argentina" dinner with your group at a delightful restaurant.

Optional: Full Day Gaucho Party

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Buenos Aires Marriott or similar

Buenos Aires  Lima

Bid farewell to your Tour Manager and transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima*. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

*Due to flight schedules, some departures will use an evening flight to Lima.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Novotel Lima or similar

Lima

This morning's tour of Lima, with its 2000 years of history, begins at the colonial center of the city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its historic buildings surrounding the splendid Plaza Mayor. View the impressive Palace of the Archbishop with its fine carved balcony, the opulent Government Palace, official residence of the President, and the 16th century Cathedral of Lima whose first stone was laid by Pizarro. Continue to the 17th century Monasterio de San Francisco complex with its magnificent tiles, ornate carved ceilings, exceptional paintings and world-renowned library. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure or join the optional tour Larco Herrera Museum with lunch. Following lunch, experience one of Lima's most magnificent museums. Admire the world's largest collection of pre-Columbian masterpieces and a stunning exhibition of gold and priceless jewels.

Optional: Larco Herrera Museum with Lunch.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Novotel Lima or similar

Lima Cuzco, Peru

Depart Lima this morning by flight to Cuzco in the Peruvian Andes. This ancient capital of the Inca Empire is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in this historic city. In the afternoon, depart for a tour of Cuzco. View the impressive Colonial Cathedral, which contains over 400 paintings from the Cusqueña School in addition to colonial art. Continue on to visit the Koricancha, the Temple of the Sun, once the most important religious site of the Incas, whose walls and floors were allegedly once covered by sheets of solid gold.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Palacio Del Inka A Luxury Collection Hotel or similar

Cuzco Machu Picchu Cuzco

Early morning transfer to the Sacred Valley's Ollanta Station to board the Vistadome Train that travels through misty peaks to the astonishing ancient citadel of Machu Picchu*, the "Lost City of the Incas", designated by UNESCO as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Machu Picchu was virtually unknown to the western world until Hiram Bingham's rediscovery in 1911. Spend the morning viewing the unforgettable wonders of this 15th century retreat, abandoned nearly 100 years later with the arrival of the conquistadors. See the highlights of the site including the imposing Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the intricately carved rock likely used as a sundial by the ancient Incas. The images of this significant archaeological site will be a long-lasting memory. Return to the Sacred Valley in the early evening and transfer to your hotel in Cuzco for overnight.

*Approximate time spent at the ruins of Machu Picchu is 3 hours

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Palacio Del Inka A Luxury Collection Hotel or similar

Cuzco

Spend today at leisure in the "Imperial City" of Cuzco. Take time to explore some of the city's stunning sights or shop for some of the finest handicrafts and textiles in all of Peru. Perhaps, participate in the optional Cuzco Behind the Scenes Tour, offering a glimpse into the other side of life in Cuzco. On this tour, visit a local market and taste fresh-baked Chuta bread. Stop at the Cuzco cemetery to learn more about Andean life and death and meet with a local "shaman" (holy man). After the cooking demonstration, enjoy a delicious meal. In the afternoon, attend the optional tour Half Day Cuzco Ruins which explores some of Cuzco's most unique Inca Ruins. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a 3-course set dinner, featuring delectable Andean specialties

Optional: Cuzco Behind the Scenes (AM)
Optional: Half Day Cuzco Ruins (PM)

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Palacio Del Inka A Luxury Collection Hotel or similar

Cuzco  Raqchi  Puno

Depart Cuzco early in the morning on a long drive today. Enjoy spectacular scenery as you drive through the Andes mountain range and the Andean plains to Puno on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. In this area, South American camelids (llamas and alpacas) graze on the immense plateaus and plains. En route visit the 15th century Temple of Wiracocha, with its elaborate stonework, the largest Inca temple ever discovered. Today, Raqchi remains home to many farmers, ranchers and artisans. Then, arrive at pristine Lake Titicaca sitting majestically at 12,500 feet above sea level, backed by the snowcapped peaks of Bolivia's Cordillera Real range. This is the highest navigable lake in the world and South America's largest fresh water lake. A box lunch will be provided en route.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Sonesta Posada Del Inca Puno or similar

Puno  Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca Puno

This morning, an excursion by boat transports you from Puno to the fascinating Uros Floating Islands where the indigenous people of the area, the Uros, live on islands that dot the lake. The Uros live very much the same way as their ancestors did and still follow the ancient customs and traditions. These islands are completely man-made structures, using the totora reeds from the lake to build the islands and houses. Return to Puno for the remainder of the day at leisure. Or, take the optional tour to the Sillustani Tombs, the pre-Incan burial ground on the shores of Lake Umayo. The tombs here are built above the ground in tower-like structures called chullpas, vestiges of the Colla people before they were conquered by the Incas in the 15th century. Evening is at leisure in Puno.

Optional: Half Day Sillustani Tombs (PM)

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:  Sonesta Posada Del Inca Puno or similar

Puno Lima

This morning transfer to the airport in Juliaca for your flight back to Lima. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Tonight, bid farewell to your Tour Manager with Peruvian specialties.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Novotel Lima or similar

Lima Australia

Transfer from the hotel to the airport for your departure flight*

*Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 18 and will require a transfer on Day 17. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time.

Meals: Breakfast and Inflight Menu