Discover South America

 This discovery tour of South America's highlights begins today as you touch down in the Peruvian capital. Independently make your way to our modern, four-star hotel in the cosmopolitan Miraflores district. Take some time to settle in, and then meet the Tour Manager and your travel group for a welcome meeting before we set out on a guided coach tour of Lima.

Lima's history dates to pre-Columbian times, and it was later colonized by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. On our tour, we visit the well-preserved historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with free time in the Plaza d'Armas, the city's birthplace. We also see the church and convent of  San Francisco and explore the beautiful courtyards and catacombs. In Miraflores, we visit the Parque del Amor, a colorful park with mosaics reminiscent of Barcelona's Park Guell.

We return to the hotel in time for a three-course dinner this evening. Overnight Lima.

• Dinner

 We have an early start this morning to catch an internal flight to Cusco. On arrival, we transfer by coach to our hotel in the Sacred Valley, a journey of two hours into spectacular mountain landscapes. Stopping en route, we take part in a Coca Kintu ceremony, an ancient custom in which good wishes are sent to the Pachamama goddess of the Indigenous peoples of the Andes and the mountain spirits to show gratitude for their protection during our trip. 

  Situated in the Peruvian Highlands and encircled by the peaks of the High Andes, the Sacred Valley was once the beating heart of the Incan empire. Today, it is a peaceful region of fertile farmland, soaring mountains and traditional villages stretching for more than 60 miles.   

After checking into our hotel, a mountain chalet-style retreat with views of the Sacred Valley, there is time to relax before dinner. Overnight Yanahuara.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 After breakfast, we set off on a full-day excursion. We follow the Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley to Pisac. We visit this colonial town, which has an intriguing market where local stallholders sell handmade crafts, jewelry and textiles.   

Following lunch at a restaurant in Pisac, we continue to Ollantaytambo for a guided tour of this town at the center of the royal Incan estate. The ancient fortress has features such as the Sun Temple and Princess Baths fountain, and in the Old Town, we discover an Inca-era grid of cobblestoned streets and adobe buildings, where residents still live by their ancient traditions.      

If time allows, we visit a typical chicheria, where the fermented maize drink of chicha is prepared. We are transferred back to our hotel at the end of the afternoon, and the evening is free to dine independently. Besides the restaurant at our hotel, there are others nearby, serving both Peruvian and international cuisine. Overnight Yanahuara.

• Breakfast, Lunch

 Today is a highlight of our vacation and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. After breakfast, we transfer to the station to board the scenic Expedition (or Voyager) Train for an unforgettable trip to Aguas Calientes, visiting the "Lost City of the Incas," the iconic site of Machu Picchu. 

  On arrival in Aguas Calientes, a winding bus ride takes us up to Machu Picchu, where one of the most incredible sights in the world awaits: an ancient Incan citadel built amid the clouds, mountains and forested peaks of Peru. Our local guide explains the history of this awe-inspiring landmark - a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World - that was forgotten for 400 years before being rediscovered in 1911.  

  We return by coach to Aguas Calientes with free time through lunch, and then we return by rail to Ollantaytambo. On arrival, we travel onward by coach to Cusco, where we spend the next two nights. This evening is at leisure to dine locally. Overnight Cusco.

• Breakfast

 One of the most important Incan cities, Cusco blends indigenous and colonial Spanish architecture. We set out on a guided walking tour this morning, visiting the Plaza de Armas in the historic center, seeing the Cusco Cathedral, then continuing on foot to the Temple of Qorikancha, the Incan Temple of the Sun. Meaning "golden temple" in Peru's indigenous language, Quechua, the temple was originally covered in solid gold with more treasures inside. However, its gems were looted by Spanish conquistadors and much of the stone was used to construct the adjoining Santo Domingo convent. 

  Our tour wraps up as we walk to the Bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, an artistic quarter, where the rest of the day is at leisure. This is an interesting location to find lunch and perhaps browse the galleries and shops.

This evening, we reconvene at a local restaurant within walking distance of our hotel, where we enjoy a traditional folk performance with our meal. Overnight Cusco.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 After an early breakfast this morning, a coach transfer takes us to Cusco airport for an internal flight to Lima and then to Buenos Aires. We arrive in the capital city in the evening and are taken by coach to our central hotel.   

With the rest of the evening free, you may like to soak up the atmosphere in the neighborhood around our hotel. We are about a ten-minute walk from the city's impressive Palacio Barolo, a unique building that pays homage to the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.     

Eating out in Buenos Aires is a real pleasure; deciding on a restaurant is the only difficulty. From traditional steakhouses to Argentine pizza restaurants and upscale seafood venues, this world-class city has an international reputation for exceptional cuisine. Overnight Buenos Aires.

• Breakfast

 Known as the "Paris of South America," Argentina's capital is brimming with sites to explore, which we uncover on this morning's guided tour. We discover glamorous neighborhoods such as La Recoleta, known for its Parisian-style townhouses, and may have time to visit the resting place of Eva Perón or Evita - the first lady of Argentina - who is buried at the local cemetery, which is considered one of the world's most beautiful.  We also visit the trendy revamped riverfront area, Puerto Madero.

  Other points of interest we discover include the imposing Metropolitan Cathedral with its spectacular dome; Palermo, the largest neighborhood of Buenos Aires; and Plaza de Mayo that is overlooked by Casa Rosada, the presidential palace. 

  You are free for the rest of the afternoon from lunchtime. You may like to revisit tour stops for a more in-depth exploration or continue to visit one of the city's museums or galleries at your own pace. This evening, we enjoy a relaxed dinner followed by an authentic Argentine Tango show. The performance is backed by a quintet that covers music from the 1920s to Argentina's most renowned tango composer, Astor Piazzolla. Overnight Buenos Aires.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 With a full day to explore at leisure, you could visit one or two of the other city districts, each with a unique style and distinct atmosphere. One popular district is La Boca, a colorful neighborhood that was first populated by Spanish and Italian immigrants in the mid-19th century and has been a favorite of artists for generations. Caminito Street in La Boca is a vibrant pedestrian-friendly area that has functioned as an open-air museum and art market since 1959. San Telmo, another artistic quarter, is the city's oldest neighborhood, characterized by cobbled streets and antique shops. 

  This evening, you could visit some of the city's cultural centers, such as the Teatro Colón, the Teatro General San Martin or the Teatro Nacional Cervantes. These venues are as famous for their architecture as they are for their theater, opera and ballet performances. For dinner, you could head to a cozy restaurant and experience two of the things Argentina is particularly well known for: red wine and steak. Overnight Buenos Aires.

• Breakfast

 This morning, we leave Buenos Aires behind and head into nature again. We are driven to the airport for a two-hour flight to Iguazú in northeast Argentina. As our plane lands, we transfer to our hotel in Puerto Iguazú, which has beautiful views and excellent facilities, arriving at the end of the afternoon and checking in for a two-night stay.   

Our hotel overlooks the Iguazú River, an important tributary of the Paraná River, and together, these two rivers form the three borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Nearby is the National Park of Iguazú, and, marking the border between Argentina and Brazil, lies the tremendous waterfalls of Iguazú, which we visit tomorrow. Settle in amidst these incredible surroundings, and then this evening, we dine together at our hotel. Overnight Puerto Iguazú.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Today is another highlight of our trip, as we head out after breakfast on a coach excursion to the Argentine side of Iguazú Falls. We enter the subtropical rainforest of the national park with our local guide, walking into the heart of the falls with fantastic views of this extensive 275-count waterfall system. Taking the lower circuit, we experience the iridescent spray, and we may catch a glimpse of the resident capuchin monkeys.   

We continue to the Upper Falls up to a dramatic U-shaped section named Devil's Throat, described as "an ocean plunging into an abyss." Stopping at the main balcony and viewing point, we can watch the roaring water descend from a height of 269 feet. In the mid-afternoon, we transfer back to our hotel in Puerto Iguazú, and the remainder of the day and evening is free to enjoy at your own pace. Overnight Puerto Iguazú.

• Breakfast

 Traveling west of the rainforest to the confluence of the Paraná and Iguazú Rivers, today's adventure offers a better view of the sources of this waterfall system. On a half-day tour, we follow the main circuit on the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls through the dramatic scenery of the national park. Our local expert points out the fauna and flora of this vast subtropical rainforest - one of the largest forest reserves in South America and a World Heritage site.    

With the waterfalls constantly in sight, we follow an elevated route just above the river level, where we can look out from the bridge across the water. From this point, an elevator takes us to the Salto Floriano viewing platform.   

There's time for a short break over lunchtime before we transfer to the airport for an afternoon flight to Rio de Janeiro. Arriving this evening, we transfer by coach to our hotel, ideally located opposite Leme Beach. The rest of the evening is free to get to know our new surroundings and to dine independently. Overnight Rio de Janeiro.

• Breakfast

 The vibrant metropolis of Rio awaits on a sightseeing tour this morning. First, we board the Corcovado Rack Railway to ascend Corcovado Mountain, traveling up to a viewing platform where the awe-inspiring statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooks the city. Our short but steep journey takes us through the rainforest with views over the beaches and turquoise waters of the South Atlantic, across to the favelas and down to the city. This colossal Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ paints an enduring image of Brazil and is one of the New Wonders of the World. 

  We descend Corcovado on the railway and then visit the Botanical Gardens, where there's time to wander among thousands of varieties of indigenous and exotic plants. Continuing by coach to a local restaurant, we enjoy a typical Brazilian churrascaria-style barbecue lunch.

The rest of the day is free, and you could take a stroll along the waterfront or relax at a beach café. Overnight Rio de Janeiro.

• Breakfast, Lunch

 Our day begins with breakfast and a cable car journey up the world-famous Sugarloaf Mountain. This distinctive landmark soars almost 1,300 feet into the air and is a natural wonder named for its resemblance to a loaf of refined sugar. From our spectacular vantage point, we enjoy panoramic views across the harbor area and Guanabara Bay. 

  Back on the ground, our excursion continues with a guided tour of the city. We visit the Sambadrome, where Rio's famous Carnival is held, and view the beautiful Metropolitan Cathedral. We also view the Municipal Theater, an elegant opera house built in an eclectic Art Nouveau style.

The tour concludes mid-day, at which time you are welcome to continue sightseeing at your own pace. We reconvene at the hotel this evening and have our final dinner together in South America. Overnight Rio de Janeiro.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 This South American adventure has taken us from the ancient temples of Peru to the waterfalls and rivers of Argentina and Brazil. We have also been introduced to the treasures of Lima, the cultural heritage of Buenos Aires and the striking landmarks of Rio de Janeiro.

As our adventure wraps up, enjoy a relaxing morning at your own pace - maybe taking a walk along the beach or having a swim in the hotel pool - before you independently transfer to the airport to begin your journey home.

• Breakfast