Enchanting South America

Arrive in Buenos Aires and transfer to your hotel. Pre-departure welcome dinner. Please meet in the hotel reception at 19:30. Dinner tonight will be at a local Argentinian Steakhouse (Vegetarian options available).
Overnight in Buenos Aires

NOTE: 2019 departures - 22 Day tour ending in Lima.
NOTE: Jan 2019 Supplement applies. Please ask for details

A tour of Buenos Aires serves as a great introduction to this incredible city giving you a taste of its fascinating history, architecture, culture, inhabitants, anecdotes, and secrets.This evening enjoy an intimate & passionate tango show, housed in a cosy wood-panelled 19th century building in the heart of Buenos Aires historic center. Dinner included.
Overnight in Buenos Aires

Today is free to enjoy the sights and sounds of this world famous city.
Head to the famous San Telmo antiques & tourist markets for some great shopping.
Or why not enjoy a day trip over the River Plate to the beautiful city of Colonia with its UNESCO World Heritage Listed historic center.
Or head out of city on day a day trip to the Tigre Delta or an Estancia. There are many options. Please ask your Travel Adviser for more details as advance reservations may be required.
Overnight in Buenos Aires

Today we depart Buenos Aires & fly to Iguazu Falls. Transfers & flights included. The spectacular Iguazu Falls that straddle the Argentine-Brazil border, are made up of 275 individual waterfalls lining a 2.7km wide horseshoe-shaped gorge.
Overnight in Iguazu, Argentina

After an early morning pick up from your hotel, we travel to the Argentinean side of the Iguazu Falls. Beginning at the visitor’s centre, we take a ride on the Rainforest Ecological train before exploring the upper and lower circuit footbridges. The footbridges, which are raised off the jungle floor, provide panoramic views from above and below the falls. A visit to Devil’s Gorge arguably the most spectacular falls, is one of the day’s highlights.
Overnight in Iguazu, Argentina

Today we see the falls from the Brazilian side of the border. After arriving at the visitor center, we board buses for a tour of the park. Equipped with panoramic windows, the buses are designed to maximize your views of the falls, while the walkways and steps allow you to get up close to the spray.
Following your tour of the falls, we will head to the Bird Park. Wonder through the 12 acres of subtropical forest to see many native species of birds in their natural habitat.
Transfer to the Airport for your flight to Rio. Upon arrival in to Rio you will be transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Rio

After departing from the hotel, the tour makes its way to the bottom of Corcovado Hill, where you will ascend the mountain by van. Climbing 4km through the world’s largest urban national park, the Tijuca Forest, you will arrive at the statue of Christ the Redeemer. After some time with the panoramic views you will continue to the Maracana Stadium where we can make a stop to see the stadium. We also pass the Sambadrome, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, before passing through the bohemian neighbourhood of Lapa and its famous arches en route to Copacabana. You will have a traditional Brazilian BBQ lunch before visiting the famous Sugarloaf. After descending, passengers will return to their hotels. Hotel pick up between 8am and 9.30am. Included: All transport, tickets and entry fees, lunch (beverages not included). Approximate duration of tour: 8 hours.
Overnight in Rio

Today is a free day for you to relax on one of Rio’s famous beaches such as Ipanema or Copacabana, or explore the city further at your leisure. We have a great selection of optional day tours. Please ask for more details.
Overnight in Rio

Free morning to enjoy Rio at leisure
You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight from Rio to Lima.
On arrival into Lima, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Lima, the capital of Peru, sits on the country's arid Pacific coast. Founded in 1535, its colonial centre is well preserved, but today Lima is a bustling metropolis and one of South America’s largest cities.
Overnight in Lima

Spend some time touring Lima, the Colonial ‘City of Kings’. Visit a number of well-known sites including the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Plaza de Armas, and the Catacombs located beneath the San Francisco Convent. This is a chance to appreciate Lima's magnificent Colonial architecture as well as vignettes of its pre-Colombian past.
Overnight in Lima

Today we will fly to Julianca Airport and travel on to Puno, stopping on the way to take in the pre-Inca burial ground of Sillustani. Here you can wander through the remarkable tombs built from volcanic stone, known as Chulpas which reach heights of up to 12 metres. Overlooking the beautiful lake Umayo, Sillustani is considered to be one of the most important necropolises in the world.
Overnight in Puno

Travelling by semi-speed vessel, begin by visiting the floating islands of Uros, where the friendly locals continue to practice their traditional way of life, living by fishing. Situated four kilometres from Puno, the original inhabitants of these floating islands are said to descend from one of the most ancient peoples of the Americas. On your way back to Puno, stop at Taquile Island, a place where time appears to have stood still. Around 350 Quechua-speaking families live here, operating a collective agricultural system dating from the 14th Century and renowned for their textiles - beautifully woven chumpis (belts), chullos (caps), and ojotas (sandals). Includes lunch. Tour duration: 10 hours.
Overnight in Puno

After breakfast you will be driven across the Altiplano to Cusco. This drive will take you through sleepy Andean villages, past spectacular snow-capped mountains, sheer cliffs and rampaging rivers. Stops along the way include the atmospheric towns of Pucara and Andahuaylillas, and the pre-Inca ruin of Raqchi. Arrive in the famous city of Cusco in the early evening. Includes lunch.
Overnight in Cusco

Take a sightseeing tour through Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire. Visit the fascinating Qorikancha Temple of the Sun, the 12-Angled Rock and the Cathedral, built on the ruins of an Inca Palace. From here head to the archaeological remains located around the city, including the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo (giant rock), the ancient site of Puca Pucara and finally the Water Temple of Tambomachay.
Overnight in Cusco

Today, explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This fertile river valley was home to many important sites for the Incas, both strategic and religious. The first stop is the village of Pisac, with its famous market. The colonial village of Pisac sits at the base of the spectacular Pisac Ruins – a hilltop Inca citadel and fortress with impressive agricultural terracing. On market days Pisac comes alive with locals from nearby hillside villages in traditional dress selling local fruit and vegetables as well as handicrafts. There is free time to wander the colourful market stalls before a typical Andean lunch at a local restaurant.

Continue your journey along the River Urubamba, to Ollantaytambo. The town, which is dominated by a giant Inca fortress, is perhaps the best surviving example of Inca town planning and was the scene of a rare Inca victory over the invading Spanish. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to the train station in Ollantaytambo to take the train to Aguas Calientes.
Lunch & Dinner is included today
Overnight Aguas Calientes

An early morning start for your first sights of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is a 15th century Inca site, located 2,430 meters above sea level on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley. It is the most famous of all Inca sites, but it was not until 1911 that it was brought to the world’s attention by the American historian Hiram Bingham. The Incas abandoned the city just prior to Spanish colonisation, the city was never pillaged and as a result the ruins are still in fantastic condition. With its location on a dramatic ridgeline surrounded by sheer cliffs and the Urubamba River on three sides, the city of Machu Picchu is a remarkable place to visit. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and in 2007 it was voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. You will be astonished by your first view of Machu Picchu, a stunning display of ancient architecture with incredible surroundings. Enjoy a guided tour of the ruins and monuments such as the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Cemeteries. Tour includes guided group tour, and return bus from Aguas Calientes village.
**Please be aware that your tour of Machu Picchu does not include an entry permit to Huayna Picchu (the iconic hill behind the Machu Picchu ruins). If you want to climb Huayna Picchu then you need to pre-book your permit. Please contact your sales consultant if you would like to do this. **Due to new regulations at Mach Picchu, our entry permits allow us to explore Machu Picchu between 6am-12noon. If you require longer, additional fees apply. Please ask for more details. Subject to change at any time.
Later in the afternoon we travel by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival at Ollantaytambo Train Station, we will transfer by road back to your hotel in Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco

Today is at leisure allowing you to spend wandering the cobble-stoned streets of the ancient Inca capital.
Overnight in Cusco

Today we fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado, where we will be transfers in to the Amazon by road & boat (approx. 3 hours) to Refugio Amazonas. Note: Rooms at Refugio are in Traditional Category (Twin beds). Room Upgrade to a Comfort Category (Double Bed) at additional Costs. Please ask at the time of booking.
Overnight at Refugio Amazonas

After breakfast venture out onto the lake by canoe or catamaran, looking for wildlife such as hoatzin, caiman, horned screamers, macaws and rare otters. Back on land, a thirty minute walk from the lodge will take you to the 25 metre scaffolding canopy tower, complete with staircase. Enjoy excellent views from the tree tops, sighting toucans, macaws and raptors. After lunch you will visit a farm to learn about local agriculture and Amazonian crops before an ethnobotanical tour to learn about medicinal procedures of the region. In the evening, Refugio staff offer lectures covering conservation threats, opportunities and projects in the Tambopata National Reserve.
Overnight at Refugio Amazonas

Witness the audio and visual spectacle of a clay lick, watching vibrant coloured macaws and parrots feast on clay. Later, a short hike will bring you to a beautiful brazil nut forest where you can learn about the whole nut process from collection through transportation to drying. In the afternoon, there will be a further clay lick visit, this time to see mammals. Wild rain forest pigs show up in herds of up to twenty to eat clay, alongside deer, guan and parakeets. After dinner you have the option of a night hike when most mammals are active.
Overnight at Refugio Amazonas

After breakfast, return to Puerto Maldonado for your flight from Puerto Maldonado to Santiago via Lima.
Overnight in Santiago

Today we take a tour of the charismatic Santiago, visiting both the old and new areas of the city. Highlights include the Plaza de Armas & Cerro Santa Lucia, the hill on which Santiago was founded in 1541. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Santiago

With a late morning check-out we will head to the Casablanca Valley, famous for its many wineries and towns full of Chilean traditions. Vines were first planted here in the mid 1980’s and the area is known for its cool climate white wines, most notably Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, as well as Pinot Noir. The region’s world class wineries are mostly located along the road and we will visit one of them to enjoy a premium wine tasting and lunch. In the late afternoon, we will make our way to the Airport in time for your departing flight
Fly back to selected international Airports