Splendours of South America

24 days / 23 nights from
$11,965
per person share twinInternational flights are additional

Splendours of South America

This journey covers the highlights of South America. Commence in Lima, travel into the depths of the Peruvian Amazon and explore the wilderness. Visit the remarkable Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Enjoy an overnight cruise on Lake Titicaca to Sun Island, continue to cosmopolitan Buenos Aires and onto Iguazu, with its awe-inspiring falls. A visit to one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Rio de Janeiro, completes this experience.

Includes
✔ 23 nights accommodation
✔ Meals as per itinerary
✔ Sightseeing with an English speaking local guide
✔ Flights as per itinerary

International flights are additional

24 days / 23 nights
From $11,965 per person share twin
Departs: Daily

Itinerary Highlights
• Explore the remote Peruvian Amazon rainforest and river and discover the extraordinary wildlife and wilderness.
• Visit legendary Machu Picchu on an unforgettable train journey and enjoy a guided visit of the lost citadel.
• Immerse yourself in the exotic romance of Buenos Aires and be absorbed by the rhythm of the tango at a show.

Itinerary
Day 1: Lima
Upon arrival in Lima, transfer to your hotel for the next two nights.

Day 2: Lima
Today you will enjoy a half day sightseeing excursion of colonial and modern Lima. Lima is a bustling, vibrant city with an interesting mix of traditional and modern day cultures. There are fascinating archaeological sites and museums just waiting to be explored. Visit the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro before heading to the historic centre. Once there you’ll explore the Main Square, where you can take pictures of the amazing colonial architecture that surrounds it. Walk to the Chocolate Museum and learn about Peruvian cocoa before visiting the impressive Convent of Santo Domingo. On the way back you’ll pass through Huaca Huallamarca before reaching Miraflores, where you'll stop at Love Park to take stunning photos of the landscape of the Lima coast before returning to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3: Lima - Puerto Maldonado - Amazon Lodge
This morning board your flight to Puerto Maldonado. Once here your adventure begins as you travel by motorised canoe to your jungle lodge. The next few days are yours to explore the vast Amazon rainforest and its unique and amazing wildlife. Enjoy dramatic scenery, indigenous cultures and flora and fauna that you won’t see anywhere else in the world.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 4:  Amazon Jungle Explorations
The Peruvian Amazon offers wonderful opportunities to experience the lush cloud forests and exceptional wildlife of the mighty Amazon River and rainforest. Spend the next two days exploring this vast ecosystem. Rise at dawn for bird watching, enjoy a boat ride in search of river otters or the mythical pink dolphin, walk through the rainforest canopy to observe monkeys swinging through the branches or visit local indigenous communities and learn about the way of life in these remote villages.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Amazon Jungle Explorations
Continue discovering the unique wildlife and amazing beauty of the Amazon.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Amazon Lodge - Cusco
Fly to Cusco where you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to acclimitise to the altitude.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7: Cusco
Discover the enchanting city of Cusco, the sacred capital of the Inca Empire. Your tour begins exploring the fascinating open-air market of San Pedro, where you'll discover both the traditional and exotic ingredients of the exquisite Peruvian cuisine. Continue to the Koricancha Temple, an old Incan palace and main centre for the worship of the sun god, Inti. After the Spanish conquered Peru, the Dominican order built a lovely church over the top of this temple's foundations. Next you'll explore the main square, upon which sits the Cathedral, the beautiful Church of La Compania de Jesus, and other Colonial period buildings. Continue on to the San Cristobal Church, which is located on top of a hill and offers amazing views over the city. From here you'll travel to the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, which was built of enormous stone blocks that were expertly shaped by the Incas. The fortress is strategically located at the top of a hill, offering you a panoramic view of Cusco. You'll also visit the important archaeological sites of Qenko and Puca-Pucara.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8: Cusco - Sacred Valley
Travel by road to the Sacred Valley and visit Chinchero, a small picturesque village that is home to significant Inca ruins dating from the end of the 15th Century, as well as a beautiful traditional church. Continue on to Urpi, a famous textile centre where the inhabitants still use traditional Andean spinning and weaving techniques. Here you'll be shown how the locals achieve the brilliant colours of their pieces using natural means. Afterwards, you will stop at Racchi vantage point for one of the best views of the Sacred Valley. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. You'll travel to Ollantaytambo, one of the most important building complexes of the Inca Empire and the site of one of the Spanish conquistadors' rare strategic defeats. Famous for its terraced fields, Ollantaytambo was a very effective fortress and also a religious centre. Explore the village of Ollantaytambo, which is the best surviving example of Inca urban planning, featuring stone paved streets that have been inhabited since the 12th Century. You will spend the night in the Sacred Valley.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 9: Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
Enjoy an unforgettable train journey to Machu Picchu. One of the crowning glories of the Inca civilisation and one of the most stunning archaeological sites anywhere in the world, Machu Picchu sits atop a mountain ridge overlooking the sacred Urubamba Valley. The "Lost City" was undiscovered until 1911 and remains today as a monument to the Incas. Join a guided visit of the lost citadel of the Incas and learn about the city and community who once occupied the site. Overnight in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10: Machu Picchu - Cusco
The morning is at your leisure to explore the town of Aguas Calientes. A second entrance ticket to Machu Picchu or hike to the top of Huayna Picchu can be pre-booked as an optional extra. Afterwards, return by train to Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 11: Cusco - Puno
Travel by coach to Puno, enjoying the remarkable Andean scenery. Along the way you’ll stop at Andahuaylillas, which has a beautiful 17th Century church featuring an impressive organ decorated with angels and cherubs, and the ruins at Raqchi, also known as the "Temple of Wiracocha". After this, you'll enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to the Museum Litico Pukara, which features a collection of ceramics and sculptures including the famous sculpture of the Hatunnaqac, which can be translated as the 'supreme slaughterer' before arriving in Puno. Transfer to your hotel for the next two nights.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 12: Puno
Today you’ll enjoy a boat tour of Lake Titicaca, visiting two of the most famous islands, Uros and Taquile. Taquile Island has a fascinating tradition of handicrafts; in their textiles, the islanders depict their belief systems and culture in designs that pay homage to the richness of their ancestral heritage. Explore the island’s trails, visit ancient agricultural terraces and the vestiges of Inca ceremonial sites, and enjoy a delicious lunch made from local ingredients. Continue by boat to the visit the man-made floating reed islands of Uros. Home to the Uros tribe, which pre-dates the Incan civilisation, the locals use the reeds to build their houses, boats and even handicrafts for visitors.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 13: Puno - Lake Titicaca - La Paz
This morning you will board your catamaran for the overnight crossing of Lake Titicaca. Discover the legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire, Sun Island, one of the most sacred islands in South America. Explore Incan ruins, learn about one of the local indigenous communities and their ancient weaving techniques and take in some of the most breathtaking views of Lake Titicaca. Enjoy a unique sailing experience aboard a traditional Titicaca reed vessel, which uses almost extinct Titicaca navigational techniques to cruise the lake, learn about how these boats are made, and visit Ekako, a fascinating underground museum with a collection of archaeological items and Andean mummies. This afternoon, visit Chua harbour to take a short walk and visit a typical house inhabited by an indigenous couple appreciating the livelihood of Aymara people in the high plateau. In the evening dinner will be served on board and afterwards enjoy an indigenous folkloric performance.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 14: La Paz
After buffet breakfast on board, navigate towards the islands of Pariti and Kalauta and the Andean lake community of Pata Patani. Pariti Island was supposed to be a ceremonial site, visited by people from beyond the Andes. There is a museum with archaeological pieces dating back to Tiwanaku culture. Continue to Kalauta Island navigating in typical fishing barges that will allow a unique experience rowing among the totora reeds giving a special sense of peace and mysticism that this pristine area of the Lake provides. Kalauta is known for its funeral towers and it was once an ancient stone town considered an important pre-hispanic necropolis. After lunch visit the isolated indigenous community of Pata Patani where you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the lifestyle, traditions and daily activities of this community which is very rooted to ancient traditions and still makes a livelihood of fishing. At the Pata Patani Museum you’ll have the opportunity to see the oldest best preserved Andean mummy called Tani. Afterwards, the catamaran takes you to Tiquina strait where you’ll transfer by road to La Paz.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 15: La Paz 
Explore La Paz, one of the most authentic Andean cities, with its cobbled streets and indigenous women in traditional bowler hats and voluminous skirts selling Andean crops on the sidewalks. Discover the colonial city centre visiting Plaza Murillo, home of both the Presidential Palace and the Parliament building, and Jaen colonial street, one of the best preserved colonial streets in La Paz. Visit the fascinating witchcraft markets for a unique window into the usually secretive world of Aymara mysticism and herbal medicine. Situated in a deep valley, La Paz is full of steep hills, and chaotic streets; soar above the city on a cable car ride and enjoy spectacular bird eye views of the sprawling city. Finish your tour with a visit to the lunar landscapes and bizarre geological formations of the Moon Valley.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 16: La Paz - Buenos Aires
Today you will fly to Buenos Aires where you will be transferred to your hotel. Explore this cosmopolitan city filled with colonial buildings, theatres, cafes and shops; all offering a unique atmosphere.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 17: Buenos Aires
Enjoy a city tour discovering the many faces of Buenos Aires. Visit the symbol of the city, the Obelisk, as well as the Plaza de Mayo, Plaza San Martin and Plaza Alvear and avenues such as Avenida De Mayo, Corrientes and 9 de Julio. Explore the historic neighbourhoods of San Telmo and colourful La Boca, as well as the magnificent Palermo and Recoleta, and modern neighbourhoods such as Puerto Madero.

In the evening taste some of the best Argentine cuisine and be absorbed by the tango rhythm at a show.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 18: Buenos Aires
Enjoy wandering through the streest of Buenos Aires. Explore the cosmopolitan city filled with colonial buildines, theatres, cafes and shops, all offering a unique atmosphere.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 19: Buenos Aires - Iguazu Falls
Fly from Buenos Aires to Iguazu. Comprising more than 275 waterfalls, stretching over three kilometres across and towering 100 metres high, Iguazu Falls is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Meeting at the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay the falls are enclosed by Iguazu Falls National Park which covers a large area of tropical rainforest and is home to some of South America’s most iconic wildlife.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 20: Iguazu Falls
Enjoy a tour of the Argentinian side of the falls. With it's many walkways you'll discover the falls from many different vantage points. Follow a path to the bottom of the falls where you can feel the spray of the water. At the top of the falls, a path leads to the biggest waterfall, the magnificent Devil’s Throat. If you are extra adventurous, get up close to the power and noise of the water with a thrilling jet boat ride under the falls.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 21: Iguazu Falls - Rio De Janeiro
This morning visit the Brazilian side of the falls with its panoramic views. Extensive walkways and viewpoints offer amazing views and photo opportunities. Continue to the airport for your onward flight to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 22: Rio De Janeiro
Immerse yourself in this magnificent city during an open-air jeep tour exploring Rio’s four wonders. You'll be taken to the stunning Tijuca Atlantic Forest, the largest urban forest in the world, with a stop at the Chinese Vista for magnificent views. cContinue up to Corcovado Mountain, and the Christ Redeemer statue, recently named one of the seven "New Wonders of the World". Enjoy spectacular views of Rio de Janeiro; from Corcovado you can see the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and the Botanical Gardens. After this visit the jeep will take you down the hill for lunch.

After lunch, your tour continues up to Sugar Loaf Mountain, which has become an iconic symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Rising up from a small peninsula at the entrance of Guanabara Bay, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of a sugar loaf. Take two cable cars to the top for 360 degree views of the entire city. The final stop of your tour is a visit to the Botanical Gardens, which contains more than 6,000 different species of tropical and subtropical plants and trees, including 900 varieties of palm trees. Stroll along the pathways of the park to the sounds of native birds including curios and sabias.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 23: Rio De Janeiro
A day at leisure to explore this vibrant city. There are is a huge selection of optional activities that can be pre-booked, from taking a cooking class with a local, visiting a local samba school or experiencing the samous Rio nightlife at Rio Scenarium. Marvel at the spectacular views, feel the pulse of the local people and enjoy Rio’s nightlife.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 24: Rio De Janeiro
Your journey ends with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals included: Breakfast

Contact your local House of Travel for further information on the best travel dates and prices to match your holiday.

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