The treasures of South America

Chile, Peru, Argentina & Brazil tour

21 Days

The treasures of South America tour will take you to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Peru.  Come join us and experience this fascinating continent!
The highlights on this tour are: Buenos Aires; Iguassu Falls; Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach; Peru's Sacred Valley of the Incas; Machu Picchu; Cuzco and Lake Titicaca.

Monday departures with local English-speaking guides.
Hotels quoted are tourist, superior and first class categories (similar to 3*, 4* and 5* categories).  The hotels we use are clean, safe, with private facilities and are centrally located.

Day 1

Santiago - Monday

Santiago is Chile’s elegant capital beautifully situated at the foot of the majestic Andes Mountains Range. The majestic Andean Mountain Range can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. Santiago is one of the few capital cities in the world which has easy access both to ski slopes and beaches. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2

Santiago - Tuesday

A morning tour of charming Santiago, the tour will include the main attraction spots of this lovely city, such as the Santa Lucía hill, the Civic District and Historical Santiago; the Club Hipico (one of the most beautiful horse racetrack in Latin America) and the Presidential Palace, also known as La Moneda and the National Museum. The latter visit will enable us to relate to a not so distant past of a conservative society and its most relevant historical events and turning points. Later on we will visit Santiago uptown financial district.

Day 3

Santiago/Lima - Wednesday

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima.
LIMA, capital of Peru, was founded by the great conquistador, Francisco Pizarro in 1535, and soon became the capital of the extensive and tremendously wealthy, Peruvian Vice Regency of Spain. By the end of the 16^th Century it had grown into a city of fine palaces and churches and the cultural centre of the southern hemisphere.
Today, Lima still retains the essence of Spanish colonialism. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.

Day 4

Lima - Thursday

Today you will be taken on a half day tour of Lima’s principal attractions, including the Government Palace in the colonial setting of the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the modern residential suburbs of Miraflores and San Isidro with their lovely homes and gardens.

Day 5

Lima/Cuzco - Friday

This morning you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Cuzco, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Spend the remainder of the day relaxing and adjusting to the altitude.

Day 6

Cuzco - Saturday

Morning at leisure. Cuzco was the Inca capital and this afternoon you will visit the historic highlights of the city. Later, travel a short distance to the surrounding Inca ruins of Sacsayhuamán, Tambo Machay, Puku Pukara and Kenko; each different in construction and purpose.

Day 7

Cuzco / Sacred Valley - Sunday

A full day tour into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, including a visit to Pisac and its colourful Indian market – a not to be missed opportunity to purchase Peruvian weavings and pottery. After a sumptuous lunch, continue along the Urubamba Valley to the ruins of Ollantaitambo, an impressive Inca fortress. Late this afternoon drop off at a charming inn at Yucay, where you will spend the evening.

Day 8

Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu - Monday

Today is set aside for an experience you will never forget, as you transfer to the station and travel by train (Vistadome) through lush valleys and terraced hillsides, following the course of the tumbling Urubamba River to the hidden “Lost City of the Incas” – spectacular MACHU PICCHU. Reputed to be the Incas’ last refuge from the Spanish, Machu Picchu remained undiscovered until 1911. Your guide will explain the intricate layout of the city, as you marvel at the remains of the watchtower, magnificent palaces, temples, tombs, and rock-hewn steps. This afternoon is yours to explore the ruins at your own pace, and perhaps walk up to the Sun Gate (Intipunko) for a panoramic view of this mysterious lost city.

Day 9

Machu Picchu/Cuzco - Tuesday

It is said that Machu Picchu is a place of great spirituality, and the ultimate spiritual moment of the day happens at sunrise. This morning therefore there is an option to rise early and view the world’s most spectacularly situated ruins at sunrise (entrance & transfers not included). Perhaps climb to the summit of Huayna Picchu or up to the Sun Gate for panoramic views. This afternoon, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and board the train to Cuzco, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 10

Cuzco/Puno - Wednesday

This morning, transfer to the station, to begin your fantastic rail journey across the Altiplano (high plateau) to PUNO. A totally fascinating experience, with Indians in different local garb crowding the platforms at every stop, selling food and handicrafts. En route, you may also view Alpacas, Llamas and perhaps Vicuña - native animals of the Altiplano. Arriving into PUNO early evening and transfer to your hotel.

Day 11

Puno / Lake Titicaca - Thursday

In the morning overland transfer to Copacabana. You will visit the churches of Pomata & Juli and the local market. You will travel on a hydrofoil cruise on the world’s highest navigable lake: Lake Titicaca. We will stop at Moon Island and visit the Sun Virgins Temple Iñak Uyu. We will then, continue to Sun Island & visit the "Pilcocaina" Sun Temple. Lunch included. Afternoon will be at leisure to explore the surroundings & enjoy a Cross Cultural Integration with the Native Community. Overnight at Sun Island.

Day 12

Lake Titicaca / La Paz - Friday

Today we will visit the Inca Staircase & Sacred fountain, taste the sacred water believed to give eternal youth & happiness. Lunch will be at "Uma Kollu" an archaeological restaurant and it’s also possible to visit a picturesque handicraft market.
Continue to Huatajata, a small port on the shores of Lake Titicaca, where you will vist the Altiplano Museum, where a state of the art audio system will explain in your own language the cultural heritage of the Aymaras and the Incas, their traditions and wisdom, the colonial time and even the Jacques Cousteau Expedition to the Lake. Watch the handicrafts and fisherman villages, the Mud Igloos and Floating Island of the Urus Chipayas culture, which was born on the southern part of the Bolivian High Plateau, meet the Limachi family of the RA II and Tigris for Thor Heyerdhal epic expeditions across the Atlantic Ocean and visit to the local market. Drop off will be at your hotel in La Paz.

Day 13

La Paz - Saturday

Today you will join a half day city tour of La Paz and the Moon Valley.
The City of La Paz and its surroundings can transport you to a mysterious past where any corner, any street, is a hidden treasure where adventure begins a living history which treasures the pre Hispanic times with all their traditions and magic on its streets. The Native, colonial and modern areas, Indian Market, Witch Doctor's Market & breathtaking panoramas are all framed by the majestic "Illimani" mountain. You will also visit the Moon Valley, a clay formation resembling the face of the Moon.

Day 14

La Paz/Buenos Aires - Sunday

This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to BUENOS AIRES, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 15

Buenos Aires - Monday

A morning tour of Buenos Aires, during which you will see the Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada (Government House), Cabildo (Old City Hall), the City Hall, the monumental Congress Building set in its impressive Square. Other highlights are the 9 de Julio Ave, the widest in the world; the Colón Theatre, Argentina’s famous Opera House, which stages the most important artists and musicians from all over the world. We will also visit the picturesque La Boca district, which resembles a typical Italian neighborhood, Palermo Park and the historical Recoleta Cemetery, with its ornate memorials. Afternoon at leisure for you to explore this cosmopolitan city.

In the evening you will enjoy a nice dinner and a traditional Tango performance.

Day 16

Buenos Aires - Tuesday

Full day Gaucho experience at Estancia, typical Argentine ranch. Here you will experience first hand an Argentine Asado (barbecue) and witness the lifestyle of the Argentine Gauchos (cowboys).

Day 17

Buenos Aires / Iguassu Falls - Wenesday

Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to IGUASSU FALLS in Brazil.
Iguassu Falls surpass in grandeur both Niagara and Victoria Falls and form the frontier between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Ranking among Latin America’s true nature treasures, Iguazu Falls offer a spectacular highlight to any visit to Brazil or Argentina. The word Iguassu in the local Indian language means “big water”, and with a length of over 3.5Km and a height of 78 meters, the falls certainly live up to their name!
On arrival you will be met at Puerto Iguazu airport and on the way to your hotel, you will enjoy a tour of the Argentinean falls. Your hotel is located in the Brazilian side of the falls.

Day 18

Iguassu Falls/Rio de Janeiro - Thursday

This morning you will be taken on a tour of the Brazilian side of the falls. Drop off will be at the airport for your flight to RIO DE JANEIRO. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 19

Rio de Janeiro - Friday

There is no city like Rio - beautiful beaches, beautiful people, Carnival and nightlife. Sightseeing today includes the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, and a journey to the summit of Corcovado Mountain to see the 36 metre high statue of Christ the Redeemer, whose outstretched arms embrace stunning views of Rio’s mountains, harbour and beaches. Lunch today is at a “churrascaria” - a local barbecue restaurant. After lunch, continue your sightseeing with an ascent of Sugar Loaf Mountain by cable car for superb views of one of the world’s most beautiful harbours.

Day 20

Rio de Janeiro - Saturday

Day at leisure.
In the evening you will join a Lapa by night tour.
Lapa, an old and charming area of Rio de Janeiro, features some fabulous mansions which have been restored into works of art during a recent cultural renaissance.
Lapa is now one of Rio's most popular night spots, with many people enjoying the street parties, samba clubs and other bars. The best concerts, delicious food and beautiful people, make this place different from the rest! The informal atmosphere is one of the main characteristic of Lapa's neighbourhood. Many famous Brazilians pop singers perform here.

Day 21

Rio de Janeiro - Sunday

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or to another destination.