Highlights of
South America

Meals: Breakfast: 19 Lunch: 0 Dinner: 7

Transport: Touring by private, air-conditioned motorcoach. Free Wi-Fi (where available)

Accommodation: Rooms with private bath or shower. Includes hotel taxes, tips and service charges

Highlights:

• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
• Iguassu Falls, Argentina
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Santiago, Chile
• Machu Picchu, Peru

Itinerary

• DAY 1:   RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL. Welcome to spectacular Rio de Janeiro, home to white-sand beaches and world-famous Carnival! After arrival, settle into your hotel and meet your Tour Director, who will have pointers for your free time exploration.

• DAY 2:   RIO DE JANEIRO. Sprawling between majestic granite peaks and the blue South Atlantic, Rio is a city of beauty, wonder, and energy. Guided sightseeing begins with a drive along Rio’s famed Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana beaches. Take the cog railway 2,300 feet up to the summit of Corcovado to view the famous Christ the Redeemer statue and 360-degree views of Guanabara Bay and the bustling city below. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own. Tonight, perhaps opt for a dinner at a local churrascaria, serving prime meats, seafood, and fish. (B)

• DAY 3:   RIO DE JANEIRO. A free day in Rio allows you to relax on one of the famous beaches or take an optional excursion to the historic city of Petropolis to see the former summer palace of Emperor Pedro II. (B)

• DAY 4:   RIO DE JANEIRO-IGUASSU FALLS. A morning flight takes you to Iguassu Falls, one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. Upon arrival, journey to the Brazilian side of the falls to see the mammoth series of 275 waterfalls cascading over a precipice almost two miles wide and 250 feet deep. Walk into Devil’s Throat Canyon, where the clouds of mist, thundering roar, and 180-degree rainbows surround you – an unforgettable experience! (B,D)

• DAY 5:   IGUASSU FALLS. Cross the border for a visit of the Argentine side of Iguassu Falls. Begin with a short ride on the open-air Ecological Jungle Train through the rainforest. A series of boardwalks takes you above the falls to see the water crashing down into the Devil’s Throat. Your afternoon is free to explore, or you may opt to visit the Bird Park, home to many species of endemic birds, as well as flora from the area. (B)

• DAY 6:   IGUASSU FALLS-BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital. After settling into your hotel, an orientation tour familiarizes you with the “Paris of South America” and its wide boulevards, outdoor cafes, and charming shops. (B)

• DAY 7:   BUENOS AIRES. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide focuses on the city’s landmarks, including the Teatro Colón Opera House and Plaza de Mayo, site of La Casa Rosada (the President’s Pink House), and Metropolitan Cathedral. Also, visit La Boca and San Telmo, one of Buenos Aires’ oldest neighbourhoods, and Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Perón is buried. End your day with an Argentinean meal, followed by a sensuous Tango show. (B,D)

• DAY 8:   BUENOS AIRES. Today is free for independent activities, or you can take an optional excursion to visit a local estancia (ranch) to experience the life of the gauchos (cowboys), as well as traditional dance performances and a barbecue lunch. (B)

• DAY 9:   BUENOS AIRES-SANTIAGO, CHILE. Fly over the majestic Andes to Santiago, Chile’s scenic capital between the Pacific and the Andes. With a coastline more than 2,650 miles long, Chile is more than 10 times longer than it is wide. With a distinctly European flavour accented with Latin flair, Santiago is one of South America’s most sophisticated and modern cities. (B)

• DAY 10:   SANTIAGO. Your guided city tour introduces you to Santiago-the country’s political, commercial, and cultural capital. View La Moneda Government Palace and San Cristobal Hill with its landmark statue of the Virgin Mary. Also, see Club Hipico, one of the most renowned horse-racing tracks in South America. Your tour ends at the city’s main square, Plaza de Armas, with a visit to the relic-filled Cathedral. Your afternoon is at leisure. This evening, consider the optional Chilean Folkloric Dinner Show. (B)

• DAY 11:   SANTIAGO. Today, enjoy a day at leisure. A trip to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar is highly recommended. A leisurely drive through the countryside and vineyards delivers you to Valparaiso, a city of 42 hills and the inspiration of many artists and poets. On to the chic seaside resort of Viña del Mar, full of unusual architecture and beautiful gardens. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate your exciting Latin American holiday. (B,D)

• DAY 12:   SANTIAGO-LIMA, PERU. Board a flight for Lima, Peru. Heralded as the “City of Kings” by Spanish conquistadors, Lima retains vestiges of its opulent past with its colonial buildings and world-class museums. (B)

• DAY 13:   LIMA. Sightseeing today focuses on Lima’s colonial heritage. Visit the 11th-century San Francisco Monastery, with Spanish and Moorish architecture throughout. Continue to Plaza Mayor, where you will see the Government Palace that houses the presidential palace and the cathedral where the founder of Lima, Francisco Pizarro’s, remains are buried. (B,D)

• DAY 14:   LIMA-CUSCO-SACRED VALLEY. Fly to Cusco high in the Andes and upon arrival, descend into the Sacred Valley. Stop at Awanakancha and learn about the importance of camelids (llama, vicuña, alpaca, and guanaco) for Inca cultures. Continue to Pisac, a charming village with a famous Indian market—a great place to buy souvenirs! Later, arrive at your hotel nestled in the Sacred Valley. (B,D)

• DAY 15:   SACRED VALLEY. Visit the village of Ollantaytambo and the Inca ruins of the same name. Explore the archaeological site that was the scene of the Inca resistance during the Spanish conquest. Next, visit a local Inca home to see life in a traditional village, which has been remarkably well preserved. Also, visit the Seminario Ceramics Workshop to learn about Peruvian ancient and modern art. End your day at a local chicheria for a taste of a typical Inca drink in Peru called chicha. (B)

• DAY 16:   SACRED VALLEY-MACHU PICCHU. Board the Vistadome train that cuts a path through the Urubamba Valley bound for Aguas Calientes, the town closest to the “Lost City of the Incas.” Ascend the mountainside to the sacred refuge of Machu Picchu. Your guide recounts the many accomplishments of the Incas as you tour the ruins dating back to the 15th century. (B,D)

• DAY 17:   MACHU PICCHU-CUSCO. This morning, enjoy some free time to explore the mountain town of Aguas Calientes; perhaps visit the local market, quaint boutiques, or take a walk along nearby trails. Later, return to Cusco, former capital of the Inca Empire. (B)

• DAY 18:   CUSCO. A guided sightseeing tour of Cusco focuses on the city that was once the political, military, and cultural epiepicentre of the Incas. Visit Santo Domingo Monastery and the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, which houses a magnificent collection of artwork. Continue to the hillside overlooking Cusco for a visit to the Temple of Sacsayhuaman. Also, see the ruins of Kenko and Puca Pucara before returning to Cusco. (B,D)

• DAY 19:   CUSCO-LIMA. A short flight brings you back to Lima. Transfer to your hotel, and enjoy time to explore the city. (B)

• DAY 20:   LIMA. Your holiday ends after breakfast this morning. (B)