Day 1 Santiago

Overview:

Located in the Central Valley and framed by the majestic Andes mountain range, Santiago, the capital of Chile, was first settled in 1531.  The city has grown into a major metropolis where the many historic colonial buildings contrast with the gleaming new high-rise architecture and bustling shopping malls.

Enjoy a half-day tour around Santiago. Start at the Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins, the main avenue, visiting the President’s Palace (Casa de La Moneda). From here walk through the pedestrian streets of Huerfanos and Ahumada, where the main commercial activity of the city is concentrated. Continue to the Plaza de Armas, the main square, which is surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral and other historical buildings.

Afterwards visit Santa Lucia, the hill upon which the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. It is a lone steep rock rising above the city with stairways, gardens, fountains and a fortress. Then cross the river to Bellavista, the cultural and artistic neighbourhood of Santiago. Bellavista lies at the foot of San Cristóbal Hill, topped with an amphitheatre, church and statue of Virgin Mary this is the highest hill in town. From the top (if the weather is clear) there are great views of the city and the Andes mountains to the east.

Finally visit the upmarket area of Providencia with its top restaurants, elegant shops and modern high-rise buildings

Day 2 Fly Santiago Rio de Janeiro

Pick up from your hotel this morning for transfer to the Santiago Airport for your international flight to Rio de Janeiro.

Nestled between towering mountains and the sea, Rio de Janeiro, with its magnificent shoreline and beaches, is a vibrant and beautiful city.

 Met on arrival at Rio de Janeiro Airport for transfer to your hotel located in Copacabana.

Days 3-4 Rio de Janeiro

Fly to Rio de Janeiro and spend the afternoon at leisure. You may wish to spend your time at the beach simply taking in the vibrancy of this incredible city.

Meet your personal guide in the morning and take your private vehicle to the Corcovado railway station at the foot of Corcovado Mountain.  Enjoy the train ride through the forest to the summit where the awe-inspiring statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooks Guanabara Bay.  Continue by train past Lake Rodrigo de Freitas, Sao Conrado and Tijuca forest and alongside the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon.

After lunch, travel to the Sugar Loaf cable car station for a ride to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain from where you will enjoy superb views over the city and bay.  On the return journey visit the downtown area.

Spend your final day in Rio De Janeiro at leisure.

Days 5-6 Iguassu Falls

Situated in the southwest of Brazil, the Iguazu River joins the Parana River creating a natural border with Brazil and Paraguay.  It is here you will find the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, the ‘Cataratas del Iguazu’, that plunge into a massive gorge.  There are 275 falls along a 3km front, with an average height of 70m.  Completely surrounded by a dense tropical forest, this is home to many small native mammals and over 400 different species of birds and butterflies.

Visit both the Brazil and Argentinian sides of the falls giving you a complete overview of the park. Walk on the lower and upper trails in Iguazu National Park  and take a boat ride to get up close to the falls(Argentina). On the Brazilian side enjoy panoramic views of the falls and if you like you can take a helicopter rider over the falls.

Days 7-9 Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a charming, sophisticated city with a strong European influence and culture.  With its blend of Spanish, French and Italian architectural styles, its great variety of nightspots, and its cultural life, it is often referred to as the ‘South American Paris’.

Explore Buenos Aires on a half-day city sightseeing tour visiting Plaza de Mayo (May Square) around which are El Cabildo (City Hall), the Cathedral and Casa Rosada (Government House).  Also visit the colourful district of La Boca, Recoleta Cemetery, Plaza San Martin, Avenida Santa Fe and the Colon Opera House.

In the evening enjoy dinner and a night of music and tango at Esquina Carlos Gardel, one of the excellent venues where typical songs and dances are performed.

Day 10 Lima

Fly from Santiago to Lima and transfer to your accommodation.

Explore Lima on a half day tour.  Visit the old city and learn about the history of Peru at the Larco Museum. There are many choices of fabulous restaurants for lunch and dinner, which you may wish to book in advance to reserve a table. You may also like to take a walk along the promenade and watch the surfers try their luck.

Days 11-13 Cuzco

Overview:

Enjoy a full day Cuzco city tour. Visit the Incan ruins of Kenko, Tambo Machay and the renowned fortress of Sacsayhuaman.

Spend the following day at leisure. You may wish to relax, visit some local markets and shops or continue to explore this fascinating ancient city.

Day 14 Machu Picchu

Overview:

Catch the train from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, the fabled lost city of the Incas. For centuries Machu Picchu lay undiscovered in the jungle until, in 1911, the American historian Hiram Bingham stumbled upon it almost by accident.  Although little is known about the ‘Lost City of the Incas’, it is obvious by the quality of the stonework and the abundance of ornamental sites that Machu Picchu must have been an important ceremonial centre. Enjoy a guided tour of the incredible ruins. Stay overnight in nearby town of Aguas Calientes or alternatively you have the opportunity to stay at Sanctuary Lodge located next to Machu Picchu entrance gate.

In the morning you have the opportunity to return to Machu Picchu to further explore the ancient ruins or you can enjoy the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon return to Cuzco by train. You may wish to indulge and travel on board the Hiram Bingham Luxury Train.

Days 15-16 The Sacred Valley

Overview:

Fly from Lima to Cuzco and transfer to your accommodation in the Sacred Valley.

Explore the Sacred Valley on a full day tour. This beautiful and fertile valley, just beyond Cuzco, features scattered villages, incredible ruins and stunning views of snow-capped mountains.

First visit the town and the magnificent Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo.  In the upper and western part of the city rises a mountain scattered with houses and innumerable pre-Hispanic constructions such as temples and terraces.  The archaeological complex itself was a gigantic agricultural, administrative, social, religious and military centre in the era of the Tahuantinsuya (Inca) empire.

Next visit the Indian town of Chinchero (3,762m) – it boasts a beautiful colonial church with paintings by the famous indigenous artist, Chiwantito – and its market.

Then visit the bustling Indian market at Pisac where local Indians from different communities congregate to trade their goods, not only for money but also by barter.  You may bargain for and buy some very beautiful Indian handicrafts. And make sure you enjoy some bread at the bakery in Pisac – it’s delicious!   After the tour, return to Cuzco and drop off at your hotel.

Days 17-18 Puno, Lake Titicaca

Overview:

Catch the Andean Explorer Train across the vast altiplano from Cuzco to Puno. This journey is considered by some to be one of the great train journeys of the world.  You will pass through starkly beautiful landscapes and many small villages before arriving at Juliaca where the train stops for a short time before continuing to Puno on the shore of Lake Titicaka.

Enjoy a full day tour of Uros, an archipelago of manmade floating reed islands & Taquile Island where you will find some of the highest-quality handicrafts in Peru.

Day 19-20 – La Paz

Leave Copacabana and drive along the edge of Lake Titicaca to the Tiquina Straits, crossing the lake at its narrowest point by barge, and continuing to La Paz by road.

Set at an altitude of 3,636m, La Paz is Bolivia’s commercial capital and is the highest city of its size in the world. Founded in 1548, it lies in a natural basin surrounded by imposing snow-covered mountain peaks and dominated by Mount Illimani (6,402m).

On arrival in La Paz, you will be taken to your hotel.

Days 21-22 – Santiago

Fly back to Santiago, and the following day enjoy a guided tour visiting the city’s main landmarks. Drive to San Cristobal Hill for great views of the city and the Andes mountains.  Contrast the old and new parts of the city as you continue to the residential areas of Vitacura Las Condes and Providencia.