South America: Buenos Aires, Iguazú, Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Cusco, Santiago de Chile

Arrival to Buenos Aires and transfer in from Ezeiza airport to hotel.

Buenos Aires, Argentina’s elegant, historic and cosmopolitan capital, is known as the “Paris of the South” due to its European atmosphere with glamorous avenues lined with fashionable shops and Parisian-style restaurants and cafes. Located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, Buenos Aires has many fascinating neighborhoods to explore including the colourful and lively La Boca, home to art galleries and tango shows; San Telmo with its restored mansions and antique stores and Recoleta, the city’s most exclusive area.

Overnight in Buenos Aires at selected hotel.

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This tour, which is 3-4 hours long and visits the most important highlights of the city of Buenos Aires, has three key characteristics: small groups of people per tour, one single language per vehicle, and the extensive profile and preparation of our guides. At the first stop, discover the history of the Plaza de Mayo Square, the site of Argentina’s most important historical events – see its surroundings and the most emblematic buildings and learn all about them. Then enjoy Mayo Avenue and wonder in awe at the oldest residential neighbourhood in Buenos Aires: San Telmo. Live and feel the original Tango in the neighbourhood of La Boca: walk along Caminito Street and enjoy the dancers and souvenir shops. See the mythical Boca Juniors soccer stadium. Contemplate the modernization of the city whilst traveling along Puerto Madero and its exclusive docks, full of excellent restaurants and large offices. Pass through the Retiro neighbourhood and move on to see Palermo and its most exclusive residential area before finally arriving at Recoleta. Once there, discover the final resting place of Eva Peron, “Evita” and wander through Recoleta Cemetery where she is to be found.

Dinner & Tango show at El Querandi
This is an intimate & passionate tango show, housed in a cozy wood-panelled 19th century building with a colourful history as a meeting point for poets and students in the heart of Buenos Aires’s historic center. After being abandoned in the late 1970s, the bar was restored and reopened in 1992 as El Querandí Tango Hall. The show is directed by Claudio Campos, with musical arrangements by Ado Falasca, and it smoothly charts the history of Argentina’s most authentic artistic expression from its origins to the modern day. The dinner is better than many, and at just over an hour long, the show is the perfect length. The three house singers, six dancers and 4 musicians put on a great show. Essential Info: Opening hours from Monday to Sunday. Dinner at 8:30pm/ show 10:00pm.

Overnight in Buenos Aires at selected hotel.

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Transfer out from hotel to AEP domestic airport.

Transfer in from Iguazu airport to hotel.

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. The Falls are located where the Iguazu River cascades over the edge of the Paraná Plateau. The Falls can be viewed from both the Argentinian and the Brazilian sides, the Brazilian side offering a broader, panoramic view, with the Argentinian side offering a series of catwalks that allow you to experience the Falls from close range.

Overnight in Iguazú at selected hotel.

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Start the tour early in order to beat the crowds and get the first train to the Devil’s Throat. There are walkways over the islands which take you to a balcony over the falls and the most spectacular view of the entire Devil’s Gorge. Have plenty of time to walk the 800 meters of paths on the upper circuit. These new suspended walkways are detached from the jungle surface so as to protect the fauna by preventing disruption of the natural trails. From this circuit, have a higher sight of the falls, providing a magnificent panoramic view. It takes around 1 hour to cover the upper circuit. The lower circuit contains 600 meters of walkways, also detached from the jungle floor, and has great views from below and around the falls. Once all the circuits have been completed, go back to the visitor center where the vehicles will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel or the airport.

Overnight in Iguazú at selected hotel.

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Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the park (if coming from a hotel in Argentina, please don’t forget your passport, with the relevant visa should you require it!). Once inside the park, transfer onto the park authority’s buses. From the first balcony there is a great panoramic view of the Argentinian side of the falls. From the Brazilian side there are gorgeous panoramic views of the lower Iguazu River and the Devil’s Gorge Canyon. The elevator and the stairs lead to the shopping and restaurant area upstairs. There is some degree of difficulty as the path includes many stairs.

After the tour, transfer to IGU airport for your onward flight

On arrival into Rio de Janeiro you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Copacabana.

Rio de Janeiro, was the capital of the Portuguese empire and of the country up until 1960. Nicknamed A Cidade Maravilhosa – “The Marvellous City” is world renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and location, nestled between steep, green mountains and crystal-clear seas. Rio is one of the most important cultural and economic cities in Brazil, and features some of country’s most famous attractions such as the Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar), the Corcovado, and Copacabana and Ipanema beach. The city is full of energy and Cariocas, the locals of Rio, are known for their care free spirit and charm. Whether you are looking to experience Carnaval, relax in a natural environment, or enjoy all the luxuries of a cosmopolitan city, Rio de Janeiro has it all!

Overnight in Rio de Janeiro at selected hotel

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Starting at the bottom of the Corcovado Hill, visit the statue of Christ the Redeemer before continuing to the Maracanã Stadium, Sambadrome, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. The tour will then pass through the bohemian neighborhood of Lapa and its famous arches in route to Copacabana. Traditional Brazilian BBQ lunch before visiting the famous Sugarloaf Mountain. 

Overnight in Rio de Janeiro at selected hotel

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Day at leisure to enjoy the rhythm of this vibrant, bustling city. Relax on the legendary beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema or take a tour to explore the famous favelas.

Overnight at Rio de Janeiro at selected hotel.

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Transfer to Galeão Airport, Rio de Janeiro, for onward travel.

Transfer from your hotel to the airport in a private vehicle.

Welcome to Lima! On arrival, transfer to your hotel with guided assistance. Your guide will offer you some basic information about Peru, such as currency, weather and some other information about your tour.

Overnight in Lima at selected hotel.

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Transfer from your hotel to the airport to take your flight to Cusco. On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Cusco, set at an altitude of 3,400 meters in the Peruvian Andes, was once the capital of the Inca Empire. It is known for its Spanish colonial architecture and Incan remains. Narrow, cobble-stoned streets lined by Inca walls stretch out from the main plaza in every direction. Many of the colonial buildings were built on top of Incan foundations and the stonework is unparalleled in its precision and beauty.

Today, explore the city’s fascinating history, from the Inca times to colonial rule to the present day. Enjoy a sightseeing tour through Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire. We visit the fascinating Koricancha 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 the giant rock, the ancient site of PucaPucara and finally the Water Temple of Tambomachay.

Overnight in Cusco at selected hotel.

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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 artisanal market and Inca Ruins. There is free time to wander the colourful market stalls before heading uphill to the Pisac, Intihuatana, Q’allaqasa and Kinchiracay ruins. Enjoy a fine buffet lunch at a restaurant overlooking the Valley. 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, transfer to Ollantaytambo train station to board the train from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes (town located at the bottom of Machu Picchu)

Travel from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu in this comfortable train, and let your feet have rest. Enjoy an authentic Andean experience, while relaxing in modern and comfortable interior design illuminated by Latin American music. Comfortable seats with tables in front.

*Due to limited space for luggage storage on trains, luggage restrictions apply: one bag or backpack (carry-on luggage) with a maximum weight of 5.0 kg/11 lb., measuring no more than 62 linear inches/157 linear cm (height + length + width)

 Overnight in Aguas Calientes at selected hotel.

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Early in the morning, make your way to the bus station to take the bus that will take you uphill to Machu Picchu.

You will be astonished at your first view of Machu Picchu, a stunning display of ancient architecture with incredible surroundings. Enjoy a guided tour of the ruins and monuments. Tour includes a private guided tour and a return bus from Aguas Calientes village.

After exploring, make your way to the town and to the station to take the train back to Cusco. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.

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 with at least 3 months in advance. Please contact your travel specialist if you would like to do this.

Overnight in Cusco at selected hotel.

B

At the selected time, transfer from your hotel to the airport to take your flight to Santiago de Chile.
On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Santiago, Chile’s capital and largest city, lies in a valley surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of the Andes and the Chilean Coastal Range. Founded in 1541, Santiago has been Chile’s capital since colonial times. It is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city and although it features many colonial buildings, it has grown into a modern metropolis and the cultural center of the country.

Overnight in Santiago de Chile at selected hotel.

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Take a tour of the charismatic Santiago, visiting both the old and new areas of the city. Highlights include the Plaza de Armas, the city’s central square and the heart of the city’s old colonial core. The Plaza de Armas is home to the beautiful 18th century Metropolitan Cathedral, the early 19th century Royal Court Palace that houses the Natural History Museum and the Central Post Office completed in 1882. Visit San Cristobal Hill, where a panoramic view of the city and the snow-capped Andes awaits. The tour will continue with a short visit to the trendy neighborhoods of Lastarria and Italia. Return to the Hotel.

Overnight in Chile at selected hotel.

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At the selected time, transfer from your hotel to the airport to catch on your next flight.

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