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20 Days/18 Nights
Departures Daily
• 1 Night Lima–City of Kings
• 2 Nights Machu Picchu–Explore the Mysteries of the Incas
• Full-day excursion into the Sacred Valley of the Incas
• 2 Nights Cuzco–Capitol of the Inca Empire
• 2 Nights Santiago–Art, restaurants & theaters
• 2 Nights Chilean Lakes Region–Breathtaking scenery & quaint fishing villages
• 2 Nights Bariloche–One of the most scenic spots in the world
• 3 Nights Buenos Aires–Sophisticated and chic
• 2 Nights Iguassu Falls–275 Thundering waterfalls
• 2 Nights Rio de Janeiro–Sizzling and exciting
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Lima
Start your adventure into the Land of the
Incas. Transfer to the Holiday Inn Airport or the Wyndham Costa del Sol Airport Hotel.
Day 2: Lima/Cuzco/Machu Picchu. An early morning flight will take you to Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, at an altitude of 11,300 feet. You w ill be met upon arrival to commence your tour into the scenic Urubamba Valley. The valley, also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas, is at a much more comfortable altitude of 8,500 feet, and you will immediately feel the difference. If you arrive Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday you will stop at Pisac, for a colorful Indian market. Stalls overflow with weavings, handicrafts and pottery, enticing everyone to bargain! If it is not market day you will have an opportunity to climb the ruins at Ollantaitambo, another sacred site which the Incas fiercely defended from the Spaniards. Lunch is included, and in the afternoon you will board the VistaDome train to Machu Picchu.  In less than two hours you will arrive at the train station of Aguas Calientes, where a representative of your selected hotel will be waiting for you. For those staying in the First Class, Deluxe and Deluxe+ hotels, dinner is included. (B, L)
*NOTE: In Tourist Category, the renovated Expedition Train is quoted. In First Class and Deluxe categories, the deluxe VistaDome train is quoted.
Day 3: At Machu Picchu. Your private guide will pick you up at your hotel this morning for your tour of Machu Picchu, where you will spend the day in both guided and individual exploration, visiting the best-known features of this astounding and mysterious Inca citadel. You mi ght want to take the optional hike to the summit of Wayna Picchu for an amazing overview of the site, or you may want to investigate Machu Picchu's multitude of hidden nooks and corners. Dinner is included at the hotels in the First Class, Superior First Class, Deluxe and Deluxe+ categories. Transfers from Aguas Calientes to/from Machu Picchu Archaeological Zone and entrance fees are included. (B) NOTE: For those staying at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge lunch is included.
Day 4: Machu Picchu to Cuzco Continue exploring Machu Picchu before winding back down the mountain by bus to catch your afternoon train for Cuzco. (B) NOTE: Transfers from Aguas Calientes to and from Machu Picchu and entrance fees are NOT included this day.
Day 5: In Cuzco This afternoon, you will join a motorcoach for a tour of colonial Cuzco, including the Temple of the Sun,  Cathedral and Plaza de Armas. Next, ascend into the hills surrounding Cuzco to visit the Inca ruins of K'Kenko, Pucapucara, Tambo Machay and the great stone fortress of Sacsayhuaman. (B)
Day 6: Cuzco/Lima/Santiago Morning return flight to Lima, where you will be assisted with a connecting flight to Santiago. Evening arrival in Santiago and transfer to your selected hotel. (B)
Day 7: Santiago City Tour On a half-day motorcoach tour of Santiago, visit Santa Lucia Hill and San Cristobal Hill before stopping at Bellavista, Santiago's Bohemian district, where you will find a variety of art galleries, restaurants, and theaters. (B)
Day 8: Santiago to Puerto Montt (Puerto Varas) Fly south to the gateway to Chile's Lake District, Puerto Montt, on the Relancavi Estuary. Drive along Costanera Highway for a scenic overlook of Puerto Montt, and then tour the quaint fishing village of Angelmo with its open-air crafts market. Continue on to Puerto Montt’s sister city, Puerto Varas, on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, and overnight in your choice of hotel. (B)
Day 9: Two-day Lakes Crossing (available all year) Begin this overland journey through pine forests, past tranquil farms and over broad lakes on the way to Argentina. Bus past Lake Llanquihue to Petrohue to board a boat crossing Lake Todos Los Santos to La Natura Hotel for overnight. Click here for Lakes Crossing map. (B, D)
Day 10: Arrive Bariloche Continue through the Lake District with a bus ride over the Continental Divide into Argentina, then cross Lake Frias by boat, and arrive in Puerto Blest by bus.  Cruise on Lake NahuelHuapi to Puerto Panuelo, and proceed overland to downtown Bariloche and your hotel. (B)
Day 11: Bariloche Tour See the main square and important government buildings. Then, skirt the lake to Cathedral Mountain for an overview of all the surrounding lakes, hills, and mountains that make Bariloche one of the most scenic spots in the world! (B)
Day 12: Bariloche to Buenos Aires Fly from Bariloche to Buenos Aires, and transfer to your selected hotel. Remainder of the evening at leisure. (B)
 Day 13: Buenos Aires City Tour Drive down the widest street in the world, 9th of July Avenue, past the Colon Opera House to the Plaza de Mayo. The plaza faces the pink Presidential Palace and National Cathedral, which houses the tomb of the liberator, San Martin. Next, visit the old port La Boca district with its pastel houses and shops; you will have time to browse through the shops for souvenirs. Remainder of the day at leisure. (B)
Day 14: Tango Show A day completely free to explore on your own. Sip traditional tea at a local teashop, or visit one of the estancias in the countryside. This evening, enjoy a typical Argentine beef dinner followed by a folklore show and Tango performance. (B, D)
Left, Tango dancers in the streets of Buenos Aires
Day 15 : Buenos Aires to Iguassu Falls Fly northward to Iguazu Falls, Argentina for a tour of the mighty falls from the Argentine side. Walk along the river's edge, home to a myriad of semi-tropical flora and fauna. Cross small bridges over tiny waterfalls to vista points looking out to the main part of the falls, the Devil's Throat. Then take a boat out to a catwalk for a close-up view of the Devil's Throat! After the tour, transfer to Iguassu National Park in Brazil, and stay at the Hotel Das Cataratas located right at the falls. (B)
Day 16 : Iguassu Falls A full day at leisure, where you will have an opportunity to visit the falls from the Brazilian vantage point. Here, you have a magnificent overview of the entire horseshoe-shaped falls with over 250 separate cataracts. (B)
Day 17: Iguassu Falls to Rio de Janeiro Transfer to the airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro. Transfer upon arrival to your hotel of choice. Remainder of the evening at leisure. (B)
Day 18: In Rio Full-Day motorcoach tour to Corcovado, Rio's highest mountain, crowned by the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer. Enjoy exceptional views, then continue on via the scenic route through Tijuca rainforest. Stop for lunch before beginning the two-stage ascent by cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain. There you will be treated to breathtaking views of Guanabara Bay and Rio de Janeiro. (B, L)
Day 19: Depart Rio You have almost another full day free in Rio for shopping and sightseeing on your own before a late afternoon transfer to the airport. (B)
Day 20: Arrive Home City
Hotel Rates
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Dois Hermanos "The Two Brothers" |
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 High Season = JAN-MAR, JUL, OCT, NOV, and DEC 20-31. Rates apply to accommodation dates in Santiago, Rio and Buenos Aires, not to the departure dates from the USA.
Note: Rates do not apply to Easter, Christmas, New Years or Carnival in Buenos Aires or Rio.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The airfares LIMA/CUZCO/LIMA/SANTIAGO/PUERTO MONTT BARILOCHE/BUENOS AIRES/IGUAZU FALLS IGUASSU FALLS/RIO included and is estimated to be $1585* per person depending on availability of space and the international airline used to travel to South America. Early booking is very important. Airfares quoted are subject to change without notice, and cannot be guaranteed unless they are purchased and the tickets are issued.
**In Tourist Class, the Expedition Train is quoted. In First Class and
Deluxe Categories, the VistaDome
Train is quoted. In the First Class, Deluxe & Deluxe Plus categories dinner is included at the selected Machu Picchu hotel.
*Rates subject to change without notice. |
Hotels in Category
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