About this trip

Best of South America Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Lima

Arrive at Lima airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight: Lima

Day 2: Lima City Tour (B)

Today you will explore the city on a sightseeing tour through Lima. The Plaza de Armas with the beautiful buildings of the government Palace, the town hall, the Palace of the archbishop and the cathedral are still the most important places in town. After that you will visit the beautiful San Francisco monastery which displays the largest collection of religious art in America. The highlight of this convent is the visit of the underground vaults known as “catacumbas” or catacombs. Proceed through the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores and to the Coastline enjoying the view over the beaches of Lima and the Pacific Ocean. Afterwards enjoy a guided visit of one of the Lima’s most noted museums, the Larco Museum which houses the world’s largest private collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian Art. Mr. Rafael Larco Hoyle founded the museum on July 28, 1926, in the Chiclin sugar estate in Trujillo, naming it as his father as an expression of filial homage. In 1958 he moved the collection to Lima, installing the Museum in a Colonial house in the district of Pueblo Libre, where it currently functions. This locale was adapted to the characteristics style of the 18th century Colonial houses from Trujillo. The approximate 45,000 objects of the collection have been exhibited to the public in the Permanent Hall, Jewellery Vault and the Classified Storage Area ever since. The Halls of the Larco Museum are organized by subjects. The Metals, Ceramics, the Stones, the Culture, the Great Jewellery Vault and Textile Halls emphasize the technological aspects by Pre-Columbian cultures. Finally the World’s unique Erotic Hall gives us a glimpse of the fascinating sexual life of ancient Peruvians. Optional tours available for the afternoon. Overnight: Lima

Day 3: Lima- Cusco (B)

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Today you will start for a half day city tour. It will be shown the exact centre of the Incan Empire, the Plaza de Armas. There one can find the cathedral built on the ruins of the ancient Inca Palace. The cathedral borders on other churches on both sides. Next stop will be the old town with its magnificent renovated colonial buildings; some of them are being used as hotels. Proceed to Sacsayhuaman, a ruin site located approx. 3km above Cusco. Sacsayhuaman also offers a fabulous view over the city. Afterwards visit the surrounding ruins. **Remark: To protect the historic center of Cusco, vehicles are no longer allowed in the main square.

Day 4: Cusco (B)

Day at leisure. Overnight: Cusco

Following optional tours can be booked on the spot:

Option 1: Excursion to the Rainbow Mountain (12h)

Option 2: Cusco – off the beaten track

Day 5: Cusco – Machu Pichu – Cusco (B)

Transfer by bus to the train station of Ollantaytambo where the tour starts by train that goes through the fertile plain of the Urubamba valley and on to Aguas Calientes. From there, small busses drive up the steep mountain to the ruin town. Machu Picchu called the Lost City of the Incas, this cultural heritage of mankind is a beautifully located impressive stone city constructed with a technique incredible for its era and even for present times. Stone upon stone, fitted together perfectly without any cement, with impressive delicacy, exquisite detail and discrimination worthy of the world’s greatest palaces. There are many theories about Machu Picchu, but one thing is for sure - it is one of the most impressive sites in the world. Enjoy a guided visit of around 2 hours of the ruins and return by bus and train to Ollantaytambo station. Transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Day 6: Cusco - Puno (B, L)

A full day bus tour from Cusco to Puno leads through the Peruvian highland along snow-covered peaks of the Andes, small villages and reaches its highest point in La Raya at 4.300m above sea level. On route you will visit the town of Andahuaylillas, the ruins of Racchi and the small town of Pucara. Lunch in a typical restaurant en route is included. Upon arrival in Puno transfer to your hotel. **Remark: The full day transfer is shared with international travellers and accompanied by a bilingual English/Spanish speaking guide.

Day 7: Puno - Lake Titicaca- La Paz (B, L)

Arrival to Kasani on the border and cross into Bolivia. Assistance with migration formalities. From here, drive to Copacabana. Visit the small religious town and see the main square and the church. Then, embark on the eco-friendly catamaran and sail to the southern side of Sun Island. Arrive at the Pilcocaina temple, the island’s most spectacular ruins. Visit the site and walk along the maze of stonewalls and tiny doorways that overlook a lovely white beach lapped by the deep blue waters. During your visit, participate in an Aymara ceremony lead by a “Kallawaya”, or Andean healer. Afterwards, take a local motor boat and sail to the Yumani dock to visit the Eternal Youth Fountain and the Inca terraces. As you continue by catamaran, appreciate the breathtaking views of Andes and taste delicious dishes that include Bolivian specialties. Arrival to Cocotoni dock place, transfer to La Paz and check in at your hotel. **Remarks: The catamaran cruise and the transfer to La Paz are shared with other travelers, but with and additional private English-speaking guide. For the border crossing from Peru to Bolivia, travelers need their passports and visas (if necessary).

Optional: Half Day Floating Islands of Uros

Day 8: La Paz (B)

Take a tour around La Paz and discover its history and hidden highlights. Start with a visit at a local handicraft market and the famous Witches’ Market. As you walk along the streets filled with vendors, see different healing plants, objects for rituals, dried reptiles, and odd items that witches and healers need for their potions and ceremonies. Pass by important historical buildings such as the San Francisco Colonial Church, Plaza Murillo, the Government Palace, and the National Congress. As you continue your tour, pass by the residential districts of Obrajes, Calacoto, and La Florida. Then, approximately 10km (6,2mi.) away from the downtown area, enjoy a moderate walk to the Moon Valley and appreciate its lunar landscapes and unique geological formations. End your tour with a ride up the world’s highest cable car and marvel at the views over La Paz.

Day 9: La Paz - Buenos Aires (B)

In the morning, transfer to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Optional : Dinner and Tango-show at “Viejo Almacén” – on shared basis, without guide

Day 10: Buenos Aires (B)

Get in touch with the birth city of the Tango! During your city tour in Buenos Aires you will drive along 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest avenue of the world, you will pass close to the Colon Theatre, one of the world's best known opera houses and the cultural pride of the "bonaerenses". Visit the famous Avenida de Mayo that runs into the Plaza De Mayo, surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Government House), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo (first City Hall, built during Spanish rule). At the other end of Avenida de Mayo the cupola of the Congress building can be seen. Stop and inside visit of the Metropolitan Cathedral, this imposing neo-classical building is Argentina´s main catholic building. The mausoleum of General San Martin (our National Hero) is located inside the Cathedral, and Pope Francisco used to celebrate religious services in this Cathedral when he was cardinal of Buenos Aires city. We will stop for a cup of coffee and a snack at a traditional coffee house. Your next stop is La Boca, a most colorful area with the famous street Caminito. Continue to the north area and visit the Recoleta area, one of the city’s most glamorous spots. Here you will see elegant boutiques and excellent restaurants, surrounded by centennial trees. The heart of the neighborhood is the Recoleta cemetery. The cemetery is the centre of this aristocratic neighborhood, and the most relevant personalities of Argentina’s history rest in this place. The mausoleums and pantheons reflect the architectural diversity emerging from the different cultural tendencies Argentina incorporated in its formation as a nation. The cemetery is considered to be one of the most impressive monuments of Argentina. 30min stop includes visit of Eva Duarte`s grave, known as Eva Perón (Evita).

Day 11: Buenos Aires - Iguassu (B)

After breakfast, you will be taken to the airport for your flight to Iguassu. Upon arrival, you will visit the Argentinian side of the Falls. The tour takes a scenic highway up the Argentinean Iguassu National Park. Stopping at the Visitors’ Centre and proceeding from there the Superior Circuit, the up-river cascades, to the Inferior Circuit, the down-river falls and then takes the Ecological Jungle Train that leads visitors to and from the most impressive observation point of the falls – The Devil's Throat. Then drive across the Tancredo Neves Bridge over the Iguassú River, which forms the natural border between Brazil and Argentina, and enter Brazil. **Remark: For the border crossing, travelers need their passports and visas (if necessary). Transfer to hotel.

Day 12: Iguassu (B)

Today you visit day visit the Brazilian side of the falls. The tour leaves from the hotel by coach and crossing Iguassu National Park as far as the Brazilian Falls. It follows a walk along the paths following cascades and then along the catwalk that leads very close to the bottom of the Devil’s Throat to enjoy magnificent views. Take an elevator to go up to the road, and there board the coach to get back to the hotel.

Day 13: Iguassu - Rio De Janeiro (B)

Transfer from the hotel to the airport for the flight to Rio de Janeiro. Arrival in Rio de Janeiro and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your disposal. Optional: Rio by night – Show in the evening

Day 14: Rio De Janeiro (B)

Leaving the hotel and proceeding as far as Cosme Velho Station to board a cog-train(*) for the ride through Tijuca Forest up Corcovado Mountain at 748m (2.454 ft) high. The train ride takes 20 minutes and is a wonderful opportunity for a closer look at the forest’s lush tropical vegetation and to enjoy scenic landscapes of the beaches and city. Disembarking at the top of Corcovado and then proceeding up the steps that lead to the top lookout where the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. After appreciating the breathtaking view unfolding below, passengers will descend by train. The tour proceeds passing by Rio’s world-famous beaches as far as Urca District to board a cable car for a two-staged ascent up Sugar Loaf Mountain at 390m (1.280 ft) high. Then coming down and proceeding along Guanabara Bay and Flamengo Park as far as downtown. Visit downtown area, passing by the financial and business centre and by other attractions such as the Candelaria Church, Saint Sebastian Cathedral, Lapa Arches, Municipal Theatre, National Library, Fine Arts Museum, and by the Sambadrome, site of Rio’s famous Carnival parade. **Remark: (*) In the unusual case that the train does not operate, the drive will instead take place with vans certified by the city’s administration from/to the Largo do Machado parking.

Day 15: Rio de Janeiro - Departure (B)

Transfer to Rio airport for flight back home. Thank you for visiting Peru

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