The colossal peaks of Patagonia and the Andes beg to be climbed, while the enveloping rainforests that surround the mighty Amazon seem designed to be explored. Along the way, reminders of the Inca, the conquistadors, and others who came before dot the landscape, and the intoxicating pull of the vibrant cities is never far away. The time of your life awaits down here. All you have to do is find it.
Duration: 13 days
Start/Finish City: Buenos Aires to Cuzco
Service Level: Premium
Physical Grading: 2
Travel Style: Comfort
Trip Type: Small Group
Board your flight and begin your journey to Argentina, the first country on your tour!
Arrival at Jorge Newberry/Aeropark airport, meet local guide and transfer to Hotel. Check-in at hotel. [D]
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day excursion Tigre & Delta with lunch at El Gato Blanco Restaurant. Depart after lunch towards north district. This tour comprises a tour through the elegant northern riverside suburbs of Vicente Lopez, Olivos, where the Argentinean President's residence is located. You’ll also visit San Isidro, with its gothic Cathedral, and San Fernando before proceeding to Tigre, where you’ll embark a private boat and will set sail. You will see why the labyrinth of rivers and channels of the Tigre Delta have been a favorite weekend getaway for porteños.
We’ll explore the maze of channels and streams, islands, riverside villas, Victorian docks, English gardens and traditional rowing clubs along the Parana River Delta. The nearby Lujan, Sarmiento, Tigre and San Antonio rivers are all part of the excursion. We’ll arrive at Gato Blanco Restaurant, after about 45 minutes of navigation, located in one of the Delta’s Islands. Lunch will be served at Gato Blanco restaurant. After some free time to relax, we’ll embark on the catamaran and then navigate back to Tigre Port.
Enjoy a Tango Show with dinner at Esquina De Carlos Gardel. Experience the underground world of Tango where the mysterious and distant dancers show you with their art, a revival of this old Argentinean dance. Overnight stay at hotel. (B,L,D)
This tour portrays the many faces of Buenos Aires: we will visit the symbol of the city, the Obelisk, squares such as ‘Plaza de Mayo’, ‘Plaza San Martin’, ‘Plaza Alvear’, and ‘Plaza de los Dos Congresos’; Avenida De Mayo, Corrientes and 9 de Julio among other avenues; La Boca and Telmo, historic neighborhoods, the magnificent Palermo and Recoleta areas and modern neighborhoods like Puerto Madero; Lezama Park and Tres de Febrero (known as ‘Bosques de Palermo’) along with the Ecologic Reserve of the ‘Costanera Sur’ and the commercial and financial areas of the city. The rest of the evening is free to enjoy the city of Buenos Aires. Overnight at hotel. (B,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from hotel to airport with guide assistance to take flight to Iguassu. Arrival at Das Cataratas International airport, meet local guide and transfer to hotel. Check-in at accommodations. Enjoy a half day Brazilian Falls excursion (including entrance fee to the national park). Walking along the 1.500 mts long paths following cascades and then walk along the catwalk that leads very close to the bottom of the Devil's Throat, you will enjoy magnificent views. There is also an elevator for those wishing to view. Overnight at hotel. (B,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a half day Argentinean Falls excursion (including entrance fee at national park). Tour the Argentinean side, walking along the pathways over the Iguassu River, in boats that go to almost the foot of the falls or by a breathless helicopter flight over them (OPTIONAL)The impressing scenery surrounded by its wide sub -tropical vegetation, flora and fauna is certainly an unforgettable image that remains forever in one's mind. The tour starts with a stop at the Visitors' Center and from there the Superior Circuit, the up-river cascades, to the Inferior Circuit, the down-river falls and then we take the Ecological Jungle Train that leads visitors to and from the most impressive observation point of the falls - The Devil's Throat. Overnight at hotel. (B,D)
Arrival at Jorge Newberry International airport, where you will meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel. (B,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Full day Sugar Loaf, Corcovado and downtown You will depart from the hotel to the Corcovado railway station at the foot of the Corcovado mountain. Relax as you enjoy a 3.5 kilometer (25 minutes) train ride through the lush mountain greenery to the station on the top of the mountain. Walk 222 steps from the train station to the 38 meter high statue of Christ the Redeemer, 710 m above sea level and enjoy time at leisure. Return to the train and ride back to the Corcovado railway station (or Private Coach).
The tour continues through the 2.1 kilometer long “Reboucas” tunnel, passing by the lake “Rodrigo de Freitas”, through the tunnel “Two brothers”, the living area of Sao Conrado and on to Barra da Tijuca, Rio’s newest and fastest growing living area. Drive along the beaches of Barra da Tijuca, Sao Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana. afterward, driving along the beaches, stop at “Sambodromo”, the purposed built stadium where the Samba-schools perform during the carnival. The tour continues to the downtown area, which is the business heart of Rio but it is also here where the historical sites of Rio are. Driving the narrow streets, passing by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Municipal Theatre and the main avenue of Rio Branco before leaving the downtown area towards Sugar Loaf. Pass through the Flamengo Park and Botafogo before arriving to Urca and the cable car station to the Sugar Loaf. By cable car to the first stage, the Morro da Urca mountain (220 meters). Walk to the other side of the mountain to take the next cable car to Sugar Loaf (395 meters). Time at leisure. Return to the ground level in the evening. (B,)
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport to take your flight to Lima. Upon your arrival in Lima you will be transferred to your hotel. City sightseeing of Lima. (B,D)
You will drive to the Plaza Mayor, where you will appreciate the Government Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace and the City Hall. Then, you will visit the XVII century church and cloister of San Francisco, a world cultural heritage. The tour continues to the modern residential suburb of San Isidro where a visit to the pre-Inca pyramid of Huaca Huallamarca is included before continuing to downtown Miraflores, with its Park of Love to enjoy a splendid view of the Pacific Ocean. Transfer back to the airport to take your flight to Cuzco. This afternoon take flight for Cuzco, Free time to relax. (B,D)
Early in the morning you will be transferred to Ollantaytambo, an Inca vestige that was a military, religious and agricultural center. Here, the fortress located in the highest part of the mountain, protected the valley from the invaders. The view of the town from the top is overwhelming, narrow streets and water channels are still used by the locals. Afterwards we continue to Pisac, a beautiful town famous for its typical handicraft market, full of color and tradition. Return to Cuzco. (B,D)
Early in the morning you will be transferred to the train station. You will arrive to the Aguas Calientes Station in Machu-Picchu where you will be transported by bus to the top of the mountain and citadel of Machu-Picchu, one of the most renowned examples of Inca architecture, surrounded by lush cloud forest. Lost in history, it was not discovered until 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. After a guided visit of the ruins, Take train back to Cuzco. (B,D)
CUZCO CITY TOUR IF TIME PERMIT
Depart for your next destination! (B)
BUENOS AIRES
Guided city tour
Visit the Obelisk
Visit historic La Boca and Telmo
Visit Lezama Park
Explore the Parana River and Tigre Deltas
Enjoy a Tango Show
Visit the amazing Argentinean Iguassu Falls and Devil’s Throat
RIO DE JANEIRO
Ride a cable car up to Sugar Loaf
Visit the Christ the Redeemer statue
LIMA
CUZCO
Visit the Government Palace
Visit the pre-Inca pyramid of Huaca Huallamarca
Visit downtown Miraflores with its Park of Love
Experience the fortress of Ollantaytambo
MACHU PICCHU
Guided tour of the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu