Ultimate South America

Welcome to Lima! You will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel. Check-in before the welcome dinner this evening.

Originally named the City of the Kings, Lima is rich in heritage, which you'll see for yourself today. Start in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre before stopping at several other of Lima's most famous sites.

Fly to Cusco before transferring to the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas, home to hillside citadels and striking foothills. Stop at a small, scenic town hidden in the Peruvian Andes to participate in various workshops like weaving or pottery, led by local artisans. Afterwards visit Pisac town, strolling the vibrant markets where locals sell their wares. Transfer to your hotel in Sacred Valley.

At Moray, you’ll be shown the impressive terraced structures carved in a circular pattern, believed to be an agricultural testing ground for the Incas. Head to Maras, where over 3,000 salt ponds catch salty water from a mountain spring, producing the famous sal de Maras. Then you will continue to Ollantaytambo, an Inca town built by Emperor Pachacuti. Afterward, you’ll head to the train station for the journey to Aguas Calientes.

This morning you will visit the world famous citadel of Macchu Pichu. A guided tour will give you some insight into the Inca Empire and an understanding of how its inhabitants lived many centuries ago. The tour includes up to four hours of sightseeing, plus some free time to explore on your own. Return to the village of Machu Picchu before riding the train back to Poroy followed by your transfer to Cusco.

Modern Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a fascinating combination of Incan and colonial heritage. Your explorations will include visits to the Plaza de Armas and the Convent of Santo Domingo, both built on the foundations of significant Incan sites. Then, visit the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, an old Incan fortress overlooking the city. Experience a traditional ritual with a Shaman, including offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the use of sacred plants.

Today take a train from Cusco to Puno. Journey through amazing Andean landscapes to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, passing through the spectacular Peruvian highlands. The train has 4 dining cars, a bar car and an observation car. Along the way you will enjoy a gourmet lunch prepared with exquisite Andean ingredients and there will be music and dance shows on board.

Leaving Puno today, travel to the lakeside town of Copacabana, Bolivia. Visit the shrine and Dark Indian Virgin followed by a Hydrofoil cruise to Sun and Moon Island. Visit the Inca Garden, Stairs and Fountain and Sun Virgins Temple Iñak Uyu. After cruising back take a short trip to Hautajata where you will experience an Eco Village, The Altiplano Museum and the chance to meet a local Bolivian tribe. Enjoy dinner along with a Folkloric show before spending the night at the Native Observatory Alajpacha and watch the Southern constellations.

Explore the magnificent snow-capped Andes as you travel by road to the stunning city of La Paz. With a half-day tour of the city, you'll get to experience the rich history and culture of La Paz. Visit the famous Indian Market & Witch Doctor's market, while enjoying the breathtaking panoramas of the Illimani mountain in the background. Continue on to the Moon Valley, an area of tall clay spires, formed by erosions of the mountains in the area and take a breathtaking teleferico-cable car ride for an incredible aerial view of La Paz. This day is at altitude.

Fly to Uyuni today for a fascinating tour of the world-famous Bolivian Salt Flats. Start exploring straight away, visiting the Train Cemetery and Salt Museum before continuing to the ancient mummies of Tunupa Volcano. After, retire to your hotel – made entirely out of salt - where you will spend the night.

Spend a full day in the Salar de Uyuni, where depending on weather conditions, you'll visit either the local museum or view the Coquesa Mummies in a cave close to Tunupa Volcano. Later, enjoy a picnic on the salt flats.

Today you will bid farewell to Bolivia and cross the Atacama Desert to reach San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. This day is at altitude.

This morning, drive out into the otherworldly landscapes to visit the Salar de Atacama and the quaint desert village of Toconao. This afternoon, you’ll continue to Death and Moon valleys.

Rise early and travel for around 2 hours deeper into the Atacama to visit El Tatio Geysers. Enjoy a guided walk amongst the mud craters and bubbling geysers. After, travel through the Andes Mountain Range to the small desert village of Machuca. Later this evening, take advantage of some of the darkest skies in the world and participate in a stargazing session whilst enjoying a glass of wine.

Transfer to Calama to fly to Chile's capital city, Santiago. Discover this vibrant city, including visits to the Plaza de Armas and Cerro Hill. End the day with dinner at a local restaurant.

Travel to the coast to visit the bohemian port town of Valparaiso. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valparaiso is unique, charming and a little bit roguish. Home to some of the best street art in Latin America, Valparaiso’s magnetism simply needs to be experienced first-hand.

Bid farewell to Chile as you head to the airport for your flight to Argentina. On arrival you will be transferred to the city of Mendoza.

Take a relaxed city tour of Mendoza before enjoying an afternoon at leisure.

Enjoy a full day tour of Maipu Valley, where you will taste some delicious local wines from the Malbec grape followed by a delicious lunch.

Take a morning flight to Argentina's flamboyant capital, Buenos Aires. The Paris of South America, Buenos Aires is a romantic and lively city.

After breakfast, enjoy the irresistible combination of Latin flair and European elegance on a Buenos Aires city tour. Visit the vibrant districts of La Boca, San Telmo, Puerto Madero, Palermo and Recoleta. This evening sit down for dinner and an exciting tango show.

Spend the day just outside the city on the vast, fertile grasslands known as the pampas, on a traditional estancia (ranch). Here you’ll get some insight into the life of folk heroes, the gaucho and after a typical Argentinian asado lunch, there will be a fun folklore show.

Say farewell to Buenos Aires to board your plane over to Puerto Iguazu, the town closest to the incredible wonder that is Iguazu Falls. The incredible Iguazu Falls spans the border of Argentina and Brazil and features hundreds of rushing cascades, set in a lush rainforest scene.

Spend the day on the Argentinian side of Iguazu falls, with a trip to the most impressive observation point – the Devil's Throat. Visit the Mbororé Aldea community this afternoon where you will learn about this ancient tribe's way of life.

Cross the border to visit the Brazilian side of the falls, followed by a transfer to the local airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's 'Cidade Maravilhosa'.

Today you willl experience many of Rio's most iconic sites including Mount Corcovado where Christ the Redeemer sits, Tijuca Forest, Urca neighbourhood and two cable car journeys to Sugarloaf Mountain. From here, you will be able to gaze down upon the city, Corcovado and the surrounding islands.

Fly to the UK, arriving home the following day.