DAY 1 Fly to Rio de Janeiro
Arrival in Rio de Janeiro, meet and transfer to the hotel.
DAY 2 SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAIN
You will be taken to the neighborhood of Urca where one of the largest symbols of the city is located: Sugar Loaf. You will travel all the way to the top in two steps by cable car. The first cable car takes us to Urca Hill, a vantage point 215 meters high for which already grants beautiful views of Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niteroi Bridge, and Corcovado Mountain. From this stage, a second cable car takes us up to the top. At 395 meters, we will enjoy splendid views of Copacabana beach, the Santa Cruz fortress, and several beaches of Niterói.
DAY 3 Christ the Redeemer one of the World’s 7 Woners
Proceed for a tour of Corcovado Mountain and Beaches. Board a cog train from Cosme Velho Station for a ride to Corcovado Mountain to visit one of the world’s most famous landmarks, the gigantic statue of Christ the Redeemer. Experience the 20 minutes’ steep train journey which takes you through the dense Atlantic rain forest of Tijuca offering a wonderful opportunity for a closer look at the forest’s lush tropical vegetation and to enjoy scenic landscapes of the beaches and city. You will disembark at the top of Corcovado and then proceed up the steps that lead to the top lookout where the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer.
Day 4 Fly to Iguassu HALF DAY BRAZILIAN SIDE OF THE FALLS
Departure in vehicle heading to the National Park of the Brazilian Falls . The tour starts with a visit to the Main Center of the park, where the participants will have the opportunity to get some hints about the local ecosystem. From there the tour follows with a walking time through the most important track of the park where the participants could enjoy a astonishing view of the waterfalls. From the local belvedere the participants will have a privileged sight of the both parks of the waterfalls, Return to the main point via the panoramic elevator.
OPTIONAL AFTERNOON:
Visit the Birds Park(Extension of Brazilian Side Falls – Duration 02 hours)
Located at the entrance of the National Park Bird Park is an ecological sanctuary, linking ecotourism with conservation. Huge nurseries provide a basic understanding of some 900 birds, 150 species. Brazilian birds predominate, but there are species of Australia, Africa and Asia represented. It also develops a recognized work of education, research and Environmental
DAY 5 ARGENTINEAN SIDE OF THE FALLS
Departure from hotels ahead to Argentina side with a quick stop at customs check out. After that, the tour continues to the Tancredo Neves Bridge over the Iguassu River, which separates the border between Argentina and Brazil. Once in Argentina, a scenic highway up to the Argentine Iguassu Park is taken from where the visit of the Argentinean Falls at Porto Canoas, which gives the access to the very brink of the awe-inspiring Devil’s Throat, largest of the Argentinean Falls, including the San Martin Falls. On the way back from the falls a stop at the “Three Borders” Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet.
DAY 6 Flight from Iguassu to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires City Tour and Tango show with Steak (veg options available)
Get out of the city and head to the lush, verdant Tigre Delta, just a short drive from Buenos Aires. Follow the lead of the locals and enjoy a slower pace of life by lazily coasting along zigzagging rivers and stopping to appreciate the still serenity of the landscape. In the evening, return to Buenos Aires and get ready for a 3-course dinner and authentic Tango Show.
Day 8 Fly to Lima
Day 9 Lima City Tour
MORNING: HALF DAY CITY TOUR LIMA & LARCO MUSEUM
You will visit the modern and colonial parts of Lima, known as The City of Kings, starting at the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro, and passing along a “huaca” or sacred pre-Inca site, before heading to the Historic Center. There, you will walk along some of the most historically important streets of the city, leading to the Plaza de Armas, where you will have some time to take pictures of the amazing colonial architecture that surrounds it. You will also have the chance to take a peek into an iconic building, that has served Lima’s citizens for centuries and continues to be an important landmark. Then you will visit the impressive Convent of Santo Domingo, an astonishing building with colonial style. After exploring the Historical Center, you will head towards the Larco Museum, which houses the incomparable Treasures of Ancient Peru private collection.
Breakfast and Lunch
Fly to Cusco
TRANSFER TO SACRED VALLEY AND VISIT CHINCHERO & OLLANTAYTAMBO WITH LUNCH (Private, English guide)
Visit Chinchero, a small picturesque Andean village. Enter the home of a textile artisan, where you will see some of his original work and learn about his techniques, as well as his creative process. Then visit its important Inca ruins dating back to the end of the 15th century, as well as you can observe in a panoramic way it’s beautiful and traditional church. Afterwards, on the road to Ollantaytambo, you will stop at a viewpoint, for one of the best views of the Sacred Valley. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Then it is on to Ollantaytambo, one of the most representative building complexes of the Inca Empire and site of one of the Spanish Conquistadors’ rare strategic defeats. Famous for its terraced fields, Ollantaytambo was a very effective fortress and also a religious center. At the end transfer to the hotel and check-in.
VISIT TO MACHU PICCHU Have an early breakfast in your hotel, and then prepare for the tour of a lifetime to see Machu Picchu, the breathtaking Inca city in the sky. Travel through the Sacred Valley into the cloud forest, where the city of Machu Picchu lay relatively hidden for centuries. The first class Vistadome train, with its glass ceiling, allows you ample room to enjoy the unbeatable scenery as you take the 1 1/2-hour journey towards Machu Picchu. The train will take you to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu. Take a short walk over to the shuttle bus station, which will whisk you up the mountain to the entrance to Machu Picchu. There your guide will take you on a tour of this fascinating city of the Incas. As you gaze in wonder at the expansive stone ruins, steep terraces, and looming cliffs, you will realize why Machu Picchu has been called one of the new wonders of the world. The stonework at Machu Picchu is so well engineered that many of the walls are almost perfectly intact since the days of the Incas in the 15th and 16th centuries. After the tour, wander around the ruins on your own, or return to Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, meet your train for the ride back to the Sacred Valley
Day 12 FULL DAY MARAS, MISMINAY COMMUNITY & MORAY WITH LUNCH
You will head in the direction of the Maras salt mines, an amazing place where the finest salt in the world is extracted: Maras salt. On the way, you will make a stop at the Raqchi viewpoint, from where you will have an impressive view of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Then, you will visit the Misminay community. Upon arrival, the villagers will give you a warm welcome with music and typical dances. There, you will be able to learn about the Andean families’ lifestyle, by sharing some of their daily activities with them. Then, you will enjoy a delicious and traditional lunch prepared with local products. You will continue with a visit to Moray, a fascinating archeological site with huge concentric terraces, which the Incas used as a botanical laboratory. At the end transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
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Day 13 HALF DAY CITY & SACSAYHUAMAN
Visit to the city of Cusco, also called the Imperial City, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The excursion starts at Koricancha temple, an ancient Inca palace and centre of worship of the sun god, on the site of which the Dominicans ordered a church to be built, which survives to this day. Then to the Main Square, where you will visit the cathedral, the most important religious building in the city. The climb continues to Sacsayhuamán fortress, an impressive example of Inca military architecture.
The perfect way to end a tour: Enjoy a sparkling wine in a beautiful scenery with an amazing view of Cusco city.
This spectacular train trip starts in the historical city of Cusco and goes South, to Puno, by the side of Lake Titicaca. The glass windows on the Titicaca train will let you perfectly observe the beautiful landscape: the train slowly ascends to very high and cold places, around the magníficent Andes mountain range, over the deep Huatanay River valleys. Then, the train goes through the Andean plains, where you can see vicunas and alpacas grazing among the small villages along the road. The trip includes a stop at La Raya, the highest spot of the route, to observe the spectacular landscape at 4,300 meters above sea level. The trip includes a three course lunch on board.
Lunch on board included.
This tour begins at Huayllano, the lake port for the Isle of Taquile, whose inhabitants give a friendly welcome to visitors. Traditions, customs and colourful costumes are maintained on the island. The islanders are skilful craftsmen and employ the techniques developed over the centuries by their ancestors. You will be welcomed into one of the houses to share their activities, such as weaving. After this is a delicious lunch made from local ingredients. Then, a walk back to the Main Square to board the launch that will take you to the floating islands of Uros. These islands consist of layers of totora and are their inhabitants’ homes and workplaces.
TOUR THROUGH THE ARTISTIC AND BOHEMIAN DISTRICT OF BARRANCO (private service – English speaking guide)
*Mario Testino and Osman museum are closed on Monday*
Get to know Barranco, a district with a long tradition and much history, full of beautiful streets, old houses and small plazas. Barranco is famous as Lima’s relaxed bohemian quarter and vibrant cultural life, which includes museums, designer boutiques, handicrafts fairs and concerts. Cross the “Bridge of Sighs” and feel the energy of old Lima. The tour then takes in the Pedro de Osma Museum with its fine collection of colonial-era paintings, furniture and textiles. The tour continues with a visit to MATE, a museum owned by renowned photographer Mario Testino.
Day 16
Depart for Airport to fly home or extend your stay.
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