DAY 01: ARRIVE RIO DE JANEIRO
Arrival at Rio Airport and transfer to your hotel.
Rio de Janeiro, was the capital of the Portuguese empire and of the country up until 1960. Nicknamed A Cidade Maravilhosa – “The Marvelous City” is world renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and location, nestled between steep, green mountains and crystal clear seas. Rio is one of the most important cultural and economical cities in Brazil and features some of country’s most famous attractions such as the Pão de Açúcar, the Corcovado, and Copacabana and Ipanema beach. The city is full of energy and Cariocas, the locals of Rio, are known for their care free spirit and charm. Whether you are looking to experience Carnaval, relax in a natural environment, or enjoy all the luxuries of a cosmopolitan city, Rio de Janeiro has it all!
Overnight at Selected Hotel
DAY 02: RIO DE JANEIRO
Today, after breakfast at Hotel, you will head off for a Sugar Loaf Excursion.
This tour begins with a city panoramic view through downtown Rio, passing by the Maracana Stadium, the Sambodrome, the Metropolitan Cathedral, in pyramid form, with internal diameter of 96 meters and height of 80 meters. Get to know the traditional Cinelandia square with the historical buildings, the Municipal Theater, the National Library and the National Museum of Fine Arts. By taking the Aterro do Flamengo, you will be taken to the neighborhood of Urca where one of the largest symbols of the city is located: the Sugar Loaf.
Over a million tourists a year visit the world famous Pão de Açúcar or Sugar Loaf Mountain in English, which has become an iconic symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Rising up from small peninsula at the entrance of Guanabara Bay, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined sugar loaf. The tour is done in two steps by glass cable-cars.
The first cable-car takes passengers to the top of Urca Hill, which rises 215 meters above sea level and offers spectacular views of the entire bay its islands.
From Urca Hill, passengers continue in a second cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf which rises 395 meters above sea level and offers a 360 degree view of the entire city including Botafogo and Copacabana Beaches, the Corcovado and downtown Rio.
Lunch included.
In the afternoon, we will visit Corcovado Mountain and the beaches.
Drive to one of the older parts of Rio called Cosme Velho, from where we take the train to the Corcovado Mountain with the gigantic statue of Christ the Redeemer (2.300ft above sea level). A modern swiss-made cogwheel rail climbs the mountain from its base at 15meters almost to the summit at 710 meters. The trip up takes 17 minutes aprox, at a maximum speed of 15km/h. The trip down takes 22min., at a speed of 12km/h.
Overnight at Selected Hotel
DAY 03: RIO DE JANEIRO
Breakfast at Hotel
Half-Day Jeep Tour of Tijuca Forest
From your hotel, travel to the Tijuca Forest, one of the world´s largest urban forests. Ascend the mountains by jeep for impressive views of the sprawling forest, city & sea below. There will be a short hike in the forest to learn about the flora & fauna.
From there, we head off to Pepino Beach to watch the hang gliders float from the mountains to land on the beach before returning to the hotel.
Evening Plataforma Samba Show
No visit to Rio de Janeiro is complete without experiencing the glamor and rhythm of a colorful samba show. Enjoy an evening at the Plataforma Show and you'll be entertained by brilliantly costumed dancers and musicians, with the option to enjoy a delicious buffet dinner at a Brazilian steakhouse.
Rio means Carnival, symbolized by the exciting music, exotic costumes and rhythmic dance of the samba, a fusion of Portuguese, native and African influences. You'll be caught up in the excitement of this cultural journey, with a spectacular light show and a stage full of beautiful dancers.
Overnight at Selected Hotel
DAY 04: RIO DE JANEIRO – IGUASSU
Breakfast at Hotel
Followed by transfer to Airport to board flight to Iguazu.
Arrival at Iguassu Airport and Transfer to Hotel.
Iguassu Falls are located at the border with Brazil and Argentina The Iguazú Falls are the highlight of the Argentine/Brazilian rainforest. The falls are the widest and most imposing water falls on Earth. Their name in the native tongue, guaraní, means Big Waters and this is, undoubtedly, the perfect name for them.
Later, excursion to Brazilian Falls
In the afternoon tour by bus from the Visitor Centre to the Brazilian Falls. Macuco is the first bus stop: a short trail that runs across the rainforest into
a 25 mts waterfall: the Macuco Fall. After Macuco the bus goes 1 km stopping at diverse observation posts that offer sights of the Falls.
Iguassu falls are the greatest waterfalls in the world, situated on the
borders of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay in South America. The falls
consist of 275 cascades spread nearly 2 miles including the famous 'Devil's Throat'.
Overnight at Selected Hotel
DAY 05: IGUASSU FALLS
Breakfast at the Hotel
After breakfast, experience the Argentinean Side of the Falls.
The Argentine Falls tour takes longer since the inauguration of the new facilities for the Upper, Lower and the Devil´s Throat Circuits.
Visitors first arrive to the New Visitors Center where you walk the Nature´s Interpretation Center.
From the Visitors Center you can board the train that goes first to Cataratas Station in about 8 minutes or take a short walk through the “Green Trail” that leads to the beginning of the path towards the Upper and Lower trails. Otherwise the same train goes on to Garganta Station. Once you have finished the circuits, you must go back to the Visitors Center where the vehicles are waiting for the transfer to the hotels or the Airport.
UPPER CIRCUIT: The 800 meters of catwalks are detached from the jungle´s surface so as to protect the fauna by preventing disruption of their natural trails.
From this circuit you have an upper view of the falls, enjoying their magnificence with a panoramic view.
LOWER CIRCUIT: 1.600 meters of catwalks, also detached from the jungle’s surface, enjoying a view from below and around the falls. This circuit provides a unique experience of feeling part of the natural surroundings, watching and sensing their magnitude from close.
DEVIL´S GORGE: Departing from Cataratas Station, the train goes up to Garganta Station in about 18 minutes. Then a walk along the catwalks, Some 1200 meters over the islands, take you to enjoy the most spectacular sight from the most important balcony: the Devil’s Throat.
Overnight at selected hotel.
DAY 06: IGUASSU FALLS - BUENOS AIRES
Breakfast at the Hotel
Transfer to Airport to board flight to Buenos Aires.
After arrival to Buenos Aires and transfer to your Hotel.
Buenos Aires is a complex, energetic, and seductive port city, which stretches south-to-north along the Rio de la Plata; it has been the gateway to Argentina for centuries.
Porteños, as the people of Buenos Aires are known, possess an elaborated and rich cultural identity. They value their European heritage highly, and the lifestyle and architecture are markedly more European than any other
in South America. But the city has also spawned its own art forms, notably the tango, for which Buenos Aires is famous.
Overnight at selected hotel.
DAY 07: BUENOS AIRES
After breakfast, you will enjoy city tour of Buenos Aires
In this tour we invite you to discover Buenos Aires considered the “Reina del Plata”. Starting the tour around the center of the city where the most attractive places are located: Av. 9 de Julio, Colón Theatre and the Obelisk, the symbol of Buenos Aires. We will continue towards Plaza de Mayo and later to the south of the city passing trough San Telmo with its “tanguerías”, La Boca and Caminito.
Continuing to Puerto Madero, the renewed port of the city and important gastronomic area. We will also visit the biggest green space of Buenos Aires, Palermo, with its parks and buildings and last Recoleta, a neighborhood where culture and elegance live together. On Sunday the tour ends at the Flea Market of San Telmo.
Overnight at Selected Hotel.
DAY 08: BUENOS AIRES
Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel.
19.30 to 20.30 Groupal Tango Classes at Porteño Tango (for free).
Evening Tango Show & Dinner at Magnificent Porteño tango (20.30 to 23.15)
Tango Porteño recovers that spirit crystallized in a unique place. Magically it recreates the best and most transcendental time ever in the history of tango framed within a luxurious building of those days that used to be a movie theater of the Metro Goldwyn Meyer. The old and beloved Metro, just
a few steps away from the Obelisk today becomes Tango Porteño, a place blending the most refined environment and pure golden days’ deco with great artists, unbeatable productions, and first class cuisine paying home to the represented time. It could not be otherwise because Tango Porteño is the image of Buenos Aires, the “City of Tango.”
Overnight at Selected Hotel.
DAY 09: BUENOS AIRES – LIMA
Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel.
Transfer to Buenos Aires International Airport.
Upon arrival at Lima Airport, and trasfer to your hotel.
Since its foundation on the 18th of January 1535 by the conqueror of Peru, Francisco Pizarro, Lima, or the "City of Kings" (the name was given to the city because of the proximity of the date of its foundation to January the
6th, the day of the three kings) has been the capital of Peru. Its magnificent colonial architecture led UNESCO to declare the Historic Centre of Lima a World Heritage Site.
Baroque and neoclassical churches and convents, balconies dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th Centuries, colonial town houses and beautiful public spaces speak of a past in which Lima was Spain's richest vice regal capital in the Americas. But Lima is also a modern metropolis an ever-growing melting pot of cultures and peoples who are making their mark on Peru's most populous city.
On the shore of the Pacific Ocean, with a world-renowned cuisine and friendly people eager to show off their city to visitors, Lima, your first taste of Peru is an attraction in itself.
Overnight at Selected Hotel.
DAY 10: LIMA
Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel.
Today, you will head off for a City Tour.
This tour includes points of interest such as the Main Square (Plaza Mayor) founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, conqueror of Perú, Government
Palace, City Hall, the Cathedral, San Francisco Convent, built in the 17th century, and its “Catacombs” ancient underground cemetery of Lima, and finally the House of El Oidor.
During the tour, you will see other colonial architectural jewels, such as Torre Tagle Palace, a beautiful mansion dating back to the 18th century and the Osambela House.
The tour continues to the new residential and commercial areas of San Isidro and Miraflores.
Overnight at Selected Hotel
DAY 11: LIMA – CUSCO
After breakfast at Hotel You will be collected from the hotel and driven to the airport to board your flight to Cusco
Upon arrival at Cusco airport transfer to your Hotel.
Rest of the morning free to acclimatized to altitude. (3400 m.o.s.l)
In the afternoon discover this enigmatic, ancient Inca city on City Tour & Nearby Ruins Visit.
Cusco, The Archaeological Capital of the Americas, exists in the present and the past at the same time, being a living example of the meeting of two different age of culture.
Visit to the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun, the Cathedral from the early 17th century, it is a fine example of colonial baroque art.
Continue the excursion with the visit to the nearby ruins of Tambomachay with their water fountains; Kenko, the religious center; Puca-Pucara, the red fortress, and finally the fortress of Sacsayhuaman.
Overnight at Selected Hotel
DAY 12: CUSCO – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
Early Buffet breakfast at the hotel and transfer to train station to board train to Machu Picchu.
The train goes through Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, to the fabulous mountaintop ruins of Machu Picchu.
Framed by spectacular Andean peaks and surrounded by verdant jungle, Machu Picchu is an eye-tantalizing tribute to man in harmony with nature. Located high above the clouds, the city’s streets, temples, and staircases spread across a jungle ridge that eventually plunges more than 300 meters into the treacherous waters of the Rió Urubamba below. Everything within this city, from the intricate terraces and delicate gardens to the complex system of aqueducts, was designed to both promote and preserve the sacred relationship between man and nature.
Natural phenomena like the sun, moon, water, and earth, were sacred to the Incas and were the inspiration for much of the city’s layout. Besides its awe-inspiring architecture and spiritual atmosphere, perhaps the most enchanting aspect of Machu Picchu, is its relative historical ambiguity.
Enjoy Buffet Lunch and continue your walk in this Magic place.
Since it was first introduced to the modern world in 1911 by Yale archeologist Hiram Bingham, this mountain city has yet to reveal the purpose of its origins and a number of theories have circulated throughout intellectual circles, including one suggesting that it was a boarding school where the children of those conquered by the Incas were brainwashed. Despite, or perhaps due to its enigmatic character Machu Picchu has become one of the single most popular destinations in the world, drawing nearly 2,000 people a day to its ancient grounds, high above the Sacred Valley.
Afternoon return to Cusco by train and transfer from train station to Hotel.
Overnight at Selected Hotel
DAY 13: CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY – CUSCO
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning you will visit Pisac, famous for its Mass and market. The Mass is attended by the 'mayors' of the neighboring villages, complete in typical dress and carrying their traditional 'varayoc' or staff of office. You will also enjoy the colorful Indian market
In the afternoon you will tour the remarkable Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo with its magnificent mountain stairway. Among other things, you will be intrigued by six enormous pink stones, each weighing some 50 tons. These came from the other side of the river, but nobody knows how they were transported, since the Incas did not use the wheel.
Overnight at Selected Hotel
DAY 14: DEPART CUSCO
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Airport to board flight to Lima connecting with International flight.
