Peru to Buenos Aires, Iguazu & Rio

On arrival at Lima International Airport, you connect to your included domestic flight to Cusco. From here, you'll be transferred to our hotel in Urubamba, in the Sacred Valley.

You have a full day at leisure to explore the Sacred Valley at your own pace or join the below optional excursion:

Optional: Full-day excursion to the Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo Fortress
Drive through the fertile landscapes of the Sacred Valley to the colonial village of Pisac, where you can wander the lively market and browse a wide range of traditional Peruvian handicrafts. Continue to Ollantaytambo to see the impressive Inca fortress that once guarded the entrance to the valley. Lunch is served at a country estate set along the banks of the Urubamba River.

Sacred Valley - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco. In the morning we travel on the Expedition train through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, where we board a shuttle up to Machu Picchu, the renowned Lost City of the Incas. Set 8,200 feet above the valley floor, Machu Picchu remained concealed by mountains and semi-tropical forest for nearly four centuries until its rediscovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911. A knowledgeable local guide will introduce us to the history and significance of this remarkable site. In the afternoon we return by train to Ollantaytambo Rail Station, where we are met and transferred to our hotel in Cusco.

Optional: Upgrade to Vistadome train service
You may upgrade to the Vistadome service, which features panoramic windows that offer wider views of the Sacred Valley as you travel. This modern and comfortable carriage provides a more scenic and immersive journey, allowing you to appreciate the changing landscapes throughout the route.

Optional: Lunch at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge
You may choose to enjoy lunch at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel located at the entrance to Machu Picchu. This relaxed break offers a convenient and comfortable setting, allowing you to make the most of your time at the citadel without needing to shuttle back to town.

After breakfast we set out on a guided tour of Cusco, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere, along with its nearby ruins. Throughout the morning we see how Andean and Spanish cultures coexisted and shaped the city we know today. We begin at the Santo Domingo Convent, built on the site of Koricancha, once an important Inca palace and a major centre of worship dedicated to the Sun God.

We then continue to the Main Square to view the Cathedral and La Compañía Church before travelling to the impressive Sacsayhuaman Fortress, a striking example of Inca military engineering. The tour concludes with visits to the archaeological sites of Qenko, Puca-Pucara, and Tambomachay, located in the hills northeast of the city.

Cusco - Andahuaylillas - Raqchi - Pucara - Puno. Today we embark on one of the most remarkable overland journeys in South America. We travel by bus from Cusco to Puno, passing through dramatic highland scenery and a series of traditional Andean villages. Our first stop is Andahuaylillas, a charming town whose church, founded in 1580, is renowned for its outstanding colonial artwork. Often called the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, it is noted for its richly decorated interior.

We continue to Raqchi to explore the remains of the Temple of Viracocha, considered by historians to be one of the most important Inca constructions in the region. From here we ascend to La Raya, the highest pass on the route, where sweeping views of the altiplano reveal herds of llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas grazing in the wild.

Our final stop before reaching Puno is Pucara, a historic ceremonial site that preserves evidence of a pre-Inca civilization. We arrive at our hotel in Puno in the late afternoon or evening.

Puno - Lake Titicaca - Puno. Today we head out on an exhilarating boat excursion on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. We visit the remarkable floating Uros Islands and Taquile Island. The Uros Islands, built from layers of totora reeds bound together, are a unique sight and an essential part of any visit to the lake. The Uros people, who consider themselves Lords of the Lake, continue to hunt wild birds and practice traditional fishing techniques.

We then travel to Taquile, an island known for its archaeological remains, sacred sites, and long-standing ceremonial traditions. The local community is renowned for preserving ancestral customs and clothing, and you will find many high-quality woolen hand-made goods produced by the island’s skilled artisans. We return to Puno later in the day.

Puno - Lima. Today you are transferred to Juliaca Airport for your included flight back to Lima. On arrival, you are met by a local guide and taken to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure, or you may choose to join an optional tour to explore Peru’s vibrant capital.

Optional: Half-day tour of Lima and the Larco Museum
Discover some of Lima’s finest highlights, beginning at the elegant Plaza Mayor for exterior views of the Government Palace and City Hall. You continue with entry to the San Francisco Church and the Cathedral of Lima. In modern Lima, you drive through the upscale districts of Miraflores and San Isidro before visiting the renowned Larco Museum. Founded in 1926 and housed in an 18th-century vice-royal mansion built atop a 7th-century pre-Columbian pyramid, the museum displays outstanding collections of gold and silver from Ancient Peru, along with an exceptional range of archaeological artefacts.

Lima - Buenos Aires (Argentina). Say goodbye to Peru as you are transferred to the airport in Lima for your included flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel, where the rest of the day is at leisure. An optional dinner and tango show is available this evening.

Today we enjoy a guided half-day city tour of Buenos Aires. We begin with a drive to the Plaza de Mayo, where we see the Casa Rosada, the Cabildo and the Metropolitan Cathedral, long associated with the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. We then continue to San Telmo, once the city’s colonial heart and now one of its most fashionable neighbourhoods, followed by a visit to colourful La Boca, known for its vivid tin houses and lively street scenes.

Next, we head to Recoleta, an elegant district famed for its cemetery, where you can visit the grave of Evita Perón, Argentina’s former First Lady and an enduring national icon. We also take in Avenida 9 de Julio, often cited as the widest avenue in the world, along with the Federal Court of Justice in Plaza Lavalle and the historic Teatro Colón. We finish in leafy Palermo for a gentle wander through its parks and gardens before returning to the hotel.

Buenos Aires - Puerto Iguazu - Iguazu Falls (Brazil). This morning, transfer to the domestic airport for your included flight to Puerto Iguazu. On arrival, you will be met and taken to Iguazu National Park on the Argentinean side of the falls. After a brief stop at the Visitor Centre, we follow the Inferior Circuit, which offers views of the down-river falls, before continuing to the Superior Circuit for a look at the up-river cascades. The Ecological Jungle Train then carries us to the most impressive viewpoint of all - the Devil’s Throat.

After the visit, you will be transferred to your hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls for check-in.

Today we visit Iguazu National Park to explore the Brazilian side of the falls by motor coach. You can follow the walkways along the cascades and continue on to the catwalk, which brings you remarkably close to the base of the Devil’s Throat, offering superb views. Afterwards, an elevator carries you back up to the road to meet the coach for the return journey to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

Iguazu Falls - Puerto Iguazu (Argentina) - Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). After breakfast, you'll be transferred back to the airport in Puerto Iguazu for your included flight to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival, you'll be transferred to the hotel, and the rest of today is at leisure.

This morning we enjoy a tour of Rio de Janeiro. Downtown is the city’s commercial heart, where colonial architecture sits alongside modern high-rise buildings. As we travel along Rio Branco Avenue, we see the Candelaria Church, begun in the late 18th century and completed in 1898, as well as the headquarters of major Brazilian banks and businesses. We also pass the Opera House, Carioca Square and the 17th-century Church of Santo Antonio, set against striking contemporary landmarks such as the Petrobras building and the city’s modern cathedral.

We continue to view Rio’s 18th-century aqueduct, which now links the centre with the historic Santa Teresa district, before driving through Flamengo Park towards one of Rio’s true highlights. From here, you can admire Sugar Loaf Mountain, which can be reached by cable car to a height of around 1,200 feet (not included). From its summit, you can enjoy one of the most celebrated views of Rio.

The afternoon is at leisure, and you may wish to book one of the optional tours listed below.

Optional: Full Day Corcovado & Beaches (private tour)
On this full-day tour you enjoy a scenic journey to Corcovado and Rio’s famous beaches. The first stop is Cosme Velho Station to board the cog-train for the 20-minute ride through Tijuca Forest up to Corcovado Mountain. This is a great opportunity to take in the forest’s tropical vegetation and the sweeping views of the city and coastline. At the top, you climb the steps to the lookout where the statue of Christ the Redeemer stands and enjoy the marvellous panoramas. You then descend by train and continue past several of Rio’s iconic beaches. The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and requires a minimum of 2 passengers.

Optional: Half Day Corcovado Tour
Depart from your hotel for a drive along the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon to reach the base of Corcovado. From here, take the small train to the summit and stand at the foot of Christ the Redeemer, one of Brazil’s most recognised landmarks. You can enjoy exceptional panoramic views across Rio de Janeiro before returning by train. The tour lasts approximately 4 hours.

Optional: Half Day Jeep Tour - Corcovado, Tijuca Forest & Santa Teresa
After hotel pick-up in an open-air jeep, you begin with a panoramic visit to Santa Teresa, a historic neighbourhood known for its early 20th-century mansions built by English residents who once settled there for its familiar climate. Today the area is home to artists and writers. From Santa Teresa, you continue to Corcovado Hill to see Christ the Redeemer and stop at the Dona Marta belvedere for superb views. The tour then follows Paineiras Road into Tijuca Forest, one of the world’s largest urban rainforests. Here you take a short walk to the Cascatinha Falls before returning to the hotel via Canoas Road and Pepino Beach. The tour lasts approximately 5 hours and requires 2 to 5 passengers depending on the season and schedule. Please note: From 1 May to 30 September, all half-day shared Jeep tours scheduled for the afternoon require a minimum of 5 passengers. Morning departures operate with a minimum of 2 passengers.

Optional: Maracana Stadium Behind the Scenes
This tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at Maracana Stadium, originally built for the 1950 FIFA World Cup and once the largest stadium in the world, hosting crowds of up to 200,000. Extensively renovated for the 2014 World Cup, it now accommodates 76,935 spectators and remains Brazil’s most significant football venue. Today it is one of Rio’s most visited attractions, drawing fans from across the globe. During your visit, you access areas such as the Press Tribune, locker rooms, the Tribune of Honour, private boxes and the museum, which displays memorable artefacts from the stars who shaped the history of world football. The tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours and requires a minimum of 4 passengers. It operates only on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Your tour comes to an end today. Enjoy some free time before check-out and then make your own way to the airport or your next destination.