Itinerary
- Day 1
Rio de Janeiro
You'll arrive in Rio de Janeiro and head to your hotel with views overlooking Copacabana Beach. Later this evening, meet your Travel Director and the rest of the group for a festive welcome dinner to kick things off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Festive welcome dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Windsor Excelsior Copacabana)
Included Activities
- Hotel transfer and check-in with views of Copacabana Beach
- Welcome dinner with Travel Director and fellow travelers
Landmarks/POIs Copacabana Beach 
- Day 2
Rio de Janeiro
Take the historic cable car up to Urca Hill and then on to Sugarloaf Mountain, where you'll see panoramic views across Guanabara Bay and Copacabana. The drive takes you past Ipanema and Copacabana beaches. You'll have the afternoon free, though there's an option to visit the colorful Selarón Steps or catch Brazilian food and a performance at the Roxy Dinner Show if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Windsor Excelsior Copacabana)
Included Activities
- Cable car ride to Urca Hill and Sugarloaf Mountain summit
- Panoramic views over Guanabara Bay and Copacabana
- Drive past Ipanema and Copacabana beaches
Optional Activities
- Visit to Selarón Steps mosaic staircase
- Roxy Dinner Show with Brazilian performance
Landmarks/POIs Sugarloaf Mountain Urca Hill Guanabara Bay Ipanema Beach Copacabana Beach Selarón Steps 
- Day 3
Rio de Janeiro
Board the cogwheel train heading to Corcovado's summit to see the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue with impressive views in all directions. After that, you'll visit the shores of Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. The afternoon is yours to spend however you like. This evening, you'll learn to mix a proper caipirinha and then dig into a sizzling barbecue dinner at a local churrascaria.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Sizzling barbecue at local churrascaria with caipirinha lesson)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Windsor Excelsior Copacabana)
Included Activities
- Cogwheel train ride to Corcovado summit
- Visit to Christ the Redeemer statue
- Panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro
- Visit to Copacabana Beach shores
- Visit to Ipanema Beach shores
- Caipirinha mixing lesson with Local Specialist
- Sizzling barbecue dinner at local churrascaria
Landmarks/POIs Christ the Redeemer Corcovado Mountain Copacabana Beach Ipanema Beach - Day 4
Rio de Janeiro to Iguazú Falls
Fly from Rio to Iguazú Falls and explore the Brazilian side within Iguaçu National Park, a UNESCO site. You'll hike through clouds and water sprays to see the cascading falls while learning about the subtropical rainforest and its over 2,000 plant species. By evening, you'll cross the border into Argentina.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Mercure)
Included Activities
- Flight from Rio de Janeiro to Iguazú Falls
- Guided exploration of Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls with Local Specialist
- Hiking to cascading falls in Iguaçu National Park
- Learning about subtropical rainforest ecosystem and biodiversity
Landmarks/POIs Iguazú Falls Iguaçu National Park 
- Day 5
Iguazú Falls
Check out the Argentinian side of Iguazú Falls at Devil's Throat. Then visit the Guarani community of Fortín M'boróe for a guided walk where locals teach you about jungle medicine, traditions, crafts, and philosophy. The afternoon gives you choices: either the Gran Aventura boat tour or an Argentine cultural experience with a five-course dinner and wine tasting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Mercure)
Included Activities
- Exploration of Devil's Throat on Argentinian side of Iguazú Falls
- Catwalk experience above Iguazú River
- Ecological jungle train ride
- Visit to Guarani community of Fortín M'boroé
- Jungle walk with aboriginal guide learning about medicinal plants and beliefs
- Temple visit in heart of jungle
- View of plantations, homes and hunting traps
Optional Activities
- Gran Aventura boat tour
- Argentine cultural experience with five-course dinner and four Argentinian wines
Landmarks/POIs Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo) Iguazú Falls - Day 6
Iguazú Falls to Buenos Aires
Fly from Iguazú Falls to Buenos Aires and check in at your hotel right in the cultural center near historic Plaza San Martín. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore this upscale neighborhood. If you want, there's an option to visit El Querandi, a historic house originally opened as a bar in 1920, for wine tasting.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alvear Art Hotel), Hotel (Intercontinental)
Included Activities
- Flight from Iguazú Falls to Buenos Aires
- Hotel check-in at Plaza San Martín location
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting trip to El Querandi historic house
Landmarks/POIs Plaza San Martín 
- Day 7
Buenos Aires
Take a city tour to see the pink palace called Casa Rosada, the cathedral, and the vibrant La Boca neighborhood with all its color and character. You'll have the afternoon free to relax and explore on your own pace. Come evening, you'll watch talented tango dancers perform the passionate and precise steps Buenos Aires is famous for.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Evening with tango performance)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Intercontinental)
Included Activities
- Buenos Aires city tour with Local Specialist
- Visit to Casa Rosada (pink palace)
- Visit to Cathedral
- Exploration of La Boca neighborhood
- Tango performance at El Viejo Almacen
Landmarks/POIs Casa Rosada Buenos Aires Cathedral La Boca El Viejo Almacen - Day 8
Buenos Aires to San Antonio de Areco
Travel to San Antonio de Areco in the pampas region, known as the heart of gaucho traditions. Walk through the quaint streets lined with silversmiths and check out a local workshop where disabled artisans create traditional alpargata shoes. There's also an artist's studio to explore. The day finishes with an asado steak dinner at a family-owned gaucho ranch where you'll see cowboy horsemanship demonstrations, music, and dance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Empanadas, salads, asado meat of sausages, chicken and beef with drinks, flan with dulce de leche), Dinner (Asado steak at gaucho ranch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Intercontinental)
Included Activities
- Travel to San Antonio de Areco
- Tour of gaucho tradition town with cobblestoned streets
- Visit to local Association for disabled people alpargata shoe workshop
- Visit to gaucho painter artist's studio
- Be My Guest experience at family-owned gaucho ranch
- Asado steak dinner with gaucho demonstrations
- Cowboy horsemanship show with music and dance
Landmarks/POIs San Antonio de Areco - Day 9
Buenos Aires to Lima
Fly to Lima, Peru's capital, and meet your local host for a transfer to your hotel in the upscale Miraflores shopping district. Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for dinner this evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with Travel Director and fellow travelers)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Iberostar Hotel Lima)
Included Activities
- Flight from Buenos Aires to Lima
- Hotel transfer and check-in in Miraflores district
- Welcome dinner with Travel Director and fellow travelers
Landmarks/POIs Miraflores - Day 10
Lima
Explore Lima's UNESCO-listed Historic Centre with a Local Specialist, checking out colonial heritage and the ornate baroque Church of San Francisco with its hidden catacombs. Meet Chef Ignacio Barrios and head to a local market to learn about Peruvian ingredients. You'll watch a cooking demonstration at his school and taste the prepared dishes. The afternoon is free for you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Samples of Peruvian dishes prepared at cooking school)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Iberostar Hotel Lima)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lima's UNESCO-listed Historic Centre with Local Specialist
- Visit to Church of San Francisco with baroque façades
- Exploration of hidden catacombs
- Visit to local market with Chef Ignacio
- Learning about Peruvian fruits, vegetables, seafood and meats
- Cooking demonstration at Ignacio's cooking school
- Be My Guest experience lunch with prepared dishes at cooking school
Landmarks/POIs Lima Historic Centre Church of San Francisco - Day 11
Lima to Sacred Valley
Board a morning flight to Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Visit the Manos de la Comunidad Weaving Centre to learn about Andean weaving traditions and the four Andean camelids. Meet master Quechua weaver Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez to see traditional pre-Columbian weaving techniques using natural dyes. You'll check into your 18th-century colonial-style monastery hotel after.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Exclusive lunch at outdoor space near Weaving Centre)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay)
Included Activities
- Flight from Lima to Cusco
- Visit to Manos de la Comunidad Weaving Centre
- Learning about artistic traditions and four Andean camelids (Llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas, Guanacos)
- Learning about 'lindaje' Andean tradition
- Exclusive lunch at outdoor space near Weaving Centre
- Meeting with master Quechua weaver Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez
- Learning about traditional pre-Columbian weaving techniques
- Learning about natural dyeing techniques and cultural identity
Landmarks/POIs Manos de la Comunidad Sacred Valley - Day 12
Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu
See the famous Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, built from massive stone blocks. Board the Vistadome train for your journey to UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu, enjoying panoramic views and informative audio commentary with a light snack included. A Local Specialist will guide you through the ruins, showing you the Temple of the Sun, House of the Priest, Sacred Plaza, and Intihuatana. You'll have dinner at your hotel this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Snack (Light snack on Vistadome train), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (El MaPi)
Included Activities
- Visit to Ollantaytambo Inca fortress
- Exploration of sun temple and stone terraces
- Visit to Princess Baths fountain
- Vistadome train ride to Machu Picchu with audio commentary and light snack
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu ruins with Local Specialist
- Visit to Temple of the Sun
- Visit to House of the Priest
- Visit to Sacred Plaza
- Visit to Intihuatana carved rock
- Learning about Inca history and construction techniques
Landmarks/POIs Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu Temple of the Sun Sacred Plaza - Day 13
Machu Picchu to Cusco
Return to Machu Picchu this morning for independent exploration of the fortress and its mysteries. Later you'll travel back to Cusco, stopping at a local chicha bar where you can learn how Peruvian corn beer is made from local indigenous women. You'll learn about the history and cultural significance of chicha dating back to Inca times.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Cusco)
Included Activities
- Return visit to Machu Picchu for independent exploration
- Stop at local chichería
- Learning about chicha corn beer production
- Learning about chicha history dating to Inca times
- Tasting of chicha beer
Landmarks/POIs Machu Picchu - Day 14
Cusco
A Local Specialist will lead you on a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco's sacred city. You'll see Spanish colonial buildings standing right on top of Inca temple and palace foundations. Check out the baroque Cathedral on Plaza de Armas and the 17th-century Church of Santo Domingo. The UNESCO-listed Sacsayhuamán fortress is next, where you'll see its distinctive zig-zagging walls and giant stones, plus the warehouses where Incas stored grain. The afternoon is yours to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Cusco)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Cusco's colonial centre with Local Specialist
- Visit to 13th-century Inca settlement of Koricancha
- Visit to Golden Temple of the Sun
- Visit to Cathedral on Plaza de Armas
- Visit to Church of Santo Domingo
- Visit to Sacsayhuamán fortress ruins
- Learning about Inca temple and palace foundations
- Learning about Inca construction techniques
- Learning about sacred animal symbolism (puma shape)
Landmarks/POIs Cusco Koricancha Cathedral Plaza de Armas Church of Santo Domingo Sacsayhuamán - Day 15
Cusco to Lima
Return to Lima late this morning. The afternoon is at leisure. There's an optional evening visit with your Local Specialist to the Larco Museum to explore its pre-Columbian art collection including gold and silver pieces from ancient times. A Farewell Dinner follows in the museum's garden.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Iberostar Hotel Lima)
Included Activities
- Flight from Cusco to Lima
Optional Activities
- Larco Museum evening tour with Local Specialist
- Farewell Dinner in museum's garden
Landmarks/POIs Rafael Larco Herrera Museum - Day 16
Lima to Quito
Head to the airport for your flight to Ecuador (not included in tour price). You'll arrive in Quito and receive a welcome at the airport, then transfer to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sheraton)
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
- Hotel check-in in Quito
Landmarks/POIs Quito - Day 17
Quito
Visit Quito's historical centre, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in the world. Travel to the 'Middle of the World' to stand right on the Equator. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sheraton)
Included Activities
- Visit to Quito historical centre (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Travel to 'Middle of the World' Equator location
- Standing on the Equator
Landmarks/POIs Quito Historic Centre Middle of the World (Equator) - Day 18
Quito to Galápagos Islands
Fly to Baltra airport and board the M/V Galápagos Legend. Set sail to North Seymour Island, an important habitat where you'll spot magnificent frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (M/V Galápagos Legend)
Included Activities
- Flight to Baltra airport
- Boarding of M/V Galápagos Legend cruise ship
- Sailing to North Seymour Island
- Viewing of magnificent frigatebirds
- Viewing of blue-footed boobies
- Viewing of sea lions
Landmarks/POIs Baltra Airport North Seymour Island - Day 19
Galápagos Islands
Sail to Bartolomé Island and hike to its summit for panoramic views. You'll have time to snorkel and watch the Galápagos Penguins in their natural habitat.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sailing to Bartolomé Island
- Hiking to Bartolomé Island summit
- Panoramic views from summit
- Snorkeling at Bartolomé Island
- Viewing of Galápagos Penguins
Landmarks/POIs Bartolomé Island - Day 20
Galápagos Islands
Travel to Pitt Point, ascending the steep volcanic tuff hill to spot all three booby species from one vantage point. Next, sail to Cerro Brujo with its coral sand beach, where you can spend time with resident sea lions or snorkel in the shadow of Witch's Hill.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel to Pitt Point
- Hiking to high point on steep volcanic hill
- Viewing of three booby species
- Travel to Cerro Brujo
- Exploration of coral sand beach
- Interaction with resident sea lions
- Snorkeling at Cerro Brujo
Landmarks/POIs Pitt Point Cerro Brujo - Day 21
Galápagos Islands to Ecuador
Visit the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve on San Cristóbal Island at the La Galapaguera breeding centre. Learn about efforts to restore the San Cristóbal tortoise population and see these creatures at different stages of life. Stop in town for last-minute souvenirs, then head to San Cristóbal Airport for your return flight to Quito, wrapping up your Galápagos adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alvear Art Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit to Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve on San Cristóbal Island
- Visit to La Galapaguera breeding centre
- Learning about tortoise population restoration efforts
- Viewing of San Cristóbal tortoises at different life stages
- Visit to San Cristóbal town for souvenirs
- Flight from San Cristóbal Airport to Quito
Landmarks/POIs Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve San Cristóbal Island
