South America Revealed

Bemvindo ao Rio de Janeiro. On arrival at the airport, you will be met by a local host and taken to your luxurious oceanfront hotel. Relax, get settled and enjoy your hotel's superb location overlooking Copacabana Beach.

Enjoy a leisurely morning before joining your Travel Director for an exploration of the cidade maravilhosa (marvellous city) and its many contrasts, from the 18th century aqueduct and colonial Candelaria Church to the 20th century opera house, Sambodromo, and city cathedral. Ascend Sugarloaf Mountain via cable car for astounding bay and city views followed by a festive Welcome Reception with your Travel Director and fellow travellers.

Journey by cogwheel train to the summit of majestic Corcovado, site of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Back down the mountain, see the song-inspiring Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. The rest of the day is at leisure. This evening, learn how to mix the perfect caipirinha, Brazil's national cocktail, made with cachaça, and indulge in a traditional Brazilian barbecue Regional Meal at a local churrascaria.

Enjoy a full day to discover the wonders of Rio on your own. Choose to embark on an optional half-day journey by jeep into the lush Tijuca National Park-the world's largest urban rainforest. Perhaps tour one of Rio's favelas or take a sailboat cruise. Your Travel Director will be happy to help you plan your day.

Relax and enjoy a free morning for independent activities. This afternoon, visit a Samba school, a Cultural Insight, learning how the school operates and prepares for Carnival week. See Carnival props and should you desire, join a Samba dance lesson. Afterward, head to the airport for a short flight to Iguassu Falls. These 275 separate falls cover nearly two miles along the Iguassu River. This evening, enjoy a convivial dinner with your companions at the hotel.

Enter Iguassu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and meet your Local Specialist to explore the Brazilian side of Iguassu, including a scenic walk through the rainforest to the base of the cascades. After lunch at a restaurant overlooking the falls, return to your hotel for a leisurely afternoon at your resort. You may wish to join an optional activity such as a jetboat ride under the falls, helicopter flight or a visit to a tropical bird reserve.

Cross the border into Argentina to see the falls from a different perspective. With a Local Specialist, board an open air ecological jungle train to view the mighty cascades before a guided walk along a scenic catwalk to see the thunderous Devil's Throat Falls. Afterward, fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina's exciting capital, renowned for its designer boutiques, fine restaurants, museums and theatres.

With a Local Specialist, embark on a guided tour of the passionate city where the Tango was born. See the Casa Rosada, Metropolitan Cathedral and other government buildings. Visit the colourful neighbourhoods of La Boca and San Telmo. Stare in awe at the famous Teatro Colon, a landmark in Buenos Aires. Lastly, visit the elegant Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Peron (Evita) is buried. This evening, linger over a Regional Meal and taste of world-renowned Argentinian beef. Cap off the evening by watching the best Tango dancers in Buenos Aires, a Cultural Insight, and experience the passion and power of Argentina's traditional Tango music.

Relish a morning and afternoon to pursue your own interests in the 'Paris of South America'. The possibilities are endless. Visit one of the country's finest museums at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. And if you'd like to experience a different side of Argentina, take an optional trip into the countryside to spend the day at a traditional estancia (ranch), including a lively equestrian show and traditional parrillada (barbecue) lunch. Later, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for an exclusive Be My Guest experience in Palermo Soho. You will be welcomed by a local family and long-time residents of this trendy neighbourhood. Be delighted as they wine and dine you with homemade family recipes. Discover the secrets of kneading country bread and watch as your hosts demonstrate the art of making typical Argentinian crafts. Spending time with this lively family will create a long-lasting memory.

Bid "Adios" to Buenos Aires and "Hola" to Lima as you fly to Peru and transfer to your hotel in San Isidro. This evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel.

A memorable experience is waiting to welcome you to beautiful Peru. Meet Ignacio Barrios, a young chef who has worked alongside many of Peru's most award-winning chefs. Visit a local market and Ignacio's cooking school where you'll see a demonstration on how to prepare some of Peru's most popular foods before dining on a Be My Guest lunch of typical Peruvian dishes created just for you by Ignacio and his sous chef. After lunch, spend the afternoon exploring Peru's capital with your Local Specialist. Immerse yourself in Lima's Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the expansive Plaza de Armas with its impressive cathedral and the stately government palace. See the Church of San Francisco and discover its hidden catacombs. The evening is yours to enjoy.

This morning, fly to Cusco and head for the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Stop at Awanakancha for a Cultural Insight, where you can see and interact with llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. Enjoy a box picnic lunch before visiting the vibrant market of Pisac, where the local Quechua people gather to sell their produce and handicrafts. Later this afternoon, arrive at your lovely hotel, a former 18th century monastery, in the heart of the Urubamba Valley. Learn about traditional Andean textiles, a Cultural Insight, as you see weavers at work. Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast, head to Ollantaytambo to visit this famous Inca hilltop fortress built from immense blocks of stone. Then board the Vistadome train (light snack included) and view incredible scenery through panoramic windows as you follow the Rio Vilcanota to the town of Aguas Caliente. Upon arrival, transfer to the entrance gate and begin your exploration of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Your Local Specialist leads you through the ruins of this once-great fortress, built in the 15th century and abandoned nearly 100 years later with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. See the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the great Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the Intihuatana, an intricately carved rock most likely used as a sundial or calendar by the Incas. This evening, share your stories with your travelling companions over dinner at the hotel.

Return to Machu Picchu and continue discovering on your own. If you're feeling adventurous, hike up to the Gate of the Sun for stunning views over the fortress and the valley below. Or view the incredible stonework and amazing feats of engineering required to transport the huge blocks of stone to the top of this isolated mountain. In the early afternoon, descend from your mountaintop aerie and board the train to the Sacred Valley. Then, head toward the great colonial city of Cusco via motorcoach. On the way, stop at a local chicheria for a sample of chicha, a Cultural Insight, and learn how this Peruvian corn beer is made by local women.

Take a morning tour of Cusco, the capital of the Incas during their reign. See the highlights of the city including the incredible baroque cathedral on the main Plaza de Armas. Visit the 17th century Church of Santo Domingo, which was built atop the foundations of the Inca Temple of the Sun often referred to as Korikancha. Just outside of town, explore the impressive ruins of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, perched on a hill overlooking Cusco. This evening, celebrate your travels through Latin America at a festive Regional Meal of delicious Cusquenian dishes served at a popular local restaurant with a demonstration of ancestral dances.

Fly back to Lima late this morning and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Later meet a Local Specialist, and curator, from the Larco Museum, which houses the largest private collection of pre-Columbian art, and learn about the evolution and cultures of ancient Peruvian societies. Then gather with your travelling companions for a Farewell Dinner in the museum's garden restaurant.

Say hasta luego to Lima and transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay in Lima.