Icons of South America

Bienvenidos a Lima, founded by conquistador Francisco Pizarro who dubbed it the "City of Kings." Upon arrival in Lima, you will be greeted and taken to your hotel in San Isidro, one of Lima's exclusive neighbourhoods. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Reception at 6 p.m.

Kick back, relax and enjoy your morning at the hotel, or perhaps venture out to do some exploring on your own. At lunchtime, meet your Travel Director and head to Casa Diez Canseco, the private home of an illustrious Lima family, and meet the friendly owner for a Welcome Reception and Be My Guest lunch. Learn about the history of your hosts' ancestors and tour his historic home before celebrating your arrival in Peru with a sumptuous home cooked meal of traditional Peruvian delicacies. After lunch, bid farewell and spend the afternoon exploring Peru's capital with your Local Specialist. Immerse yourself in the colonial splendour of Lima's Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the expansive Plaza de Armas with its impressive cathedral and the stately government palace. Then see the Church of San Francisco and discover its hidden catacombs and splendid architecture. The evening is yours-perhaps try one of Lima's renowned seafood restaurants.

Take a morning flight to Cusco and head for the Sacred Valley. Stop at Awanakancha, a living museum of the Peruvian Andes, and Cultural Insight, where you can see and interact with llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. Enjoy a picnic box lunch before visiting the vibrant market of Pisac where local Quechua people come to sell their produce and handicrafts. Spend some time browsing the stalls, sip a cup of coca tea to help you acclimate to the altitude and keep your ears open for roving bands playing the traditional music of the Andes. Later this afternoon, arrive at your lovely hotel, a former 18th century colonial-style monastery, surrounded by beautiful gardens in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Learn about Peruvian weaving as you observe centuries-old methods of spinning, dyeing and weaving Andean traditional textiles. Discover this Cultural Insight with Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, a Quechua scholar and recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant. This evening, enjoy a convivial dinner with your travelling companions at the hotel.

After breakfast, head to Ollantaytambo to visit this famous Inca stronghold built from immense blocks of stone. Learn about Inca history as you tour the ruins of the hilltop fortress. Next, board the Vistadome train for the journey to the great citadel of the Incas (light snack included). Panoramic windows allow you to appreciate the incredible scenery as you follow the Rio Vilcanota to the town of Aquas Calientes. Upon arrival, take a short ride up to the entrance gate and begin your exploration of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. With a Local Specialist, visit 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-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 by the ancient Incas. Dinner is served at the hotel.

Return to Machu Picchu to continue exploring 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, board the train to the Sacred Valley. Then head toward the great colonial city of Cusco by coach. On the way, stop at a local chicheria for a taste of chicha, a Cultural Insight, and learn how this Peruvian corn beer is made only by local women.

This morning, embark on a tour of Cusco, the "Imperial City", and the capital of the Incas during their reign. This lively city, rich in history, bears marks of both the Inca and Spanish who came after them. Enjoy an introduction to the highlights of the city with a Local Specialist, including the incredible baroque Cathedral on the main Plaza de Armas in the heart of the city. Delve deeper into the history of this ancient location at the 17th century Church of Santo Domingo, which was built atop the foundation of the Inca Temple of the Sun, often referred to as Korikancha. Just outside of town, visit the ruins of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, perched on a hill overlooking Cusco, and see nearby warehouses where the Incas stored their grain. Spend the rest of the afternoon on your own. This evening, gather for a Regional Meal at a local restaurant, enjoying delicious Cusquenian dishes and ancestral dance performances.

Fly back to Lima late this morning and enjoy an afternoon on your own to do some more exploring, pick up souvenirs or just relax. Later, meet a Local Specialist and curator at the Larco Museum, which houses the largest private collection of pre-Columbian art in the world, and learn about the evolution and cultures of Ancient Peruvian societies. Then gather with your travelling companions for an alfresco dinner in the museum's garden restaurant.

Today, fly from Peru to Santiago, the fifth largest city in South America. On arrival in Chile, you will be taken to your luxury hotel in fashionable Las Condes.

This morning, meet your Local Specialist for an exciting tour of the city and a visit to the Central Market. Then head for the Casablanca Valley, Chile's wine-producing region known for its premium wines. Visit an exclusive winery where you will enjoy a gourmet Regional Meal lunch served alfresco on the beautiful grounds. After, meet the winemaker for a Cultural Insight and a personalised winery experience, from the vineyards to the bottling process. Then celebrate Chile's proud wine-making traditions with a wine tasting. The evening is at leisure. Perhaps try a restaurant in the trendy Bellavista District.

Fly south from the Chilean capital to Puerto Montt, one of Chile's beautiful coastal ports. Then it's on to Puerto Varas for a tour of the "City of Roses" on the way to your lakeside hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy before an included dinner in the evening.

An exciting day awaits as you cross the Andes via land and water. Your first stop is the Petrohue River to see the burbling waterfalls cascade over black volcanic rock. Then cross Todos Los Santos Lake with the mighty Osorno Volcano looming in the background. Keep an eye out for the giant Andean condor gliding over the lake. Back on land, it's time to sit back and relax as you drive past breathtaking landscapes of snowcapped mountains, gloriously green forests and sapphire blue lakes. Stop for a delicious lunch in pretty Peulla before crossing the border into Argentina and enjoying a cruise on majestic Lake Nahuel Huapi. Arrive in Bariloche this evening.

Discover the natural wonders of one of Argentina's prettiest areas, known as the "Switzerland of South America." Meet your Local Specialist and travel along the "Circuito Chico" for spectacular views of forests, mountains and sparkling waters in Nahuel Huapi National Park. Visit lovely Playa Bonita, soak up the scenery from the hilltop of St. Edward's Chapel on the Llao Llao Peninsula, and ride a chairlift to the top of Cerro Campanario for sweeping views of the high peaks of Catedral and Tronador. Then, learn about Bariloche's chocolate connection with a visit to the Chocolate Museum. After a briefing on almost 2,000 years of chocolate history, view the production area and sample a delicious array of this Cultural Insight. The rest of the day is free in Bariloche.

Fly from the edge of Patagonia to the vibrant city of Buenos Aires. Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers this evening for an exclusive Be My Guest in Palermo Soho. You will be welcomed by a local family and long-time residents of this now-trendy neighbourhood in the fashionable Palermo Viejo. 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 typical Tango. Spending time with this lively family will create a long-lasting memory.

Get acquainted with Argentina's largest city and capital with a Local Specialist. See the Plaza de Mayo and the iconic pink Casa Rosada. View the colourful and fashionable neighbourhoods of La Boca, San Telmo and Palermo. Stare in awe at the famous Teatro Colon, a landmark in Buenos Aires. Drive along the stately Avenida 9 de Julio, said to be the widest street in the world, to the elegant Recoleta, the impressive cemetery where Eva Peron (Evita), Argentina's former first lady, is buried. The afternoon is free for you to relax or explore further. This evening, linger over a Regional Meal with an authentic taste of world-renowned Argentinian beef. Cap off the evening by watching the best Tango dancers in Buenos Aires perform, a Cultural Insight, and experience the passion and power of Argentina's beloved traditional music.

Relish a morning and afternoon to pursue your own interests in the 'Paris of South America.' Visit one of the country's finest museums at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes or wander around a local market for a different side of Argentina. Perhaps take a trip into the countryside to spend the day at a traditional estancia (ranch) for the Fiesta del Gaucho (festival of the cowboy), complete with a lively equestrian show and a traditional parrillada (barbecue) lunch.

Take a morning flight to Iguassu Falls, Argentina. Meet your Local Specialist for a visit to Iguassu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to one of the world's largest waterfalls and to such endangered species as the giant otter and giant anteater. Board an open-air ecological jungle train and bask in the majesty of the many different views and perspectives of the falls. Along the way, take a walk on a protruding catwalk to get an up-close view of the cascades and view the thundering Devil's Throat Falls. End your adventure by crossing the border into Brazil for a relaxing evening and dinner at your resort.

Return to Iguassu National Park and spend the morning exploring the Brazilian side of the falls with a Local Specialist, including a scenic walk through the rainforest at the base of the falls. Enjoy this evening at leisure.

Return to Iguassu National Park and spend the morning exploring the Brazilian side of the falls with a Local Specialist, including a scenic walk through the rainforest at the base of the falls. This afternoon board a short flight to Rio de Janeiro and transfer to your elegant hotel overlooking pristine Copacabana Beach for a free evening.

Meet your Local Specialist and ascend Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car. From this vantage point, the views of the city and bay are unforgettable. The afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps take an optional cruise on Guanabara Bay viewing Rio's picturesque city skyline and Sugarloaf Mountain from the water.

Board a classic cogwheel train for the journey to the summit of majestic Corcovado, site of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Then, accompanied by your Local Specialist, continue your exploration of the cidade maravilhosa (marvelous city) and its many contrasts from the 18th century aqueduct and colonial Candelaria Church to the 20th century opera house, Sambadromo, and city cathedral. Later this afternoon, head over to a Samba school where a representative of the school will give a Cultural Insight into how the school operates and how they prepare for Carnival week. You'll also be able to view Carnival costumes and for those that desire, participate in a dance lesson accompanied by a musical Samba Trio and Mulata dancers. This evening, visit a renowned churrascaria for a festive Farewell Dinner complete with a caipirinha mixing demonstration.

Your day is free until your transfer to the airport or choose to extend your stay in Rio de Janeiro at the Miramar by Windsor.