Best of South America

2 Nights – Lima
3 Nights – Iquitos / Amazon
5 Nights – Cuzco / Machu Picchu
2 Nights – Santiago
3 Nights – Buenos Aires
2 Nights – Iguazú Falls
4 Nights – Rio de Janeiro

✈️ UK – Lima (2 nights):  The bustling, coastal city of Lima offers a lively start to your South American adventure.  Known as the Gastronomical Capital of the Americas, the city’s cuisine is a highlight in itself, featuring the renowned ceviche – raw fish marinated in tangy lime juice. For stunning ocean views, stroll along the Miraflores boardwalk.  Or if you’re a history buff you will love the city’s 16th-century architecture, from the grand Plaza Mayor and its impressive cathedrals to the leafy squares and the picturesque cobblestone paths that lead you down to Barranco’s beaches.

✈️ Lima – Iquitos (3 nights): After an early flight from Lima, you’ll land in Iquitos, gateway to the heart of the Peruvian Amazon jungle. On arrival you’ll be transported straight to a jungle lodge from which you’ll enjoy a fully immersive 2-night/3-day jungle experience.  From gliding along the river in a canoe, to setting out on jungle hikes, spotting playful monkeys and colourful toucans, and spending your evenings listening to the sounds of the rainforest, you’ll get a true sense of the raw and natural beauty of the Amazon. When your stay at the lodge comes to an end, you’ll be transported back to Iquitos for one night before continuing the rest of your holiday.

✈️ Lima – Cuzco/Machu Picchu (5 nights): Next, you’ll fly to Cuzco, the historic high-altitude former capital of the Inca Empire, and also the gateway to Machu Picchu. You’ll need to take a couple of days to acclimatise yourself to the altitude before venturing to Machu Picchu, but luckily in Cuzco, you’ll find plenty to explore from the impressive Sacsayhuamán fortress to the sacred Qorikancha temple. You will also get to enjoy a day trip to the picturesque Sacred Valley of the Incas.  Once you’ve acclimatised, you’ll be ready to explore the wonders of Machu Picchu. To get there, we include a breath-taking scenic train ride, but we can also arrange a more challenging hike, depending on your fitness and sense of adventure. On reaching Machu Picchu, you’ll be taken aback by the incredible craftmanship of this ancient wonder, from the precision-cut stone structures to the intricate terraces. Discover iconic sites such as the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana stone, and the stunning Inca Bridge. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

✈️ Cuzco – Santiago (2 nights): Next you will fly to Chile’s capital, Santiago, framed by the famous San Cristóbal and Santa Lucía hills. Santiago is known for its 22 funiculars and rewarding, high-perched views. Stroll the bohemian Barrio Bellavista neighbourhood and visit the Catedral Metropolitana shadowing the main Plaza de Armas square. Shopaholics and spice lovers are catered-to at endless malls and markets. From Santiago you can also visit the UNESCO world heritage city of Valparaíso which is known for its bohemian culture, brightly painted houses and beautiful coastal setting, as well as explore Chile’s famous wine regions.

✈️ Santiago – Buenos Aires (3 nights): You’ll next fly to Buenos Aires for 3 nights in Argentina’s capital. Wide open greenery, rose gardens and splendid Old-World architecture divide up this sprawling city, and the pedestrian-friendly grid system makes it easy to navigate on foot. Discover world-class steakhouses lining boulevards towards Plaza de Mayo, peruse posh Recoleta and indulge in local ice-cream parlours and upscale markets. From Soho and Hollywood to the cobbled San Telmo, Buenos Aires bursts with fascinating museums, fine dining, refined shopping and snap-worthy spots. Pack your dancing shoes for the night-time tango.

✈️ Buenos Aires – Iguazú (2 nights): Iguazú Falls is the destination for 275 crashing waterfalls that are taller (and wider) than Niagara Falls and you’ll reach it on a short flight from Buenos Aires. Awe-inspiring, humbling and shrouded in fresh mist, the Iguazú Falls cascade amid natural beauty that is nothing short of staggering. Walk, hike or jungle trek The Devil’s Throat against dense forestry and make the most of either Argentinian or Brazilian sides of this border-dividing wonder. 2 nights is ideal to take in Iguazú, but if you want longer we’ll happily arrange this too.

✈️ Iguazú Falls – Rio (4 nights): Wrapping up this itinerary in spectacular style, you’ll now fly direct to the Brazilian capital of Rio de Janeiro. Blending urban jungles, white-sand beaches and sensational shopping and dining, Rio wasn’t nicknamed “The Marvellous City” for nothing. Bounce rays and samba beats on the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, explore colourful favelas and take in breath-taking panoramas from the Sugarloaf and Corcovado mountains. Under the iconic Christ The Redeemer statue, Rio encapsulates a feast of cloistered charm, cutting-edge nightlife, iconic landmarks and some of the most beautiful beaches on earth.

✈️ Rio – UK: We’ll be at your hotel on your departure day to meet and escort you to the airport for your flight back to the UK.