Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll arrive in Lima and meet your leader and fellow travelers at a 2 pm welcome meeting. After that, there's a walking tour through the vibrant Miraflores area where you can get a feel for the neighborhoods. The rest of the evening is yours to explore at your own pace, so consider trying ceviche, Peru's national dish, or sampling other local cuisine at one of the many restaurants around the city.
Included Activities
- Leader-led walking tour of Miraflores
Optional Activities
- Dinner with group
- Coast Biking Tour - Urban Adventure (USD52)
- Bohemian Barranco tour (USD75)
- Lima Discovery + San Francisco and Pisco Sour (USD39)
- Private Home Cooked Ceviche experience (USD85)
- Lima Water Show (USD40)
- Lima Pisco Making (USD35)
- Lima Eat Street (USD75)
- Private Larco Museum (USD50)
- Cathedral of Lima entrance fee (PEN12)
Landmarks Miraflores - Day 2
Lima to Paracas
Your morning starts with a walking tour of Lima's historic center, visiting Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, San Francisco Monastery, and the central market. You'll walk through Alameda de Chabuca Granda to experience street food and the local atmosphere. Later, you'll travel by minivan to Paracas, a coastal port town where the evening is free for you to relax and explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lima's historic centre including San Francisco Monastery, Catacombs, and Central Market
- Market tour with guide
Landmarks Plaza Mayor Cathedral of Lima San Francisco Monastery Alameda de Chabuca Granda - Day 3
Paracas to Nazca
Start early with a two-hour boat tour to Islas Ballestas where you'll see pelicans, boobies, flamingos, sea lions, and penguins. Then by private van to the Nazca Lines archaeological site, stopping in the oasis town of Huacachina for lunch. You'll visit the viewing tower to see the Nazca Lines, and finish the day with a pachamanca dinner shared with a local family in their traditional mud house at sunset, including a brief ceremony thanking Pachamama.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Huacachina), Dinner (Pachamanca dinner - potatoes, meat and herbs baked with hot stones, with corn beer)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Islas Ballestas
- Viewing tower at Nazca Lines
- Pachamanca dinner with local family and Pachamama ceremony
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight over the Nazca Lines (USD100 excluding PEN77 taxes)
Landmarks Islas Ballestas Nazca Lines Huacachina - Day 4
Nazca to Arequipa
You'll travel by private vehicle from Nazca to Arequipa, known as the 'White City' for its pale volcanic rock buildings. The city sits at the foot of El Misti Volcano and rivals Cusco for Peru's most beautiful destination. After arriving, there's a leisurely stroll around the main plaza with its cafes and cathedral to stretch your legs after the long drive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks El Misti 
- Day 5
Arequipa
A local guide will lead you on a walking tour of Arequipa, visiting the main plaza, Santa Catalina Monastery, and San Ignacio Chapel. Lunch with the group happens at a traditional picanteria restaurant, then you'll have free time to explore on your own. Check out the cathedral, browse cafes and shops, or wander through the Yanahuara neighborhood.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Arequipa lunch at a picanteria featuring rocoto relleno, solterito, and queso helado)
Included Activities
- Walking tour with local guide
- Visit to main plaza
- Santa Catalina Monastery admission
- San Ignacio Chapel visit
- Group lunch at picanteria
Optional Activities
- Juanita Museum Admission Fee (PEN20)
Landmarks Santa Catalina Monastery San Ignacio Chapel Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa Yanahuara - Day 6
Arequipa to Puno
You'll travel by minivan to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, with scenic views across the Andean Altiplano stretching out the whole way. There's a stop to visit the pre-Inca ruins of Sillustani, where circular burial towers called chullpas sit on a peninsula near Lake Umaya. After that, you'll continue to Puno, the Folklore Capital of Peru, where Aymara and Quechuan Indigenous traditions remain strong throughout the city and region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Sillustani archaeological site
Landmarks Sillustani Lake Umaya - Day 7
Puno / Lake Titicaca
The day starts with a motorboat cruise on Lake Titicaca at 3,820 m above sea level, the world's highest navigable lake. You'll learn about the lake's spiritual significance for the Quechua people. Stop at the floating islands of Uros Titinos made from totora reeds, then head to Taquile Island where locals make traditional textiles. There's a one-hour trek uphill on a paved path with lake views, optional quinoa soup and Andean mint tea, then you'll return to Puno by boat.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Lake Titicaca motorboat cruise
- Visit to Uros Titinos floating islands
- Visit to Taquile Island
- One-hour uphill walk on Taquile Island
Optional Activities
- Set lunch of quinoa soup and muna tea on Taquile Island
Landmarks Lake Titicaca Uros Titinos Taquile Island - Day 8
Puno to Cusco
You'll take a scenic bus ride across the Altiplano to Cusco on a public tourist bus with a rest stop along the way, so grab snacks before departure. Once in Cusco, you'll explore lesser-known sights on a guided walking tour including Qoricancha temple facade, San Pedro market, the main square, 12 Angled Stone, Regocijo Square, and San Blas Square.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk through Cusco including Qoricancha, San Pedro market, main square, 12 Angled Stone, Regocijo Square, and San Blas Square
Landmarks Qoricancha San Pedro Market Plaza de Armas 12 Angled Stone Regocijo Square San Blas Square - Day 9
Cusco
This is a free day in Cusco for you to explore at your own pace using your included boleto turistico (tourism ticket). You can visit the Contemporary Art Museum, Regional History Museum, Qosqo Native Art Museum, and Inca ruins of Q'enqo, Pica Pakara, and Pisac. Qoricancha, the former richest Inca temple with a Spanish church built on top, is the most easily accessible site.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Full Boleto Turistico Pass access to 16 archaeological sites (guides and transport not included)
Optional Activities
- Humantay Lake Hike (USD130)
- Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (USD100)
- Cusco Cooking Class (USD70)
- Pisco Making (USD57)
- Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (USD85)
- Rainbow Mountain Hike (USD105)
Landmarks Qoricancha Q'enqo Pica Pakara Pisac - Day 10
Cusco to Sacred Valley - Ollantaytambo
You'll travel through the Sacred Valley with terraced maize crops covering the valley walls, then stop for a guided tour of Sacsayhuaman, an imposing Inca fortress built from massive stone blocks. Next is AMA Restaurant in Urubamba, a cafe supporting single mothers, followed by a visit to the Huilloq community to learn traditional textile techniques and have guinea pig for lunch. The day ends in Ollantaytambo with a guided tour and free time to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Snack (Coffee and cake at AMA Restaurant), Lunch (Guinea-pig lunch with vegetarian option available in Huilloq community)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Sacsayhuaman
- Visit to AMA Restaurant in Urubamba with snack and enterprise information
- Huilloq community visit with Pachamama offering ceremony
- Traditional textile techniques demonstration
- Guinea-pig lunch in Huilloq community
- Guided tour of Ollantaytambo archaeological site
Landmarks Sacsayhuaman Ollantaytambo Huilloq - Day 11
Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
You'll take a scenic train through the winding Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes, the cloud forest town at the foot of Machu Picchu. Your leader can recommend walks around town. Alternatively, you can trek the One Day Inca Trail (11 km) with a local guide starting at 6:30 am from Chachabamba, passing archaeological sites and reaching Intipunku (Sun Gate) for views over Machu Picchu before descending.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train ride through Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes
Optional Activities
- One Day Inca Trail trek (USD465) - Must pre-book minimum 30 days before departure - 11 km trek starting 6:30 am, includes Chachabamba and Winay Wayna sites, ends at Intipunku with Machu Picchu views, includes bus down to Aguas Calientes
Landmarks Urubamba Valley Chachabamba Winay Wayna Intipunku 
- Day 12
Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and Cusco
You'll depart at 5:30 am for the winding bus ride up to Machu Picchu. A guide will lead you through the iconic 15th-century Inca citadel, exploring temples, palaces, and living quarters. After the tour, you'll return by bus to Aguas Calientes, then take a scenic train to Ollantaytambo and drive to Cusco for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Early morning bus to Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu entrance
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu ruins
Landmarks Machu Picchu - Day 13
Cusco
You have another free day to explore more of Cusco. Use your boleto turistico to visit any archaeological sites or museums you missed, relax at a cafe in Plaza de Armas for people-watching, or try mountain biking on the surrounding hills. Your leader can suggest optional activities and recommendations for the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Mountain biking in hills surrounding Cusco
Landmarks Plaza de Armas - Day 14
Cusco to Lima
You'll take a short domestic flight from Cusco to Lima, traveling unescorted. A new local leader will meet you for hotel transfer and can help with optional activities or final arrangements. The rest of the day is free to explore sites you missed earlier or shop for souvenirs. Consider gathering the group for a final night out on the town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hotel transfer upon arrival in Lima
Optional Activities
- Various optional activities and dining
- Day 15
Lima to Buenos Aires
You'll board a flight from Lima to Buenos Aires, Argentina's cosmopolitan capital. This evening, you'll meet your new leader for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Buenos Aires combines Latin passion with European elegance and its own distinctive style. Since Argentinians dine late, you'll have plenty of time to explore restaurant recommendations and try Argentina's steak.
Optional Activities
- Dinner at local steakhouse
Landmarks Buenos Aires - Day 16
Buenos Aires
A half-day guided tour with an expert local guide shows you Buenos Aires starting in Plaza de Mayo and moving to San Telmo, one of the oldest neighborhoods. You'll see Caminito Street in La Boca, then head to Retiro and Recoleta to learn about the families who built a small-scale Paris here. The tour includes seeing the ornate mausoleums of one of the world's most famous cemeteries. The afternoon is free to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Half-day city tour of Buenos Aires
- Visit to Plaza de Mayo
- Visit to San Telmo neighborhood
- Visit to La Boca and Caminito Street
- Visit to Retiro and Recoleta
- Recoleta Cemetery tour
Optional Activities
- Football game (USD120+)
- Tango show (USD120+)
Landmarks Plaza de Mayo San Telmo La Boca Caminito Street Retiro Recoleta Recoleta Cemetery - Day 17
Buenos Aires to Foz do Iguazu
You'll fly to Puerto Iguazu in northeastern Argentina where Iguazu Falls straddles the Argentina-Brazil border, higher than Niagara and wider than Victoria Falls. You'll cross into Brazil to see panoramic views of the thundering waterfalls. An optional helicopter flight offers an even more spectacular perspective. You'll overnight in Foz do Iguazu, Brazil, resting before exploring the Argentine side tomorrow.
Included Activities
- Tour of the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls
Optional Activities
- Helicopter ride over the falls (BRL630, minimum 3 people)
Landmarks Iguazu Falls 
- Day 18
Foz do Iguazu
You'll access the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls using a series of boardwalks to get close to the thundering waterfalls, exploring at your own pace or taking an optional Zodiac boat ride to the base. In the afternoon, you'll visit a Guarani community to meet indigenous people, learn about their way of life, and see how they've preserved traditions on the edge of this famous attraction. You'll return to your hotel on the Brazilian side.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour of the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls via boardwalks
- Guarani community visit
Optional Activities
- Zodiac boat ride to the base of the falls (USD90)
- Bird Park entrance (BRL80)
Landmarks Iguazu Falls - Day 19
Foz do Iguazu to Rio de Janeiro
You'll take an early morning flight from Foz do Iguazu to Rio de Janeiro with the day free for you to explore. Relax and people-watch at the beaches of Copacabana or Ipanema. If timing works out, catch a football game or Carnival rehearsal. As evening approaches, take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain to watch the sunset, then explore the samba clubs of bohemian Lapa.
Optional Activities
- Carnival rehearsal (BRL120) - June to Carnival only
- Samba show (BRL200+)
- Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car entrance (BRL160)
- Football game tickets (BRL400+)
Landmarks Copacabana Ipanema Sugarloaf Mountain Lapa 
- Day 20
Rio de Janeiro
You'll start early with a guided tour of Rio beginning at Corcovado Mountain for sweeping views from the base of Christ the Redeemer before crowds arrive. Next is the eclectic architecture, restaurants, and art galleries of artistic Santa Teresa, then the colorful Selaron Steps, a staircase decorated with thousands of tiles from over 60 countries collected by artist Jorge Selaron. The afternoon is free to explore. Rejoin the group for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant specializing in smoky grilled seafood and meat with fresh salads.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner at local restaurant specializing in smoky grilled seafood and meat with fresh zesty salads)
Included Activities
- Guided tour starting at Corcovado Mountain and Christ the Redeemer
- Visit to Santa Teresa neighborhood
- Visit to Selaron Steps
- Farewell dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks Corcovado Mountain Christ the Redeemer Santa Teresa Selaron Steps - Day 21
Rio de Janeiro
Your final day has no planned activities. You can depart at any time or stay longer in Rio if you'd like. If you want to continue soaking up the sun, your leader can arrange additional accommodation subject to availability.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extended accommodation in Rio (subject to availability)
