Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll arrive in Quito and your guide will meet you at the airport to help with your hotel transfer. Since the city sits at 9,000 ft above sea level, it's a good idea to take things slow today and rest. Drink plenty of water over the next few days to help your body adjust to the altitude.
- Start point
- Via Collas Tababela, Quito - Pichincha, 1709, Ecuador (International Arrivals )
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Hotel)
- Day 2
Quito
Start early and head to Panecillo viewpoint for views across Quito, then spend about 2 hours walking through the old city. You'll visit San Francisco Church, Compañía de Jesús Church, and Sagrario Church, plus see the Presidential Palace. After that, drive out to the Equator Line and check out Inti Ñan Museum where you can stand right on the middle of the world. Head back to your hotel by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Hotel)
Included Activities
- Panecillo viewpoint visit
- Guided walking tour of historic old city including San Francisco Church, Compañía de Jesús Church, and Sagrario Church
- Presidential Palace lobby visit
- First Gothic Church of Ecuador visit
- Inti Ñan Museum visit at Equator Site
Optional Activities
- Lunch at typical restaurant (extra cost)
Landmarks Panecillo Viewpoint San Francisco Church Compañía de Jesús Church Sagrario Church Presidential Palace Inti Ñan Museum - Day 3
Cotopaxi National Park - Riobamba
After breakfast you'll drive to Cotopaxi National Park and explore its 99,000 acres of trails and lakes. Stop at Limpiopungo lagoon sitting at 12,700 ft where you can see native Andean birds and varied plant life. Continue higher to the Cotopaxi Staging Area at 14,850 ft for a chance to spot condors, and if you're interested, hike up to basecamp. Later drive to Riobamba for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wanderlot)
Included Activities
- Cotopaxi National Park visit
- Limpiopungo lagoon area exploration
Optional Activities
- Hike around Limpiopungo lagoon shore
- Climb to basecamp from Cotopaxi Staging Area
Landmarks Cotopaxi National Park Limpiopungo Lagoon Cotopaxi Volcano 
- Day 4
Ingapirca - Cuenca
Drive 2 hours to Ingapirca Archaeological Complex, Ecuador's most important pre-Columbian site. You'll take a 1-hour walk through the ruins learning about Pre-Inca and Inca history. Then head to Cuenca and visit the famous Hat Museum to see the Panama hat factory, then settle into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Victoria Hotel)
Included Activities
- Ingapirca Archaeological Complex visit with guided 1-hour walk
- Hat Museum (Panama hat factory) visit
Landmarks Ingapirca Archaeological Complex 
- Day 5
Cuenca
Spend the day exploring Cuenca, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site from 1999. Walk through Calderon Park (the central square), see both the modern and old cathedrals, browse the flower market, and stroll down colonial Largo Street with its charming old houses. You'll also see the Tomebamba River and the Broken Bridge, then visit the Ethnographic Museum to check out its collection of art from around Ecuador.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Victoria Hotel)
Included Activities
- Cuenca city tour including Calderon Park (Central Square)
- Modern Cathedral and Old Cathedral visits
- Flower Market visit
- Largo Street exploration with colonial houses
- Tomebamba River visit
- Broken Bridge visit
- Ethnographic Museum (Museo de las Culturas Aborigenes) visit
Landmarks Calderon Park Cuenca Old Cathedral Ethnographic Museum (Museo de las Culturas Aborigenes) Tomebamba River - Day 6
Cajas National Park - Guayaquil
Leave early toward Guayaquil and stop along the way to take in views of the Andes and coastal regions. You'll pass through Cajas National Park at 4,167 meters, the highest bus crossing in Ecuador and a great spot for birdwatchers and hikers. Trails here vary based on your fitness level and interests. Continue to Guayaquil for your overnight before heading to Peru.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Hotel Guayaquil)
Included Activities
- Cajas National Park visit
Optional Activities
- Hikes and walking tours in Cajas National Park (duration and difficulty vary based on individual interest and skills)
Landmarks Cajas National Park - Day 7
Guayaquil to Lima, Peru
Transfer to Guayaquil Airport for your international flight to Lima, Peru's capital. When you arrive in Lima, your representative meets you after customs to take you downtown to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest or explore. The Miraflores neighborhood has parks, museums, and good spots for Peruvian food.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dazzler by Wyndham Miraflores)
Optional Activities
- Explore Miraflores neighborhood with parks, museums, and Peruvian gastronomy
Landmarks Miraflores 
- Day 8
Lima
Take a guided tour of Lima starting at Plaza de Armas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the Cathedral featuring intricately carved stalls and silver-covered altars. Visit the 17th-century Monastery of San Francisco with its Sevillian tile work and catacombs. Walk through old colonial streets and check out the modern San Isidro and Miraflores neighborhoods. Finish with the Peruvian Gold Museum, which has pre-Columbian artifacts, ceramics, weavings, mummies, and colonial arms.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dazzler by Wyndham Miraflores)
Included Activities
- Plaza de Armas visit
- Cathedral visit
- Archbishop's Palace visit
- Monastery of San Francisco visit including catacombs
- Old colonial streets exploration
- San Isidro district visit
- Miraflores district visit
- Peruvian Gold Museum visit
Landmarks Plaza de Armas Lima Cathedral Archbishop's Palace Monastery of San Francisco Peruvian Gold Museum - Day 9
Lima to Cusco
Transfer to Lima's airport for a domestic flight to Cusco. Your representative meets you and takes you to your hotel downtown. In the afternoon, tour the ancient Inca capital and visit key temples including Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Q'enqo, and Tambomachay before returning to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Casona Corrales )
Included Activities
- Cusco city tour including Koricancha temple visit
- Sacsayhuaman temple visit
- Q'enqo temple visit
- Tambomachay temple visit
Landmarks Koricancha Sacsayhuaman Q'enqo Tambomachay 
- Day 10
Rainbow Mountain
Pick up early for the journey south to Collasuyo. Stop at Paucarpata community 2 hours from Cusco for a buffet breakfast, then continue another hour to the PHULAWASIPATA base camp. Hike gradually uphill for 2 hours to Rainbow Mountain spotting the Hatun Ritti Glacier and Andean camelids. Spend time photographing, then descend for about 1.5 hours. Grab lunch in Paucarpata, then return to Cusco arriving around 6 PM.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Buffet breakfast at Paucarpata community)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Casona Corrales )
Included Activities
- Buffet breakfast at Paucarpata community
- Rainbow Mountain hike (2 hours uphill, 3.5 km)
- Return descent from Rainbow Mountain (approximately 1.5 hours, 3.5 km)
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Paucarpata town (not included)
Landmarks Rainbow Mountain Hatun Ritti Glacier Puka Qocha Lagoon Qomer Qocha Lagoon 
- Day 11
Sacred Valley - Aguas Calientes
Get picked up from your hotel and drive 2 hours through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Ollantaytambo train station. Board your train for 1.5 hours through the Andean mountain scenery with rivers and green hillsides. Arrive in Aguas Calientes where staff welcome you to your hotel. After a briefing, enjoy free time to relax in the hot springs or walk around this mountain town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Vista Macchu Picchu)
Included Activities
- Train journey through Sacred Valley and Andes mountains (1.5 hours)
Optional Activities
- Hot springs relaxation in Aguas Calientes
- Explore Aguas Calientes town
Landmarks Sacred Valley of the Incas Ollantaytambo - Day 12
Machu Picchu
After breakfast your guide takes you to board a bus to Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Optional treks to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain are available (confirm at booking for limited spaces). A local guide takes you through on a 2.5-hour tour, then you have free time to explore and eat at local restaurants. Return to the train station, head back to Ollantaytambo, then transport takes you to Cusco.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Casona Corrales )
Included Activities
- Bus ride to Machu Picchu entrance
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu (approximately 2.5 hours)
Optional Activities
- Huayna Picchu mountain trek (must confirm at booking - limited spaces)
- Machu Picchu mountain trek (must confirm at booking - limited spaces)
- Lunch at typical restaurants in Aguas Calientes
Landmarks Machu Picchu Huayna Picchu - Day 13
Cusco to Lima
After breakfast transfer to Cusco Airport for your flight back to Lima. The afternoon is free to explore the city. Try some of Peru's famous seafood at restaurants in the Miraflores area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Casa Andina Standard Benavides)
Optional Activities
- Peruvian seafood dining in Miraflores area restaurants
Landmarks Miraflores - Day 14
Lima to Buenos Aires, Argentina
Transfer to Lima Airport for your international flight to Buenos Aires. A representative meets you and takes you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore or relax. Get some authentic Argentine culture with a good steak and wine at a restaurant downtown.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Up Viamonte Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Argentine steak and wine dining in downtown Buenos Aires
- Day 15
Buenos Aires to Iguazu
Fly to Iguazu and a guide meets you to transfer to your hotel. Around 2 PM your guide picks you up for the Iguazu Forest Tour, a half-day adventure with trekking, wet rappelling, and outdoor wall climbing. This stays on the Argentine side so you won't need a Brazil visa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Saint George)
Included Activities
- Iguazu Forest Tour including trekking, wet rappelling, and outdoor wall climbing (half-day, afternoon)
Landmarks Iguazu National Park 
- Day 16
Iguazu Falls
Spend a full day at Iguazu Falls on the Argentine side. Your guide shows you several paths and over 200 waterfalls including the Green Way, Upper and Lower Catwalk, and Devil's Throat paths using the forest train. The Great Adventure boat ride is optional and takes you around the falls and underneath a waterfall. Return to your hotel around 5 PM.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Saint George)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Iguazu Falls Argentine side including Green Way path
- Upper Catwalk path visit
- Lower Catwalk path visit
- Devil's Throat path visit
- Forest train use throughout the park
Optional Activities
- Great Adventure boat ride around and underneath the falls
Landmarks Iguazu Falls 
- Day 17
Iguazu to Buenos Aires
Have breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the airport in the afternoon for a 1 hour 45 minute flight back to Buenos Aires, then transfer to your hotel. The Bird Park is optional and features over 800 birds representing 200 species across 16.5 acres, with endangered species and a chance to get close to macaws and toucans.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Up Viamonte Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Bird Park visit - over 800 birds including 200 different species across 16.5 acres of Atlantic Forest with contact opportunities and nursery immersion (not part of tour - request price in advance)
Landmarks Iguaçu Bird Park - Day 18
Buenos Aires
Take a half-day city tour of Buenos Aires in the morning exploring the cultural contrasts through varied architecture, historical buildings, monuments, museums, and theaters. In the afternoon board a cruise on the Tigre Delta of Paraná River to see subtropical riverfront homes among thousands of islands. In the evening enjoy dinner and a tango show at Esquina Carlos Gardel with singing, dancing, and a meal.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Up Viamonte Hotel)
Included Activities
- Half-day Buenos Aires city tour
- Tigre Delta boat cruise on Paraná River
Optional Activities
- Dinner (not included) and tango show at Esquina Carlos Gardel
Landmarks Tigre Delta Esquina Carlos Gardel - Day 19
Buenos Aires to home
Your guide drives you to Buenos Aires International Airport for your flight home, marking the end of your South American tour.
- End point
- Buenos Aires, Argentina (International Departure)
- Meals
- Breakfast
