Itinerary
- Day 1
Rio de Janeiro
You'll arrive in Rio de Janeiro and your Travel Director will take you to your hotel with views of Copacabana beach. This evening there's a festive welcome dinner with your group.
- Meals
- Dinner (Festive welcome dinner with Travel Director and fellow travelers)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Windsor Excelsior Copacabana)
Included Activities
- Hotel transfer and check-in with views of Copacabana beach
Landmarks Copacabana Beach 
- Day 2
Rio de Janeiro
Take the historic cable car up to Sugarloaf Mountain with a stop at Urca Hill for sweeping views over Guanabara Bay and Copacabana. You'll drive past Ipanema and Copacabana beaches. The afternoon is yours to relax. If you're interested, there's the option to visit the colorful Selarón Steps or catch Brazilian flavors and a performance at the Roxy Dinner Show.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Windsor Excelsior Copacabana)
Included Activities
- Ride historic cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain
- Stop at Urca Hill
- Drive past Ipanema and Copacabana beaches
Optional Activities
- Visit Selarón Steps mosaic staircase
- Roxy Dinner Show with Brazilian performance
Landmarks Sugarloaf Mountain Urca Hill Guanabara Bay Ipanema Beach Copacabana Beach Selarón Steps 
- Day 3
Rio de Janeiro
Head up to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue via cogwheel train to the summit of Corcovado Mountain for panoramic views across the city. After you return, you'll visit Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. The afternoon is free. Later, you'll learn to make the perfect caipirinha before heading to a local churrascaria for a sizzling barbecue dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Sizzling barbecue dinner at local churrascaria)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Windsor Excelsior Copacabana)
Included Activities
- Cogwheel train to Corcovado Mountain
- Visit Christ the Redeemer statue
- Visit Copacabana and Ipanema beaches
- Learn to make caipirinha cocktail
- Sizzling barbecue dinner at local churrascaria
Landmarks Christ the Redeemer Corcovado Mountain Copacabana Beach Ipanema Beach - Day 4
Rio de Janeiro to Iguazú Falls
Fly from Rio to Iguazú Falls, the UNESCO-listed falls straddling Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. You'll explore the Brazilian side with a Local Specialist, hiking through clouds and water spray to see the cascading falls in the subtropical rainforest. After that, you'll cross the border to Argentina and check in to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Mercure)
Included Activities
- Flight from Rio de Janeiro to Iguazú Falls
- Explore Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls
- Hike to cascading falls through water spray
- Local Specialist guided tour of Iguaçu National Park
Landmarks Iguazú Falls Iguaçu National Park 
- Day 5
Iguazú Falls
Experience the Argentinian side of the falls at Devil's Throat. You'll visit the ancestral Guarani community of Fortín M'boroé to learn about their jungle traditions, natural medicine, culture, songs, dances, and crafts. There's a guided jungle walk to discover the 'Spirit of the Trees'. The afternoon offers optional experiences: a Gran Aventura boat tour or an Argentinean cultural evening with five-course dinner and wine tasting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Mercure)
Included Activities
- Visit Devil's Throat on Argentinian side of Iguazú Falls
- Visit Guarani community of Fortín M'boroé
- Learn about jungle medicinal plants and Guarani culture
- Jungle walk guided by aboriginal experts
- Learn about 'Spirit of the Trees' forest traditions
Optional Activities
- Gran Aventura boat tour
- Argentinean cultural evening with five-course dinner and four Argentinian wines
Landmarks Devil's Throat Fortín M'boroé - Day 6
Iguazú Falls to Buenos Aires
Fly from Iguazú Falls to Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital. You'll check in to your hotel in the cultural heart of the city at historic Plaza San Martín. The rest of the day is free to wander around the upscale neighborhood. There's an optional wine tasting trip to El Querandi, a historic house from 1920 in the historical district.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alvear Art Hotel), Hotel (Intercontinental)
Included Activities
- Flight from Iguazú Falls to Buenos Aires
- Hotel check-in at Plaza San Martín location
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting trip to El Querandi
Landmarks Plaza San Martín 
- Day 7
Buenos Aires
Take a city tour to see Buenos Aires highlights including the pink Casa Rosada palace, cathedral, and the colorful La Boca neighborhood. The afternoon is free to relax and explore the city on your own. This evening, you'll experience the passionate and precise steps of some of Buenos Aires' most talented tango dancers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Tango performance dinner at El Viejo Almacen in San Telmo neighborhood, preserving tango culture since 1969)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Intercontinental)
Included Activities
- Buenos Aires City Tour with Local Specialist
- Visit Casa Rosada (pink palace)
- Visit cathedral
- Explore La Boca neighborhood
- Tango performance with professional dancers
Landmarks Casa Rosada Buenos Aires Cathedral La Boca - Day 8
San Antonio de Areco
Travel from Buenos Aires to San Antonio de Areco, the heart of gaucho traditions in the pampas region. You'll explore quaint streets with over 30 silversmiths and visit a local project supporting disabled artisans making traditional alpargatas shoes. Stop by a local artist's studio. Cap the day with an asado steak dinner at a family-owned gaucho ranch, complete with cowboy horsemanship demonstrations, music and dance.
- Meals
- Lunch (Gaucho ranch lunch with empanadas, salads, asado meat (sausages, chicken, beef), drinks, and flan with dulce de leche for dessert; learn how to grill the asado), Dinner (Sizzling asado steak dinner at family-owned gaucho ranch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Intercontinental)
Included Activities
- Tour San Antonio de Areco with Local Specialist
- Visit silversmiths and traditional jewelry shops
- Visit workshop for disabled artisans making alpargatas shoes
- Visit local artist's studio
- Asado steak dinner at family-owned gaucho ranch
- Cowboy horsemanship demonstrations
- Music and dance performance
- Receive keepsake leather accessory gift
Landmarks San Antonio de Areco - Day 9
Lima
Arrive in Lima, Peru, the 'City of the Kings.' Your local host will transfer you to your hotel in the upscale Miraflores shopping district. This evening, you'll join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with Travel Director and fellow travelers)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Iberostar Hotel Lima)
Included Activities
- Airport transfer to hotel in Miraflores district
Landmarks Miraflores - Day 10
Lima
Explore Lima's UNESCO-listed Historic Centre with a Local Specialist. You'll see the ornate baroque Church of San Francisco and discover its hidden catacombs. Then visit a local market with Chef Ignacio to learn about Peruvian ingredients. Head to his cooking school for a demonstration on preparing popular Peruvian dishes, then enjoy a special lunch. The afternoon is at leisure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Be My Guest experience lunch at Chef Ignacio's cooking school featuring Peruvian dishes prepared during the demonstration)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Iberostar Hotel Lima)
Included Activities
- Lima Historic Centre tour with Local Specialist
- Visit Church of San Francisco
- Explore San Francisco catacombs
- Visit local market with Chef Ignacio Barrios
- Cooking demonstration at Ignacio's cooking school
- Be My Guest experience lunch at cooking school
Landmarks Lima Historic Centre Church of San Francisco - Day 11
Lima to Sacred Valley
Fly to Cusco and head directly to the Sacred Valley. You'll start with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience at Manos de la Comunidad weaving centre to learn about textile traditions and the four Andean camels. Enjoy a local lunch at the weaving centre. Check into your hotel at Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay, a former 18th-century monastery. Later, connect with artisans working to preserve Peru's textile heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Exclusive lunch at beautiful outdoor space near Manos de la Comunidad weaving centre featuring local flavors)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay)
Included Activities
- Flight from Lima to Cusco
- Visit Manos de la Comunidad weaving centre
- Learn about Andean textile traditions and 'lindaje' custom
- Lunch at weaving centre outdoor space
- Meet artisans preserving textile heritage
- Support UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 through artisan visit
Landmarks Manos de la Comunidad weaving centre Chinchero Parobamba - Day 12
Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu
Explore the Sacred Valley starting with the famous Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo with its massive stone blocks and terraces. Board the Vistadome train (light snack included) for your journey through dramatic landscapes to UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu. A Local Specialist will guide you through the ruins, including the Temple of the Sun, House of the Priest, Sacred Plaza, and the Intihuatana stone. Dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Light snack aboard Vistadome train), Dinner (Dinner at hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (El MaPi)
Included Activities
- Visit Ollantaytambo Inca fortress
- Explore stone terraces and sun temple
- Board Vistadome train to Machu Picchu with light snack
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu with Local Specialist
- Visit Temple of the Sun
- Visit House of the Priest
- Visit Sacred Plaza
- View Intihuatana stone
Landmarks Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu - Day 13
Machu Picchu to Cusco
Return to Machu Picchu for a chance to explore the legendary fortress on your own terms. Then head to Cusco, stopping along the way at a local chicharía to taste and learn about chicha, a traditional Peruvian corn beer brewed by local indigenous women since Inca times.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Cusco)
Included Activities
- Return visit to Machu Picchu for independent exploration
- Stop at local chichería
- Taste chicha (Peruvian corn beer)
- Learn how chicha is brewed by local indigenous women
Landmarks Machu Picchu - Day 14
Cusco
Explore the sacred city of Cusco on a guided sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist. You'll see the baroque Cathedral on Plaza de Armas and the 17th-century Church of Santo Domingo, both built on Inca temple foundations. Visit the UNESCO-listed Sacsayhuamán fortress with its massive zigzagging walls and nearby Inca grain storage warehouses. The afternoon is free to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Cusco)
Included Activities
- Cusco sightseeing tour with Local Specialist
- Visit Cathedral on Plaza de Armas
- Visit Church of Santo Domingo
- Explore 16th-century Spanish colonial buildings on Inca temple foundations
- Visit Sacsayhuamán fortress
- See Inca grain storage warehouses
Landmarks Plaza de Armas Cusco Cathedral Church of Santo Domingo Sacsayhuamán - Day 15
Cusco to Lima
Make a leisurely return to Lima late in the morning. The afternoon is at leisure. There's an optional evening exploration of the Larco Museum's pre-Columbian art collection with your Local Specialist. Afterward, enjoy a memorable Farewell Dinner in the museum's garden.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Iberostar Hotel Lima)
Included Activities
- Flight from Cusco to Lima
Optional Activities
- Evening tour of Larco Museum with Local Specialist
- Farewell Dinner in Larco Museum garden
Landmarks Larco Museum - Day 16
Lima to Quito
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Ecuador (flight not included in holiday price). You'll arrive in Quito and receive a warm welcome at the airport. Your local host will transfer you to your hotel.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sheraton)
Included Activities
- Airport transfer to hotel in Quito
- Day 17
Quito
Visit the historical centre of Quito, the first place in the world designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travel to the 'Middle of the World' to stand on the Equator line. The rest of the day is at leisure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sheraton)
Included Activities
- Visit Quito historical centre
- Travel to 'Middle of the World' Equator line
- Stand on the Equator
Landmarks Quito Historic Centre Middle of the World (Equator) - Day 18
Baltra Island to Galápagos Cruise
Land on Baltra Island and meet your Local Specialist who takes you aboard the Galápagos Legend. Cruise towards the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island to explore Black Turtle Cove, a quiet mangrove-surrounded inlet. Look for green sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, rays, and seabirds nesting in the branches. Enjoy dinner and your first night onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (M/V Galápagos Legend)
Included Activities
- Transfer from Baltra Island to Galápagos Legend cruise ship
- Cruise to Black Turtle Cove
- Explore Black Turtle Cove protected turtle sanctuary
- Wildlife viewing including green sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, rays, pelicans, herons, and egrets
Landmarks Baltra Island Black Turtle Cove Santa Cruz Island - Day 19
Genovesa Island
Visit Genovesa Island to explore its unique wildlife. Climb the rocky Prince Phillip's Steps in search of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and Darwin's famous finches. Walk across an expansive lava field where Wedge-rumped storm petrels swarm, then continue to Darwin Bay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (M/V Galápagos Legend)
Included Activities
- Visit Genovesa Island
- Climb Prince Phillip's Steps
- Search for Nazca boobies and red-footed boobies
- Observe Darwin's finches
- Walk across lava field
- Observe Wedge-rumped storm petrels
- Visit Darwin Bay
Landmarks Genovesa Island Prince Phillip's Steps Darwin Bay - Day 20
South Plaza Island and Santa Fé Island
Visit South Plaza Island to walk among marine iguanas. You'll see the shallow lake where flamingos feed, then continue inland in search of land iguanas. Sail to Santa Fé Island for snorkeling among sea lions, turtles, reef sharks, and spotted eagle rays. Walk through a forest of giant Opuntia cacti.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (M/V Galápagos Legend)
Included Activities
- Visit South Plaza Island
- Observe marine iguanas
- View flamingo feeding lake
- Search for land iguanas
- Sail to Santa Fé Island
- Snorkel among sea lions, turtles, reef sharks, and spotted eagle rays
- Walk through giant Opuntia cacti forest
Landmarks South Plaza Island Santa Fé Island - Day 21
Santa Cruz Island to Quito
Travel into the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island for the best opportunity to walk among wild Galápagos giant tortoises, weighing over 270kg. Follow their paths through the grassy landscape and spot various finch species that inspired Darwin's theory of evolution. Continue to Baltra Airport for your return flight to Quito, arriving at 5pm.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Travel to central highlands of Santa Cruz Island
- Walk among wild Galápagos giant tortoises
- Observe native wildlife and Darwin finch species
- Flight from Baltra to Quito
Landmarks Santa Cruz Island Baltra Airport
