South America Highlights (65 destinations)

Itinerary

1. Intro

   Introduction
2. Day 1

   Lima

   Lima Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Visit Parque del Amor (Love Park) for views of Lima's beaches
   • Sample Pisco sour in Miraflores area
   • Dinner and local food exploration (ceviche recommended)

   Landmarks
   Parque del Amor
   Miraflores

   

3. Day 2

   Lima

   Lima Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Half-day leader-led walking tour of Lima's historic centre
   • Visit Plaza Mayor
   • Visit Cathedral of Lima
   • Visit San Francisco Monastery and catacombs

   Optional Activities

   • Visit Lima's central market for fresh fruit and street food

   Landmarks
   Plaza Mayor
   Cathedral of Lima
   San Francisco Monastery

4. Day 3

   Lima to Paracas

   Lima to Paracas Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Paracas National Reserve guided tour (approximately 2.5 hours)

   Landmarks
   Paracas National Reserve
   Islas Ballestas

5. Day 4

   Paracas to Nazca

   Paracas to Nazca Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Islas Ballestas optional day trip by speedboat (see penguins, sea lions, flamingos)
   • Nazca Lines scenic flight (30 minutes, covers most of 26 impressions)

   Landmarks
   Islas Ballestas
   Nazca Lines

6. Day 5

   Nazca to Arequipa

   Nazca to Arequipa Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Evening stroll around Arequipa
   • Dinner with group

   Landmarks
   El Misti

7. Day 6

   Arequipa

   Arequipa Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Leader-led orientation walk
   • Visit main square
   • Visit Mercado San Camilo

   Optional Activities

   • Visit Monasterio de Santa Catalina (16th-century convent)
   • Visit Juanita Museum to see the 'Ice Maiden' (mummified Inca girl from 1440s)
   • Explore cafes and restaurants near main plaza
   • Sample Peruvian coffee

   Landmarks
   Mercado San Camilo
   Monasterio de Santa Catalina
   Juanita Museum

8. Day 7

   Arequipa to Colca Canyon (Chivay)

   Arequipa to Colca Canyon (Chivay) Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Travel to Chivay with stops for photos and coca tea

   Optional Activities

   • Soak in local hot springs
   • Dine on Alpaca steak
   • Enjoy live Andean music at a pena (music hall)

   Landmarks
   Patapampa
   Colca Canyon

9. Day 8

   Colca Canyon

   Colca Canyon Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Guided tour of Colca Canyon
   • Condor viewing in the morning
   • Short hike around the area (approximately 45 minutes)

   Landmarks
   Colca Canyon

10. Day 9

    Arequipa

    Arequipa Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Casa Museo Villalobos (art collection)
    • Attend a cooking class in the city

    Landmarks
    Casa Museo Villalobos

11. Day 10

    Cusco

    Cusco Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Leader-led orientation walk of Cusco (Qoricancha temple, San Pedro market, main square, 12 Angled Stone, Regocijo Square, San Blas Square)
    • Trekking and Machu Picchu briefing at Casa Intrepid

    Optional Activities

    • Rest at hotel instead of immediate orientation walk

    Landmarks
    Qoricancha
    San Pedro Market
    Plaza de Armas (Cusco main square)
    12 Angled Stone
    Regocijo Square
    San Blas Square
    Casa Intrepid

12. Day 11

    Cusco (Depending on Route Selection)

    Cusco (Depending on Route Selection) Show on map

    Meals

    Lunch (At campsite (Routes 1 & 2 only)), Dinner (Meal prepared by cook at campsite (Routes 1 & 2 only))

    Included Activities

    • Route 1 (Inca Trail): Minivan transfer to 82 km marker, uphill trek to first campsite
    • Route 2 (Quarry Trail): Trek from Choquequilla through Socma to 3700 m campsite
    • Route 3 (Train Option): Free exploration of Cusco (Inca Trail groups: lunch and dinner at campsite)

    Optional Activities

    • Route 3 (Train Option): Purchase boleto turistico for entry to Cusco museums and archaeological sites

    Landmarks
    Ollantaytambo
    Veronica Peak
    Choquequilla
    Socma

13. Day 12

    Inca Trail/Quarry Trail/Cusco

    Inca Trail/Quarry Trail/Cusco Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Route 1: Trek to Warmiwanusca pass and descent to Pacaymayo Valley
    • Route 2: Trek to Puccaqasa and Kuychicassa passes, visit Intipunku

    Optional Activities

    • Route 3: Visit ChocoMuseo for tastings and chocolate-making workshops

    Landmarks
    Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman's Pass)
    Pacaymayo Valley
    Puccaqasa Pass
    Kuychicassa Pass
    Intipunku (Sun Gate)
    Nevado Veronica
    ChocoMuseo

14. Day 13

    Inca Trail/Quarry Trail/Cusco to Aguas Calientes

    Inca Trail/Quarry Trail/Cusco to Aguas Calientes Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Route 1: Trek through Pacaymayo Valley, Runkuracay Pass, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, descent to Winay Wayna
    • Route 2: Downhill hike to Kachiqata quarry, explore Ollantaytambo, train to Aguas Calientes
    • Route 3: Drive to Ollantaytambo, train through Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes

    Landmarks
    Runkuracay Pass
    Sayacmarca
    Phuyupatamarca
    Winay Wayna
    Cordillera Vilcabamba
    Kachiqata quarry
    Ollantaytambo
    Urubamba Valley

15. Day 14

    Machu Picchu / Ollantaytambo

    Machu Picchu / Ollantaytambo Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast (4 am breakfast (Route 1 only)), Lunch (In Aguas Calientes with group)

    Included Activities

    • Machu Picchu entrance and guided visit
    • Final trek section (Route 1): Hike to Intipunku Sun Gate
    • Bus tour (Routes 2 & 3): Early bus to Machu Picchu and guided ruins tour
    • Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo

    Landmarks
    Machu Picchu
    Intipunku

16. Day 15

    Sacred Valley / Cusco

    Sacred Valley / Cusco Show on map

    Meals

    Lunch (Traditional lunch prepared and cooked by host community)

    Included Activities

    • Visit to traditional Sacred Valley community
    • Lunch included (prepared and cooked by hosts)

    Optional Activities

    • Browse market stalls (if market day coincides with visit)

    Landmarks
    Sacred Valley

17. Day 16

    Cusco

    Cusco Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Mountain biking in hills surrounding Cusco
    • Cafe time at Plaza de Armas

    Landmarks
    Plaza de Armas

18. Day 17

    Cusco to Puno

    Cusco to Puno Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Bus journey through Altiplano plateau

    Optional Activities

    • Evening parade (if timing coincides with visit)
    • Explore local culture and traditional dances

    Landmarks
    Pucara

19. Day 18

    Lake Titicaca (Puno/Llachon Peninsula)

    Lake Titicaca (Puno/Llachon Peninsula) Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Lake Titicaca boat tour
    • Floating Islands of Uros visit
    • Llachon Peninsula homestay with local family

    Optional Activities

    • Participate in host family daily activities
    • Play soccer or volleyball with local kids

    Landmarks
    Lake Titicaca
    Floating Islands of Uros
    Llachon Peninsula

20. Day 19

    Taquile Island / Puno

    Taquile Island / Puno Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Boat journey to Taquile Island

    Optional Activities

    • One-hour uphill hike to main island area
    • Explore local markets
    • Descend 500 steps back to boat
    • Visit local shops for knitted goods

    Landmarks
    Taquile Island

21. Day 20

    Puno to La Paz (Border Crossing)

    Puno to La Paz (Border Crossing) Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Bus journey to Desaguadero
    • Border crossing procedures (Peruvian and Bolivian migration)

    Optional Activities

    • Final group dinner in La Paz

    Landmarks
    Desaguadero

22. Day 21

    La Paz

    La Paz Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Explore side streets of La Paz
    • Take cable car to Mercado de Hechiceria (Witches Market)
    • Visit Moon Valley
    • Group dinner after welcome meeting

    Landmarks
    Mercado de Hechiceria
    Moon Valley

23. Day 22

    La Paz

    La Paz Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Museo de la Coca
    • Food tour (taste Lake Titicaca fish and chocolate)

    Landmarks
    Museo de la Coca

24. Day 23

    Sucre

    Sucre Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Museo de la Recoleta (400-year-old convent)
    • Visit Plaza 25 de Mayo
    • Visit Senora de la Merced
    • Explore colonial architecture and local markets

    Landmarks
    Museo de la Recoleta
    Plaza 25 de Mayo
    Senora de la Merced

25. Day 24

    Sucre

    Sucre Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Hike the pre-Inca Chataquila trek (mostly downhill, Andes views)
    • Visit Cal Orcko dinosaur footprints
    • Eat empanadas at local restaurants
    • Sample fresh juice at Central Market

    Landmarks
    Chataquila trek
    Cal Orcko
    Central Market

26. Day 25

    Sucre to Potosi

    Sucre to Potosi Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Cerro Rico tour and history
    • Santa Teresa Convent Museum visit

    Landmarks
    Cerro Rico
    Santa Teresa Convent Museum

27. Day 26

    Potosi to Uyuni

    Potosi to Uyuni Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Uyuni town

    Landmarks
    Altiplano

28. Day 27

    Salar de Uyuni (Day 1 of 3-Day Excursion)

    Salar de Uyuni (Day 1 of 3-Day Excursion) Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Visit to Cementerio de Trenes (Train Cemetery)
    • Visit to Salar de Uyuni salt flats
    • Exploration of Inca Wasi island

    Landmarks
    Cementerio de Trenes
    Salar de Uyuni
    Inca Wasi

    

29. Day 28

    Salar de Uyuni (Day 2 of 3-Day Excursion)

    Salar de Uyuni (Day 2 of 3-Day Excursion) Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Drive through Andean Desert
    • Visit Chiguana Salt Lake
    • Visit active Ollague Volcano
    • Explore Siloli Desert, seven-colored mountain, and Stone Tree
    • Visit Reserva de Eduardo Avaroa
    • Hike around Laguna Colorada (Red Lake)
    • Overnight stay in local community

    Landmarks
    Chiguana Salt Lake
    Ollague Volcano
    Siloli Desert
    Arbol de Piedra
    Reserva de Eduardo Avaroa
    Laguna Colorada

30. Day 29

    Uyuni (Day 3 of 3-Day Excursion)

    Uyuni (Day 3 of 3-Day Excursion) Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Geyser sunrise viewing
    • Drive through barren desert landscapes

    Optional Activities

    • Hot spring morning dip
    • Visit Laguna Verde
    • Visit Valle de Rocas
    • Visit San Cristobal mining town
    • Group dinner and drinks at local restaurant

    Landmarks
    Geysers
    Laguna Verde
    Valle de Rocas
    San Cristobal

31. Day 30

    Uyuni to Tilcara (Border Crossing)

    Uyuni to Tilcara (Border Crossing) Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Bus journey to La Quiaca
    • Border crossing (foot crossing into Argentina)

    Optional Activities

    • Dinner with group after arrival

    Landmarks
    La Quiaca

32. Day 31

    Tilcara

    Tilcara Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Pucara de Tilcara (pre-Inca ruins)
    • Visit colorful hills of Purmamarca
    • Visit Mercado Municipal de Tilcara
    • Sample local street food (empanadas)

    Landmarks
    Pucara de Tilcara
    Purmamarca
    Mercado Municipal de Tilcara

33. Day 32

    Tilcara to Buenos Aires

    Tilcara to Buenos Aires Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Sample alfajores (local sweets)
    • Walk San Telmo's cobblestone streets
    • Visit Museo Evita
    • Walk among tombs at La Recoleta Cemetery
    • Explore Recoleta district museums
    • Visit La Boca and Caminito artists' street
    • Attend soccer match at Boca Juniors stadium
    • Tango dancing at Palermo's Plaza Serrano

    Landmarks
    San Telmo
    Museo Evita
    La Recoleta Cemetery
    Recoleta District
    La Boca
    Caminito
    Boca Juniors Stadium
    Plaza Serrano

34. Day 33

    Buenos Aires

    Buenos Aires Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast

35. Day 34

    Buenos Aires

    Buenos Aires Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Leader-led orientation walk around Buenos Aires centre

    Optional Activities

    • Sample alfajores (local sweets)
    • Walk San Telmo's cobblestone streets
    • Talk football with Portenos in a cafe
    • Visit Museo Evita
    • Walk among tombs at La Recoleta Cemetery
    • Explore Recoleta district museums
    • Visit La Boca and Caminito artists' street
    • Attend soccer match at Boca Juniors stadium
    • Tango dancing at Palermo's Plaza Serrano
    • Buenos Aires Polo day (USD185)
    • Buenos Aires Ateneo Bookshop (Free)
    • Buenos Aires Tango Show and Dinner (USD120)
    • Buenos Aires Recoleta Cemetery (USD15)
    • Buenos Aires Football game (USD130, subject to availability)

    Landmarks
    Buenos Aires Centre
    San Telmo
    Museo Evita
    La Recoleta Cemetery
    Recoleta District
    La Boca
    Caminito
    Boca Juniors Stadium
    Plaza Serrano
    Ateneo Bookshop

36. Day 35

    Buenos Aires

    Buenos Aires Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Leader-led orientation walk around Microcentro district (1 pm)

    Optional Activities

    • Visit San Telmo's antique markets
    • Walk along Avenida de Mayo
    • Visit Casa Rosada
    • Coffee at Cafe Tortoni

    Landmarks
    Microcentro
    San Telmo
    Avenida de Mayo
    Casa Rosada
    Cafe Tortoni

37. Day 36

    Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento

    Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Ferry crossing to Colonia del Sacramento

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Barrio Historico (Old Quarter)
    • Visit Plaza Mayor
    • Browse small museums
    • Climb 19th-century lighthouse

    Landmarks
    Rio de la Plata
    Barrio Historico
    Plaza Mayor
    Colonia del Sacramento Lighthouse

38. Day 37

    Colonia del Sacramento to Estancia

    Colonia del Sacramento to Estancia Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Estancia stay

    Landmarks
    Mercedes
    Tacuarembo

39. Day 38

    Estancia Stay

    Estancia Stay Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast, Lunch (Homecooked meal), Dinner (Traditional asado (barbecue))

    Included Activities

    • Estancia stay with host family

    Optional Activities

    • Help make fresh empanadas
    • Join football or volleyball games
    • Horse ride in gaucho style
    • Enjoy traditional asado (barbecue) meal
    • Campfire music
40. Day 39

    Estancia Stay

    Estancia Stay Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Estancia stay with host family

    Optional Activities

    • Horse ride to explore surroundings
    • Visit nearby Mercedes for river walk
    • Get ice cream in Mercedes
    • Help with cattle and sheep roundup

    Landmarks
    Mercedes

41. Day 40

    Estancia to Iguazu Falls

    Estancia to Iguazu Falls Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Breakfast with host family

    Optional Activities

    • Light dinner before overnight bus

    Landmarks
    Puerto Iguazu

42. Day 41

    Iguazu Falls (Brazilian Side)

    Iguazu Falls (Brazilian Side) Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Tour of Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls

    Landmarks
    Iguazu Falls
    Iguazu National Park

43. Day 42

    Iguazu Falls (Argentinian Side)

    Iguazu Falls (Argentinian Side) Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Tour of Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls
    • Boardwalk experience

    Optional Activities

    • Optional Zodiac boat ride to base of falls

    Landmarks
    Iguazu Falls

44. Day 43

    Iguazu Falls to Rio de Janeiro

    Iguazu Falls to Rio de Janeiro Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Leader-led orientation walk of Rio de Janeiro

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Copacabana Beach
    • Visit Ipanema Beach
    • Attend soccer game at Maracana Stadium
    • Tramcar to Santa Teresa neighborhood
    • Corcovado Mountain and Christ the Redeemer statue

    Landmarks
    Copacabana Beach
    Ipanema Beach
    Maracana Stadium
    Santa Teresa
    Corcovado Mountain
    Christ the Redeemer

45. Day 44

    Rio de Janeiro

    Rio de Janeiro Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast

    Optional Activities

    • Additional accommodation in Rio de Janeiro (subject to availability)