21-day South America Tour of Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Galápagos

Day 1: Welcome to Rio de Janeiro

Immerse yourself in the tropical allure of Rio de Janeiro – your launch pad to a South American exploration of capital cities and ancient cultures. Meet your local host on arrival and transfer to your hotel offering superb views of Copacabana Beach. This evening, we’ll join our Travel Director and fellow travelers for a festive Welcome Reception.

Accommodation: Windsor Excelsior Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Included Meals: Welcome Reception

Day 2: Enjoy Rio de Janeiro and Sugarloaf Mountain

Ease into your morning Rio-style before joining your Travel Director to delve into the captivating contrasts of Brazil’s cidade maravilhosa (marvelous city). See the 18th-century Carioca Aqueduct, the colonial Candelaria church and the home of the Rio Carnival, the Sanbodromo. Ascend Sugarloaf Mountain via cable car for a ‘pinch me moment’ of inspiring bay and city views. Enjoy a free evening.

Accommodation: Windsor Excelsior Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 3:Uncover the Sights and Flavors of Rio de Janeiro

The iconic Christ the Redeemer beckons this morning as we journey by cogwheel train to the summit of Corcovado for impressive panoramic views. Returning to the city, we visit the shores of Copacabana and Ipanema, spending the rest of the day at leisure to watch Rio’s beautiful people living life to the fullest. This evening, learn how to mix the perfect caipirinha, then indulge in a sizzling Regional Dinner barbecue at a local churrascaria.

Accommodation: Windsor Excelsior Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Included Meal: Breakfast, Regional Dinner

Day 4: Experience the Rhythms of Rio de Janeiro and off to Iguassu Falls

Journey into some of South America’s most beautiful natural landscapes taking a flight from Rio to Iguassu Falls, the UNESCO-listed magnificent falls that straddle the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Explore the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls, ‘Big Waters’, in Iguassu National Park with a Local Specialist. Hike to the cascading falls through giant clouds and sprays of water feeling refreshed in the humidity. You’ll learn that while hot and humid, this lush micro-climate supports diverse fauna in its subtropical rainforest of over 2,000 species of vascular plants. Conclude your day crossing the border to Argentina to your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Mercure, Argentina
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Iguassu National Park Argentinian side with local specialist

Get a different perspective of grandeur on the Argentinian side of the falls at the Devil’s throat. Your Mexperience finds you paying a visit to the Guarani community of Fortín M’bororé who open their doors to reveal the secrets of the jungle, their natural medicine, culture, songs, dances, crafts, philosophy and beliefs. Discover with the Guarani the “Spirit of the Trees”, a walk where you learn to walk through the interior of the Jungle guided by aboriginal experts. This afternoon, join an optional experience on Gran Aventura boat tour or an Argentinean experience learning about Argentine culture, tasting local dishes in a five-course dinner, sampling four Argentinean wines and mingling with travelers from around the world.

Accommodation: Hotel Mercure, Argentina
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Iguassu Falls - Buenos Aires

Take a flight from Iguassu Falls to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Check into your hotel located in the heart of the cultural center at the historic Plaza San Martin and, with the rest of the day free, perhaps take a stroll around this upscale part of the city. This evening dive into culture watching the passionate fiery and precise steps of some of Buenos Aires most talented tango dancers. Here at El Viejo Almacen in the neighborhood of San Telmo, you’re in the most classic house of tango putting on shows since 1969 and preserving the architecture and atmosphere of Tango culture.

Accommodation: Alvear Art Hotel, Buenos Aires
Included Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner

Day 7: Buenos Aires Sightseeing and at Leisure

Take in the sights of Buenos Aires on a City Tour to the pink palace, cathedral and La Boca neighborhood. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and explore this exciting city on your own or join one of our tempting optionals. Head to the northern outskirts of Buenos Aires to the lush countryside of the Tigre Delta, a popular weekend getaway of scenery, summer residences, yachting and a chance to see another way of Argentine life. Or venture on a wine tasting trip to “El Querandi,” a big house located in the historical district and considered a living testimony of the city originally founded as a bar in 1920.

Accommodation: Alvear Art Hotel, Buenos Aires
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Buenos Aires Your Way

Leave Buenos Aires to San Antonio de Areco, the heart of the gaucho traditions in the pampas region, for a tour along its quaint streets lined with silversmiths. Take part in a unique experience visiting a local project of the Local Association for disabled people who are keeping up the tradition of making the alpargatas shoes. Appreciate more artisans paying a visit to a local artist’s studio observing how masterpieces are created. Cap off your day with a Be My Guest experience, complete with sizzling asado steak, at a family-owned gaucho ranch where your watch cowboys show off the horsemanship accompanied by music and dance.

Accommodation: Alvear Art Hotel, Buenos Aires
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Venture to Lima, the City of Kings

The Capital of the New World extends a warm welcome on your epic voyage through the iconic and unexpected highlights of Peru. Meet your local host on arrival and transfer to your hotel in the upscale shopping district of Miraflores. This evening, you’ll join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception at 6 p.m.

Accommodation: Iberostar Hotel Lima
Included Meals: Breakfast, Welcome Reception

Day 10: Savor the Flavors of Lima

Francisco Pizarro’s ‘City of Kings’ is ours to explore this morning as we discover the colonial heritage of Lima’s UNESCO-listed Historic Center with our Local Specialist. Admire the ornate baroque façades of the Church of San Francisco and discover its hidden catacombs. Celebrate Lima’s status as the culinary capital of South America next, and meet Ignacio Barrios who has worked alongside many of Peru’s most award-winning chefs. Visit a local market where Ignacio will explain how Peruvian fruits, vegetables, seafood and meats are the basis of Peruvian cooking. Then continue to his cooking school where you’ll Connect With Locals and enjoy a demonstration on how to prepare some of Peru’s most popular dishes. You’ll have an opportunity to sample some of these at a Be My Guest experience lunch before spending the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Iberostar Hotel Lima
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11: Journey to the Sacred Valley

Board a morning flight to Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Visit Manos de la Comunidad, a Weaving Center where you’ll uncover the traditions of the Sacred Valley, called “lindaje.” Then continue to a former 18th century colonial-style monastery, our hotel for the night. MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® and learn more about the artisan traditions meeting Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, a master Quechua weaver and the first person from her village to attend university. She has been an ambassador for Andean traditions since she began learning ancient pre-Columbian weaving techniques as a young girl in the 1960s. MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as your visit helps to preserve and promote traditional pre-Columbian weaving techniques in the 21st century.

Accommodation: Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay, Sacred Valley
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Journey to Machu Picchu

The Sacred Valley reveals its mysteries today as we encounter the remains of the mighty Inca empire. Our first stop this morning is the famous Inca hilltop fortress, Ollantaytambo, built from massive blocks of stone. We board the Vistadome train (light snack included) for our epic journey to the UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu, where a Local Specialist will lead us through the ruins of this once-great fortress. Explore the iconic great Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the Intihuatana, an intricately carved rock most likely used as a sundial centuries ago. Tonight, we’ll dine at our hotel.

Accommodation: El MaPi, Machu Picchu
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13: Continue in Machu Picchu then Return to Cusco

We return to Machu Picchu this morning with an opportunity to explore this mythical fortress on our own terms. Then it’s off to Cusco, stopping en route at a local chicheria for a taste of chicha. Dive Into Culture and learn how this Peruvian corn beer is made by local women.

Accommodation: Hotel Novotel Cusco
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 14: Step Back in Time in Cusco

Embark on a sightseeing tour of the sacred city of Cusco this morning with your Local Specialist, admiring the 16th century Spanish colonial buildings that stand on the foundations of former Inca temples and palaces. See the baroque Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas and 17th century Church of Santo Domingo. Visit the ruins of the Sacsayhuaman fortress and see nearby warehouses where the Incas once stored their grain. The afternoon is free to explore on your terms.

Accommodation: Hotel Novotel Cusco
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 15: Onward to Lima

A leisurely start to our day sees us return to Lima late this morning. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, join your Local Specialist at the Larco Museum for an evening exploration of its collection of pre-Columbian art. We’ll indulge in a memorable Farewell Dinner in the museum’s garden.

Accommodation: Iberostar Hotel Lima
Included Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Day 16: Travel to Quito

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Ecuador (flight not included in holiday price). Enjoy a warm welcome in Quito where you will be greeted at the airport and taken to your hotel.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 17: Uncover Historic Quito

Visit the historical center of Quito, which was the first place in the world to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and travel to the ‘Middle of the World’ to stand on the Equator. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 18: Sea Lions and North Seymour Island

Discover a land that inspired Darwin to form his Theory of Natural Selection. On arrival at Baltra airport, transfer to the M/V Galápagos Legend. Set sail to North Seymour Island, an important spot to see magnificent frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies and sea lions.

Accommodation: M/V Galápagos Legend
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 19: Bartolome and Santiago Island

Our first destination today is Bartolome Island, hiking to its summit for soul stirring views, then enjoying snorkelling and an opportunity to see the famous Galapagos Penguins.

Day 20: Uncover San Cristobal Island

We journey to Pitt Point this morning, ascending to a high point on the steep volcanic tuff hill to see if we can spot all three of the booby species simultaneously. Cerro Brujo’s coral sand beach is our next destination, where we can connect with the resident sea lions or snorkel in the shadow of Witch’s Hill.

Day 21: Depart San Cristobal Island

Enjoy a first-hand encounter with the giant tortoises of La Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado, a tortoise reserve that protects the island’s tortoise population. Your Galápagos exhibition at its end, transfer to San Cristobal Airport for your return flight to Quito. Airport arrival time in Quito will be at 7 p.m.