essence of south america 2025

Escorted by Vivian Iriarte

Departure Date: 01 September 2025

Day 1 - Australia/New Zealand/USA - Santiago - Lima

Fly into Lima. On arrival, transfer to hotel.

Day 2 - Lima - Cusco - Sacred Valley

Morning city tour of colonial and modern Lima. Transfer to airport for your flight to Cusco. Transfer to Sacred Valley.

Day 3 - Sacred Valley

A full-day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, including Ollantaytambo ruins and the colourful Pisac market.

Day 4 - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu

A train journey to Machu Picchu, then a comprehensive tour of the citadel.

Day 5 - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Morning free to visit ruins. Return train and land transfer to Cusco.

Day 6 - Cusco

Half-day city tour of some of the sites in and around Cusco, including the cathedral, Coricancha (the Temple of the Sun) and the fortress of Sacsayhuaman.

Day 7 - Cusco - Puno

Spectacular Peru Rail Titicaca train journey across the Altiplano Puno to the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Day 8 - Puno

Full-day tour of Uros and Taquille Island to visit the communities that live on these reed islands.

Day 9 - Puno - La Paz

Cross from Peru into Bolivia via the lovely lakeside village of Copacabana, boarding a comfortable catamaran to begin the scenic crossing of the magical Lake Titicaca. Stop at the complex on Sun Island for an introduction to the mysterious Tiwanaku civilisation on the way to La Paz.

Day 10 - La Paz

Half-day city tour, including the rock formations of Moon Valley. Learn about the local “Pacenos” customs and traditions, including a trip to the local witchery market.

Day 11 - La Paz - Buenos Aires

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Buenos Aires. Transfer to hotel.

Day 12 - Buenos Aires

Half-day tour of South America’s stylish capital, Buenos Aires, whose architecture and boulevards are steeply influenced by a European heritage. Visit the bohemian street market of La Boca, the tango barrio of San Telmo and the famous Recoleta cemetery, home to the resting place of Eva Peron.

Day 13 - Buenos Aires

Day at leisure.

Dinner and Tango Show: Tango Porteno – Tonight, you will experience one of the best Tango shows in Buenos Aires. You will be met at your hotel and transferred to Tango Porteno. After the dinner and show, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Day 14 - Buenos Aires - Iguazu Falls

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguazu Falls. Transfer to hotel.

The Iguazu Falls. This is the region of great rivers, humid tropics, red earth and magnificent jungle. Just 18 km from Puerto Iguazu, you enter the National Park of the same name, where the famous falls sit. The deep flowing waters of the river fall from heights of 70 metres through 275 falls spread over 2.7 km. The frontier with Brazil goes through the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), where the falling water gives the illusion of magic rainbows. The national park is full of exotic subtropical vegetation that surrounds the falls and has 2000 plant species – gigantic trees, ferns, lianas, orchids – 400 bird species – parrots, colibris, toucans – jaguars and yacares (caimans). A visit to these falls is a truly unforgettable experience.

Day 15 - Iguazu Falls

Guided walk along the many trails on the Argentine side of the falls, including a small train journey to the impres- sive Devil’s Throat, the spectacular point through which the most water flows over this magnificent cascade.

Day 16 - Iguazu Falls - Rio De Janeiro

Tour the Brazilian side of the falls for a panoramic view of the 275 falls spanning nearly 3 kilometres and running along the border of Brazil and Argentina. Once you have finished your tour, you will be transferred to Foz Iguaçu airport (Brazilian side) for your onward flight.

Day 17 - Rio De Janeiro

Tour and cable car trip to one of the city’s favourite landmarks Sugar Loaf mountain, the famous granite and quartz peaks overlooking Guanabara bay for a fantastic view.

Day 18 - Rio De Janeiro

Half-day trip to the top of Corcovado mountain, catching a small train through the Tijuca forest before reaching the top to see the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.

Tonight, you will enjoy a samba show and a barbecue dinner.

Day 19 - Rio De Janeiro - Santiago De Chile

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Santiago. Transfer to hotel.

Day 20 - Santiago De Chile

Half-day city tour of Santiago, dramatically set at the foot of the Andes mountains, to discover the city’s many layers of cultural influence. Visit “La Moneda” government house and San Cristobal Hill for fantastic city views.

Day 21 - Santiago De Chile - Australia/New Zealand/USA

Transfer to the airport for flight home.

Day 22 - Arriving Home

Arriving Home

TOUR INCLUSIONS

Tour Price Includes:

• International economy airfares ex. SYD/MEL/BNE & internal flights within South America

• A combination of tourist superior and first-class accommodation

• Selected meals: 19 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

• Return economy Vistadome train to Machu Picchu

• First-class catamaran journey across Lake Titicaca

• Comprehensive sightseeing, excursions & airport transfers with local English-speaking guides