South America Grand Tour

This tour focuses on the South America’s cultural and natural highlights, and reveals its cultural and scenic diversity. Crossing the Andes through Peru to Lake Titicaca, the journey continues through Bolivia’s capital of La Paz and on to cosmopolitan Buenos Aires. Discover the magnificent Iguazú Falls and conclude your trip in the exotic Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.

Day 1: Fly to Lima, Peru
Fly from London (regional connections available) to Lima with British Airways. Transfer to the Casa Andina Premium Miraflores for 2 nights. (N)

Day 2: Lima
Morning tour of Lima, including the colonial centre and a stop at the historic Cordano tavern for a local pisco sour. (B)

Day 3: Fly to Cuzco • The Sacred Valley
Fly to Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire. Transfer to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, via the local market in Pisac and Ollantaytambo Inca fortress. Stay at the Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley for 1 night. (B)

Day 4: Machu Picchu
Take the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu and explore this spectacular Inca city. Stay at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel for 1 night. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Cuzco
Morning at leisure or further explore Machu Picchu (purchase tickets at time of booking). In the afternoon, return to Cuzco by train and stay 2 nights at the Casa Andina Premium Cuzco. (B)

Day 6: Cuzco
Morning tour of Cuzco and San Blas. Afternoon at leisure or optional excursions. (B)

Day 7: Luxury train to Puno
Take the Belmond Andean Explorer sleeper train across the altiplano (high plain) to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Enjoy majestic vistas from the stylish lounge car, stop by the archaeological site of Raqchi and watch the sunset at La Raya (the highest point of the route), where the snowcapped Andes tower over deep valleys. Dinner and overnight on board (bunk bed cabin – upgrade to a twin bedded cabin, please ask for further details). (B, L, D)

Day 8: Lake Titicaca • La Paz, Bolivia
Wake up to see sunrise over Lake Titicaca. After breakfast, travel by road to Bolivia and take a boat across the lake to visit the floating reed islands and Sun Island en route. Continue to the bustling city of La Paz and stay 2 nights at the Hotel Europa. (B, L)

Day 9: La Paz
Morning tour of La Paz, including the witches’ market and Moon Valley. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 10: Fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina
Fly to Buenos Aires, a city of grand architecture and European influences. Transfer to the Brick Hotel Buenos Aires for 3 nights. (B)

Day 11: Buenos Aires
Morning city tour including a visit to the cathedral, La Boca district and the Recoleta cemetery. (B)

Day 12: Buenos Aires
At leisure or optional excursions. (B)

Day 13: Iguazú Falls
Fly to Iguazú and visit the Brazilian side of the park for panoramic views of the thundering cataracts. Return to the Argentinian side and stay for 2 nights at the Sheraton Iguazú Hotel inside the park (upgrade to a falls-view room, please ask for further details). (B)

Day 14: Iguazú Falls
At leisure to explore the various nearby walkways and viewing platforms on the Argentinian side or take an optional boat ride on the river below. (B)

Day 15: Fly to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fly to Rio, set among mountains, tropical forests and golden beaches. Transfer to the Copacabana beach for a stay of 2 nights at the PortoBay Rio Internacional (Superior partial ocean-view room). Upgrade to a partial or full ocean view room at the luxurious Belmond Copacabana Palace, please ask for further details. (B)

Day 16: Rio de Janeiro
Full-day tour of Rio de Janeiro, including Corcovado and Sugar Loaf mountain. (B)

Days 17-18: Fly to London
At leisure or optional excursions (PortoBay day room use from £75). Evening flight to London with British Airways, arriving the following day. (B)

Meal basis
As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Important information

Locally escorted tour
This tour is led in each destination en route by a local tour guide.

Itinerary
This tour includes some early morning starts and long days. Departures in March and November will fly to Lima via Madrid.

* Park fees
Entry fees at Iguazú and Iguaçu national parks are not included.

Superior tour
This tour is based in 4- and 5- star accommodation.

Private & tailor-made travel
This itinerary can be taken privately, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements, please contact us for further details.

† Easter departures
The 21 March 2018 departure will spend Easter Sunday in Buenos Aires.

Contact us for dates and prices