Discover South America

Starting your South American journey

Your discovery tour of South America's highlights starts at London Heathrow, where we meet the Tour Manager before boarding our flight to São Paulo, Brazil. Travelling overnight, we can look forward to the days ahead, and an itinerary brimming with South America's top cultural highlights, including the celebrated Iguazú Falls, Peru's wondrous ancient sites, and the exciting cities of Lima, Cusco, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro.

Connecting to Lima, Peru's historic capital

On arrival in São Paulo, Brazil, we take a connecting flight to Lima in Peru. Touching down in the Peruvian capital, we transfer to our modern hotel in the Miraflores district. After time to relax, this afternoon we enjoy a guided coach tour of Lima, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage colonial centre, the Plaza de Armas, the church and convent of Santo Domingo, and the Parque del Amor in Miraflores. Dinner together this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Into the Sacred Valley of the Incas

We wake early to catch an internal flight to Cusco. On arrival, we transfer by coach to our hotel in the Sacred Valley, stopping en route for a Coca Kintu ceremony. The Sacred Valley was once the beating heart of the Incan empire, a peaceful region of fertile farmland, soaring mountains and traditional villages stretching for more than 60 miles. After checking in, there's time to relax before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Touring Pisac and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley

A full-day excursion following the Urubamba River to Pisac, where we visit the colonial town and its fabulous market selling handmade crafts, jewellery and textiles. After lunch in Pisac, we continue to Ollantaytambo for a guided tour of the ancient fortress, including the Sun Temple and Princess Baths fountain. If time allows, we visit a typical Chicheria. The evening is free to dine independently.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Excursion to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas

A major highlight of the holiday. After breakfast we transfer to the station and board the scenic Expedition (or Voyager) Train to Aguas Calientes. A winding bus ride takes us up to Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan citadel built amid floating clouds, mountains and forested peaks, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. We return by coach to Aguas Calientes for free time over lunch, then return by rail to Ollantaytambo and on to Cusco for a two-night stay. Evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Touring Cusco, the 'Archaeological Capital of the Americas'

A guided tour of Cusco this morning, visiting the Plaza de Armas, Cusco Cathedral, and the Temple of Qorikancha (Incan Temple of the Sun). Our tour continues to the Bohemian neighbourhood of San Blas, with the rest of the day at leisure. This evening we dine at a restaurant near our hotel and enjoy a traditional folk performance.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Welcome to stylish Buenos Aires

After an early breakfast, we transfer to Cusco airport for an internal flight to Lima and then on to Buenos Aires, arriving in the evening and transferring by coach to our central hotel. The rest of the evening is free to explore the historic streets around the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Buenos Aires, the 'Paris of South America'

A guided tour of Buenos Aires' finest sights, including La Recoleta and the resting place of Eva Perón, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Palermo, and Plaza de Mayo with Casa Rosada. From lunchtime, free for the rest of the afternoon. This evening, a relaxed group dinner followed by an authentic Argentine Tango show backed by a quintet covering music from the 1920s to Astor Piazzola.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

A day at leisure in Buenos Aires

A full day to explore Buenos Aires at your own pace. Suggested visits include La Boca with its colourful Caminito Street, San Telmo's cobbled streets and antique shops, and cultural centres such as the Teatro Colón, Teatro General San Martin, or Teatro Nacional Cervantes. Dinner independently.

Meals: Breakfast

To Puerto Iguazú, on the border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay

We leave Buenos Aires and drive to the airport for a two-hour flight to Iguazú. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel in Puerto Iguazú, which overlooks the Iguazú River. This evening we dine together at our hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Viewing the Iguazú Falls from Argentina

A coach excursion to the Argentine side of the spectacular Iguazú Falls. We enter the lush subtropical rainforest of the national park, walking into the heart of the falls, 275 powerful cascading falls. We take the lower circuit and continue to the Upper Falls and the dramatic U-shaped Devil's Throat, where water descends from a height of 269 feet. The remainder of the afternoon is free.

Meals: Breakfast

The Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls, and on to Rio de Janeiro

A half-day tour on the Brazilian side of the Iguazú Falls, following the main circuit with a local expert. We follow an elevated route of 3,280 feet above river level, with an elevator up to the Salto Floriano viewing platform. After a short lunch break, we transfer to the airport for an afternoon flight to Rio de Janeiro. Arriving this evening, we transfer to our hotel opposite Leme beach. Evening free to dine independently.

Meals: Breakfast

Exploring Rio and visiting the statue of Christ

A sightseeing tour of Rio. We board the Corcovado Rack Railway to ascend Corcovado Mountain and view the awe-inspiring statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the New Wonders of the World. We then visit the Botanical Gardens. Continuing by coach to a local restaurant, we enjoy a typical Brazilian churrascaria-style barbecue lunch. The rest of the day is free.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

A cable car trip to iconic Sugarloaf Mountain

After breakfast, a journey by cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain (almost 1,300 feet), with breathtaking panoramic views across the harbour and Guanabara Bay. After an independent lunch, our tour continues to the Sambadrome, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Municipal Theatre. Final group dinner at the hotel this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving South America

Free time to enjoy your surroundings before regrouping in the late afternoon. In the late afternoon, we transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport for a short flight to São Paulo, where we join our connecting flight to London Heathrow.

Meals: Breakfast

Homeward bound

Landing in London Heathrow this afternoon, you are free to continue your journey homewards. This South American journey has taken us from the exquisite ancient temples of Peru to the glorious waterfalls and rivers of Argentina and Brazil, the treasure of Lima, the cultural heritage of Buenos Aires and the dazzling landmarks of Rio de Janeiro.