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Ultimate South America

Resort:Ultimate South America
Operator: Wendy Wu Tours
Destination: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Latin America, Peru, South America
Price From: £11290.00

Overview

28 Day Ultimate South America Tour Itinerary

DAYS 1-2: FLY TO LIMA

Welcome to Lima! You will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel. You have the rest of the afternoon to yourselves before a welcome dinner this evening. (D)

DAY 3: EXPLORE LIMA

Originally named the City of the Kings, Lima is rich in heritage, which youll see for yourself today. Start in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre to admire the colonial magnificence before stopping at several other of Lima’s most famous sites. (B)

DAY 4: THE SACRED VALLEY

Fly from Lima to Cusco and transfer to the town of Urubamba set in Perus famous Sacred Valley. Backed by rolling foothills and snowy peaks, it is a lovely, relaxed place to acclimatize to the altitude of the Andes. On the way visit Pisacs colourful market, and enjoy lunch made from home-grown produce with the local Chawaytire community. The rest of the day is free. (B,L)

DAY 5: HUILLOC/MACHU PICCHU

Spend the day in the remote village of Huilloc, approximately 40 minutes transfer from your hotel, where you will gain a fascinating cultural insight into their lives. Youll enjoy a cooking demonstration of a typical Quechua dish before tucking into lunch with the locals. Continue onto the small town of Aguas Calientes by train (also known as Macchu Pichu Pueblo) for your overnight stay. (B,L)

DAY 6: MACHU PICCHU/CUSCO

This morning you will visit the world famous citadel of Macchu Pichu. A guided tour will give you some insight into the Inca Empire and an understanding of how its inhabitants lived many centuries ago. The tour includes up to four hours of sightseeing, plus some free time to explore on your own. Return to the village of Machu Picchu before riding the train back to Poroy followed by your transfer to Cusco. (B)

DAY 7: CUSCO

Home to an incredible Incan legacy, Cusco has some of the richest heritage in Latin America and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour will include visits to the Plaza de Armas, once the heart of the Incan capital of Huacaypata; and Qoricancha, the temple of the sun. Head just out of town to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman and Puka Pukara, the Red Fortess. Spend the afternoon at leisure. (B)

DAY 8: TRAIN THROUGH THE ANDES

Today take a train from Cusco to Puno. Journey through amazing Andean landscapes to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, passing through the spectacular Peruvian highlands. The train has 4 dining cars, a bar car and an observation car. Along the way you will enjoy a gourmet lunch prepared with exquisite Andean ingredients and there will be music and dance shows on board. (B,L)

DAY 9: LAKE TITICACA

Leaving Puno today, travel to the lakeside town of Copacabana, Bolivia. Visit Copacabana Sanctuary, followed by a catamaran cruise across Lake Titicaca to Sun Island. Visit the Inti Wata Cultural Complex, and take a short trip on a huge traditional Titicaca reed vessel for your journey to Pikokaina Inca Palace. Cross the Strait of Tiquina before reboarding the Catamaran for the night. (B,L,D)

DAY 10: TRAVEL TO LA PAZ

Depart Lake Titicaca today for La Paz. Enjoy a walking tour of the city with a journey in a cable car for a bird’s eye view of the capital. Continue on to the Moon Valley, an area of tall clay spires, formed by erosions of the mountains in the area. Enjoy a cultural Bolivian dance and folklore show this evening, with performers in typical dress. This day is at altitude. (B,L,D)

DAY 11: EXPLORE SALAR DE UYUNI

Fly to Uyuni today for a fascinating tour of the world-famous Bolivian Salt Flats. Start exploring straight away, visiting the Train Cemetery and Salt Museum before continuing to the ancient mummies of Tunupa Volcano. After, retire to your hotel made entirely out of salt – where you will spend the night. (B,L,D)

DAY 12: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

Today you will bid farewell to Bolivia as you transfer to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. This day is at altitude. (B,L)

DAY 13: ATACAMA DESERT

This morning, drive out into the otherworldly landscapes to visit the Salar de Atacama and the quaint desert village of Toconao. This afternoon, youll continue to Death and Moon valleys. (B,L)

DAY 14: EL TATIO/SANTIAGO

Rise early and travel for around 2 hours deeper into the Atacama to visit El Tatio Geysers. Enjoy a guided walk amongst the mud craters and bubbling geysers. After, travel through the Andes Mountain Range to the small desert village of Machuca. Return to San Pedro this afternoon and transfer to Calama to fly to Chiles capital city, Santiago. (B)

DAY 15: EXPLORE SANTIAGO

Discover Chile’s capital today, including visits to the Plaza de Armas, Ahumada Boulevard and Santa Lucia Hill. You have the afternoon to yourselves. (B,L)

DAY 16: VALPARAISO

Travel westwards out of the capital today for a full day’s tour of Valparaiso, the bohemian port town. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valparaiso is a unique and delightful tangle, draped over a series of hills on Chile’s coast. Explore this charming town on foot and by funicular, before returning to Santiago this afternoon. (B,L)

DAY 17: ACROSS THE ANDES

Bid farewell to Chile as you travel across the Andes to Argentina. Pass alongside Aconcagua (South America’s tallest mountain) before arriving in Mendoza, home of Argentina’s world-famous wine industry. (B,L)

DAY 18: MENDOZA WINE TOUR

Enjoy a full day tour of Maipu Valley, where you will taste some delicious local wines from the Malbec grape followed by a delicious lunch. (B,L)

DAY 19: BUENOS AIRES

Enjoy a relaxed city tour of Mendoza before flying to Argentinas flamboyant capital, Buenos Aires. The Paris of South America, Buenos Aires is a romantic and lively city. (B)

DAY 20: BUENOS AIRES

After breakfast, enjoy the irresistible combination of Latin flair and European elegance on a Buenos Aires city tour. Visit the vibrant districts of La Boca, San Telmo, Puerto Madero, Palermo and Recoleta. This evening sit down for dinner and an exciting tango show. (B,L,D)

DAY 21: THE PAMPAS

Spend the day just outside the city on the vast, fertile grasslands known as the pampas, on a traditional estancia (ranch). Here youll get some insight into the life of folk heroes, the gaucho and after a typical Argentinian asado lunch, there will be a fun folklore show. (B,L)

DAY 22: IGUAZU FALLS

Say farewell to Buenos Aires to board your plane over to Puerto Iguazu, the town closest to the incredible wonder that is Iguazu Falls. The incredible Iguazu Falls spans the border of Argentina and Brazil and features hundreds of rushing cascades, set in a lush rainforest scene. (B,D)

DAY 23: MEET THE MBOROR ALDEA PEOPLE

Spend the day on the Argentinian side of Iguazu falls, with a trip to the most impressive observation point the Devils Throat. Visit the Mboror Aldea community this afternoon where you will learn about this ancient tribe’s way of life. (B,D)

DAY 24: FLY TO RIO DE JANEIRO

Cross the border to visit the Brazilian side of the falls, followed by a transfer to the local airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro, Brazils Cidade Maravilhosa’. (B)

DAY 25: EXPLORE RIO

Today you willl experience many of Rio’s most iconic sites including Mount Corcovado where Christ the Redeemer sits, Tijuca Forest, Urca neighbourhood and two cable car journeys to Sugarloaf Mountain. From here, you will be able to gaze down upon the city, Corcovado and the surrounding islands. (B,L)

DAY 26: RIO DAY AT LEISURE

Enjoy a free day to enjoy the sights and sounds of the wonderful Rio. You could spend the day at one of the citys famous beaches or explore a bit farther independently. This evening meet up with the group for a farewell dinner at a vibrant Brazilian steakhouse. (B,D)

DAYS 27-28: FLY RIO TO THE UK

Fly to the UK, arriving home the following day. (B)