2024 Mexico, Peru, Argentina & Brazil Essentials Tour

Arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel. We recommend the 4 star Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico. Upgrade to the 5 star Four Seasons.

Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico

After breakfast, a guided city tour through Mexico City, starting from The Zocalo, the historical centre of Mexico City. The tour includes the National Palace, famous for its colourful murals by one of Mexico's greatest artists, Diego Rivera; the Cathedral Metropolitana, perhaps the most impressive in all of Mexico. Built by the Spanish in the 1520s, it was erected directly above the sacrificial ceremonial site of the Aztecs where rows of skulls were displayed. Afternoon visit to the world famous anthropological museum. Return to your hotel.

Meals: B

After breakfast, excursion to the fabulous archaeological site of Teotihuacán lying in the valley of Mexico. This is the world famous site of the huge Pirámides del Sol y de la Luna (Pyramids of the Sun and Moon), and was once Mexico's largest ancient city and the capital of what was probably the country's largest pre-Hispanic empire. The site's main 'road' is the famous Avenue of the Dead, a monumental 2km (1.2miles) thoroughfare lined with the former palaces of Teotihuacán's elite. To its south is the pyramid-bedecked La Ciudadela, believed to have been the residence of the city's supreme ruler. Enclosed within the citadel's walls is the Quetzalcóatl Temple, with its striking serpent carvings. Heading north, the avenue passes the world's third-largest pyramid: the awe-inspiring, 70m (230ft), 248-stepped Pyramid of the Sun. The pyramid was originally painted a suitably sun-drenched, bloody red. The avenue terminates at the Pyramid of the Moon, flanked by the 12 temple platforms of the Plaza de la Luna. Nearby are the beautifully frescoed Palace of the Quetzal Butterfly, the Jaguar Palace and the Temple of the Plumed Conch Shells. Teotihuacán's most famous mural, the Paradise of Tláloc, is in the Tepantitla Palace, a priest's residence northeast of the Pyramid of the Sun. The site also has a museum to help make sense of it all. After the tour, return to your hotel.

Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Villahermosa. Arrival and transfer to your hotel for accommodation.
We recommend the 4 star Crowne Plaza. Upgrade to the 5 star Hilton You can also stay closer to the ruins at the Boutique Hotel Quinta Chanabnal for an additional US$95 per person. If there is time a visit to the Venta Park (with its Olmec sculptures and zoo). Rest of the day at leisure.

Hotel Crowne Plaza   |  Meals: B

After breakfast, a guided tour of the fabulous Mayan archaeological site of Palenque. After the tour, transfer to Villahermosa airport for the flight to Merida. Arrival in Merida, reception and transfer to your hotel for accommodation. We recommend the 4 star Hyatt Regency. Upgrade to the 5 star Hacienda Xcanatun.

Hotel Hacienda Xcanatun  |  Meals: B

After breakfast at the hotel, an excursion to the Mayan archaeological sites of Uxmal and Kabah. After a lunch, return to your hotel. Day at leisure.

Meals: B & L

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Cancun with a stopover at the Mayan archaeological site of Chichen Itza, the fabulous new 7th wonder of the world. After the visit, lunch at a restaurant. Arrival in Cancun in the early evening. Drop off at hotel of your choice.
We recommend the 4 star Radisson Hacienda Hotel. Upgrade to the 5 star Fiesta Americana.

Hotel Fiesta Americana  |  Meals: B & L

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima.
Arrival in Lima, reception and transfer to your hotel. We recommend the 4 star Casa Andina Select. Upgrade to the 5 star Country Club.

Hotel Casa Andina  |  Meals: B

After breakfast, pick up at 9am for a guided visit of colonial and modern Lima, including the cathedral, which still houses the original bronze fountain built in 1650, and the San Francisco Convent and its catacombs. Known as the city of the kings, Lima was founded in 1535 by Pizarro and rebuilt in 1991, the same year that UNESCO declared it a world heritage site. The tour will terminate at 12.00 when you will transfer to the airport for the 14.30 afternoon flight to Cuzco. Arrival in Cuzco, reception and transfer to you hotel. We recommend the 4 star Casa Andina Private Collection. Upgrade to the 5 star Aranwa Hotel.

Aranwa Hotel  |  Meals: B

Free morning. At 13.45, pick up for the afternoon guided visit of the four ruins nearby; the Sacsayhuaman Fortress overlooking the of Cuzco, a pre Inca architectural masterpiece; Kenko, a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is the monolithic altar representing a puma, the red Fortress of Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, a beautiful fountain fed by a spring forming a series of basins continue to the city of Cuzco; the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun. Return to your hotel at 18.00.

Meals: B

Pick up at 09.00 for a full-day excursion to the beautiful Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Inca situated between Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Visit the village of Pisac, founded during colonial times, and set at the foot of a hill crowned by the remains of an ancient Inca city. Visit the market. After a buffet lunch, a visit to Ollantaytambo, with an opportunity to explore the ruins which tower above. Overnight in the Sacred Valley. We recommend the 4 star Casa Andina Private Collection. Upgrade to the 5 star Aranwa Hotel.

Meals: B & L

After breakfast, take the 06.00 train to Aguas Calientes. Arrival at 09.30 and start the guided tour of Machu Picchu, the most spectacular ancient city in the world. This fabulous city has houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square, all connected by narrow roads and steps, and is surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side which were used for agriculture. After the tour, free time to enjoy this magical and spiritual wonder. Opportunity for a trek (approx 1 hour) up to the sungate (Intipunku), which is a part of the Inca Trail, for a magical view of the sanctuary. Return back down to to Aguas Calientes at 16.30 and transfer to your hotel. We recommend the 4 star Pueblo Hotel. Upgrade to the 5 star Sumaq.

Pueblo Hotel  |  Meals: B & D

Opportunity to return to the sanctuary (bus tickets and entrance tickets not included). Return to Cuzco with the 16.30 afternoon train. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. We recommend the 4 star Casa Andina Private Collection. Upgrade to the 5 star Aranwa Hotel.

Meals: B

Transfer to the bus terminal at 07.00 for the 07.45 departure by tourist coach to Puno. The journey will take you across the imposing altiplano region of Peru affording magnificent views of the majestic snow peaks of the. Along the route, there shall be plenty of opportunities to see alpacas and vicuñas in their natural habitat. A stop for lunch. Stops will also be made at Pukara and several other archaeological sites. Arrival in Puno at approximately 17.30 and transfer to your hotel. We recommend the 4 star Jose Antonio. Upgrade to the 5 star Libertador.

Hotel Jose Antonio  |  Meals: B & L

Early transfer to the port at 07.00 for the boat journey on Lake Titicaca to the floating islands of Uros. Made entirely of reeds and inhabited by the Aymara Uros people, they live in huts built on platforms of reeds, not more than 30-40 cms/1foot thick. Short hike on the islands, then the boat trip continues as far as the island of Taquile. Members of this self supporting Aymara community receive visitors in their colourful national costume and show them around the island. Taquile is renowned for its fine, decorative weavings. Lunch before returning to your hotel in Puno at approximately 16.00. Free evening.

Meals: B & L

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima and your connecting flight to Buenos Aires (international flight times vary and we cannot guarantee exact time until ticketing). Transfer to your hotel. We recommend the 4 star NH City Hotel. Upgrade to the 5 star Marriott Park Plaza.

NH City Hotel  |  Meals: B

After breakfast, a city tour of perhaps the most cosmopolitan city in South America. Most of the population is of European descent and the city is reminiscent of Paris. It is situated on the Rio de la Plata, and as its name suggests, it is the city of good winds. The tour will include a visit to the Plaza de Mayo, the hub of the city centre and where many public buildings such as the Catedral Metropolitana can be found. At the east end, you will find the Casa Rosada presidential palace with the famous balcony from which Juan and Evita Peron greeted the masses. You shall also visit La Boca, Buenos Aires' most colourful neighbourhood. San Telmo, just a few blocks south of Plaza de Mayo is the artist's quarter, what some believe to be Buenos Aires' most interesting feature. Return to your hotel.

Meals: B

Today, a full day Fiesta Gaucha Excursion, visiting a typical "estancia" in the pampas. This is a visit to a typical "estancia" or Ranch, in the one of the most fertile and natural prairies of the world, the Argentine. Here you will see the work of the famous Gaucho, the Argentinean cowboy. Return to your hotel.

Meals: B & L

After breakfast, a visit to Tigre with a boat ride on the Parana River. Return to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a Tango and dinner show in the evening.

Meals: B & D

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Iguazu. Arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel. Free day. We recommend the 4 star Esturion. Upgrade to the 5 star Sheraton.

Esturion Hotel  |  Meals: B

Full day excursion of the Argentinean side of the falls. These fabulous UNESCO World Heritage Iguazu falls, the most voluminous falls in the world and more than three times the width of the Niagara Falls. The falls lie on the three borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Argentina is best for a closer appreciation of these magnificent waterfalls. The tour will include the Aventura boat ride under the falls themselves.

Meals: B

After breakfast, pick up and transfer across the border to Brazil and enjoy a half day excursion to the falls, which will allow to see the full size of the falls. Return to your hotel.
We recommend the 4 star Continental. Upgrade to the 5 star Bourbon Cataratas

Hotel Continental  |  Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Rio de Janeiro. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.
We recommend the 4 star Windsor Copacabana. Upgrade to the 5 star Sofitel.

Windsor Copacabana  |  Meals: B

After breakfast, at 09.00 a half day visit of the "marvelous city" including a sightseeing tour to Sugar Loaf Mountain. A two-stage cable car takes you to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain where you will enjoy a splendid view of Rio, Copacabana Beach, and Guanabara Bay. Return to your hotel at 13.00. Free afternoon to enjoy the beaches of Rio.

Meals: B

After breakfast, pick up at 09.00 for a half day visit to Corcovado, the mountain home to the world famous, Christo de Redentor statue for a magnificent 360° panoramic view of Rio. Return to your hotel at 13.00. Free afternoon.

Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Meals: B