The Complete Argentina, Chile & Peru Experience

Arrival to Buenos Aires, reception and transfer to your hotel. We recommend the Park Plaza.

After breakfast, a city tour of perhaps the most cosmopolitan metropolis 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. A visit will also be made to 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. Visit to Recoleta, a very fashionable area where you can visit the fine arts museum, called Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, and the city's gardens of Plaza Alvear and Plaza Francia. The latter hosts the largest crafts fair in the city every Sunday.

Full day Fiesta Gaucha excursion, visiting a typical "estancia" in the pampas. A delicious lunch will be served where you will be able to appreciate the ranching work of the true South American cowboy, the gaucho. Return to your hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Puerto Iguazu. Transfer to your hotel, we recommend the Sheraton Iguazu. A visit to the 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 Argentinean side of Iguazu allows for a close appreciation. Set in a subtropical rain forest reserve of over 180,000 hectares, Iguazu is home to jaguar, puma, caiman and over 400 species of bird. The tour will include the Aventura ride, an exhilarating boat ride on the Parana River, heading towards the Iguazu falls themselves. Return to your hotel.

Today you will cross the border into Brazil for a half day excursion to appreciate a wider view of the falls. The falls lie on the three borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Return to your hotel in Argentina for your last night. (Please note that all US & Canadian citizens require a Brazilian visa for this excursion) .

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires and take the connecting flight to Santiago. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. We recommend the Hyatt Hotel. Free evening.

After breakfast, a half day city tour of Santiago including a visit to the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino. This museum offers a thorough overview of 4500 years of pre-Columbian civilization throughout Central and South America. At the Main Square (Plaza de Armas) view the Cathedral, Post Office and National Museum. Continue along the main avenue called "Alameda" to admire the San Francisco Church, the National Library. You shall also see the Mercado Central and is Santiago's most colourful market and home to many great seafood restaurants.

After breakfast, we start our journey through the valleys of Curacaví and Casablanca, where we shall visit a local vineyard. Afterwards we travel to the port of Valparaíso, a tourist attraction that cannot be missed. This city was declared a world heritage site thanks to the picturesque architecture of its 44 hills, and their characteristic elevators, 15 of them still working. We first visit the National Congress and then go up the Bellavista hill to see "La Sebastiana", a beautiful house that belonged to the poet Pablo Neruda, a Nobel Prize winner (1971), with an option to visit this lovely building (ticket not included). We then move on to the Sotomayor Square, to see the Building of the National Navy (declared a National Monument) and the Monument for the Heroes of Iquique (Pacific War 1879-1883). Thereafter, we go up the Concepción hill and stroll along the Atkinson and Gervasoni Walks, for a spectacular view of the port. Afterwards, we visit the Yugoeslavian Walk and the Baburizza Palace, a museum house that maintains the greatness of its first owners. We then continue towards the Inmigrations Building (National Monument) and take the Artillería Elevator to visit the famous 21 de Mayo observatory, where each year hundreds of visitors gather to see the fantastic fireworks that the port launches to welcome the New Year. Overnight at the Vina del Mar Hotel.

After breakfast, we border the coast on our way to Viña del Mar, also known as the City of Gardens, to have lunch in one of its many restaurants. You will have a chance to visit the Flower Clock, the Viña del Mar Casino, the Seaside Walk, Reñaca Beach, and the Fonck Museum, famous for its Easter Island collection (option to visit the museum, ticket not included). Return to Santiago in the evening and to the Hyatt hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Rapa Nui, otherwise known as the Easter Islands. The flight will take approximately 5 hours. Arrival, traditional welcome and transfer to your hotel. We recommend the Explora. Rapa Nui is the most isolated, inhabited island in the world. Located 2000 miles (3200 km) west of Chile and over 4000 km from Tahiti, it was discovered by the Dutch in 1772, Admiral Jacob Roggeween landed there on Easter Sunday and gave the island its present name. He was the first European to describe the unusual statues carved from the volcanic rock from Rano Raraku. Standing as tall as 18 ft (5.5 m) and weighing up to 100 tons, the statues are known as moai, and each are supposed representations of clan chieftains. These moais, were placed on top of platforms called ahu, which in turn served as a family burial vault.

After breakfast, a full day's tour visiting Vaihu, where eight toppled Moai lie, Akahanga, Rano Raraku volcano, where the statues are half buried, Ahu Tongariki, where the largest Ahu (or platform) is located, Te Pito Kura (a large rock believed to have been brought from Tahiti) and Ahu Nau Nau (where the Moai are in particularly good condition). Enjoy a local style ballet show.

Today, a half day's excursion to Rano Kau volcano, site of ancient petroglyphs and the ceremonial temple of Iorongo, Vinapu (site of meticulous stonework found nowhere else on the islands) along with the Anakai Tangata caves. Free afternoon.

Today, enjoy a half day horse riding tour on the islands. Return to your hotel.

After breakfast, a half day excursion to Ahu Akivi, the famous seven Moais, believed to be one of the last built around 1460 and measuring 14 feet in height and weighing 12 metric tons. The caves of Ana Tepahu and Puna Pau, a quarry, from where the red hats that are worn by some of the Moai were made is also visited today. Transfer to the airport for the return flight back to Santiago and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to Santiago airport for the flight to Calama, set in the middle of the Atacama desert. Arrival and transfer to the Explora Lodge. Accommodation at your Hotel. The Atacama Desert is home to volcanoes, dry salt lakes, ponds and waters.

Tour through the Atacama Desert.

Tour through the Atacama Desert.

Tour through the Atacama Desert.

Very early morning departure to the Tatio Geysers to experience this spectacular demonstration of volcanic activity. In the middle of the Andean mountains, the El Tatio Geysers at 4,500 metres above sea level gush fumaroles at dawn. Box lunch on route. Return to Calama in the afternoon for your transfer to the airport and your return flight to Santiago. Reception and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. As you arrive into Lima airport and exit customs and baggage, you will be warmly welcomed, assisted with your luggage before escorted to your hotel in a private vehicle. Your hotel in Lima will be the Westin Hotel.

After breakfast, start your visit of colonial and modern Lima, starting in the centre of this vibrant, metropolis. The tour will include a visit of the cathedral, dating from 1654 which still houses the remains of the conquistador Pizarro in the foyer; the Main Square, with the original bronze fountain built in 1650, the Government Palace where the President has his official residence and the San Francisco Convent, with its famous catacombs. Lima, known as the city of the kings, was founded in 1535 by Pizarro and after several devastating earthquakes was rebuilt in 1991; the same year that UNESCO declared Lima a world heritage site. One of the very few South American cities that preserve the colonial past, Lima was home to the Spanish viceroy during the time of the Spanish colonial power. The tour will continue with a visit to the residential areas of San Isidro and Miraflores, before stopping at La Rosa Nautica for a delicious lunch. This seafood restaurant is popular with affluent Limenos as well as international visitors but may be substituted for any other restaurant of your choice. After lunch, you shall enjoy a private visit to the Larco Herrera Museum, one of the finest private museums in Peru. With a fabulous collection of artefacts of the northern cultures particularly of the Mochica culture. The museum was founded in 1926 in Trujillo but was transferred in the 1950's to Lima. There is a room of mummies, textiles (including a Paracas cloak over 2000 years old), and several gold and silver vaults. Return to your hotel.

After breakfast, with boarding passes in hand, you will be driven to the airport for your quick-check-in and brief one hour flight to Cuzco, the ancient Inca capital of the Incas. In Cuzco, you will be warmly welcomed and assisted with your luggage before your short private drive to your hotel, the Palacio del Inca. In the early afternoon, you will be met by our leading tour guide of Cuzco, Jaime Vasquez who with over 20 years of experience will guide you on an incredible tour of Cuzco including the Qoricancha temple or temple of the Sun, the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco city, Qenko, Tambomachay and Puka Pukara. Your private driver will be with you at all times as you visit each part of this fascinating and ancient city. Return to the hotel in the evening.

After breakfast at your hotel, start of a full-day's excursion to the beautiful Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, situated between Pisac and Ollantaytambo. It is an exceptionally fertile valley that was and remains the larder of Cuzco. You will 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. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, you will witness Indians bartering their products in the main square and artisans from around the area sell their woven alpaca wool blankets and ponchos, engraved gourds, antique reproductions, jewellery, etc. Continuing your trip to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that was not defeated by the Spanish with an opportunity to explore the ruins which tower above. You will then return to Cuzco after this full day with wonderful memories of the heart of the Inca land. Arrival to your hotel.

Today you will have an early start and enjoy breakfast before your private chauffeur will take you to Poroy Railway Station in time for the boarding of the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes. The train will depart at 08.30am for the 3 ½ hour journey before you arrive to Aguas Calientes train station, gateway to the lost city of the Incas.
As you disembark, you will be assisted with your luggage and welcomed to check in to the Sumaq. Shortly after, your guide Jaime will again lead you on a private guided tour of Machu Picchu, the most spectacular ancient city in the world. Built by the Inca Pachacutec, and comprising stone blocks fitted with masterful precision, Machu Picchu harmoniously blends into the mountain landscape. There are many theories as to the origins behind Machu Picchu but three of the most popular ideas include a temple to the sun, a fortress against the jungle inhabitants or a sanctuary for the Incas. 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. Dinner and accommodation at your hotel.

Today you will enjoy a free day in Machu Picchu with an opportunity to see the site at sunrise. Today no guide is provided as we feel that Machu Picchu requires a certain amount of self discovery to be fully understood. Take any of the several paths around various parts of the site. Let Machu Picchu unfold all its mysteries for you, take in the breathtaking cloud forests and jagged mountains, or marvel at the extraordinary Masonic precision of the ancient Incas. Lunch before returning on the afternoon train.

After early breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Puno. Arrival and transfer to your hotel, the Libertador.

After breakfast, pick-up to start your full day's excursion to the islands of Uros and Taquile. Your first stop will be to the communal islands of Uros, otherwise known as the reed islands, whose islands are made entirely of tortora reeds and home to a small community dating back to a pre-Inca culture. You will appreciate how these people toil out an existence on such a remote setting complete with its own school. After the visit, boarding of the yacht as you continue your trip to the Island of Taquile whose inhabitants are more closely related to the Aymara people of Bolivia than the Quechua Incas of Peru. You will enjoy a walk on the islands before returning to Puno on-board your yacht and return to your hotel.

After breakfast, take the tourist bus to the Colca Canyon. You will pass through the National Reserve of Pampa de Cañahuas (3,800m), where groups of alpacas, vicuñas and sometimes guanacos can be seen. After several more hours, the descent to the Colca Valley starts until we arrive at Chivay, the most important town of the valley. This trip will be with other passengers on the bus. Arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel, the Las Casitas del Colca.

Early breakfast at the hotel. Then an early departure to Cruz del Condor viewpoint, a few kilometers before Cabanaconde, where the Colca Canyon starts. Here one gets a fine view of the flight of the condors as well as of the depth of the canyon. In the afternoon return to Arequipa and to your hotel, the Libertador.

After breakfast, a private city tour of Arequipa, often coined the ‘white city' due to the beautiful building made from white volcanic sillar. Visit the Chilina valley and the old San Lazaro district. Free afternoon.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima and connecting flight to Buenos Aires.

End of our services.