3 Wonders of South America

Day 1 LIMA

Arrival at the airport in Lima, where you will be welcomed by an English speaking guide. Transfer to the hotel and check-in.

Day 2 LIMA – CUSCO – YUCAY (B)

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco (not included). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel in the Urubamba Valley, known as the Sacred Valley, where the Urubamba River, a headstream of the Amazon passes through.

On your way to Urubamba Valley you will undertake a short visit to the sanctuary Cochahuasi Wasi. You will have the opportunity to see pumas, condors and aras. You will continue to the “Mercado de Urubamba”. The “Mercado de Urubamba” is an authentic market where real bartering takes place. The rural people of the surroundings sell and barter agricultural products as well as animals. It is also the place where locals exchange gossip and news.

Day 3 YUCAY (B)

Morning at leisure. Optional tours can be booked through our office.

Lunch at a typical local restaurant. In the afternoon a visit to Ollantaytambo, a typical Inca community, is included. Towering above the town of Ollantaytambo we will find the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Steep stone terraces rising from the edge of town lead up to the fortress ruins at the top of the hill. A stone stairway leads up through the terrace walls, allowing visitors to step out on them. One of the best-preserved areas lies north of the Hanan Huacaypata square: an area of 15 blocks of houses built on top of carved stone walls.

Day 4 YUCAY – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (B)

Transfer by bus to the train station of Ollantaytambo where the tour starts by train that goes through the fertile plain of the Urubamba valley and on to Aguas Calientes. From there, small buses drive up the steep mountain to the ruin town Machu Picchu.

Called the Lost City of the Incas, this cultural heritage of humankind is a beautifully located, impressive stone city constructed with a technique incredible for its era and even for present times. Stone upon stone, fitted together perfectly without cement, with impressive delicacy, exquisite detail and discrimination worthy of the world’s greatest palaces.

There are many theories about Machu Picchu, but one thing is for sure – it is one of the most impressive sites in the world.

Enjoy a guided visit of the ruins for approximately 2 hours, return by bus and train to Ollantaytambo station. Transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Day 5 CUSCO (B)

In the morning the half-day city tour begins. You will be shown the exact centre of the Inca Empire, the Plaza de Armas. There one can find the cathedral built on the ruins of the ancient Inca Palace. The cathedral borders on other churches on both sides.

Next stop will be the old town with its magnificent renovated colonial buildings; some of them are now being used as hotels. Then proceed to Sacsayhuaman, a ruin located approx. 3 km above Cusco. Sacsayhuaman also offers a fabulous view of the city. Afterwards visit the surrounding ruins.

Afternoon is free at leisure.

Day 6 CUSCO – PUNO (B – L)

A full day bus journey from Cusco to Puno leads through the Peruvian highland along snow-covered peaks, passes up to 4,300m above sea level and then goes down to Puno, which is right on Lake Titicaca. On route we will visit the town of Andahuaylillas, the ruins of Racchi, and the small town of Pucara.

Lunch in a typical restaurant en route is included. After arrival in Puno transfer to your hotel.

Day 7 PUNO – LIMA (B – L)

Full day excursion on Lake Titicaca to visit the Uros floating islands. The Aymara Indians build their houses over floating artificial islands on the waters of Lake Titicaca in which they inhabit in groups keeping with their ancestral customs.

Continue to Taquile Island where you find numerous pre-Inca and Inca ruins and Inca terracing. The island is narrow, only about 1km wide, but 6-7km long. The people here still wear their traditional clothes and there is a co-operative shop in the Plaza where one can buy woollen goods of very fine quality. A typical lunch at Taquile Island is included.

Transfer from the hotel to the airport of Juliaca. Flight to Lima (not included) and transfer to the hotel.

Day 8 LIMA (B)

In the afternoon you will explore the city on a sightseeing tour through Lima. The Plaza de Armas with the beautiful buildings of the government Palace, the town hall, the Palace of the archbishop and the cathedral are still the most important places in town. After that you will visit the beautiful San Francisco monastery which displays the largest collection of religious art in America. The highlight of this convent is the visit of the underground vaults known as “catacumbas” or catacombs.

Proceed through the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores and to the coastline enjoying the view over the beaches of Lima and the Pacific Ocean.

Afterwards enjoy a guided visit of one of the Lima’s most noted museums, the Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum which houses the world’s largest private collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian Art. Mr. Rafael Larco Hoyle founded the museum on July 28, 1926, in the Chiclin sugar estate in Trujillo, naming it after his father as an expression of filial homage. In 1958 he moved the collection to Lima, installing the Museum in a colonial house in the district of Pueblo Libre, where it currently operates. This locale was adapted to the characteristic style of the 18th century colonial houses from Trujillo. The approximately 45,000 objects in the collection have been exhibited to the public in the Permanent Hall, Jewelry Vault and the Classified Storage Area ever since. The Halls of the Larco Museum are organized by subjects. The Metals, Ceramics, Stones, Culture, the Great Jewelry Vault and Textile Halls emphasize the technological aspects by Pre-Columbian cultures. Finally the unique Erotic Hall gives us a glimpse of the fascinating sexual life of ancient Peruvians.

Day 9 LIMA – IGUASSU (B)

Transfer from the hotel to the airport of Lima. Flight to Iguassu (not included) and transfer to the hotel.

Day 10 IGUASSU (B)

You will leave your hotel on the Brazilian side by motor coach and cross the Iguassu National Park towards the Brazilian Falls. You walk along the paths following the cascades and then along the catwalk which leads you very close to the bottom of the Devil’s Throat. You will enjoy magnificent views. Afterwards you take an elevator to go up back to the road, and there you will board the motor coach which will take you to the Argentinean side of the falls.

You will make a short stop at the Visitor’s Centre and proceed from there along the Inferior Circuit, the down-river falls, to the Superior Circuit, the up-river cascades.

The Ecological Jungle Train leads you to the most impressive observation point of the falls – The Devil´s Throat. After visit transfer to the hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls.

Day 11 IGUASSU – RIO DE JANEIRO (B)

Transfer from the hotel to the airport for the flight to Rio de Janeiro (not included). Arrival in Rio and transfer to the hotel, check-in and time for a first stroll along Copacabana beach.

Afternoon at leisure. Optional tours can be booked through our office.

Optional Rio by night – Show in the evening. Visit a folklore and Carnival show featuring skilled dancers, entertainers, samba bands and wonderful costumes in a wonderful display of Brazilian folklore and Carnival.

Day 12 RIO DE JANEIRO (B)

Leaving the hotel and proceeding as far as Cosme Velho Station to board a cog-train(*) for the ride through Tijuca Forest up Corcovado Mountain at 748 m (2.454 ft) high. The train ride takes 20 minutes and is a wonderful opportunity for a closer look at the forest’s lush tropical vegetation and to enjoy scenic landscapes of the beaches and city. Disembarking at the top of Corcovado and then proceeding up the steps that lead to the top lookout where the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. After appreciating the breathtaking view unfolding below, passengers will descend by train. The tour proceeds passing by Rio’s world-famous beaches as far as Urca District to board a cable car for a two-staged ascent up Sugar Loaf Mountain at 390 m (1.280 ft) high. Then coming down and proceeding along Guanabara Bay and Flamengo Park as far as downtown.

Visit downtown area, passing by the financial and business centre and by other attractions such as the Candelaria Church, Saint Sebastian Cathedral, Lapa Arches, Municipal Theatre, National Library, Fine Arts Museum, and by the Sambadrome, site of Rio’s famous Carnival parade.

*Note: or Vans certificated by the city´s administration departure from Largo do Machado where the van stop is located and go to top of Corcovado.

Day 13 RIO DE JANEIRO (B)

Transfer to the airport for your international flight back home.

End of our services

Food Code = (B) – Breakfast, (L) – Lunch, (D) – Dinner

LHSTLIM004*Please note, prices based on twin share, per person, low season, 3 star rates. Optional tours not included and are at extra cost. The itinerary & pricing can change at any time due to availability & of activities. Please check our website for full terms and conditions*

More information on the visited countries

Peru – also known as The Kingdom of the Sun, Peru is one of the most representative countries of Latin America due to the mix of native Indian, afro American and European cultures. Peru is a country where the traditional customs have transcended through the years and they are the basis for the current way of life. The contrast produced because of the different landscapes and people is the reason why Peru is a country so interesting for you to visit. The City of Kings was once the location of the war against the Spanish conquerors, who came in a ruthless search for the gold that was hidden somewhere in Peru. However, their most wanted treasure was the Lost City of the Incas: Machu Picchu, which they never found.

Brazil – with this term one associates endless Amazon jungle, wonderful beaches, Rio de Janeiro, carnival and samba. This is all correct but in reality, Brazil is much more, a huge country of the superlatives. Brazil, a country of immense proportions and contrasts, has a mysterious attraction for many people. With a surface of 8,5 million km², Brazil is approximately as large as Europe and covers half of the South American continent. The climate changes from the permanent warm, tropic north over all sub tropic variants to the moderate south. Since the 16th century – when the Portuguese began to settle in the country – Brazil had always a magic attraction for foreigners. First there was the gold and then rubber and coffee and today it is above all the rhythm and the exotic that attracts tourists. The Brazilian people show a lot of happiness, kindness and spontaneity. The largest country of South America is a mirror of fascinating pictures.

More information on the visited cities

Lima was founded in 1535 by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro as “The City of the Kings” and became the capital and most important city of the Spanish Viceroyalty. Today it is still Peru’s most important city as it is home to about 9 million people, almost 30% of the national population. The historical city centre comes with splendid colonial style architecture, ample squares such as the Plaza de Armas (or Plaza Mayor) and grand churches which yielded it the declaration as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. In its modern quarters such as Miraflores and San Isidro you can find present day architecture, rich entertainment possibilities and a great number of first class hotels and restaurants. Peruvian cuisine is excellent and is becoming world famous which the Peruvians are extremely proud of.

Cusco – South America’s archaeological capital and oldest continuously inhabited city is now one of Peru’ s most important and most frequented tourist attractions. Nevertheless, its vivid legacy as the hub of the Inca Empire remains: Quechua-speaking Inca descendants can still be found multitudinously in the centuries-old stone-walled city streets. Cusco also boasts magnificent repositories of colonial art – fine examples can be found in the cathedral and the Museum of Archaeology.

Puno – The beauty and charm of Puno town is made up by its inhabitant’s kind personality and by its mixture of typical Andean architecture that is to be found from the hillsides to the banks of Lake Titicaca. Its archaeological, cultural and architectural variety and richness owes Puno to the fact that it had once been inhabited by three different civilizations on the banks of Lake Titicaca: Aymara, Quechua and Spanish. This multicultural origin has created a mestizo race that is also found in their artistic and cultural expression and especially in its incomparable folklore which is second to none and has made Puno the “Folklore Capital of Peru”. But the main attraction of Puno is Lake Titicaca a must for any visitor. The Sacred Lake of the Incas is one of the most enigmatic places in the world. It is the highest navigable lake and combines beautiful sights, culture and history.

Iguassu – the area’s major landmark is undoubtedly the magnificent IGUASSU FALLS, the world’s largest, formed by the Iguassu River which rises in Curitiba in the east and winds westward for 1,320 km through Parana State. Fifteen kilometres before joining the Parana River, the Iguassu overcomes an abrupt uneven ground and then, amidst an exuberant forest, hurls itself into 275 falls that cascade over a u-shaped precipice 2,700 metres wide, from an average height of 60 metres. On the other side Brazil displays 800 metre long falls. From both sides the view is superb, at any time of the year. The falls have been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Rio de Janeiro – founded in 1556, the city of St. Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro became the capital of the Colony of Brazil in 1776. In 1808 the Portuguese royal family fled Napoleon and settled in Rio. This brought a surge of progress and the city became the main cultural, political and economic centre of the Portuguese empire. In 1889, when the republic was proclaimed, Rio was confirmed as the country’s capital, which it remained until 1960, when the construction of the new capital, Brasilia, was completed. Rio is situated on a 24 kilometre strip of land, wedged between mountains and sea. There are some 48 kilometres separating downtown Flamengo, from far-flung Recreio, bordered on one side by the blue sea, on the other by verdant hills. Between them lies a colourful state of mind called CARIOCA, with almost 8 million locals who samba their way through life, relaxed and high-spirited. That is just the way it should be in Rio, surrounded by natural beauty on all sides, with Christ the Redeemer perched on top of Corcovado blessing the city and Sugar Loaf, one of the most famous sites of this country.

More information on visa requirements

Peru – Australian citizens do not require a visa to visit Peru for a maximum stay of 183 days. A valid passport and a return ticket must be presented on arrival.

For more information visit: http://www.embaperu.org.au/embassy/visas.html

Brazil –Australians are required to pre-arrange a visa. Visa normally will give you the right to spend 90 days in the country.

For more information: http://canberra.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/tourist_visa.xml