Duration: 15 days
Location: Argentina
Price: US$ 2,930(AU$ 4,490)
Book Now!
Print Itinerary Print Itinerary
  • Highlights of South America has been developed thinking about the travelers that only have a short time and want to cover the most well known places in South America – on this 15 day tour you will visit some of the main attractions in South America, visiting: Peru, Argentina and Brazil!

    Inclusions:

    • 14 Nights of Accommodation including breakfast
    • Over 6 Different Day tours
    • Both Sides of Iguassu Falls
    • Full Day Tour of Machu Picchu
    • And much more….
  • Day 1 LIMA

    Arrival in Lima and transfer from the airport to the hotel.

    Day 2 LIMA – CUSCO – YUCAY (B)

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

    On your way to the 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 – L)

    Morning at leisure for you to explore the city.

    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 Ollantaytambo train station from where the tour starts via train. Travel 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 of Machu Picchu.

    Called the Lost City of the Incas, this cultural heritage of mankind 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 any 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 and 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 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.

    The 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 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 that float on the waters of the Titicaca in which they inhabit in groups keeping with 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 on the Plaza where one can buy wool 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 to one of 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 of 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 in 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, Great Jewelry Vault and Textile Halls emphasize the technological aspects by Pre-Columbian cultures. Finally the World’s 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 the visit transfer to the hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls.

    Day 11 IGUASSU – BUENOS AIRES (B)

    Transfer to the airport to board your flight to Buenos Aires (not included). Arrival in Buenos Aires and transfer to your hotel.

    Day 12 BUENOS AIRES (B)

    After breakfast you will visit the most important sites during a city tour. You will drive to the Plaza de Mayo, with the Casa Rosada, the pink house, seat of the government, the Cabildo (town hall) and the Metropolitan Cathedral, home of the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. The tour goes into the district of San Telmo. Until 1888 this part of the city was a river port, today San Telmo is one of the most modern and desired places to live in Buenos Aires. The worker district La Boca is famous for its colourful tin-houses and its history as a living district of Italian seamen and dock workers in the 19th century. The Barrio Norte called Recoleta is the quarter of the rich of Buenos Aires. In the cemetery of Recoleta one will find the grave of Eva Duarte who became famous as Evita Perón. Continue along the widest avenue in the world, the Avenida 9 de Julio, and continue to the Plaza Lavalle with the Federal Court of Justice and the Teatro Colón, to Palermo with its parks and gardens. Return to the hotel.

    Afternoon free at leisure – optional tours can be booked with our office.

    Day 13 BUENOS AIRES – 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.

    Day 14 RIO DE JANEIRO (B)

    This afternoon starts a half day city tour including visit of Sugarloaf. Downtown is the business heart of Rio. It is a part of the city where colonial Rio meets modern skyscrapers. Passing through Rio Branco Avenue, you will see the Candelaria Church, which began construction in the late 18th century and was completed in 1898. The headquarters of major Brazilian banks and commercial enterprises is located on this avenue.

    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-stage ascent up Sugar Loaf Mountain at 390 m (1,280 ft) high. Then descending and proceeding along Guanabara Bay and Flamengo Park as far as downtown.

    Visit the 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 depart from Largo do Machado where the van stop is located and go to top of Corcovado.

    Day 15 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.

    LHSTLIM008*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 about 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 of the current way of life. The contrast produced because of the different landscapes and people is the reason why Peru is an interesting country to visit. The City of Kings was once the scenario 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.

    Argentina – the second largest country in South America with a surface of 2.8 million square kilometres. The country has 33 million inhabitants and nearly half of them live in the surroundings of Buenos Aires, one of the most cosmopolitan cities of the world. Argentina is a fascinating land of contrasts where the exceptional is almost commonplace. It’s home to an abundant wildlife, enjoys a unique culture, and delights in an astonishing variety of landscapes from tropical rain forest in the north to the remote vastness of the Antarctic in the south. Three big landscapes form the country: the Andes in the west, the northern and western flatland as well as the wide plains of Patagonia in the south. The country that is stretched in length has three climatic zones: tropic in the north, moderate in the centre and polar in the extreme south. The native Indian people live in the north-western Andean region and in the north-east province of Misiones. The rest of the population is mainly composed of European immigrants. The official language is Spanish, but in larger towns English is also quite common.

    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 has always had a magic attraction to foreigners. First there was 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 biggest country of South America is a mirror of fascinating pictures.

    More information on the visited cities:

    Lima 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 as the Plaza de Armas (or Plaza Mayor) and grand churches which yielded it the declaration as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. In its modern areas 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, it is still has its vivid legacy as the hub of the Inca Empire: 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 Museum of Archaeology.

    Puno – the beauty and charm of the town of Puno is made up by its inhabitants kind personality and by its mixture of typical Andean architecture that is to be found all the way down from the hillsides to the banks of Titicaca Lake. Its archaeological, cultural and architectural variety and richness owes Puno to the fact that it once was inhabited by three different civilizations on the banks of Titicaca Lake: 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 their incomparable folklore which is second to none and has made Puno the “Folklore Capital of Peru”. But the main attraction of Puno is Titicaca Lake, 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 – one of the biggest wonders of nature in South America: located amidst a sub-tropical forest in the triangle of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, a gigantic row of waterfalls flows down into the river Iguassu.

    Buenos Aires – not only the capital of Argentina; it is also one of the 10 most important metropolises in the world and the centre of the political, economic and intellectual life of the country. This cosmopolitan city – with great European cultural influence – displays a refined taste in its cooking, in its ”boutiques” and in the elegance of its inhabitants. Almost 12 million people live there and can enjoy the plentiful night life visiting ”tango” bars, cabarets, discotheques, restaurants or eternally open bars. During the day, a wide variety of attractions is offered: museums, art galleries, tasteful shops, fascinating antiques, large green areas, parks, wide tree lined boulevards, clubs and sporting events. The Italian-Spanish descent of the inhabitants has formed this modern metropolis. Feel the flair, above all in the Italian old quarter La Boca and in the wide streets with its cafes from the turn of the century. At the Plaza de Mayo, in the political centre of town, is the starting point of this tour through this exciting capital. The widest street in the world, the very famous opera house and also the shopping street Florida make Buenos Aires unforgettable.

    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 founded. Rio is situated in a 15-mile-strip of land, wedged between mountains and sea. There are some thirty miles 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 postcards of our 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

    Argentina : Australians are required to pay a reciprocity fee of about USD 100.00 when travelling to Argentina. The reciprocity fee must be paid online before the start of the travel.

    To read more. enter the website: www.migraciones.gov.ar / www.provinciapagos.com.ar

    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://camberra.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/tourist_visa.xml

Offer to request a call back




    X
    Request a call back