Day 1: Arrival in Lima, Peru
Today, depart from Australia (or New Zealand) for your international flight to **Lima, Peru**. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel.
Lima, known as the **“City of Kings,”** is a vibrant metropolis where colonial architecture, ancient ruins, and world-class cuisine coexist. From sprawling archaeological sites to some of the finest restaurants in the world, Lima offers an exciting mix of the old and the new.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Jose Antonio Executive or similar
Day 2: Lima City Tour
After breakfast, embark on a **half-day guided tour of Lima**, visiting some of the city’s most important cultural and historic landmarks. Highlights include an exterior view of the **Huaca Pucllana archaeological site**, the **Plaza de Armas**, **Lima Cathedral**, and the **Santo Domingo Convent**, one of the oldest religious complexes in the city.
Enjoy the contrast between ancient Inca history, colonial heritage, and modern city life.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Jose Antonio Executive or similar
Day 3: Arrival in the Amazon Jungle – Tambopata
This morning, take a flight to **Puerto Maldonado** and travel by land or boat to your jungle lodge near the **Tambopata River**. Along the way, you’ll pass a small village where you might spot **macaws and parrots** in their natural habitat. Upon arrival, settle into your private jungle room with views of the surrounding rainforest. After a short rest, take a **guided 1-hour nature walk** through the rainforest. Learn about centuries-old trees and observe local wildlife such as **toucans, orioles, monkeys, snakes, and butterflies**.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Amazon Jungle Lodge
Day 4: Sandoval Lake Exploration & Night Walk
After breakfast, travel by boat and on foot to reach the stunning **Sandoval Lake**. Board a **rowboat** to explore the lake, where you’ll encounter a variety of **monkey species**, **birdlife**, and possibly even a family of **giant river otters**.Return to the lodge for lunch and prepare for a **guided night walk** into the jungle. This is your chance to see the **nocturnal side** of the Amazon, with opportunities to spot creatures like **monkeys, frogs, tarantulas, owls, fireflies, and snakes**.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Amazon Jungle Lodge
Day 5: Amazon Parrot Clay Lick Experience & Transfer to Cusco
Wake early to witness a spectacular **Amazon sunrise** and visit a **parrot clay lick**, where hundreds of parrots gather each morning to feed on mineral-rich clay that supports their digestion and detoxification. Enjoy this unforgettable wildlife experience before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Later, you’ll be transferred to Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:Cusco Hotel or Similar
Day 6: Cusco City Tour
After breakfast, begin your exploration of the ancient capital of the Inca Empire with a guided city and archaeological tour.
Start with a visit to the **Koricancha**, also known as the **Convent of Santo Domingo**. This impressive structure was built atop the original **Inca Temple of the Sun**, once adorned with gold and considered one of the most important temples in the empire. Next, head to **Sacsayhuaman**, an awe-inspiring Inca construction characterized by massive zigzag stone walls. While traditionally thought of as a fortress, its exact purpose remains a mystery, with many believing it was once a sacred temple. The site also hosts the annual **Inti Raymi Festival** celebrating the winter solstice. Continue to **Q’enqo**, meaning “labyrinth” in Quechua. This ceremonial site features intricate rock carvings, zigzag channels, underground altars, and burial chambers, likely used for **sacrifices and mummification rituals**. Proceed to **Puka Pukara**, or “Red Fortress,” which likely served as a way station or administrative center for travelers and **chaskis** (Inca messengers). The site is noted for its strategic construction directly on natural rock formations. Conclude your archaeological exploration with a visit to **Tambomachay**, believed to have been a royal retreat and **water temple**. Admire the stone aqueducts and fountains that still channel water from a nearby spring.
After the tour, return to **Cusco** and be dropped off at the **Plaza de Armas**, the city’s historic center.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Cusco Hotel or Similar
Day 7: Cusco Leisure Day
After breakfast, begin your exploration at your own at Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Cusco Hotel or Similar
Day 8: Sacred Valley of the Incas
After breakfast, depart from Cusco at 8:00 AM for a full-day guided tour through the **Sacred Valley of the Incas**, a region rich in history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture.
Begin your day at the **Pisac archaeological site**, known for its impressive Inca terraces and strategic hilltop location. Continue with a visit to the **Pisac Andean market**, where you’ll find traditional handicrafts, textiles, and locally grown produce. Next, enjoy a **buffet lunch** in **Urubamba**, featuring a variety of authentic **Peruvian dishes** set against the backdrop of the Sacred Valley’s scenic mountains. In the afternoon, visit the remarkable **Ollantaytambo ruins**, one of the most important and well-preserved Inca fortresses. Explore the terraced hillsides and learn about its significance as both a ceremonial center and military stronghold. Conclude the day with a stop at **Chinchero**, where you’ll visit a **colonial church** built atop Inca foundations, as well as explore its **agricultural terraces**, still in use today. Return to **Cusco** in the late afternoon, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel or at the **Plaza de Armas**.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Cusco Hotel or Similar
Day 9: Inca Trail Adventure
Start early today with a 4:30 AM pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. Travel by private transport to **Ollantaytambo train station**, where you will board a train to **Km 104**, the starting point of your **short Inca Trail trek**. After checking in at the control point (with your passport and Inca Trail permit), begin your hike along scenic trails lined with **native orchids** and panoramic views of the Urubamba River. Along the way, visit **Wiñayhuayna**, an impressive Inca site whose name means “Forever Young.” Historians believe it may have been a ceremonial center or residence for the priests of Machu Picchu. Continue your hike until you reach the **Sun Gate (Inti Punku)** and enjoy your first breathtaking view of **Machu Picchu**, the legendary Incan citadel. Descend to **Aguas Calientes**, where you’ll have time to relax, enjoy dinner at your leisure, and spend the night in this charming gateway town at the base of Machu Picchu.
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch
Accommodation: Aguas Calientes Hotel or Similar
Day 10: Machu Picchu Guided Tour – Return to Cusco
After breakfast, enjoy a visit to the **medicinal thermal baths** in **Aguas Calientes**, a popular spot for relaxation amid the surrounding mountains. According to your scheduled train departure, you’ll return by train to **Ollantaytambo**, followed by a private transfer back to **Cusco**.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Cusco Hotel or Similar
Day 11: Cusco → Puno
After breakfast, board a comfortable **tourist bus** at the Cusco bus station and begin a scenic, full-day journey to **Puno**, with several fascinating stops along the way.
Your first stop is **Andahuaylillas** (3,093m), home to the stunning **Church of San Pedro**, often referred to as the **“Sistine Chapel of the Andes.”** This 17th-century masterpiece is adorned with gold-leaf interiors, baroque-style frescoes, and paintings by the Cusco School of Art, including works by Peruvian painter Luis de Riaño. Next, travel to **Raqchi** (3,450m) to explore the **Temple of Wiracocha**, an important Inca archaeological site featuring massive temple walls, aqueducts, and circular grain storehouses known as **Colcas**. This site was once part of the extensive Inca Trail network. Continue your journey to **Sicuani**, where you’ll enjoy a **buffet lunch** at a local restaurant offering regional dishes, fresh vegetables, desserts, and traditional **mate de coca** tea.
After lunch, drive 40 minutes to reach **La Raya Pass**, the highest point of the journey at 4,335 meters above sea level. This natural border between Cusco and Puno offers incredible views of the snow-capped **Chimboya Mountain**, perfect for photography. The final cultural stop is the **Pukara Lithic Museum**, where you can view an impressive collection of ancient **stone monoliths, sculptures**, and **ceramics** from the **Pukara culture**, one of the earliest pre-Inca civilizations of the highlands. In the late afternoon, continue toward Puno, passing through the high-altitude landscapes of the **Andes** and the bustling city of **Juliaca**. Arrive at **Puno bus station** around 5:00 PM and transfer to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Puno Hotel or Similar
Day 12: Lake Titicaca – Uros Floating Islands & Taquile Island
After breakfast, embark on a full-day guided boat excursion across the legendary **Lake Titicaca**, the highest navigable lake in the world. Located between **Peru and Bolivia**, this vast, shimmering body of water is surrounded by majestic mountains and endless sky — a truly otherworldly landscape.
Board a comfortable speedboat equipped with cushioned seats, onboard restroom, and an upper viewing deck ideal for photography. Cruise across the tranquil waters to the remarkable **Uros Floating Islands**. Step onto islands made entirely of **totora reeds**, where the Indigenous **Uros people** have lived for centuries. Learn how they construct and maintain their floating homes, listen to their stories, and witness their unique way of life. For an added experience, you may take an optional ride on a traditional **reed boat** (additional 20 soles, payable on-site).
Continue onward to **Taquile Island**, renowned for its UNESCO-recognized **textile art**—a tradition where both men and women weave intricate garments symbolizing cultural identity. Enjoy a scenic 30–40 minute walk from the port to the island’s main square, passing terraced hillsides and soaking in panoramic views of Lake Titicaca. After your exploration, enjoy a delicious local **lunch**, with a choice of **fresh trout or omelet**, served with **quinoa soup** and a cup of **Coca or Muña tea**—both cherished for their soothing high-altitude properties.
In the late afternoon, return by boat to **Puno**, concluding a day full of cultural insight and stunning natural beauty.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Puno Hotel or Similar
Day 13: Puno → Lima
This morning, transfer from **Puno to Lima** by domestic flight. Upon arrival in **Lima**, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore the capital at your own pace. Whether you choose to stroll through the historical center, dine at a local restaurant, or relax at your hotel, it’s a great time to reflect on your journey through the Andes.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lima Hotel or Similar
Day 14: Lima → Buenos Aires
Today, fly from **Lima to Buenos Aires**, the vibrant capital of Argentina. Upon arrival, meet your local representative and transfer to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure to soak in the energy of this cosmopolitan city—explore a local café, relax in a park, or begin discovering nearby neighborhoods like Palermo or Recoleta.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Buenos Aires Hotel or Similar
Day 15: Buenos Aires – Full-Day City Tour
Today, embark on a **comprehensive city tour** of Buenos Aires, exploring the capital’s rich history, iconic landmarks, and diverse neighborhoods.
Begin at **Caminito**, the colorful pedestrian street in **La Boca**, famous for its brightly painted houses and tango performances. Just nearby is the iconic **La Bombonera Stadium**, home to Boca Juniors and rich in football history (exterior visit). Continue to **San Telmo** to visit the beloved **Mafalda Statue** and browse antiques and artisanal shops at **Mercado San Telmo**. Next, explore **Avenida de Mayo**, inspired by Madrid’s Gran Vía, leading from **Casa Rosada** (Presidential Palace) in **Plaza de Mayo** to the **National Congress**. Visit **Buenos Aires Cathedral**, featuring neoclassical architecture. Stop at **Puente de la Mujer**, a striking modern pedestrian bridge in **Puerto Madero**, designed to resemble a couple dancing tango.
After lunch, stroll through the **Rosedal de Palermo**, home to over 18,000 roses, and continue to **Floralis Genérica**, a massive steel flower sculpture that opens and closes with the sun. Visit the famed **Recoleta Cemetery**, final resting place of **Eva Perón**, with its elaborate mausoleums. Conclude the tour at **El Ateneo Grand Splendid**, a former theater turned into one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores. At each major stop, you’ll have 15–30 minutes to take photos and explore.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Buenos Aires Hotel or Similar
Day 16: Buenos Aires – Day at Leisure
Today is yours to enjoy at leisure in **Buenos Aires**. Whether you choose to explore more of the city’s cultural attractions, shop in the trendy districts of Palermo or Recoleta, or simply relax at a local café with a glass of Malbec, the day is completely open for personal exploration.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Buenos Aires Hotel or Similar
Day 17: Buenos Aires → Iguazu Falls
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your **flight to Puerto Iguazu**, located on the Argentinian side of the spectacular Iguazu Falls. Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax or begin exploring the town at your own pace. **Puerto Iguazu** serves as the gateway to the world-famous **Iguazu Falls**, located at the tri-border of **Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil**. The falls are made up of **275 individual cascades** fed by the Iguazu River and surrounded by lush subtropical rainforest.
The most dramatic and iconic of these is the **Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat)**—an awe-inspiring, U-shaped chasm that plunges **80 meters** into the mist below. Whether you explore from the Argentinian trails or view the panoramic sweep from the Brazilian side, the falls are a natural wonder that never fails to impress.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: El Pueblito Theme Hotel, Iguazu or Similar
Day 18: Iguazu Falls – Argentinian Side Exploration
After breakfast, meet your local guide for a full-day excursion to the **Argentinian side of Iguazu National Park**, home to some of the most immersive and up-close encounters with the waterfalls. Explore the park’s network of **raised walkways and jungle trails**, which are built just above the rainforest floor and waterways to preserve the natural habitat while offering spectacular views. These trails lead you through subtropical jungle and offer numerous panoramic perspectives of the cascades, including the chance to feel the mist on your face as you walk near the falls.
You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the famed **Devil’s Throat** (Garganta del Diablo), accessed via a scenic ecological train ride and boardwalks. Lunch is not included but can be enjoyed at one of the park’s on-site restaurants or as a **packed picnic** brought from Puerto Iguazu. Return to your hotel in Puerto Iguazu in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: El Pueblito Theme Hotel, Iguazu or Similar
Day 19: Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side & Flight to Rio de Janeiro
This morning, after breakfast, you will be transferred across the border to the **Brazilian side of Iguazu National Park** for a half-day guided tour.
Discover spectacular viewpoints overlooking **Salto Rivadavia**, the **Three Musketeers Falls**, and the powerful **Devil’s Throat**, where rainbows often form in the mist. This side of the park is known for its sweeping vistas that showcase the scale and beauty of the entire Iguazu system. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant inside the park (not included), and afterward, transfer to **Foz do Iguaçu Airport** for your **flight to Rio de Janeiro**. Upon arrival in Rio, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel, where you can unwind for the evening in Brazil’s most iconic city.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Windsor Plaza Hotel, Rio de Janeiro or Similar
Day 20: Christ the Redeemer & Selarón Steps – Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, depart the hotel for a guided visit to one of the most iconic landmarks in the world — **Christ the Redeemer**.
Standing proudly at the summit of **Mount Corcovado**, 700 meters above sea level, the statue reaches **30 meters in height**, with arms extending **28 meters wide**. Completed in 1931 and named one of the **New Seven Wonders of the World** in 2007, it is the most recognizable symbol of **Rio de Janeiro** and a powerful emblem of Brazil’s cultural and spiritual identity. From the base of the statue, enjoy **panoramic views** of Rio’s bays, beaches, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the sprawling city below. Continue to the famous **Escadaria Selarón (Selarón Steps)** — 125 meters of vibrantly tiled stairs created by Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón. This colorful mosaic work has become a beloved cultural landmark in the **Lapa district**, attracting photographers, artists, and travelers from around the world. After your guided visits, return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You may choose to explore **Copacabana**, relax on the beach, or enjoy Brazilian cuisine at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Windsor Plaza Hotel, Rio de Janeiro or Similar
Day 21: Rio de Janeiro – Day at Leisure
Today is free for you to relax or explore **Rio de Janeiro** at your own pace.
You may choose to stroll along the iconic **Copacabana or Ipanema beaches**, visit the lush **Botanical Gardens**, explore **Sugarloaf Mountain**, or indulge in shopping and dining in the stylish districts of **Leblon** or **Lapa**. Optional excursions and activities such as samba shows, favela tours, or a cable car ride can also be arranged locally.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Windsor Plaza Hotel, Rio de Janeiro or Similar
Day 22: Rio de Janeiro → Australia (or New Zealand)
After breakfast, check out from your hotel. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to **Rio de Janeiro International Airport** for your **departure flight home**.
Relax and reflect on your extraordinary South American adventure as you prepare to return across the globe.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Onboard Flight
Day 23: In Transit
Today you will be in transit as you cross time zones and make your way back to **Australia or New Zealand**.
Meals: Onboard Flight
Accommodation: Onboard Flight
Day 24: Arrive in Australia (or New Zealand)
Welcome home! Arrive back in **Australia or New Zealand**, bringing with you unforgettable memories from the Andes, Amazon, Iguazu Falls, and beyond.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: N/A
