Highlights of South America

Following breakfast, we meet our tour manager and fellow travel companions to learn more about the adventures ahead. Later, we discover Peru’s vibrant capital city Lima, known as the ‘City of Kings’. We start in the historic centre, where grand colonial landmarks frame Plaza San Martín and the Plaza de Armas before visiting the San Francisco Monastery, famed for its extensive library of approximately 25,000 antique texts and evocative underground catacombs. We travel through the contemporary neighbourhoods of Miraflores and San Isidro before visiting the Larco Museum, which houses an outstanding collection of pre-Columbian objects. We enjoy lunch served in the museum’s beautiful garden restaurant, our first introduction to South American flavours, before returning to our hotel later in the afternoon.

This morning, after breakfast, we return to Lima Airport for our flight to Cusco. On arrival, we continue by road into the heartland of the Inca, the Sacred Valley. Set at an altitude of around 2,800 metres above sea level, our journey winds through striking landscapes, dotted with stepped agricultural terraces, fascinating ruins and small Andean communities. En route, we visit Manos de la Comunidad, where there is an opportunity to get up close to Andean camelids – the four South American relatives of camels; llama, alpaca, vicuñas and guanacos before arriving at either the Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay or Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel, our hotel for the next two nights. Settle in and enjoy the valley’s beautiful setting.

Today we discover the highlights of the Sacred Valley, where the achievements of the Inca civilisation remain strikingly visible. Our first stop is Chinchero, a picturesque Andean town known as the weaving centre of the country, where traditional life continues alongside the remains of Inca structures. Here we visit the well-known Sunday market, famous for its charming local creations and vibrant colours. We explore the Inca ruins of Chinchero before travelling on to Moray, to gain an insight into Inca farming techniques. Its concentric terraces, carved deep into the earth, were once used to experiment with crops and microclimates, reaching a depth of around 30 metres and revealing an advanced understanding of growing conditions. Later, we return to our hotel.

Today we discover Cusco. A city that once lay at the heart of the Inca Empire and has been shaped by centuries of history. We begin in the Plaza de Armas, the city’s main square, where we step inside the grand cathedral, an elegant Renaissance landmark constructed by the Spanish conquistadores on the remains of original Inca foundations. From here, we walk through the small streets steeped in history to Qorikancha, formerly the revered Temple of the Sun, which now lies beneath the colonial Church of Santo Domingo – a powerful illustration of Cusco’s layered past. We then continue to San Blas, where narrow-cobbled lanes, including the much-photographed Siete Borreguitos, whitewashed houses and colourful balconies are home to artisan workshops, galleries and small craft stores. There is time to explore before returning to our hotel.

Set high in the Andes at an altitude of 3,812 metres, Lake Titicaca is South America’s largest lake and lies along the border of Peru and Bolivia. Life here has changed little over centuries, with local communities continuing to follow long-established ways of living. After an early breakfast, we take to the water to visit the Uru people, who live on the remarkable floating islands of Uros. Built entirely from totora reeds and resting on the lake’s surface, these handmade islands are secured with logs and linked together by ropes. During our visit, we meet local families in their traditional, brightly coloured clothing and learn about their customs, skills and crafts. We continue by boat to Taquile Island, a place known for its ancient terraces. Here, traditions are shaped by strong community values, with men learning to knit and women practising weaving. After an insightful morning and a lunch prepared using local recipes, we return to the mainland and our hotel.

Following a leisurely breakfast, we travel to Juliaca Airport for our afternoon flight to Lima. On arrival, we return to the Sol De Oro Hotel and Suites for our final night in Peru.

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Peru and transfer to the airport for our flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina's vibrant capital. On arrival at Buenos Aires International Airport, we are met by our driver and taken to our hotel to settle in for the first of a three-night stay at Hotel Grand Brizo Buenos Aires.

A city defined by its European elegance and unmistakable Latin spirit, we begin our day of sightseeing along Avenida 9 de Julio, often cited as the widest boulevard in the world, passing landmarks such as the historic opera house, Teatro Colón. Travelling along Avenida de Mayo, we reach Plaza de Mayo, the historic heart of the city, where we visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, once led by Pope Francis and the final resting place of General San Martín. We continue to the colourful district of La Boca, where we wander along lively Caminito Street, famous for its painted houses and street performers, before visiting Palermo, home to expansive parks, tranquil lakes and botanical gardens. Our sightseeing finishes in Recoleta, an area celebrated for its stately buildings and the atmospheric Recoleta Cemetery, where Eva Perón is buried. There is time at leisure this afternoon, before a memorable night at Aljibe Tango. Enjoy dinner accompanied by a vibrant tango performance, live music and a gaucho boleadora display, offering a powerful introduction to Argentina’s cultural traditions.

Today is free for you to enjoy Buenos Aires at your own pace, whether revisiting favourite neighbourhoods, or relaxing at a café and soaking up the city’s atmosphere. Optional excursions include a cruise through the Tigre Delta, a visit to the historic tunnels of Zanjón de Granados, a ferry crossing to Uruguay’s Colonia del Sacramento with its UNESCO-listed old town, or a stroll through the cobbled streets of San Antonio de Areco, a traditional gaucho town rich in rural heritage.

This morning, we return to Buenos Aires Airport for our flight to Puerto Iguazú. This, laid-back town is set where the Iguazú and Paraná rivers meet and surrounded by subtropical rainforest. Often described as the gateway to Iguazú Falls, it offers a peaceful change of pace. On arrival, we transfer to the Hotel Mercure Iguazu on the Argentinian side of the falls, our home for the next two nights. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure – unwind by the pool, surrounded by lush greenery or enjoy the town’s easy-going atmosphere. This evening, an optional experience of empanada-making offers a fun introduction to local culture in addition to sampling classic dishes such as mate and alfajores.

Today we cross the border into Brazil for a contrasting view of Iguazú Falls. On this side of the falls, a gently sloping walkway winds through tropical greenery, opening out onto broad viewpoints that reveal the falls in all their glory. From here, we can spot well-known features on the Argentinian side, including San Martín Island and the Two Sisters Falls. Later we continue to Foz do Iguaçu Airport for our flight to Rio de Janeiro, the famous ‘Marvellous City’. On arrival, we transfer to the Hotel Hilton Copacabana where we spend our final three nights in South America.

Our final Freedom Day in South America. Relax on the famed Copacabana or Ipanema Beach, soak up Rio’s vibrant atmosphere, or join one of our optional excursions – perhaps a coastal catamaran cruise, a Rio historical tour with samba experience, or a Rio colonial walking tour through the city’s cultural heart. This evening, we reunite with our travelling companions and head to a traditional carioca barbecue restaurant for dinner. The restaurant is famous for its generous ‘all-you-can-eat’ service, offering a wide selection of grilled meats alongside a variety of complementary dishes.

Following breakfast, we have one last chance to revel in Rio’s unforgettable atmosphere, walk along Copacabana or simply soak up the sun, before we head to the airport for our flights with Air France, or KLM via Paris or Amsterdam to the UK. Alternatively, if choosing British Airways, you will fly direct to London Heathrow. Breakfast, in-flight meals and drinks included.

Our flights arrive at our chosen UK airport of London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, or Aberdeen, this morning and bring an end to our incredible journey through South America.