After a comprehensive South American Small Group Journey, let us take you to the captivating beauty of the Amazon Rainforest. At Inkaterra Reserva Amanzonica you’ll fall asleep each night to the gentle sounds of the jungle, and you’ll shape your days by choosing from a wide range of included activities.
Day 1. Arrive Buenos Aires (Argentina)
On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel before a Welcome Reception this evening.
Day 2. Buenos Aires
Today begins with a guided tour of Buenos Aires then continues at Café Tortoni, a literati coffeehouse established in 1858. Enjoy coffee and croissants and attend an introductory Spanish class. Afterwards, take a ride on the subway, enjoy time to explore the city’s oldest barrio (district), San Telmo, visit the colourful barrio of La Boca, drive along Avenida 9 de Julio, see the tree-lined streets of Palermo and visit La Recoleta Cemetery. After free time, head to Puerto Madero, located on the Río de la Plata riverbank, and enjoy a three-course dinner at a fine Argentinian parilla (steakhouse).
Day 3. Buenos Aires, Colonia del Sacramento (Uruguay), Dine Around Dinner
This morning cruise the Río de la Plata and arrive in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay’s oldest town. Here, tour the World Heritage-listed, historic quarter, Barrío Historico. After time at leisure to further explore, return to Buenos Aires. Tonight, enjoy French cuisine at Le Sud; indulge in Mediterranean cuisine at Sorrento Recoval; feast on an Argentinian BBQ at El Mirasol de la Recova; or sample Italian fare at Piegari Restaurant.
Day 4. Buenos Aires, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, perhaps cruise over the Paraná Delta; visit an estancia (ranch) for a Fiesta Gaucha; tour two unique museums; or embark on a tour that will take you to Palermo as well as the Galerías Pacífico shopping mall. Afterwards, enjoy free time, then head to the Philippe Starck-designed cabaret, Rojo Tango, for dinner, drinks and the most exclusive tango show in the city.
Day 5. Buenos Aires, Iguassu Falls (Argentina and Brazil), Dine Around Dinner
Fly to Iguassu Falls, a system of 275 falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil. Land on the Argentinian side of the falls and ride a train through forest to a series of walkways and viewing points. Afterwards, travel into Brazil and on to your hotel. Tonight dine at the Ipê Grill or Restaurante Itaipu within your hotel, or perhaps dine at Rafain Restaurant, a Brazilian BBQ establishment in town.
Day 6. Iguassu Falls
This morning enjoy time in Brazil’s Iguassu National Park. View the falls from close to the base then visit the Parque das Aves Bird Park. Walk through the giant aviaries and get up close to a range of native South American birds including a number of species of the iconic toucan. You’ll then enjoy a boat ride close to the base of the Devil’s Throat and the Three Musketeers.
Day 7. Iguassu Falls, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
Fly to Rio de Janeiro and, during free time, perhaps visit the workshop of the acclaimed jeweller, H. Stern. At sunset, ride a cable car to the peak of Sugarloaf Mountain. Afterwards, head for Porcão Rio’s to sample Brazil’s national cocktail, the caipirinha, before a delicious BBQ.
Day 8. Rio de Janeiro, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning, perhaps embark on a jeep tour through two local favelas. Or visit the Sambódrome - site of the Carnival Parade - then head to a local samba school to try on a costume and take part in a samba lesson. Alternatively, experience the Botanical Gardens and Tijuca National Park on a jeep tour, take a full-day excursion to Petrópolis, or ride a ferry across the bay to the island of Niterói for a visit to the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum.
Day 9. Rio de Janeiro, Dine Around Dinner
Travel to Corcovado, a mountain that’s famous for its iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer. Visit the statue and travel to the platform at its peak for views over downtown Rio, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana Beach and much more. Tonight, perhaps dine at Plataforma Restaurant then enjoy a show; savour an Italian meal at Don Camillo; take in views over Copacabana Beach from Restaurante Atlantis; or head to a samba bar for dinner and live samba music.
Day 10. Rio de Janeiro, Santiago (Chile)
Departing Brazil this morning, you’ll fly to Chile’s capital, Santiago, and check in to your centrally-located five-star hotel.
Day 11. Santiago, Dine Around Dinner
On a tour of Santiago, visit the Plaza de Armas and San Cristóbal Hill. Later, travel to Matetic vineyards for a tour, wine tasting and lunch. Back in Santiago, a Dine Around Dinner offers you the chance to sample Pacific Rim delicacies at Akarana; taste seafood at Coco Loco; indulge in contemporary cuisine at the city’s oldest restaurant, Confiteria Torres; or head to the steakhouse, Happening.
Day 12. Santiago, Lima (Peru)
After breakfast, fly to Peru’s capital, Lima. On arrival, a city tour includes a visit to the World Heritage-listed Historic Centre of Lima. After checking in to your hotel, dine at the renowned local restaurant, Brujas del Cachiche, set in an old mansion overlooking a lovely park.
Day 13. Lima, Cusco, Chincheros, Sacred Valley
Today fly to the World Heritage-listed city of Cusco. On arrival, travel to the city of Chincheros in the Andean highlands. During a traditional weaving demonstration, learn how the famously colourful materials of South America are created. Later, in the Sacred Valley, head for Wayra, a boutique restaurant and equestrian centre in the Andes. Enjoy a traditional BBQ lunch and watch a Peruvian Paso horse demonstration and a performance of the ‘la marinera’ - known as Peru’s national dance.
Day 14. Sacred Valley
A full day tour in and around the Sacred Valley begins with a visit to the markets of Pisac. You’ll then appreciate the chance to contribute some time to the community of nearby Taray during a special school project. Later, it’s on to the site of Ollantaytambo. Afterwards, visit the home of a local family to sample a typical Andean meal.
Day 15. Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu
Board PeruRail’s Vistadome train and admire the mountainous Andean landscape outside your large panoramic windows as you travel to Machu Picchu. Enjoy lunch at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge then set off on a tour of the World Heritage-listed Lost City of the Incas - Machu Picchu. After your time here, return to town and check in to your charming hotel.
Hike the Famous Inca Trail
The more adventurous can replace Day 15 touring with a five-hour hike to Machu Picchu, before rejoining the group for dinner at your hotel. A box lunch is included along the walk. A$295 pp twin share. Must be pre-booked.
Day 16. Machu Picchu, Cusco
After breakfast, perhaps return to Machu Picchu to experience the site in serenity - for the day travellers don’t arrive until later. This afternoon, board the Hiram Bingham by Orient-Express for a truly luxurious rail journey from Machu Picchu to Cusco. On board, savour a Pisco Sour, enjoy live Peruvian music and indulge in a four-course Andean-inspired dinner.
Day 17. Cusco, Dine Around Dinner
On a tour of Cusco this morning, visit the square in the city’s historic heart, as well as the sacred sites of Koricancha and Santo Domingo. After free time, enjoy dinner at Tupananchis Restaurant and Pizzeria; tapas at Cicciolina; Italian at Incanto; fine dining at the MAP Café; or take in a show and dinner at Tunupa Restaurant Bar and Grill.
Day 18. Cusco, Puno
Today, board the Andean Explorer for a picturesque day-long rail journey into the highlands and on to Puno, almost 4,000 metres above sea level. Travelling in Andean Explorer Class (first class), you’ll enjoy access to the lounge car and the open-air observation bar car, and be treated to a three-course lunch. On arrival in Puno, check in to your hotel, on the shore of Lake Titicaca.
Day 19. Puno, Lake Titicaca
Located on the border of Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the largest high-altitude lake in the world. After breakfast, cruise to the home of the Uros people - a group of more than 40 man-made islands created from floating reeds. Then continue to the isolated Capachica Peninsula, where you’ll enjoy a BBQ lunch on a secluded beach. Afterwards, visit the nearby community of Llachon, overlooking the lake. Late this afternoon, return to your hotel.
Day 20. Puno, Puerto Maldonado, Luxury Amazon Lodge
After breakfast, fly to south-eastern Peru and the city of Puerto Maldonado, nestled in the Amazon forest at the confluence of the Tambopata River and the Madre de Dios River - a tributary of the Amazon River. On arrival, visit the butterfly gardens and information centre at the Inkaterra Butterfly House, then transfer to the jetty and board a motorised canoe for your short cruise along the Madre de Dios River to your incredibly located Amazon accommodation for the next three nights. After checking in, you’ll meet with an interpreter to discuss your touring options for the duration of your stay, based on your individual interests, fitness level and the forecast weather conditions. With multiple touring experiences available - all of which are escorted by an English-speaking guide - you’re truly spoiled for choice.
Day 21. Luxury Amazon Lodge
Set next to the Tambopata National Reserve where the Madre de Dios River flows through the Southern Peru rainforest region, the Inkaterra Reserva Amazònica is the perfect base from which to explore the Amazon Rainforest. Over two days, you’ll choose the activities that most interest you. Perhaps go walking along the rainforest tree-top canopy to observe the jungle from a unique perspective. You may like to cruise the Madre de Dios River to Lake Sandoval or Gamitana Creek, where you will have the chance to see monkeys, birds, tortoises and alligators. Maybe join a tour to one of the local villages and learn about the medicinal plants of the rainforest. By evening, meanwhile, a Rainforest by Night tour is available, introducing you to the animal activity that awakens after dark. With these and so many other options available, this is a truly personal manner in which to explore.
Day 22. Luxury Amazon Lodge
Continue your stay at Luxury Amazon Lodge.
Day 23. Luxury Amazon Lodge, Lima
Return to Puerto Maldonado and fly to Lima. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner at Restaurant Huaca Pucllana - set within the ruins of a 1500 year-old archaeological compound.
Day 24. Depart Lima
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
