Suitable for clients travelling from the US. Cruise over stunning glacial lakes through amazing Patagonian landscapes and between the snow-capped mountains of the Andes. Enjoy a relaxing stay at the iconic Llao Llao Hotel and Resort near Barloche, the heart of the Argentine Lake District, before joining your Small Group Journey.
Day 1. Arrive Santiago, Chile
Be met on arrival in Santiago today and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure before a Welcome Reception this evening.
Day 2. Santiago, Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas
Fly south to the port city of Puerto Montt, gateway to the lovely Chilean Lake District (flight not included). Founded by German settlers in 1851, the layout and quaint architecture of the city today benefits from a charming European influence. On a tour, visit the Plaza de Armas then travel to the area of Pelluco and an observation point with views of the city and its surrounds. Continue via the craft village of Angelmó and along the Pan-American Highway to Puerto Varas, set on the shore of one of South America’s largest lakes, facing the glacier-covered Osorno volcano. Tonight, enjoy an à la carte meal at a local seafood restaurant.
Day 3. Puerto Varas, Lake Crossing, Peulla
This morning start your incredible two day lake crossing. After breakfast, travel around the shore of Lake Llanquihue to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. Stop at Petrohué Waterfalls, then board a catamaran for your first lake crossing. As you skim over the emerald waters of Lake Todos Los Santos, enjoy views of the Osorno volcano and Tronador Mountain. At the other end of the lake, visit the remote village of Peulla. Check into your hotel and have lunch before an afternoon at leisure.
Day 4. Peulla, Lake Crossings, Llao Llao Hotel and Resort, Argentina
Cross into Argentina, arrive at Puerto Frias and cruise over Lake Frias. Next, proceed to Puerto Blest and board a catamaran for arguably the most beautiful crossing on this journey. Glide past the tiny islets of Nahuel Huapi Lake to the doorstep of Llao Llao Hotel and Resort. Set between Nahuel Huapi and Moreno lakes, this is one of the world’s most iconic properties and your home for the next three nights. Enjoy dinner at Restaurant Patagonia.
Day 5. Bariloche and Surrounds, Dine Around Dinner
A full-day excursion takes you across Nahuel Huapi Lake and then into the Enchanted Valley. Continue along the shore of Lake Traful to the village of Villa Traful, where you may enjoy homemade chocolates and pastries (own expense). Then, travel to Villa La Angostura, built from stone and wood. Here, sample local produce during lunch at leisure. Your journey carries on across the shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi back to Llao Llao Hotel and Resort. Tonight, perhaps head into Bariloche to dine on homemade cuisine at Restaurant Familia Weiss; enjoy regional fare at El Patacon Restaurante Argentino; sample an Argentinian-style meal at El Nuevo Gaucho, or dine once more at Restaurant Patagonia.
Day 6. Llao Llao Hotel and Resort, Freedom of Choice Touring
Select from our range of Freedom of Choice Touring options today. Perhaps play nine holes of golf at Llao Llao Hotel and Resort’s private golf course, enjoy a traditional high tea, go fly fishing or indulge in a relaxing spa treatment. Alternatively, set off on a small circuit tour of the region and enjoy a chairlift ride to the top of Campanario Hill for superb views. After your activity, the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure.
Day 7. Bariloche, Buenos Aires
Fly from Bariloche to Buenos Aires (flight not included). On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 8. Buenos Aires
After a tour of Buenos Aires, head to Café Tortoni for a basic Spanish class over croissants and coffee. Tonight, enjoy dinner at an Argentinian parilla (steakhouse) in the barrio (district) of Puerto Madero.
Day 9. Buenos Aires, Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, Dine Around Dinner
Cruise to Uruguay’s oldest town, Colonia del Sacramento, for a guided tour. Back in Buenos Aires tonight, dine in one of four restaurants.
Day 10. Buenos Aires, Freedom of Choice Touring
Cruise the Paraná Delta; enjoy a Fiesta Gaucha; take a museum tour; or visit the Galerías Pacífico mall. Afterwards, enjoy free time, then head to Rojo Tango for dinner, fine wine and the city’s most exclusive tango show.
Day 11. Buenos Aires, Iguassu Falls, Argentina and Brazil, Dine Around Dinner
Fly to Iguassu Falls, on the border of Argentina and Brazil (flight not included). Land on the Argentinian side and ride a train to a series of viewing points. After, travel in to 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 restaurant in town.
Day 12. Iguassu Falls
This morning view the falls from the Brazilian side then visit the Parque das Aves Bird Park 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 13. Iguassu Falls, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fly to Rio de Janeiro (flight included) and, at sunset, ride a cable car to the peak of Sugarloaf Mountain then head for Porcão Rio’s for dinner.
Day 14. Rio de Janeiro, Freedom of Choice Touring
Take a jeep tour through local favelas; visit the Sambódrome and enjoy a samba lesson; tour the Botanical Gardens and Tijuca National Park; visit Petrópolis; or ride a ferry to Niterói to visit the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum.
Day 15. Rio de Janeiro, Dine Around Dinner
Travel to Corcovado and its statue of Christ the Redeemer. This evening, choose from four different restaurants.
Day 16. Rio de Janeiro, Santiago (Chile)
Departing Brazil, fly to Chile’s capital, Santiago, and check in to your five-star hotel.
Day 17. Santiago, Dine Around Dinner
Tour Santiago then travel to Matetic vineyards for a guided tour, a wine tasting and lunch. Back in Santiago, perhaps dine at Akarana; try seafood at Coco Loco; head to the city’s oldest restaurant, Confiteria Torres; or head to the steakhouse, Happening.
Day 18. Santiago, Lima, Peru
After breakfast, fly to the starting point for your Peruvian discovery and the country’s capital, Lima (flight not included). On arrival, a tour of the city includes a visit to the World Heritage-listed Historic Centre of Lima, where you’ll see many of this fascinating quarter’s most significant landmarks, such as the Archbishop Palace, the Basilica Cathedral of Lima and much more. Take the time to observe Lima’s colonial-influenced architecture with its elaborately ornate balconies, which gild many of its buildings. After checking into your hotel, dine at Brujas del Cachiche - a local restaurant set in an old mansion overlooking a lovely park. Lima is now widely hailed as a gastronomic centre for Latin American cuisine. This evening, enjoy a delicious medley of Peruvian culinary delights. Then, learn more about the adventure that awaits over the coming days.
Day 19. Lima, Cusco, Chincheros, Sacred Valley
Today, fly to the World Heritage-listed city of Cusco, the historic capital of the Incan Empire (flight not included). On arrival, travel through the city en route to the lovely city of Chincheros, set high in the Andean highlands. During a traditional weaving demonstration, learn how the famously colorful materials of South America are created. Later, head for Wayra, a restaurant and equestrian centre. Enjoy a BBQ lunch, a Peruvian Paso horse demonstration and a performance of the ‘la marinera’ - known as Peru’s national dance.
Day 20. Sacred Valley
Take a full day tour in and around the Sacred Valley and visit the markets of Pisac. Then enjoy the chance to contribute time to the community of nearby Taray during a special school project. Later, continue on to the site of Ollantaytambo, before visiting the home of a local family for a typical Andean meal.
Day 21. 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, located over 7,900 feet above sea level. On arrival at the ruins, enjoy a hearty lunch at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge then set off on a locally guided tour of the iconic Lost City of the Incas - Machu Picchu. Recently named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu was built around 1450, at the height of the Incan Empire, and abandoned just over 100 years later. The site remained undiscovered in modern times until the American historian, Hiram Bingham, brought it to international attention in 1911. Today, it’s a World Heritage-listed site and the most familiar icon of the Incan World. After your time here, return to town and check into 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. Must be pre-booked. Additional Charge.
Day 22. Machu Picchu, Cusco
Awake this morning incredibly close to the ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu. With leisure time after breakfast, you have the chance to return to Machu Picchu to experience the site in true serenity - for the day travelers don’t arrive until later that morning. This afternoon, board Orient-Express’ Hiram Bingham train for what is the most luxurious rail journey from Machu Picchu to Cusco. On board, you’ll savor a Pisco Sour, enjoy live Peruvian music and indulge in a sumptuous four-course Andean-inspired dinner. On arrival back in Cusco following this remarkable rail journey, you’ll disembark and check into your hotel.
Day 23. Cusco, Dine Around Dinner
A walking tour of Cusco this morning will take you to the square in the city’s historic heart, the Plaza de Armas, as well as the sacred sites of Koricancha and Santo Domingo. After free time, perhaps dine at Tupananchis Restaurant and Pizzeria; enjoy tapas at Cicciolina; try Italian cuisine at Incanto; indulge in fine dining at the MAP Café; or take in a folklore show and dinner at Tunupa Restaurant Bar and Grill.
Day 24. Cusco, Puno
Today, board the Andean Explorer for a day-long rail journey into the highlands and on to Puno, almost 12,500 feet above sea level. Travelling in Andean Explorer Class (first class), the start of your rail adventure is dominated by the spectacular Andean mountains, towering over the valleys below. Later, you’ll reach the sweeping Andean Plains, home to wild vicuña and alpaca. On the way, enjoy access to the lounge car and the open-air observation bar car, and be treated to a three-course lunch. Later, arrive in Puno, which is situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca, and check into your hotel.
Day 25. Puno, Lake Titicaca
Located on the border of Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the largest navigable high-altitude lake in the world and it was also a sacred place for the Incan civilization. Today, take a cruise on this vast expanse of water, studded with many islands, 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 great views and a traditional BBQ lunch. Afterwards, visit the community of Llachon, overlooking the lake. Late this afternoon, return to your hotel.
Day 26. Puno, Lima
After flying back to Lima (flight not included), transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner at Restaurant Huaca Pucllana - set within the ancient ruins of the Huaca Pucllana, which is an archaeological compound built between 200 and 700 AD. As you dine, take in amazing views of the colorfully illuminated adobe pyramid, digs and walls of the complex.
Day 27. Depart Lima
This morning your vacation ends with a transfer to the airport.
