Upon arrival in Buenos Aires we welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and start to get a feel for the 'Paris of the South'.

Day 2: Buenos Aires: Breakfast

Today we spend time on a historical city tour, and gain a fascinating insight into the city. We visit world class museums and have time for a traditional lunch. We also visit the Recoleta cemetery - final resting place of the Argentinean elite. With some of the most expensive real estate on the planet, this is home to the (in)famous Eva Peron. We also spend time in the famous La Boca district, with its colourful houses.

The evening is spent admiring the mighty Tango and Argentinean folk music as we have dinner at one of Buenos Aires’ best-regarded shows.

Day 3: Buenos Aires – Iguazu: Breakfast  

This morning you fly to Puerto Iguazu, Argentina where you are picked up from the airport.

Upon arrival, we visit the Brazilian side of the Falls. At certain points, we are surrounded by 260 degrees of waterfall, all within a spectacular jungle setting.

After the tour we make our way to Argentina to our hotel and overnight.

Day 4: Iguazu Falls: Breakfast

We spend the day on a tour of the Argentinean side of the Falls. Here you can ride the Rainforest Ecological Train, then wander the many walkways that get you right up close to the deafening roar of the awe-inspiring Garganta del Diablo – Devil’s Throat! 

We return to the hotel in the afternoon, where we spend the night. 

Day 5:  Puerto Iguazu – Salta (B):

Transfer to the airport for flight to Salta, located in North-West Argentina and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, we enjoy a city tour of this charming city including the main square, cathedral and surrounding hills.

Day 6: Salta – Cafayate: Calchaquies Valley Tour (B):

Today we enjoy the amazing landscapes of the Calchaquies Valley on a day tour with plenty of time to stop for pictures. Afterwards transfer to your hotel in Cafayate for overnight.

Day 7: Cafayate – Salta (B):

Today we Enjoy a scenic drive up Route 68 towards Salta to the Valley of the Shells. We have several stops  to admire the incredible rock formations and viewpoints in the valley. Arrival back in Salta and transfer to the hotel.

Day 8: Salta - La Quiaca - Villazon: Breakfast

At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the bus station to board the regular bus to la Quiaca.

Arriving in La Quiaca, you will be transferred across the border to Villazon where you overnight in your hotel.

Day 9: Villazon – Uyuni

Today you will be transferred from Villazon - Uyuni by private transportation. Upon your arrival in Uyuni you will overnight in your hotel.

Day 10: Uyuni - San Juan: All meals

This morning, we depart Uyuni in our four-wheel-drive vehicle, for our first glimpse of the world’s largest salt lake (salar).  On the way, we stop in the village of Colchani to see traditional methods of salt-extraction in action.

Driving across the Salt Lake, we arrive at Fish Island (Inkawasi), a solitary outcrop of rock in the middle of a white ocean, where hundreds of giant cactus bloom - the only vegetation to be seen.

We continue to San Juan where we spend the night in a basic hostel.

Day 11: San Juan - Vilamar: All Meals

Today, we drive through the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve of Andean Fauna: one highlight is the Laguna Colorada (Coloured Lagoon), so named on account of the striking contrast of the white shores, encrusted with salt and borax, and the flaming red of the algae-rich waters.  This lagoon is also home to the world’s largest population of the rare James Flamingo.

We continue to Vilamar where we spend the night in a basic hostel.

Day 12: Vilamar - Uyuni - La Paz: Breakfast

Starting the day early in the morning, we will visit the spectacular Sol de Mañana Geysers, and see craters of boiling lava before continuing to the Laguana Verde (Green Lagoon) which is jade coloured … and arsenic-laden!

We then return to Uyuni, arriving in the late afternoon. In the evening you board the overnight bus to La Paz arriving early the next morning where you will be transferred to your hotel.

Day 13: La Paz: Breakfast

After a free morning we will have an afternoon  city tour visiting the Main Square (Plaza Murillo), San Francisco Church, the Witches Market, the Precious Metals Museum and the Killi Killi Watchtower. Following the tour of the city, we visit the amazing geological shapes of the Valley of the Moon, which, as the name suggests, is a lunar landscape located on the outskirts of La Paz. Return to hotel for overnight.

Day 14: La  Paz - Copacabana: Breakfast

Morning transfer to Copacabana on the shores of the famous Lake Titicaca where where we will have lunch and board boat to Sun Island. We visit the Pilkokaina Inca Palace and  short walk or sail to the Gardens, Stairs and Fountain of the Inca.  Visit Yumani village, with its magnificent view of the lake, end of the afternoon return to Copacabana overnight in the hotel.

Day 15: Copacabana - Puno: Breakfast

After breakfast we visit to the beautiful baroque-Moorish style Virgen de la Candelaria church and the handicraft market. Then we will board the bus for Puno on the shores of Titicaca on the Peruvian side. Overnight in Puno.

Day 16: Lake Titicaca: Breakfast and Lunch

Today we spend the day on the world's highest navigable lake, Titicaca. First, we get the opportunity to visit the unique, man-made, floating reed islands of Uros to get an impression of how the Aymara-speaking locals have lived for centuries.

Then we make our way to Taquile Island, where time appears to have stood still. Around 350 families live here, operating a collective agricultural system dating from the 14th Century and renowned for their textiles - beautifully woven chumpis (belts), chullosojotas (sandals). The views of the snow-capped Cordillera Real mountains in Bolivia overlooking the lake are the icing on the cake! (caps), and

Upon return to Puno, the evening is free for the brave to sample some local cuisine: guinea pig (known locally as cuy) perhaps? Or maybe an alpaca steak?

Day 17: Puno – Cusco: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, today is spent on the jaw dropping ride across the altiplano to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. This drive will take us through sleepy Andean villages, past spectacular snow capped mountains, sheer cliffs and rampaging rivers. Stops along the way include the atmospheric towns of Pucara and Andahuaylillas, and the pre-Inca ruin of Raqchi.

We arrive in the famous city of Cusco in the early evening.

Please note that on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday it is possible to upgrade to the Andean Explorer first-class train service.

Day 18: Cusco: City Tour: Lunch

A gentle wander through the cobbled stoned streets is recommended during the morning, to appreciate fully the magnificent blend of Colonial and Inca influence on the city.

During the afternoon, we have a guided bus tour of the city, visiting the Cathedral, the Rock of the 12 Angles, and Inca ruins such as Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo and Koricancha.

The evening is free to sample some of Cusco’s famous nightlife first hand! Our guide will have plenty of advice as where to go!

Day 19: Cusco: Sacred Valley: Breakfast and Lunch

Today, we explore the "Sacred Valley of the Incas". This fertile river valley was home to many important sites for the Incas, both strategic and religious.

Our first stop is the village of Pisac, with its famous market, where you can pick up a bargain! You have free time to wander the colourful market stalls before we have a typical Andean lunch at a local restaurant.

We then continue our journey along the River Urubamba, to Ollantaytambo, the best surviving example of Inca town planning and dominated by a giant Inca fortress, which was the scene of a famous victory for the Incas against the invading Spanish Conquistadors.

We return to our Cusco hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 20: Cusco: Machu Picchu: Breakfast

After an early breakfast,  we leave the hotel to take the train to Machu Picchu. After an impressive train ride of 4 hours through mountain valleys, cloud forest, and high rainforest, we reach this wonder of the world. Here the ’Lost City of the Incas’ occupies a ridge spur high above the raging Vilcanota River.

We have a guided tour of the site, as well as some free time to appreciate this amazing place. For the energetic, there is the chance to climb the emblematic Huayna Picchu (Little Mountain).

At the end of the day you descend by bus to the small town of Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cusco and to the hotel for overnight.

Optional: Overnight in Machu Picchu.

Day 21: Cusco – End of Tour: Breakfast

After breakfast and a memorable journey we transport you to the bus station or airport.

END OF OUR SERVICES

Why not add the the famous Inca trail  or a trip to the Amazon Jungle to this itinerary?