The Best of South America:
 Day
2: In Lima Enjoy a tour of Lima, the City of Kings, combining the
modern and colonial highlights with a visit to the world famous Museum
of Anthropology and Archaeology to enhance your appreciation of
pre-Inca and Inca cultures. (B)Day 3: Lima to Cuzco Early wake-up call and transfer to the airport for your one-hour flight to Cuzco. Remainder of the day at leisure to acclimate to an altitude of over 11,000 feet! (B)  Day
4: Cuzco to Machu Picchu A special adventure begins. Depart by
train* and journey back into the mists of time, arriving at the foot of
Machu Picchu. Mini-buses follow a serpentine road to the heights
of the ruins. Take a walking tour of these
wondrous ruins with your expert guide. You
and the lucky few who will spend the night here will have a few
more hours to explore the site after the crowds have returned to Cuzco.
Those who select the Deluxe category hotels will overnight at the Sanctuary
Lodge just outside of the gate to Machu Picchu and enjoy an additional
dinner and lunch. The hotels in the Tourist and First Class categories
are in the quaint village of Aguas Calientes,
at the base of the ruins. (B, L) *NOTE: In Tourist Category, the renovated Expedition Train is quoted and lunch is NOT provided. In First Class and Deluxe categories, the deluxe VistaDome train is quoted and lunch is provided at the Sanctuary Lodge adjacent to the entrance to Machu Picchu. Day 5: Machu Picchu to Cuzco Continue exploring Machu Picchu before winding back down the mountain by bus to catch your afternoon train for Cuzco. NOTE: Transfers from Aguas Calientes to and from Machu Picchu and entrance fees are NOT included this day. (B)  Day
6: In Cuzco This afternoon, you will join a motorcoach for a tour
of colonial Cuzco, including the Temple
of the Sun, Cathedral and Plaza
de Armas. Next, ascend into the hills surrounding Cuzco to visit
the Inca ruins of K'Kenko, Pucapucara, Tambo
Machay and the great stone fortress of Sacsayhuaman.
(B)Day 7: Cuzco/Lima/Santiago Morning return flight to Lima, where you will be assisted with a connecting flight to Santiago. Evening arrival in Santiago and transfer to your selected hotel. (B) Day 8: Santiago City Tour On a half-day motorcoach tour of Santiago, visit Santa Lucia Hill and San Cristobal Hill before stopping at Bellavista, Santiago's Bohemian district, where you will find a variety of art galleries, restaurants, and theaters. (B)  Day
9: Santiago to Puerto Montt (Puerto Varas) Fly south to the gateway
to Chile's Lake District, Puerto Montt, on the Relancavi Estuary.
Drive along Costanera Highway for
a scenic overlook of Puerto Montt, and then tour the quaint fishing village
of Angelmo with its open-air crafts
market. Continue on to Puerto Montt’s sister city, Puerto
Varas, on the shores of Lake Llanquihue,
and overnight in your choice of hotel. (B) Day 10: Two-day Lakes Crossing (available
all year) Begin this overland journey
through pine forests, past tranquil farms and over broad lakes on the
way to Argentina. Bus past Lake Llanquihue to Petrohue
to board a boat crossing Lake Todos Los Santos
to La
Natura Hotel for overnight. Click here for Lakes
Crossing map. (B, D)Day 11: Arrive Bariloche Continue through the Lake District with a bus ride over the Continental Divide into Argentina, then cross Lake Frias by boat, and arrive in Puerto Blest by bus.  Cruise on Lake Nahuel
Huapi to Puerto Panuelo, and
proceed overland to downtown Bariloche
and your hotel. (B)3Day 12: Bariloche Tour See the main square and important government buildings. Then, skirt the lake to Cathedral Mountain for an overview of all the surrounding lakes, hills, and mountains that make Bariloche one of the most scenic spots in the world! (B) Day 13: Bariloche to Buenos Aires Fly from Bariloche to Buenos Aires, and transfer to your selected hotel. Remainder of the evening at leisure. (B)
Day 15: Tango Show A day completely free to explore on your own. Sip traditional tea at a local teashop, or visit one of the estancias in the countryside. This evening, enjoy a typical Argentine beef dinner followed by a folklore show and Tango performance. (B, D)  Day
16: Buenos Aires to Iguassu Falls Fly northward
to Iguazu Falls, Argentina for a tour of the mighty falls from the Argentine
side. Walk along the river's edge, home to a myriad of semi-tropical flora
and fauna. Cross small bridges over tiny waterfalls to vista points looking
out to the main part of the falls, the Devil's
Throat. Then take a boat out to a catwalk
for a close-up view of the Devil's Throat! After the tour, transfer to Iguassu
National Park in Brazil, and stay at the
Hotel Das Cataratas located right at the falls. (B) Day
17: Iguassu Falls A full day at leisure,
where you will have an opportunity to visit the falls from the Brazilian
vantage point. Here, you have a magnificent
overview of the entire horseshoe-shaped falls
with over 250 separate cataracts. (B) Day
18: Iguassu Falls to Rio de Janeiro Transfer
to the airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro. Transfer upon arrival
to your hotel of choice. Remainder of the evening at leisure. (B)Day 19: In Rio Full-Day motorcoach tour to Corcovado, Rio's highest mountain, crowned by the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer. Enjoy exceptional views, then continue on via the scenic route through Tijuca rainforest. Stop for lunch before beginning the two-stage ascent by cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain. There you will be treated to breathtaking views of Guanabara Bay and Rio de Janeiro. (B, L) Day 20: Depart Rio You have almost another full day free in Rio for shopping and sightseeing on your own before a late afternoon transfer to the airport. (B) Day 21: Arrive Home City Note: All airfares within South America are included in the rates and are subject to change without notice. Airfares from/to North America are not included. Call 800-326-5025 for airfares from major US cities. Hotel Category
Hotels in Category
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