South America Highlights Machu Picchu to Rio de Janeiro

Day 1 - Lima

Land in Lima and transfer to your hotel, with the remainder of the day free to relax.

Overnight Dazzler by Wyndham Lima Miraflores or similar

Day 2 - Lima City Tour

Enjoy a panoramic tour of Lima, beginning in the lively district of Miraflores. Stop at Parque del Amor, famous for Víctor Delfín's sculpture "The Kiss", before moving on to Huaca Pucllana, an ancient ceremonial complex.

Continue into the historic centre at Plaza de Armas, where you'll see the Government and Municipal Palaces and the Cathedral. The tour concludes at the Convent of Santo Domingo, resting place of several Peruvian saints.

Overnight Dazzler by Wyndham Lima Miraflores or similar

Day 3 - Cusco

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco. On arrival, transfer to your accommodation, with the rest of the day free.

Overnight Palacio Manco Capac by Ananay Hotels or similar

Day 4 - The Sacred Valley

Begin in Chinchero, an attractive highland town known for its archaeological site and a demonstration of traditional weaving, a skill passed down through generations using age old dyeing methods.

Next comes Moray, where a series of concentric terraces cut into the landscape resemble a natural amphitheatre. The Incas are thought to have used these rings to create numerous microclimates, effectively an ancient agricultural test site.

The morning finishes at the Maras salt pans, worked since colonial times and still active today. Hundreds of white pools tumbling down the hillside against the valley's greenery make this one of the most photographed spots in the region.

Lunch included at a local restaurant.

Overnight Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay or similar

Day 5 - Machu Picchu

Head to Ollantaytambo station for the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu (08:00–09:25, subject to availability). Your main luggage travels separately to Cusco, so you'll only need a small backpack (up to 8kg) for the day. From Aguas Calientes, a shuttle bus carries you up the mountainside, with fine views over the Urubamba River and canyon along the way.

Once at the top, join a guided tour of the Machu Picchu citadel, taking in the terraces, temples and Inca stonework. Afterwards, head back down to Machu Picchu Pueblo for a three course lunch at Café Inkaterra, overlooking the Vilcanota River. Dinner and an overnight stay follow in the town itself

Overnight Hotel El Mapi by Inkaterra or similar.

Day 6 - Machu Piccu Back to Cusco

Spend more time exploring the citadel independently before leaving Machu Picchu town in the afternoon on the Vistadome Observatory back to Ollantaytambo. A private transfer then returns you to your hotel in Cusco.

Overnight Palacio Manco Capac by Ananay Hotels or similar

Day 7 - Santiago

Transfer to Cusco airport for your flight to Santiago. On arrival, transfer to your hotel, with the rest of the day at your leisure.

Overnight Hyatt Centric Las Condes or similar

Day 8 - Santiago

Set out from your hotel to take in Santiago's mix of contemporary buildings and historic sites. Highlights include Plaza de Armas, the city's civic centre, flanked by the Cathedral, City Hall, Central Post Office and National Historical Museum, followed by the Government Palace, a key symbol of Chilean democracy. From there, wander through traditional neighbourhoods before, conditions permitting, climbing Santa Lucía Hill, once a defensive outpost and now a park with gardens and European style statues. The tour lasts around four hours before returning to your hotel.

Overnight Hyatt Centric Las Condes or similar

Day 9 - Buenos Aires

Transfer to Santiago airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival, transfer to your hotel, and spend the rest of the day at leisure. In the evening, take in a Tango show.

Overnight NH Lancaster or similar

Day 10 - Buenos Aires

Enjoy a morning guided city tour of Buenos Aires. This small group tour will showcase all the city's highlights speak to our experts if you wish to upgrade to a private tour. Spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace

Hotel: NH Collection Lancaster Hotel or similar

Day 11 - Iguazu Falls

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguazu, transfer to the hotel and spend therest of the day at leisure

Day 12 - Iguazu Falls

Visit the Argentinian side of the falls, crossing the Tancredo Neves Bridge for views over the Iguaçu Canyon en route to the national park. A small train takes you through the park with two stops, the upper and lower circuits, from where walkways lead to viewpoints over the 'Cataratas'. The undoubted highlight is the platform at the edge of the Devil's Throat, the largest of the falls.

Day 13 - Iguazu and Rio

This morning brings you to the Brazilian side of the falls, a place that stops visitors in their tracks. From your hotel, you'll head into the national park, passing through thick subtropical forest before the roar of over 240 individual falls signals your arrival. A canyon trail delivers sweeping views as it descends, and a glass lift takes you to a platform where the scale of the falls becomes fully apparent. Spanning the border with Argentina, this expanse of rainforest is among the last great wildernesses of southern South America and holds UNESCO World Heritage status.

Take an afternoon flight to Rio de Janeiro, transferring to your hotel on arrival, with the evening free.

Overnight PortoBay Rio de Janeiro or similar

Day 14 - Rio

This morning is all about the icons. A scenic drive along Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon leads to the mountain train up to Christ the Redeemer, standing 2,300 feet above the city and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The views from the top explain exactly why Rio is known as the Marvellous City. Coming back down, stop for lunch at a local restaurant (payable locally).

Next, Sugar Loaf Mountain, one of the world's most recognisable outlines. Two stages of glass cable car take you first to Urca Hill at 215 metres for bay views, then on to the 395 metre summit, where a full panorama stretches across Copacabana, Botafogo, Corcovado and the city beyond. By the end of the day, you'll have seen Rio from nearly every angle there is.

Overnight PortoBay Rio de Janeiro or similar

Day 15 - Rio

A full free day in Rio. Wander the cobbled lanes of Santa Teresa, or unwind on the sands of Copacabana or Ipanema.

Overnight PortoBay Rio de Janeiro or similar

Day 16 - Homeward bound

Transfer to the airport for your flight home                                                                      .