Rio, Falls & Machu Picchu

Itinerary

4 Nights – Rio
3 Nights – Iguazú Falls
1 Night – Santiago (Optional)
5 Nights – Cuzco (Machu Picchu)
2 Nights – Lima

✈ UK – Rio (4 Nights): You’ll fly from the UK to Rio, where we’ll transfer you to your hotel for your 4-night stay. Dazzling under the iconic Christ The Redeemer statue, Rio is a tropical melting pot of cultures, beaches, cuisines and breathtaking panoramas. View the city from the Corcovado and Sugarloaf mountain peaks, soak up rays on the scalloped Copacabana Beach and up the ante with Ipanema’s jet-set vibes and party shores. Explore Centro’s cloistered history, climb Lapa’s mosaic steps and watch glowing sunsets from Urca’s seawall. With endless beaches, boutiques, sights and nightlife, Rio definitely lives up to its “Marvellous City” nickname.

✈ Rio – Iguazú Falls (3 Nights): Leaving Rio’s coast for a thirst-quenching burst of natural beauty, you’ll fly direct to Iguazú. 275 thundering waterfalls here are taller and wider than Niagara Falls, and the backdrop of dense rainforest is simply stunning. You’ll be on the Brazilian side of the border here. We can include boat and safari trips, jungle explorations and the option to hop over to Argentina for some more hands-on trekking. Look the Devil’s Throat in the eye and explore the waterfall walkways at your own pace. Prepare for raised pulses when you actually get there, though.

✈ Iguazú Falls – Santiago (1 Night): The flights from Iguazú to Cusco require 1-2 changes and are not ideal times, so a quick night in Santiago means direct flights throughout, keeping flying time to a minimum. You can skip this though, or extend your stay to explore more of Chile. Framed by the famous San Cristóbal and Santa Lucía hills, Santiago is known for its 22 funiculars and rewarding, high-perched views. Stroll the bohemian Barrio Bellavista neighbourhood and visit the Catedral Metropolitana shadowing the main Plaza de Armas square. You can also head out the city to enjoy a day of wine tasting at one of Chile’s famous vineyards, take a trip to the UNESCO world heritage city of Valparaíso to marvel at its captivating street art, or relax on the beaches of Vina del Mar.

✈ Santiago – Cuzco (5 Nights): Your flight to Cuzco will now introduce you to Peru. Cuzco is the heritage-rich Andes city that forms the gateway to the Machu Picchu. Spend the first couple of days exploring the city whilst taking it easy… with an altitude of 3,399 metres, you’ll need this time to properly acclimatise, although local hot coca tea definitely helps. Blending Quechua culture and colonial architecture, Cuzco has baroque cathedrals and its own Sacsayhuamán site, two miles north of the city. Browse fresh markets, settle into the Plaza de Armas and take in the staggering mountain backdrop.

🚌 Incas Sacred Valley Day Trip: Once you’re a little more acclimatised you will do this amazing day trip to discover the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Explore some of the most well known sites associated with this mysterious civilisation and take in the stunning Andean landscapes that surround it.

🚂 Machu Picchu Day Trip: The highlight for many here is the 26-mile Machu Picchu trail, which we include as a day tour by rail , but we can also arrange for you to trek the trail. Beautifully preserved Inca culture here is showcased in sights such as the Temple of the Sun, Sun Gate and The Sacred Rock. Cascading terraces frame this 7 New Wonders of the World citadel, and brave travellers can hike up the demanding Huayna Picchu (where the photo ops are legendary).

✈ Cuzco – Lima (2 Nights): You’ll then fly to the Peruvian capital of Lima. This seaside city is loved for its historic feel, beautiful parks, shopping perks and ceviche cuisine- you don’t get named “gastronomic capital of the Americas” just like that. Beach lovers can rekindle their passions at Barranco, while lovers of bohemian flair should wander Miraflores. Twinkling sunlight bounces off Centro’s canary yellow facades, where the Museo Larco and Monastery of San Francisco add colonial beauty to lawn squares. Stroll ancient cobbles, visit temple ruins, join in the evening dancers and give your tastebuds an extra kick in the unexpected Chinatown.

✈ Lima – UK: We’ll be there on your departure day to transfer you from your hotel to the airport for your flight back to the UK.