This is an amazing route. Start with a few days in Buenos Aires, known as the ‘Paris of South America’ where the rhythm of the tango fills the air in San Telmo and La Boca. You then travel south to the national park at Peninsula Valdes where you could see migrating whales, sea-elephant and colonies of penguin. Travel further south to Ushuaia, the world’s most southern city, and to Tierra del Feugo. We then stop at the huge, and growing, Perito Moreno Glacier before crossing the Andes Mountains into southern Chile and the Torres del Paine Nat. Park. After exploring the Chilean Lakes we head for the capital of Chile; Santiago. The journey continues as you fly into Peru to visit Lima, Yucay, Cuzco, the Indian market at Pisac, Machu Picchue, Puno and Lake Titicaca. But it’s not over yet! Continue to Quito and see the diverse sights and indigenous cultures of Ecuador- and you may wish to extend to the unique Galapagos Islands.   

Includes: Airport-hotel transfers on days 1 and 25, touring as itinerary, 24 nights hotel accommodation, meals as shown, entry fees, local guides, regional airfares with taxes, transport by coach, air, public bus, boat and train.

Not Included: International airfares, flight Santiago-Lima on Day 16, exit taxes if applicable, visas, personal expenses, other meals, travel insurance, tips, optional activities.

Circuit 5 Map

ITINERARY

Day 1: Buenos Aires
You are met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2: Buenos Aires  [B]
A three-hour, guided tour visits the major sites on this eclectic city. See Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada and the Cabildo, then drive to San Telmo and La Boca where you’ll probably find the tango being danced in the city squares.

Day 3: Buenos Aires  [B]
A day at leisure in exciting Buenos Aires. We recommend a stroll down Avienda Corrientes and Florida. Or you can take on optional excursion to a typical Estancia and see gauchos at work.

Day 4:  Puerto Madryn  [B]
After breakfast transfer and flight to Trelew, and transfer to Puerto Madryn. Rest of day at leisure on the Atlantic Coast.

Day 5: Peninsula Valdes  [B]
A full-day excursion to discover the wildlife and scenery of this nature reserve. One could see migrating whales, or colonies of sea-elephant.

Day 6: Ushuaia  [B]
Morning visit to Punta Tombo, home to one of the world’s largest colonies of Magellan Penguins, then transfer to Trelew for your flight to Ushuaia.

Day 7: Ushuaia  [B]
A morning tour of the Tierra del Fuego Nat. Park, with unique landscapes and views across the Beagle Channel. You may decide to take an optional catamaran cruise on the Beagle Channel, to islands where one could see sea-lions and various sea-birds.

Day 8: El Calafate  [B]
Transfers and flight to El Calafate, a unique timber-town with excellent restaurants and cafes in southern Patagonia. Overnight.

Day 9: Perito Moreno Glacier  [B]
A full-day excursion to one of the world’s largest, and still growing, glaciers. The road passes through open grasslands and dense forest, and along the shores of Lago Argentina. Over five km long, with an ice-face over 70m high, viewing the glacier is an unbelievable experience.
 

Day 10: Puerto Natales  [B]
After breakfast we board the public bus and journey across the Andes, into southern Chile, to the port city of Puerto Natales. Overnight.

Day 11: Torres del Paine  [B]
A full-day excursion into the majestic scenery of the Torres del Paine Nat. Park, recently nominated as the world’s most scenic reserve; a series of lakes, lagoons, waterfalls and glaciers set against a backdrop on Andean peaks. Late afternoon return to Puerto Natales.

Day 12: Puerto Varas  [B]
Transfer by public bus to Punta Arenas, Chile’s most southern city and home to indigenous Muchapo Indians. After a guided city tour, including views across the Straits of Magellan, transfer for flight along the ridge of the Andes to Puerto Montt, in Chile’s Lake District. Overnight.

Day 13: Puerto Varas  [B]
A full day excursion by catamaran to the rapids of Peulla and Petrohue. The route passes through lush countryside, past weather-beaten barns and churches, to Lago Llanquihue and the village of Ensenada. A boat trip on the emerald waters of Lago Todos los Santos, with the peaks of the Andes close by, is spectacular. Late afternoon return to Pto. Varas.

Day 14: Santiago de Chile  [B]
Today we say farewell to the Lakes and fly north to Santiago. Arrival transfers and overnight.

Day 15: Santiago  [B]
This morning’s tour begins at the Church San Francisco, dating from 1572. Continue through the cobbled streets of Bario Paris to Club Hipico and Bario Concha y Toro. After seeing Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, continue to San Christobel Hill for panoramic views across the city and mountains.

Day 16: Lima  [B]
Morning transfer and flight to Lima. (this flight not included). You are met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.

Day 17:  Yucay  [B]
Morning transfer and flight to Cuzco. On arrival transfer to your hotel located in the Sacred Valley of the Inca. En-route we stop in the village of Pisac to visit the Indian Market, then drive via Ollantaytambo to the hotel.
 

Day 18: Machu Picchu  [B]
Drive to Ollantaytambo where you board the Andean Explorer train* to Aguas Calientes, then by small busses to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Inca. An extensive visit to this extra-ordinary place before returning to Cuzco for two nights.
 

Day 19: Cuzco  [B]
The morning is at leisure. Join your guide for an afternoon tour of the baroque buildings of this colonial city and the Inca sites of  Sacsayhuaman, Tambo Machay, Kenko and Puca Pucara.
 

Day 20: Puno  [BL]
The bus journey from Cuzco to Puno passes snow capped peaks, mountain passes 4.3km above sea level, Indian villages and Incan ruins. Lunch at a typical restaurant. Overnight in Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
 

Day 21: Lake Titicaca  [B]
A full day excursion by boat on the Lake. We visit the Uros floating islands where the Almara Indians still build their houses on artificial, reed islands and wear traditional dress. We continue to Taquile Island with pre-Inca terracing, before returning to Puno.

Day 22: Lima  [B]
Transfers and return flight to Lima. During the afternoon join a tour of the city, San Isidoro and Miraflores, and to the beaches of the Pacific Ocean.

Day 23: Quito  [B]
Transfers and flight to Quito. An afternoon tour includes the historical city centre and its many Spanish colonial buildings, and the ‘Equatorial Line’ monument, before visiting the Ethnographical Museum. Time for shopping is included.

Day 24: Quito  [B]
A full day at leisure in Quito, or you may take the optional full-day visit to the Indian Market at Otavalo, famous for leatherwork, tapestries, weaving and other craftwork. . En-route you pass local villages, the Guayllabamba Gorge and spectacular mountain scenery.

Day 25: Departure  [B]
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

*Note: Day 18 train subject to availability. Alternative by public bus.

Optional extensions
4 Days: Iguaçu Falls
4-Days: Galapagos Cruising
6-Days:  Galapagos Island Hopping