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 Picchu, Puno and Lake Titicaca. But it’s not over yet! You may want 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 inter-city coach, boat and train.

Not included: Airfare from/to Australia, flight Santiago-Lima on Day 14, exit taxes if applicable, visas, personal expenses, other meals, travel insurance, tips, optional activities.

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 exciting 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. You 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. At over five km long, with an ice-face over 70m high, the glacier is an unbelievable experience.
 

Day 10: Puerto Natales   [B]
After breakfast we board the inter-city coach 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: Santiago   [B]
Transfer by inter-city coach to Puerto Natales, then 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 Santiago. Check in for two nights.
 

Day 13: Santiago   [B]
This morning’s tour begins at the Church San Francisco, dating from 1572. We continue through the cobbled streets of Bario Paris to Club Hipico and Bario Concha y Toro. After seeing Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, we continue to San Christobel Hill for panoramic views across the city and mountains.
 

Day 14: Lima   [B]
Morning transfer and flight to Lima. (this flight not includes). You are met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.
 

Day 15: Lima   [B]
A half day tour explores the sights of Lima. Visit the Plaza de Armas, the historic Government Palace, the Cathedral and the suburbs of San Isidro and Miraflores.
 

Day 16: Arequipa   [B]
Morning transfers and flight to Arequipa, the ‘White City’. An afternoon tour includes the unusual landscapes, the volcanoes and pre-Inca terraces, and also fine examples of Spanish colonial buildings. Afternoon at leisure.
 

Day 17: Colca Canyon   [BLD]
This is the start of an exciting 2-day excursion into the amazing Colca Canyon, 100km long and up to 3.4km deep. We follow the route, past both dormant and active volcanoes, to our overnight hotel in Chivay. Afterwards we visit the Hot Springs of La Calera.

Day 18: Puno   [B]
After breakfast we descend 3400m to the canyon floor. We might see condors spiralling in the up-drafts. Afterwards transfer by bus to Puno located on Lake Titicaca.
 

Day 19: Puno   [B]
A full day excursion to the floating villages of the Uros Indians on Lake Titicaca. Continue to Taquile Island to see several pre-Inca and Inca terracing. Here the inhabitants still wear traditional dress.
 

Day 20: Cuzco   [BL]
A full-day journey aboard the Andean Explorer train* from Puno to Cuzco leads through the Peruvian highlands, past the snow-covered peaks of the Andes, local villages and over high mountain passes to Cuzco.
 

Day 21: Cuzco   [B]
A half-day tour visits the attractions of the city and the Incan sites of Sacsayhuaman, Tambo Machay, Kenko and Puca Pucara. Afternoon at leisure.
 

Day 22: Cuzco   [B]
Leisure day to explore the markets and city of Cuzco. Optional activities are available locally.
 

Day 23: Yucay   [B]
After transferring to Yucay we visit the Sacred Valley of the Inca and the traditional Indian market in Pisac. Return to Yucay via the Urubamba Valley.
 

Day 24: Machu Picchu   [B]
A full day excursion by bus to Ollanta, then by train to Aquas Calientes. From there small buses take you to Machu Picchu. After an extensive site visit return to Yucay via the Sacred Valley.
 

Day 25: Lima   [B]
Transfers and flight to Lima, the afternoon is at leisure

Day 26: Depart   [B]
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

*Note: Day 24 train subject to availability. Alternative by public bus.

Optional extensions
4 Days: Iguaçu Falls
4 Days: Galapagos Cruising
6 Days:  Galapagos Island Hopping 
10 Days: Exciting Ecuador