Trafalgar 16D South America Revealed

• CITY tour in Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Lima, Cusco
• VISIT Sugarloaf Mountain, the Christ the Redeemer statue, Iguassu Falls, Pisac, Ollantaytambo ruins, Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuaman, the Larco Museum
• SEE the Teatro Colon, Copacabana Beach, the Casa Rosada
• SCENIC drive through the Sacred Valley
• ICONIC train journey aboard the Vistadome train
  

Day 1: ARRIVE RIO DE JANEIRO (3 NIGHTS)
Rio de Janeiro launches your South American exploration of capital cities and ancient cultures. Meet your local host on arrival and transfer to your hotel overlooking Copacabana Beach. This evening, we enjoy a festive Welcome Reception.

Day 2: RIO DE JANEIRO SIGHTSEEING
Join your Travel Director to delve into the captivating contrasts of Brazil's cidade maravilhosa (marvellous city). Then, ascend Sugarloaf Mountain via cable car for inspiring bay and city views. (Breakfast)

Day 3: RIO DE JANEIRO SIGHTSEEING
Journey by cogwheel train to the summit of Corcovado to see Christ the Redeemer, then visit the shores of Copacabana and Ipanema. This evening, learn how to mix the perfect caipirinha, and indulge in a sizzling Regional Dinner barbecue at a local churrascaria. (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Day 4: RIO DE JANEIRO – IGUASSU FALLS (2 NIGHTS)
Visit a Samba school where you'll 'Dive into Culture', gaining insights into how the school prepares for the pageantry of Carnival week. View the colourful costumes and learn how to Samba. We fly to Iguassu Falls. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner together at our hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Day 5: IGUASSU FALLS SIGHTSEEING
Explore the Brazil side of Iguassu Falls, joining a 'Local Specialist' in the UNESCO-listed Iguassu National Park. Indulge in lunch at a local restaurant against the backdrop of the falls, then consider an optional experience. (Breakfast, Lunch)
 
Day 6: IGUASSU FALLS – BUENOS AIRES (3 NIGHTS)
Cross the border into Argentina and meet your 'Local Specialist' for an open-air ecological jungle train ride through the rainforest. Walk along the catwalk peering down into the swirling waters of Devil's Throat Falls. We fly to Buenos Aires later. (Breakfast)

Day 7: BUENOS AIRES SIGHTSEEING
Connect with the seamless mix of European elegance meets Latin energy, joining your 'Local Specialist' for a guided tour of Buenos Aires' most notable sites, including the iconic Casa Rosada and colourful neighbourhood of La Boca. Admire the opulent façade of Teatro Colon, then visit the Recoleta Cemetery, where Argentina's beloved former first lady, Eva Peron (Evita), is buried. This evening, indulge in the delicious flavours of Argentine beef during a Regional Dinner. Later, we'll 'Dive into Culture', ending the evening with a stirring, sensual Tango performance. (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Day 8: BUENOS AIRES
Enjoy a full day at leisure to pursue your own interests in the “Paris of South America”. Admire the works of Degas, El Greco and Van Gogh at the Museum of Belles Artes or sample delicious dulce de leche ice-cream at the famous Café Tortoni. Feeling adventurous? Consider an optional trip into the countryside to visit a traditional estancia (ranch), including a lively equestrian show and traditional parrillada (barbecue) lunch. Later, we'll 'Connect with Locals', joining a family at their home in Palermo Soho for a 'Be My Guest' dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Day 9: BUENOS AIRES – LIMA (2 NIGHTS)
Fly to Lima and transfer to your hotel in San Isidro. (Breakfast)

Day 10: LIMA SIGHTSEEING
Francisco Pizarro's “City of Kings” is ours to explore this morning as we discover the colonial heritage of Lima's UNESCO-listed Historic Centre. Admire the ornate baroque façades of the Church of San Francisco and discover its hidden catacombs. Celebrate Lima's status as the culinary capital of South America next, and meet Ignacio Barrios who has worked alongside many of Peru's most award-winning chefs. Visit a local market where Ignacio will explain how Peruvian fruits, vegetables, seafood and meats are the basis of Peruvian cooking. Then continue to his cooking school where you'll 'Connect with Locals' and enjoy a demonstration on how to prepare some of Peru's most popular dishes. You'll have an opportunity to sample some of these at a 'Be My Guest' lunch before spending the rest of the day at leisure (Breakfast, Lunch)
 
Day 11: LIMA – CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY
Board a morning flight to Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Visit the Pisac market displaying Quechua arts and crafts, then continue to a former 18th century colonial-style monastery in the Sacred Valley. Later this afternoon, we arrive at a former 18th century colonial-style monastery in the heart of the Sacred Valley, our hotel for the night. 'Dive into Culture' and meet Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, a master Quechua weaver, and the first person from her village to attend university. She been an ambassador for Andean traditions since she began learning ancient pre-Columbian weaving techniques as a young girl in the 1960s. 'Make a Difference' as your visit helps to preserve and promote traditional pre-Columbian weaving techniques in the 21st century. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
 
Day 12: SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU
We'll visit the famous Inca hilltop fortress, Ollantaytambo, then board the Vistadome train (light snack included) to the UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu. A 'Local Specialist' will lead us through the ruins of this once-great fortress. Explore the iconic great Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the Intihuatana, an intricately carved rock most likely used as a sundial centuries ago. Tonight, we'll dine at our hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 13: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (2 NIGHTS)
We return to Machu Picchu this morning with an opportunity to explore this mythical fortress on our own terms. If you're feeling energetic, consider hiking up to the Gate of the Sun for thrilling views over the fortress and valley below. Then it's off to Cusco, stopping en route at a local chicheria for a taste of chicha. 'Dive into Culture' and learn how this Peruvian corn beer is made by local women. (Breakfast)
 
Day 14: CUSCO SIGHTSEEING

Explore the Incan and Spanish roots of the “Imperial City”, before venturing beyond th city to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman. This evening, we'll gather at a local restaurant for a Regional Dinner of Cusquenian flavours against the backdrop of a traditional dance performance. (Breakfast, Dinner)
 
Day 15: CUSCO – LIMA
We return to Lima late this morning. This evening, we'll join our 'Local Specialist' and curator at the Larco Museum to admire its collection of pre-Columbian art. Our Farewell Dinner is in the museum's garden. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 16: DEPART LIMA
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or consider extending your stay in Lima.  (Breakfast)

Please note: In some locations, you will be required to walk on uneven terrain and climb stairs without handrails. You should be in good health and be able to walk without assistance.

CONNECT WITH LOCALS

Dine at the home of a local family in the bohemian neighbourhood of Palermo Soho with its European-style houses and hip attitude and see a demonstration on how to prepare some of Peru's most popular dishes with Chef Ignacio Barrios. (Days 8, 10)

DIVE INTO CULTURE

Visit a Samba school to see and experience this symbol of Brazil. Experience the beauty of the Tango and learn about its traditions. Meet a master Quechua weaver and ambassador for Andean traditions. Visit a local chicheria for some traditional chichi tasting. (Days 4, 7, 11, 13)

LOCAL SPECIALIST

For sightseeing on both sides of Iguassu Falls, in Buenos Aires, Lima, Machu Picchu and at the Larco Museum. (Days 5, 6, 7, 12, 15)