World Wonders of South America

Arrive in Lima, the "City of Kings" and the capital of Peru. Your tour guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your Lima hotel.

Explore the Peruvian capital on a half-day city tour. Visit its highlights and take in the quaint colonial buildings in the historic district. A clear mark of the Spanish rule can be seen in the churches and cathedrals, displaying delicate ornaments made with the gold taken from the local mines.

Rise early to transfer from Lima to Cuzco, the former Inca capital.

Take a full-day excursion to the plentiful and beautiful Urubamba Valley, known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the colonial town of Pisac, famous for the colorful Indian market that takes place in the town.

Make a stop to delight yourself with some Peruvian cuisine at a local restaurant. The tour ends in Ollantaytambo, a charming little town and at the same time one of the most important Inca sites in Peru. Not only is it home to historical buildings and temples, but it also has spectacular terraced landscapes and open views to the Urubamba valley.

Spend the night at your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Today, visit the highlight of Peru: Machu Picchu. This Inca city dating back to the 15th and the 16th centuries conserves all its original traits since its location up on a mountain in the middle of a cloud forest kept it safe from the Spanish conquerors.

Take a train from the Sacred Valley to the small town of Aguas Calientes, the closest one to the citadel. Check into your hotel and go to the bus station to begin your Machu Picchu tour. Walk through the stone walls, past steep agricultural terraces, and admire the jutting mountains rising in the distance.

Return to Aguas Calientes in the late afternoon.

Today is a free day. Choose between visiting the markets of Aguas Calientes, explore Machu Picchu and tour the ruins on your own, or relax at the hot springs.

In the evening transfer back to Cuzco and check into your hotel.

Wake up in Cuzco, meaning "navel of the universe" in Quechua. Inca architecture is still visible in many of the buildings in this city, as well as in the ruins on the outskirts, such as Sacsayhuaman. Spanish colonial architecture is also evident, even admits the modern shops, restaurants, and stores that have come to this city in recent years.

Make sure to allow yourself time to acclimatize to the altitude; Cuzco is located 3,400 m (11,200 ft) above sea level. You can sip coca tea, relax in your hotel room, or purchase altitude sickness pills to help acclimate. Some 4* & 5* Cuzco hotels also offer oxygen supplementation in guest rooms. It is recommended that you avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol during your first night in Cuzco, to help your body adjust.

During your city tour, walk to the Plaza de Armas to see the Cathedral and the beautiful church of La Compañía. Also, visit Koricancha, which was the Temple of the Sun during Inca times but is now the Church of Santo Domingo. Head to Sacsayhuaman to learn about the Inca culture and enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

Board an early flight from Cusco to Foz do Iguaçu (with one stop-over in Lima). Foz do Iguaçu is a city located on the Brazilian side of the falls and means "Great Water" in the language of the native Guaraní. There are more than 270 waterfalls, including the formidable "Devil's Throat". Walk around, stop by the numerous vistas and enjoy the majesty of the park in the coming days.

Please note: Tuesdays & Thursdays - Sundays, LATAM Airlines offers non-stop flights from Lima to Foz do Iguaçu. There are no non-stop flights available on Mondays or Wednesdays (subject to change by the airline)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will start with the Iguazu Falls exploration - this time to the Argentine side. Explore its Iguazu National Park, which has an ecological train ride, and multiple catwalks and observation decks where you can view the waterfalls from multiple angles. Butterflies, plants, and animals are in abundance in this region, the lush subtropics of the Misiones Forest.

In the late afternoon, return to your hotel and rest.

The National Park comprises a total area of more than 185 thousand hectares and a length of about 420 km (260 mi) - 300 km (190 mi) of which are bordered by natural bodies of water. The Brazilian and Argentinean sides together comprise around 260,000 hectares. The National Park was created by federal decree on January 10, 1939, and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

The National Park overlaps into Iguazú National Park in Argentina, showcasing one of the world’s largest and most impressive waterfalls. It extends over some 2,700 meters (8,900 ft)! Iguazú National Park is home to many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, among them the giant otter and the giant anteater. Prepare to be misted by the waterfall, as you admire the lush vegetation. After exploring both sides of the falls, board a flight to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and take a well-deserved rest.

Today is time to enjoy what Rio de Janeiro has to offer. With its golden beaches, lush Atlantic Rainforests, friendly Cariocas (locals), and samba music, Rio de Janeiro is a unique and vibrant city. Visit the Christ the Redeemer, who keeps an eye on Rio from an elevation of 710 m (2340 ft). Board the trenzinho (cogwheel railway) up to the top of Corcovado Mountain for a bird's eye view of the center of the city from the center of the city! The 38-meter statue is the image of the faith and friendliness of Cariocas. The monument was inaugurated on the day of Our Lady of Aparecida, 12 October 1931 by then President Getúlio Vargas and Cardinal Dom Sebastião Leme.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city and its beaches.

The panoramic view from the top of the Sugar Loaf Mountain, at 1,296 ft (395 m) above sea-level, is breathtaking. Two sets of cable cars elevate you to the top of Sugarloaf. The first brings you to the top of Urca Mountain, and the second one brings to the summit with its 360º spectrum of golden beaches, green forests and a thriving metropolis that has earned Rio de Janeiro the title of the world's most beautiful city. Sightseeing continues with a tour of Rio's historical past. Learn how Portugal's prince scandalously broke all family ties and declared himself Emperor of Brazil, and how Brazil had its civil revolution to be the republic it is today.

After the tour, take the time to relax at the beach or go shopping.

Spend your last day in Rio at your leisure before boarding your flight to your next destination in South America.