Rio – Iguassu Falls – Amazon & Machu Picchu

• Arrive Rio (except Thurday and Saturday)

  Welcome to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s ‘cidade maravilhosa’.

  Upon arrival to Rio, you will be welcomed outside of Customs by an English-speaking assistant holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will direct you to your awaiting vehicle and driver, and accompany you to your hotel,which is situated in the lively Copacabana Beach zoneto assist with check-in. (Private Transfer)

• RIO DE JANEIRO

  Today enjoy a full day tour, beginning with Corcovado to see the statue of Christ the Redeemer. Passing by some of Rios beaches and by Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, and proceeding as far as Cosme Velho Station to board a cog-train for the ride through Tijuca Forest up Corcovado Mountain. The train ride takes 20 minutes and is a wonderful opportunity for a closer look to the forest lush tropical vegetation and to enjoy scenic landscapes of the beaches and city. Disembarking at the top of Corcovado and then proceeding up the steps that lead to the top lookout where the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. After appreciating the breathtaking view unfolding below, passengers will descend by train and head to a restaurant for lunch.

  Proceeding after lunch along Rios beaches as far as Urca District to board a cable car for a two-staged ascent up Sugar Loaf Mountain.

  Then coming down and proceeding along Guanabara Bay and Flamengo Park as far as downtown. Visiting downtown area, passing by the financial and business center and by other attractions such as the City Palace, Candelaria Church, Metropolitan Cathedral, Lapa Arches, Municipal Theatre, National Libraryand by the Samba Rome, site of Rios famous Carnival parade, and then you will return to your hotel. (B. L.) (Shared Guide)

• Rio de Janeiro

  Enjoy today at leisure and discover all of the delights of Rio on your own.

  Watch the volleyball and soccer matches on the beach, shop for local crafts, and linger at a waterfront café to just "people-watch". (B.)

• RIO DE JANEIRO - IGUASSU FALLS (Brazil side)

  Transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguazu.

  On arrival you will be transferred to the entrance of the National Park of Iguaçu. Once arrive at the park entrance to go through the guess entrance and return to the vehicle at the other side of the visitor center. From there you will be taken to the entrance of the park to the beginning of the trail of the Iguassu Falls, which takes about 20 minutes. The Trail is about 1400 meters long and has some steps along the way. At First you will experience a panoramic view of the falls, and as the walk through the tail they will get closer and closer to the falls. Approaching the end of the walk they will go on a catwalk that takes then to the middle of the Iguassu Falls.

  Once Brazilian side sightseen its completed you will be transferred to your hotel, which is situated in the Brazil side. (B.) (Private Transfer) (Private Tour)

• IGUAZU FALLS (Argentina side) - LIMA

  An unforgettable tour on the Argentine side, bringing you face to face with one of the world’s wonders: Iguazú Falls, declared a Mankind Heritage by UNESCO. Take the train to the Devil’s Throat Boardwalk for a close up of the most powerful of the falls. Walk the superior and inferior boardwalks and soak in the breathtaking panoramic views of this gorgeous natural scenery.

  Late afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima.

  Upon arrival to Lima, you will be welcomed outside of Customs by an English-speaking assistant holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will direct you to your awaiting vehicle and driver, and accompany you to your hotel and assist with check-in. (B.) (Private Tour) (Private Transfer)

  Note: Medical "Assist Card" insurance for the entire journey within Peru, with 24 hours medical assistance is provided to assist any relevant issues with altitude or any sickness.

• Lima

  This morning, embark on a city tour of Lima.

  See the plazas, colonial buildings with ornate balconies, colonial churches and mansions, gems of Ibero-American architecture including the 17th century San Francisco Monastery. Modern Lima is a mix of architectural styles and beautiful gardens, especially Miraflores and San Isidro, popular commercial districts with excellent shops, art galleries and restaurants.

  Visit Love Park in the Miraflores district and admire its view of the Pacific Ocean, and then head to Huaca Pucllana, the adobe pyramid that was ancient Lima’s ceremonial heart.

  Next, drive through the district of San Isidro, the financial center of the city, and then on to the city’s main square, Plaza Mayor, where you’ll see the Government Palace and Lima’s town hall. (B.) (Private Tour)

• LIMA – PUERTO MALDONADO - AMAZON

  This morning head back tothe airport for your departing flight to Puerto Maldonado.

  Start your journey arriving to Puerto Maldonado, where our staff will welcome you and provide the necessary information for your stay.

  Navigate by outboard motorized canoe along the Madre de Dios River to Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion for approximately 25 minutes.

  Enjoy lunch with organic ingredients and native flavors.
  After lunch, take a walk through Concepcion trails, our inside property nature trails, where you will discover and learn about primary and secondary rainforest, its components, uses, transformations by the human being, and its relevance for the world.

  At dusk navigate by outboard motorized canoe, at the twilight river excursion. By sailing on the Madre de Dios River, you will learn about its ecosystem, Amazonian creeks, nocturnal animals’ behavior, and the southern constellations.

  In the evening enjoy a nice dinner in the Casa Grande’s dining room. (B. D.) (Semi-Private Transfer) (Shared Guide)
  

• AMAZON

  New experiences are ahead and after taking a nutritious buffet breakfast, get ready for a long trek through terra firma into the Tambopata National Reserve towards Lake Sandoval. Here you will understand why Madre de Dios is called the biodiversity capital of Peru, while learning about the Reserve’s conservation efforts and the lake’s formation.

  Navigate by dugout canoe across this mirror-like oxbow lake that is home to the endangered giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), blue and yellow macaw (Ara ararauna), red howler monkey (Alouatta seniculus), black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), and one of the world’s biggest fresh water scaled fish, the paiche (Arapaima gigas).

  Back to the lodge for lunch, and later the Inkaterra canopy walkway & anaconda walk await for you. Take a 20-minute ride by outboard motorized canoe to the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway Interpretation Center where you will learn about its construction and the conservation projects of ITA-Inkaterra Asociación (NGO). Ascend one of the two 98-foot towers (30 m.) and cross the 7 hanging bridges that connect the treetops at 91 ft. high (28 m.). Enjoy the breathtaking vistas and get the chance to watch white-throated toucans (Ramphastos tucanus), woodpeckers, trogons, squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis) and the three-toed sloth (Choleopus hoffmani).

  After descending keep on feeling the incredible primary rainforest energy going along the 200-meter wooden bridge over the swamps (aguajales). You will learn about the fauna and flora of this flooded ecosystem.

  At night get ready for an adventure at the rainforest by night excursion, where you will explore the Amazon rainforest that gives way to nocturnal animals who display intriguing behavior patterns, and enhanced senses as adaptation mechanisms. Listen to nocturnal living nature sounds and penetrate this hidden world.
  Return to the lodge and enjoy a nice dinner. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide)

• AMAZON

  The sun rises once again and after an early breakfast you will take our Native Farm excursion where you will be able to learn local techniques of cultivation and taste some of the products during the visit.

  Then visit the Botanical Garden, discover the immense variety of medicinal plants considered part of the “natural pharmacy” used by the habitants at the amazon region. Compare the medicinal uses of local medicine with traditional remedies.

  Getting back to Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion you will have lunch.

  Take a rest and get ready for the cocha water excursion. Enjoy a dugout canoe ride on the Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion natural pond (cocha). Try native fishing applying the “catch and release” techniques, as you enjoy the scenery observing hoatzins (Opisthocomus hoazin), a diversity of fly catchers, and gray-necked woodrails (Aramides cajanea).

  Disembark at the remains of Fitzcarrald steam boat; learn about its history and how it inspired Inkaterra to ask Werner Herzog to film the award-winning “Fitzcarraldo”, best director at Cannes, 1982.

  You will be able to participate in the inland collpa during the evening, where you will see different species and their night routines by observing through our “blinds”.
  End up your day with a pleasant dinner. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide)

• AMAZON - PUERTO MALDONADO – SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS

  After breakfast buffet, take a ride back to Puerto Maldonado by outboard motorized canoe. Arrive at the Butterfly House where you may wait for your flight to Cusco, while visiting this beautiful Butterfly House and learning about the fascinating transformation of these colorful insects.

  On arrival to Cusco you will be met at the airport by a local representative who will transport you to the Sacred Valley of the Incas (8,500 feet elevation), a long, fertile river valley surrounded by snowcapped peaks that lies between Cusco (11,000 feet elevation) and Machu Picchu (8,000 feet elevation). Starting here helps you adjust to the high altitude of the Andes and is a great way to see how the local people continue to live in the traditional Andean manner.

  After check-in, you can relax in the peaceful garden surroundings of your country hotel as you settle in and acclimatize to the altitude. (B.) (Private Tour) (Private Transfer)

  Note: Due to the altitude, we recommend that you avoid any strenuous activity for the remainder of the day. We suggest that you rest for one to two hours after checking in to your hotel, prior to commencement of any physical activity. To further reduce the effects of altitude sickness, we recommend you also drink plenty of fluids: water, fruit juices, herbal tea or the local 'mate de coca'. It is highly recommended to avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol.

  Remember: Altitude affects each person differently so symptoms may vary greatly, so please be alert to any possible symptoms and if in any doubt seek medical advice.

• SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS

  Today we discover the best of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

  You will head towards Moray, a fascinating archaeological site in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Its huge concentric terraces were used by the Incas as a botanical laboratory.

  Then, you will visit the Andean Misminay community, where your local hosts will welcome you with music and dancing, invite you to experience a bit of their daily life activities and serve you a delicious meal made with native products.

  After experiencing living culture in Misminay, you will continue to Ollantaytambo, where you can visit the archaeological complex of the same name, one of the largest in Peru, strategically located on top of a
  mountain.

  Afterwards, you will descend to the town of Ollantaytambo, which stands out for maintaining the Inca urban planning as part of its original urban layout, with some buildings and narrow stone streets. Here you can tour the town and visit the local market. (B.) (Shared Guide)

  Note: This evening, pack an overnight bag for your stay at Machu Picchu, your main luggage will be transferred back to Cuzco and placed in secure storage and will be made available to you when you check in to the hotel. You must carry your passport with you.
When packing your bag please bear in mind the below luggage requirements for Peru Rail passengers travelling to Machu Picchu: Each Passenger is allowed to carry only light baggage on board the train, with a maximum weight of and measuring 157cm (length + height + width) due to limited space availability.

• SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU

  Awaiting you today is by far and away one of the high points in world tourism: Machu Picchu, where you will definitely have an experience you will never forget.

  You will be transferred from your hotel to the train station in Ollantaytambo this morning. Your luggage will be collected and transferred to your hotel in Cuzco for storage while you are at Machu Picchu. We recommend you do not leave valuables in your luggage.

  Board the Vistadome Train to Aguas Calientes; a 90 minute journey. Your Vistadome service departs at (to be advised) and you need to be on the platform 30 minutes prior to departure. The Vistadome is the ideal train for those who want to be in contact with the environment and appreciate the wonderful journey to Machu Picchu. Surrounded entirely by glass and wagons with large panoramic windows offering incomparable scenic views and numerous opportunities to capture amazing pictures, Vistadome travellers feel connected and part of the impressive landscape of Peru. Perurail provide travellers on board personalized and first level service to give them an unforgettable life experience.

  Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes train station one of our local staff will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name/s on it. After a short briefing, explaining about your full day tour inclusions & timings you will be introduced to your expert guide for the rest of the day. At this point your luggage will be taken by a porter to your hotel. Your guide will walk with you for about 5 min to catch a bus, which takes 30 minutes to reach Machu Picchu (buses depart every 10 minutes and the first bus departs 05:30)

  A 2 hours 30 minutes guided tour of the ruins will have you wondering about the lives of the priests, craftsmen, and servants who inhabited this citadel and what drove them to build it on a mountain-top. Excavations have revealed skeletons, artefacts and woollen clothing, but no gold. The same precise stonework as in other Incan sites in evident. Overlooking the raging Urubamba River and discovered in a hidden tangle of vines and trees atop the mountain, the city of Machu Picchu will forever hold the secret of its destruction as the Incas left no written record.
  You will visit following points in Machu Picchu:
  01 Entrance

  02 Ceremonial Baths
  
03 Inka House
  
04 Temple of the Sun
  
05 Botanical Garden
  
06 Square of the Temples
  07 Intiwatana

  08 Llamacancha

  09 Sacred rock

  10 Temple of the Condor
  11 Agricultural Zone

  12 Exit
  The guided tour will end a few meters from the Machu Picchu exit. It is not allowed to return on the way that has already been visited
  At the proper time, you should exit the citadel and enjoy your buffet style lunch at the Sanctuary Hotel.

  Your return mini-bus transfer to Aguas Calientes is included; buses leave approximately every 15 minutes. The village of Aguas Calientes is very small; on arrival please ask for directions to your hotel. Most properties are within a 5- 10 minute walk from the bus terminal. Your luggage will be made available to you after you have checked in.

  Tonight enjoy a la carte dinner. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide) (Private Transfer)

  Note:: if you would like to climb Wayna Picchu the next morning(the mountain that rises over the ruins) you will need to let us know as the number are restricted.

  The climb to Huayna Picchu is considered one of the best short hikes in the world. Reaching its summit is a great feat and will be the greatest adventure of your life, climbing its zigzag paths and stairways carved in stone, you can test your physique and the temper of your nerves. But once at its summit you will feel a great sense of satisfaction and peace, the view of Machu Picchu and its surroundings is spectacular and unique. Also in the mountain Huayna Picchu you will be able to find excellent Inca remains, like their viewpoints, rooms and platforms; You can also see the magnificent Temple of the Moon, an attraction that can only be seen climbing Huayna Picchu.
  There are 2 entry schedules for the Huayna Picchu Climb. From 07:00 - 08:00 or 10:00 - 11:00.

  We highly recommend booking the first entry as the views are spectacular.

  As per the regulations of your ticket you are entitled to 4 hours within the citadel. The trek will take approximately 3 hours, so you will another hour to explore the Machu.

• MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

  Return to Machu Picchu this morning to continue your unguided exploration of this extensive site; your return mini-bus tickets and entry to Machu Picchu are included. We recommend rising early and taking one of the first buses; the ruins are much quieter in the morning and seeing the mist clear as dawn breaks is a wonderful sight.

  There are many things to see and do at the site, including the hike to Inti Punku, the Gate of the Sun.
  Morning visitors to Machu Picchu must leave the ruins by 12pm.

  Take a mini-bus back to Aguas Calientes and have some free time for lunch or visiting the souvenir shops. Please make sure you allow enough time to collect your luggage from your hotel before returning to the train station to take the afternoon Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Cuzco, where the bulk of your luggage will be waiting.

  You will have the balance of the day free to relax and explore this historic city.

  Cusco is another of the highlights of a trip to Peru, a fascinating city built on the foundations of the former Incan capital. You can observe massive Incan walls along many of the streets of the city. The city has a vibrant atmosphere and many excellent restaurants. (B.) (Private Transfer)

  Note: you MUST bring the previous day’s ticket to enter Machu Picchu today without a guide.

• CUSCO

  You will visit the city of Cusco, known as the Imperial City and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

  Here you will start your tour at the iconic San Pedro market, a local market where you can explore the colors, flavors and traditions of modern Cusco.

  The visit continues with the Koricancha Temple, an ancient Inca palace and cult center of the Sun God, above which the order of the Dominicans built a church, which remains standing to this day.

  You will continue ascending to the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, an impressive example of Inca military architecture.

  Afterwards, you will explore  Q’enqo archeological site, where important Inca ceremonies took place. 

  Finally, you will arrive to the Plaza de Armas (main square), where you will visit the Cathedral, the most important temple in the city. (B.) (Shared Guide)

• Depart Cusco

  DEPART CUSCO
  Enjoy breakfast. Check-out. One of our representatives will collect you from your hotel and drive you to the Cuzco airport for your next onward flight destination. (B.) (Private Transfer)

The below hand-picked properties feature good location, superior service, and all facilities necessary for a comfortable stay.

BRAZIL

• Rio: Hotel Windsor Martinique
• Iguassu Falls: Viale Towers

PERU

• Lima: Arawi – Miraflores
• Amazon: Hacienda Concepcion
• Sacred Valley of the Incas: Hotel Pakaritampu
• Aguas Calientes: Mapi by Inkaterra
• Cusco: Double Tree by Hilton

NOTES:

• This is a suggested itinerary. All Tailor-Made journeys can be customised to suit. Add in additional highlights, spend more time in areas of particular interest to you, or extend your journey to visit other regions of South America.
• Hotel accommodation quoted in lead-in hotel guest rooms unless specified otherwise
• Hotels can easily be changed at the customer request. We have a wide selection so you can be assured of a great place to stay
• Occasionally due to circumstances out of our control, hotels quoted may not be available at the time of booking. In these circumstances when hotels are unavailable, South America Tours Pty Ltd will provide the best possible alternative.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Accommodation with private facilities as mentioned in the itinerary
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary:

(B.) = Breakfast

(L.) = Lunch

(D.) = Dinner

• All transport, sightseeing and excursions as per the itinerary unless specified otherwise:

(Private Transfer) = Your own exclusive driver. No queuing for taxis, no stopping en route at tour booking agencies. All private transfers / transport is operated on a private basis – i.e., you won’t be sharing with others

(Private Tour) = Your own, personal tour guide and an exclusive vehicle

(Shared Guide) = Meet other like-minded travelers and share the services of a guide / vehicle during the plan sightseeing activity. Typical group size is around 10 travelers.

• Parks and monuments entrance fees
• Professional English speaking local guides throughout
• Service charges and taxes.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• International and internal flights.
• Internal flights needed: Rio – Iguassu Falls / Iguassu Falls – Lima / Lima – Puerto Maldonado / Puerto Maldonado – Cusco
• We can purchase these flights on your behalf.
• Tourist Visas are not included
• Travel insurance
• Any items not specifically mentioned as included, phone calls, laundry, tips, alcohol, etc.