Best of Argentina to Peru - Buenos Aires to Lima

Welcome to your South American tour! The first stop is Buenos Aires, Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital city. Arrive and check into the hotel. Head out and get your first taste of the city if you arrive with time to spare. This evening, meet your tour leader and group in the hotel lobby at 18:00. Once everyone is together, head out to a nearby local restaurant for the first group dinner of the tour.

Take a tour of Buenos Aires’s vibrant streets with an expert local guide this morning. Art, architecture, history, cuisine, culture… Buenos Aires has it all! Follow your guide and see the city’s highlights. Visit major sights such as the Avenida 9 de Julio and the famous Recoleta cemetery - the final resting place of Eva Perón, Argentina’s widely-loved former first lady. At lunchtime, you are free to tuck into some local Argentinian food -  steak, empanadas, pasta and more. Spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace. You could even enjoy a spot of Argentinian afternoon tea called “té” or “merienda”. Tonight, choose to join in for an optional dinner and Tango show!

Discover more of Buenos Aires on this free day. Meander through the streets and admire the murals, eat at local spots or browse the shops and markets. For something a little more wild, join the optional excursion to a classic gaucho ranch. Travel to the countryside of Buenos Aires to learn more about Argentinian cowboys. They are celebrated as national icons and the cattle stations are incredibly important to the country’s economy. Get a glimpse into life on the ranch - see the gauchos in action, chat with the friendly locals, watch folk dances and enjoy tasty traditional food! This is a truly unique day trip! This evening, join the group for dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning, travel to the heart of Argentina’s sprawling wine region! Catch a flight from Buenos Aires to the city of Mendoza. Nestled at the base of the Andes Mountains, Mendoza is a beautiful city surrounded by amazing views. Arrive and head out on a tour of a few local wineries. Taste a range of local varieties including award-winning Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon and learn more about why Mendoza is one of the world’s top wine capitals. Tonight, you have free time to enjoy dinner and experience the laid-back nightlife in Mendoza. Finish off the day with a glass of Argentinian wine!

Take the scenic route to Santiago, Chile today! It will be a long day of travel but the views are worth it! The route winds through the Andes Mountains. Take in the breathtaking views of the mountain passes and drive past South America’s highest mountain - Aconcagua. We will make a number of comfort stops along the way. Cross the border and travel on to Chile’s capital city. Arrive in Santiago and check into the hotel in the late afternoon. Join the group for an included dinner this evening. 

Hola Santiago! This morning it’s time to get to know more about the beating heart of Chile. After breakfast, join an expert local guide for a tour of the city. Walk through downtown Santiago and see popular spots including the bustling Central Market and the neoclassical Santiago Cathedral. Complete the tour around lunchtime and the afternoon is yours to explore! Tonight, choose to join the group for a taste of local life while out for dinner.

Explore Santiago at your own pace today. Experience the city’s neighbourhoods, each one with its own unique character. Sample more of the country’s cuisine or even venture out to a nearby winery. For those looking for a bit of sunshine and sea, choose to join the optional day trip to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar! Leave after breakfast and travel to Chile’s Pacific Coast. First stop is the colourful seaside village of Valparaiso which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the scenery on the drive to Viña del Mar - a resort town complete with beautiful beaches, museums and gardens. Return to the city and the night is yours to relax or head into the city for dinner. 

Head to the desert today for an incredible experience! Transfer to Santiago Airport and catch a flight to Calama, a mining city in northern Chile. From here, transfer to San Pedro de Atacama - a town in the middle of the captivating Atacama desert. Arrive, embark on an orientation tour and enjoy free time for lunch before checking into the hotel. Next, head out to El Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) to explore and watch the sunset. Prepare to be wowed by the dramatic landscapes that look like something from outer space! This evening is free, you can join your tour leader for dinner if you choose. There is also a stargazing session for any budding astronomers.

Eat breakfast on the road during an early morning drive to the Bolivian border. It's time to spark your adventurous spirit! Jump into 4x4 trucks which will be your transport for the next three days. Venture deeper into Bolivia’s desert and experience the enchanting natural beauty of Eduardo Avaroa National Park; from stark desert landscapes to sparkling lagoons. At the end of the day, arrive at the homestay for this evening. A local host family will be waiting to greet the group. Spend the night getting familiar with the local way of life here. 

* Due to the remote area and limited accommodation available, the accommodation will differ from the usual hotel standards. There will be basic, multi-share rooms with limited hot water and simple amenities. 

Back to the 4x4s for more adventures today! Explore sparkling blue lagoons and visit Laguna Canapa, Laguna Honda and Laguna Hedionda which is famous for the resident flamingo population. Stop for a picnic lunch and eat surrounded by the beauty of nature. See Ollague Volcano which stands tall over the desert landscape. Make a stop at the Train Cemetery in Uyuni. This is a graveyard home to huge carriages abandoned in the early 20th century. Tonight, a second local family will welcome and host the group at a homestay for the evening.  

*Due to the remote area and limited accommodation available, the accommodation will differ from the usual hotel standards. There will be basic, multi-share rooms with limited hot water and simple amenities.
 

Experience a South American bucket list destination today! Visit the Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) for a full day of exploration. The salt flats are one of Bolivia’s most famous attractions, drawing visitors from across the world. Join a local guide and hear all about this amazing destination. Visit Colchani, a tiny village, and Incahuasi Island in the middle of the salt flats. After an exciting day, arrive at the hotel in Uyuni and spend the evening relaxing as you wish.  

Say farewell to Uyuni and the Bolivian desert and head to La Paz today! Catch a flight to La Paz, the world’s highest administrative capital. The city has an extraordinary setting in a deep canyon below the peaks of the Andean mountaintops. Arrive and check into the hotel. Spend the rest of the afternoon as you wish. Get a feel for this bustling, high energy city with a dramatic mountainous backdrop. Tonight, join the group for an included dinner. 

Today use the free day to fall even more in love with La Paz! This city is high up - you might even feel the effects of the high altitude! An expert local guide will show you around the city, sharing interesting history and pointing out local hotspots. Visit the Mercado de Brujas (Witches Market) and catch a cable car over the city to the Telefrico Viewpoint. Enjoy free time after lunch. Delve deep into Bolivia’s ancient history on an optional excursion to Tiwanaku. This ancient site was once a sacred Andean spot. Today it is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Bolivia. Spend the evening exploring at your leisure or join the group for dinner at a local restaurant.

Drive along the shores of Lake Titicaca from La Paz to Copacabana this morning. This beautiful destination, located between Bolivia and Peru, is one of the world’s highest navigable lakes. Myth and legend surround the area. Some say that Lake Titicaca gave birth to the sun and the moon! Arrive at the lake and take a trip to Isla del Sol (Sun Island). Find out more about pre-Inca mythology and explore a bit of the area before travelling back to mainland Copacabana. Arrive in the evening which will be free to spend at your leisure.

Wake up early and continue the journey to a new country along the edge of Lake Titicaca. Cross the border into Peru and arrive at the port town of Puno. The highlight of today is a visit to the Uros Islands. Arrive and board a traditional reed boat to travel to the lake’s man made floating islands. The Uru people created these islands by hand, using totora reeds. Away from the mainland, the Uru people live traditional lifestyles and depend purely on the lake for food. Have a unique travel experience on this visit. Sail back to Puno in the late afternoon and the evening is free to relax at the hotel.

Travel to Peru’s Sacred Valley today and see Inca sites along the way. It is a long day of travel but the beautiful surroundings of the Peruvian countryside will keep you captivated. Make a stop at the town of Pucara and see ancient Inca ruins. Pass through La Raya, which sits 4300m above sea level! Stop at roadside markets along the way to shop for trinkets and enjoy the views. The next stop is Raqchi, an ancient Inca fortress before visiting Urubamba and the Church of Andahuaylillas. This evening, arrive in the heart of El Valle Sagrado (the Sacred Valley) and enjoy an included group dinner. 

The secrets of the Sacred Valley are waiting to be discovered today! Enjoy breakfast, travel along winding roads, through valleys and past local villages surrounded by imposing mountains. See Incan sites and learn about local culture and Incan history along the way. Visit the town of Ollantaytambo and see its impressive fortress. This town used to host Incan ceremonies and once was the royal estate for an Incan emperor. Get a taste of local life during a stop at a local marketplace and see everyone going about their daily lives. Arrive at the hotel in Urubamba and spend the evening relaxing as you wish.

Choose to join the Machu Picchu excursion today and enjoy a full-day of exploring the ruins! Join a local guide and journey by bus, train and on foot to reach this celebrated heritage site - it’s worth the trek! Sitting on a mountain in the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu is surrounded by lush valleys and steep cliffs - an amazing setting! See the ruins made up of intricate buildings, stone canals, tombs and plazas. The ruins are shrouded in mystery. It was once the royal estate of Incan King Pachacutec but the exact purpose of Machu Picchu remains unknown. Travel back to the hotel after a day of discoveries. Those not visiting Machu Picchu will enjoy a free day in the Sacred Valley. 

All roads lead to Cusco this morning! Travel from the Sacred Valley to Cusco which was once the capital of the Incan Empire. Stop at Sacsayhuaman on the way. This fortress temple is an incredible example of Inca architecture. Next, continue to Cusco and enjoy free time and lunch in this lively destination. Head to any local hotspot for a delicious meal. This afternoon, hit the streets of Cusco with a local guide and get to know more about the city. Tonight, choose to join a buffet dinner and Peruvian dance show for a taste of Cusco’s culture! 

Travel to Lima, Peru’s capital city today! Catch a short flight to this sprawling city. Arrive and join a local guide on a tour of this city bursting with people, buildings and things to see and do! Walk along the streets of this coastal city perched on cliffs that drop into the Pacific Ocean. See highlights including the Plaza de Armas and Cathedral of Lima. The hotel is based in the vibrant Miraflores neighbourhood. Check-in, freshen up and join the group for dinner at a nearby local restaurant. 

Make the most of this full free day in Lima! Explore more of the city or join a full-day tour to the Ballestas Islands and Nazca Lines. Depart early for Peru’s Paracas region on the southern coast. Embark on a boat trip around the Ballestas Islands and experience the beauty and the amazing marine life. See dolphins, sea lions, penguins and pelicans up close! Return to the mainland and catch a flight from Pisco Airport to see the Nazca Lines. Fly over the Nazca Desert and see the mysterious Nazca Lines which are huge geoglyphs carved into the desert sand - you’ll see a variety of shapes including humans and animals! They have to be seen to be believed! Return to Lima for a final group dinner this evening.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning and share highlights and memories with your new travel friends. After breakfast, the tour officially ends. It will have been an amazing three weeks on tour, seeing South America’s highlights! We hope to welcome you on tour again. Have a safe onward journey!