Classic Peru and Brazil with Machu Picchu

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Rio de Janeiro

  Upon your arrival in Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city in Brazil, you will be met by your local guide and then escorted to your hotel. Check into the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

  • Rio de Janeiro

• Day 2: Rio de Janeiro Highlights

  After breakfast, start a journey to the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar), one of Rio de Janeiro's best-known landmarks. A glass-wall cable car elevates you to Urca Hill (Morro da Urca) to appreciate the fantastic view of the entire bay. Later, take another cable car to the summit of the mountain to admire the spectacular panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. After that, take a train to the iconic Christ the Redeemer (an internationally recognized landmark of the city which was featured in the 2016 Olympics) located atop the 700-meter high Corcovado Mountain.

  In the evening, you will enjoy the fascinating Samba Show with dinner, including singers and dancers in elaborate costumes who will present Brazil's rich folkloric traditions and capture the famous rhythms of Carnival.

  • B L D
  • Rio de Janeiro

• Day 3: Rio de Janeiro Highlights

  The stunning Tijuca Atlantic Forest, the world's largest urban forest, will serve as your first jeep tour excursion today. En route, you will make several stops including the Chinese Lookout, where you can get magnificent views of the romantic Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, the exquisite Guanabara Bay and the unique Sugar Loaf Mountain. While traveling, you will also have chances to see a few tropical animals like monkeys, sloths, and exotic birds. On the way back to the hotel, you will stop at the enchanting Pepino Beach to admire the hang gliders flying through the air.

  • B
  • Rio de Janeiro

• Day 4: Rio de Janeiro Free Day

  Free day at leisure. If you are the outdoorsy type, the expansive green rainforest - the Tijuca National Park, which offers an extensive array of activities, will meet your interest for further exploration. You might also want to indulge yourself with a sunbath at the vibrant Ipanema Beach or get a bigger taste of the local culture at nearby restaurants, shops, and art galleries. You may be willing to visit some famous local bars such as Lapa for Rio's night scene as well. A wide range of activities is available there for you in Rio!

  • B
  • Rio de Janeiro

• Day 5: Rio de Janeiro - Manaus

  This morning, head to the airport for your flight to Manaus, the capital of the Amazonas and one of the world's most remotely located major cities. Upon arrival, you'll be met and transferred to the Lodge. At the exotic Monkey Jungle, your eyes will feast on a wide range of New World primates including Capuchin Monkeys, Marmosets, Howler Monkeys and the very rare pied-tail Tamarin. You will then go on a canoe trip for Alligator Spotting and be amazed at these reptilian 'kings of the Amazon'.

  • B D
  • Manaus

• Day 6: Manaus

  This morning, you will take a nature hike in the rainforest, which boasts one of the world's most abundant and varied ecosystems and is home to a wide range of exotic animals, birds, and insects. No doubt the visitor will leave with a feeling of complete enchantment! You will then return to the lodge for a special regional lunch and take a short rest afterward.

  The afternoon trip includes a visit to the home of a local Amazonian resident -"caboclo"- the 'people with copper-colored skin' in the Tupi language, who are a mixture of indigenous and European descent - truly personifying the ethnic melting pot that is modern Brazil. You will also not want to miss out the unique - if daring, opportunity to fish for piranhas! During the rainy season when food is plentiful, piranhas eat more plants and insects and this makes them easier to catch. So don't be scared by its name!

  • B L D
  • Manaus

• Day 7: Manaus

  Prepare for a full day excursion to the Meeting of the Waters, a truly remarkable natural wonder. The site is so named because it represents the point where the warm, dark water of the Rio Negro meets the cooler, sandy or 'white' hued water of the Rio Solimoes, itself a branch of the mighty Amazon. What is astonishing about this site is the fact that you can literally see the clear meeting point between the two rivers with the dark water and lighter water swirling against one another- truly a memorable sight! This phenomenon occurs due to the difference in temperatures and flow speed of the two rivers and is one of the best-known attractions of Manaus. Later on, you can opt to go piranha fishing on a canoe! Expect to arrive back at the lodge by about 17:30 where you will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.

  Optional: Piranha fishing will be sure to enrich your journey!

  • B L D
  • Manaus

• Day 8: Manaus - Foz do Iguacu

  Have some free time to enjoy the natural pools at the lodge, before you check out and transfer to Manaus airport for your flight to Sao Paulo, from where you will connect with your flight to Foz do Iguacu. On your arrival, you will be met by your local guide and taken to your hotel.

  • B
  • Foz do Iguacu

• Day 9: Foz do Iguacu Highlights

  In the morning, you will head to the Iguacu National Park, close to the border with its sister park in Argentina. En route, you will be amazed by the vibrant subtropical environment around you. On arrival at the park, you can take a glass elevator up to the cliff face for a splendid view from the upper deck. Another way to take in the stunning panorama here is to descend a canyon which overlooks no fewer than 240 waterfalls! The two parks form the most prominent and best-preserved rainforest in the southern part of South America. Later in the day, on the Brazilian side, you will then enjoy the Macuco Safari through the national park. This memorable 2 km excursion led by an experienced guide offers an open-top tour where you can see a wide range of exotic birds, animals and exotic vegetation, led by an experienced guide.

  After this wagon-ride segment of the journey, you will continue on foot to the Iguassu River to embark on a thrilling motorboat trip right up to the falls themselves. Here, you will no doubt find the natural power of the water magnificent - do prepare to get wet though as the mist here is very pronounced! Closing your day, you will visit the Bird Park which offers a good look at Brazil's abundant avian species, some of which are endangered. You will then return to your hotel.

  • B
  • Foz do Iguacu

• Day 10: Foz do Iguacu - Itaipu Dam - Foz do Iguacu

  The highlight of your day will be a trip to the impressive Itaipu Dam on the Brazil-Paraguay border. Serving the Parana River, this hydroelectric dam produces more energy than any other in the world - a staggering 103 million megawatts! No wonder it has gained a reputation as one of the 'Seven Wonders of the Modern World'. A visitor center at the site will guide you through the history of the construction project which can be traced back to 1966. A one-hour bus excursion will take you past the dam complex right up to the spillway point where you can really appreciate the power here. Another stop is made at the upper section of the dam.

  After the dam tour, you will have some free time at your disposal back at the hotel and in the evening enjoy international cuisine. To conclude your day, you can enjoy a vibrant musical show which combines traditional local music with Broadway. You will get a musical taste of three countries - Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay - the styles of which also endorse their folklore. It is truly a splendid feast for your senses!

  • B D
  • Foz do Iguacu

• Day 11: Foz do Iguacu - Lima

  Enjoy your time at leisure until you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Lima. On your arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

  • B
  • Lima

• Day 12: Lima - Cusco, City Tours

  In the morning, you will be escorted to the airport for your brief flight to Cusco. On arrival at Cusco Airport, a local guide will meet you and help you to check in at the hotel. It is recommended you brace yourself for some climatic adjustment - at 3,400 m above sea level, Cusco is one of the highest cities in the world.

  After some time relaxing and taking in the mountain air, your personal guide will meet you at the hotel lobby for an afternoon with Cusco City Tours. The city's history can be traced back to about 1100 when it was an important pre-Columbian site and later, a capital of the Inca Empire. A highlight of your tour will be a visit to the ancient Incan temple of Qurikancha, which is now found within a Dominican monastery. Your next stop is the huge Cusco Cathedral, which dates from 1539 and is both the largest and oldest Christian site in Cusco. The building hosts an impressive art collection, which became renowned as the Cusco School of Painting. Later in the day, you will visit the ancient Incan and Killke architectural remnants scattered around the city including the impressive stone foundations of Sacsaywaman, which can be traced back to 900. Incredibly, no mortar was used in the construction of these indigenous temples and military sites.

  • B
  • Cusco

• Day 13: Cusco - Aguas Calientes

  To commence the day, you will visit the weaving center of Awanacancha. This site is also known as a good vantage point to see such unique Andean mammals as llamas and alpacas, famed for their resilience to the mountain terrain and they're fine fur, important in the Peruvian textile industry. Later, the Pisaq Archaeological Park, located in the village of the same name is an important Incan site known for its fine local handicrafts. Pisaq also provides magnificent views over the valley below. You will then stop at the bustling Pisaq Market, before admiring the historic Ollantaytambo Archaeological Park, remarkable for its multiplicity of architectural types. Peru Rail then brings you on a train journey to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will be met at the station by hotel staff who will assist you in checking in for your overnight stay.

  • B L
  • Aguas Calientes

• Day 14: Aguas Calientes - Cusco

  After breakfast, your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to a shuttle bus (a half-hour drive with the ticket included) for your excursion to the world-famous Machu Picchu site. Located some 2,430 m (7,970 ft) above sea level, the ruined city is the international icon of the Inca Civilization. It is believed to have been constructed between 1450 and 1460 as an estate for the Emperor Pachacuti and remained unknown to outsiders until the American explorer Hiram Bingham III brought it to international attention in 1911. Notable ruins at the complex include the ritual baths, the Palace of the Princess, the main Fountain, the Intihuatana and the Temple of the Sun, which may have been based on astronomical calculations. You will also have some time at the site at your own leisure to take in the mountain air and have great photo opportunities!

  Later in the day, your shuttle bus will take you back to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you can relax in a mountain cafe for lunch or maybe just a refreshing drink. You will then proceed on your train journey back to Poroy Station. There, your local guide will meet you and transfer you to Cusco, where you will stay overnight.

  • B
  • Cusco

• Day 15: Free at leisure in Cusco

  You will spend the full day at your leisure in Cusco, the Incan capital of Peru. Take the chance to relax and enjoy the area on your own, take some photographs or do some shopping at local markets.

  Probably you may have the zest to visit the very hub of Cusco - the Plaza de Armas, where you can also admire the spectacular surrounding buildings; the Cathedral of Santo Domingo and the Cristo Blanco might feed your religious interest, especially the giant statue, serving as a platform, providing you with a phenomenal view of Cusco; the San Blas quarter, known for its many artisans and craft shops, will be worth a visit - even if you are not a fan of shopping, the extremely steep cobblestone roads would certainly catch your attention!

  • B
  • Cusco

• Day 16: Cusco - Lima

  After breakfast, you will be escorted to the airport for your flight to the bustling Peruvian capital, Lima. This megacity has a wealth of attractions and among the sites you can see are the downtown area, the busy Main Plazas, the Presidential Palace, the Convent of San Francisco. Also known as the Monastery of San Francisco, the building was constructed between 1673 and 1674 in baroque style and is notable for its vibrant yellow brick front porch. The site was added to the UNESCO list in 1991. A macabre but fascinating feature is the catacombs filled with hundreds of skulls and bones arranged in geometric patterns. You will then proceed to the upscale San Isidro District, where many embassies are located, and which is known for its rich connections to the Peruvian art scene. A major landmark here is the Huaca Huallamarca, a pre-Columbian archaeological site notable for its flat-topped Incan pyramid. An on-site museum presents many of the finds from the excavations here including pottery, textiles and even preserved mummies. To conclude the day, the Miraflores District offers spectacular views overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

  • B
  • Lima

• Day 17: Lima, Departure

  Free at leisure until your private transfer to the airport for your flight to your next destination. Say goodbye to Peru!

  • B