Millenary Land and Outstanding Nature

This once in a lifetime trip takes you on a journey through varied and colorful Peru, where you will encounter an epic fantasyland, with forgotten temples and imperial tombs entangled in jungle vines with ancient bejeweled treasures beyond reckoning and to Argentina, the second largest country in South America with its sophisticated capital and that extends from north to south covering almost all expectations regarding nature.

PERU
For 6 days you will explore this heroic land, concentrating on the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, one of the new seven wonders of the world and the most important archaeological sites and markets that surround the Sacred Valley and Cusco city. Our local English speaking guides will enchant you with stories of our legends as you become fully immersed in this long-lost great culture.

ARGENTINA
For 12 days, you can experience a series of sensations where nature overflows in the powerful Iguazu Falls that deafen and amaze the visitor, the beautiful landscapes of the Argentine Patagonia until reaching the “end of the world” in Ushuaia.

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TOUR CATEGORY
  • Archaeological
  • Cultural
  • Nature

LOCATION
  • Argentina
  • Buenos Aires
  • Cusco
  • El Calafate
  • Iguazú
  • Machu Picchu
  • Ollantaytambo
  • Peru
  • Pisac
  • Sacred Valley
  • Sacsayhuaman
  • Ushuaia

ACTIVITY LEVEL
  • Easy

DURATION
  • 18 days

WHEN TO GO
  • Year round

CUSCO

  • Wander the capital of the Inca Empire with your guide.
  • Take a horseback ride around archeological sites.
  • Learn how to cook some of the finest cuisine in the world with local chefs.

SACRED VALLEY

  • Enjoy the vibrant and colorful markets full of beautiful hand crafted clothing or souvenirs.
  • Walk through ancient salt pans and meet native weavers as they create beautiful rugs or traditional clothing.

MACCHU PICCHU

  • Enjoy a leisurely train ride to Machu Picchu and visit “The Lost City of the Incas”.
  • Climb Huayna Picchu or walk to the Sun Gate to sample breathtaking views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding area.

IGUAZU FALLS

  • Soak up with the water jets of the mighty Iguazu Falls while admiring the incomparable scenery.
  • Discover the waterfalls from two different countries. The best waterfalls on the Argentine side and the best panoramic view on the Brazilian side.

USHUAIA

  • Visit to the southernmost city in the world, on the banks of the Beagle Channel in a bay of singular beauty framed by Mount Martial and its glacier of the same name.
  • Enter the National Park visiting the Sea Lion Island and the Birds Island.
  • Capture good photos at the End of the World Lighthouse.

EL CALAFATE

  • Embark on the catamaran of the Nautical Safari where you can listen to the internal movements of the imposing Perito Moreno Glacier.
  • Tour the “Ice Rivers” of the National Park where you will observe huge icebergs of different sizes and shapes.

DAY 01 ARRIVE LIMA

After arriving Lima and clearing customs, walk across the sky bridge to the comfortable Wyndham Costa del Sol Hotel to check in for the evening.

DAY 02 FLY TO CUSCO - WALKING CITY TOUR

Breakfast

After the short flight to Cusco, take some time to relax and adjust to the altitude. Next, it’s time to take a private guided walking tour to see and experience Cusco first hand. Your perfect English-speaking guide will help you explore and discover the Inca capital. Wander through this city of terra-cotta roofs, cobblestone streets, and colorful markets and visit the stunning bohemian area of San Blas, meeting the locals and taking in some of the key sites in Cusco as well as some off the beaten track.

DAY 03 SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS

Breakfast

This full day tour will take you through all the most famous and popular parts of the Sacred Valley. Its “Sacred” character (for which it was named) has survived the passage of time and that magic continues to amaze visitors today. Few places in the Inca Empire could compete against the beauty and wealth of this valley.

This private guided tour will become one of the highlights of your trip. Stopping in the famous and vibrant market of Pisac, take in the sights and sounds of this unique experience, test your bargaining skills and don’t forget to stock up on affordable souvenirs for friends and family!   You may also hike the amazing Pisac ruins located on a nearby mountaintop from where you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the valley including hundreds of famous Inca agricultural terraces.

There are a number of additional sites worth exploring on this day trip, including the unique terraced crop fields of Moray, the seldom visited town of Maras, the Maras Salt Mines which were extremely important to the Incas as their supply of salt and still provides salt today that you can buy for a few soles. As well as their historical importance, the Maras salt mines are also a beautiful sight to see. You may also enjoy a colorful textile demonstration based on ancient Inca techniques, visit the living Inca town of Chinchero with its unique colonial church that was built on the top of an Incan palace by the Spaniards, or stop at Awanakancha or Textile Palace, where you can meet native weavers and see South American camelid species, including llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas. Finally, you can visit the formidable temple-fortress of Ollantaytambo. A finely worked ceremonial center sits at the top of the terracing. Stone quarried from the mountainside 6km away, high above the opposite bank of the Río Urubamba was used to build surrounding walls at the time of the conquest, which were never completed. Transporting the huge stone blocks to the site was a stupendous feat. The Incas employed an ingenious technique to move massive blocks across the river by moving the blocks to the riverside and then diverting the entire river channel around them. You will stay overnight in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a spectacularly beautiful place along the Urubamba River with a gorge lined by snowcapped peaks rising in the distance.

MAKE IT DIFFERENT (OPTIONAL)

We highly recommend having an extra day in the Sacred Valley. Many visitors without a lot of time on their hands almost race through the valley’s highlights and markets on a daylong guided tour. Seeing it this way is certainly a worthwhile experience, but it really doesn’t compare to experiencing everything the valley has to offer at a more leisurely pace that allows you an overnight stay or two in the valley and the chance to soak up the area’s immense history, relaxed character, stunning scenery, and in the dry season, gorgeous spring weather.

 

ASK OUR EXPERTS TO UPGRADE YOUR EXPERIENCE

DAY 04 TRAIN TO MACHU PICCHU. VISIT THE SANCTUARY OF MACHU PICCHU

Breakfast

Early in the morning, you will hop on board of one of the prettiest train rides in South America destined for Machu Picchu which sits majestically among the massive Andes, swathed in clouds. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height. Its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments.  The natural setting on the eastern slopes of the Andes encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna.

The “Lost City of the Incas” is one of the most spectacular sites on earth and a place that retains its mystery, allure and mystical appeal, despite its enormous popularity. Exploring the site remains a thrilling experience, especially at sunrise, when dramatic rays of light creep over the mountaintops. After a private guided tour, we then take a late afternoon bus to the town of Machu Picchu where you spend the night. Hit the bars along the railroad tracks to share stories with some of the backpackers who’ve survived the Inca Trail, or end your fantastic day soothing your muscles in the hot springs. The guide returns to Cusco.

 

IMPORTANT TIP

If you do want to see the beautiful scenery and ancient buildings of Machu Picchu, book your trip early. The Peruvian government has placed a limit on the number of people allowed to hike the trails to the city per day. Be sure to book your tickets well in advance. The high season tends to book up quickly!

 

MAKE IT DIFFERENT (OPTIONAL)

Take the option of a full day Inca Trail or the 4 days trekking Inca Trail.

 

ASK OUR EXPERTS TO UPGRADE YOUR EXPERIENCE

DAY 05 MACHU PICCHU FREE DAY TO EXPLORE AND BACK TO CUSCO

Breakfast

Without doubt the best time to view Machu Picchu is early in the morning, before the crowds arrive on the train. You can enter to the ruins in time for the opening and savor the views and the atmosphere as the light changes as the sun rises. You have the rest of the morning to explore the ruins at your own pace and perhaps walk up the famous Inca Trail to the ‘Gateway of The Sun’ (Inti Punku) or hike the Huayna Picchu Mountain for the best view of Machu Picchu. During the afternoon you descend from the archeological site to the railway station, and embark on the afternoon train, which slowly winds its way through the Andean countryside to Ollantaytambo where you will be transferred to the vehicle for the drive back to your hotel in Cusco. (Entrance to Machu Picchu not included this day)

DAY 06 CUSCO SURROUNDINGS

Breakfast

In a private guided visit, you will get to enjoy one of the best and most renowned examples of Incan architecture, Sacsahyuaman. For those looking for an active itinerary, horseback riding, mountain biking or even whitewater rafting can be arranged. The rest of the evening is free for you to relax, explore and shop with your private guide in this incredible cosmopolitan Inca capital also named as Navel of the World. Explore the nightlife in Cusco´s varied and exciting pubs where there is plenty of live folk music and good food to enjoy in a lively atmosphere.

MAKE IT DIFFERENT (OPTIONAL)

Love to Cook? Peruvian Cuisine is widely regarded one of the most delicious and diverse in the world. Today you have the option of a hands-on cooking lessons and demonstrations with our talented Peruvian chefs, including a visit to the famous San Pedro market in Cusco city where you can explore the variety of exotics Peruvian fruits, local vegetables, healing herbs and hand-pick some of them for your own preparation.

 

ASK OUR EXPERTS TO UPGRADE YOUR EXPERIENCE

DAY 07 FLY CUSCO – LIMA – BUENOS AIRES (ARGENTINA)

Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for your flight Cusco/Lima/ Buenos Aires.

After arriving to the Ezeiza Airport in Buenos Aires, we will transfer you to your hotel, where you can rest for the night and prepare for this wonderful adventure.

DAY 08 BUENOS AIRES - IGUAZU

Breakfast

Transfer from the hotel to the Jorge Newbery Airport for your flight to Iguazu. Arrive to Iguazu, reception and transfer to your hotel.

DAY 09 FULL DAY EXCURSION TO IGUAZU FALLS (ARGENTINIAN SIDE)

Breakfast

Today, you will be transferred to the Iguazu National Park, which has a total of 67,000 hectares. Iguazu, in the Guaraní language, means “big water”; surely it was named like this because of the enormous flow that the more than 275 waterfalls discharge: 1750 cubic meters per second on average per year. The most important trails are three: Lower Circuit, Upper Circuit and Garganta del Diablo, all communicated each other and the Visitor Center by the ecological train specially designed to preserve the ecosystem. The Lower Circuit (1,700 meters) allows you to approach the roar of the water falling against the rock, entering in full contact with the jumps and the vegetation; an intimate experience that also allows you to cool off with the water that rises with each jump. The Upper Circuit (1,200 meters) gives a different perspective: see the jumps from above, feeling the water flowing furiously under your feet. But the most spectacular is, without doubt, the Garganta del Diablo. From the train station begins a footbridge of 1,100 meters. which pass, for the most part, over the water of the huge Iguazu river. Upon reaching the viewpoints, you will see all the power of the Falls concentrated in a horseshoe of jumps that deafen and wet the visitor with the drizzle that rises from 80 meters depth.Overnight in Iguazu.

DAY 10 HALF DAY EXCURSION TO THE BRAZILIAN SIDE WATERFALLS

Breakfast

You will leave towards the neighboring country of Brazil, where, after crossing the border, you will reach the Foz de Iguazú National Park, which covers an area of ​​175,000 hectares, being 11 times larger than Argentina side, with whom share the beauty and the exuberance of the jungle that hosts innumerable species of flora and fauna. Since the vast majority of the waterfalls are located on the Argentine side, the Brazilian park has only one footbridge of approximately 1,000 meters, from which you can take advantage of the best panoramic views. The walkway continues to the very opening of Garganta del Diablo, the most compact and impressive group of jumps; A walk up to this lookout will ensure you leave completely wet from head to toe, but with an incomparable feeling. If you want to enjoy an impressive view, but without getting wet, you can take another sector of the gangwalk to the Floriano jump, which has two lookouts, one lower and one upper, linked by an elevator. There you can see the water falling very close and hear the typical roar of the Falls. At the entrance of the park, helicopter rides of about 10 to 15 minutes are offered. The rides are available only in Brazil (Argentina banned them for environmental reasons) and are made when the weather permits. (Consult your guide)

Overnight in Iguazu.

DAY 11 IGUAZÚ - USHUAIA

Breakfast

At the estimated time, transfer from the hotel to the airport for your flight to Ushuaia. Arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel in Ushuaia.

DAY 12 FULL DAY EXCURSION TO THE NATIONAL PARK AND THE SEA LION ISLAND

Breakfast

The excursion will begin in the morning traveling through the national route Nº3 (that arrives to Buenos Aires) by the outskirts of the city until the National Park, the unique one in the country that protects mountains, forests and sea. On the way, you will learn about the history of the convicts who populated these lands for the first time and the work they did in the surroundings of the city. Once inside the National Park, continue the excursion to Ensenada Bay, from where you will contemplate the Redonda Island and, on the other coast of the Beagle Channel, the snowy mountains of the Sampaio Chain (Chile). Then, at the side of Roca Lake, you will be able to appreciate all the species that make up the flora of Tierra del Fuego and you will make a trek to the Lapataia River. From this point presides the landscape of the Cerro Cóndor, that for its summit pass the border with the Republic of Chile. You will cross the Green and Black Lagoons, where you can take a couple of walks, one of them leads directly to Lapataia Bay, which is the end of National Route Nº3. Return to the city. After midday, you will go through the Beagle Channel to the southeast on a catamaran, arriving at the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, known as the End of the World Lighthouse. You will sail around the Sea Lion Island observing these curious and nice marine mammals in their natural habitat, playing and relaxing. Then the catamaran will go to the Bird Island to see the Magellanic Cormorants and the majesty of the Imperial Cormorants, the Albatros, Fullman Petrels, Giant Petrels, Squas and 20 different species of seabirds. Later, navigating through Paso Chico, you will return to Ushuaia, with a view of the beautiful frame that Monte Martial and its glacier of the same name gives to the city. (Transfers to the Tourist Port located in the center of the city are not included). Overnight in Ushuaia.

DAY 13 FREE DAY IN USHUAIA

Breakfast

Free day to explore the capital of the Tierra del Fuego.

MAKE IT DIFFERENT (OPTIONAL)

 

CROSSING IN 4X4 TO THE LAKES ESCONDIDO AND FAGNANO (Price approx. $192 per person)

Departure in Land Rover 4×4 towards the lakes located in the interior of the Island of Tierra del Fuego. Route 3 runs through part of the Tierra del Fuego mountain range and allows access to the Garibaldi Pass, a panoramic point from where you will see your target, the Escondido and Fagnano lakes. The descent will begin and in a detour you will reach places characterized by forests, mud and stones, where access would be impossible without a Land Rover. The Lake Fagnano will surprise you with its dimensions and its incredible landscape. The fun wading along the coast of the lake will culminate with a delicious barbecue on its shores (in summer), making a walk through the area while it is cooking, and in winter time, lunch in the area of Tierra Mayor in the cottage prepared for this purpose. After having lunch and recovering energy, the adventure continues on Lake Escondido, smaller but surrounded by an incomparable natural setting. In summer canoes are prepared for paddling. At the end of the tour, return to Ushuaia

 

ASK OUR EXPERTS TO UPGRADE YOUR EXPERIENCE

DAY 14 USHUAIA – EL CALAFATE

Breakfast

At the estimated time, transfer from the hotel to the airport for your flight to El Calafate. Arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel in El Calafate.

DAY 15 EXCURSION TO THE PERITO MORENO GLACIER + NAUTICAL SAFARI

Breakfast

Departure in the morning from El Calafate to the Los Glaciares National Park area. The landscape changes abruptly once you enter the area of ​​the Magallanes Peninsula. You will leave behind the Patagonian steppe of sparse vegetation and ocher colors, to enter through a narrow path that runs along the steep coast of the peninsula, in a forest of lengas trees that, depending on the time of year, offers very attractive multi-colored versions. You will finally arrive at Puerto Bajo las Sombras, where you will enjoy the Nautical Safari embarking on a catamaran, sailing approximately one hour by the Brazo Rico of the Argentine Lake, in front of the south face of the Glacier. The perspective is fascinating, as you may notice that the Glacier is much higher than it seemed from afar. With the engines turned off and silent, you can hear their internal movements and, if luck accompanies, the rumble of a piece of ice that fell into the lake. After this tour you will continue by bus to the start area of ​​the panoramic walkways, which from its different levels will give you incredible views of the Perito Moreno Glacier in all its magnitude. For lunch you can choose between a sandwich at a bar near the glacier or a picnic in front of it if you bring your own food. Return to El Calafate in the afternoon. Overnight in El Calafate

DAY 16 EXCURSION “RIVERS OF ICE EXPRESS”

Breakfast

Today you will sail through the north arm of Argentine Lake. The tour covers the Spegazzini and Upsala glaciers, the largest and the highest respectively, entering the bays that they belong and include navigation in the icebergs cord located about 20 km from the Upsala glacier. After a brief about the safety rules and navigation conditions, the boat will depart from Punta Bandera port through Boca del Diablo, the narrowest part of the lake, and then go to the Upsala Canal and Spegazzini Canal where you can see the respective glaciers at the end of each channel. The navigation takes place between spectacular ice floes of enormous size and varied forms. Return to Punta Bandera port in the afternoon.

For those passengers who wish to make the excursion in a more exclusive way, the Captain’s Club (Captain’s VIP Club) is also offered. This room, with capacity for 18 people, includes hot and cold drinks, pastry tasting and hot food on board along with a unique panoramic view of the glaciers. (Ask for the price)

* The tour can be modified depending on the climatic and safety conditions and by decision of the captain of the boat.

MAKE IT DIFFERENT! OPTIONAL 1

FULL DAY EXCURSION TO TORRES DEL PAINE

Crossing the Patagonian steppe from north to south we will arrive at the border pass of Cancha Carrera (2hs 20 min), from where you will begin to explore the beautiful south of Chile until we enter the Torres del Paine National Park (“Blue” in the Tehuelche language, in reference to the preponderant color), making the first panoramic stop at Lake Sarmiento with the entire Paine Mountain range in front. (Thanks to the latest generation Overland 4×4 trucks, you can use two old stretches of the Ex Route 40 already in disuse: El Cerrito / Tapi Aike / Fuentes del Coyle / C. Carrera, with a reduction of 3 hours of travel to the conventional excursion). On board on the 4×4 you will border the Amarga Lagoon along its sandy coasts, to access the best panoramic view of the Torres del Paine. There you will stop for a short walk. Then continue to the Cascade Paine where you will have an abundant picnic outdoors on the banks of Paine River with views of Las Torres. Once in motion again, and after making stops in different viewpoints (Laguna de los Cisnes, Superior Viewpoint of the Nordenskjold), you will arrive at Salto Grande, from where you will make a trek towards the viewpoint of Cuernos del Paine on the shores of Lake Nordenskjold, This is a guided walk and lasts about 2 hours total. After this walk, you will reach a viewpoint near Lake Pehoe, from where you will have one of the most famous views of the National Park, with Los Cuernos and the Valle del Francés in the background, framed by the lakes Pehoe and Nordenskjold, from there you will see also Paine Grande Mount and the Admiral Nieto. Note: Maximum Weight for this excursion: 110 Kg. It is not a high difficulty excursion but good physical condition is required. (Tickets to the park are paid in Chilean Pesos or foreign currency).

All tours are made with our trekking guides enabled by CONAF – Chile.

 

MAKE IT DIFFERENT! OPTIONAL 2

FULL DAY EXCURSION TO EL CHALTÉN, FREE TREKKING OPTION

This is an exclusive expedition that has fixed departures on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday early in the morning from El Calafate. You will take the mythical Route 40 bordering the Argentine Lake, crossing the Santa Cruz River and then continue to the La Leona River, where you will walk through its canyon until you reach the old hotel of Paso La Leona (practically a museum on Route 40), where you can have a coffee with homemade cakes. From this point, you will continue skirting the Viedma Lake, with the entire Andes mountain range, the Fitz Roy hill and the Torre on the horizon, to the mountain village of El Chaltén, where you will arrive after 3 hours, having traveled 220 kms. Before arriving to the town there will be stops in a differents panoramic viewpoints of the mountain range and the Viedma Glacier. Upon arrival, you will visit the Interpretation Center of National Parks, where park rangers will welcome you. Continue in the vehicle until the Salto del Chorrillo, where you will have a short walk with your guide to return to the beginning of the self-guided trails that lead to the most beautiful viewpoints of the Fitz Roy and Torre hills, where the guides will advise you on the different options according to your physical condition and they will provide maps of the authorized trails. Around 18:00 hrs, passengers will have to descend to El Chaltén, where the vehicle will be waiting to return to El Calafate, but not before giving visitors a few minutes to visit the town.

ASK OUR EXPERTS TO UPGRADE YOUR EXPERIENCE

DAY 17 CALAFATE – BUENOS AIRES

Breakfast

At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires. Reception at the Jorge Newbery Airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Buenos Aires.

DAY 18 DEPART BUENOS AIRES. INTERNACIONAL FLIGHT

Breakfast

Transfer to the Ezeiza International Airport for your International flight.

We expect that you will return home with stunning pictures and unforgettable memories for life!

MAKE IT DIFFERENT (OPTIONAL)

 

Ask our experts about an extension to beautiful Lake Titicaca, the great Amazon, the mysterious Nasca lines in Peru or to Atacama, the most arid desert of the world or the beautiful city of Salta in Argentina.

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