Compare Icons of South America: Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls & Rio by Audley Travel vs Peru & Brazil in 16 days - Empire of the Incas, Iguazu & Rio - Charm by Exoticca
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 13 days | 16 days |
| Price From | $ 5,034 | $ 3,599 |
| Price Per Day | $ 387 | $ 225 |
| Highlights |
N/A
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 15 breakfasts. |
| Description |
Heartland of the Incas, Peru is still littered with sites that showcase this powerful empire’s prowess as master builders, most notably Machu Picchu. Visiting this citadel hidden in the mountains is inspiration enough for a first-time visit, but the Incas were just one in a long line of peoples with a surviving legacy to explore. The landscape is equally varied: from the heights of the Andes down to the rainforest and quieter tributaries of the Peruvian Amazon. Peru feels like a country on the ascendency, reflected in the quality of hotels and a penchant for fine food. |
Discover Peru and its ancient Inca Empire. Explore cosmopolitan Lima and uncover the mysteries of the Sacred Valley and the Inca capital of Cuzco. Tick magnificent Macchu Picchu off of your bucket list before heading to Sao Paulo, a vibrant, sprawling metropolis. Come face-to-face with the mighty Iguazu Falls and enjoy the views of Rio de Janeiro from the top of Corcovado Mountain! |
Day 1 : International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Cuzco.
Day 2 : Cuzco
Arrive in Cuzco and transfer to your hotel in the heart of the historic centre. Sample some superb Peruvian cuisine tonight at one of the city's great restaurants.
Day 3 : Cuzco
A relaxing free morning today, why not soak up the atmosphere in Cuzco's central square. Then enjoy a guided tour of Cuzco and the nearby Inca ruins with your guide.
Day 4 : Sacred Valley of Incas
Travel by road out of Cuzco and into the picturesque Sacred Valley of the Incas, enjoying a private guided tour of the key sights such as the Pisac market and ruins and fortress town of Ollantaytambo. Spend the night in the valley.
Day 5 : Machu Picchu
Transfer to the station to board your train to Aguas Calientes, the small town at the foot of Machu Picchu. This afternoon, take a private guided tour of the magnificent Inca citadel.
Day 6 : Cuzco
Free morning to explore Machu Picchu again at your own leisure. Should you wish to climb one of the surrounding mountains we can book that for you. Take the train back to Cuzco this afternoon, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 7 : Iguacu
Transfer to the airport in time for your flight to the Iguacu Falls, via Lima. Here you will be met and taken to your hotel.
Day 8 : Iguacu
Enjoy a private guided tour of the Argentine side of the spectacular Iguacu Falls. The walkways within the park allow you to get up close to this incredible natural phenomena.
Day 9 : Rio de Janeiro
Free morning to visit the viewing platforms on the Brazilian side of the Iguacu Falls before taking an afternoon flight to Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy the evening in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Day 10 : Rio de Janeiro
Today take an exciting full-day jeep tour of Rio's highlights, including a trip up Sugar Loaf Mountain and the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer. There is also time to see the tranquil botanical gardens.
Day 11 : Rio de Janeiro
Free day to further explore Rio - I would recommend taking a stroll along perhaps the most famous beach in the world, Copacabana. If you want to see a little more of the city we could arrange further tours - you could take a street art tour or try a typical cookery class.
Day 12 : International return flight
Transfer to Rio airport in time for your onward international flight.
Day 13 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
Day 1: US - Lima
Arrive at your US departure airport for a flight to Lima*, the capital of Peru, situated on the Pacific Coast. Arrive in Lima, transfer to the hotel, and depending on the time, spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure. Overnight stay in Lima. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: Lima
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy an informative and interesting city tour of Lima, including its Historic Centre and the Santo Domingo Convent. Start by exploring the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro before heading to the Historic Center. Visit the impressive Convent of Santo Domingo and walk to the Plaza de Armas to admire the exquisite colonial architecture that surrounds it. Stop in the Parque del Amor, from where you can take beautiful photos of the Peruvian coastline. Overnight stay in Lima.
Day 3: Lima - Cuzco - Sacred Valley
Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight to Cuzco. Arrive in Cuzco, the former Inca capital, and transfer to the Sacred Valley, on the way stop at Awanakancha (no guide, only driver) and savour the opportunity to explore this living museum, where ancient customs and traditions have been preserved across the centuries. Watch local communities creating beautiful handmade textiles and soak up the impressive views, unchanged by time. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, exploring the lively immaculate scenery of this iconic region. Overnight stay in Sacred Valley.
Day 4: Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
Breakfast at the hotel. An exciting visit to Machu Picchu awaits you this morning as you set off for the train station to board the Expedition Train to Aguas Calientes, admiring the landscape along the way. Arrive and transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu*, a treasure of Incan heritage and one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Spend some time discovering the ruins and being amazed by the terraces and enjoying a tour of the different sections of the site. Return to Sacred Valley. Arrive and overnight stay in Sacred Valley. Note: The baggage policy on board the Expedition train is 1 bag or backpack per person weighing a maximum of max. 5kg / 11lb. * Backpacks or bags taken into Machu Picchu must not exceed 40x35x20cms or have a capacity larger than 20Lts and must not contain single-use plastic bottles or bags. Backpacks or bags that exceed the indicated measurements can be left in storage for approx. $2 per bag.
Day 5: Sacred Valley - Cuzco
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure in the Sacred Valley, an area in the Andean Highlands famed as the heart of the ancient Inca Empire. We recommend an optional Sacred Valley Excursion to experience the best of the region. * At the indicated time, take the train back to Cuzco. Arrive, transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Cuzco. * Optional Essence of the Sacred Valley Excursion: Visit Chinchero and the PARWA Centre, to appreciate the colourful traditional textiles. Next, visit the church of Chinchero before heading to the Racchi panoramic viewpoint for a fantastic view across the valley. Explore Ollantaytambo and its Inca fortress. Lunch and 'Boleto Turisitco' included granting entrance to the Sacred Valley and surrounding sights.
Day 6: Cuzco
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off on a fascinating half-day tour of Cuzco. Begin in the iconic Plaza de Armas, and visit the Cathedral. From here, walk to the Koricancha Temple, an impressive ancient Inca palace, in honour of the Sun God. Today, a Dominican church stands on the site. Finally, visit the lively San Blas neighbourhood, known for its artists, shops and artisan workshops. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, soaking up the atmosphere of the city and sampling the local cuisine. Overnight stay in Cuzco.
Day 7: Cuzco - Lima
Breakfast at the hotel. Head back to the Peruvian capital today. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight to Lima. Arrive, transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, exploring the atmospheric city plazas or shopping for souvenirs. Overnight stay in Lima.
Day 8: Lima - Sao Paulo
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Brazil today! At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight to Sao Paulo. Arrive in Sao Paulo and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore one of the world's most populous cities! A vibrant financial center, Sao Paulo is famed for its eclectic mix of architecture. Overnight stay in Sao Paulo.
Day 9: Sao Paulo
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure to explore the city at your own pace. Why not soak up the local atmosphere and admire the exotic produce at the Mercado Municipal, take a stroll through leafy Ibirapuera Park or admire the awe-inspiring architecture of Sao Paulo Cathedral? Overnight stay in Sao Paulo.
Day 10: Sao Paulo - Iguazu
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for a flight to Iguazu, home of the mighty Iguazu Falls! On arrival, transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free at your leisure. If your arrival time allows, we suggest a stroll through the jungle or simply take time to relax in this pristine natural setting. Overnight stay in Iguazu.
Day 11: Iguazu
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for the Iguazu National Park Visitor Center to begin a tour of the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls. Follow the trail through the verdant rainforest until reaching the falls and a panoramic view of more than 240 different waterfalls. Take the footbridge to the legendary Devil's Throat, the largest waterfall at Iguazu. Ride the panoramic elevator to the upper viewpoint and be awe-struck by the power of nature and the thundering walls of water! On the way back to the hotel, stop at a local handicraft center to discover the works of local artisans. Overnight stay in Iguazu.
Day 12: Iguazu
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure in Iguazu. Get out and explore the natural environment to contemplate the spectacular landscapes of rainbows, birds, exotic plants and trees. Alternatively, why not explore the city of Foz do Iguacu to shop for souvenirs and encounter the local culture. Overnight stay in Iguazu.
Day 13: Iguazu - Rio de Janeiro
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for a flight to Rio de Janeiro, the vibrant Brazilian capital in the shadow of Christ the Redeemer. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. We recommend a stroll along Rio's famous beaches, Copacabana and Ipanema. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.
Day 14: Rio de Janeiro
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on a half-day tour to Corcovado Mountain, home of the incredible Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Travel by van, stopping to take photos in the charming neighbourhood of Santa Teresa where you can admire the world-famous Selaron Steps! At Corcovado Mountain, admire the beauty and wildlife of Tijuca National Park before observing the breathtaking view of Rio de Janeiro and visiting the awe-inspiring Christ the Redeemer statue! Transfer back to the city and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Rio de Janeiro.
Day 15: Rio de Janeiro
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a final day in Brazil at your leisure. Why not go shopping for the flamboyant fashions that are so typical of Rio or enjoy an optional excursion to Sugar Loaf Mountain for an unforgettable view of the city.* Overnight stay in Rio de Janeiro. * Optional Excursion to Sugar Loaf Mountain: Enjoy a panoramic tour of downtown Rio to see the Metropolitan Cathedral before taking the cable car to Morro da Urca and iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain for unforgettable views across Guanabara Bay and the emblematic beaches of Niteroi. Look down on Copacabana beach, the Santa Cruz fortress and several beaches of Niterói and be amazed at the sheer beauty and diversity of the Rio's skyline.
Day 16: Rio de Janeiro - Night on board
Breakfast at the hotel. It's time to bring your unforgettable South American adventure to an end. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for the flight back to the US. Night on board.
Day 17: US
Arrive in the US and end your trip.
