Grand Tour of South America

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • UK - Lima

  Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel where you stay for two nights.

• Day 2 • Lima

  The first full day in Peru’s seaside capital begins with a guided walking tour, diving straight into what makes Lima so distinctive. Start in the historic heart of the city at Plaza Mayor, carefully restored in recent years and framed by palm trees and brightly coloured colonial buildings. The 18th-century cathedral is a particular highlight. Continue by coach to the Archbishop’s Palace and the baroque Government Palace. At the San Francisco Monastery, a striking Mudéjar-style interior and a vast parchment library dating back to the 15th century reveal layers of history. There is also a visit to the Larco Museum for further insight into the development of pre-Columbian societies. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore at leisure.

• Day 3 • Lima - Sacred Valley

  Depart Lima to head into the Inca heartland and the ancient world of Andean culture. A flight to Cuzco delivers dramatic scenery on arrival, with the former Inca capital set high in the Andes and surrounded by mountains on all sides. From here, continue into the Sacred Valley, a fertile, river-carved landscape scattered with centuries-old fortresses. The remarkably preserved stronghold of Ollantaytambo stands out as a former centre of Inca resistance against the Spanish. Finish the day with a stop in Pisac to explore its lively market and stone-built Inca remains before settling into the hotel for the night.

• Day 4 • Machu Picchu

  Machu Picchu takes centre stage today, one of Latin America’s most unforgettable sights. The adventure begins with a scenic train journey winding through the Sacred Valley, offering a first glimpse of the legendary mountaintop citadel. A guided tour of the ruins brings the story of the site to life, echoing the awe felt by Hiram Bingham when he revealed the city to the outside world in the early 20th century. There is ample time to absorb the atmosphere and setting before returning to the Sacred Valley later in the day.

• Day 5 • Sacsayhuaman - Cuzco

  Another impressive Inca site awaits at Sacsayhuaman, a vast fortress overlooking Cuzco. From this commanding position, sweeping views stretch across the city and surrounding plains, once the scene of fierce resistance against Spanish forces. The immense stone blocks used in its walls, some weighing up to 200 tonnes, showcase extraordinary precision engineering. Back in Cuzco, a city tour with some free time after, reveals how Inca heritage and colonial influence remain tightly interwoven. Colourful textiles, lively festivals and dramatic mountain views ensure the past feels very much alive.

• Day 6 • Cuzco - Santiago

  Peru is left behind today with a flight south to Santiago, Chile’s capital (possibly via Lima). On arrival, transfer to the hotel and settle in for the next chapter of the journey.

• Day 7 • Santiago

  Set beneath the snow-capped Andes, Santiago blends grand colonial architecture with modern towers and green public spaces. A guided tour begins at the National Museum before continuing through the historic centre, the bohemian Bellavista district and up to San Cristobal Hill for sweeping views of the city and mountains beyond. The rest of the day is free to explore at leisure.

• Day 8 • Valparaiso - Vina del Mar

  A full-day excursion north of Santiago visits the contrasting cities of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, with a stop en route at an award-winning winery for a guided visit and tasting led by an expert sommelier. Valparaíso, Chile’s principal port, tumbles over 42 hills and reflects its strong 19th-century British influence from the days of empire and trade. Its dramatic past of piracy and fortification adds depth to the UNESCO-listed historic quarter. By contrast, Viña del Mar offers a calmer atmosphere, known for elegant gardens, pristine parks and sandy beaches.

• Day 9 • Santiago - Puerto Varas

  A flight to Puerto Montt opens the door to southern Chile’s volcanic landscapes, glacial lakes and vast national parks. A brief orientation tour includes views over Angelmó and Reloncaví bays before continuing to Puerto Varas. Set on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, this lakeside town enjoys a spectacular natural setting.

• Day 10 • Vicente Perez Rosales National Park - Nahuel Huapi National Park - San Carlos de Bariloche

  A day of striking scenery unfolds while crossing from Chile into Argentina. The route traces Lake Llanquihue’s southern shore to Petrohué before boarding a catamaran to cross Lake Todos los Santos within Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. After time at leisure in Peulla, the tour continues over the Andes via the Pérez Rosales Pass. Two further lake crossings follow – Lake Frías and the vast, glacier-carved Lake Nahuel Huapi – before arrival in San Carlos de Bariloche.

• Day 11 • San Carlos de Bariloche

  Morning views over lakes and mountains set the tone for a regional tour of Bariloche. Alpine influences from early Swiss, Austrian and German settlers give the area a distinctly European feel. Highlights include Campanario Mountain, the Llao Llao peninsula and the Angostura River, all framed by the López mountain range. The afternoon is free for hiking, relaxation, or sampling Bariloche’s renowned chocolate.

• Day 12 • San Carlos de Bariloche - Buenos Aires

  A relaxed morning allows time to enjoy the fresh mountain air before flying to Buenos Aires, one of South America’s most iconic cities.

• Day 13 • Buenos Aires

  Buenos Aires captivates with its tango rhythms, European elegance and unmistakable Latin energy. Grand architecture, leafy plazas and vibrant neighbourhoods combine with colourful street art and café culture. A guided city tour visits Plaza de Mayo, flanked by landmarks such as Casa Rosada, Cabildo and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Exploration continues through San Telmo and the colourful streets of La Boca, before ending at Recoleta Cemetery, final resting place of many Argentine luminaries, including Eva Perón.

• Day 14 • Buenos Aires

  A full day at leisure to continue exploring Buenos Aires independently or simply soak up its atmosphere.

• Day 15 • Iguazu Falls

  A flight north reveals one of the natural wonders of the world: Iguazu Falls. This immense system of 275 waterfalls forms a dramatic natural border between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Taller than Niagara and twice as wide, the spectacle is unforgettable. The Argentine side offers close-up views of the roaring cascades framed by lush rainforest, before crossing into Brazil later in the day.

• Day 16 • Iguazu Falls

  The Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls delivers panoramic views via carefully designed walkways and viewpoints, ideal for photography. The afternoon is free for relaxation or independent exploration.

• Day 17 • Rio de Janeiro

  Fly to Rio de Janeiro today (possibly indirect). Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel for a three night stay.

• Day 18 • Rio de Janeiro

  Rio de Janeiro, home to the iconic Samba dance, delivers iconic sights and dramatic scenery. A full-day tour includes a cog-train ride through Tijuca Forest to Corcovado Mountain, revealing sweeping views near the Christ the Redeemer statue. Pass by famous beaches before ascending Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car for another unforgettable panorama.

• Day 19 • Rio de Janeiro

  A free day to relax or explore Rio at your own pace, followed by a farewell dinner at a popular churrascaria restaurant in the evening.

• Day 20 • Rio de Janeiro - In flight

  Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

• Day 21 • UK

  Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.