Upon arrival at Lima airport, we are welcomed and transferred to our hotel. Hotel check-in starts at 3:00 PM. The balance of the day is free.

Founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, Lima was the capital of the Spanish Viceroyalty and is still Peru’s most important city. Its lively districts of Miraflores, where our hotel is located, and San Isidro are known for their parks, shops, and celebrated restaurants.

Overnight: Hotel Hilton Garden Inn Lima Miraflores (Standard – Standard Room)/Hotel Casa Andina Premium Miraflores (Superior – Superior Room), Lima (2 nights)

Today, we explore Lima on a guided tour, starting by passing by the modern districts of Miraflores and San Isidro, boasting parks such as El Olivar and Parque del Amor (Love Park). We continue to the historic centre of Lima*, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to admire the colonial architecture around Plaza San Martín and the Plaza de Armas, home to the Government Palace, Town Hall, and Cathedral. We visit the San Francisco Monastery and its underground maze of tunnels and catacombs. Then, we discover MALI, the Art Museum of Lima, set in a restored historic building, where collections span pre-Columbian treasures, colonial masterpieces, and contemporary works.

The afternoon is free to explore Lima independently, or contact Bestway about the optional afternoon tour below (at additional cost).

OPTIONAL: Miraflores Walking Tour (3 hours)
This walking tour explores Miraflores, a district of parks, ocean views, and side streets. We stroll the Malecón boardwalk along the Costa Verde as our guide shares insights on migration, culture, cuisine, and Lima’s socio-economic contrasts, and explains how locals use the parks for everything from birthday parties to morning exercise. We end at Larcomar, a shopping centre set into the cliffs, before a short public transport ride to Kennedy Park, where we can stay to explore or return to the hotel. (B)

We transfer to the airport for our flight to Cusco (not included in tour price).

Cusco, South America’s archaeological capital and oldest continuously inhabited city, was the heart of the Inca Empire. On arrival, we head to Sacsayhuaman, the Inca ceremonial fortress dedicated to the sun, about 3 km above Cusco. We admire its gigantic stones, fitted together with remarkable precision, and the panoramic views over the city.

We then travel to Cuyo Chico, a small community near Pisac, where a local family shows us the traditional craft of clay bead making, still preserved here despite competition from plastic. We enjoy lunch featuring traditional dishes before continuing to our hotel in the Sacred Valley.

The Sacred Valley, at about 2,800 m (9,186 ft) in the Peruvian Andes, was the heartland of the Inca Empire. Its fertile soils along the Urubamba River were ideal for growing maize, the key ingredient in chicha, a fermented drink central to Inca festivities and ceremonies.

Overnight: Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca Yucay (Standard – Standard Room)/Hotel Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness (Superior – Deluxe Room), Sacred Valley (2 nights) (B, L)

After breakfast, we set out on a full-day tour of the Urubamba Valley, better known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Our first stop is the Salt Mines of Maras, where local families harvest salt from nearly 3,000 pools fed by a natural spring and dried by the sun.

Please note: Entering the salt terraces is not permitted. Visits are not recommended in the rainy season (November to April).

We continue to Ollantaytambo, a traditional Inca town still lived in today, where steep stone terraces climb to the fortress ruins above. Here, we also visit a local family home for a glimpse of everyday life in the region.

Our last stop is Tambococha, a traditional Andean village, where we are welcomed with local music, coca tea, and a typical Cusco snack of fresh corn with cheese. Lunch is at a local restaurant. (B, L)

Please note: The order of visits may vary.

We transfer by bus to Ollantaytambo station, then board a train through the fertile Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes. From there, small buses take us up the steep mountain to Machu Picchu*, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Known as the Lost City of the Incas, this stone city was built with astonishing precision. Its massive stones fit perfectly without cement, showing remarkable craftsmanship. Its purpose is still debated, but its setting and scale make it one of the most impressive sites in the world.

We enjoy a two-hour guided tour before returning by bus and train to Ollantaytambo, then transfer to our hotel in Cusco.

Please note: Machu Picchu is visited on one of three set routes, each with a fixed entry time. Tickets are booked on the Classic Route first, subject to availability. Due to high demand, the whole group may not receive the same route or entry time. Additional costs for an extra guide may apply if there is more than one route/schedule for the same group.

Overnight: Hotel Cusco La Paccha Affiliated by Meliá (Standard – Standard Room)/Hotel Aranwa Cusco Boutique (Superior – Deluxe Room), Cusco (2 nights) (B)

Today’s half-day tour of Cusco*, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, begins at the lively San Pedro Market, with its stalls of fruit, vegetables, spices, and other local produce. From the Plaza de Armas, the heart of the Inca Empire, we visit the Renaissance-style cathedral, then follow narrow lanes lined with Inca walls to Koricancha, the Temple of the Sun. Once the most important temple of the Incas, it was destroyed by the Spanish in the 16th century, and its foundations were used to build the Church of Santo Domingo.

We end in San Blas, Cusco’s artistic quarter of cobbled streets, colonial houses, and craft shops, including the much-photographed Siete Borreguitos Street, before stopping at a viewpoint over the city.

Please note: To preserve Cusco’s historic centre, vehicles are no longer permitted in the main square.

The afternoon is free to explore Cusco independently, or contact Bestway about one of the following optional excursions (at additional cost):

OPTIONAL: Cusco After Dark
This evening walking tour reveals the city’s hidden secrets through local tales not shared on standard tours. It runs only at sunset, starting at 5:00 PM, or after dark, starting at 6:00 PM, and lasts about 90 minutes to two hours. This tour includes outside viewing of Plaza Regocijo, Calle del Medio, Plaza de Armas and Korikancha.

OPTIONAL: Cemetery of Cusco
We visit Almudena Cemetery, the oldest in Cusco, and learn about burial rites and personal stories of past residents, from humorous to tragic. Located next to a hospital and an important asylum for the mentally ill, the site offers insight into Cusco’s history and its people.

OPTIONAL: Cusco Off the Beaten Track
We begin at Almudena Cemetery, then walk through the Coripata neighbourhood back to the Plaza de Armas. Along the way, we see small local shops selling everything from tombstones to everyday goods, hear stories about the neighbourhood, and learn how Cusco evolved from the capital of the Inca Empire to the city it is today. (B)

Today, we take a full-day bus journey from Cusco to Puno, travelling through the Peruvian highlands past small villages and snow-capped peaks. After reaching 4,300 m at La Raya, we descend toward Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Along the way, we visit Andahuaylillas, the ruins of Raqchi, and the town of Pucara, with a stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Upon arrival in Puno, we transfer to our hotel.

Nicknamed the “Folklore Capital of Peru,” Puno’s cultural heritage blends Aymara, Quechua, and Spanish traditions. Its architecture and customs are set against the backdrop of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake.

Please note: The full-day transfer is shared with international travellers and accompanied by a bilingual English/Spanish-speaking guide.

Overnight: Hotel Lake Titicaca (Standard – Standard Room)/Hotel GHL Lago Titicaca (Superior – Superior Room), Puno (1 night) (B, L)

We drive from Puno to Kasani on the border, cross into Bolivia, and receive assistance with migration formalities. We continue to Copacabana to visit the main square and church before boarding an eco-friendly catamaran to Sun Island. Here, we explore the Pilcocaina Temple, the island’s most spectacular ruins, with its maze of stone walls and tiny doorways overlooking a white beach, and take part in an Aymara ceremony led by a Kallawaya, or Andean healer.

We continue by motorboat to the Yumani dock to visit the Fountain of Youth and Inca terraces. As the catamaran sails on, we enjoy views of the Andes and a lunch of Bolivian specialties on board. We arrive at Cocotoni dock, transfer to La Paz, and check in at our hotel.

Please note: The catamaran cruise and transfer to La Paz are shared with other travellers, with a private English-speaking guide. Passports and visas (if required) are needed for the Peru–Bolivia border crossing.

Overnight: Hotel Presidente (Standard – Standard Room)/Hotel Ritz Apart (Superior – Executive Room), La Paz (2 nights) (B, L)

La Paz, the highest capital city in the world at 3,600 m (11,800 ft), is steeped in tradition, and women wearing traditional dress and bowler hats are still a common sight.

Today, we tour La Paz to discover its history and hidden highlights. We start with a visit to the local handicraft market and the famous Witches’ Market, where vendors sell healing plants, ritual objects, dried reptiles, and other items used by local healers. We pass historic buildings such as San Francisco Colonial Church, Plaza Murillo, the Government Palace, and the National Congress. We continue through the residential districts of Obrajes, Calacoto, and La Florida for a slice of daily life before heading to Moon Valley, about 10 km from downtown, for a walk among its surreal rock formations. We end with a ride up the world’s highest cable car for views over La Paz. (B)

In the morning, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Buenos Aires, with a connection en route (not included in tour cost). Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel.

As Argentina’s capital and one of the world’s great cities, Buenos Aires is the centre of the country’s political, economic, and cultural life. Known as the birthplace of tango, it blends a rich history with a dynamic modern identity, and its European influences shape its cuisine, fashion, and style.

The rest of the day is free, or contact Bestway about the optional tour below (at additional cost).

OPTIONAL: Dinner and Tango Show at “Viejo Almacén”
A tango show is a highlight of any visit to Buenos Aires. Born in the city’s poorer quarters, tango evolved from a mix of rhythms and was originally danced by men. Over time, the bandoneón, a type of accordion, gave tango its distinctive sound and shaped musicians such as Astor Piazzolla and Aníbal Troilo.

We enjoy dinner with drinks at a renowned tango house, followed by a performance of music, singing, and dance. After the show, we return to the hotel, arriving around midnight.

Please note: Dinner includes a starter, main course, dessert, and drinks. The show and transfers are shared with other travellers, with a Spanish-speaking driver, but the venue has English-speaking staff.

Overnight: Hotel Two (Standard – Standard Room)/Hotel Grand Brizo Buenos Aires (Superior – Comfort Room), Buenos Aires (2 nights) (B)

Today, we take a half-day city tour of Buenos Aires, the birth city of tango.

First, we drive along 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest avenue in the world, passing the Colón Theatre, one of the world’s best-known opera houses. We explore the famous Avenida de Mayo, which runs into the Plaza de Mayo, surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Government House), the Cabildo (first City Hall), and the Metropolitan Cathedral, where we enjoy an inside visit. The cathedral holds the mausoleum of General San Martín, Argentina’s national hero, and Pope Francis celebrated services here when he was cardinal of Buenos Aires.

We savour a cup of coffee and a snack at a traditional coffee house before continuing to La Boca and its colourful Caminito street. We then visit the elegant Recoleta area, lined with boutiques and towering trees, and the heart of the neighbourhood, Recoleta Cemetery. Many of the most important figures in Argentina’s history rest here, including Eva Duarte (Eva Perón), whose grave we visit. The cemetery is considered one of Argentina’s most impressive monuments. (B)

After breakfast, we head to the airport for our flight to Iguassu, one of South America’s greatest natural wonders (not included in tour price). On the border of Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil, the Iguassu Falls* cascade into the Iguassu River, surrounded by subtropical forest. The falls are protected within Iguassu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Upon arrival, we explore the Argentinean side of the falls, starting at the Visitors’ Centre. We follow the Upper Circuit along the upper cascades, then the Lower Circuit to view the lower falls, before taking the Ecological Jungle Train to the Devil’s Throat, the most impressive viewpoint.

We then drive across the Tancredo Neves Bridge over the Iguassu River, which forms the natural border between Argentina and Brazil, and enter Brazil. Afterward, we transfer to our hotel.

Please note: For the border crossing, travellers need their passports and visas (if required).

Overnight: Hotel Viale Cataratas (Standard – Deluxe Room)/Recanto Cataratas Thermas Resort & Convention (Superior – Deluxe Room), Iguassu (2 nights) (B)

Today, we visit the Brazilian side of the falls. We leave the hotel by coach and cross Iguassu National Park to reach the Brazilian falls, then walk along paths beside the cascades and out onto the catwalk, which leads close to the base of the Devil’s Throat for views of the falls. Iguassu has around 275 individual falls, with the Devil’s Throat considered the most impressive. Afterward, we take an elevator back up to the road and board the coach to return to the hotel. (B)

We transfer from our hotel to the airport for our flight to Rio de Janeiro (not included in tour cost). Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel.

Founded in 1556, Rio de Janeiro became the capital of colonial Brazil in 1763. In 1808, the Portuguese royal family fled Napoleon and settled here, making the city the cultural, political, and economic centre of the Portuguese empire. Rio remained Brazil’s capital until 1960, when the capital moved to Brasília.

The rest of the day is free.

Overnight: Hotel Mirador Rio Copacabana (Standard – Standard Room)/Hotel Windsor Leme (Superior – Standard City View Room), Rio de Janeiro (2 nights) (B)

Today, we take a full-day tour of Rio de Janeiro*, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We begin with a drive to Cosme Velho Station to board a cog train for a scenic 20-minute ride through Tijuca Forest up Corcovado Mountain (748 m/2,454 ft), with views of the tropical vegetation, beaches, and city along the way. At the top, we climb the steps to the lookout beneath the Christ the Redeemer statue for panoramic views. After descending by train, we pass Rio’s famous beaches on the way to the Urca District, where a two-stage cable car ride takes us up Sugarloaf Mountain (390 m/1,280 ft). We then continue along Guanabara Bay and Flamengo Park to the downtown area, passing the Candelária Church, Saint Sebastian Cathedral, Lapa Arches, Municipal Theatre, National Library, Fine Arts Museum, and the Sambadrome, home to Rio’s Carnival parade.

Please note: In the unusual event that the train is not operating, the transfer will be by van certified by the city’s administration. (B)

Hotel check-out is at 10:00 AM. We are then transferred to the airport for our departure flight. Or, ask for details about possible extension options to the Amazon, the Beach, or Brazil’s famous Pantanal safari area. (B)