A grand and eleven night luxury tour to see the very best of South America's natural and man-made wonders, all in fine bespoke style

Personalised journeys from start to finish

Every trip helps support Conservation

Every detail taken care of

  • Personalised journeys from start to finish

  • Every trip helps support Conservation

  • Every detail taken care of

What's included

  • Completely private tours of the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro
  • Luxury Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu
  • Rojo Tango show with dinner
  • Luxury accommodation throughout
  • Meet and greet airport service
  • Full support from your Travel Concierge before, during and after your trip
Use this itinerary to inspire your bespoke journey

At a glance

Visit South America’s grandest cities and a selection of its best cultural landmarks in five distinct and varied locations taking you through Peru, Argentina and finally Brazil. Explore what once was the agricultural heartland of the ancient Inca Empire, now the serene Sacred Valley, followed by the awesome lost Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, all with our expert private guides.

A couple of nights in Cusco, ‘the archaeological capital of South America’ will complete your Peru leg, before flying to the elegant capital of Buenos Aires, otherwise known as the ‘Paris of Latin America’, to take in its heady mix of tango, history and vibrant modern culture. Finally, spend three nights in the magnificent, tropical city of Rio de Janeiro to experience its effervescent people and everyday life, its vibrant history and jaw-dropping panoramas.

Example trip itinerary

Days 1-3

The Sacred Valley

Flights & transfers

Flight

Flight from Lima to Cusco

Transfer

Private transfer from Cusco airport to your hotel in the Sacred Valley

Accommodation in The Sacred Valley

Visit to the Patacancha Community Visit to the Patacancha Community

Enjoy a visit to the Patacancha community, immersing yourself in interactions with locals and gaining insights into their way of life. Countless villages in the valley have upheld the customs and heritage of their predecessors, tracing their lineage back to the time of the Incas. These traditions encompass everything from agricultural methods, dietary habits, and weaving traditions to language and traditional attire. To conclude this enriching experience, a delicious lunch awaits you at a local restaurant.

Ollantaytambo Ollantaytambo

Visit the Inca fortress town of Ollantaytambo. The site was built just as the Spaniards arrived and is one of the most important if not visible vestiges of how the Incas inhabited and functioned in their cities making it a fascinating place to explore. There is a fortress at the top of the hill (and quite a few steps) which is particularly interesting to investigate for the techniques the Incas used in its construction.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer from the Sacred Valley to Ollanta station

 
The Hiram Bingham Train to Machu Picchu The Hiram Bingham Train to Machu Picchu

You cannot traverse the Peruvian landscape to Machu Picchu in more style, luxury, and romantic charm than by the Hiram Bingham train.

Aboard, the 1920s Pullman carriages reflect the opulence of the locomotive era bedecked in polished brass, wood panels and rich, comfy seating. There is also a period observation car at the rear.

Brunch on the journey is included and taken in the very elegant dining car replete with white-linen tablecloths, clinking crystal, and you are looked after by a smart team of waiters. Whilst feasting on fine Peruvian cuisine the steamy forest scenery unfolds right in front of you. There is also an open viewing carriage for admiring the views.

Days 3-4

Machu Picchu

machu-picchu
Private Tour of Machu Picchu Private Tour of Machu Picchu

Your private guide will take you on a comprehensive tour of the Machu Picchu citadel, really bringing it to life by detailing the history, significance and myths surrounding it as well as taking you to the hidden corners and best viewpoints. Then after your guided tour, you'll descend to Aguas Calientes for a delicious lunch at the rustically elegant Inkaterra hotel, before an afternoon at your leisure: you can explore the areas around Machu Picchu or carry on exploring the ruins.

Return in the evening to overnight at your chosen hotel in the Machu Picchu area.

Accommodation in Machu Picchu

Morning Free to explore Machu Picchu Morning Free to explore Machu Picchu

You have the morning free to explore the famous site on your own.

The Hiram Bingham Train from Machu Picchu to Cusco The Hiram Bingham Train from Machu Picchu to Cusco

Board the luxurious Hiram Bingham train back to Cusco. Departing in the early evening, a full 5 course meal is served in the dining carriage as well as drinks and live music in the bar carriage for an enjoyable trip back after visiting Machu Picchu.

Days 4-6

Cusco

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel in Cusco

Accommodation in Cusco

Half day city tour of Cusco and nearby ruins Half day city tour of Cusco and nearby ruins

Your local expert guide will collect you from your hotel for a tour of the city, starting out at the Santo Domingo convent monastery. This former Colonial monastery was previously the Koricancha Temple, one of the most important temples devoted to the worship of the sun. According to the chronicles, it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Your next stop will be the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral. After touring the most interesting sites of the city, you will be driven by private vehicle to the countryside just outside Cusco to visit some of the remarkable Inca ruins in the area such as the cult centre of Sacsayhuaman, the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko, and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara.
Transfer back to your hotel

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to Cusco airport

Flight

Flight from Cusco to Lima

Flight

Flight from Lima to Buenos Aires

Days 6-9

Buenos Aires

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel in Buenos Aires (from international airport)

Accommodation in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires City Tour with La Boca Buenos Aires City Tour with La Boca

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and bring you (with private vehicle) on a fascinating half-day private tour of the elegant turn-of-the-century districts that earned Buenos Aires the soubriquet of the Paris of South America. Including a trip to La Boca district in the South and then up to the charming cobbled alleys and colonial architecture of San Telmo. Along to the Plaza de Mayo, up the leafy Avenida de Mayo towards the imposing grandeur of the Palace of Congress and then on to the historically fascinating Recoleta Cemetery, you will discover the facts, stories and anecdotes that make up the colourful tapestry of the history of Buenos Aires.

Tours can be extended to include la Boca, Shopping, the Colon Opera house etc.

La Boca La Boca

This is where the famous Caminito Street lies, scarcely 100 metres long, yet very much an emblematic post-card of the city. Designed by the Italian-Argentine artist Benito Quinquela Martín at a disused rail port terminal just beyond the iron cantilevered Puente de la Boca which bridges the river, it is a short yet busy pedestrian alley of brightly-painted houses which cluster above the cobblestones. The sheets of corrugated-iron shimmer with glossy blues, reds, yellows and greens and recall the original colours of the leftover paint with which the dockworkers painted their homes in the 19th century.

Day free to explore the city Day free to explore the city
rojo-tango-show-buenos-aires-argentina
Rojo Tango Show Including Dinner Rojo Tango Show Including Dinner

Enjoy the best Tango Show in town, set in the exclusive environs of the Faena Hotel. The Rojo tango is the smallest and most stylish of tango salons. Your evening includes a three course dinner, wine, and transfers to and from the venue.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to Buenos Aires International Airport

Flight

Flight from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro

Days 9-12

Rio de Janeiro

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel in Rio de Janeiro

Accommodation in Rio de Janeiro

Full Day Tour of Rio Full Day Tour of Rio

You will be met at your hotel by your expert, English-speaking Carioca guide and a private vehicle will be waiting to start your city tour of Rio.

christ-the-redemeer-rio-de-janeiro
Visit Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado mountain Visit Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado mountain

Christ the Redeemer statue is Rio’s most famous attraction with his arms stretched out, he looks to be blessing the entire city. At 710 metres above the centre on the Corcovado hill, the statue is surrounded by wide, open terraces from where you get unbeatable vistas of the city's impressive littoral, the southern neighbourhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema, the Lagoon, the Sugar Loaf and the town of Niterói.

Visit the neighbourhood of Santa Teresa Visit the neighbourhood of Santa Teresa

The faded grandeur of this part of the city, often referred to as the Montmartre of Rio, set into the hills close to the centre of town, still retains a rich cultural atmosphere of art, music and history. Mansions line the narrow streets struggling with the encroaching vegetation and incline, and is still home to many painters cafes and artists studios. You can stop for a drink or lunch at one of the many charming restaurants, bistros and cafes that populate Santa Teresa’s lively streets. Your guide will also take you to the Ruins Park, a cultural centre in the remains of a 19th century house which has a Belvedere that commands some of the best views over Rio.

Tour the historic centre of Rio Tour the historic centre of Rio

Your guide will escort you through the narrow 19th century streets at your required pace, stopping at the magnificent Baroque churches and the ruins of the old port from where most of Brazil’s gold left for its long journey to Europe. You will also see many other culturally interesting and historical attractions that illustrate the city’s rich and varied heritage.

View from the Sugarloaf cable car, Rio de Janeiro
Visit Sugar Loaf mountain Visit Sugar Loaf mountain

This massive granite rock, 396 metres tall, is one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, adorning many a postcard. You will take the cable car with your guide from the Guanabara Bay entrance in the Urca district. At the zenith the view of Rio and its neighbourhoods sprawled over bays, coves, and appearing from dense green hillsides is unrivalled and quite spectacular.

copacabana-beach-rio-de-janeiro
Day at leisure in Rio Day at leisure in Rio

Today is yours to do as you wish in the city. You're not short of sights, shopping, beaches and cultural institutions here! (refer to a good guide book, ask your personal travel designer before you go or simply ask your hotel concierge on tips for spending your time in this city).
If you would like us to organise a personal guide, private tour, experience or excursion here just talk to your travel designer.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer from your hotel to Rio's international airport

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South America Luxury Tour

12-Day Example Trip
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We create fully personalised trips from start to finish, working with you to pick locations, accommodation and guides that suit you.

Every trip helps support Conservation.

From in-depth private tours to restaurant reservations, we take care of every detail so you can make the most of your journey.

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