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Arrive Lima (2 Nights) Bienvenidos a Lima, founded by conquistador Francisco Pizarro who dubbed it the “City of Kings.” Upon arrival in Lima, you will be greeted and taken to your hotel in San Isidro, one of Lima’s exclusive neighbourhoods. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Reception at 6 p.m. (WR) Hotel: Novotel Lima
5 Machu Picchu ▶ Cusco (2 Nights) d Return to Machu Picchu to continue exploring on your own. If you’re feeling adventurous, hike up to the Gate of the Sun for stunning views over the fortress and the valley below. Or view the incredible stonework and amazing feats of engineering required to transport the huge blocks of stone to the top of this isolated mountain. In the early afternoon, board the train to the Sacred Valley. Then head toward the great colonial city of Cusco by coach. On the way, stop at a local chicheria for a taste of chicha, a Cultural Insight, and learn how this Peruvian corn beer is made only by local women. (FB) Hotel: Novotel Cusco
enjoy before an included dinner in the evening. (FB, D) Hotel: Cabana del Lago
11 Puerto Varas ▶ Lake Crossing ▶ Bariloche (2 Nights) An exciting day awaits as you cross the Andes via land and water. Your first stop is the Petrohue River to see the burbling waterfalls cascade over black volcanic rock. Then cross Todos Los Santos Lake with the mighty Osorno Volcano looming in the background. Keep an Lima Sightseeing d e eye out for the giant Andean condor gliding over The morning is free before meeting Ignacio the lake. Back on land, it’s time to sit back and Barrios, a young chef who has worked alongside relax as you drive past breathtaking landscapes many of Peru’s most award-winning chefs. Visit of snowcapped mountains, gloriously green a local market and Ignacio’s cooking school forests and sapphire blue lakes. Stop for a where you’ll see a demonstration on how to delicious lunch in pretty Peulla before crossing 6 Cusco Sightseeing d e prepare some of Peru’s most popular foods the border into Argentina and enjoying a This morning, embark on a tour of Cusco, the before dining on a Be My Guest lunch of typical cruise on majestic Lake Nahuel Huapi. Arrive “Imperial City”, and the capital of the Incas Peruvian dishes created just for you by Ignacio in Bariloche this evening. (FB, L) Hotel: NH during their reign. This lively city, rich in history, and his sous chef. After lunch, bid farewell and Edelweiss Bariloche bears marks of both the Inca and Spanish who spend the afternoon exploring Peru’s capital came after them. Enjoy an introduction to the 12 Bariloche Sightseeing d e with your Local Specialist. Immerse yourself in highlights of the city with a Local Specialist, Discover the natural wonders of one of the colonial splendour of Lima’s Historic Centre, including the incredible baroque Cathedral on Argentina’s prettiest areas, known as the a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the the main Plaza de Armas in the heart of the city. “Switzerland of South America.” Meet expansive Plaza de Armas with its impressive Delve deeper into the history of this ancient your Local Specialist and travel along the cathedral and the stately government palace. location at the 17th century Church of Santo “Circuito Chico” for spectacular views of Then see the Church of San Francisco and Domingo, which was built atop the foundation forests, mountains and sparkling waters discover its hidden catacombs and splendid of the Inca Temple of the Sun, often referred to in Nahuel Huapi National Park. Visit lovely architecture. The evening is yours—perhaps try as Korikancha. Just outside of town, visit the Playa Bonita, soak up the scenery from the one of Lima’s renowned seafood restaurants. ruins of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, perched hilltop of St. Edward’s Chapel on the Llao Llao (FB, BG) on a hill overlooking Cusco, and see nearby Peninsula, and ride a chairlift to the top of Cerro warehouses where the Incas stored their grain. Lima ▶ Cusco ▶ Sacred Valley d Campanario for sweeping views of the high Spend the rest of the afternoon on your own. Take a morning flight to Cusco and head for the peaks of Catedral and Tronador. Then, learn This evening, gather for a Regional Meal at a Sacred Valley. Stop at Awanakancha, a living about Bariloche’s chocolate connection with a local restaurant, enjoying delicious Cusquenian museum of the Peruvian Andes, and Cultural visit to the Chocolate Museum. After a briefing dishes and ancestral dance performances. Insight, where you can see and interact with on almost 2,000 years of chocolate history, view (FB, RM) llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. Enjoy a picnic box the production area and sample a delicious lunch before visiting the vibrant market of Pisac 7 Cusco ▶ Lima d array of this Cultural Insight. The rest of the where local Quechua people come to sell their day is free in Bariloche. (FB) Fly back to Lima late this morning and enjoy produce and handicrafts. Spend some time an afternoon on your own to do some more 13 Bariloche ▶ Buenos Aires (3 Nights) d browsing the stalls, sip a cup of coca tea to help exploring, pick up souvenirs or just relax. Later, Fly from the edge of Patagonia to the vibrant you acclimate to the altitude and keep your ears meet a Local Specialist and curator at the city of Buenos Aires. Join your Travel Director open for roving bands playing the traditional Larco Museum, which houses the largest private and fellow travellers this evening for an music of the Andes. Later this afternoon, arrive collection of pre-Columbian art in the world, exclusive Be My Guest in Palermo Soho. at your lovely hotel, a former 18th century and learn about the evolution and cultures of You will be welcomed by a local family and colonial-style monastery, surrounded by Ancient Peruvian societies. Then gather with long-time residents of this now-trendy beautiful gardens in the heart of the Sacred your travelling companions for an alfresco neighbourhood in the fashionable Palermo Valley. Learn about Peruvian weaving as you dinner in the museum’s garden restaurant. Viejo. Be delighted as they wine and dine you observe centuries-old methods of spinning, (FB, DW) Hotel: Novotel Lima with homemade family recipes. Discover the dyeing and weaving Andean traditional textiles. secrets of kneading country bread and watch 8 Lima ▶ Santiago (2 Nights) Discover this Cultural Insight with Nilda as your hosts demonstrate the art of typical Today, fly from Peru to Santiago, the fifth largest Callañaupa Alvarez, a Quechua scholar and Tango. Spending time with this lively family city in South America. On arrival in Peru, you recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant. will create a long-lasting memory. (FB, BG) will be taken to your luxury hotel in fashionable This evening, enjoy a convivial dinner with your Hotel: InterContinental Buenos Aires Las Condes. (FB) Hotel: InterContinental travelling companions at the hotel. (CB, L, D) Santiago Hotel: Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay 14 Buenos Aires Sightseeing d Get acquainted with Argentina’s largest city and 9 Santiago Sightseeing d Sacred Valley ▶ Machu Picchu d capital with a Local Specialist. See the Plaza This morning, meet your Local Specialist for After breakfast, head to Ollantaytambo to de Mayo and the iconic pink Casa Rosada. View an exciting tour of the city and a visit to the visit this famous Inca stronghold built from the colourful and fashionable neighbourhoods Central Market. Then head for the Casablanca immense blocks of stone. Next, board the of La Boca, San Telmo and Palermo. Stare in Valley, Chile’s wine-producing region known Vistadome train for the journey to the great awe at the famous Teatro Colon, a landmark in for its premium wines. Visit an exclusive winery citadel of the Incas (light snack included). Buenos Aires. Drive along the stately Avenida where you will enjoy a gourmet Regional Meal Panoramic windows allow you to appreciate 9 de Julio, said to be the widest street in the lunch served alfresco on the beautiful grounds. the incredible scenery as you follow the Rio world, to the elegant Recoleta, the impressive After, meet the winemaker for a Cultural Vilcanota to the town of Aquas Calientes. Upon cemetery where Eva Peron (Evita), Argentina’s Insight and a personalised winery experience, arrival, take a short ride up to the entrance former first lady, is buried. The afternoon is free from the vineyards to the bottling process. Then gate and begin your exploration of one of the for you to relax or explore further. This evening, celebrate Chile’s proud wine-making traditions New Seven Wonders of the World. With a Local linger over a Regional Meal with an authentic with a wine tasting. The evening is at leisure. Specialist, visit the ruins of this once-great taste of world-renowned Argentinian beef. Cap Perhaps try a restaurant in the trendy Bellavista fortress built in the 15th century and abandoned off the evening by watching the best Tango District. (FB, RM) nearly 100 years later with the arrival of the dancers in Buenos Aires perform, a Cultural Spanish conquistadors. See the highlights of 10 Santiago ▶ Puerto Montt ▶ Puerto Insight, and experience the passion and power this UNESCO World Heritage Site—the great Varas of Argentina’s beloved traditional music. Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Fly south from the Chilean capital to Puerto (FB, RM) Sacred Plaza and the Intihuatana, an intricately Montt, one of Chile’s beautiful coastal ports. carved rock most likely used as a sundial by 15 Buenos Aires e Then it’s on to Puerto Varas for a tour of the the ancient Incas. Dinner is served at the hotel. Relish a morning and afternoon to pursue your “City of Roses” on the way to your lakeside (FB, D) Hotel: El Mapi by Inkaterra own interests in the ‘Paris of South America.’ hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to
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