Days 1-4
Depart on an overnight flight to Rio de Janeiro. Transfer to the hotel in the cosmopolitan beach of Copacabana. Next day we visit the statue of Christ the Redeemer, perched on Corcovado mountain, granting fabulous views of the city, lagoon and beaches, and we visit the historic Royal Palace and Cathedral. (B)

Day 5
Fly to Foz do Iguassu to visit the spectacular waterfalls which are made of numerous smaller falls along a span of 2,470m . We visit the Brazilian side for a panoramic view, then we transfer to the Argentinian side, for a perpective from above and walks along the trails. Spend one night at our hotel overlooking the falls. (B)

Days 6-8
Fly to Buenos Aires and we visit this city, dubbed the 'Paris of Latin America'. We pass through the colourful quarter of La Boca, birthplace of the tango, and the main square with the Presidential Palace, finishing at the elegant Parque de Recoleta with its smart bars and street cafés. Time at leisure to explore or watch a tango show in bohemian San Telmo. (B)

Day 9
Fly to Santa Cruz in Bolivia and stay overnight at leisure and sightseeing. (B)

Day 10
Fly to Sucre, an attractive, temperate city, with numerous museums and where buildings retain their colonial charm, preserving the traditional white façades. Afternoon tour of the city. (B)

Day 11
Full day excursion to Tarabuco market, where locals, dressed in their unique costumes, sit behind pyramids of coca leaves and fruit, whilst others sell their traditional woven goods. (B,L)

Day 12
Our day begins with a journey to Potosí, (4070m). Towering over the city, the Cerro Rico is an imposing, colourful mountain whose stores of precious metals, although seriously depleted, are still mined. An afternoon visit to the old Spanish Mint before returning to Sucre. (B)

Days 13-14
Transfer to Sucre airport and fly to La Paz, the world's highest capital city, (3,636m). Stay for 2 nights. A< bustling city settled in a large basin, where adobe houses cling precariously to the sheer sides. Our tour of the city follows a maze of streets and alleyways, leading us to the witches' market, where ladies sell colourful potions to cure all ills. (B)

Day 15
Drive to Lake Titicaca, cross the straits of Tiquina and drive along the lake shore with the snow-capped mountains in the background. Visit the village of Copacabana, Bolivia's main pilgrimage centre and the Calvario hill high above the lake. Afternoon boat trip to Sun Island, walk to our hotel with a panoramic view of the lake. Time to walk and explore, relax and admire Lake Titicaca. Overnight. (B)

Day 16
Morning on Sun Island to walk and explore. In the afternoon continue to Puno, staying at our lakeside hotel. (B)

Day 17
An early start for a classic railway journey to Cusco part of the Orient Express group as the train crosses the Andean landscape. We sit at a table by the window to catch glimpses of small villages and isolated stations crop up, where people wait to sell their wares. From Cusco train station, we transfer to the Urubamba Valley "Sacred Valley of the Incas" for 2 nights. (B)

Day 18
A full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We drive through the beautiful valley, visiting the ruins of Ollantaytambo, a massive temple fortress, spend time at Pisac market, where people come from miles around to buy and sell, and enjoy the views from the spectacular site of Pisac ruins. (B,L)

Days 19-20
Early transfer to the train station for a stunning journey along the Urubamba River. A glorious trip with fantastic views, culminating in the breathtaking Machu Picchu. Morning tour of the archaeological site. Afternoon and morning free to explore. Overnight and afternoon train back to Cusco for 2 nights. (L,B)

Day 21
Full day to explore Cusco includind a tour of this marvellous city and ruins in the surrounding area. Beautiful colonial buildings rest upon Inca foundations unchanged over the centuries and the mighty Inca fortress and religious site of Sacsayhuamán, an astounding megalithic structure, whose massive stones, weighing over 100 tons, fit together with incredible perfection. (B)

Days 22-23
Fly to Lima and transfer to our hotel in the elegant quarter of Miraflores. Afternoon tour, visiting the grand colonial squares and the Larco Herrera Museum, which houses fascinating artefacts from pre-Inca and Inca times. Next morning at leisure.
Afternoon departure on your return flight home, overnight, arriving on Day 24

Suggested Extensions :

The Inca Trail

Days 19-22
An unforgettable walk along the ancient Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, passing remote ruins shrouded in mist, and remarkable scenery. 3 nights camping, rejoin the tour and spend 1 night at Machu Picchu. Return to Cusco by train and bus on Day 23 for 2 nights. (B,L,D)

Day 24-26
As days 21 to 24 of main itinerary arriving back on Monday. (B)

The Amazon

Day 22-25
Flight from Cusco to experience the rainforest, staying at a Refugio Amazonas lodge for 3 nights (B,L,D). Accompanied at all times by our guides, we walk and canoe in the dense, vibrant rainforest. Fly to Lima, stay 1 night, tour of the city and overnight flight back home. (B)