The Grand Tour of South America

Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow to Lima via Madrid or Miami and transfer to the centrally located Hotel Boulevard for a two-night stay.

Day 2 A half-day tour of modern and colonial Lima includes visits to the Plaza de Armas with its beautiful government buildings, the San Francisco Monastery and the Archaeological Museum where the many cultures of Peru are on display. The adjacent manor house is home to relics from Peru’s long, and often turbulent, colonial history.

Day 3 Take a morning flight to Cuzco and transfer to the Hotel San Agustin close to the historic main square for a three-night stay. An afternoon tour of Cuzco visits the centre of the Inca Empire and the cathedral, built on the ruins of the Inca palace, the colonial buildings of the town itself and the nearby Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, three kilometres above Cuzco, Tambo Machay, Kenko and Puca Pucara, the ruin of a small fort.

Day 4 Enjoy a day at leisure in Cuzco or partake in an optional excursion to the Pisac Indian market, located some 30 kilometres from Cuzco on the shores of the River Urubamba, and after lunch the Inca site of Ollantaytambo with its massive buildings.

Day 5 Travel to Machu Picchu by train. From Aguas Calientes small buses operate to the ruins. Spend the entire afternoon touring the site before returning to Cuzco by train.

Day 6 Embark early morning on a scenic drive over the Andes, reaching 4300 metres above sea level, to Puno situated on Lake Titicaca. Visit en route the town of Andahuaylillas, the ruins of Racchi and the small town of Pucara. Overnight at the Hotel Posada del Inca in Puno on Lake Titicaca.

Day 7 A morning tour of Lake Titicaca visits a Uros Indian community, the Uros Indians being famous for living on their floating islands. Continue to Copacabana, one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Latin America, and a catamaran cruise over the lake to the Island of the Sun, home to the Sun God. Transfer to La Paz in the afternoon for a two-night stay at the Hotel Europa in the heart of the old town.

Day 8 A morning tour explores the colonial heritage of the city, founded in 1548, and visits its Indian Market situated in the narrow lanes of the old town. This afternoon travel through the suburbs of La Paz to the dramatic landscape of Moon Valley.

Day 9 Take a morning flight from La Paz to Buenos Aires and transfer to the centrally located Hotel de las Americas for a three night stay. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 10 A morning city tour takes in the principal sights of the city centre and the outlying districts of San Telmo, La Boca, stretching along the Riachuelo Canal and famous for its colourful tin houses and its 19th-century history, Recoleta and Palermo with its parks, gardens and world famous polo field. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 11 At leisure to enjoy the city or partake in a choice of optional excursions including a visit to a nearby Gaucho ranch or, in the evening, an optional tango show, with dinner.

Day 12 Take a morning flight to Iguassu and visit the Argentinian side of the falls where it is possible to walk very close to the water. Transfer to the Hotel das Cataratas in Brazil (Hotel Bourbon Cataratas in 2009) for a one-night stay.

Day 13 Enjoy an exploration of the panoramic Brazilian side of the falls before transferring to the airport for an afternoon flight to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival transfer to the Hotel Plaza Copacabana close to Copacabana Beach for a two-night stay.

Day 14 A morning orientation tour takes in the principal sights of downtown Rio and culminates in an ascent by cable car to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain. The afternoon is free to enjoy Copacabana Beach or embark upon further independent explorations of the city.

Day 15 Enjoy a final morning at leisure or partake in an optional excursion by coach and train to the 38-metre-high statue of Christ the Redeemer on the summit of Corcovado Mountain, with its spectacular views of Rio. Transfer in the early afternoon to the airport for the overnight flight to London.

Day 16 Arrive in the morning at London Heathrow.