Itinerary Highlights
- Take the cable car to the tip of Sugar Loaf Mountain for the best views over Rio de Janeiro
- Try not to get too drenched as you admire the majestic Iguazu Falls
- Soak up the sun on Brazil's most famous beach - Copacabana
- Travel to Machu Picchu by train
- Visit colourful, indigenous villages in the Sacred Valley
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Travel Guide
- Transfers
12 nights from £4,095 per person
Kerry Cook
Travel Specialist
Offering to show you the highlights of not one, but two of South America's 'must-go' destinations, this tailor-made holiday makes it easy to get under the skin of both Brazil and Peru. All the icons are included: experience the loft peaks Machu Picchu; discover the Inca City of Cuzco; stand at the edge of thundering Iguazu Falls; soak up the sun on Copacabana Beach whilst admiring a view of both Corcovado Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain.
Delve into the bustling capital city of Lima and explore the diverse variety of museums, galleries and restaurants. The Inca capital of Cuzco in the Andean Highlands showcases a treasure chest of colonial charms to a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Meander the cobbled streets, discovering colourfully dressed local people showcasing their crafts. The Sacred Valley, a lush fertile region is home to remote villages, Moray agricultural crop terraces and Maras salt pans along with Inca ruins such as Ollantaytambo.
Take in the scenery of the Sacred Valley as you travel in comfort by train to Aguas Calientes, gateway to famous Machu Picchu. Here the ‘Lost City of the Incas’ will mesmerise you with its spectacular setting and intriguing history.
On the border of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, dramatic Iguazu falls is truly breathtaking. Admire the 275 separate waterfalls crashing into the canyon floor and get drenched in the mist. Your final stop on this Peru and Brazil holiday is world famous Rio de Janeiro, home to Copacabana Beach. Rio de Janeiro has the theatrical backdrop of lush, wooded mountains and stark towering rocks set by the deep blue ocean.
Itinerary
Day 1 UK - Lima
Depart the UK for your direct, daytime flight to Lima arriving early evening. A bustling, vibrant city, Lima is a perfect introduction to the charms of Peru with a variety of museums, galleries and restaurants to explore. Upmarket Miraflores is a residential neighbourhood, located by the Pacific Ocean coast and ideal as a base in Lima. Having earned itself a well-deserved position as one of the top gastronomic capitals of the world, there are plenty of fantastic restaurants in the Miraflores area. The coastal path, the Parque de Amor (Park of Love) and the Larcomar shopping centre are all within walking distance too.
Day 2 Lima
Today enjoy a city tour visiting both the modern and the colonial parts of Peru's Pacific coast capital. The historic centre is located around the Plaza de Armas, flanked by the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Metropolitan City Hall, historic and traditional buildings. Visit the Santo Domingo convent and monastery, a XVII century jewel and an impressive pink building recognised by UNESCO as a cultural heritage site. Visit the highlights of Miraflores and the San Isidro district and stop at the Parque del Amor (Lovers Park) for magnificent views over the ocean.
Staying at
Jose Antonio Deluxe
Day 3 Lima - Sacred Valley
Depart the coast for the beautiful Andean Highlands by flying to Cuzco. To ease acclimatisation the first two nights are spent in the lower altitude of the Sacred Valley. A lush fertile region, this key area for the Incas is still home to a number of towns and villages where they maintain typical traditions. Local indigenous people are well known for their intricate weaving and colourful dress, symbolic of the region. Life in the valley is centred around the Urubamba River, one of the most important in the Cuzco region. En route to the Sacred Valley, make a stop at the small, picturesque town of Chinchero; famous of its colourful market, impressive Inca agricultural terracing and historic colonial church built on Inca foundations.
Day 4 Sacred Valley
Today visit some of the main highlights within the Sacred Valley. The impressively deep amphitheatre-like terraces of Moray are emblematic of traditional Inca farming terraces. Each level offers a slightly different eco-system allowing a variety of crops to be grown in a small area. Nearby Maras is a spectacular sight with thousands of salt pans, used for extraction purposes since Inca times. Finish the tour in Ollantaytambo; one of the best examples of Inca city planning; with cobblestoned streets and adobe buildings overlooked by an enormous Inca fortress up on the hillside.
Day 5 Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
Ollantaytambo railway station is the departure point for the scenic journey on board the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes. As you travel through the Sacred Valley, admire the panoramic mountain scenery until you reach the town of Aguas Calientes. The final part of the journey to Machu Picchu is by bus which trundles up the steep, switchback road to the entrance gates. An extensive ancient city, the citadel was discovered in 1911 by American archaeologist Hiram Bingham and has been painstakingly restored to its current condition. Learn about the Inca history and the different areas of this ancient settlement with a local guide.
Day 6 Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Return to the citadel, a further opportunity to explore at your own pace. In the afternoon, board the train once again for the journey to the Inca capital of Cuzco; a magical city of cobbled streets, museums and historic buildings. Central to city life is the impressive Plaza de Armas flanked by the Cathedral.
Day 7 Cuzco
Today discover Cuzco on a private tour. Start at the Koricancha Temple, an old Inca palace and main centre for the worship of the sun god, Inti, it was once the richest temple in the Inca Empire. In the Plaza de Armas, enter the Cathedral to marvel at its wonderful display of colonial art. Visit the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, perched on the hilltop overlooking the city; the views are fantastic. Visit a local art workshop to learn about Andean crafts made from silver, wood and paint.
Staying at
El Mercado
Day 8 Cuzco - Iguacu Falls
Today fly to Iguacu Falls in Brazil via Lima, arriving early evening. One of South America's most impressive natural wonders, these powerful falls mark the border between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Irrespective of when you visit Iguacu, the 275 separate waterfalls, including the roaring Devil's Throat on the Argentine side, will not fail to impress. The area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 and is best visited in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds. Around the falls the rainforest environment is home to a variety of fauna including deer, coati and a sub-species of the capuchin monkey. It is also a rewarding area for birdwatchers.
Day 9 Iguacu Falls
From your base there is ample time to discover both the Brazil and Argentine sides of the falls. On the Brazil side, follow the Cascadas Trail taking you high above the Rio Iguacu for spectacular views towards Argentina. Cross the border and discover the extensive circuit of walkways for a variety of vistas. The most famous view is from the walkways towards the 'Devil's Throat' platform. Feel the thunderous river beneath you before it crashes over the rock edge to the gorge floor.
Staying at
Wish Resort
Day 10 Iguacu Falls - Rio de Janeiro
Today fly to the world-famous city of Rio de Janeiro, a melting pot of culture, fantastic vistas and 'beautiful' people. You will never forget your first view of the Copacabana beach curve, framed by the lush undulating mountains and overlooked by Corcovado with its famous statue of Christ the Redeemer. Stroll along the esplanade of Copacabana Beach, a narrow strip of land squeezed between the ocean and the mountains.
Day 11 Rio de Janeiro
Today on a private tour you will visit two of Rio de Janeiro's most iconic sights - Corcovado Mountain, home to the statue of Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf mountain. Both provide unrivalled views out over the city's spectacular bays, islands, beaches and mountains. To ascend Corcovado Mountain, embark the Swiss cogwheel train that climbs up from 15m asl to 670m asl, winding its way through the Tijuca National Forest below. Offering a bird's eye view, the cable car up to Sugar Loaf makes for an exciting journey. With such stunningly beautiful views, it is no wonder the city is dubbed "cidade maravilhosa" (marvellous city).
Staying at
Porto Bay Rio Internacional
Day 12 Rio de Janeiro
Morning at leisure before a late afternoon transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
Kerry Cook
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
12 nights from £4,095 per person
Kerry Cook
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
