Day One - Fly to Lima
Fly to Lima, Peru’s historical capital, arriving the same day. On arrival, you will be welcomed at the airport by your Wendy Wu Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. The transfer time is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Tonight, enjoy your first taste of Peruvian cuisine at a local restaurant.
Day Two - Lima
Originally named the city of the Kings, Lima is rich in heritage, which you’ll see for yourself today. Start the morning with a stroll through the colourful fruit market, tasting tropical juices along the way before heading to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre to admire the colonial magnificence of its buildings – Government Palace, Cathedral of Lima, Archbishop’s Palace of Lima. One block from the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) is the Convent of Santo Domingo founded in 1530 and completed in 1766 and is now considered to be of the most religious buildings in Peru. After lunch, set off on foot and explore the bohemian district of Barranco. Stop by the famous ‘Puente de los Suspiros’ (Bridge of Sighs) built in 1876 and visit the renowned MATE museum home to the collection of Peruvian photographer Mario Testino. Conclude the day with a Pisco Sour tasting session (Peru’s most famous drink) prepared by the expert Ricardo Carpio. You will taste three types of Piscos: Pure Pisco, blend Pisco and Green Must Pisco. Enjoy this Pisco tasting and discover the different kinds of Piscos that made this drink so famous.
Day Three - Lima - Sacred Valley
Fly to Cusco and transfer to the Urubamba Valley. Also known as the Sacred Valley, it is home to Incan citadels and beautiful landscapes. Spend the afternoon in Manos de la Cominidad, learning about the traditional crafts of weaving, pottery and jewellery making from local artisans. You will have the opportunity to join a hands-on workshop that will allow you to gain an understanding to the significance of preserving these ancient techniques, giving you a glimpse of the authentic cultural heritage and traditions of the community. Afterwards, make your way to the Pisac archaeological site, and uncover the ruins that surround you. You will spend 1 hour and 30 minutes here on a guided tour before transferring to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. This day is at altitude.
Day Four - Sacred Valley – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Today journey approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to the magnificent Moray, the Inca agricultural laboratory that boasts impressive circular terraces. These terraces are believed to have been used as a testing ground for various crops in order to determine the most optimal growing conditions, suggesting the advances farming techniques of the Incas. local travel agent Continue to Maras, located 2 miles from Moray. Here, you will witness the marvelous salt evaporation ponds, used by the Incas to catch salty water as it emerges from the mountains, until the water evaporates leaving only the salt behind. The evaporation ponds are most famous for producing the pink table salt we all recognise today. Journey 30 minutes to Ollantaytambo where we’ll visit the preserved Incan houses and explore the old fortress, offering a glimpse into ancient Andean civilization. Today’s sightseeing is around 8 hours in total. This day is at altitude. From Ollantaytambo board the panoramic Vistadome train to travel through the mountainous landscapes to the small town of Aguas Calientes in approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Day Five - Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu - Cusco
This morning visit magnificent Machu Picchu. Long abandoned by the Inca, it came to international attention when it was stumbled upon by Hiram Bingham in 1911. It is now considered one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. A guided tour will provide you with some insight into the Inca Empire. This includes up to four hours of sightseeing with walking on uneven terrain. This afternoon, return to Aguas Calientes and take a 3 and a half hour train to Poroy. Then, transfer 2 hours by road to Cusco. This day is at altitude.
Day Six - Cusco
Home to an incredible Incan legacy, Cusco has some of the richest heritage in Latin America and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour will start at Koricancha, the temple of the sun and the Santo Domingo Church, where you will discover the sacred site once adorned with gold and life-size golden statues. Next, visit the Cusco Cathedral, home to stunning Cusco School paintings and intricate gold and silver reliefs. Participate in a traditional Quechua ritual with a Shaman, offering thanks to Pachamama (Mother Earth). This evening enjoy a vibrant folklore show featuring traditional music and dancing.
Day Seven - Cusco - Puno
Today, take a train from Cusco to Puno. Journey through amazing Andean landscapes to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, passing through the spectacular Peruvian highlands. The train has 4 dining cars, a bar car and an observation car. Along the way you will enjoy a gourmet lunch prepared with exquisite Andean ingredients and there will be music and dance shows on board. Arrive at your hotel this evening.
Day Eight - Lake Titicaca
This morning, you will be picked up from the port of Puno and taken to the island of Taquile by boat. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and once a stronghold of the Inca, you will find wonderful textiles made by the island’s men here. After exploring the beautiful island, you will make your way towards the Chucuito Peninsula by boat, the Aymara region of Lake Titicaca, where you will visit the rural community of Luquina. Here, you will enjoy a wonderful lunch at a local fisherman's house. In the afternoon, you will travel back towards Puno, where you will discover the Floating Islands of Uros, where your guide will explain the history of the area. You will also have the opportunity to speak with some of the residents, which will help you to understand their way of life and gain a cultural insight into this fascinating place. You will then head back to Puno, where your hotel will be. Today’s sightseeing is a full day.
Day Nine - Puno - Lima
En route to Juliaca Airport, visit the archaeological site of Sillustani which is located on a protected island reserve. Spend time around the site and also enjoy a typical Andean lunch before your return flight to Lima.
Day Ten - Lima – Buenos Aires
Fly to Argentina’s flamboyant capital city Buenos Aires, The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant
Day Eleven - Buenos Aires
Today, enjoy the irresistible combination of Latin flair and European elegance in a Buenos Aires city tour. Visit the vibrant districts of La Boca, San Telmo, Puerto Madero, Palermo and Recoleta. Today, you will also experience a quintessential part of Argentinian culture, the Tango. Take a Tango class before enjoying dinner with a dance show in the evening.
Day Twelve - Day trip to Colonia, Uruguay
Enjoy a day trip to Uruguay, taking a ferry across the Rio de La Plata to Colonia del Sacramento. A picture-perfect colonial town, Colonia was founded by the Portuguese in 1680 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beautiful Barrio Historico, which occupies a small peninsula that juts out into the river, is a maze of old cobbled streets that are a delight to wander. Admire the main square, see the ruins of San Francisco Church and visit the lighthouse amongst much more.
Day Thirteen - Buenos Aires
Travel approximately 2 hours by road to just outside the city. Spend the day on the vast, fertile grasslands known as the pampas, on a traditional estancia (ranch). Here, you’ll get some insight into the life of the folk heroes, the gaucho before enjoying a typical Argentinian asado lunch where there will also be a fun folklore show.
Day Fourteen - Buenos Aires to Iguazu
Say farewell to Buenos Aires and transfer 30 minutes to the airport to board your plane over to Puerto Iguazu, the town closest to the incredible wonder that is Iguazu Falls. Your flight is just under 2 hours. Upon arrival you have the rest of the day to yourself before dinner this evening in a local restaurant.
Day Fifteen - Iguazu Falls (Argentina)
Today, transfer 25 minutes to the falls. You will wander along the Argentinian side of Iguazu, which offers a fantastic overview of the whole of the falls and showcases its power and magnificence. Don’t miss the viewpoint of one of the falls’ most impressive sights, the Garganta del Diablo. Take the Ecological Jungle Train, a 15-minute journey, which takes you to the most impressive observation point – the Devil’s Throat. Sightseeing today will be a full day with around 6 hours on foot. This afternoon, take a unique opportunity to learn about the indigenous culture of the Mbororé Aldea people, who open the doors to their community and share fascinating stories of their ancestors, rituals, myths and legends. Finish the day with an interactive craft experience.
Day Sixteen - Iguacu (Brazil) – Rio de Janeiro
This morning, you will experience the Brazilian side of these spectacular falls. This side of Iguaçu offers a completely different experience with paths and boardwalks to wander. These will lead you to some of the numerous smaller cascades that dance their way along gullies and through lush greenery. Afterwards, you will hop on a plane to Brazil’s ‘Cidade Maravilhosa’, Rio de Janeiro. The flight is approximately 2 hours. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. You have the rest of the day at your leisure. Perhaps head to the world-famous Copacabana or Ipanema beaches to soak up the sunshine.
Day Seventeen - Rio de Janeiro
Climb onboard a jeep to venture to some of Rio’s many wonders! Drive about 20 minutes to Cosme Velho Street, then in Paineras Station transfer into a van to ascend the Corcovado, on the peak of which Christ the Redeemer watches over the city, on the way you will pass through the lush vegetation of the Tijuca Forest. You can take the steps at the final stage to Christ the Redeemer; however, there is an escalator if you’d prefer. Next, explore the 19th-century hillside neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, an area with a wonderfully bohemian atmosphere, where you’ll also have lunch in a traditional restaurant.
Day Eighteen - Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, tour the city through downtown Rio, passing by the Sambadrome and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Get to know the traditional Cinelandia square with its historical buildings; the Municipal Theatre, the National Library, and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Then, via Aterro do Flamengo, transfer about 20 minutes to the neighbourhood of Urca where you will ascend to the heights of Sugarloaf Mountain by cable cars. The first cable car will take you 215 metres high. From there, board the second one which will lead you to breath taking views at the top of the Sugar Loaf Mountain, 395 metres high. Take in the incredible sights of the Guanabara Bay and its islands, Rio-Nitero Bridge and Corcovado. Later in the evening, transfer back to Copacabana to visit a samba club, where you can dance the night away.
Days Nineteen, Twenty & Twenty One - Depart Rio de Janeiro
Transfer about 1 hour to the airport according to your international flight time and fly to New Zealand. Arrive home in two days due to crossing the International Date Line once again. Any time before your flight is at leisure. You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport, according to the departure time of your international flight.
