Ultimate Peru, Argentina & Brazil

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Peru. With Indigenous cultures dating back millennia, this country is a fascinating land of Amazonian rainforests, diverse wildlife and mountains. Your adventure begins in Lima with a welcome meeting at 4 pm at your hotel. If you arrive early, you might like to visit the Gold Museum or do the Lima Discovery Tour with Urban Adventures to explore hidden hangouts, markets and street food vendors loved by Limeños (people who live in Lima).

Set out on a walking tour of downtown Lima this morning, where the streets are lined with old mansions, palaces and churches. Take in Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of Lima, the San Francisco Monastery and the Central Market, where you’ll get a glimpse into Peru’s abundant produce. Then, board a local bus to Paracas – it may stop three or four times along the way. There are no activities planned in Paracas, so maybe seek out a bar serving Peru's national drink – the Pisco sour.

This morning, wildlife enthusiasts might like to visit the Ballestas Islands in Paracas National Reserve for a chance to spot pelicans, red-footed boobies and flamingos on a two-hour boat tour. Otherwise, you could take it easy with some self-paced sightseeing in Paracas. Then, hit the road to Nazca – home to a fascinating archaeological site – the Nazca Lines. This group of geoglyphs etched into the ground of the Nazca Desert was created between 500 BC and AD500 and covers an area of about 450 sq km. You’ll stop in the town of Huacachina – a little settlement next to a small lake surrounded by sand dunes. Take in the sights from the viewing platform or opt for a scenic flight for the ultimate bird’s eye views.

This morning, you’ll explore the desert graveyard of Chauchilla – where the arid conditions have naturally interred the remains of the Nazca people buried here. Later in the afternoon, you'll board a local overnight bus from Nazca to Arequipa. The journey is long, so be sure to stock up on snacks.

You’ll arrive in Arequipa this morning. Check into your hotel room, freshen up and have breakfast before enjoying free time for the rest of the day. Standing at the foot of El Misti Volcano, Arequipa vies with Cusco for the title of Peru's most scenic city. Built out of a pale volcanic rock called sillar, the old buildings dazzle in the sun, giving the city its nickname – the White City. The main plaza, with its cafes and nearby cathedral, is a lovely place to while away the day. Maybe wander the plaza, tuck into local dishes like rocoto relleno (stuffed spicy peppers) or visit the Andean Sanctuaries Museum which houses Peru’s famous Ice Maiden (also known as ‘Juanita’) – the Inca mummy of a girl who died in the 1440s.

Travel by minivan to the traditional market town of Chivay today. Look out for llamas, alpacas and vicunas along the way – not sure how to differentiate between these adorable creatures? Your leader will help you! You'll also stop to stretch your legs, take photos and try local coca tea. The third stop takes you to the highest point on the trip at Patapama (4800 m) before descending to Chivay. Have lunch in town, then maybe wander around the plaza or enjoy a soak in the Colca Canyon Hot Springs. Tonight, why not try llama steak at a local restaurant and watch some live Andean music at a pena (bar)?

Visit the Colca Canyon this morning. More than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, the views here are epic. See terraced crops cultivated since pre-Inca times by local villages and look out for the Andean condor – one of the world’s largest flying birds – soaring above and below you from a prime viewing point. Later, board a bus to Puno. It’s a long drive, but the views of the Altiplano – part of the Peruvian highlands – make it an exceptionally scenic one. Puno is on the shores of Lake Titicaca, which you’ll explore in the coming days. When you arrive, you might like to get familiar with the town by exploring on foot. Known as Peru’s folklore capital, Puno is home to several Indigenous cultures, including the Aymara and Quechua peoples.

Say hasta luego (see you later) to Peru and board a flight to Buenos Aires – Argentina’s capital. Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan city with Latin passion, European elegance and its own distinctive style. Relax in your hotel tonight or hit the streets for some solo exploration.

You have a free day today to explore bustling Buenos Aires. Why not visit the San Telmo neighbourhood to wander cobblestone streets lined with old mansions, cafes and cool shops? Or maybe visit Recoleta (the grand cemetery) or Casa Rosada (the Pink House). Tonight, you’ll have another welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your new trip leader and group members. Your leader will leave a note at the hotel reception telling you where this important meeting will take place.

After breakfast, head out on an orientation walk of the city with your leader. You'll be introduced to some of Buenos Aires' major sights – the likes of the Colon Theatre (considered one of the most beautiful opera theatres in the world), the historic monument of Obelisk and Plaza de Mayo – home to the original town hall and the presidential palace known as the Pink House. The rest of the day is free to explore as you like – how about a beginner’s tango class or some people-watching with a glass of malbec? For dinner tonight, you could ask your leader where to find the best traditional asado (barbecue).

This morning, take a short flight to Posadas followed by a drive to Ituzaingo – a riverside city on the banks of the Parana River and your base to explore the Ibera Wetlands region. Spanning over 15,000 square kilometres, these wetlands are roughly the size of Belgium, which gives you an idea of how much there is to explore. The biodiversity is incredible, and the swamps, lakes and lagoons are home to many creatures including otters, alligators, deer, wolves and black howler monkeys to name a few. Also keep a look out for those oddly noble-looking creatures, the capybaras – cousins of the guinea pig and the largest rodents in the world.

Today you’ll do full day tour and safari of the wetlands with a local guide. You could see an array of mammals, reptiles and birds – maybe caiman or swamp deer, an armadillo, or a flock of rhea (which are like a South American equivalent of an emu). Anacondas, though particularly hard to spot at certain times of the year, are also known to inhabit these wetlands. Keep an eye to the sky, as you're bound to catch a glimpse of some of the 350 bird species here, from the sharp-tailed tyrant to the gorgeous yellow robin. For lunch, tuck into a delicious asado and maybe even have a go at kneading some dough for Argentinian bread. The evening is free to unwind or grab dinner with the group.

Have a hearty breakfast and prepare for a long travel day. Take a comfortable local bus to Puerto Iguazu. From here, you’ll transfer to a minivan and drive to a Guarani community. The Guarani are one of the region’s remaining Indigenous peoples, and you’ll have the opportunity to learn about their way of life and how they've preserved their traditions on the edge of one of South America’s most popular attractions. Later, cross the border into Brazil and continue to your hotel in Foz do Iguazu.

Today you'll visit the mighty Iguazu Falls from both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides. At over two km long, the falls are actually a series of cataracts (large waterfalls). There are over 270 in total, with some reaching up to 80 m tall, and they're wider than Victoria Falls and higher than Niagara. Enjoy the panoramas on the Brazilian side – including a view of San Martin Island which you don't quite get from the Argentinean side. You might like to take a helicopter ride over while you're here. This optional activity gives you spectacular views of the cascades and the lush parklands that surround it.