South America at its Best - Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Cusco, Santiago de Chile & Buenos Aires

Welcome!

Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro & after clearing the mandatory Immigration & Customs formalities, you will be met & in a private vehicle transferred to the confirmed hotel. 

Breakfast

This morning after breakfast, you will be picked up & embark on a Full day Corcovado, Sugar loaf & Rio City .

From anywhere in the city, visitors can see the most beautiful postcard of Rio de Janeiro: The Christ the Redeemer on the Corcovado mountain. This statue, located 710 meters above sea level, was inaugurated in 1931 and since then is one of the most visited tourist spots in the city. The tour begins in the Cosme Velho neighborhood where you will take the famous Corcovado Train or Vans de Turismo which travel through the Tijuca Forest with wonderful panoramic views of the largest urban forest in the world. A really lovely walk where carioca urbanism and its exuberant nature combine. From the feet of the Christ, the visitor will discover the best panoramic views of the city of Rio, including Guanabara Bay, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, among others, and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. Once the visit to Christ is finished, the descent of the Corcovado in the Train or in the Vans will proceed to the same place of embarkation. 

Next to the Sugarloaf with City Tour. This tour begins with a tour of the Center of the city of Rio de Janeiro with a highlight for the Sambodromo, where parades of samba schools take place during the most famous carnival in the world, the Metropolitan Cathedral in the form of Pyramid with an internal diameter of 96 meters and a height of 80 meters, and the traditional Cinelandia with the Municipal Theater, the National Library and the Assembly building. After touring the center, the tour continues through the Flamengo neighborhood in the direction of Urca, where the other symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro is located: The Pan de Azucar, which in Guaraní language means “high mountain, with tip and isolated ”. It was at the foot of this hill that the city of Rio de Janeiro was founded by Estadio de Sá in 1565.

The visit to the Sugar Loaf is carried out in two stages by a cable car, the famous “bondinho”, suspended by steel cables. The first stage connects Vermelha Beach to Morro de Urca located at 215 meters high and from where you can see Guanabara Bay and its islands, Flamengo Beach, Morro del Corcovado and the bridge that connects Rio to Niteroi. From the Morro de Urca, the second part of the ascent towards the Sugar Loaf begins at 395 meters high where there is a unique view of Copacabana Beach and the Fortress of Santa Cruz and some Niteroi beaches. After staying on the Sugarloaf balconies, the descent will be done using the same bondinho. At the end of the excursion you are going to be transferred back to your hot

Breakfast

Today, there is nothing that has been re-organized, so by all means set your own timetable & your own pace today in this city that beats to a samba pulse - why not head out to one of Rio`s famous beaches (Copacabana, Leblon or Ipanema), or perhaps either go shopping or just relax & takes things easy. This is a day for you to do whatever you please.

Breakfast

After breakfast this morning, at an appropriate pre-arranged time, check out of your hotel room & you will be picked up for a private transfer out to Rio de Janeiro International airport to check in for a flight westbound right across the continent, from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast & Lima, Peru. 

Upon arrival, after you clear the mandatory Immigration & Customs formalities, you will be met by a fluent English speaking local Sundance Spirit representative & by private vehicle, transferred to your confirmed hotel. 

Breakfast

This morning after breakfast, you will need to check out of your hotel as you are going to embark on a Lima historic city sightseeing excursion, at the conclusion of which, you will be taken to Lima airport to check in for a flight to Cuzco, therefore your luggage will go with you this morning. 

This regular sightseeing excursion, hosted by a local professional guide who is fluent in English, explores the modern districts of Lima - Miraflores & San Isidro, then the cities historic centre, Plaza de Armas, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The excursion includes a visit to the city’s most visited church – Basilica San Francisco, constructed first in 1674, which subsequently has had several refurbishments. Its underground tunnels lead to catacombs that served as cemetery until 1808 & still contain thousands of human bones & skulls.

At the conclusion of the excursion, you will be transferred to Lima airport to check in for a flight to Cusco. Upon arrival to Cusco, you will be met & transferred in a private vehicle to your hotel. 

Breakfast

This morning after breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel to embark on a half day regular sightseeing excursion, hosted by a bi-lingual English speaking local guide that includes the beautiful Koricancha, also referred to as the Sun Temple, Plaza de Armas & Cusco Cathedral as well as the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a most remarkable Inca site high above the city. From here onto the amphitheatre of Kenko, followed by a visit to Puca Pucara, the strategically located 'red fortress' that dominates the entire region, before visiting Tambomachay, with its two distinctive aqueducts that are fed by a spiritual spring,  flowing from a hillside which to this day continue to provide clean water to the surrounding area.

Breakfast

This morning requires a very early start & breakfast, as you are being picked up & in a private vehicle morning transfer a short 25 minutes drive to the Poroy train station where you board the famous train expedition for an amazing scenic journey which travels down into the Sacred Valley, then follows the Urubamba River Valley to the end of the line at Aguas Calientes. The train journey is of approx 3 hours. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes terminus, you will be met & by way of a coach shuttle, ascend the zig-zag road up to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas.  

Machu Picchu remained for centuries undiscovered by the Spaniards, only to be stumbled upon in 1911 by an American explorer, Hiram Bingham. The uniqueness of its location & the genius that went into its construction make this Inca archaeological site truly one of the outstanding iconic `Wonders of the World.´ Upon entering Machu Picchu, which in 1999 was proclaimed an UNESCO World Heritage site, you will proceed with a fluent English speaking local expert guide in a group of other International visitors, on what is likely to be a three hour interpretive walking excursion, in & among the sprawling remains of what was an amazing hidden Inca city.

At the conclusion of the guided walking excursion, return down to Aguas Calientes in the shuttle coach & at an appointed time in the late afternoon, you will board the train expedition to travel back to Poroy train station, where you will be met & transferred by coach to Cuzco City & your hotel. It is a long day, however one of the most exhilarating highlights that one can undertake in this world.

Breakfast

After a leisurely breakfast, check out from your hotel room, and you will be transferred to Cusco airport for check in to a flight that will take you down to sea level & Lima. Upon arrival, connect with your flight to Santiago de Chile.  

Upon arrival to Santiago & after having cleared the mandatory Immigration & Customs private vehicle will transfer you from the airport to your confirmed central city hotel.

Breakfast

After breakfast this morning, you will be picked up at your hotel to embark on a regular half day sightseeing excursion of historic Santiago, hosted by a bi-lingual English speaking local expert guide.

Starting at the Alameda Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago's main avenue, the main commercial activity of the city is concentrated in two pedestrian areas, Huerfanos & Ahumada. Afterwards a visit will be paid to the Plaza de Armas the Main Square of the city, surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral & other historical buildings. Crossing the Mapocho River to access Bellavista, you will visit a neighborhood where there are many cultural & artistic activities, as well as an abundance of renowned nightlife. Bellavista lies at the foot of the Metropolitan Park's San Cristóbal, the highest hill within the town. At the conclusion of the sightseeing excursion you will be returned to your hotel where the remainder of the day is free of any organized activity.

Breakfast

After breakfast at a pre-arranged time, check out of your hotel & you will be picked up to transfer in a private vehicle to Santiago de Chile International airport, there to check in for a flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Upon arrival & after having cleared the mandatory Immigration & Customs private vehicle will transfer you from the airport to your confirmed central city hotel. 

Breakfast

This morning after breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel to embark on a 3 hour regular Buenos Aires historic city sightseeing excursion. Sense, feel & soak up the emotions & ambiance of South America’s most glittering capital city. Take in all the major plazas: Plaza San Martin, Plaza 25 de Mayo, Plaza Congreso & Plaza San Martin; traverse the major boulevards & avenues: Av. Corrientes, Av. Cordoba, Av. 9 de Julio, Av. Callao & Av Libertador; visit the historic districts of San Telmo, La Boca, Montserrat, Once, Recoleta, Puerto Madero & the elegant neighbourhoods´ of Palermo & Belgrano. You’ll see the historic civic buildings, fountains & monuments for which this city is standout: pause in Plaza 25 de Mayo at the Presidential Palace - Casa Rosada, the reverence within Buenos Aires Cathedral, the famous Cabildo & the iconic Obelisco, all the while gaining a knowledge & education through the descriptions & in-depth commentary provided by your local expert bi-lingual English speaking guide.

At the conclusion of the morning’s historic sightseeing excursion you will be returned to a set arrival point.  The afternoon is free of any pre-arranged activity, therefore giving you free reign & your own timetable for the remainder of the day.

Breakfast & dinner

This morning after breakfast you will be picked up & by coach on this regular excursion, hosted by a bi-lingual English speaking professional guide, introduced to the customs & culture that is Tigre – a riverside market town that was pivotal in Buenos Aires history & expansion. You will see the elegant historic residences of the northern city suburbs, pass the Presidential residence in Olivos, the stunning mansions of Acasuso & San Isidro & old-world buildings that optimize Tigre. You will have ample time to wander at your leisure, browsing in & among the market vendor stalls that are bustling with custom, day in, day out but especially so on weekends. A one hour cruise around the sand islands & inlets of the river delta is included. At the conclusion of this sightseeing excursion you will be returned to a set arrival point by which time it will be mid-afternoon, so you can set your own pace thereafter.

Shortly before 8.00pm you will need to be prepared for an evening of traditional charm & romance. Tango is the trademark dance & rhythm of Argentina and there is no better place to be exposed to this sensational pulse than at a dinner & tango show, with professional tango musicians, singers & the best of tango dance couples.

Dinner includes appetizers, various choices of a main course, deserts, accompanied by with fine local red, white vintages of wine  & soft drinks, then tea or coffee, should you wish. This is an evening that will captivate & live on with you as the essence of not only Tango, but Buenos Aires itself. It is likely you will not be returned to your city hotel until approaching midnight, where no doubt sleep will come easily.

Breakfast

Today after breakfast you will have time to yourself & depending on your outbound flight schedule, possibly the only thing you need to be aware of is the hotel room check out time, which you need to comply with. If your flight is for this evening, concierge willingly will store your luggage securely for you, once you vacate your room. At an appropriate pre-arrnaged time, you are being picked up & by private vehicle, transferred to the Buenos Aires international EZEIZA airport in order to check in for your international departure flight. This brings to a conclusion the services provided by Sundance Spirit.