Treasures of South America

Fly to Peru's historic and sophisticated capital Lima, arriving the same day. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner.

Originally named the City of the Kings, Lima is rich in heritage, which you'll see for yourself today. Start at the archaeological site of Huaca Pucllana before discovering the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre and admire its colonial magnificence. Enjoy lunch and then explore the bohemian district of Barranco, home to Peru and Latin American artists. Conclude the day with a Pisco Sour tasting experience followed by dinner.

Fly from Lima to Cusco and transfer to the Sacred Valley. Enroute visit Ccaccaccollo a remote village and home to over 50 families. Spend time interacting with them.

Today visit the colourful market of Pisac and the nearby archaeological site. Afterwards continue to Huilloc, where you will meet the local Quechua community, taking part in their collective tasks including working in the fields and making clothing. After, sit down to a well-earned traditional Andean lunch with a local family. Next, explore the ruins of Ollantaytambo before boarding the train to Aguas Calientes.

This morning you will ascend to the magnificent ancient city of Machu Picchu. Long abandoned by the Inca, Machu Picchu came to international attention when it was stumbled upon by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and is considered one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Take the train back to Poroy and transfer to Cusco.

Discover Cusco, home to an incredible Incan legacy, with a morning city tour taking in the Temple of the Sun and other ancient ruins. Also visit the Inca fortress site Sacsayhuaman, which sits on a hill above Cusco.

Take the Titicaca train across the Andean altiplano from Cusco to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The train boasts dining cars, a bar car and an observation car.

Journey by boat across Lake Titicaca to the floating islands of Uros, which are constructed entirely from reeds. Spend time exploring and meeting the local Uros people before continuing to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Taquile. Once a stronghold of the Inca, you'll find wonderful textiles here. After your tour of the island, head back to Puno.

Enroute to the 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. Fly to Lima and stay overnight.

Bid farewell to Peru and fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina's flamboyant capital city. Later, enjoy a quintessential Argentine experience; the tango! Take a dance class before sitting down to enjoy dinner and a sultry tango show.

An irresistible combination of Latin flair and European elegance, Buenos Aires is a delight to explore and that's exactly what you'll do today on a city tour, discovering the vibrant districts of La Boca, San Telmo, Recoleta, Palermo and Puerto Madero.

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.

Spend the day just outside the city on the vast, fertile grasslands known as the pampas, on a traditional estancia (ranch). Here you'll get some insight into the life of a gaucho, and after a typical Argentinian asado lunch, there will be a fun folklore show.

Say farewell to Buenos Aires and board a plane over to Puerto Iguazu, the town closest to the incredible natural wonder that is Iguazu Falls. Spend the afternoon at leisure.

On the border of Argentina and Brazil, Iguazu is the largest waterfall system in the world, with hundreds of cascades pouring off the edge of the Parana Plateau. Today 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. This afternoon, take a unique opportunity to learn about the indigenous culture of the Mbororé Aldea people, who open the doors of their community and share fascinating stories of their ancestors, rituals, myths and legends.

Enjoy your morning on the Brazilian side of the falls - this side 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. In the afternoon, hop on a plane to Brazil's 'Cidade Maravilhosa', Rio de Janeiro, where you can enjoy the last rays of sun on the world-famous Copacabana Beach.

Clamber into a jeep to venture to some of Rio's many wonders! Starting at the foot of Corcovado, travel up to the peak by cog railway to the spot where the iconic Christ the Redeemer watches over the city. Next, wander through the tropical Tijuca Forest, a rainforest in the heart of the city, before exploring the 19th-century hillside neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, an area with a wonderfully bohemian atmosphere, and enjoying a traditional Brazilian BBQ lunch. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Continue exploring Rio with a morning tour, absorbing the city's vibrant atmosphere as you enjoy the sights, including the famous Sugarloaf Mountain. Later in the evening, visit a samba club, where you can simply tap your feet to the infectious beat and watch the dancing, or dance the night away yourself!

Fly to Australia, arriving home two days later.