The Explorer Reverse - South America Tour
18 - 35 Year Old Singles, Young Professionals and College Students

Overview

Get ready for an epic South American journey, hitting the highlights of Peru, Argentina & Brazil. Follow the footsteps of the Inca’s at spots like Machu Picchu, Cusco & the incredible Amazon. Live it like a local in Buenos Aires & delve into its cool vibes, not to mention the beef & wine, before Iguassu Falls. From beaches & bikini’s to caipirinhas, experience the best of Brazil in Buzios & the home of Carnival, Rio. Note: You can choose to either trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or take it easy & go by train.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Cusco
Hola & welcome to Cusco, once the heart of the ancient Inca Empire. Today, it’s the modern-day starting point for visits to Peru’s most famous site, Machu Picchu. Hotel (B)

Day 2 Cusco to Sacred Valley
Say farewell to Cusco this morning as we make our way to the Sacred Valley of the ancient Incas. The Sacred Valley was the heart of the Inca’s agricultural setting and an important ceremonial region, with the sacred sites of Cuzco at one end and Machu Picchu at the other and countless ceremonial sites in between. Our first stop is to one of these sites, Pisac. After a stop for lunch in Urubamba we’ll make our way to one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns of South America – Ollantaytambo. We’ll also make a quick stop to try the local brew “Chicha de Jora” (traditional beverage made from fermented maize) and play a traditional Peruvia game of “Sapo” (Frog) if you’re up for it. We’ll wander around the site or visit the still inhabited Inca buildings before checking into the hotel. Hotel (B)

Day 3 Train to Machu Picchu or trek the Inca Trail
For those that have chosen the Inca Trail trek, well wake up this morning and take the train to KM104 to start your trek. Under the guidance of our professional Inca Trail Guide you’ll climb a gentle slope and experience the wildlife and cloudforest found here. After lunch begin the journey to our highlight, Machu Picchu. We’ll walk along the original Inca stonework path, past an altar to the Sun Gate where you’ll catch your first look at this awesome site. If you haven’t chosen our Inca Trail Trek today, then the morning is free to explore Sacred Valley. If you’re up for it, biking, hiking, rafting and horseriding await you today. Hotel (B,D)

Day 4 Machu Picchu Pueblo to Cusco
It’s an early start this morning to be among the first to enter Machu Picchu. For those who want to get the blood pumping, there may be an opportunity to climb Wayna Picchu, the mountain peak behind the ruins. If not, take advantage of the peaceful early morning quiet to grab some awesome pics from every angle as the sun rises above the mountain tops. Hotel (B)

Day 5Cusco
It’s an early start this morning to be among the first to enter Machu Picchu. For those who want to get the blood pumping, there may be an opportunity to climb Wayna Picchu, the mountain peak behind the ruins. You’ll learn all about the site as we take a tour through the most important parts of the site such as the Temple of Three Windows, the ceremonial baths and the altar. After the tour, there’s time to explore more of the site in your own time. Hotel (B)

Day 6 Cusco
Today it’s your chance to totally chill. Laze around town enjoying a cappuccino while overlooking the Plaza de Armas, or you can pick it up a notch and try one of the adrenaline filled options here. Spend a half-day horseback riding through the X-zone just north of the city, white water raft down the sacred Urubamba River or do some mountain biking. Hotel (B,D)

Day 7Cusco to Puno
First up is La Raya, the highest point of our journey, marking the border between the regions of Puno and Cusco. We will continue on to town of Sicuani for a lunch stop before reaching Raqchi. Raqchi was an important ceremonial site for the Inca’s and is famous for being the home to the only remaining two-storey Inca walls. Our last stop outside of Puno is the village of Pukara, named after a pre-Inca civilization. We‘ll visit a small museum where you’ll see the Pukara archeological site (500bc-200ad). The village is locally renowned for artistic ceramic bulls which are symbols of protection and prosperity and if you take a look above, you’ll see them on the roofs of houses throughout the highlands. Hotel (B)

Day 8 Puno
This morning, it’s time to check out the area from a different angle! First up, we’ll make our way to the town’s port by a classic means of transport, the triciclo or three-wheeled bike taxi. We’ll then jump on board our boat for a two and a half hour trip across Lake Titicaca to Taquile Island. Taquile still remains one of the most culturally intact communities in Peru. On arrival at the island, there’s the opportunity to visit some weaving groups and to savor a tasty local meal before jumping back on the boat for our cruise to our next stop – the famous floating Uros Islands. Uros Islands are fascinating to visit and you’ll love experiencing the entrepreneurial spirit of the locals here. You can opt to take a ride on one of the larger reed boats which were formally the only means of transportation that the islanders had. Later, we’ll return to Puno for dinner and a couple of drinks or turning in for an early night. Hotel (B,D)

Day 9 Puno to Colca Canyon
This morning, we travel to one of the world’s deepest canyons – Colca Canyon. We’ll drive through through Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve where the elusive Vicuña, the smallest of the South American camelid family roams wild. We’ll stop for a break at “the crossroads” where the routes to Colca Canyon and Puno separate. We’ll enjoy a steaming cup of coca tea at a local shop and awesome views of the windswept landscapes of the sandstone cliffs found here. Lodge (L) (B,D)

Day 10 Colca Canyon to Arequipa
We’ll set out early this morning and head to Cruz del Condor, a platform 3800m above sea level for a chance to spot the King of the Andes, the Andean Condor. It’s a pretty incredible sight, so keep your camera ready in case they buzz close overhead. We’ll return to Chivay for lunch via the small, picturesque villages that dot the road along the way.Tonight, we’ll head for dinner at one of the city’s great restaurants.  Hotel (B,D)

Day 11 Arequipa to Lima
This morning, we visit the stunning Santa Catalina Monastery. A city within the city - the nuns and young girls, often wealthy young Peruvians, once lived in silence and were not allowed to leave the premises. Today, it is still a working monastery, with most of the premises open to the public. Our local guide will accompany us to the airport for our flight back into Lima. The rest of the day is yours to explore and you’ll have a night to relax before we start the next stage of our adventure. Hotel (B)

Day 12 Lima to Buenos Aires
It’s so long Peru, and hello to Argentina. Known as the Country of Seven Continents, the diversity of landscapes here is super cool. You’ll find rainforest, plains and deltas, red sand desert, the southern Lakes District of Patagonia including Ushuaia the world’s most southern city. We’ll arrive in the capital city, Buenos Aires, known as South America’s most cosmopolitan city and paradise for the urbanite. The Argentines also love to dine and no visit to the capital would be complete without trying their world-renowned beef and of course, their delicious red wine. Hotel (B)

Day 13 Buenos Aires
On the first day we will dive into the heart of the city with a half-day city bike tour. To bring all of the best of the Portenos (people of Buenos Aires) together any visit to Buenos Aires wouldn’t be complete without a night of Tango, on us! We’ll take you to a Tango show and dinner where you’ll be able to get down and learn this intense dance for yourself. Your second day in BA is a day to enjoy the city your way. We’ll give you some ideas of how to spend it, doing stuff like visiting Colonia, Uruguay, going horseback riding with a gaucho at an Estancia (Ranch), or kayaking to the River Delta area of Tigre. For those interested in hitting the shops there is fantastic shopping in the boutiques that line La Florida, one of two pedestrian streets in the city centre. Hotel (B,D) (B)

Day 15Buenos Aires to Iguasso Falls
Today we depart Argentina to stay on the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls. Iguassu Falls border Argentina and Brazil, with awesome views from both sides, and you’ll experience them both! We’ll leave it up to you, but it’s widely believed that that the view from the Brazilian side is second to none. Take in all 275 individual waterfalls that make up the falls and get an up-close view of the Devil’s Throat (the largest of the 275 falls). This evening we’ll check into our hotel and enjoy the Brazillian national drink, a caipirinha. Hotel (B,D)

Day 16 Iguasso Falls
Get ready for an awesome day at Iguassu. First up, we’ll cross back into Argentina and visit their side of the Falls. You could feel the spray of the falls on a speed boat ride, or take a zodiac boat ride across to San Martin Island for a swim just down from the falls or a walk along the system or trails and catwalks that bring you up-close with some of the smaller waterfalls. Later, we’ll say farewell Argentina and it’s back to Brazil for another night of wining, dining and dancing. For the carnivores amongst the group, Brazilian churrasquerias (steak restaurants) will make sure that you are not lacking for good beef on this side of the border. Hotel (B)


Day 17 Iguasso Falls to Buzios
It’s time to take it down a notch today as we start the next part of our journey in beachside Buzios. We’ll catch a flight to Rio de Janiero where we’ll transfer to this famous beachside resort town. This afternoon we’ll take to the water on a local boat, to visit two remote beaches and 4 different islands. Our stops include Joao Fernandes, Tartaruga, Armacao and Orla Bardot, named after ‘60’s starlet Brigitte Bardot who helped to bring Buzios its current level of fame. Once we’re back on land you can head out for a tasty local meal. Buzios is the perfect place to try some delicious seafood that is on offered all along Brazil’s coast. Hotel (B)

Day 18 Buzios
If you’re keen, you can rise early and catch a gorgeous sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean. For those that prefer to sleep in, don’t worry, today’s another day to relax, chill and do what you want. Head down to the beach and try surfing, get a bit of a workout with an ocean swim or simply read a book while working on your tan with a cocktail in hand. For those looking to head back out to sea, Buzios’ crystalline water provides a great opportunity to scuba dive providing a glimpse at the underwater fauna. For those looking for a little adventure, Horseback riding and rafting are also some ways you could spend your day. Hotel (B)

Day 19 Buzios to Rio de Janeiro
Hello, Rio! Say farewell to the beach as we head to the city for our last 2 days on tour. Home to the world’s largest Carnival celebration, the famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, the Brazilian bikini and of course some of the world’s best football (soccer) players, Rio goes off! Our first stop is the Christ the Redeemer statue located atop ‘Corcovado’ and recently designated as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.  Hotel (B)

Day 20  Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, we’ll spend the day visiting Rio’s iconic sites. We will head to Rio’s old Cathedral, one of the city’s most important historical buildings before visiting the Lapa district and its 150 year-old aqueduct, the Arches of Lapa and Passeio Publico, the first public park in the city. Our last stop on today’s tour is Sugarloaf Mountain. The trip is broken in two and if you take a break after the first car on Morro de Acucar you might meet some of the mountain’s naughtier residents, tiny monkeys who will be more than happy to steal your food. Tonight is our last night together so it’s time to farewell this awesome adventure with a bang. Head out for a final dinner with the group before hitting the bars and clubs for one last time. Hotel (B,D)

Day 21 Depart Rio de Janeiro
Don’t forget to swap addresses with your mates and Tour Manager, as our South American adventure ends this morning after breakfast. (B)