The Explorer - 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 Inca Empire, it’s now the modern-day starting point for visits to Peru’s most famous site, Machu Picchu.

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. 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 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. This afternoon, we’ll catch a train through the lush and verdant mountains to Machu Picchu Pueblo the town at the base of the ruins. After check in at the hotel we’ll head out for dinner. 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. 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. Tonight is a great night to become a bona fide member of our "Illari Club" - by heading to one of the clubs and dancing until the sun rises. Hotel (B)

Day 5 Cusco
Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire, is now the modern-day starting point for visits to Peru’s most famous site, Machu Picchu. First up we’ll help you get your bearings on a walking tour of the city including a visit to the neighborhood of San Blas, and a stop on Calle Hatunrumiyoc, not far from Plaza de Armas. It is a narrow pedestrian street, famous for its Inca walls where huge stones are precisely carved to fit together without mud or concrete. Tonight we’ll check out the nightlife that is sure to keep you hopping into the wee hours of the night. Hotel (B,D)

Day 6 Cusco to Puerto Maldonado
We’ll catch a flight over the Andes to the city of Puerto Maldonado in Peru’s southern jungle. Our lodge is a special experience in itself! Located in then luscious rainforest and made from wood and clay, its open walls leave you sleeping virtually amongst the rainforest! After you settle in, we’ll get a different take on the jungle as we take a hike to the canopy tower. After dinner you can experience something really different, heading out to look for caiman, a member of the alligator family native to the Amazon. Eco Lodge (L) (B,D)

Day 7 Puerto Maldonado
We’ll wake early for best view of some the wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled as we travel further downstream to Tres Chimadas, an oxbow lake. We’ll board a simple catamaran with a jungle guide to learn about the flora and fauna of the area while looking out for the prehistoric hoatzin bird, the giant river otter, or try your luck fishing for piranha. After lunch, time is yours to do what you wish. For those keen on footy (soccer), spend the afternoon playing soccer, volleyball or take a dip. There are other options for your free time too. You can take an optional kayaking trip, try a 30 metre Canopy Climb with a rope, harness and jumar (a mechanical device used for ascending on a rope). Hotel (L) (B,D)

Day 8 Puerto Maldonado to Lima
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. Tonight you can explore Miraflores, Larcomar mall or Parque Kennedy where you can grab a bite to eat, have your last Pisco Sour and practice your Spanish before switching gears and heading into the land where wine is king. Hotel (B)

Day 9 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. Buenos Aires is perfect for unleashing the culture vulture within! It is the birthplace of Tango and there is a love of music, art, dance and of course football! Hotel (B)

Day 10 Buenos Aires
On the first day we will dive into the heart of the city with a half-day city bike tour. We’ll visit the city’s historic center, San Telmo, the renowned neighborhoods like the colourful La Boca, including Maradona’s Statue at Boca Juniors stadium, Caminito and other renowned neighborhoods and areas such as Puerto Madero with it’s trendy shops and cafes. 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. Hotel (B,D) (B)

Day 12 Buenos Aires to Iguassu 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! Hotel (B,D)

Day 13 Iguassu 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. Hotel (B)

Day 14 Iguassu 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. Hotel (B) 

Day 15 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. Hotel (B)

Day 16 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! Hotel (B)

Day 17 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. Climb 1299ft (396m) in glass-paneled cable cars to the summit for more astounding views of the city and its beaches. Hotel (B,D)

Day 18 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)

Included:
17 Breakfasts, 2 lunchs, and 7 dinners

Dates & Prices