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Peru & Brazil Holidays, Tours: Arequipa + Colca Canyon + Lake Titicaca + Machu Picchu + Amazon + Rio

Peru + Brazil: Arequipa + Cusco + Amazon + Iguassu + Rio

Peru Brazil Holidays Tours Arequipa Colca Lake Titicaca Machu Picchu Amazon Rio

23 NIGHTS FROM:

$6,338

Per person sharing

Scheduled flights quoted separately

PRK23L

• Lima

• Tours of Arequipa

• Colca Canyon

• Lake Titicaca

• Cusco

• Machu Picchu

• Amazon Basin

• Iguassu Falls

• Rio de Janeiro

• Peru & Brazil Holidays, Tours

Our Peru & Brazil holidays & tours explore in-depth the Inca treasures & cultures of Peru, travelling from Arequipa to the Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Cusco & Machu Picchu. Then fly to the Amazon to experience its rainforest wildlife, before continuing to the thundering Iguassu Falls in Brazil. End your holiday relaxing on stunning Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. All transfers & sightseeing with English speaking guides included.

Detailed itinerary ▶

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Days 1 To 2

You will be met at Lima Airport and transferred to your hotel.

Check in and relax in this capital city - the largest in Peru and its gastronomical centre.

Day 3

Transfer to Lima Airport for your onward flight.

Arrive at Arequipa Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in this second largest city in Peru, surrounded by three magnificent volcanoes.

Check in and relax in this Ciudad Blanca ("White City") - the old Spanish colonial capital, with its many beautiful baroque buildings constructed from white volcanic stone.

Day 4

Today enjoy a half day shared tour of Arequipa, an important regional capital that is the seat of the Constitutional Court.

We start at the elegant Plaza de Armas - the Main Square - with its magnificent neo-renaissance cathedral, originally built in the 17th century and fully rebuilt again after several earthquakes. We continue to the Santa Catalina Convent, an authentic medieval cloister built in 1579 and still used for worship today. Its narrow cobblestone alleys, plazas and cloisters have remained intact over centuries.

We then visit the magnificent Church of the Jesuits, with its multicolored dome, built in 1590. Considered a classical example of local baroque architecture, it houses an exceptional collection of colonial paintings and murals.

Time permitting we also visit the Andean Sanctuaries Museum with its pre-Hispanic exhibits, which include Juanita - the sacrificial young 'Girl of the Ice'.

We continue to the Carmen Alto Lookout for spectacular views of the city’s three surrounding volcanoes - Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. You can admire the attractive natural scenery that surrounds the city, including Inca terraces still used for crop cultivation, see the well-maintained colonial houses of the district and its famous temple, and visit the Yanahuara lookout for more magnificent views of Misti.

Day 5

This morning join your shared tour and travel 3.5-hours to the magnificent Colca Canyon, a popular hiking and bird watching destination that is renowned for its giant condors.

We travel through the towns of Yura and Pampa Arrieros, and the Salinas & Aguada Blanca National Reserve with its volcanoes and wetlands, frequented by Andean flamingos in season. Nearly 140 different species of birds have been observed here including blue billed ducks, eagles and kestrels. It is also the ideal place to see small herds of South American camelids (llama, vicuna and alpacas) in their natural habitat.

We continue driving through Torja, with its natural lagoons, to Patahuasy. Chucura is the highest point of the journey at 4,800 meters above sea level. At Patapampa we will see the volcanoes of the Chira Mountains, where the well-preserved Mummy Juanita (or Inca Ice Maiden) was found. Enjoy an included lunch in Chivay, before relaxing at your hotel for the rest of the afternoon.

Day 6

We make an early start today as we drive 1-hour on a shared transfer to the Colca Canyon - the third deepest in the world, plunging 0,6 miles (1 km) from its vertical rim to the river below. The breathtaking scenery here is dominated by the snow-capped peak of Mismi Nevado, the source of the Amazon River.

In the small village of Yanque you can see traditional dancing by school children, before continuing to the Cross of the Condor, one of the most popular viewing points over the canyon. With a drop of over 1,200m this is an ideal location to observe the majestic flight of the giant Condor - the largest bird in the world. Weather permitting, you should see several of these magnificent birds as they stand sentinel on the lofty crags or use thermals to circle up from the depths of the canyon against breathtaking scenery. The best viewing conditions are in the early morning (8 to 9.30 am), from April to September.

Further down the valley it is gentler and greener, with huge pre-Inca terraces carved over the centuries by isolated communities who still live here and wear traditional intricately woven costumes. On the way back admire the beauty of the canyon and the fertile valley below.

After an included buffet lunch, leave Chivay and continue 5-hours to Puno, travelling through beautiful Andean scenery. Along the way we stop at a viewsite overlooking the 'Lagunillas' - small lagoons that are home to Andean & Chilean flamingos, as well as Giant coot, Andean hillstar, Puna plover, Puna snipe, Silvery grebe & Mountain parakeet.

On arrival check into your hotel in Puno - a lively university town situated on the shore of Lake Titicaca with several churches dating back to the Spanish colonial period. Puno is an important centre for Peruvian folklore, with a rich tradition of music and dance, and this is a great place to buy local handicrafts.

Day 7

Today enjoy a full day shared excursion to Uros and Taquile Islands on Lake Titicaca - which at 3,800 m above sea level is the highest lake in the world navigable by large boats. There are over 40 small islands dotted around this enormous inland sea.

A boat will be waiting at the port to take us to the unique floating islands of Uros, made from layers of tortora reeds. Uros Indian fishermen and hunters withdrew here to escape the invading Spanish and preserve their own culture. As a source of income, the residents of these man-made reed islands offer optional rides on their distinctive totora reed boats.

We continue to Taquile Island situated deeper in Lake Titicaca, where the local Quechua speaking Indians have kept intact the customs and traditions of their ancestors, including their incredible knitting skills. The island is 4.5 miles (7 km) long, without any roads or vehicles, and its terraced hills are scattered with pre-Inca ruins. Walk up a steep hill to the main plaza, where you can buy local handicrafts including some of the finest hand knitted items in all of Peru. A boxed lunch is included today.

Note: The islands may be visited in different order. Lake Titicaca is situated at high altitude (12,500 ft / 3,800 m). Taquile Island is very steep, so not recommended if you have mobility problems. Ask about alternative excursions. Shared day tours have a maximum of 30 people.

Day 8

This morning transfer to Puno Railway Station in good time to board the PeruRail Train departing for Cusco.

This spectacular 10-hour train journey travels across remote highland plains, at times flanked by snow-capped peaks. The narrow gauge track wends its way through rural fields and across Andean landscapes dotted with adobe huts, herds of llama and alpaca. Enjoy an included 3-course meal with soft drink, red or white wine (pay for bar and specialty coffees) and traditional Peruvian folk music. Be sure to look out from the observation car when you travel through these small towns, to see how market stalls are cleared to make way for the train .

You will be met at Cusco Railway Station and transferred to your hotel. Check in, settle in and relax in this ancient Inca capital city set high in the Andes Mountains, that is today a World Heritage Site.

Note: The train runs from Puno to Cusco on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. On other days a coach transfer will be substituted. Remember to take a daypack for the train, as your luggage will be stowed in the baggage car.

Day 9

Today enjoy a half day shared tour of the magnificent colonial city of Cusco, built on Inca foundations and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Comprising a fascinating mix of colonial churches, monasteries and extensive pre-Columbian ruins, almost every central street in this city has remnants of Inca walls.

We start with a visit to the San Pedro Market, where you can explore the colours, flavours and traditions of modern Cusco. We then visit the impressive Temple of the Sun (Koricancha) whose walls and floors were once covered in sheets of solid gold. On the site of this ancient Inca palace and centre of worship of the Sun God, the Dominicans ordered a church to be built, which survives to this day.

We then leave the city and visit the impressive walled fortress of Sacsayhuaman (meaning 'speckled falcon') on the northern outskirts, believed to have been both a military and ceremonial centre. This enormous Inca structure has massive walls of hewn stone and is strategically located on a hill overlooking the city. We also visit Qenko (meaning 'zigzag') where the sun, moon and stars were worshipped.

Returning to Cusco, we walk along the cobbled streets of the Plaza de Armas - the central plaza around which you will see many magnificent colonial buildings - including the Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).

After your tour you can walk down well-preserved Loreto Street to see the remains of Incan palaces, as well as old colonial buildings. If you walk down Hatun Rumiyoc, a cobbled street near the Archbishop's Palace, keep an eye out for the famous 12-sided stone that fits so perfectly you can't even insert a coin.

Afterwards savour the local cuisine (own account). If you are feeling adventurous you can try guinea pig - a local speciality.

Note: Cusco is situated at high altitude (11,150 ft / 3,400 m), so walk slowly. The Temple of the Sun is not open on Sunday mornings & religious holidays. You will need to carry your passport to gain access to the site at Sacsayhuaman. Shared day tours have a maximum of 16 people.

Day 10

This morning we travel 2-hours to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Along the way we visit the town of Pisac, famous for its ruins that lie at the top of a hill at the entrance to the valley and are separated into four groups - P'isaqa, Inti Watana, Q'allaqasa, and Kinchiraqay. We visit the Inti Watana group which includes the Temple of the Sun, baths, altars, water fountains, a ceremonial platform, and an inti watana - a volcanic ritual stone used as an astronomic clock or Inca calendar to define the change of seasons. The narrow rows of terraces beneath the citadel are thought to represent the wing of a partridge (pisaca), from which the village and ruins get their name.

We continue to the colourful Pisac Market, where all the artisans of the region get together to buy and sell their products. This is an excellent opportunity to barter for goods and crafts typical of the area, including silver jewellery. After an included lunch, you will be dropped off at your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Day 11

Today enjoy a full day private tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Our first stop is at the fortress at Ollantaytambo, built to protect the northern entrance to the Sacred Valley from invasion and later the centre of Incan resistance against the Spanish. The fortress and walled terraces of this town provide some of the finest examples of Incan architecture, with the six rose-coloured monoliths of the Temple of the Sun being particularly outstanding. The village itself is the best surviving example of Inca urban planning, with stone-paved streets that have been used since the 12th century.

We then drive to the archaeological site at Moray, where the Incas built enormous circular agricultural terraces on steep hills by hauling topsoil up by hand from the lower land, thereby generating much higher crop yields than would have been possible at such high altitude. This site is believed to be a former agricultural laboratory, an astronomical observatory or a place of worship - or maybe all three.

After an included lunch in a local restaurant, we continue to the Maras Salt Pans, a complex network of nearly 5,000 pre-Inca salt pans that have been hand-harvested by local families for thousands of years. The salt is formed when water from a spring that permeates these pools is evaporated by the intense sun, forming thick crystals in a variety of colours. The naturally pink ‘Sal de Maras’ is one of the finest salts in the world, getting its beautiful hue from trace elements in the spring water.

Day 12

Today transfer to Ollantaytambo Station for the air-conditioned Vistadome or Inca Rail 360 train to the famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu - an amazing 1.5-hour journey to this magnificent mountain top city situated in a beautiful cloud forest, that was abandoned and reclaimed by the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911.

This legendary Lost City of the Incas is without a doubt one of the world's most impressive archaeological sites. Built on the summit of Machu Picchu (meaning "Old Peak"), on a natural saddle between steep forested mountains, it overlooks the deep canyon of the Urubamba River some 7,972 ft (2,430 m) above sea level. With its giant walls, terraces and ramps that appear to have been cut naturally out of the rock escarpments, Machu Picchu's history remains shrouded in mystery as the Incas did not leave any written records.

At the gateway town of Aguas Calientes, we leave the train and board the bus for a 40-minute zig zag ride up to Machu Picchu. Enjoy a guided tour of this 14th century citadel which contains a Main Plaza, Circular Tower, Sacred Sun Dial, Royal Quarters, Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds - although the actual sites you will see will depend on the circuit that you have been allocated.

Afterwards return by bus to Aguas Calientes and take the train back to Ollantaytambo Station, where you will be met and transferred back to your hotel.

Note: You must take your passport with you today, as this will be needed to gain entrance, which is restricted to 4-hours (based on either a morning or afternoon schedule). It is mandatory to enter with a guide and you cannot take selfie sticks, tripods, umbrellas, food or alcohol onto the site. You may not wear high heels or hard soled shoes and smoking is prohibited. If you leave the sanctuary for any reason (eg for lunch), re-entry will not be permitted. Only one bag not exceeding 11 lb (5 kg) is allowed as hand luggage on the train, so your main bags need to be left in luggage store at either your Cusco or Sacred Valley hotel, for later collection by yourself or our ground handler. From January to June parts of the rail track may be impassable at times due to mud slides, when a bus transfer will be substituted.

It is also possible to upgrade to the much more luxurious Hiram Bingham train.

Day 13

This morning enjoy a half day shared excursion to Chinchero, a small picturesque Andean village that was an important Inca outpost at the end of the 15th century.

The villagers here have preserved their traditional Andean spinning and weaving techniques, so you can see textile artisans at work and learn about their techniques. You can also buy handcrafts at the market in the town square, visit their small traditional church and see their Inca ruins.

Afterwards transfer 2-hours to Cusco, where you will be dropped off back at your hotel, with balance of day at leisure.

Note: Shared day tours have a maximum of 24 people.

Day 14

Transfer to Cusco Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Puerto Maldonado Airport and transferred to town. Here you will be asked to take only the necessary items for the next few days and leave the rest in safekeeping to keep the boat light (bring a suitable overnight sports bag with you for this purpose).

You will then be transferred 1-hour to the Tambopata River for your boat ride to your Amazon lodge. This scenic river transfer takes from 45-minutes to 3-hours, depending on the location of your lodge. On longer transfers, this will include a light traditional lunch.

On arrival walk to your lodge, check in and relax in your tropical jungle surroundings.

Days 15 To 16

Explore the birds and wildlife of the Amazon Basin today - an amazing 2.7-million square mile (6.7 million square km) conservation area that is the largest rainforest in the world, spreading across nine countries - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guyana.

Your naturalist guide will accompany you along the many trails that wind through the rainforest. As you walk through woods and past waterfalls, you can marvel at the magnificent trees and the extraordinary variety of orchids, bromeliads, ferns, begonias, lichens and mosses that grow here.

You can hope to see caimans (related to alligators), turtles, woolly monkeys, tufted brown capuchin monkeys, a variety of frogs and many other reptiles and insects. You can also see some of the many colourful tropical birds of the rainforest such as the brilliant golden-headed quetzal, grey-breasted mountain toucan, blue-crowned motmot, umbrella bird, blue-banded toucanet, fruit-eating tanager, red-crested cotinga, banded-tail fruiteater and a variety of flycatchers. At certain locations, from September to November you may see the raucously competitive lek mating displays of the spectacular Cock-of-the-Rock, Peru’s fiery orange national bird. Jaguars also live along the riverbanks, but are rarely seen.

Activities vary by lodge but usually include guided walks in the rainforest and canoe rides in search of hoatzin (stinkbird), otters, macaws, piranha fish and other wildlife. You can learn about traditional medicinal plants, visit a local village and take an exciting night walk in the jungle. At some lodges you can climb an observation tower for treetop views of the birdlife of the forest canopy (macaws are most active from August to October and least active in May & June). Lodges adjacent to Tambopata National Park also offer excursions to bird and animal clay licks.

Note: A headlamp is essential in the Amazon. Assume there will be no mobile phone coverage and weak (or non-existent) WiFi. Daily programme is subject to change, according to weather conditions.

Day 17

Transfer 45-minutes to 3-hours by motorised boat (depending on the location of your lodge) to Puerto Maldonado.

Here you will be met and transferred 1-hour to the airport for your onward flight.

Arrive at Lima Airport and make your own way to your hotel situated in the airport complex.

If your hotel is not situated inside the terminal, go to desk 365 and request a free hotel shuttle, which they will order for you. You need to pre-book your return shuttle at the same time.

Day 18

Make your own way (walking or by free shuttle, depending on the location of your hotel) to Lima Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Foz do Iguassu Airport and transferred to your hotel near one of the greatest waterfalls in the world and regarded as one of Latin America's most awe-inspiring sights.

The mighty Iguassu Falls, whose name means "Great Waters", straddles the border between Argentina and Brazil - although almost 80% of the falls are on the Argentinian side. It is situated in a huge tropical rainforest that has been declared a World Heritage Site, with countless flora and fauna species.

Note: Your driver will only speak Portuguese.

Day 19

This morning enjoy a half day private tour of the Brazilian side of the incredible Iguassu Falls, with panoramic views of the nearly 2-mile (3 km) cliff edge.

We take an elevator down to the base of the waterfalls and stop at different viewing points. The volume of water flowing over the falls varies greatly depending on seasonal rainfall, but the falls are a spectacular sight at any time of year. The waterflow is highest between October and March, with the heaviest rains from December to February, when many trails are closed.

We then visit the Bird Park, one of the largest and most important in the world, with over 1,300 exotic bird species as well as 25 species of reptiles & butterflies.

Afterwards you can take an optional helicopter flight over the falls (pay locally - as this activity is weather dependent). Alternatively you can book an optional adventurous Macuco Safari boat ride right into the spray of the falls.

In the evening you can book an optional Folklore Tourist Show that highlights the different cultures of Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, with included buffet dinner (pay locally).

Note: Take a light raincoat, as you will get wet visiting some sections of the falls.

Day 20

Today enjoy a full day private tour of the Argentinian side of the incredible Iguassu Falls.

Comprising approximately 275 separate cascades, the falls form a curtain of foaming water that crashes over a vast granite amphitheatre and into the jungle below. Resembling a reversed letter "J", most of the Iguazu River plunges down through an area known as The Devil’s Throat, with the rest spreading out over a wide shelf that splits into hundreds of different waterfalls. There are a series of walkways that lead above, below and behind the falls, with breath-taking views. You can also hope to see monkeys, toucans, parakeets and other wildlife in the rainforest.

When the Devil's Throat section is inaccessible due to flooding, we will visit the Three Borders Landmark instead. This is where the Paraná River meets the Iguazú River - which marks the meeting point of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. There is a fair with local handicrafts, and from this point you can see the flags of all three countries.

Note: Take your passport for the border crossing. Wear good walking shoes, as you will walk a lot today on metal walkways that can get very slippery when wet. Also take a light raincoat, as you will get wet visiting some sections of the falls.

Day 21

Transfer to Foz do Iguassu Airport for your onward flight.

Note: Your driver will only speak Portuguese.

You will be met at Rio de Janeiro Airport and transferred to your hotel in this iconic city - famous for its magnificent setting and enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer looking down from Corcovado Mountain - one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

Rio is also home to the magnificent Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Barra da Tijuca beaches and known for its samba and bossa nova dancing, carnivals and music festivals.

Day 22

Today enjoy a half day shared tour of Rio de Janeiro, known locally as Cidade Maravilhosa (the Marvellous City').

After a tour of the downtown area, we stop at the huge Metropolitan Cathedral (Cathedral of Saint Sebastian), built in the form of an ancient Mayan pyramid.

We then continue driving past Flamengo Park, the largest public park in Rio, to one of the most famous symbols of the city - Sugarloaf Mountain. Here we travel all the way to the top, in two cable cars. The first cable car takes us to Urca Hill, a vantage point with beautiful views of Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niterói Bridge and Corcovado Mountain. The second cable car takes us all the way to the top, with wonderful views over Copacabana beach, Santa Cruz fortress and the beaches of Niterói.

We return by cable car and transfer back to your hotel, with your afternoon free to explore more of Rio independently.

Note: Shared day tours have a maximum of 20 people.

Day 23

Today enjoy a half day shared tour to one of the world’s most famous landmarks.

We start by boarding the cog train from Cosme Velho Station to Corcovado Mountain. Enjoy the steep 20-minutes train journey through the dense Atlantic rainforest of Tijuca, with wonderful views of the lush tropical vegetation, and scenic landscapes of the city and its beaches below. Disembark and climb the steps or take the escalators to the base of the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer - one of the 7 wonders of the modern world - and enjoy its spectacular 360 degree panoramas.

After descending by cog train, you will drive past some of Rio's most famous beaches - Leblon, Ipanema & Copacabana - before you are dropped off at your hotel, with afternoon at leisure.

Note: Shared day tours have a maximum of 20 people.

Day 24

Transfer to Rio de Janeiro Airport for your flight home.

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