Day 1
Flight to Cancun. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a relaxed evening in Cancun.
Day 2
In the morning make your way to the Mayan pyramids of Chichen-Itza. The site is divided into three sections. The north grouping of structures is distinctly Toltec in style. The central group appears to be from the early period. The southern group is known as “The Old Chichen.” You will find a large ball court where Mayan men played a game called pok ta pok. Continue to Mérida for the night.
Day 3
Enjoy today’s incredible excursion to the archeological sites of Uxmal and Kabah. Uxmal was probably built around 700 A.D. The rich, green, fertile land provides a perfect setting for some of the most magnificent ancient pyramids, buildings and temples of the ancient Mayan world. You can sense the history here as you walk around and gaze at the stunning architecture and majestic layout of this ancient city. The Piramide del Adivino (the Oracle’s Pyramid) stands majestically above other buildings, and a climb to its summit will reward you with spectacular views of the entire half-square-mile ancient city. Kabah is located south of Uxmal connecting both archeological sites by a grand 18-kilometer-long pedestrian causeway with monumental arches at each end. Kabah is the second largest ruin of the Puuc region, after Uxmal. The most famous structure at Kabah ruins is the Palacio de las Mascaras (the Palace of the Masks), its facade decorated with hundreds of stone masks of the long-nosed rain god Chaac. It is also known as the Codz Poop, meaning “Rolled Matting.” The site also has a number of other palaces, low stone buildings, and step-pyramid temples you will be able to discover and enjoy.
Day 4
Transfer to Mérida airport for flight to Mexico City. Upon arrival in Mexico City transfer to your hotel. Afternoon of leisure or choose from optional excursions.
Day 5
In the morning we depart the city, heading to the breathtaking archeological site of Teotihuacán. By the afternoon, after we tour of the ruins we return to Mexico City to visit the first quarter—el Zocalo. Mexico City is also known as the Ciudad de los Palacios (City of Palaces). The tour continues in the main square, where we will visit some colonial palaces like the Palacio Nacional, the Metropolitan Cathedral and other beautiful architectural jewels and walk through the main streets. On we continue to the Paseo de la Reforma to admire its monuments and buildings.
Day 6
Transfer to airport for flight to Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 7
Morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour of Cuzco, visit the Korikancha Temple or Temple of the Sun and the Cathedral and its Art Museum. After your visits, you will continue to the nearby water shrine of Tambomachay (the Inca Fountains), Puca Pucara (the Red Fortress), the amphitheater of Kenko and finally the Sacsahuaman Fortress. After the tour, return to your hotel.
Note: Because of the altitude in Cuzco, we recommend that this tour be done privately at your own pace, at an additional cost of $28 per person, based on two people.
Day 8
Morning transfer to the train station. The train takes us through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to the town of Aguas Calientes. From here, we will board a bus to Machu Picchu. We will then have a guided tour of the ruins. Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marshes of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stone works of the Cuzco Imperial style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. It was associated with the earth cult revolving around the coca leaf, which was a privilege of the Inca royal family and priests. You will have time to enjoy a light lunch or snack and return to your hotel at your leisure. In the evening, we will enjoy a wonderful dinner at the hotel or in Aguas Calientes.
Note: Government regulations limit the number of visitors to Machu Picchu daily. Entrance is subject to availability. Please book with plenty of notice so we may confirm your entrance to the ruins.
Day 9
Day at leisure. You may choose to return to Machu Picchu, hike Huayna Picchu or relax in the village of Aguas Calientes and its hot springs. In the afternoon, we will board the train to return to Cuzco. Upon arrival, train station reception and transfer to your hotel.
Note: Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu on this day are not included. Please contact your Yampu travel consultant if you think you would like to go back to the ruins or hike the Huayna Picchu at time of booking (subject to availability).
Day 10
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour of Lima—always one of the most important cities in South America since its founding in 1535. Journey through the historic center of the city. Admire the beauty of San Martín and Major squares, the Cathedral, the Government Palace, and visit San Francisco Convent, religious building from the late 16th century, and its catacombs. Also drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.
Evening shopping tour of Lima, taking you to the famous handicraft markets accompanied by our guides.
Day 11
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival in Rio, transfer to your hotel
Day 12
Full-day Sugar Loaf, Corcovado Mountain and Tijuca Rainforest Drive along Rio's famous beaches to the Praia Vermelha cable car station, where you will be taken to the Urca Mountain (mid-way station) with its gardens and lookout points. Then, the second part of the ride will take you to the peak of Sugar Loaf Mountain, 1,300 feet above sea level. Continue to the Cosme Velho train station. The cogwheel train will climb up through the Tijuca rainforest and will bring you to the steps of the Christ statue. At 2,300 feet above sea level, it is a breathtaking view of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara Bay, Sugar Loaf Mountain, the nine-mile Rio-Niterói Bridge, the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. Lunch included.
Note: This is a group tour and may involve wait times picking up other passengers at different hotels. We recommend that this tour be done privately in order to avoid this, at an additional cost of $170 per person, based on two people ($425 based on one person).
Day 13
Day free to enjoy Rio, or choose from one of our optional day tours Evening, Rio by night! We will pick you up at your hotel for a wonderful samba show with dinner at one of Rio's liveliest restaurants. The samba show includes "mulatas" and "batuqueiros" showing you Brazilian rhythms, folklore and fancy Carnival costumes. Dinner and round-trip transfers included.
Note: Transfers are done via bus and may involve wait times picking up other passengers at different hotels. We can offer private transfers at an additional cost of $76 per person, based on two people ($152 based on one person).
Day 14
Morning transfer to the airport for international flights back home or overlap with additional program.
Mexico, Central, South America Combined
Chichen-Itza
Machu Picchu
Rio de Janeiro
