Day 1
Day flight to Rio, upon arrival airport reception and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
Full-day tour to Corcovado Mountain, Tijuca Rainforest, and Sugar Loaf
This morning a quick drive from your hotel to the Cosme Velho train station brings you to a cogwheel train that climbs up through the Tijuca Rainforest bringing you to the steps of the Christ Statue. At 2,300 feet above sea level this is a breathtaking view that includes: Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara Bay, Sugar Loaf Mountain, the Rio-Niteroi Bridge, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, and the Atlantic Ocean.
This afternoon we continue our tour to Sugar Loaf Mountain. We will drive along Rio's famous beaches to the Praia Vermelha cable car station where you will be taken to Urca Mountain (the midway station). Here there are impressive gardens and lookout points. After we will arrive at Sugar Loaf Mountain, 1,300 feet above sea level for lunch before returning back to our hotel.
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 additional waiting, at an additional cost of $170 per person, based on two people ($425 based on one person).
Day 3
Enjoy the day at leisure or chose from one of our optional day tours in Rio.
Tonight, enjoy Rio by night! Besides being a scenic city, Rio de Janeiro is also a champion of bohemian life. This evening tour starts with a delicious dinner in a typical Brazilian restaurant. After dinner, we will enjoy a Brazilian music presentation at the famous Rio Plataforma. Rio Plataforma is one of the premier places to listen to the best of Brazilian music. The Rio Plataforma is not open on Sundays.
If you prefer a more mellow experience we recommend the show at the Rio Scenarium (avaialable at an additional cost, this tour does not include dinner). Located in the Lapa area, Rio Scenarium is one of the premier places to listen to the best of Brazilian music, and where the real carioca spirit of bohemian way of life can be felt. The venue is an antique shop during the day, and a live music bar during the night. The programming changes every month. Show ends around midnight.
Day 4
This morning at leisure. In the afternoon we will transfer to the airport in Rio for your flight to Iguazu Falls, Brazil. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 5
This morning we take a guided tour of the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls. Pick-up at your hotel and transfer to the visitor center inside Iguazu National Park. A small train is available to transport you from the visitor center to the paths that include: Lower Path, Upper Path, and Devil's Throat. Lower Path and Upper Path can be reached by walking if you choose.
This afternoon we take the Great Adventure Tour. This tour combines a jungle trip with a boat trip to the falls. The trip begins in the jungle of the National Park in 4 X 4 trucks without roofs for better visibility. The trip continues on a zodiac boat to the lower Iguazu River upstream for more panoramic views of the Falls. Be prepared to get wet during this adventure! In the afternoon, return to your hotel.
Day 6
This morning we take a tour of the Brazil side of the falls. The thunderous crash of tons of rushing water against basaltic rocks, amidst the jungle filled with birds, butterflies, and orchids, will take your breath away. After, return to your hotel to collect your stored luggage and transfer to the Iguazu airport for your flight to Lima.
Note: This flight only operates on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Day 7
This morning enjoy a city tour of Lima. Lima is one of the most important cities in South America since its founding in 1535. Journey through the historic center of Lima and admire the beauty of San Martin and Major squares, the Cathedral, Government Palace, and visit San Francisco Convent, a religious building from the end of the 16th century, and its catacombs. After this tour, return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. We suggest visiting the beautiful Museo Larco located in the heart of Lima.
Day 8
Morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival, 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 9
This morning transfer to the train station for the trip through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to the town of Aguas Calientes. From here we will board a bus to the mountaintop citadel of 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, most likely the gateway to the jungles 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 began their expansion. 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 the village of 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 10
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 11
This morning transfer from your hotel to the airport in Cuzco to connect with your international flight.