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 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 the 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 the Mérida airport for flight to Villahermosa and upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Palenque.
Day 5
Enjoy a visit to the archeological site of Palenque. Walk through the same paths as the great Mayan Lords, and feel the charm and mystery of this culture. The Mayan site of Palenque is located northwest of the Maya lowlands in Chiapas, Mexico. Surrounded by the jungle, it is considered one of the most important archeological sites of Mesoamerica, a ceremonial center and home to a number of Mayan Lords. There are religious temples, plazas, open courts and a ball court, but most of the structures are palaces. Artifacts discovered at this site tell us about the Mayan Lords and in particular of Pacal, one of the best-known Lords of the Mayan civilization. Overnight in Palenque.
Day 6
We will get back on the road, winding along mountain lanes to San Cristobal de las Casas. On the way, we will visit the Agua Azul waterfalls.
Day 7
Today you will enjoy a half-day tour of the Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. Each village has its own distinctive highland dress as well as a weekly market and numerous festivals honoring patron saints and other special religious days. Afterwards walk through the colonial streets of San Cristobal de las Casas, a jewel right in the heart of the Chiapas highlands. The indigenous soul of the town coexists harmoniously with its colonial charm, making it an enchanting place to visit.
Day 8
Depart San Cristobal de las Casas toward Tuxtla Gutierrez airport. On the way, there is a visit to the enormous Sumidero Canyon where we will enjoy a boat ride. Have an unforgettable experience sailing down the Grijalva River, across a geological fault formed millions of years ago with dramatic cliffs up to one kilometer high and the river’s depth of 100 meters. Take a flight to Mexico City. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 9
In the morning we depart the city, heading to the breathtaking archeological site of Teotihuacán. By the afternoon, following a 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 10
Transfer to airport for flight to Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel.
Day 11
Afternoon, city tour of Lima, 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, a religious building from the end of the 16th century, and its catacombs. Also drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.
Day 12
In the 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 13
Morning, transfer to the train station. 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 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, probably the gateway to the jungles of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stonework 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 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 14
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 15
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima and connect with the overnight flight to Buenos Aires.
Day 16
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon, city tour of Buenos Aires, an impressive city that combines the atmosphere of an old European town with the features of a Latin American capital. In this tour, you will acquire a deep understanding of its characteristics, history, architecture, culture and best stories. We will visit the center of the city, San Telmo, La Boca, Puerto Madero and Palermo, with stops in Plaza de Mayo, Caminito and La Recoleta. Tour is done on group basis 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 $ 42 per person,
based on two people ($ 84 based on one person).
Day 17
Fiesta Gaucha
Full-day excursion to an estancia for a typical barbeque lunch and a folklore/gaucho show. Here we will learn about the customs of the Argentinean gauchos and their abilities on horseback that will leave you breathless. The meat will be cooked a lo gaucho outdoors on the barbeque. Lunch and drinks included. Afternoon, return to Buenos Aires. Duration: 6 hours. Operates every day except Monday.
Day 18
Day of leisure in Buenos Aires, evening tango show. At night, you will see an unforgettable tango show performed by the best dancers and singers, while enjoying a delicious meal. This constitutes the perfect way to leave Buenos Aires, the city of tango. Return to the hotel.
Day 19
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Iguazu. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 20
Morning, guided tour to the Argentinean side of the waterfalls. Pick-up at your hotel and transfer to visitor center inside Iguazu National Park. To get from the visitor center to the beginning of Upper Path, Lower Path and Devil’s Throat, you will board a little train that runs from the visitor center to the paths and between each one of them. You may also walk from the visitor center to Upper and Lower Paths, but not to Devil’s Throat because it is located more than four kilometers from the visitor center.
Great Adventure: This tour combines a jungle trip with a boat trip to the falls. Trip starts in the jungle of the National Park in 4 x 4 trucks without roof for best visibility of the trees and to take good photos. Then we take a zodiac boat to the lower Iguazu River upstream to discover the falls little by little with a panoramic view of Iguazu Falls. Be prepared to get wet under the falls! Afternoon, return to your hotel.
Note: This boat tour involves some light trekking and climbing of steep stairs. You need to be in reasonably good shape since it can become somewhat strenuous. Please ask your travel consultant about this.
Day 21
Morning, tour the Brazilian side of the falls. The thunderous crash of tons of rushing water against basaltic rocks amidst the jungle of birds, butterflies and orchids will take your breath away. Afternoon, transfer to the airport to take the flight to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 22
Full-day tour to Corcovado Mountain, Tijuca Rainforest and Sugar Loaf—a quick drive from your hotel 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, a magnificent view of Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara Bay, Sugar Loaf Mountain, the nine-mile Rio-Niterói Bridge, the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. Afternoon, visit Sugar Loaf Mountain. Drive along Rio’s famous beaches to the Praia Vermelha cable car station where you will be taken to the Urca Mountain (midway 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. 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 23
Day free to enjoy Rio, evening farewell. Depart your hotel for dinner at one of Rio’s liveliest restaurants. Following dinner, you will enjoy a real samba show with mulatas and batuqueiros showing you Brazilian rhythms, folklore and fancy carnival costumes.
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 24
Transfer to the airport to take the flight back home.
Mexico, Central, South America Combined
Teotihuacan
Machu Picchu
La Boca
