South American Small Group History and Culture Tour

Upon arrival in Santiago, we will come to our accommodation individually. We will enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Contact Odyssey if you plan to arrive a day or two early and would like suggestions of things to see and do in Santiago.

(D)

We will take a morning tour of the city’s highlights, starting at the Civic Center with the Neoclassical La Moneda Palace, the Plaza de Armas surrounded by the 18th century Cathedral, the National Historical Museum, and the Central Post Office. We will visit the central market to see its colorful display of fruits, seafood, fish, and flowers, then ascend the San Cristobal Hill for a panoramic view of the city. We will enjoy lunch during the tour.

(B,L)

We will transfer to the airport to board a flight to Lima.
This morning we visit Pachacamac, the pre-Inca sacred and ceremonial site, dating back to the 3rd century BC, where countless of pilgrims from across the Andean world arrived to leave their offerings and to consult the oracle of Pachacamac. The site is comprised of pyramidal temples, plazas, roads, residential areas and enclosures built by several Pre-Columbian cultures and the Incas. Tonight we will dine at the La Dama Juana, which combines typical Peruvian food with traditional folkloric dancing.

(B,D)

Today we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Lima, including visits to the Government Palace, the Cathedral, San Francisco Church, and the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores. After lunch, we will visit the Museo Larco, an 18th-century vice-royalty mansion built over a 7th–8th century pre-Columbian pyramid. This remarkable museum features a famous erotic art gallery and the exquisite collection “Gold and Silver from Ancient Peru.” The Museo Larco houses one of the largest private collections of pre-Columbian art in the world. Dinner tonight will be at Lima’s renowned La Rosa Náutica Restaurant, where we will enjoy specialties of Peruvian cuisine.

(B,L,D)

This morning we transfer to the airport for a flight to Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival, we drive about 10 minutes to the Puerto Maldonado headquarters of Refugio Amazonas. Here, in a garden setting, we enjoy our first glimpse of the region’s flora while repacking only the gear needed for the next few days and storing the rest securely — helping to keep our boats and cargo light.

From headquarters we transfer to the Tambopata River Port, located within the Native Community of Infierno. This communal port serves as the gateway to our journey. Our 2.5-hour boat ride takes us past the community, through the Tambopata National Reserve checkpoint, and into the reserve’s buffer zone — part of a 1.3-million-hectare conservation area. On arrival at Refugio Amazonas, our lodge manager welcomes us and provides important navigation and safety information. After dinner, we set out on a night excursion along the river’s edge in search of caimans, scanning the dark shores with headlamps to spot the red gleam of their eyes.

(B,L,D)

After breakfast, we will explore Oxbow Lake by canoe or catamaran, observing lakeside wildlife such as hoatzins, caimans, horned screamers, macaws, and possibly even river otters. The calm waters and surrounding forest provide excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting and photography.

A short 30-minute walk from Refugio Amazonas brings us to the 25-meter-high canopy tower. A central staircase with secure railings provides safe access to the observation platforms above. Built on elevated terrain, the tower offers sweeping views of the continuous primary forest extending toward the Tambopata National Reserve. From this vantage point, we will watch mixed-species canopy flocks, toucans, macaws, and raptors in their natural habitat.

After lunch, we will take a 5-minute boat ride downriver to visit a farm managed by Don Manuel from the neighboring community of Condenado. Here, we will enjoy an ethnobotanical tour, learning about a variety of Amazonian crops and plants, many of which have medicinal or culinary uses. Don Manuel will introduce us to plants such as Ajo-Sacha, Yuca de Venado, Uña de Gato, Charcot-Sacha, Para-Para, and others, explaining their significance to local communities.

Following dinner, we will attend a nightly lecture at the lodge covering conservation issues, opportunities, and ongoing projects in the Tambopata National Reserve. These talks, prepared by the staff of Refugio Amazonas, provide insight into the challenges of protecting this extraordinary rainforest ecosystem.

(B,L,D)

After an early breakfast, we will return by motorized canoe to Puerto Maldonado Airport, keeping an eye out for early-morning wildlife activity along the river. From there, we will fly to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, marking the end of our jungle adventure. On the way to the Sacred Valley, we will stop at Awana Kancha, a living cultural center where we will be introduced to Peru’s camelids, including llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas. We will also have the opportunity to observe traditional textile weaving techniques. Afterward, we continue to our hotel in the Sacred Valley for dinner, followed by time to rest and begin acclimating to the higher altitude.

(B,D)

Today we will visit the vibrant Pisac Market, where local artisans and farmers gather to sell and barter their crafts, textiles, and fresh produce. We will also explore Ollantaytambo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the Americas, renowned for its impressive Inca terraces and fortress. After our explorations, we will return to the hotel for dinner and relaxation.

(B,D)

Early this morning, we will board a train to Aguas Calientes, the small village at the base of Machu Picchu. From there, we will take a mini-bus up the winding road to the citadel, where a guided tour will introduce us to its history and architecture, followed by time to explore at our own pace. Machu Picchu is the most iconic of the Inca settlements, perched on a mountaintop thousands of meters above the Urubamba Valley. Remarkably, it remained unknown to the outside world during the Spanish conquest and thus preserved. In 1911, American explorer Hiram Bingham brought the site to international attention, and archaeologists have since uncovered staircases, terraces, temples, palaces, towers, and fountains. Scholars believe the citadel was constructed in the mid-15th century under the Inca Emperor Pachacuti, inhabited and used by the Inca for religious, ceremonial, and administrative purposes.

(B,L,D)

This morning, enjoy some free time to explore Aguas Calientes at your own pace. Late morning, we will travel by train to Cusco, where you can wander through the city’s narrow, winding cobblestone streets and take in the striking blend of Inca stonework and colonial Spanish architecture. This evening, we will savor a traditional Peruvian dinner while enjoying a lively folk music and dance performance at El Tunupa Restaurant, just a short walk from our hotel.

(B,D)

This afternoon, we will explore Cusco and its nearby Inca sites. Highlights include the Koricancha Temple, the city’s Cathedral, the impressive Sacsayhuamán fortress overlooking Cusco, and the ceremonial baths at Tambomachay. In the evening, we will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, sampling traditional Peruvian cuisine.

(B,D)

We will enjoy a day at leisure in Cusco.

Contact Odyssey for suggested things to do.

(B,D)

Today, we will journey by train across the vast Altiplano from Cusco to Puno, a scenic ride of approximately 10 hours. You can enjoy the sweeping views from the brass-railed open carriage at the rear of the train or relax in the elegant bar lounge. The train’s vintage style, reminiscent of the legendary Orient Express. Upon arrival in Puno, we will transfer to our hotel.

(B,L,D)

This morning, we will visit the remarkable floating islands of Lake Titicaca, constructed from layers of totora reeds and home to the Uros people, who continue to live much as their ancestors did centuries ago. After lunch, we will explore the Chullpas of Sillustani, an ancient pre-Inca cemetery featuring distinctive circular, tower-shaped stone tombs. We will then return to our hotel in Puno for the night.

(B,L,D)

After breakfast, we will transfer to Copacabana to visit its famous cathedral, as well as the historic churches in Pomata and Juli. From Copacabana, we will board a hydrofoil to Huatajata, home to the “Andean Roots Eco Village,” before continuing to Sun Island (Isla del Sol). On the island, we will explore Inca ruins, including the famous staircases, and taste water from the so-called Sacred Fountain, which local tradition associates with youth and well-being. Lunch will be served at the nearby Uma Kollu archaeological restaurant, followed by a visit to a colorful local handicraft market.

Next, we will visit the Altiplano Museum, where exhibits cover the cultural heritage of the Aymara and Inca peoples, colonial history, and Jacques Cousteau’s Lake Titicaca expedition. We will also meet members of the Limachi family, renowned for building Thor Heyerdahl’s RA II and Tigris rafts used in his transatlantic expeditions. Finally, we will transfer by coach to La Paz along a scenic route across the Altiplano, with views of the surrounding Andes, and check into our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

(B,L)

After breakfast, we will visit the Tiwanaku ruins, the ceremonial and political center of the Tiwanaku culture, which thrived between 500 and 1000 AD. The site features impressive stone monuments, temples, and the famous Gateway of the Sun. In the afternoon, we will explore La Paz, discovering its indigenous neighborhoods, colonial-era churches, and modern districts, followed by a visit to the otherworldly landscapes of Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley).

(B)

Very early this morning, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Buenos Aires. As there are no direct flights, we will make a stopover en route. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to our hotel, and the remainder of the day will be at leisure. Buenos Aires is a shopper’s paradise, with high-quality leather goods among the city’s best bargains. The elegant Recoleta district, especially along Alvear and Quintana Avenues, features a mix of top local and international brands, while the lively pedestrian street of Florida is ideal for browsing jewelry shops, art galleries, fur boutiques, and more. We will enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.

(D)

This morning, we will explore the southern side of Buenos Aires, a city renowned for its strong European influence, grand architecture, beautiful parks, and wide avenues. Highlights of our tour include Plaza de Mayo, the iconic Casa Rosada, and the colorful La Boca district. We will also see the impressive Congress building and the world-famous Teatro Colón. After returning to the hotel to relax, we will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in the evening.

(B,L,D)

Today we will explore the northern side of Buenos Aires, beginning with a visit to the historic Recoleta Cemetery, the beautifully landscaped rose garden, and the Evita Museum, which celebrates the life and legacy of Argentina’s iconic First Lady. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. This evening, we will experience the passion of Argentine Tango with a dance lesson at La Ventana, followed by dinner and a captivating Tango show.

(B,L,D)

We will take a domestic flight to Iguazú Falls and then transfer to the Brazilian side for a guided walking tour, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the falls. At the end of the day, we will transfer to our hotel for check-in and overnight stay.

(B)

This morning we will depart our hotel and cross the Tancredo Neves Bridge into Argentina for a tour of the Argentine side of Iguazú Falls. We will explore the upper and lower trails of Iguaçu National Park, taking in close-up views of some of the 275 waterfalls cascading from the Iguaçu River and enjoying the rich wildlife and lush jungle that surround them. At the end of the trails, we will marvel at the awe-inspiring Devil’s Throat.

Be sure to bring a coat or purchase a disposable rain poncho for the included boat safari. On this adventure, we will board a twin-engine boat specially designed for the river’s conditions and navigate the Iguaçu Canyon, riding several rapids to reach the base of the magnificent falls. Guided by an experienced pilot, we will maneuver directly into the heart of the waterfalls for a thrilling and unforgettable perspective.

(B)

After breakfast we will check out of our hotel and enjoy a visit to the local bird park. Afterwards, we will transfer to the airport where we will board a flight to Rio de Janeiro and stay at famous Copacabana beach.

(B)

Today we enjoy a full-day tour of Rio de Janeiro, beginning with a scenic cruise of Guanabara Bay aboard a classic Brazilian schooner. Lunch at a local seafood restaurant is included. Afterward, we visit the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain, one of Rio’s most famous landmarks. The mountain is reached via a two-stage cable car system, with each car carrying up to 80 passengers on short, two-minute rides.

The first stage takes us to Morro da Urca, where we can enjoy panoramic views of Botafogo Bay, the yacht club, and surrounding neighborhoods, as well as amenities including a restaurant, amphitheater, and a heliport offering optional scenic flights. The second stage ascends to the summit of Sugarloaf, named for its resemblance to the traditional sugar loaves once common in colonial Brazil. From the 396-metre-high peak, we are treated to unrivaled, sweeping views of Rio, its beaches, and surrounding mountains.

(B,L)

This morning we will tour Corcovado Mountain to visit the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, one of Rio’s most famous landmarks. Our drive takes us along Rio’s scenic beaches and the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon before passing through the Rebouças Tunnel, which connects the city’s northern and southern zones divided by the Tijuca Ridge. Remarkably, Rio is the only city in the world with a national park just minutes from its downtown.

Arriving in the Cosme Velho district, we will board the cogwheel train that climbs through the lush rainforest of Tijuca National Park, ascending from 15 metres at the base to nearly 670 metres at the summit. From the upper station, a short elevator or stair climb brings us to the base of Christ the Redeemer, where we can admire sweeping views of the city, mountains, and coastline.

This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel.

(B,D)

Our tour concludes after breakfast.

Contact Odyssey if you plan to extend your stay a day or two and would like suggestions of things to see and do in Rio.