Grand South America - 23 days Lima to Rio de Janeiro

You can relax before meeting your Travel Concierge at 18.00 for a Welcome Dinner where local flavors and contemporary culinary techniques highlight the pillars of Peruvian cuisine. 

Take a guided visit of the Monastery and its catacombs.

Visit Casa Aliaga, one of the oldest houses in Lima which has been in the Aliaga family for 17 generations. This colonial house was built by Jerónimo de Aliaga Ramírez in 1535, the year Lima was established. The Aliaga family has lived within 40 rooms of the house ever since, rebuilding and remodelling it after earthquakes. Enter through the large wooden doors opening into a grand foyer with a staircase before touring the grand home.  

Enjoy exclusive access to the private home and workshop of renowned Peruvian artist Victor Delfín, best known for his iconic El Beso sculpture. Located in Lima’s bohemian Barranco district, this intimate visit offers rare insight into his life, creative process and celebrated works.

Stop for lunch at the cultural and gastronomic Casa Tambo. Established in the late 18th century, this iconic restaurant is also a celebrated cultural heritage site and museum. Casa Tambo isn't just a place to stay, it's a visual adventure! Dive into an artistic wonderland featuring jaw-dropping pieces, including the iconic works of master sculptor Víctor Delfín. Tuck into a selection of authentic Peruvian dishes that showcase the rich traditional flavors of the region, complemented by a contemporary cocktail menu featuring Peruvian distillates.

Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you meet Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, a Quechua scholar, director of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. Learn about her mission to preserve traditional weaving techniques. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.

Experience a caja china lunch, a popular way to create a delicious meal in Peru, cooked in a wooden box.

Learn from locals about the process of salt mining.The cascading salt terraces along this scenic canyon have been harvested using an evaporation technique since the times of the Incas and has been passed down by local families, who still harvest salt from it today to sell to the local market.

A local shaman will perform a welcoming ceremony to the Sacred Valley and the mystical Andes Mountains that surround it.

Join a local expert and visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo. See the magnificent views of the ruins on the side of the cliffs above the Urubamba river. 

Visit a working tea plantation. 

View the world's largest private collection of indigenous orchids around your hotel surrounded by the Cloud Forest.

Enjoy lunch at Cafe Inkaterra, located between the Machu Picchu train tracks and surrounded by lush forest.

This enchanting Andean village hotel is located within 12.3 acres of pristine cloud forest. The spectacular grounds are laced with paths that wind past waterfalls and trails, and organic gardens that wander through the misty forest. A place to relax, while exploring nature and encountering the wonders of the Incan civilization, experiencing authentic travel.

Experience Machu Picchu with a Local Expert. You’ll learn about Machu Picchu’s history and the use of each section of including ceremonial, storage, agriculture, temples, astronomical, and observatory as well as the possible reasons why the Incas left Machu Picchu.

Embark on a twilight nature walk where your guide will point out medicinal plants, sacred Pre-Inca pictographs, and an enchanting waterfall in the Cloud Forest.

Seize the opportunity to return to Machu Picchu a second time on this Personalize Your Day option. After exploring the ancient Inca citadel with your Local Expert earlier in the day, you can personalize your experience and create and savor your own moment at this enigmatic fortress. 

Savor a Pachamanca feast in the Sacred valley. This traditional way to slow cook local vegetables and meats using hot stones and clay pots underground is a communal rite in the Sacred Valley that dates back to pre-historic times. It is a way to celebrate and show gratitude to Pachamama, "Mother Earth". 

Travel back to the Sacred Valley by train, offering you great views with panoramic windows and an outdoor observation carriage.

Dating back nearly five centuries, the storied mansion of the Palacio del Inka stands in the historic center of Cusco. Directly across from the Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), it is a five-minute walk from the main square and less than a mile from an array of museums, markets and restaurants. Uniting the past and present, Andes Spirit Spa presents indigenous treatments and an indoor therapy pool. Meanwhile, Inti Raymi Restaurant offers authentic Peruvian dishes.

Visit the village of Lamay for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience with the locals. First stop at the guinea pig sheds to learn more about the animals and how this traditional activity evolved into a business opportunity in Lamay. Your immersive visit is organized by La Base Lamay, an initiative that involves locals from the village and nearby communities in tourism activities to generate fair and higher income. At a traditional chichería bar frequented by locals, learn about making chicha de jora (a traditional corn beer) and taste a healthy snack, called picante. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Join your Local Expert for a visit to the ruins of Sacsayhuamán, one of the most important Incan sites and a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. You'll also visit Koricancha, also known as the Temple of the Sun, and the beautiful colonial neighborhood of San Blas and the magnificent Cathedral at Plaza de Armas which took 100 years to complete.

Dine in the courtyard of the Museum of Pre-Colombian Art. Using exquisite local ingredients, MAP Cafe offers an innovated surprised-packed menu and outstanding service.

Visit the ruins of Tambomachay and enjoy a picturesque walk as you pass the ruins of Puca Pucara and Qenqo. 

Arrive in San Blas, Cusco’s most artistic enclave, where cobbled lanes reveal artisan studios and vibrant galleries. Soak in the creative energy of this bohemian neighborhood before continuing to San Pedro market, a lively showcase of Andean culture filled with colorful produce, local delicacies and handcrafted treasures. 

Glide across the altiplano aboard the PeruRail Titicaca, where refined service meets breathtaking scenery. As the landscape unfolds beyond panoramic windows, enjoy gourmet cuisine and timeless entertainment inspired by Peruvian tradition and watch the world go by. 

Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you meet a local family on Amantani Island. Home to about 4,000 inhabitants, you'll discover how the traditions and language of the Inca culture are being kept alive on this remote location not commonly visited by tourists. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Visit the Uros Floating Islands to learn about the lifestyle and customs of the local people and enjoy lunch with this community that bundles reeds from the lake to build floating platforms, houses and canoes.

Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you meet a local family on Amantani Island. Home to about 4,000 inhabitants, you'll discover how the traditions and language of the Inca culture are being kept alive on this remote location not commonly visited by tourists. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Celebrate with dinner at Awa, a contemporary Miraflores favorite inspired by Peru’s Amazonian pantry. Savor seasonal dishes crafted with modern techniques in a stylish setting, perfect for raising a glass to your journey.

Enjoy a cocktail reception followed by a Chilean seafood lunch at Mestizo Restaurante, where international gastronomy enhances traditional Chilean cuisine, resulting in delicious ceviches, main dishes, and desserts.

Meet a Local Expert for an in-depth city exploration. Start out at the heart of the city, seeing the Chilean University, San Francisco Church and the Santa Lucia Hill. Then visit the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral. Cross the Mapocho river to the bohemian Bellavista district on the way to San Cristóbal Hill, where you will have the best views of Santiago and the Andes Mountains.

From Santiago, head west towards Valparaíso. Pass by the main square where you can see the monument honoring the 1879 Naval Battle of Iquique. Declared a World Heritage by UNESCO, Valparaíso offers unique ocean landscapes with colorful neighborhoods, picturesque cobblestone streets, and old cable cars. 

Begin with a glass of rosé before crafting elegant Chilean dishes under the guidance of a private chef. Then indulge in a five-course wine-paired lunch and a private winery tour, a masterclass in culinary sophistication.

Savor a delicious meal, and enjoy fabulous live music, solo singers and a breathtaking display of authentic tango at Rojo Tango.

Take a tour of this historical and prestigious opera house and explore the Main Hall, Foyer, Bustos Gallery and the Golden Hall.

Head to Fogón Asado, opening exclusively for Luxury Gold this afternoon. Indulge at a restaurant that presents a new way of living the traditional Argentine 'asado'. During this experience, see, feel and taste the unique grilling techniques. Sip on a welcome cocktail and meet the chef. Start an exquisite 6-course tasting menu that includes the best cuts of meat, fire-roasted seasonal vegetables, traditional recipes, and much more that brings 'asado' to new heights.

Meet the local gauchos and learn about the traditions of these South American Cowboys on a horseback ride. 

Explore the beautiful ranch on a leisurely walk, learning all about the gaucho lifestyle.

Get a taste of gaucho life with a delicious asado Highlight Lunch.

Head to the Argentinean side of Iguassu Falls and view the unfathomable Devil's Throat with a Local Expert.

Enjoy dinner with wine surrounded by a subtropical forest at Ipe Grill where you'll choose from a selection of traditional Brazilian barbecue or international cuisine.

Step through the doors into a world of understated luxury. The luxurious Belmond das Cataratas is the only hotel inside the National Park and sits alongside the falls. Soak up the jungle chorus while you float in the pool, stroll gardens bejeweled with orchids and sip caipirinhas as the sun goes down. Embark on the ultimate adventure at South America's first and only Forbes Five Star hotel, and you’ll never want to leave.

Walk the cascading edge of Iguazú’s Brazilian side with a Local Expert, where panoramic views and mist-laced trails reveal the full drama of the falls. Gaze out toward San Martin Island and feel the thunder at the base.

On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, see several native birds in their natural habitat. One of the largest bird parks in Latin America, the Bird Park is an integrated conservation center for birds of the Atlantic Forest and is home to 120 species of birds. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.

Experience sightseeing with a Local Expert and a cable car journey to the lofty heights of Sugarloaf Mountain with fast-track admission.

Visit this beautiful library that was built in the heart of Rio by the Portuguese monarchy.

Visit the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, one of the most important cultural centers in the country. Admire the Art Deco design by Francisco Joaquim Bethencourt da Silva.

Relish a beautifully curated three-course lunch, where every dish served to guests is also shared with the community. Enjoy a private meet and greet with the chef, who brings this inspiring culinary initiative to life. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience helps fund training and solidarity meals, offering nourishment and opportunity through exceptional dining. Your visit directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities. 

Your dinner is served at the French-Brazilian L'Etoile Restaurant. Enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean from the 26th floor as you toast to your journey.

Enjoy an exclusive encounter with Musician Cecelo, a renowned guitarist, music historian and studio owner from Ipanema. In the birthplace of Bossa Nova, gain rare insight into the rhythm and soul of this iconic genre as Cecelo shares stories and the sounds that shaped its legacy — culminating in a private performance, accompanied by Brazil’s signature caipirinha cocktail.

Take a train ride up Corcovado Hill through the Tijuca National Forest to the open arms of Christ the Redeemer and magnificent views over the legendary bay.