Immerse yourself in the traditions of South America

We meet at London Heathrow for our flight to São Paulo, where we catch our connecting flight to Lima.

Touching down in the Peruvian capital, we transfer to our hotel on arrival. After time to settle in, we enjoy our first taste of South America on a guided coach tour. A thriving city, Lima was first founded by Spanish conquistadors in the late 16th century and still has a remarkably well-preserved colonial centre. Our tour begins at the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, where we explore the beautiful courtyards and catacombs. Later, we see Huaca Pucllana, a structure that pre-dates the Incas, before continuing to the upmarket district of Miraflores, where traditional stallholders rub shoulders with modern boutiques.

We take an internal flight to Cusco this morning. From here, we set out for the Sacred Valley, stopping along the way to take part in a Coca Kintu ceremony, an age-old custom in which we ask the mountain spirits to bless our journey. Situated in the Peruvian Highlands, the Sacred Valley was once the beating heart of the Incan empire. Today, it's a peaceful yet wild region to explore made up of fertile farmland, soaring mountains and traditional villages.

We visit the town of Pisac today, home to an authentic market that sells handmade crafts and Peruvian keepsakes. We also visit Ollantaytambo, where we enjoy a tour with a local guide, admiring the city's ancient fortress which, even in ruins, has retained important features such as the Sun Temple and Princess Baths fountain. We also discover the village's Old Town, an Inca-era grid of cobblestoned streets and adobe buildings.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the local chicheria for a glass of chicha, a fermented alcoholic drink typically brewed from maize. We enjoy a tasting of the different chichas brewed here and are taught a few popular Peruvian pub games.

We journey the scenic rail route to Aguas Calientes where we visit the 'Lost City of the Incas' - Machu Picchu. A winding bus ride takes us up to Machu Picchu itself where we're greeted by one of the most incredible sights in the world - an ancient Incan citadel built amid the clouds, mountains, and forested peaks of Peru. Our local guide explains the fascinating history of this awe-inspiring landmark, forgotten for 400 years before being uncovered in 1911. Machu Picchu is now a UNESCO World Heritage site as well as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Regarded as the 'Archaeological Capital of the Americas', today we tour Cusco, delving into the city's colonial Spanish history and its ancient indigenous past. One of the most impressive attractions is the incredible Inca walls, created from enormous granite blocks carved to fit together without the aid of mortar beds. We also see the Plaza de Armas in the historic centre and the San Pedro market.

Next, we visit the Temple of Koricancha, or 'Temple of the Sun'. One of the most important in the Inca Empire, it was originally built around 12000 AD but was brought to ruin during a war with the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. Today, a Spanish cathedral sits on top of the original stone foundations where we find an underground archaeological museum displaying relics from the site. This evening, we dine at a local restaurant, where we enjoy a time-honoured folk show with our food.

We fly to the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, checking into our hotel on arrival.

Today's guided tour takes us to Recoleta, an upmarket suburb with a distinctly Parisian atmosphere where elegant townhouses and chic boutiques line the streets. We visit the resting place of Eva Perón, an icon of Argentina, who's buried at the local cemetery known as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world. We continue to the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral - the main Catholic Church in the city - and San Telmo, the city's oldest neighbourhood home to quaint cobbled streets and antique shops. This evening, we get an authentic taste of South America as we attend a local tango show.

With a free day today, you could visit some of the other city districts, each with a unique style and distinct atmosphere. The most colourful of these has to be La Boca, which has been a favourite of artists for generations. Here, you could explore the Caminito Street Museum, a vibrant pedestrian-friendly area that's functioned as an open-air museum and art market since 1959. You could also head to a cosy restaurant and experience two of the things Argentina is particularly well known for - red wine and steak. Another choice is the optional excursion to Santa Susana Estancia, a gaucho ranch located just outside the city.

On the border between Argentina and Brazil lies the thundering waterfalls of Iguazu. We fly to the falls themselves this morning, checking into our hotel for two nights on arrival.

Exploring the Argentine side of the falls today, we wander along the elevated wooden walkways. As we snake through the national park we experience sublime views over the different offshoots of the falls and their bubbling pools of water below. We also see the torrent that is the Devil's Throat, a spectacular U-shaped cascade once poetically described as 'an ocean plunging into an abyss'.

We cross into Brazil for a better view of the main source of this epic waterfall system, the Iguazu River. On a half-day tour, we admire the dramatic landscapes with a local expert who's able to point out the fascinating flora and fauna that flourish in this rainforest environment. Afterwards, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Rio de Janeiro.

We discover the vibrant Brazilian metropolis of Rio on a sightseeing tour. To start, we board the Corcovado Rack and Pinion Mountain Railway to ascend Corcovado Mountain - home to the astonishing statue of Christ the Redeemer. On a clear day, we're able to admire sensational views over the sprawling city and the turquoise waters of the South Atlantic Ocean. The statue itself is equally remarkable, standing at 98 feet tall with an arm span of 92 feet. Back in the city, we sit down to a typical Churriscera-style barbecue lunch before visiting the botanical gardens to see a wide variety of both Brazilian and international plants.

We journey by cable car up the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain. This distinctive peak soars almost 1,300 feet into the air and is said to resemble a concentrated refined loaf of sugar. From our spectacular vantage point, we enjoy breathtaking panoramic views across the harbour area and Guanabara Bay. We continue exploring in the afternoon, visiting the Sambadrome where Rio's famous carnival is held as well as the beautiful Metropolitan Cathedral and the Municipal Theatre - an elegant opera house built in an Eclectic Art Nouveau style.

Enjoy a relaxing morning at your own pace before our afternoon transfer to the airport where we begin our journey home. We fly to São Paulo where we connect with our flight to London Heathrow.

We land in the UK today and our South American adventure comes to an end.

The Corcovado Train is a rack railway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that travels from Cosme Velho to the summit of the Corcovado Mountain at an altitude of 2,329 feet. The summit is well-known for its colossal statue of Christ the Redeemer, and for its scenic views; from here you can enjoy breathtaking panoramas over the sprawling city and the golden beaches of Rio.

The railway has undergone careful reconstruction since originally opening in 1884. Initially steam-hauled, the train now operates on electric. There are four trains, each formed of two carriages, which take passengers to the summit on a twenty-minute long, scenic trip. Onboard, the views are spectacular as the train rises towards the summit, winding through the lush landscapes that overlook the Brazilian capital.

The Grand Hotel Brizo in Buenos Aires is a 4-Star establishment set off a well-known boulevard and within walking distance of many city monuments. Amenities at the hotel include a rooftop bar and a gym, while each of the modern rooms comes with a flat-screen television, mini fridge, safe, and free Wi-Fi.

The 3-Star Costa del Sol Ramada Hotel in Cusco is housed in a 17th-century colonial mansion in the heart of the historic district, close to the city's most popular attractions. The spacious rooms feature a flat-screen television, a mini bar, a safe and free Wi-Fi. On site there's also a stone-vaulted bar and courtyard area with seating.

Casa Andina Private Collection of 4-Star hotels are unique, upscale properties in exceptional locations, perfect for our exploration of Peru. The hotels are created with an eye to conveying what is quintessential about the region. Guests are treated to the finest of local gastronomy at gourmet restaurants, stunning views and privileged surroundings, including architecture that combines the best of traditional and modern Peru. Rooms have air conditioning, a telephone, television, safe, wireless internet access, coffee makers and a hairdryer.

The 02 Iguazú is a hotel located in Puerto Iguazú, not far from the Iguassu Falls National Park. Facilities include a spa and wellness centre, as well as an outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre, while each en suite room has air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi.

The upscale 4-Star Windsor Leme Hotel in Rio de Janeiro overlooks Leme Beach and features a bar, rooftop pool, fitness room, and sauna. Rooms include flat-screen televisions, free Wi-Fi, mini bars, and either views over the beach or the city.

Flight upgrades are available. Please contact us for details.

We appreciate that many of our customers travel from a variety of places in the UK to St Pancras International in London to join our tours. Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions.

At Rail Discoveries we can book special fares issued in conjunction with your tour. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

As our tours generally commence at St Pancras International during the morning of the first day (or at Heathrow Airport for holidays beginning with a flight), it is often more convenient to make your way to London the previous day, so you are fresh and rested before joining your tour.

Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home. Alternatively, you may simply wish to enjoy London's many attractions, activities and entertainment options... the theatres, the museums, the parks and the shops are all waiting to be explored!

Whatever your reasons, why not take a little time before or after your Rail Discoveries tour to see what the UK's capital city has to offer? We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or at Heathrow Airport for the night before or after your holiday. Please ask for prices and details.