Ultimate South America and the Rio Carnival

From London Heathrow, we fly to Rio de Janeiro, a coastal city which revels in intoxicating samba rhythms, gorgeous beaches, and a care-free culture.

On Day 2, we embark on an excursion to the top of Rio's most recognisable landmark, Corcovado Mountain, upon which perches the astonishing statue of Christ the Redeemer. Looking out over the city, the colossal Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ paints an enduring image of Brazil; the fourth largest statue of Jesus Christ in the world, it's easily one of the country's most recognisable sights. We ascend via the Corcovado Rack & Pinion Mountain Railway, which takes us 2.4 miles to a viewing platform that sits 7,641 feet above Rio. On a clear day, the views are sensational.

Each February, Rio is gripped by Carnival fever, as one of the world's biggest festivals erupts into the party of a lifetime. This evening, we have tickets to attend the winner's parade, with seats in the Sambadrome's Grand Stand - a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

We delve into the heart of Rio today as we take a guided tour of the downtown area, the developmental and financial hub of the city. We're introduced to the landmarks and places of historical and cultural interest here, before a holiday highlight - a journey by cable-car up Sugarloaf Mountain. From the top of the iconic mountain, we take in breathtaking panoramic views across the city and Guanabara Bay. Later, we head to Fogo de Chao's where we enjoy a delicious traditional Churriscera barbecue dinner.

We take a flight to Iguazu Falls this morning, which lies on the border between Brazil and Argentina. We spend two nights here on the Argentine side. Part of the border between Brazil and Argentina, the thundering Iguazu Falls are a sight to behold. One of the most extensive waterfall systems in the world, this magnificent feat of nature is found at the heart of the Atlantic rainforest. We take a guided tour of both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides of the falls, walking the trails with a nature expert, who is ready to point out the fascinating wildlife and flora that call this place home.

On Day 5 we take in a much larger portion of the rapids. We explore San Martin Island, where we take in fantastic views of several waterfalls, before seeing the massive torrent of water at the falls known as Devil's Throat - the tallest of the 275 falls here - travelling by gas-propelled train.

Today we fly to Buenos Aires, where we take a guided tour that highlights the best of this stylish city. We see Casa Rosada, the imposing Metropolitan Cathedral with its spectacular dome, and the mausoleum of General San Martin. Travelling on to La Recoleta, we visit the grave of Eva Duarte, known to the world as Eva Perón or Evita. This evening we enjoy an exclusive Argentinian wine pairing with dinner at La Cava, led by a professional sommelier who tells us the story, flavours, and best pairings for each wine we try.

A morning flight on Day 7 takes us to Bariloche, in the Andes, for a two-night stay. On arrival, a scenic excursion showcases the region around the Patagonian mountain range. We admire views over the Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, one of the jewels of Patagonia, with spectacular lakes formed by centuries-old glaciers, as a chairlift transports us to the summit of Cerro Campanioro.

We embark on a scenic drive with our guide along Route 40 to El Bolson, at the foot of Piltriquitron Mountain. We continue to El Maitin for lunch, followed by a journey on La Trochita, a train whose name translates to 'the little gauge'. The train was made famous by Paul Theroux's 1978 book 'The Old Patagonian Express', and it's still known by that nickname today. The steam-hauled train is now something of a living museum, still retaining much of its original character, and we enjoy a nostalgic journey winding through the high plains of the Patagonian tundra.

We fly to El Calafate today, a chic city situated on the shores of Lake Argentino. Known as the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, the city is surrounded by the stunning scenery of the park; dramatic mountains, glistening lakes, ancient glaciers and unique local flora. 

On Day 10, we discover some of this dramatic scenery, as we take a guided tour of the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier, a vast and beautiful ice formation covering 97 square miles. We join a nautical boat safari at Bajo Las Sombras Bay, which takes us across the icy waters close to the strikingly blue glacier, rewarding us with spectacular views.

After a relaxed morning, we transfer to the airport for our internal flight to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. On arrival we drive to our hotel, enjoying an orientation tour along the way. This afternoon we sail across the Beagle Channel. This strait within the Tierra del Fuego archipelago is home to some unique wildlife, such as sea lions, penguins, and dolphins, which we hope to see during our time here.

On the morning of Day 12, we enter Tierra del Fuego National Park, following the route of the Lapataia River until we reach Condor Hill. Here, we board the historic Tren Fin del Mundo, or 'End of the World Train'. Travelling through a 4.3-mile stretch of the stunning Tierra del Fuego National Park, the steam-hauled train offers incredible views of the surrounding dense forest landscapes. The train pauses en route at the Macarena Station Waterfall for us to admire views across the breathtaking Pipo River Valley, before continuing through the unforgettable 'tree cemetery', where almost half a century of cutting down the forest is evident in the endless tree stumps. Our day ends with a flight back to the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires.

Today you're free to enjoy Buenos Aires, a dynamic, modern and colourful city with a magnificent blend of European-influenced architecture. There are plenty of great dining establishments, wine bars, historical sites or museums you could visit. This evening, see the lively side of the city first-hand as we join a tango class and show, enjoying a fantastic performance of this passionate dance in its birthplace - a fitting end to our South American adventure. 

On Day 14 we board our flight to London Heathrow.

We land on Day 15  at London Heathrow.