Across the Andes · Wild South America

Depart internationally for Bogota, capital of Colombia. On arrival, check in to Grand Hyatt Bogota or a similar hotel and adjust to the time difference.

Explore Bogota, with possible visits around the old town, Bolivar Square, the Gold Museum and Monserrate, experiencing an Andean highland city and Colombian culture.

Fly from Bogota to Lima, Peru. On arrival, enter the rhythm of a South American Pacific-coast city and prepare for the Amazon and Inca-civilization sections.

Fly from Lima to Iquitos and enter the Amazon region, checking in to Ceiba Tops or a similar rainforest lodge. Travel along Amazon tributaries into the tropical rainforest environment.

Spend the day exploring the Amazon rainforest. Activities may include river cruising, observing tropical birds, plants, monkeys and river ecology, and learning about rainforest communities and biodiversity.

Return from the Amazon to Iquitos and fly to Lima, continuing to experience the dramatic geographic transition between river, rainforest and city.

Fly from Lima to Cusco and continue to the Sacred Valley, checking in to Tambo del Inka or similar. The Andes, Urubamba Valley and Inca sites form the core of the Peru section.

Travel from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu and visit this representative Inca site. Mountains, terraces, stone architecture and cloud scenery create a high point of Andean civilization.

Return from the Sacred Valley to Cusco and check in to Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel or similar. Visit Cusco old town, plazas, churches and neighborhoods where Inca and colonial history overlap.

Fly from Cusco to Santiago, Chile. On arrival, check in to the hotel and rest before beginning the southern-Andes city section.

Travel from Santiago to Valparaiso to see a Pacific port city, colorful hillside neighborhoods, mural districts and Chilean coastal scenery, then return to Santiago in the evening.

Fly from Santiago to Easter Island and check in to Nayara Hanga Roa or similar. Easter Island is known for moai statues, volcanic terrain and Rapa Nui culture.

Spend the day exploring Easter Island through moai statue groups, craters, coastal sites and Rapa Nui culture, experiencing a remote South Pacific island civilization.

Return from Easter Island to Santiago, rest and connect with the onward flight section to Brazil.

Fly from Santiago to Rio de Janeiro. On arrival, check in to Hilton Copacabana or a similar hotel and enter the Brazil coastal-city section.

Explore Rio de Janeiro, focusing on Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana Beach and the city's mountain-and-sea setting, with the energy of Brazilian culture and the Atlantic coast.

Fly from Rio to the Brazilian side of Iguazu and check in to Hotel das Cataratas or similar. Visit the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls for panoramic views of the waterfall system.

Travel from the Brazilian side to the Argentinian side of Iguazu and check in to Gran Melia or similar. The Argentinian walkways bring visitors closer to the falls, with viewpoints such as Devil's Throat showing the power of the water and gorge.

Fly from Iguazu to Buenos Aires and check in to Alvear Icon or similar, entering Argentina's capital for the closing city-culture section.

Explore Buenos Aires through areas such as Plaza de Mayo, La Boca, San Telmo, Recoleta and tango culture, experiencing a South American city with a strong European style.

Make a same-day round trip to Colonia, Uruguay. Colonia is known for cobblestone lanes, colonial buildings and Rio de la Plata waterfront scenery, then return to Buenos Aires in the evening.

Depart Buenos Aires according to the flight schedule and connect onward for return travel, concluding the land light expedition across the Andes and six South American countries.