Classic South America & the Rio Carnival

Your South American adventure begins at London Heathrow where you meet the Tour Manager and others from your group before boarding an overnight flight to Rio de Janeiro. Anticipation is in the air as we head to Rio at the most exciting time of the year - carnival season!

After touching down in Rio, we are transferred to our five-star hotel overlooking Copacabana beach, our base for the next three nights. This world-famous coastal city has a buzzing but relaxed pace. As many songs about the city acclaim, Rio sways with intoxicating samba rhythms, beautiful beaches, and a carefree culture.

The rest of your day is free to get to know this exciting location and to soak up the electrifying carnival atmosphere. Based close to the action, from our hotel you could walk along the palm-lined sands of Copacabana beach, where - along with a passing show of colourful Carnival goers - you'll find many restaurants to choose from for both lunch and dinner this evening.

Our day begins after breakfast with a guided tour of Rio's downtown. After being introduced to historic landmarks and places of cultural interest we enjoy one of several highlights of our holiday - a journey by gondola lift up Sugarloaf Mountain. This natural landmark soars almost 1,300 feet above the city, and is named for its resemblance to a loaf of refined sugar. From the top, take in panoramic views across the harbour area and Guanabara Bay. After a break to find lunch independently, our tour continues into the mid-afternoon.

There's time to relax and make the most of the hotel facilities, such as the rooftop pool and spa, before an enthralling evening ahead. First we depart for dinner at a local restaurant, then we're taken right to the beating heart of Rio's Sambadrome. With tickets to the Winner's Parade, we take our seats in the grandstand ready for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

At the end of an unforgettable evening, and no doubt a dizzying kaleidoscope of colourful performances, we are transferred back to our hotel to rest.

• Breakfast, Dinner

With a morning at leisure in sparkling Rio de Janeiro, you can continue discovering this enticing city further. Maybe walk south beside Copacabana Beach to the historical Copacabana Fort at the tip of the peninsula. Or venture beyond to the famous Ipanema beach. Along the route are several tempting beach cafés, bars and restaurants.

Our next adventure starts this afternoon when we board the Corcovado Rack Railway to ascend Corcovado Mountain, travelling two and a half miles above the city where the statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooks the city. Besides being an amazing look out point, this iconic Art Deco statue of Christ stands at 98 feet tall with an arm span of 92 feet, is an enduring symbol of Brazil and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. On a clear day, the views across the sprawling city and the turquoise waters of the South Atlantic Ocean are breathtaking.

On our return to the city we visit some of Rio's wonderful beaches, followed by free time to relax and recharge before dinner with our group this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After a leisurely morning, we transfer to the airport for an internal flight to Iguazú Falls, which lies on the border between Brazil and Argentina. On arrival, we are met and transferred to a luxurious five-star hotel for the next two nights.

Our hotel is set among lush subtropical forest, with a spa, two swimming pools, including an infinity pool with wonderful views of the Iguazú River. There is time to make the most of this idyllic setting before dinner is served in the hotel's restaurant this evening. The Naipi restaurant offers local gourmet cuisine and wonderful views across the forest.

• Breakfast, Dinner

The thundering Iguazú Falls is at the heart of the Atlantic rainforest, on the border between Brazil in the north, and Argentina in the south. This spectacular natural wonder is the world's most extensive waterfall system, taller than Canada's Niagara Falls and wider than Africa's Victoria Falls. Don't forget your camera, because this morning we tour the Brazilian side of the falls and see its main source, the powerful Iguazú River.

Walking with a guide, our route follows paths to cascades and catwalks which lead to panoramic views of the falls. The Brazilian vantage point is believed to be the best overall view of the waterfalls, while tomorrow we see them closer up from the Argentinian side.

We return to our hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the surroundings and the hotel's excellent facilities. This evening, we sit down to a three-course dinner in the hotel restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast at our hotel, we are taken by coach to the Argentinian side of the falls for another spectacular tour. Setting out along elevated wooden walkways with our local guide, we are shown superb views over the falls and their bubbling pools of water below. Travelling by gas-propelled train to the Upper Falls circuit we can walk above the amazing Devil's Throat, a spectacular U-shaped cascade, once poetically described as 'an ocean plunging into an abyss'.

Following this invigorating tour we take an internal flight to Buenos Aires where we launch straight into the spirit of the city with dinner at a local steakhouse restaurant. Later we transfer to our hotel in central Buenos Aires where we check in for two nights.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Following a buffet breakfast, we take a guided tour of Buenos Aires. This includes the elegant neighbourhood of La Recoleta, with its opulent Parisian-style townhouses, historic streets and an ambience of the 1930s, the Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada, the presidential palace.

We continue to the cosmopolitan district of Puerto Madero, on the Río de la Plata riverbank, and San Telmo - the city's oldest neighbourhood, with cobbled streets and antique shops. Look out for the Metropolitan Cathedral and its spectacular dome. We also visit the colourful neighbourhood of La Boca, first populated by Spanish and Italian immigrants in the mid-19th century. Here, the Caminito Street Museum is a vibrant pedestrian-friendly area, an open-air museum and art market since 1959.

With a free afternoon you could continue to explore one of the areas we've seen on our tour, or visit one of the city's museums or galleries.

Tonight we indulge in some essential Argentinian experiences, starting with a tango lesson, an intricate partner dance which originates from Buenos Aires. This is followed by dinner and an authentic and impassioned Argentine Tango show with professional performers.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today starts with an early breakfast before a flight to the alpine paradise of Bariloche, for a two-night stay. On arrival, we check into our hotel in the foothills of the Andes, set beside a stunning glacial lake and surrounded by Swiss-inspired architecture.

This afternoon, we take a 4-hour scenic excursion of the region. We drive along the shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi to Playa Bonita, which has great views of Huemul Island. At Campanario Hill we take a chairlift to the summit, for beautiful views over the Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, one of the jewels of Patagonia with spectacular lakes formed by centuries-old glaciers. On this eye-opening tour we see Lakes Nahuel Huapi and Perito Moreno, San Pedro Peninsula, Victoria Island, and the Catedral hills.

In Bariloche, we discover a European ambience and shops selling souvenirs and chocolate. We see the San Eduardo Chapel and Pañuelo Port on Lake Nahuel Huapi. Crossing Lake Moreno we skirt El Trébol and Nahuel Huapi lakes before our scenic tour ends. There's time to take in the views at our hotel before a three-course dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today brings a scenic drive with our local guide, taking Route 40 to El Maiten.

Next, we set out on one of the highlights of our tour - a round trip on La Trochita, the narrow-gauge steam-hauled train made famous by Paul Theroux's 1979 book 'The Old Patagonian Express'. Our route from El Maitén to Ñorquincó takes us through a landscape of pristine lakes, snow-capped Andes and glorious green forests*. At Ñorquincó you can observe the manoeuvres of the locomotive as it repositions itself for our return journey. After viewing products made by local artisans, we enjoy a simple lunch prepared by the Mapuche community. There is also a guided tour of the railway workshops, a National Historic Landmark.

After a late evening transfer back to our hotel you are free to dine independently and Bariloche offers a fantastic choice of places to eat.

*Please note, due to unforeseen weather and other factors, the rail itinerary is subject to change. In the event of the train not being operational that day, we take a scenic drive to Victoria Island on Lake Nahuel Huapi with a guide, with lunch included.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Saying goodbye to the picturesque Patagonian mountains this morning, we fly to El Calafate, a small town on the shores of Lake Argentino, the largest body of fresh water in Argentina. Known as the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park and the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, El Calafate is located where Argentina's Santa Cruz plateau meets the Andes. The town is surrounded by mountains, glistening lakes, ancient glaciers, and unique local flora.

Our hotel is in Alto Calafate, overlooking the lake with panoramic views, where we spend the next two nights. With the rest of the day at leisure, you could choose to simply relax in these picturesque surroundings, enjoy the hotel facilities, or make use of the shuttle service to explore the centre of El Calafate. Dinner is served at our hotel this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Discovering more of Patagonia's dramatic scenery, this morning we take a guided tour of the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier, a vast and beautiful block of blue ice, which rises majestically, 80 kilometres away from El Calafate. One of the largest and the only advancing glacier in the world, this is the biggest attraction of Los Glaciares National Park, a protected area.

Travelling by coach with a local guide, we start by entering the Patagonian Andean forest, stopping at the 'Curva de los Suspiros', or Curve of Sighs, where we enjoy a first view of this astonishing natural wonder. We walk down to approach the Glacier, hearing blocks of ice crack and loosen to become beautiful ice floes in the deep waters of Lake Argentino. We then take a nautical boat safari from Bajo de las Sombra Bay port, across the icy waters to the southern side of this striking blue glacier, to the tip of Los Témpanos canal where we reach a viewpoint, 300 metres from this natural wonder. We transfer back to our hotel before dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Following a free morning in our breathtaking surroundings, we say goodbye to scenic Alto Calafate this afternoon, as we transfer to the airport for an internal flight to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia.

Ushuaia is the capital of the Argentinian province of Tierra del Fuego, at the southern tip of the continent. On arrival, we are transferred by coach to our five-star hotel, in a scenic location overlooking the sea, with spa facilities including a sauna, hammam and Turkish baths, as well as an indoor pool. There is then time at leisure to enjoy the facilities and soak up the views, before dinner in the hotel restaurant which serves à la carte international dishes.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our final full day in Patagonia begins with an excursion to the Tierra del Fuego National Park, with a trip on the most southerly railway in the world. The park has a variety of flora and fauna, including Andean foxes, beavers, rabbits, and dozens of bird species. On our tour we visit Ensenada, Acigami Lake, and Lapataia Bay. At Lake Roca, we take a short walk to see Condor Hill, beaver dams, and the bay itself, close to the Chilean border. We then board the historic 'End of the World Train' which was once used to transport prisoners. From panoramic carriages we take a seven kilometre voyage into the beautiful Pipo River Valley of the Tierra del Fuego National Park.

After some free time, we sail across the Beagle Channel - a strait within the stunning Tierra del Fuego archipelago - with a local guide who helps us spot wildlife, including sea lions, penguins, and dolphins. We also view a small cormorant colony near the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, then cross the channel towards Sea Lion Island where we can observe these fascinating creatures.

• Breakfast

The penultimate day of our South American adventure begins with a morning at leisure in the world's southernmost city, Ushuaia, before transferring to the airport for an early evening flight back to Buenos Aires.

This lively resort town is a jumble of colourful houses overlooking the famous Beagle Channel and beneath the snow-capped Andes. Besides museums, including the Museo del Fin Del Mundo and the Museo Maritimo, the city has a mall where you may like to shop for souvenirs before heading back to the Argentinian capital.

On arrival in Buenos Aires, we are transferred to our hotel in the city by coach.

• Breakfast

This morning we bid farewell to the colourful streets and vibrant ambience of Buenos Aires, as we are transferred to the airport for our overnight flight back to London Heathrow.

• Breakfast

During our exploration of South America we discovered the iconic sights of two of the continent's most exciting cities and visited many natural wonders. Starting our adventure with a major highlight, the exhilarating Rio Carnival, we toured dramatic landscapes - including fabulous rainforests, waterfalls and the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier - from Brazil and Argentina to the southernmost tip of Patagonia, ending our holiday in the colourful capital city of Buenos Aires. Our flight lands at London Heathrow this morning and you are free to make your way home.