Spectacular South America

South America is a kaleidoscopic fusion of pristine beaches, unexplored rainforests, manic metropolises and ancient civilizations. From a culture steeped in rich heritage to sceneries that are simply breathtaking, this land is as alive as the pulsating rhythms of the samba. Brazil leaves you speechless with its unbridled vibrancy and stunning beaches. Peru astonishes you with its potpourri of Pre Inca, Inca, Spanish, Colonial and Republican cultures and the Legendary Lost City of the Incas - Machu Picchu. Chile is sure to overwhelm you with its staggering beauty. Not forgetting Argentina, that has attracted the Portuguese and Spanish conquistadores over the centuries.

Come experience this spectacular land with us. We promise you an experience that stays forever. The Wonders of South America is a suggested holiday itinerary. You can extend your stay with the suggested holiday extensions at Peru’s Posada Amazonas or Chile’s Santiago. Mercury Travels offers customized holidays to South America and other exotic destinations. Come and see South America the way you want you to.

WONDERS OF SOUTH AMERICA
Sao Paulo/Rio de Janeiro/Iguazu/Lima/Cusco/Machu Picchu/Buenos Aires
(12 days/11 nights)
Day 1 – Arrive Sao Paulo
Welcome to Brazil. Upon arrival, you are greeted and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Sao Paulo.
Day 2 – Sao Paulo/Rio de Janeiro
Cosmopolitan Sao Paulo is known as the city that never sleeps. Proceed in the morning on a half day tour of the city, including a visit to the Sao Paulo Museum of Art and the Butanta Snake Farm. Later in the day, you board the flight to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, you are received at the airport and transferred to your hotel. A sumptuous dinner and show at Plataforma awaits you. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.
Day 3 – Rio de Janeiro - Sugar Loaf and Corcovado Tour
After breakfast, its time for the full day Sugar Loaf and Corcovado Tour, including lunch. The tour leaves the hotel, driving along the beautiful beaches of Rio and taking in the lagoon Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, before reaching the quaint Cosme Velho district. You will ride through Rio’s beautiful architectonic monuments, visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and ascend the peaks of the Corcovado Mountain and Sugar Loaf Mountain using a series of cable car rides. Corcovado Mountain with its Statue of Christ the Redeemer and the Sugar Loaf Mountain known as Rio’s postcard, offer magnificent views of the city bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.
Day 4 – Rio de Janeiro/Iguazu
This morning you are escorted to the airport to board the flight for Iguazu. Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Iguazu.
Day 5 – Iguazu - Brazilian Falls
The day is earmarked for a full day tour of the Brazilian Falls. Drive through the lush subtropical vegetation of the park en route to the falls. The Iguazu National Park is the most significant remaining rainforest in the southern cone which together with the cataracts has been declared a National Heritage Site by UNESCO. Stroll along the trail descending the canyon for a panoramic view of more than 240 falls. Overnight in Iguazu.
Day 6 – Iguazu/Lima
Goodbye Brazil. Hello Peru. You are transferred to the airport for your flight to Lima. On arrival, you are met and escorted to your hotel. A documentation kit, detailed program explanation and hotel registration assistance is offered. Overnight in Lima.
Day 7 – Lima/Cusco
This morning you are transferred to the airport to board your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you are met and escorted to the hotel. The rest of the morning is free to rest and get acclimatized to the altitude. In the afternoon you are taken on a tour of this Imperial City, to soak in the fascinating mixture of the Andean and Spanish cultures. Visit the Santo Domingo Convent, built over the ancient Inca place of worship called the Koricancha or the Temple of the Sun. Stop at the Main Square, to see the Cusco Cathedral and the La Compañía de Jesús Church, which rivals the cathedral in grandeur and prominence. Visit the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, an imposing sample of military Inca architecture. The tour is incomplete without a visit to the archaeological sites of Qenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, located north east of the city. Overnight in Cusco.
Day 8 – Cusco - Machu Picchu
Today you visit Machu Picchu, also known as The Lost City of the Incas. It is designated as a World Heritage Site and declared one of the wonders of the world. The excursion commences, in the morning, by train. During the journey, enjoy amazing views of the landscapes of the Sacred Valley of Urubamba. Upon arrival at the Aguas Calientes train station, you are assisted in boarding the bus that takes you to the citadel. A professional tour guide will lead you around this historic, mysterious and charming place. Post the guided tour, you can explore the area on your own, relax and meditate. Enjoy a buffet lunch at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, located adjacent to the citadel and part of the Orient-Express Hotels. In the afternoon, you board the train that takes you back to Cusco. On arrival at Poroy Station, you are met and transferred to your hotel. The evening is free for you to enjoy Cusco’s nightlife. Overnight in Cusco.
Day 9 – Cusco - Sacred Valley of the Incas/Pisac/Ollantaytambo
This tour is available on Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday. Drive towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas, taking the direct route to Pisac. Stop en route to view the beautiful Urubamba valley with lush crops dressing the mountains like carpets. On arrival at the colorful market of Pisac, you have time to meet the local craftsmen and purchase their hand-made souvenirs. Proceed to the town of Urubamba for a buffet lunch. Post lunch, visit Ollantaytambo, the attractive town of Inca origin with remarkable channels and stone streets. This town is built on top of original Inca foundations and is the best surviving example of Inca town planning. There are several houses dating back to the Incan time that you can stroll past, in addition to visiting the formidable ruins of the fortress that guarded the valley. Overnight in Cusco.
Day 10 – Cusco/Lima/Buenos Aires
This morning you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival, you are met and taken on a tour of Lima, the City of Kings. Visit the Main Square that houses the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace. Later, you visit the San Francisco Convent, an architectonic jewel dating back to the 16th century. Return to the airport to take the flight to Buenos Aires. Overnight in Buenos Aires.
Day 11 – Buenos Aires
Take a three hour tour of Buenos Aires and see the Main Square - Plaza de Mayo, surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Presidential Headquarters Office), the Cabildo (Colonial Town Hall) and the Cathedral. Drive through the charming streets of San Telmo; down the colorful roads of La Boca, famous for its multicolor tin houses; and the elegant Barrio Norte on your way to the Recoleta Cemetery, an amazing aboveground cemetery lined with mausoleums and statues. Finally, visit Palermo and its magnificent mansions and parks. The evening is earmarked for dinner and the Tango Show at La Ventana. Overnight in Buenos Aires.
Day 12 – Depart Buenos Aires
The morning is set aside for your half day tour of the Tigre and Delta. Tigre, is the starting point to visit hundreds of islands, as one sails up the Parana River which flows into Rio de la Plata (River Plate) and together with the Sarmiento and Lujan rivers forming a beautiful Delta. At the scheduled time, you are transferred to the airport for your flight back home or you could opt to extend your stay with additional holiday options.