The Best of South America: Cusco, Machu Picchu, Santiago & Easter Island 11-Night Itinerary

You will find us waiting for you when your international flight arrives in Lima. Look for the sign with your name and the smile. We will escort you to your hotel, check you in and help you get settled. You will then be able to rinse away the feeling of a long flight and enjoy a good night’s rest!

Prepare for a climactic day! In the morning, you will board the train in Ollantaytambo for our journey to Machu Picchu. Watch the cloud jungle pass by through the large glass windows! After a bus ride to the gates of this wonder of the world, you will then ascend stone steps, through heavy tree cover to finally emerge at the top of the world – Machu Picchu.  The incredible Inca stone construction will be spread below, alternately hidden and revealed by clouds. Your expert guide will give you a private tour of the ancient city.

Lunch will be served on-site at the Sanctuary Lodge whenever you get hungry. Afterwards, feel free to return to the site to continue exploring, or descend to your hotel.

Upon returning for an evening in Aguas Calientes, your guide will give you advice and answer questions about how you might use your following day. Enjoy an excellent dinner on-site at your hotel and fall into bed, lulled to sleep by the sound of the cloud forest around you.

This morning you will experience the lay of the land as only true world travellers know how: on foot traversing hidden alleyways, historic plazas, and local treasures. After breakfast on your own, your private guide will proceed to illuminate Cusco’s rich tapestry woven by its inviting cobblestone streets, charming neighbourhoods, and astounding landmarks.

Your first stop of the day will be to the Santo Domingo monastery, perched atop the most sacred of Incan sites, the Qoricancha temple of the sun. Once bathed in 24-karat gold long-since pilfered by Spanish conquistadors, this temple is now an astounding blend of Incan stonemasonry and colonial architecture. You will then climb up to the bohemian neighbourhood of San Blas, known for its whitewashed adobe buildings and quaint blue balconies, home to generations of renowned Cusco artisans, before dropping back down to Plaza de Armas for a stop in at the colonial Cathedral.

Top off your tour with a visit to a local indigenous market brimming with a rainbow of local fruits and traditional remedies, and make sure to pause to marvel at the 12-angled stone nestled in a wall that has withstood the test of time (as well as a couple of earth-shattering earthquakes!). Upon conclusion of your tour your guide will leave you with suggestions as to where you find good restaurants, and you’ll have the remainder of the afternoon to explore the Imperial City at your leisure!

Today you will head to the west of Santiago to swiftly see the picturesque “Barrio Concha y Toro”, a typical cobbled street neighborhood that brings visitors back to the early twentieth century. Its characteristic old buildings reflect the elegance of the capital city at the beginning of the last century when many Chileans achieved great wealth as a result of mining. The buildings in so many different architectural styles were designed by the best architects of the time.

As a second attraction you will visit the civic center of the capital of Chile and its most relevant buildings, such as the La Moneda Government Palace and the Main Square or “Plaza de Armas de Santiago”. You will drive pass the beautiful Parque Forestal, which is the main park of the city with around 110 years from its origin and designed at the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Chile. This park is surrounded by several monuments and small neighborhoods, each with a particular lifestyle. Barrio Lastarria is one of the surrounding areas worth visiting near the “Parque Forestal” and therefore you will make a stop to sip on a cup of coffee at one of its numerous coffee shops, just like any “Santiaguino”.

From almost all of Santiago the top of the San Cristobal Hill can be seen, and on its summit, the statue of the Virgin Mary with open arms towards the city. You will climb up or descend the hill in a funicular that dates back to 1925, which has been declared national monument and it is a must see for every visitor. From the top of the San Cristobal Hill visitors can ride one of Santiago ́s icons and attraction. The “Teleferico San Cristobal” is a cable car or tramway inaugurated in 1980 that remained in functions until 2009. Closed and refurbished completely, it reopened to the public in 2017 offering spectacular views of the city. Depending on several conditions in the city such as traffic and other events, the road can be reversed and the cable car might be taken first to then connect with the funicular. In any case, the experience will be just as beautiful. This half day tour will see its end when you are dropped off at your hotel.

In the afternoon, you will start your following tour at the Concha & Toro winery, in the Pirque area. You will begin with, a walk through the winery’s ancient park, whose extraordinary beauty and harmony are an invaluable legacy of Chile’s landscape history. Next, you will admire the Casona’s exterior where the Concha and Toro family used to reside in the summer. You have the opportunity to enjoy a glass of “Terrunyo” Sauvignon Blanc at El Marqués Park. The terrace will provide both a privileged view of our “Antigua’s Terrazas de Pirque” vineyard and also the opportunity to taste a “Casillero del Diablo” Camenere. Among the winery’s main attractions are its ancient cellars, particularly “Casillero del Diablo” (Devil’s Cellar), where you will learn about the famous legend that has made Chilean wine known worldwide. Once inside the winery, you will discover the character and varieties of traditional Chilean grapes and “Marqués de Casa Concha” Merlot.

This morning, you will walk into Hanga Roa, the island’s only substantial town, where you can orient walking through the town center. Here you will be able to soak up the scenery around the fishing harbor before heading south to Ana Kai Tangata cave. At this impressive black-rock cavern that’s best known for its colorful Manutara bird paintings, you will get your first introduction to the uncanny “Birdman ceremony.”

This afternoon, you can choose to go on a scuba diving excursion, which is a magical experience in Easter Island. Few places in the world have such extraordinary conditions as those of the island, with waters that range in temperature between 64 ̊F and 78 ̊F degrees, visibility up to 196 feet deep, and the opportunity to learn about marine species that cannot be found anywhere else.

This morning, you are likely to find yourself be amazed by the charm of the paradisiacal Anakena Beach. Along with its white sands, warm turquoise waters, and beautiful palm trees are Moai statues set on two ceremonial platforms: The first called Ahu Ature Huki, and the other Nau-Nau Ahu. Nearby is yet another beach; magically tucked under large clius is the small but wonderful pink- sand Ovahe Beach. This is a perfect place where archaeology, landscape, and recreation all meet, making it a magnificent spot for a picnic.

This afternoon’s boat ride will allow you to experience one of the core activities of Rapa Nui culture: Fishing. This will be a great opportunity to share with local fishermen, and exchange skills and experiences. Once you return, after a renovating shower you will trek to the ceremonial village of Orongo, which is located at the top of the Rano Kau Volcano.