Explore Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls & Walk the Inca Trail
Maria McWhannell originally hails from Buenos Aires and now lives in Hamilton. She's the perfect person to be with in the "Paris of the South". Discover the city through the eyes of a local - you'll get to explore places off the beaten track and get a glimpse into life the Argentine way. Experience the largest waterfall system in the world - the thunderous Iguazu Falls are spectacular and the sheer enormity will leave you breathless! Finally, walk in the footsteps of the Incas and complete the Inca Trail* for a stunning ascent to Machu Picchu.
*Option to not walk the Inca Trail and meet the group in Aguas Calientes is available.
Highlights:
BUENOS AIRES – IGUAZU FALLS – CUSCO – INCA TRAIL – MACHU PICCHU – HUAYNA PICCHU - AGUAS CALIENTES
Secure your space with a $100^ deposit!
Itinerary
FRIDAY 05 JUNE 2020
Transfer if required from Hamilton to Auckland Airport can be arranged
Depart Auckland early evening with Air NZ
Arrive in Buenos Aires
On arrival into Buenos Aires Airport, after completing immigration and Customs formalities, you will be met and transferred to your Hotel
Your accommodation in Buenos Aires is for 4 nights in Hotel (4*) including daily breakfast
SATURDAY 06 – MONDAY 08 JUNE 2020
For the next three days in Buenos Aires you will experience all the city has to offer through Maria and a local historian. Enjoy an authentic Asado (BBQ) with Maria’s family and friends
TUESDAY 09 JUNE 2020
Today you will be collected from your Hotel and transferred to the Airport to connect with your flight to Iguazu AirportoHH
On arrival into Iguazu Airport you will be met and transferred to your Hotel
Your accommodation in Iguazu is for 2 nights in Hotel (4*) including daily breakfast
WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE 2020
FULL DAY SHARED ARGENTINE FALLS TOUR AND GRAN AVENTURA
This morning you will have an early departure from your hotel to visit the Argentinean side of the Iguazu Falls, located within Iguazu National Park. The area is made up of 275 falls thundering down from an average height of 70 metres.
In this section of the rainforest you will witness the diversity of native species the Park has to offer, viewing a huge variety of ferns, orchids, begonias, birds and butterflies during your walk.
You will make your way to Estacion Central, where you will take the train to Estacion Cataratas. Walk on the Upper Circuit, an 800 metre trail which is raised above the ground, so as not to block or scare away local fauna. In this circuit you can observe the waterfalls from the upper part of Dos Hermanas, Bosetti, Bernabe Mendez, M'Bigua and more.
You will then make your way to the Lower Circuit, a 1600 metre trail walk above the ground, with a view from the bottom of Dos Hermanas, Alvar Nunez, San Martin, Bosetti and Penon of Bella Vista waterfalls. From Penon you will view Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) and Canon del Rio Iguazu inferior.
Departing from El Ponton opposite Isla San Martin, the Gran Aventura excursion offers an exciting boat adventure within Iguazu National Park and on the Lower Iguazu River. The semi-rigid boats reach the bottom of San Martin, Bosetty, Tres Mosqueteros and Canon de Garganta del Diablo falls, returning again to the departure point. We recommend you wear a raincoat or take a change of clothes, as you will get wet during this experience.
THURSDAY 11 JUNE 2020
HALF DAY SHARED BRAZIL FALLS TOUR
On the Brazilian side, the Iguassu National Park covers an area of 185,000 hectares. Today you will have the opportunity to see the falls from the Brazilian side.
On arrival at the Visitor's Centre you will proceed through the gates before boarding the local bus that operates within the park. Your first stop will be the 1200 trail over the Iguassu River, where you will have a panoramic view of the Argentinian Falls. This is an ideal location from which to take pictures of the Falls.
As you continue on you will see Rio Iguazu Canyon, Salto Rivadavia and Tres Mosqueteros, before you reach the Devil's Throat lower viewpoint. The beautiful scenery is enhanced by permanent rainbows.
Your final stop will be at Salto Floriano, where an elevator will take you to the bus parking area. Alternatively, you may wish to walk the path and up the stairs to the meeting point, before returning to your hotel.
After this visit, you will be transferred to Iguassu Airport for your flight to Lima.
On your arrival at Lima Airport, after clearing Immigration and Customs formalities, you will walk across to your Hotel located within the Airport
Your accommodation in Lima is for 1 night in Hotel (4*) including breakfast
FRIDAY 12 JUNE 2020
Today, at an appointed time you will make your way to check in for your flight to Cusco
On your arrival at Cusco Airport, you will be met and transferred to your Hotel
Your accommodation in Cusco is for 2 nights in Hotel (4*) including breakfast
SATURDAY 13 JUNE 2020
HALF DAY SHARED CUSCO CITY AND RUINS TOUR
On the Brazilian side, the Iguassu National Park covers an area of 185,000 hectares. Today you will have the opportunity to see the falls from the Brazilian side.
On arrival at the Visitor's Centre you will proceed through the gates before boarding the local bus that operates within the park. Your first stop will be the 1200 trail over the Iguassu River, where you will have a panoramic view of the Argentinian Falls. This is an ideal location from which to take pictures of the Falls.
As you continue on you will see Rio Iguazu Canyon, Salto Rivadavia and Tres Mosqueteros, before you reach the Devil's Throat lower viewpoint. The beautiful scenery is enhanced by permanent rainbows.
Your final stop will be at Salto Floriano, where an elevator will take you to the bus parking area. Alternatively, you may wish to walk the path and up the stairs to the meeting point, before returning to your hotel.
SUNDAY 14 JUNE 2020
INCA TRAIL WALK
Follow the original footprints of the Incas as you travel towards Machu Picchu Sanctuary. During the trek you will be part of the Andean world and will have the opportunity to visit archeological sites and travel through different ecosystems until you reach the highest pass, at over 4,200 metres above sea level, where you will have a beautiful view of the mountains. Descend through the Cloud Forest, with its wonderful biodiversity of flora and fauna, to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
DAY 1 CUSCO - HUAYLLABAMBA (Lunch, Dinner)
This morning you will travel by bus, crossing the Sacred Valley until you reach Ollantaytambo. After visiting the surroundings of the town you will head to kilometre 82, where your trek commences. Starting with a very light trek to help you get acclimatised, you will head to the first archeological complex, Llactapata. After visiting this site, you will continue with the hike up to Hatunchaca, where you will camp for the night.
Maximum Altitude: 3,000m
Minimum Altitude: 2,750m
Distance Travelled: 12km / 4-5 hours
ACCOMMODATION:
CAMPING
DAY 2 HUAYLLABAMBA - PACAYMAYO (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast you will start the hike through the Huayllabamba Valley. On the way you will observe the ecological changes, until you reach Yunca Chimpa in Llulluchapampa (3,750m). From here you will appreciate the Huayanay Valley before heading up to the first pass, Warmiwanusca, also known as the Dead Woman.
Tonight you will camp in Pacaymayo.
Maximum Altitude: 3,800m
Minimum Altitude: 3,000m
Distance Travelled: 13km / 7 hours
ACCOMMODATION:
CAMPING
DAY 3 PACAYMAYO - WINAYWAYNA (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
This morning you will ascend to the second pass, Runkurakay, which is located at 3,680m. Today's hike will be more demanding than the previous days, but even more gratifying. You will have the opportunity to visit the small complex of Sayacmarca and appreciate the valleys and snowy mountains that surround the area. Continue to the Phuyupatamarca complex, where you will take a short tour before descending 3 kilometres down to Winaywayna. Here you will visit the complex of the same name and camp for the night.
Maximum Altitude: 3,800m
Minimum Altitude: 2,650m
Distance Travelled: 15km / 10 hours
Note: Due to limited availability at Winaywayna, the camp for this night may instead be at the Phuyupatamarca campsite. Camping at this site means it will take 2 additional hours to reach the Machu Picchu archeological site, however the Phuyupatamarca campsite does offer some advantages. This location offers a spectacular landscape and with the smaller number of travellers staying here, you would enjoy a more peaceful night.
ACCOMMODATION:
CAMPING
DAY 4 WINAYWAYNA - MACHU PICCHU - AGUAS CALIENTES (Breakfast)
After breakfast you will head to the Inti Punku area, known also as the Sun Gate, where you will have an impressive view of the citadel of Machu Picchu. You will visit the citadel accompanied by a guide, who will explain the history and structure of this wonderful place.
Maximum Altitude: 2,400m
Distance Travelled: 6km / 2 hours
HUAYNAPICCHU ENTRANCE TICKET INCLUDED
Descend by bus to the village of Aguas Calientes where you will spend the night
Your accommodation in Aguas Calientes is for 1 night in Hotel (3.5*) including breakfast
Tonight after a well earned shower, recommend you treat yourself to a massage.
THURSDAY 18 JUNE 2020
You will travel onboard the Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo and then transfer by bus to Cusco
Your accommodation in Cusco is for 1 night in Hotel (4*) including breakfast.
Tonight enjoy a final dinner with the group before heading home.
FRIDAY 19 JUNE 2020
Today you will be collected from your Hotel and transferred to the Airport to connect with your flight to Buenos Aires which goes via Lima
On arrival in Buenos Aires, Maria will farewell the group. There is an option to stay on in Buenos Aires and spend a few days shopping with Maria (additional cost for accommodation/transfers etc)
Due to flight times you will have the use of a Hotel room near Buenos Aires Airport until your flight departs for Auckland
SUNDAY 21 JUNE 2020
Arrive Auckland in the early hours of Sunday morning
If required transfer back to Hamilton can be arranged
Please note: Itinerary may change subject to flight schedules.
Includes
- All flights as specified in the itinerary in Economy class
- Applicable taxes, fuel surcharges and airlines levies
- Accommodation/transfers/tours as specified
- Meals as per itinerary
- Bilingual guide
- National Park entrance fees
- Entrance fee to the Inca Trail
- Porters for your luggage and equipment on Inca Trail Walk
- Camping gear - Eureka and the North Face tents, Inflatable mattress, sleeping bag
- Dining tent, cooking tent and bathroom tent
- Kitchen dishes
- First aid kit and oxygen
Please Note:
> Minimum numbers required
> Costing based on twin share
> Single supplement available – please ask for details
> Upgrade from economy class to premium economy or business class available – please ask for details
Excluded:
- Travel Insurance
- Personal expenditure such as all drinks, meals not specified above, laundry service and souvenirs
- Hiking boots and other personal gear
- Visas if required
Travel dates:
Specific travel dates apply
Terms and Conditions Apply *


