South America: Lima to Rio

• Paracas: Mother nature has her favourites, and the Paracas National Reserve is one of them

• We'll take a tour of this protected natural area guilded with deserts, islands and the beautiful blue ocean

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• Nazca: Climbing up 43 ft in the sky, you'll see the fascinating group of geoglyphs called the Nazca Lines from a (really) tall tower

• Think: desert artwork of spiders, spirals and a mysterious astronaut-like human

• Arequipa: Get to know the ‘white city’ better

• Explore the highlights like Plaza de Armas and take some pics of the incredible backdrop of volcanoes

• Cusco: Your chance to pick up some mementos at San Pedro Markets and then see Cusco Cathedral, San Blas and Coricancha

• Sacred Valley: See llamas IRL and learn how Indigenous communities use weaving to share stories, identity, and culture — a tradition passed down without written language (and help keep ancient skills alive by providing sustainable income for local artisans!) Your visit here will help support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities

• Machu Picchu: It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Time to explore the Incan citadel with your new Contiki fam

• #travelgoals

• Cusco: Travel from Cusco to Puno on a full-day journey that turns the transfer into part of the adventure

• Along the way, you'll stop at Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, La Raya and Pucará, (plus enjoy buffet lunch with Andes views)

• It's a comfy ride with reclining seats, air conditioning and onboard restrooms

• La Paz: Tuck into a 3-course set menu at Manq’a (“food” in Aymara), a seriously cool restaurant with a big heart

• Your meal supports culinary training and better opportunities for vulnerable youth, while championing sustainable, fairly priced local produce and proud cultural food traditions

• La Paz: See the city through the eyes of masked shoe shiners (these are the people who keep La Paz moving)

• Expect a walking tour that goes beyond the usual sights, with real stories about daily life, stigma, and informal work, all while supporting community projects that back shoe shiners and their families

• La Paz: Leave La Paz after dark and roll into Sucre on a 13-hour overnight journey

• Oh yeah, and there are comfy reclining seats on this ride!

• Sucre: Get your bearings in Bolivia’s “White City”

• Wandering the colonial centre with its elegant plazas, architecture, and easy-going vibe

• Then you can grab a proper local bite at Salteñería El Patio — Sucre’s go-to for juicy salteñas in a classic courtyard setting

• Potosi: Walk the UNESCO-listed historic centre where grand churches and cobbled streets meet the shadow of Cerro Rico

• Expect a loop through Plaza 10 de Noviembre, plus time to dive into the Casa Nacional de la Moneda — the former mint turned museum that tells the story behind Potosí’s wealth (and its cost)

• Potosi: Head to a local ex-miner’s home for a home-cooked meal and a no-filter chat about life in the mines

• You'll enjoy local dishes like quinoa soup and potatoes, plus get a deeper look at the challenges (and resilience) behind this tough line of work

• Uyuni: Roll through Uyuni’s high-altitude outpost vibes — dusty streets, a lively plaza, and market stalls with llama wool and quinoa on repeat

• It’s the rugged launchpad for what you came for… and your Trip Manager will help you get orientated before the big landscapes take over

• Salta: Wander around Plaza 9 de Julio and the city’s leafy, pastel-lined streets, taking in the cathedral and the glow of San Francisco Church

• As evening hits, you’ll have the chance to soak in the local peña scene (think folk music energy and regional flavours)

• Buenos Aires: Head out with your Trip Manager to get the lay of the land — key spots, neighbourhood vibes, and the best ways to spend your free time

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• Montevideo: Get your bearings in Uruguay’s laid-back capital with a stroll through Montevideo’s streets, plazas, and waterfront vibes

• Expect local colour, easy wandering, and plenty of spots to pause for a cafe stop or a snack as you explore at your own pace

• Colonia Del Sacramento: Wander Colonia del Sacramento’s cobbled lanes and colonial streets at the perfect pace

• Explore the Barrio Histórico, snap the lighthouse views, cafe-hop between bougainvillea-draped houses, then finish along the rambla as the Río de la Plata lights up at sunset

• Iguazú Falls: Take a walk through the lush rainforest trails, finishing up at the very edge of the Devil’s Throat

• You’ll have time to wander the different walkways, basking in the views and watching out for rainbows and wildlife too

• And if you’re feeling adventurous, how about the optional Gran Aventura speedboat ride?

• Puerto Iguazu: Visit a jungle rescue and rehab centre dedicated to helping native animals recover and return to the rainforest when possible

• Riding in by trailer and walking guided forest trails, you’ll hear each animal’s rescue story and learn about the real threats they face (trafficking, habitat loss, and road accidents)

• Rio de Janeiro: Ever heard of Favelas? They're growing neighbourhoods in Brazil

• And on this tour, we'll visit Favela Cantagalo near Rio

• We'll check out the Portal of Saint Roman, walk through alleyways, see the 10 paintings of the Houses-Screen, and even stop by a few viewpoints along the way

• You'll even visit the Museu de Favela-MUF, a historical museum about memories and cultural heritage of favelas in the world

• It's a collection about 20,000 residents and their ways of life, and how their stories are an unknown but important part of Rio de Janeiro's history

• Trust us, you don't wanna miss this one

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