Empire of the Inca

Depending on the flight time you will have more time in Cusco before your flight to Foz do Iguacu. The flight is via Lima so there may also be some time in transit. When you get there you'll be met by the local leader and taken to your hotel. Hotel - 3 nights (B)

At Iguaçu Falls, the Rio Iguaçu widens and sweeps majestically round a three kilometre bend before plunging 80 metres over a natural fault. Two hundred and seventy five separate cascades present an awesome spectacle of thundering water and flying spray. Higher than Victoria Falls, wider than Niagara Falls - and arguably more beautiful than either - the falls are shared between Brazil and Argentina. Although Argentina has the lion’s share of this UNESCO World Heritage site, Brazil possesses the ‘grand view’, of churning river below the falls – this arrangement led to the local saying that Argentina puts on the show and Brazil charges for the tickets. This morning you‘ll visit the viewpoints on the Brazilian side. There’s also an exciting helicopter ride over the waterfalls (optional) for wonderful aerial views, a bird park and the chance to explore the jungle. (B)

Today you'll transfer to the majestic Iguacu Falls where you will visit the Argentine side of the falls, which is noted for its close-up views of the water. Whereas in Brazil you are looking at the falls, in Argentina you are in amongst them as walkways take you right over the tops of many of the individual cascades - you’re almost bound to get wet as the trails here lead right into the spray of the crashing waters. The various sections of the falls are now connected by a narrow gauge railway which pulls you through the forest. Perhaps the most spectacular point is the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) with its awe-inspiring view of roaring falls, rainbow arcs and parrots and hawks swooping against a backdrop of verdant rainforest. An exciting boat trip (optional) takes you right up to the torrent so you can see the water tumbling from high above and feel the spray lashing into your face; not only is this an adrenalin-filled activity, it also provides a completely different perspective of the falls, allowing you to fully appreciate their size. For something more sedate you can take the small boat across to the Isla San Martin where a number of scenes from the film The Mission were filmed. Later in the day you return to your hotel in Brazil. (B)