Views over Iguazu Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil

A flagship new 13-day South America Landscapes round-trip across Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile is the headline act in Trafalgar’s new 2017 South America programme, now online.

The leading escorted operator’s 2017 South America product offering comprises are 11 handcrafted itineraries and four extensions, giving guests easy access to the destination with each of the six trip styles delivering rich experiences and tapping into the heartbeat of Latin America.

The new South America Landscapes guided holiday includes the continent’s hottest highlights in less than two weeks; from Santiago to Rio de Janeiro, experiencing the UNESCO World Heritage site Iguazu Falls, the highs of the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio, a Corcovado lake cruise in Chile, plus much more.

Seven internal flights are included, along with accommodation in centrally-located, five-star hotels in Rio, Buenos Aires and Santiago.

Departures take place from January to December 2017.

Also new for 2017 is a two day Paracas and Nazca Lines post-extension to the popular Cultures and Contrasts of South America, lengthening the 21 day adventure to 23 days.

The original 21 day itinerary, from Rio de Janeiro to Lima, explores the natural wonders, culture and culinary secrets of Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Peru.

Adding the two day Paracas and Nazca Lines extension to the end of the trip allows guests the opportunity to see the enigmatic Nazca Lines, gigantic geometric designs created between 400 and 600 AD, from the air; and to cruise the uninhabited Ballestas Islands, a “mini-Galapagos” teeming with wildlife including fur seals, sea lions, dolphins, penguins and birds such as the blue-footed booby.

Other highlights from the 2017 South American programme include Cultural Insights, such as visiting a Samba school in Rio to see how the school operates and prepares for Carnival; plus meeting insightful Local Specialists in locations such as Peru’s Sacsayhuaman, an impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site of ruins towering over Cusco.

Authentic Accommodations that enhance understanding of the culture and heritage of each destination feature throughout the programme, such as the Palacio Del Inka in Cusco, where Trafalgar guests stay, allowing them to explore the courtyards, columns and passageways of this former Incan Temple of the Sun.

“Trafalgar’s South America holidays offer the full range of travel experiences, from north to south. Our guests enjoy extraordinary wilderness and nature including Iguassu Falls, Galapagos Islands, the rain forests of Costa Rica and peaks of Patagonia,” said Jamie Loizou, head of marketing, Trafalgar UK.

“We make this destination extremely accessible and safe. Our hotels are tried and trusted plus our Travel Directors know local customs, languages and all the places inside-out.

“With our local expertise, our guests experience first-hand the vibrancy, rhythms, flavours and culture of South America.”