ULTIMATE SOUTH AMERICA BY PRIVATE JET

Today is dedicated to Machu Picchu. We travel there in style, aboard the Belmond Hiram Bingham train. Enjoy the congenial atmosphere on board, as you partake of mimosas and brunch while passing through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Arrive in the town of Aguas Calientes and explore Machu Picchu’s ruins, a short distance away. Afterwards, rest and enjoy some tea at neighbouring Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. You may prefer to explore the ruins further at leisure. Return to Cusco aboard the Hiram Bingham train, enjoying pre-dinner drinks and a four-course dinner on board.

After taking a scheduled flight to Lima, we meet back up with our private jet and fly in a south-easterly direction, bound for Buenos Aires. Sink into your seat as our inflight crew pamper us with fine food and drinks. It’s late afternoon when our private jet lands in busy Buenos Aires. Our introduction to the city is courtesy of the grand Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt, where we stay for three nights.

Today, we visit some of Buenos Aires’ most famous neighbourhoods, including colourful La Boca, and the tango hotspot, San Telmo. From there, we head to the private studio of Juan Carlos Pallarols, a renowned gold and silversmith. Juan Carlos was charged with producing the chalice of none other than Pope Francis. He has also fashioned the presidential canes for Argentina’s previous seven heads of state. During our visit, we have the rare opportunity to watch him at work. 

Satiate your hunger in one of the city’s notable restaurants before heading out on your chosen Your World experience:

— Delve into the life of Eva Peron, Argentina’s revered politician, actress and activist. In the neighbourhood of Palermo, we acquaint ourselves with Eva’s background, while taking in its parks, avenues and homes. Then, at the Evita Museum, we take a private tour to learn more about Eva and the rise of the Peronist movement.   

— Enjoy a private visit to one of the world’s great opera houses, the Teatro Colón. Revered for its Italian Renaissance style, superior acoustics and storied history, the magnificent venue has hosted everyone from Pavarotti and Baryshnikov to Bernstein and Stravinsky. 

Should you prefer, you are of course welcome to take your afternoon at leisure. 

Later this afternoon, you may like to join a tango class to better understand the beating heart of Argentina. Deferring to the professionals, we celebrate the dance in its most spectacular form with dinner and a live show at Rojo Tango, an intimate cabaret room where the dancers weave through the audience’s tables.

Discover more of the city’s charms during a Your Word experience:

— Spend a full day discovering the countryside with a drive to the traditional gaucho town of San Antonio de Areco. First stop in at a well-known silversmith workshop. The pieces produced here are much sought-after by kings and collectors alike. Continue to Estancia El Rosario de Areco Estancia Villa Maria, where you will be treated to a traditional Argentinian barbecue. Absorb the lively atmosphere while witnessing polo demonstrations, folk music performances, and displays of gaucho horsemanship. 

— Join a specialist art guide for a private tour of the Museum of Latin American Modern and Contemporary Art. Then head to Espacio Tacuari in the neighbourhood of San Telmo. This chic art space, not open to the public, presents its private art collection. More than 7,000 pieces of modern and contemporary art from Argentina and abroad are contained within the permanent exhibition here. 

You’re also welcome to remain in Buenos Aires. Perhaps visit the neighbourhood of San Telmo, where tango dancers can be seen going through their paces before the colourful facades of lively cafes. 

Tonight, prepare for Argentina’s most sought-after dining experience. Puertas cerradas, or closed-door restaurants, are a cross between a private dinner party and a restaurant, where the city’s best chefs present their talents in personal living rooms, villas and hidden gardens. No two meals or locations are exactly alike. Or perhaps head to one of the city’s celebrated asados, for steak grilled to perfection. Of course, you can always stay in and let the city’s exquisite cuisine come straight to you, dining at our hotel’s refined restaurant.

Before heading to Rio, we stop in at the world’s largest system of waterfalls for a few hours, a side-trip possible only with a private jet. We arrive at Iguazú National Park and join a walk through the revered rainforest. Along the way, lookout positions offer us incredible views over the vast terraced falls, adorned with flourishing greenery. Continue following the path, gradually descending through the forest to traverse a bridge at the base of the falls. Savour the sight of these colossal torrents of water as they surrender to gravity. Few places on Earth will ever command your attention like Iguazú Falls. 

Enjoy lunch before setting off on one of these spectacular Your World experiences:

— Fly over the falls in a helicopter for a truly unique view of the ‘Devil’s Throat’.

— Getting soaked is all part of the fun as you explore the falls aboard a Macuco Safari Boat. Travel across the rapids and up close to the base of the falls. 

— Pay a visit to Parque das Aves, the Iguazú Falls Bird Park. It isn’t every day you get up close to a toucan. As well as the many colourful topical birds in the park’s giant aviaries, you’ll have the chance to see turtles, iguanas, boa constrictors, and innumerable species of native butterflies.

We continue on our private jet to Rio de Janeiro, enjoying dinner on board. On arrival in Rio, we are whisked directly to the Belmond Copacabana Palace for a well-deserved rest.

We begin our exploration of Rio de Janeiro as we board the Corcovado Rack Railway for our ascent of Corcovado Mountain. Here, we see the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue up close. At lunch, we savour the delights of an authentic churrascaria. Slowly roasted over a fire, the meat is cooked to succulent perfection, according to regional tradition. Take the afternoon on your own schedule: explore the jewellery museums and shops of Ipanema, take a stroll along Copacabana Beach or simply relax and enjoy the facilities of our hotel. This evening, we are guests of honour at an exclusive Carnival dinner and show.

Today is set aside for you to design as you please, with the help of these Your World experiences:

— Set out on an architectural tour of Rio, focussing on the work of Oscar Niemeyer. Visit the Niterói Museum of Contemporary Arts and dine at Restaurante Olimpo, both of which were designed by Oscar himself. 

— Go behind the scenes of Rio’s Carnival at the City of Samba and see where the floats and costumes featured in the parade are produced. 

— Admire one of Brazil’s oldest neighbourhoods, Santa Teresa, then learn of the production methods of cachaça, Brazil’s popular alcoholic beverage. 

Spend the afternoon as you please, whether relaxing at the hotel, taking advantage of our proximity to the beach, or getting in some last-minute shopping. Later on, we board a gondola and take in sweeping views of the city while gradually making our ascent to Sugarloaf Mountain. Cherish the sunset as you look out over Guanabara Bay. 

This evening, you are free to choose where to dine, selecting from a list of Rio’s finest restaurants.

This morning, our flight leaves for Colombia, with lunch served on board. Arrive in Cartagena and check into the Four Seasons Hotel Cartagena, our home for the following two nights.

We acquaint ourselves with the city courtesy of a guided walking tour. Take in views of the grand Cathedral of St Catherine of Alexandria, as well as Cartagena’s many distinctive yellow buildings. Overlooking the waters of the Caribbean, the vibrant Old Town presents its collection of colonial-era houses with their large, ornate wooden balconies.

We pause for lunch at a local restaurant, before discovering the city further during a choice of Your World experiences:

— Enjoy views over Cartagena from its highest point at Convento de la Popa. Make your way to the fortress of Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, while a short distance away, the arresting yellow exterior of Las Bóvedas stands proud on the edge of the Caribbean. Once used as munitions storerooms and jail cells, it is now a craft market, offering colourful Colombian keepsakes. Your morning concludes at Iglesia de San Pedro Claver, a former convent. 

— Pay a visit to El Arsenal: The Rum Box. Enjoy a tasting of Colombian rum and chocolate. A mini welcome cocktail sets the scene, before you are invited to mix, sip and shoot a range of rum and rum-infused cocktails, paired with Colombia’s finest chocolate. Learn the history of rum, as well as the finer points of the distillation process. 

— Participate in a photography workshop within the Centro Histórico neighbourhood. Tailored to your current level of photography skills, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge necessary to aptly capture the architecture, fashion and landscapes of this intriguing part of Cartagena. 

Should you prefer, take the afternoon to relax or explore as you please.

We come together this evening for a gala Farewell Dinner before enjoying a final night at the Four Seasons Hotel Cartagena. 

Spend the morning on your terms as we enjoy our remaining time in Cartagena. Late this morning, we board our private jet for the last time and return to Los Angeles. We bid farewell to our fellow travellers and Tour Host Team and look forward to our next Captain’s Choice journey.