LAN Airlines now flies direct from Lima-Iguazu, making it easier than ever to take an Iguazu Falls and Machu Picchu tour. Previously, travelers to the Iguazu Falls had to fly to Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro, before flying to Lima and then on to Cuzco. The new flight route eliminates the extra leg, allowing travelers to spend less time in the air, and more time marveling at 2 of South America’s greatest highlights, the mighty Iguazu Falls and the mysterious ruins of Machu Picchu.

The Lima-Iguazu and Iguazu-Lima flight routes run on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. This Iguazu-Lima flight route makes it easier for travelers to “see it all” in South America. Despite the large distances between destinations in South America, strategic routes like this one make it possible to combine multiple countries in one fell swoop. Travelers can fill their passport with stamps from Brazil, Argentina, and Peru, and do so with just one major inter-continental flight.

If you are considering an Iguazu Falls and Machu Picchu Tour with this LAN flight route, here are tips for how to arrange your trip. First, you’ll most likely be flying into a major city in South America, such as Lima, Rio de Janeiro, or Buenos Aires. Let’s say you fly into Lima first:

Explore Lima, the City of Kings

Many who travel to Peru don’t linger in the capital, but Lima has its fair share of historical museums, attractions, fine restaurants, and scenic boardwalks. You certainly can simply fly into the Lima airport, and then continue straight on to Cuzco, but you might want to spend a night or two exploring this fascinating city. Walk along the Malecon, go hanggliding over the Larcomar shopping center, go shopping and dining in Miraflores, and walk along the Jr. de la Union Street in the Historic District. Drink a Pisco sour or try some fresh ceviche. Explore the National Museum, the Museum of the Inquisition, or the Museum of Gold. Read our Lima Insider’s Guide for more ideas.

Walk Through Cusco, the City of the Incas

Next, fly into Cusco’s small airport, and check into a Cusco hotel. If you are worried about altitude sickness (Cusco is about 3,400 m (11,200 ft) in altitude, after all), you can opt for a hotel in the Sacred Valley instead. Or just take it easy for your first night in Cusco, and allow yourself to acclimatize. In Cusco, you can go shopping for Incan-inspired handicrafts, dine on guinea pig, visit the Cathedral and Koricancha, and climb the hill to see the Sacsayhuaman ruins. Everywhere are the signs of the great Inca empire, often covered by Spanish colonial architecture.

Marvel at the Ruins of Machu Picchu

After a tour of the Sacred Valley, take the train to Machu Picchu and spend a day or two marveling at these immense Incan ruins. Machu Picchu was essentially a city, built on top of a subtropical mountain in the midst of the cloud forest of Peru. Right on the edge of the Amazon Rainforest basin, Machu Picchu was overgrown with thick vegetation for many centuries, and was preserved from the destruction of the Spanish conquistadors. Only in the last hundred years has the old Incan city become an object of fascination for travelers from around the world. Read our Machu Picchu Insider’s Guide for tips on what to see and how to prepare for Machu Picchu.

Travel to the Mighty Iguazu Falls

Retrace your steps from the high Andes back to Lima, and then fly direct to Puerto Iguazu, the city next to the Iguazu Falls. These are not just any waterfall, the Iguazu Falls are one of the largest sets of falls in the world. Consisting of over 270 waterfalls, the Iguazu River pours over the border of southern Brazil and northern Argentina, just shy of Paraguay’s border. There are boardwalks and observation decks on all sides so that you can admire the falls from multiple angles. You’ll also want to spend a day or two exploring the adjacent national parks in Argentina and Brazil, and consider an adventure tour or stay at a nearby lodge. Also note, if you are an American citizen, a Brazil visa is necessary to visit the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls.

Finish in Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires

To finish your whirlwind Iguazu Falls and Machu Picchu tour, you can add on a tour of Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires. Choose Rio if you prefer sunshine, golden beaches, subtropical rainforests, and friendly beach-goers. Choose Buenos Aires if you prefer a more European-inspired city, with excellent shopping, romantic tango dancers, and fine restaurants replete with Malbec wine and beefsteak.

Customize This Tour!

Of course, you could switch this Iguazu Falls and Machu Picchu tour itinerary around, so that you start with Brazil and Argentina, and end in Peru. One of our specialties is customizing itineraries such as this one, taking advantage of great flight consolidator rates, South American flight airpasses, hotel and tour package prices, so that you don’t have to worry about all the details!

Read more about our Iguazu Falls and Machu Picchu Tour, or contact us for more info:

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Kaitlin McMichael

Marketing Manager at SouthAmerica.travel

Kaitlin lived in Lima, Peru, for most of 2010, and traveled extensively around Peru and Ecuador. She has written for numerous publications including Go Eat Give, LivingInPeru, HowtoPeru, The Peru Guide, enPeruBlog, and Seattle Metropolitan Magazine. She currently resides in Seattle, Washington, with her husband, who runs a homeless youth program Zine Project Seattle. Contact her for press interviews or blogging opportunities at kaitlin(at)southamerica(dot)travel.

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