Latin Wonders of the World with Rio Add-on

This escorted tour from Travelsphere takes in some of South America's most familiar landmarks alongside its less obvious charms. Starting in Lima, the city’s colonial heart gives way to sea views before flying into Cuzco, the former Inca capital, where ancient walls meet baroque churches. From here, a narrow-gauge railway climbs through the jungle to Machu Picchu with time to explore the misty ruins on foot.

The tour continues over the high Andes to Puno on Lake Titicaca, where a boat trip visits island sites tied to Inca legends. Crossing into Bolivia’s lively city of La Paz, the itinerary fits in markets displaying unusual traditional crafts and a cable car ride that gives a surprisingly panoramic view of the city’s steep streets. Flights take the group south to Buenos Aires, with its 19th-century boulevards and colourful La Boca district, then east to Iguaçu, where the vast waterfalls are approached from both Argentine and Brazilian viewpoints.

Finally, four days in Rio de Janeiro offer a chance to see Christ the Redeemer from the cog railway up Corcovado and to relax on the sands of Copacabana. The tour feels paced enough to appreciate each spot without rushing, though there is a lot of flying packed in.