Experience the highlights of Peru on this tour. Arrive in Lima, a culinary capital of Latin America. Explore the sites of Incan ruins at Sacred Valley and Cusco. Breathe in the ancient wonder and majesty of Machu Picchu.

This tour allows you to experience the best of both urban life and nature Argentina has to offer, beginning from a full city tour of the attractions of Buenos Aires, to the lakes and glaciers and national parks of El Calafate, Torres del Paine and Punta Arenas in otherworldly Patagonia.

For travelers looking for a more inclusive Peru experience, this tour expands on our 9D Encounter Peru tour. In addition to visits to Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, this tour includes a city tour of Arequipa, the wondrous landscapes of Colca Canyon, and two days at the magnificent Lake Titicaca.

In addition to the stops included on our 9D Encounter Patagonia Tour, this excursion includes four days at Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Ushuaia’s location allows you to enjoy sea, mountains and forests at the same time. It’s also a great place for shopping, as the entire island is a tax free zone rich in imported goods and regional products.

Polish Expedition To Colca Canyon Finds More Than 30 New Waterfalls

IGUAZU, AR - The Iguazu Falls are among the 28 sites considered for the final vote as the natural wonders of the world. It is the only representative of Argentina. The online voting will remain open until 2011, when the 7 winners will be announced.

After the second stage of public online voting and the final selection of the panel, the 28 finalists were identified for the final voting of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, organized by the New7Wonders Foundation.

Listed as a natural heritage site by UNESCO, the waterfalls of the Iguazú River, one of the most splendorous natural beauties of Argentina, are framed by a richly endowed subtropical jungle in the north of Misiones province and extend over a surface of 67,000 hectares

COLCA CANYON, PERU - Polish expedition ‘Colca Condor 2008 & 2009’ found more than 30 waterfalls in their trip through an unexplored stretch in Colca Canyon in Arequipa region, expedition leader Jerzy Yurek Majcherczyk said.

He said that one of these waterfalls was called “Cascada de la Muerte” (The Waterfall of Death), due to the shape and slope, and huge rocks below, which complicated the descent.

They found four waterfalls from 30 to 60 meters high, located between the stretch of Cruz del Cura and Cruz del Condor.

The Polish expedition was surprised by “Colcas” or little caves used as warehouses of food by ancient civilizations in this area, located in the canyon walls.

Majcherczyk said that in two months they will publish the geological report of Colca Canyon, as well as the map with the entire information of distances, altitudes, photo and video gallery.

Waterfalls and colcas registered up to now were presented in a press conference with the participation of Mayor of Caylloma Jorge Cueva, and authorities from the Autonomous Authority of Colca (Autocolca).

CUSCO, PERU - PeruRail's train service between Cusco and Machu Picchu has been included in the list of "Top 10" most exciting and scenic train rides in the world released by the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW).

PeruRail is a specialist train travel provider, running trains to Mahu Picchu and beyond through some of the most beautiful parts of Peru. A choice of routes are available - between either historic Cusco or the Sacred Valley and the legendary Machu Picchu, or between Cusco and the marvelous Lake Titicaca.

SATW, the world’s largest organization of professional travel journalists and photographers, polled its members to come up with the world’s top 10 train rides with comments from SATW writers; here is what was written about the PeruRail route:

The train passes by lush green fields and colorful villages in the foothills of the Andes and climbs along the Urubamba River through a dramatic canyon before reaching Machu Picchu. "On the train from Cusco to the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, it’s easy to feel you’re traveling into a mystery as you roll past secluded farms, squeeze between rugged mountains and, on my trip, become enveloped by low brooding dark clouds."

The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) is a non-profit professional association that works to promote responsible travel journalism and to provide professional support for its members, including travel journalists, photographers, editors, electronic media, film lecturers, television and film producers, and public relations representatives from the travel industry.

BUENOS AIRES, AR - The government of Argentina has begun an extensive effort to modernize the national airline Aerolineas Argentinas and domestic carrier Austral. Both airlines were nationalized in December 2008 to maintain high standards. The fleet is being rapidly updated.

Two new Boeing 737/700s were incorporated recently and Aerolineas will add nine other similar aircrafts before the end of the year. In addition, the Secretary of Transportation of Argentina has announced the purchase of 15-20 new Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft for long-haul travel to improve connections with international markets

. The new planes will replace B737 and MD80 aircraft, allowing Aerolineas Argentinas and Austral to operate their fleets with greater operating efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and reduced pollutant emissions as well as enabling to explore new international routes to accommodate the rapid rise in tourists visiting from Europe and the United States.

PATAGONIA, CHILE - 200 years after Darwin’s birth, National Properties Ministry will publish a Patrimony Guide in order to promote the sites walked by the British naturalist in the nineteenth century.

The route includes all sites visited by Darwin on its way through the country, which includes the towns of Paihuano in IV Region, La Campana, in V Region, Chiloé and Puerto del Hambre in X Region, and Fuerte Bulnes and Isla Navarino, in the XII Region, the Region of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica.

According to the Ministry's authorities, the New Patrimony Route will emphasize the landmarks located in Patagonia because it was there where the naturalist first arrived and because of the ecological and human uniqueness of the area that drew so much of his attention.

BUENOS AIRES, AR - Accor Hospitality will invest US$ 100 million in the construction of a Novotel and an Ibis Hotel in Buenos Aires. Novotel Buenos Aires will be the first hotel of this brand in the City.

It will be located on Corrientes Avenue and will have a modern style, 127 rooms plus 2 suites, convention areas and a new concept “in Balance Wellness”: a relaxation area with 2 swimming pools, fitness center and sauna. Ibis Obelisco will be the third Ibis in Argentina.

It will be located on Corrientes Avenue as well, and will have 168 rooms. The opening is scheduled for September 2009.

CUSCO, PERU - The Municipality of Machu Picchu in Peru’s Cusco region has postponed until August 13, 2009, the implementation of a municipal ordinance prohibiting the sale and consumption of beverages in disposable plastic bottles in the area.

In an effort to prevent the environmental impact caused by the use of these bottles, the norm aims to promote the sale of drinks in returnable glass bottles and the use of water bottles by tourists, explained municipal authority Miriam Valenzuela.

Valenzuela commented that the municipality will continue to strengthen its awareness campaign educating people about the environmental damage caused by disposable bottles.

Every month, over a ton of plastic bottles are collected in different places around the Machu Picchu district, which is one of the seven districts of Urubamba province in Cusco, southeastern Peru.

The Mayor of Machu Picchu, Edgar Miranda, has called on the neighboring towns of Santa Teresa, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba and Cusco to join this campaign against the environmental threat plastic bottles pose to the famous Inca citadel.

According to the norm, those who sell or promote the use of plastic bottles in the Machu Picchu district area will be fined 1,775 soles.

Peruvian cocktail Pisco Sour has been included in an exclusive products list published by the Taiwanese edition of fashion magazine Elle.

Pisco sour - a Peruvian drink made of pisco (grape liquor) mixed with lemon juice, egg whites and sugar – ranks 18th in a 30-item list of products that are “in” fashion.

The “What’s in” ranking also includes Givenchy cosmetics, Versace and Gucci accessories as well as the Prada Smartphone.

"Our Pisco Sour has not only gained popularity around the world but it is also regarded as a sophisticated and cosmopolitan cocktail," said Peru’s Export and Tourism Promotion Board (PromPerú) official José Luis Chicoma.

"This ranking shows that our flagship product is well positioned in premium segments, characterized by their high purchasing power," he added.

Chicoma also praised efforts being made around the world to promote the consumption of this Peruvian drink and the country's gastronomy in general.

Elle is a worldwide magazine that focuses on women's fashion, beauty, health, and entertainment.