Ultimate South America
Ultimate South America
Ultimate South America
19 Days Starting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and ending in Puno, Peru
Visiting: Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls, Buenos Aires, Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Puno, Lake Titicaca
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1200-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
5-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Discover some of South America's greatest cities—Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Lima—and some of its most spectacular sites on this South America tour to Brazil, Argentina, and Peru. You'll overnight in Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls, Buenos Aires, Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lake Titicaca. Highlights of this South America tour include time at Iguassu Falls, one of the world’s most impressive sites. Experience the falls from both the Brazilian and Argentine sides, hear the thundering roar, be amazed at the brilliant rainbows created by the clouds of spray, and stand in awe as you witness these 275 falls spanning nearly two miles! You’ll also be amazed at Machu Picchu, set in a majestic mountainside with ruins dating back to the 15th century. Glimpse the ancient history and culture as you enjoy this stunning and mystical place. Other tour highlights include a visit to the Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, where stones weighing up to 350 tons piece together to form a complex housing up to 10,000 men. Time in Peru's Lake Titicaca, a lake of floating islands maintained over centuries by the local Indians, gives you a chance to experience the world's highest navigable lake and to learn about local practices. Guided sightseeing in each of the cities features the must-see sites. In Rio, take the cog railway to the summit of Corcovado to view the famous Christ the Redeemer statue. Your time in Buenos Aires includes a visit to Recoleta Cemetery, burial place for Eva Perón, and a Tango show highlighting this sensuous dance. In Lima, sightseeing focuses on the city's colonial heritage with a visit to the baroque 11th-century San Francisco Monastery. All of this and more are included on this South America tour designed for the value-minded traveler who wants to experience it all!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Windsor Plaza Copacabana
Welcome to spectacular Rio de Janeiro! After arrival, settle into your hotel and meet your Tour Director, who will have pointers for your free time exploration.
Day 2 : Rio De Janeiro
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Windsor Plaza Copacabana
Meals Included: Breakfast
Guided sightseeing begins with a drive along Rio’s famed Leblon, Ipanema, and more. Take the cog railway 2,300 feet up to the summit of Corcovado to view the Christ the Redeemer statue and enjoy 360-degree views of Guanabara Bay and the bustling city below. The famed statue was completed in 1931 becoming emblematic for both the city and the Brazilian nation as a whole. Your afternoon is free to explore.
Day 3 : Rio De Janeiro
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Windsor Plaza Copacabana
Meals Included: Breakfast
A free day in Rio allows you to relax on one of the beaches or take an optional excursion to the historic city of Petropolis.
Day 4 : Rio De Janeiro - Iguassu Falls
Location: Iguassu Falls
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Recanto Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Fly to Iguassu Falls, one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. Journey to the Brazilian side of the falls to see the 275 waterfalls cascading over a precipice almost two miles wide and 250 feet deep. Walk into Devil’s Throat Canyon, where clouds of mist, a thunderous roar, and 180-degree rainbows surround you—an unforgettable experience!
Day 5 : Iguassu Falls
Location: Iguassu Falls
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Recanto Park
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cross the Brazilian border by motorcoach and visit the Argentine side of Iguassu Falls. Begin with a short ride on the open-air Ecological Jungle Train through the surrounding rainforest. A series of boardwalks takes you above the falls for a look over the edge to see the water crashing down below into the Devil’s Throat. This afternoon, you may opt to visit the Bird Park, home to many species of endemic birds as well as flora from the area.
Day 6 : Iguassu Falls - Buenos Aires, Argentina
Location: Buenos Aires
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Kenton Palace
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, cross the Brazilian border into Argentina by motorcoach to transfer to the Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport for your flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital. After settling into your hotel, you may wish to familarize yourself with the “Paris of South America” and its wide boulevards, outdoor cafés, and charming shops.
Day 7 : Buenos Aires
Location: Buenos Aires
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Kenton Palace
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide focuses on the city’s well-known landmarks, including the Teatro Colón Opera House and Plaza de Mayo, site of La Casa Rosada (the President’s Pink House), and Metropolitan Cathedral. Also, visit La Boca and San Telmo, one of Buenos Aires’ oldest neighborhoods, and Recoleta Cemetery, where Eva Perón is buried. End your day with an Argentinean meal, followed by a sensuous Tango show highlighting this alluring dance so popular here.
Day 8 : Buenos Aires
Location: Buenos Aires
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Kenton Palace
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free for independent activities, or you can take an optional excursion to visit a local estancia (ranch) to experience the life of the gauchos (cowboys) on a traditional Argentine ranch complete with a barbecue lunch.
Day 9 : Buenos Aires - Lima, Peru
Location: Lima
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Jose Antonio Lima Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Board a flight for Lima, Peru. Heralded as the “City of Kings” by Spanish conquistadors, Lima still carries vestiges of its opulent past with its colonial buildings and world-class museums.
Day 10 : Lima
Location: Lima
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Jose Antonio Lima Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Sightseeing today focuses on Lima’s colonial heritage. Founded in 1535, Lima was once the capital of Spain’s South American Empire. Visit the baroque 11th-century San Francisco Monastery, with Spanish and Moorish architecture throughout. Continue to Plaza Mayor, where you will see the Government Palace that houses the presidential palace and was once the home of Francisco Pizarro, founder of Lima and conqueror of Peru. Nearby, see the cathedral where Pizarro’s remains are buried. The remainder of your day is free to explore on your own. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
Day 11 : Lima - Cusco - Sacred Valley
Location: Sacred Valley
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sonesta Posadas Del Inca - Sacred Valley - Yucay
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fly to Cusco high in the Andes and, upon arrival, descend into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Stop at Awanakancha and learn about the importance of camelids (llama, vicuña, alpaca, and guanaco) for Inca cultures. See them up close and learn how their coats are transformed into colorful weaving fibers that are then used in ancient weaving techniques still in use today. Continue to Pisac, a charming village with a famous Indian market, where you have plenty of time to browse the many colorful stalls selling handicrafts ranging from alpaca sweaters and blankets to painted vases and sterling silver. Later, arrive at your hotel, nestled in the peaceful Sacred Valley.
Day 12 : Sacred Valley
Location: Sacred Valley
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sonesta Posadas Del Inca - Sacred Valley - Yucay
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start the day with a visit to Ollantaytambo and the Inca ruins of the same name. Explore the archaeological site that was the scene of the Inca resistance during the Spanish conquest—the only place ever to resist Spanish attacks. You will see how the temple area at the top of the terraces was the perfect defensive stronghold. Next, visit a local home to experience life in this traditional village, which has been remarkably well preserved. Then, visit the Seminario Ceramics Workshop to learn about Peruvian ancient and modern art. End your day at a local chicheria for a taste of a typical Inca drink in Peru called chicha.
Day 13 : Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
Location: Machu Picchu
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: El Mapi By Inkaterra
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Board the Vistadome train that cuts a path through the picturesque Urubamba Valley bound for Aguas Calientes, the quaint town closest to the “Lost City of the Incas.” Ascend the mountainside through tropical forest to the sacred refuge of Machu Picchu. Your guide recounts the many accomplishments of the Incas as you tour the terraced ruins dating back to the 15th century. Abandoned when the Inca Empire fell to the Spanish, these remarkable ruins remained undiscovered for nearly 400 years. For this reason, many of the mysteries surrounding Machu Picchu remain to this day.
Day 14 : Machu Picchu - Cusco
Location: Cusco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Jose Antonio Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy some free time this morning to explore the mountain town of Aguas Calientes; perhaps visit the local market, quaint boutiques, or take a walk along nearby trails. Later this afternoon, return to Cusco, former capital of the Inca Empire.
Day 15 : Cusco
Location: Cusco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Jose Antonio Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco that focuses on the city that was once the political, military, and cultural epicenter of the Incas. In fact, Inca foundations can still be found in Cusco, with the Spanish baroque structures built on top. Visit the Santo Domingo Monastery, where these two forms of architecture are melded together with the temple of both cultures atop one another. Also, see the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas before a visit to the Temple of Sacsayhuaman. Some of the best examples of Inca masonry can be found at this fortress, where stones weighing up to 350 tons are pieced together to form a complex that could house up to 10,000 men. Learn about the ceremonies and battles that took place here on your tour. Also, see the ruins of Kenko and Puca Pucara before returning to Cusco. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant followed by an evening at leisure.
Day 16 : Cusco - Juliaca - Puno
Location: Puno
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Jose Antonio Puno
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fly to Juliaca, then transfer to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Legend says the first Inca, Manco Capac, arose from the waters of the lake by the power of the sun god to found the Inca Empire.
Day 17 : Puno , Excurion To Lake Titicaca
Location: Lake Titicaca
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Jose Antonio Puno
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Experience fascinating Lake Titicaca today as you embark on a motorboat tour of the highest navigable lake in the world and its manmade islands. On Taquile Island, see how the local people integrate their Inca and Spanish past. Continue to the Uros floating islands, a group of approximately 40 artificially made islands. Learn how the Uros Indians construct their islands, homes, boats, and many other resources completely of tortora reed, a centuries-old practice. Enjoy a farewell dinner hosted by your Tour Director this evening.
Day 18 : Puno - Juliaca - Lima
Location: Lima
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Jose Antonio Lima Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
En route to Juliaca, stop at the pre-Incan burial grounds of Sillustani. See the above-ground tombs, chullpas, in which the Aymara Indians buried their high priests. You will be welcomed into a local home for an inside look at life here. Fly to Lima and transfer to your hotel.
Day 19 : Lima
Location: Lima
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Stay at the Windsor Excelsior Copacabana in Rio, Recanto Park in Iguassu Falls, Kenton Palace in Buenos Aires, Jose Antonio Lima Hotel in Miraflores, Sonesta Posadas del Inca in Sacred Valley, El Mapi by Inkaterra in Machu Picchu Pueblo, Jose Antonio Cusco in Cusco, and Lake Titicaca Puno Hotel in Puno, each offering unique amenities and exceptional comfort.
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Meals
18 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 7 dinners are included.
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Guided Sightseeing
Guided sightseeing tours in Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Puno.
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Transportation
Flights between Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls, Buenos Aires, Lima, Cusco, and Juliaca are included.
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UNESCO Sites
Visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the City of Cusco, Historic Center of Lima, Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, and Iguazu National Park.
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Local Experiences
Unique local experiences such as visiting a local home in Sacred Valley, tasting chicha at a local chicheria, and a motorboat tour of Lake Titicaca.
What's Not Included
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions such as visiting the historic city of Petropolis, the Bird Park in Iguassu Falls, and a local estancia in Buenos Aires are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and beverages are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and any other entry/exit fees are not included.
UNESCO Sites
City of Cusco|Historic Center of Lima|Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu|Iguazu National Park
Meals
18 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 7 dinners
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay at various hotels including Windsor Excelsior Copacabana in Rio, Recanto Park in Iguassu Falls, Kenton Palace in Buenos Aires, Jose Antonio Lima Hotel in Miraflores, Sonesta Posadas del Inca in Sacred Valley, El Mapi by Inkaterra in Machu Picchu Pueblo, Jose Antonio Cusco in Cusco, and Lake Titicaca Puno Hotel in Puno. Each hotel offers unique amenities and exceptional comfort.
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What activities are included in the visit to Iguassu Falls?
You will visit both the Brazilian and Argentine sides of Iguassu Falls. On the Brazilian side, you will see the 275 waterfalls cascading over a precipice and walk into Devil’s Throat Canyon. On the Argentine side, you will take a ride on the Ecological Jungle Train and walk above the falls to see the water crashing down into the Devil’s Throat. There is also an optional visit to the Bird Park.
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What can I expect during the visit to Machu Picchu?
You will board the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes and then ascend to Machu Picchu. A guide will take you through the terraced ruins, explaining the history and significance of the site. You will learn about the Inca Empire and the mysteries surrounding Machu Picchu.
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What will I see during the guided tour of Cusco?
The guided tour of Cusco includes visits to the Santo Domingo Monastery, the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman. You will also see the ruins of Kenko and Puca Pucara. The tour will focus on the city's Inca and Spanish heritage.
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What is included in the Lake Titicaca excursion?
The Lake Titicaca excursion includes a motorboat tour of the lake and its manmade islands. You will visit Taquile Island and the Uros floating islands, learning about the local people's integration of Inca and Spanish past and their use of tortora reed for constructing islands, homes, and boats.
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What historical sites will I visit in Lima?
In Lima, you will visit the San Francisco Monastery, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, and the cathedral where Francisco Pizarro’s remains are buried. The tour will focus on Lima's colonial heritage and its significance during the Spanish Empire.
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What unique experiences are included in the Sacred Valley visit?
In the Sacred Valley, you will visit the Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo, a local home to experience traditional village life, and the Seminario Ceramics Workshop. You will also visit a local chicheria to taste the traditional Inca drink called chicha.
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What is the significance of the Sillustani burial grounds?
The Sillustani burial grounds are pre-Incan and feature above-ground tombs called chullpas, where the Aymara Indians buried their high priests. You will also have the opportunity to visit a local home to gain insight into life in the area.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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Low Deposit
Cosmos requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of cosmos charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.