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15-Day Best of South America

Customisable Itinerary
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Trip Overview

Experience the best of South America on this 15-day tour!

Beginning with a focus on the land of the Incas, you'll dive straight into the fun as you arrive in Lima, Peru's capital. You'll tour the city and learn about its traditions and history before jetting off to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, where you'll spend your time admiring jaw-dropping Inca ruins and the mighty Machu Picchu, the city in the clouds.

Continue your South America tour by traveling through the Peruvian highland along snow-covered peaks to Puno, where you'll engage in the unique culture on the Uros Floating Islands. After a fleeting stopover back in Lima, you'll fly to the base of the mighty Iguazu Falls which straddles the border of Brazil and Argentina.

Following some time spent exploring this natural phenomenon, you'll head off to Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires where you'll be introduced to Tango culture before jetting off to spend your final few days in Rio de Janeiro, the iconic capital of Brazil!
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Outdoors & Nature
Food & Drink
Hiking & Trekking

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Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Lima, Peru!

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Welcome to Lima, Peru!

You will be welcomed at the airport, driven to your hotel in Lima and you will then have the rest of your day free to spend as you wish. Lima, also known as the 'City of Kings', was founded in 1535 by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro. Located directly on the Pacific coast, Peru’s capital city is a melting pot of cultures where you will encounter people, flavours and history from different regions. The bustling metropolis has something for all tastes and ages.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Casa Andina Premium Miraflores5 star

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Jorge Chavez International Airport to Hotel Antigua Miraflores

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    Destinations

    Miraflores

Day 2

Colonial City Tour with San Francisco Monastery & Optional Waterpark Tour

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Colonial City Tour with San Francisco Monastery & Optional Waterpark Tour

Today, you'll embark on a colonial and contemporary city tour of Lima. You'll visit numerous must-see sights including the San Francisco Monastery. Afterwards, you'll enjoy a guided visit to one of Lima’s most noted museums, the Larco Museum, which houses the world’s largest private collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian Art, focussing on women's roles in ancient Peru. After the tour, you'll have the option to enjoy a visit to Parque de la Exposición with dinner in a local restaurant afterwards.

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    Accommodation

    Casa Andina Premium Miraflores5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Colonial Lima City Tour with Larco Museum

    Plaza de Armas of Lima

    Miraflores

    Basilica and Convent of San Francisco

    Larco Museum

    Visit to Parque de la Exposición & Dinner in BarrancoOptional Activity

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    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Miraflores

    Lima

Day 3

Fly to Cusco from Lima & Chinchero Community Visit

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Fly to Cusco from Lima & Chinchero Community Visit

You will be picked up at a given time at the hotel and brought to the airport in order to take your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, you'll be welcomed at the airport and taken to your hotel. On the way, you'll enjoy a visit to the Chinchero community. Here, are the remains of what was the royal hacienda of Tupac Inca Yupanqui, as well as beautiful colonial temples built on Inca’s foundations. Then, you will enjoy a splendid view at El Mirador de Racchi before you continue to your hotel.

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    Accommodation

    Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness4 star

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    Activities

    Chinchero

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon International Airport

    Plane from Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon International Airport to Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco Airport (CUZ)Optional Activity

    Private Driver from Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco Airport (CUZ) to Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Miraflores

    Chinchero District

    Cusco

Day 4

Ollantaytambo Ruins Tour with Optional Moray and Maras Tour including Trek

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Ollantaytambo Ruins Tour with Optional Moray and Maras Tour including Trek

Today, you'll visit Ollantaytambo, a typical Inca community. Towering above the tow, you'll find the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Steep stone terraces rising from the edge of town lead up to the fortress ruins at the top of the hill. A stone stairway leads up through the terrace walls, allowing visitors to step out on them. Afterwards, you'll have lunch in a typical restaurant. In the afternoon, you'll have the option to visit the Moray and Maras Ruins as well as take a trek to Yucay.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ollantaytambo Ruins

    Maras & Moray Tour

    Trekking to the Terraces of YucayOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Cusco

    Ollantaytambo

    Yucay

Day 5

Full-Day Tour to Machu Picchu & Travel to Cusco

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Full-Day Tour to Machu Picchu & Travel to Cusco

This morning, you'll transfer by bus to Ollantaytambo train station where the tour starts by train through the fertile plain of the Urubamba valley and on to Aguas Calientes. From there, a bus will take you to Machu Picchu. Known as the Lost City of the Incas, this cultural heritage of mankind is a beautifully located impressive stone city constructed with a technique incredible for its era and even for present times. After a two-hour guided tour, you'll be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.

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    Accommodation

    Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel5 star

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    Activities

    Machu Picchu

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Bus from Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness to Ollantaytambo

    Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes

    Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

    Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes

    Private Driver from Aguas Calientes to Cusco

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Cusco

Day 6

Cusco City Tour with San Pedro Market & Sacsayhuaman

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Cusco City Tour with San Pedro Market & Sacsayhuaman

You'll start your city tour at the typical San Pedro Market and take in the lively bustle of the workers and their colourful stands. Then, from Plaza de Armas, you'll visit the impressive Renaissance-style Cusco Cathedral. Make your way through small alleys edged with Incan walls until you reach Koricancha, the temple dedicated to the sun, Inti. Then, you'll journey into the past as you explore Sacsayhuamán, the Inca ceremonial fortress dedicated to the sun.

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    Accommodation

    Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Cusco City Tour with Local Market and Sacsayhuaman

    Cusco Plaza De Armas

    Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin

    Sacsayhuaman

    Free Time in CuscoOptional Activity

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    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Cusco

Day 7

Full-Day Bus Tour from Cusco to Puno via Andahuaylillas

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Full-Day Bus Tour from Cusco to Puno via Andahuaylillas

Today, you'll take a full-day bus tour from Cusco to Puno that leads you through the Peruvian highland along snow-covered peaks of the Andes, small villages and reaches its highest point in La Raya at 4,300 metres above sea level. On route, you will visit the town of Andahuaylillas, the ruins of Racchi and the small town of Pucara. Your lunch in a typical restaurant en route is included. Upon arrival in Puno, you'll have the evening free to explore.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel GHL Lago Titicaca3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Full-Day Bus Tour from Cusco to Puno via Andahuaylillas

    Church of AndahuaylillasOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Cusco

    Andahuaylillas

    Puno

Day 8

Full-Day Tour to Uros Floating Islands & Taquille Island before Flight to Lima

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Full-Day Tour to Uros Floating Islands & Taquille Island before Flight to Lima

This morning, you'll be transferred to Puno’s dock where you will depart towards the Uros Islands on Titicaca Lake. The Uros are 40 small floating islands made of packed totora (reed), located within the Titicaca National Reserve. Here the inhabitants of the lake, the Uros, live just as their ancestors did, maintaining their customs and idiosyncrasies. After visiting the Uros Islands, you'll continue by boat to Taquile Island. Then, you'll transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima.

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    Accommodation

    Casa Andina Premium Miraflores5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Uros Floating Islands

    Taquile Island

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca to Puno

    Private Driver from Puno to Inca Manco Capac International Airport

    Plane from Inca Manco Capac International Airport to Jorge Chavez International AirportOptional Activity

    Private Driver from Jorge Chavez International Airport to Lima

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Puno

    Peru

    Huillanopampa

    Miraflores

Day 9

Fly from Lima to Iguazu

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Fly from Lima to Iguazu

This morning, you'll transfer from the hotel to the airport in Lima. Upon arrival in Iguazu, you'll be transferred to your hotel on the Brazilian side. Iguazu is known for being home to the mighty Iguazu Falls. Fifteen kilometres before joining the Parana River, the Iguazu overcomes an abrupt uneven ground and then, amidst an exuberant forest, hurls itself into 275 falls that cascade over a U-shaped precipice 2,700 meters wide.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Wish Foz do Iguaçu5 star

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Casa Andina Premium Miraflores to Jorge Chavez International Airport

    Plane from Jorge Chavez International Airport to Cataratas International AirportOptional Activity

    Private Driver from Cataratas International Airport to Wish Foz do Iguaçu

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Miraflores

    Foz do Iguaçu

Day 10

Iguazu Falls Tour: Brazilian & Argentine Sides

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Iguazu Falls Tour: Brazilian & Argentine Sides

This morning, you'll leave your hotel on the Brazilian side by motorcoach and cross the Iguassu National Park towards the Brazilian Falls. You'll walk along the paths following the cascades and then along the catwalk which leads you very close to the bottom of the Devil’s Throat. You will enjoy magnificent views. Afterwards, you'll take an elevator to go up back to the road, and there you will board the motorcoach which will take you to the Argentinean side of the falls.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Wish Foz do Iguaçu5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Iguazu Falls Tour: Brazilian & Argentine Sides

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Foz do Iguaçu

    Misiones Province

Day 11

Fly from Iguazu to Buenos Aires & El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Dinner

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Fly from Iguazu to Buenos Aires & El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Dinner

This morning, you'll transfer from the hotel to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital city. Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, you'll transfer to your hotel. After checking in, you'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening free to spend as you wish. In the evening, you'll head to the famous tango house, El Viejo Almacen for a unique tango show followed by dinner. This is the perfect way to introduce you to Argentina and all its charms!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Grand Brizo Buenos Aires4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    El Viejo Almacén Tango Cena Show & Dinner Buenos Aires

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Wish Foz do Iguaçu to Cataratas International Airport

    Plane from Cataratas International Airport to Buenos Aires AirportOptional Activity

    Private Driver from RIOgaleão - Tom Jobim International Airport to Windsor Excelsior Hotel

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Foz do Iguaçu

    Comuna 1

    Buenos Aires

Day 12

Buenos Aires City Tour

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Buenos Aires City Tour

During the city tour, you will see the Plaza de Mayo, with the Casa Rosada, the seat of the government, the Cabildo and the Metropolitan Cathedral, home of the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. The tour goes then onto the district, San Telmo, one of the most modern and desired places to live in Buenos Aires. The worker district La Boca is famous for its colourful tin-houses and Recoleta is the quarter of the rich of Buenos Aires.

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    Accommodation

    Grand Brizo Buenos Aires4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Buenos Aires Half-Day City tour

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Comuna 1

    Buenos Aires

Day 13

Fly from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro

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Fly from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro

This morning, you'll say goodbye to Argentina and transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival in Rio, you'll meet your driver and transfer to the hotel. Rio de Janeiro is surrounded by natural beauty on all sides, with Christ the Redeemer perched on top of Corcovado blessing the city and Sugar Loaf, one of the most famous postcards of the country. You'll have the rest of the day free to spend as you wish.

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    Accommodation

    Windsor Excelsior Hotel4 star

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Buenos Aires to Buenos Aires Airport

    Plane from Buenos Aires Airport to RIOgaleão - Tom Jobim International AirportOptional Activity

    Private Driver from RIOgaleão - Tom Jobim International Airport to Windsor Excelsior Hotel

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    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Comuna 1

    Rio de Janeiro

Day 14

City Tour of Rio de Janeiro & Optional Rio by Night Show

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City Tour of Rio de Janeiro & Optional Rio by Night Show

This morning, you'll take a train ride through Tijuca Forest up Corcovado Mountain, a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the scenic landscapes of the beaches and city. You'll then head up the steps to see the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. You'll then pass by Rio’s world-famous beaches and board a cable car up Sugar Loaf Mountain before heading to downtown to tick off some of Rio's must-see landmarks.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Windsor Excelsior Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Full Day City Tour of Rio de Janeiro including Sugar Loaf & Corcovado

    Christ the Redeemer

    Sugarloaf Mountain

    Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro

    Rio by Night ShowOptional Activity

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Rio de Janeiro

Day 15

Departure from Rio de Janeiro

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Departure from Rio de Janeiro

This day finished your South America tour. In the morning, you'll have breakfast and check out of your hotel. When you're ready, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your departing flight.

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    Transportations

    Private Driver from Rio de Janeiro to RIOgaleão - Tom Jobim International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Rio de Janeiro

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What’s included?

  • 14 nights accommodation
  • 23 activities
  • 14 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

What’s not included?

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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