Ultimate South America
This 19-day fascinating and economical Tour of South America offers an immersive trip to Brazil, Argentina and Peru. Explore such legendary cities as Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Lima. View magnificent Iguassu Falls on the Border of Brazil and Argentina. Discover the unique history of the Inca civilization in Peru as you visit the legendary Sacred Valley, mystical Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.
Highlights of this tour include sightseeing in Rio de Janeiro including a visit to the Christ the Redeemer statue. View the powerful Iguassu Falls. Experience the vibrant sights, sounds and flavors of Buenos Aires and enjoy a Tango show and dinner. Explore the Sacred Valley of Peru which includes the ancient sites of Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo and Lake Titicaca. Visit a local home to get a true understanding of what life is like in a traditional village. Enjoy this exciting tour that is ideal for value-minded travelers looking to explore the highlights of South America.
19 Days • fr. $5,020
Tour Includes
- Guided sightseeing tour of Rio de Janeiro including a visit Corcovado to see the statue of Christ the Redeemer
- Guided sightseeing of the Brazilian and Argentinean sides of Iguassu Falls
- A ride on the Ecological Jungle Train
- Guided sightseeing in Buenos Aires including a visit to Recoleta Cemetery
- A tango show and dinner in Buenos Aires
- Guided sightseeing in Lima including a visit to the San Francisco Monastery
- Guided sightseeing of Awanakancha and Pisac Indian Market in teh Sacred Valley
- A visit to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley
- Visit a local home in the Sacred Valley
- A visit to the Seminario Ceramics Workshop
- A visit to a chicheria in the Sacred Valley
- Vistadome train to Machu Picchu
- Guided sightseeing of the Machu Picchu ruins
- An overnight stay in Machu Picchu region
- A guided sightseeing tour of Cusco including a visit to Santo Domingo Monastery, the Cathedral, and Sacsayhuaman
- A visit to Kenko and Puca Pucara
- Guided sightseeing of Taquile Island and the Uros Floating Islands in Lake Titicaca
- A farewell dinner in Lake Titicaca
- A guided sightseeing tour of Sillustani
- A visit to a local home in Sillustani
- Private, deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach while touring
Not Included
- Gratuities are included for services during the land stay of your vacation, except on Cosmos Lite vacations and unless otherwise noted above. This includes wait staff at included meals, and porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person. Gratuities for your Tour Director, Local Hosts®, Local Guides, driver, and ship’s crew are not included in the vacation price (unless otherwise noted in pricing details) and are discretionary. Gratuities are not included on Cosmos Lite vacations and are discretionary.
- All items of a personal nature (room service, beverages, telephone charges, laundry, special food requests, etc.) and meals not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the client.
- All rates exclude airfare unless expressly noted.
Meal Inclusions
Hotel Details
- Windsor Excelsior Copacabana Hotel in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (3 nights)
- Recanto Park Hotel in Iguassu Falls, Brazil (2 nights)
- Kenton Palace Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina (3 nights)
- Jose Antonio Lima Hotel in Lima, Peru (3 nights)
- La Casona Yucay Hotel in the Sacred Valley, Peru (2 nights)
- El Mapi by Inkaterra Hotel in Machu Picchu, Peru (1 night)
- Jose Antonio Cusco Hotel in Cusco, Peru (2 nights)
- Xima Puno Hotel in Puno, Peru (2 nights)
- The hotels listed are intended to be used on all departures however Cosmos reserves the right to substitute other hotels than those listed. If a change becomes necessary for any reason, the hotel substituted will be of equivalent quality to those listed. No refunds are provided for hotel changes and full cancellation penalties apply.
Day 1
ARRIVE IN RIO DE JANEIRO Location Information Description
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Welcome to spectacular Rio de Janeiro, host of the 2016 Summer Olympics! After arrival, settle into your hotel and meet your Tour Director, who will have pointers for your free time exploration.
Windsor Excelsior Copacabana Hotel
Day 2
RIO DE JANEIRO Location Information Description
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Guided sightseeing begins with a drive along Rio’s famed Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana beaches. 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. Your afternoon is free to explore. Perhaps join an optional excursion to a favela for a glimpse into the life of these colorful communities that nearly 20% of the people call home.
Breakfast
Windsor Excelsior Copacabana Hotel
Day 3
RIO DE JANEIRO Location Information Description
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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.
Breakfast
Windsor Excelsior Copacabana Hotel
Day 4
IGUASSU FALLS Location Information Description
Iguazu Falls, Argentina
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!
Breakfast, Dinner
Recanto Park Hotel
Day 5
IGUASSU FALLS Location Information Description
Iguazu Falls, Argentina
Cross the border for a visit to 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.
Breakfast
Recanto Park Hotel
Day 6
BUENOS AIRES Location Information Description
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital. After settling into your hotel, an orientation tour familiarizes you with the “Paris of South America” and its wide boulevards, outdoor cafés, and charming shops.
Breakfast
Kenton Palace Hotel
Day 7
BUENOS AIRES Location Information Description
Buenos Aires, Argentina
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.
Breakfast, Dinner
Kenton Palace Hotel
Day 8
BUENOS AIRES Location Information Description
Buenos Aires, Argentina
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.
Breakfast
Kenton Palace Hotel
Day 9
BUENOS AIRES–LIMA, PERU Location Information Description
Lima, Peru
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.
Breakfast
Jose Antonio Lima Hotel
Day 10
LIMA Location Information Description
Lima, Peru
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.
Breakfast, Dinner
Jose Antonio Lima Hotel
Day 11
LIMA–CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY Location Information Description
Sacred Valley, Peru
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.
Breakfast, Dinner
La Casona Yucay Hotel
Day 12
SACRED VALLEY Location Information Description
Sacred Valley, Peru
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.
Breakfast
La Casona Yucay Hotel
Day 13
SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU Location Information Description
Machu Picchu, Peru
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. Abandonded 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.
Breakfast, Dinner
El Mapi by Inkaterra Hotel
Day 14
MACHU PICCHU–CUSCO Location Information Description
Cusco, Peru
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.
Breakfast
Jose Antonio Cusco Hotel
Day 15
CUSCO Location Information Description
Cusco, Peru
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.
Breakfast, Dinner
Jose Antonio Cusco Hotel
Day 16
CUSCO–JULIACA–PUNO Location Information Description
Puno, Peru
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.
Breakfast
Xima Puno Hotel
Day 17
EXCURSION TO LAKE TITICACA Location Information Description
Lake Titicaca, Peru
Experience fascinating Lake Titicaca today as you embark on a motorboat tour of the highest navigable lake in the world and its man-made 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.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Xima Puno Hotel
Day 18
PUNO–JULIACA–LIMA Location Information Description
Lima, Peru
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.
Breakfast
Jose Antonio Lima Hotel
Day 19
LIMA Location Information Description
Lima, Peru
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.
Breakfast
Important information:
Important Information
Cancellation Policy
- 45-22 days prior to commencement of services: 20% of total price*
- 21-8 days prior to commencement of services: 30% of total price*
- 7-1 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price*
- On departure day and later: 100% of total price*
- *Total price does not include any Instant Purchase Air or Instant Purchase Air service fees, which are non-refundable after 24 hours from purchase. Intra-vacation air is non-refundable after final payment.
- Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
- In many instances, airline revision or change fees can be up to $300, but in some instances may be up to 100% of the ticket price. Cancellation penalties will be quoted at time of cancellation.
- All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
- The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
Terms and Conditions
- Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together and does not include airfare unless expressly stated.
- All prices are in US Dollars.
- A $250 non-refundable, non-transferable, per-person, per-vacation deposit is required to reserve space for you, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted theseall Terms & Conditions. Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit payment is processed and you receive a confirmation invoice.
- Final payment is due 45 days prior to departure, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Within the final payment date, payment in full is required at time of booking to reserve space. Reservations (land, cruise, and air) are canceled if final payment is not received by the due date. The payment policy may vary for group reservations.
- Additional deposits or payments are required for international air added to the start and/or end of your vacation and/or for intra-vacation air, as specified in the itinerary (“air-inclusive vacations”). Air-inclusive vacation pricing is guaranteed upon receipt of full land plus air deposit or land deposit plus full airfare price, depending on type of airfare purchased (Flex-Air or Instant Purchase Air).
- For complete terms and conditions please visit the Globus Terms & Conditions for more information.