Premium Highlights of South America

24 Days | From the Amazon to the Andes, see the wonders of South America

5 out of 5 based on 2 reviews submitted.
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CHF  11,690
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Experience the diversity of wonders across Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil on a 24-day Premium journey. Be immersed in the ancient culture of the Incas, visit the Amazon Jungle and revel in the magnificent citadel ruins of Machu Picchu. Soak up the energy of Santiago and Buenos Aires’ lively neighbourhoods and sip some of the world’s best wine in Mendoza. At the border with Brazil, experience the magnificent might of Iguazu Falls, before finally arriving in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Rio de Janeiro. With the guidance of passionate local leaders, you’ll find out South America dances to the beat of its own drum.

Trip overview

Map of Premium Highlights Of South America including Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru
Start
Lima, Peru
Finish
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Argentina, Peru, Chile, Brazil
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Premium
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
GGPRC
This trip generates 106.54 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.
Premium accommodation
Premium experiences
Premium knowledge

Why you'll love this trip
  • Experience the best of South America with two Feature Stays. Stay deep in the Amazon at an indigenous-owned lodge,and sleep in Art Nouveau elegance in Buenos Aires.
  • Elevate your adventure with memorable Exclusive Experiences including a tango lesson and asado dinner in Buenos Aires, rooftop pisco sours in Valparaiso and an insider’s day tour of the El Tigre Delta
  • Take your taste buds on a trip with Exclusive Experiences, including bodega tastings in Santiago, an expert-lead winery tour in Mendoza, lunch at the Gastromotiva social enterprise in Rio and home-cooked pachamanca lunch in the Sacred Valley.
  • Get to know local culture during Exclusive Experiences, including interactions with the Ese Eja and Chichubamba communities, and explore with expert guides in Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu.
  • Soak in unbeatable views of the Andes as you travel towards Machu Picchu on a 360 train. With high domed windows and an open-air observation carriage, this Exclusive Experience allows you to immerse yourself in the incredible landscape.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Due to the high altitude of the places we visit some people can suffer altitude sickness, regardless of age, gender or fitness. It even happened to Sir Edmund Hillary! Please see the 'Medical and health information' section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
  • Visitors are not permitted to explore Machu Picchu without a Machu Picchu guide (not our trip leaders) and must follow set routes within the site. This trip includes two guided visits of Machu Picchu and each visit is approximately 1.5 - 2 hours long. Your leader will provide more information to ensure you get the most out of your visits to this incredible site.
  • During the colder months, usually between April and October, the border crossing between Chile and Argentina may be closed due to snowfalls. In that event, your emergency funds may be needed to purchase a flight between Santiago and Mendoza. Please see the 'Money matters' section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
  • According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site. This route must be followed in one direction only, and once the guided visit commences exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted. Please refer to the itinerary for details.
  • Travellers who choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), will not follow the same routes within Machu Picchu. This means that you may not be able to have photos together, overlooking Machu Picchu. This applies to travellers on the same booking or separate bookings. It is possible for passengers who have taken the train to join passengers who have done the Inca Trail on the 2nd visit of Machu Picchu, by repeating the guided tour. If you are interested in this option, you must tell your sales agent when you book.

Itinerary

Map of Premium Highlights Of South America including Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru

Inclusions

Meals

23 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 dinners

Transport

Plane, Train, Private vehicle, Boat, Bicycle

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (13 nights), Feature Stay (4 nights)

Premium Inclusions
  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Luggage transfer
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support
Activities
  • Lima - Downtown walking tour
  • Lima - Alameda Chabuca Granda tour and tastings
  • Lima - San Francisco Monastery and the Catacombs
  • Lima - Welcome Dinner
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Amazon Jungle - Night boat tour
  • Amazon Jungle - Oxbow Lake
  • Amazon Jungle - Night jungle walk
  • Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee)
  • Cusco - Walking tour
  • Cusco - Cathedral tour with Specialist Historian Guide
  • Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site
  • Sacred Valley - Community workshops visit
  • Cusco - Sacsayhuaman
  • Sacred Valley - Home-cooked lunch
  • Sacred Valley - AMA Snack and Drink
  • Machu Picchu - Entrance & Guided visit
  • Ollantaytambo - 360 degree train to Aguas Calientes
  • Machu Picchu - Second visit
  • Santiago - Welcome Dinner
  • Santiago - City tour
  • Santiago - Gourmet bodega lunch
  • Casablanca Valley - Winery tour and tasting
  • Valparaiso - Rooftop pisco sours
  • Valparaiso - Walking tour
  • Valparaiso - Museum of Fine Arts (entrance fee)
  • Mendoza - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Mendoza - Tour of three wineries
  • Mendoza - Gourmet winery lunch
  • Buenos Aires - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Buenos Aires - Tigre Delta day trip
  • Buenos Aires - Home-cooked lunch
  • Buenos Aires - Welcome Dinner
  • Buenos Aires - Tango demonstration by professional dancers
  • Buenos Aires - Tango lesson
  • Buenos Aires - City tour
  • Iguazu Falls - Tour of the Brazilian side of the falls
  • Iguazu Falls - Tour of the Argentinian side of the falls
  • Iguazu Falls - Guarani community visit
  • Rio de Janeiro - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Rio de Janeiro - Christ the Redeemer
  • Rio de Janeiro - City tour
  • Rio de Janeiro - Sugarloaf Mountain
Add on activities
  • Lima - Private Larco Museum (Based on 4 participants) - USD50
  • Lima - Lima Discovery + San Francisco and Pisco Sour - Urban Adventures (Price based on 2 participants) - USD39
  • Lima - Lima Pisco Making (Based on 4 participants) - USD35
  • Lima - Lima Water Show (Based on 4 participants) - USD40
  • Lima - Private: Home Cooked Tour Ceviche experience Urban Adventure (Based on 2 Participants) - USD85
  • Cusco - Inca Museum (entrance fee) - PEN10
  • Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
  • 1 Day Inca Trail - Add-on (Must pre-book) - USD380
  • Valparaiso - La Sebastiana Museo de Pablo Neruda (entrance fee) - CLP8000
  • Buenos Aires - Tango show ticket prices from - USD120
  • Buenos Aires - Polo day - USD185
  • Buenos Aires - Football game (subject to availability) from - USD120
  • Iguazu Falls - Bird Park Entrance - BRL80
  • Iguazu Falls - Helicopter ride (min 3 people) - BRL630
  • Iguazu Falls - Zodiac ride up to the falls - USD90
  • Rio de Janeiro - Total Rio Bike Tour: Beaches, Bays & Carioca Sunset Urban Adventure - USD119
  • Rio de Janeiro - Football Game (schedule dependent) from - BRL400
  • Rio de Janeiro - Carnival rehearsal (June to Carnival only) from - BRL120
  • Rio de Janeiro - Samba show from - BRL200

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 
3. This trip includes domestic and international flights as indicated on the trip map. The flights from Lima through to Santiago have a luggage allowance of 23kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on. The flights from Mendoza through to Rio de Janeiro have a luggage allowance of 15kg for check in luggage and 5kg for carry on.
4. This trip starts at 2pm on Day 1 in Lima. This allows time after the joining meeting to explore the city with your leader.
5. Full name exactly as per passport is required at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on the passport), for activity and transport bookings. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.
6. This trip includes two visits to Machu Picchu, however you may choose to book the 1-day Inca Trail hike on Day 7 (additional surcharge required). This optional activity is subject to permit availability. Please contact your booking agent if you would like to book this activity. Please refer to Day 7 of the itinerary for details of the hike. It is possible for passengers who have taken the train to join passengers who have done the Inca Trail on the 2nd visit of Machu Picchu, by repeating the guided tour. If you are interested in this option, tell your sales agent when you book.
7. Fees may apply if you choose to change from the Inca Trail to the Train or Quarry Trail after your booking has been made.
8. FLYING PERU TO CHILE – At times at border security you will be asked for the following documentation: itinerary and flight tickets. Please ensure you have a copy of the trip notes and your leader has given you your flight tickets from Lima to Santiago and Santiago to Mendoza.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 2 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Charles · Traveled July 2023
This was a fantastic trip. Both guides, Luis and Tomas were absolutely great. This trip went to the best of the best sights. Highly recommended
Review submitted 31 Jul 2023

Emma · Traveled September 2022
Giuliano and Nacho absolutely made our trip, as did the great group and the incredible, jam packed itinerary. I felt like I was fully immersed in the culture everywhere and got to see some real hidden gems as well as the sites. And as for the food - AMAZING! My absolute highlights were Peru & BA and Iguazu Falls. Thanks Guiliano and Nacho!
Review submitted 06 Nov 2022
Premium Highlights of South America
From
CHF  11,690