Premium
Explorer
Premium Highlights of South America
24 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
5 reviews
24 days
Start
Lima, Peru
Finish
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Trip Code
GGPRC
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
23 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 dinners
Transport
Plane, Train, Private vehicle, Boat, Bicycle
Accommodation
Comfortable hotel (19 nights), Feature Stay (4 nights)
From £10,164(24 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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 to Machu Picchu must follow a pre-determined circuit within the site as a way to relieve crowding. The circuit-based entrance tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. We will do all that is possible to get everyone traveling in a group on the same route, but be aware that it is possible that members of the same group might be visiting Machu Picchu on a different circuit and not be together during this visit. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted.
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
From the Amazon to the Andes, see the wonders of South America
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.
Inclusions
Meals
23 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 dinners
Transport
Plane, Train, Private vehicle, Boat, Bicycle
Accommodation
Comfortable hotel (19 nights), Feature Stay (4 nights)
Included 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 - Cathedral tour with Specialist Historian Guide
Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee)
Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site
Sacred Valley - Community workshops visit
Sacred Valley - Home-cooked lunch
Sacred Valley - Snack & drink at AMA Restaurant social enterprise
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
Optional 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 - USD465
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
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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. 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.
8. This trip is a combination of three trips. Please review the Itinerary for details of when your fellow travellers and leader will change.
7. According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations all visitors to Machu Picchu must follow a pre-determined circuit within the site as a way to relieve crowding. The circuit-based entrance tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. We will do all that is possible to get everyone traveling in a group on the same circuit. Regardless of the circuit you will enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the site.
Reviews (5)
5 stars
4
4 stars
1
Mary
Oct 10, 2024
Premium Highlights of South America was a great trip, Spent sufficient time everywhere, Included meals were very nice. It was great do so much in 24 days.
Michael
Apr 02, 2024
The Premium Highlights of South America has a balanced itinerary with a mixture of historic Inca culture in Peru, and in particular Machu Picchu whch was fantastic, and the more modern history of Chile, Argentina and Peru. Team Leaders were excellent, well organised with a wealth of local information. Definitely a recommended trip.
Charles
Jul 31, 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
Emma
Nov 06, 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!
Theresa
Apr 21, 2025
A good itinerary to get a feel for South America but not if you are not keen on cities. Trip better in reverse. Note travel times taken up with flights.
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