Aerial view of Rio de Janeiro at dusk, with city lights glowing, mountains and Sugarloaf Mountain in the foreground—a stunning highlight of any deluxe tour or South America travel adventure under a dramatic sky.

South America Deluxe Tour

*Example by 4 travelers in 4★ accommodation, low season. Flights priced separately. Get a quote for 1 to 99+ below

Summary - South America Deluxe Tour

See the highlights of South America on this comprehensive South America Deluxe Vacation

This deluxe tour is perfect for a honeymoon or those who want to see the highlights of South America in style. On this deluxe tour, you will visit the most famous sights! Start in Lima, the historical capital of Peru. Take a scenic train ride to Machu Picchu and tour the mysterious Inca ruins. Transfer back to Cuzco and explore what once was the capital of the Incan Empire. Fly to Buenos Aires for a taste of Argentina: enjoy sights, sounds & shopping in the “Paris of the Americas.” Fly to Iguassu Falls and experience the majestic falls from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides.

Highlights

  • Lima City Tour
  • Pisaq Market & The Sacred Valley
  • Machu Picchu
  • Buenos Aires City Tour & Tango Show
  • Brazilian and Argentine sides of Iguassu Falls
  • Train journey through the Atlantic Rainforest
  • City Tour of Rio de Janeiro, including Sugarloaf & Corcovado
  • Salvador da Bahia Tour, including the Pelourinho
  • Amazon

Included

  • 25-Nights accommodations
  • All breakfasts
  • All transfers, tours, and entrance fees (except for Recoleta Cemetery)
  • English-speaking guides

Sample Itinerary

A coastal cityscape featuring tall buildings, lush green park areas with palm trees, and a winding path overlooking the ocean under a clear blue sky—inviting as an Amazon Lodge after a Machu Picchu Tour.
Day 1

Your guide will be waiting for you at the Lima Airport to take you to your hotel in Miraflores, a beautiful and upscale centrally located neighborhood.  Spend the rest of the day at your leisure and start exploring the capital of Peru. Enjoy some authentic Peruvian cuisine, we recommend ceviche, a delicious seafood dish. In the evening wander towards the water to Larcomar and choose from a variety of restaurants, all overlooking the ocean.

A large, black ornate fountain stands in the center of a plaza surrounded by tall palm trees and bright yellow colonial buildings under a partly cloudy blue sky—an iconic scene on any Deluxe Tour of South America. People are visible around the square.
Day 2

Wake up early today and meet your guide for a full day city tour through the “City of Kings.”  Lima was once the second capital of the Spanish Empire and has an abundance of historical significance scattered throughout the city. Admire the Spanish influenced architecture of the recently restored balconies overlooking the plazas. Walk through the historic center of Lima to the Monastery of San Francisco, which houses magnificent colonial art. Then visit one of the oldest libraries in Latin America. Finish your day at the impressive Larco Museum, an 18th-century royal mansion, famous for its impressive gold and silver collection and pre-Colombian art that pre-dates the Incan Empire. Relax in the beautiful garden before returning to your hotel.

Colorful rows of folded traditional textiles, including shawls and blankets with intricate designs, displayed on a market stall—an authentic sight on a South America Tour.
Day 3

After breakfast transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting for you to transfer you down into the Sacred Valley. Today you will visit Pisaq Market, Peru’s famous indigenous market, where you can purchase local artisans, handmade textiles, handicrafts, and fresh food. Enjoy lunch at the market before touring the nearby Pisaq ruins. Continue on towards Ollantaytambo, located in the center of the Sacred Valley. Visit the impressive Ollantaytambo ruins where you will see large agricultural terraces built into the hillside overlooking the town. Spend the night in this serene town.

Ancient stone ruins of Machu Picchu sit atop a lush, green mountain ridge, surrounded by steep, forested peaks under a blue sky—a must-see on any South America tour.
Day 4

Enjoy an early breakfast before heading to the train station where you will take a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes. From Aguas Calientes, take a short shuttle bus winding up the mountain to the breathtaking Machu Picchu. Your guide will be waiting for you at the entrance to take you on a tour through the ruins.  Ponder the mystery of Machu Picchu and what once was, admire the impressive architecture and beautiful landscapes of the valley. Visit the Watchman's Hut, the Inca Bridge, and the Temple of the Sun.

In the evening return to Aguas Calientes where you will spend the night.

Ancient stone ruins of Machu Picchu are set on terraced green hillsides with mountains in the background. Several tourists explore the historic site under bright sunlight on a memorable South America Tour.
Day 5

Today you have the morning on your own, consider waking up in time to see the sunrise above Machu Picchu, hike Huayna Picchu, or relax at your hotel and head up to the ruins at your leisure. In the afternoon, you will take a train ride back to Cuzco where you will spend the night at our recommended hotel near the Plaza de Armas. You may want to go shopping for some souvenirs or enjoy the traditional Peruvian dish cuy, which is actually guinea pig.

Ancient stone wall with a rectangular doorway at Sacsayhuamán in Peru, part of an unforgettable South America Tour. Large, irregular stones are fitted tightly together under a blue sky, with grass and stone paths surrounding the structure.
Day 6

After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel for your half-day city tour where you will see the impressive highlights of Cuzco including, the Cathedral, the Inca Temple of the Sun called Korikancha, the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay and Qenqo. Spend the afternoon on your own and explore what once was the capital of the Incan Empire.

A narrow, cobblestone street lined with white colonial-style buildings and barred windows winds downhill, offering a quintessential South America view with red-tiled roofs and mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Day 7

Enjoy a free day in Cuzco. Walk around the picturesque city center to see sweeping views of the brick houses tucked far up into the rolling hills. If you haven't already done so, buy some souvenirs in town for your friends and family.  Enjoy a coffee at one of the many coffee shops and people watch, or even spend a few Soles to take a photo with a baby llama.  If you are ready for some relaxation, opt for a massage at a nearby spa.  There are plenty of other museums and activities in Cuzco, so relax and enjoy your last full day in this historical city.

A grand historic building with a green dome stands behind ornate statues and fountains, water spraying into the air, surrounded by a landscaped park in bright daylight—a striking scene in the land of contrast: Argentina.
Day 8

Fly into the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires. Your guide or driver will meet you at the Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE). Once you've passed through customs and retrieved your bags, transfer to your hotel.

Take a guided tour of Buenos Aires, which is famous for its European-style architecture and culture, its tango dancing, and its delicious red wine and beefsteak. Visit the bohemian neighborhood of San Telmo, where every Sunday tango dancers and buskers perform live music as painters and artisans display their products. Visit La Boca and the colorful ‘Caminito,’ boasting ‘conventillos’ built by Italian immigrants that arrived in the city at the beginning of the 20th century.

Go to the north of the city, driving along 9 de Julio Avenue to see the Obelisk and the Colon Theater, and admire Recoleta, with its world-famous cemetery, where the body of ‘Evita’ Duarte de Perón is buried. Finish off in Puerto Madero, arguably the most romantic spot in the city, many couples attach locks on the Women Bridge in hopes that their love lasts forever.

Note: Entrance fee to Recoleta Cemetery is to be paid directly on the spot.

A couple dances tango in front of colorful buildings under a clear blue sky in Buenos Aires. The woman wears a red dress with a red flower in her hair, and the man wears a dark suit.
Day 9

Wake up early to leave Buenos Aires city and take a half-day tour to El Tigre. This town, in Buenos Aires province, is a haven for porteños who want to get away from the rush of urban life and connect with nature. Its lush vegetation, zigzagging rivers and fauna make you forget you are only a few miles from one of the most populated cities in South America.

Board a catamaran boat and sail through the delta, passing by small islands with picturesque houses built on long sticks due to the frequent floods of the river.

Return to your hotel and get ready for your evening event: a tango dinner show! This dance originated in Buenos Aires in the late 19th century and was declared a UNESCO Intangible Heritage shared by both Argentina and Uruguay. Watch couples exchange flirty glances and perform complex dance moves by the alluring sounds of a bandoneon as they perform this enchantingly sensual dance. Afterwards, return to your hotel to spend your last night in Buenos Aires.

Large waterfalls cascade down lush green cliffs into a wide river below at Iguazú Falls. Several boats with tourists are on the water near the base of the falls, surrounded by dense vegetation, mist, and echoes of ancient Jesuit Missions.
Day 10

Depart from the Buenos Aires Domestic Airport (AEP) and fly to Puerto Iguazu, the town on the Argentine side of the Iguazu Falls. The Iguazu Falls are an enormous series of waterfalls that run along the northern border of Argentina and the southern border of Brazil. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Iguazu Falls are a natural wonder that will take your breath away.

Today’s tour to the Argentine side of the falls will allow you to feel the marvel and astonishment Guaranis felt when the choose to name the falls. Walking through the catwalks and admiring the falls from atop helps you gain an idea of their size, which are even taller than Canada’s Niagara Falls. Keep an eye open to spot wildlife, including 88 types of butterfly and coatis, South American mammals similar to raccoons.

After the tour, your guide will acompany you as you cross the border and rest at your hotel on the Brazilian side.

Tourists stand on a boardwalk in Argentina’s Land of Contrast, surrounded by lush greenery overlooking massive waterfalls and a rainbow at Iguazu Falls, with mist rising and forest in the background.
Day 11

‘Iguazú’ means ‘Big Falls’ in Guarani, the local indigenous language. Begin your exploration in Foz do Iguaçu, located on the Brazilian side. Brazil offers the best panoramic views of the waterfalls from ground level. The highlight of the Iguazu is the Devil’s Throat, a U-shaped waterfall measuring up to 490 ft wide and 2,300 ft long.

After a half day of exploration, go back to your hotel to spend the last night in Iguazu Falls.

A wide flowerbed with colorful flowers leads to a glass greenhouse in a botanical garden, surrounded by green lawns and hedges—perfect for relaxing after a scenic Brazil Train Tour under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Day 12

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before boarding your short flight from Foz do Iguaçu to Curitiba.

Arrive in Curitiba, the capital of the State of Paraná and go on a city to understand Curitiba as a model for successful urban planning. Curitiba is considered one of the best examples of urban planning in the world, the city went from 20,000 people to 200,000 people in just 22 years. Drive down to the coast along the Via Graciosa - the historic cobblestone road. This drive offers you verdant views of the Atlantic Rainforest.

Two women sit at a wooden table by large windows, discussing a Brazil Rail Tour brochure. As one reads about the Historic Gold Route, the other listens. Papers and snacks are on the table, with greenery visible outside.
Day 13

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Curitiba, including a train ride through the Atlantic Rainforest. After an early start, visit the main sights in the city, including Tiradentes Square, the Cathedral, the University, the Theater Guaíra, the Museum of Oscar Niemeyer, the German Woods, the Wire Opera House, the Tanguá Park, the Tingüi Park, and finally the Botanical Garden. Once you've had your fill of this unique city, travel along the Estrada da Graciosa to Morretes. Have a delicious "barreado" lunch in this pleasant town. In the afternoon, take the train back to Curitiba, passing through the lush tropical vegetation of the Atlantic Rainforest, a subtropical rainforest in southern Brazil. The train has wide windows, drinks and snacks included in your ride.

Cable-stayed bridge illuminated with colorful lights at dusk, spanning over a river in a vibrant South American cityscape with modern buildings and traffic trails—perfect for a Deluxe Tour experience.
Day 14

Today's journey begins with a flight from Curitiba airport to the domestic São Paulo Airport. Meet your guide and start your half-day sightseeing tour of São Paulo. Visit the historical district and its landmarks such as Paulista Avenue, the Liberdade Japanese district, the Sé Cathedral, Patio do Colégio, where São Paulo was founded by the Jesuits and the financial district of São Paulo with it’s Art Deco and neo-baroque architecture.

Aerial view of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, featuring the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue on a mountain, with the cityscape and Sugarloaf Mountain in the background—an unforgettable highlight of any deluxe South America tour.
Day 15

After breakfast in the hotel, transfer to the São Paulo airport to fly to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's most marvelous city. Your driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel.

Rio is home to one of the seven new natural wonders of the world: the Statue of Christ the Redeemer. Today’s tour offers you the chance to admire this impressive statue and the lush Tijuca Forest. Take a ride on a train cog to head to the top of the Corcovado Mountain, from where you can take in breathtaking panoramic views of the bay, the city, and the Christ the Redeemer statue.

A cable car travels toward Sugarloaf Mountain, part of the Brazil Gold Route, rising above green trees and overlooking the ocean in Rio de Janeiro under a colorful sunset sky.
Day 16

Discover the highlights of the Carioca on a city tour. First start with a tour of Sugarloaf Mountain, a granite peak of 395 m (1,296 ft) overlooking the Guanabara Bay. To get to the top, take a cable car to Urca Mountain and then to the summit, where you'll have breathtaking views of the city, the bay, the beaches, and the forests.

Descend to visit the sambadrome, where hundreds of visitors from Brazil and other parts of the world watch amazing dancers in colorful attires parade during Carnival. Stop to see other landmarks of the city, such as the Cinelândia Square with its historical buildings, the Municipal Theater, the National Library, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the National Museum of Fine Arts.

Spend the afternoon at your leisure to relax on the beach or get in touch with your friends and family.

In the evening, head to the Copacabana Palace and enjoy a Brazilian BBQ dinner next door at the Churrascaria Palace.

Aerial view of a coastal city in South America with many tall buildings, sandy beaches, green areas, and a prominent peninsula surrounded by blue ocean waters—perfect for a Deluxe Tour under a clear sky.
Day 17

You will be escorted to the airport to fly to Salvador da Bahia, Brazil's original capital. This beautiful, traditional city is located in the North of Brazil, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Stroll along the colonial streets of the city, or relax in the hotel's swimming pools

A vibrant street scene in Pelourinho, Salvador, Brazil, captures the charm of a South America Tour with colorful colonial buildings, ornate churches, cobblestone roads, and people strolling along the sidewalk at dusk.
Day 18

After breakfast, enjoy a 4-hour Salvador historical tour. Start in the Pelhourinho, the historic center of downtown Salvador, where you can walk along cobblestone streets, see the Pierre Verger Foundation, and visit a photography exposition about the first Africans brought to Salvador. Then visit the Bahianas Memorial, a tribute to African women of the Bahia region, and the Nossa Sra. Do Rosario Church, which was built by African slaves. Next, visit the Benin House to learn about the slaves that came from Benin to Brazil.

A smiling couple takes a selfie outdoors on their South America Tour, surrounded by colorful buildings and festive decorations. The man wears a hat and green tank top; the woman wears a yellow dress. Two church towers rise in the background.
Day 19

Spend the day at your leisure and enjoy the sights of Salvador.

Pink and white neoclassical building with ornate columns and a large, colorful dome, photographed at sunset during a South America Tour. The structure sits elevated with stone steps and railings; sunlight streams through partly cloudy skies.
Day 20

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the airport for your flight to Manaus, the capital of Brazil’s Amazonas State. Upon arrival in Manaus, you will be escorted to your hotel. Manaus is the perfect starting point for your Amazon adventure. The city sits along the bank of the Rio Negro, where the river joins with the Solimões River.

A white and red riverboat named Tucano floats on calm water, surrounded by lush, green South American forest under a clear sky. The boat, perfect for a Deluxe Tour, features multiple decks with railings and windows.
Day 21

Today your Amazon tour begins. Choose between an Amazon River Cruise or an Amazon Lodge. We highly recommend that all of our clients go on the Tucano Amazon River Cruise. This small and intimate cruise ship travels further up the Rio Negro and allows you to see more wildlife. The Tucano River Cruise has the most scheduled stops and excursions along the Rio Negro - you can see the changing landscapes and flora and fauna along the way. Today you may have some free time in the morning to explore Manaus on your own or you can take a city tour. In the afternoon, you will meet your guide who will take you on your adventure through the Amazon. Talk with your guide and plan out the activities you would like to do over the next few days. We always recommend going on a night safari to see the nocturnal fauna of the Amazon such as alligators, bats, and frogs.

A group of colorful parrots, including blue-and-yellow and red-and-green macaws, perched on tree branches in a lush, green tropical environment—a classic scene on any South America Tour.
Day 22 - 25

All meals and excursions are included with the lodge or cruise. Your guide will take you on various excursions every day including, hiking through the jungle, visits to local villages, canoe rides and so much more. Over the next 4 days, you are likely to see an abundant amount of flora and fauna. Your guides are naturalists experts with extensive knowledge in medicinal Amazonian practices, they know where to spot wildlife like the macaws, parrots, and different monkeys.

In the evening, you will enjoy delicious dinners and drinks. You will even have the option to attend informational sessions to learn more about the Amazon, some lodges and cruises even offer entertainment like dancing and live music.

Two rivers with distinctly different colors, one muddy brown and the other dark blue, flow side by side without immediately mixing under a bright blue sky—an iconic sight on a Deluxe South America Tour.
Day 26

After breakfast, say goodbye to your guides and take a transfer back to Manaus. Along the way, enjoy a tour through the "Meeting of the Waters," where the Rio Negro and Rio Solimoes run side by side without mixing. Once in Manaus, head to the airport for your flight home.

South America Deluxe Tour
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Estimated Tour Price Without Flights

Prices vary according to several factors including: season, number of people traveling, shared vs private excursions, when you book and rooming arrangements. These are from prices based on low season.

We can customize anything for any time of year! Contact us for an exact quote for your trip.

⭐⭐ - ⭐⭐⭐
Budget
From US
$6912
Per Person
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Basic
From US
$8094
Per Person
⭐⭐⭐⭐➕
Superior 👍
From US
$10571
Per Person
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Deluxe
From US
$13226
Per Person

*Budget generally includes excursions in group, Superior & Deluxe private excursions, & Basic is a best mix (varies by itinerary & excurion)

Note: ALL itineraries are 100% customizable to create your perfect trip!

⭐⭐ - ⭐⭐⭐
Budget
From US
$6209
Per Person
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Basic
From US
$7244
Per Person
⭐⭐⭐⭐➕
Superior 👍
From US
$9166
Per Person
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Deluxe
From US
$11815
Per Person

*Budget generally includes excursions in group, Superior & Deluxe private excursions, & Basic is a best mix (varies by itinerary & excurion)

Note: ALL itineraries are 100% customizable to create your perfect trip!

⭐⭐ - ⭐⭐⭐
Budget
From US
$5963
Per Person
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Basic
From US
$5877
Per Person
⭐⭐⭐⭐➕
Superior 👍
From US
$8618
Per Person
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Deluxe
From US
$10248
Per Person

*Budget generally includes excursions in group, Superior & Deluxe private excursions, & Basic is a best mix (varies by itinerary & excurion)

Note: ALL itineraries are 100% customizable to create your perfect trip!

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