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Ancient stone ruins of Machu Picchu sit on a lush green mountain ridge, surrounded by steep, forested peaks under a blue sky—a travel highlight and iconic wonder of South America.

Highlights of South America

  • 50 Days
  • 49 Nights
  • Get Custom Pricing
  • Customizable & Combinable
South America travel content reviewed by Juergen Keller, Co-Founder & CEO
Several waterfalls cascade down a rocky, green-covered cliff into a misty river below, where a small boat with people inside approaches the base of the falls—one of South America's natural highlights for travel and adventure. Lush foliage surrounds the scene.
Jagged red mountains with sharp ridges are illuminated by soft light under a purple sky. The full moon rises above the peaks, showcasing one of South America's travel highlights, with distant mountains visible in the background.
A person in a red jacket stands on a vast, reflective salt flat in South America under a bright blue sky filled with clouds, creating a mirror-like effect with distant mountains—one of the travel highlights of the region.
A cable car travels toward Sugarloaf Mountain, a tall granite peak rising above lush greenery and a scenic coastline at sunset—an unforgettable highlight of any Brazil tour in Rio de Janeiro.
A cobblestone street lined with colorful colonial buildings and a church tower, lit by streetlights at dusk in Pelourinho, Salvador, Brazil. People and cars fill this vibrant scene on the historic Coast of the Conquerors.
A man in a suit and a woman in a black dress with patterned tights dance passionately outdoors at sunset, with a bridge and cityscape highlighting the vibrant charm of South America in the background.
  • 50 Days
  • 49 Nights
  • Get Custom Pricing
  • Customizable & Combinable

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

Summary - Highlights of South America

The Complete South America - ALL the Highlights!

We’ve put together our ultimate South America itinerary – it’s an extensive list, so be prepared for quite an adventure! If you’ve got 6 weeks to spare, this is the perfect itinerary for you to see all the most important highlights of South America. But if you can’t quite handle a 50 day vacation, don’t fret! This itinerary is just an example of what we can offer; you can customize it to meet your trip plans perfectly.

First we’ll take you on a journey through Peru, to learn about the great Inca empire that thrived here just a few hundred years ago. Continue into Bolivia to see the colorful landscapes and traditional cities of this landlocked country. Then venture into Chile, starting in the Atacama Desert, and make your way towards the central coast. Then cross the Andes into Argentina, where you’ll spend some time in Buenos Aires and then head to the northern tip of Argentina, where the Iguassu Waterfalls pours over the border with Brazil. Once in Brazil, spend some time in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Then delve into the historic gold mining region of Brazil. Finish in Salvador da Bahia, the original capital of Brazil and one of the oldest cities in South America.

After 6 weeks of traveling, you’ll have crossed destinations like Machu Picchu, Buenos Aires, the Iguassu Falls, and Rio de Janeiro off your bucket list!

Highlights

  • Incas: Machu Picchu, Cusco, Sacred Valley
  • Wine tasting
  • Lake Crossing Through The Andes
  • South America main cities: Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago
  • Brazilian & Argentine sides of Iguassu Falls

Included

  • All 49-Nights accommodations
  • All breakfasts & other meals as mentioned in the itinerary
  • 1 dinner with tango show
  • All tours, transfers and entrance fees
  • First class train transportation Cuzco-Puno
  • Tango lessons
  • English-speaking guides

Sample Itinerary

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.

First explore the culture of the Incas as you travel to Machu Picchu and Cuzco, the great cities of Lima and La Paz in Bolivia. On Lake Titicaca the floating islands await you on this excursion back in time! The second part is from the Bolivian Capital to the wonders of the Atacama Desert! Astounding contrasts as you journey from La Paz to the crystaline Chilean coastal Oasis of Arica, then into the beautifully fascinating Atacama Desert.

Visit Chile's natural wonders: Santiago de Chile a Mediterranean coast, rolling hills, volcanoes and the highest mountain range in the Western Hemisphere, glacial lakes, European traditions and a heaven for lovers of excellent wines and incredible food. Then the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires. Enjoy sights, sounds, shopping in Buenos Aires, and learn to dance Tango in this beautiful city. We show you both the Argentine and Brazilian sides of the majestic Iguassu Falls.

Take an unforgettable railway journey over the jutting Atlantic Rainforest Mountains, and view a mix of landscapes through southern Brazil on this special introduction into a fascinating land! The contrasts of Brazil become evident as you travel from natural wonders through high-tech farmlands to the industrial megalopolis of São Paulo. From marvelous Rio de Janeiro you are never far away from the best beaches Brazil has to offer.

Discover where the gold originated to build Europe's great palaces and churches. And discover a few treasures along the way. The Route of Gold rambles along rugged mountains from the beautifully preserved colonial gold mining towns of Ouro Preto and São João del Rei to the ancient seaport of Paraty. This bounty of gold provided the wealth to build the royal colonial seat of Rio de Janeiro as well as the Old World capital, Lisbon. The richest deposits of gold ever found in the Americas even financed England's Industrial Revolution!

Home to one of the most ethnically diverse populations on earth, Brazil mixes Old World charm, new world vitality and African rhythms. Many nations have made a claim to Brazil's soul. Today, these influences spice everyday life, from the most African city in the Americas - Salvador to the former Dutch colonies in Recife.

Aerial view of Rio de Janeiro, a South America travel highlight, featuring the Christ the Redeemer statue atop a hill with the city, coastline, and Sugarloaf Mountain framed under a blue sky.
Highlights of South America
  • 50 Days
  • 49 Nights
  • Get Custom Pricing
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Rated 4.5/5 stars based on 701 customer reviews and custom tour testimonials.
The image shows the Ruins of St. Pauls in Macau, with ornate, symmetrical garden hedges leading up to the historic stone facade under a cloudy sky—a perfect highlight for personalized tours in the city.

Michael and Bonnie Escobedo

"The price was reasonable. We would us this travel service again...."
A couple stands close together on a mountain trail in Peru, with rocky cliffs and misty peaks in the background. The woman is smiling, and both are dressed in casual outdoor clothing, enjoying their travel adventure.

Charles Krupnick

"Peru is a terrific country with really nice people..."
A tall lighthouse with horizontal stripes stands on rocky terrain near the ocean, beside a white building, under a clear blue sky—an inspiring sight for your South America travel suggestions.

Brad W.

"Rebecca answered my questions and created a worry-free trip..."
Six children stand together outdoors on a wooden platform; one child on the left holds a large guitar, and the others stand close by. Surrounded by lush greenery and trees, they look like friends enjoying an awesome trip and sharing a memorable travel experience.

Meng Tao

"The tour guides, and people in South America in general, were very friendly...."
A person walks across a plaza in front of a historic church with white walls and an ornate entrance, illuminated by lights at dusk, creating lasting memories.

Carolyn DeBoer

"A complicated itinerary made enjoyable and stress free..."
Colorful sunset over the ocean, with dark rocky shore in the foreground and vibrant clouds in shades of pink, orange, and blue—a tranquil scene that reflects the excellence of superb services.

Amber Peterson

"Cape Horn, Iguazu Falls, Patagonia, and Easter Island were fantastic!..."
A colorful relief sculpture shows a woman in a red dress and a man in a blue suit and hat dancing closely together, gazing at each other and smiling, evoking the joy of an excellent trip filled with unforgettable moments.

Marina Ricafrot Pezzi

"Travel Consultant Diego was fun and easy to work with...."
A person sits on a rock ledge smiling, with Machu Picchu’s ancient stone ruins and green terraces behind them—an unforgettable moment from an amazing trip to Peru. Misty mountains rise in the background under a cloudy sky.

Prashanth

"The arrangements were spot on and the guides were fantastic...."
Turquoise river flows in the foreground with green vegetation on the banks, leading to dramatic, jagged Patagonia mountain peaks under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Judith Baker

"Judith B. Booking Experience with SouthAmerica.travel..."
People stand on a rocky lakeshore, looking out at the water. In the background, a snow-capped volcano rises above the horizon under a partly cloudy sky. A wooden pier extends into the lake on the right, showcasing one of nature’s stunning lakes.

David Rusnak

"Thank you for your help in organizing a very memorable trip!..."

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
Call for Custom Pricing
Per Person
  • Flights quoted separately
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Basic
From US
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Per Person
  • Flights quoted separately
⭐⭐⭐⭐➕
Superior 👍
From US
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Per Person
  • Flights quoted separately
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Deluxe
From US
Call for Custom Pricing
Per Person
  • Flights quoted separately

*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
Call for Custom Pricing
Per Person
  • Flights quoted separately
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Basic
From US
Call for Custom Pricing
Per Person
  • Flights quoted separately
⭐⭐⭐⭐➕
Superior 👍
From US
Call for Custom Pricing
Per Person
  • Flights quoted separately
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Deluxe
From US
Call for Custom Pricing
Per Person
  • Flights quoted separately

*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
Call for Custom Pricing
Per Person
  • Flights quoted separately
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Basic
From US
Call for Custom Pricing
Per Person
  • Flights quoted separately
⭐⭐⭐⭐➕
Superior 👍
From US
Call for Custom Pricing
Per Person
  • Flights quoted separately
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Deluxe
From US
Call for Custom Pricing
Per Person
  • Flights quoted separately

*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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