Highlights of South America Tour

50 Days / 49 Nights

The Complete South America Tour - ALL the Highlights!

We've put together our ultimate South America tour 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!

Full Itinerary

Weeks 1-7

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.