I always wanted to go to Patagonia and prefer trips with a hiking focus. This trip exceeded my expectations. The scenery is superb and the organisation was such that we were able to make the most of every day. It was well organised with a good mix of activities. Sophia was most helpful, and I appreciated having local guides when we were hiking in Torres del Paine and El Glacier national Park.
Why you’ll love this trip?
- Explore the amazing cultures and breathtaking landscapes of South America.
- Visit famous places like Rio and Machu Picchu.
- Uncover hidden gems in northern Argentina and Bolivia’s salt lakes.
- Great for newcomers to South America or those looking for more adventure.
- Experience the beauty and diversity of South America up close.
- Enhance your trip by adding other tours, like the Galapagos Islands
What’s the Activity level?
- Designed for moderately fit individuals prepared for active exploration
- Walking involved most days, providing a more immersive experience
- Inca sites feature numerous steps, offering unique challenges
- High altitudes in Cuzco, Puno, and the Sacred Valley may require acclimatisation.
What’s the transport and accommodation like?
- Travel on variety of transportation, including planes, motorised canoes, trains, and private vans
- Enjoy comfortable long-distance coach rides during the tour
- Enjoy cozy 3-star accommodations with private facilities and local charm.
- Hotels selected for their safety, location, ambiance, and friendly staff
*All our tours are non-smoking
TRIP SUMMARY
Duration: 30 days from Rio to Lima South American Sojourn
Trip focus: A moderately active sightseeing trip exploring the highlights of South America
Accommodation: 26 nights hotels, 3 nights Rain Forest lodge
Transport: Flight, bus, train, boat and van
Group size: Maximum 12 + S.E.T. tour leader, Minimum 6
Single supplement: US$1,970
**Internal Airfares subject to change. If not arriving with Lan Airlines, an airfare surcharge applies. Please ask for a quote
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- A spectacular Samba show
- Tours of the Corcovado and Sugar Loaf in Rio de Janeiro
- A tour exploring Iguazu Falls – both the Brazilian and Argentine sides
- A Buenos Aires city tour and exciting tango show
- 4WD excursion in Bolivia through the Uyuni Salt Lakes and coloured lagoons
- Colca Canyon excursion and entry to hot springs
- Full day guided tour of Lake Titicaca
- Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu guided tour
- Cusco cooking class and city tour
- Guided tour of the Uros Islands and Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca
- Eco Lodge Amazon Excursion (3 nights)
- Lima city tour and Shantytown community project visit
- Our bilingual tour leader throughout and also local guides for excursions
- All flights within the South America tour, all transport and accommodation
- A tip pool of US$120 per person for local guides and drivers
- The cost of entry fees for all scheduled tours
- Local payment of US$400
- All breakfasts, plus meals as listed
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- All items of a personal nature, laundry, drinks, souvenirs etc
- International flights.
- Travel insurance, visas and vaccinations
- Tips for your tour leader
PAYING LOCALLY:
Many of our South America tours involve a local payment, which is included as part of your overall trip cost, and is deducted off the amount you pay to us prior to departure. These funds are then paid to your leader upon arrival in cash on day one of the trip, and put towards local expenses. In some developing countries the transferring of funds is at times problematic and many small hotels and operators only deal in cash payments. This in turn helps us support small local businesses, rather than turning to large operations.
All prices are approximate and subject to currency fluctuations until final payment has been made.
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL DAY RIO DE JANEIRO
Arrive in Rio de Janeiro for the start of your South America Tour. Transfer to your hotel and meet your tour leader. As most flights from New Zealand arrive late in the evening, we have nothing planned tonight, so relax: the adventure begins tomorrow.
Meals Included: None
DAYS 2 & 3 – RIO DE JANEIRO
We have a morning briefing on the journey ahead, then we’ll tour Sugarloaf Mountain and enjoy a Welcome Lunch. In the evening, experience a dazzling Brazilian Dance Show, featuring folkloric music, Carnival costumes, and the famous Samba. On Day 3, we’ll visit Corcovado and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, offering breathtaking views of Rio’s beaches and landmarks. The afternoon is free to relax on the beach or explore Ipanema.
Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts and 1 Dinner
DAYS 4 & 5 – IGUAZU FALLS
Transfer to the airport for our flight to the most beautiful and spectacular waterfalls in the world – Iguazu Falls. Enjoy a half day tour on arrival to the Brazilian side of the falls, then cross into Argentina and our hotel, before dinner at the unique Argentine Experience. The next morning we visit the spectacular “Devil’s Throat” with over 1.5km of boardwalk right over the river. In the late afternoon of Day 5 we fly to Buenos Aires.
Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts
DAY 6 – BUENOS AIRES
This exciting cosmopolitan City, often known as the “Paris of the Americas” is a mix of colonial architecture and European influences – and a shopper’s paradise. We’ll take you on an insightful walking tour of Buenos Aires. We’ll also head to the colourful Bohemian district of La Boca with its many artists and street markets. This evening will feature a fabulous Tango show with dinner and wine.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
DAYS 7 TO 9 – SALTA AND TILCARA
We catch a mid morning flight to Salta, to settle into our hotel, a converted Convent and enjoy an afternoon walking tour. Salta is truly one of the most beautiful cities in northern Argentina. This is also the first ascent to altitude over 2500m. The following day our journey takes us north to discover the surreal coloured hills and spend the next two nights in the quaint village of Tilcara.
Meals Included: 3 Breakfasts
DAY 10 – TRAVEL TO BOLIVIA
Today we continue towards the Bolivian border and spend the night in Tupiza. On the way we’ll discover Huamahuaca and the impressive scenery of this region. We need to be a little flexible with the itinerary due to conditions en-route and the border crossing, but you will be well rewarded. Tupiza is a great place to relax, before our 4 wheel drive adventure towards the Salar de Uyuni begins. It is also a great place to further acclimatise for higher altitudes ahead.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAYS 11 & 12 – UYUNI SALT FLATS 4WD SAFARI
Today is an early start to our Bolivian 4WD adventure towards Uyuni and the incredible Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni). We will visit the famous train cemetery, Uyuni Salt Flats and the fascinating Inca Huasi (Fish Island) with the tallest cactus in the world and great views over the Salar. After lunch we will visit the mummies of Conquesa, and head to the village of San Juan.
The following day we head South, visiting the lagoons of Cache, Hedionda, Chiarkhota and Honda. We then continue onto Laguna Colorada, visit the geysers Sol de Mañana, passing by Lagoon Chalviri and head north towards the village of Villamar.
Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 2 Dinners
Special note. This is a true 4WD adventure across some rugged terrain and high altitude. The itinerary can be subject to change at short notice, due to climatic conditions, and is a guideline only.
DAYS 13 & 14 – UYUNI TO LA PAZ
Today, we conclude our 4WD safari, arriving in Uyuni for our flight to La Paz. After a cable car transfer to our hotel, enjoy a well-deserved rest. The next day, we tour La Paz, starting with Moon Valley, followed by a cableway ride offering panoramic city views. We’ll visit the Historic Center, including the Witches’ Market for a glimpse into Andean beliefs. The evening wraps up with dinner and a local Folklore Show.
Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch and 1 Dinner
DAYS 15 & 16 – PUNO & LAKE TITICACA
Leaving La Paz, we drive via the Bolivian version of Copacabana, located on the shore of Lake Titicaca to Puno. Enjoy spectacular Altiplano scenery along the way, with plenty of photo stops and a chaotic but interesting border crossing. The next day we board our boat to explore the lake. Continuing on to Taquile Island to experience this unique community. After a lunch of local lake fish, we head back to Puno by boat and arrive in the late afternoon to relax and explore this mostly Aymara town.
Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts and 1 Lunch
DAYS 17 & 18 – COLCA CANYON AND CONDOR VIEWING
We’ll drive across the Altiplano towards the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world with a staggering total depth of 3270m! Home to the famous Andean Condor. View these birds close up, as they soar above us while on the edge of the canyon. Visit local villages still inhabited by people of the Collagua and Cabana cultures, soak in thermal baths and sample the life, music and spectacular scenery. We continue on to Arequipa.
Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts
DAY 19 – AREQUIPA
Arguably Peru’s most beautiful city, Arequipa exhibits a delightful colonial past. Situated under the volcano “El Misti”, stroll around the city enjoying the spring-like climate. There’s plenty to do, such as visiting the Juanita Museum, churches, the gorgeous Santa Catalina Monastery and sample some of the many superb regional dishes.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAYS 20 TO 22 – AREQUIPA TO THE SACRED VALLEY
Today we fly from Arequipa to Cusco, where we head out to the beautiful Urubamba Valley (Sacred Valley of the Inca’s), visiting a weaver’s village or local market on the way, depending on flight times. The following is an exciting mix of local culture and your first experience of an ancient Inca site. Pisac Inca site and vibrant Pisac market, along with Ollantaytambo are all in the Sacred Valley, so we’ll try and maximise time so as to best explore the area and Inca ruins.
Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts
DAY 23 – MACHU PICCHU AND CUSCO
A highlight of the trip is taking a scenic train ride through spectacular mountain vistas to Aguas Calientes – then transfer by coach to Machu Picchu – the “Lost City of the Incas”. Machu Picchu, rediscovered by archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911, is one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world. After our guided tour of Machu Picchu, we return to Cuzco late in the evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Special note: Due to new visiting rules, we will try and take the afternoon option of 12.30 to 17.30. This means a long but rewarding day and a late arrival back to Cusco. Visiting times will be subject to availability.
DAYS 24 & 25 – CUSCO 1/2 DAY CITY TOUR AND COOKING CLASS
A half day tour today reveals to us the ancient city that was known by the Incas as the “Navel of the World”. We also visit the surrounding Inca site of Sacsayhuaman. Cuzco is an exquisite mix of Incan and Spanish colonial influences. A free day to explore Cuzco and enjoy the special atmosphere. Browse in the many craft shops, enjoy a coffee overlooking the plaza, or relax in the courtyard of your colonial style hotel. The day is yours. Late in the afternoon, you will enjoy a fascinating Peruvian cooking class overlooking the city of Cusco. Dinner tonight will be the result of your cooking experience.
Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts and 1 Dinner
DAYS 26 to 28 – AMAZON RAINFOREST LODGE
AMAZON EXCURSION – After a short flight we arrive in the steamy Amazon town of Puerto Maldonado, where we’re met and taken to our lodge. First we ride by boat from the Tambopata Port to the lodge trailhead, then walk 3km to stunning Sandoval lake, where we are canoed across to the lodge.
Amazon lodge – Nature walks, canoeing, medicinal plants and their uses, wildlife videos and lectures will have you enthralled. We have the chance to see spider, capuchin and howler monkeys, macaws, sloths, giant river otters which are resident in the lake, hummingbirds, caimans and a vast variety of insects. The lodge’s unique location is sure to be a highlight of your trip.
Meals Included: 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 3 Dinners
DAYS 29 & 30 – LIMA
We retrace our journey back to Puerto Maldonado. A short flight takes us to Lima via Cusco. Enjoy our fascinating city tour. Your tour leader will take you on an afternoon walk through the neighbourhoods of Miraflores and Barranco, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Our final dinner will feature regional Peruvian specialties.
Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts and 1 Dinner
DAY 31 – DEPARTURE DAY OR CONTINUE TO THE GALAPAGOS
Today is departure day.
Meals Included: Breakfast
**Ask us about joining on tours to the amazing Galapagos Islands
TESTIMONIALS
HIGHLIGHTS
DATES
| Start Date | End Date | Availability | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13th Aug 2025 | 13th Sep 2025 | AVAILABLE | US$11,930 |
