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South American Discovery

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Operated by Globus
Tripcode: SD
Overview
Destination:
Brazil
Peru
Start:Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Finish:Lima, Peru
Duration:16 days
Type:Group tour (max 24)
Style:
Small group,
Travel Period
July 2025 - November 2026
Rum and rumba. Ruins and rainforests. Rio and revelry. This carefree hoiday to South America has just the R&R you crave. From Brazil to Argentina to Peru, this tri-country tour of South America delivers a healthy dose of take-me-away scenery, sights, and sizzling culture. Sip caipirinhas at the top of Rio de Janeiro’s Sugarloaf Mountain. Learn the sultry steps of the tango in breezy Buenos Aires. Put down your book and lose yourself in the real-life mystery of Machu Picchu. The health, wealth, and safe travels bestowed upon you at a traditional Mother Earth Ceremony in Peru’s Sacred Valley will come to fruition as you feel the magical mist of the roaring Iguassu Falls, taste the creative cuisine in the world-renowned culinary capital of Lima, and travel back five centuries as you stroll along the stone streets of the Inca capital of Cusco.

Traveller Notes
- We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect holiday—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides, to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, air-conditioned motorcoach, Free Wi-Fi (where available).
- Maximum enjoyment of this holiday requires walking on cobblestone streets, uneven pathways, and climbing stairs. Elevations exceeding 10,000 feet can make even modest exertion a challenge. Maximum elevation on this tour is 13,000 ft.
Standard inclusions
  • 15 breakfasts.
    2 lunches.
    7 dinners.
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Itinerary
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Day 1 - ARRIVE IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
Welcome to Rio de Janeiro! At 3:30 pm, meet your Tour Director for a drive to the base of 1,300-foot-high Sugarloaf Mountain. Ascend by cable car to its summit, where you can take in spectacular vistas of the city. Next, toast the start of a memorable holiday with [LF] caipirinhas, a traditional Brazilian cocktail, from atop Sugarloaf Mountain during a cocktail party. LOCAL FAVOURITE LOCAL TASTES A once-in-a-lifetime experience awaits atop Sugarloaf Mountain overlooking Guanabara Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Take in the breathtaking panoramic views as you join a private cocktail party with your fellow travel companions. Toast with a traditional caipirinha, Brazil's national cocktail, made with fresh lime, cachaça (a distilled sugarcane spirit), and sugar. Deliciosa!
Day 2 - RIO DE JANEIRO
Heavenly Views The city's landmark, the statue of Christ the Redeemer, crowns Corcovado Mountain, a rounded peak rising 2,300 feet from the bay below. A scenic ride by cog railway leads to the top, where a breathtaking 360-degree panorama affords sweeping views. From here, proceed to bustling downtown Rio, where modern office towers stand next to relics of the Portuguese colonial past. View the Sambodromo and visit the Cathedral. The afternoon is at leisure for you to experience this vibrant city on your own. Tonight, it's a fun outing to a churrascaria for a feast of barbecued meats marinated and roasted over charcoal in true Brazilian style. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT EPIC RIDE Soar to the summit of Corcovado Mountain by cog railway to reach the site of the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer. This crowning jewel of Rio and Brazil was constructed between 1922 and 1933. The statue of Jesus Christ stands 98 feet high (124 feet including the pedestal) with an arm span of 92 feet wide. Towering over the city, this piece of art is truly an engineering marvel and was voted a New7Wonders of the World.
Day 3 - RIO DE JANEIRO
Beaches, Boutiques & Bites A full day at leisure to enjoy Rio. Relax on one of the world-famous beaches or take advantage of the world-class shopping or fine dining. (B) FREE TIME TIPS EXPLORE MORE Spend free time in Rio de Janeiro with an optional excursion to Petropolis, (mountain resort and former summer palace of Emperor Dom Pedro II). This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with My Account. Get local maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO app.
Day 4 - RIO DE JANEIRO-IGUASSU FALLS
What a Rush! A flight from Rio takes you to Iguassu Falls. Experience the clouds of spray, the incessant roar, and the surrounding luxuriant tropical growth that make this an unforgettable natural wonder. Head into Brazil's Iguassu National Park to enjoy the magnificent panorama of waterfalls from the Brazilian side. Your Local Guide introduces the spectacle of this 2-mile-wide rushing torrent. With some cataracts as high as 250 feet, Iguassu Falls is nothing short of hypnotic! (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT PICTURE PERFECT Explore incredible Iguassu National Park (Brazilian side) and walk the pathways skirting Iguassu Falls. Watch for amazing wildlife in this protected area, including toucans, agoutis, giant otters, anteaters, tapir, and even jaguars!
Day 5 - IGUASSU FALLS
Taking the Plunge Today, journey across the Brazilian border by motorcoach to the Argentine side of Iguassu Falls, where you will enjoy a closer perspective on a walking tour of the falls. Meander along the walkways from atop the falls and enjoy an exhilarating view looking over the precipice of the falls as the water plunges to the rocks below. You will also have the chance to walk through the rainforest on the lower falls trails that will bring you up close to some of the smaller cataracts. Return to the hotel, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Visit Iguassu National Park (Argentinian side) where, from this side of the falls, you get a bird's-eye view from the catwalks perched over part of the Devil's Throat, where 14 waterfalls drop more than 300 feet into the Devil's Gorge below. From this completely different perspective compared to Brazil's side, you'll understand why you must see both sides of the falls!
Day 6 - IGUASSU FALLS-BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
The Boulevards of Buenos Aires This morning, cross the Brazilian border into Argentina by motorcoach to transfer to the Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. After arriving, acquaint yourself with the "Paris of South America" and its wide boulevards and outdoor cafes. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT CITY SIGHTS Elegant European architecture, epicurean cuisine, and a cafe culture to rival any rue de Paris, Buenos Aires is a city of leisurely afternoons sipping cafe con leche or the choicest Argentinian wines.
Day 7 - BUENOS AIRES
Dining, Dancing, Dazzling Your included sightseeing this morning starts in La Boca, a vibrant district and site of the city's first port. Take a short walking tour of this unique enclave at the mouth of the river and then on to San Telmo, famous for its late-colonial buildings and as a popular gathering spot for artists. At the Plaza de Mayo, see La Casa Rosada (the President's Pink House) and the Metropolitan Cathedral, which houses San Martin's Mausoleum. Drive past the ornate Teatro Colon opera house before reaching Recoleta Cemetery, burial site of Eva Peron. After an afternoon at leisure, top off the evening at a famous Tango club. Start with a [LF] dance lesson, followed by dinner of Argentine steaks and other local specialties, and end with a show featuring flawless performances of Latin America's most sensuous dance-the Tango! (B,D) LOCAL FAVOURITE CULTURAL GEMS Like two dancers entwined in perfect sync, the Tango and Argentina go hand in hand. Tonight, feel the passion of this iconic dance at a local milonga (Tango house), where professional tango dancers teach you the traditional techniques of the Argentine Tango. After learning some of the key dance moves, the professionals will delight you in Tango Show featuring the dance as it has evolved through the ages. Plus, dine on Argentine specialties and wine too!
Day 8 - BUENOS AIRES
Ranch Life Today, head into the heart of the pampas (grasslands) and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of rural, country life at a working Argentina estancia (ranch). After a traditional welcome with empanadas and local beverages, get acquainted with the lifestyle of real gauchos (cowboys) on a carriage ride through the pampas. Later, at lunch, enjoy an authentic feast, complete with world-renowned Argentine beef, salad, desserts, and live music and dance by the gauchos themselves. Top off the day with an equestrian demonstration by the gauchos before saying adios to the countryside and heading back to the city. (B,L) LOCAL FAVORITE CULTURE & TRADITION Argentinean Estancias date back to the 16th Century during Spanish colonization when conquistadors where gifted land to raise and breed cattle. Today, these lands and traditions that go along with them have been passed down from generation to generation. Today, you step into the traditional, local life of a gaucho and embrace Argentinian heritage.
Day 9 - BUENOS AIRES - LIMA, PERU
Adios, Argentina. Hola, Peru! After a morning at leisure to enjoy Buenos Aires on your own, fly to Lima, the capital of Peru located on the country's arid Pacific Coast. (B) ENHANCED FREE TIME CULTURAL TREASURE Founded in 1535 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, Lima is a modern melting pot of food fusion, fashion, and fascinating finds in art, culture, and architecture. From the central square of Plaza Mayor to the ceviche and pisco sours to tempt the palate, you'll find feasts for the eyes and the appetite in this capital city of Peru.
Day 10 - LIMA
Legendary Lima Your city sightseeing tour focuses on Lima's rich colonial history as well as the modern city. See the 18th-century San Francisco Monastery with its unique cloisters, Government Palace, and the cathedral situated around the vast Plaza de Armas. Tonight, visit the [LF] Larco Herrera Museum, which houses the largest private collection of Pre-Columbian Peruvian art in the world. Enjoy dinner at the museum's restaurant. (B,D) LOCAL FAVOURITE ART & ARCHITECTURE This evening, an exclusive guided tour of Lima's Larco Herrera Museum, on the site of a 7th-century pre-Columbian pyramid, introduces you to the world's largest private collection of pre-Columbian Peruvian art. See 5,000 years of art, artifacts, and archaeological treasures followed by a special dinner in the beautiful Peruvian café here.
Day 11 - LIMA-CUSCO-SACRED VALLEY
Empire of the Andes Fly to Cusco, the impressive Andean city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Head into the Sacred Valley of the Incas and visit the semi-circular Kenko Amphitheater with its stone altars and labyrinth of passages, and see the ancient site of Puca Pucara. Also, in the Sacred Valley, experience an [LF] El Pago a la Tierra, or Mother Earth Ceremony, performed by a local shaman. Continue to Pisaq, a historic mountain village and famous market. Here, [LF] taste an empanada and enjoy free time to shop for local wares, such as alpaca sweaters and blankets, jewelry, or hand-painted ornamental dishes and vases at its famous market. Stay in the Sacred Valley tonight, with dinner at the hotel. (B,D) LOCAL FAVOURITE CULTURE & TRADITION Feel the earth, smell the coca leaves, and taste the chicha today as you make payment to Mother Earth. Participate in an El Pago a la Tierra, an ancient ceremony led by a shaman thanking Mother Earth and asking for good health, wealth, and safe travels. These mystical ceremonies have been practiced in Peru since before the arrival of the Incas.
Day 12 - SACRED VALLEY-MACHU PICCHU
Mystery on the Mountain This morning, visit the Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo, followed by [LF] a visit to a local home, meet some of the area's families, and experience their way of life in the Sacred Valley. Then, board the Vistadome train for a scenic journey through the lush Urubamba Valley. Upon arrival, ascend the mountainside to legendary Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas." Your Local Guide will introduce this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct, and will bring you closer to the mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures. Tonight, learn how to make the perfect Pisco Sour at a Peruvian cooking demonstration before your included dinner. (B,D) LOCAL FAVOURITE TIMELESS TRADITIONS Today, you are invited into a local family's home in the Sacred Valley. Learn about their traditions like weaving that has been passed down for centuries from ancestors. See how they cook, live, sleep, work, and maybe ask about the cuy (guinea pigs), they keep in their house. ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT The Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, named one of South America's best hotels and the recipient of the Rainforest Alliance sustainability certification is located at the foot of the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu near the beautiful Vilcanota River, and offers impressive views of the mountains and landscapes. A hotel with a contemporary Andean style inspired by the ancient Peruvian cultures, offering personalised luxury service and innovative Peruvian cuisine. Offering regional gastronomy experiences, the Sumaq uses local ingredients in partnership with communities located high in the Andes, such as Quishuarcancha, Parcaraqui, and Huatata in Chinchero, as well as the small community of Ccorca that is home to fewer than 200 people.
Day 13 - MACHU PICCHU-CUSCO
Here Comes the Sun A morning at leisure in Machu Picchu allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu with your second included entrance to the ruins. After lunch, return to the Sacred Valley by train and continue to Cusco. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORY & MYSTERY Staying overnight in Machu Picchu allows you to rise early and experience the ruins at their most pristine before the crowds arrive. Watch as the mist slowly burns off and the sun rays illuminate the ruins. While you are there, you may even want to try and get a selfie with one of the local llamas or alpacas!
Day 14 - CUSCO
Sun Worship & Spanish Conquests On your guided sightseeing tour of Cusco today, learn more about the Inca and Spanish influence. Begin at the heart of Cusco in the Plaza de Armas (main square), with a visit to the imposing Cathedral, where construction began in 1550 and was finally completed 100 years later. Continue to Koricancha and the Santo Domingo Monastery and see how the two sites have become one. The Temple of the Sun at Koricancha was once the most important Inca site, dedicated to the worship of the Sun. The walls, altars, and decorations were all said to be covered in gold-until the Spaniards looted the temple and then built the contrasting Baroque Santo Domingo Monastery on top of the temple's foundations. Also, visit the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, perched on a hillside overlooking Cusco. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore on your own. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a festive farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDARY LIVES Built in the 15th Century by the Incas, the Temple of Sacsayhuaman complex is considered to be one of the Inca's greatest architectural creations. It is believed the site was originally constructed as a ceremonial site and later a fortress when the Spanish invaded. It remains unfathomable how and when this fortress of gigantic stones-with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons-was built. During your guided tour, learn some of the theories on how the massive stones used were carved, carried, and placed.
Day 15 - CUSCO-LIMA
Hasta Luego, Cusco A short morning flight returns you to Lima. For a special treat, make a stop at a local [LF] Peruvian food market to get a real taste of the life of the local people. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore on your own. (B) LOCAL FAVOURITE LOCAL TASTES Stop for a real taste of Peru at a local market. Sample some of the local fruits and vegetable that aren't found in other parts of the world. You can also find spices, meats, seafood, and even a souvenir or two. And you'll definitely want to take some photos of the beautiful, brightly hued displays.
Day 16 - LIMA
Safe travels until we meet again! Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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Operator
Globus

At Globus, we’re not just hooked on travel as a destination, but on the way travel makes you feel. Our promise is to craft adventures you’ll want to re-live forever. Our story began more than 90 years ago, when a young Swiss Antonio Mantegazza began transporting tourists across Lake Lugano on his rowboat, sharing stories and revealing local secrets along the way. On that lake, Globus was born. Discovering a passion for tourism and a knack for business, Antonio’s services expanded beyond river transport to bus touring, from Switzerland to Europe and then, the world. After 90 years curating travel wonderment, our passion for curating the perfect trip remains. At Globus, we have the experience and local knowledge to craft immersive adventures that make you feel alive. Expect to see all the major sites, but then go deeper, to the beating heart of every new discovery. As they say, when you’re in the moment, it’s not what you know, but who you know, and you’ll quickly discover our Tour Directors know all the local secrets and insider tips. Let us connect you with a new world of people, places and experiences that will ignite your imagination. It's time to tour with Globus.

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