Maximum enjoyment of this vacation 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 12,200 ft.
Itinerary
Day 1 RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
Welcome to spectacular Rio de Janeiro, home to sizzling nightlife! Settle into your hotel and meet your Tour Director, who will have pointers for your free-time exploration.RIO-DE-JANEIRO-DANCER.jpg
Day 2 RIO DE JANEIRO
Sprawling between majestic granite peaks and the blue South Atlantic, Rio is a city of beauty, wonder, and energy. Guided sightseeing begins with a drive along Rio’s famed Leblon, Ipanema, and more. Take the cog railway 2,300 feet up to the summit of Corcovado to view the famous Christ the Redeemer statue and 360-degree views of Guanabara Bay and the bustling city below. The famed statue was completed in 1931 becoming emblematic for both the city and the Brazilian nation as a whole. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own. Tonight, perhaps opt for a dinner at a local churrascaria, serving prime meats, seafood, and fish. RIO-DE-JANEIRO-CORCOVADO.jpg
Breakfast
Day 3 RIO DE JANEIRO
A free day in Rio allows you to relax on one of the beaches or take an optional excursion to the historic city of Petropolis to see the former summer palace of Emperor Pedro II. RIO-DE-JANEIRO-IPANEMA-BEACH.jpg
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Day 4 RIO DE JANEIRO–IGUASSU FALLS
A morning flight takes you to Iguassu Falls, one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. Journey to the Brazilian side of the falls to see the mammoth series of 275 waterfalls cascading over a precipice almost two miles wide and 250 feet deep. Walk into Devil’s Throat Canyon, where the clouds of mist, thundering roar, and 180-degree rainbows surround you—an unforgettable experience! IGUASSU-FALLS.jpg
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Dinner
Day 5 IGUASSU FALLS. EXCURSION TO IGUASSU FALLS, ARGENTINA
Cross the Brazilian border by motorcoach and visit the Argentine side of the falls. Begin with a short ride on the open-air Ecological Jungle Train through the rainforest. A series of boardwalks takes you above the falls to see the water crashing down into the Devil’s Throat. Return to Brazil’s side of Iguassu Falls for free time, or you may opt to visit the Bird Park, home to many species of endemic birds as well as flora from the area. IGUASSU-FALLS-MACAW.jpg
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Day 6 IGUASSU FALLS–BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
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, Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital. After settling into your hotel, you may wish to familiarize yourself with the “Paris of South America” and its wide boulevards, outdoor cafés, and charming shops. BUENOS-AIRES-RECOLETA-CEMETERY.jpg
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Day 7 BUENOS AIRES
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide focuses on the city’s landmarks, including the Teatro Colón Opera House and Plaza de Mayo, site of La Casa Rosada (the President’s Pink House), and Metropolitan Cathedral. Also, visit La Boca and San Telmo, one of Buenos Aires’ oldest neighborhoods, and Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Perón is buried. End your day with an optional excursion to enjoy an Argentinean meal, followed by a sensuous Tango show. BUENOS-AIRES-LA-BOCA.jpg
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Day 8 BUENOS AIRES
Today is free for independent activities, or you can take an optional excursion to a local estancia (ranch) to experience the life of the gauchos (cowboys), as well as traditional dance performances and a barbecue lunch. BUENOS-AIRES-GAUCHO.jpg
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Day 9 BUENOS AIRES–SANTIAGO, CHILE
Fly over the majestic Andes to Santiago, Chile’s scenic capital between the Pacific and the Andes. With a coastline more than 2,650 miles long, Chile is more than 10 times longer than it is wide. With a distinctly European flavor accented with Latin flair, Santiago is one of South America’s most sophisticated and modern cities. SANTIAGO-CITY-VIEW.jpg
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Day 10 SANTIAGO
Your guided city tour introduces you to Santiago—the country’s political, commercial, and cultural capital. View La Moneda Government Palace and San Cristobal Hill with its landmark statue of the Virgin Mary. Your tour ends at the city’s main square, Plaza de Armas, with a visit to the relic-filled Cathedral. Your afternoon is at leisure. This evening, consider the optional Chilean Folkloric Dinner Show. SANTIAGO-PLAZA-DE-ARMAS.jpg
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Day 11 SANTIAGO
Today, enjoy a day at leisure. A trip to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar is highly recommended. A leisurely drive through the countryside and vineyards delivers you to Valparaiso, a city of 42 hills and the inspiration of many artists and poets. On to the chic seaside resort of Viña del Mar, full of unusual architecture and beautiful gardens. SANTIAGO-VINA-DEL-MAR.jpg
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Dinner
Day 12 SANTIAGO–LIMA, PERU
Board a flight for Lima, Peru, where you will be met by a Cosmos representative. Heralded as the “City of Kings” by Spanish conquistadors, Lima retains vestiges of its opulent past with its colonial buildings and world-class museums. Please note: The Tour Director does not accompany guests on extensions. Guided service is as outlined in the day by day itinerary.SANTIAGO-LOCAL-PERSON.jpg
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Day 13 LIMA
Sightseeing with a Local Guide today focuses on Lima’s colonial heritage. Visit the 11th-century San Francisco Monastery, with Spanish and Moorish architecture throughout. Continue to Plaza Mayor, where you will see the Government Palace that houses the presidential palace and the cathedral where the founder of Lima, Francisco Pizarro’s, remains are buried. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.
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Dinner
Day 14 LIMA–CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY
Fly to Cusco high in the Andes and upon arrival, descend into the Sacred Valley. Learn about the importance of camelids (llama, vicuña, alpaca, and guanaco) for Inca cultures. Continue to Pisaq, a charming village with a famous market—a great place to buy souvenirs! Later, arrive at your hotel nestled in the Sacred Valley.
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Day 15 SACRED VALLEY
Visit the village of Ollantaytambo and the Inca ruins of the same name. Explore the archaeological site that was the scene of the Inca resistance during the Spanish conquest. Next, visit a local Inca home to see life in a traditional village, which has been remarkably well preserved. Also, visit the Seminario Ceramics Workshop to learn about Peruvian ancient and modern art. End your day at a local chicheria for a taste of a typical Inca drink in Peru called chicha.
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Day 16 SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU
Board the Vistadome train that cuts a path through the Urubamba Valley bound for Aguas Calientes, the town closest to the “Lost City of the Incas.” Ascend the mountainside to the sacred refuge of Machu Picchu. Your guide recounts the many accomplishments of the Incas as you tour the ruins dating back to the 15th century.
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Day 17 MACHU PICCHU–CUSCO
This morning, enjoy some free time to explore the mountain town of Aguas Calientes; perhaps visit the local market, quaint boutiques, or take a walk along nearby trails. Later, return to Cusco on the Vistadome train to the former capital of the Inca Empire.
Breakfast
Day 18 CUSCO
A guided sightseeing tour of Cusco focuses on the city that was once the political, military, and cultural epicenter of the Incas. Visit Santo Domingo Monastery and the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, which houses a magnificent collection of artwork. Continue to the hillside overlooking Cusco for a visit to the Temple of Sacsayhuaman. Roll up your sleeves to participate in a tree-planting project supporting the local community. Return to Cusco for dinner at a local restaurant.
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Dinner
Day 19 CUSCO–LIMA
A short flight brings you back to Lima. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy time to explore the city.
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Day 20 LIMA
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.
Breakfast