Ultimate South America with Arequipa & Colca Canyon
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Ultimate South America with Arequipa & Colca Canyon" tour, a captivating journey through Argentina, Brazil, and Peru. Begin in Rio de Janeiro with a visit to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, then marvel at the breathtaking Iguassu Falls. Explore the vibrant culture of Buenos Aires, and delve into Lima's colonial heritage. Discover the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the mystical ruins of Machu Picchu. Experience the serene beauty of Lake Titicaca and the awe-inspiring Colca Canyon. This tour offers a rich tapestry of history, nature, and culture, with guided sightseeing, scenic drives, and comfortable accommodations throughout. Enjoy 22 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 7 dinners as you traverse this diverse continent, creating unforgettable memories at every turn. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Rio De Janeiro,Brazil
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation Name: Windsor Plaza Copacabana
Welcome to spectacular Rio de Janeiro! After arrival, settle into your hotel and meet your Tour Director, who will have pointers for your free time exploration.
Day 2: Rio De Janeiro
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation Name: Windsor Plaza Copacabana
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 Christ the Redeemer statue and enjoy 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.
Day 3: Rio De Janeiro
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation Name: Windsor Plaza Copacabana
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 4: Rio De Janeiro,Iguassu Falls
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls
Accommodation Name: Recanto Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Fly to Iguassu Falls, one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. Journey to the Brazilian side of the falls to see the 275 waterfalls cascading over a precipice almost two miles wide and 250 feet deep. Walk into Devil’s Throat Canyon, where clouds of mist, a thunderous roar, and 180-degree rainbows surround you—an unforgettable experience!
Day 5: Iguassu Falls
Location: Iguassu Falls
Accommodation Name: Recanto Park
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cross the Brazilian border by motorcoach and visit the Argentine side of Iguassu Falls. Begin with a short ride on the open-air Ecological Jungle Train through the surrounding rainforest. A series of boardwalks takes you above the falls for a look over the edge to see the water crashing down below into the Devil’s Throat. This afternoon, you may opt to visit the Bird Park, home to many species of endemic birds as well as flora from the area.
Day 6: Iguassu Falls,Buenos Aires,Argentina
Location: Iguassu Falls, Buenos Aires
Accommodation Name: Kenton Palace
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 7: Buenos Aires
Location: Buenos Aires
Accommodation Name: Kenton Palace
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide focuses on the city’s well-known 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 highlighting this alluring dance so popular here.
Day 8: Buenos Aires
Location: Buenos Aires
Accommodation Name: Kenton Palace
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free for independent activities, or you can take an optional excursion to visit a local estancia (ranch) to experience the life of the gauchos (cowboys) on a traditional Argentine ranch complete with a barbecue lunch.
Day 9: Buenos Aires,Lima,Peru
Location: Buenos Aires, Lima
Accommodation Name: Jose Antonio Lima Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Board a flight for Lima, Peru. Heralded as the “City of Kings” by Spanish conquistadors, Lima still carries vestiges of its opulent past with its colonial buildings and world-class museums.
Day 10: Lima
Location: Lima
Accommodation Name: Jose Antonio Lima Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Sightseeing today focuses on Lima’s colonial heritage. Founded in 1535, Lima was once the capital of Spain’s South American Empire. Visit the baroque 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 was once the home of Francisco Pizarro, founder of Lima and conqueror of Peru. Nearby, see the cathedral where Pizarro’s remains are buried. The remainder of your day is free to explore on your own. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
Day 11: Lima,Cusco,Sacred Valley
Location: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley
Accommodation Name: Sonesta Posadas del Inca - Sacred Valley - Yucay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Fly to Cusco high in the Andes and, upon arrival, descend into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Learn about the importance of camelids (llama, vicuña, alpaca, and guanaco) for Inca cultures. See them up close and learn how their coats are transformed into colorful weaving fibers that are then used in ancient weaving techniques still in use today. Continue to Pisaq, a charming village with a famous market, where you have plenty of time to browse the many colorful stalls selling handicrafts ranging from alpaca sweaters and blankets to painted vases and sterling silver. Later, arrive at your hotel, nestled in the peaceful Sacred Valley.
Day 12: Sacred Valley
Location: Ollantaytambo
Accommodation Name: Sonesta Posadas del Inca - Sacred Valley - Yucay
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start the day with a visit to 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—the only place ever to resist Spanish attacks. You will see how the temple area at the top of the terraces was the perfect defensive stronghold. Next, visit a local home to experience life in this traditional village, which has been remarkably well preserved. Then, 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.
Day 13: Sacred Valley,Machu Picchu
Location: Urubamba Valley, Machu Picchu
Accommodation Name: El Mapi by Inkaterra
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Board the Vistadome train that cuts a path through the picturesque Urubamba Valley bound for Aguas Calientes, the quaint town closest to the “Lost City of the Incas.” Ascend the mountainside through tropical forest to the sacred refuge of Machu Picchu. Your guide recounts the many accomplishments of the Incas as you tour the terraced ruins dating back to the 15th century. Abandoned when the Inca Empire fell to the Spanish, these remarkable ruins remained undiscovered for nearly 400 years. For this reason, many of the mysteries surrounding Machu Picchu remain to this day.
Day 14: Machu Picchu,Cusco
Location: Machu Picchu, Cusco
Accommodation Name: Jose Antonio Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy some free time this morning to explore the mountain town of Aguas Calientes; perhaps visit the local market, quaint boutiques, or take a walk along nearby trails. Later this afternoon, return to Cusco on the Vistadome train to the former capital of the Inca Empire.
Day 15: Cusco
Location: Cusco
Accommodation Name: Jose Antonio Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco that focuses on the city that was once the political, military, and cultural epicenter of the Incas. In fact, Inca foundations can still be found in Cusco, with the Spanish baroque structures built on top. Visit the Santo Domingo Monastery, where these two forms of architecture are melded together with the temple of both cultures atop one another. Also, see the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas before a visit to the Temple of Sacsayhuaman. Some of the best examples of Inca masonry can be found at this fortress, where stones weighing up to 350 tons are pieced together to form a complex that could house up to 10,000 men. Learn about the ceremonies and battles that took place here on your tour. Roll up your sleeves to participate in a tree-planting project supporting the local community. Return to Cusco for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 16: Cusco,Puno
Location: Cusco, Puno
Accommodation Name: Jose Antonio Puno
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, drive south to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Legend says the first Inca, Manco Capac, arose from the waters of the lake by the power of the sun god to create the Inca Empire.
Day 17: Puno. Excursion To Lake Titicaca
Location: Lake Titicaca
Accommodation Name: Jose Antonio Puno
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Experience fascinating Lake Titicaca today as you embark on a motorboat tour of the highest navigable lake in the world and its manmade islands. On Taquile Island, see how the local people integrate their Inca and Spanish past. Continue to the Uros floating islands, a group of approximately 40 artificially made islands. Learn how the Uros people construct their islands, homes, boats, and many other resources completely of tortora reed, a centuries-old practice. Enjoy a farewell dinner hosted by your Tour Director this evening.
Day 18: Puno,Colca Canyon
Location: Puno, Colca Canyon
Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Standard Colca Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, depart Puno for a scenic drive to Colca Canyon. Enjoy scenery of Pre-Columbian terraces populated with vicuñas and a variety of birds before stopping for lunch in the town of Chivay. This afternoon, arrive in Colca Canyon. Please note: the Tour Director does not accompany guests on extensions. Guided service is as outlined in the day by day itinerary.
Day 19: Colca Canyon
Location: Colca Canyon
Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Standard Colca Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, join your Local Guide to spend time in the Colca Canyon, an impressive geological formation more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Visit Condors’ Cross, an observation point, where you can view the Andean condor in flight at eye level, followed by a visit to the town of Yanque. This afternoon is free for independent exploration.
Day 20: Colca Canyon,Arequipa
Location: Colca Canyon, Arequipa
Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Select Arequipa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Drive to Arequipa located in the Chili River Valley and flanked by three snowcapped volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. Known as the “white city,” Arequipa definitely does justice to its nickname, as its buildings are made of sillar, a white volcanic rock found throughout the area. The stone embellishes the facades of the city’s homes and churches.
Day 21: Arequipa
Location: Arequipa
Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Select Arequipa
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, a city tour of Arequipa shows off the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral before visiting the Jesuit church, considered the best example of the mestizo baroque style. Continue to the residential districts of Yanahuara and Chilina, where you enjoy a magnificent view of Arequipa’s countryside and the Mount Misti volcano.
Day 22: Arequipa,Lima
Location: Arequipa, Lima
Accommodation Name: Jose Antonio Lima Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fly to Lima today.
Day 23: Lima
Location: Lima
Accommodation Name: Jose Antonio Lima Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Guided Sightseeing
Guided sightseeing in Rio de Janeiro, including Christ the Redeemer statue and 360-degree views of Guanabara Bay.
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Visit to Iguassu Falls
Visit to Iguassu Falls, including Devil’s Throat Canyon and a ride on the Ecological Jungle Train.
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Exploration of Buenos Aires
Exploration of Buenos Aires, including Teatro Colón Opera House, Plaza de Mayo, and a Tango show.
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Tour of Lima’s Colonial Heritage
Tour of Lima’s colonial heritage, including San Francisco Monastery and Plaza Mayor.
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Visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, including Awanakancha and Pisac Indian market.
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Guided Tour of Machu Picchu
Guided tour of Machu Picchu, the 'Lost City of the Incas'.
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Motorboat Tour of Lake Titicaca
Motorboat tour of Lake Titicaca, including Taquile Island and Uros floating islands.
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Exploration of Colca Canyon
Exploration of Colca Canyon, including Condors’ Cross and the town of Yanque.
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Transport Between Destinations
Travel between destinations on this tour includes flights to Iguassu Falls, Buenos Aires, Lima, Cusco, Juliaca, and Arequipa. Additionally, enjoy scenic drives, a motorboat tour on Lake Titicaca, and a ride on the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu.
What's Not Included
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions such as a visit to the historic city of Petropolis, Bird Park in Iguassu Falls, and a local estancia (ranch) in Buenos Aires.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and beverages not included in the tour package.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
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International Flights
International flights to and from the starting and ending locations of the tour are not included.
Meals
22 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 6 Dinners
UNESCO Sites
City of Cusco|Historic Center of Lima|Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu|Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa|Iguazu National Park
Accommodation
Stay in a selection of comfortable hotels including Windsor Plaza Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Recanto Park in Iguassu Falls, Kenton Palace in Buenos Aires, Jose Antonio Lima Hotel in Lima, Sonesta Posadas del Inca in Sacred Valley, El Mapi by Inkaterra in Machu Picchu, Jose Antonio Cusco in Cusco, Jose Antonio Puno in Puno, Casa Andina Standard Colca Hotel in Colca Canyon, and Casa Andina Select Arequipa in Arequipa. ...more ...less
Mode of Transport
Travel between destinations includes flights to Iguassu Falls, Buenos Aires, Lima, Cusco, Juliaca, and Arequipa. Enjoy scenic drives, a motorboat tour on Lake Titicaca, and a ride on the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu.
Notes
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.
Guests should be in relatively good shape to visit Arequipa and Colca Canyon due to sustained high altitudes. Arequipa is approx. 7,808 feet and the road to Colca Valley has mountain passes which are approx. 16,000 ft. In Colca, where guests will overnight, the altitude is approx. 11,800 ft. Maximum elevation on this tour is approx. 16,000 ft.
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Check out our Q&As
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What is the significance of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro?
The Christ the Redeemer statue, completed in 1931, is emblematic for both the city of Rio de Janeiro and the Brazilian nation as a whole. It stands at the summit of Corcovado, offering 360-degree views of Guanabara Bay and the bustling city below.
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What can I expect during the visit to Iguassu Falls?
At Iguassu Falls, you will visit both the Brazilian and Argentine sides. On the Brazilian side, you will see the 275 waterfalls cascading over a precipice and walk into Devil’s Throat Canyon. On the Argentine side, you will take a ride on the Ecological Jungle Train and walk above the falls to see the water crashing down into the Devil’s Throat. ...more ...less
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What activities are included in Buenos Aires?
In Buenos Aires, you will have a guided sightseeing tour focusing on landmarks such as the Teatro Colón Opera House, Plaza de Mayo, and Recoleta Cemetery. You will also visit La Boca and San Telmo neighborhoods and have the option to enjoy an Argentinean meal followed by a Tango show. ...more ...less
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What is unique about the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is known for its importance to Inca culture, particularly for camelids like llamas and alpacas. You will visit Pisaq, a village with a famous market, and learn about ancient weaving techniques. The valley is also home to the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, which resisted Spanish attacks during the conquest. ...more ...less
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What will I experience at Machu Picchu?
At Machu Picchu, you will ascend the mountainside through tropical forest to the sacred refuge of the 'Lost City of the Incas.' Your guide will recount the many accomplishments of the Incas as you tour the terraced ruins dating back to the 15th century. The site remained undiscovered for nearly 400 years after the fall of the Inca Empire. ...more ...less
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What is the significance of Lake Titicaca?
Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. During the motorboat tour, you will visit Taquile Island and the Uros floating islands, where you will learn about the Uros people's centuries-old practice of constructing islands, homes, and boats entirely from tortora reed.
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What can I expect during the visit to Colca Canyon?
In Colca Canyon, you will visit Condors’ Cross, an observation point where you can view the Andean condor in flight at eye level. You will also visit the town of Yanque and have free time for independent exploration.
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What is special about the city of Arequipa?
Arequipa, known as the 'white city,' is flanked by three snowcapped volcanoes and is famous for its buildings made of sillar, a white volcanic rock. The city tour includes the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the Jesuit church, showcasing the mestizo baroque style.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Cosmos requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of cosmos charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Enquire for Extra Savings
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Ultimate South America with Arequipa & Colca Canyon
23 Days Starting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and ending in Lima, Peru
Visiting: Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls, Buenos Aires, Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, Arequipa ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1206-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
5-99