Itinerary
- Day 1
Santiago
A Cosmos representative meets you when you arrive in Santiago. The city stretches along over 2,650 miles of coastline and blends European sophistication with Latin energy, making it one of South America's most modern capitals. You'll have time to settle into your hotel and get oriented.
- Day 2
Santiago
Walk through Santiago's historic center with a local guide who traces the city's heritage back to the 16th century. The tour covers La Moneda Government Palace, Plaza de Armas, and the 18th century Cathedral that anchor the country's political and cultural life. After lunch, the afternoon and evening are yours to explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Santiago
- View La Moneda Government Palace
- Visit Plaza de Armas
- Visit 18th Century Cathedral
Landmarks La Moneda Government Palace Plaza de Armas Santiago Cathedral - Day 3
Santiago to Rio de Janeiro
You'll fly to Rio de Janeiro, famous for white-sand beaches and Carnival celebrations. After arriving and checking in, the afternoon is free. Spend time taking in Rio's scenery from your hotel or grab a walk along the waterfront to get your bearings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 4
Rio de Janeiro
Meet with your Tour Director, who'll share tips about exploring Rio on your own terms. The entire day is yours to use however you like. Some people head to beaches, others wander neighborhoods or visit museums. It's completely up to you what you do.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 5
Rio de Janeiro
A guided tour takes you along Rio's famous Leblon and Ipanema beaches before boarding a cog railway that climbs 2,300 feet up Corcovado mountain. From the summit, you get 360-degree views of Guanabara Bay, the city sprawled below, and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue looming nearby. The afternoon opens up for your own exploration.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing drive along Leblon and Ipanema beaches
- Cog railway to Corcovado summit
- View Christ the Redeemer statue
Landmarks Christ the Redeemer Corcovado Guanabara Bay - Day 6
Rio de Janeiro
This is a free day in Rio, so you can relax on any of the city's beaches or walk through neighborhoods at your own pace. If you want to venture out, an optional trip to Petropolis, a historic city in the mountains, is available to book.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Petropolis
- Day 7
Rio de Janeiro to Iguassu Falls
You'll fly to Iguassu Falls, one of the world's greatest natural wonders. On the Brazilian side, 275 waterfalls crash over a precipice nearly two miles wide and 250 feet deep. You'll walk into Devil's Throat Canyon where mist clouds billow up, the roar echoes, and 180-degree rainbows form across the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls
- Walk into Devil's Throat Canyon
Landmarks Iguassu Falls Devil's Throat Canyon - Day 8
Argentine Side
Cross the border by motorcoach to Argentina and experience the falls from the other side. An open-air Ecological Jungle Train takes you through rainforest, then boardwalks let you walk above the falls and see the water crashing into Devil's Throat from a different angle. The afternoon is yours to explore, or you can take an optional visit to the Bird Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cross border to Argentine side of Iguassu Falls
- Ride on open-air Ecological Jungle Train
- Boardwalk viewing of waterfalls
Optional Activities
- Optional visit to Bird Park
Landmarks Iguassu Falls - Day 9
Iguassu Falls to Buenos Aires
You'll head by motorcoach from the Argentine side across the border to Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Known as the 'Paris of South America,' this cosmopolitan capital has wide boulevards, outdoor cafes, and charming shops. After settling at your hotel, take time to walk around and get familiar with the neighborhoods.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 10
Buenos Aires
A local guide leads morning sightseeing through Buenos Aires, stopping at Teatro Colon Opera House, Plaza de Mayo with La Casa Rosada (the President's Pink House), the Metropolitan Cathedral, and La Boca and San Telmo neighborhoods. You'll visit Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Peron is buried. In the evening, have an Argentinean dinner followed by a sensuous tango show.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Argentinean meal with Tango show)
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Buenos Aires
- Visit Teatro Colon Opera House
- Visit Plaza de Mayo
- View La Casa Rosada
- Visit Metropolitan Cathedral
- Visit La Boca neighborhood
- Visit San Telmo neighborhood
- Visit Recoleta Cemetery
- Argentinean dinner
- Tango show
Landmarks Teatro Colon Plaza de Mayo La Casa Rosada Metropolitan Cathedral La Boca San Telmo Recoleta Cemetery - Day 11
Buenos Aires
Today is free for whatever you want to do around Buenos Aires. Alternatively, an optional excursion takes you to a local estancia (ranch) where you can experience gaucho life on a traditional Argentine ranch, complete with a barbecue lunch and time horseback riding or watching skilled cowboys work.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to local estancia (ranch) with gaucho experience and barbecue lunch
- Day 12
Buenos Aires to Lima
You'll fly to Lima, Peru, a city Spanish conquistadors called the 'City of Kings.' Colonial buildings and world-class museums still reflect its opulent past, showing the city's long history as Spain's most important South American capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 13
Lima
Sightseeing focuses on Lima's colonial heritage. Visit the baroque San Francisco Monastery with its Spanish and Moorish architecture, Plaza Mayor with the Government Palace (once home to Francisco Pizarro, who founded Lima), and the cathedral where Pizarro's remains are buried. The rest of your day is free to wander, and dinner at a local restaurant is arranged for this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit San Francisco Monastery
- Visit Plaza Mayor
- View Government Palace
- Visit Cathedral
Landmarks San Francisco Monastery Plaza Mayor Government Palace Lima Cathedral - Day 14
Lima to Sacred Valley
Fly to Cusco high in the Andes, then descend into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Stop at Awanakancha to learn about camelids (llamas, vicunas, alpacas, and guanacos) and their role in Inca culture, with a chance to see them up close and watch ancient weaving techniques. Later, head to Pisac, a village with a famous Indian market selling colorful alpaca sweaters, blankets, vases, and sterling silver. Your hotel sits in the peaceful Sacred Valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Awanakancha
- Learn about camelids and weaving techniques
- Visit Pisac village and Indian market
Landmarks Awanakancha Pisac - Day 15
Sacred Valley
Start with Ollantaytambo and its Inca ruins, an archaeological site famous for being the only place to successfully resist Spanish attacks during the conquest. Walk through the temple area at the top of the terraces to understand how it served as a defensive stronghold. Visit a local home to see traditional village life, then check out the Seminario Ceramics Workshop to learn about Peruvian art. End the day at a local chicheria to try chicha, a traditional Inca drink.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ollantaytambo Inca ruins
- Visit local home in traditional village
- Visit Seminario Ceramics Workshop
- Visit local chicheria for chicha tasting
Landmarks Ollantaytambo - Day 16
Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu
Board the Vistadome train, which winds through the picturesque Urubamba Valley toward Aguas Calientes, the town closest to Machu Picchu. As you climb the mountainside through tropical forest, your guide shares stories about Inca accomplishments. At the site, tour the terraced ruins dating to the 15th century that were abandoned when the Spanish conquered the empire and remained hidden for nearly 400 years.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Board Vistadome train through Urubamba Valley
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
Landmarks Machu Picchu Aguas Calientes - Day 17
Aguas Calientes to Cusco
This morning is free in Aguas Calientes, so visit the local market, check out quaint boutiques, or take a walk on nearby trails. Later this afternoon, you'll return to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, and head to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 18
Cusco
A guided sightseeing tour takes you through Cusco, once the political, military, and cultural heart of the Inca world. Inca foundations still stand here, with Spanish baroque structures built on top. Visit the Santo Domingo Monastery where these two architectural styles merge, the Cathedral in Plaza de Armas, and Sacsayhuaman temple with its impressive Inca stonework (some stones weigh 350 tons). Also see Kenko and Puca Pucara ruins before returning to Cusco for lunch. The evening is free.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Cusco
- Visit Santo Domingo Monastery
- Visit Cathedral in Plaza de Armas
- Visit Temple of Sacsayhuaman
- View ruins of Kenko
- View ruins of Puca Pucara
- Lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks Santo Domingo Monastery Plaza de Armas Sacsayhuaman Kenko Puca Pucara - Day 19
Cusco to Puno
Fly to Juliaca, then transfer to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. According to legend, the first Inca, Manco Capac, rose from these waters by the sun god's power to establish the Inca Empire, making this one of the world's most sacred lakes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Lake Titicaca - Day 20
Puno Lake Titicaca
Explore Lake Titicaca by motorboat, the highest navigable lake in the world. On Taquile Island, see how local people blend their Inca and Spanish heritage. Continue to the Uros floating islands, about 40 artificial islands where the Uros Indians construct everything, including homes and boats, entirely from tortora reeds using centuries-old methods. A farewell dinner hosted by your Tour Director wraps up this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner hosted by Tour Director)
Included Activities
- Motorboat tour of Lake Titicaca
- Visit Taquile Island
- Visit Uros floating islands
- Learn about tortora reed construction
Landmarks Taquile Island Uros floating islands - Day 21
Puno to Colca Canyon
Drive from Puno toward Colca Canyon through scenery with Pre-Columbian terraces where vicunas roam and various birds fly overhead. Stop for lunch in the town of Chivay, then continue on to arrive at Colca Canyon, an impressive geological formation more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Chivay)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive to Colca Canyon
- View Pre-Columbian terraces
Landmarks Colca Canyon - Day 22
Colca Canyon
Spend the day at Colca Canyon visiting Condors' Cross, an observation point where you'll see Andean condors in flight at eye level. Head to the town of Yanque to see how people live in the canyon. The afternoon is free for independent exploration and walking around the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Condors' Cross observation point
- View Andean condor in flight
- Visit town of Yanque
Landmarks Condors' Cross Yanque - Day 23
Colca Canyon to Arequipa
Drive to Arequipa, located in the Chili River Valley and surrounded by three snowcapped volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. Known as the 'white city,' Arequipa's buildings are made of sillar, a white volcanic rock found throughout the region, which creates beautiful facades across homes and churches.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Landmarks Mount Misti Mount Chachani Mount Pichu Pichu - Day 24
Arequipa
A city tour shows off Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, then moves to the Jesuit church, considered the best example of mestizo baroque style in the region. After that, head to the residential districts of Yanahuara and Chilina where you'll get a magnificent view of Arequipa's countryside and Mount Misti volcano looming in the distance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Arequipa
- Visit Plaza de Armas
- Visit Cathedral
- Visit Jesuit church
- Visit Yanahuara district
- Visit Chilina district
- View Mount Misti
Landmarks Plaza de Armas Arequipa Cathedral - Day 25
Arequipa to Lima
You'll fly to Lima today, wrapping up your time in Peru's mountain regions and returning to the capital city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 26
Lima
Your trip ends after breakfast this morning. Head to the airport with memories of South America's diverse landscapes, ancient ruins, and vibrant cities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
