Ultimate South America Tour with 3 Reviews by Contiki

24 daysDuration

Group TourJoin a group of travelers

48 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 35 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Ends

Lima, Peru

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Highlights

Lima: Get to know this magnificent clifftop city. It’s steeped in history and pretty architecture. But we’re all about the epic food.

Lima: Sit tight as you swoop into Peru’s second biggest city. The views of volcanic peaks are rivalled only by the incredible food.

Arequipa: Get to know the ‘white city’ better. Explore the highlights like Plaza de Armas and take some pics of the incredible backdrop of volcanoes.

Colca Canyon: It’s a real ‘pinch yourself’ moment as you ramble around the Andean plateaus, discovering lakes, meadows, llamas and flamingos as you go.

Colca Canyon: See these iconic volcanos IRL. Pics or it didn’t happen!

Colca Canyon: Brave the lookout point at 3287m. Take in the unrivalled views and spot some Andean Condor birds.

Colca Canyon: Experience life in this traditional Peruvian village in the Colca Canyon. It’s an epic 3277m above sea level!

Puno: If you’ve secretly always wanted to hop on one of these, here’s your chance.

Puno: Jump on a boat to hop around the reed islands in the world’s highest navigable lake (3657m). And stop off to meet the locals.

Lake Titicaca: A humbling opportunity to get to know the local people on these reed islands in Lake Titicaca.

Puno: Immerse yourself in culture by getting to know the locals.

Puno: Stop off at a traditional Peruvian town and get a feel for local life. Step up your cultural knowledge at Pukara’s museum, packed with stories and artefacts from the region. Then take a quick wander through town to soak up the markets, colours, and everyday Andes energy.

Raqchi: See the sights and learn the backstory of why the Incas built this temple for the deity Wiracocha.

Raqchi: Unleash your spiritual side, as you explore the ancient Inca ruins known as Raqchi.

Cusco: Graze on cancha or cacao nibs as you browse the local wares and see historical sights.

Cusco: Your chance to pick up some mementos at San Pedro Markets and then see Cusco Cathedral, San Blas and Coricancha.

Sacred Valley: See llamas IRL and learn how Indigenous communities use weaving to share stories, identity, and culture — a tradition passed down without written language (and help keep ancient skills alive by providing sustainable income for local artisans!) Your visit here will help support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities.

Sacred Valley: See this former heartland of the Incan Empire and hike around the Pisac ruins.

Sacred Valley: The sleepy town will give you a taste of local life in the Sacred Valley. Don’t forget to pick up some mementos at the market.

Cusco: AKA ‘corn beer’. This ceremonial bevvy was the drink of choice for Incan nobility.

Machu Picchu: Feel the goosebumps of excitement as you glide into Aguas Calientes and get ready to start this life-changing experience.

Machu Picchu: It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Time to explore the Incan citadel with your new Contiki fam. #travelgoals

Lima: Cameras ready. It’s not every day you get a bird’s eye view of the Amazon rainforest

Puerto Maldonado: We'll make our way through the lush green Amazon rainforest at our Jungle Lodge in Puerto Maldonado. There's no better way to reconnect with nature!

Puerto Maldonado: Ride on a canoe over the serene waters of the Sandoval Lake, surrounded by lush greenery. Who knows? You might spot giant river otters sticking their head out to give you a show.

Puerto Maldonado: Get set to land in the gastro capital of Latin America. Where ‘olde worlde’ meets modern-day life, in this sundrenched, clifftop city.

Lima: Get some rest before you explore Argentina’s sizzling capital. A city that’s famous for amazing food, good wine, Latin passion and legendary nightlife.

Buenos Aires: Experience the passion and glamour of Argentina’s capital city, with an expert guide showing you the sights.

Buenos Aires: You can’t go to Argentina and not watch live Tango dancing! It’s wrong. Like eating a steak without a glass of red.

Buenos Aires: Get set to tick another travel goal off the bucket list. We’re jetting straight into the gateway for Iguassu Falls.

Iguazú Falls: This World Wonder is a fiesta for the imagination. The cascades of spraying waterfalls and subtropical forest make an epic backdrop

Iguazú Falls: There ain’t no BBQ like a Brazilian BBQ! Grab your Contiki fam and feast on these grilled skewers.

Iguazú Falls: These colossal falls make the ultimate backdrop for a group selfie. Strike a pose with your Contiki fam.

Iguazú Falls: Take a walk through the lush rainforest trails, finishing up at the very edge of the Devil’s Throat. You’ll have time to wander the different walkways, basking in the views and watching out for rainbows and wildlife too. And if you’re feeling adventurous, how about the optional Gran Aventura speedboat ride?

Iguazú Falls: Woohoo! We’re en route to Brazil's carnival capital. Try to catch a glimpse of the Christ the Redeemer statue from the sky

Rio de Janeiro: Sugarloaf. Copacabana. Ipanema. It’s all here to fill up up your heart and your Insta feed.

Rio de Janeiro: Ever heard of Favelas? They're growing neighbourhoods in Brazil. And on this tour, we'll visit Favela Cantagalo near Rio. We'll check out the Portal of Saint Roman, walk through alleyways, see the 10 paintings of the Houses-Screen, and even stop by a few viewpoints along the way. You'll even visit the Museu de Favela-MUF, a historical museum about memories and cultural heritage of favelas in the world. It's a collection about 20,000 residents and their ways of life, and how their stories are an unknown but important part of Rio de Janeiro's history. Trust us, you don't wanna miss this one.

Rio de Janeiro: This needs no introduction. Tick this iconic statue off your #travelgoals bucket list. And don’t forget your camera.

Rio de Janeiro: Take a cruise along the arcing Guanabara Bay and enjoy Caiprinas and music

Rio de Janeiro: Spend some time with your Contiki crew, while you dine on your final meal of this trip at a local spot. Goodbyes might be bittersweet, but the food sure is so much more than that!