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Ultimate South America with Arequipa & Colca Canyon 2026
23 days from Rio de Janeiro to Lima
Tour Description:
Discover some of South America's greatest cities—Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Lima—and some of its most fascinating sites and spectacular scenery on this South America tour. You'll overnight in Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls, Buenos Aires, Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, and Colca Canyon. Guided sightseeing in each of the cities features the must-see sites. In Rio, take the cog railway to the summit of Corcovado to view the famous Christ the Redeemer statue. Your time in Buenos Aires includes a visit to Recoleta Cemetery, burial place for Eva Peron. In Lima, your sightseeing focuses on the city's colonial heritage. Highlights of this South America tour include time at Iguassu Falls on both the Brazilian and Argentine sides. Experience the falls, hear the thundering roar, be amazed at the brilliant rainbows created by the clouds of spray, and stand in awe as you witness these 275 falls spanning nearly two miles! You’ll also be amazed at Machu Picchu, set in a majestic mountainside with ruins dating back to the 15th century. Glimpse the ancient history and culture as you enjoy this stunning and mystical place. Other tour highlights include a visit to the Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, with stones weighing up to 350 tons. Time in Peru's Lake Titicaca, a lake of floating islands maintained over centuries by the indigenous people, gives you a chance to experience the world's highest navigable lake and to learn about local practices. At Colca Canyon, an impressive geological formation more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, you’ll witness condors soaring majestically above the canyon walls, marvel at the canyon, and relax at La Calera hot springs before time in Arequipa, known as the “White City” for its buildings made of volcanic rock. This South America tour designed for the value-minded travel lover is a dream vacation!
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Dates & Pricing
| Thursday 29 Jan 26 — Saturday 21 Feb 26 | Starting at $4,859 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 21 May 26 — Saturday 13 Jun 26 | Starting at $4,789 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 02 Jul 26 — Saturday 25 Jul 26 | Starting at $4,789 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 10 Sep 26 — Saturday 03 Oct 26 | Starting at $4,859 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 24 Sep 26 — Saturday 17 Oct 26 | Starting at $4,859 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 08 Oct 26 — Saturday 31 Oct 26 | Starting at $4,859 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 22 Oct 26 — Saturday 14 Nov 26 | Starting at $4,859 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 05 Nov 26 — Saturday 28 Nov 26 | Starting at $4,859 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & SightseeingThe world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, and air-conditioned motorcoach. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!Your Tour Includes:•All internal flights•Guided city sightseeing of Rio de Janeiro•Admission to Corcovada Mountain cog railway to the Christ the Redeemer statue•Entrance fees and guided sightseeing in both the Brazilian and Argentinean side of Iguassu Falls National Park•Guided city sightseeing of Buenos Aires includes admission to Recoleta Cemetery •Guided city sightseeing of Lima•Guided city sightseeing of the Sacred Valley includes a visit to Pisaq village market, Ollantaytambo ruins, a visit to a local Incan’s home, Seminario Ceramics Workshop, and a refreshing chicha tasting.•Tickets for Vistadome train to and from Machu Picchu•Guided walk of Machu Picchu•Guided city sightseeing of Cusco includes a guided walk of the Temple of Sacsayhuaman and a tree-planting experience with the local community•Scenic drive to Puno with visits including the Sistine Chapel of America, the Temple of Wiracocha, and more•Guided visit to Taquile and Uros Islands•Guided sightseeing in Colca Canyon•Guided city sightseeing of Arequipa
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.
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.
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1 RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
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
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. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 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. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 4 RIO DE JANEIRO–IGUASSU FALLS
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! (B,D)
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast
DinnerDay 5 IGUASSU FALLS. EXCURSION TO IGUASSU FALLS, ARGENTINA
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. 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. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 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 familarize yourself with the “Paris of South America” and its wide boulevards, outdoor cafés, and charming shops. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 7 BUENOS AIRES
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. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 8 BUENOS AIRES
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. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 9 BUENOS AIRES–LIMA, PERU
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. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 10 LIMA
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. (B,D)
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 11 LIMA–CUSCO–SACRED VALLEY
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. (B,D)
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 12 SACRED VALLEY
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 provided 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 chichería for a taste of a typical Inca drink in Peru called chicha. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 13 SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU
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. (B,D)
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 14 MACHU PICCHU–CUSCO
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. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 15 CUSCO
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. (B,D)
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 16 CUSCO–PUNO
Today, drive south along the Route of the Sun, one of Peru’s most beautiful scenic drives. Stops along the way include visits to the stunning Sistine Chapel of America, the Temple of Wiracocha and more. Arrive in Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca where the 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. (B,L)
BreakfastLunch
BreakfastLunchDay 17 PUNO. EXCURSION TO LAKE TITICACA
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. (B,L,D)
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 18 PUNO–COLCA CANYON
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. (B,L)
Please note: The Tour Director does not accompany guests on extensions. Guided service is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary
BreakfastLunch
BreakfastLunchDay 19 COLCA CANYON
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, home to the Collaguas people during the preceramic period. This evening is free for independent exploration
BreakfastLunch
BreakfastLunchDay 20 COLCA CANYON–AREQUIPA
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
BreakfastLunch
BreakfastLunchDay 21 AREQUIPA
This morning, a guided city tour of Arequipa shows off the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral before visiting the Santa Catalina Monastery, 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. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 22 AREQUIPA–LIMA
Transfer to the airport and fly to Lima
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 23 LIMA
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.
Accommodations
Accommodations| Rio de Janeiro | Iguassu Falls | Buenos Aires | Lima | Sacred Valley | Machu Picchu | Cusco | Puno | Colca Canyon | Arequipa |
Windsor Plaza Copacabana
First-Class
First-Class
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
