South America Discovery: Lima to Rio de Janeiro
Peru
38 days / 37 nights
Guided Small Group Adventure Tour
Guide Price €7,119 per person (based on 2 people sharing)
Guided Small Group Adventure Tour
Duration: 38 days/37 nights
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with this 38-day journey through five incredible South American countries — a dream for history buffs, nature enthusiasts, and nightlife seekers alike. Ride the rails through Peru’s stunning Urubamba Valley to the iconic Machu Picchu, dive into the vibrant culture of Lake Titicaca, and marvel at the surreal landscapes of Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni and Chile’s Valley of the Moon in the Atacama Desert. Explore colorful Valparaíso, find thrills in the adventure haven of Pucón, and relax in the lakeside charm of Bariloche. From the tango halls of Buenos Aires to the samba beats of Rio de Janeiro, and the thundering majesty of Iguassu Falls, every moment of this trip will leave you in awe and hungry for more.
from €7,119
per person (based on 2 people sharing)
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Lima
Arrive at any time.
Day 2 - Lima/Cusco
Hop a flight to Cusco. Enjoy a free day for shopping and exploring the city. Choose to pre-book an optional Cusco Cooking Class. Opt for a city tour.
Day 3 - Cusco
Spend a full day enjoying optional activities in the area.
Day 4 - Cusco/Ollantaytambo
Stop at the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery making community. Break for lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Or, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).
Day 5 - Ollantaytambo/Aguas Calientes
Catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes. Opt to visit the local hot springs or shop in the local market.
Day 6 - Aguas Calientes/Cusco
Enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco in the evening.
Day 7 - Cusco
Use a free day to explore more of Cusco or relax.
Day 8 - Cusco/Puno
Travel day by bus from Cusco to Puno. Spend some time on arrival wandering the small city.
Day 9 - Puno
Enjoy a guided tour of Lake Titicaca including a visit to Uros and Taquile islands.
Day 10 - Puno/La Paz
Travel by bus and cross the border into Bolivia, arriving in La Paz.
Day 11 - La Paz
Enjoy a free day in La Paz. Opt to visit the Witches' Market, the city's museums or the Valley of the Moon.
Day 12 - La Paz/Sucre
Fly to Sucre and explore this beautiful colonial city.
Day 13 - Sucre
Free time to explore the city, the former capital of Bolivia. For more active options opt to go hiking in the surrounding area or mountain biking.
Day 14 - Sucre/Potosí
Travel by bus to Potosí and get a view of the mountain Cerro Rico looming over the city.
Day 15 - Potosí/Uyuni
Travel through the Bolivian landscape to the town of Uyuni, the jumping off point for the three day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni.
Day 16 - Uyuni/Salt Flats and Desert Crossing
Enjoy a three-day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding desert altiplano with spectacular scenery. Today you will be heading into the Salar de Uyuni. Our groups like to get creative with photography, as the endless white of the salt flats creates some great depth illusions that are fun to play with in photos. Last stop for the evening is a G Adventures-supported community lodge in a traditional agricultural village in the heart of a desert oasis.
Day 17 - Salt Flats and Desert Crossing
Explore the desert altiplano on a 4x4 excursion. Admire the spectacular scenery while passing red and blue lagoons and interesting rock formations along the route. Spot wild llamas, alpacas and even flamingos deep within the desert.
Day 18 - Salt Flats and Desert Crossing/San Pedro de Atacama
Rise early to cover more ground of the unique landscape of the Salar de Uyuni. Continue to see incredible scenery, including volcanoes, salt lakes and geysers. Travel to the border and descend by bus to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. It's a long but scenic drive.
Day 19 - San Pedro de Atacama
Enjoy an Included excursion to the Valley of the Moon. In San Pedro, opt to go sandboarding or mountain biking.
Day 20 - San Pedro de Atacama/Santiago
Drive to Calama and fly to Santiago, a vibrant capital city.
Day 21 - Santiago
With a free day in Santiago, opt to visit nearby wineries.
Day 22 - Santiago
Explore some of Santiago's neighbourhoods on a city tour, visit the Museum of Memory and try some local specialties. Enjoy a free afternoon in Santiago. Perfect for visiting museums, shopping, or taking the funicular up San Cristóbal Hill.
Day 23 - Valparaiso/Santiago
Travel to Valparaíso for a morning spent soaking in the city's vibrant atmosphere and colorful hills. Later, we’ll transition to the Casablanca Valley to visit a premier winery and indulge in a wine tasting. Upon returning to Santiago, board the overnight bus to Pucón.
Day 24 - Pucón
Enjoy free time in Pucon, try whitewater rafting or explore the area by foot.
Day 25 - Pucón
Enjoy another free day to take part in the many activities on offer in Pucón. Opt to hike Villarica volcano (it's active!) or soak in the nearby natural thermal pools.
Day 26 - Pucón/San Carlos de Bariloche
Cross the Andes to Argentina. Travel by local bus to San Martin and take a private van the rest of the way to Bariloche in the Lake District with a local guide.
Day 27 - San Carlos de Bariloche
Transfer to a Gaucho Ranch just outside of Bariloche. Enjoy a barbecue for lunch and take to the saddle with a Gaucho by your side.
Day 28 - San Carlos de Bariloche
Enjoy a free day to explore the beautiful area in and around Bariloche. Take a hike in the countryside or wander the town, known for its shops and in particular, artisan chocolate.
Day 29 - San Carlos de Bariloche/Buenos Aires
Fly to Buenos Aires. Opt to enjoy a Tango show and dinner.
Day 30 - Buenos Aires
The day is yours to explore Buenos Aires. From bike tours to city walks and neighbourhood visits, there is plenty to see and do.
Day 31 - Buenos Aires/Foz Do Iguaçu
Fly to Iguassu (Argentinean Side) and cross the border into Brazil by private vehicle and witness amazing panoramic views of the falls. Spend the next two full days exploring the area around the falls.
Day 32 - Foz Do Iguaçu
Return to the Argentine side to explore the trails. Opt for a boat tour to get a close look at the falls. Return to the Brazilian side for one more night in town.
Day 33 - Foz Do Iguaçu/Paraty
Fly to São Paulo and continue by van to Paraty. Wander the cobblestoned streets and shops of this gorgeous coastal town and its historical centre, designated as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Day 34 - Paraty
Enjoy a free day to explore Paraty. Opt to visit the cachaça distilleries or take a boat into the bay to explore the nearby islands and beaches.
Day 35 - Paraty/Ilha Grande
Continue by van up the coast and take a ferry to Ilha Grande. Opt to hike to remote beaches and enjoy free time to relax and explore the island.
Day 36 - Ilha Grande
Enjoy a free day in Ilha Grande. Optional activities include hiking Pico Do Papagaio or to Lopes Mendes, snorkelling or relaxing on the beach.
Day 37 - Ilha Grande/Rio de Janeiro
Carry on by ferry and van to Rio de Janeiro. With free time, explore the city on an optional city tour.
Day 38 - Rio de Janeiro
Depart at any time.
Departs: Selected departures January, March, May - December
Map
Price & Inclusions
- Hotels/guesthouses (34 nts), G Adventures-supported lodge/basic hotels on Salar de Uyuni excursion (2 nts, multi-share), Overnight bus (1 nt)
- 35 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners
We negotiate new offers daily from discounted flights, tours and vehicle hire to free upgrades, added value and unique inclusions. Please call for our latest offers.
The tour itinerary, inclusions and departures are based on travel from 10/02/2026 to 31/12/2036. For holiday guide price terms and conditions, click here.Flights
As we can offer you such a flexible choice of flights, we don't include international airfares with our tour prices. The price you pay will be determined by the time of year you travel, your departure airport, airline and availability.
Your Trailfinders Travel Consultant will be able to find the best flights to suit you and your choice of tour. Contact us for our latest flight offers or take a look at our flights pages for a general idea of prices.
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