Ultimate Journey: South America

ARGENTINA  |  BRAZIL  |  CHILE  |  ECUADOR  | PERU

South America is a continent abundant with natural and cultural wonders; snow-capped mountains, magnificent beaches and colonial towns. During this 21-day journey through five countries, experience fascinating sites including mysterious Machu Picchu, the Galapagos Islands and Iguassu Falls. Visit exciting metropolitan cities throughout the continent and come face-to-face with the South American way of life.

Highlights:

  • Private city tours in Quito, Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires and  Iguassu
  • Santa Rita Winery visit and tasting in Chile
  • Visit the ruins in Cuzco and Machu Picchu in Peru
  • Visit Equatorial Monument in Ecuador
  • Galapagos Islands cruise aboard M/V Galapagos Legend,  Ecuador
  • Visit the Argentinean and Brazilian sides of Iguassu Falls
  • Tango Show and Dinner in Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Visit Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Package Includes:

  • Roundtrip international and domestic airfare from Toronto*
  • Welcome assistance upon arrival and departure at all airports
  • Private transfers and porterage between airport and hotel
  • 19 nights accommodation
    • 2 nights each in Quito, Lima and Cuzco 
    • 3 nights each in Galapagos, Santiago, Buenos and Rio de Janeiro 
    • 1 night in Iguassu
  • Breakfast daily and other meals as indicated
  • Hotel taxes and service charges

*Add-ons from other cities available upon request.

Optional Add-On Tours: (Priced separately)

Brazilian Visa no longer required for travellers from Canada and the USA.
Yellow Fever vaccination recommended if visiting Iguassu Falls or the Amazon.

Galapagos National Park entrance fee is not included ($100 USD). Rates are subject to availability at time of booking. Itinerary is subject to change without notice due to weather conditions and time of year. Not valid during congresses, special events, festivals, Christmas or Carnival. Optional tours and activities are not included.   

Airport and departure taxes not included.

Ultimate Journey: South America

Travel itinerary

Day 1 – Saturday
TORONTO – QUITO  Depart from Toronto to Quito. Upon arrival, welcome and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Quito.
Day 2 – Sunday
Breakfast
QUITO  At an altitude of over 9,000 feet and situated in a valley at the foot of the Pichincha Volcano, Quito is a treasure trove of colonial riches. With a tapestry of colonial mansions, cathedrals and bustling cobblestone streets, Quito also offers a variety of art and creativity ranging from the modern to the lavish baroque. In the afternoon, drive 15 minutes from Quito to the Equatorial Monument and Intinan Museum which features exhibits describing how the Incas identified the middle of the earth as well as interesting science experiments that can only be conducted at the Equator. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 - Monday
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
QUITO – GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (CRUISE)  After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board your flight to the Galapagos Islands. Arrival and transfer to the M/V Galapagos Legend and begin your exploration of wildlife and natural history for the next four days and three nights. Depending on seasonality and weather conditions, itineraries and wildlife will vary. Many visitors spot red and blue-footed boobies, penguins, sea lions, giant tortoises and other fascinating wildlife.
Day 4 - Tuesday
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (CRUISE)  Continue your astonishing journey in the Galapagos with daily lectures, excursions, activities and relaxation aboard your vessel.
Day 5 - Wednesday
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
GALAPAGOS ISLAND (CRUISE)  Continue your remarkable journey through the Galapagos Islands aboard your vessel.
Day 6 - Thursday
Breakfast
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS – QUITO – LIMA  After breakfast, your exploration in the Galapagos Islands comes to an end. Transfer to Baltra Airport and board your flight to Lima via Quito. Arrival in the capital and largest city in Peru and transfer to your hotel for overnight in Lima.
Day. 7 - Friday
Breakfast
LIMA  After breakfast, enjoy a memorable day in the captivating capital of Peru. Lima was founded in 1535 and was once the capital of Spain’s South American empire for 300 years; it is also known as the City of Kings. Enjoy a private morning city tour featuring the Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the 17th-Century Baroque Cathedral and Church of San Francisco and the Palacio de Torre Tagle, Lima’s most elegant colonial mansion. Also visit the Larco Museum. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure and overnight at hotel.
Day 8 - Saturday
Breakfast
LIMA – CUZCO  Fly to the beautiful city of Cuzco which was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Enjoy an afternoon excursion including a historic city tour and a visit to the sites of Sacsayhuamán, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay located just outside the city.
Day 9 - Sunday
Breakfast / Lunch
MACHU PICCHU  In the morning, journey by train to the fabled ‘Lost City of the Incas’, arguably the most important archaeological site in South America. The Machu Picchu Citadel was built by the Incas as a favoured retreat for Inca nobility, and remarkably until 1911, it lay hidden from the world amongst dense jungle covered mountains. Following a guided tour of the ruins, enjoy lunch then return to Cuzco by evening for overnight.
Day 10 - Monday
Breakfast

CUZCO – SANTIAGO  Following breakfast, board your flight to the beautiful Chilean capital city of Santiago. Evening arrival and transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Day 11 - Tuesday
Breakfast

SANTIAGO  After breakfast, take a private city tour of Santiago featuring the Palacio de la Moneda, the nerve center of the Chilean government and a stunning example of neo-classical architecture. See the Plaza de Armas and the bustling Mercado Central. Ascend to the top of the city for dramatic panoramic views from the beautifully landscaped Cerro Santa Lucia. Feel free to spend the rest of your day exploring many of the city’s fine shops and museums. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 - Wednesday
Breakfast

SANTA RITA WINERY  Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Visit one of the largest wine producers in Chile, the Santa Rita Winery. With an illustrious history that dates back over 130 years, you will learn about Chilean history and viticulture with a winery tour and wine tasting. There will be free time to visit the Museo Andino to admire fascinating pieces of pre-Colombian art before returning to Santiago and your hotel.

Day 13 - Thursday
Breakfast

SANTIAGO – BUENOS AIRES  Enjoy your morning at leisure followed by your flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. For dinner, we recommend dining at one of the many world-class restaurants famous for Argentinean beef and cuisine. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 - Friday
Breakfast

BUENOS AIRES  After breakfast, take a half-day private city tour accompanied by your own guide to discover Buenos Aires including Plaza de Mayo, the historic Cabildo, Casa Rosada, Congress Palace and the quaint La Boca district.Enjoy your evening to explore the city on your own. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15 - Saturday
Breakfast / Dinner

BUENOS AIRES  After breakfast, enjoy your day at leisure to explore the city. Stop at one of many European-inspired gardens throughout the city. Tonight, enjoy an authentic Tango show with dinner at one of the best clubs in Buenos Aires. Overnight at hotel.

Day 16 - Sunday
Breakfast

BUENOS AIRES – IGUASSU FALLS  After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Iguassu Falls. On your fullday private tour with guide, explore the Argentinean side of the falls from Iguassu National Park; visit the lower and upper paths to admire the awe-inspiring 275 cascades that span across a 2-mile gulf. See beautiful flora and fauna as you take a train to reach Devil’s Throat, the longest walkway over the cascading river. Walk along many other walkways to access different views of the falls. Lunch not included. Overnight at Sheraton Iguazú Resort & Spa.

Day 17 - Monday
Breakfast

IGUASSU FALLS – RIO DE JANEIRO  Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit the Brazilian side of the falls to see this natural wonder from a different perspective. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro. Overnight at hotel.

Day 18 - Tuesday
Breakfast

RIO DE JANEIRO  After breakfast, a private guide will show you the magnificent sites of Rio de Janeiro during a half-day tour followed by a spectacular cable car ride to Sugarloaf Mountain. Your senses will be fully engaged as you discover that a visit to Rio is truly magical. Also visit the H. Stern Gem Factory. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 19 - Wednesday
Breakfast

RIO DE JANEIRO  After breakfast, enjoy your day at leisure to take one of many optional excursions, perhaps explore local museums, or visit some local markets for unique souvenirs. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 20 - Thursday
Breakfast

RIO DE JANEIRO – TORONTO  On your last day in Rio, spend some time on the beach or choose from optional excursions. Later, transfer to the airport for your evening flight home.

Day 21 - Friday

TORONTO  Arrival back in Toronto.

Ultimate Journey: South America

General information & maps

Ultimate Journey: South America

Not included

  • Airport and departure taxes
  • Gratuities to guides and drivers
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Travel insurance
  • Reciprocity and/or local taxes if applicable
  • Visas required for entry into the country as necessary. Please discuss this with your travel agent to determine your requirements prior to departure.
21 days

On Request

Travel agent’s comments on her clients’ recent trip to Portugal:

“…I wanted to share their amazing feedback with you. They had the most wonderful trip! They could not have raved about their experience more! So much high praise on every detail, the level of organization and effortless travel (sign when they arrived, transfers etc), the incredible hotels, the tours/guides… everything! They said they’d never go back to doing it on their own again. Can’t thank you enough for all your work on this and I am thrilled it was such a success. They will definitely be back on future trips; I am sure of that!”

S.L, Ontario
July 27, 2023