Grand Tour of South America: Brazil, Argentina & Peru





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Savor South America, from cosmopolitan capitals to ancient Incan ruins.
The sophisticated cities of Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires are the perfect introduction to this continent of contrasts. You’ll undertake thrilling outdoor adventures, such as admiring the Iguazú waterscape from every angle and embarking on expeditions of Incan sites, like the legendary Machu Picchu.
Your tour package includes
- 12 nights in handpicked hotels
- 12 breakfasts
- 4 lunches
- 4 dinners with beer or wine
- 8 sightseeing tours
Included highlights
- Christ the Redeemer statue
- Samba school visit
- Iguazú Falls
- Plaza de Mayo
- Buenos Aires’ La Boca neighborhood

An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Day-by-day itinerary
Print itinerary
Board your overnight flight to Rio de Janeiro today.
Welcome to Brazil! Meet your fellow travelers at a welcome lunch.
Then, get to know Rio de Janeiro on a guided tour.
- Enjoy a cable car ride up Sugarloaf Mountain
- Stop halfway up the mountain to take in scenic vistas of the Rio Yacht Club and Botafogo Bay
- Continue to the top of the mountain, soaking in panoramic views of the city, beaches, and Atlantic ocean
- Return to Rio to admire the city’s colonial architecture
- Pass the National Library, Municipal Theater, Candelaria Church, and Tiradentes Palace
- Admire the Escadaria Selarón and walk past the Museum of Tomorrow
Head to the top of Corcovado Mountain for a guided tour of the iconic peak, then see where performers perfect their routines for Carnival.
- Hop aboard the cogwheel train, taking in the rainforest landscape of Tijuca National Park as you ride up the mountain
- See the iconic Christ the Redeemer, a colossal Art Deco statue atop the summit
- Pass Rio’s white-sand beaches, including Ipanema and Copacabana
- Visit a samba school, where Carnival dance rehearsals take place
- Head to the barracão, a workshop where artisans craft parade floats and decorations
Say goodbye to Rio and fly to Brazil's Argentine border, site of the thundering Iguazú Falls, for a guided tour.
- Drive through Iguazú National Park, a subtropical paradise
- Walk through forested footpaths on the Brazilian side of the falls for panoramic views of the waters
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Today, cross the border into Argentina and view Devil’s Throat, the most famous section of Iguazú Falls.
- Take an ecological train through the park
- Walk along a pathway to arrive in front of Devil’s Throat where can take photos of the incredible waterfall
- Enjoy another train ride to see the upper section of the park, including the San Martín, Dos Hermanas, and Bozzetti falls
Fly to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, this morning. Then, spend free time exploring the city or add an excursion.

Tango Show & Dinner
From $99 per person
Embark on a guided tour of the city where tango was born.
- Drive through the aristocratic Retiro and Recoleta neighborhoods to visit the grave of Eva Perón, the former First Lady of Argentina
- Make your way past the National Museum of Fine Arts and the beautiful parks and gardens of Palermo
- Drive along 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest street in the world
- Explore Plaza de Mayo, site of the May Revolution in 1810, and enter the neoclassical Metropolitan Cathedral
- Enjoy free time in the La Boca neighborhood, where the influence of Italian settlers can still be felt today
Spend the day exploring Buenos Aires at your leisure or add an excursion.
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Estancia Visit: Argentine Barbecue & Gaucho Show
From $159 per person
Fly to Lima, Peru this morning. Then, spend a free evening in the city or add an excursion.

Traditional Peruvian Dinner
From $75 per person
This morning, follow a local guide on a sightseeing tour highlighting Lima’s modern and UNESCO-recognized colonial quarters.
- Visit the Miraflores district and Parque del Amor
- Stop in the San Isidro district to visit Huaca Huallamarca temple and its museum
- View Plaza Mayor and the Municipal Palace in Lima’s historic center
- Enter the Cathedral of Lima and descend into the catacombs below the Church of San Francisco
Then, fly to Cuzco and get a taste of Peruvian cuisine during an included dinner as you watch a traditional folklore show featuring indigenous dances from around the country.
Set out on a sightseeing tour of Cuzco, the UNESCO-recognized ancient capital of the Inca Empire.
- Stroll through ruins at Kenko, the “red-fortress” of Puca Pucara and Sacsayhuaman, which was once completely covered in gold
- View the towering Cristo Blanco statue, a thank-you gift from the Palestinian refugees who took shelter in the city during World War II
- Stop in the colonial-era Plaza de Armas to enter Cuzco Cathedral
- Walk through the city center and step inside the Convent of Santo Domingo, built by the Spaniards where the Inca temple of Koricancha stood
Enjoy a free afternoon in Cuzco or add an excursion.

Peruvian Cooking Demonstration & Dinner
From $125 per person
A local guide leads you on a full-day sightseeing tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
- Peruse the colorful stalls of the wide-open Pisac Market, where you’ll find local fare and traditional crafts on display
- Enjoy an included lunch in Urubamba
- Uncover the ruins of Ollantaytambo, once the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti
- Board a train bound for Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu, passing through the spectacular mountain scenery of the dramatic Urubamba River Valley
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Please note:Travelers must submit full passport details by Tour Finalization Date or risk being denied entry to Machu Picchu due to scarcity of tickets and daily entrance restrictions.
Take a guided tour of Machu Picchu to uncover the Lost City of the Incas, one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Soak in incredible views of the misty cloud forest and soaring Huayna Picchu mountain
- Tour the ruins of the ceremonial center, cultivation terraces, and guard house
- Visit Funeral Rock, the Main Temple, the Chamber of Ornaments, and the Sacred Plaza
- Soak in the vistas from the Temple of the Three Windows
- Marvel at the mysterious Intihuatana stone and discover the cave of the Temple of the Condor
This afternoon, enjoy an included lunch before boarding a train back to Cuzco.
Fly back to Lima and celebrate your trip at a farewell lunch. Then, relax in a dayroom before boarding your late-night or early morning flight home.
Please note: If you’re continuing on the tour extension, you’ll spend the night in Lima.
Arrive home today.
Fly back to Lima and celebrate your trip at a farewell lunch. Then, settle in to your hotel for the evening.
Fly to Iquitos this morning to begin your adventure in the Amazon. When you arrive, enjoy lunch before setting out on an invigorating walk in the rainforest reserve surrounding your lodge. Then, sit down for an included dinner tonight.
Please note: Some flights to Iquitos depart very early in the morning, and breakfast may not be included.
Today, enjoy a free morning in the Amazon or add an excursion. Then, sit down for an included lunch before setting out to visit a local village.
- Take a short river cruise to a Yagua indigenous village, keeping your eye out for the elusive pink dolphin
- Learn about the local village culture and watch a blowgun demonstration
This evening, sit down for an included dinner.

Amazon Canopy Walk
From $159 per person
Visit the Franciscan mission town of Indiana this morning. This large river community has grown to include its own market, high school, and small hospital.
Then, enjoy an included lunch before flying back to Lima. You’ll relax in a dayroom before boarding your flight home.
Arrive home today.
We make it easy with down payments as low as $99, fee-free rebooking, and more
Reviews
4.7 star rating
Overall rating 4.7 out of 5
5.0 star rating
The tour directors were amazing! Each experience topped the one before it. It was a great combination of animals, nature and historical and religious sites. It was an amazing tour.
5.0 star rating
This trip was an amazing mix of cultures. Every guide was phenomenal but Jorge kept us laughing with his wit as he taught us about his country. We kept telling him he should do stand up. Eluth was superb as well. He went above and beyond to help ensure that everyone on our group got to the top of M...
5.0 star rating
Well organized. Spectacular views. Active. Busy. Great travelling companions. Wonderful tour directors. We felt safe at all times.
Traveler photos






Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.This eco-friendly hotel is located in the Leme neighborhood. Guests enjoy a bar, a restaurant, and beach views. Nearby, you’ll find Forte Duque de Cax...

This contemporary hotel is located in Portal da Foz. Guests enjoy a water park with thermal pools, a poolside bar, and multiple restaurants. Nearby, y...

This conveniently located hotel is located in the heart of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Guests enjoy the rooftop cocktail bar with views of city, an outdo...
This contemporary hotel is located in Santa Ana. Guests enjoy courtyard yoga, Wi-Fi, and a 24-hour market. Nearby, you'll find Plaza de Armas, Quirika...

This contemporary hotel is located in Aguas Calientes. Guests enjoy Wi-Fi, a bar, and laundry service. Nearby, you'll find Machu Picchu, Phuyupatamarc...
This comfortable hotel is located right next to the Lima Airport. Guests enjoy the indoor pool, fitness center, and on-site restaurant. Nearby you'll ...

This lodge-style hotel is located in the Amazon rainforest. Guests enjoy Wi-Fi, a pool, and a hammock house. Nearby, you'll find the Amazon River and ...
Flights
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
- Find out more about flights
FAQ
Print FAQ- This tour visits Brazil, Argentina, and Peru. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
- As of January 10, 2024, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must purchase an individual visa in order to enter Brazil. You may do so by applying directly for an e-visa from Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens to enter Argentina.
- Upon arrival in Peru, you will receive an Andean Immigration card that you will need to present when visiting Machu Picchu. In order to secure your entrance to Machu Picchu, travelers are required to confirm their full passport details with Go Ahead Tours no later than 45 days prior to your departure date.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- Entrance tickets into Machu Picchu require full passport information. Travelers must enter these details via your online account, mobile app, or by giving the Traveler Support Team a call by your Tour Finalization Date or risk being denied entry into Machu Picchu due to scarcity of tickets and daily entrance restrictions.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code BSA.
- You will walk for about 3 hours daily across uneven terrain, including paved roads, cobblestone streets, and slippery walkways, with some hills at high altitudes.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
- You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of boats and trains.
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Rio de Janeiro and depart from Lima. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
- Flights from Rio to Iguazú Falls, Iguazú Fallsto Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires to Lima, Lima to Cuzco and then back to Lima are included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes round-trip flights between Lima and Iquitos, in the northern Amazon).
- Round-trip train rides between Aguas Calientes and Cuzco are also included in the price of your tour.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- You will need a small overnight bag (such as your carry-on bag) for your stay in Machu Picchu, as most luggage will need to be stored in Cuzco. The overnight bag must be smaller than 62 inches total (length + width + height).
- When visiting Machu Picchu on the tour extension, there are restrictions in place for backpacks, food, umbrellas, and camera tripods.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered. Comfortable, casual clothing and a sturdy pair of walking shoes are a must for sightseeing.
- A lightweight jacket is recommended, as the temperatures will change with the elevation throughout your tour.
- A sun hat, sunglasses, and rain gear will help you stay comfortable in all types of weather. You may also wish to pack a swimsuit.
- Long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and insect repellent are essential for daily activities in the Amazon on the tour extension.
- Binoculars are handy for a closer look at local wildlife and scenery.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
- The Brazilian government strongly recommends that travelers receive a yellow fever vaccination before visiting certain areas of Brazil. While it is not required by the Brazilian government, Go Ahead Tours requires travelers to either receive the vaccination or provide a written notification that they understand and accept any associated risks if they choose not to be vaccinated. Consult your doctor or healthcare provider with any questions or concerns around receiving the vaccination. Visit cdc.gov/yellowfeverfor more information.
- Take proper care with sun exposure, as the sun can be especially strong in some of the regions on this tour.
- Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
- Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
- Please be aware that you will be traveling at altitudes as high as 12,000 feet above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your healthcare provider regarding any potential health risks.
- Even healthy travelers may sometimes experience altitude sickness, a temporary condition featuring symptoms of headache, fatigue, nausea, and light-headedness. Until your body acclimates to the higher altitudes, we suggest that you stay hydrated and limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code BSA.
- The cuisine of Brazil varies from region to region. Some staples like beans, coconut, dende oil, codfish, and shrimp, can be found throughout. The caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail, is made with cachaça (a clear spirit distilled from sugar cane, like rum) mixed with sugar, mint and lime.
- In Argentina, perhaps the most common dish is the asado, a series of salt-rubbed meats, ribs, and chorizo sausages cooked over a fire pit on metal grills and crosses. For dessert, try dulce de leche, a sweet honey-and-milk paste in pastries.
- Peruvian cuisine reflects both the country’s indigenous cultures as well as European colonial and Pacific Rim influences. Staples include grains such as quinoa, maize and rice, as well as beans, potatoes and meat. Ceviche, traditionally raw sea bass marinated with lime and chilies, is a national dish. Adventurous eaters may want to try cuy, or roasted guinea pig that’s cooked over an open fire. You can also raise a toast with Peru’s famous pisco, the delicious (and sour) white-grape brandy.
- Brazil operates on 127-220 volts and uses Types C or N plugs with two round pins or three round pins, respectively.
- Argentina operates on 220 volts and uses Types C or I plugs with two round pins or three flat pins, respectively.
- Peru operates on 220 volts and uses Types A or C plugs with two flat pins or two round pins, respectively.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- The strength of the air conditioning in some South American hotels may not be as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
- Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply. In more remote locations, internet access may be limited and is not guaranteed.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Argentina is three hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and two hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET). Argentina currently does not observe daylight saving time, though the country decides on a year-by-year basis.
- Brazil spans four time zones. Rio de Janeiro is 3 hours behind GMT and two hours ahead of ET.
- Peru is five hours behind GMT, the same as ET. Peru does not observe daylight saving time.
- From March through November, when it’s noon in New York City, it’s 2pm in Rio and Buenos Aires and noon in Lima. From April through October, when it’s noon in New York City, it’s 1pm in Rio and Buenos Aires and 11am in Lima.
- You will use the Brazilian real in Brazil, the Argentine peso in Argentina, and the Peruvian sol in Peru.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
- Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
- Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
- Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.
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4.7 star rating