Premium Highlights of South America

24 days
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USTOA

Small Group Tour
Experience the diversity of wonders across Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil on a 24-day Premium journey. Be immersed in the ancient culture of the Incas, visit the Amazon Jungle and revel in the magnificent citadel ruins of Machu Picchu. Soak up the energy of Santiago and Buenos Aires’ lively neighbourhoods and sip some of the world’s best wine in Mendoza. A...
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$21,053
From$15,595
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Elevate your adventure with memorable Exclusive Experiences including a tango lesson and asado dinner in Buenos Aires, rooftop pisco sours in Valparaiso and an insider’s day tour of the El Tigre Delta
    • Take your taste buds on a trip with Exclusive Experiences, including bodega tastings in Santiago, an expert-lead winery tour in Mendoza, lunch at the Gastromotiva social enterprise in Rio and home-cooked pachamanca lunch in the Sacred Valley.
    • Get to know local culture during Exclusive Experiences, including interactions with the Ese Eja and Chichubamba communities, and explore with expert guides in Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu.
    • Soak in unbeatable views of the Andes as you travel towards Machu Picchu on a 360 train. With high domed windows and an open-air observation carriage, this Exclusive Experience allows you to immerse yourself in the incredible landscape.

What's this trip about?

    Experience the diversity of wonders across Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil on a 24-day Premium journey. Be immersed in the ancient culture of the Incas, visit the Amazon Jungle and revel in the magnificent citadel ruins of Machu Picchu. Soak up the energy of Santiago and Buenos Aires’ lively neighbourhoods and sip some of the world’s best wine in Mendoza. At the border with Brazil, experience the magnificent might of Iguazu Falls, before finally arriving in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Rio de Janeiro. With the guidance of passionate local leaders, you’ll find out South America dances to the beat of its own drum.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age range15 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityLima
End CityRio de Janeiro

Travel Themes

  • High Adventure

Destinations

  • South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Peru

Attractions

  • Aguas Calientes
  • Bar
  • Buenos Aires
  • Casablanca
  • Casablanca Valley
  • Copacabana
  • Cusco
  • Iguazu Falls
  • Lima
  • Machu Picchu
  • Mendoza
  • Ollantaytambo
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • Sacred Valley
  • Santiago
  • Valparaiso

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 12

Trip includes

    • Lima - Downtown walking tour
    • Lima - Alameda Chabuca Granda tour and tastings
    • Lima - San Francisco Monastery and the Catacombs
    • Lima - Welcome Dinner
    • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
    • Amazon Jungle - Night boat tour
    • Amazon Jungle - Oxbow Lake
    • Amazon Jungle - Night jungle walk
    • Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
    • Cusco - Cathedral tour with Specialist Historian Guide
    • Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee)
    • Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site
    • Sacred Valley - Community workshops visit
    • Sacred Valley - Home-cooked lunch
    • Sacred Valley - Snack & drink at AMA Restaurant social enterprise
    • Machu Picchu - Entrance & Guided visit
    • Ollantaytambo - 360 degree train to Aguas Calientes
    • Machu Picchu - Second visit
    • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
    • Santiago - Welcome Dinner
    • Santiago - City tour
    • Santiago - Gourmet bodega lunch
    • Casablanca Valley - Winery tour and tasting
    • Valparaiso - Rooftop pisco sours
    • Valparaiso - Walking tour
    • Valparaiso - Museum of Fine Arts (entrance fee)
    • Mendoza - Leader-led orientation walk
    • Mendoza - Tour of three wineries
    • Mendoza - Gourmet winery lunch
    • Buenos Aires - Leader-led orientation walk
    • Buenos Aires - Tigre Delta day trip
    • Buenos Aires - Home-cooked lunch
    • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
    • Buenos Aires - Welcome Dinner
    • Buenos Aires - Tango demonstration by professional dancers
    • Buenos Aires - Tango lesson
    • Buenos Aires - City tour
    • Iguazu Falls - Tour of the Brazilian side of the falls
    • Iguazu Falls - Tour of the Argentinian side of the falls
    • Iguazu Falls - Guarani community visit
    • Rio de Janeiro - Leader-led Orientation Walk
    • Rio de Janeiro - Christ the Redeemer
    • Rio de Janeiro - City tour
    • Rio de Janeiro - Sugarloaf Mountain

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Lima

Bienvenido! Welcome to Peru. Your adventure begins in Lima, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for a welcome meeting at 2 pm. After, head out to get to know the city on a walking tour of downtown Lima with your leader. Admire the building...

Day 2 Amazon Jungle

Today, you’ll catch a flight to Puerto Maldonado. When you arrive, take a bus to the port where you’ll board motorised canoes and head into the Amazon rainforest. Keep an eye out for macaws, herons, alligators and capybaras along the way. Here, you’ll find Inkaterra H...

Day 3 Amazon Jungle

After breakfast, board a dug-out wooden canoe and glide across Lake Sandoval, keeping an eye out for potential wildlife sightings, like red howler monkeys, giant river otters and colourful macaws. After lunch, you might like to walk along the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway ...

Day 4 Cusco

This morning, you’ll travel back to Puerto Maldonado, then take a flight to Cusco – the former centre of the Inca Empire. Arrive in the early afternoon before heading out with your leader to discover what the city has to offer. Stop by the stunning Plaza de Armas – th...

Day 5 Cusco

Today is free for you to explore at your own pace. Why not head to the San Pedro market, where you can practice your bargaining skills and take photos, then swing by the Plaza de Armas for another look at the cathedral. Speak to your leader about the optional cooking ...

Day 6 Ollantaytambo

This morning, travel through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, passing maize crops and fertile terraces carved into the valley walls. Visit the Willoq community to gain a greater insight into the local lifestyle and visit a local workshop where you’ll learn about tr...

Day 7 Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu

Today, travel from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes in style, boarding the 360 Machu Picchu Train. High, domed windows offer unbelievable views of the Andes, allowing you to sit back comfortably and take it all in. The train also features an open-air observation carri...

Day 8 Cusco

Rise before the sun and take the winding road back up to the incredible Machu Picchu. On your second visit, explore more of the extraordinary architecture of the temples, palaces and living quarters. Looking at Machu Picchu as it sits against a backdrop of forested mo...

Day 9 Cusco to Lima

In the afternoon, fly from Cusco to Lima, where you'll spend the night. In the morning, you'll depart Peru and head to Chile for the next stage of your adventure.

Day 10 Santiago

Today, you'll take your next unaccompanied flight form Lima to Santiago. When you arrive, you'll be met at the airport and taken to your accommodation where you'll have another welcome meeting at 6 pm. Your Feature Stay accommodation for the next two evenings is the A...

Day 11 Santiago

Get to know the city on a tour with a local guide who’s an expert on all things Santiago. Your guide will peel back the many layers of the city’s history, beginning at the main square of Plaza de Armas where you’ll hear the tales of the foundation of Santiago and its ...

Day 12 Valparaiso

Enjoy a free morning in Santiago. Maybe visit the Mercado Central – Santiago’s celebrated fish market. Then, begin the journey to Valparaiso, stopping off for a wine tasting on the way in the Casablanca Valley. Sitting on a coastal plain between the capital and Valpar...

Day 13 Valparaiso

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage centre in 2003, Valparaiso used to be South America’s busiest port before the opening of the Panama Canal. It has since transformed itself into Chile’s most creative city, which you'll learn more about on the walking tour today with a...

Day 14 Mendoza

Depart Valparaiso and head back to Santiago to catch a flight to Mendoza. As your plane crosses the Andes, you might catch a glimpse of Mount Aconcagua – the highest mountain in the Americas at 6962 m above sea level. In Mendoza, get to know the lively city with a gen...

Day 15 Mendoza

Mendoza is Argentina's most significant grape-growing region, producing nearly three-quarters of the country's wine. The climate produces an excellent variety of grapes, with the region's signature being Malbec. Today, you’ll get to experience this internationally ren...

Day 16 Buenos Aires

This morning fly from Mendoza to Buenos Aires, then transfer to your boutique accommodation. Built in 1913, the hotel is located in the centre of the city. In the afternoon, soak up the Argentinean capital’s mix of European and Latin culture on an orientation walk wit...

Day 17 Buenos Aires

Today, head north of Buenos Aires to explore the city of Tigre and its surrounding delta region. First, do as the locals do and catch the subway to San Martin square, then set off on a bicycle tour around Puerto Maldero and the Buenos Aires Ecological Reserve – where ...

Day 18 Buenos Aires

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Argentina. You’ll arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city.If you arrive early, maybe head to a local rooftop bar and enjoy the views of Buenos Aires ...

Day 19 Buenos Aires

This morning you’ll discover Buenos Aires’s history, cultural influences and iconic sites during a city tour with a local guide. First, you'll head to a traditional urban house and enjoy an exclusive tango performance by two professional dancers who have been working ...

Day 20 Iguazu Falls - Brazilian side

This morning, transfer to the airport and board a flight to Puerto Iguazu in Argentina. You’ll spend the next two days exploring Iguazu Falls in depth, seeing them from both the Argentinian and Brazilian side. While you’re flying into Argentina, today will be spent ex...

Day 21 Iguazu Falls - Argentinian side

Rise and shine for an early departure to the Argentinian side of the falls, where you will be able to get up close to this incredible feat of nature. There is a system of boardwalks on the Argentinian side of the falls that allow you to access some incredible viewing ...

Day 22 Rio de Janeiro

Take an included flight from Foz do Iguacu to Rio de Janeiro and when you have settled into your Feature Stay hotel overlooking Copacabana Beach, join your leader on an orientation walk to get a feel for this lively city and learn a little about its layered history. T...

Day 23 Rio de Janeiro

Today, you’ll get to know the sights and sounds of Rio during a full-day tour with your leader. Visit Corcovado Mountain for expansive views over the city from the base of the Christ the Redeemer statue – one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Next, head to Santa Tere...

Day 24 Rio de Janeiro

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay in Rio de Janeiro, please speak to your booking agent about arranging additional accommodation in advance.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $15,595
Price per day$650
Last Updated: 11/8/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
24 Nov 2024
17 Dec 2024
$15,930
01 Dec 2024
24 Dec 2024
$16,045
18 Jan 2025
10 Feb 2025
$16,060
25 Jan 2025
17 Feb 2025
$15,750
01 Mar 2025
24 Mar 2025
$16,685
15 Mar 2025
07 Apr 2025
$15,905
22 Mar 2025
14 Apr 2025
$16,375
29 Mar 2025
21 Apr 2025
$17,515
20 Apr 2025
13 May 2025
$17,030
27 Apr 2025
20 May 2025
$16,220

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for all types of travelers at a range of different price points and trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (19 nights),Feature Stay (4 nights)

Transportation & Flights

Plane,Train,Private vehicle,Boat,Bicycle,

Transportation & flights

Plane,Train,Private vehicle,Boat,Bicycle
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Premium leaders are Intrepid’s most experienced, with in-depth knowledge and extensive local networks to make it a trip of a lifetime. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. When not already included in your trip, your leader will be able to recommend a local guide service who can share more detailed or specialised information at specific sites should you be interested in delving deeper.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements LETTER OF INVITATION CHILE: A Letter of Invitation (LOI) is required as part of the application. Please consult with your booking agent on getting this LOI. For more details on the visa application requirements, please visit: https://tramites.minrel.gov.cl/Solicitudes/visa.aspx It is a requirement of the Peruvian Tax Authority for our trip leaders to show proof that all travellers on our groups are foreign tourists and are thus exempt from the 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) charged to locals. This may require your trip leader to take a photograph of your main passport page and the page showing the immigration stamp you receive upon entry to Peru.
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. SEAT BELTS: Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts. FIRE PRECAUTIONS: Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. LIMA AIRPORT TRANSFERS For safety reasons, we strongly recommend that during airport transfers in Lima all of your luggage, including hand luggage and valuables, is stored out of sight in the rear boot of the vehicle.
Age Requirements
15 years and up
Additional Information

Finish point

  • Novotel Rio de janeiro Leme
  • R. Gustavo Sampaio, 320 - Leme
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • BRAZIL
Trip ID
intrepid-GGPRC

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