Ultimate South America

Tour Highlights

Machu Picchu

RIO DE JANEIRO

SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

IGUACU FALLS

Machu Picchu

Explore the ancient Incan Citadel of Machu Picchu

RIO DE JANEIRO

Ascend the hieghts of Sugarloaf Mountain

SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

Explore the beautiful expansive Atacama Desert

IGUACU FALLS

See the spectacular Iguacu Falls 

Authentic Experiences

Our Ultimate South America Tour has been thoughtfully designed and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.

• Stay with a local on Lake Titicaca

  Spend the night surrounded by the waters of the mighty Lake Titicaca, on an island where the local, native traditions still reign supreme and life is a pace or two slower.

• Sleep in a Salt Hotel

  After exploring the otherworldly landscapes of Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni, spend the night in a salt hotel right on the edge of the salt flats, where the uninterrupted views from your room will be second to none.

• Drive through Argentina's vineyards

  Spend time in one of the greatest wine regions of the world - Mendoza. Enjoy the wide open spaces with stunning mountain views, blue skies and endless vineyards.

Tour Dates & Prices

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price. If the dates we have available for this tour don't suit your needs, or you are not sure travelling as part of a group is for you, maybe a Private Tour would be more ideal. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.

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There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.

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Additional Price Information

Prices include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 12 August 2020, subject to change.

Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.

Customary tipping amount approximately US$195pp (AU$283pp) is paid locally in Peru.

Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available on request

Land only (Lima - Rio De Janeiro) 27 days from $14,650 twin share, per person

Single Supplement from $3,790

Price listed is based on new bookings only

Ultimate South America - Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Fly Australia to Lima

Fly to Peru’s historical and sophisticated capital Lima. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You have the rest of the afternoon to yourselves before a welcome dinner this evening. (D)

Day 2: Explore Lima

Originally named the City of the Kings, Lima is rich in heritage, which you’ll see for yourself today. Start in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre to admire the colonial magnificence before stopping at several other of Lima's most famous sites. (B)

Day 3: The Sacred Valley

Fly from Lima to Cusco and transfer to the town of Urubamba set in Peru’s famous Sacred Valley. Backed by rolling foothills and snowy peaks, it is a lovely, relaxed place to acclimatize to the altitude of the Andes. On the way visit Pisac’s colourful market, and enjoy lunch made from home-grown produce with the local Chawaytire community. The rest of the day is free. (B,L)

Day 4: HUILLOC/MACHU PICCHU

Spend the day in the remote village of Huilloc, approximately 40 minutes transfer from your hotel, where you will gain a fascinating cultural insight into their lives. You’ll enjoy a cooking demonstration of a typical Quechua dish before tucking into lunch with the locals. Continue onto the small town of Aguas Calientes by train (also known as Macchu Pichu Pueblo) for your overnight stay. (B,L)

Day 5: Machu Picchu

This morning you will visit the world famous citadel of Macchu Pichu. A guided tour will give you some insight into the Inca Empire and an understanding of how its inhabitants lived many centuries ago. The tour includes up to four hours of sightseeing, plus some free time to explore on your own. Return to the village of Machu Picchu before riding the train back to Poroy followed by your transfer to Cusco. (B)

Day 6: Cusco

Home to an incredible Incan legacy, Cusco has some of the richest heritage in Latin America and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour will include visits to the Plaza de Armas, once the heart of the Incan capital of Huacaypata; and Qoricancha, the temple of the sun. Head just out of town to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman and Puka Pukara, the ‘Red Fortess’. Spend the afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 7: TRAIN THROUGH THE ANDES

Today take a train from Cusco to Puno. Journey through amazing Andean landscapes to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, passing through the spectacular Peruvian highlands. The train has 4 dining cars, a bar car and an observation car. Along the way you will enjoy a gourmet lunch prepared with exquisite Andean ingredients and there will be music and dance shows on board. (B,L)

Day 8: Lake Titicaca

Leaving Puno today, travel to the lakeside town of Copacabana, Bolivia. Visit Copacabana Sanctuary, followed by a catamaran cruise across Lake Titicaca to Sun Island. Visit the Inti Wata Cultural Complex, and take a short trip on a huge traditional Titicaca reed vessel for your journey to Pikokaina Inca Palace. Cross the Strait of Tiquina before reboarding the Catamaran for the night. (B,L,D)

DAY 9: TRAVEL TO LA PAZ

Depart Lake Titicaca today for La Paz. Enjoy a walking tour of the city with a journey in a cable car for a bird's eye view of the capital. Continue on to the Moon Valley, an area of tall clay spires, formed by erosions of the mountains in the area. Enjoy a cultural Bolivian dance and folklore show this evening, with performers in typical dress, This day is at altitude. (B,L,D)

DAY 10: EXPLORE SALAR DE UYUNI

Fly to Uyuni today for a fascinating tour of the world-famous Bolivian Salt Flats. Start exploring straight away, visiting the Train Cemetery and Salt Museum before continuing to the ancient mummies of Tunupa Volcano. After, retire to your hotel – made entirely out of salt - where you will spend the night. (B,L,D)

DAY 11: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

Today you will bid farewell to Bolivia as you transfer to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. This day is at altitude. (B,L)

DAY 12: ATACAMA DESERT

This morning, drive out into the otherworldly landscapes to visit the Salar de Atacama and the quaint desert village of Tocoano. This afternoon, you’ll continue to Death and Moon valleys. (B,L)

DAY 13: EL TATIO

Rise early and travel for around 2 hours deeper into the Atacama to visit El Tatio Geysers. Enjoy a guided walk amongst the mud craters and bubbling geysers. After, travel through the Andes Mountain Range to the small desert village of Machuca. Return to San Pedro this afternoon and transfer to Calama to fly to Chile’s capital city, Santiago. (B)

DAY 14: EXPLORE SANTIAGO

Discover Chile's capital today, including visits to the Plaza de Armas, Ahumada Boulevard and San Cristobal Hill. You have the afternoon to yourselves. (B,L)

DAY 15: VALPARAISO

Travel westwards out of the capital today for a full day's tour of Valparaiso, the bohemian port town. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valparaiso is a unique and delightful tangle, draped over a series of hills on Chile's coast. Explore this charming town on foot and by funicular, before returning to Santiago this afternoon. (B,L)

DAY 16: ACROSS THE ANDES

Bid farewell to Chile as you travel across the Andes to Argentina. Pass alongside Aconcagua (South America's tallest mountain) before arriving in Mendoza, home of Argentina's world-famous wine industry. (B,L)

DAY 17: MENDOZA WINE TOUR

Enjoy a full day tour of Maipu Valley, where you will taste some delicious local wines from the Malbec grape followed by a delicious lunch. (B,L)

DAY 18: BUENOS AIRES

Enjoy a relaxed city tour of Mendoza before flying to Argentina’s flamboyant capital, Buenos Aires. The Paris of South America, Buenos Aires is a romantic and lively city. (B)

DAY 19: BUENOS AIRES

After breakfast, enjoy the irresistible combination of Latin flair and European elegance on a Buenos Aires city tour. Visit the vibrant districts of La Boca, San Telmo, Puerto Madero, Palermo and Recoleta. This evening sit down for dinner and an exciting tango show. (B,L,D)

DAY 20: THE PAMPAS

Spend the day just outside the city on the vast, fertile grasslands known as the pampas, on a traditional estancia (ranch). Here you’ll get some insight into the life of folk heroes, the gaucho and after a typical Argentinian asado lunch, there will be a fun folklore show. (B,L)

DAY 21: IGUAZU FALLS

Say farewell to Buenos Aires to board your plane over to Puerto Iguazu, the town closest to the incredible wonder that is Iguazu Falls. The incredible Iguazu Falls spans the border of Argentina and Brazil and features hundreds of rushing cascades, set in a lush rainforest scene. (B,D)

DAY 22: MEET THE MBORORÉ ALDEA PEOPLE

Spend the day on the Argentinian side of Iguazu falls, with a trip to the most impressive observation point – the Devil’s Throat. Visit the Mbororé Aldea community this afternoon where you will learn about this ancient tribe's way of life. (B,D)

DAY 23: FLY TO RIO DE JANEIRO

Cross the border to visit the Brazilian side of the falls, followed by a transfer to the local airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s ‘Cidade Maravilhosa'. (B)

DAY 24: EXPLORE RIO

Today you willl experience many of Rio's most iconic sites including Mount Corcovado where Christ the Redeemer sits, Tijuca Forest, Urca neighbourhood and two cable car journeys to Sugarloaf Mountain. From here, you will be able to gaze down upon the city, Corcovado and the surrounding islands. (B,L)

DAY 25: DAY AT LEISURE

Enjoy a free day to enjoy the sights and sounds of the wonderful Rio. You could spend the day at one of the city’s famous beaches or explore a bit farther independently. This evening meet up with the group for a farewell dinner at a vibrant Brazilian steakhouse. (B,D)

DAYS 26-28: FLY RIO TO AUSTRALIA

This morning after breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Australia, arriving home in 2 days due to crossing the International Date Line once again. (B)

Useful Information

Visas

Australian passport holders do not require a visa to travel to this destination. Other passport holders should arrange visas well in advance of departure, if required.

Communication

While travelling overseas, the Wendy Wu Tours contact number during business hours is +61 2 9224 8888. Emergency Assistance (24-hours) is 0044 1888 288 288. You will find mobile phone coverage to be quite high throughout South & Central America. We recommend contacting your mobile carrier if you intend to use international roaming during your holiday and ensure you investigate all associated call and data costs before you leave Australia. Some hotels may have Wi-Fi, which usually comes at a cost.

Tipping

Tipping is not commonplace in Australia. In this destination however, it is anticipated that a tip be given to reward good service. With that in mind, we have a tipping system for our group tours. Each passenger ‘tips’ a set amount to the National Escort at the start of the tour or on arrival in each country. They then distribute this as appropriate. Tipping is appreciated for Private and Tailor-Made travel. In your final documents, we include guidelines for tipping when travelling independently.

Food

We aim to cater to the tastes of the majority of people and so the food is not too spicy or too unusual. Breakfast at your hotel includes local and western dishes. In remote areas, we suggest embracing local specialities. Drinks such as beer, soft drinks or bottled water are at your own expense locally.

Shopping

Shopping is a fun and entertaining component to any travel adventure. In keeping with most people’s interests while on holiday, your tour includes a reasonable number of opportunities to shop for local goods and souvenirs. Included are visits to establishments that provide locally produced goods, unique to your destination. Witness the creation of these products, and see first-hand how their production supports the local economy. As most travellers like to take home souvenirs, we ensure the shops you visit have a reputation for quality, honesty, and authenticity.

Accommodation

Wendy Wu Tours inspects all hotels to ensure they meet the high levels of service, which we require for our guests. We pick the right hotel for the specific destination, meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family-run guesthouse in a smaller town. Chosen hotels are also chosen for ease of navigation around tourist sights.