Compare Best of Argentina & Brazil by Intrepid Travel vs Peru & Argentina by Great Value Vacations

Day 1 Buenos Aires

Bienvenido! Welcome to Buenos Aires, the ultimate cosmopolitan city, with Latin passion, European elegance, and its own distinctive style. Your adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm. Your leader will leave a note at the hotel reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Argentinians enjoy dining late so there will be plenty of time after the welcome meeting to take up any of your leader’s restaurant suggestions for those wishing to sample Argentina’s world-renowned steak.

Day 2 Buenos Aires

Today explore Buenos Aires on a half-day tour with an expert local guide. Starting in Plaza de Mayo, explore the city’s most famous sights with highlights including San Telmo, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires, and La Boca where you’ll visit iconic Caminito Street, which gives the neighbourhood its distinctive spirit. After lunch, your tour continues towards Retiro and Recoleta, where you’ll learn about the families who sought to build a small‐scale Paris in the heart of Buenos Aires and see the ornate mausoleums at one of the world’s most famous cemeteries. This evening is free to enjoy your way.

Day 3 Foz do Iguazu

Fly to Puerto Iguazu in the northeast corner of Argentina where mighty Iguazu Falls straddles the border of Argentina and Brazil. Iguazu Falls are higher than Niagara Falls, wider than Victoria Falls, and a truly epic sight. Take a trip across the border to Brazil to admire panoramic views of multiple thundering waterfalls. You may like to take an optional helicopter flight over the top of the falls for a more panoramic view. Tonight, spend the night in Foz do Iguazu (Brazil), resting up before a big day exploring the Argentinian side of the falls tomorrow.

Day 4 Iguazu Falls

A visit to the Argentinian side of Iguazu today allows you to get up close to the waterfalls via a series of boardwalks. According to Guarani legend, Iguazu Falls was created when the serpent god M’Boy, enraged by the betrayal of a chieftain’s daughter who was promised to him, split the river in half. For a more exhilarating experience, take an optional Zodiac boat ride to the base of the falls. This afternoon, join your leader for a visit to a Guarani community where you’ll meet some of the region’s few remaining indigenous people. Learn about the Guarani way of life and how they have preserved their traditions on the edge of one of the world’s most popular attractions. Return to your hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls.

Day 5 Rio de Janeiro

Take an early morning flight from Foz do Iguacu to Rio. The locals say that 'if God made the world in six days, he devoted the seventh to Rio'. The day is yours to do what you like. For relaxation and people watching, head to the beaches of Copacabana or Ipanema. If the time of year is right, check out a football game or a Carnival rehearsal. As evening approaches, perhaps take the cable car up to Sugarloaf Mountain to watch the sunset before getting sweaty with the locals in the samba clubs of bohemian Lapa.

Day 6 Rio de Janeiro

It's an early start this morning as we embark on a guided tour of Rio, starting at Corcovado Mountain for sweeping views over Rio from the base of the Christ the Redeemer statue before the crowds arrive. Discover the eclectic architecture, restaurants, and art galleries of the artistic neighbourhood of Santa Teresa. Then continue to the colourful Selaron Steps to see artist Jorge Selaron’s gift to the Brazilian people, a staircase with 215 steps that’s decorated with thousands of tiles collected from over 60 countries around the world. The afternoon is free for you to spend as you wish, before rejoining your group for a farewell dinner. A fun local restaurant, specialising in smoky grilled seafood and meat with fresh, zesty salads, is the ideal place to celebrate your time together.

Day 7 Rio de Janeiro

With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart at any time. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end. If you would like to continue soaking up the sun in Rio, we’ll be happy to book additional accommodation (subject to availability).

Day 1: Welcome to Lima!

Arrive in beautiful Lima, the Peruvian capital rife with bustling squares, amazing architecture, and bright-blue seascapes. Known as the "City of Kings," Lima is chock full of colonial richness, which you will feel in all of its 43 diverse districts!

Enjoy a comfortable transfer from the airport to your hotel, then settle in and relax. Rest up; you've got quite the journey ahead of you!

Transfer from Lima airport (LIM) to Lima hotel

Day 2: Lima

Enjoy a pleasant breakfast, then grab your camera and get ready to explore. You will be picked up at your hotel for your city tour of Lima! Experience both "old" and "new" Lima, where you'll see everything from the colonial Plaza de Armas, stunning San Francisco Monastery, the modern, trendy districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, and much more.

You may want to spend your evening in the tranquil, culture-packed, artsy village of Barranco. Known to be a cool, relaxed area, Barranco is famous for its nightlife, amazing restaurants, boutiques, and live-music bars!

Lima Colonial & Modern City Tour with San Francisco Monastery & Larco Herrera Museum (5 hours)

Embark on a city tour through old and new Lima! Begin at the Plaza de Armas with its colonial buildings like the Government Palace, the Municipality, the Palace of the Archbishop and the Cathedral, among others. All these buildings are gathered around the history-laden square.

Then visit San Francisco Monastery with its maze of tunnels and catacombs that served as a mass grave. After touring the historic city center, head to the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores. In San Isidro, stroll through the Olive Park (El Olivar) where old olive trees stand tall next to modern shopping centers. In Miraflores, visit the Park of Love (El Parque del Amor) from where you have a view over the cliffs and the Pacific.

Ending the tour, you will visit the fascinating Larco Herrera Museum. With more than 45,000 objects of pre-Columbian ceramics, textiles and gold and silver pieces, it houses one of the most impressive collections in Latin America. It is also known for its exhibition of erotic ceramics of the Mochica culture.

Day 3: Lima - Cusco

Recharge with a delicious breakfast, then embark on a journey to Cusco! Relax on a quick ride to the airport, then feel your stomach flutter with excitement as you fly to Cusco. Enjoy a convenient ride to your hotel and get to know your friendly local guide.

Cusco, South America's archaeological capital and oldest continuously inhabited city, is now one of Peru's most-visited tourist attractions! The legacy of the Inca Empire still lives throughout the city, and can be felt as you walk through its stone-walled streets.

Spend the afternoon enjoying a tour of Cusco and its surrounding ruins! Visit the most important landmarks of both the Inca and the Colonial times, such as Qoricancha (the "temple of the sun"), the Cathedral, the Inca Street of Loreto, the fortress-temple of Saqsaywaman, and more.

Transfer from Lima hotel to Lima airport (LIM)

Fly to Cusco!

Transfer from Cusco airport (CUZ) to Cusco hotel

Tour of Cusco and surrounding ruins (4 hours)

Go on a city tour of Cusco with visits to the most important landmarks of both Inca and Spanish Colonial times! Begin at Qoricancha, known as the Temple of the Sun and the most important temple of the Incas. A catholic monastery, Santo Domingo, was built over the Inca temple in 1572, and the fascinating contrast can still be seen today.

Continue to Cusco Cathedral, considered the best repository of colonial art from the Cusco School. Built over the palace of the Inca Wiracocha, it was considered the religious and political center of Cusco during the Inca era. After ooing and awing at the cathedral, walk through the Inca Street of Loreto, a fine sample of the old town and its remarkable Inca walls.

Leave the city to the outer parts of Cusco with important ruins of the Inca Empire. Between them, the most important is the archaeological park of the fortress-temple Saqsaywaman which shows precise zigzags of massive stone to which centuries could not do any harm.

Day 4: Cusco - Urubamba

Fuel up with breakfast and get ready for a culture-packed day! This morning, you will be picked up at your hotel and driven to Awanakancha, a living museum of Andean camelids, such as llamas, alpacas, and the rarely seen Vicunas and Guanacos. Learn about traditional weaving techniques while you feast your eyes on these fluffy fellows!

After that, you'll be off to the Pisac market, a charming market where people of Pisac and surrounding villages sell and buy fresh fruits and vegetables, alpaca clothing, jewelry, and more. Bargain the day away and snag some awesome souvenirs!

You'll then spend the afternoon in Ollantaytambo, where you'll visit a local house and immerse yourself in daily Peruvian life. Then, you'll explore the impressive fortress thrones of the Ollantaytambo ruins! End the day with a visit to a traditional Chicheria, where you'll sip on the national drink, Chicha, made of corn!

Visit to Awanakancha and Pisac Market

At Awanakancha farm, learn about the various types of camelids (llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos) that live in the Andes region. After you get a chance to pet and take photos with the animals, local villagers will demonstrate the ancestral methods and techniques used to produce their signature textile art.

Continue along the Sacred Valley and reach Pisac, a beautiful town where Incan and Colonial influences have reached a perfect balance and created the unique way of life of the local inhabitants. Explore the famous Pisac artisan market where you can find extraordinarily fine jewelry and ceramic and textile craftwork.

Day 5: Urubamba - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Today's the day you've been waiting your whole life for - you're going to see Machu Picchu! Yes, it really is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. After breakfast, relax on a quick transfer to the train station of Ollantaytambo. Hop aboard the Vistadome train and enjoy scenic views of snow-covered mountains, sparkling rivers, and small villages along the way.

Once you reach the train station at the foot of Machu Picchu, you'll take a shuttle bus up the twisting road to the top! Upon arrival at the most famous Inka ruins in the world, your guide will take you on an unforgettable tour of the marvelous citadel. Stand in the main plaza, gawk at the Temple of Three Windows, see the sacred sun dial, and more!

After an amazing day, you'll return back to your hotel the exact way you came - scenic shuttle and train rides. Spend the evening relaxing at your hotel; you'll be craving some serious R&R after a full day in Machu Picchu!

Guided tour of Machu Picchu ruins (2.5 hours)

Machu Picchu, the "lost city of the Incas," is not only one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, but also the biggest treasure of Peru’s past and the empire of the Incas. Undiscovered by the Spaniards and forgotten over centuries, it was in 1911 that the American scientist Hiram Bingham came upon it accidentally.

Still today, the ruins leave scientists with numerous questions and riddles on how it was built and for which purpose. Theories vary but one thing is for sure: Machu Picchu is one of the most impressive and exciting places in the world, sublime and majestic on top of the mountain and surrounded by impenetrable rainforest.

Enjoy a guided tour of the marvelous citadel, visiting the main plaza, the Temple of Three Windows, the circular tower, the sacred sun dial and the burial grounds!

Day 6: Cusco - Lima - Foz Do Iguassu

Get ready to jet-set... again! Today, you will be transferred to the airport, where you will stop in Lima, and then continue on to Foz do Iguacu. This beautiful city is nestled right near the majestic Iguazu Falls, where the Iguazu River empties its waters into the Parana River!

Bordering on Brazil and Argentina, these humongous waterfalls attract tons of visitors all year-round. Although the city of Foz do Iguacu is not a large city, it is always bustling with shoppers,, tourists, and locals.

Transfer from Cusco hotel to Cusco airport (CUZ)

Catch connecting flight in Lima (LIM), then fly to Foz do Iguassu (IGU)!

Transfer from Iguassu Falls airport (IGU) to Foz do Iguassu hotel

Day 7: Puerto Iguazu

Wake up ready to explore! After breakfast, you'll spend the day touring both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides of the world-famous Iguazu Falls. From your hotel, you'll be driven to the Visitors Center, and then you'll hop aboard a train which will take you to all the most prominent points of this natural wonder.

Continue your journey through the Iguazu River Canyon on foot! Walk around, appreciate the flora and fauna, and feel the soft mist of all 270 waterfalls up-close!

Iguazu Falls Tour (Brazilian and Argentinian Sides)

Today's the day to see magical Iguazu Falls from every angle! Arrive at the Visitors Center and board a gas-propelled train at the main station. Enjoy a scenic ride until you reach the upper falls circuit and the Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo), one of the very highest falls! Feel your eyes widen as you gaze out at a surreal lookout point.

Then, take an unforgettable walk along the Iguazu River Canyon, via the lower circuit and the upper circuit to appreciate the amazing flora and fauna surrounding you. Iguazu is made up of about 270 individual waterfalls - see them all up close!

You'll go through the National Park on the Brazilian side of the falls, where you'll walk along paths cascading down to the bottom of Devil's Throat. See breathtaking views of the Argentinian side, where you'll see the Two Sisters, Bozzeti, Superior Circuit, and San Martin Island, where the movie The Mission was filmed. Get ready for amazing views and unforgettable memories!

Please note it is your responsibility to obtain the appropriate visa for entry into Brazil.

Day 8: Puerto Iguazu - Buenos Aires

What would a trip to Argentina be without a visit to Buenos Aires?! After breakfast, enjoy a quick transfer to the airport and begin your journey to Argentina's capital. Upon arrival, you'll feel Buenos Aires' strong European influence through its eclectic cuisine, luxury boutiques, amazing architecture, and charming plazas.

Each neighborhood boasts its own unique personality - some very artsy, some filled with nightlife, etc. Buenos Aires is the perfect place to visit tons of museums, have a picnic in a lush green park, and browse around antique stores and art galleries!

Settle into your luxurious hotel, then get to know the city. You  might want to treat yourself to some authentic Asado (Argentinian barbecue) with a side of Chimichurri, the country's go-to condiment (green salsa)!

Transfer from Foz do Iguassu hotel to Cataratas del Iguazu Inlt. Airport (IGR)

Fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina!

Transfer from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) to Buenos Aires hotel

Day 9: Buenos Aires

Wake up smiling - you're in beautiful Buenos Aires! Make the most of your last day with a wonderful tour of the city. Start at the famous 9 de Julio Avenue, see the gorgeous Colon Theater and Casa Rosada, and walk around the Plaza de Mayo! Explore San Telmo, a historical neighborhood and the oldest district of Buenos Aires. Head to the northern districts, which include the green area of Palermo and the upscale Recoleta neighborhood!

The fun doesn't stop there! In the evening, enjoy an amazing cultural experience when you indulge in an authentic Argentinian dinner and watch a Tango show at El Viejo Almacen, a famous Tango House! Buenos Aires was the birthplace of Tango, after all!

Buenos Aires City Tour

Your city tour of Buenos Aires starts at the famous 9 de Julio Avenue, known as the widest avenue in the world! Pass by the beautiful Colon Theater, the cultural pride of Buenos Aires, and arrive at the main square Plaza de Mayo, which is surrounded by Casa Rosada (Government House), Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo (first City Hall). Visit the inside of the Metropolitan Cathedral, which holds the remains of General José de San Martín (Argentina's national hero).

Continue to San Telmo, the oldest district in Buenos Aires with many antique shops. (On Sundays, the neighborhood holds a famous antique market). Your next stop is La Boca, a colorful neighborhood of painted houses with the famous "Caminito" street.

The tour ends in the city's northern districts. Drive to the green neighborhood of Palermo with its parks and artificial lakes. Then, visit Recoleta with its elegant boutiques and restaurants. At the famous Recoleta cemetery, you will find the grave of Eva Duarte, known as Eva Perón (Evita). The mausoleums and pantheons reflect the architectural diversity from Argentina's different cultures.

Dinner & Tango Show at El Viejo Almacen (with transfers)

Experience the soul of Buenos Aires at a tango show with dinner! The Tango tradition started at the end of the 19th century, and developed out of a mixture of various rhythms, which were originally danced in the poorer neighborhoods.

Your night starts with a hotel pick-up, where you'll then be taken to one of the famous Tango Houses - El Viejo Almacen - for dinner. Enjoy a show with music, singing, and of course -  dancing.

The El Viejo Almacen, the home of traditional tango, became a unique place thanks to its historic location and authentic style. Every night its doors are open to enjoy an impressive tango show performed by prominent interpreters of the tango scene, a demonstration of Andean music, as well as exquisite cuisine.

Includes:

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Entrance to Tango Show
• 1 full dinner
• Entree
• Main course
• Dessert
• Drinks

Day 10: Depart Argentina

Savor the flavors of one last Argentinian breakfast, then squeeze all your souvenirs into your luggage and enjoy a comfortable transfer to the airport. Spend your relaxing flight home dreaming about your next adventure!

Transfer from Buenos Aires hotel to Buenos Aires airport (EZE)

Fly home!