$9999—26-day South America & Galapagos tour, save $3396

Travel with up to 19 like-minded explorers to four South American countries in 26 days. This epic trip takes you to South American hotspots like Argentina, Brazil, and Peru. You'll also go off the beaten path to Ecuador's Galapagos Islands. The cherry on top—the price includes nine international and regional flights. Flying also gives you extra time to explore more of this vibrant and diverse continent.

Starting at $9999 per person, Travelzoo members enjoy an exclusive $3396 off Inspiring Vacations' usual prices on 37 dates for this 26-day land tour.

What's included

• 23 nights in 3- & 4-star accommodation
• 2 nights at a stunning 4-star eco-friendly Peruvian Amazon lodge
• Breakfast daily, 6 lunches, 2 dinners
• Flights: 
  • Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls
  • Iguazu Falls to Rio
  • Rio to Lima
  • Lima to Puerto Maldonado
  • Puerto Maldonado to Cusco
  • Puno to Lima
  • Lima to Guayaquil
  • Guayaquil to Santa Cruz
  • San Cristobal to Quito
• All internal coach, rail and boat transportation
• English-speaking guide throughout and local experts in each country 
• Guided tours of all major cities, including Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Lima
• In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary

When

The featured $9999 price is valid for 35 departure dates from February 2025 to March 2026.

Book by 11 December 2024. 

To find out more, see our partner's website.

Holiday snapshot

Buenos Aires - Iguazu Falls - Rio de Janeiro - Lima - Puerto Maldonado - Amazon Jungle - Puerto Maldonado - Cusco - Sacred Valley - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Cusco - Puno - Lake Titicaca - Puno - Lima - Guayaquil - Santa Cruz Island - San Cristobal Island - Kicker Rock - San Cristobal Island - Quito

About the itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Argentina! When you arrive at Buenos Aires airport, make your way to your hotel. Hotel check-in is approximately 3 pm; if you arrive before, you can leave your luggage at the hotel and explore this remarkable city.

Day 2: You will meet your guide early this morning before setting out for a city tour of Buenos Aires. You'll visit the Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, Metropolitan Cathedral, and the tango neighbourhood of San Telmo. You'll learn about Argentina's passion for football at La Boca and visit Puerto Madero before exploring the upscale Recoleta neighbourhood. You'll fly to Puerto Iguazu from here to witness the impressive Iguazu Falls, straddling the Argentine-Brazil border.

Day 3: You'll explore Iguazu Falls today from the Argentinian side with a ride on the Rainforest Ecological Train and visit the upper and lower circuit footbridges offering panoramic views. You'll also experience the monumental Devil's Throat – considered the most spectacular of the falls. Join an optional tour and ride The Gran Ventura, taking you under the falls.

Day 4: Today, you'll discover the Brazilian side of the falls. You'll enjoy uninterrupted vistas of the Floriana Falls, the Devil's Gorge Canyon and the Iguazu River. From here, you'll be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Rio de Janeiro; on arrival, you'll transferred to your hotel in Copacabana.

Day 5: Explore Rio's famous landmarks on a full-day tour, starting with a scenic drive from Copacabana Beach to the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Hill. Next, visit Sugarloaf Mountain for 360-degree views of the city via a cable car, followed by a visit to Maracanã Stadium. On the way back to the hotel, see Lapa Arches, Selaron Stairs, and the Monument to the Dead of World War II.

Day 6: Today is a free day in Rio de Janeiro, where you can relax on the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema or explore the city with optional tours. Enjoy the lively atmosphere of Copacabana Beach, visit the iconic Copacabana Fort, and stroll along the black and white promenade lined with vendors. Explore the upscale Ipanema Beach, visit Rio de Janeiro Botanical Gardens, and discover historical sites like the Benedictine Church and Monastery of São Bento. End your day with a visit to the lively Lapa neighbourhood for samba bars and nightlife.

Day 7: Travel to Lima, the City of Kings in Peru today. Explore the city's well-preserved historical centre, museums, and colonial architecture, with highlights including the Museo de la Nación, to learn about Peru's ancient history. End the day with a visit to the Magic Water Circuit show at Parque de la Reserva, where illuminated fountains are synchronized to music.

Day 8: Prepare to explore Lima today with your local guide, providing a welcome briefing and tips for your adventure. Visit the historic centre to see the Huaca Pucllana archaeological site, the Plaza Mayor, and the Santo Domingo Convent. In the afternoon, enjoy exploring the modern Miraflores district, trying Peruvian cuisine, and visiting attractions like the Larcomar shopping mall. End the day with a taste of ceviche and a pisco sour in Lima, the gastronomic capital of Peru.

Day 9: You will be taken to the airport to catch a flight to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. Travel to the lodge via motorboat along the Tambopata River, enjoy a picnic lunch onboard, and immerse yourself in the diverse flora and fauna of the lush rainforest. In the evening, participate in a caiman search along the riverbank and observe nocturnal animals. Activity schedules may be adjusted based on weather and group well-being.

Day 10: Embark on an early morning adventure to Tres Chimbadas Lake to observe wildlife such as Giant River Otters, black caymans, and aquatic birds. Return to the lodge for lunch before climbing a 42-meter tower to view the Amazon Rainforest and measure climate change effects. Explore the jungle on a night walk to observe nocturnal animals and wildlife behaviour. Sleep to the sounds of the jungle at the lodge.

Day 11: After breakfast, return to Puerto Maldonado by motorized canoe, collect your belongings, and transfer to the airport for a flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel in the Sacred Valley, which was once the heart of the Inca Empire, offering a lush environment with fertile plains and intricate Inca terracing.

Day 12: In the morning, you'll explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting a local community to learn about their daily life. If it's market day, you can browse stalls for hand-painted beads or warm ponchos and practice the Quechua language. After lunch at the community, we'll visit the town of Ollantaytambo, with an optional visit to the ruins in the afternoon.

Day 13: Today, you'll visit the breathtaking archaeological site of Machu Picchu, one of the World's New Seven Wonders. Board the tourist train in the early morning to Machu Picchu Pueblo, a modern town near the sanctuary. The scenic journey through the Sacred Valley and cloud forest takes about two hours before the bus ride to Machu Picchu. Explore the ruins with your guide, seeing key areas like the Intiwatana and the Sun Temple. Machu Picchu, 2430 meters above sea level, showcases the impressive Inca stonework and stunning mountain setting. After the tour, return to Machu Picchu Pueblo by bus, take the train back to Ollantaytambo town, and then transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Day 14: Enjoy a free morning in Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas. Explore the city's historic streets showcasing Inca stonework and colonial architecture. In the afternoon, take a guided walking tour to see the Stone of Twelve Angles, the Temple of Qorikancha, the main square Plaza de Armas, and the vibrant San Pedro Market for local food and souvenirs.

Day 15: Enjoy a free day in Cusco to explore at your leisure. Consider visiting the charming neighbourhood of San Blas, known for its art studios, artisan workshops, and lively dining scene. Immerse yourself in the local atmosphere with a stroll through its quaint streets.

Day 16: Embark on a scenic bus journey to Puno, a ten-hour ride through breathtaking landscapes. Admire the Andean mountains and deep valleys in the first half, then transition to the rolling Andean Plains, where vicuñas and alpacas roam. Along the way, visit historical landmarks like the Andahuaylillas Church, the Raqchi archaeological site, and the Pukara Lithic Museum, which showcases stone sculptures and pottery. Enjoy views of the Chimboya glacier from the La Raya Pass.

Day 17: Embark on a boat journey to explore Lake Titicaca, a vast high-altitude lake shared by Peru and Bolivia. Visit the Uros Islands, where the Indigenous Uros tribe lives on floating islands of totara reeds. Continue to Taquile Island to meet the Quechua-speaking Taquileños, known for their intricate weaving skills. In the afternoon, return to Puno by boat.

Day 18: After visiting the pre-Incan cemetery of Sillustani, with its tower-like chullpas and significant archaeological sites, we will head to the airport for a flight to Lima. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel.

Day 19: Today, you will fly to Guayaquil, the gateway to the Galapagos, and transfer to your centrally located hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a two-hour walking tour with a local guide, exploring Iguana Park, the Malecon 2000, and the historic Las Peñas neighbourhood, rich in history and charm.

Day 20: Fly to the Galapagos Islands, with flight details confirmed upon arrival in Guayaquil. Your guide will take you to the island's Highlands to observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat before transferring to your hotel in Puerto Ayora. Later, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to explore conservation efforts, breeding programs, and the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, offering close encounters with these iconic creatures. Note: A USD 20 transit card is payable in Guayaquil, and a USD 200 park fee upon arrival.

Day 21: This morning, embark on a full-day tour to an uninhabited island like Santa Fe or Bartolomé. Travel by speedboat, approximately two hours each way, to explore unique wildlife like Galapagos penguins, land iguanas, and blue-footed boobies. Enjoy snorkelling in crystal-clear waters to discover vibrant coral reefs and marine life. Confident swimming skills are required; alternative activities are unavailable. Return to Puerto Ayora by late afternoon.

Day 22: After breakfast, take a guided walk to Tortuga Bay, where you'll encounter marine iguanas, Galápagos crabs, sea lions, and bird species like pelicans and finches. Swimming is prohibited at Playa Brava due to hazardous currents, but a trail through the mangroves leads to Playa Mansa, a sheltered bay perfect for swimming. In the afternoon, transfer by speedboat to San Cristobal Island (approximately 2.5 hours) and enjoy a walking tour of charming Puerto Baquerizo.

Day 23: This morning, visit the iconic Kicker Rock, a 500-foot formation perfect for snorkelling with marine life—spot sea turtles, rays, and even hammerhead sharks, with confident swimming skills required. In the afternoon, explore La Loberia Beach, home to sea lions, marine iguanas, and frigate birds.

Day 24: This morning, visit the Interpretation Center to learn about the Galapagos' history, natural origins, and conservation efforts. Explore exhibits on volcanic origins, species arrivals, human history, and conservation challenges. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Quito, where your guide will transfer you to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon exploring the area as you please.

Day 25: Enjoy Quito at your own pace, exploring its colonial centre with Incan foundations. Discover 16th- and 17th-century churches and buildings blending European, Moorish, and indigenous styles. Alternatively, join an optional full-day city tour for a deeper exploration.

Day 26: After breakfast, make your way to the airport. Airport transfers can be booked through the Inspiring Vacations booking portal. Check-out is between 10 am-12 pm; late departures can store luggage and explore or request a late check-out.