Ultimate South America

Ultimate South America

3,963 Views
29 Days From

$15864

Ultimate South America

29 Days Starting in Lima, Peru and ending in Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Visiting: Lima, Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Puno, Copacabana, La Paz, Uyuni, Salt Flats, San Pedro de Atacama, Calama, El Tatio, Santiago, Mendoza Province, Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, State of Rio de Janeiro

Tour operator:

Wendy Wu

Tour code:

1531

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

12 - 28

Physical rating:

Level2

Age range:

12-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Meat

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

From: $15864

NB: Prices correct on 01-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

The ultimate tour of South America, this all-encompassing journey will take you through the landscapes of Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina and Brazil on an epic adventure.

Highlights

  • Marvel at Machu Picchu

  • Discover the salt flats of Uyuni

  • Experience gaucho life in the pampas

  • See the incredible Iguazu Falls

  • Take a tango class in Buenos Aires

  • Ascend Sugar Loaf Mountain

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Days 1: Fly To Lima

Location: Lima

Meals Included: Dinner

Welcome to Lima! You will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel. Check-in before the welcome dinner this evening.

Day 1 : Days 1: Fly To Lima

Location: Lima

Meals Included: Dinner

Welcome to Lima! You will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel. Check-in before the welcome dinner this evening.

Day 2: Explore Lima

Location: Lima

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 before stopping at several other of Lima's most famous sites.

Day 2: Explore Lima

Location: Lima

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 before stopping at several other of Lima's most famous sites.

Day 3: The Sacred Valley

Location: Sacred Valley

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Fly to Cusco before transferring to the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas, home to hillside citadels and striking foothills. Stop at a small, scenic town hidden in the Peruvian Andes to participate in various workshops like weaving or pottery, led by local artisans. Afterwards visit Pisac town, strolling the vibrant markets where locals sell their wares. Transfer to your hotel in Sacred Valley.

Day 4: Train To Machu Picchu

Location: Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

At Moray, you’ll be shown the impressive terraced structures carved in a circular pattern, believed to be an agricultural testing ground for the Incas. Head to Maras, where over 3,000 salt ponds catch salty water from a mountain spring, producing the famous sal de Maras. Then you will continue to Ollantaytambo, an Inca town built by Emperor Pachacuti. Afterward, you’ll head to the train station for the journey to Aguas Calientes.

Day 5: Machu Picchu/ Cusco

Location: Machu Picchu, Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 6: Cusco

Location: Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast

Modern Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a fascinating combination of Incan and colonial heritage. Your explorations will include visits to the Plaza de Armas and the Convent of Santo Domingo, both built on the foundations of significant Incan sites. Then, visit the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, an old Incan fortress overlooking the city. Experience a traditional ritual with a Shaman, including offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the use of sacred plants.

Day 7: Train Through The Andes

Location: Puno

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

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.

Day 8: Lake Titicaca

Location: Copacabana

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving Puno today, travel to the lakeside town of Copacabana, Bolivia. Visit the shrine and Dark Indian Virgin followed by a Hydrofoil cruise to Sun and Moon Island. Visit the Inca Garden, Stairs and Fountain and Sun Virgins Temple Iñak Uyu. After cruising back take a short trip to Hautajata where you will experience an Eco Village, The Altiplano Museum and the chance to meet a local Bolivian tribe. Enjoy dinner along with a Folkloric show before spending the night at the Native Observatory Alajpacha and watch the Southern constellations.

Day 9: Hautajata To La Paz

Location: La Paz

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Explore the magnificent snow-capped Andes as you travel by road to the stunning city of La Paz. With a half-day tour of the city, you'll get to experience the rich history and culture of La Paz. Visit the famous Indian Market & Witch Doctor's market, while enjoying the breathtaking panoramas of the Illimani mountain in the background. Continue on to the Moon Valley, an area of tall clay spires, formed by erosions of the mountains in the area and take a breathtaking teleferico-cable car ride for an incredible aerial view of La Paz. This day is at altitude.

Day 10: Explore Sala De Uyuni

Location: Uyuni

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

Day 11: Sala De Uyuni

Location: Salt Flats

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend a full day in the Salar de Uyuni, where depending on weather conditions, you'll visit either the local museum or view the Coquesa Mummies in a cave close to Tunupa Volcano. Later, enjoy a picnic on the salt flats.

Day 12: San Pedro De Atacama

Location: San Pedro de Atacama

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you will bid farewell to Bolivia and cross the Atacama Desert to reach San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. This day is at altitude.

Day 13: Atacama Desert

Location: Calama

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

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

Day 14: El Tatio

Location: El Tatio

Meals Included: Breakfast

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. Later this evening, take advantage of some of the darkest skies in the world and participate in a stargazing session whilst enjoying a glass of wine.

Day 15: Explore Santiago

Location: Santiago

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to Calama to fly to Chile's capital city, Santiago. Discover this vibrant city, including visits to the Plaza de Armas and Cerro Hill. End the day with dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 16: Valparaiso

Location: Santiago

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Travel to the coast to visit the bohemian port town of Valparaiso. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valparaiso is unique, charming and a little bit roguish. Home to some of the best street art in Latin America, Valparaiso’s magnetism simply needs to be experienced first-hand.

Day 17: Across The Andes

Location: Mendoza Province

Meals Included: Breakfast

Bid farewell to Chile as you head to the airport for your flight to Argentina. On arrival you will be transferred to the city of Mendoza.

Day 18: Mendoza Wine Tour

Location: Mendoza Province

Meals Included: Breakfast

Take a relaxed city tour of Mendoza before enjoying an afternoon at leisure.

Day 19: Maipu Valley

Location: Mendoza Province

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

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.

Day 20: Buenos Aires

Location: Buenos Aires

Meals Included: Breakfast

Take a morning flight to Argentina's flamboyant capital, Buenos Aires. The Paris of South America, Buenos Aires is a romantic and lively city.

Day 21: Buenos Aires

Location: Buenos Aires

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

Day 22: The Pampas

Location: Buenos Aires

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

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.

Day 23: Iguazu Falls

Location: Iguazu Falls

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Day 24: Meet The Mbororé Aldea People

Location: Iguazu Falls

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Day 25: Fly To Rio Do Janeiro

Location: State of Rio de Janeiro

Meals Included: Breakfast

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'.

Day 26: Explore Rio

Location: State of Rio de Janeiro

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

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.

What's Included

  • Domestic transportation

  • 3* plus – 4* accommodation

  • Meals as stated

  • Touring with National Escort and entrance fees

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • Drinks with Meals

Experiences

Floating Islands of Lake Titicaca

Visit the indigenous Uros people, a community who live on floating islands made of reeds on the waters of Lake Titicaca, and spend some time learning about their fascinating culture.


Discover Chile & Argentina's Lake District

Travel from Chile's Santiago to Argentina's Mendoza by road, journeying through the majestic Andes Mountains, passing through spectacular panoramas of snow-capped peaks, azure lakes and hidden valleys.


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.


Check out our Q&As

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    4* accommodation

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Over the age of twelve

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Yes

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    Yes

  • What is the maximum group size?

    18 people

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    This trip has a physical rating of 2: Walking, some steps and extended time on your feet.

  • Are all entrance fees included in the price?

    Yes

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    Yes, international flights from/to the UK

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, we will endeavour to make these changes, but it may not always be possible. Any changes to confirmed bookings need to be sent to us in writing via your travel agent. Please refer to our booking conditions for further information and fees.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your Final Travel Documents are usually sent to you 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. Your travel pack will include your tour itinerary, hotel details, flight e-tickets and a travel guide. If you have booked with a travel agent, your tickets will be dispatched to your travel agent unless we have been otherwise informed.

  • Will I be travelling with passengers from other countries?

    Our passengers generally enjoy the mixture of British, Australian and American clients on tour. Occasionally we are joined by English-speaking passengers from other countries.

  • What is 'Happy to Share'?

    Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date. If a share partner is found, the Single Supplement will be removed from your booking. If a share partner is not found, the Single Supplement will remain and is payable with your final balance in line with our normal booking conditions. Either way, our Operations Team will contact you around 75 days before departure to let you know whether a share partner has been found or not. We regret that Happy to Share requests cannot be accepted within 75 days of departure. Wendy Wu Tours reserves the right to change or withdraw this arrangement at any time.

  • Do you allow children on your tours?

    We allow children 12 years and over on our group tours. We recommend that families with children of any age take advantage of our private or tailormade tours. This will give you more flexibility while on tour.

Reviews of this operator

Feefo Rated Customer  

Colours of Costa Rica

26-Mar-2020

This was our first tour with you and from start to finish we were guided by Isaac who made sure everything went smoothly. He was laid back - but on the ball - always available and very informative.

Excellent
Feefo Rated Customer  

Ultimate South America

21-Mar-2020

We were hoping this tour would be the holiday of a lifetime and it certainly was. Our guide, Corina, was fantastic and evry country we visited had something special. FANTASTIC

Excellent
William  

Japan Uncovered

12-Nov-2022

A superb trip which ticked all our boxes and covered all the main experiences you would wish for on a trip to Japan! We were looked after by excellent local guides. All of our accommodation was very good. With all meals included we got the chance to experience the local cuisine

Alastair  

Christmas in Vietnam

06-Jan-2023

Vietnam at Christmas, Excellent Experience From start to finish Vietnam at Christmas was amazing, The tour group, Local Guide Loc, we must have been blessed as the weather was excellent only one day of rain. Tour Group 11/10 Guide 11/10 Hotels 8/10 Food 8/10 Itineary10/10 Faboulous experience on Christmas in Vietnam

Feefo Rated Customer  

Highlights of Sri Lanka

24-Mar-2020

Great Country. Good range of different things to do and places to see - temples to beaches to wildlife. Hotels ranged from adequate to excellent. Food quality and variety was better than we expected A really good tour guide and our fellow travellers were excellent company. Would recommend despite the impact of Corona Virus cutting out a few later trips but that was beyond anyone's ability to control..

Excellent

1 Select your preferred date

Monday - Monday

May 05, 2025 - Jun 02, 2025
$15864

Monday - Monday

May 05, 2025 - Jun 02, 2025
$17485 $16837

Operator discount: -$648

Including UK Flights

Monday - Monday

May 05, 2025 - Jun 02, 2025
$19740

Monday - Monday

May 05, 2025 - Jun 02, 2025
$21360 $20712

Operator discount: -$648

Including UK Flights

Monday - Monday

Jul 07, 2025 - Aug 04, 2025
$16513

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$18133 $17485

Operator discount: -$648

Including UK Flights

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$20388

Monday - Monday

Jul 07, 2025 - Aug 04, 2025
$22008 $21360

Operator discount: -$648

Including UK Flights

Monday - Monday

Aug 18, 2025 - Sep 15, 2025
$16513

Monday - Monday

Aug 18, 2025 - Sep 15, 2025
$18133 $17485

Operator discount: -$648

Including UK Flights

Monday - Monday

Aug 18, 2025 - Sep 15, 2025
$20388

Monday - Monday

Aug 18, 2025 - Sep 15, 2025
$22008 $21360

Operator discount: -$648

Including UK Flights

Monday - Monday

Sep 29, 2025 - Oct 27, 2025
$15864

Monday - Monday

Sep 29, 2025 - Oct 27, 2025
$17485 $16837

Operator discount: -$648

Including UK Flights

Monday - Monday

Sep 29, 2025 - Oct 27, 2025
$19740

Monday - Monday

Sep 29, 2025 - Oct 27, 2025
$21360 $20712

Operator discount: -$648

Including UK Flights

Monday - Monday

May 11, 2026 - Jun 08, 2026
$17485

Monday - Monday

May 11, 2026 - Jun 08, 2026
$18781 $18133

Operator discount: -$648

Including UK Flights

Monday - Monday

May 11, 2026 - Jun 08, 2026
$21827

Monday - Monday

May 11, 2026 - Jun 08, 2026
$23123 $22475

Operator discount: -$648

Including UK Flights

Monday - Monday

Jun 08, 2026 - Jul 06, 2026
$17485

Monday - Monday

Jun 08, 2026 - Jul 06, 2026
$18781 $18133

Operator discount: -$648

Including UK Flights

Monday - Monday

Jun 08, 2026 - Jul 06, 2026
$21827

Monday - Monday

Jun 08, 2026 - Jul 06, 2026
$23123 $22475

Operator discount: -$648

Including UK Flights

Monday - Monday

Sep 07, 2026 - Oct 05, 2026
$17485

Monday - Monday

Sep 07, 2026 - Oct 05, 2026
$18781 $18133

Operator discount: -$648

Including UK Flights

Monday - Monday

Sep 07, 2026 - Oct 05, 2026
$21827

Monday - Monday

Sep 07, 2026 - Oct 05, 2026
$23123 $22475

Operator discount: -$648

Including UK Flights

Monday - Monday

Sep 28, 2026 - Oct 26, 2026
$17485

Monday - Monday

Sep 28, 2026 - Oct 26, 2026
$18781 $18133

Operator discount: -$648

Including UK Flights

Monday - Monday

Sep 28, 2026 - Oct 26, 2026
$21827

Monday - Monday

Sep 28, 2026 - Oct 26, 2026
$23123 $22475

Operator discount: -$648

Including UK Flights

Prices last published on 31-Oct-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Wendy Wu requires a minimum deposit of 350 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wendy wu charges.

    Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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