Grand Tour of South America By World Journeys

1 September 2026

36 Days from $44,870 Price Per Person

Sales from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025

**September 2026**

**Tue 1: Auckland > Santiago**
Fly to Santiago and transfer to our hotel.

**Wed 2: Santiago (B)**
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Santiago. The afternoon will be at leisure.

**Thu 3: Santiago (B, L)**
Head for the coast on a full day tour to historic Valparaiso. Then visit an award-winning winery for a tour, wine tasting and a special ‘welcome to South America’ lunch, before returning to Santiago.

**Fri 4: Santiago > Quito (B)**
Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Quito via Lima. On arrival in Quito, transfer to our hotel situated close to the airport.

**Sat 5: Quito > Amazon Jungle (B,L,D)**
We take a short flight over the Andes into the Amazon jungle. Then we transfer by river to the stunning Sacha Lodge, set in primary rainforest.

**Sun 6: Amazon Jungle (B,L,D)**
Over the next two days enjoy nature walks, twilight river excursions and discovering the incredible birds, butterflies and wildlife. Other activities include piranha fishing and a treetop canopy walk, a great place to watch the sunset. Superb naturalist guides will help bring this incredible environment alive!

**Mon 7: Amazon Jungle (B,L,D)**
Enjoy another full day of guided jungle activities.

**Tue 8: Amazon Jungle > Quito (B)**
Morning transfer by river, then fly to Quito and transfer to our centrally located hotel.

**Wed 9: Quito (B)**
This morning you will explore this charming city, once the northern capital of the Incan Empire, and the first ever designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

**Thu 10: Quito > Galapagos Islands (B,L,D)**
Fly to the Galapagos and on arrival visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to learn about its unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Then see giant Galapagos tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station and Breeding Centre before joining your comfortable expedition ship, the Isabela II.

**Fri 11: Galapagos Islands (B,L,D)**
This morning visit Bartolome Island for magnificent views, before enjoying a zodiac ride searching for the amazing Galapagos penguin and many other species of marine bird life. Later explore Santiago Island, an excellent location to see many different species of Galapagos finches, along with mockingbirds, lava lizards, Galapagos hawks and colourful flamingos.

**Sat 12: Galapagos Islands (B,L,D)**
Explore Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island, the ideal place to spot enigmatic land iguanas, and follow this with a chance to swim or snorkel. In the afternoon, explore the coastline of Buccaneer Cove on Santiago Island, which is very rich in bird and marine life.

**Sun 13: Galapagos Islands (B,L,D)**
Explore the coastline of Isabela Island, spotting Galapagos fur seals, Nazca Boobies, flightless cormorants, penguins and marine iguana. Weather permitting there will also be snorkelling along the cliffs, which contain caves often rich in turtle sightings. In the afternoon visit the youngest island in the archipelago, Fernandina. More great wildlife viewing here and a final opportunity to snorkel, kayak or ride in the glass bottom boat.

**Mon 14: Galapagos Islands > Lima (B)**
Fly late morning to the mainland and connect to Lima.

**Tue 15: Lima (B)**
A full day of great sightseeing in this historic city, including a visit to the wonderful Larco Herrera Museum.

**Wed 16: Lima > Sacred Valley of the Incas (B,D)**
We take a short flight to Cuzco and then transfer to the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas, situated at a lower altitude which will help us acclimatise to being at altitude.

**Thu 17: Sacred Valley of the Incas (B,L)**
This morning explore this picturesque valley. Visit the Inca salt mines at Maras and the amazing Inca ruins of Moray before enjoying a Peruvian Paso Horse show at our special lunch.

**Fri 18: Sacred Valley of the Incas > Machu Picchu (B,L,D)**
This morning visit the very impressive Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo before catching the train to Machu Picchu, the incredible ‘Lost City of the Incas’. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at the amazing Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel.

**Sat 19: Machu Picchu > Cuzco (B,L)**
This morning enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu before returning by train and coach to Cuzco.

**Sun 20: Cuzco (B)**
Morning tour of historic Cuzco, including the beautiful Cathedral and the impressive Incan fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Then enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

**Mon 21: Cuzco (B)**
Day at leisure to relax or explore enchanting Cuzco. You will be provided with admission tickets to enter a number of points of interest in the city.

**Tue 22: Cuzco > Puno (B,L)**
A very scenic and interesting day is spent travelling to Puno, situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

**Wed 23: Puno > Lake Titicaca > La Paz (B,L)**
Cross into Bolivia and cruise Lake Titicaca for a fascinating visit to Sun Island, the birthplace of the Incas. From here marvel at the azure blue lake and magnificent alpine views of the Royal Chain of the Andes. Continue to La Paz.

**Thu 24: La Paz (B)**
Morning tour to the markets of the most indigenous of South American capital cities. Also visit the mysterious Moon Valley and Mario Sarabia, a world-famous ceramics artist.

**Fri 25: La Paz > Rio de Janeiro (B)**
Fly to Rio and transfer to our hotel overlooking Copacabana Beach.

**Sat 26: Rio de Janeiro (B)**
Take two cable cars to the top of Sugarloaf for amazing panoramic views of the city. The afternoon is at leisure.

**Sun 27: Rio de Janeiro (B)**
A full day at leisure to relax, swim or shop.

**Mon 28: Rio de Janeiro (B)**
Visit the statue of Christ the Redeemer and see Rio’s famous beaches. Visit the historical centre of Rio including a visit to the incredible Royal Portuguese Library. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

**Tue 29: Rio de Janeiro > Iguazu Falls (B)**
Fly to the Iguazu Falls and spend one night on the Brazilian side of the falls.

**Wed 30: Iguazu Falls (B)**
We spend the day exploring the Brazilian side of the falls including a visit to the excellent Parque des Aves bird and wildlife park, then cross the border into Argentina for a night at a hotel overlooking the falls.

**October 2026**

**Thu 1: Iguazu Falls > Buenos Aires (B)**
Tour the Argentina side of the falls, and late afternoon fly to Buenos Aires.

**Fri 2: Buenos Aires (B)**
Enjoy a half day tour of glorious Buenos Aires, known as the ‘Paris of the Americas’.

**Sat 3: Buenos Aires (B)**
A day at leisure. Explore the city or perhaps shop in one of the fancy malls. You could even take a tour by ferry to Uruguay for the day.

**Sun 4: Buenos Aires (B,D)**
Visit the enormous flea and antique market in San Telmo, or visit one of the many excellent galleries and museums in the city. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner and excellent tango show.

**Mon 5: Buenos Aires > Santiago > Auckland (B)**
Transfer to the Airport and fly to Auckland via Santiago.

**Tue 6: Arrive Auckland**

Small group hosted journey: Maximum 18 guests, with a host accompanying the group all the way from NZ and back, with flights and tipping included.

Inclusions

• Economy Class airfares ex Auckland
  
• Airline and airport taxes
  
• A World Journeys host
  
• Accommodation in 4 and 5-star hotels and lodges
  
• Galapagos accommodation on board of the elegant Isabela II
  
• Transfers, sightseeing, and entrance fees as per the itinerary
  
• Meals as indicated (B-L-D)
  
• INGALA Transit Control Card for the Galapagos Islands
  
• Gratuities