Spirit of South America

5.0/5 Based on 1 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Fully Guided Coach Group Scenic
Our Price From 9,236 Per Person
Exclusive Savings 572 Per Person
 Trip Length
15 Days
 Trip Starts
Rio de Janeiro
 Trip Finishes
Lima
15 Day Spirit of South America Itinerary (Globus)
Countries Explored: Brazil, Argentina, Peru
Trip Operator
Trip Style
Land Journey
Departures
Accommodation
4 - 4.5 Star
Max. Group Size
40
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
SA

Overview

Read reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Globus 15 Day Spirit of South America. Explore the beauty of South America during this exhilarating holiday to Brazil, Argentina, and Peru. Visit its cosmopolitan and lively cities as well as its ancient treasures and scenic highlights. Start in Rio de Janeiro, a vibrant, bustling city known for its beautiful beaches and beautiful people. The birthplace of Samba, Rio's vitality comes alive as you experience its sights, sounds, and flavors.

In Lima, your sightseeing focuses on its rich colonial history...read more and includes a visit to the Larco Herrera Museum, which has a large collection of pre-Columbian Peruvian art. Buenos Aires is regarded as the “Paris of South America" with its chic shopping, French architecture, outdoor cafés, legendary nightlife, and cosmopolitan cuisine. It is famous for its sensuous Tango dance, and you'll see a Tango show - you'll even get a Tango dance lesson on your Globus tour!

Be amazed as you view the spectacular panoramic views of many of the 275 cataracts that make up Iguassu Falls - with its clouds of spray, incessant roar, and surrounding tropical growth. And, as a special treat, stay inside Iguassu National Park just steps away from the falls at the famous Belmond Hotel Das Cataratas!

Of course, no vacation to South America is complete without a visit to the marvelous structures built by the Incas, including the semi-circular Kenko Amphitheater and Puca Pucara. You'll visit Machu Picchu, where you'll stand in awe as you witness the ancient ruins surrounded by soaring peaks - one of the most majestic images in South America! You'll also visit the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, a fortress built in the early 12th century with stones weighing more than 350 tons. While at the ruins, experience a Mother Earth ceremony by a local shaman to thank Mother Earth and to ask for good health and safe travels.

From the vibrant cities to the ancient structures, this holiday to South America has it all! So grab your camera and be prepared for a trip of a lifetime.

Itinerary

Welcome to Rio de Janeiro! At 3:30 pm, meet your Tour Director for a drive along Ipanema and Copacabana beaches to the base of 1,300-foot-high Sugarloaf Mountain. Ascend by cable car to its summit, where you can take in spectacular vistas of the city. Next, toast the start of a memorable holiday with Globus Local Favoritecaipirinhas, a traditional Brazilian cocktail, from atop Sugarloaf Mountain during a cocktail party.

LOCAL FAVOURITE - LOCAL TASTES: A once-in-a-lifetime experience awaits atop Sugarloaf Mountain overlooking Guanabara Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Take in the breathtaking panoramic views as you join a private cocktail party with your fellow travel companions. Toast with a traditional caipirinha, Brazil's national cocktail, made with fresh lime, cachaça (a distilled sugarcane spirit), and sugar. Deliciosa!

Heavenly Views The city's landmark, the statue of Christ the Redeemer, crowns Corcovado Mountain, a rounded peak rising 2,300 feet from the bay below. A scenic ride by cog railway leads to the top, where a breathtaking 360-degree panorama affords sweeping views. From here, proceed to bustling downtown Rio, where modern office towers stand next to relics of the Portuguese colonial past. View the Sambodromo and visit the Cathedral. The afternoon is at leisure for you to experience this vibrant city on your own. Tonight, it's a fun outing to a churrascaria for a feast of barbecued meats marinated and roasted over charcoal in true Brazilian style. (B/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - EPIC RIDE: Soar to the summit of Corcovado Mountain by cog railway to reach the site of the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer. This crowning jewel of Rio and Brazil was constructed between 1922 and 1933. The statue of Jesus Christ stands 98 feet high (or 124 feet including the pedestal) with an armspan of 92 feet wide. Towering over the city, this piece of art is truly an engineering marvel and was voted a New7Wonders of the World.

Beaches, Boutiques & Bites A full day at leisure to enjoy Rio. Relax on one of the world-famous beaches or take advantage of the world-class shopping or fine dining. (B)

FREE TIME TIPS - EXPLORE MORE: Spend free time in Rio de Janeiro with an optional excursion to Petropolis, (mountain resort and former summer palace of Emperor Dom Pedro II). This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus. Get local maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO app.

The Boulevards of Buenos Aires Fly to Buenos Aires, proud capital of the vast country that occupies most of the southern part of the continent. After arriving at your central hotel, an orientation walk acquaints you with the “Paris of South America” and its wide boulevards and outdoor cafés. Spend an evening at leisure. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - CITY SIGHTS: Elegant European architecture, epicurean cuisine, and a café culture to rival any rue de Paris, Buenos Aires is a city of leisurely afternoons sipping café con leche or the choicest Argentinian wines.

BUENOS AIRES: Dining, Dancing & Dazzling Your included sightseeing this morning starts in La Boca, a vibrant district and site of the city's first port. Take a short walking tour of this unique enclave at the mouth of the river and then on to San Telmo, famous for its late-colonial buildings and as a popular gathering spot for artists. At the Plaza de Mayo, see La Casa Rosada (the President's Pink House) and the Metropolitan Cathedral, which houses San Martin's Mausoleum. Drive past the ornate Teatro Colón opera house before reaching Recoleta Cemetery, burial site of Eva Perón.

After an afternoon at leisure, top off the evening at a famous Tango club. Start with a Globus Local Favoritedance lesson, followed by dinner of Argentine steaks and other local specialties, and end with a show featuring flawless performances of Latin America's most sensuous dance—the Tango! (B/D)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - CULTURAL GEMS: Like two dancers entwined in perfect sync, the Tango and Argentina go hand in hand. Tonight, feel the passion of this iconic dance at a local milonga (Tango house), where professional tango dancers teach you the traditional techniques of the Argentine Tango. After learning some of the key dance moves, the professionals will delight you in Tango Show featuring the dance as it has evolved through the ages. Plus, dine on Argentine specialties and wine too!

Argentine Adventures Today is a full day at leisure. (B)

FREE TIME TIPS - EXPLORE MORE: Discover the timeless traditions of Argentina with an optional excursion to the pampas (grasslands). Experience the atmosphere of Argentine country life as you visit an estancia (ranch). Get acquainted with the lifestyle of the gauchos and enjoy a barbecue lunch and the warm hospitality of your hosts before returning to the city. This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus. Get local maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO mobile app.

What a Rush! This morning, fly to Iguassu Falls. The spectacle of this 2-mile-wide rushing torrent—with some cataracts as high as 250 feet— is nothing short of hypnotic. The clouds of spray, the incessant roar, and the surrounding luxuriant tropical growth make this an unforgettable natural wonder. Upon arrival, journey to the Argentinean side of the falls and take the Ecological Jungle Train for a bird's-eye view from the catwalks perched over part of the Devil's Throat, where 14 waterfalls drop more than 300 feet into the Devil's Gorge below. Continue into Brazil's side of Iguassu Falls, your home for the night. (B/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - NATURAL WONDERS: Visit Iguassu National Park (Argentinian side) to meander along the walkways from atop the falls, and enjoy an exhilarating perspective looking over the precipice of the falls as the water plunges to the rocks below. You will also have the chance to walk through the rainforest on the lower falls trails that will bring you up close to some of the smaller cataracts.

Taking the Plunge Today is dedicated to exploring the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls from a completely different vantage point than in Argentina. A walk along the pathway at the base of the falls takes you into the Devil's Throat Canyon, with spectacular panoramic views of many of the 275 cataracts that make up Iguassu Falls. Have a late lunch or early dinner before flying to Lima, Peru. (B/L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - PICTURE PERFECT: Explore incredible Iguassu National Park (Brazilian side) and walk the pathways skirting Iguassu Falls. Watch for amazing wildlife in this protected area, including toucans, agoutis, giant otters, anteaters, tapir, and even jaguars!

Legendary Lima Your city sightseeing tour focuses on Lima's rich colonial history as well as the modern city. See the 18th-century San Francisco Monastery with its unique cloisters, Government Palace, and the cathedral situated around the vast Plaza de Armas. Tonight, visit the Globus Local FavoriteLarco Herrera Museum, which houses the largest private collection of Pre-Columbian Peruvian art in the world. Enjoy dinner at the museum's restaurant. (B/D)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - ART & ARCHITECTURE: This evening, an exclusive guided tour of Lima's Larco Herrera Museum, on the site of a 7th-century pre-Columbian pyramid, introduces you to the world's largest private collection of pre-Columbian Peruvian art. See 5,000 years of art, artifacts, and archaeological treasures followed by a special dinner in the beautiful Peruvian café here.

Empire of the Andes Fly to Cusco, the impressive Andean city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Head into the Sacred Valley of the Incas and visit the semi-circular Kenko Amphitheater with its stone altars and labyrinth of passages, and see the ancient site of Puca Pucara. Also, in the Sacred Valley, experience an El Globus Local FavoritePago a la Tierra, or Mother Earth Ceremony, performed by a local shaman.

Continue to Pisac, an old mountain village, where you will have free time to shop for local wares, such as alpaca sweaters and blankets, jewelry, or hand-painted ornamental dishes and vases at its famous market. Stay in the Sacred Valley tonight, with dinner at the hotel. (B/D)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - CULTURE & TRADITION: Feel the earth, smell the coca leaves, and taste the chicha today as you make payment to Mother Earth. Participate in an El Pago a la Tierra, an ancient ceremony led by a shaman thanking Mother Earth and asking for good health, wealth, and safe travels. These mystical ceremonies have been practiced in Peru since before the arrival of the Incas.

Mystery on the Mountain This morning, visit the Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo, followed by Globus Local Favorite a visit to a local home, meet some of the area's families, and experience their way of life in the Sacred Valley. Then, board the Vistadome train for a scenic journey through the lush Urubamba Valley.

Upon arrival, ascend the mountainside to legendary Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas.” Your Local Guide will introduce this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct, and will bring you closer to the mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures. Tonight, learn how to make the perfect Pisco Sour at a Peruvian cooking demonstration before your included dinner. (B/D)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - TIMELESS TRADITIONS: Today, you are invited into a local family's home in the Sacred Valley. Learn about their traditions like weaving that has been passed down for centuries from ancestors. See how they cook, live, sleep, work, and maybe ask about the cuy (guinea pigs), they keep in their house.

Here Comes the Sun - A morning at leisure in Machu Picchu allows you to wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu with your second included entrance to the ruins. After lunch, return to the Sacred Valley by train and continue to Cusco. (B/L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - HISTORY & MYSTERY: Staying overnight in Machu Picchu allows you to rise early and experience the ruins at their most pristine before the crowds arrive. Watch as the mist slowly burns off and the sun rays illuminate the ruins. While you are there, you may even want to try and get a selfie with one of the local llamas or alpacas!

Sun Worship & Spanish Conquests On your guided sightseeing tour of Cusco today, learn more about the Inca and Spanish influence. Begin at the heart of Cusco in the Plaza de Armas (main square), with a visit to the imposing Cathedral, where construction began in 1550 and was finally completed 100 years later.

Continue to Koricancha and the Santo Domingo Monastery, and see how the two sites have become one. The Temple of the Sun at Koricancha was once the most important Inca site, dedicated to the worship of the Sun. The walls, altars, and decorations were all said to be covered in gold—until the Spaniards looted the temple and then built the contrasting Baroque Santo Domingo Monastery on top of the temple's foundations. Also, visit the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, perched on a hillside overlooking Cusco. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore on your own. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a festive farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - LEGENDARY LIVES: Built in the 15th Century by the Incas, the Temple of Sacsayhuaman complex is considered to be one of the Inca's greatest architectural creation. It is believed the site was originally constructed as a ceremonial site and later a fortress when the Spanish invaded. It remains unfathomable how and when this fortress of gigantic stones—with some blocks weighing more than 350 tons—was built. During your guided tour, learn some of the theories on how the massive stones used were carved, carried, and placed.

Hasta Luego, Cusco A short morning flight returns you to Lima. For a special treat, make a stop at a local Globus Local FavoritePeruvian food market to get a real taste of the life of the local people. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore on your own. (B)

LOCAL FAVOURITE - LOCAL TASTES: top for a real taste of Peru at a local market. Sample some of the local fruits and vegetable that aren't found in other parts of the world. You can also find spices, meats, seafood, and even a souvenir or two. And, you'll definitely want to take some photos of the beautiful, brightly hued displays.

Safe travels until we meet again! Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • 14 Breakfasts
  • 2 Lunches
  • 7 Dinners

  • Rio de Janeiro Hilton Rio Copacabana (Moderate Deluxe)
  • Buenos Aires Hilton Buenos Aires (Deluxe)
  • Iguassu Falls Bourbon Cataratas Hotel (First-Class)
  • Lima Hotel Pullman Miraflores (Moderate Deluxe)
  • Urubamba Valley Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel and Villas (Superior First-Class)
  • Machu Picchu Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel (Moderate Deluxe)
  • Cusco Casa Andina Premium Cusco (First-Class)

  • Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
  • Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Sightseeing & VIP Access
Sightseeing & VIP Access

Globus includes all must-see sites, with special VIP access that lets you skip to the front of the queue. Read more

Culture Through Cuisine
Culture Through Cuisine

Globus has the recipe for a great holiday. Savour the flavours of South America through its regional cuisine. Read more

Expert Local Guides
Expert Local Guides

Travel with expert Tour Directors and Local Guides who share their vast knowledge of South America. Read more

Superior Hotels
Superior Hotels

Globus' selection of hotels in unforgettable places ensure you stay right in the heart of each destination. Read more

We handle the Details
We handle the Details

Globus takes care of the components that make your tour unforgettable, so just sit back and relax. Read more

Local Favourites
Local Favourites

Experience South America like an insider with Local Favourites that you wouldn't find touring on your own. Read more

Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Spirit of South America' Reviews

5.0
AVG. RATING 5.0 / 5
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1 Star
The Falls were incredible and Machu Picchu was amazing 0 , Australia, Jun 2013
Pace of the tour was good - some early starts to fit in with air travel but not bad. When in Cusco a bit quick early which could have prompted altitude sickness but all OK. The Falls in Argentina/Brazil were incredible and Machu Picchu was amazing.
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Worldwide

Globus Worldwide (2023-24)

From the Great Pyramids to the Great Barrier Reef; from the Grand Canyon to the Colosseum, each Globus tour includes the legendary landmarks and must-see sights with an eye for hidden local gems you won’t find in any guidebook. Globus takes you to the head of the line at the world’s most awe-inspiring and iconic attractions, while sharing nearly a century...more of travel expertise in discovering off-the-beaten-path surprises for immersive experiences in the true cultures and traditions.

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