Premium Peru, Chile & Argentina

Intrepid Travel · 18 days

4.3

3 Reviews

Duration

18 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Unknown

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Capture the true essence of South America on an 18-day Premium adventure through Peru, Chile and Argentina.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (17), Lunch (6), Dinner (5)
Accommodation: Comfortable hotel (13 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights)

Highlights

Uncover a lesser-known side of Buenos Aires during a memorable Signature Experience – an insider’s day tour of the El Tigre Delta. Explore by bike, train, boat and on foot, and experience natural beauty away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Get to know local culture during interactions with the Willoq community, let a local leader show you the country’s best, and explore with expert guides in Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, reached by 360° train.
Spot macaws, herons, alligators and capybaras with an expert guide in the Amazon rainforest, then head out on a river cruise to enjoy the sunset with a drink in hand.
Take your taste buds on a trip with Signature Experiences including an expert-led winery visit in Mendoza and a traditional Andean lunch in the Sacred Valley.
Spend Feature Stays in remarkable settings – a night surrounded by nature in the Amazon rainforest in a private thatched cabana and a 1920s boutique hotel with manor-house elegance in the historic Cerro Alegre area of Valparaiso.

Trip Details

Duration

18 days

Transportation

Private vehicle, Plane, Boat, Train

Guide Language

English

Starts

Lima, Argentina

Finishes

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Accommodations

Unknown

Travel Style

Explorer, Budget

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

Day 1: Lima

Bienvenido! Welcome to Peru! Your adventure begins in Lima, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for a welcome meeting at 2 pm. After, head out on a downtown walking tour with your leader, admiring Plaza Mayor and visiting the eerie catacombs of Saint Francis Monastery. Continue away from the tourist trail to Alameda de Chabuca Granda – a local favourite – and sample sweet treats like Peruvian doughnuts and mazamorra morada. Tonight, have dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants, where traditional Peruvian dishes are served with modern twists in a one-of-a-kind setting.

Included Activities:

Lima - Downtown walking tour
Lima - Alameda Chabuca Granda tour and tastings
Lima - San Francisco Monastery and the Catacombs
Lima - Welcome Dinner
Complimentary Arrival Transfer

Optional Activities:

Lima - Private Larco Museum (Based on 4 participants) (50 USD)
Lima - Lima Discovery Urban Adventures (minimum 2 participants) (39 USD)
Lima - Lima Water Show (Based on 4 participants) (40 USD)

Accommodation:

Pullman Lima Miraflores or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Amazon Jungle

Today, you’ll catch a flight to Puerto Maldonado. When you arrive, take a bus to the port where you’ll board motorised canoes and head into the Amazon rainforest. Keep an eye out for macaws, herons, alligators and capybaras along the way. Here, you’ll find Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion – your Feature Stay for the next two nights. Built in the heart of a 380-hectare private ecological reserve, this unique resort focuses on the conservation of local habitats and features 25 private cabanas plus an on-site team of expert local guides. Enjoy lunch at the lodge, then explore the Concepcion Trails with one of the guides. As darkness falls, you’ll hop on a boat for a twilight ride along the river, trying to spot caimans lurking on the riverbanks on conserving with local Amazonian ingredients at a local restaurant with your group.

Included Activities:

Amazon Jungle - Night boat tour

Accommodation:

Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Amazon Jungle

After breakfast, board a dug-out wooden canoe and glide across Lake Sandoval, keeping an eye out for potential wildlife sightings, like red howler monkeys, giant river otters and colourful macaws. After lunch, you might like to walk along the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway – a 344 m (1128.6 ft) network of suspension bridges that take you high above the forest floor to some of the best places to spot toucans, woodpeckers, monkeys and three-toed sloths. After, join your group for a short walk to a nearby lake, where you’ll board a boat to watch the sunset as it falls over the Amazon rainforest. Enjoy a cocktail and light bites on board before returning to the lodge for an optional spa experience and a group dinner. Later this evening, go for a night walk to discover the nocturnal activity in the surrounding area and maybe spot some animals you wouldn’t see during the day!

Included Activities:

Amazon Jungle - Oxbow Lake
Amazon Jungle - Night jungle walk
Amazon Jungle – Sunset boat ride with drinks

Accommodation:

Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Cusco

This morning, travel back to Puerto Maldonado, then take a flight to Cusco – the former centre of the Inca Empire. Arrive in the early afternoon before heading out with your leader to discover what the city has to offer. Stop by the stunning Plaza de Armas – the heart of the city, flanked by ornate churches. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cusco Cathedral, built on top of an Inca palace and one of the city’s greatest repositories of art. Here, you’ll meet with a local historian who will provide expert insight into the building’s art, architecture and history and the surrounding city. Visit the Coricancha Temple – once the most important temple in the Inca Empire. The evening is free for your own discoveries. Cusco offers no shortage of restaurants and as night falls, the city is swept up in a flurry of live music and late-night street food stalls.

Included Activities:

Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
Cusco - Cathedral tour with Specialist Historian Guide
Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee)

Accommodation:

Palacio del Inca or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Cusco

Today is free for you to explore at your own pace. Why not head to the San Pedro market, where you can practice your bargaining skills and take photos, then swing by the Plaza de Armas for another look at the cathedral. Speak to your leader about the optional cooking class at a local restaurant using fair-trade products, or take the half-day Inkilltambo trek, exploring an archaeologic site on the city’s outskirts. Maybe check out the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, where the massive stone blocks that form the walls provide an impressive picture of how greatly developed Inca engineering was.

Optional Activities:

Cusco - Inca Museum (entrance fee) (10 PEN)
Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (35 USD)

Accommodation:

Palacio del Inca or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Ollantaytambo

This morning, travel through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, passing maize crops and fertile terraces carved into the valley walls. Visit the AMA Restaurant in Urubamba – this cafe provides employment opportunities and job training for single mothers throughout the Sacred Valley. Enjoy a snack and learn how this inclusive enterprise focuses on economic growth, gender equality and the support of vulnerable communities. Then venture further into the Sacred Valley to meet the Willoq community and gain greater insight into the local lifestyle. Visit a local workshop where you’ll learn about traditional textile techniques that are used by the community – you’ll even have the chance to make your own bracelet with the local women. Sit down for a festive pachamanca lunch. Continue to Ollantaytambo – a magnificent example of Inca urban planning and the perfect warm-up for Machu Picchu. Explore Ollantaytambo’s archaeological site with an expert local guide who will discuss the evidence of the Incas’ engineering skills in the ruins of ancient aqueducts, irrigation canals, dams, terraces and centres of worship dedicated to Pachamama (Mother Earth).

Included Activities:

Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site
Sacred Valley - Community workshops visit
Sacred Valley - Home-cooked lunch
Sacred Valley - Snack & drink at AMA Restaurant social enterprise

Accommodation:

Tierra Viva Ollantaytambo Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Aguas Calientes

Today, travel from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes in style, boarding the Rail 360° train. High, domed windows offer unbelievable views of the Andes, allowing you to sit back comfortably and take it all in. The train also features an open-air observation carriage to completely immerse you in the remarkable landscape. Disembark the train in Aguas Calientes, drop your belongings at your hotel, then take a short bus ride up the winding road to Machu Picchu, where you’ll be joined by a guide who will take you through the ruins and tell you stories of its history. The true purpose behind Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, may always be a mystery since no records of the complex exist. Most archaeologists, however, believe it to be the 15th-century headquarters of Emperor Pachacuti. Later, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes.

Included Activities:

Machu Picchu - Entrance & Guided visit
Ollantaytambo - 360 degree train to Aguas Calientes

Optional Activities:

1 Day Inca Trail guided hike (465 USD)

Accommodation:

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Cusco

Rise before the sun and take the winding road back up to the incredible Machu Picchu. On your second visit, explore more of the extraordinary architecture of the temples, palaces and living quarters. Looking at Machu Picchu as it sits against a backdrop of forested mountains is a truly breathtaking experience. Its mortar-free design is particularly earthquake resistant, and the stones are so precisely cut that, to this day, not even a knife fits between them! Take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, then catch a train back to Ollantaytambo. From here, you’ll make the drive back to Cusco for the evening.

Included Activities:

Machu Picchu - Second visit

Accommodation:

Palacio del Inca or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Cusco to Lima

Today, fly from Cusco to Lima, where you'll spend the night. In the morning, you'll depart Peru and head to Chile for the next stage of your adventure.

Day 10: Santiago

Today you'll leave Lima and fly on to Santiago, where you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation for another welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe head out and explore the Parque Forestal just steps from your front door. After your meeting, head out for dinner with your leader and group. From baked casserole to razor clams cooked in parmesan cheese, Chilean food is hearty, fresh and delicious.

Included Activities:

Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Santiago - Welcome Dinner

Accommodation:

Hotel Boutique Le Reve or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 11: Santiago

Get to know the city on a tour with a local guide who’s an expert on all things Santiago. Start in the artistic Lastarria district to explore the charming neighbourhoods, historical landmarks and vibrant public spaces. From here, you will walk to Santa Lucia Hill, where Santiago was founded, for panoramic views of the city. Next, pass by the La Moneda Palace, an ornate neoclassical building and now Chile’s presidential offices, on the way to Plaza de Armas, the city’s cultural heart. You will also visit Parque Forestal and Bellavista, a blend of natura street art and bohemian flair. Finish with lunch at Peumayen, a local restaurant focused on ancestral gastronomy, including locally and seasonally inspired Mapuche cuisine. The rest of the day is free for your own explorations.

Included Activities:

Santiago - City tour
Santiago - Chilean ancestral cuisine lunch

Accommodation:

Hotel Boutique Le Reve or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 12: Valparaiso

Enjoy a free morning in Santiago. Maybe visit the Mercado Central – Santiago’s celebrated fish market. Then, begin the journey to Valparaiso, stopping off for a wine tasting on the way in the Casablanca Valley. Sitting on a coastal plain between the capital and Valparaiso, Casablanca Valley is Chile’s fastest-growing wine region, with rich soil and a perfect climate for chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Visit an organic winery, with a focus on sustainability and biodynamic viticulture, for a tour of the property and gardens – and, of course, a wine tasting paired with cheese and chocolate. Then continue to Valparaiso, known for its brightly hued houses that spread over the hills overlooking the ocean. Your Feature Stay hotel for the next two nights is a boutique hotel with just 20 rooms. Set in the historic area of Cerro Alegre, the 1920s manor house exudes the warm hospitality of a close friend’s elegant home.

Included Activities:

Casablanca Valley - Winery tour and tasting

Accommodation:

Hotel Casa Higueras (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 13: Valparaiso

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage centre in 2003, Valparaiso used to be South America’s busiest port before the opening of the Panama Canal. It has since transformed itself into Chile’s most creative city, which you’ll learn more about on your locally guided walking tour today. The hills of Cerro Concepcion and Cerro Alegre are dotted with coloured houses, cobbled streets, galleries, restaurants and shops. Later, visit the Museum of Fine Arts, housed in a beautiful Art Nouveau chalet. This evening, head to the rooftop bar of your hotel and enjoy some seasonal local snacks and an introduction to pisco – Chile’s national spirit, which is deeply tied to the country’s cultural identity.

Included Activities:

Valparaiso - Walking tour
Valparaiso - Museum of Fine Arts (entrance fee)
Valparaiso - Rooftop pisco sours

Optional Activities:

Valparaiso - La Sebastiana Museo de Pablo Neruda (entrance fee) (8000 CLP)

Accommodation:

Hotel Casa Higueras (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 14: Mendoza

Depart Valparaiso and head back to Santiago to catch an international flight to Mendoza. As your plane crosses the Andes, you might catch a glimpse of Mount Aconcagua – the highest mountain in the Americas at 6962 m (22,841 ft) above sea level. In Mendoza, get to know the lively city on a gentle stroll along its wide, lively streets with your local leader. Technically a desert city, the extensive irrigation system here means Mendoza is remarkably green. Check out the city’s tree-lined spaces – from the sprawling Parque San Martin to Plaza Espana – and get a taste of local life along the bustling street, Peatonal Sarmiento. Back at your accommodation, roll up your sleeves and get down to empanada-making. A professional chef will lead you through the process, then you’ll all sit down for a dinner with wine pairings. It’s a fun, communal experience in the comfort of your hotel, so you can relax with your group and share stories of your trip so far.

Included Activities:

Mendoza - Leader-led orientation walk
Mendoza - Empanada making experience

Accommodation:

Diplomatic Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 15: Mendoza

Mendoza is Argentina’s most significant grape-growing region, producing nearly three-quarters of the country’s wine. The climate produces an excellent variety of grapes, with the region’s signature being Malbec. Today, you’ll get to experience this internationally renowned wine at its source during tours and tastings at three world-class and innovative wineries, each with its own distinct style and flavour. Meet with a local wine expert and gain inside knowledge on the varieties of grapes and different production methods used at each winery, and sample award-winning bottles just as spectacular as the surrounding Andes. After the tastings, settle in for a special closed-door gourmet lunch at one of the wineries. Enjoy several courses paired with wines carefully selected to bring out the flavours in the wonderful food. In the evening, maybe test your palate by attempting to pair the perfect wine with an authentic Argentine asado (barbecue-style food).

Included Activities:

Mendoza - Tour of three wineries
Mendoza - Gourmet winery lunch

Accommodation:

Diplomatic Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 16: Buenos Aires

Today, fly from Mendoza to Buenos Aires and then spend the afternoon soaking up the Argentine capital’s mix of European and Latin culture on an orientation walk with your leader around the fashionable neighbourhood of Palermo. Palermo is a lively area of the city known for fashion, design, green spaces and a thriving dining and nightlife scene. If you look around, you’ll find traditional houses that have been converted into boutiques and bars, creating a bohemian vibe. The evening is free to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit a tango bar, attend a football match or find a great local eatery and set up shop.

Included Activities:

Buenos Aires - Leader-led orientation walk

Accommodation:

Pleno Palermo Soho Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 17: Buenos Aires

Today, head out of town for a relaxing and enriching day in the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires for insight into life beyond the city limits. Your private guide and transportation will take you to the charming areas of San Isidro and Tigre, where you’ll explore a local artisan market and stroll along the scenic Paseo Victorica, a tree-lined promenade known for its stunning European architecture. Next, board a private boat to navigate the serene waterways of the Parana Delta, the third largest in the world and discover how local islanders – known as “islenos” – have transformed the swampy terrain into a unique and thriving community. We’ll stop on one of the islands for a homemade lunch featuring regional flavours. Here, swim, kayak or just sit back and soak in the beautiful island surroundings before cruising back to the mainland and returning to the city for a free evening.

Included Activities:

Buenos Aires - Tigre and Paraná Delta day trip
Buenos Aires - Home-cooked lunch

Accommodation:

Pleno Palermo Soho Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 18: Buenos Aires

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’re planning to stay on in Buenos Aires, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise extra accommodation.

Optional Activities:

Buenos Aires - Tango show ticket prices from (120 USD)
Buenos Aires - Football game (subject to availability) from (130 USD)

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $15,940

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 18 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Capture the true essence of South America on an 18-day Premium adventure through Peru, Chile and Argentina.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 02 Jan 2027

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

4.0

Paula

Traveled, October 2023

11/14/2023

Loved Peru. I found the people take great pride in their cities, culture and history and it shows in how clean the streets are, how great the food is and how wonderful the guides are. Loved the wildlife, the scenery and archeological sites too. My only downside was the airport.. Delayed flights and when trying to return home, no signage to show the directions from domestic (Cusco to Lima) to international section of airport. When I asked for help, I was told to go out the door, come back in the door next to it, only to find out that I needed to go outside, go to section adjacent and then go upstairs to departures which also had no sign there for "international departures". The LATAM staff gave me the run around on my luggage. One person said it would go automatically to Newark another said pick up your luggage in Lima and transfer to United. My luggage never arrived in Lima nor in Newark. When I arrived in Newark the United people said that LATAM was lying as it is never sent on directly and had to be collected and transferred by hand in Lima. I had to file a lost baggage claim upon final arrival in Canada . Still waiting for news.

5.0

Louis

Traveled, December 2019

01/16/2020

Excellent tour and local reps excellent. Itinerary was amazing and time spent at each location very ample

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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