Welcome to the capital of the Amazonas region where you will be met by a Cosmos representative. Located in the dense Amazon Jungle area, Manaus preserves images of its opulent past and is still a major port—even 1,000 miles inland!
Please note: You will meet your Tour Director in Rio de Janeiro
Cruise down the Rio Negro past riverside communities to the famed Meeting of the Waters, where the dark Rio Negro and milky Rio Solimões flow side by side to form the Amazon. Arrive this afternoon at an ecolodge nestled along the Rio Negro in the rainforest. Tonight, enjoy a guided caiman spotting float, drifting through silent waterways beneath a brilliant canopy of stars in one of the world’s darkest night skies. (B,L,D)
Please note: The itinerary in the Amazon is subject to favorable weather conditions and water levels. When conditions are unfavorable (draught season is generally September – November), alternative eco-lodging and excursions will be provided
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Join an expert Naturalist for a guided walk through the Amazon rainforest, where you’ll encounter an astonishing diversity of wildlife—from colorful macaws to medicinal plants, giant trees, and hidden insects that play a vital role in the ecosystem. Later, cruise upriver with a Caboclo local and gain insight into their traditions, culture, and deep connection to the river and surrounding rainforest. (B,L,D)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, leave the ecolodge for a tour of Manaus, including the famed Opera House—completed in 1896 after 15 years of construction—and a local market. Then continue to the airport for your flight to Rio. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Welcome to spectacular Rio de Janeiro! Enjoy a day to rest from your Amazon adventure or explore on your own. Your Tour Director Will have tips for your free time. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Sprawling between majestic granite peaks and the blue South Atlantic, Rio is a city of beauty, wonder, and energy. Guided sightseeing begins with a drive along Rio’s famed Leblon, Ipanema, and more. Take the cog railway 2,300 feet up to the summit of Corcovado to view the famous Christ the Redeemer statue and 360-degree views of Guanabara Bay and the bustling city below. The famed statue was completed in 1931 becoming emblematic for both the city and the Brazilian nation as a whole. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own. Tonight, perhaps opt for dinner at a local churrascaria, serving prime meats, seafood, and fish. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
A free day in Rio allows you to relax on one of the beaches or take an optional excursion to the historic city of Petropolis to see the former summer palace of Emperor Pedro II. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
A morning flight takes you to Iguassu Falls, one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. Journey to the Brazilian side of the falls to see the mammoth series of 275 waterfalls cascading over a precipice almost two miles wide and 250 feet deep. Walk into Devil’s Throat Canyon, where the clouds of mist, thundering roar, and 180-degree rainbows surround you—an unforgettable experience! (B,D)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Cross the Brazilian border by motorcoach and visit the Argentine side of the falls. A series of boardwalks takes you above the falls to see the water crashing down into the Devil’s Throat. Return to Brazil’s side of Iguassu Falls for free time, or you may opt to visit the Bird Park, home to many species of endemic birds as well as flora from the area. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
This morning, cross the Brazilian border into Argentina by motorcoach to transfer to the Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport for your flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital. After settling into your hotel, you may wish to familiarize yourself with the “Paris of South America” and its wide boulevards, outdoor cafés, and charming shops. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide focuses on the city’s landmarks, including the Teatro Colón Opera House and Plaza de Mayo, site of La Casa Rosada (the President’s Pink House), and Metropolitan Cathedral. Also, visit La Boca and San Telmo, one of Buenos Aires’ oldest neighborhoods, and Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Perón is buried. End your day with an optional excursion to enjoy an Argentinean meal, followed by a sensuous Tango show. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Today is free for independent activities, or you can take an optional excursion to a local estancia (ranch) to experience the life of the gauchos (cowboys), as well as traditional dance performances and a barbecue lunch. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Fly over the majestic Andes to Santiago, Chile’s scenic capital between the Pacific and the Andes. With a coastline more than 2,650 miles long, Chile is more than 10 times longer than it is wide. With a distinctly European flavor accented with Latin flair, Santiago is one of South America’s most sophisticated and modern cities. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Your guided city tour introduces you to Santiago—the country’s political, commercial, and cultural capital. View La Moneda Government Palace and San Cristobal Hill with its landmark statue of the Virgin Mary. Your tour ends at the city’s main square, Plaza de Armas, with a visit to the relic-filled Cathedral. Late afternoon and evening are free. You may consider joining the optional Chilean Folkloric Dinner Show. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Today, enjoy a full free day. An optional trip to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar is highly recommended. A leisurely drive through the countryside and vineyards delivers you to Valparaiso, a city of 42 hills and the inspiration of many artists and poets. On to the chic seaside resort of Viña del Mar, full of unusual architecture and beautiful gardens. (B,D)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Today, board a flight for Easter Island where you will be met by a Cosmos representative. Marvel at the mystery of Easter Island, considered the largest open-air museum and boasting more than 400 moais (giant sculptures), ruins, and temples. (B)
Please note: The Tour Director does not accompany guests on extensions. Guided service is as outlined in the day by day itinerary
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Your first stop is Ahu Vaihu, where eight large moais lie in ruins, followed by Ahu Akahanga, said to be the site where bones of the first king of Easter Island (Hotu Matu’a) were buried. Next up: Rano Raraku, where 95% of all moai were carved and you will find 394 statues remaining in various stages of completion. It seems as if production was abruptly abandoned, leaving a frozen snapshot of time. Visit the beautifully restored Ahu Tongariki, the largest platform on the island with its 15 moai. See Ahute Pito Kura, the largest moai ever transported and erected on an ahu (stone ceremonial platforms). Last stop is the beach of Anakena, where King Hotu Matu’a first landed on Rapa Nui. (B,L)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, visit the Rano Kau Volcano, with a caldera that contains one of the island’s freshwater lakes. Head to Ana Te Pahu, a tube formed by the flow of volcanic lava thousands of years ago, which the ancient Rapa Nui are believed to have used as a dwelling and refuge during times of social instability. Here, you can see archaeological remains that will allow you to imagine what life was like. Next, visit Vinapu, an impressive ceremonial platform known for the precision and quality of its stonework. Observe remains of moai and pukao that reflect the remarkable craftsmanship of the ancient Rapa Nui civilization. The day concludes at the Tahai ceremonial complex, one of the most important archaeological ensembles on the island, featuring three restored platforms and moai with distinctive features that represent different periods of Rapa Nui history. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Board your flight for a final night in Santiago. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (B)
