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
Board a flight for Lima, Peru, where you will be met by a Cosmos representative. Heralded as the “City of Kings” by Spanish conquistadors, Lima retains vestiges of its opulent past with its colonial buildings and world-class museums. (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
Sightseeing with a Local Guide today focuses on Lima’s colonial heritage. Visit the 11th-century San Francisco Monastery, with Spanish and Moorish architecture throughout. Continue to Plaza Mayor, where you will see the Government Palace that houses the presidential palace and the cathedral where the founder of Lima, Francisco Pizarro’s, remains are buried. Tonight is free for independent exploration. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Fly to Cusco high in the Andes and upon arrival, descend into the Sacred Valley. Continue to Pisaq, a charming village with a famous market—a great place to buy souvenirs! After enjoying an empanada, continue to your hotel nestled in the Sacred Valley. (B,D)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Visit the village of Ollantaytambo and the Inca ruins of the same name. Explore the archaeological site that was the scene of the Inca resistance during the Spanish conquest. Next, visit a local Inca home to see life in a traditional village, which has been remarkably well preserved. Also, visit the Seminario Ceramics Workshop to learn about Peruvian ancient and modern art. End your day at a local chichería for a taste of a typical Inca drink in Peru called chicha. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Board the Vistadome train that cuts a path through the Urubamba Valley bound for Aguas Calientes, the town closest to the “Lost City of the Incas.” Ascend the mountainside to the sacred refuge of Machu Picchu. Your guide recounts the many accomplishments of the Incas as you tour the ruins dating back to the 15th century. (B,D)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, enjoy some free time to explore the mountain town of Aguas Calientes; perhaps visit the local market, quaint boutiques, or take a walk along nearby trails. Later, return to Cusco on the Vistadome train to the former capital of the Inca Empire. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
A guided sightseeing tour of Cusco focuses on the city that was once the political, military, and cultural epicenter of the Incas. Visit Santo Domingo Monastery and the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, which houses a magnificent collection of artwork. Continue to the hillside overlooking Cusco for a visit to the Temple of Sacsayhuaman. Some of the best examples of Inca masonry can be found at this fortress, where stones weighing up to 350 tons are pieced together to form a complex that could house up to 10,000 men. Learn about the importance of camelids (llama, vicuña, alpaca, and guanaco) for Inca cultures. See them up close and learn how their coats are transformed into colorful weaving fibers that are then used in ancient weaving techniques still in use today. Then roll up your sleeves to participate in a tree-planting project supporting the local community. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
A short flight brings you back to Lima. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time to explore the city. (B)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (B)
