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South American Explorer

Experience
Tour
Destination
Peru
Duration
18 days
Ages
18 to 35
Operated by
Contiki

$8,692

Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.
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Overview

Want a taste of Peru, Argentina & Brazil? This colorful collision of cultures follows Incan footsteps in Machu Picchu, dives into some jungle adventures in the Amazon, teaches you the tango and tastes empanadas in Buenos Aires and gets the party started in the home of Carnival: Rio. Forget just getting a taste - this 18 day odyssey is a feast for the senses.

Inclusions

Dining Summary

6 Dinner (D)

Dining Summary

2 Lunch (L)

Dining Summary

17 Breakfast (B)

Included Experience

Rio de Janeiro: Spend some time with your Contiki crew, while you dine on your final meal of this trip at a local spot. Goodbyes might be bittersweet, but the food sure is so much more than that!

Included Experience

Rio de Janeiro: Take a cruise along the arcing Guanabara Bay and enjoy Caiprinas and music

Included Experience

Rio de Janeiro: This needs no introduction. Tick this iconic statue off your #travelgoals bucket list. And don’t forget your camera.

Included Experience

Rio de Janeiro: Ever heard of Favelas? They're growing neighbourhoods in Brazil. And on this tour, we'll visit Favela Cantagalo near Rio. We'll check out the Portal of Saint Roman, walk through alleyways, see the 10 paintings of the Houses-Screen, and even stop by a few viewpoints along the way. You'll even visit the Museu de Favela-MUF, a historical museum about memories and cultural heritage of favelas in the world. It's a collection about 20,000 residents and their ways of life, and how their stories are an unknown but important part of Rio de Janeiro's history. Trust us, you don't wanna miss this one.

Included Experience

Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer. Sugarloaf. Copacabana. Ipanema. It’s all here to fill up up your heart and your Insta feed.

Included Experience

Iguazú Falls: Woohoo! We’re en route to Brazil's carnival capital. Try to catch a glimpse of the Christ the Redeemer statue from the sky

Included Experience

Iguazú Falls:

Included Experience

Iguazú Falls: These colossal falls make the ultimate backdrop for a group selfie. Strike a pose with your Contiki fam.

Included Experience

Iguazú Falls: There ain’t no BBQ like a Brazilian BBQ! Grab your Contiki fam and feast on these grilled skewers.

Included Experience

Iguazú Falls: This World Wonder is a fiesta for the imagination. The cascades of spraying waterfalls and subtropical forest make an epic backdrop

Included Experience

Buenos Aires: Get set to tick another travel goal off the bucket list. We’re jetting straight into the gateway for Iguassu Falls.

Included Experience

Buenos Aires: You can’t go to Argentina and not watch live Tango dancing! It’s wrong. Like eating a steak without a glass of red.

Included Experience

Buenos Aires: Experience the passion and glamour of Argentina’s capital city, with an expert guide showing you the sights.

Included Experience

Lima: Get some rest before you explore Argentina’s sizzling capital. A city that’s famous for amazing food, good wine, Latin passion and legendary nightlife.

Included Experience

Puerto Maldonado: Get set to land in the gastro capital of Latin America. Where ‘olde worlde’ meets modern-day life, in this sundrenched, clifftop city.

Included Experience

Puerto Maldonado: Ride on a canoe over the serene waters of the Sandoval Lake, surrounded by lush greenery. Who knows? You might spot giant river otters sticking their head out to give you a show.

Included Experience

Puerto Maldonado:

Included Experience

Puerto Maldonado: We'll make our way through the lush green Amazon rainforest at our Jungle Lodge in Puerto Maldonado. There's no better way to reconnect with nature!

Included Experience

Lima: Cameras ready. It’s not every day you get a bird’s eye view of the Amazon rainforest

Included Experience

Machu Picchu: It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Time to explore the Incan citadel with your new Contiki fam. #travelgoals

Included Experience

Machu Picchu: Feel the goosebumps of excitement as you glide into Aguas Calientes and get ready to start this life-changing experience.

Included Experience

Cusco: AKA ‘corn beer’. This ceremonial bevvy was the drink of choice for Incan nobility.

Included Experience

Sacred Valley: The sleepy town will give you a taste of local life in the Sacred Valley. Don’t forget to pick up some mementos at the market.

Included Experience

Sacred Valley: See this former heartland of the Incan Empire and hike around the Pisac ruins.

Included Experience

Sacred Valley: Learn about the vibrant Andean art of weaving & goldsmithing in Pisac Qolque. Every penny you spend here helps them preserve their time-worn cultural identities & form of self-expression.

Included Experience

Cusco: Graze on cancha or cacao nibs as you browse the local wares and see historical sights.

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Got questions or need to know more? Ask us here, we're online 24hrs Mon-Fri.

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1,000+ inside

Find your travel tribe

Book & get early access to your group, start planning meet-ups, and make new friends before your journey begins.

Itinerary Teaser

Welcome to Cusco Contiki crew! After getting acquainted today we'll have the chance to shop for artisan jewellery and woodworks, roam the cobblestone streets or just stroll the San Pedro markets eating cacao buds and sipping on coca leaf tea. Today really is what you make it!

Day 1
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Day 18
Day 1

Start Cusco

Welcome to Cusco Contiki crew! After getting acquainted today we'll have the chance to shop for artisan jewellery and woodworks, roam the cobblestone streets or just stroll the...

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Day 2

Cusco to Sacred Valley

Heading out of Cusco and bound for the Sacred Valley on our private coach, this is where our journey into the ruins and mystique of this...

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Day 3

Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes via Inca Trail Trek

For those embarking on our epic 1-day trek, we’ll grab a packed lunch and catch the train to KM104 and the...

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Day 4

Aguas Calientes to Cusco via Machu Picchu

Excitement levels at an all-time high, the day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here – it’s Machu Picchu time! This is...

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Day 5

Cusco

The last few days have been pretty full on, so today is all about seeking out some much needed r’n’r. Grab a lie in at the hotel then sip...

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Day 6

Cusco to Jungle Lodge

Saying a final farewell to Cusco, we’ll hop on our included flight over the Andes to the city of Puerto Maldonado. With the sound of macaws...

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Day 7

Jungle Lodge

If the vibrant morning song of the jungle birds hasn’t roused you early doors, the prospect of the Sandoval Lake teeming with wildlife will. Our morning canoe cruise...

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Day 8

Jungle Lodge to Lima via Puerto Maldonado

Today marks our last day in Peru before heading east to Argentina and Brazil, so how better to spend it than one last...

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Day 9

Lima to Buenos Aires

Who’s ready for a new country? That’s right globetrotters, we’re up, up and away again this morning (how many included flights is that now?) in the...

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Day 10

Buenos Aires

Now's your opportunity to get the full Porteno (locals from Buenos Aires) experience.  This morning why not go check out the colorful La Boca neighbourhood? Tonight we're heading to...

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Day 11

Buenos Aires

Today you've got the opportunity to take a day trip to Tigre. Learn about the history and culture of the inhabitants of the "isleños". If you're more comfortable...

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Day 12

Buenos Aires

Now that you know Buenos Aires like a Porteño the day is yours to explore! Join in a day at the Polo where you'll learn about the traditional...

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Day 13

Buenos Aires to Iguassu Falls

Landing in Puerto Iguazu we’ll hop over the border and dig our toes into Brazilian soil for the first time, clapping eyes on yet another...

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Day 14

Iguassu Falls

Iguassu we’re not done with you yet! Yesterday was all about the Brazilian side, but today we’re hopping back over to Argentina to see what the deal is...

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Day 15

Iguassu Falls to Rio De Janeiro

Catch you later Iguassu – Rio, we’re coming in hot...If Rio knows one thing, it’s how to p-a-r-t-y, so having fun in this life...

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Day 16

Rio De Janeiro

Today check out the city from above, hang gliding to see Rio in all its scenic glory. Then this afternoon is all yours, and it sounds like...

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Day 17

Rio De Janeiro

Excuse us while we cry into our caipirinhas - today is our last full day on trip. But before the emotions run too high, let's make sure...

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Day 18

End Rio De Janeiro

This morning, this adventure of epic proportion will finally come to an end. Hug it out with the new friends you now class as family, and...

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Frequently asked questions

Why are you the best company to choose?

As the world’s leading gap-year and 'work & travel' company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, over 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 90,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and maintain a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!

Are flights & insurance included?

While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!

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Why should I book now?

After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend or partner?

Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together! But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join. And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!

Can I bring my pet along?

At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.

How it works

1. Choose a trip style

Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!

2. We become friends

Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.

3. Time to go!

We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!

4. Global support

Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.

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We're the experts

With over 15 years in the industry and a team of over 80 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.

Partner network

We have over 100's of partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.

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South American Explorer