South America

Vacation Overview

Discover two of South America’s greatest cities, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, at a leisurely pace. On this tour you’ll have plenty of free time in each city to explore and experience the varied restaurants, shops, and optional excursions. In Rio, view the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain; sip Caipirinhas, a popular Brazilian cocktail; catch a Samba show; and enjoy famous Copacabana Beach for endless people watching! While in Buenos Aires, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Cemetery of the Recoleta, where Eva Peron is buried, and learn how at the age of 33 she was declared the “Spiritual Leader of the Nation.” You’ll learn more about her life on your sightseeing tour in Buenos Aires. And no visit to Buenos Aires would be complete without a Tango show, the world’s most sensuous dance, in a city where romance permeates the air. A major highlight on this journey is a visit to Iguassu Falls in between your two city stays. It truly is one of the most spectacular sights on Earth. See the impressive falls from both the Brazilian and Argentine sides. Brazil’s view takes you through clouds of mist and the opportunity to see these 275 falls, spanning nearly two miles! Argentina’s side allows you to walk along the boardwalk network and embark on a jungle train through the forest for unforgettable views. Hear the deafening roar and admire the brilliant rainbows created by the clouds of spray, and take in the majesty of this wonder of the world. From vibrant cities to scenic beauty, this vacation to Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls, and Buenos Aires will leave you with vacation memories you’ll cherish for life.

Vacation Highlights :

Headsets throughout the tour Sightseeing: In Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls, and Buenos Aires

Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges when applicable, including admission charges when applicable.

MEALS : 8 breakfasts (B), 3 dinners (D)

Accommodations HOTELS USED or SIMILAR

RIO DE JANEIRO Windsor Plaza Copacabana (F)

IGUASSU FALLS Recanto Park (F)

BUENOS AIRES Dazzler Maipu (F)

Transportation : Pvt, deluxe Air-conditioned motorcoach while touring.


Day 1 : Rio De Janeiro, Brazil :

Welcome to spectacular Rio de Janeiro, home to white-sand beaches and host to the upcoming Summer Olympics in 2016! After arrival, settle into your hotel and meet your Tour Director, who will have pointers for your free time exploration.

Day 2 : Rio De Janeiro :

Sprawling between majestic granite peaks and the blue South Atlantic, Rio is a city of beauty, wonder, and energy. Guided sightseeing with a Local Guide begins with a drive along Rios famed Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana Beaches. Take the cog railway 2,300 feet up to the summit of CORCOVADO to view the famous Christ the Redeemer statue and enjoy 360-degree views of Guanabara Bay and the bustling city below. Your afternoon is free to explore- perhaps join an optional excursion to a nearby favela for a glimpse into the life of these colorful communities that nearly 25% of the people call home. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a welcome dinner at a famous local churrascaria, serving prime meats, seafood, and fish. (B,D)

Day 3 : Rio De Janeiro :

A free day in Rio allows you to relax on one of the famous beaches or take an optional excursion to the historic city of Petropolis to see the former summer palace of Emperor Pedro II. Tonight, opt for a fun outing to see a vibrant Samba show, an extravaganza of costumes, dancers, and the hot beat of the Brazilian Samba rhythm, featuring more than a hundred artists. (B)

Day 4 : Rio De Janeiro Iguassu Falls :

A morning flight takes you to Iguassu Falls, one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. Upon arrival, 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 Devils Throat Canyon, where the clouds of mist, thundering roar, and 180-degree rainbows surround you-an unforgettable experience! (B,D)

Day 5 : Iguassu Falls :

Cross the border for a visit of the Argentine side of the FALLS. Begin with a short ride on the open-air ECOLOGICAL JUNGLE TRAIN through the rainforest. A series of boardwalks takes you above the falls to see the water crashing down into the Devils Throat. Your afternoon is free to explore, or you may opt to visit the Bird Park, home to many species of indigenous birds as well as flora from the area. (B)

Day 6 : Iguassu FallsBuenos Aires, Argentina :

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires, Argentinas cosmopolitan capital. After settling into your hotel, an orientation tour familiarizes you with the Paris of South America and its wide boulevards, outdoor cafes, and charming shops. (B)

Day 7 : Buenos Aires :

Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide focuses on the citys landmarks, including the Colon Opera House and Plaza de Mayo, site of La Casa Rosada (the President's Pink House) and Metropolitan Cathedral. Also visit San Telmo, one of Buenos Aires oldest neighborhoods, and RECOLETA CEMETERY, where Eva Peron is buried. End your day with an Argentinean meal, followed by a sensuous TANGO SHOW highlighting the alluring dance that is so popular here. (B,D)

Day 8 : Buenos Aires :

Today is free for independent activities, or you can take an optional excursion to visit a local estancia (ranch) to experience the life of the gauchos (cowboys), as well as traditional dance performances and a barbecue lunch. (B)

Day 9 : Buenos Aires :

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Dates and Prices


Vacation Overview

Venture to Brazil’s wondrous Amazon, then discover two of South America’s greatest cities, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, at a leisurely pace. Starting in Manaus, your Amazon adventure takes you to a local market and on a cruise along the Rio Negro to the Meeting of the Waters, where light and dark waters come together but never blend, showing a drastic contrast between these two great bodies of water. A monkey reserve and a visit to a local village to meet the residents who still make their life on the banks of the river will provide a full experience in the Amazon. Next, head to Rio, where you’ll have plenty of free time to explore and experience restaurants, shops, and optional excursions. View the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain; sip caipirinhas, a popular Brazilian cocktail; catch a Samba show; and enjoy famous Copacabana Beach for endless people watching! While in Buenos Aires, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Cemetery of the Recoleta, where Eva Peron is buried, and learn how at the age of 33 she was declared the “Spiritual Leader of the Nation.” And no visit to Buenos Aires would be complete without a Tango show, the world’s most sensuous dance, in a city where romance permeates the air. A major highlight on this journey is a visit to Iguassu Falls in between your two city stays. It truly is one of the most spectacular sights on Earth. See the impressive falls from both the Brazilian and Argentine sides. Brazil’s view takes you through clouds of mist and the opportunity to see these 275 falls, spanning nearly two miles! Argentina’s side allows you to walk along the boardwalk network and embark on a jungle train through the forest for unforgettable views. Hear the deafening roar and admire the brilliant rainbows created by the clouds of spray, and take in the majesty of this wonder of the world. From vibrant cities to scenic beauty, this vacation to Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls, and Buenos Aires will leave you with vacation memories you’ll cherish for life.

Sightseeing :

In Manaus, Brazil’s Amazon, Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls, and Buenos Aires Scenic

Highlights :

Brazil’s Amazon, Corcovado, Brazilian & Argentine sides of Iguassu Falls, Recoleta Cemetery, & Tango Show

Guides :

Naturalist in the Amazon, Local Guides for sightseeing in Manaus, Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls, and Buenos Aires; services of a professional Tour Director.

Accommodations :

MANAUS Tropical Manaus (MD)

AMAZON LODGE Ecopark Jungle Lodge (BA)

RIO DE JANEIRO Windsor Plaza Copacabana (F)

IGUASSU FALLS Recanto Park (F)

BUENOS AIRES Dazzler Maipu (F)

Transportation: Pvt, deluxe Air-con coach while touring; travel by boat to Amazon lodge.

Meals :

12 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L), 5 dinners (D)

Day 1 : Manaus, Brazil :

Welcome to the capital of the Amazonas region. 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! Meet your guide at 2 pm for a city tour featuring sites from Manaus glorious past. See the downtown area; visit the famous OPERA HOUSE, completed in 1896 after 15 years of construction, and a LOCAL MARKET humming with locals selling anything from fruit to rubber.

Day 2 : Manaus Amazon Jungle :

Floating past the clustered huts of locals living on the banks of the river, cruise down the Rio Negro to the MEETING OF THE WATERS. Marvel at the confluence of the dark-colored Rio Negro and the light chocolate colored Rio Solimões, where the two rivers come together to form the mighty Amazon. For four miles, these two bodies of water flow side by side before they mix together. Later, disembark at a JUNGLE ISLAND (water level permitting) with fascinating native flora and fauna. This afternoon, arrive at the Ecopark Jungle Lodge on the banks of the Rio Negro inside the Amazonian rainforest. (B,L,D)

Day 3 : Amazon Jungle :

Enjoy a Naturalist-guided WALK to see the flora and fauna that thrive in the Amazon. After lunch, sail up the river to visit an AMAZON NATIVE CABOCLO VILLAGE to learn about their traditions, costumes, and culture. Also try your hand at piranha fishing! Later, visit the MONKEY JUNGLE RESERVE, where researchers work to rehabilitate primates like spider, squirrel, woolly, and capuchin monkeys and reintroduce them to the jungle. This evening, venture back out on canoe with your Naturalist to appreciate the sounds of the jungle at night and look for small alligators (and other night creatures). (B,L,D)

Day 4 : Amazon Jungle Rio De Janeiro :

This morning, depart the Ecopark for a flight to Rio. (B)

Day 5 : Rio De Janeiro :

Today, enjoy free time in Rio, home to white-sand beaches and host to the upcoming Summer Olympics in 2016!After arrival, settle into your hotel and meet your Tour Director, who will have pointers for your free time exploration. (B)

Day 6 : Rio De Janeiro :

Sprawling between majestic granite peaks and the blue South Atlantic, Rio is a city of beauty, wonder, and energy. Guided sightseeing with a Local Guide begins with a drive along Rios famed Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana Beaches. Take the cog railway 2,300 feet up to the summit of CORCOVADO to view the famous Christ the Redeemer statue and enjoy 360-degree views of Guanabara Bay and the bustling city below. Your afternoon is free to explore-perhaps join an optional excursion to a nearby favela for a glimpse into the life of these colorful communities that nearly 25% of the people call home. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a welcome dinner at a famous local churrascaria, serving prime meats, seafood, and fish. (B,D)

Day 7 : Rio De Janeiro :

A free day in Rio allows you to relax on one of the famous beaches or take an optional excursion to the historic city of Petropolis to see the former summer palace of Emperor Pedro II. Tonight, opt for a fun outing to see a vibrant Samba show, an extravaganza of costumes, dancers, and the hot beat of the Brazilian Samba rhythm, featuring more than a hundred artists. (B)

Day 8 : Rio De Janeiro Iguassu Falls :

A morning flight takes you to Iguassu Falls, one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. Upon arrival,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 ft. deep. Walk into Devils Throat Canyon, where the clouds of mist, thundering roar, and 180-degree rainbows surround you-an unforgettable experience! (B,D)

Day 9 : Iguassu Falls :

Cross the border for a visit of the Argentine side of the FALLS. Begin with a short ride on the open-air ECOLOGICAL JUNGLE TRAIN through the rainforest. A series of boardwalks takes you above the falls to see the water crashing down into the Devils Throat. Your afternoon is free to explore, or you may opt to visit the Bird Park, home to many species of indigenous birds as well as flora from the area. (B)

Day 10 : Iguassu FallsBuenos Aires, Argentina :

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires, Argentinas cosmopolitan capital. After settling into your hotel, an orientation tour familiarizes you with the Paris of South America and its wide boulevards, outdoor cafes, and charming shops. (B)

Day 11 : Buenos Aires :

Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide focuses on the citys landmarks, including the Colon Opera House and Plaza de Mayo, site of La Casa Rosada (the President's Pink House) and Metropolitan Cathedral. Also visit San Telmo, one of Buenos Aires oldest neighborhoods, and RECOLETA CEMETERY, where Eva Peron is buried. End your day with an Argentinean meal, followed by a sensuous TANGO SHOW highlighting the alluring dance that is so popular here. (B,D)

Day 12 : Buenos Aires :

Today is free for independent activities, or you can take an optional excursion to visit a local estancia (ranch) to experience the life of the gauchos (cowboys), as well as traditional dance performances & a barbecue lunch. (B)

Day 13 : Buenos Aires :

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)




Dates & Prices do not include air travel.

Participation in this vacation requires purchase of the following flights from Cosmos, not included in pricing: (1) roundtrip air from your U.S. gateway and intra-vacation air segments, starting at $1918 (based on Miami, departure in March, 2015; or (2) intra-vacation air segments only. Required intra-vacation air segments: Manaus/Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro/Iguassu Falls; Iguassu Falls/Buenos Aires. Air prices were effective on July 16, 2014 and their availability is limited. At the time you purchase your tour, air prices may be higher.