How much does it cost?

From £5,799 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $7,833 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. The package includes the Expedition Train from a station to Aguas Calientes (for the Machu Picchu excursion), the Corcovado Rack Railway in Rio de Janeiro, and a cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain. All rail and coach travel throughout the tour is included.

Is this tour escorted or independent?

It is fully escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a Tour Manager from London Heathrow through the entire 16-day journey, and all excursions are guided.

When do departures run?

Great Rail Journeys offers three departures: May 2027, September 2027, and October 2027.

What is not included?

Cancellation and travel insurance are not included and must be purchased separately.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Discover South America

16-day escorted rail and coach tour through Peru, Argentina, Brazil

Great Rail Journeys operates this 16-day escorted tour of South America's premier destinations, departing from London Heathrow in May, September, or October 2027 and returning to London. The route spans Peru, Argentina, and Brazil, starting in Lima and ending in Rio de Janeiro. Days combine guided city exploration, scenic rail journeys, and nature excursions. In Peru, travellers visit the Sacred Valley and board the Expedition Train to Aguas Calientes for an ascent to Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan citadel. Days in Cusco include tours of the colonial centre and Incan temples. The itinerary then moves to Buenos Aires for guided sightseeing, an Argentine Tango performance, and a free day to explore independently. Iguazú Falls is viewed from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides, with walks through the subtropical rainforest. Rio de Janeiro offers the Corcovado Rack Railway to the Statue of Christ the Redeemer and a cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain. A Tour Manager accompanies the full journey, all guided tours and excursions are included, and 13 nights are spent in 4 and 5-star hotels with breakfast, selected lunches and dinners provided throughout.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has fallen £200 since 4 Jul, to £5,799.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

Groups can be up to 40 people, which is large for some travellers.
The single supplement (GBP 7,549) is significantly above half the per-person double rate, adding GBP 1,550 to the base price.
Days 9 and 15 are free for independent exploration; the remainder are guided or include structured excursions.

Day by day

Day 1
Starting your South American journey
We meet the Tour Manager at London Heathrow and board an overnight flight to São Paulo, Brazil.
Day 2overnight: Lima
Connecting to Lima, Peru's historic capital
A connecting flight to Lima, transferring to our hotel in Miraflores, then a guided coach tour of Lima including the Plaza de Armas, Santo Domingo, and Parque del Amor.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3overnight: Sacred Valley (Yanahuara)
Into the Sacred Valley of the Incas
An internal flight to Cusco, then a coach transfer into the Sacred Valley, including a Coca Kintu ceremony enroute, checking in to a mountain chalet-style hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4overnight: Sacred Valley (Yanahuara)
Touring Pisac and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley
A full-day excursion to the market town of Pisac and the fortress town of Ollantaytambo, including the Sun Temple and Princess Baths.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5railovernight: Cusco
Excursion to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas
A scenic train to Aguas Calientes, then a bus to the Machu Picchu citadel with a local guide, before returning by rail via Ollantaytambo to Cusco for a two-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6overnight: Cusco
Touring Cusco, the 'Archaeological Capital of the Americas'
A guided tour of Cusco including the Plaza de Armas, Cusco Cathedral, and the Temple of Qorikancha, with free time in the San Blas neighbourhood.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7overnight: Buenos Aires
Welcome to stylish Buenos Aires
An internal flight via Lima to Buenos Aires, arriving in the evening and transferring by coach to our central hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8overnight: Buenos Aires
Guided tour of Buenos Aires, the 'Paris of South America'
A guided tour of Buenos Aires including La Recoleta, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Palermo and Plaza de Mayo, followed by a group dinner and an Argentine Tango show.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9overnight: Buenos Aires
A day at leisure in Buenos Aires
A free day, with options including La Boca's Caminito Street or the San Telmo neighbourhood.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10overnight: Puerto Iguazú
To Puerto Iguazú, on the border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay
A flight to Iguazú and transfer to our hotel overlooking the Iguazú River for a two-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11overnight: Puerto Iguazú
Viewing the Iguazú Falls from Argentina
A coach excursion to the Argentine side of the Iguazú Falls, walking the lower circuit and Devil's Throat viewpoint.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12overnight: Rio de Janeiro
The Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls, and on to Rio de Janeiro
A half-day tour of the Brazilian side of the Iguazú Falls, then an afternoon flight to Rio de Janeiro and transfer to our hotel opposite Leme beach.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13railovernight: Rio de Janeiro
Exploring Rio and visiting the statue of Christ
The Corcovado Rack Railway ascends to the statue of Christ the Redeemer, followed by the Botanical Gardens and a churrascaria-style barbecue lunch.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 14overnight: Rio de Janeiro
A cable car trip to iconic Sugarloaf Mountain
A cable car ascent of Sugarloaf Mountain, then visits to the Sambadrome, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Municipal Theatre.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15
Leaving South America
A free day before transferring to Rio de Janeiro airport for a flight to São Paulo, connecting to London Heathrow.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16
Homeward bound
Landing in London Heathrow this afternoon, your South American journey comes to an end.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 5Board the Expedition Train from the station to Aguas Calientes, then ride by coach up to Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan citadel set among clouds and forested peaks.
Day 8Watch an authentic Argentine Tango performance backed by a quintet at a group dinner in Buenos Aires.
Day 11Walk the lower circuit into the heart of Iguazú Falls on the Argentine side, then continue to the U-shaped Devil's Throat where water descends 269 feet.
Day 13Board the Corcovado Rack Railway to ascend Corcovado Mountain and view the Statue of Christ the Redeemer, then visit the Botanical Gardens.
Day 14Travel by cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for panoramic views across Rio de Janeiro harbour and Guanabara Bay.

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
13 nights’ 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
Standard Class rail travel - all rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Flights from London Heathrow to Lima via São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro to London Heathrow via São Paulo, plus all internal flights
Breakfast each day, 2 lunches, 6 dinners
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £5,799 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $7,833 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. The package includes the Expedition Train from a station to Aguas Calientes (for the Machu Picchu excursion), the Corcovado Rack Railway in Rio de Janeiro, and a cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain. All rail and coach travel throughout the tour is included.
Is this tour escorted or independent?: It is fully escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a Tour Manager from London Heathrow through the entire 16-day journey, and all excursions are guided.
When do departures run?: Great Rail Journeys offers three departures: May 2027, September 2027, and October 2027.
What is not included?: Cancellation and travel insurance are not included and must be purchased separately.