Which trains are included?

The Expedition Train (also called Voyager Train) from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu, and the Corcovado Rack Railway up to Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. Rail is Standard Class.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. Vacations By Rail assigns a Tour Manager from the first day to the last, plus local guides at each city.

What meals are included?

Breakfast daily, two lunches, and six dinners, including a three-course dinner in Lima on Day 1, a group dinner with tango in Buenos Aires, a churrascaria-style barbecue lunch in Rio, and a final group dinner.

How many nights in each city?

Lima 1 night, Sacred Valley 2, Cusco 2, Buenos Aires 3, Puerto Iguazú 2, Rio de Janeiro 3.

What is the physical demand?

Mobility Rating 3. Days include walking Iguazú Falls trails, visiting Devil's Throat, climbing Corcovado Mountain, and exploring multiple cities on foot.

Is independent arrival and departure included?

No. International flights are not included. On Day 1, you transfer independently from Lima airport to the hotel. On Day 14, you arrange your own transfer from Rio de Janeiro airport.

No longer offered

Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. Live alternatives are under Similar journeys below.

Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Discover South America

14-day escorted tour across Peru, Argentina, Brazil with rail and coach

Vacations By Rail's 14-day Discover South America is an escorted itinerary that departs Lima and concludes in Rio de Janeiro, visiting Peru, Argentina, and Brazil. A Tour Manager and local guides accompany you through UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu, the colonial plazas of Cusco, the tango theaters and museums of Buenos Aires, and the natural spectacle of Iguazú Falls from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides. The pace balances guided coach tours in each major city with overnight hotel stays of two to three nights, allowing time to explore neighborhoods on your own or attend optional excursions. Rail travel appears on Day 4, when you board the Expedition Train from Ollantaytambo valley to Aguas Calientes, and again in Rio, where the Corcovado Rack Railway carries you up the mountain to the Christ the Redeemer statue. Most breakfasts and dinners are included, and the group experiences an authentic tango performance in Buenos Aires and a churrascaria lunch in Rio. This tour suits couples, history enthusiasts, and travelers who prefer guided structure with moments of free time in each city.

What to know before you look closer

International flights to and from South America are not included; the package begins with arrival in Lima and ends with departure from Rio de Janeiro.
The itinerary includes three internal flights (Cusco to Buenos Aires via Lima, and Iguazú to Rio de Janeiro); rail travel is supplemental to the journey.
Two full days in Buenos Aires are free; the rest of the tour is guided.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Lima
Starting your South American journey
Arrive in Lima and transfer independently to the four-star hotel in Miraflores. Welcome meeting with the Tour Manager, then a guided coach tour of Lima's UNESCO World Heritage historic center, the Plaza de Armas, the church and convent of San Francisco, and Parque del Amor in Miraflores. Three-course dinner this evening.
Day 2overnight: Sacred Valley (Yanahuara)
Into the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Early internal flight to Cusco, then a two-hour coach transfer into the Sacred Valley, including a Coca Kintu ceremony en route. Check in to a mountain chalet-style hotel with Sacred Valley views.
Day 3overnight: Sacred Valley (Yanahuara)
Touring Pisac and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley
Full-day excursion along the Urubamba River to Pisac's colonial town and market, lunch in Pisac, then a guided tour of Ollantaytambo's fortress (Sun Temple, Princess Baths fountain) and Inca-era Old Town.
Day 4railovernight: Cusco
Excursion to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas
Board the scenic Expedition (Voyager) Train to Aguas Calientes, then a bus ride up to Machu Picchu, rediscovered in 1911, with a local guide. Return by rail via Ollantaytambo to Cusco for a two-night stay.
Day 5overnight: Cusco
Touring Cusco, the 'Archaeological Capital of the Americas'
Guided tour of the Plaza de Armas, Cusco Cathedral, and the Temple of Qorikancha (Incan Temple of the Sun). Free time in the San Blas artistic quarter. Evening dinner with a traditional folk performance.
Day 6overnight: Buenos Aires
Welcome to stylish Buenos Aires
Internal flight from Cusco via Lima to Buenos Aires, arriving in the evening; coach transfer to the central hotel. Evening free near the Palacio Barolo.
Day 7overnight: Buenos Aires
Guided tour of Buenos Aires, the 'Paris of South America'
Guided tour taking in La Recoleta, Eva Perón's resting place, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Palermo, and Plaza de Mayo (Casa Rosada). Afternoon free. Evening group dinner followed by an Argentine Tango show with a live quintet.
Day 8overnight: Buenos Aires
A day at leisure in Buenos Aires
Full free day to explore districts such as La Boca (Caminito Street) or San Telmo, or visit cultural centers like the Teatro Colón.
Day 9overnight: Puerto Iguazú
To Puerto Iguazú on the border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay
Two-hour flight to Iguazú and transfer to a hotel overlooking the Iguazú River, for a two-night stay near Iguazú National Park.
Day 10overnight: Puerto Iguazú
Viewing the Iguazú Falls from Argentina
Coach excursion into the Iguazú National Park rainforest with a local guide, walking the lower circuit among the falls' 275 cascades and continuing to the Devil's Throat viewing point (269-foot drop).
Day 11overnight: Rio de Janeiro
The Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls and on to Rio de Janeiro
Half-day tour of the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls along an elevated walkway to the Salto Floriano viewing platform, then an afternoon flight to Rio de Janeiro and transfer to a hotel opposite Leme beach.
Day 12railovernight: Rio de Janeiro
Exploring Rio and visiting the statue of Christ
Board the Corcovado Rack Railway up Corcovado Mountain to the Christ the Redeemer statue, then visit the Botanical Gardens. Churrascaria-style barbecue lunch. Afternoon free.
Day 13overnight: Rio de Janeiro
A cable car trip to iconic Sugarloaf Mountain
Cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for panoramic views over Guanabara Bay, then visits to the Sambadrome, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Municipal Theatre. Final group dinner in South America.
Day 14
Traveling home
Relaxed final morning before an independent transfer to the airport for the journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Board the Expedition Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then ride a bus to Machu Picchu, the 15th-century Incan citadel rediscovered in 1911, with a local guide.
Day 5Tour Cusco's Temple of Qorikancha (Incan Temple of the Sun) and Plaza de Armas; attend an evening dinner with traditional folk performance.
Day 7Explore Buenos Aires' La Recoleta, Eva Perón's mausoleum, and Palermo, then watch an Argentine Tango performance with a live quintet.
Day 10Walk the lower circuit in Iguazú National Park rainforest among 275 cascades, reaching the Devil's Throat viewpoint.
Day 12Ride the Corcovado Rack Railway up the mountain to Christ the Redeemer statue, then visit Rio's Botanical Gardens.

Included

Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
13 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
All internal flights and airport transfers
Breakfast each day, 2 lunches, 6 dinners
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
Arrival and departure (international) flights

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?: The Expedition Train (also called Voyager Train) from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu, and the Corcovado Rack Railway up to Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. Rail is Standard Class.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. Vacations By Rail assigns a Tour Manager from the first day to the last, plus local guides at each city.
What meals are included?: Breakfast daily, two lunches, and six dinners, including a three-course dinner in Lima on Day 1, a group dinner with tango in Buenos Aires, a churrascaria-style barbecue lunch in Rio, and a final group dinner.
How many nights in each city?: Lima 1 night, Sacred Valley 2, Cusco 2, Buenos Aires 3, Puerto Iguazú 2, Rio de Janeiro 3.
What is the physical demand?: Mobility Rating 3. Days include walking Iguazú Falls trails, visiting Devil's Throat, climbing Corcovado Mountain, and exploring multiple cities on foot.
Is independent arrival and departure included?: No. International flights are not included. On Day 1, you transfer independently from Lima airport to the hotel. On Day 14, you arrange your own transfer from Rio de Janeiro airport.

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