A 19-day route that stitches Buenos Aires, Patagonian glaciers, Iguazu Falls, Rio’s peaks and Machu Picchu into a single, fast-moving experience. Expect varied climates, domestic flights, and iconic park logistics over three countries.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step out of the Buenos Aires airport into a warm, tree-lined avenue, the city humming with traffic and tango rhythms. Over the next 19 days you’ll move from porteño boulevards to windswept Patagonian plains, the thunder of Iguazu and the high, thin air of the Andes — a travel arc that reads like three different continents in one journey.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
19 days
Fitness Level
Suitable for travelers in average fitness; requires ability to walk several hours over uneven ground and tolerate flights and transfers.
Wildlife
History
This route threads colonial and indigenous histories — Spanish colonial centers in Buenos Aires and Lima, Guarani presence around Iguazu, and Inca engineering throughout the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Conservation
Many sites use visitor quotas and boardwalks to limit impact — follow park regulations, stick to marked trails and avoid single-use plastics where possible.
Reserve your spot on the 19-Day South America Highlights Travel: Argentina, Brazil & Peru today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Pack for extremes
Layered clothing is essential — Patagonia can be cold and windy while Iguazu and Rio are humid and warm on the same trip.
Acclimatize in Cusco
Take 24–48 hours in Cusco to rest, hydrate and avoid altitude sickness before visiting Machu Picchu.
Waterproof protection at Iguazu
Bring a lightweight rain jacket or poncho — the falls’ spray and sudden tropical showers will soak you quickly.
Carry travel documents
Keep passport, Machu Picchu ticket and flight confirmations accessible—you’ll need them for multiple domestic transfers.
Sturdy walking shoes
Support and traction for walkways at Iguazu, cobblestones in Cusco and trails around Perito Moreno.
Lightweight rain jacket/poncho
Keeps you dry near waterfalls and during tropical showers in northern Argentina/Brazil.
summer
Sun hat and sunscreen
High UV on Patagonian plains, Rio beaches and the high Andes makes sun protection vital.
summer
Daypack with hydration
Useful for day excursions, carrying layers, water, camera and documents securely.