Peru and Brazil tour: Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Iguaçu Falls, Rio de Janeiro and Búzios
Tour code AKSR0801. Multi Country Tour. 13 days, 10 cities.
Lima (2 nights), Cusco (2 nights), Puno (1 night), Lima (1 night), Foz do Iguaçu (2 nights), Rio de Janeiro (2 nights), Búzios (2 nights), Rio de Janeiro
Starts in Lima. Ends at Búzios (departure from Rio de Janeiro airport). Tour in English.
Dates on request.
About This Tour
This Peru and Brazil tour brings together two of the great journeys of South America in thirteen days. It suits travelers who want the Inca heartland and the Brazilian coast in one trip, with private guides and comfortable 4-star hotels along the way.
You begin in Lima with a private tour of Miraflores, the historic center and the Larco Museum. In Cusco, at about 3,400 m, you visit Sacsayhuamán and the Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun. Then a train and a winding bus road take you to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the lost city of the Incas. A scenic bus crosses the high Altiplano to Puno, where you visit the floating Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca.
In Brazil you walk along the canyon of the Iguaçu Falls to the Devil's Throat. In Rio de Janeiro you ride the cable car up Sugar Loaf and visit Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado. The trip ends with two relaxed days on the beaches of Búzios.
As a South America tour from the USA, this is a land package. International flights and the four flights within the tour are quoted separately. Breakfast is included every day, with two lunches in Peru. Travelers with vegetarian or Jain needs can tell us when they inquire. For Indian families who want to see Machu Picchu and Rio in one trip, it is a well paced introduction to the continent.
Highlights
- Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu
- Uros Islands on Titicaca, Puno
- Iguaçu Falls, Foz do Iguaçu
- Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
- Sugar Loaf by cable car, Rio de Janeiro
- Sacred sites of Cusco, Cusco
Day by day
Day 1: Welcome to Lima, City of Kings
Lima
Sights: Arrival in Lima, Miraflores
Your journey begins as you land in Lima, the capital of Peru, on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Our representative meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel in Miraflores, a green, lively district set on cliffs above the sea.
Lima was founded by the Spanish in 1535 and called the City of Kings. Today it is rich in pre-Inca and colonial monuments and home to many fine museums. Not far from the city lie the ruins of Pachacamac, a pre-Inca ceremonial center, and its craft markets are full of beautiful souvenirs.
After you check in, the rest of the day is yours to rest after the flight or take a first walk along the clifftop parks of Miraflores, watching the sun go down over the Pacific. Tonight you sleep in Lima.
Hotel: Casa Andina Premium Miraflores or similar
Day 2: Private tour of Lima and the Larco Museum
Lima
Sights: Love Park, Huaca Pucllana, San Isidro, Huaca Huallamarca, Main Square, Lima Cathedral, Santo Domingo Monastery, Larco Museum
After breakfast you set out on a private four hour tour of Lima. You begin at the Love Park in Miraflores, with its wide view of the Pacific, the sculpture The Kiss by Víctor Delfín and mosaic walls inscribed with Peruvian love poems.
You drive past Huaca Pucllana, an adobe pyramid of the ancient Lima culture, and through San Isidro, the financial heart of the city, with the pre-Inca shrine of Huaca Huallamarca. In the historic center you stop at the Main Square, framed by the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace and the Cathedral, where Francisco Pizarro is buried. Then you walk to the Monastery of Santo Domingo, resting place of Saint Martin de Porres and Saint Rose of Lima. The tour ends at the Larco Museum, an 18th century mansion built over a 7th century pyramid, with a remarkable collection of pre-Columbian art.
The afternoon is free to explore Lima at your own pace.
Hotel: Casa Andina Premium Miraflores or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Cusco, Sacsayhuamán and the Temple of the Sun
Lima, Cusco
Sights: Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Tambomachay, Puka Pukara, Qorikancha
After breakfast you transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco, the old capital of the Inca empire, high in the Andes at about 3,400 m. On arrival you go to your hotel to rest and let your body adjust to the altitude.
In the afternoon a private guide takes you to the Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuamán. The fortress is built of enormous stone blocks fitted together without mortar, and it feels remarkably peaceful above the city. Nearby you visit Q'enqo, the temple of the puma, with an altar hidden in the heart of the rock, Tambomachay, with its sacred fountains, and Puka Pukara, the red watchtower that guarded the road into Cusco.
Back in town you visit the Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun. Legend says its walls were once covered in gold, and today the Santo Domingo Monastery stands on its Inca foundations. You spend the night in Cusco.
Hotel: Casa Andina Premium Cusco or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Cusco
Sights: Train to Machu Picchu, Urubamba valley, Machu Picchu guided tour
After breakfast you transfer to the railway station and board the train toward Machu Picchu, one of the new seven wonders of the world. The train follows the Urubamba River through a deep green valley, with snowy peaks above and the river rushing below.
From the village a small bus climbs the winding road above the Urubamba canyon, about 25 to 30 minutes, to Machu Picchu at about 2,450 m. A guide leads you for about two and a half hours through the terraces, stairways, temples and houses of the Inca citadel, hidden for centuries on its mountain ridge. Then you have free time to explore and take in the view on your own.
In the afternoon you ride the bus back down for a buffet lunch in the village, then return by train to Cusco, arriving in the evening for a second night.
Hotel: Casa Andina Premium Cusco or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 5: Across the Andes to Puno
Cusco, Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, Puno
Sights: Andahuaylillas church, Raqchi, La Raya pass, Pucará museum
After breakfast you board a tourist bus for a full day journey across the Peruvian highlands to Puno, with an English-speaking guide on board.
Your first stop is Andahuaylillas, a small village church so richly painted inside that it is often called the Sistine Chapel of the Andes. Next comes Raqchi, the temple of the god Wiracocha, with its tall adobe walls and passageways. After a buffet lunch you climb to the La Raya pass, the natural border between Cusco and Puno, among wide grasslands where llamas and alpacas graze. Later you stop at the museum of Pucará, famous for its clay bull figures.
You reach Puno, on the shore of Lake Titicaca at about 3,830 m, in the evening after about ten hours on the road. You transfer to your hotel and rest.
Hotel: Casa Andina Premium Puno or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 6: Lake Titicaca and the Uros Islands
Puno, Juliaca, Lima
Sights: Lake Titicaca, Uros Islands
After breakfast you set out with a private English-speaking guide on Lake Titicaca, often called the highest navigable lake in the world. The water is a deep, cold blue under the bright Andean sky.
Your boat takes you to the Uros Islands, built entirely from totora reeds that the islanders cut and layer by hand. The ground gives softly under your feet. Here families still keep their traditional way of life, customs and dress, and you learn how they build their islands, boats and homes from the reeds. The tour lasts about three hours.
Afterward your guide takes you to Juliaca airport for your flight back to Lima. On arrival you transfer to your hotel in Miraflores for the night, back at sea level after your days in the mountains.
Hotel: Casa Andina Premium Miraflores or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Fly to Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
Lima, Foz do Iguaçu
Sights: Flight to Foz do Iguaçu
After breakfast you have the morning in Lima. Check out is usually by 12:00 noon. Then you transfer to the airport for your flight to Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil.
Foz do Iguaçu sits where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet, at the edge of a national park of rich forest and wildlife. Here 275 waterfalls, each with its own name, pour into the gorge known as the Devil's Throat. Their name means big water in the Guarani language. The contrast between the calm, slow river above the falls and the roaring torrents below is unforgettable.
On arrival you are met and taken to your hotel. The evening is free to relax in the warm, humid air of the subtropics, a world away from the cold nights of the Andes, before your visit to the falls tomorrow.
Hotel: Viale Cataratas or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: The Brazilian side of the Iguaçu Falls
Foz do Iguaçu
Sights: Iguaçu National Park, Iguaçu Falls Brazilian side, Devil's Throat
After breakfast you set out with a guide for the Brazilian side of the Iguaçu Falls, inside the national park.
A path runs along the edge of the Iguaçu River canyon, with views across to the long line of falls on the far side. As you walk, you pass many smaller cascades pouring through the green forest, with rainbows forming in the spray and the sound of the water growing louder at every turn. At the end of the trail you reach the most powerful falls of all, the Devil's Throat, where a walkway takes you close to the thundering water and the mist rises around you.
Afterward you return to your hotel. If you like, you can add a visit to the Bird Park near the national park, with huge aviaries of colorful tropical birds, or a helicopter flight over the falls, both at extra cost.
Hotel: Viale Cataratas or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Rio de Janeiro and Sugar Loaf
Foz do Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro
Sights: Sugar Loaf cable car, Urca Hill, Rio city tour
After breakfast you transfer to the airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro. Your guide meets you on arrival and begins your city tour right away.
From Praia Vermelha a cable car lifts you to Urca Hill, then on to the top of Sugar Loaf, with the whole city at your feet. You look out over the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Flamengo, Corcovado with Christ the Redeemer, the forested peaks of Tijuca Park, Guanabara Bay and the long bridge to Niterói. Time permitting, you also visit the historic center of Rio.
Your guide then takes you to your hotel in Leme, at the quiet end of Copacabana beach. The evening is yours to walk along the seafront promenade, its famous wave pattern under your feet, as the lights of the city come on.
Hotel: Arena Leme or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer
Rio de Janeiro
Sights: Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer
After breakfast you set out on an excursion to Corcovado, the mountain that rises above the center of Rio.
The road climbs through gardens and forest full of tropical trees to the foot of the statue of Christ the Redeemer, at 710 m. The figure stands with open arms over the city, and from the platform the view is breathtaking: the beaches curving along the coast, the lagoon, Sugar Loaf rising from the bay and the green hills all around. It is one of the most famous sights in the world, and seeing it in person is a moment to remember.
Afterward you return to your hotel, and the rest of the day is free to enjoy the beach. If you like, you can add a helicopter flight over Rio, and in the evening a seafood dinner at the Marius restaurant in Leme, both at extra cost.
Hotel: Arena Leme or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: On to the beaches of Búzios
Rio de Janeiro, Búzios
Sights: Drive along the coast to Búzios
After breakfast a driver takes you along the coast to Búzios, about 170 km from Rio de Janeiro. The road leaves the city behind and runs past lagoons, green hills and small towns.
Búzios was once a quiet fishing village. Today it charms visitors with its many beaches of warm golden sand and clear water, framed by forested hills, rocky cliffs and colorful sunsets. The climate is dry and mild, usually between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius.
You check in at your hotel and the rest of the day is yours. You can settle onto the sand, take a swim, or walk into town. In the evening the main pedestrian street comes alive with shops, bars and cozy restaurants, a relaxed place to begin the last part of your journey.
Hotel: Portobay Búzios or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12: A free day in Búzios
Búzios
Sights: Free day in Búzios
After breakfast the whole day is yours to enjoy Búzios at your own pace.
The town is known for its beaches, each with its own character, and for its clear water. You might spend the day on the sand, or try diving, surfing, water-skiing or kayaking. Many visitors rent a buggy to explore the beaches and viewpoints around the peninsula, or join a boat trip along the coast with stops to swim and snorkel, with a caipirinha on board. These activities are at your own cost.
In the evening you can stroll the lively main street, browse the shops and choose one of the many small restaurants for dinner. It is a relaxed way to close your journey, after the mountains of Peru and the big sights of Rio.
Hotel: Portobay Búzios or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13: Farewell to Brazil
Búzios, Rio de Janeiro
Sights: Rio de Janeiro airport
Your last morning begins with breakfast and a final look at the sea in Búzios.
At the scheduled time a driver takes you back to Rio de Janeiro airport for your international flight home.
You leave with memories of two very different countries: the stones of Machu Picchu, the reed islands of Lake Titicaca, the roar of the Iguaçu Falls and the beaches of Rio and Búzios. Safe travels home.
Meals: Breakfast
Where you will stay
Lima (3 nights)
- Casa Andina Premium Miraflores or similar, 4 star (Standard). 4-star hotel in Miraflores, nights 1, 2 and 6
Cusco (2 nights)
- Casa Andina Premium Cusco or similar, 4 star (Standard). 4-star hotel in Cusco
Puno (1 night)
- Casa Andina Premium Puno or similar, 4 star (Standard). 4-star hotel on Lake Titicaca
Foz do Iguaçu (2 nights)
- Viale Cataratas or similar, 4 star (Standard). 4-star hotel near the Iguaçu Falls
Rio de Janeiro (2 nights)
- Arena Leme or similar, 4 star (Standard). 4-star hotel on Leme beach
Búzios (2 nights)
- Portobay Búzios or similar, 4 star (Standard). 4-star hotel in Búzios
What is included
Hotels and stays
- 12 nights in 4-star hotels, standard rooms, twin sharing
Meals
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
- Buffet lunch at Machu Picchu village and lunch on the Cusco to Puno bus
Coach and ground transport
- All airport and hotel transfers with drivers
- Train and bus to Machu Picchu
- Shared tourist bus from Cusco to Puno with an English-speaking guide
Tour manager and guides
- Private guided tours in Lima, Cusco, Puno, Iguaçu and Rio de Janeiro
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
Sightseeing and entry fees
- Entry fees for the sights listed in the day plan, including Machu Picchu and the Larco Museum
- Sugar Loaf cable car and Corcovado excursion
What is not included
Meals
- Meals and drinks not listed in the day plan
Flights and visa
- International flights to Lima and from Rio de Janeiro
- Flights within the tour: Lima to Cusco, Juliaca to Lima, Lima to Foz do Iguaçu and Foz do Iguaçu to Rio de Janeiro
- Visa fees
Travel insurance
- Travel insurance
Tips and gratuities
- Tips for guides and drivers
Personal expenses
- Laundry, telephone and room service
- Anything not listed under Inclusions
Optional tours
- Bird Park, helicopter flights and the Marius dinner
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Peru and Brazil?
Thirteen days lets you see Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, the Iguaçu Falls, Rio de Janeiro and Búzios at a comfortable pace.
Are flights included in the Peru and Brazil tour?
No. International flights and the four flights within the tour are not included: Lima to Cusco, Juliaca to Lima, Lima to Foz do Iguaçu and Foz do Iguaçu to Rio. We can quote these for you.
How do you deal with the altitude in Cusco and Puno?
Cusco is at about 3,400 m and Puno at about 3,830 m. The tour gives you time to rest on arrival in Cusco, and drinking plenty of water helps.
Do US citizens need a visa for Brazil?
Yes. US citizens need an e-Visa for Brazil. Entry rules depend on your citizenship and can change, so please check before you book.
Which side of the Iguaçu Falls do you visit?
You visit the Brazilian side with a guide, walking along the canyon to the Devil's Throat. A helicopter flight over the falls can be added.
Is this Peru and Brazil tour good for Indian and South Asian travelers from the USA?
Yes. Akshar Travels has planned trips for South Asian travelers since 1997 and is based in New Jersey. Breakfast is included daily with two lunches in Peru, so please share any vegetarian, Jain or other food needs when you inquire and we will confirm what is possible before you book. You get private guided tours in each city, all transfers and 4-star hotels.
Need to know
- Meals on arrival and departure days depend on flight times. If your flight lands early in the morning or leaves late in the evening, Akshar Travels will arrange the meals for that day
- If a sight is closed on the day it is scheduled, we will replace it with a comparable sight on the same tour
- Hotel check-in is usually 3:00 pm and check-out is usually 12:00 noon. Early check-in and late check-out are subject to availability and may carry a charge
- Baggage on domestic and internal flights follows the airline's own policy and weight limits, which are often lower than on your international flight. Please pack to the lowest allowance on your tour. Excess baggage fees are charged by the airline and paid by the guest
- Cusco lies at about 3,400 m and Puno at about 3,830 m. Rest on arrival and drink plenty of water
- The Andes have sunny days and cold nights, with a rainy season from November to March. Pack layers and a warm jacket
- Iguaçu is hot and humid, and Rio and Búzios are warm. Bring light clothing, swimwear, a rain poncho and sun protection
- Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for Iguaçu and Rio. Please consult a travel clinic
- Flights within the tour are not included: Lima to Cusco, Juliaca to Lima, Lima to Foz do Iguaçu and Foz do Iguaçu to Rio de Janeiro. We can quote them for you
- From January 2 to April 30, Machu Picchu trains leave from Pachar or Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley
- The Cusco to Puno bus journey takes about 10 hours with stops
- On Sundays and holidays the Lima tour visits Huaca Huallamarca instead of the Cathedral
- Transfers to Búzios and to the airport on the last day are with a driver only, without a guide
- Optional extras: Bird Park and a helicopter flight over the falls in Iguaçu, a helicopter flight over Rio and a seafood dinner at Marius in Rio
Terms & Conditions
The essentials of booking with Akshar. The full terms apply at checkout
- Prices are per person in US dollars on a twin-sharing basis and can change until your booking is paid in full
- A deposit confirms your seat. The balance is due by the date shown at checkout, before departure
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the tour ends. Visas, where needed, are your responsibility. We will guide you
- International airfare is not included unless the package says so
- The itinerary can change because of weather, local conditions or operational reasons. We offer a comparable alternative wherever possible
- Hotels listed are indicative. A property of the same category may be used
- Group departures run with a minimum number of guests. If Akshar cancels a departure you receive a full refund or a free date change
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Guests are responsible for their own health, belongings and conduct on tour
Cancellation policy
- 50 days or more before departure: 30%
- 21 to 49 days before departure: 50%
- 20 days or less before departure: 100%