A Warm Welcome to the Southern Hemisphere
You stand on a cool stone terrace as the evening air settles over the city. In the distance, the low hum of conversation mixes with the rhythm of local music drifting from a nearby plaza. Someone hands you a glass of crisp white wine, and you share a smile with a fellow traveler who, like you, has spent the day looking up in quiet wonder. This is the starting point of your 14-night adventure, a thoughtfully curated route designed to introduce you to the soul of Peru, Argentina, and Brazil.
When traveling to South America for the first time, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the continent. That is why this journey is designed around connection rather than checklists. You will not find rushed morning roll calls or exhausting midday marathons here. Instead, you will find space to breathe, to talk with the people who call these places home, and to watch the changing landscapes unfold outside your window at a civilized pace.
The Warmth of the Kingdom of the Sun
Our journey begins in Peru, a land affectionately known as the Kingdom of the Sun. Peru is a place where ancient traditions are not preserved behind glass; they are lived every day. The modern culture is a beautiful, complex blend of native Indian, Afro-American, and European influences, shaping everything from the music you hear on the streets to the flavors on your plate. You will notice the contrast immediately in the varied landscapes and the quiet warmth of the people you meet.
In Lima, once celebrated as the City of Kings, you will walk through historic quarters that served as the backdrop for the fierce resistance against the Spanish conquerors. The conquerors arrived with a ruthless focus on finding the gold hidden deep within these lands. Yet, their ultimate prize eluded them. They never found the Lost City of the Incas: Machu Picchu. When you stand among the high-altitude stone terraces of this legendary site, watching the morning mist rise to reveal the peaks above, you will understand why. It is a moment of profound quiet, shared with a small group of travelers who appreciate the stillness as much as you do.
Contrasts and Cosmopolitan Rhythms in Argentina
From the high peaks of the Andes, we travel south to Argentina, the second-largest nation in South America. Stretching across 2.8 million square kilometers, Argentina is a land of dramatic, almost unbelievable contrasts. It is home to an incredibly rich variety of wildlife and landscapes, transitioning from tropical rainforests in the north to the windswept, polar plains of Patagonia in the far south.
Nearly half of the country’s 33 million residents live in and around Buenos Aires, one of the most sophisticated and cosmopolitan cities in the world. Here, the atmosphere feels distinctly grand yet intimately local. You will spend your afternoons strolling down wide, tree-lined avenues that recall the classic neighborhoods of Europe, and your evenings tucked into cozy neighborhood bistros. Over a dinner of perfectly grilled local beef and rich Malbec, you and your companions will trade stories of the day’s discoveries, from the towering Andes in the west to the vast southern flatlands.
The Rhythm of Your 14-Night Journey
A truly exceptional tour is defined by its pacing. Over the course of 14 nights, this itinerary balances active exploration with dedicated time for rest and personal discovery. You will stay in handpicked, luxury accommodations that offer a calm sanctuary at the end of each day. Every detail of your transport, from private vehicles to regional flights, is managed seamlessly behind the scenes, leaving you free to immerse yourself entirely in the experience.
Dining on this tour is an unhurried affair. We believe that food is one of the most direct ways to understand a culture. You will enjoy private lunches featuring coastal Peruvian ingredients, traditional Argentine asados hosted by local families, and contemporary dining that showcases the modern culinary revolutions taking place in South America’s capital cities.
Why Travel with Palace Tours?
What makes this Best of South America tour truly distinctive is the depth of our local relationships. We do not simply show you the sights; we introduce you to the people who bring these destinations to life. Our local guides are historians, artists, and storytellers who offer personal insights you will not find in any guidebook. Traveling in a small, intimate group means we can access private estates, boutique vineyards, and quiet viewing spots that are entirely closed to larger commercial tours. You enjoy the confidence of a perfectly planned itinerary, combined with the spontaneous joy of genuine discovery.
Extending Your Stay in the Southern Cone
For travelers who wish to spend more time exploring this remarkable part of the world, we highly recommend planning a pre- or post-tour extension. You might choose to arrive early to spend a few quiet days in the high-altitude colonial town of Cusco, allowing your body to adjust to the mountain air before the main tour begins. Alternatively, you can extend your journey southward into the dramatic, glacier-carved fjords of Patagonia, or head north to spend a few days in a luxury lodge surrounded by the dense canopy of the Amazon basin. Our travel specialists are always on hand to help customize these extensions to match your personal travel style.
Begin Your South American Story
The warmth of the Andean sun, the cosmopolitan energy of Buenos Aires, and the quiet majesty of Machu Picchu are waiting for you. We invite you to view the complete itinerary for our Best of South America tour and contact our team to reserve your place on an upcoming departure.