Suggested South America Travel Itinerary To World Wonders

A suggested South America travel itinerary would include highlights from Brazil, Argentina and Peru. Brazil has so much to offer it is difficult to narrow down a couple specific destinations, however there is never enough time for everything so to narrow it down it is recommended that the traveler visit Rio de Janeiro, the beautiful and historically significant coastal city and Iguazu Falls, the most extraordinary falls on the planet. From Argentina it is also possible and worth it to visit the other side of Iguazu Falls. Also, it is not recommended that you travel to Argentina without visiting the vibrant capital city of Buenos Aires on the eastern coast. Finally, what is a trip to South America without a visit to Machu Picchu, a world wonder and the highlight of a Peru vacation? This itinerary guarantees that you will visit some of the best South America has to offer.

This South America vacation begins in Rio de Janeiro. The large majority of flights and all international flights flying in and out of Rio from Aeroporto Galeao, also known as Aeroporto Antonio Carolos Jobim. The airport is just 10 miles from the Rio city center. Some domestic flights, especially a Sao Paulo flight fly from Aeroporto Santos Dumont which is in the center of Rio. If you are traveling overland, Rio is served by bus from every major city in Brazil. The bus station, however is located in a sketch area however, so you should defiantly plan on taking a taxi to your hotel from the bus station.

To travel to Iguazu Falls from Rio de Janeiro it is recommended that you fly. Iguazu is right on a cruz between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay so it can be accessed from cities in all three countries: Puerto Iguazu in Argenitina, Foz de Iguazzu in Brazil, and Ciudad del Este in Paraguay. All three cities have airports so depending on where you are choosing to lodge would be a good deciding factor on which city you fly into.

From Iguazu you can take another flight to Buenos Aires. There are buses but a flight is much quicker and more comfortable and you don't want to lose a lot of time since Buenos Aires has so much to offer its visitors. It is recommended that you spend ample time in this exciting capital before your flight to Cusco, Peru.

Flying to Cusco will take a day since you will have to connect in Lima most likely. Give yourself a couple days to see Cusco and the Sacred Valley as Machu Picchu is by no means the only thing to see in that area of Peru. When you are ready to see the ancient Inca citadel, take the train directly from Cusco or Ollantaytambo. It is a beautiful ride along the Urubamba River with the peaks of the Andes all around you.

The train will take you to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu Mountain. From Aguas Calientes there are buses every half hour or so up the mountain to the entrance of the famous Machu Picchu. There is plenty of accommodation in Aguas Calientes so it is recommended that you spend the night there or in the Sanctuary Lodge right outside the ruins. If you wish to return to Cusco there are afternoon trains as well.