Top Central & South America Cultural & Theme Tours

Spend a day exploring the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu during this all-inclusive day trip leaving from Cusco. Discover this renowned mountaintop Inca site with a guide, learning about its construction, history, and what daily life was like for its residents. The trip’s relaxed, non-strenuous pace is a great option for first-time visitors, families and solo travelers alike, and features four different train ride options. The trip also includes round-trip hotel transport, transfer from Cusco to Machu Picchu (via train and bus) and the site entrance fee.

Revel in the vibrant color and culture of Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar on a full-day tour of the coastal cities from Santiago. Travel through Chile’s spectacular countryside, stopping in the picturesque Casablanca Valley to taste Chilean wine, and then arrive in the verdant city of Viña del Mar. Admire the gorgeous beach and revitalize with a delicious seaside lunch, and then take a tour of Valparaiso’s kaleidoscopic sprawl of houses and hills. Capture photographs of street art and hear of the city’s interesting history before returning to Santiago by luxury coach.

Take a partial transit cruise on the Panama Canal and journey through the Miraflores Locks. Marvel at this incredible feat of engineering as your ship is raised up to 54 feet (16 meters), enabling Pedro Miguel's lake to fill the chambers where the vessel is locked. With this half-day trip, enjoy Panama City sights and travel along Amador Causeway during the drive from your hotel.

Venture into the wild Argentinian pampas and experience 'gaucho' (cowboy) life on a traditional 'estancia' (ranch) on this full-day tour from Buenos Aires, including lunch. Saddle up for a horseback ride or 'sulky' (horse cart) tour, visit the country town of San Antonio de Areco, enjoy a folklore show and tuck into a barbecue lunch, while the gauchos entertain you with rope tricks and tales of estancia life.

Uncover the fascinating architecture and culture of the ancient Incas during this 8- to 10-hour day trip covering the highlights of Peru’s Sacred Valley from Cusco. Check out the market in Pisac, stopping on Sundays to observe its famous mass. You’ll also visit the Inca settlement at Ollantaytambo and explore the ruins of its fortress and the Temple of the Sun, a mysterious structure composed of giant 12-foot (3.5-m) stones. Your Sacred Valley tour also includes a guide, lunch, entrance fees and round-trip hotel transport.

Squeeze all of Buenos Aires’ most visited sights into one 3-hour small-group city tour, including hotel pickup and drop-off. Admire the iconic Casa Rosada presidential palace on Plaza de Mayo and stroll down the grand Avenida de Mayo, then explore the cobblestone streets of historic San Telmo, the birthplace of the tango. Head to La Boca to snap photos of the brightly painted houses along Caminito street, then explore the buzzing port of Puerto Madero and pay a visit to the impressive Recoleta Cemetery, home to Evita’s grave.

Escape the city for a 6-hour tour of the Tigre River Delta and San Isidro from Buenos Aires, including hotel pick-up and drop-off. Admire the cobblestone streets and grand mansions of San Isidro, then enjoy a cruise around the canals and islands of the idyllic Tigre Delta.

Immerse yourself in the natural splendor and spectacular scenery of Cajon del Maipo on a full-day tour from Santiago. Awaken your senses to the fragrant mountain air and dramatic landscape of the mountainous enclave while gaining insight into the fascinating flora and fauna with an insightful guide. Visit the traditional town of San Jose de Maipo to learn of the cultural customs of the region. Personalized attention from your guide is guaranteed on this small group tour, where numbers are limited to eight or twelve.

Get an in-depth local experience with this 3-hour walking tour of one of Rio's favelas, Rocinha. Follow your resident guide to get an insider's perspective on daily life and learn about the challenges these communities face.

Discover the wealth of historic and modern attractions found in the Peruvian city of Lima during this 4-hour sightseeing tour. Feel like a real ‘Limeño’ (a Lima local) as you explore the town’s colonial and Incan architecture, visit its charming residential neighborhoods, visit the scenic cliff-strewn coast and admire its many religious shrines and churches. This Lima city tour also includes entrance fees, a guide and round-trip hotel transport.

Spend a full day exploring Peru’s star attraction, the UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu, on a guided tour from Cusco. Climb up into the mountains on a dramatic train journey to Agua Calientes and continue by bus to the mountaintop citadel. Then, explore the fascinating ruins of the Lost City of the Incas or join a guided trek to the Sun Gate for an unforgettable view over Machu Picchu.

The tour of Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow mountain and Humantay Lake take you through all the most important sites of Cusco.

Discover the ancient ruins of Tikal and gain a deeper understanding of Mayan culture and traditions on this Tikal day trip by air from Guatemala City with lunch. Take a scenic flight from the nation’ capital and make your way to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed archeological park in the comfort of an air-conditioned coach. Wander the jungle with your expert guide who will offer up facts, stories and history about the temples that surround you. Get the most of your time in Guatemala with this truly memorable day trip!

This week-long tour is crafted for travelers who want to dive deep in Peru. Wander the neighborhoods of modern Lima. Enjoy the architecture and archaeology in and around Cusco (including Moray, Moras, and Pisac). Explore the beauty of the Sacred Valley. Then take a train and a bus to Machu Picchu, the most famous destination in the country.

Experience one of the ancient world’s most incredible archaeological sites at Tikal, a celebrated Mayan city deep in the Guatemalan jungle, on this convenient 10-hour trip by air from Antigua. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Guatemalan jungle on your flight to this UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mayan site, spending the day exploring this incredible city’s steep temples and beautiful plazas with the help of your guide. Your day trip from Antigua to Tikal also includes round-trip transportation from your Antigua hotel, lunch, and all entrance fees.

Take the hassle out of planning your trip to Machu Picchu with this classic Inca Trail 4-day trek from Cusco. Pre-booking a tour ensures a spot on the often sold-out Inca Trail and a ticket to the UNESCO-listed Inca site, which limits daily visitors. Plus, you’ll be one of the first to enter Machu Picchu on the final day, and enjoy a guided tour with free time to explore on your own. Transfers, camping, and all meals are included.

Visit the incredible ancient city of Tikal on this 9.5-hour tour from San Ignacio. Once a powerful city center during the Mayan period, today Tikal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that draws scores of visitors each year. Your professional guide takes you across the border into Tikal National Park in Guatemala, and leads you on a fascinating tour of the archaeological complex. Round-trip transport from your San Ignacio hotel and all park fees are included.

Experience the top highlights of Lima, Cusco and world-famous Machu Picchu during this 7-day, 6-night excursion. Spend your first two days in cosmopolitan Lima, discovering its landmarks, shopping and top-notch cuisine. Then head to the ancient Inca capital of Cusco to explore its fascinating mix of indigenous and colonial architecture, and then on to the iconic mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu. This week-long, budget-friendly Peru trip, including plenty of free time for independent exploration, also includes all transport, admission fees (including at Machu Picchu), six nights of accommodation and daily breakfast.

The UNESCO–listed site of Machu Picchu ranks among the most important Incan treasures in South America, with a hidden history dating back thousands of years. On this tour, visit sites including the Sun Temple and the Room of the Three Windows with your guide, and delve into a civilization lost in time. When your guided visit ends, stay at Machu Picchu to explore on your own and soak up the mountain scenery.

Experience a traditional 'fiesta gaucho' (gaucho party) on this full-day excursion to the Argentine countryside. Visit the Argentinian cowboys, or gauchos, who live on the open plains at Estancia Don Silvano, a traditional ranch that will host you for a day of activities. Enjoy a barbecue lunch with wine and mate, horseback riding, trick horse demonstrations and dancing. Learn about life on a ranch on the Argentinian pampas from your guide and hosts, with round-trip transportation from your Buenos Aires hotel.

Travel back in time aboard the elegant Belmond Hiram Bingham train, enjoying the ultimate in luxury train transportation on a 13-hour tour of the world-famous Machu Picchu. Climb aboard the train’s richly appointed 1920s Pullman cars to enjoy fabulous views of the Andes, white tablecloth dining and high-end wine. Then explore Machu Picchu with an expert guide, followed by afternoon tea at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. This VIP Machu Picchu experience also includes welcome drink at the station, appetizers, lunch and dinner, full drink service, entrance fees at the site, live on-board entertainment and round-trip transport to your hotel.

Bring an empty stomach and an open mind for this 4-hour food walking tour and get ready to eat your way around Santiago! Immerse yourself in local life as you browse the Mercado Central and La Vega markets, stroll around the lively Plaza de Armas and ride the cable car to the top of San Cristóbal Hill. Stop to refuel along the way with tastings of local favorites like ‘humitas’ and seafood empanadas, sip a classic pisco sour, then tuck into a scrumptious lunch at a local restaurant in Bellevista.

Get an insider’s look at the life of notorious drug kingpin Pablo Escobar during this 4- to 5-hour private excursion in Medellin. Learn the true stories behind this mythical figure from a local expert, visiting key locations like the soccer field he built for the community, the house where he was murdered on the roof, and the cemetery where he’s buried, plus much more.

Experience a day in the life of an authentic Argentinian cowboy on an exhilarating full-day gaucho tour from Mendoza. Learn to ride a beautiful horse gaucho-style on an authentic Argentinian ranch as you gain insight the fascinating culture and customs of historical Argentinian cowboys. Feast upon a delicious Argentinian lunch and then spend the afternoon riding through the spectacular Andes mountains before returning to Mendoza by luxury vehicle.