Cosmos Enters South America
For over 50 years, Cosmos has been offering affordable coach tours in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and North America. Now the Swiss-headquartered company has expanded to South America for 2015,
Cosmos is adding four itineraries, ranging from nine to 19 days and featuring top-10 destinations including Rio, Buenos Aires and Peru’s Machu Picchu.
The Best of Brazil & Argentina is a nine-day romp through Rio and Buenos Aires with a stay at the Iguassu Falls. Including airfares within South America (but excluding air from Canada) it is priced from $2,626.
The Ultimate South America (19 days, from $5,660 including intra-tour airfare) takes clients from Rio to Lima via Buenos Aires. Included are generous stays (three nights in Rio, Buenos Aires and Lima, two nights each in Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca and one night in Machu Picchu).
Other itineraries include the 13-day Mysteries of the Inca Empire (from $3,120) and the 12-day Brazil, Argentina & Chile Unveiled (from $3,335). A total of five optional extensions such as to the Amazon or Galápagos are available.
Like all Cosmos itineraries, these tours will be marketed as the affordable way to enjoy an escorted tour – with lots of free time built in.
“We anticipate Cosmos’ South America will be especially popular with solo travellers, thanks to our ‘guaranteed share’ program,” says Stéphanie Bishop of the Globus family of brands, Cosmos’ parent company.
Until Aug. 26, travellers booking an air-inclusive 2015 Cosmos South America vacation on LAN or TAM Airlines will receive up to an $800 air credit per couple ($600 per couple when travelling with other airlines) when travelling commences by March 31, 2015. For 2015 travel beyond April 1, they can receive a $600 per couple air credit on LAN or TAM airlines ($400 per couple when travelling with other carriers).
