South America is a continent full of amazing natural landscapes, from soaring peaks to ethereal salt flats. You can hike through Brazil's rainforest, cruise in Chile's fjords or kayak with sea- turtles in Argentina. There is something for every adventure traveler.
The best South American trips include adventure activities, but they also offer plenty of cultural immersion and exploration of different cultures. Our award-winning Latin America adventure tours take you to the Amazon rainforest, Machu Picchu and the floating reed islands at Lake Titicaca.
We recommend that you plan for at least two weeks depending on how much time you have. This will give you time to discover the highlights without feeling rushed.
Bolivia is a great place to start an adventure-packed South America trip. The country's Uyuni salt plains are a great place to stargaze over the vast desert and see the Milky Way. We recommend riding a bicycle along Death Road which is an unpaved route that runs across Bolivia's altiplano.
Peru is another great choice for a 3-week South America trip. It is a beautiful country that boasts rich culture including colorful mountain ranges, lively colonial capitals and the ruins a pre Incan civilisation. Cusco, a UNESCO city of world heritage, is where you will start your trek to Machu Picchu.
If you are looking for adventure and a bit more excitement, consider a trip down to Peru's Lake Titicaca. It is here that the Uro people built their reed-idyllic islands and then lived on top. Taquile Island, which offers views of the lake and an opportunity to buy hand-knit Peruvian cloths, can also be visited.
You will get the most from your trip to South America with our experienced guides. They can help you explore ancient ruins and visit bustling cities. You can tailor our customised tours to South America to suit your travel style, pace, or schedule.
The Atacama is an ideal place to start a 3 week trip through South America. This desert has beautiful landscapes and moon-like terrain. The desert is located outside San Pedro de Atacama. There are day trips available that include geysers, which release water into air.
Alternativly, you could choose Bolivia over Peru and visit La Paz. There you will see Salar de Uyuni. You can also take a tour of Isla Incahuasi (a cactus island that rises from the salt flats). This is one of the most impressive sites in South America and will be a highlight of your trip.
If you have enough time, you can extend your Ecuador trip and spend more time in Quito. The capital is beautiful. You can find hummingbirds among the cloud forest, or you can swim in waterfalls. After that, head to Nazca and see the ruins of ancient Mayan civilisations. You can also make a day trip from Quito to Mindo. It is only a few hour's drive away.