Time your adventure perfectly with 1,600 tours departing in June 2026 in South America. Seasonal highlights and optimal conditions await, backed by 3,500 verified experiences.
Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
This tour was certainly for the independent traveler, and we liked how much of it was left up to our schedule. We had a terrific experience and would recommend it.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Independent TourTypically a private tour undertaken by one or two travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Tent
Age Range
5-80 yrs
Operated in
English
Destinations
Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park, Puerto Natales, W Trek, Torres Del Paine, Las Torres, Camp Los Cuernos, Vallée Del Francés, Grey Glacier, Punta Arenas
This was one of my favorite trips. The itinerary was good, our tour guide was excellent and the small group tours allow for more flexibility more time at locations when everyone agreed to make small changes. Their prices are also very reasonable even as a single traveler.
Beach
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, Santa Cruz, Amazon Ecuado
Quito, Santa Cruz, Amazon Ecuador, Isla Santa Cruz, Isabela Island, Otavalo, Papallacta, Amazon Jungle Lodge, Banos, Guayaquil
Great trip. Beautiful archeological sites and cities included in the itinerary. Would have been helpful for many travelers to know that for the two nights at Machu Picchu you will need an overnight bag for the train ride and hotel stay as your luggage is likely too large for the train to Machu Picchu. Cusco was a great city to walk around and sample a lot of good restaurants.
Well prepared Salkantay trek 5d/5n zone with Saul G as a guide and Gregorio as a chef and Cesar and Walter as porters. Good food all the way and amazing places to sleep such as the hobbit houses and the star gazing houses the very first night. Bonus was the lomo saltado cooking class and the visit of a coffee farm.
Trekking and HikingCamping
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Incredible knowledge displayed by the local tour experts. Our Trip Liaison, was very responsive to our questions and adapted very well when a regional Peruvian flight was changed by the airline at the last minute.
Plunge into the heart of South America on the epic 44-day South America Highlights trip, spanning from Lima to Rio de Janeiro. Designed for those seeking both discovery and freedom, this tour seamlessly blends guided exploration with time for independent adventures. Travelers will trek the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, soak in the energy of Rio’s vibrant nightlife, and marvel at the thundering Iguazu Falls.
Wander through the historic barrios of Buenos Aires, snap unforgettable photos at the Uyuni Salt Flats, and take in the Nazca Lines’ mysterious allure. With 23 destinations in Brazil and Peru—including cultural, religious, and historic sites—this challenging itinerary lets you immerse yourself in the region’s diverse landscapes and cultures at your own pace.
The unique selling point? This tour package offers an expertly crafted balance of iconic sights and personal freedom, delivering South America’s best adventures, from ancient ruins to modern city buzz, in one unforgettable journey.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Home-stay
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Cusco, Oll
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Puno, La Paz, Sucre, Potosi, Salar De Uyuni, Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve, Tilcara, Buenos Aires, Colonia Del Sacramento, Tacuarembo, Nazca, Foz Do Iguazu, Arequipa, Colca Canyon
Just finished my Costa Rica Trip and had the best time ever!! If you are considering it DO IT!!!
I’ve been on many many group tours and this was by far the best I have done to date! The group leader - Elmer, honestly made the trip and just went above and beyond in every possible way to ensure we were having a good time! Will definitely be booking another Intro trip soon as it was the best two weeks ever!
Hot springsWalking
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-55 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
San Jose, Esterillos, Manuel Ant
San Jose, Esterillos, Manuel Antonio National Park, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Playa Samara
Done over 30 trips with Explore.
Always good.
Small group, well led, safe & comfortable but not luxurious.
Free time on some days, and some very full-on days.
Worth paying close attention to the itinerary
WildlifeActive and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Eco Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls Nat
Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls National Park, Amazon Brazil, Salvador
Experience the full spectrum of South America on this epic 39-day adventure – the perfect way to forge lifelong connections. Follow in the footsteps of ancient people on the Inca Trail in Peru, drive past volcanoes, lakes, llamas and flamingos in the Atacama Desert and marvel at the might of Iguazu Falls. Spend nights on an estancia (farm) in Uruguay and at a homestay on Lake Titicaca, sample Argentinian barbecue in Buenos Aires and roam through the Amazon jungle. With like-minded travel companions and a local leader providing recommendations at every stop, this’ll be a South American expedition like no other.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Home-stay, Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Cusco, Pun
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Cusco, Puno, Amantani, La Paz, Uyuni, Salar De Uyuni, San Pedro De Atacama, Amazon Jungle, Salta, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Estancia, Iguazu Falls, Paraty, Iguazu Falls, Ilha Grande, Ollantaytambo, Inca Trail