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South America Tours and Trips
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South America Tours and Trips

3,826 reviews on bookmundi

South America is a vibrant continent, whose backbone is the Andes running from north to south with the Amazon river snaking through its northern part. High and low lands combine to create a continent of extremes. The highest waterfall (Angel Falls in Venezuela), the most voluminous river and the largest rainforest (the Amazon rainforest), the longest mountain range (the Andes), the driest place in the world (Atacama Desert in Chile), and even the best carnivals in the world - South America does nothing by halves. Visit South America to see some of the most interesting landscapes in the world, to sample the deliciously varied cuisines and the beautiful and friendly locals. Get ready to live life to the full when you are on a holiday to South America.

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South America

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South America Travel Styles

Explore South America with our diverse travel styles! Choose from luxurious tours that pamper you with comfort and elegance, or budget-friendly options that let you experience the beauty of South America without breaking the bank. Whether you're indulging in fine dining or discovering hidden gems, there's a perfect adventure waiting for you.

South America Tour Reviews

Genuine reviews from travelers on South America tours

Mark  | Traveled in September

This tour was another excellent experience with Explore. Darwin, our leader, was superb and always went the extra mile to help with everything. He was amongst the best tour leaders we have experienced. The tour provided a very good introduction to the main attractions of the more visited parts of Peru. Highlights for us were Machu Pichu (of course) and the Uros and Taquile islands on Lake Titicaca, with the boat trip to get there. The whole tour was spent at high altitudes. This should be borne in mind by anyone who has any concerns about their ability to tolerate thin air and a dry atmosphere for long periods. The payoff for this though was superb views of the Andes every day! As we have come to expect with Explore tours, the accommodation quality was a bit variable. The Taquile Guesthouse was actually rather better than we expected, given the previous negative reviews that we had read. Yes, it was quite basic, but it was definitely worth it to experience the rustic way of life of the island, the hosts were very friendly and the welcome a warm one. The accommodation elsewhere on the tour was generally quite comfortable, although our hotel room at Arequipa was a little too noisy. A small point, but we would suggest that the visits from Ollantaytambo to the Maras salt mines and Moray Inca terraces should be included in the itinerary rather than being an optional extra. Everyone on our tour booked for this option rather than the alternatives of kayaking/paddle boarding (expensive and probably in rather cold water) and a craft brewery visit (something you can easily do in the UK, so not a particularly Peruvian experience). Overall, the tour comes highly recommended by us.

Anonymous | Traveled in September
Spectacular challenging trekking and amazing food!

This trip provides a fantastic combination of challenging remote trekking on the Salkantay section and over the Inca Chiriasca pass, the traditional Inca Trail with amazing site of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, plus many fascinating Inca sites which were brought to life by our exceptional and knowledgeable leader, Edwind. The food on the trek was superb - big shout out to our amazing chefs - plus meals out in Cusco were a revelation, with beautifully presented, tasty options.

Andrew G. | Traveled in September

Oh my gosh! I had the absolute best time in Costa Rica. Our guide Juan Carlos had ALL the knowledge. We asked him everything, history, culture, plants, animals, birds, trees, weather and he had all the answers. My favorite thing was his sense of humor. He always made us laugh and feel welcome. The drivers were amazing too! Ronny was able to spot all the wildlife without any binoculars. Christian was super friendly and engaging as well. My favorite was watching the Green Sea turtles nesting. Such a magical experience. The whale watching was incredible. Whitewater rafting was a blast and lunch was really delicious on the shore. So many amazing memories and such warm and wonderful people. I highly recommend this trip to anyone and demand JC as your guide. Just absolutely the best.

Ana | Traveled in September

Darwin it was an amazing leader! He was caring, funny, intelligent with a deep knowledge of all the places we have been. I highly recommend this tour and Darwin. The best guide ever!

Anonymous | Traveled in September

My experience with Explore was the best I could ever have. From the beginning of the organisation till the last day of the trip it was excellent. It was my first trip with Explore, but it will definitely not my last one. The group was great, 10 people, 2 couples, 6 solo travellers. Our guide Juan Carlos was excellent, he gave us a feeling of being a family , he knows everything about animals, plants , Costa Rica. He was always there for all needs. I would like to thank your company and all people who made this trip so wonderful. I can highly recommend your company and Juan Carlos as a Guide Sincerely Manuela Sass ( a German living in Vienna)

Jack H. | Traveled in August

This was my 5th Contiki and it was another unforgettable experience. The trip manager () was excellent, a true expert in all things South American. My only constructive comment is linked to the number of days spent in Buenos Aires. The add ons and city were disappointing compared to the rest of the trip. I can't believe we spent so long there. I would have much rather spend more time in the Amazon or in Rio.

South America - Travel Highlights and Travel Tips

Travel Highlights

  • Head to the Peruvian Andes and climb the Inca trail on your way to the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu. It’s easily the most famous archaeological site in South America, and while there are some great alternatives, the Inca Trail is iconic.
  • See the blinding white and blue of Salar de Uyuni, the Bolivian salt flats. An almost dreamlike experience, the salt flats stretch for as far as the eye can see, with the sparkling white salt and cerulean blue sky being completely void of any distractions.
  • Stand in the divine presence of Angel Falls, Venezuela. Almost one kilometer high, the waterfall cascades from a tepui - a table top mountain, called Auyantepui - and is approximately 16 times taller than Niagara Falls.
  • Canoe down the legendary Amazon river, the life source of our planet, and appreciate the interconnectivity of Earth and it’s inhabitants.
  • Get lost in the crowds and gawp at the rainbow coloured floats and the passionate Samba Schools of the Rio de Janeiro Carnival and get ready for a party like you’ve never experienced before.
  • Tango with the best in Buenos Aires.

Travel Tips

  • Brush up on your Spanish, as it’s the official language of most of South America, and a little effort goes a long way with the locals.
  • While much of South America is friendly to tourists, extreme poverty means some areas in large cities are off-limits. Keep your wits about, make smart decisions and you’ll only have great experiences.
  • Much like North America, South America is big on affordable bus journeys. The only difference is the variety of passengers you’re likely to meet - from a live chicken to your new best friend.
  • South America straddles the equator and the tropic of Capricorn, meaning most of the continent experiences a tropical climate. However, temperatures vary on the time of year and be aware that the southern part experiences reversed seasons, so plan your wardrobe carefully.
  • Visit your doctor before you travel and make sure you’re up-to-date on all vaccinations and medications needed for travelling in South America.
  • Eat local, it’s the best way to immerse yourself in the local culture and it’s also usually the cheapest way to get a good meal.

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