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.
“We absolutely loved this tour! Right from the beginning, Eve was fantastic to work with. She responded quickly to every question and was very thorough and patient with me. She quickly adjusted when our flight to Argentina was rescheduled. All the drivers picked us up right on time. The English speaking guides were good, especially Angela at Puerto Iguazú. She was exceptional! We liked the small hotels and their friendly, helpful staff. The itinerary is a nice mix as the title says. We especially liked how flexible it is as we made a couple of small changes before booking and as I said, had to accommodate our flight schedule. Eve also booked our domestic flights with Aerolineas Argentinas. That all worked out great as well. I would highly recommend this tour and the company.”
Perfect
5 - Excellent
Kelley Lipphard
“We had a fabulous nine-day tour, including the two day Inca experience, Inca trail/Machu Picchu, and Rainbow Mountain. John, our contact, met us at the airport and helped us generally acclimate to the new culture. We cannot praise Adolfo, our guide, enough for his knowledge, experience, and attentiveness to our needs. He was so fun to be with. Our driver, Edgar, was excellent. All over, a fantastic adventure.”
I loved Patagonia!
5 - Excellent
Edward Nicholas Li
“My trip to Patagonia was one of the best that I have ever done. The landscapes and the people were something that I would never forget. El Calafate was absolutely beautiful, full of lakes and glaciers. Perito Moreno Glacier is unique and a must if you are travelling to Argentina. I also booked the full day tour to El Chalten, which is very nice but I would have preferred to stay for a few nights in the village to do some of the treks in the area but I did not have many days. I stayed at Hotel Mirador del Lago which has amazing views of Argentino lake. Torres del Paine National Park was equally amazing. Our guide Lucas was incredible and very knowledgeable. Hotel Altiplanico was so beautiful. 100% recommend this tour.”
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.
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.
