South America Travel Guide - Travel Insights and Tips!

Visitors to Peru have been venturing further afield than the Sacred Valley to discover the Colca Canyon area. For the truly adventurous, a little further north of Colca Canyon lies the world’s deepest canyon named Cotahuasi Canyon. This great gorge is so immense that it could fit the Grand Canyon in twice. This gives the benefit of intriguing Cotahuasi Canyon Trekking routes which are off-the-beaten track.For those willing to make the trip, what lies in wait is a land of traditional village life, cascading waterfalls, dizzying suspension bridges, rarely seen ruins, mysterious ancient petroglyphs, hot springs and the chance to spot elusive Peruvian wildlife – and you will barely see any other tourists the whole time you are there.

There are several alternative treks to the Inca Trail, some of which have now become famous in their own right. However, for trekkers looking for a varied and challenging trek, the Vilcabamba trek offers an authentic experience of high-altitude trekking.

For those who feel the magnetic pull of the mountains, Peru is an inescapable destination. With an astounding 33 peaks above 6,000 m and many above 5,000 m, the Cordillera Blanca, in particular, carries some of most beautiful and dangerous mountains in Peru. In the nearby Cordillera Huayhuash lies many other majestic but unforgiving mountains; insolently daring the bravest to climb.While the ascent of many of these dangerous mountains can only be considered by experienced mountaineers, for mere mortals it can be a memorable experience just to see them.Here is a brief introduction to 10 of the intriguing mountains in Peru and how to reach them.

The Cordillera Blanca is Peru’s premier hiking, trekking and climbing destination with majestic remote mountains and turquoise transparent lakes. There are many options for trekking the Cordillera Blanca trails. These trails are of varying lengths and suitable for trekkers of all levels – from moderate one-day hikes to gruelling week-long treks.In no particular order, here are five of the best Cordillera Blanca treks: At a glance: Locations of the five best Cordillera Blanca treks

Located in the imposing Cordillera Blanca, Laguna 69 is considered to be one of the exquisite lakes, out of more than 400 lakes in the Huascarán National Park. Reaching Laguna 69 makes for a tough but rewarding one-day hike. Simply given the number 69 at the time of the creation of the park, the name has stuck on. The day hike up to this sublime body of water high in the mountains has become one of the most popular Cordillera Blanca hiking trails.

The Villarrica Volcano, at 2,847m is both one of Chile’s most popular volcanoes and one of its most active. Despite the obvious risks this poses, it hasn’t stopped thousands upon thousands of adventurous climbers from reaching its summit on their Chile holiday. One look at the rugged snow-capped peak rising majestically out of the ground is enough invitation for an expedition to an adventure seeker. Surrounded by natural beauty on every side, the Villarrica Volcano is more than just a photographer’s dream; it is an unrivaled grandeur.

Nicknamed “the king of the South”, the Osorno Volcano, is a huge, snow-peaked volcano that overlooks a glorious lake and miles of beautiful forest. And, if you think looking at it is nice, the views from the top are even better.If you’ve always wanted to tick ‘climb a volcano’ off your bucket list then the Osorno Volcano in Puerto Montt of the Lake District, a trip to Chile will complete your mission. But there is more to do at the Osorno volcano than just the climb. Read on to find out all about the exciting opportunities that lie in wait for you at the Osorno Volcano.

With around 3000 miles of coastline it should come as little surprise that Chile boasts some excellent beaches. Golden sand is a staple in this notably thin country and it’s perfect for nestling down with a good book and catching some rays. What’s better is that these beautiful Chilean beaches are usually rested in equally charming towns, that add character as well as comfort to them. You don't want to miss them on your next Chile trip! Here are what we think are the best beaches in Chile (in no particular order), along with the respective beach towns.

Chile has captivated travellers for decades, offering its visitors everything from beaches and deserts to snowy mountains and glaciers. A lesser ventured natural attraction in Chile but equally striking is perhaps its multitude of volcanoes that pepper the landscape.Chile houses several volcanoes, of all shapes and sizes, and all equally wonderful to gaze at. However, if you want to see some of the most stunning vistas this side of the equator and don’t mind a bit of a challenge then you should seriously consider scaling one of them. Of the many outdoors activities Chile offers, only a few will be as thrilling as climbing one of the volcanoes. The difficulty level ranges from easy to punishing, but the end result is rewarding. So, let's take a look at ten popular volcanoes in Chile (in no particular order) that are conquerable. We leave it up to you to decide which one is right for you.

Chile is a country that is blessed with natural beauty. Encounters with natural wonders is a common occurrence during a tour in Chile. Just 200km south of Santiago, Chile’s capital, is one such natural phenomenon – Siete Tazas, or The Seven Teacups. Picture clear, gushing water flowing between seven natural rock pools in a series of waterfalls, before converging into the Rio (River) Claro. Nestled in the Radal Siete Tazas National Park, it has long been a favourite with Chileans, and it’s time for you to discover it.

Home to picturesque mountain tops, crystal-clear lakes, glaciers and scenic valleys, Torres del Paine National Park is famous for the 3 Torres del Paine Treks - the W trek, the O trek and the Q Trek. A popular destination for avid trekkers, hikers, and for those who just want to experience the spectacular vista of the Chilean Patagonia, the park also features some remarkable options for lodging and comforts. Whether you’re looking to stay at a luxurious resort or a camping site, there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from. Below we give you a brief introduction to the popular lodgings and hotels available in Torres del Paine National Park (in no particular order):

Cajon del Maipo in Chile, sits just outside of Santiago, the country’s striking capital. It has long been a popular haunt for city-dwellers in need of a breath of fresh air and a ramble through the great outdoors – and it’s not hard to see why this place is so popular. Snow-capped peaks that run down into rugged cliffs form the dramatic backdrop of Cajon del Maipo, with a glimmering aquamarine lake in the middle as the pièce de resistance.

Torres del Paine National Park is one of Chile's biggest claim to fame and a must-not-miss when on a tour in Chile. Located in Chilean Patagonia, travelers come here from near and far to discover some of the most spectacular natural wonders in South America. And so it is that the trekking inside the park has made quite a name for itself as well. While the W trek is probably the most well-known, it would be a big mistake to overlook the more intensive option, the Torres del Paine O Circuit. Also known as the "Full Circuit" and the “O trek”, this trail leads trekkers on the most comprehensive and rewarding trail in the park. It's the best choice for those who want to see more remote and untouched areas. You’ll see the iconic Las Torres (the three rock towers), as well as Glacier Grey. But you’ll also embark on very trying but oh-so-rewarding journeys, like the John Gardner Pass, which aren’t available to those who opt to take the W Circuit. Read on to find out if you're up for the O Circuit Challenge!

A trip to Chile is as popular with people who want to relish the good things in life, as it is with the adventure enthusiasts. Good wine draws as many crowd to this country as does its Andes mountain range. If you enjoy the finer things in life; walking in green fields, hearing stories, sipping on fine wine, and eating some delectable food, then a visit to the top Chilean wine regions should be on your list of things to do in Chile.Let us walk you through the five primary wine regions (in no particular order) in Chile:

Chile is home to some of the most staggering landscapes in the world. With the Atacama Desert in the North, the mountains of Patagonia in the South, and so much in between, this long, thin nation is not short of natural beauty. And while there are many adventure activities to undertake in Chile, perhaps one that stands out amongst them is whitewater kayaking. In fact, kayakers have been making pilgrimage to Chile for years now just to get a piece of the action. But, what makes kayaking in Chile so great? Aside from the chance to kayak between icy glaciers, the main reasons why a tour to Chile is so appealing are its accessibility, mild climates and excellent infrastructure.To find out more about some of the best rivers in Chile for kayaking, read through the list (in no particular order) below: