South America Travel Articles

Stretching for 4,300 miles, the Andes dramatically dissect the South American continent, and provide a backdrop for some of its most thrilling experiences. Here's how to enjoy the best of these mountains...

Do you dream of a remote island paradise where you can relax and unwind? We have pulled together a selection of our favourite island escapes, where you can enjoy seclusion and peace. There's even a couple of exclusive options for that true 'Robinson Crusoe' experience...

Gabrielle and Peter Mollett travelled to Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos recently with Audley. Find out what they thought of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.

There are many weird and wonderful festivals that happen throughout the year around the world, whether for religious purposes or purely for celebration. Here we highlight just a few...

1,200 years of history, architecture and culture (and amazing shopping). Lizzie Williams explains why Cuzco ticks all the boxes...

Estancias, gauchos and the epic, empty road. A self-drive through Patagonia is a great way to get a sense of rural Argentina, says Jonathan Goldsmith.

Colombia specialist Sarah Powell discovers how a vibrant lifestyle and textured scenery of many hues are perfect ingredients for an album of eye-catching images.

Anne and Stephen Harriman returned to Ecuador with Audley in March this year.

Brazil specialist Debbie Mitchell creates her ideal two-week trip taking in Rio, Iguaçu Falls and, of course, the beach...

Dave and Ann Brierley travelled to Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos.

Often one of the best ways to explore a destination on an Audley tailor-made holiday is by bicycle. We highlight our top five places to take a bike ride.

The allure of train journeys is undeniable. There is something intoxicating about speeding through landscapes as life unfolds outside the window. Whether notable for their dramatic views, luxurious surroundings or sheer speed, we’ve highlighted what we consider to be seven of the most exciting train journeys in the world.

Ian and Sue Dennis travelled to Brazil with Audley in September 2011, after enjoying a previous trip to Argentina and Chile a few years ago. Here they share their experiences of visiting Iguaçu Falls, spotting kingfishers and Caiman in the Pantanal and relaxing in the coastal town of Paraty.

Stretching from Mexico's border with the United States, across the Caribbean, down to the southernmost tip of Chile and on, for our purposes at least, into Antarctica, Latin America is a staggeringly diverse region covering an enormous geographical area.

Delve deeper into the next country you visit with our country specialists’ selection of city tours with a difference.

A trip to the Galapagos Islands is a once in a lifetime experience. Their incredible biodiversity, arresting scenery, remote location and historic importance make them an inspiring and highly memorable destination.

Choosing to travel in the low season has a number of great benefits. In addition to lower prices, you’ll find the space and time to wander the most popular sights without the crowds, as well as spot wildlife at its most prolific.

With the festive season only a few weeks away, our thoughts have turned to which Audley destinations would offer a unique and unforgettable holiday over Christmas and New Year 2011. If you want to avoid the usual turkey dinner and Queen's speech, why not consider one of these captivating options?

The vast pampas, or grasslands, that sweep north from the rugged mountains and barren lands of Patagonia through Argentina, southern Chile, Uruguay and southern Brazil are home to one of South America's most iconic figures - the gaucho.

As part of a tailor-made trip with Audley you can choose from a whole host of accommodation options. Amongst the beautiful boutique hotels and friendly, family-run B&Bs are a number of historically significant properties, each offering the charm of a bygone era and an exciting look into the past.

From endless sunlight to lightning shows, the world is full of spectacular natural phenomena. Here are just a few of the more unusual examples, and some of our favourites, from around the world.

A year ago, the Sacred Valley of the Incas experienced devastating amounts of rain that damaged villages and cut off the ancient citadel from the outside world. Machu Picchu was closed for two months and visitor numbers to Peru plummeted. However, many used this downtime to take stock and make much needed improvements. Here our specialists take a look at the new developments.

Uruguay is a little-known country that rarely hits the headlines and has somehow managed to keep its delights under wraps. A quick poll in the non-Latin American sections of our office came up with Fray Bentos corned beef and the footballer Diego Forlán as its most famous exports, neither of which are really reason to visit. However, there is much more to this tiny South American country.

Audley client, Angela Bishop, returned to South America with her husband David in March 2011, having fallen in love with Peru in 1999. Read all about their unforgettable experiences as they travel through Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.

In an age when most are now acutely aware of the impact we're having on the planet and its resources, Responsible Travel is coming to the fore as a major consideration when choosing accommodation.

We organise trips all over the world and, we will admit, sometimes concentrate a little too much on the more ‘A-list’ destinations. To redress the balance we look at one of the more off-the-beaten-track destinations but which would still be of interest to the more intrepid Audley traveller. With this in mind we look at Bolivia.

Waterfalls always hold a special fascination as you watch millions of gallons of water crash over some rocky precipice. We've scoured the globe to find 10 of the most spectacular and which you could see as part of an individual tailor-made itinerary.

Located around 2,450 metres above sea level and nestled on a small plateau in the centre of the Andes, the majestic city of Machu Picchu is easily the most iconic of all Incan ruins in Latin America.

Volcanoes can be surprisingly accessible, some even offering the possibility of reaching the crater rim and looking inside to the tumult below. Others are less so, but all are in locations which normally offer sublime views. We showcase 10 of the best and which you could see as part of an individual tailor-made itinerary.

Taking time away from the hustle and bustle of the usual tourist spots to spend time with a local community in their own surroundings can be both unique and humbling experience but also utterly fascinating. We highlight some indigenous cultures from around the globe you can visit on an Audley trip.

From rooftop hot tubs overlooking bustling cityscapes to a sparkling infinity pool pouring into an emerald lagoon, some of the best hotel pools are made so by the breathtaking views that they command.

We have a number of properties around the world where it’s possible to get involved, work alongside the locals and really get a feel for a place. From a cattle station in Australia to a rubber plantation in India, we present friendly family-run properties which introduce frontier life as it interacts with nature.

Some of the world’s most beautiful, ancient and iconic destinations are well known for good reason, but this popularity usually means that crowds of tourists and sightseers vying for space are a common sight.

From deep-fried spiders to roasted guinea pig, there are certainly some interesting dishes on offer for travellers with a sense of adventure and a strong stomach. Here is our list of extreme cuisine from around the world.

A night spent under canvas or open to the night sky with the stars for company is the stuff of dreams. Here we choose our top 10 experiences from across the Audley programmes.

A unique way to spend the night, tree house accommodation comes in many shapes and sizes. From simple rustic housing to all out luxury, staying in a tree house is as much about the experience as it is a good night's sleep.

Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and one of the most diverse, with a huge array of landscapes, people and culture. Discover our top tips for the best places to go on a first-time visit to this magnificent country.

Sometimes, trips are remembered for experiencing something a little out of the ordinary. Urban landscapes and buzzing metropolises offer an interesting insight into a country's way of life, but delve a little deeper and you may just discover a side of the country seen by very few.

Just because in some cases they have been around for millions of years doesn't mean you'll have seen them. In fact, our list of the world's more unusual animals includes some which are definitely not easy to see, such as the virtually motionless sloth. See which animals made our list.

Scoured out by water erosion, gorges come in all ages, shapes and sizes but they all have one thing in common - they never fail to impress. We showcase 10 of the world's lesser known gorges.

With what is universally considered one of the most romantic days of the year fast approaching, we have put together a list of our top ten places to propose.

Audley clients, Raymond and Valerie Gatward, describe their trip to Peru, Bolivia and the Galapagos Islands.

Audley's Chile experts break down the attractions and share a few of their own personal highlights from their travels to the region.

Audley client, Rolf Richardson, describes his trip to the Galapagos Islands in January 2009.

For those looking for a taster of Rio de Janeiro's famous carnival, a visit to the "Winners' Parade" the following weekend is a better value option.

This six-part series on BBC 2 documented explorer Bruce Parry's epic journey down the mighty Amazon river and the fascinating people he met on his way.

This three-part series on BBC 1 brought an international team of scientists, climbers and wildlife film-makers to Guyana to document its wealth of natural scenery and wildlife.

The most memorable travel experiences often come from being able to give something back. The following seven stories reveal how you too can contribute.