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Moai, Easter Island

South America tour ideas
Moai, Easter Island

A land of superlatives where you can visit the world’s tallest waterfall, its driest desert and longest river, South America is a kaleidoscopic mix of cultures, landscapes and traditions. Our specialists have explored it all and with their advice, planning a trip is as simple as letting them know your interests.

Our sample tour ideas aim to show you what is possible, but when it comes to your trip, our specialists will tailor-make an itinerary just for you. You could take a culinary tour of Chile and Argentina, combine wildlife watching in the Amazon with a cruise around the Galapagos, or trace the history of tango in Buenos Aires before touring the wineries of Mendoza and riding with the country’s legendary gauchos.

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Ideas for your trip to South America

These itineraries are designed to give you some suggestions for what is possible when you travel in South America, and they showcase some of the routes that we've found work particularly well. Treat them simply as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely for you by one of our specialists based on your particular tastes and interests.

South America tour ideas

South America tour ideas

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South America tour ideas

South America tour ideas

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  • Medellin, Colombia

    Cities of Colombia

    Colombia

    • Explore the historical heart of Bogotá.

    • Visit the Botero sculptures and hillside communities in Medellín.

    • Discover the quaint yet vibrant town of Guatapé.

    • Walk around the fortified city of Cartagena.

    12 days from £4,125pp

  • Andean Forest course at Mil

    Culinary tour of Peru

    Peru

    • Take a privately guided tour of Machu Picchu.

    • Visit local villages and markets in the Sacred Valley that aren't on the tourist trail.

    • Explore the former Inca capital of Cuzco.

    • Dine at some of the most highly revered restaurants in the world.

    10 days from £4,275pp

  • Iguaçu Falls

    Argentina & Brazil: cities & waterfalls

    Argentina and Brazil

    • Explore Buenos Aires, from vibrant La Boca to the elegant avenues of Palermo.

    • See an Argentine tango dance show.

    • Take a private guided tour of Rio’s highlights, from Christ the Redeemer to Copacabana.

    • Feel the spray from the immense Iguazú Falls, enjoying private tours of both sides.

    11 days from £4,360pp

  • Travelling through the Amazon Rainforest

    Incas and Amazon tour

    Peru

    • Search for the unique flora and fauna of the Amazon jungle.

    • Explore the former Inca capital of Cuzco.

    • Take a privately guided tour of Machu Picchu.

    • See the beautiful scenery and colourful markets of the Sacred Valley.

    10 days from £4,550pp

  • Lighthouse, José Ignacio, Uruguay

    Uruguay self-drive tour

    Uruguay

    • Explore the vibrant capital city of Montevideo.

    • Wander the streets of Colonia del Sacramento after the day-trippers from Argentina have left.

    • Discover Uruguay's up and coming winelands.

    • Relax on José Ignacio's beaches.

    15 days from £4,655pp

  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Simply Brazil tour: Rio, Iguaçu & Búzios

    Brazil

    • Take an evening tour and experience Rio's famous foodie nightlife firsthand.

    • Visit Brazilian icons such as Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer.

    • Explore the Brazilian and Argentine sides of the spectacular Iguaçu Falls.

    • Escape the city and enjoy a few days of rest and relaxation in Búzios.

    10 days from £4,700pp

  • Santa Catalina Monastery, Arequipa

    Classic Peru tour

    Peru

    • Wander the pretty streets of Arequipa and visit the Santa Catalina Monastery.

    • Spot Andean condors in the Colca Canyon.

    • Visit the former Inca capital of Cuzco.

    • See the beautiful scenery and colourful markets of the Sacred Valley.

    • Explore Machu Picchu in depth with your private guide.

    14 days from £4,710pp

  • Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu

    Amazon, Inca Trail & Machu Picchu

    Peru

    • Take a guided tour of Machu Picchu, the fabled lost city of the Incas.

    • Hike the famous Inca Trail and approach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.

    • Witness the exotic flora and fauna of the southern Amazon rainforest.

    • Take a private guided tour of Cuzco, an intriguing colonial city built on Inca foundations.

    14 days from £5,500pp

  • The Osorno Volcano, near Puerto Varas

    Self-drive tour through Chile & Argentina

    Chile and Argentina

    • Admire the views of snow-capped Villarrica Volcano from the lakeside town of Pucón.

    • Stop off at viewpoints on Argentina's scenic Seven Lakes route to Villa la Angostura.

    • See the icy peaks and jade lakes of Chile's southern lake district.

    • Explore the pretty town of Puerto Varas and local Mapuche culture.

    14 days from £5,965pp

  • Palacio de Aguas Corrientes in Buenos Aires

    Simply Argentina tour: Buenos Aires, Patagonia & Mendoza

    Argentina

    • Take a tour with a local guide to explore the most famous parts of Buenos Aires.

    • Enjoy one of the world-famous tango shows.

    • Perhaps have a go at dancing the tango yourself.

    • Live like a gaucho; walk, relax and ride in the pampas.

    • Visit the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier.

    • Sample some of Argentina's best wines around Mendoza.

    13 days from £5,995pp

  • The Atacama, Chile

    Northern Chile & Easter Island explored

    Chile

    • Experience city life in the capital, Santiago.

    • Explore the Atacama Desert, home to salt lakes, geysers, the Moon Valley and beautiful scenery.

    • Relax and explore the pretty town of Valparaiso.

    • Learn about the myths and legends of Easter Island.

    14 days from £6,095pp

  • Cartagena, Colombia

    Classic Colombia tour

    Colombia

    • Stay in a Finca in the coffee growing region.

    • Explore the spectacular underground Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá.

    • Visit the picture postcard colonial town of Villa de Leyva.

    • Discover the historical centre of Bogotá.

    • Walk around the fortified city of Cartagena.

    16 days from £6,160pp

  • View of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, Peru

    Adventure in Peru

    Peru

    • Take a guided tour of Machu Picchu, the fabled lost city of the Incas.

    • Hike the Inca Trail and approach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.

    • Bike, trek, and raft your way through the Sacred Valley.

    • Explore Lima's Miraflores and Barranco neighbourhoods on a guided tour.

    15 days from £6,340pp

  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Classic Brazil tour

    Brazil

    • Visit the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain and statue of Christ the Redeemer.

    • Hear the mighty roar and feel the spray of the immense Iguaçu Falls.

    • Stroll through the cobbled streets of Salvador, escaping its hustle and bustle with time in its churches and museums.

    • Try some fresh coconut water straight from the coconut while strolling along white sand beaches.

    13 days from £6,480pp

  • Sea lions, Galapagos Islands

    Galapagos cruise on the Yolita II

    Ecuador and Galapagos Islands

    • Experience the unique fearless wildlife of Galapagos.

    • Visit some of the most remote areas of the Galapagos Islands.

    • See the marine iguana, the world's only marine lizard.

    • Explore the old town of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    11 days from £6,480pp

  • Reflections on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

    Classic Bolivia tour

    Bolivia

    • The Uyuni Salt Flats, truly the world's top natural wonder.

    • La Paz, the world's highest capital city.

    • Explore the colonial towns of Sucre and Potosí perhaps visiting one of the mines at the latter.

    • Explore the high Altiplano with its myriad of colourful landscapes and meet the people who live there.

    12 days from £6,980pp

  • Playa Vik, Jose Ignacio

    Luxury Uruguay tour

    Uruguay

    • Enjoy some quality rest and relaxation in Playa Vik.

    • Experience Uruguay's up and coming wine scene in Carmelo.

    • Explore the contrasting cities of Montevideo and Colonia del Sacramento.

    • Stay in a typical Uruguayan estancia in El Charabon.

    16 days from £7,050pp

  • Jaguar in the Pantanal

    In search of the jaguar in Brazil's Pantanal

    Brazil

    • Three days of dedicated jaguar spotting safaris in a specialist lodge.

    • Further wildlife activities in the Pantanal wetlands in search of smaller cats such as the ocelot, monkeys, giant otters, capybara, caiman and an astonishing array of birdlife.

    • Free time in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, exploring the world-famous Copacabana Beach, statue of Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain.

    • Spend a couple of days exploring both the Argentine and Brazilian sides of the mighty Iguaçu Falls.

    11 days from £7,110pp

  • Hiking on the Salkantay Trek

    Mountain lodges trek to Machu Picchu

    Peru

    • Explore the former Inca capital of Cuzco.

    • Experience some of the community development projects run by Mountain Lodges of Peru.

    • Stay in luxury, sustainable lodges throughout the Salkantay trek.

    • Visit Machu Picchu, the jewel in the Inca crown.

    13 days from £7,270pp

  • Guanaco, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

    Chile & Argentina's Patagonian highlights

    Chile and Argentina

    • Get up close to the Perito Moreno Glacier and trek on the ice itself.

    • Hike or go horse riding in Torres del Paine National Park.

    • Explore Buenos Aires with your local guide, getting a real feel for the city.

    • See a scintillating live tango show.

    12 days from £7,400pp

  • Frigatebird, Galapagos Islands

    Wildlife of Ecuador: Amazon & Galapagos

    Ecuador and Galapagos Islands

    • Galapagos Islands — "Darwin's laboratory" and a truly unique location with incredibly fearless wildlife.

    • Ecuadorian Amazon — home to some of the Amazon's most recognised ecolodges with excellent set up, guides and wildlife spotting opportunities.

    • Quito — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with fine colonial architecture.

    12 days from £7,480pp

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Machu Picchu, Peru