South America Tours

South America attracts organized tours because it combines dramatic landscapes, rich indigenous and colonial heritage, and a wide range of travel styles — from river expeditions to glacier treks. The continent packs a huge variety of experiences into relatively short distances, making guided tours an efficient way to see major highlights.

Andean Highlands

High, dramatic mountains and plateaus home to pre-Columbian sites, traditional highland communities, and some of the continent’s best trekking routes.

• Inca Trail and Machu Picchu (Peru)
• Altiplano tours and Lake Titicaca excursions (Peru/Bolivia)
• High-altitude trekking and volcano climbs (Ecuador/Peru)
• Cultural village visits and markets (Ecuador, Bolivia)
• Mountain biking and horse-trekking routes

Amazon Basin

The vast rainforest offers river cruises, jungle lodges, and wildlife-focused expeditions for birders, primate watchers, and botanists alike.

• Multi-day river cruises from Manaus (Brazil)
• Jungle lodge stays with guided night walks (Peru, Ecuador)
• Community-based cultural visits with indigenous peoples
• Wildlife safaris and birdwatching tours

Patagonia & Southern Cone

Wind-swept steppes, glaciers and towering peaks make this region a magnet for hikers, climbers and photographers seeking remote natural beauty.

• Trekking in Torres del Paine and Fitz Roy (Chile/Argentina)
• Glacier visits like Perito Moreno
• Fjord cruises and coastal wildlife watching
• Horseback riding on estancias

Brazilian Coast & Atlantic Forest

From iconic cities to lush coastal forests, this area mixes cultural city tours, beach relaxation and ecological experiences in protected reserves.

• City and Carnival packages in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador
• Beach escapes along Costa Verde and Bahia
• Atlantic Forest eco-tours and canopy walks

Galápagos & Pacific Islands

Unique, evolution-rich islands ideal for small-ship cruises, snorkeling and close wildlife encounters under strict conservation management.

• Galápagos multi-day cruises (Ecuador)
• Day snorkeling and shore-based nature walks

Northern Andes & Caribbean Coast

Colonial ports, Caribbean beaches and lush mountains blend cultural history with seaside leisure and marine activities.

• Colonial Cartagena city tours (Colombia)
• Coastal island hopping and snorkeling
• Coffee region and mountain valley visits

South America offers a huge variety of tours: cultural and historical routes, food and wine experiences, adventure-focused trips and river or coastal cruises. Travelers can mix short urban walks with multi-day expeditions to cover the continent’s highlights efficiently.

Cultural & Historical

These tours center on archaeological sites, colonial cities and living traditions, often including museum visits, craft workshops and guided walks.

• Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley
• Bolivia: Sucre and Tiwanaku
• Ecuador: Quito and Ingapirca
• Colombia: Cartagena and San Agustín
• Argentina: Salta and historical northwest
• Brazil: Ouro Preto and Salvador
• Chile: Valparaíso and Santiago

Nature & Adventure

Activities include hiking, rafting, surfing and wildlife safaris; these tours tend to be more active and often go into remote areas.

• Patagonia treks (Chile/Argentina)
• Andean treks (Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia)
• Amazon jungle expeditions (Brazil, Peru, Ecuador)
• Pantanal wildlife safaris (Brazil)
• Galápagos diving and exploration
• White-water rafting in Andean rivers

Food & Wine

Gastronomic tours combine market visits, cooking classes and wine tastings in key culinary regions and cities.

• Peru: Lima chef-led food tours
• Argentina: Mendoza wine routes
• Chile: Central Valley wine tastings
• Colombia: Coffee region and culinary experiences
• Brazil: São Paulo and Rio culinary tours

Cruises

Small and medium-sized ship cruises cover rivers and coasts — from Amazon waterways to Chilean fjords and the Galápagos.

• Amazon river cruises (Brazil, Peru)
• Chilean fjord cruises
• Galápagos liveaboard cruises (Ecuador)

City Walking

Short guided walks through historic centers, modern neighborhoods and cultural hotspots — perfect for first-time visitors.

• Lima — food and historic walks
• Buenos Aires — architecture and tango
• Rio de Janeiro — beaches and urban culture
• Quito — colonial center tours
• Cartagena — walled city walks

Multi-Country Circuits

Popular are circuits linking several countries or regions, usually including transport, accommodation and local guides to simplify logistics.

• Peru–Bolivia altiplano circuits
• Argentina–Chile Patagonia loops
• Trans-Amazon multi-day expeditions crossing borders
• Combined wine itineraries across Argentina and Chile

South America offers countless day trips and short adventures departing from cities and natural hubs. These excursions are ideal for travelers who want to sample local highlights without committing to multi-day logistics.

Lima → Paracas & Ballestas Islands (Peru)

Duration: full day; transport by bus or short flight. Theme: wildlife and coastal scenery — bird colonies and marine fauna.

Cusco → Sacred Valley & Maras (Peru)

Duration: full day; minivan. Theme: archaeology, market towns and the salt terraces of Maras.

Quito → Otavalo Market (Ecuador)

Duration: half to full day; bus. Theme: traditional market, textiles and indigenous culture.

Galápagos day cruise (Ecuador)

Duration: day trip by boat. Theme: snorkeling, wildlife viewing and island walks.

Rio de Janeiro → Sugarloaf & Tijuca National Park (Brazil)

Duration: half to full day; cable car and short hikes. Theme: city panoramas and rainforest walks.

Buenos Aires → Tigre Delta (Argentina)

Duration: half to full day; train/boat. Theme: river islands, boat rides and waterfront dining.

Santiago → Valparaíso & Viña del Mar (Chile)

Duration: full day; bus. Theme: coastal culture, street art and beaches.

Manaus → Amazon lodge day trip (Brazil)

Duration: full day; boat transfers. Theme: jungle walks, short wildlife excursions and river scenery.

Puerto Iguazú → Iguazú Falls (Argentina side)

Duration: half to full day; local transfer. Theme: waterfall promenades, panoramic views and boat options.

Medellín → Guatapé & El Peñol (Colombia)

Duration: full day; bus. Theme: lake landscapes, climbing the rock and colorful town exploration.

South America draws adventure seekers with landscapes that range from glaciers to dense rainforest and volcanic highlands. Outdoor activities are widely supported by local operators offering guided, safety-focused experiences.

The Andes (Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador)

Trekking, high-altitude acclimatization routes and volcano ascents. Typical durations: 3–10 days for major treks. Best season: dry season (May–September).

Patagonia (Chile & Argentina)

Multi-day treks, glacier excursions and technical climbs in dramatic scenery. Typical durations: 2–7+ days. Best season: Southern spring to early autumn (October–March).

Amazon Basin (Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia)

River expeditions, jungle survival experiences and guided wildlife spotting. Typical durations: 3–7 days for core expeditions. Best timing depends on water levels — both high and low seasons offer different wildlife opportunities.

Galápagos Islands

Diving, snorkeling and island-hopping expeditions tailored to wildlife encounters. Typical durations: day trips up to 5–10 day liveaboard cruises. Best seasons: year-round, with seasonal variations in wildlife behavior.

Pantanal & Wetlands (Brazil)

Wildlife safaris, boat tours and photographic expeditions in one of the world’s best birding and wildlife regions. Typical durations: 2–5 days. Best season: dry months (May–September) for clearer wildlife viewing.

Northern Colombia & Lost City Trek

Multi-day jungle treks to archaeological sites with river crossings and remote camping. Typical durations: 4–6 days. Best season: the drier months (December–March).

South America’s cultural richness spans ancient civilizations, colonial heritage and vibrant contemporary arts. Thematic tours let travelers dive deep into areas like archaeology, religion, art or gastronomy with expert guides and curated itineraries.

Ancient Civilizations

• Peru — Machu Picchu and Inca sites
• Bolivia — Tiwanaku and Altiplano cultures
• Colombia — San Agustín archaeological park
• Ecuador — Ingapirca ruins

Colonial History

• Peru — Lima’s colonial center and churches
• Colombia — Cartagena’s walled city
• Brazil — Salvador’s colonial quarter and plantations
• Chile — Valparaíso’s historic hills

Religious Heritage

• Peru — Cusco’s churches and Semana Santa traditions
• Bolivia — religious festivals in Potosí and Sucre
• Brazil — syncretic religious practices in Salvador
• Ecuador — Quito’s cathedrals and sacred art

Art & Architecture

• Buenos Aires — European-style architecture and galleries
• Valparaíso — street art and hillside neighborhoods
• Bogotá — museums and mural movements
• Brasília — modernist architectural landmarks

Wine & Gastronomy

• Mendoza (Argentina) — winery tours and tastings
• Chile’s Central Valley — boutique vineyards
• Lima (Peru) — world-class restaurants and culinary schools
• Colombia — coffee region tastings and farm visits
• Brazil — regional food tours and street food experiences

Planning tours across South America requires coordinating visas, seasonal conditions and inter-country transport. Smart booking and choosing reputable operators will simplify border crossings and improve safety and comfort.

• Visas & border crossings
  Check visa requirements for each country and be aware of entry rules for transit; some overland borders take long to cross.
• Local operators
  For jungle trips and remote expeditions, use licensed local guides with strong reviews and safety records.
• Transport logistics
  Book domestic flights and long-distance buses in advance — distances are large and schedules can be infrequent.
• Multi-day packages
  For complex itineraries (Patagonia, Amazon cruises) choose packages that include transfers to remote trailheads or docks.
• Average costs
  Expect higher costs in logistics-heavy areas (Patagonia, Amazon); urban cultural tours and markets are generally inexpensive.
• Seasonal differences
  Research wet vs dry seasons — accessibility and wildlife viewing change dramatically with the weather.
• Best booking platforms
  Combine international booking sites with local agencies to get competitive rates and flexible options.
• Insurance
  Buy travel insurance that covers medical evacuation and high-risk activities like climbing or diving.
• Guide languages
  Confirm guide language availability — English, Spanish and Portuguese are commonly offered.
• Safety
  Stay informed about local conditions, avoid risky areas at night and follow guide recommendations.
• Payments
  Carry a mix of cash and cards; remote areas often require local currency and may not accept cards.
• Health & vaccinations
  Check recommended vaccinations (e.g., yellow fever) and bring insect repellent and a basic first-aid kit.