The Best Hiking Trips in South America

Nick Dauk

Keen hiker? Challenge yourself on these Culture Trip small-group adventures around South America.

Loved by over 40s

If you’ve already tackled the walking tours of the USA or Europe, it may be time to crank things up a notch with a trek through South America. Hiking in South America is nothing short of amazing: walking through the mountains, forests and jungles of this continent will lead you to ruins, quiet villages and some of the best vistas you’ve ever tried to photograph. Lace up your shoes and load your pack with snacks – these are the best hiking trips in South America.

Plants and an animal in Tayrona National Park

Tayrona National Park, Colombia

Colombia’s Tayrona National Park is a wonderful trek, the perfect midpoint between a leisurely stroll and an exciting jungle jaunt. You’ll be so distracted by the surreal sight of palm trees against a snowy mountain backdrop on this Culture Trip experience that you might overlook the rare jaguars hidden in the rainforest. No worries, the many iguanas and howler monkeys will share the view with you – the latter may even voice their agreement. A halfway stop for a swim at Cabo San Juan is exactly the refresh needed to finish this trek.

From US$1711

Next available from 9th Dec 2023

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Cartagena, Colombia

arrow pointing to the right

ENDS AT

Santa Marta, Colombia

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

14

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

info icon

STYLE

Discovery

info icon
Land iguana on North Seymour, Galapagos, as several people walk behind

The Galápagos, Ecuador

The adage “leave only footprints and take only memories” best sums up this Culture Trip hiking holiday to the Galápagos Islands. You’ll hike through a cactus forest in search of the hybrid iguana that only calls this archipelago home. Another day, another hike, this time through the lava fields surrounding Cerro Tijeretas on a birdwatching tour. You may love long walks, but we have a hunch you’ll treasure the slow strolls with giant tortoises even more.

From US$1869

Next available from 6th Jan 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

arrow pointing to the right

ENDS AT

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island

DURATION

5

GROUP SIZE

14

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

info icon

STYLE

Discovery

info icon
Flash Sale
People walk along a walkway in Amazon jungle at Sacha Lodge, Coca

The Ecuadorian Andes and Amazon

After you complete this Culture Trip hiking tour in South America – venturing into both the Andes and the Amazon – you may want to display your boots on the mantle. This is a moderate tour with a marvelous itinerary: you’ll hike around Quilotoa lake, the Limpiopungo Lagoon and the Natural Oils Trail at Kuyana Amazon Lodge. Sound famishing? Good thing this eight-day trek includes an Ecuadorian cooking masterclass and a chocolate-tasting experience.

From US$1459

Next available from 9th Dec 2023

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Quito, Ecuador

arrow pointing to the right

ENDS AT

Quito, Ecuador

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

info icon

STYLE

Discovery

info icon
Flash Sale
trips_peru_Arequipa_UNSPLASH_megan-kotlus-XHoVvW8VkzY-unsplash

Colca Canyon, Peru

There’s more to this epic South American country than first meets the eye. Machu Picchu may be the top attraction, but Peru has plenty of hiking trails for adventurous travelers looking to discover varied, dramatic landscapes. Our nine-day trip includes a trek through Colca Canyon to La Cruz del Condor viewpoint – a rarely visited spot, where you’ll hopefully see Andean condors circling the skies. Hopefully you’ll have worked up an appetite, as the tour finishes with a foodie tour of picanterias, local lunchtime restaurants, in Arequipa.

From US$1824

Next available from 1st Dec 2023

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Cusco, Peru

arrow pointing to the right

ENDS AT

Arequipa, Peru

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

info icon

STYLE

Discovery

info icon

This is an updated rewrite of an article originally by Chris Bell. Maja Proescholdt contributed additional reporting to this article.

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Keen to explore the world?

Our passionately curated premium small-group trips are an invitation to connect with like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.