Top Trips to Take in South America
Senior Travel Writer
Amazon or Andes? Glaciers or Galápagos? Let these insider-led Culture Trips be your guide.
South America is a land of superlatives, home to the world’s second-longest river in the Amazon, its driest desert in the Atacama and its highest body of water in Lake Titicaca, straddling Peru and Bolivia. But it also defies easy definition in the great wilderness of Patagonia, which sweeps down the spine of the Andes and spills out into Chile and Argentina. So where to start? Let these expert-led trips be your southern cross, steering the way to all the continent has to offer, from the top of the Amazon to the tip of Argentina.
Caribbean Colombia
Colombia’s inland cities are worthy trips in their own right, but the country’s Caribbean coast is an idler’s dream. Imagine lounging on a beach towel and listening to the waves while staring at the mountains of Santa Marta. Jungle trekking, river tubing and canoeing are just a few of the ways to get active on this eight-day trip, which traces the shoreline to tick off the first free African town in the Americas, howler monkeys in Tayrona National Park, the Rosario Islands by boat, and peaceful, palm-shaded Palomino.
From US$1711
Next available from 9th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cartagena, Colombia
ENDS AT
Santa Marta, Colombia
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Ancient Peru
Machu Picchu has been atop most traveller’s to-do list for as long as travel as existed, but Peru is so much more than just an Inca citadel populated by llamas. An entire day of this trip is dedicated to Peru’s most famous landmark, but ancient history buffs will also get a kick from visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Meanwhile nature lovers can spot condors on a Colca Canyon trek and paddleboard around Piuray Lagoon, while foodie’s will be obsessed with the picanterias of Arequipa and our Peruvian cooking masterclass in Cusco.
From US$1824
Next available from 1st Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cusco, Peru
ENDS AT
Arequipa, Peru
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Go Wild in the Galápagos
The Galápagos: a bucket-list destination for any animal lover. Land and sea set the ultimate stage for the fauna that informed Darwin’s On the Origin of Species in the 19th century. Viewing the archipelago’s endemic species with the naked eye is breathtaking enough; imagine how unforgettable interacting with them will be. This five-day adventure around these protected Pacific islands will see you snorkeling with penguins, swimming with sea lions and walking (very slowly) alongside giant tortoises.
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
ENDS AT
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island
DURATION
5
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Dazzling Brazil
South America’s largest country is endlessly explorable but this nine-day adventure combines metropolis thrills with a two-night coastal chill. We start in ginormous Sao Paulo, where stunning works of contemporary architecture breathe new life into the cities old streets. We’ll explore a vast urban park and a number of trendy neighbourhoods as we get to know Brazil’s largest city. After all that a rural retreat will be a balm for the soul as we escape to the gorgeous old town of Paraty. After a few days exploring the coastal region’s luscious bounties we’ll continue on to Rio de Janeiro, where a samba workshop, sunset cocktails and volleyball on the beach awaits.
From US$2099
Next available from 8th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Sao Paulo, Brazil
ENDS AT
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Adventurous Ecuador
Is five days too short for Ecuador? Tack on the country’s Andes and Amazon with this additional eight-day trip. The rich biodiversity and varied landscape of the country deserves exploration in every way imaginable. You’ll learn the ropes at a moderate pace, heading through mountains and rainforest, cycling across the Baños Waterfall Route, hoofing it around the crater lake of Laguna Quilotoa and seeing Cotopaxi National Park on horseback – all worthy ways to work off a chocolate-tasting session in Quito.
From US$1459
Next available from 9th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Quito, Ecuador
ENDS AT
Quito, Ecuador
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Additional reporting was contributed by Siobhan Grogan and Gethin Morgan.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
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!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
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.
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