South America Escorted Tours
Escorted tours to South America encompass the Inca treasures of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley in Peru, the wonders of Patagonia and the iconic sights of Argentina and Brazil including the dramatic Iguazu Falls and famous 100ft statue of Christ the Redeemer.
Finding & Loading Tours
- 10 Nights - Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro
- Fly Tour from £2,469
Argentina, the second-largest country in South America, is known for its gauchos (cowboys), its huge steaks, its excellent wines, and the invention of the tango. We’ll sample all of these during our three-night stay in Buenos Aires – sophisticated, cosmopolitan and the most ‘European’ of the South American capitals.
- 15 Nights - Mexico City to Cancun
- Fly Tour from £2,699
Emerald jungles, sapphire-blue waters and powdery white sands meet towering ancient temples and colonial towns in the captivating country of Mexico. But a trip here is just as much about its fascinating history and culture as its idyllic landscapes.
- 16 Nights - Lima and Back
- Fly Tour from £3,099
Explore the extraordinary civilization of the Incas, the colonial heritage of the Spanish Conquistadors and the colourful culture of present-day Peru & Experience the Peruvian Amazon basin with a two-night stay at an eco-lodge in the jungle. Peru is without doubt the most intriguing and fascinating of all South American countries.
- 10 Nights - Lima and Back
- Fly Tour from £3,199
Follow in the footsteps of intrepid adventurers in Peru's mountain wilderness. Explore the remains of the Incas' final stronghold in the 'lost city' of Machu Picchu, visit beautiful colonial towns and discover the world's highest navigable lake on this fascinating trip.
- 15 Nights - Mexico to Chichen Itza
- Fly Tour from £3,199
Emerald jungles, sapphire-blue waters and powdery white sands meet towering ancient temples and colonial towns in the captivating country of Mexico. But a trip here is just as much about its fascinating history and culture as its idyllic landscapes.
- 15 Nights - Lima to Cuzco
- Fly Tour from £3,295
Machu Picchu is perhaps the most breathtaking archaeological site in the world. Yet Peru also offers a wealth of other magnificent ancient, colonial and scenic sights.
- 13 Nights - Lima and Back
- Fly Tour from £3,299
In Peru, archaeological treasures are weaved seamlessly among sweeping, unspoiled valleys and the mountain scenery of the Andes. Add into the mix a host of vibrant and friendly locals, and you’ll soon realise there’s much more to discover here than just llamas and knitted chullo.
South America Highlights with Peru
- 16 Nights - Lima to Rio de Janeiro
- Fly Tour from £3,399
In the minds of many, Peru is inextricably associated with the Incas, the remarkable civilisation that, by the 16th century, had created one of the greatest empires in the world. Their territory stretched, in modern-day terms, from Colombia in the north, to Chile and Argentina in the south.
- 13 Nights - Lima and Back
- Fly Tour from £3,499
In Peru, archaeological treasures are weaved seamlessly among sweeping, unspoiled valleys and the mountain scenery of the Andes. Add into the mix a host of vibrant and friendly locals, and you’ll soon realise there’s much more to discover here than just llamas and knitted chullo.
- 14 Nights - Santiago and Back
- Fly Tour from £3,695
Chile is an extraordinarily beautiful country, encompassing just about every type of landscape on Earth, from the arid desert of the north, through verdant lakes and pastures to the soaring peaks and glaciers of Patagonia. This expansive tour explores Chile’s spectacular desert, mountain scenery and Patagonian wilderness, and allows time to discover some fascinating Chilean traditions.
Discover South America
South America is the ultimate adventure playground, combining breathtaking natural wonders and incredible Incan ruins, with lively cities, bursting with culture.
Escorted tours to South America wouldn’t be complete without visits to the contrasting cities of Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan city with a distinct European flavour. The opulent residential area of Recoleta is a stark contrast to the colourful streets of the La Boca neighbourhood with its tango artists.
North of Buenos Aires is lively Rio de Janeiro, overlooked by the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer. Music is the city’s lifeblood and its samba-fuelled nightlife remains popular with visitors from around the world. However, the city is more than just its music. It offers golden beaches, forested mountains and an array of outdoor adventures, from hiking to cycling and sailing.
South America is a land associated with the Incas. The Inca civilisation flourished in Peru between 1400 and 1533 CE, with the empire eventually extending further, becoming the largest in the world at the time. Machu Picchu is arguably the most iconic collection of Incan ruins. Nestled high in the Andes Mountains, it towers above the Urubamba River Valley and reveals some of the mysteries of the Inca Empire. The Temple of the Moon is housed in a shallow cave, while Puyupatamarca is renowned for its baths.
South America is packed with awe-inspiring natural wonders, including Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina, where hundreds of waterfalls thunder into pools below, all set against a backdrop of stunning national park. The Peruvian Amazon encompasses around 60% of Peru and is the fourth largest rainforest in the world, while the Atacama Desert in Chile is far from a desolate wilderness. It is bursting with life and the perfect setting for an array of sports, including mountain biking and sandboarding. Last but by no means least is breathtaking Lake Titicaca between Peru and Bolivia, and the UNESCO-listed Galapagos islands off the coast of Ecuador, a haven for a rich diversity of species.
Highlights of South America
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Argentina
Located in the Southeast of South America, Argentina stretches from the Southern Tropic towards the tip of Antarctica meaning it boasts an astonishingly diverse landscape with many outstanding natural wonders. For example, the spectacular Iguazu Falls are one of the seven natural wonders of the world and one of Argentina’s most popular attractions, the Salinas Grandes is a vast salt plain now used for mining and the breath-taking Perito Moreno Glacier in Patagonia is one of the most famous glaciers in the world and is relatively rare as it is still growing despite global warming. Much like the landscapes, the wildlife is also diverse and ranges from penguins and flamingos to giant anteaters and whales.
The tranquillity of Argentina’s natural wonderland is a world away from the country’s lively, dynamic cities. Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital city, is a modern metropolis and a must-visit destination when touring South America. Buenos Aires is a city with a Latin passion and European touch; it is the home of the Tango, a famous, sensual dance that is still performed in endless venues around the city. Buenos Aires is an extremely fast-paced city with busy side-walk cafes, an abundance of streak houses, a vibrant street-art scene and an energetic nightlife. Other fascinating cities in Argentina include Córdoba, Salta, Mendoza and Bariloche which all have their own distinctive personalities.
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Chile
Chile is often recognised for its unusually narrow shape; the country clings to the edge of a continent and stretches from the driest desert on earth to vast southern glacial fields. Its wide-open natural landscapes rang from ancient, enchanted forests and pristine blue lakes to active volcanoes and dramatic fjords. Despite the efforts from humans to develop on these remarkable landscapes, Chile has managed to successfully guard its many treasures and is now home to some of the most unspoiled parts of our planet making it the best place to get in touch with nature.
The openness of Chile’s natural environment is mirrored in the openness of the Chilean people. The locals have a relaxed, welcome attitude and are pleasant and kind towards tourists. Patagonians drink rounds of maté (tea) with their relatives and friends which is a ritual of relating and relaxing and is an integral part of their life. Santiago, Chile’s sophisticated capital city is a pleasure to explore with its countless museums, grand architecture, hillside parks and renovated arts scene. When visiting Santiago, there is nothing better than people-watching from a delightful sidewalk restaurant whilst enjoying a delicious glass of Chilean wine.
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Brazil
Brazil is a truly captivating country which has the perfect combination of glorious white-sand beaches, lush rainforests and thrilling metropolises. The cities are lively, the colonial towns burst with history and the unusual environment ranges from red-rock canyons and impressive waterfalls to beautiful coral-fringed islands. Brazil’s spectacular landscape makes the country a playground for adventure lovers who can enjoy kayaking in the Amazon, rock-climbing, whale-watching off the coast and surfing. Brazil’s varied eco-systems showcases a great collection of plant and animal species meaning the destination is great for wildlife-watching. Some of Brazil’s iconic species include toucans, howler monkeys, capybaras and pink dolphins.
Brazil’s carefree culture is dominated by the love of music and each year Brazil’s most famous celebration, the annual Carnival, takes over for a number of weeks. The Carnival is held in Rio de Janeiro before lent and sees the people of Brazil dance, sing and party through the streets in dazzling costumes. More than 2 million people line the streets during this remarkable celebration including hundreds of thousands of tourists. Many additional festivals happen throughout the year in Brazil’s cities, particularly Rio and São Paulo, showcasing Brazil’s amazing diversity. The country also boasts a well-developed beach culture, a vibrant year-round nightlife and splendid regional cuisines.
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Peru
Peru’s rich heritage and wealth of ancient sites make it a fascinating country to explore. The biggest attraction is undoubtably the extraordinary Inca ruins of Machu Picchu which were hidden by nature for four centuries before being discovered in 1911. It is now one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Another of Peru’s archaeological gems are the puzzling ‘Nasca Lines’, which are giant geoglyphs (figures or designs) that have been carved into the desert and can usually only be seen from the sky. It is estimated that these figures which include geometric patterns and distinct animal shapes, were begun in 400 BC. The site of the Nasca lines remains an unexplainable mystery to archaeologists.
Peru also showcases an array of marvellous sites from the exquisite scenery of the Andes mountains and Lake Titicaca to the colonial cities of Arequipa and Cuzco. The country boasts the highest tropical mountain range in the world and one of the best-preserved areas of the Amazon rainforest which is home to incredible wildlife including jaguars, macaws and caimans. Peru is known as one of the world’s culinary hotspots and offers an amazingly delicious, yet complex cuisine of Spanish, African and Asian influence. There is a laidback, dynamic dining scene which ranges from street-food stalls to gourmet restaurants as well as a buzzing nightlife; particularly in Lima.
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Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
A wonderful display of ancient and natural wonders has been squeezed into Ecuador, one of the smallest countries in South America. The charming colonial town of Cuenca and the capital of Quito are steeped in history with red-roofed colonial houses, flower-filled plazas and a number of cathedrals. Cotopaxi National Park, located on the Avenue of Volcanoes is home to the highest active volcano in the world and the tranquil Quilotoa crater lake. The Andean villages perfectly showcase the colourful local culture including the handcrafted textiles, delightful fresh-seafood dishes and sprawling markets.
The famous Galapagos Islands are located 1,000 kilometres west of mainland Ecuador and are a magnet for wildlife lovers. These isolated, volcanic islands have a truly unique eco-system with many species that are not found anywhere else on Earth, including the giant tortoise and the marine iguana. This pristine wildlife haven is famous for inspiring Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution as it was here that Darwin noted that blue-footed boobies and finches were perfectly adapted to their environments.
