Colourful, candid and everything in between, South America beats to the rhythm of an infectious, eternal drum. It’s the sequined heat of Carnival and a cool breeze blowing across the Andes, a fiery Argentine tango and the soft silence of an Ecuadorian cloud forest. You taste it in the crackle of slow-cooked barbecue and the tang of a good pisco sour. About the only thing the continent lacks is monotony. From the rocky slopes of Galapagos to the dawn-lit ruins of Machu Picchu, South America is effervescent with sights, sounds and salsa. Now, pass the empanadas and let's talk adventure.
Our new tours in South America
10 Days From $2,650
Travel to Peru to discover the Inca, Peru's ancient civilisation. Travel by foot, bike...
9 Days From $821
Explore Ecuador and Peru on this adventure through Quito, Banos, Cuenca and Lima.
10 Days From $1,162
Raft a tributary of the Amazon River, hike magnificent Andean countryside and mountain...
8 Days From $1,795
Visit South America and cycle in Peru. Visit Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and...
14 Days From $3,500
Indulge in mouth-watering cuisine and witness stunning sights on Intrepid's Real Food...
What to see in 7-10 days in South America
Stick to to one or two countries so you can see some of the big-ticket items but also relax and get a feel for daily life. Peru is ideal because you can fly into Cusco and visit Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, then take the train to Aguas Calientes and see Macchu Picchu without the long hike. You could take the Inca Express to Puno and spend some time on Lake Titicaca, and even squeeze in a flight to Arequipa and the Colca Canyon.
Another option would be to explore both Brazil and Argentina. There’s a mix of the great outdoors (Iguazu Falls), beautiful beaches (Rio de Janeiro), local villages, incredible food, world-class wine and plenty of dancing. Alternatively, with 10 days in Ecuador you could experience the Amazon, shop in the Otovalo Markets, visit historic Quito and meet locals in the vibrant little town of Banos.
8 Days From $1,645
Travel to Peru and retrace the steps of the Inca, Peru's fascinating ancient...
9 Days From $2,010
Visit South America and travel to Peru. Visit Lima, Cusco and Lake Titicaca, tour the...
What to see in 3 weeks in South America
Combining three countries like Peru, Chile and Argentina will allow you to really get a feel for the destination. You’d get to explore the Amazon, trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and wander the winery trail in Mendoza. However there would also be plenty of breathing room to wander the streets of Santiago and meet the laidback locals on Lake Titicaca.
Swap Peru for Bolivia and you could add La Paz, Salar de Uyuni and a journey across the Bolivian altiplano to the mix. Nature lovers could use this time to hike through Patagonia’s Torres del Paine National Park and Argentina’s Los Glaciaries National Park. See the Perito Moreno Glacier, catch views of Mt Fitz Roy, journey along the Chilean Fjord Coast and drive the the famous Carretera Austral, probably one of the most stunning roads in South America.
15 Days From $2,800
Discover Peru's sacred land of the Incas. Visit Lima, the Amazon, Cusco, Puno, Lake...
15 Days From $4,770
Trek through South America's Patagonia region on an overland trip to Chile and...
17 Days From $4,810
Travel to Ecuador and the wildlife-rich shores of the Galapagos Islands. Then visit...
21 Days From $1,944
Travel from La Paz to Buenos Aires and discover the heart of South America. This...
What to see in 6 weeks in South America
Now we’re talking. The world’s your empanada, so take some time to really think about which countries you want to focus on. You could cross the middle of South America, from Lima to Rio and trek the Inca Trail, walk on the Salar de Uyni salt flats, wander through Mendoza’s wine region, dance up a storm in Buenos Aires, witness the stunning Iguazu Falls, get a tan in Rio and look up at Christ the Redeemer when you’re done. Throw Ecuador into the mix and you’ll get to experience the Amazon, Quito, Cotopaxi Volcano and beautiful Banos.
You could even spend a week in the wildlife playground of the Galapagos Islands, meeting giant Galapagos tortoises, white tip reef sharks, sea lions, marine iguanas and a staggering amount of birdlife. You won’t regret stopping in Colombia to experience the nightlife of Cali, the crayon-box colours of Cartagena’s buildings, the beaches, national parks and of course, the coffee.
24 Days From $6,280
Visit South America and travel to the Galapagos Islands, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia....
60 Days From $6,528
Go Overland from Lima to Rio with Intrepid Travel. Uncover hidden treasures from Peru...
34 Days From $3,504
Discover penguins, glaciers and eye-popping cities on an epic South American adventure....
42 Days From $4,666
Visit South America and travel through Peru, Bolivia and Argentina from Lima to Buenos...
Discover more on themes
Festivals in South America
January
Fiesta de la Santa Tierra, Lake Titicaca, Peru
- During the Festival of the Sacred Land, half the population celebrates at the Temple of Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the other half at the Temple of Pachatata (Father Earth).
Love parade, Santiago, Chile
- The world’s biggest electronic dance festival is a non-stop parade of music, with hundreds of DJs from around the world.
February
Rio Carnaval
- Held 40 days before Easter, Rio is home to the biggest Carnaval party in the world where over 2 million people come to play.
Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Puno, Peru
- The Virgin of Candelaria is Puno’s patron saint and she is honoured with a huge festival each year, featuring traditional dancing and dazzling costumes and masks.
March
National Grape Harvest Festival, Mendoza, Argentina
- Concerts, street festivals and a cut-throat beauty contest all come to a head in the first week of March with fireworks and gaucho displays.
April
Semana Santa, Uruguay
- During Holy Week there are rituals, processions and prayer meetings all around South America. In Uruguay the whole country shuts down.
May
Festival of the Snows, Peru
- Held on a remote Peruvian glacier, this is a three-day festival known as Qoyllurit’I. Around 30,000 pilgrims take part in music and dancing, finishing up with a torch-lit parade.
June
Inti Raymi, Cusco, Peru
- This Inca Festival of the Sun is held in celebration of the winter solstice. The sun god is honoured with parades and dances, and thousands of visitors fill the streets of Cusco.
July
Septenario Festival, Cuenca, Ecuador
- This Corpus Christi event is a weeklong celebration, where you can indulge in food, games and watch fireworks each night.
Qoyllur Rit'I, Mahuayani, Peru
August
World Tango Championships, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Enjoy free dance lessons and concerts as the world’s best tango dancers converge on the city to compete for the crown.
Feria de las Flores, Medellín, Colombia
- This enormous flower festival features events such as the Cavalgata de Caballos (Horse Parade), Desfile de Carros Antiguos (Antique Car Parade) and the Desfile de Silleteros, a chance to see beautiful flower designs.
September
Rock in Rio, Brazil
- Starting out in 1985 with Queen and AC/DC as headliners, this has grown to become one of the biggest music festivals in the world.
November
Dia de los Difuntos, Ecuador
- All Soul’s Day honours the saints and the dead, where people visit the graves of their loved ones and honour them with special feasts.
December
Feri de Cali, Santiago de Cali, Colombia
- Not for the faint-hearted, this is two weeks of hardcore partying where the streets of Cali become awash with music and dancing.
Independence Day, Chile
- There is plenty on offer, including rodeos and military processions along with incredible food and wine.
Our destinations in South America
South America tour reviews
Galapagos Venture, April 2018
Susan Gray
This is my eleventh trip with Intrepid and I love every bit about the itineraries, the local content and the adventure. I will be doing more travel with Intrepid.
Review submitted 21 Apr 2018
Ecuador to Peru Adventure , March 2018
Kelly Fleming
If you're looking at doing the Ecuador to Peru then Peru Essentials back to back (particularly if you've also been travelling before and after) I'd suggest a few days rest in between if you can manage it as they are quite fast paced at the end and beginning without a lot of downtime.
Review submitted 21 Apr 2018
Galapagos Adventure - Northern Islands (Daphne), April 2018
Andrea Moser
Everybody who‘s travelling to South America can not miss the Galapagos Islands! The wildlife is amazing, the different landscapes of each island stunning and the food on board delicious. The best thing: You don‘t even have to look for animals, most of them are just there.
Review submitted 21 Apr 2018
Inca Trail Express, April 2018
Denise Ritch
I will not participate in group tipping. Our group did not tip according to the recommendations. Porters and our guide Genrri received les than half of what the guidelines stated. I was very embarrassed, as the Porters and Genrri were excellent. I added extra money (separately) after the trip. I will tip individually, not as group. I suggest you add the tips to the price of the trip. Continue to have the thank you ceremony as that is an important part of the trip. Very disappointed in this process.
Review submitted 20 Apr 2018
Patagonia Wilderness, March 2018
Beau Barratt
Most amazing landscape I have ever experienced, 4 seasons in a day most days. The fitness requirement is real, but the view was always worth the effort and slower recovery days were well spaced.
Review submitted 20 Apr 2018
Classic Peru, April 2018
Eliza Preece
Wonderful way to see different aspects of Peru in a short time period. Was slightly worried about missing out your n the Inca trail by taking the train but then had the opportunity to spend more time in gorgeous towns and wasn’t exhausted by the time we got to Machu Picchu, so zero regrets there!
Review submitted 20 Apr 2018
Galapagos Adventure - Northern Islands (Daphne), March 2018
Tanha Shah
Had an amazing time with like minded group mates in the naturescape full of amazing, unique birds and animals. Worth the trip
Review submitted 20 Apr 2018
Active Galapagos, April 2018
Chris Jones
Intrepid gave us the trip of a lifetime, with a group of travellers we immediately bonded with, and a wonderful guide. Without hesitation, I would recommend and book with Intrepid again. It was an incredible adventure.
Review submitted 19 Apr 2018
Active Galapagos, April 2018
Rachel Buck
If you are thinking about Galapagos do it. It is a magical place a once in a lifetime adventure.
Review submitted 19 Apr 2018
Articles on Europe
Apr 17, 2018
How Intrepid Travel balances tourism with...
No matter where you travel, there are concerns about how tourism can impact the...
Apr 04, 2018
Ecuador in one week: The ultimate guide
You could spend months exploring Ecuador. But if you’re vacation-deprived or short...
Mar 29, 2018
Why you should visit Patagonia’s Perito Moreno...
All I could muster was a smile that enveloped my entire face. I looked around at...
Mar 26, 2018
The magic of exploring the Galapagos Islands on...
The group – along with the trip itinerary – were amazing, but I firmly believe...
Mar 17, 2018
What I wish I knew before my Intrepid trip to Peru
Whether it’s packing more sunscreen with you for your time at Machu Picchu or...
Mar 01, 2018
Trekking to Machu Picchu? Here’s your ultimate...
There are many important things to consider when hiking to Machu Picchu, like...