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.
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Our new tours in South America
8 Days From $1,436
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...
8 Days From $6,095
Explore the Falkland Islands in this 8-day tour
14 Days From $5,775
Travel from Chile to Argentina through the Patagonia region, stopping at Santiago,...
17 Days From $4,675
Amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater, is the drawcard of the remote Galapagos...
10 Days From $2,810
Adventure through the Andes to Aconcagua base camp via Mendoza. Tour local wineries and...
8 Days From $2,480
A trekking expedition into the Andes to the crash-site of Uruguayan Air Force Flight...
13 Days From $2,020
Hike ancient Inca pathways that journey through the stunning Andes on this challenging,...
9 Days From $1,415
Travel from lively Guayaquil to the wonderous, mountain-based Cuenca before exploring...
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 $1,453
Travel to Peru and retrace the steps of the Inca, Peru's fascinating ancient...
9 Days From $2,255
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 $2,885
Discover Peru's sacred land of the Incas. Visit Lima, the Amazon, Cusco, Puno, Lake...
15 Days From $4,915
Trek through South America's Patagonia region on an overland trip to Chile and...
17 Days From $4,265
Travel to Ecuador and the wildlife-rich shores of the Galapagos Islands. Then visit...
17 Days From $4,675
Amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater, is the drawcard of the remote Galapagos...
21 Days From $2,210
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 $5,565
Visit South America and travel to the Galapagos Islands, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia....
60 Days From $7,355
Go Overland from Lima to Rio with Intrepid Travel. Uncover hidden treasures from Peru...
34 Days From $3,960
Discover penguins, glaciers and eye-popping cities on an epic South American adventure....
42 Days From $5,240
Visit South America and travel through Peru, Bolivia and Argentina from Lima to Buenos...
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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
Inca Trail Express, August 2018
Kathleen Day
This was an excellent trip. It was well organized and I felt like I got a wonderful feel if Peru. Our tour guide Cristina was top notch!
Review submitted 19 Aug 2018
Peru Encompassed, July 2018
John and Pippa Dickinson
This is a good way to see the main highlights of Peru in three weeks. We were not jostling with crowds all the time, but we were never far off the beaten track either. There were early starts, quite a lot of travelling and not all the stops were Michelin-star comfortable, but we were well looked-after. The itinerary was well thought-out and gave us six days to adjust to altitude before we began the mountain trek. We saw many wonderful things and returned with lots of lovely memories.
Review submitted 19 Aug 2018
Galapagos on a shoestring, August 2018
Kathleen Mackian
I would highly recommend a trip with intrepid. Everything is organised and you have friendly and knowledgeable local tour leader and guides to really make the most out of your trip
Review submitted 19 Aug 2018
Peru Family Holiday, July 2018
Melisa Molina
Be cautious to provide an extra day for connecting flights out of Cusco as flights are frequently delayed or cancelled. We missed our connection and it was a big problem rescheduling our flight home.
Review submitted 18 Aug 2018
Best of Bolivia & Argentina, August 2018
Michael Sullivan
Great local guides with local experience who really make the trip memorable from start to finish. Get immersed in the culture! Make new friends and see where the journey takes you... And download WhatsApp for ease of communication with your group and leader.
Review submitted 18 Aug 2018
Best of Bolivia & Argentina, August 2018
Nicholas Forsyth
Read the inclusions on the tour as many people seem to not do that.
Review submitted 18 Aug 2018
Ultimate Galapagos - Central Islands - (Daphne), July 2018
Adrienne Young
This trip is amazing - you get to see a ton of wildlife and have experiences that you will remember for a lifetime. The accommodation is very good. I would suggest packing light and sensible.
Review submitted 18 Aug 2018
Galapagos Island Hopping, July 2018
On Nai Annie Juliet Suen
The trip offers opportunities to spot rare plants and animals, and unique, once in a lifetime experiences. The guide is friendly, knowledgeable, very well trained and considerated our interests. Galapagos is a piece of heaven on earth where so many things to explore !
Review submitted 18 Aug 2018
Galapagos Island Hopping, July 2018
Victoria Walters
An exceptional trip - go on book it - it is a once in a lifetime experience!
Review submitted 17 Aug 2018
Articles on South America
Aug 12, 2018
What to expect in Argentina’s La Boca barrio
"The woman in a red dress moves around the suited man with such artistry that it's...
Aug 03, 2018
A guide to Montevideo, Uruguay, the unsung hero...
Montevideo is the capital of a small country whose sights, sounds, and savory...
Jul 31, 2018
What I wish I knew before my group tour of the...
In the Galapagos, there are no promises of seeing blue-footed boobies or rare...
Jul 23, 2018
Why you need a permit to hike the Inca Trail ...
Want to hike the Inca Trail? Here’s why you need a permit and how to get one for...
Jul 22, 2018
Visiting Machu Picchu? Here’s how to see the...
For most travelers, myself included, it’s the highlight of visiting Peru. This...
Jul 19, 2018
The top 10 destinations for travel in October 2018
Whether you’ve always wanted to celebrate Halloween in the States or stand at the ...