South America

Machu Picchu, Rio de Janeiro, the Atacama Desert, Iguaçu Falls, Salar de Uyuni, the Amazon – South America’s list of big-name attractions is staggering. Travel to misty peaks, glistening glaciers and dense rainforests; and meet inquisitive sea lions, photo-bombing llamas and incredibly sociable people. After one visit to South America, you’ll be hooked – speak to anyone who’s been here and they’ll tell you all about their plans for a return trip.

South America : Places to go

Discover awe-inspiring natural landscapes, ancient wonders, lively cities and unique wildlife on holidays to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador & the Galapagos and Peru.

Argentina

Buenos Aires is South America’s larger-than-life gateway city and it’s a great place to immerse yourself in local life. In Mendoza’s vineyards, the rich, bold reds are a perfect match for the country’s succulent steak, while in the far south, Los Glaciares National Park is an icy wilderness. On the Argentinian side of Iguazú Falls, you’ll get the closest view of the thundering waters.

Bolivia

Bolivia’s landscapes are nothing short of extraordinary. Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat and a trip to its dazzling white surface feels more like standing on clouds than on Earth. It’s a stark contrast to the dense Amazon rainforest and towering peaks of the Andes. The Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca is also home to more than 150 Inca settlements.

Brazil

In vibrant Rio, scale the lofty heights of Mount Corcovado to be greeted by the open arms of Christ the Redeemer, find your samba rhythm, and kick back on the beach in Copacabana or Ipanema. Then glide down the mighty Amazon, seek out wildlife in the vast tropical wetlands of the Pantanal or feel the spray of mighty Iguazú Falls.

Chile

From the rust-red Atacama Desert in the north – one of the driest places on Earth – to shimmering ice fields in the south, Chile’s landscapes cover a huge spectrum. In the shadow of the Andes, the country’s cosmopolitan capital, Santiago, has become one of the best-loved spots in South America. For added adventure, journey off the west coast to see the mysterious Moai statues on Easter Island.

Colombia

Colombia has some of the most interesting cities in South America. Bogotá is the country’s high-altitude, high-octane capital; Medellín is a colourful gritty-turned-hipster city with a thriving art scene and plenty of green space, and Cartagena is a coastal colonial-era gem. Away from the cities, rolling hills are home to coffee farms and underrated beaches dot the Caribbean coast.

Ecuador

Straddling the Equator (‘Ecuador’ means ‘Equator’ in Spanish), this small South American country is home to charming UNESCO-listed cities and incredible wildlife. Explore Quito’s Old Town with its cobbled streets, crumbling churches and colonial-era buildings, and visit the ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’ in Cotopaxi National Park. Offshore, cruise the Galapagos to get up close with sea lions, blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises and sun-bathing iguanas.

Peru

Whether you trek the multi-day Inca Trail or arrive in luxury on the Belmond-operated Hiram Bingham train, no trip to Peru is complete without a visit to legendary Machu Picchu. You’ll never forget the moment the morning mist clears to reveal the ruins of this mysterious ‘Lost City of the Incas’. Visit Cusco’s archaeological sites and striking churches, and head to Lima for great art, architecture and fusion food.

Speak to our South America experts