South America packs six very different countries into one Andean spine: Inca ruins and Amazon rainforest in Peru, Patagonian glaciers shared by Chile and Argentina, volcanic highlands in Ecuador, the world’s largest salt flat in Bolivia, and Caribbean coast plus coffee country in Colombia. Each country guide below covers visas, currency, when to go, and how to get around, so you can plan the trip itself, not just pick a trail. Looking specifically for hiking routes and trek difficulty? See our South America hiking trails guide.
Choose Your Destination
Peru
Home to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, but also colonial Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Lima’s food scene, and the Amazon basin. Peru works as a standalone trip or as the anchor for a wider Andean itinerary.
Highlights: Machu Picchu, Cusco & the Sacred Valley, Lima’s culinary scene, Lake Titicaca, the Amazon basin
Chile
A country stretched across nearly every climate: the Atacama Desert’s stargazing skies in the north, Santiago and wine country in the center, Patagonia and the Lake District in the south.
Highlights: Atacama Desert, Santiago, wine country, the Lake District, Chilean Patagonia
Argentina
From Buenos Aires’ tango culture and Mendoza’s wine country to Patagonia’s granite spires and glaciers around El Chalten, Argentina spans city life and wilderness within a single trip.
Highlights: Buenos Aires, Mendoza wine country, El Chalten & Fitz Roy, Perito Moreno Glacier, Iguazu Falls
Ecuador
A country of four distinct worlds in a small footprint: colonial Quito, the volcano-lined Andean highlands, the Amazon basin, and the Galapagos Islands.
Highlights: Galapagos Islands, Quito’s colonial center, the Avenue of the Volcanoes, the Amazon basin
Bolivia
South America’s least-visited major destination: the mirror-like Salar de Uyuni salt flat, La Paz’s markets and cable-car skyline, and Lake Titicaca’s Bolivian shore, with a fraction of the crowds of its neighbors.
Highlights: Salar de Uyuni, La Paz, Lake Titicaca, Sucre, the Yungas
Colombia
Cartagena’s walled colonial old town, the Coffee Triangle’s plantation stays, Medellin’s transformed city center, and Caribbean coastline make Colombia one of the region’s fastest-growing destinations.
Highlights: Cartagena & the Caribbean coast, the Coffee Triangle, Bogota, Medellin
Why South America?
Ancient Civilizations
From Inca Cusco to pre-Columbian Tiwanaku, South America’s archaeological sites, colonial cities, and living Indigenous cultures give a depth of history most first-time visitors don’t expect.
Unmatched Biodiversity
Cross multiple ecological zones in a single day, from alpine tundra to cloud forest to subtropical jungle. The Andes create vertical ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth.
A Trip for Every Traveler
From city breaks and wine tastings to multi-week expeditions, South America accommodates first-time visitors and seasoned travelers alike, with experienced local operators at every level.
Plan Your South American Trip
With over 20 years of experience across South America, our team can help you choose the right countries, order, and pace for your trip. Whether you’re planning a single-country visit to Peru or combining several countries into one journey, we’ll help you build an itinerary that fits your time and budget.
