South America Travel GuideBelow you will find a list
of the destinations we offer with a brief description. Once you are at
the destination, the sightseeing opportunities can be endless. We have
been planning tours to South America for our clients since 1982, so we
have the experience to best help you plan your dream trip to this
incredible continent. A classic tour options are standard tours to
give you ideas, based on your interests, we can alter the programs
listed on our site. Call us at 1-800-661-2512 or email us at info@galapagosholidays.com to start planning your trip today.
Ecuador
[ Classic tour options in Ecuador | Ask for your custom tour to Ecuador ] Colourful
coastal towns, snow-capped volcanoes that line the country from north
to south, untouched jungle, colonial architectural and fascinating
cultures make up the small, but fascinating country.
Andes: The starting point is Quito.
Visit the colonial center to see impressive cathedrals and the
country’s Presidential palace. A cable car journey will take visitors
up 3,600 ft to the top of Pichincha Volcano for an unforgettable view
of the city. After a 90-minute drive north of Quito, visitors can
visit the Otavalo market, the largest indigenous market in
South America. Visit for the day or stay at a hacienda for an
overnight program. South of Quito, travel along the Avenue of the Volcanoes,
named as such for the number of volcanoes that line the Andes along
this route. The 2 day program includes an overnight in Riobamba before
continuing through the tropical vegetation of the coast to Guayaquil.
The longer 3 or 4 day program takes visitors to Riobamba and further
south to the colonial city of Cuenca, passing the Inca ruins of
Ingapirca along the way. All three options include a journey along the
Devil’s Nose, a series of switchbacks on the side of a mountain.
 Amazon:
We recommend three different lodges located in Ecuador’s Amazon
region. Three and four night programs introduce visitors to the
pristine beauty and culture of this fascinating and precious region.
Coast: The bustling city of Guayaquil makes
a nice stopover visit before or after your Galapagos cruise. Visit the
city’s impressive Malecon waterfront and its historical park. During
the months of July & August, whale-watching programs are possible
from Machalillia.
 Galapagos Islands:
Our Galapagos cruise options range from 3, 4, 7 and 14 night departures
on over 20 different vessels. Choose from sailboats, yachts and ships
carrying 12-100 passengers. While cruising is the best way to visit
the islands, we also offer hotel based programs on Santa Cruz that
include day trips to nearby islands. We work with over 20 different cruise vessels. Y
[ Back to Top ] Peru[ Classic tours to Peru | Ask us for your custom tour to Peru ]  The
coast features deserts, beaches and fertile valleys, while the
highlands are dominated by the Andes with altitudes as high as 6,768 m
(22,204ft). The jungle area offers lush tropical vegetation and is home
to Peru’s largest natural reserved areas.
Coast: The capital city of Lima offers
a colonial center and numerous museums (Gold, Larco Herrera and the
Archaeological) that make this an ideal starting point before
continuing to see the archaeological sites elsewhere in the country. A
short drive from the city are the Pachacamac ruins, which are still in
the process of being excavated. A popular day trip from Lima is the
overflight of the Nasca Lines. A 2 or 3 day tour to the Nasca Lines include Ica and Paracas.
 Andes: A first time visit to Peru is never complete without seeing the incredible sites of Cusco and Machu Picchu.
While it is possible to visit Machu Picchu in a day, the overnight trip
provides people more time to explore without the day trip crowds. The
full day tour from Cusco to the colourful Pisac market and the
nearby Ollantaytambo ruins is an excellent introduction to the local
indigenous culture and the only site where the Incas won a battle
against the Conquistadores. Travel by train or comfortable sightseeing
bus between Cusco and Puno, located on Lake Titicaca. The full
day lake crossing from Puno takes visitors to La Paz, Bolivia. Those
not wishing to continue on to Bolivia may also take the full day trip
on the lake to see Taquille Island and the floating reed islands of the
Uros. Also visit the pre-Inca burial grounds at Sillustani. The city
of Arequipa is famous for the Santa Catalina Convent and is the
starting point for tours to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest
canyons in the world.
 North: Chiclayo became famous after the discovery of the untouched tomb of the Lord of Sipan. A few hours from Chiclayo is Trujillo,
where visitors will find examples of the Mochica and Chimu dynasties at
the Chan Chan citadel, the pyramids of Moche and the ruins of El Brujo.
Amazon: There are three Amazon regions in Peru from which to base jungle visits: Iquitos, Puerto Maldonaldo and Manu.
Visitors to this precious region explore its natural wonders and learn
about its cultures that continue to maintain their ancient traditions.
[ Back to Top ] Chile[ Classic tours to Chile | Ask for your custom tour to Chile ] A
country that has everything to offer: deserts and lakes, metropolitan
cities and small villages, waterfalls and glaciers. The only one
constant is the Andes Mountains that spans the entire length of the
country.
 North: A short drive southeast of Calama leads to San Pedro de Atacama,
a popular base from which to explore the Atacama Desert. Explore
archaeological sites, interesting villages, salt flats, geysers and hot
springs.
Central: From Santiago, Chile’s
capital city, our clients spend an afternoon exploring the city, while
those with more time take the enjoyable day trip to the coastal cities
of Viña del Mar and Valparaiso. Wine enthusiasts will want to visit at least one of the many wineries outside the city to learn about the wine-making process in Chile….and perhaps even sample a glass or two.
 Easter Island:
Many mysteries surround the island, most notably about the Moai statues
which were made from volcanic stone and erected by the hundreds along
the shoreline. These enigmatic idols, the moss covered crater Rano
Raraku volcano, and the colourful Polynesian festivals in Hanga Roa
make Easter Island a fascinating destination that will leave people
with more questions than answers.
Lake District: From Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas,
spend a few days exploring the beautiful lakes, forests, volcanoes,
waterfalls and picturesque towns that make up this popular region. The
lake crossing catamaran to Peulla or Bariloche, Argentina are
highly recommended. In the northern Lake District, we recommend the
resort area of Villarrica and Pucon where our clients can enjoy
fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and relaxing in the hot springs.
 Patagonia: In northern Patagonia, outside of Balmaceda,
combine a few days at a lakefront hotel with a full day excursion to
view the impressive San Rafael Glacier. Visitors approach the glacier
by zodiac to listen and watch as large pieces of ice crash to the water
below.
Torres del Paine: The rugged beauty of the Torres del Paine National Park
is Chile’s prized scenic jewel. Programs can be independent with hotel
only or all-inclusive packages with accommodations, meals,
transportation, and a daily menu of excursions suited to interests and
physical capabilities.
Tierra del Fuego: View the Chilean and Argentine glaciers and fjords on one of two 3 or 4 night cruise options. [ Back to Top ]
Argentina[ Classic tours to Argentina | Ask us for your custom tour to Argentina ] Argentina
is blessed with spectacular terrain – ranging from some of the world’s
tallest mountains, crystalline lakes and colossal glaciers to
expansive, fertile Pampas, subtropical jungles, impressive waterfalls,
and quaint colonial towns.
Buenos Aires: The Paris
of South America. European in appearance, Buenos Aires can keep
visitors busy indefinitely. Stroll its tree-lined streets that are
full of marble neoclassical façade buildings. A full or half day tour
to the northern riverside district of Tigre with its colonial mansions
and the Parana River Delta are pleasant additions to a Buenos Aires
program. For an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, we
recommend a day trip to one of the working estancias located a few
hours from the city. Here visitors can experience this unique gaucho
culture including a typical BBQ. A visit to Buenos Aires would not be
complete without attending an evening tango show.
 Iguazu Falls:
The waterfall system at Iguazu consists of approx. 270 falls along 2.7
km of the Iguazu River. Our clients can stay on either the Argentina
or Brazil side of the falls. A guided tour of the park would include a
hike along the walkways or an approach of the falls by a zodiac from
below.
North: Arriving in the northwestern city of Salta,
you are greeted with the sight of Spanish colonial architecture
surrounded by spectacular scenery. Day trips outside the city take you
to the old Spanish colonial town of Cachi, the Humahuaca Gorge, the
Seven Colour Hill in Purmamarca, or the wineries of Cafayate.
Mendoza: Mendoza boasts
a warm spring-like climate that helps to make it the nation’s leader in
wine production. Visitors can wander the old city before heading
outside of the city to visit a few of the numerous wineries that line
the wine-route.
 Lake District: Bariloche is
a popular resort town that offers golf, horseback riding and
bicycling. Day trips to Victoria Island to see large Arrayanes trees
or Mount Tronador, an extinct Volcano in Nahuel Huapi National Park are
two excellent excursions.
South: This enormous region
features a glacier-dotted mountainous interior and unique coastal
wildlife. At the Valdes Peninsula, see large sea elephants, sealion
rookeries and whales in September and November. Outside of Calafate, we
find the most famous glacier in South America, the impressive Perito Moreno. Further south at Ushuaia is where one must fly to commence a cruise to Antarctica or visit the Tierra del Fuego National Park. [ Back to Top ]  Brazil
[ Classic tours to Brazil | Ask us for your custom tour to Argentina ]
There
is no other country in South America that is as colourful, intriguing,
captivating, and full of surprises as Brazil. Miles and miles of
golden beaches, massive Amazon jungle, huge rivers and sand deserts,
enormous farm land, colourful cities with colonial architecture, urban
centers with state-of-the-art architectural design, all help to make
this splendid mosaic of a nation.
Rio de Janeiro:
Beyond the beaches, visitors will discover a city of historic
neighbourhoods, interesting architecture, the statue of Christ
overlooking the city on Corcovado Mountain and the cable journey to the
top of Sugarloaf Mountain. Outside of the city, one finds Petropolis,
the summer residence of the last emperor. If sun and beaches are what
people really want, visitors can stay in Rio, take a full day Tropical
Islands cruise or head out to the small coastal town of Buzios for a
few days of sun and sand away from the hustle and bustle of the big
city.
Salvador da Bahia: A visit to Salvador is a chance
to step back in time, to stroll through a nicely preserved city that
dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The beaches here are some
of Brazil’s most varied and beautiful.
 Manaus: Manaus
is the gateway to many lodges in Brazil’s immense jungle. From the
lodges, explore the rain forest by canoe along the river channels, or
even by foot, following native trails. Those with more time can take a
cruise by riverboat – to see virgin forest.
Pantanal: The
Pantanal is an ecological sanctuary where visitors will be able to go
on hikes with trained guides to observe alligators, snakes, rheas,
anteaters, parrots, deer, capybaras and countless birds, which choose
the Pantanal as a stopover on their migratory routes.
Iguaçu Falls:
From the hotel it is possible to leisurely stroll the walkways
surrounding the falls for some of the most impressive views of this
spectacular waterfall system. For a little more excitement, we
recommend the Macuco Jeep and Boat tour, which will take visitors
through dense jungle before boarding a zodiac that will take them for a
closer look at the falls. The 12-acre Bird Park consists of huge 8m
high aviaries with over 160 species of birds from Brazil and around the
world. [ Back to Top ] Bolivia[ Classic tours to Bolivia | Ask us for your custom tour to Bolivia ]  Few
countries can offer the exuberance of nature and rich historical and
cultural background as Bolivia. This land-locked South American country
shares borders with Chile, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Most
visitors to Bolivia include Lake Titicaca and La Paz in their itineraries. However, the more curious visit the spectacular Salt Lake of Uyuni, the 17th century colonial remains of Sucre and Potosi,
or one of 21 ecological protected areas and national parks in the
Amazon region. So few visitors get a chance to visit Bolivia that it
can offer some of the most unique experiences in travel - feeling like
you are the only traveller for miles.
[ Back to Top ] Colombia[ Classic tours to Colombia | Ask us for your custom tour to Colombia ] 
Colombia
is a country of hospitable and gracious people, vibrant and elegant
cities of striking colonial architecture and soaring skyscrapers;
colourful towns of cobble-paved streets and alleys, spectacular
national parks and mountain panoramas.
Andes: In Bogota,
a city tour takes visitors to the city’s historical sector and the Gold
Museum. The fascinating Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, a church that has
been built in the tunnels of a former salt mine is a highly recommended
half day tour.
Amazon: For tours to Colombia’s Amazon region, we fly to the southern city of Leticia,
which borders Tabatinga, Brazil. There is a resort hotel in town that
includes day trips along the river. Or the most adventurous can stay
at one of the lodges along the river. The sights, the people and the
wildlife make a visit to Colombia’s jungle an experience never to be
forgotten.
Coast: The seaport city of Cartagena is
colourful and architecturally rich making it a Caribbean destination
like no other. Highlights include the historic walled city and the San
Felipe Fortress. Combine Cartagena with the more low-key and nature
oriented Santa Marta. [ Back to Top ] 
Antarctica[ Classic tours to Antarctica | Ask us to customize your trip to Antarctica ] Antarctica
is home to exotic wildlife, incredible landscapes of ice and fierce
weather. It is a continent that sits at the “End of the World” and
whose remoteness alone attracts the more adventurous visitor. A
highlight here are the penguins - colonies of several hundred thousand
can be found nesting and chattering away throughout the area. Humpback,
orca and minke whales are often spotted nosing out of the frigid water,
as are elephant, Weddell, leopard and crabeater seals. Explore this
region on one of six expedition vessels Galapagos Tours offer our
clients. [ Back to Top ] |
