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Tours to South America

Explore the world's largest rainforest, the Amazon, or lose your breath in South America’s highest capital city in Bolivia. Swim with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands, spot jaguar in Brazil, hike the Inca Trail or trek in Patagonia. The challenge of Latin America is deciding where to begin.



Discover our South America tours

The natural landscape of South America is simply breathtaking. Walk through the lush Amazon rainforest in Brazil, trek snow-capped volcanoes in Chile, and go in search of turquoise lakes in Patagonia. Switch off with a visit to the palm-fringed white sand beaches of Colombia’s Tayrona National Park, or escape civilisation as you venture into Bolivia’s remote white desert to find the ethereal Uyuni salt flats. 

South America is teeming with rare and exotic wildlife. Discover wild horses living high in the Ecuador Andes, come face-to-face with colourful Caica Parrot in Guyana, spot Andean Condor soaring above Colca Canyon in Peru or head to the Brazil’s Pantanal Wildlife Reserve to see toucan, armadillo, and yacare caiman (alligator). For the ultimate wildlife adventure, visit the Galapagos Islands to see giant tortoise, large iguana, and an abundance of exotic bird species. 

If you like walking, you’ll love our South America trekking trips. Follow the iconic Inca Trail to the ‘lost’ city of Machu Picchu in Peru, or trek into Patagonia’s Torres Del Paine National Park to uncover vast glaciers and the jagged mountain peaks of Fitz Roy Massif. 

Our tours to South America will also take you on a cultural voyage of discovery. Explore colourful mountains and lunar landscapes, savour local wines and traditional empanadas in Argentina, or soak up the party atmosphere in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro. Explore the Inca Empire city of Cusco in Peru, or uncover brightly-coloured colonial buildings and eclectic street art in Colombia.

With our latest collection of premium, small group travel tours, Explore Upgraded in South America, you can enjoy the same Explore experience but with the added comfort of premium accommodation. 

Our most popular South America tours

Peru Walking and Trekking Trip code PQ
Discounted
Best Seller
9 Days
Was From NZ$3260
Now from
NZ$2160
Flights not included
Argentina, Chile Discovery Trip code PA
Discounted
Best Seller
14 Days
Was From NZ$9680
Now from
NZ$9240
Flights not included
Colombia Discovery Trip code BCO
Discounted
Best Seller
14 Days
Was From NZ$7140
Now from
NZ$6700
Flights not included
Ecuador, Galapagos Wildlife Trip code GPS
Discounted
Best Seller
15 Days
Was From NZ$7550
Now from
NZ$6890
Flights not included
Argentina, Brazil Discovery Trip code QBR
13 Days
Price from
NZ$6590
Flights not included
Argentina, Chile, Bolivia Discovery Trip code ABC
Discounted
13 Days
Was From NZ$11440
Now from
NZ$11000
Flights not included

An adventure travel company you can trust

There's a reason why 98% of customers say they'd book an adventure with us again.

Unforgettable experiences

From big wows to hidden gems, our tours leave you feeling that you've really explored.

Expert tour leaders

Chosen for their great knowledge of your destination and a passion to make your trip extraordinary.

Small group tours

Average groups of 11; solos, couples and friends, united by a desire for authentic experiences.

Responsible at heart

How we operate sets us apart; our flexible booking policy, our loyalty scheme & sustainable approach.

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Need some inspiration for your South America tour?

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Tours to South America

Travelling to South America at any time of year is a fascinating experience. From Venezuela down to Bolivia including Brazil, the region is really a 'year round' destination, with certain rainy periods in Peru around January-February which can cause heavy mudslides (Explore don't run trips during this time), and in Brazil from December to March, where the Pantanal and the Amazon are particularly wet. July and August are often peak times for people visiting the Galapagos Islands or planning to hike the Inca Trail, due to the Summer holidays, and Easter Celebrations can also be very busy times to visit most countries, but often worthwhile to see the colourful festivities. However, travel from March to November is very rewarding throughout.

The only exception would be in Patagonia, where they enjoy summer during our winter months, and to make the most of its rugged scenery it would be essential to book a holiday to Patagonia between November and March.

What many people don't know about Latin America is that it is a paradise for food lovers. Traditional South American dishes such as Andean ceviche found in Peru, Ecuador and even up into Central America, are becoming much more well-known in the UK. Ceviche is a delicious dish typically made from seafood cured in citrus juices and spiced with chilli, and served with the most traditional Andean staples of 'choclo', or corn, potatoes or plantain. 

Travelling down the Andes towards Argentina, we get into beef country. Argentinian wines and steak are a perfect combination, and on Explore tours through Patagonia and Argentina's northwest, we get the chance to sample some of the best beef in the world.

All of this is washed down with a wide array of good local beer and regional spirits – cachaça from Brazil, pisco sours in Chile and Peru, chuflay from Bolivia or Argentina’s famous Malbec wine.

Food is a hugely important part of the culture of any place, and a trip to Latin America with Explore gives us a great chance to learn about their traditions while also sampling some of the local delicacies.