South America Holiday Guide: The Best Places and Ways to Travel

Where Is Best for History and Culture in South America? Peru

For a first South America holiday, Peru is a brilliant place to start. In one journey, you can move between historic cities, Andean landscapes and some of the continent's best-known archaeological sites.

At the heart of a Peru trip is Machu Picchu, where Inca stonework and terraces sit high among the green peaks of the Andes. Reaching it is part of the experience too, whether you travel through the Sacred Valley by rail or include walking as part of a longer journey.

There is plenty to discover beyond Machu Picchu:

• Cusco: Walk streets where Inca stonework sits alongside Spanish colonial architecture, and use the city as a base for exploring the surrounding Andes.
• The Sacred Valley: Visit archaeological sites, traditional towns and mountain landscapes on the journey between Cusco and Machu Picchu.
• Lima: Spend time in Peru's capital and discover a food scene shaped by Indigenous, Spanish, African and Asian influences.

How to experience it: A guided tour or tailor-made journey works particularly well in Peru, connecting the main sights while giving you time to properly experience Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

Where Is Best for Wildlife in South America? The Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands are for travellers who want wildlife to shape the entire trip rather than simply feature in it.

Sitting off the coast of Ecuador, the volcanic islands are home to giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed boobies and many other species that have made the archipelago famous.

Days here might involve going ashore with a naturalist guide, walking across volcanic landscapes, watching giant tortoises in the highlands or snorkelling in waters where sea lions and marine life can appear around you.

It feels very different from a traditional wildlife holiday because the islands themselves are constantly changing. One landing might bring black lava and marine iguanas, while another takes you to white beaches, cactus-covered landscapes or nesting seabirds.

How to experience it: A small-ship Galápagos cruise is a great way to reach several islands, with guided landings and opportunities to snorkel built into the journey. A land-based holiday can work well if you prefer spending longer in each place.

Where Can You Combine Cities and Nature? Brazil

Brazil works particularly well if you do not want to choose between a city holiday and time surrounded by nature.

Start in Rio de Janeiro, where the city sits between mountains and the Atlantic. Take the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain, visit Christ the Redeemer and spend time around Copacabana or Ipanema before continuing to a completely different part of the country.

A Brazil holiday can then take several directions:

• Iguaçu Falls: Walk viewpoints through subtropical forest to see the huge system of waterfalls shared by Brazil and Argentina.
• The Pantanal: Head out with wildlife guides in search of jaguars, capybaras, caimans and birdlife across one of the world's largest tropical wetlands.
• The Amazon: Travel by river and experience the scale of the rainforest with expert guides who can bring its wildlife and ecosystems to life.

The result can feel like several holidays joined together, with city streets one week and rainforest, wetlands or waterfalls the next.

How to experience it: Combine Argentina and Chile on a tailor-made journey, mixing guided walks and national parks with scenic journeys and comfortable stays along the way.

Where Is Best for Adventure in South America? Patagonia

Shared between Argentina and Chile, Patagonia is where South America's landscapes really take over.

Granite mountains rise above turquoise lakes, glaciers fill deep valleys and huge stretches of open land make even a road journey feel memorable. It is an obvious destination for walkers, but you do not need to spend every day trekking to appreciate it.

On the Chilean side, Torres del Paine National Park combines mountain scenery, lakes and walking routes of different lengths. Across the border in Argentina, El Calafate gives you access to Perito Moreno Glacier, where walkways and boat trips offer different views of its enormous ice face.

Further north, El Chaltén sits beneath some of Argentina's best-known mountain scenery and gives walkers access to trails around Mount Fitz Roy.

For a less active day, scenic drives, boat journeys and wildlife watching still put the landscape at the centre of the experience.

How to experience it: A multi-centre holiday works particularly well. Rio and Iguaçu Falls make a natural combination, while longer journeys can add the Pantanal or Amazon.