The Best Places In South America To Visit In 2024

Whether it’s the sun-kissed beaches of Brazil or the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu that grabs your attention, discover the most amazing spots in South America on one of these small-group Culture Trips in 2024.

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Woman walking in the middle of a wooden bridge in a waterfall in Devils Pailon, Ecuador

Baños Waterfall Route – Adventurous Ecuador

Ecuador is not short on natural splendour, as our eight-day tour from the Andes to Amazon showcases. There’s the volcanic landscapes of Cotopaxi and the immersive overgrowth of the Amazon rainforest, but for our money the most spectacular of the lot is the Baños Waterfall Route. Known locally as the Ruta de Las Cascadas, or Waterfall Highway, this hilly path passes as many as 12 stunning jungle waterfalls, including the largest in the Ecuadorian Andes (Agoyán) and Manto de la Novia – or the the Bride’s Veil, thanks to the pure white colour of its twin cascades. The 80m (262ft) drop of Pailon del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron), meanwhile, creates a cascading sonic cacophony that will send shivers through your core. Our Ecuador trip includes a spectacular guided bike ride along the entire route – just don’t go too fast, or you might miss some of the waterfalls!

From US$2199

Next available from 9th Mar 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Quito, Ecuador

ENDS AT

Quito, Ecuador

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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deb-dowd-YWVHM_kvbb4-unsplash-Galapagos-Tortoise

Galapagos Islands – Go Wild in the Galapagos

Let’s leave mainland South America behind and heading to this archipelago off the coast of Ecuador, made famous by Charles Darwin and his fascination with the islands’ extraordinary exotic collection of creatures. The entire island group is more than worth exploring, and we cover as much of it as possible across just five days on this outdoorsy itinerary. You’ll kayak or stand-up paddleboard above white-tipped reef sharks in the Itabaca Channel, stroll past blue-footed boobies along the lava trails of San Cristóbal and swim or snorkel with penguins, iguanas and sea lions off Punta Carola Beach. Perhaps most amazingly, you’ll spend two nights hanging out with over a hundred freely roaming giant tortoises at a secluded glampsite in the highlands of Santa Cruz. Some of your campmates will have been roaming the island for over a century…

From US$2499

Next available from 13th Jan 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

ENDS AT

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island

DURATION

5

GROUP SIZE

14

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

STYLE

Discovery

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.