A tour in South America tends to reward careful planning more than most regions. The distances are significant, altitude is a variable worth understanding, and the destinations that deliver the most – Machu Picchu, the Galapagos, Patagonia – each benefit from specialist knowledge to reach their full potential. Here’s how to think about getting it right.
Discover South America tours
Why Visit the Americas
South America asks you to cover serious ground. The Andes, the Amazon, the great cities and the wilderness of Patagonia aren’t close to one another. A guided tour brings the connections together – flights between distant stops, the right local guide at Machu Picchu, or a planned route from Buenos Aires to the glaciers of Patagonia – so you can spend less time joining the dots yourself.
In North America, the journey between points of interest is part of the experience. A guided tour can take you along the Icefields Parkway through the Canadian Rockies, then continue by rail to Vancouver; from there, an Inside Passage cruise takes you past forested islands and glacier-carved fjords. In the United States, an itinerary through the national parks links places such as Yosemite, Sequoia and Death Valley without leaving you to plan every long drive and overnight stop.
- Guaranteed departures for two: Only two travellers are needed to guarantee your departure.
- Small-group travel: Travel with no more than 24 people on eligible tours. Group size may vary by itinerary.
- 4 and 5-star accommodation: Stay in carefully selected accommodation, ranging from 4-star hotels to distinctive properties, depending on your tour.
- Curated experiences: Explore with itineraries and experiences chosen by travel experts.
- A dedicated tour concierge: Get help from booking through to the end of your tour.
Where to Go in the Americas
An itinerary in South America could be built around ancient Andean sites, a city-and-waterfalls circuit or the glaciers and fjords of Patagonia. North America offers a different scale: national parks, mountain roads, rail journeys and coastal cruises. The table gives a sense of the itineraries and the time to allow; weather and conditions vary widely within each country.
| Where to go | When to go | How long to go | What to expect | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States, including Alaska | It depends on the region. National park itineraries often run during the warmer months; Alaska cruise itineraries are seasonal. | Around 8 to 10 days for a national parks itinerary. Allow more time for a multi-region trip or an Alaska cruise. | Yosemite, Sequoia and Death Valley in California; the canyon country of the American West; or Alaska’s coastal towns and the Inside Passage. | Travellers who want to explore national parks, big landscapes and regional history on a planned itinerary. |
| Canada | Late spring to early autumn is a popular time for Rockies itineraries; conditions vary with altitude and location. | Around 7 to 13 days for the Canadian Rockies; longer if you add a rail journey and an Alaska cruise. | Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway, with options to continue on the Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver. | Travellers drawn to alpine scenery, glacier experiences and scenic rail journeys. |
| Peru | For the Andes and Cusco, the driest months are generally May to October. Conditions on the coast differ. | Around 10 days for a Peru-focused itinerary; longer if combined with other countries. | Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, with road and rail journeys between some stops. | Travellers interested in Inca history, archaeological sites and Andean landscapes. |
| Brazil | It depends on the itinerary. Rio can be visited year-round; water levels at Iguazú Falls change with seasonal rains. | Often part of a 9 to 18-day itinerary, depending on whether you combine Rio with Argentina, Peru or Chile. | Rio de Janeiro’s landmarks and beaches, sometimes paired with a visit to Iguazú Falls. | Travellers who want lively cities, natural landmarks and time outdoors. |
| Argentina | Spring and autumn suit Buenos Aires and Iguazú; Patagonia is most accessible in the Southern Hemisphere summer, although conditions remain changeable. | Around 9 to 17 days, depending on whether you focus on cities or travel south into Patagonia. | Buenos Aires, gaucho country, the Mendoza wine region and, on southern itineraries, glaciers and national parks. | Travellers interested in food, culture and varied landscapes. |
| Chile | For Patagonia, the Southern Hemisphere summer is the main exploring season. The weather can still change quickly. | Around 12 to 17 days for itineraries linking Santiago with Patagonia or a cruise through the Chilean fjords. | Santiago, Torres del Paine and the fjords of southern Chile, depending on the itinerary. | Travellers keen on dramatic landscapes, hiking and expedition-style cruising. |
Find the Americas Tour Style That Matches the Way You Travel
Before choosing an itinerary, think about the kind of journey you want. Deluxe tours bring together the highlights in a small group, with 4 and 4.5-star accommodation. Premium pairs 5-star stays with a smaller group; in Patagonia, this can mean combining time on land with an expedition cruise. The style, group size and accommodation depend on the itinerary.
| Tour style | Group size | Accommodation | What it looks like | Where you can go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deluxe | Up to 24 travellers; some itineraries are smaller | 4 and 4.5-star hotels | A guided itinerary through iconic sites, with selected experiences and local expertise along the way. | Multi-country itineraries in South America; rail and cruise journeys in Canada and Alaska. |
| Premium | Up to 16 travellers on guided tours; cruise capacity varies by ship | 5-star hotels, with expedition ship and lodge stays on some itineraries | A small-group journey with time on the water or in distinctive settings, alongside guided time on land. | Patagonia and the Chilean fjords, with Argentina and Chile. |
Experiences Across the Americas
Some places are best understood on foot; others reveal themselves from a train window or the deck of a ship. In the Americas, that could mean walking the trails around Machu Picchu, following the Icefields Parkway through the Rockies or watching Alaska’s Inside Passage unfold from the water. Experiences and inclusions vary by itinerary.
| Experience | Where to experience it | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Travel by Vistadome train to Machu Picchu | Peru | Follow the railway through the Andes to Aguas Calientes, then visit Machu Picchu with a local expert. The route and visit arrangements depend on the itinerary. |
| Explore the Sacred Valley | Peru | Visit archaeological sites and the Maras salt pans; selected itineraries also include time with local artisans, including a Quechua weaving demonstration. |
| See Iguazú Falls | Argentina and Brazil | Walkways bring you closer to different viewpoints of the falls. Which side you visit, and whether wildlife activities are included, depends on your tour. |
| Experience tango in Buenos Aires | Argentina | Some itineraries pair a tango performance with dinner for an evening centred on the city’s music and dance tradition. |
| Admire Rio from above | Brazil | Selected tours include Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer for views over Rio de Janeiro, its beaches and the surrounding peaks. |
| Travel through Patagonia | Argentina and Chile | Depending on the itinerary, explore Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares national parks, or cruise past glaciers and icebergs through the southern fjords. |
| Explore the Rockies | Canada | Itineraries through Banff and Jasper can include Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway and a visit to the Athabasca Glacier. Some tours add a glacier vehicle excursion or a scenic rail journey. |
| Board the Rocky Mountaineer | Canadian Rockies to Vancouver | Travel through mountain and forest scenery by rail. The service level and journey length depend on the itinerary. |
| Cruise Alaska’s Inside Passage | Alaska and Western Canada | Sail through island-dotted waterways and glacier-carved fjords, with ports of call that may include Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Routes and shore excursions vary by cruise. |
| Visit the national parks of the American West | United States | Itineraries can link places such as Yosemite, Sequoia and Death Valley, or travel through the canyon country of Utah and Arizona with local guides. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I prepare for altitude in Peru?
Cusco sits at around 3,400 metres above sea level, and some sites in the Sacred Valley are even higher. You may feel the altitude when walking or climbing stairs. Check how your itinerary is paced between arrival, Cusco and higher-altitude visits, and speak to your doctor before travelling if you have any health concerns.
Does every Peru tour take the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
No. Some itineraries reach Machu Picchu by train, while trekking itineraries are a separate option and involve longer, more strenuous walks. Check the itinerary and activity rating to see how your tour reaches the site.
What should I pack for a Rockies tour?
Conditions can change with altitude and time of year. Bring layers, a waterproof outer layer and comfortable shoes with good grip, even if the forecast looks mild. If your itinerary includes the Athabasca Glacier or a glacier vehicle excursion, check the itinerary’s specific packing advice.
What should I pack for Patagonia?
Bring layers that can handle wind, rain and changing temperatures: a waterproof outer layer, a warm mid-layer, comfortable walking trousers and sturdy shoes. For an expedition cruise or a Zodiac excursion, also check the cruise operator’s advice.
What is the difference between a Rocky Mountaineer journey and a coach tour?
The Rocky Mountaineer is a scenic rail journey through Western Canada, with the scenery viewed from the train. A coach itinerary follows a road route and makes stops along the way. Some tours combine both; check the itinerary to see how many rail days are included and which service level applies.
What can I expect on an Inside Passage cruise?
The route, ship and shore excursions vary. Some itineraries include a seven-night cruise with calls at ports such as Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Check the itinerary for sailing dates, ports, cabin type and which excursions are included or optional.
Will I visit both sides of Iguazú Falls?
Not necessarily. The falls straddle the Argentina-Brazil border, but a tour may include one side or both. Check the included visits and allow for border formalities if your itinerary crosses between the two countries.
Are internal flights included on Americas group tours?
Some multi-country itineraries include internal flights to cover long distances; others travel by road, rail or boat. Check the inclusions and day-by-day itinerary for specific flights, transfers and baggage conditions.
