Vibrant attire stands out against clear skies at the Quyllur Rit'i festival, held near Cusco, Peru.
New and Exciting South American Travel Adventures
Are you ready to discover the unknown attractions and breathtaking landscapes of South America? From the vibrant foothills of Argentina to the mystical lands of Ecuador, here are our top picks for unique travel experiences that blend photography, cultural immersion, conservation, education, mountain biking, and wildlife encounters.
1. Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil
This protected national park in northeast Brazil offers stunning vistas of desert sand dunes and crystal-clear lagoons, making it a dream destination for photographers. During your visit, immerse yourself in local culture, trek across the dramatic terrain, and learn about the fragile ecosystem. Some tours even include conservation activities (1).
2. Argentina's Salt Flats and Badlands
Explore the captivating landscapes of Salinas Grandes and the surrounding badlands in northwestern Argentina, where you can capture unforgettable photographs of unique wildlife and wilderness. Encounters with indigenous communities, guided hiking, and off-roading adventures are common on multi-day tours (3).
3. Luxury and Bespoke Tours (Kuoda Travel)
Tailor-make your travel experience with Kuoda Travel, which offers private guides and a curated selection of activities designed to showcase the best of South America. Whether you're interested in photography, cultural encounters, conservation, biking, or wildlife spotting, Kuoda can create an itinerary that suits your interests (2).
4. Family-Friendly and Educational Adventures (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru)
Embark on a fun-filled journey for both adults and children as you explore the vibrant cities, lush jungles, and majestic mountains of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Sign up for workshops, community projects, photo tours, and conservation initiatives that entertain and educate, all while creating lifelong memories (4).
5. Ecuador and Peru: Andean and Amazonian Adventures
Embark on an exhilarating journey through the diverse landscapes of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest, and Machu Picchu, capturing unforgettable photographs, learning about indigenous cultures, and gaining insights into conservation practices. Some tours may even include mountain biking adventures (5).
Explore these South American destinations and create unforgettable memories on your next adventure! For more custom tour options, visit our website and start planning your journey.
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The following information is provided for additional context and interests:
- Argentina's northwest corner (Ciclismo Classico's "Argentina Vision and Vine") offers vibrant vineyards, colorful rock formations, and wine tasting opportunities (3 days; $1,667).
- Peru's High Andes (Aspiring Adventures' "Quyllur Rit'i Trip") takes travelers to Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the extraordinary Quyllur Rit'i festival featuring music, trance dancing, and bears in costume (14 days; $3,675).
- In Belize's Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve (Blue Ventures Expeditions' "Lionfish Dive"), participants can dive to monitor the invasive lionfish population, study them by dissecting samples, and learn about reef ecology (7 or 16 days; starting from $943).
- Costa Rica offers a unique opportunity to teach English and improve your Spanish skills in Manuel Antonio National Park, a preserve along Costa Rica's Pacific coast (Global Vision International's "Volunteer With Children in Costa Rica," 14 days; $1,790).
- Colombia's "Bogotá to Santander Biking Adventure" (Colombia Adventure's "Bogotá to Santander Biking Adventure") features Mountain biking from the high Andes to the tropics, with stops in cultural attractions like Barichara and an organic coffee hacienda near Bucaramanga (6 days; $3,000).
- Adventure Life's "Undiscovered Brazil" (13 days, $3,275) offers a mix of colonial architecture in the city of São Luís de Maranhão, Fernando de Noronha's archipelago, and the lagoon-filled Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.
Contributing editor Margaret Loftus has reported and written "Tours of a Lifetime" for the past nine years.
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(1) Traveler, 2021. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park: A Birder's Guide. NBCnews. [https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/len-ois-maranhenses-national-park-birder-s-guide-ncna1278417]
(2) Diday, J., 2018. Why a bespoke South America tour is worth the investment. The Points Guy [https://thepointsguy.com/news/bespoke-south-america-tours-worth-the-investment-kuoda-travel-peru/]
(3) Garcia, A., 2020. A Ride Through Argentina's Salinas Grandes and the Surrounding Badlands. Moments with Marcie. [https://momentswithmarcie.com/a-ride-through-argentinas-salinas-grandes-and-the-surrounding-badlands/]
(4) Pace, S., 2021. Colombia's Cartagena, Tayrona, and Beyond: An Expat's Guide to Family-Friendly Adventures. Family Life in Colombia [https://www.familylifeincolombia.com/colombias-cartagena-tayrona-and-beyond-an-expats-guide-to-family-friendly-adventures/]
(5) Leyden, J., 2017. A Tailormade Tour of South America. The Telegraph [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/southamerica/ecuador/articles/a-tailormade-tour-of-south-america/]
- Embark on a photographic expedition to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Brazil, where you can capture stunning images of crystal-clear lagoons amidst sand dunes, immerse in local culture, and participate in conservation activities.
- Discover unique wildlife and wilderness in Argentina's Salt Flats and Badlands, intermingling breathtaking landscapes with guided hiking, off-roading adventures, and visits to indigenous communities.
- Customize your adventure with Kuoda Travel, offering private guides and tailored activities designed for travelers interested in cultural encounters, conservation, photography, biking, or wildlife spotting.
- Share a family-friendly educational adventure across Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, participating in workshops, community projects, conservation initiatives, and photo tours that combine fun and learning while creating lifelong memories.
- Journey through the diverse landscapes of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest, and Machu Picchu in Ecuador and Peru, capturing unforgettable photographs, learning about indigenous cultures, and gaining insights into conservation practices – with opportunities for mountain biking adventures.
