South America

South America is a continent of natural superlatives: the Andes, the longest mountain range on Earth, run its entire western length; the Amazon holds the world's largest rainforest and river system; and Patagonia at the southern tip offers some of the planet's most untamed wilderness. Between them lie high-altitude deserts, tropical coasts, immense wetlands and great waterfalls. The continent blends Indigenous heritage with Spanish and Portuguese colonial history into vivid, distinct cultures, expressed in music, food and festival. For travellers, it rewards those drawn to dramatic landscapes and adventure as much as to its lively, characterful cities.

Trips here usually trace the Andes or follow one or two themes — the highlands of Peru and Bolivia, the wilds of Patagonia, or the rainforest of Brazil and the Amazon basin — because distances are continental and terrain demanding. Internal flights save days over long overland hauls, though the bus networks are extensive and well used. The seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere, so the southern summer of roughly December to March is best for Patagonia, while the dry months suit the Andes and Amazon at other times. Spanish is widespread, with Portuguese in Brazil; itineraries reward being customised to altitude and climate.