Introduction
The natural wonders of South America are vast and varied, ranging from such icons and the Amazon and Iguazu Falls to hidden gems far off the beaten track.
The Pantanal wetlands in Brazil are the largest of their kind in the world. In Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands need no introduction for their rugged beauty and remarkable wildlife, whilst Cotopaxi is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.
Continuing south, Alpamayo in Peru is 'the most beautiful mountain in the world', the Colca Canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, whilst Lake Titicaca, spilling over the altiplano between Peru and Bolivia, is the highest navigable body of water in the world. Bolivia is also home to the Salar de Uyuni, a spectacular salt flat that is impressive at any time but even more so during the rainy season when a shallow pool covers the surface and mirrors the sky completely. Laguna Colorado elsewhere in the country is a shallow, algae-rich lagoon that's home to flocks of flamingos.
In Chile the Atacama Desert is a surreal landscape whilst the Torres del Paine are muscular mountains that define Patagonia. Over the border, the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina is breath-taking. Aconcagua, the highest summit on South America stands on the Argentina/Chile border and rises to 6,962m. Tierra del Fuego at the tip of the continent is a wind-lashed wilderness.
These are just a handful of the options available though. You can also tailor-make your natural world holiday to South America by adding a city stay, wildlife holiday or other excursion to your itinerary. Talk to a destination specialist to see what we can do for you.
