Nov 1, 2019
Every avid traveller, young and old, has cherished the dream of exploring the South American continent – from scaling the dizzying heights of Machu Picchu, to diving into the deep blue of the Galapagos Islands. The world’s fourth largest continent is filled with countless jewels and deciding where to go in South America can pose quite a conundrum. To help you plan your long cherished holiday, here is a checklist of what to see in South America.Â
1. Machu Picchu, Peru
Think South America and you’re immediately thinking of the various Incan treasures hidden there. To add Machu Picchu to your ‘what to see in South America’ list is a no brainer. Standing 2,430 metres above sea level, the Lost City of Inca can be explored by train or on foot. The 15th century ruins still hide many secrets, including the reason for their existence. Walk along its many paths and see if you can decipher the true meaning of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
2. Christ the Redeemer
South America is home to another one of the New Seven Wonders of the World – the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio, Brazil. Standing 98 feet tall, with outstretched arms spanning 92 feet, the statue stands on a 26 foot tall pedestal, atop the summit of Mount Corcovado. The statistics alone are reason enough for the monument to warrant a place in your ‘where you go in South America’ itinerary. A symbol of Christianity around the world, the monument can be accessed by road, train, or on foot.
3. Iguazu Falls
Another Brazilian wonder to add to your ‘what to see in South America’ checklist is the Iguazu Falls. If you thought the Niagara Falls were incredible, wait till you see the magnificent Iguazú Falls. With 275 falls coming together across a width of nearly three kilometres, these falls are like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, the falls lie within a rainforest filled with vibrant wildlife.
4. The Amazon River
The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, while the Amazon River is the largest river in the world. That is enough reason to put an Amazon River cruise on top of your ‘where to go in South America’ list. Sail down the mighty Amazon River and meet local tribes who still live traditionally, and take jungle walks through the lush forest in search of howler monkeys and freshwater dolphins.
5. Chilean Patagonia
Words cannot describe the beauty of Torres del Paine National Park. Vast expanses of ice fields await you, towering glaciers seek to dwarf each visitor, pristine glass-like glacial lakes reflect the dramatic surroundings, and craggy mountains with snowy helmets stand guard protectively. Witness nature at its rawest, purest and wildest in Chilean Patagonia’s Torres del Paine National Park, a worthy addition to your ‘what to see in South America’ itinerary.
To cruise the Chilean fjords and channels of Chilean Patagonia is one of the most breathtaking and tranquil experiences. Be among the lucky few to spend a glorious day cruising through Tierra del Fuego and the snow-capped peaks and ethereal blue glaciers of Canal Sarmiento. This majestic waterway is surrounded by other-worldly beauty, and in many places, massive glaciers run down to the sea. All kinds of marine animals live in this dramatic landscape.
6. Galápagos Islands
And finally, to conclude your grand expedition through the mighty continent, go back to where it all started. The inspiration for the theory of evolution, the muse of Charles Darwin, one of the world’s most unique lands, the Galápagos Islands. An ancient volcanic archipelago in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean, these islands have been isolated for millennia allowing the plants and animals to evolve into distinctive species that exist nowhere else on earth. Take a cruise around the islands for some of the most extraordinary encounters with the exquisite and surprisingly unperturbed native wildlife.
When swimming at a beach you may find yourself face to face with a sea lion, or while walking along a trail you may have to carefully pick your way through a group of marine iguanas sunning themselves on the rocks. These types of meetings with the wildlife are everyday occurrences in the Galápagos Islands and certainly something to add to your ‘what to see in South America’ agenda.
