No word better captures the atmosphere of South America than "diversity." Between stunning biodiversity, geography stretching from the steamy Amazon to frozen Patagonia, amiable cultures, and a rich history, this corner of the world has it all. Every country has its own distinct identity and personality, but the warm spirit of hospitality for which South America is known permeates the whole continent. As you get to know each of these cultures & people, you'll also delight in the natural wonders held in this vast land.

The Natural Highlights of South America
The Amazon- Between Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil, this dense jungle is home to more species of birds, plant life, & other endemic wildlife than any other part of the world, and it comes to vivid life for you as you explore the unspoiled wilderness where there are still uncontacted tribes, friendly river dolphins that swim among piranhas, and curious monkeys swinging through the canopy above.

The Galapagos Islands- Off the golden coast of Ecuador, you'll fine the sun-kissed Galapagos Islands, where Darwin himself first postulated his theories of evolution. A cruise to these pristine islands will show you the same fascinating creatures that Darwin saw, like the Giant Tortoise, Marine Iguanas, Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, a rainbow of tropical fish, and an array of the most stunning bird species in the world.

Patagonia- In the beating heart of Argentina you'll find the expansive landscapes of Patagonia, which has inspired travelers and explorers for centuries. From the bustling metropolitan center of Buenos Aires, you will embark on an adventure across sub-Antarctic forests, past glacial lakes, and up the steep mountains & rolling hills to get absolutely incredible panoramic vistas.

Machu Picchu- Nowhere else quite captures the grandeur of the ancient Incan Empire as well as the breathtaking citadel at Machu Picchu. These well preserved ruins in the Peruvian Andes demonstrate the astonishing engineering feats that the Inca were able to accomplish. Your guide will explain how each part of the city was specially designed as a functional tribute to nature and the gods that watched over this ancient civilization.

• Ponant is a premium cruise line based in Monaco, owned by Royal Caribbean, and the inventor of all-inclusive cruising. Visit South America on the 254-guest Silver Cloud to learn about the Mayans, see untamed beaches and natural parks, and trace the history of the Spanish explorers' famous cities. UNESCO has awarded many locations World Heritage status.
• UnCruise. The Seattle-based cruise line operates eight adventure ships, plus a partner vessel in the Galápagos, carrying 22-88 guests in Alaska, coastal Washington, British Columbia, Columbia & Snake Rivers, Mexico's Sea of Cortés, Hawaii, Galápagos, Costa Rica, and Panamà. 
• Aqua Expeditions take guests into the depths of the Peruvian Amazon in the comfort of luxury aboard the Aria Amazon. The cruise features cuisine by Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, one of Peru's finest chefs, celebrated for creating refined cuisine from native Amazonian produce. Every day, expert naturalist guides conduct small-group excursions that reward guests with up-close wildlife encounters in the world's most biodiverse rainforest.
• Silversea Cruises offers Millennium Class ships Silver Whisper and sister ship Silver Shadow that invite you to enjoy world-class accommodations, shipboard conviviality, and warm, individualized service, paired with the enhanced spaces and amenities of a larger ship.
• Lindblad Expeditions has an entire cast of expedition specialists that guide their expeditions: experienced sailors and ice masters, expedition leaders, naturalists, undersea specialists, top photographers, cultural specialists, historians, and professional filmmakers. Explore three picturesque colonial cities from Paramaribo, Suriname, a UNESCO Site, to Belém, the gateway to the Amazon, and Salvador, Brazil's cultural heart. And visit the notorious Devil's Island aboard the National Geographic Explorer.
• Aurora Expeditions. Embark on the 132-guest Greg Mortimer to discover the wealth of cultural attraction, nature, and wildlife that abound in Colombia's diverse landscapes and the spirit and warmth of its people.
• Delfin Amazon Cruises is the pioneer upscale river cruise operator in the Upper Peruvian Amazon. Venture to discover the Amazon Rainforest aboard the Delfin III, offering 22 suites with the highest comfort levels for up to 44 passengers. 
• Hurtigruten is Svalbard's most experienced tour operator, tracing its roots back to the late 1800s, and offers year-round land-based adventures next to the North Pole. MS Fram uses the most advanced technology to make her exceptionally well-suited for voyages in South America.
• Quark Expeditions has seasoned veterans with rich backgrounds in marine biology, history, glaciology, geology, and more. Embark on a small polar vessel like the 172-guest World Explorer, an all-balcony, all-suite expedition ship perfect for polar exploration, designed to navigate into Chile's spectacular network of fjords and channels.
• Poseidon Expeditions has been a leading operator of polar expeditions in the cruise industry since 1999. Providing spacious suites for the accommodation of 114 passengers, the Sea Spirit has an ice-strengthened hull, a fleet of Zodiacs, and a set of retractable fin stabilizers for smoother sailing. 
• Sea Cloud Cruises. Onboard the Sea Cloud, the sails are still traditionally set, by hand –, a real piece of work. It is always a spectacular moment when the sailors climb the rigging, loosen the heavy cloth, and raise the sails. 
• Star Clippers Americas is the only modern cruise line that recreates the tall sailing boat era with its fleet of Royal Clipper, Star Flyer, and Star Clipper. 
• Skorpios Cruises sail through fjords, gaze at glaciers, and take in the spectacular landscape of Chilean Patagonia aboard the 160-guest MV Skorpios II.