Top South America Trips & Tours in December 2026

Sail along the Kaweskar Route during this 5-day small ship cruise from Puerto Natales through the Magellanic fjords and channels of Chilean Patagonia. Enjoy daily land explorations on the Amalia, El Brujo, Bernal, and Alsina Glaciers and the area of Fiordo Calvo.

During your visit to Rio de Janerio, visit the mountaintops of Corcovado and Sugarloaf, two of Rio's iconic peaks, and stroll the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. Fly to Manaus, the entrance of the Brazilian Amazon, and embark the Amazon Clipper for a 4-day cruise along the wildlife rich waters of the Rio Negro, one of the Amazon River's largest tributaries.

Explore the Amazon on this 5-day tour from the comfort of the community-run Uakari Floating Lodge. Located in the Mamirauá Sustainable Developments Reserve, this floating lodge offers a full-service experience. Spend your time hiking or canoeing through the forest learning about the local habitat and looking out for unique animals with your guide.

Experience the Amazon on a 5-day cruise aboard Delfin III. Explore the Marañón, Yanallpa, Dorado, Pacaya, Magdalena, and Yarapa Rivers. Visit local communities, see pink dolphins, try piranha fishing, and witness the Amazon’s biodiversity. End in Iquitos with visits to a bee project and the Amazon Research Center.

Experience the world's ultimate hiking adventure trekking the W Trek in Torres del Paine, Chile. 6 of the 8 days are spent trekking the Paso Los Cuernos trail towards Refugio Los Cuernos and down into the French Valley. Experience panoramic views of Grey Glacier, witness the gigantic spires of El Paine, and enjoy a stay at EcoCamp.

Sail to one of the most unique archipelagos in the world on this 5-day Galapagos Islands cruise aboard the Alya catamaran. The Galapagos Islands are teeming with sea life including blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, land and marine iguanas, sea lions, and penguins.

Explore the Manu Cloud Forest wildlife safari through the breathtaking ecosystems of southeastern Peru. This 8-day journey takes you from the lofty Andean highlands and rugged puna grasslands into lush cloud forests alive with colorful birdlife, exotic flora, and diverse wildlife.

Explore the Atacama Desert on a 7-day trekking tour through Chile’s most iconic landscapes. Hike Valle de la Luna, Rainbow Valley, and Guatin Valley. Visit ancient petroglyphs, the village of Rio Grande, the Tatio Geysers, and the Atacama Salt Flat. See flamingos at the turquoise Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons before returning to Calama.

This 6-day tour of Bolivia's Amazon takes you to Madidi National Park, where you'll stay 3 nights in Madidi Jungle Ecolodge - Owned and operated by an indigenous community in Bolivia. Here, learn to see the jungle through the eyes of the local Quechua Indians as you explore and look for wildlife and learn about traditional farming & cuisine.

Enjoy 15 days of relaxing and fun aboard Samba yacht! Visit Santa Cruz, Floreana, Española, San Cristobal, Santa Fe, Santiago, Bartholomew, Rabida and North Seymour. Discover the magnificent wildlife and the incredible landscapes on Galapagos Islands .

This 6-day tour explores remote Guyana, with birdwatching on Surama Mountain, a visit to the Amerindian village of Surama, and paddling the Burro Burro River. Spot wildlife, including spider monkeys, river otters, and tapirs, and end at Kaieteur Falls, five times the height of Niagara Falls.

Begin your 6-day Brazil trek in Sao Luis de Maranhao, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its magnificent colonial architecture. For the next few days hike, swim, and explore your way through Brazil's white sand dunes on this expedition tour of Lenois Maranhenses National Park. You'll also visit the small town of Baixa Grande and the Rio Negro.