Top 10 activity holidays in South America

This is a mighty trip which starts in Rio and ends in Lima, during which you will travel along the Andes and visit all the interesting sites in the central part of South America. You’ll have to have a fair bit of time on your hands, as the trip by expedition vehicle takes 49 days! You’ll pass through arid desert, following in the footsteps of the Incas, and go across the Chaco of northern Argentina and visit the Iguazu Falls and Pantanal – plus do a lot more besides – before reaching your destination in Lima, Peru. There will also be opportunities to try many different activities such as trekking, snorkelling, going on a yacht cruise, mountain biking, horse riding, white water rafting, and sandboarding.

Ecuador trekking and mountaineering trip
Take on the heights of Ecuador on an adventure trekking and mountaineering tour – which takes in some of the country’s most stunning high-altitude scenery! Climbing the snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano is the main goal on this tour through the Ecuadorian highlands. You’ll take part in acclimatisation treks and preparatory climbs by climbing up the northern flanks of Chimborazo, as well as the extinct volcano Carihuayrazo and the peaks of Cubilche, Imbabura and Ilinizas Norte, before finally taking on Cotopaxi – which at 5,897m is the highest active volcano in the world!

 

Multi-activity adventure in Chile
In Chile you can go on a multi-activity adventure tour that includes hiking, using Tyrolese ropes, rock climbing, rappelling, and kayaking. It all takes place within the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park – Chile’s first National Park. At Petrohue, located in the heart of the area, you’ll put on your helmet and harness after getting some safety instructions and then head off to hike, use Tyrolese ropes to get across ravines, climb rocky walls with ropes, and rappel down other ravines. While here you can also go kayaking on the Petrohue River, climb to the peak of the Osorno Volcano, go fly fishing, or even go downstream on a rafting tour.

 

Surfing and windsurfing at Union Beach in Rawson, Argentina
Union Beach is a small, quiet bathing resort which has a large bay and good waves. As a result of favourable geographical and climatological features, it is an ideal place to head for if you want to practise your windsurfing and surfing. Between February and the end of April is the most popular time here, when surfers gather to show off their skills! The venue is great for finding ‘fat waves’ – so-called because they have a short slope and an average height of 1.5m – which usually run three or four hours before the low tide. You can also catch some ‘hollow’ or ‘tube’ waves, which run with the high tide. Good off-shore winds are found in the area known as La Curva (‘The Bend’) and in Rawson’s harbour.

Cycling across the mountain route which joins El Bolsón with Esquel is an unforgettable experience. Crossing the Los Alerces National Park along a rubble route, this bicycle tour is difficult and is not one for the faint-hearted, since it covers over 200km of ascents and descents in four days! However, if you are a beginner then there’s no reason not to do it over more days and stops. Whichever way you tackle the route, though, you will always find provisions along the way – so there’s no need to carry masses of things for the outing (just don’t forget your puncture repair kit!). At the end of the tour, the village of El Bolsón and it local brewery will provide you with a welcoming watering hole and place to rest.

Trekking among the peaks of Patagonia, Chile/Argentina
Why not take a trip to explore the breathtaking peaks in Patagonia – the most southerly region of Argentina and Chile? While trekking through the Towers of Paine National Park, you’ll walk up to the towering mountains of the Fitzroy, Cerro Torre and Torres del Paine ranges – which lie near the third largest ice mass in the world, making the trip a truly magnificent mountains and glacier experience! After some introductory walking in which you will view the massive Towers and Horns of Paine, as well as the Grey Glacier in Chile, you’ll then check out the lakes of southern Argentina and reach the Perito Moreno glacier. Continuing into the Fitzroy region, you’ll spend one week trekking, during which you’ll visit the Fitzroy and Cerro Torre Base Camps before continuing up to the continental ice cap which lies just beyond the range.

 

Trekking the Inca Trail in Peru
Unquestionably the most famous trail in South America, the Inca Trail provides a one of the greatest combinations of history and scenery to be found on a trekking route anywhere in the world. The route, rediscovered in 1911, winds from the rapids of the Urubamba River through mountains, cloud forest and deep jungle to the fabulous lost city of Machu Picchu – which features a varied and majestic landscape dotted with the remains of Inca fortifications and staging posts. Although the Inca Trail has now been officially closed in an attempt to protect it, there are still a few licensed operators who have permission to take visitors along it.

Galapagos Islands wildlife cruise

You can experience the best of the Galapagos Islands’ wildlife – as well as get the opportunity to walk, swim and snorkel – by taking a leisurely small-boat cruise while you’re in the area. There are thirteen main islands in the archipelago, as well as many smaller islets and reefs – all of which form one of the world’s most celebrated ecotourism destinations. The number of visitors allowed onto each island is limited every day – but if you’re the sort who has a serious wildlife interest then a short cruise could be the answer. During a cruise you can visit the largest island, Isabela – which is noted for its volcanic activity – and see the giant tortoises from which the islands get their name. There are also opportunities to do some extended walks in the interiors of some of the islands.

Riding through the Nahuel Huapi National Park and its surrounding area provides trail rides through some really varied terrain – including rocky, snowy mountains; bamboo and beech forests; and the Patagonian steppes. Along the way you’ll see a great variety of plants, animals and birds – including the Andean condor. There will also be the option of going on day trips or pack trips of several days each. These involve leaving civilisation behind and riding into the wild country on no set tracks – sometimes riding for six to seven hours a day! During the journey you’ll also be able to set up camp and get into the swing of caring for your horse. The best time to enjoy the experience is between November and March.

 

Fishing in Venezuela
Venezuela is renowned throughout the world for its incredible fishing opportunities – and is particularly good if you want to fish for marlin. The plankton-rich southern Caribbean waters at La Guaira Bank are great for fishing as they are home to a year-round population of marlin, sailfish, dorado, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna. The stretch at La Guaira Bank is about four miles wide and 14 miles long, and it’s best to fish here at any time between August and December – when many anglers easily amass double-digit catches in a single day! There are also numerous competitions to be found in the area should you really fancy taking on some of the best fish and anglers around.

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