dark logo watermark

Central & South America Adventure Tours

Chat with our team for personalized advice

Explore The Best Destinations For Adventure Tours

Central & South America Trips

filters
View results

Why Choose Active Adventures

Do It Yourself
With Active Adventures
Hours of research to plan
Expertly planned by professional adventurers
Which accommodations to book?
Premium accommodation booked for you
Which trails to explore? How to book?
Iconic & lesser-known trails booked for you
Which restaurants to suit all?
All meals included: delicious & to suit all
Unguided; reliance on impersonal travel books
Caring guides; passionate about what they do
South America Hiking Adventure Tours v3

From Peru's Ancient Incan Empire and Patagonia's dramatic landscapes to the dreamy Galapagos, get ready for a South America hiking adventure tour like no other!

South America is one of the most diverse of all the world's continents, and we reckon the best way to explore its many landscapes is to join a South America hiking and adventure tour. Witness some of the earliest evidence of human society in Peru, as well as mind-boggling engineering at sites like Machu Picchu. Journey deep into Patagonia's pristine National Parks and discover the rich and flourishing wild flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands. With small groups and experienced guides, you'll explore well off-the-beaten-path and embrace the local way of life on the way. These are some of the most diverse and authentic South American hiking tours you'll find.
South America Hiking Adventure Tours

Hike, bike and kayak in South America's most iconic landscapes, at your own pace

Here at Active Adventures we understand the need for variety, and in such a huge place it would be impossible to cover all of the ground in one trip - so we've created a bunch which all appeal to different interests. Our trips travel through Peru, Patagonia, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - we believe you should be able to enjoy the destination that appeals to your most, without having to rush to the next spot.

What Our Guests Say About Our Trips

view all

Machu Picchu & Amazon Adventure - September 2023

Machu Picchu/Amazon

"An amazing experience I will never forget! The amazing views on the Inca trail… read more

"An amazing experience I will never forget! The amazing views on the Inca trail were definitely earned, our guide Zac was the best, making the journey our own. Our travel companions started out as strangers became dear friends. The porters were a welcome sight at the end of each day's journey brought a smile to our faces with a high five for everyone. There were so many wonderful moments and personal feelings of accomplishment. I totally recommend this trip for anyone up for an Active Adventure! read less

5 Stars (110 reviews)

William,

Machu Picchu & Amazon Adventure - September 2023

Amazing Macchu Picchu & Amazon Experience

"This trip was absolutely amazing. The Inca Trail was mind blowing. Zach was a wonderful… read more

"This trip was absolutely amazing. The Inca Trail was mind blowing. Zach was a wonderful guide on the Trail, full of warmth, knowledge and very funny.
Jessica was an excellent trip leader who made the trip so special for all of us. And the food especially on the trail was beyond extraordinary, as was the hard work of the local porters etc read less

5 Stars (110 reviews)

Friederike,

Machu Picchu & Amazon Adventure - September 2023

Machu Picchu

"The best trip ever! Our trip leader (Jessica) made each excursion fun as well as… read more

"The best trip ever! Our trip leader (Jessica) made each excursion fun as well as educational. Our trail guide (Zaci) gave us many tips to help us in hiking the trail successfully. The food was spectacular. The sights were beautiful. I can't begin to put into words how amazing the entire experience was. read less

5 Stars (110 reviews)

Kristy,

Costa Rica Tortuguero Adventure - September 2023

Abundance of birds and animals

"We had an amazing experience in Costa Rica watching monkeys jumping through the trees, turtles… read more

"We had an amazing experience in Costa Rica watching monkeys jumping through the trees, turtles laying eggs, all while also trying to see as many different birds as possible. read less

5 Stars (41 reviews)

Donna,

Machu Picchu & Amazon Adventure - August 2023

Jeanine Brereton

"Our trip was more than we imagined. The Inca Trail hike was extremely challenging,… read more

"Our trip was more than we imagined. The Inca Trail hike was extremely challenging, but our guide and porters encouraged us to keep going and the end result (Machu Picchu) was life changing!! The trip to the Amazon was extremely well planned and we were amazed not only by the wildlife, but of the knowledge that our guide was able to share with us. All of this would not have been possible without our Active Adventure guide....Salvador! We would love to travel with him again!! He was kind, patient, efficient, organized, and knowledgeable! We appreciate all of our drivers, hotel staffers, etc......but most of all....Salvador!! read less

5 Stars (110 reviews)

Jeanine,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - July 2023

Best Trip of their life - Fantastic time!

"Pepo was fantastic, Galakiwi was wonderful and knowledgeable, we enjoyed every activity and the food… read more

"Pepo was fantastic, Galakiwi was wonderful and knowledgeable, we enjoyed every activity and the food was fantastic. Loved the snorkeling every day! Even our 16-year-old had a great time and didn't want to leave as we had a great mix of ages on the trip. The beaches and accommodations were beautiful and loved getting to know the people along the way. The trip ran really smoothly and seamlessly, a definite trip of a lifetime! read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Laura,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - July 2023

Trip of a Lifetime!

"This was my first solo trip in over 20 years and I could not have… read more

"This was my first solo trip in over 20 years and I could not have asked for a better experience! I loved being able to see a new part of the world while still feeling safe. Active took care of all of the planning so that I could focus on a life-changing experience. One of the best decisions I've ever made! read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Jennifer,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - July 2023

An adventure of a lifetime

"Our family, my husband, my two college-age children and myself, will be talking about this… read more

"Our family, my husband, my two college-age children and myself, will be talking about this trip for the rest of our lives. Everything was amazing! The accommodations and staff, the restaurants and food, the snorkeling and the equipment, the boat captains and first hands, the ANIMALS, the biking, the kayaking, and above everything else, our guide, Pepo, could not have been better. We learned so much about the geography, history, culture and wildlife. This trip was worth every penny. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I left a piece of my heart in the Galapagos Islands. read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

gregory,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - June 2023

Lindy Huber

"I can barely imagine a trip that would be more FUN, interesting, beautiful and seamlessly… read more

"I can barely imagine a trip that would be more FUN, interesting, beautiful and seamlessly run than the Ultimate Galapagos adventure! There was obviously so much thought put into the timing, safety, comfort and excitement of each and every element of the trip. The food and accommodations were perfect, and everything was explained so well each day according to the “Superplan” of our fabulous guide, Pepo. His knowledge of the islands, flora and fauna was impressive, and his personal experience made it all extra-interesting. He was very warm, and his English was impeccable.
A lot was packed into each and every day, because there was such minimal time waiting around for transportation, food, etc. We truly felt like royalty. All of the drivers, boat captains, dive master and wonderful assistant guide, Paulo, were so friendly and helpful. They set a positive, fun tone that our entire travel group enjoyed!
We booked this trip very last-minute, and all of the Active Adventures staff was super helpful in making sure that we knew exactly what to expect, answering questions, etc. Thank you, thank you, for a trip of a lifetime, we hope to travel with you again someday! read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Melinda,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - June 2023

As they’re name says, it is an “Active Adventure”

"This was our first trip with Active adventures. They are extremely organized and very professional.… read more

"This was our first trip with Active adventures. They are extremely organized and very professional. Our guid Pepo was amazing as well as the assistant guide Paulo. You could tell that they had years of experience in the most efficient way to move our personal items. The food choices and restaurants were great with no complaints. My main takeaway was they are very active, get up early and keep moving, but into get everything in that is what it takes. If there was a tour or something you didn’t want to do just stir it out. Bottom line is Active Adventures did a great job. read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Paul,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - June 2023

AMAZING trip to the Galapogos!

"Our trip to the Galapagos was AMAZING to say the least. Going through Active… read more

"Our trip to the Galapagos was AMAZING to say the least. Going through Active Adventures was the best way to experience the Galapagos. Being able to be immersed in the culture of the islands to include the food, people and wildlife was the way to go. The amount of wildlife we saw far exceeded any previous expectations. The snorkeling experiences were off the chart also and our guides were very knowledgeable, caring and helpful in learning about the life on the islands. read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Cori,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - June 2023

Unforgettable adventure

"The Galapagos had been on our travel radar for years because of our interest in… read more

"The Galapagos had been on our travel radar for years because of our interest in nature and conservation. Having already done a trip with Austin Adventures to Bryce and Zion, it was a no brainer for us to go with Active Adventures to the Galapagos. Besides the obvious incredible wildlife and nature, what really sets this trip apart is the local guide, Pepo. His knowledge, experience, and welcoming personality enrich this trip in ways that cannot be overstated. Doing a land-based tour was also a plus, as we were able to experience local culture and meet and support Galapagueños. Don't think twice about this trip, you will love it. read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Ben,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - June 2023

Dream comes true

"I've wanted to visit Galapagos for years. It finally came true with Active's professional services… read more

"I've wanted to visit Galapagos for years. It finally came true with Active's professional services and tour guide. I absolutely enjoyed all the activities (biking, hiking, kayaking and snorkeling) in this tour and learnt a lot from the local guide, Pepo. read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Bingli,

Classic Galapagos Islands Adventure - June 2023

GalaKiwi Active Adventures

"This trip was amazing. We saw so many unique animals up close. Our group was… read more

"This trip was amazing. We saw so many unique animals up close. Our group was small and our guide was beyond helpful. read less

5 Stars (2 reviews)

Rebecca,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - May 2023

Active Adventures surpassed my expectations in the Galapagos

"My trip to Galapagos with Active Adventures in late May 2023 was simply exceptional. … read more

"My trip to Galapagos with Active Adventures in late May 2023 was simply exceptional. The group was led by two wonderful and very knowledgeable guides (and their behind-the-scenes support team!). I had some high expectations to see some exotic wildlife - and, sure enough, I saw (nearly) everything I had "on my list"! If you've seen the images on NatGeo or documentaries with the Galapagos reptiles, fish, birds, mammals and then dreamt about seeing them with your own eyes... you will certainly see them on this Active Adventures tour! Being a land-based tour, there are more opportunities to explore the islands than being on a boat. For instance, after a day's official tour and before dinner, you can do a small hike along a beach to a salt-water lagoon where you can find flamingos. Or, you can take a swim at the local beach. Or, maybe just rest at the hotel. I'm glad there were numerous options which people could take after the official daily tours concluded. The lodging options were, generally-speaking, pretty good and most had air-con and modern conveniences. Each day's lunch and dinner menus had very good diversity of options to appease to any dietary needs or desires. I highly recommend this trip to anyone with a keen sense of adventure and wants to explore some truly amazing wildlife! read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

BRIAN,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - May 2023

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Advanture

"This trip was wonderful and we would highly recommend. Very well planned and executed.… read more

"This trip was wonderful and we would highly recommend. Very well planned and executed. Our guide Pepo was intelligent and knowledgeable and willing to accomodate in any way. We could not decide whether to do a land based trip (as this is with fast boat between islands) or a stay on board trip. We talked to many people doing stay on board and it seems you can't go wrong. There are pros and cons to both so it's all good. Active Adventures lives up to it's name and was full of activity. Meals were really good and lodgings were on islands. Didn't know what to expect but we were very pleased with where we stayed. Highly recommend this trip. read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Sharon,

Our Trips... from our Guests' Perspective

Austin PIF 2

Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full.

By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. 

We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. Please note CFAR insurance can only be purchased within 14 days of booking. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.

T+Cs Apply.

BOOKING CONDITIONS

Central & South America Travel Blogs & Stories

Best Time to Visit Peru | Destinations, Climate, and Seasons

So, when is the best time to visit Peru?If you're considering traveling to Peru, the…

W Trek Patagonia – Everything You Need to Know

Calling Torres del Paine National Park a dramatic landscape is an understatement. It’s a hiker's…

Where to Travel in 2022: Top Adventure Trip for Each Month

So, you're ready to make 2022 a year of incredible adventures? Dust off the hiking…

Podcast: Kit Parks Interviews David and Tina About their Ecuador Adventure

Kit Parks from Active Travel Adventures interviews David and Tina about their 7-day Ecuador Volcano…

Podcast: Kit Parks Interviews Dave and Tina About their Galapagos Land and Sea Adventure

Kit Parks from Active Travel Adventures, Dave and Tina discuss their recent Galapagos Adventure. It's…

Adventure Travel to Costa Rica: Everything You Need to Know

Photo by Kamchatka/Getty Images

With coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and…

Travelling to Ecuador and the Galapagos During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Notice anything different about this picture? Look closely - there's a small sign this photo…

Top 5 Open Destinations to Visit in 2022: Where Can Americans Travel?

The light at the end of the tunnel is finally here and keen travellers are…

The Best Time to visit the Galapagos Islands

If you’re heading to the Galapagos Islands, you probably can’t wait to get out your…

Podcast: Erin Chambers talks with Kit about her adventure to Patagonia

 

 

Our Local Guides

South America Travel FAQs

Do you recommend buying travel insurance?

As an Active Adventures traveller, It’s essential you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of personal injury, medical expenses, trip cancellation for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Insurance page for more in-depth information and insurance provider options. It’s also important to check your insurance covers all the activities you’ll be partaking in, in case you’re travelling to altitude or looking at extreme sports.

What's included on your South America trips?

Accommodation

On your South America trip you'll stay in a variety of places depending on the destination and activities. In Peru you'll stay in nice hotels, tents while you're hiking (complete with porters to put them up for you, cook your meals and generally make sure it's the best camping experience ever!), jungle lodges and local homes on Amantani Island (a truly once in a lifetime experience). In Ecuador mainland you'll stay in hotels and jungle lodges, and on the Galapagos Islands you'll stay on dry land, meaning you're free to walk around each evening and get to know the residents of these famous isles. Down in Patagonia you'll lay your head each night in hotels, lodges and the famous 'refugios' in the National Parks. While these may sound basic they have incredible facilities (including electricity), the views are out of this world, they have restaurants and you'll meet an incredible array of people that have travelled from far and wide to visit the bottom of the world.

Transport

Your transport will be a mixture of bus, plane, boat, bike and your very own two feet on our trips in South America. You'll spend most time on a boat in the Galapagos Islands as you make your way from island to island during the day, and down in Peru you'll travel by boat in the Amazon to get to your lodge. We have domestic flights included in our Galapagos Islands and Peru trips to shorten our travel times and to ensure you have the best experience possible. All your transport is included from the start of your trip and we'll drop you at the airport at the end. The details are all listed in the trip specific itineraries.

Meals

All your meals are included as described in the itinerary except on your free days. We have found that people enjoy checking out what is on offer by themselves sometimes, so you can go and see what's out there! On every other day and especially after any long hikes, we've chosen places to eat that can cater for our hearty appetites, work well with our small groups (they know we are coming) and provide us with an authentic destination specific culinary experience. There are always options for you, so you can either be brave or choose something more familiar. On the hiking portion of our trips (such as on the Inca Trail) we work with an outstanding team of cooks who will amaze you with what they can produce on a campsite miles from the nearest town. You can be assured that on all our trips we will make sure you are very well fed.

Trip leaders

Our trips are all led by an experienced Trip Leader. Our Trip Leaders are very proud to work with Active Adventures and often lead our trips for many years, for which we are very lucky and very grateful as it means we're able to consistently offer a fantastic level of service. They work closely with our local specialist guides to provide you with a seamless, fun, exciting and memorable trip. They will happily share with you as much or as little as you want to know about the history, culture, social aspects and lifestyle of the country you are visiting. In the Galapagos Islands you will be accompanied by a specialist Nature Guide, qualified to provide you with plenty of information about the species that make their home on the islands.

How many people are there on each of your South America trips?

We get a real variety of people on our trips and they all seem to have one thing in common – a love of the outdoors! Our group sizes range from a minimum of four people to a maximum of fourteen people, generally with a mix of singles, couples and friends.

Do you charge a forced single supplement if I'm a solo traveller?

Most other travel companies charge all solo travellers a single supplement fee. We don't! When it comes to accommodation, our trip fares are based on a twin-share rate, which means we'll match you up with another person of the same gender to share a room with. If there's no one suitable to share with, there's no forced single supplement! Having said that, if you specifically request your own room, we can look into availability and there will be an additional single supplement fee.

Why Travel With Us

11

Experience adventure the way you want

You’ll be inspired and exhilarated, enjoying mind-blowing scenery on foot, in a sea kayak, or by bike - all at your own pace.

benefits awards

Crafting award-winning trips for decades - the Kiwi way

We're proud of our Kiwi roots and you’ll love our professional and warm style of hosting. We’re always here to help with planning... even hiking boot recommendations!

benefit time v2

Every detail covered, to maximise your time

We've got everything covered – top-notch meals, comfortable transport, superb accommodation, amazing guides and INCREDIBLE service.

benefit group travel

Group travel for those who aren’t ‘group travelers’

With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you'll get to know your fellow travelers and have the flexibility to go at your own pace.

benefit gems

Explore hidden gems through our expert local guides

All our carefully selected guides are highly experienced and have deep personal connections to nature and culture. You’ll enjoy an authentic local experience.

benefit review

4.85 out of 5 from 6592 reviews. That’s pretty solid.

We could hang around all day telling you how wonderful our trips are... but the best people to hear it from are our guests themselves.