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Central & South America Adventure Tours

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Explore Peru's Ancient Incan Empire, Patagonia's Dramatic Landscapes and Dreamy Galapagos on our Central & South America Adventure Tours.

Central & 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 Central & South America 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, explore Costa Rica's lush rainforests and white sand beaches, and discover the rich and flourishing wild flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands. With small groups and experienced guides, you'll explore off-the-beaten-path and embrace the local way of life along the way. These are some of the most diverse and authentic Central & South American adventure tours you'll find.

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Hike, Bike and Kayak in Central & South America's Most Iconic Landscapes.

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 Costa Rica, Peru, Patagonia, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands - we believe you should be able to enjoy the destination that appeals to you most, without having to rush to the next spot.

Hear from our Happy Guests
4.85/5 Rating | 6,500+ Reviews

What Guests Say About Our Trips

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Patagonia Hiking Adventure

Robert P

"Our trip with Active Adventures was outstanding. Our guide was amazing and the views were stunning

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Our trip with Active Adventures was outstanding. Our guide was amazing and the views were…

"Our trip with Active Adventures was outstanding. Our guide was amazing and the views were stunning read less

4.7 Stars (1139 reviews)

R | April 9600

Patagonia Hiking Adventure

David W

"From the first moment, we felt in good hands. We were fortunate with other group members being friendly as well. We had agonised over challenging vs comfort and we’re so glad we chose challenging for the immersion. Yes we had to share but our group was with us. Bonus. It was bonding

read more

From the first moment, we felt in good hands. We were fortunate with other group…

"From the first moment, we felt in good hands. We were fortunate with other group members being friendly as well. We had agonised over challenging vs comfort and we’re so glad we chose challenging for the immersion. Yes we had to share but our group was with us. Bonus. It was bonding read less

4.7 Stars (1139 reviews)

D | January 1970

Ultimate Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands Adventure

Dennis T

"I went on this trip to see Machu Picchu and ended up being amazed by The Sacred Valley, the people (Incas) of the Andes and our Guide Salvador. Our guide brought the people and the land to life!

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I went on this trip to see Machu Picchu and ended up being amazed by…

"I went on this trip to see Machu Picchu and ended up being amazed by The Sacred Valley, the people (Incas) of the Andes and our Guide Salvador. Our guide brought the people and the land to life! read less

4.7 Stars (112 reviews)

D | January 1970

Patagonia Hiking Adventure

Bart W

"For those considering if booking with Active is worth it... Well, in short, yes. They absolutely handle the logistics during the trip and handle them well. The booked transfer services, lodging, and guides were excellent and worth the cost. My particular trip was to Patagonia. Doing privately would / could have been challenging and potentially frustrating. There are a lot of complexities in Patagonia and the Active team absolutely handled that very well.

read more

For those considering if booking with Active is worth it... Well, in short, yes. …

"For those considering if booking with Active is worth it... Well, in short, yes. They absolutely handle the logistics during the trip and handle them well. The booked transfer services, lodging, and guides were excellent and worth the cost. My particular trip was to Patagonia. Doing privately would / could have been challenging and potentially frustrating. There are a lot of complexities in Patagonia and the Active team absolutely handled that very well. read less

4.7 Stars (1139 reviews)

B | January 1970

Patagonia Hiking Adventure

Janet P

"Incredible experience visiting the wonderful National parks of Patagonia in both Chile and Argentina. Spectacular scenery, great leaders and a lovely group of people. Perfect

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Incredible experience visiting the wonderful National parks of Patagonia in both Chile and Argentina. Spectacular…

"Incredible experience visiting the wonderful National parks of Patagonia in both Chile and Argentina. Spectacular scenery, great leaders and a lovely group of people. Perfect read less

4.7 Stars (1139 reviews)

J | January 1970

Ultimate Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands Adventure

Donna T

"There were so many wonderful things so see. We loved every day of this trip. Our Peru guide, Salvador, was outstanding, and so very kind. It was great to see Peru through his eyes! Our Galapagos guide Pablo was also very knowledgeable.

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There were so many wonderful things so see. We loved every day of this trip.…

"There were so many wonderful things so see. We loved every day of this trip. Our Peru guide, Salvador, was outstanding, and so very kind. It was great to see Peru through his eyes! Our Galapagos guide Pablo was also very knowledgeable. read less

4.7 Stars (112 reviews)

D | January 1970

Patagonia Hiking Adventure

Alexa Z

"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!

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Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!

"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime! read less

4.7 Stars (1139 reviews)

A | January 1970

Northern Patagonia Adventure

Karen K

"The River and Lakes Regions of Northern Patagonia were stunningly beautiful amongst the backdrop of many snow-kissed volcanos. Hiking and experiences were completely different than the rugged Southern Patagonia regions, but equally beautiful.

read more

The River and Lakes Regions of Northern Patagonia were stunningly beautiful amongst the backdrop of…

"The River and Lakes Regions of Northern Patagonia were stunningly beautiful amongst the backdrop of many snow-kissed volcanos. Hiking and experiences were completely different than the rugged Southern Patagonia regions, but equally beautiful. read less

4.6 Stars (56 reviews)

K | April 0000

Patagonia Hiking Adventure

Kevin M

"Fantastic trip that is one for the books. It was filled with exciting worthwhile activities such as biking to the caves, sea kayaking in Lake Grey, glacier hiking (extra cost not included in package) and of course hiking. Trekking was challenging at times but the summits with the views were well worth it. This was my second trekking trip with Active Adventures and once again the trip leader (Zac) and guides (Andrea, Camilla and Lucy) were top-notch. Excellent interpersonal skills (where does Active Adventures find these people?!!!) and knowledge of the local flora and fauna and areas. They quickly brought a diverse group of people together into a cohesive unit. A lot of laughs and mutual support.

Food was very good with a mix of nice restaurants and refugio dinners. Accommodations in the hotels and refugioes were as billed - clean and comfortable..

Shout out to Big Foot outfitters at Lake Grey. Their staff led the sea kayaking and glacier hiking. Friendly, professional guides with updated equipment. I'm so glad I splurged on the extra cost for the glacier hiking. It was an experience of a lifetime and worth every penny.

read more

Fantastic trip that is one for the books. It was filled with exciting worthwhile…

"Fantastic trip that is one for the books. It was filled with exciting worthwhile activities such as biking to the caves, sea kayaking in Lake Grey, glacier hiking (extra cost not included in package) and of course hiking. Trekking was challenging at times but the summits with the views were well worth it. This was my second trekking trip with Active Adventures and once again the trip leader (Zac) and guides (Andrea, Camilla and Lucy) were top-notch. Excellent interpersonal skills (where does Active Adventures find these people?!!!) and knowledge of the local flora and fauna and areas. They quickly brought a diverse group of people together into a cohesive unit. A lot of laughs and mutual support.

Food was very good with a mix of nice restaurants and refugio dinners. Accommodations in the hotels and refugioes were as billed - clean and comfortable..

Shout out to Big Foot outfitters at Lake Grey. Their staff led the sea kayaking and glacier hiking. Friendly, professional guides with updated equipment. I'm so glad I splurged on the extra cost for the glacier hiking. It was an experience of a lifetime and worth every penny. read less

4.7 Stars (1139 reviews)

K | April 0000

Patagonia Hiking Adventure

Moira F

"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!

read more

Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!

"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime! read less

4.7 Stars (1139 reviews)

M | April 0000

Patagonia Hiking Adventure

Francoise guillo, M

"Amazing adventure lead by an amazing team to the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Thank you!

read more

Amazing adventure lead by an amazing team to the most beautiful scenery I have ever…

"Amazing adventure lead by an amazing team to the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Thank you! read less

4.7 Stars (1139 reviews)

F | April 0000

Northern Patagonia Adventure

Shearon R

"Recently home from this fantastic adventure, my 3rd with Active. Northern Patagonia is just spectacular in scenery and activity. Wonderful hikes, two kayak days, lots of time spent traveling multi-modal transportation seeing much variety in landscapes. Could not have asked for any better than our wonderful guide, Mayra!!
Lodgings were good and interesting, food always great and plentiful, and to be sure we had good wine in both Argentina and Chile. Fun fun group, lots of laughter!

read more

Recently home from this fantastic adventure, my 3rd with Active. Northern Patagonia is just…

"Recently home from this fantastic adventure, my 3rd with Active. Northern Patagonia is just spectacular in scenery and activity. Wonderful hikes, two kayak days, lots of time spent traveling multi-modal transportation seeing much variety in landscapes. Could not have asked for any better than our wonderful guide, Mayra!!
Lodgings were good and interesting, food always great and plentiful, and to be sure we had good wine in both Argentina and Chile. Fun fun group, lots of laughter! read less

4.6 Stars (56 reviews)

S | April 0000

Patagonia Hiking Adventure

Richard D

"Zach is a GOOD trip leader. Very attentive, easy going, the right mind set/attitude to be a
trip leader, organized, diligent in helping out. He's from Peru, when he mentioned that I asked him about alternative treks in Peru near Machu Pichu. He said He can give me information on that. I would go with him again.
The group was good. We all merged into one group, good talks, jokes, stories. It was a bummer to hear about Scott and Katheryn. Scott told good jokes. The weather was typical for Patagonia. The weather itself is part of the trek/trip down there. Accommodations in Punta Arenas, Natales, Calafata, El Chalten were good, almost to point of five star hotels. We ate well. Zach knew the places to go to for a good meal. The guides for the bike ride, the "W" trek, and El Chalten were good, fun to talk to, very helpful. The van drivers were good, no lead foots, the vans were clean and comfortable. Trip organization was good. The one small item that could be improved is a better notice that…

read more

Zach is a GOOD trip leader. Very attentive, easy going, the right mind set/attitude…

"Zach is a GOOD trip leader. Very attentive, easy going, the right mind set/attitude to be a
trip leader, organized, diligent in helping out. He's from Peru, when he mentioned that I asked him about alternative treks in Peru near Machu Pichu. He said He can give me information on that. I would go with him again.
The group was good. We all merged into one group, good talks, jokes, stories. It was a bummer to hear about Scott and Katheryn. Scott told good jokes. The weather was typical for Patagonia. The weather itself is part of the trek/trip down there. Accommodations in Punta Arenas, Natales, Calafata, El Chalten were good, almost to point of five star hotels. We ate well. Zach knew the places to go to for a good meal. The guides for the bike ride, the "W" trek, and El Chalten were good, fun to talk to, very helpful. The van drivers were good, no lead foots, the vans were clean and comfortable. Trip organization was good. The one small item that could be improved is a better notice that there will be a place where one can get laundry done. On the "W" trek I wished we had more time to get up to the Britanica viewpoint. We got as far as the France look out. IT was really windy that day but great sunshine. I know Zach has to keep the group moving to make the schedule. I felt I could have gone to Britanica with one of the other guides, either Andres or Camilia. We then would catch up with the group. The box lunches were bigger than I anticipated, the extra food/calories was appreciated. Breakfasts at the places we stayed were good. The boat rides were good. I wish when we at the Moreno Glacier we spent more time there. We only did an hour. I could have spent three/four hours there. I was a fast hiker, I know not all in the group could go my pace. I know the hike guides have to find the "right pace" to fit that group. On the first hike in Glaciares, Lucy, the local hike guide did a really slow pace and it was painful. I know one other trip member made a comment to Zach to hike at a faster pace. I wish we could have spent more time at to take in the views.
Overall a GOOD trip. I would tell others on this trek. I have already looked at your New Zealand trips, the hike one on the mountain bike one. I had a wild thought of doing both. Four weeks in New Zealand...sounds good to me. read less

4.7 Stars (1139 reviews)

R | April 0000

Northern Patagonia Adventure

Lori T

"We thoroughly enjoyed our Northern Patagonia trip. Endless beauty, perfect mix of hiking and kayaking, unique accommodations, fascinating flora and fauna, lovely lakes, plus yummy wine to sip at the end of the day! Everything lived up to the Active Adventure experience we have always enjoyed. Terrific trip...Highly recommend.

read more

We thoroughly enjoyed our Northern Patagonia trip. Endless beauty, perfect mix of hiking and kayaking,…

"We thoroughly enjoyed our Northern Patagonia trip. Endless beauty, perfect mix of hiking and kayaking, unique accommodations, fascinating flora and fauna, lovely lakes, plus yummy wine to sip at the end of the day! Everything lived up to the Active Adventure experience we have always enjoyed. Terrific trip...Highly recommend. read less

4.6 Stars (56 reviews)

L | April 0000

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure

Robert G

"We had the most spectacular time on this tour. The Galapagos and all it has to offer was amazing. It was made even better by our guide, Pablo. He was a wealth of information with a flair for the dramatic, which made the tour both educational as well as entertaining. Paulo, I’ll call him our support guide, made sure everything ran smoothly. All in all would highly recommend this tour.

read more

We had the most spectacular time on this tour. The Galapagos and all it has…

"We had the most spectacular time on this tour. The Galapagos and all it has to offer was amazing. It was made even better by our guide, Pablo. He was a wealth of information with a flair for the dramatic, which made the tour both educational as well as entertaining. Paulo, I’ll call him our support guide, made sure everything ran smoothly. All in all would highly recommend this tour. read less

4.7 Stars (1376 reviews)

R | January 1970

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure

Janelle G

"Fabulous trip, well organized with great variety of activities. Excellent guides! Great group of people to train with.

read more

Fabulous trip, well organized with great variety of activities. Excellent guides! Great group of…

"Fabulous trip, well organized with great variety of activities. Excellent guides! Great group of people to train with. read less

4.7 Stars (1376 reviews)

J | January 1970

Pay-in-Full-PIF-generic-tile

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. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.

We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance - you can find details here

*Terms and conditions apply - read more here

Our Trips...From our Guests' Perspective

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

 

 

Why Travel With Us

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A love of adventure, born in New Zealand

Our passion for exploration is rooted in a strong connection to the natural beauty of our home, New Zealand, and the drive to venture beyond its shores to discover a world different to our own.

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Life-changing, rewarding experiences in breathtaking places

We bring your adventure dreams to life. The best journeys don’t just take you places; they inspire you to be curious, ignite your spirit, and find a new sense of freedom – they can even change your life!

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Expert guides, deep local connections

Feel the heart and soul of each place you visit with our local people on the ground and knowledgeable guides, who take great care to ensure a truly authentic and immersive experience. This is the real deal.

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Adventures inspired by nature

Feel like you're in a world of your own, with unique itineraries to take you away from the usual tourist traps. Enjoy exhilarating activities like hiking, biking, rafting, and kayaking, to explore the very best of each destination.

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Flexible, personalized experiences

We take the time to get to know you to ensure you have the very best experience on our trips. Our small group adventures are big on flexibility — no matter what your version of "active" is, we have options on each trip to suit every individual.

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All-inclusive — with everything organized for you

Imagine a vacation that's fully guided, and everything is taken care of and included in the trip price — all accommodations, activities, transport on-trip, most meals, and more! Effortless and value-packed.

Our Local Guides

Central & South America Travel FAQs

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 generally take up to 14 people per trip, although this can vary, and all our trips have at least two of our guides to look after you (apart from the occasions we have a small group). We have found that our trips tend to attract a particular kind of person and many people have commented that the social scene was one of the highlights of their trip!

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.

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

We welcome many solo travelers on our trips – in fact, we get so many solo travelers and they always say it’s a great way to travel alone, but not actually by themselves. You’ll have an incredible adventure sharing your experiences with other like-minded travelers, and the best part is we don't charge extra for solo travelers, providing you don’t mind sharing a room. However, for bookings within 90 days of your chosen departure, a forced single supplement will apply if there is no other guest of the same gender already booked to share with.

If you prefer not to share a room at all, you can upgrade to a single room, if one is available. If your trip uses refugios which can only accommodate guests on a multi-share basis, the upgrade cost will reflect this.