From Andean culture and sweeping desert landscapes in the north to rugged granite peaks and gauchos (cowboys) in the south, Argentina is a vast country of contrasts. Throw its glaciers, vineyards, wetlands and waterfalls into the mix and it’s hard to know where to start. Every inch of Argentina has something to captivate visitors and even Buenos Aires, its vibrant capital, has so much to offer, with lively pavement cafes, infamous nightlife, sultry tango and of course, world-class steak. Enjoy fine dining, incredible wines and jaw-dropping natural wonders, from the Perito Moreno glacier to the mighty Iguazu falls. With so much to offer, Argentina is bound to leave you wanting more.
Stretching from the arid Atacama Desert in the north, through turquoise fjords in the Lake District and Patagonian wilderness right down to the Tierra del Fuego archipelago on the southern tip, the dramatic landscapes will stir your soul. En route, you’ll see snow-capped volcanoes, dense pine forest, glacial lakes, erupting thermal geysers, otherworldly salt flats and lenga rainforest, all pristine. Cities are cosmopolitan. Santiago sits in a bowl cradled by the spectacular Andes, while colourful Valparaiso has an easy, boho vibe. The desert oasis village of San Pedro de Atacama is a jumping-off point for the cactus-strewn eponymous desert, with its mystical landscapes and magnificent star gazing. Pretty Pucon, home to the Machupe people, is a base for watersports: white-water rafting and kayaking across mirror-still lakes. But the biggest lure in our eyes is Patagonia, a vast wilderness of mammoth glaciers and rugged mountains, the most extraordinary terrain you’ll ever see.
Get under the skin of Bolivia and you are sure to be charmed by its rich indigenous culture and sweeping altiplanic landscapes. This landlocked country may be smaller than most of its neighbours but it’s bound to take your breath away (and not just because of the altitude). From north to south and east to west, Bolivia delights with an array of landscapes, from the Amazon rainforest and the shores of Lake Titicaca to the vast Uyuni Salt Flats and altiplanic deserts that make up the south. As you explore its highlights and other far-from-the-tourist-trail sites, we challenge you not to fall in love with Bolivia.
Colombia is one of South America’s most exciting and diverse countries. From the snow-capped Andes and high-altitude paramos, past the emerald Zona Cafetera and Los Llanos grasslands, down to palm-fringed beaches of the Caribbean and Pacific Coast, no two areas are the same. This huge range of altitudes makes it the second most biodiverse country in the world (after Brazil), with an almost-unbelievable range of birds, mammals and amphibians, many of them endemic. Come to see cotton-top tamarins, critically endangered Orinoco crocodiles and giant anteaters. Culture wise, the country packs a punch too, with cobbled colonial towns, indigenous communities and vibrant, sprawling cities. There are ancient cities enshrouded in jungle, too. It’s a country with everything: a place for adventurers and explorers, history buffs and wildlife lovers. And the tropical offshore islands give you your fix of relaxation.
