“No one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced.” – David Attenborough 

There are many individual access points across nine South American countries into the Amazon Rainforest. And tourism to this vital tropical rainforest is more crucial than ever to ensure its survival and, in turn, our survival. Tropical rainforests, like the great Amazon, regulate the global temperature, absorbing harmful greenhouse gases on a scale that cannot be replicated if they disappear. Together with the world’s oceans, forests absorbed an impressive 55% of dangerous fossil fuel emissions between 1960 and 2015; and the Amazon basin alone contains one-fifth of the planet’s freshwater.

If you are considering a trip to South America, and the rainforest hasn’t factored into your plans yet because you think it will be too far away from your other bucket-list items or logistically out-of-reach, think again! You have plenty of options for a quick 3-day Amazon getaway in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, or Bolivia, jumping off from the following six fantastic South American jungle cities.

Manaus, Brazil

When it comes to Brazilian territory, the Amazon is king. This rainforest spans 40% of Brazil, and Manaus is the largest city in the Amazon region. As the capital city of the Amazonas Brazilian state in the northwestern corner of the country, Manaus serves as an essential gateway into the heart of the Amazon. The city itself is home to numerous botanical and zoological parks and many day-trip options to get up close and personal with the Amazon’s stunning biodiversity.

Leticia, Colombia

Leticia represents another capital city in another area called Amazonas but in Colombia. Sitting on the mighty Amazon River banks and the Brazilian and Peruvian borders, there are definitely fewer crowds than in bustling Manaus. You can take a comfortable flight from Bogotá to get there and choose to dig deep into the wilds of the jungle with a lodge-stay, take a cruise following the Amazon River, or embark on 1-2 day-trips to the outskirts of the Amazonian city limits.

Coca, Ecuador

Ecuador being such a compact country, makes it quite easy to explore the Amazon on the front or tail end of your Galapagos adventure and pass through Quito on the way. The Ecuadorian Amazon city of Coca lines the Napo Riverport, the Yasuní National Park, and the Amazon basin. A blip of a flight from Quito in the heart of the Andes (30 minutes), Coca is the entry point to fabulous Amazon Lodges such as the Napo Wildlife Center.

Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado, Peru

The Peruvian Amazon jungle is unique because it spans both Peru’s northern and southern regions, divided by the Andes Mountains range. Iquitos city lies to the north and Puerto Maldonado to the south. We recommend choosing one or the other during your trip if you are traveling to Peru, because the jungle experience in both cities offers many similarities in flora and fauna, with one significant difference in geography: The Amazon River flows through Iquitos, whereas only its main tributaries flow through Puerto Maldonado.

If you are looking for an Amazon cruise experience, then Iquitos is your best option; here, you can also catch a glimpse of the mythical pink river dolphins. On the other hand, Puerto Maldonado and the Tambopata Amazon Jungle houses the most isolated jungle lodge: The Tambopata Research Center (TRC). At TRC, you can get up close and personal with the brilliant Macaws and, if you’re fortunate, spy one of the big cats roaming this vast forest.

Rurrenabaque, Bolivia

This brings us to the southern-most edge of the Amazon region in Bolivia, and Rurrenabaque or “Rurre” for short. This town champions ecotourism in the Bolivian Amazon and the Madidi National Park. The flora and fauna biodiversity and overall landscapes are equally breathtaking here as in any other part of the Amazon, however quite a bit lighter on your wallet.

Given the myriad of exciting ways to experience the Amazon Rainforest, you can be a part of the global effort to protect it from agricultural expansion and widespread deforestation by merely visiting. Your presence and interest not only make an essential difference in the existence of the richest life-source on earth but will also surely grant you an experience you will never forget in your lifetime! Contact us to learn more about how to incorporate the Amazon Rainforest into your South American adventure.

With all of the technology available today, many people wonder what benefit comes from using a travel agent when planning a trip. While it’s true that you can put the pieces together independently, making any changes to your journey can start to bog you down, even when things are going well. Adding a day here, changing a flight to fit a tour that you found last minute, trying to decide whether a hike is too challenging or just challenging enough. When you add in unexpected factors – a canceled flight, a strike, or even a pandemic, you can really see where it’s really beneficial to have some support before, during, and even after your journey. Here are just 5 reasons why working with a travel advisor can make your trip truly unforgettable.

We do the work for you

One of the biggest benefits of working with a travel agency to plan and execute your trip is that we do all of the busywork for you. Domestic flight reservations, hotel reservations, tours, logistics, etc. – we make sure all of the pieces fit together smoothly so you can just enjoy your trip. We also keep up with what is going on in each place you will be visiting, so we can adjust your route or itinerary if necessary. This includes strikes, mudslides or washed out roads during the rainy season, or interesting events like a unique artisan fair in a town that you might pass through. We also have your back when things don’t go as planned and you need to postpone or cancel your trip – we do all of the legwork with changing or canceling hotels, flights, tours, etc. so you can focus your attention on more important matters.

On-the-ground Knowledge

It’s even better to work with a local travel agency where you are traveling, as local agencies have local knowledge. In this way, we know which tours are worth checking out, which restaurants live up to the hype, and which hotels are best because we regularly visit them to make sure they meet our very high standards. We can also tell you how challenging different hikes are (because we have actually done them), which lookouts have the best views, where the best places to shop are, and much more. Furthermore, we can help when the unexpected happens – we have connections with medical facilities in case of illness or injury, for example.

Flexibility

Another advantage of working with a private travel agency is flexibility in planning and executing your trip. It may seem that planning independently would offer more flexibility, however once you have everything reserved directly, it’s actually more difficult to make changes on your own. While some things are more rigid and harder to change (permits for the classic Inca Trail, for example), it is less difficult to make these changes when working with an agency, especially a local agency with local connections. That way, if you do decide to add a day, or an extension to visit an extra site, or if a member of your group becomes ill and you need to modify your trip after it’s started, we can help make these changes as smooth and painless as possible.

After Hours Support

Sometimes the most crucial assistance isn’t something you planned for. This could be something as simple as needing ideas of where to have dinner or what to do with some free time, or as complicated as someone slipping and falling and needing a clinic at night. A huge benefit of working with the right travel agency is 24-hour support, whether you’re on a tour with your guide or wandering the city on your own. When you’re in an unfamiliar country where you may not speak the language, knowing there’s someone available to help if you need it is incredibly reassuring.

Human Connection

When traveling, often you remember the people you meet just as fondly as the places you visit. When you work with a private, local travel agency, you are connected from the time you contact them. You first connect with your travel designer, who will get to know you and work with you to put together the best itinerary possible for you and your travel group. Then about a week before you travel, your host will greet you and be sure you are ready for your journey. When you land in South America, you will be met at the airport to start your adventure. From here, you will encounter all sorts of wonderful people, including your knowledgeable local guides, careful and competent drivers, farmers, artisans, and more!

These are just a few reasons that working with a travel agency has many benefits, especially in today’s uncertain world. While we are still waiting for the world to open fully, we can keep your future travel dreams alive for now. Often the anticipation and planning of an adventure are as fun and exciting as the journey itself!

When traveling, your luggage can come into contact with many different things – airports, baggage holds, overhead bins, luggage carousels, hotels, trunks, etc. While your luggage is there, it may pick up unwanted hitchhikers, such as bacteria or viruses. To keep yourself healthy, you’ll want to clean and disinfect your luggage at least between every trip, and periodically during your trip. With the right tools, this is very easy to do!

The Handles

The part of the suitcase most likely to have bacteria and viruses that can spread is the part that touches hands – the handles. The easiest way to disinfect these is to wash them thoroughly with soap and water, as soap breaks down the protein bonds on the outside of viruses and bacteria, rendering them inert. If you don’t have access to soap and water, you can also use a disinfectant spray or wipe, such as Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. You’ll want to extend the main handle, and then wipe the whole thing down, as well as any handles on the other sides of the suitcase. You’ll want to be sure that the surface stays wet for at least 30 seconds, but ideally three minutes, to make sure it’s truly disinfected.

The Bottom

You would think that as the part of the suitcase that it sits on, the bottom would be the dirtiest. While this may be true for actual dirt, the bottom doesn’t get touched as often, and so it’s actually less likely to have a lot of microbes. Your best bet here is to wash the dirt off with soap and water, however, if you are concerned, you can use the same disinfecting wipes to clean off the dirt and wheels that you used for the handles.

The Inside

This part of the suitcase is the hardest to keep clean and germ-free. For aesthetics, you can vacuum out any crumbs or dust, and then wipe the inside with soap and water to get any marks off. To disinfect, you can spray the inside with a disinfectant spray such as Lysol To Go. Another option to keep the inside of your suitcase cleaner is to use some washable packing cubes, which can help keep your things separate from your suitcase, as well as nice and organized.

The Outside Hard-shell and Soft-shell Suitcases

Hard luggage is easy to clean – you can just wash it down with soap and water like you would a pet. You can also use a bleach solution to thoroughly disinfect it. You’ll want to make a solution of half a cup of regular bleach with a gallon of water, and either spray or sponge the solution onto the suitcase, making sure it stays wet for about 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, rinse it clean with water.

For soft luggage, you technically can use a similar method, but with less water. You may have better luck with disinfectant wipes, such as the Clorox ones mentioned above. Make sure to get the fabric nice and wet and then letting it dry so that the disinfecting chemicals have time to do their magic.

New friends are a wonderful part of traveling; however, you don’t want the type of friends that come home uninvited by hitching a ride on your luggage. Using these tips to keep your luggage microbe-free will help keep you healthy and happy, full of energy for every adventure that comes your way!

One of the best ways to avoid getting sick is to keep your body in tip-top condition. While it may seem hard to fit this in during your trip, there are lots of things you can do to make sure your body stays healthy, and your defenses stay strong enough to fight off illness that may try to take you down!

Meditation and Mindfulness

Stress is one of the worst culprits when it comes to knocking down your body’s defenses. One of the best ways to combat stress is meditation. Even taking just a couple of minutes to slow down and center yourself can have incredible benefits, including keeping your stress levels low, and your body’s defense strong. It can also give you a sense of clarity, which can help you get the most out of your time abroad! One excellent option is the Insight Timer app, which has a large variety of free guided meditations that you can try!

Yoga

Along the lines of meditation is yoga, which is a sort of meditation with your body. Along with the stress-relieving benefits that allow your body’s defenses to stay strong, yoga also helps increase flexibility and balance and improves your cardiovascular and respiratory health. There are many great YouTube channels devoted to yoga, one of which is Yoga with Adriene. Check out some videos, and enjoy getting bendy with it!

Cardio and Strength Training

To make your body as strong as possible, you may want to consider looking into a bit of cardio or strength training, especially if you currently work out regularly. While you may be doing quite a bit of walking on your tours, the Fitness Blender website has a wealth of all kinds of workouts, of varying intensity, length, if you want a bit more. Take a look at their library of videos and find the right ones for you!

Hikes

Another way to get your fitness on is to add some hikes to your itinerary. South America is full of incredible landscapes that you can hike through, either with a day hike or a multi-day trek. The advantage of many of these hikes is that many of them are out in nature, away from people. This way, you’re not only getting exercise, but you’re social distancing too!

Healthy Eating

While travel is a time for indulgence, South America has plenty of delicious, fresh, healthy options you can choose from! Choosing healthy options will help you stay more energetic and keep your body’s defenses up. Have some fun with your food options, and experiment with some of the fresh, healthy flavors you will find during your travels!

Hydrate

Our bodies are 70% water. Your hydration level has a huge impact on how alert you are, how well you feel, and how efficient your body is at fighting off illness. Also, as you get into higher altitudes (for example, Cusco in Peru, La Paz in Bolivia, Quito in Ecuador, etc.), it is easier to lose water through your skin due to the drier mountain air. For this reason, you’ll want to make sure to drink as much water as possible. You can get this from bottles of water, coffee, tea (you can drink muña or coca tea to help with the altitude as well – double bonus!), or from your food such as soups or fresh fruits and vegetables. The more hydration, the better!

Sleep

Sleep is one of the most important things that our body does. It’s essential for brain function, emotional well-being, and of course, your immune system. For this reason, you’ll want to be sure to get the proper amount of sleep, if at all possible. This can be difficult, especially if you’re drastically changing time zones, however, there are some tricks that can help. You can try to strategically move your bedtime by an hour or so each night to more closely match the time at your destination. When you land, start to get into the local rhythm as soon as possible – get moving in the morning, relax in the evening. Melatonin supplements can help as well – these are not so much sleeping pills, as a way to tell your body it’s time to sleep.

Protecting yourself and others

During your travels, you will want to take hygiene measures to protect yourself and those around you. This includes washing your hands very regularly, keeping your nose and mouth covered with a mask while out in public, maintaining a safe distance from others, using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if you don’t have access to a place to wash your hands, and monitoring your own health. By following these precautions, you can drastically reduce your chance of becoming ill and spreading an illness if you happen to be asymptomatic. We all have COVID-19 on our minds right now, however, these precautions will help to spread other illnesses as well.

Planning

To be successful, you’ll need to make a plan! Pack any workout gear you’ll need, try out a few videos or meditations to find the ones you like, bookmark them, and plan to do them! Also, if you have a favorite mask or hand sanitizer, or any other hygiene products that you like, make sure to have these accounted for as well! Then with the peace of mind that you are doing everything possible to keep you and your family as healthy as you can, you will be able to fully enjoy your adventure!

Imagine a dry, beaten trail, expansive blue sky, and a panoramic view of breathtaking textured landscape. Believe it or not, the perfect time to capitalize on these very aspects while exploring the Andes is during its “winter.” You don’t need to be an avid hiker to thoroughly enjoy the unparalleled scenery of the dry season from Colombia all the way down to Argentina.

Known for its winter-white peaks, the Andes comprise the longest mountain range in the world. This incredible expanse of terrain stretches 4,500 miles from north to south through the seven South American countries of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. So it goes without saying that these countries claim similar climate characteristics given their shared geography. And those features drastically differ from the four distinct seasons of the Northern Hemisphere.

So, does winter befall the Andes mountains at all? Technically yes, however, not in the classic sense. Instead of four carefully carved seasonal periods, the Andes region divides into two principal yearly seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The coldest months in the Andes, termed “winter,” roughly fall between May and August in the height of the dry season. Considering the dry season coincides with summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it naturally lends itself to “summer vacations.” These months also just so happen to be the perfect time to navigate the Andes’ hidden peaks and valleys due to the striking sun and lack of rain. Make sure you keep the following nature trails in mind when planning your bespoke “winter” journey to South America.

Colombia: Cocora Valley

Part of the true beauty of the Andes can be found in the microclimates sprinkled throughout the region at varying altitudes. The Cocora Valley in Colombia lies between 1,800 and 2,400 meters in the famous cloud forest, similar to the cloud forest of Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu in Peru.

The biggest draw of visiting this particular area of the Colombian Andes is the gigantic wax palms sprouting from the surrounding hills like something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. You can easily explore the Cocora Valley on a day trip from Salento and hike the primary circuit, which is perfect for anyone in moderate physical shape.

Ecuador: Cotopaxi National Park

On the front or tail end of your Galapagos trip, consider also traveling the short distance from Quito to the Cotopaxi National Park. Here stands the Cotopaxi Volcano in all its glacial glory. A day trip is definitely possible from Quito and back, but two or three days staying in the park grounds would be even better.

The park lends itself to travelers of varying physical capacities, offering activities that can easily be enjoyed by multiple generations. You can take the light 1.5-hour walk from the park’s entrance to the Limpiopungo Lagoon, where if you are lucky, you will be able to catch Cotopaxi’s looming reflection. You can also embark on some horseback riding amongst the park’s roaming wild horse population. Or take an e-bike tour to ease your lungs into the high altitude of 3,500 meters above sea level.

Peru: The Inca Trail

Come May, the ticket capacity for the coveted Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tends to fill up fast, precisely because of the marvelous weather conditions this time of year. Therefore, you will want to plan no less than six months ahead for your trip hiking the Inca Trail between May and August.

For those who worry about completing the four-day trek – camping and steep climbs included – there is a much shorter option that still offers an exciting challenge sans the potential stress. This “2-day Inca Trail” hike starts at km 104 of the train tracks to Aguas Calientes. It is about 7-8 hours hiking at a moderate pace before reaching the Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu. You most likely won’t have time to tour the citadel that day, so you can spend the evening at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge or in the town of Aguas Calientes. Bright and early the next morning, you can take the bus up for your tour.

Bolivia: Isla del Sol

Venturing even further south to Bolivia, consider spending a night on Lake Titicaca’s Isla del Sol to catch the most spectacular sunset over the snowy Cordillera Blanca. You will also be able to explore some lovely hiking trails, from the more challenging climb to Cerro Uma Qolla to the less strenuous stroll from the north side of the island to the south side.

Either way, wandering Isla del Sol promises an Andean winter experience like no other, with the electric sun brightening the day and vast expanse of stars washing over the night.

Chile: Torres del Paine National Park

Journey even further south, following the Andes’ jagged peaks, and you will hit Patagonia, aka The End of the World. Home to nine national parks, the geographic region of Patagonia spans Chile and Argentina. Patagonia famously contains a seemingly endless collection of fjords, lakes, glaciers, deserts, and grasslands.

Torres del Paine National Park falls on the Chilean side of Patagonia, and the winter season of April through September technically marks their “off-season.” Despite this detail, visiting the Torres del Paine National Park during these months offers an unfiltered peek of the 181,000-hectare natural playground without dealing with distracting crowds. The wind chill is also significantly less during this time of year, and the weather proves spectacular from sunup around 9:30am to sundown around 6pm.

Argentina: The Nahuel Huapi National Park

The Andes mountain range actually serves as the border between Chilean Patagonia and Argentine Patagonia. Once crossing over into the Argentine side, you will find Bariloche, the Argentine Lake District, and the Nahuel Huapi National Park that encompasses both.

In addition to hiking, kayaking, white water rafting, and mountain biking, you also have the option to ski in the backcountry from late June to early September! Cerro Catedral, also known as Catedral Alta Patagonia, is one of the most developed ski centers in all of South America and can be found within the Nahuel Huapi National Park.

Whether you live to hike or simply love immersing yourself in nature, don’t miss your chance to explore these unique parks during your summer in Andean winter!

Once the world opens up, and we start to plan our future travels in South America, there are many new things we will need to consider. Among new health protocols, one essential thing to think about is social distancing. Planning to spend much of your time outdoors is a great way to give your lungs the fresh air they need while maintaining a healthy distance from other travelers. Fortunately, South America is full of incredible outdoor activities that will satisfy your wanderlust while keeping your lungs healthy and happy!

Trekking to Machu Picchu in Peru

Machu Picchu is on many peoples’ bucket lists, and the most outdoorsy way to get there is definitely on foot along one of the many trails built by the Incas. There are many different options for treks as well. If you are a fan of archaeological sites and history, the classic Inca Trail is the perfect 4 or 5-day option! The main drawback to this hike is the fact that it sells out very quickly (so reserve early!!).

If you are more of a fan of landscapes and nature, you will love the 5 day Salkantay trek. If you’re interested in current Peruvian culture and anthropology, you can do the Lares trek, which takes you through villages as well as incredible Andean landscapes. And if you have two weeks to spare for a trek, and want to be about as isolated as you can get, you can look at the trek that takes you to Choquequirao as well as Machu Picchu. This trek takes about 9 or 10 days to complete. No matter which trek you choose, you will definitely love the chance to go hiking in the Andes.

Mountain Biking in Bolivia

There are many places to go mountain biking for those looking for adventures in South America – in the Sacred Valley in Peru, the Amazon, and more! The most breath-taking place is probably a 41-mile stretch of gravel road in the Bolivian Andes, connecting the capital city of La Paz with the town of Coroico. This route is estimated to claim approximately 200 lives every year, which is where it gets its title of the most dangerous road in the world. If you are a fan of tempting fate, this 12,000-foot descent with tight turns may interest you.

If you aren’t so keen on taking your life in your hands, but you are interested in mountain biking in Bolivia, you can bike through the surreal salt flats of Uyuni. In this case, the bike trail is flat, following along a salt track with feeling as if you are touching the horizon. Much safer than the Death Road, but just as magical of a biking experience.

Adventure Activities in Patagonia in Argentina and Chile

You will find the vast expanse of Patagonia’s rugged nature in the southern part of South America. Spanning both Argentina and Chile, Patagonia is home to rushing rivers, majestic snow-capped mountains, and gorgeous landscapes. This beautiful area is genuinely an adventure-lover’s playground. Whether you visit the Chilean side or Argentine side, you can go horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, and so much more! You can visit Glacier National Park, which is near El Calafate in Argentina, or visit the imposing Fitz Roy near El Chaltén, or visit Ushuaia, commonly called “the end of the world”. For anyone looking for adventures in South America, or just looking for outdoor activities, you really can’t beat Patagonia.

Trek to the Lost City in Colombia

If you are looking for a true adventure, far away from other people, you might want to consider one of the best hiking trails in America. The hike to the Ciudad Perdida, hidden deep in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range, is an unforgettable adventure. This “Lost City” is actually older than Machu Picchu, dating back to the 9th century AD. It was built by the Tayrona Indians, once housing around 4,000 people. The nearly 170 terraces were foundations for houses, ritual sites, markets, and other living areas for the Tayrona.

Because of how remote the Lost City is, the journey is just as gratifying as the destination. It is a long, arduous trek – 46 kilometers round trip – though the landscapes of jungles, hills, and river valleys are worth it. The trail does cross rivers as well, and so you have the opportunity to take a refreshing dip after a long day of hiking.

These are just a few of the many incredible outdoor activities that await you in South America! Hiking, rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, and so much more, there is something for everyone to try, in every country you may want to visit. And even though we may still be in our homes, it’s never too early to start dreaming about the next great adventure!