Tick that bucket list!
ADVENTURE is knocking in South America – where a host of natural wonders set the stage for once-in-a-lifetime touring holidays.
Here you can hike past ancient temples first laid down by Incas, contemplate the awe-inspiring power of Iguazu Falls and the gorgeous mountain setting of Machu Picchu, or watch for turtles and toucans from a boat in a Costa Rican backwater.
In South America’s colonial towns, cobblestone streets lead past gilded churches and stately plazas little changed since the 18th Century.
And this is one of the world’s great music destinations. Nothing compares to hearing the rhythms of Brazilian samba, Argentine tango and Andean folk music in the places where they were born.
A well-planned escorted tour can turn a South American bucket list dream from ‘wish I could’ to ‘glad I did’. A professional tour director brings a destination to life in a way you can’t replicate on your own, plus you’ll benefit from comfortable, hand-picked hotels and seamless transportation that makes getting there half the fun. And it can all be done for less than you’d think.
BEACHES AND BOULEVARDS
CONSIDERING a first foray? A Brazil and Argentina itinerary with the UK’s leading escorted tour operator, Cosmos, is a great place to start, exploring Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls and Buenos Aires.
Sprawling between majestic granite peaks and the blue South Atlantic, Rio is a city of beauty, wonder and energy. Drive with a guide along Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, take the cog railway to the summit of Corcovado to view the famous Christ the Redeemer statue – and perhaps join an optional excursion to a favela for a glimpse of life in these colourful communities where 20 per cent of the city’s people live.
Iguazu Falls is one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. On the Brazilian side you can see a mammoth series of 275 waterfalls cascading over a precipice almost two miles wide and 250ft deep. Walk into a thundering canyon where clouds of mists and 180-degree rainbows surround you – an unforgettable experience!
A jungle train and a series of boardwalks lead above the falls on the Argentine side to reveal the water crashing down – another incredible natural wonder.
Buenos Aires is known as the Paris of South America, with its boulevards and outdoor cafes. A guided tour takes in the landmarks, including Eva Peron’s final resting place. And it wouldn’t be complete without a sensuous tango show.
There should also be time to explore independently or join an optional visit to a local ranch to experience the life of the gauchos, South America’s cowboys.
TURTLES AND TOUCANS
A CAMERA-friendly trip of a lifetime awaits in the scenic rainforests of Costa Rica.
Among many highlights is Tortuguero National Park, where you can relax on a boat and take pictures of the bountiful wildlife, such as freshwater turtles, egrets, toucans and monkeys. At the grumbling Arenal volcano, relax in ecothermal hot springs and perhaps see spectacular lava flows. And in Monteverde, the cloud forest is home to jaguars, resplendent quetzals, ocelots and more.
RUINS AND TREASURES
HEAD for Peru and you’ll be amazed by archaeological treasures and gastronomic delights. A tour operated by Globus, the premium sister company of Cosmos, offers the best of both worlds here – popular attractions and local cultures.
It will take you to the preColombian ruins, monasteries and Spanish colonial buildings of Lima, the Inca stronghold of Cusco and majestic Machu Picchu. You’ll attend Peruvian ceremonies, stop at markets and visit people’s homes to learn about their lives.
Explore South America and prepare to experience a whole series of ‘pinch me’ moments that you’ll remember for ever.