Americas Itineraries
Sample itineraries written by our Americas experts
Our Americas travel specialists have written the following itineraries to help plan your trip. Not sure where to begin? Contact us now and we'll connect you with a specialist tour operator for expert Americas advice.
4 days
Alternative 'coffee route' hike to Machu Picchu
Hike the backroads to Machu Picchu
9 days
Prince William Sound, Chugach & Denali
Hiking, kayaking, backpacking & ice climbing
4 days
Lares & the Short Inca Trail combination trek
The ultimate Machu Picchu hiking hack
6 days
Classic Peru & Machu Picchu itinerary
The classic route to Peru's most popular highlights
9 days
Machu Picchu & Amazon lodge
See Peru from rainforest eco-lodge to mountain empires
8 days
Active Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu trek
Explore Peru's grand route of the Incas
18 days
Chilean Patagonia To Antarctica Cruise
Patagonia Fjords & Antarctica itinerary
21 days
Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands cruise
An extended expedition to all sub-Antarctic highlights
16 days
The best of the American West
A route to the top natural and historic attractions
9 days
Rio To Lençóis Maranhenses And Beyond
Nine day beach, lagoon and lake itinerary
10 days
Rio de Janeiro, Beaches & Island Hopping
10-day itinerary to Rio and its nearby islands & beaches
17 days
Adventures in Mexico and Cuba
Explore two of Latin America's most vibrant countries
18 days
Northern Peru beyond Machu Picchu
Amazon river cruises and archaeological wonders
10 days
History and culture in Cuba
Experience Cuba’s revolutionary past and traditions
7 days
The best Torres del Paine Full Circuit
Taking on all Torres del Paine has to offer
8 days
The best Galapagos Island hopping route
My recommended land-based Galapagos itinerary
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North America
Three worlds in one continent
Definitions differ, but for our purposes, North America is Canada, the United States and Mexico – a vast area that stretches from within 500 miles of the North Pole, down past the Tropic of Cancer and well on the way to the Equator... -
The United States
A wonderful, wacky, continent-sized adventure
From sea to shining sea…the wonderful and wacky, beautiful but bizarre, mesmerising and maddening United States of America is not so much one country as a collection of countries under a single star spangled banner... -
Alaska
Super-sized wilderness
If you thought everything about the USA was big, well, Alaska is just... -
Anchorage
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Turquoise Lake
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Chugach National Forest
Extending for roughly 495,000 acres north, south and east of Anchorage and connected to the Southcentral Alaska road network, Chugach State Park is one of the state’s more accessible adventure spots... -
Noatak National Preserve
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Kongakut River
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Kobuk Valley National Park
Located entirely above the Arctic Circle in the western Brooks Range, Kobuk Valley National Park is a broad valley encircled by the Baird and Waring mountain ranges, with the Kobuk River snaking through its middle for 61 miles... -
Aleutian Islands
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Katmai National Park
Broad river flats, looming mountains, and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes; the stunning, desolate remains of the 20th century's largest volcanic eruption... -
Denali National Park
Denali National Park and Preserve is a sprawling, 6-million-acre land of snow-clad peaks, tundra-carpeted hills and rushing glacier-fed creeks... -
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
If you live in or near Anchorage and want a quick day of bear viewing, you head for Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, which is just a short hour's flight away... -
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
If you think of sprawling coastal plains and seemingly endless streams of caribou, you're probably thinking of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR to locals)... -
Gates of the Arctic National Park
Although it's one of the most visited parks in the Arctic, Gates of the Arctic is still populated by far more caribou and birds than human visitors... -
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park And Preserve
Wrangell-St... -
Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords National Park
Prince William Sound (PWS) sits in a calm, well-sheltered inlet on the Gulf of Alaska... -
Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve
The six-mile-wide caldera in the heart of Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve showcases what's left when a mountain literally blows its top... -
Fairbanks
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Great Kobuk Sand Dunes
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Matanuska Glacier
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Bering Land Bridge National Monument
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Cape Krusenstern National Monument
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Kenai Fjords National Park
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Talkeetna Mountains
Nestled between the Alaska Range and the Chugach Mountains, Talkeetna offers rugged trails and remote areas dense with glaciers... -
Seward
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Point Barrow
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Western USA
Adventures on an American scale
The American West... -
Wyoming
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Jackson Hole
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Arizona
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Page
Page is a small town in Coconino County, is the ideal jumping off point for multiple Grand Canyon sights including Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend and Glen Canyon Dam... -
San Francisco
California's greatest city
Crammed into less than 50 square miles and with a population of less than a million, small San Francisco packs a mighty punch... -
Los Angeles
Stroll along Hollywood Boulevard, spot your favourite TV and film stars on the Walk of Fame, and you can’t miss the hillside Hollywood sign... -
Las Vegas
Spend a day or two discovering the grandeur of Las Vegas and its famously flamboyant attractions... -
San Diego
A two hour drive south from L... -
Yosemite National Park
The most popular national park in California, Yosemite includes the world-renowned Yosemite Valley, which is beneath notable granite peaks including Half Dome and El Capitan – famous among rock climbers for their stunning views and difficult climbs... -
Grand Canyon
Once in Grand Canyon National Park, there’s much more to do than stare into the world-famous chasm... -
Spencer Canyon
Spencer Canyon offers both beginner and intermediate climbers access to a variety of routes to explore as well as a popular campsite to stay with access to key Grand Canyon sights... -
Death Valley National Park
In Death Valley, you will be in the largest national park in the continental United States... -
Napa Valley
Napa Valley is filled with lush vineyards that can be visited on foot or with the vintage railcars of the Napa Valley Wine Train which covers 36 miles... -
Palm Springs
Set in possibly the most biologically diverse ecosystem in the Americas, Palm Springs is not only a winter playground for celebrities, but also a stylish place to relax in hot springs, spas and top-class golf courses at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains... -
Estes Park
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Sedona
On arrival to the unique geological area of Sedona, you will be welcomed by red-rock monoliths, with names such as Coffee Pot and Cathedral, protruding from the desert landscape... -
Monument Valley
Pass through the Painted Desert with its kaleidoscope of colours to reach Monument Valley on the Arizona-Utah border... -
Utah
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Arches National Park
The park may be home to a daunting number of arches – more than 2000 have been documented – many of the most photogenic are easily accessed from the 18-mile scenic drive... -
Canyonlands National Park
The most convenient of Canyonlands’ three visitor districts is Island-in-the-Sky, which sits atop a mesa thirty miles from Moab... -
Goblin Valley State Park
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Capitol Reef National Park
Surrounding a 100-mile wrinkle in the earth’s crust, this 381-sq-mile park is a celebration of geology and the powerful forces of time and weather... -
San Rafael Swell
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Lake Powell
The concrete Glen Canyon Dam would dominate the scenery if it was not for the commanding Colorado River and the bright blue waters of Lake Powell that lap against the tall red walls of the canyon... -
Bryce Canyon
Scooped into the side of a high-desert plateau, a deep natural amphitheater holds a small army of sandstone pillars at Utah’s smallest national park... -
Zion National Park
Sheer red rock cliffs flank Zion Canyon, a lush wonderland of gentle waterfalls, wild gardens and hidden pools... -
Grand Staircase - Escalante
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Moab
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Salt Lake City
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Kodachrome Basin State Park
Named by the National Geographic Society for a popular type of camera film – known for its ability to capture brilliant colours – this state park lives up to its moniker... -
Mammoth Lakes
Journey through Death Valley and ascend the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the alpine resort of Mammoth Lakes, famous for its skiing and hiking trails... -
Santa Barbara
Backed by the dramatic Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara, is a hot-spot for white-sand beaches and palm-lined promenades... -
Monterey Peninsula
Monterey Peninsula offers a mix of wind-whipped beaches, hidden coves and delicious seafood... -
Lake Tahoe
Explore the surroundings of this clear mountain lake by bike, kayak or cruise, or relax on one of its beaches to enjoy the unique views of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Carson Range... -
Sacramento
You can easily spend a few hours at the 28-acre Old Sacramento State Historic Park learning about The California Gold Rush, which took place in 1848–1855... -
Redwood National & State Parks
Redwood National and State Parks are home to the world’s tallest trees, which grow more than 350 feet tall... -
Rocky Mountain National Park
One of the highest national parks in the United States, the Rocky Mountain National Park includes the 14,258-foot-high Longs Peak (4,345 metres) and 300 miles of hiking trails... -
Great Sand Dunes National Park
One of Colorado's lesser-visited parks, Great Sand Dunes National Park has 30 square miles of dunes including one that is 750 feet tall (228 metres)... -
Mesa Verde National Park
The reason to visit Mesa Verde National Park is to see one of its ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings... -
Yellowstone National Park
Established in 1872, Yellowstone is America’s first national park... -
Lamar Valley
A tributary of the main Yellowstone River, the Lamar River runs through the valley and is a great area to spot wildlife such as bears, wolves and bison... -
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
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Paradise Valley
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Colorado
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Denver
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California
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Muir Woods
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Lassen Volcanic National Park
A hotbed of geothermal activity, Lassen Volcanic National Park has mud pots, boiling pools and fumaroles (an opening near a volcano which releases gas)... -
Channel Islands National Park
Whether you visit the tiny Channel Islands National Park’s Anacapa Island or Santa Cruz Island, you’ll experience a California coastal landscape devoid of development... -
Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park was formed from the eroded sections of an old volcano... -
Jenner
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Mendocino
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Senoma
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June Lake
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Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
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Washington
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Seattle
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Grand Teton National Park
With an elevation of 13,775ft, Grand Teton is the highest peak in the park and one of eight with an elevation above 12,000ft... -
Jenny Lake
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Joshua Tree National Park
Named for a unique looking desert plant, Joshua Tree National Park offers hiking, birding, and horseback riding along with climbing, bouldering, highlining, and slacklining on its many rock formations... -
Olympic National Park
With nearly a million acres, Olympic National Park offers a variety of experiences including hiking, soaking in hot springs (Sol Duc Hot Springs and Olympic Hot Springs), and sliding down a snowy peak at the Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area... -
Mount Rainier National Park
While its namesake 14,410-foot-high (4,392m) peak dominates the scenery, Mount Rainier National Park also has worthwhile hiking in the Tatoosh Range and waterfalls in the Carbon River area... -
Crater Lake National Park
Oregon’s dazzling blue Crater Lake, a remnant of a volcano, is worth spending some time staring at... -
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
The adjacent parks of Sequoia and Kings Canyon are a fine place to take in the splendour of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the towering sequoia trees, and geologic formations like Moro Rock... -
Glacier National Park
With hairpin turns climbing past granite peaks to Logan Pass and beyond, the soaring Going-to-the-Sun Road is an engineering marvel and a 50-mile adventure for travellers... -
Hoover Dam & Lake Mead
Completed in 1936, the 726ft-high Hoover Dam across the Colorado River remains an architectural wonder... -
Valley of Fire State Park
An easy detour from the I-15 between Las Vegas and Zion National Park, Valley of Fire State Park lives up to its name... -
Phoenix
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Oregon
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Portland
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East Coast
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Maine
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Virginia
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Shenandoah National Park
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North Carolina
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West Virginia
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New Hampshire
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Tennessee
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Louisiana
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Massachusetts
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Vermont
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Wisconsin
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Michigan
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South Dakota
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Illinois
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Missouri
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Arkansas
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New York
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South Carolina
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Montana
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Bozeman
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Florida
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Ocala National Forest
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Kentucky
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Louisville
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Canada
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Manitoba
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Ontario
Embrace the Canadian wilderness
The vast boreal forests of northern Ontario are a true wilderness, and all within relatively easy reach of civilisation... -
Snake Falls
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Toronto
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Alberta
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British Columbia
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New Brunswick
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Newfoundland and Labrador
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Northwest Territories
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Nova Scotia
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Nunavut
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Baffin Bay
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Mexico
Fiestas, Frida and Maya mystery
Steamy jungles, hectic cities, mysterious archeology, and more than 10,000km of coastline, Mexico is a feverish dream that delivers vivid experience after experience... -
Oaxaca
Vibrant and historical, Oaxaca City is a captivating blend of old and new that just begs to be explored... -
Tulum
Mexico’s most photogenic archaeological site
Perhaps Mexico’s most photogenic archaeological site, Tulum’s clifftop Mayan ruins are framed by the pristine beaches and turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea... -
Hierve el Agua
This series of natural rock formations and mineral springs has become a popular day trip from Oaxaca which can be combined with hikes in the Valle de Tlacolula... -
Chichén Itzá
Mexico's most famous Maya site
One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this Maya city was at its height in the 10th century, when it commanded a vast area of what is now the Yucatan Peninsula... -
Mexico City
The oldest capital city in the Americas, Mexico City is a buzzing tribute to an incredibly storied history, where pre-Hispanic and colonial-era buildings sit alongside innovative urban architecture and revamped public spaces... -
Playa del Carmen
Hipper and more laid-back than its Northern cousin Cancún, Playa del Carmen’s trendy nightlife and pristine beaches continue to draw tourists near and far, and this once-small fishing town is now one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico... -
Mérida
The Yucatán Peninsula’s largest city and self-proclaimed cultural capital is a delightful blend of colonial heritage and cosmopolitan living... -
Chiapa de Corzo
Only 12km from state capital Tuxtla Gutiérrez lies one of the most beautiful colonial towns in southern Mexico’s Chiapas state... -
Puebla
The capital of the Puebla Municipality and one of Mexico’s biggest cities, Puebla’s well-preserved historic centre is home to 70 churches and a wealth of elegant colonial architecture, earning its nickname “the city of angels”... -
Cholula
A brief 20-minute bus ride away from Puebla, Cholula de Rivadavia has undergone a transformation in recent years, from small satellite town and occasional tour stop to a bona fide boutique destination... -
Palenque
Important Maya hieroglyphs
Located in the tropical lowlands of Mexico’s southern state of Chiapas, Palenque was an important seat of power during the Classic Maya period, seeing its peak between 226-799 C... -
San Cristóbal de las Casas
The unofficial cultural capital of the state of Chiapas, the mountain town of San Cristobal de las Casas is a little-known gem of southern Mexico... -
Cancun
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Ek Balam
Maya archaeology without the crowds
Those who prefer to explore archaeological sites without the crowds—or those looking for an alternative site to Chichén Itzá—should make time to visit Ek Balam... -
Uxmal
Astounding Maya artwork
Known for its rotund structures, the World Heritage site of Uxmal is steeped in myths and legends... -
Cobá
Vast and well-preserved Maya city
This ancient city, which saw its peak between 200 and 600 BCE (before Chichén Itzá became more powerful), is so large that it is best explored by bike or tricycle taxi... -
Calakmul
A remote archeological site in the jungles of Campeche, close to the Guatemalan border, Calakmul was a seat of impressive power during its peak in the Late Classic Period (600-900 C... -
Edzna
Edzná is a less visited site, close to the colourful city of Campeche, in the state of the same name... -
Yaxchilán
Yaxchilán is possibly the most remote of Mexico’s Maya archeological sites as it is only accessible by boat... -
Bonampak
Most well-known for the stunningly preserved murals found there, Bonampak is well worth a visit if you are in Chiapas... -
Dzibilchaltún
Dzibilchaltún is a small site just 16 miles north of Merida... -
Kabah
Kabah is a tiny archeological site that makes up part of the Puuc Route, a collection of sites that all boast Puuc architecture... -
La Paz
Capital of the Baja California Sur, La Paz is a jumping off point for marine activity with a huge diversity of animals living in the surrounding waters... -
Espiritu Santo Island
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Greenland
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Kangerlussuaq Fjord
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Caribbean
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Cuba
An old girl with a new heart
Crumbling colonial architecture, vintage cars and soulful salsa tumbling out of tinny speakers – Cuba is a land frozen in time... -
Havana
Vintage American cars weave through crumbling colonial architecture, while snippets of salsa music play from smoky bars in Cuba’s iconic capital city... -
Varadero
Nestled on the winding Hicacos Peninsula, Varadero is the largest resort in the Caribbean, and with 20km of interrupted white sand beach, it is easy to see why... -
Viñales
A small but culturally-rich village in western Cuba, Viñales has quickly become a must-see for visitors wanting a taste of traditional Cuban living... -
Trinidad
Grab a torta cubana and a mojito and sway to the Caribbean rhythms of beautiful Trinidad... -
Cienfuegos
Cuba’s so-called “Pearl of the South”, French-founded Cienfuegos has long been a popular stop for travellers exploring the region... -
Central America
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Costa Rica
The most biodiverse country on earth
Costa Rica is a leader in land conservation, with an astonishing 25% of its territory designated as protected area... -
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Boasting an incredible ecosystem and home to approximately 5% of the planet’s total bird species, 130 mammal species and more than 3,000 plants, the cloud forests of Monteverde are a nature lover’s dream... -
Arenal Volcano National Park
For several decades, the Cerro Arenal Volcano was the most active in Costa Rica, spewing molten lava and red hot boulders into the surrounding darkness... -
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Once a sleepy backwater surfing town, Puerto Viejo has become a stop-off for travellers looking to party... -
Manuel Antonio National Park
If you imagine Costa Rica to be a paradise of pristine beaches, exotic flowers, thick rainforests, and crystal-clear waters, where monkeys and sloths and scarlet macaws frolic freely, then you have Manuel Antonio National Park in mind... -
Guanacaste National Park
Sandwiched between Santa Rosa National Park and Rincón de la Vieja National Park -- the other two parks in the Guanacaste Conservation Area trio -- this incredibly diverse and endearingly rustic national park is one of Costa Rica’s least visited... -
Cocos Island
The uninhabited Cocos Island is known as one of the world’s best scuba diving destinations... -
San Jose
At first glance, San Jose might not seem like the prettiest of cities but delve a little deeper into the colonial mansions of Barrio Amon, the restaurants of Barrio Escalante and the many live music clubs, and you’ll soon uncover the beating cultural heart of Costa Rica’s capital... -
Tortuguero National Park
This wild and interconnected web of canals is an aquatic fairyland, where gavilan trees stand sentry at the water’s edge, caiman snouts poke out of canals, tiger herons perch atop driftwood, and four species of endangered sea turtle travel thousands of miles every year to lay their eggs on the beaches where they once hatched... -
Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve
The first national park in Costa Rica, Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve is part of the Tempisque Conservation Area in the province of Puntarenas... -
Playa Carrillo
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Santa Teresa
A small beach village in the Puntarenas Province, Santa Teresa’s beach is famous amongst surfers for its fast and powerful beach break and consistent waves... -
Corcovado National Park
Few places on Earth are as wild, as rich, and as spectacular as Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park... -
Tenorio Volcano National Park
If wild and wonderful are your jam, then Tenorio Volcano National Park is a must for your Costa Rica agenda... -
Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park
Home to some of the most startling and unique scenery in Costa Rica, Rincón de la Vieja National Park and its eponymous volcano welcomes visitors to volcanic landscapes, complete with steaming fumaroles, boiling mud cauldrons, and natural hot springs... -
Cahuita National Park
Cahuita National Park is a dreamy destination, where coastal rainforest spills onto sand, and sand fades into the turquoise Caribbean... -
Poás Volcano National Park
Poás Volcano is the second-most visited national park in Costa Rica for one excellent reason: a gently active volcano (and its triplet craters)... -
Palo Verde National Park
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Carara National Park
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Quetzales National Park
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Marino Ballena National Park
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Sarapiqui
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Nosara
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Guatemala
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Nicaragua
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Lake Nicaragua
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Managua
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Belize
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South America
The places behind the landmarks
In 1830, in his final days, Simón Bolívar, the crusading independence hero who could have become the George Washington of South America, threw his hands up in resignation and declared the continent to be "ungovernable"... -
Patagonia
The wilderness at the end of the earth
Patagonia occupies a special place in travel lore: A wilderness of rock and ice, remote frontier communities and vast glacial landscapes... -
Argentina
A seductive mix of tango, treks and history
Argentina is a beguiling mix of modern cities and natural beauty... -
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the mother of all Argentinian cities, with amazing French and Italian architecture, a food scene that covers much more than just steakhouses and nightlife that doesn’t get started until 2am... -
Mendoza
Nestled amongst the foothills of the Andes in Argentina’s Cuyo region, Mendoza’s 300,000+ hectares of vineyards are responsible for up to 80% of the country’s wine production, including the famed Malbec red wine... -
Iguazu Falls
The mighty Iguazu Falls are awe-inspiring... -
Iberá Wetlands
As the second largest wetland in the world, the ecosystem here is rich in diverse species, including howler monkeys, maned wolves, river otters, both of Argentina’s caiman species and the biggest rodents in the world, capybaras... -
Valle de Uco
Nestled in the foothills of the Andes, this valley produces some of Argentina’s best wines, with a superb depth of flavour... -
Bariloche
Hugging the shores of the glacial lake Nahuel Huapi and surrounded by forest-lined Mountains, you’d be forgiven for mistaking Argentina’s San Carlos de Bariloche for an alpine Swiss town... -
El Calafate
The scenic town of El Calafate has many shops and eateries that offer products made from sweet Calafate berries, Patagonia’s famous fruit with many health benefits... -
El Chaltén
El Chaltén is one of the most iconic granite monoliths in the world... -
Glaciers National Park
The UNESCO World Heritage Glaciers National Park is home to more than 300 glaciers covering 217 miles, as well as mountain peaks, 15,000-year-old lakes and plenty of wildlife... -
Ushuaia
Located on the southernmost tip of South America and the gateway to the Antarctic and South Atlantic, it is easy to see how port town Ushuaia earned its nickname the “End of the World”... -
Perito Moreno National Park
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Tierra del Fuego National Park
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Salta
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Valdes Peninsula
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Puerto Madryn
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Cachi
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Cafayate
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Bolivia
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Salar de Uyuni
The world's largest salt flats
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Sajama
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Sajama National Park
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La Paz
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Siloli Desert
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Brazil
Samba rhythms and wild landscapes
Home of the Amazon rainforest, samba and O Joga Bonito (the beautiful game – football), Brazil is one of the world’s most fascinating places, with travel experiences to match any adventurer’s needs... -
Rio de Janeiro
Is there another city on earth that can match Rio's beauty? Mountain peaks, lush forests, beautiful beaches and playful inhabitants make Rio a must-see on any Brazilian itinerary... -
Paraty
A picturesque colonial-era town nestled on a beautiful stretch of Atlantic coast and backed by forested mountains... -
Pantanal
The Pantanal offers some of South America's finest wildlife watching... -
São Luís de Maranhão
Known for its Afro-Brazilian vibe, the World Heritage-listed centre of Sao Luis is a great place to stroll around admiring colonial mansions, art galleries and museums... -
Brazilian Amazon
The Amazon rainforest is the world's most important ecosystem, home to pristine rainforest, indigenous communities and an abundance of wildlife... -
Iguassu Falls
The mighty Iguazu Falls are actually a chain of 275 smaller waterfalls, forming an awe-inspiring semi-circle of water and noise... -
Manaus
Steamy, sultry Manaus is the entry point to the Brazilian Amazon and a huge port city, despite being more than 1,500km from the sea... -
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
A perfect mix of smooth sand dunes, hidden lagoons and ocean views, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is one of Brazil’s most beautiful natural wonders... -
Jericoacoara
The small fishing village of Jericoacoara is the perfect place to try out some adventure activities... -
Cuiabá
Best known as the gateway to the wildlife of the Pantanal, Cuiaba is worth a day or two of your time... -
Barra Grande
Brazil northeastern coastline is full of beautiful beaches, but Barra Grande is one of the best... -
Fortaleza
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Salvador
Tropical Salvador is home to plenty of gorgeous coastline, but it is the city’s Afro-Brazilian culture that attracts visitors... -
Brasilia
Brazil’s much-maligned capital is one of the world’s greatest examples of modernist architecture, but is often at the bottom of visitors’ must-see destinations... -
São Paulo
Sprawling São Paulo is Brazil’s biggest city, economic powerhouse and cultural centre... -
Ilha de Boipeba
A 12-km stretch of jungle and beaches, laidback Boipeba is the perfect place to lounge on the beach, eat delicious seafood and unwind from the stresses of the mainland... -
Ilha Grande
The island of Ilha Grande is tucked away between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo and is a popular holiday destination with both Brazilians and international travellers... -
Chile
The land of extremes
At over 4300km in length but only 170km wide, Chile is sandwiched between the lofty Andes and the Pacific Ocean... -
Atacama Desert
Covering over 1,000km of land from the Pacific coast to the Bolivian border, the Atacama desert is home to a range of otherworldly landscapes which leave even the most world-weary travellers breathless — though the high altitude could also be to blame for that... -
The Lakes District
Known for its conical volcanoes and its shimmering lakes, this region of central Chile and Argentina offers accessible and easy-going hiking with spectacular views, quiet villages and a laid back pace of life... -
Malalcahuello
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Temuco
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Pucón
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Conguillío National Park
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Villarrica National Park
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Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
A speck of land cast some 3,500km from the mainland, the story of the rise and fall of the Rapa Nui civilisation is fascinating and tragic in equal measures... -
Torres del Paine National Park
Tucked away in the southernmost corner of Chilean Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of place... -
Las Torres Mirador
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Lake Grey
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French Valley
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Campamento Paso
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Los Perros Valley
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Dickson Camp
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Santiago
Surrounded by hills, energetic Santiago is the beating heart of Chile and home to 40% of its people... -
Elqui Valley
Set in lush green vineyards in the foothills of the Andes, the Elqui Valley is one of the finest places in Chile to try pisco, a local high-proof brandy... -
Puerto Natales
This small fishing town has been transformed in recent decades into a hikers’ paradise — popular shopping includes Gore-Tex and trail mix — thanks in large part to nearby Torres del Paine National Park... -
Colchagua Valley
Spend a day or two touring the scenic Colchagua Valley, at the heart of Chile’s wine industry... -
Chiloé Island
The largest island in the Chiloé Archipelago (and the second largest in Chile), Chiloé Island is a must-visit for many tourists travelling to Chile’s beautiful Lake District region... -
Valparaiso
The chaotic counterweight to Santiago’s orderly vibe, port city Valparaiso is a colourful mess of winding streets, ramshackle houses and sweeping coastal views... -
Valle Chacabuco
Head to the hills of Valle Chacabuco for unrivalled wildlife spotting and nature photography... -
Punta Arenas
Sitting alongside the Strait of Magellan, this sprawling city provides a base for those wanting to explore the wilderness of Chile’s southernmost Patagonia and is a popular starting point for many Antarctic cruises... -
Cape Horn
The rocky headland of Hornos Island, where the wild oceans of the Pacific and Atlantic meet, lies the fabled Cape Horn... -
San Pedro de Atacama
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Llanquihue
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Mapu Lahual
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Puerto Varas
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Arica
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Putre
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Laguna Chungara
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Salar de Surire
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Suriplaza
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Acotango Volcano
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Lauca National Park
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Robinson Crusoe Island
The volcanic Juan Fernandez Island chain is internationally recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve... -
Jeinimeni National Reserve
Jeinimeni National Reserve in Chile Chico, Patagonia might just be Patagonia’s best-kept secret... -
Cochamo Valley
Popular with young Chilean backpackers and rock climbing fanatics, the Cochamo Valley is slowly becoming a favourite stop for hikers in the South of Chile... -
Cerro Castillo National Park
Located in the heart of Aysen Patagonia, this jagged mountain peak is getting more attention from hikers and is said to be the next Torres del Paine... -
Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park
This park to the far north of Chilean Patagonia was named in honour of Douglas Tompkins, the visionary entrepreneur who was a driving force for conservation across Patagonia... -
Huerquehue National Park
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Puerto Río Tranquilo
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Patagonia National Park
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Puerto Williams
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Mapu Lahual Indigenous Parks
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Puerto Edén
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Colombia
Embrace the complexity
Mention Colombia to someone who's never been and conversations inevitably veer toward a tangled mix of clichés: coffee, conflict, and the exploits of certain infamous characters... -
Bogota
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Medellin
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Cartagena
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Tayrona National Park
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Pasto
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Popayán
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San Agustín
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Coffee Region
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Isla Barú
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Ecuador
Where nature and history meet
Sitting on the shoulder of the South American continent, Ecuador – the mainland at least – somehow manages to avoid the limelight of the region's bigger hitters... -
Quito
Ecuador's mountain capital
The first thing you notice about Quito is that it takes your breath away... -
Otavalo
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The Amazon Basin
Mind-boggling biodiversity
The starting point for most Amazon jungle trips, Coca is slowly transforming itself from tourist transport hub into somewhere worth visiting itself... -
The Galapagos Islands
The islands that changed the world
For such a tiny smattering of islands flung far into the Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos archipelago has had an outsized impact on humanity and our understanding of ourselves... -
Isla Santa Cruz
Almost all visitors to the Galapagos Islands will touch down in Isla Santa Cruz at some point... -
Isla Isabela
Isabela is the largest of the Galapagos Islands and is made up of five (sometimes) active volcanoes... -
Isla Genovesa
Stay with us – Isla Genovesa is also known as Booby Island due to the sheer number of goofy-looking Nazca and red-footed boobies that live here... -
Isla Rabida
Famous for the unique red colour of its beach and cliffs, Isla Rabida is known for the sizeable number of flamingos that feed on shrimp in its lagoon, snorkelling with sea lions and the large number of bird species that live here... -
Isla Floreana
To the north of Floreana lies Punta Cormorant, a beautiful white sand beach that runs for 720m and is known as the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos... -
Isla San Cristóbal
Sea lions are everywhere in San Cristobal, so head down to any accessible waterfront to see noisy sea lions and furry babies frolicking on the sand and occasionally taking to the water... -
Isla Española
Española is one of the more remote Galapagos Islands, at some 90km southeast of Isla Santa Cruz... -
Isla Bartolomé
Tiny Bartolomé is most famous for its landscapes and scenery... -
Isla Fernandina
The third largest — and youngest — of the Galapagos Islands, Fernandina has a unique environment which makes it a haven for thousands of slowly-moving marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants and sea lions... -
Isla Santiago
Once a hideout for smugglers and pirates, Isla Santiago is now best-known for Sullivan Bay, where century-old lava has solidified into bubbles and caves, and Puerto Egas, a wet landing where you can see seals, sea lions and sea birds... -
Isla Darwin
Tiny Darwin Island, at the remote far north of the archipelago, is one of the world’s premier scuba locations... -
Santa Fe Island
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Isla Baltra
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Cotopaxi National Park
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Quilotoa Lagoon
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Yasuni National Park
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Baños
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Riobamba
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Cuenca
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Alausí
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Guayaquil
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Falkland Islands
World-class birdwatching and beaches
Known by the Spanish as Islas Malvinas, this island archipelago has far more to offer than a troubled political history... -
Peru
Hidden treasures for those that look
Mention Peru to most and their first response will almost certainly be: Machu Picchu! For better or worse the famed citadel has become virtually synonymous with its host nation... -
Lima
Peru's unfairly overlooked capital
Many tourists arrive in Lima only to fly straight out to Cusco, Arequipa or other popular tourist destinations in Peru... -
Cusco
Capital of the Inca
Once the capital of the mighty Inca Empire, Cusco is today the beating heart of Peru's tourism industry... -
Sacred Valley
Peru's spiritual heartland
The Urubamba River descends from Cusco, eventually connecting with tributaries of the mighty Amazon... -
Inca Trail
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Lares Valley
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Palqaq
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Rayancancha
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Lares Hot Springs
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Salkantay
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Vilcabamba
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Ausangate
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Chillihuani
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Yanacocha
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Ausangatecocha
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Jampapampa
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Pacchanta
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Ancascocha
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Vicos
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Espiritu Pampa
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KM82
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Llactapata
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Llulluchupampa
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Phuyupatamarca
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KM 104
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Huacayupana
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Lucmabamba
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Machu Picchu
Peru's archaeological rock star
Machu Picchu is the top attraction in Peru and, in 2007, was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World... -
Arequipa
Peru's elegant White City
Peru's second city is an elegant, refined counterweight to Lima's grey skies and frequently frenetic streets... -
Colca Canyon
Flight of the condor
Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon but a fraction of the width, Colca Canyon cuts a dramatic scar across Peru's southern Andes... -
Lake Titicaca
Shimmering heart of the Andean universe
A tranquil expanse of turquoise water seemingly at the roof of the world, Lake Titicaca was revered as the birthplace of Peru's original civilisations and the centre of the indigenous cosmos... -
Puerto Maldonado
Accessible Amazonian adventures
Puerto Maldonado, in Peru's southern Amazon, is the most accessible entrance to the jungle... -
Iquitos
The jungle city
Famous for being accessible only by air or boat, Iquitos lies in Peru's distant north-eastern Amazon with a distinct frontier vibe to match... -
Manú National Park
Peru's pristine wilderness
Manú is the largest national park in Peru and is such a special place that in 1977, Unesco, the United Nations’ educational and cultural organisation, recognised it as a biosphere reserve... -
Peruvian Amazon
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Chavín de Huántar
"Birthplace of South American culture”
If you have an interest in the formation of Andean civilisation, Chavín de Huántar is vastly more significant than the famed Machu Picchu, but with a fraction of the crowds... -
Choquequirao
Machu Picchu without the crowds (for now)
Machu Picchu 2... -
Trujillo
Northern historical heartlands
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Chiclayo
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Chachapoyas & Kuelap
The great cloud forest citadel
Constructed by the Chachapoyas people, a formidable and mysterious pre-Inca civilisation who referred to themselves as ‘Warriors of the Cloud’, Kuélap was probably first settled sometime in the fifth or sixth century AD and gradually built up over almost a millennium... -
Huaraz
Peru's mountain exploration base
Huaraz is Peru’s premier destination for trekking and mountain climbing in the Andes... -
Tarapoto
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Caral
In 1994, archaeologist Ruth Shady Solis stumbled on a strange mound in Peru’s grey lunar desert... -
Chan Chan
With its strange, honeycomb-like walls and labyrinth of wavelike parapets, this sprawling adobe capital looks at first to have been made by extraterrestrials... -
Sipan
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Tucume
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Luya Province
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Ollantaytambo
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Leymebamba
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Utcubamba Province
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Nazca
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Tambopata
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Piura
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Mancora
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Gocta Falls
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Cajamarca
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Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve
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Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
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Tambopata National Reserve
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Waqrapukara
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Huanuco Pampa
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Qhapaq Ñan
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Cordillera Blanca
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Cordillera Huayhuash
Approximately 30 kilometres north to south, Cordillera Huayhuash is extremely remote with only a handful of small settlements scattered below 4,000 metres... -
Paracas