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Seven sights of South America
Home to 12 countries and around 400 million people, South America packs in everything from rainforest to arid desert, natural wonders and some of the most fascinating man-made wonders of the world, not to mention countless other sights to see, cultures to explore and history to uncover.
No place is the same as the next, which makes for an unforgettably exciting holiday. The only difficulty can be knowing where to start, so as you plan your bucket list holiday, we’ve picked out the top seven sights of South America you won’t want to miss.
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The Galapagos Islands
Famous world-wide for its diverse and unique wildlife, the Galapagos Islands are best known for helping Charles Darwin shape his theories on natural selection and evolution. For those who love the natural world, there are few better places to visit. Meet giant tortoises, which can weigh up to 300kg, marine iguanas, the Northern Hemisphere’s only penguins, eye-catching blue-footed boobies, vibrantly coloured Sally Lightfoot crabs and plenty more.
The islands themselves, set in the Pacific Ocean around 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, are spectacular in their own right, with clear turquoise seas lapping white sand beaches, volcanic landscapes and lush forests.
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Patagonia, Argentina and Chile
Chile’s long, thin geography packs in a fascinating variety of landscapes, from the Atacama Desert to vineyards and cities. But Patagonia in the far south puts the rest in the shade, one of the world’s truly great landscapes, where these wild open spaces are as tempting if you’re looking for adventure or a chance to get outdoors and enjoy the scenery.
Split with neighbouring Argentina, the dramatic mix of scenery features mountains, lakes, rainforests and glaciers, including volcanoes reflecting in the waters of the picturesque Lake District in northern Patagonia and Torres del Paine National Park, where gleaming blue icebergs float offshore and mountains soar above the wildlife-rich grasslands. Or in Argentina’s Glacier Alley, watch icebergs calve off the glaciers themselves, as penguins and humpback whales glide through the freezing waters.
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The Ecuadorian Amazon
The largest rainforest on earth, the Amazon is split between Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. And while the former destinations are most popular with visitors to South America, the Ecuadorian Amazon makes a wonderful alternative, with fewer crowds and just as many attractions.
Areas like Yasuni National Park are thought to be among the most biologically diverse places on the planet, with dense rainforest, wide meandering rivers and mist-cloaked mountains providing a habitat for millions of species of plant, mammal, reptile and bird, as well as many indigenous tribes.
Explore some of the trails through the forest, or cruise along its waterways, looking out for endangered giant otters as well as anacondas, with monkeys and brightly coloured macaws in the trees above.
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Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, Peru
The Inca Empire was once the largest of pre-Columbian America and it’s an unmissable part of any holiday in Peru, especially a chance to visit the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu. Hidden high in the Andes for centuries, this ‘lost city’ is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, as well as one of the most remarkable places to visit in South America, if not the world.
Soak up the iconic views down onto the site, as llamas graze nearby, before exploring the streets and buildings, as well as the stories of those who once lived here.
That’s far from the only Incan site you can visit during a holiday to Peru, including Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, and the Sacred Valley, where the narrow cobbled streets of Ollantaytambo make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time, while centuries-old steps carved into the cliff have endured to this day.
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The Iguazu Falls, Brazil and Argentina
The world’s largest waterfalls system, the thundering cascades of the Iguazu Falls are genuinely breathtaking. Spanning the border between Argentina and Brazil, the curtain of water is made up of 275 separate cascades, stretching over an area of almost 1.7 miles, surrounded by the subtropical rainforest of the Iguazu National Park.
Save time to explore both sides, looking down onto the torrential white water from the cliffside viewing platforms on the Brazillian, with birds and insects glittering above calmer pools at the top of the falls. On the Argentinian side, you’ll get a taste of the astonishing power of the falls, which crash 80m down the cliff face, following walkways drenched in spray around the base.
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Home to a string of iconic sights, there’s a reason why Rio de Janeiro is among the world’s most memorable cities. Perhaps the most recognisable of the city’s landmarks is the UNESCO-listed statue of Christ the Redeemer standing high on Mount Corcovado. Towering 98ft tall, the statue’s outstretched arms reach for 92ft, and it’s the largest Art Deco sculpture in the world.
But this isn’t the only reason the Brazilian city has been recognised by UNESCO. From the golden expanses of Copacabana Beach to the rainforest of the Tijuca National Park, the instantly recognisable Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio’s unique blend of urban and natural sets it apart. Throw in perhaps the world’s biggest party at Carnival, and a visit is one of the highlights of a trip to South America.
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Lake Titicaca, Bolivia and Peru
The largest lake in South America, Lake Titicaca sits high in the Andes mountains on the border of Peru and Bolivia. And from its legendary origins to its cultural importance today, as well as its sheer beauty, make it one of the sights of South America to put on your bucket list.
The area’s indigenous people, the Quechua, have lived here for centuries, and there’s a chance to learn about their culture and heritage, including the inhabitants of the floating reed Uros islands. As gaze out onto the deep blue waters of the lake, it’s not hard to believe the Incan myth that this magical spot was the birthplace of the sun.
Explore the best sights on a touring holiday of South America, or go on an effortless adventure even further afield by combining a tour of South America with a cruise to Antarctica
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Cathy Winston is a London-based travel journalist, who’s steadily working her way around the world – 60+ countries visited so far.
Cathy Winston | About the author
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