Luxury South America Tours- Classic Journeys
South America Walking Tours: From Machu Picchu to Patagonia and the Galápagos
One morning, you’re walking through cloud forest toward Machu Picchu. Another, you’re following a trail beneath the granite peaks of Patagonia. In the Galápagos, a giant tortoise may lumber across your path as blue-footed boobies and sea lions carry on seemingly unconcerned by your presence.
Our South America walking tours take you into three wildly different corners of the continent: Peru, Chile and the Galápagos Islands. What connects them isn’t just extraordinary scenery. It’s the people who bring you closer to each place.
Throughout our South America guided tours, small groups make it possible to stay closer to the places and people you’ve come so far to experience, whether that’s over Peruvian cuisine, Chilean wine, a conversation in a mountain village, or a day surrounded by wildlife.
In Peru, walk with an expert native guide through the Sacred Valley, where Inca terraces still contour the mountainsides and ancient traditions remain part of daily life. Meet a master weaver in her Chinchero home, share lunch with a family at their centuries-old hacienda, and follow a section of the legendary Inca Trail through cloud forest to the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu. Rather than rushing in and out, you spend two nights here, with time to experience the lost city with your guide and on your own.
In Chile, your walking adventures in South America stretch from vineyards beneath the Andes to volcanic landscapes and the wild reaches of Patagonia. Walk through Torres del Paine among turquoise lakes, waterfalls and glaciers, then spend time with gauchos on a remote working estancia, gathering around the fire for a traditional Patagonian barbecue.
And in the Galápagos Islands, the experience shifts again. Here, wildlife takes center stage. Walk volcanic landscapes and pristine coastlines, snorkel in clear Pacific waters, and come remarkably close to the species that inspired Darwin, all in the company of expert naturalist guides.
Related Trips
Galápagos & Machu Picchu Wildlife Walking Tour
- 10 days
- Starting at $10,995
Galapagos Island-Based Wildlife Walking Tour
- 8 days
- Starting at $8,195
Join Classic Journeys’ expert local guides and discover South America on foot, where every trail brings you closer to the landscapes, cultures and people that make this part of the world unforgettable.
Getting Here
Which airlines fly to South America?
Major international airlines (like LATAM, United, American and Delta) serve Lima, Santiago and Quito, the primary gateways for Classic Journeys trips in South America. For the Galápagos Islands, travelers typically fly through mainland Ecuador before continuing to the islands.
What are the seasons in South America?
South America is in the Southern Hemisphere, so its seasons are generally opposite those in North America. However, weather varies considerably by destination and elevation. Patagonia has distinct seasons, while Peru’s Andes are more commonly described in terms of wet and dry seasons. The Galápagos Islands have warm and cooler seasons influenced by ocean currents.
What is the best time of year to visit South America?
There isn’t one best time to visit South America because Peru, Chile and the Galápagos have very different climates. Peru’s Andes are especially appealing during the drier months, Patagonia is generally best explored during its warmer months, and the Galápagos Islands can be visited year-round. The best timing depends on the landscapes and experiences you want to prioritize.
Activities & Adventures
What are the top activities in South America?
- Walking the Inca Trail and exploring Machu Picchu in Peru
- Walking among glaciers, lakes and mountains in Chilean Patagonia
- Wildlife walks and snorkeling in the Galápagos Islands
- Exploring the Sacred Valley’s Inca ruins and mountain villages
- Wine tasting in Chile’s Maipo Valley
- Meeting local artisans, farmers, fishermen and gauchos
What are the top experiences in South America?
Some of the most memorable experiences combine iconic places with encounters that bring them to life. Walk through cloud forest to see Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, spend time with Quechua communities in Peru’s Sacred Valley, explore Torres del Paine in Patagonia, meet Chilean gauchos on a working estancia, and come remarkably close to giant tortoises, sea lions and blue-footed boobies in the Galápagos.
What are the best landmarks and natural attractions to see in South America?
For Classic Journeys travelers, highlights include Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley in Peru; Torres del Paine, Grey Glacier and the Andes in Chile; and the volcanic landscapes and extraordinary wildlife of Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands.
South America
What is the food like in South America?
Cuisine changes dramatically as you travel through South America. In Peru, expect distinctive Andean ingredients and specialties alongside dishes influenced by the country’s remarkably diverse culinary traditions. Chile brings excellent seafood, Patagonian lamb and celebrated wines, particularly from regions such as the Maipo Valley. In Ecuador and the Galápagos, fresh seafood and locally grown ingredients reflect the islands’ Pacific setting.
What are the best foodie experiences in South America?
- In Peru, share traditional specialties at a centuries-old hacienda in the Sacred Valley and cook an Andean-style meal with a local chef.
- In Chile, walk through a Maipo Valley vineyard before lunch and wine tasting, and gather around the fire for traditional Patagonian lamb with gauchos.
- The Galápagos adds another flavor entirely, with fresh seafood enjoyed in an island setting.
Where are the best wildlife experiences in South America?
For extraordinary wildlife, it’s difficult to rival the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, where giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions and blue-footed boobies can often be observed at remarkably close range. Chile also offers excellent wildlife experiences, from penguin colonies off Chiloé Island to guanacos, rheas and Andean condors in Patagonia.
Is South America good for walking tours?
Yes. In fact, walking is one of the best ways to experience the places Classic Journeys visits in South America. Trails lead through Peru’s Sacred Valley and cloud forests toward Machu Picchu, across the pampas and beneath the peaks of Patagonia, and over volcanic landscapes in the Galápagos. Classic Journeys’ South America walking tours pair these walks with expert local guides and cultural experiences along the way.
Can I hike the Inca Trail on a Classic Journeys Peru tour?
Yes. Classic Journeys guests can choose to hike a section of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, ascending through cloud forest before reaching the Sun Gate above the site. Because permits are limited, advance reservations are required. Guests who prefer not to hike can take the scenic train instead.
What is the best destination in South America for glaciers and mountain scenery?
Chilean Patagonia is the standout. In Torres del Paine, walks lead through pampas and Magellanic forests with views of snow-capped peaks, waterfalls, lakes and glaciers. At Lago Grey, you can take to the water for an up-close view of Grey Glacier.
What is the best destination in South America for snorkeling?
The Galápagos Islands are the clear choice among Classic Journeys destinations. Snorkeling adds an entirely different perspective to the islands, with opportunities to encounter marine life in the Pacific waters surrounding the archipelago.
Which South America destinations are best for families?
The Galápagos Islands and Peru are especially compelling choices for families. The Galápagos turns wildlife and natural history into a real-life classroom, while Peru combines Machu Picchu and Inca history with active walks and opportunities to meet local people. The right choice will depend on children’s ages and the activity level your family prefers.
