Activities in South America
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Tijuca Rain Forest Jeep Tour from Rio de Janeiro
4 hours (Departs Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
by Viator
Take a morning or afternoon tour from Rio to the Tijuca Rain Forest, in an open jeep. The four-hour jeep tour includes an easy hike, giving you the chance to…Not LP reviewed
from USD$70.99 - All activities
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Caravana de Llamas
Based in the Posada de Luz, Caravana de Llamas is a recommended llama-trekking operator running half-day excursions (AR$140) around Tilcara, day trips in the Salinas Grandes (AR$180) and multiday excursions, including a five-day marathon from Las Yungas lowlands to Tilcara (AR$1750 to AR$2600). The guide is personable and well informed about the area. Llamas are pack animals: you walk, they carry the bags.
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Stinasu
Most of Suriname's exemplary system of national parks and reserves is accessible via Parbo-based tour operators. Stinasu, the Foundation for Nature Conservation in Suriname, donates a percentage of all trip proceeds to nature conservation. It coordinates research and ecotourism expeditions, runs excellent guided trips to Brownsberg, Galibi, Raleighvallen/Voltzberg/Foengoe Island (four days) and Coppename (one day).
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Hike to Garganta del Diablo
Of several interesting walks around Tilcara, the most popular is the two-hour hike to Garganta del Diablo, a pretty canyon and waterfall. Head toward the pucará, but turn left along the river before crossing the bridge. The path to the Garganta leaves this road to the left just after a sign that says 'Cuide la flora y fauna'. Swimming is best in the morning, when the sun is on the pool.
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Nove Ilhas Tour
From the nearby village of Pontal da Barra, schooners leave at around 09:00 and 13:00 on the Nove Ilhas (Nine Islands) tour. The trip lasts four hours and, in addition to cruising the Lagoa Mundaú, you'll stop at the outlet of the lake into the ocean. Departures are from Pontal da Barra's lakefront restaurants, such as O Peixarão or Alípio. A five-person minimum is required, so call ahead.
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Gaucho Day Trip from Buenos Aires: Santa Susana Ranch
8 hours (Departs Buenos Aires, Argentina)
by Viator
Experience a ‘fiesta gaucha’ (gaucho party) on this full-day tour from Buenos Aires to Estancia Santa Susana, a traditional ranch in the Argentina countryside.…Not LP reviewed
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Güembe
A great place for a day out of Santa Cruz, Güembe has a butterfly farm, orchid exhibitions, 10 natural pools, fishing and trekking in the surrounding forest. There’s a restaurant with international cuisine, so you won’t go hungry, and cabins if you wish to stay the night. The best way to get here is by taxi from Santa Cruz; expect to pay around B$30.
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Reserva Tanimboca
At Reserva Tanimboca visitors can monkey around atop 35m-high trees, then slide 80m along zip-lines from one tree to another through the beautiful forest canopy (COP$60,000). Other activities include kayaking (COP$20,000) and nocturnal jungle hikes (COP$150,000). Or splurge for an overnight stay in a treehouse (single/double/triple COP$150,000/200,000/300,000).
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Gulliver
Well-regarded operator offering hiking, climbing, mountain-biking and horseback-riding trips in the Andes. Excellent prices, daily departures; does Cotopaxi, Ilinizas, Quilotoa and more. Most day trips cost $30 to $45 per person. Five- to seven-day Cotopaxi trips with acclimatization programs are based out of its Hostería PapaGayo and cost $360 to $450 and $500 respectively.
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Surfing
Surfboard rental and surf lessons are easily arranged. Zebra & Pepê offer board rentals. The coast south of Itacaré is characterized by rough surf (better for surfing than swimming).
There has been a rash of muggings at and around Itacaré's beaches, so take little money and nothing of value. Avoid the trails through the forests past late afternoon.
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Jangadas
Jangadas sail out 2km at low tide to natural pools formed by the nearby reef. On a busy day, the pools fill up with people (clouding the water for those interested in snorkeling) and waiters run around serving drinks from floating bars. You can arrange trips with any boat captain - stop in early to find out when the boats are sailing. Embark at Praia de Pajuçara.
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Sayta
This estancia 40km from Salta runs excellent horseback-riding days, with optional asado (barbecue grill). It’s also a place you can stay to experience a taste of Argentine gaucho life. A half-day with/without lunch costs AR$170/125, and full-board accommodation for a night is AR$230 (with a day’s riding AR$345). Prices include transfers from Salta.
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Cruce de Lagos
Many travelers enjoy the scenery around Lago Todos Los Santos, which can be crossed either as a day tour or as part of the bus-boat excursion across the Andes to Bariloche, Argentina. If the weather is clear it's a pleasant tour, but otherwise it can be quite frustrating. Only one company, Cruce de Lagos, does the trip; reservations are made through Andina del Sud.
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Birding in Peru
Englishman Barry Walker, owner of the Cross Keys Pub, is a self-confessed 'birding bum' and the best resident ornithologist to give serious birders plenty of enthusiastic advice. He has also written a field guide, The Birds of Machu Picchu, and runs a tour agency, Birding in Peru, for bird-watching trips all around Peru, as well as into Bolivia and Chile.
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Velho Marineiro
Rio’s newest aquatic venture is a small party boat that heads out for a four-hour cruise around Rio. The tour entails music, a barbecue, free drinks, and stops for swimming along the way. Tours run only when there’s enough demand (10 persons or more), which is fairly often in the summer. The tour operator will pick you up on the day of the tour.
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Mamá Kinua Cultural Center
A community tourism project offering tours and homestays in nearby indigenous communities ($48 per person per night; two persons minimum). You can participate in all kinds of activities, including folkloric music, cooking, farming, medicinal plant demonstrations, and cheese-making. All revenue goes to a community health network. No English is spoken.
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Petropolis Day Trip from Rio de Janeiro including Imperial Museum and Crystal Palace
10 hours (Departs Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
by Viator
Escape the crowds of Rio de Janiero at Petropolis, the beautiful mountain retreat of Brazil's only two emperors. Wander through the Imperial Museum. Pay your…Not LP reviewed
from USD$64.99 -
Diceny Viajes
Travelers give kudos to this guide service run by native otavaleña Zulay Saravino, who helped start Otavalo’s first tour agency. Knowledgeable, bilingual guides lead tours to various villages to learn about crafts, music and local traditions. Stay in guest rooms (rooms per night $14) in Zulay’s own home in the small village of Quinchuquí.
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Maputur
Similar trips to those offered by Grado 42. Rents mountain bikes for AR$45/60 per half-/full day.
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Merazonia Foundation
For folks who have some time and a love of animals, the Merazonia Foundation, a refuge for injured rainforest animals just outside of Mera, offers volunteer opportunities with their projects rescuing and protecting birds, mammals and other creatures. They have facilities with composting toilets and hot showers.
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Temple of Pachacamac Half-Day Tour from Lima
3 hours (Departs Lima, Peru)
by Viator
Join a half-day tour to the famous Pachacamac Temple, located only a short distance from Lima. Built by different leaders throughout the centuries and between…Not LP reviewed
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Jaime Rodriguez
An experienced local guide fluent in English, Spanish and Pemón, he leads excellent Roraima tours emphasizing local culture and customs. A vivid and engaging storyteller who breathes life into the landscape and chilly tepui-top evenings, he is in the process of developing a Pemón guide cooperative.
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Viña Aquitania
Set at the foot of the Andes is Santiago's most interesting winery. Aquitania works with tiny quantities and sky-high quality. From Grecia metro station (Línea 4), take bus D07 south from bus stop 6 and get off at the intersection of Av Los Presidentes and Consistorial (you need a Bip! card). Aquitania is 150m south. Note that Viña Cousiño Macul is located only 2km away.
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Amazonas Explorer
Offers excellent two- to 10-day mountain-biking adventures; great for families, with kids’ bikes available.
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Feria de Cali
The main city event is the Feria de Cali. It lasts from Christmas to New Year's, with parades, masquerades, music, theatre, bullfights and general citywide revelry. Given the city's staunch faith in the beauty of its women, it's no surprise that the beauty pageant also draws in hordes of spectators.
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Ampora Wine Tours
A well-established operation that concentrates on midrange and top-end wines. It has tours leaving every day to Luján de Cuyo and Maipú (AR$700) and the Uco valley (AR$730). Tours focus more on tasting than winemaking techniques. Also offers four-hour cooking classes led by famous winery chefs from the region (AR$525).
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