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South America offers rewarding travel year round, with seasonality depending on the region.
Destinations like Peru, the Galápagos Islands, and much of coastal South America experience stable, comfortable temperatures in both the Southern Hemisphere’s winter and summer, making them appealing in all seasons.
Patagonia, by contrast, is highly seasonal and is best visited September through March due to weather. Along with fresh greenery, plenty of sunshine, and warm temps, spring (September - November) is a wonderful time to visit the Mendoza wine region.
Big cities like Buenos Aires and Santiago welcome visitors year round, though travelers sensitive to heat may prefer avoiding peak summer months (December – February).
Tour Manager
Born in Cusco in the Peruvian Andes, Eliuth — known to friends as Elico — brings more than 2 decades of experience as a local guide and Tour Manager across Peru and South America. Deeply connected to the land and the legacy of his Inca ancestors, he loves meeting new people and sharing the culture, nature, and spirit of his homeland with every traveller.
Tour Manager
With almost 20 years of experience guiding travellers across South America, Cristobal brings the region’s history, food, and everyday culture to life. With a background in tourism and education, he’s passionate about creating authentic, memorable experiences—handling the details while helping guests discover the true heart of South America.
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Too many memorable experiences to pick just one Incredibly beautiful scenery. & our weather was amazing.
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So many different types of experiences that it’s impossible to compare which is the favorite. The camaraderie of the group? The wine tastings? Ranches, farms, riding a horse? Big city sights? The moving dictatorship remembrance sites in Chile and Argentina? But I will say that Iguazú falls were spectacular!
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Accommodations and included meals were very nice. I think one less day on Buenos Aires and add a day in Ushuaia would be a better fit . We spent less than an hour in Ushuaia. I liked the local guides and all of the local residents we dealt with in stores, hotels, and restaurants were very kind and friendly. I took a different tour of Tigre Delta than Collette offered. Mine was better. We paid a bit more, but we got lunch, a private boat, and a city tour. Collette should switch to this carrier. A tour of the Opera House should be included in the Buenos Aires portion. Also- the trip to La Boca really wasn't much of anything- we were cautioned to not go far from the spot we were dropped off- really not much to see and we were warned of pick pockets etc which may have been over cautious. Loved the cruise portion- ship and staff were top notch. The suggested tipping amounts in the Collette brochure differed from the cruise ship suggested amounts. That was confusing. The excursion descriptions need to be rewritten. They do not accurately describe what each hike entails. I offered to accurately rewrite the brochure for Collette and have not heard a response from them. I was disappointed that during our flights to and from the ship, we were not seated together. The confusion and lines at the airports was a bit much and the payment of the overweight baggage fee when leaving to go to the ship was a nightmare Nothing but slow service, poor directions, and long lines. The actual people in the group and our leader, David, was a nice mix and all were very friendly. Overall, a great trip.
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Our tour guide Cristobal Villanueva was the best tour guide we have ever had. He is a true asset to the tour. Everything we saw and did was amazing.
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Our Guide Ellioth "Elliot" was amazing! I have been on many tours and expeditions but never had a guide that knew, or found out anything from information on our travel times to knowing more about his home countries history and neighboring country of Ecuador history better than I know American History and I have a degree in it. My day was always full of fun excitement and things I have never seen before and may never again. The detail in the travel and tours were planned out so one never felt really rushed. Remember this is a TOUR not a Vacation. There is a lot of walking and physical activity but after watching one individual in our group I am now convinced everyone who can manage 20 to 30 stairs at a time with breaks will be fine. The guides work at the groups pace and the group if they are good help the others when and if needed. The terrain is not flat or paved lots of place. Wear comfortable shoes. Underwater camera is recommended in my opinion. Binoculars I also highly recommend. For snorkeling they will let you use life rings and more buoyant if you struggle with your face in the water. Snorkeling off the beach is easier than off the side of a zodiac. SUN SCREEN, HAT, SUN GLASSES...DON'T FORGET THESE!! One more fun thing that I learned on the trip is that people in Peru and Ecuador LOVE $2 BILLS. 2 dollar bills are considered lucky and rare, so if you want to make your guide and other locals that assist you on your adventures day better take some with! THANK YOU FOR AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE!
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All the animals and bids we saw!
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Beautiful experiences. Weather is unpredictable so we missed out of seeing Penguins but otherwise it was fantastic.
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A relaxed pace. Really nice countries to visit. Mendoza wine country was fun. Iguazu Falls was spectacular.
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The entire staff was wonderful and it was a memorable experience.
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The visits to both vineyards were good. The extension to Brasil was wonderful. We truly marveled at Iguazu Falls. The bird sanctuary was a highlight, too.
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I love the adventure of traveling as much ground as possible and this tour did not disappoint! Three countries, 3 flights, great vineyards, amazing hands on activities, farm to table experiences, and so much more! The people and conversations with others make the experiences so memorable! I love how Collette takes care of you from start to finish of their trips, have a top-notch app for us to use, brings the groups together with their meals and keeps us relatively close to our group in hotels. Overall, the planning and implementation of each trip has been impeccable!
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Great tour. I would like bus trip through the Andies rather than a flight.
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This tour was extensive to cover the Patagonia area. One main point is to decrease the stay in Buenos Aires and to add more in Patagonia area specifically at the Rio Serano area where I felt we could have experienced more of Patagonia that the short stay we had. The Ventus cruise was excellent to experience the glaciers in this region and we were blessed to land on Cape Horn. Overall, I cannot complain and enjoyed every part of the itinerary as well as my fellow travelers in this small tour group.
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Iguazu Falls and exploring the walkways and Jet Boat ride with my group on the river and getting a dunk under the falls.
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Our tour guide was WONDERFUL and the step on guides were good too.
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This was our first experience with a fully guided tour. Cris, our tour manager, made sure that everyone was looked after and always willing to listen. The Machu Picchu experience was wonderful! Sacred Valley and Lake Tittaca were spectacular in their own unique way which is what made the whole experience so enjoyable. Would definitely recommend this trip and Collette
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Our Machu Pichu guide, who was very proud of his Incan roots, said “Peruvians are very proud of Machu Pichu, especially because it was discovered without the influence of the Catholic Church or the Spanish, both of whom referred to the Incans as savages.” As we turned the bend for our first glimpse of the ruins, he stopped and turned and said, “Does this look like something that was created by savages?”
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Sunrise in Machu PIcchu. Sacred Valley, floating islands at Lake Titikaka. Visits to .ocal farms.
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The tour guides provided excellent history and cultural insight at ea h destination. Excellent mix of experiences from beginning to end. Great finale at Larco Museum. The trip leader, David, is the gold standard for a guide and leader. He was the key for a great experience.
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For the price and experience it was tops. Our tour manager was excellent.
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Experience the essence of two South American countries on a comprehensive journey from Santiago, Chile to Argentina’s wine country and vibrant Buenos Aires.
View 9-Day Itinerary
Journey from the Land of the Incas to the Galápagos archipelago, enjoying a 4-night cruise aboard a personal yacht.
View 15-Day ItineraryThe best time depends on where you’re traveling. Peru, the Sacred Valley, and the Galápagos offer comfortable conditions year round, with stable temperatures in both the Southern Hemisphere’s winter and summer. Most touring in Patagonia takes place from September through March due to weather and trail accessibility. Major cities like Buenos Aires and Santiago welcome visitors year round, though travelers sensitive to heat may prefer to avoid December.
Visa requirements vary by country. Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Ecuador (for Galápagos itineraries) generally require only a valid passport with at least six months’ validity beyond travel dates. Argentina also performs biometric checks on arrival and departure. If your itinerary or extension includes Brazil — for example, Iguazú Falls — U.S., Canadian, and Australian travellers must obtain an e‑visa for entry.
South America’s vast distances, variable weather, and complex internal flight networks can make independent travel challenging, especially in regions like Patagonia and the Andes. Collette coordinates all transportation, manages internal flights with your Tour Manager accompanying the group, and adjusts plans as needed in areas prone to schedule changes. Guided touring also ensures access to expert naturalists, community hosts, local artisans, and specialty guides who lead experiences like tango lessons, cooking classes, vineyard visits, or Galápagos wildlife excursions.
Yes. Many South America itineraries require internal flights. Peru (Lima–Cuzco–Puno), Chile–Argentina, Argentina (Mendoza–Buenos Aires), or Ushuaia connections for Patagonia. All these flights are included when listed in the itinerary. Collette manages check‑ins, schedules, and airport assistance, and Tour Managers fly with the group to streamline transitions. Some days may involve early morning departures to maximize sightseeing time.
Some destinations, particularly in Peru — Cuzco, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca — reach altitudes above 9,000 ft., and Puno sits above 12,000 ft. Collette’s Peruvian Tour Managers are trained to help guests adjust, recommending hydration, slow movement on arrival, and rest when needed. These tours are rated at higher activity levels and may not be suitable for travelers with certain heart or respiratory conditions. Consult your physician before booking.
Collette monitors local conditions, works with trusted in destination partners, and designs itineraries that prioritize culturally significant and tourism ready regions. Cities like Buenos Aires and Santiago are similar to other major world capitals — busy and vibrant, with areas where travelers should practice precautions. Tour Managers provide guidance on areas for dining, shopping, and exploring. In regions like Patagonia, the Sacred Valley, or Antarctica, the environment itself is the primary consideration, and all activities are designed to match the group’s comfort and health levels.
Collette travellers enjoy a variety of regional cuisines. Peruvian meals highlight local produce, and many tours include farm‑to‑table experiences or cooking demonstrations. Argentina and Chile are known for grilled meats, wine‑paired lunches, and visits to family‑run vineyards. Galápagos features fresh seafood and Ecuadorian flavours, whilst expedition cruises offer gourmet onboard dining with both buffet and à‑la‑carte options.
Activity levels vary. Small Group Explorations tours in Peru often involve extended walking at altitude and visits to archaeological sites with stairs and uneven ground, contributing to a Level 4 rating. Patagonia itineraries include hikes, nature walks, and Zodiac landings but offer alternative activity levels on many outings. Antarctica cruises require walking on icy or rocky terrain and boarding Zodiacs, but provide multiple excursion options to match comfort levels. Collette provides activity level details so travellers can choose the right fit.
Every itinerary includes guided sightseeing, cultural experiences, accommodation, many meals, internal flights when listed, on‑tour transport, and the support of a full‑time Tour Manager. Experiences vary by tour but may include vineyard tastings in Mendoza, Galápagos wildlife excursions led by naturalists, tango lessons in Buenos Aires, traditional community visits in Peru, and expedition landings in Patagonia.
Terrain varies widely. The Andes involve altitude and uneven stone pathways; Patagonia brings wind, variable weather, and optional hikes; Amazon or Galápagos excursions may take place on boardwalks, beaches, or trails; and Antarctica requires stability for Zodiac transfers. All activities are paced for group travel, and many tours offer alternating activity levels. Travellers with mobility concerns should review activity-level ratings carefully.
From handpicked hotels, restaurants, and cultural experiences to thoughtfully integrated free time, our on-the-ground team in South America crafts journeys they'd want to take themselves.
Travellers always tell us that Tour Managers make the journey. It's like travelling with a friend who's got the inside scoop. They live in the destination and share hidden gems that only the locals know.
With our Small Group Peru tour, explore mysterious ancient cities and immerse yourself in culture, from the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu to the floating islands of Lake Titicaca.
View 11-Day Itinerary
