Discover South America’s Big Five
Let Chimu plan your perfect itinerary!
South America is truly the continent that has it all. Sample mouth-watering empanadas in Santiago, search for pink river dolphins as you cruise the majestic Amazon, or immerse yourself into the fascinating music, culture, and history of Buenos Aires with the help of a passionate local guide.
Like Africa, South America has its own unique Big 5: cuisine, landscapes, history, wildlife, and culture. With LATAM offering daily flights from Australia to Santiago, including direct flights from Melbourne three times a week, the continent is easier than ever to access via Chile, the gateway to South America. Now is an ideal time to visit, with visitor numbers still below pre-pandemic levels.
Explore Patagonia or the Atacama in Chile before moving on to the jungles, islands, beaches, mountains and cosmopolitan cities of Peru, Brazil, Ecuador or Argentina on one of Chimu’s Signature South America itineraries .
Refined and perfected, our itineraries make it easy for you to get started, simply select one of our guaranteed departure dates, add on any pre or post trip optional extensions, then you’re ready to go!
CUISINE
Ceviche, asado, dulce de leche…just thinking about the delectable cuisine of South America is making us hungry! The cuisines of Latin America are varied, dependent on the climate, culture, and history of the region, but are always absolutely delicious. From casual food trucks to Michelin-starred degustation, the cuisine and wine of Latin America will steal your heart.
LANDSCAPES
The soaring, jagged mountains of Patagonia hardly look real. The impossibly blue beaches of Colombia’s Tayrona National Park are too enticing to resist. And don’t even get us started on the otherworldly Bolivian salt flats. The landscapes of Latin America are distinct, inspiring, and will constantly leave you speechless.
HISTORY
History buffs will never tire of South America. Home to ancient Indigenous communities and vast empires, you’ll find world-class museums, archeological sites, and architecture to discover, along with Spanish and Portuguese influences. Buenos Aires, Bogotá, and Lima are particularly renowned for their incredible museum collections.
WILDLIFE
You may be surprised to learn that South America rivals Africa when it comes to unique wildlife! An immersive cruise through the Amazon may discover jaguars, capybaras, and river otters, the Galapagos are one of the most biodiverse places on earth, but there’s also unbelievable wildlife viewing across the continent, including Patagonia and The Pantanal of Brazil.
CULTURE
South America practically invented culture — from the fascinating Incan civilisation and wonders of Machu Picchu to the flamboyant and jubilant atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival, the cultural highlights of the continent are never-ending. With an experienced local guide, you can immerse yourself in cultural experiences that go beyond the well-trodden tourist trail.
CUISINE
Ceviche, asado, dulce de leche…just thinking about the delectable cuisine of South America is making us hungry! The cuisines of Latin America are varied, dependent on the climate, culture, and history of the region, but are always absolutely delicious. From casual food trucks to Michelin-starred degustation, the cuisine and wine of Latin America will steal your heart.
LANDSCAPES
The soaring, jagged mountains of Patagonia hardly look real. The impossibly blue beaches of Colombia’s Tayrona National Park are too enticing to resist. And don’t even get us started on the otherworldly Bolivian salt flats. The landscapes of Latin America are distinct, inspiring, and will constantly leave you speechless.
HISTORY
History buffs will never tire of South America. Home to ancient Indigenous communities and vast empires, you’ll find world-class museums, archeological sites, and architecture to discover, along with Spanish and Portuguese influences. Buenos Aires, Bogotá, and Lima are particularly renowned for their incredible museum collections.
WILDLIFE
You may be surprised to learn that South America rivals Africa when it comes to unique wildlife! An immersive cruise through the Amazon may discover jaguars, capybaras, and river otters, the Galapagos are one of the most biodiverse places on earth, but there’s also unbelievable wildlife viewing across the continent, including Patagonia and The Pantanal of Brazil.
CULTURE
South America practically invented culture — from the fascinating Incan civilisation and wonders of Machu Picchu to the flamboyant and jubilant atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival, the cultural highlights of the continent are never-ending. With an experienced local guide, you can immerse yourself in cultural experiences that go beyond the well-trodden tourist trail.
OUR TOP SOUTH AMERICA ITINERARIES
SIGNATURE
SOUTH AMERICA CIRCLE
21 days from $11,185
Santiago, Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Machu Picchu, Cusco.
The best of what South America has to offer has been handpicked for the discerning traveller, ensuring you get the most out of the continent whilst travelling in comfort.
SIGNATURE
PATAGONIA
9 days from $7,955
El Calafate, Torres del Paine, Santiago
Stay in a Patagonian Lodge that includes daily excursion with a guide. Choose from a horseback ride guided by a traditional gaucho, hikes in the Ventisquero Valley, visit a Patagonian Estancia or a hike through Torres del Paine National Park.
SIGNATURE
PERU
9 days from $4,230
Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu PIcchu
The best of what Peru has to offer has been handpicked and packaged into this perfect 9-day, superior styled itinerary, ensuring that you get the most out of your visit to this incredible country.
SIGNATURE
GALAPAGOS
12 days from $12,325
Quito, Galapagos Islands (Santa Cruz, Isabella, Fernandina & Santiago islands)
This trip offers all the creature comforts, starting with a stay in Quito, then flying to the Galapagos Islands where you will board a luxurious catamaran for your cruise.
SIGNATURE
BUENOS AIRES TO RIO
9 days from $3,725
Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Rio de Janeiro.
This nine-day superior styled itinerary gives you the best of Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, two of South America’s most vibrant cities whilst travelling in comfort.
SIGNATURE SALT FLATS & HIGHLANDS OF THE ANDES
10 days from $8,285
Atacama Desert, Uyuni Salt Flats, La Paz, Puno
Starting in San Pedro de Atacama, before crossing to Bolivia to reach the world’s largest salt lake, the Salar de Uyuni. Continue through to the highlands of La Paz and finish at Lake Titicaca.
Fly with LATAM Airlines
LATAM Airlines Group S.A. and its subsidiaries are the leading airline group in Latin America, with a presence in five domestic markets in the region: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, in addition to international operations within Latin America and to Europe, United States, Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand.
LATAM Airlines operates daily services from Sydney, Australia (via Auckland) to Santiago, Chile and direct services from Melbourne, Australia to Santiago, Chile three times a week connecting passengers in just under 13 hours.
The group has a fleet of Boeing 767, 777, 787, Airbus A321, A320, A320neo, A319 aircraft and operates to over 144 destinations in 25 countries.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP TO ANTARCTICA
Did you know cruises departing from Ushuaia, at the southern tip of South America are the most popular way to get to Antarctica?
Why not extend your trip and add an Antarctica cruise to your Latin America itinerary.
BEST OF
ANTARCTICA
11 days from $10,969
The best of the stunning South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula in 11 Days. Embark in Ushuaia at the southern tip of South America and conquer the famed Drake Passage to bring you to the spectacular frozen wilderness of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.
JOURNEY TO THE ANTARCTIC CIRCLE
14 days from $16,570
Set sail to venture south to a milestone that few have journeyed; the Antarctic Circle, latitude 66° 33’. Marvel at surrounds of ice capped mountain ranges, explore by zodiac bays filled with immense icebergs and glaciers carved by Antarctica’s harsh environment.
ANTARCTICA, SOUTH GEORGIA & FALKLANDS
21 days from $23,509
This is an epic voyage of discovery as you follow in the footsteps of Ernest Shackleton and unearth the secrets of Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands. Marvel at spectacular rugged scenery, mingle with thousands of King penguins, seals and observe soaring albatross in the wildlife meccas of South Georgia and the Falklands.