Many of us have seen a lot of the most beautiful places to visit in the United States. South America – a continent highly recognized as one of the most diverse places on Earth is a haven for all types of travelers. From the adrenaline junkies, the history lovers, to the honeymooners and the luxury travelers…South America has it all. From its Andean peaks, to its burgeoning volcanoes, its Caribbean white sand beaches and its enchanting lost cities…The continent is teeming with life, with adventure, with wilderness, with vigor and a bustling vibe that is unmatched to any other continent in the world.
Feisty, fiery, colorful – South America boasts Incan ruins, glaciers, colonial towns, national parks, and of course – the ever so famous tango and salsa. If you’re looking for a continent that will satisfy all your adrenaline-junkie needs, there really is no competition with South America. Its arid deserts are perfect for exploring, its jungles are begging to be explored, peaks ready to be climbed and plains ready to be sled down unto.
Interested in temples? You have the Inca for that. Want a little bit of nature? Plenty of it in the rainforests….Want to watch wildlife? You can go a step further and even swim with sharks. What about history? Peru….Dramatic landscapes? Tierra del Fuego. The list can simply go on forever, and the incredible adventures that South America has to offer can be incredibly overwhelming for any travelers out there, hence why we’re writing this article. . In this article I will talk about 5 of the “not so common” adventures of this amazing continent so you can fully utilize the incredible adventures that South America sets the stage for.
Hike the Inca Trail
One of the most iconic attractions of South America is its Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. Despite Machu Picchu being the star of the show here, the Inca Trail is often overlooked by people who don’t thrive in adventure or seek it. And one of the most beautiufl places on the world to travel.
The Machu Picchu is the most visible example of a civilization that has survived through thick and thin up until the present day. Mist-covered mountains soar into the sky amidst gorgeous ancient ruins, a lush, dense forest and an alluring vibe that will heighten all your spiritual senses. The scenery on its own is gorgeous in Machu Picchu – an effortless blend of both, nature and history, come into to play to make for an unforgettable trip.
To add a little extra oomph to your Machu Picchu trip, you’ll have to hike the Inca Trail. The Inca were actually considered extremely talented master builders who were geniuses in road construction, terraces, agricultural and ritualistic ceremonies. It is, however, utterly beautiful to see that those same roads still exist up to this day in all their glory and rigor.
The trail is not an easy one to hike and there are different roads that cater to different types of fitness levels, so make sure you go there prepared, and that you choose the trail that best matches your particular fitness level. However, it’s easily one of the best things you can do for your ultimate adventure holiday…You can even check out Keadventure.com
Climb Volcanoes
It’s not everyday that you get to climb a volcano, but in South America the possibilities are endless. Ecuador, for example, is blessed with 8 of the 10 highest peaks in Ecuador in the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Whether you want to climb a volcano in Ecuador, or you want to go to Argentina, you can go on a two-day trek to snow-capped summits that require a lot of stamina (but are worth it in the end) and have an actual trip of a life-time. You can climb the Lanin Volcano, El Altar, Antisana, Cayambe, Cotopaxi or Chimborazo (with the farthest point from the center of the Earth), Tungurahua, and you can even go down the slopes in a mountain bike! Gorgeous scenery? Adrenaline? An out of the box adventure? Check, check and check! Make sure to brush ip on your adventure quotes before embarking on this one.
Have a jungle adventure.
The largest tropical rainforest on Earth lies in South America, standing proudly, emanating an almost surreal allure that is quite simply awe-inspiring. A journey to the almost remote virgin Amazon rainforests is an otherworldly experience that everyone should have at least once in their life.
The most bio-diverse in the world is teeming with all types of people – from thousands of plant species, hundreds of mammals, and invertebrates to reptiles, birds and amphibians everywhere…You can’t not visit the Amazon river at least once in your life.
Whether you want a serene, relaxing holiday amidst greenery or you want a luxurious trip in fancy hotels, or you simply want to get immersed in the rawness of the primitively enticing rainforest….You can pretty much do it all.
The unexplored wilderness makes your trekking experience much more diverse as well, as you delve into the vast rainforest.
Stretching 3900 miles from the Andes to the Atlantic, the activities possibilities are limitless. River cruises, fishing, canoeing, camping, hiking, kayaking, and much more are just some of the things you can do. You can mix that as well with an incredible cultural experience by visiting the traditional healers of South America or witness men undergo rigorous tribal rituals (examples include withstanding the bites of thousands of ants).
Trek through the Lost City in Colombia
The Lost City in Colombia dates back to the 9th century AD and today houses more than four thousand Tayrona Indians. A remote tourist destination that caters to your wildest adventure needs, the Colombian jungle that the city is perched in is challenging, fun, and adrenaline-inducing beyond imagination. Venture off the beaten tracks and experience remote ruins, stone terraces, the structures of ritual sites and the thick jungles you’ll be trekking in. The river valleys of the Sierra Nevada Mountains is a great place for a swim, but the trek itself is often deemed as challenging by a lot of people – so make sure you have the adequate fitness levels so you can enjoy a trip without troubles.
From the refreshing swim in the river valleys, to the beaten track, to the wildlife and the hilltop city – you’ll be appreciating every nook and cranny of the beauty of the region.
A marine adventure in the Galapagos, Ecuador.
The Galapagos Islands are one of a kind in the world…Not only were they the basis of the theory of evolution, but they are also home to some of the most unique creatures in the world. You can go diving with sharks there,, being surrounded by hundreds of hammerhead sharks or even just snorkel with the insanely unique animals including white-tip reef sharks, sea lion, Galapagos penguins, marina iguanas, flightless cormorant, and much more.
Go paragliding over Lima
How does jumping off a cliff sound like? Right up your alley right? Jump off the Miraflores Cliffs in Lima, or one of the skyscrapers – all while enjoying staggering aerial views of Lima.
It’s no secret that South America is there to impress, with its incredible gorgeous scenery, diverse wildlife, diverse landscapes, cliffs, oceans, and much more….You’ll find that it’s the perfect continent to cater to your adrenaline-inducing needs, and keep your life interesting and you on your toes!