Top South American Cities To Visit

Take a fast track to the heart of South American culture in the famously fun cities on our list of carefully curated small-group tours.

Buenos Aires. Bogotá. Lima. Quito. There’s a reason why the best cities in South America are a mainstay on travel bucket lists. You’d be surprised, too, by how many of the safest places to travel in South America are within a few hours of those famous destinations. Get to know the most beautiful natural landscapes in this compelling continent, while venturing into some of the safest South American cities on one of these small-group adventures, bookable with Culture Trip.

A man in traditional Ecuadorian dress guides a horse alongside the water-filled caldera of lake Quilotoa.

Quito, to discover the essence of Ecuador

Ecuador is in an envious position, having both the Andes and the Amazon in their backyard. It’s not just Quito’s altitude that will make your head feel lighter; the second-highest capital city will send a flow of endorphins to your brain with its culinary delights. Come hungry for this tour, which includes a culinary masterclass at Altamira restaurant and a chocolate-tasting session. Don’t worry, you’ll walk off the extra calories around Quilotoa Lake later in the week.

From US$2089

Next available from 27th Jul 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Quito, Ecuador

ENDS AT

Quito, Ecuador

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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This is a rewrite of an article by Georganne Hassell. Additional reporting by Gethin Morgan.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.