New Tours
North America
Europe
Australia
Africa
South America
Asia
Antarctica
View All Destinations
MENU
ABN 32 600 161 671 © 2014 Collette Pty Ltd. All rights Reserved. © 2026 Collette Worldwide Holidays Australian Division. All Rights Reserved.
Whether you’re tasting Malbec in Mendoza, standing before the sacred ruins of Machu Picchu, or witnessing Patagonia’s wild landscapes, traveling with Collette means you can explore with experts who live the culture. With thoughtful pacing and elevated small group experiences, you’ll travel with confidence and connection at every step.
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.
Want to learn more about our Tour Managers?
Learn More
Tour Rating:
The itinerary is a good overview of Peru and its culture, especially if one adds the Amazon extension. Accommodations and included meals were very good to excellent. The Tour Manager was knowledgeable, efficient, personable, caring and resourceful. He kept everything on track, handled the unexpected with aplomb, and seemed to enjoy the activities as much as the guests. Local guides were also excellent. I wish the Naturalists in the Amazon had divided us into two groups for the jungle walks so we had a better chance of seeing the fauna and hearing the commentary. If Whispers function in the jungle, they would have been helpful. Only the first six or eight people could see and hear. I would have preferred a more centrally located accommodation in Cusco to make it easier to explore when there was free time. Providing flashlights for jungle walks could save possible injury for those trying to follow without light. Generally, it was a great trip!
Tour Rating:
My first Collette trip and very much enjoyed everything. Flight from Albany, NY to Lima Peru had a very long layover. Seems that could have been reduced. Thank you for a great trip overall!
Tour Rating:
Especially enjoyed being hosted by native families on the floating islands.
Tour Rating:
The tour manager really made the overall experience awesome! He made sure we were informed about where we were, providing local insights and explanations around the history of the locations and Peru in general. He also made sure our travels went smoothly, coordinating ahead of time to ensure that when we arrived somewhere, everything just flowed well. All the locations we went were great, but Machu Picchu probably stood out just a bit more than the others, I think due to the scale. It lived up to it's name City in the Clouds. Want to go back and see it in full sun.
Tour Rating:
It was wonderful! Collette does an amazing job! Highly recommend! Collette arranges all travel, moves baggage and sets up some of the most amazing meals. The lead guide added some caring touches with local recommendations on where and when to eat. Where to find trinkets or atms even pharmacy. This was truly a worry free trip.
Tour Rating:
This was truly a fantastic experience. Collette's small group size (23 people) allowed us to form friendships with the others in our party, and our tour guide David was outstanding in every way. Certainly the popular sites like MachuPicchu and Lake Titicaca were wonderful, but even moreso I enjoyed the interactions with local indigenous groups that David arranged, including the Uros on the floating islands of Lake Titicaca. The cost of the trip was quite reasonable for all we got to see and do, and the accommodations were superb. Great trip in all aspects!
Tour Rating:
Everything was excellent!
Tour Rating:
I had an amazing time in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest! So many wonderful memories... skiff rides to find a snake and a cayman, walking in the Amazon to see a sloth, a monkey, bullet ants, and tons of birds, bullfrogs, and poisonous dart frogs. Fishing for piranha. Planting a tree and seeing how it incubates turtles and releases them. The food and presentation were amazing. The staff and guides were so helpful and knowledgeable.
Tour Rating:
The ranch where we rode horses and had the most amazing dinner.
Victoria J.
Essential South America featuring Chile, the Mendoza Wine Region & Buenos AiresAug 08, 2026
Tour Rating:
Everything went so smoothly Elizabeth kept everyone together and she is amazing at what she did I think our trip to lake titicaca was a very special experience
Tour Rating:
The Peru tour was truly a once in a lifetime, incredible experience. There were so many excursions and opportunities to immerse ourselves into the Peruvian culture. It felt like no time was wasted on this tour and that there was a commitment for us to see as much of Peru as possible. The most memorable part of the tour for me was meeting and spending time with the locals who still speak the native language and follow ancient traditions. I highly recommend this tour!
Tour Rating:
Our tour was memorable and so very well-managed by Edward. The two times we were at Machu Picchu were the highlight and especially the sunrise experience.
Tour Rating:
All of the hotel accommodations were very nice. The best part was our Tour Guide Elizabeth Llanos, she made the trip what it was. Incredible experiences from beginning to end from Lima to Puno. The food was amazing as well. I definitely recommend the sunrise hike at Machu Picchu.
Tour Rating:
Machu Picchu was great. Also loved the Galapagos Islands especially the snorkeling. Our tour guide Enrique Portilla was great. Assisted us throughout.
Tour Rating:
I really enjoyed listening to the local guide who explained the history of Lima, Peru, and what they are doing to prepare for its 500th anniversary. Our local guide in the Cusco area was very interesting and enjoyable also. Seeing how the colors were made for weaving at the llama and alpaca farm was very interesting also. I enjoyed touring the Incan ruins... they were a lot more interesting than I had ever expected. The many varieties of Peruvian and Ecuadorian cuisine were very tasty. The hotel staff and the staff on our ship were all very accommodating.
Tour Rating:
0.00.00 Equador. That was mind blowing & entirely unexpected.
Tour Rating:
Awesome tour, getting to have dinner with locals on their farm and home. Excellent very organized and experienced guide and small group experience. We saw a seal nursing her young, penguins, iguanas, turtles , sea lions and birds in the Galapagos on enjoyable zodiac rides. Visited many islands.
Tour Rating:
My bucket list was Machu Picchu and it was fabulous. The entire trip was once in a lifetime for us and using Collette to take care of every detail was the perfect match. Our tour guide, Eliuth Perez, was the best we have ever had with any tour or cruise we have taken. He was always available and gave us every single detail we would need. Just a fantastic person and the best tour guide we could have imagined. He also knew every local guide we had for city tours and you can tell that he is the best at what he does and gets the best local tour guides as well. For a trip to Lima, the Amazon pre-tour, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cuzco and then the Galapagos, Collette plans it very well. Hotels were great and so were the restaurants and excursions. Thank you Collette for making this a once in a lifetime trip for us.
Tour Rating:
Amazing. But would prefer more time in museums less on the shopping
Tour Rating:
The entire tour was fabulous. The accommodations were comfortable and beautiful. I honestly wouldn’t have minded a little more time at the accommodations to enjoy their facilities and gardens, but all the outings were wonderful as well. The train ride to Machu Picchu was stunning and all the cultural activities were so delicious, enlightening and fun. Collette handled all the details amazingly and our tour manager, Nilton, was absolutely incredible. He was so passionate about his country and his job and it showed for the entire trip. He shared so much history and first hand knowledge of Peru and it’s amazing people, culture and landscape. There was never a question or need that went unanswered. Thank you for a wonderful journey!!
Rated Exceptional
4.8 out of 5 in the past year - backed by 32,393 lifetime reviews
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
Take a step into a world of pure nature in Patagonia, where crystal-clear waters meet mountainside glaciers.
The 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.
Journey from the Land of the Incas to the Galápagos archipelago, enjoying a 4-night cruise aboard a personal yacht.
View 15-Day Itinerary
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
