CST No. 2006766-20; UBI No. 601-220-855; Fla. Seller of Travel Reg. No. ST35613 © 2026 Collette Travel Services. All Rights Reserved.
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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 traveler.
Tour Manager
With almost 20 years of experience guiding travelers 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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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!
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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.
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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.
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Machu Picchu was great. Also loved the Galapagos Islands especially the snorkeling. Our tour guide Enrique Portilla was great. Assisted us throughout.
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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.
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0.00.00 Equador. That was mind blowing & entirely unexpected.
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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.
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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.
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Amazing. But would prefer more time in museums less on the shopping
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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!!
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Absolutely amazing experience. Very highly recommended and great appreciation for the crew and expedition team. Atlas Ocean voyages was the best.
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An amazing trip. Atop +10. I’ve been telling friends & family all about it since we’ve been home. It’s such an all encompassing trip from the location, the sites, the travel guides to the travel manager who accompanied us on all the whole trip, to all the locals and the other travels on our small group of 16. The people were wonderful, the sites. accommodations, food, travel by bus, plane or ship was easy and delightful. i’ll be back to see more of Patagonia, Argentina, Chile and more.
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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!
Tour Rating:
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.
Tour Rating:
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.
Rated Exceptional
4.7 out of 5 in the past year - backed by 29,657 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.
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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 travelers 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 travelers 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 flavors, while 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 travelers can choose the right fit.
Every itinerary includes guided sightseeing, cultural experiences, accommodations, many meals, internal flights when listed, on‑tour transportation, 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. Travelers 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.
Travelers always tell us that Tour Managers make the journey. It's like traveling 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.
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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.
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