Tours to South America

Travelling to South America at any time of year is a fascinating experience. From Venezuela down to Bolivia including Brazil, the region is really a 'year round' destination, with certain rainy periods in Peru around January-February which can cause heavy mudslides (Explore don't run trips during this time), and in Brazil from December to March, where the Pantanal and the Amazon are particularly wet. July and August are often peak times for people visiting the Galapagos Islands or planning to hike the Inca Trail, due to the Summer holidays, and Easter Celebrations can also be very busy times to visit most countries, but often worthwhile to see the colourful festivities. However, travel from March to November is very rewarding throughout.

The only exception would be in Patagonia, where they enjoy summer during our winter months, and to make the most of its rugged scenery it would be essential to book a holiday to Patagonia between November and March.

What many people don't know about Latin America is that it is a paradise for food lovers. Traditional South American dishes such as Andean ceviche found in Peru, Ecuador and even up into Central America, are becoming much more well-known in the UK. Ceviche is a delicious dish typically made from seafood cured in citrus juices and spiced with chilli, and served with the most traditional Andean staples of 'choclo', or corn, potatoes or plantain. 

Travelling down the Andes towards Argentina, we get into beef country. Argentinian wines and steak are a perfect combination, and on Explore tours through Patagonia and Argentina's northwest, we get the chance to sample some of the best beef in the world.

All of this is washed down with a wide array of good local beer and regional spirits – cachaça from Brazil, pisco sours in Chile and Peru, chuflay from Bolivia or Argentina’s famous Malbec wine.

Food is a hugely important part of the culture of any place, and a trip to Latin America with Explore gives us a great chance to learn about their traditions while also sampling some of the local delicacies.