Across South and Central America lies a region that is vibrant, spirited and endlessly diverse. From music-filled streets and colourful festivals to smouldering volcanoes, lush rainforest and vast blue glaciers, this is a continent built for adventure.

It’s this extraordinary mix of landscapes and cultures that makes the Americas such a paradise for adventurous travellers, but with so much on offer, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. To help you decide, we’ve put together this guide to KE’s holidays in South and Central America, broken down by grade - so you can find the adventure that best matches your experience and travel style. Whether you’re looking for a gentle introduction or a full-on challenge, every journey promises its own unmistakable sense of exploration.

These adventures are ideal if you enjoy gentle walking, cultural discovery and immersive experiences without long or strenuous days.

Amazon Riverboat Adventure

If you're seeking a slow-paced, immersive journey, this is the perfect trip for you. Starting in Iquitos, the largest city in the world inaccessible by road, you will board a riverboat that becomes your home for six nights. Across the week you will take part in unique activities such as paddling through the waterways in a dugout canoe, spotting pink river dolphins and other rainforest wildlife. We know how hectic day-to-day life can get so a visit to the depths of the forest gives you the opportunity to switch off from the rest of the world. Here you will meet forest communities offering you a rare insight into life on the edge of the jungle. This holiday lets you experience the Amazon in a gentle and authentic way, leaving you with memories that will last long after your trip ends.

Costa Rica Walks and Wildlife

Sometimes the real purpose of a holiday is to switch off in nature and few destinations offer such an easy connection to nature as Costa Rica. Here rainforest, volcanoes and wildlife sit side by side. You can enjoy rewarding day walks on the slopes of Arenal Volcano (famous for its cone shaped summit) and along lush forest trails to hot springs, waterfalls and volcanic landscapes. Wildlife encounters are a highlight, from boat trips spotting dolphins, whales and turtles to searching for sloths, monkeys and colourful birdlife in protected reserves. You'll have time to pause and enjoy each different environment, allowing you a relaxed yet immersive way to experience Costa Rica’s natural wonders.

Perfect for you if you like to be active without pushing physical limits; these trips feature steady walking, varied terrain and rewarding scenery, with time to relax and explore off the trail.

Salt Flats and Volcanoes of Bolivia

If you would describe yourself as an outdoor enthusiast, Bolivia, a land of unparalleled natural beauty, is the place for you! From the sparkling waters of Lake Titicaca to the multicoloured Andean mountains, every day brings a new jaw-dropping landscape to explore. You'll trek through Sajama National Park, spotting grazing vicuñas, flocks of flamingos and other unusual Andean wildlife, before finishing in the vibrant, ever-fascinating city of La Paz. It’s the perfect balance of activity and cultural discovery.

Llama Trekking on the Great Northern Inca Trail

For the history-lovers out there, hiking the ancient, forgotten trails of the Incas that once connected the vast Inca Empire, is an unforgettable adventure. You'll explore incredible archaeological sites like Chavín de Huantar, a mysterious temple where ceremonies were held over 3,000 years ago and Huánuco Pampa, the largest Inca administrative centre outside Cusco, showcasing unmatched feats of stonework and engineering. As you walk in the footsteps of history, you'll enjoy views of snowy peaks, deep canyons and alpine lakes - accompanied, of course, by the Inca’s friendly llamas!

These trips suit confident walkers who are comfortable with longer days, sustained ascents and more remote terrain; rewarding your effort with dramatic landscapes and unforgettable journeys.

Patagonia - The Classic Paine Circuit

If you're an experienced trekker, it could be time to explore one of the world’s most remote and untamed regions. The classic ‘O Trek’ circumnavigates the Paine massif, where jagged granite spires rise above turquoise lakes and windswept valleys. Trails snake through glaciers, tussock plains and mossy forests, while wildlife such as the guanaco, Andean grey fox, condor and even the elusive puma roam these wild spaces. A truly epic, bucket-list adventure where your effort is rewarded with Patagonia’s raw beauty - it really is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit

If you are accustomed to high-altitude trekking, the Cordillera Huayhuash is a brilliant new destination for you to explore, offering Himalayan-scale landscapes in the Peruvian Andes. It boasts qualities from some of the world's best mountain ranges with its fluted ice faces, knife-edge ridges, dramatic glaciers, turquoise alpine lakes and narrow, steep-walled valleys. Take all these sights in by day and by night, camp beside green glacial waters. This trek delivers an unforgettable South American adventure in one of the continent’s most remote and spectacular landscapes.

These are demanding expeditions for experienced trekkers who thrive on challenge. You can expect long days, remote environments, big scenery and a true sense of achievement.

Ecuador's Triple Crown

If you are itching for your next big expedition, a place you may not have considered is Ecuador. Home to some of the highest volcanoes on Earth, this adventure takes you to the summit of the country’s ‘Big Three’. Begin with a five-day trek across the Cotacachi-Cayapas highlands, one of Ecuador’s most diverse and spectacular bio-reserves, to acclimatise. Then it’s on to Cayambe (5,790m), home to the only glaciers that cross the equator, before tackling Cotopaxi (5,895m), one of the world’s highest active volcanoes. Finally, it's time for you to ascend the snow-capped Chimborazo (6,310m), Ecuador’s highest peak. Challenging yet immensely rewarding, this trip offers the perfect combination of high-altitude trekking, breathtaking landscapes and mountaineering skill development.

Aconcagua Ascent

If you have been dreaming of tackling one of the world’s ultimate mountain challenges, summiting Aconcagua (6,960m) is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The highest peak outside of the Himalayas, it offers jaw-dropping views across Argentina and Chile. With a carefully designed acclimatisation program and expert Argentinian guides and porters, this trek offers you the perfect introduction to ultra-high-altitude mountaineering if you’re an ambitious adventurer. It's not all about summit-bagging, Aconcagua offers you the experience of settling into the rhythm of expedition life - living in a temporary mountain community, watching the light change across vast valleys and feeling truly removed from the modern world.