The awesome Amazon River is one of the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders. It weaves through the heart of South America and supports an ecosystem that is unmatched in its diversity. While the river’s journey starts in Brazil, it meanders through several other countries, ultimately connecting distant lands and cultures before its waters reach the Atlantic Ocean. This incredible river spans nine countries, each contributing to the Amazon’s unique and awe-inspiring character. The Source: Brazil’s Highlands The Amazon River begins its journey high in the Andes, specifically in the Nevado Mismi region of southern Peru. Here, the river starts as small glacial streams that trickle down the mountains, gradually combining to form larger tributaries. These early waters join together to become the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, which are considered the main headwaters of the Amazon. Brazil is most often associated with the Amazon River, as its largest stretch and its…
A native of Chile, Pamela Gomez felt the call of the wild in Patagonia, leaving the capital to follow her dream of guiding tourists on horseback through the stunning landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park. Horse riding through Las Torres in Patagonia is a popular and scenic activity, offering a unique way to explore a region known for its dramatic mountains, azure lakes, and diverse wildlife. Our team enjoyed a fantastic visit to the park, staying in Hotel Las Torres and embarking on a stunning horse ride with Pamela leading the group. We spoke with her about what life is like in this epic part of the South American continent. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what attracted you to work in this role? I’m from Santiago and I am a tour guide working in Torres del Paine National Park. I love nature, the flora and…
Diving Deeper Into Darwin’s Patagonia In 1831, Charles Darwin, then a young naturalist, embarked on a five-year journey aboard the H.M.S. Beagle, a British naval vessel, as part of a global survey expedition. The primary purpose of the expedition was to conduct hydrographic surveys of the coast of South America, but it also involved various scientific investigations. The Beagle’s voyage and Darwin’s experiences during that journey remain one of the most significant events in the history of science, fundamentally altering our understanding of life on Earth and sparking a revolution in biological thought. We explored just how much Darwin’s legacy has imprinted on this fascinating part of the continent. The Beagle Has Landed Although this passage through the Galápagos Islands would eventually become world-renowned, one-half of their total exploration is less celebrated: that of Chilean and Argentine Patagonia, where the Beagle’s crew spent nearly three years documenting places such as Bahia Blanca,…
…with Gaynor, Head of Trade Sales In the next instalment of Our Routes series dedicated to sharing travel experiences from our experts all over Latin America, Head of Trade Sales Gaynor Atherton visited an array of wondrous landscapes in her Chilean adventure, from the sands of the Atacama desert to the vast views of Patagonia and the epic Easter Island. YOUR MAIN DESTINATIONS? Santiago, Easter Island, the Atacama Desert, the Winelands and Torres Del Paine National Park in Patagonia. HOW DID YOU GET THERE? I flew direct from London Heathrow to Santiago and was lucky enough to fly Business Class which was a lovely treat. FIRST TIME OR REPEAT TRIP? First time, so I was excited to finally see these places first-hand. FAVOURITE LOCATION? I struggled to choose a favourite location as they were all amazing, but if I had to then I would say Patagonia. It’s just stunning – wide-open spaces…
All four seasons (sometimes in one day!) can play their part in shaping your experience throughout Latin America, so let’s delve deeper into the rolling peak and shoulder seasons that dominate the sky, land, and sea on your next trip to this stunning big outdoors continent. Argentina High Season: November – February & July The Patagonia region in southern Argentina hits a peak from December to February with the best weather for pursuing outdoor activities. If you’re looking for a Christmas / mid-winter getaway, the beaches from late December through January are popular times along the Argentine coastline as well. For skiers, July is the best time to hit the big resorts of Mendoza and picturesque areas like Bariloche. Shoulder Seasons: September – November & March – May Buenos Aires enjoys ideal temperatures in shoulder seasons, and it’s also a good shout for seeing Patagonia with the beautiful Lake District…
…with Senior Marketing Manager, Felipe For the latest installment of Our Routes series dedicated to sharing travel experiences from our experts all over Latin America, Senior Marketing Manager Felipe Francisco shared with us memories from his tremendous Chilean journey. YOUR MAIN DESTINATIONS? Santiago, Punta Arenas and Patagonia. HOW DID YOU GET THERE? Direct flight from London Heathrow to Santiago with BA, followed by domestic flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas with Latam. FIRST TIME OR REPEAT TRIP? Repeat. I backpacked across Chile for 1 month when I was 19 years old. This time around I managed to visit Patagonia, one of my lifelong travel dreams. FAVOURITE LOCATION? Patagonia, Patagonia, Patagonia! It’s hard to put down in words how amazing Patagonia is. It’s by far one of the most dramatic, and beautiful scenery in the world! I particularly enjoyed my stay with Las Torres, who offer beautiful lodging ranging from luxurious hotels to glamping…
The good news for greener holidaying is that Chile, one of the most striking Latin American destinations, can now lay claim to being the renewable energy champion of the continent. This forward-thinking country has made great strides with its energy transition as it seeks to decarbonise the entire country by the middle of the century, in addition to efforts to protect its incredible landscapes and biodiversity. National Park Conservation Douglas Tompkins bought and donated an area roughly the size of Cyprus to Chile and Argentina for conservation, an act which inspired the Chilean president to create five new national parks, placing millions of acres of land under strict environmental protection and adding to a chain of 17 different parks that stretch south through the Chilean wilderness. He dreamed of a place both hikers and wildlife alike could enjoy, and today that dream has come true. The Chilean section of Patagonia…
Imagine a continent with over 300 national parks to choose from, ranging from rugged rocky peaks to palm tree-lined beach forests! To help narrow such an astounding choice down, we have handpicked ten of the most incredible national parks in South America to help you get started. Argentina Tierra del Fuego National Park This 245-square-mile park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and Argentina’s only coastal national park. Just outside the park’s border you’ll discover Puente Quemado (“the burned bridge”) and Macarena Waterfall, plus the Pipo River, which flows into the park and runs alongside the peat bog, giving the Laguna Negra (black lagoon) its colour and name. Inside the park, sits the sixty-five-mile-long Lake Fagnano which offers views of Andes Mountains. Los Glaciares National Park At a whopping 2,800 square miles, this is the largest national park in the country and another one on UNESCO’s list. As the park…
Torres del Paine National Park is an incredible stretch of wilderness in Chile, where our remote ranches offer guests the opportunity to experience rural life in Chile, enjoying horseback riding, hiking, and many other outdoor activities. We recently spoke to Gabriel Mazuelos who works as a tour guide to find out what life is like for him. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what attracted you to work in this part of the world/this role? My name is Gabriel and I am a hiking/horseback riding guide at Torres del Paine National Park. I am a very big outdoor enthusiast, I love being in the mountains, climbing, skiing and almost whatever you can do out there. At first, I didn’t know anything about Torres del Paine, which is what attracted me. I just knew that everybody wanted to go there, so I had to figure out for myself why…
At 4,500 miles long spanning the west coast of South America and bisecting seven countries – Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina – the Andes is the longest chain of mountains in the world and includes many of the highest peaks in the Western and Southern Hemispheres. Formations Formed around 45-50 million years ago, the process that created them had already begun 140 million years ago when the largest dinosaurs that ever lived were roaming these lands. This process has continued to this date and causes earthquakes and volcanic activity in the region, and as a result of the subduction of the Nazca and Antarctic Plates beneath the South America Plate, many active volcanoes are located in the Andes Mountain Range. The highest volcano in the world, the Ojos del Salado, is located in the Andes on the Chile-Argentina border. Mount Aconcagua in Argentina is the highest peak at 22,481ft, with…
