South America is home to some of the world’s most dramatic scenery, incredible archaeological sites, and fabulous wildlife. Whether you are travelling along an Amazon tributary, driving through the vast ranges of the Andes, or taking a luxury train journey past lakes and colourful villages, you will be confronted by sights unlike anywhere else.
While many travellers focus on the continent’s best-known sights, the journeys between them are often just as memorable, revealing ever-changing landscapes and a richer sense of place. According to Llama Travel, here are six scenic journeys that show why the journey itself can be just as rewarding as the destination.
1. The overland journey from Bolivia to Chile
The two-night overland journey from Uyuni in Bolivia to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile is a truly unforgettable experience and a dream for photographers, and you are likely to see very few other vehicles. Travelling across vast Uyuni salt flats and high-altitude landscapes, you pass an old train cemetery, a salt-processing plant and a cactus-covered island rising from the Salar de Uyuni. The route continues through remote villages, wind-shaped rock formations, deep canyons and red and green lagoons rich in wildlife, as well as geysers and thermal springs. Many of the landscapes are so unusual and striking that they feel almost unreal, making this one of South America’s most memorable overland journeys.
2. Hiram Bingham Train to Machu Picchu
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There is no more special way to reach Machu Picchu than in the comfort of the Hiran Bingham train. Named after the explorer who rediscovered the site in 1911, the train has 1920s-style carriages with wood-panelled interiors, brass décor, high-class dining and an open bar. Enjoy a gourmet brunch and traditional music and dancing as you travel through the Andean highlands. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you avoid the queues by taking private shuttle bus up the mountain for a guided visit to Machu Picchu. Drinks and canapés are served before your return journey, which includes cocktails, live music and a four-course dinner with wine, the perfect way to end your day.
3. Lake Titicaca to La Paz
Travelling overland from Peru to Bolivia gives you the chance to experience Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, over the course of two days. After a night in Puno, on the shores of the lake, you spend a full day exploring by boat, visiting the unique Uros Islands, where communities live on floating reed islands, as well as Taquile and Amantaní, where traditional crafts still shape the way of life. You can even kayak between the reeds, the most peaceful way to experience being on the lake.
The following day, a scenic four-hour drive takes you across the highlands and the border to Copacabana, a charming Bolivian town on the lakeshore. From here, take a boat to Island of the Sun, enjoying a traditional highland lunch overlooking the lake, exploring Inca temple ruins and walking the ancient Inca steps that lead to the legendary spring of eternal youth. Finally, continue on a further three-hour drive through stunning scenery to La Paz.
4. Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine
The journey from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine showcases Patagonia at its most dramatic. Drive past Lake Sarmiento before reaching Torres del Paine National Park, one of the world’s great wilderness areas. Inside the park, you can admire lakes, waterfalls and the striking granite peaks of the Paine Massif, known as the Towers of Paine, rising above the open grasslands. A boat trip to Grey Glacier offers another perspective on the region’s vast ice fields. Wildlife is plentiful, with guanacos, condors, foxes and rare pumas.
5. Quito to Cuenca, through the Avenue of the Volcanoes
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The journey from Quito to Cuenca travels along Ecuador’s famous Avenue of the Volcanoes, taking you through some of the country’s most beautiful highland scenery over two days. Driving south from Quito, you pass the snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano before stopping in Latacunga to explore the lively local market. The route continues into Chimborazo National Park, reaching the refuge at 4,800 metres on Ecuador’s highest mountain, with time for an optional high-altitude walk.
The following day, travel through a patchwork of farmland and traditional villages, visiting Palacio Real to learn about local llama breeding. After lunch near the Ingapirca ruins, Ecuador’s most important Inca site, continue to the elegant colonial city of Cuenca, arriving in the late afternoon.
6. Argentina to Chile on the Cape Horn Cruise
This remarkable journey takes you from Argentina to Chile through one of the world’s most remote waterways of southern Patagonia. After flying from El Calafate to Ushuaia, you board your Australis cruise and sail through the Beagle Channel, watching the landscapes shift as you cross into Chile overnight. Weather permitting, the ship reaches Cape Horn, where steep cliffs rise from the ocean in a dramatic natural setting.
The journey continues to Wulaia Bay, a former indigenous settlement, before sailing through Glacier Alley, where vast glaciers appear along the channel. Zodiac excursions take you close to Pia, Porter and Aguila Glaciers, set among dramatic fjords and jagged peaks. The journey ends with a visit to Magdalena Island, home to Magellanic penguins, before arriving in Punta Arenas in Chile.
From high-altitude rail journeys to scenic overland crossings, travelling through South America is an experience in itself. These routes offer a deeper understanding of the landscapes, cultures and communities that define the continent. Llama Travel specialises in South America journeys, carefully planned by travel experts who have experienced these destinations first-hand. With small groups and a focus on quality and value, our itineraries allow you to explore South America at a rewarding and comfortable pace.
Feature Image by Marek Piwnicki from Pexels
