"The Capybara was a vacation to beat all other vacations. When traveling with small children there can be so many worries, I had none, I knew (our guide) Sally would take great care of us. She was fantastic with the boys and so were the other guides throughout. Parents and boys learned so much about the Peruvian culture and history of the Incas. We are amazed at all the things we saw in the short period of time. "

Lesley Stopay (Ontario, Canada) Mar 2009 Capybara Family

MEET OUR GUIDES:

ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND adventure travel guide
Yohn Grajeda
"Very knowledgeable and could spot problems 'before' they happened."
Karen Kirk (PA, United States) March 2006 Jaguar

PHOTO OF THE MONTH:

Photo gallery of pictures from our ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND adventure vacation
Condor Nov 2008
2009 PHOTO COMPETITION WINNER! Congratulations to Joni Porter, whose stunning shot of Torres del Paine beat out 1100 others for an Icebreaker top and $200 off her next trip.
South America Adventure Travel

Hiking, Biking and Adventure Trips

ACTIVE SOUTH AMERICA offer guided adventure tours including hiking, biking and kayaking around Costa Rica, Peru, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador and Patagonia. Our South America trips offer a blend of physical activities, friendly guides and legendary service in some of the most awe inspiring South American destinations.
  our South America brochureWe hope you love our site! It's packed with info and photos BUT... you can't read it in the bath!
Many people have said that OUR BROCHURE (more like a small book, with maps and everything) was really helpful in planning their trip to South America. We're so confident you'll agree we'll mail you one anywhere in the world for free!! Follow the breadcrumbs to find out more... Or fill in the box to the right.		  
If you've always wanted to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, dive in the Galapagos, or walk through the rainforests of Costa Rica, you'll love our trips. If cycling down a volcano in Ecuador, or multi-day hiking in Patagonia is on your "to do" list, we'll take you there and beyond the beaten path on the best active South America vacations! Read more about our South America tours...
Want a FREE brochure?
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brochure anywhere
in the world.

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South America adventure activities
Peru Tour 14-day Peru tour Peru adventure activities US$3399
Our action-packed Peru adventure tour combines must-see Peru destinations with plenty of hidden gems for the ultimate way to experience this ancient culture. Hike through ancient ruins in the Sacred Valley of the Incas before embarking on the Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu, hike in virgin Amazon rainforest and cycle across amazing Andean mountain passes. Sea kayak across Lake Titicaca to meet the locals with a homestay on Amantani Island and explore Cuzco, the heart of the Inca empire.
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Costa Rica Tour NEW! 12-day Costa Rica tour Costa Rica adventure activities US$3999
Our newest Costa Rica trip is the ultimate wildlife adventure in style. Visit Costa Rica favourites such as Manuel Antonio National Park, the Arenal Volcano and the cloudforest, but experience them in ways few others can, on heart pumping hikes not on the commercial radar as well as by sea kayak and zip line. There's plenty of time to relax on the perfect beaches near Quepos too. Then raft, fly and take jungle boats deep into the rainforest to stay in wilderness lodges on the Pacuare River and the Osa Peninsula that are so remote they are literally not accessible by road. Hike in legendary Corcovado National Park and snorkel off Cano Island for unbeatable wildlife viewing opportunities.
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Costa Rica Tour 11-day Costa Rica tour Costa Rica adventure activities US$2799
With almost 20% of its land area made up of National Parks, Costa Rica is an incredible place for an adventure vacation. Hike through tropical rainforest to the summit lake of the Cerro Chato Volcano after whitewater rafting the Pacuare River - one of the top 5 rafting rivers in the world. Then explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest from high above the forest canopy along a zip line, and enjoy the white sand at our very own Pacific coast secret spot - Coyote Beach! Also hike in the amazing Curu Wildlife Reserve and kayak and snorkel in Cabo Blanco National Park.
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Patagonia Tour 14-day Patagonia adventure Patagonia hiking and adventure activities US$3999
Patagonia, put simply, is the hiking capital of the world. Immense craggy mountain ranges erupt straight up from colossal boulder fields, vast rivers of ice calve into deep blue lakes, and Patagonia's intricate coastline is strewn with uncharted fjords and inlets. Visit some of the most amazing places on Earth by foot, kayak, bike and boat. Enjoy incredible views while hiking in the Fitzroy area of Argentina, trek in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, cycle by a sinuous river outside charming El Chalten and sea kayak a breathtaking fjord. (Note: We've recently added a day to this trip to make it even better, but kept the 13-day price!)
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Galapagos Tour 10-day Galapagos Island trip Galapagos adventure activities US$2999
Most people think that you can only visit the Galapagos on a large cruise ship or liveaboard dive boat, but we'll take you on a much more personal and unique tour of the Galapagos Islands. Hike up Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela Island for stunning views of the archipelago, snorkel or dive Floreana Island and Kicker Rock with friendly sea lions and sea turtles, and cycle down to the beach from the highlands of Santa Cruz Island after visiting the Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Then experience local culture and hospitality while staying on the islands each night.
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Ecuador Tour 11-day Ecuador tour Ecuador adventure activities US$2999
We think Ecuador -- bursting at the seams with awesome scenery, culture and exciting adventure activities rather than travellers -- is South America's best kept secret. Hike through serene cloud forest and high country volanic plateaus, cycle down Cotopaxi one of the highest active volcano in the world, and explore the Amazon rainforest on foot, in a rivertube and while canyoning the surrounding waterfalls.