Discover South America


Why Travel The South American Region?

South America is a vast and strikingly diverse continent where mountains, jungles, deserts, Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and vibrant cities meet ancient cultures and rich biodiversity. From the soaring peaks of the Andes and the Amazon rainforest’s immense river network to iconic cities like Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Quito, the region offers landscapes and cultural experiences unlike anywhere else on Earth. Popular travel routes weave Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile into journeys that blend history, nature, human stories and adventure.South America’s cultural heritage spans ancient civilisations such as the Inca (with the Inca road network shaping historical travel across mountain corridors) to colonial cities boasting UNESCO‑protected cores, street life and world‑renowned food scenes — all within ecosystems from deserts to lush rainforests.

Key Highlights

Adventure & Trekking

  • Andean trekking — from classic trails like the Inca Trail to high‑altitude journeys around volcanoes and glacial lakes.
  • Jungle exploration, river cruises, wildlife spotting and ecological expeditions in Amazon basins.
  • Community‑based service learning opportunities exist across rural Andean regions, rainforest conservation projects, and Indigenous education partnerships. South America’s environmental and development contexts make it ideal for sustainability, ecology and cultural heritage learning outcomes.

Service & Learning

Sightseeing

  • Machu Picchu (Peru) — The emblematic Inca citadel perched high in the Andes and an archeological marvel.
  • Iguazú Falls (Argentina/Brazil) — One of the world’s most impressive waterfalls.
  • Amazon Rainforest & River — The planet’s most biodiverse tropical ecosystem.
  • Galápagos Islands (Ecuador) — A living laboratory of evolution and wildlife.

Cultural Immersion

  • Indigenous traditions, markets and living cultural expressions throughout Andean villages, Amazon communities and coastal towns.
  • Colonial heritage centres and UNESCO cities like Quito showcase blended European and Indigenous histories.

Experiential Learning & Global Awareness

Cultural heritage studies

via Indigenous Andean cultures and colonial histories.

urbanization, rural livelihoods, climate adaptation and conservation.

Human geography & development challenges

through Amazon ecosystems and Patagonian landscapes.

Environmental science & biodiversity

South America offers deep interdisciplinary learning across global issues:

Language immersion

Spanish and Portuguese core languages with diverse local dialects.

These experiences support leadership growth, empathy and global citizenship, giving students first‑hand exposure to complexity and resilience in human‑environment systems.

Rich pre‑Columbian and colonial histories — active cultural heritage alongside modern metropolises.

Extreme ecological contrast — from Amazon rainforest to Atacama Desert, Andes peaks to coastal ecosystems.

Distinct ways of life shaped by Indigenous, Afro‑Latin and Spanish/Portuguese influences — offering students profound cultural context.

What Makes The Pacific/Oceania Unique

Compared with other regions like Africa or Southeast Asia, South America uniquely juxtaposes dramatic physical landscapes with deep historical continuities (e.g., Inca networks, colonial cities) while also showcasing emergent modern expressions (e.g., vibrant street cultures, contemporary arts, and fusion cuisine).

Teacher Selection Criteria Snapshot

Curriculum Fit


Experiential Immersion


Adventure Activities


Cultural Diversity


Logistics & Safety


Global Awareness Opportunities

Ecology & conservation, heritage & world history, language acquisition, geography


High — local communities, heritage sites, ecosystems


High — trekking, jungle, river systems, Atlantic & Pacific coasts


Very rich — Indigenous, Afro‑Latin, colonial traditions


Accessible around major hubs with guided partners; variable in remote areas


Strong — development disparities, conservation, urban‑rural contrasts

Curriculum Fit

Ecology, culture, sustainability, geography


Experiential Immersion

Very high — nature, marine, alpine zones


Adventure Activities

Hiking, kayaking, wildlife encounters


Cultural Diversity

Māori heritage + contemporary communities


Logistics & Safety

Strong travel networks, safe environments


Global Awareness Opportunities

High — conservation and cultural systems