Situated about 60 kilometers from the Peruvian city of Cuzco, Machu Picchu is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This archaeological site contains the largest and one of the most well preserved cities of the Incan empire that scientists know of today. Machu Picchu is perhaps the most popular South American destination for tourists from all around the world. Travelers often fly into Lima, the capital of Peru, or directly to Cuzco, where they find an abundance of travel agencies that offer a number of guided tours. Macchu Picchu may be accessed almost directly by train or by a combination of buses and hiking treks of up to five days.
Rio de Janeiro is the perfect introduction to Brazil. It is a metropolis amid a tropical paradise, with some of the wildest nightlife in the world, fantastic beaches, nearby rainforests and a diverse culture of music and dance. As a highly developed launch point for tourist excursions, you will not have a problem organizing jungle treks, scuba outings or river kayaking tours. During the "carnivales" in February, Rio is alive with highly orchestrated street parades and Samba performances. The city is known to have the biggest and most spectacular carnivale productions in Brazil, and is arguably the most popular site for the occasion.
Located on the Carribbean coast of Colombia, Cartagena de Indias is listed as an Unesco World Heritage site. The city is filled with colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and European-style cafes colored with the local carribbean culture of vibrant seafood dishes, fresh fruit juices and island rhythms that keep the clubs open until past 5 or 6 a.m. For a supreme taste of the sea, try a cruise to the Islas del Rosario, where you will visit aquariums and national parks on an archipelago of coral islands.
The Andes mountain range spans the entire eastern coast of the continent from the southern tip of chile up through Central America. The Patagonia region is the southernmost region of the Andes, extending into both Argentina and Chile. From immense glaciers in Argentina's El Calafate or volcanoes and lakes in Chile's Tierra del Fuego, travel northward through enormous canyons and mountain passes, raging rivers and semi-arid plateaus to experience dramatic changes in scenery and biodiversity. If you are a wine enthusiast, the Patagonian region is world-renowned for its wine production.
