Plan the Perfect Trip to South America with Happy Gringo

From rainforests to beaches and spectacular mountains, South America is an amazing place filled with incredible landscapes, it is easy to understand why it should be on every travelers’ bucket list. Keep reading for some of the places and activities that Happy Gringo Travel can help you discover on private excursions.

South America provides those looking for a custom-made trip to Ecuador and Peru with a bevy of choices when planning. The neighboring countries have high mountains and volcanoes to climb, deep jungle to explore, pristine beaches to wander, and exotic islands and ancient ruins to visit.

The Galapagos Islands, the Jungle, Cusco, and Machu Picchu.

We specialize in creating itineraries for a trip to South America that pulls out all the stops.  Our custom-made tours include transportation, expert bi-lingual guides, and accommodation as well as support during your time here.

When planning your trip, we are happy to arrange any combination of destinations that fit your bucketlist. Three prominent sights are the Galapagos, the jungle, and Machu Picchu.

Options include island-hopping or cruises in the islands, extensive deep jungle tours from Coca or short stay overs using Tena as a jumping off point, and packages to Machu Picchu that also explore the colonial city of nearby Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Our custom-made tours are flexible and can accommodate a variety of travel styles and budgets.

Volcanoes, Rafting, and Rural Ecuador

Ecuador is full of surprises and adventure for outdoor explorers who want to make the most out of their trip to South America. The Avenue of the volcanoes, to the South of Quito, is a trek into the high peaks of the country-including Cotopaxi volcano, now open for climbers after being shut for a few years.

The Tena, Pano, Anzu, Inchiyaqui, Jatunyacu, Jondachi, and Misachualli rivers around the city of Tena are the premier waters in the country for all levels of white-water rafting. Ranging from Class I to IV+, the experience offers a trip in South America that takes you over rapids and into the jungle, where monkeys and exotic birds are sometimes seen overhead.

The Quilotoa Loop is one of Ecuador’s rural treks that finds you hiking through patchwork hills and valleys to high hamlets once used by ancient cultures as strongholds. The journey normally takes three to four days, and includes stays at comfortable hostels and hotels and visits to villages that showcase the beauty of the countryside.

Cloud Forest, Hot Springs, and Otavalo

For a trip to South America that finds you spending time in Ecuador, Happy Gringo Travel’s custom-made tours can take you to the lush cloud forest, relaxing hot springs, and bustling market towns.

Mindo, to the northwest of Quito, is a small town situated in the cloud forest. The diverse region is known for its vast variety of birds, trails that lead to remote waterfalls, and lodges that have first-class accommodations and naturalist guides. Day tours to the area explore the natural wonders underneath the canopy and make a stop at Mindo’s chocolate factory-where the whole process of making the delicious confection is explained with tastings during each step!

Papallacta, south of Quito, is a town surrounded by green hills that is centered around natural hot springs. Custom-made tours to the area stop at the town’s resort, where you can soak and relax in comfort after busy days discovering the other parts of the country.

Otavalo, to the north of Quito, is South America’s largest outdoor market. Merchants ply their wares in the streets and plazas of the town, and the area is one of the most prosperous in the country. Rainbow colored textiles, hand-carved crafts, and traditional musical instruments are great gifts to take home to friends and loved ones.

For more information about Happy Gringo’s custom-made tours in Ecuador during a trip to South America, contact a member of our team through this site, Skype, or one of our toll-free numbers.