Top South America Budget Wildlife Viewing Trips & Packages 2025/2026

Highlights

• A full week of expedition cruising in the Galapagos archipelago, with two landing sites visited every day, focusing on the north and south.
• Guided nature walks, snorkelling excursions, Zodiac rides and use of kayaks to discover the best of each landing site
• Sail on the MV Evolution, featuring the most public space and largest cabins of any yacht in its class
• Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat
• Enjoy the best guest-to-guide ratio (10:1) in the archipelago, with all guides Level III certified

Highlights

• A full week to discover the Peruvian Amazon by boat and on foot, travelling in style aboard the premium riverboat Zafiro
• Get to the heart of the rainforest, with opportunities to spot pink and grey river dolphins, caiman, scarlet macaws and much more
• All excursions accompanied by fascinating naturalist guides who are experts in the Peruvian Amazon – join them for stargazing and storytelling
• Join a village shaman for a blessing ceremony and learn about the use of medicinal plants within the local community
• Luxurious amenities aboard the Zafiro, including a Jacuzzi, spa services and fresh Amazon fusion cuisine

Highlights

• 14 nights aboard a catamaran exploring the Galapagos Islands
• Incredible wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities with near-tame animals
• Snorkel with iridescent fish, playful sea lions and turtles
• Fantastic on-board service with experienced naturalist guide
• Small group - a maximum of 16 clients on board

Highlights

• Spend four nights aboard the Solaris with a knowledgeable naturalist guide
• Experience incredible wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities with near-tame animals
• Enjoy a high chance of spotting waved albatrosses, blue- and red-footed boobies, giant tortoises, sea lions and marine iguanas

Highlights

• Swimming beside sea lions is an incredible and surreal experience, and there are few better places to do so than Isla Lobos: home of the world's second largest sea lion colony.
• You'll get to know the locals by staying in small hotels on the Galapagos islands, as well as exploring the islands and coves by boat.
• Be surrounded by birds like blue-footed boobies and frigates, who land so close, and often have not even the slightest interest you're there!
• Incredible photo opportunities await around every corner – not least of Kicker Rock, the marvellous twin volcanic peaks seen sitting in the ocean from the top of Cerro Tijeratas.
• With spare time in Quito and Isla Santa Cruz, you can spend quality time with the family – perhaps with further hiking or visiting the colourful local markets.

Highlights

• This trip gives both trekkers and non-trekkers the chance to visit Machu Picchu with Inca Trail*, Quarry Trail and train options.
• Admire the ingenuity of Inca engineering in Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) and contemplate how stone was excavated to build the structures still standing there.
• Explore Cusco, South America's oldest continuously inhabited city. The city has ancient foundations, an interesting blend of Incan and international influences, and seemingly endless things to do and see.
• Snorkel the incredible marine life-filled waters of Kicker Rock, also known as Leon Dormido, one of the best snorkelling spots in the Galapagos and an absolute highlight for many travellers.
• Encounter the wildlife wonders of the Galapagos Islands up close. Giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas and more await.

Highlights

• Seven nights aboard Archipel I exploring the Galapagos Islands
• Experience incredible wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities with near-tame animals
• High chance of spotting booby colonies, great and American frigatebirds, flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, green sea turtles, Galapagos giant tortoises, whitetip reef sharks and marine iguanas
• Fantastic on-board service with experienced naturalist guide

Highlights

• Combine the best of mainland Ecuador with a wildlife-watching adventure in the Galapagos
• Spend two nights in the Amazon Rainforest, exploring jungle trails with expert local guides
• Hike Cotopaxi National Park to see the iconic volcano
• Snorkel the wildlife-rich Galapagos waters, hopefully with sharks, sea lions and turtles
• See pirate lava caves and giant tortoises in the highlands of Floreana