With more mountains than the Alps, more glaciers than Alaska, and more fjords than Denmark, Norway and Sweden combined, a South America cruise offers a wonderland of contrast and cultures seldom seen by casual travelers. South America’s natural features along include the longest mountain range in the world, dozens of active volcanoes, alpine lakes at amazing elevations, and the magnificence of the Amazon River and rain forest. All of this surrounds modern coastal cities, some of which rival the sophistication of Europe, and ancient ruins from some of the most incredible lost civilization in the world.
In the seaside cities there are countless galleries and museums filled with ancient fossils, artifacts and pre-Columbian art. In addition, architecture influenced by several European cultures dominates wide plazas, beautiful gardens and tree lined streets.
Around the Horn
The most popular itinerary in South America travels one way around Cape Horn, between Valparaiso and Buenos Aires, through the magnificent fjords of Chile and around the tip of the continent at Tiera del Fuego National Park
West Coast of South America
If the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu and the Nazca Plateau are of interest, you will want to take an itinerary along the western coast of South America.
The Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands, found west of Ecuador, are one of the most intriguing and highly protected places on earth. Here, while viewing wildlife found nowhere else, Darwin created his theory of evolution which has sparked controversy ever since.
Amazon and Orinoco Rivers
Along the northern coast and eastern coasts of South America, the mighty Amazon and Orinoco Rivers enter the Atlantic Ocean. It is common to find ships making ports of call near the deltas of these great rivers, and the Amazon is navigable for miles all the way up to the historical rubber kingdom of Manaus.
Ports to call Around the Horn: Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, Wshuaia, Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt, Valparasio/Santigao;
Ports to call West Coast of South America: Calao/Lima, Guayaquil, Quito, Monta, Callao, Arica;
Ports to call Amazon and Orinoco: Cartagena , Devil’s Island, Recife, Rio De Janerio, Sao Paolo, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Manuas.
Leave a Reply