South America Holidays

CHILE SANTIAGO AND THE HEARTLAND A great many of  Chile's attractions are out of doors, in the national parks, adventure sports, etc, but the capital Santiago, has a rich cultural life and is a good base for visiting nearby areas. These include the port of Valparaiso and the beach resorts to north and south, principally Viña del Mar; ther vineyards of the Central Valley; the Andean foothills; the ski resorts. NORTH OF SANTIAGO La Sirena is a popular seaside resort, from which can be reached the Elqui Valley, where Cilean pisco is made, and three major astronomical observatories. Heading north, the land becomes more barren, but after rain, usually September/October, the flowers that have lain dormant desert burst inti bloom; if you are in the areas, a sight not cooper mine at Chuquicamata and the isolated Andean town and popular tourist resort of San Pedro de Atacama. Its attractions are lunar landscapes, hot geysers, salt flats and the and the way of life at h

ECUADOR   OVERLAND ROUTES Major border crossings at Ipiales (Colombia): at Tumbes/ Aguas verdes, La Tina  and la Balsa (perú); and via Iquitos/Nuevo Rocafuerte (Peru by river).  Nowhere else on earth you find so much natural diversity-and all the fun that goes with it-in so tiny a place. Ecuador is the second smallest country is South America, but the ranger of landscape it offers is no less than astounding. One day you'll be picking through hand-woven sweaters at chilly indigenous market in the Andes, and the next day you'll be sweating all over your binoculars while spying on howler monkeys in the rainforest. For nature lovers, the palce is a drem; exotic orchids and birds, bizarre jungle plants,strange insect. windswept páramo (high altitude grassland), dripping tropical forests and the fearless animals that hop, wobble and swim around the Galápagos Islands all await your hungry eyes. For the adrenaline junkie, the choices are outrageous:climbing, mountaineer

BRAZIL Described as the sexiest people on the earth, Brazillians know how to flirt, flaunt and have fun. The Rio Carnival, with its heady atmosphere and incredible costumes is the most exuberant of a calander of festivals. Brazil is the worlds 5th largest country. Football, looking good and dancing are the national pastimes. The Southwest and Rio de Janeiro was for a long time the image of Brazil, with it's beautiful setting - the Sugarloaf and Corcovada overlooking the bays and beaches, the Carnival, the nightlife and the faevlas (slums), which are now being incorporated with tourism. But, Rio de Janeiro has plenty of other beaches colonial towns, national parks, especially Paraty and the cities of Petropolis and Teresopolis San Paulo. Other a countless places to expore, including the Amazon area in the north of the country. Do you research beforehand or ask Tierras Vivas a professional South American tour company for suggestions. RIO DE JANEIRO Rio has a gloriou

BOLIVIA Bolivia is a country of superlatives, It's the hemisphere's highest, most isolatedand most rugged nation. It'sone of earth's coldest, warmest, windiest and steamienst places. It boasts among the driest, saltiest and swampiest natural landscapes in the world. Although the poorest country in South America, It's one of the riches in terms of natural resources. It's also South Americas's most indigenouscountry: over 60% of the populationof 8.8 million claim indigenous heritage.  Bolivia has it all...excep, that is, for beaches. This landlocked country boasts soaring peak sand hallucinogenic salt flats, steamy jungles cultures, colonial cities, and whispers of ancient civilizations. In recent years, it's hit the travelers'radar; opportunities for activities andoff-the-beaten path explorationhave exploded. Bolivia's socialand political fronts  are frecuentlyshaky, thanks toan imponent economy, and a populace worn ragged by poverty,

ARGENTINA The secret is out: with its gorgeous landscapes, cosmopolitan cities, lively culture and amazingly affordable economy, Argentina is a traveler's paradise. it stretches almost 3500 km from Bolivia to the trip of South America, encompassing a wide array of geography and climates, South America's highest peak, walk among thousands of penguins, and lie on trendy beaches. Patagonia's glacier-carved landscapes and painted Andean deserts, City slickers will adore fabulous Buenos Aires, full of opportunities to learn spanish, watch futbol (soccer) games, dance the sexy tango and interact with dynamic porteños ( people from Buenos Aires). You'll be out  shopping at nighclubs all nightlong. Argentina is safe, friendly and wonderfully affordable. And the time to come is now,so get your spirit in gear and prepare to have an unforgettable adventure¡ From the spectacular natural wildermess of Iguazú falls in the northtothe sophistication of Rosarioin the south, the