South America

Argentina runs from subtropical waterfalls in the north to glaciers and granite spires in Patagonia, with wine country along the Andes and a European-feeling capital on the Río de la Plata. Distances are enormous and internal flights save days. Currency and prices move quickly, so check costs close to travel.

Bolivia is the highest and least expensive country in South America, with the Uyuni salt flat, Lake Titicaca, Andean cities above 3,500 metres and Amazon lowlands in the north. Altitude is the main planning constraint: La Paz sits around 3,600 metres and needs acclimatisation. Indigenous Aymara and Quechua culture is present everywhere, not staged.

Brazil is continental in scale, with Amazon rainforest in the north, the Pantanal wetland for wildlife, colonial towns in the north-east and a long Atlantic coastline of beaches. Internal flights are essential between regions. Carnival in February or March reshapes prices and availability nationwide.

Chile is 4,300 kilometres long and rarely more than 200 wide, running from the driest desert on earth through a Mediterranean central valley to the fjords and granite towers of Patagonia. That shape means flying between regions. Stargazing in the north and trekking in the south are the two strongest reasons to go.

Colombia runs from Caribbean colonial ports to Andean coffee country, Amazon rainforest and the desert of La Guajira, with three separate mountain ranges in between. Domestic flights are cheap and the standard way to move. Security has improved substantially in the main travel corridors, though regional advice still varies.

Ecuador is the smallest Andean country and the easiest to cover: volcanoes, Amazon lodges, cloud forest and the Galápagos, all reachable within short internal journeys. The US dollar is the currency, which simplifies budgeting. Altitude in Quito and the Avenue of the Volcanoes needs a day or two of adjustment.

Peru runs from Pacific desert to Andean peaks to Amazon rainforest, with Machu Picchu at its centre.