The Prices of Hiking Tours to South America
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Dreaming of hitting the trails in South America on a guided hiking tour? You're not alone! Hiking tours in South America offer the perfect blend of natural beauty and outdoor excitement, allowing you to enjoy breathtaking views and new challenges without the stress of planning. In this article, we'll dig into the costs of hiking tours, highlight some of the best choices, and explore the top destinations in South America for these adventures. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just starting out, we've done the legwork to help you find the perfect tour for your next journey.
To make your search a little easier, we've carefully analyzed hiking tours in South America from top to bottom. We looked at typical price ranges across different destinations and trip styles, and we've identified the ones that stand out as exceptional values. By comparing factors like cost, quality, itineraries, and included amenities, we've found tours that not only deliver amazing experiences but also give you the most bang for your buck. So, lace up those hiking boots - your next adventure to South America is just a step away!
Why does South America appeal to hikers?
South America is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts, offering diverse trails through breathtaking landscapes and charming cultural areas. Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguacu, and Florianopolis are world-renowned for hiking, with gorgeous trails and stunning natural landscapes. Rio de Janeiro is known for its samba dancing, sandy beaches, and Carnival. Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Sao Paulo are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. South America's terrific trails and overall beauty make it an exciting and rewarding destination for hikers of all levels.
How much do hiking tours in South America cost?
The average price per day for hiking and trekking tours in South America is $246, based on our analysis of 98 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $90 to $633 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $135 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $380 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Tours in South America
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable hiking and trekking tours in South America average $135 per day, with daily prices from $90 to $171. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Ecuador Trekking The Avenue of Volcanoes here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical hiking and trekking tours in South America that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $222 per day. Daily prices range from $172 to $298. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is Ultimate Machu Picchu.
Luxury Tours
Luxury hiking and trekking tours in South America average around $222 per day, with daily costs ranging from $298 to $633. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is Essential Patagonia.
Which tour companies offer hiking tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer hiking and trekking tours in South America. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
G Adventures
G Adventures is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Thailand, Peru, South Africa, and Vietnam. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, island hopping, snorkelling, surfing, wine tasting, kayaking, cooking classes, water sports, jungle surfing, and canyoning.
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Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Australia, Thailand, Tanzania, and Italy. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, wine tasting, snorkelling, kayaking, cooking classes, island hopping, white water rafting, surfing, horse riding, whale watching, and bird watching.
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Collette
Collette is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Italy, Great Britain, and France. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as wine tasting, island hopping, and camping.
Adventure Journeys
Focusing on Ecuador, Adventure Journeys is a smaller tour company which provides a personalized level of service to customers. Despite being priced a bit higher, the small group sizes create a more personal and unique experience for travelers. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category. With a focus on wildlife viewing tours, they ensure you'll have a fantastic experience.
See All Tours from Adventure Journeys
Hiking & Trekking Destinations in South America
Wondering where hiking & trekking tours visit in South America? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is a world famous megacity that is filled with colorful neighborhoods and a population that knows how to have fun. The city has iconic beaches such as Copacabana and countless urban hikes that take you to dramatic mountain peaks. At night, people come out to party, and you're sure to have a good time, particularly during the Carnival season.
Although it is a bustling megacity, it also offers access to world class hikes. The city is filled with mountains and dramatic peaks, so many hikes take you to spectacular views of the city. There are also jungle hikes and even opportunities to see local wildlife. There's a combination of iconic trails and lesser known strolls that will let you truly absorb what this city has to offer. Some of the best hikes include Pedra Bonita, Dois Irmaos, and Pedra da Gávea.
Foz Do Iguacu
Foz do Iguaçu is the main hub for visitors going to the waterfall on the Brazilian side. Iguaçu Falls is the largest waterfall in the world and it sits on the border between Brazil and Argentina. The are many separate cascades as well as walkways and trails around the falls. Devil's Throat is the tallest of the cascades.
There's a network of trails and walkways at the foot of the falls as well as above the falls. You can also venture into the surrounding rainforest or hike to Devil's Throat for a great view.
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Other popular destinations for hiking & trekking tours through South America include Cusco, Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo, Lima, and Puerto Maldonado.
Hiking Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
Choosing whether to join a guided tour or organize your own adventure? Be sure to think about the unique benefits of each option.
Organized Tours
Pros- Some hikes may not be well marked, so having a local guide is helpful for safety and accessibility.
- Local experts know the best trails and they understand the regional weather conditions. This allows them to offer the best experience for hikers.
- Stay on the best trails and hidden spots.
- All logistics like permits and equipment are handled.
- Guides provide first aid and emergency support.
- Travel with like-minded people for a social experience.
- Group dynamic fosters motivation during the hike.
- Discover places you might not find on your own.
- Larger groups may have a variety of skill levels so it can be hard to meet the needs of all hikers.
- Many group tours are limited on time, so some of the hiking may feel rushed or impersonal.
- Less solitude if you prefer to hike alone.
- May have to adjust to group preferences.
Independent Travel
Pros- Independent travel allows you to move at your own pace, and choose trails that are appropriate for your skill level.
- For many, hiking is an activity that is best enjoyed in peace, which may not happen with a larger group.
- Flexibility is key when it comes to the weather and skill levels. Many guided tours have set itineraries and don't allow for much freedom or flexibility.
- Many hiking trails are located far from public transit, so unless you have your own vehicle, you may have trouble reaching some of the best places.
- Independent travelers may have to buy their own gear, some of which might be provided in guided tours.
- Requires more research to find the best routes.
- Risk of getting lost without proper navigation skills.
- Need to handle permits and bookings independently.
- You may miss out on local insights or tips.
- Safety concerns without a guide in case of emergency.
Which is cheaper?
Is it cheaper to plan your own trip or join guided hiking and trekking tours? The answer isn't clear-cut. Tours typically package accommodations, transportation, meals, entry fees, and activities into one price, whereas independent travelers must arrange and pay for these themselves. To understand the cost difference, compare the tour's price with the cost of booking everything individually. Depending on whether you choose budget-friendly options or splurge on certain aspects, the tour might be a better deal—or not. Make sure to check what's included before drawing conclusions.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
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