Get Lost in Latin America

Drenched in vibrant colours, mouthwatering culinary offerings and an impossibly musical language, Latin America oozes charm by the bucketload. In this glorious corner of the globe, you can trek through ancient ruins, salsa until the wee hours of the morning, conquer altitude-sickness to take in some stunning natural scenery and sip cocktails in buzzy rooftop bars. Plus, prices tend to be relatively reasonable on the continent, so you can get your holiday on without totally breaking the bank. Sold? All that’s left to do is pick your adventure, pack your bags and brush up on your español (and português).

CHILE: ICE HIKE ON A GLACIER

The world’s longest country boasts some jaw-dropping natural scenery — from extraterrestrial-like deserts to crystalline lakes almost too blue to be true. You could easily spend weeks meandering through this stunning stretch of the earth, including on this Intrepid tour that takes in some of Chile’s top sights. If you’re short on time though, head straight for Patagonia and the Torres del Paine National Park. Nestled in the southern end of the country, this premier national park holds many of Chile’s most beautiful natural sights in its 1814 square-kilometres.

Hiking the iconic W or O trails here is a must, but walking isn’t the only way to see the wonders of the Torres del Paine. For something a little different, strap on some crampons and get yourself out on an ice hike atop Glacier Grey. This icy natural wonder is a surreal blue and you can easily spend hours exploring its tunnels, caves and waterfalls. Although the hike is suitable for beginners, you’ll want to be in good physical shape for this adventure.

If all that glacier hiking leaves you wanting more intimate time with the ice, you can also hop into a kayak and paddle right up to the towering sheets to take them in from another jaw-dropping angle. Either way, make sure to pack your sunscreen, water bottle (which you can refill with fresh agua from the glacier) and your trusty camera. You’re definitely going to want to capture this on film.

MEXICO: STUFF YOURSELF SILLY AT MERCADO LA MERCED

Diverse, complex and impossibly satisfying, Mexican cuisine has built itself an international fan base for very good reason. Hop on Intrepid’s gustatory adventure through the country’s most famous culinary regions and you’ll soon understand why Mexico has repeatedly been crowned king of the global street food scene.

While the entire country is bursting with incredible food offerings, Mexico City’s Mercado La Merced is not, we repeat not, to be missed. The country’s largest food market, this cavernous space sprawls across seven sections and is as utterly overwhelming as it is rewarding. Arrive via metro station La Merced to avoid getting lost in the labyrinth of unofficial markets outside the main buildings and make sure to stuff your pockets with some pesos as this isn’t the place for credit cards.

Once inside, get started with some recognisable delicacies like gorditas (the Mexican take on arepas) and tlayudas (crispy tortillas slathered with refried beans and topped with meat, salsa and the iconic Oaxaca cheese). Then, meander over to the fried insect corner, where you can sample crispy grasshoppers and ants. While these snacks aren’t necessarily the prettiest to look at, your tastebuds will thank you. Once you’re stuffed to your heart’s content, emerge back into the bright light of day and walk off your feasting with a twenty-minute saunter over to massive Zocalo square and then head over to the Palacio de Bellas Artes to gape at its internationally renowned art deco exterior.

BRAZIL: GET A HEAVY DOSE OF CULTURE IN RIO DE JANEIRO

Think Rio’s just about beaches, samba and Carnaval? Think again. This bustling metropolis is also overflowing with cultural offerings, as highlighted on this city-focused Intrepid Tour that takes in the best of Rio and Buenos Aires. Once you’ve got your sand and sun sorted, take a break from the beach to spend a day getting your culture on at some of Rio’s most impressive cultural institutions.

Start your art tour in Santa Teresa, a bohemian neighbourhood awash with colourful colonial architecture, crumbling mansions and bright murals. While there are some iconic cultural destinations here, it’s best to just stroll through the streets at your leisure, popping your head into studios or galleries that appeal.

Afterwards, saunter down the hill to the Modern Art Museum (MAM), one of the country’s most important cultural institutions. With its imposing concrete exterior, MAM is impressive even before you step inside, but the large collection of Brazilian art will keep you gaping indoors as well. Next, refuel with lunch at nearby Escondidinho (Beco dos Barbeiros 12). This local establishment serves up mouthwatering slow-cooked ribs that have garnered a loyal following over the decades. End your culture tour with a few hours at the cutting-edge Museum of Tomorrow. This iconic structure, which looks somewhat like an artsy spaceship, is all about sustainable design and the way that humans have irrevocably altered our environment. The mind-boggling digital exhibits will provide plenty of food for thought.

PERU: CONQUER MACHU PICCHU

Peru is a wonderland of natural beauty and culture, with its Machu Picchu drawing most visitors to the country. The site is accessible by train from nearby Aguas Calientes, but if you’re going to tick something this monumental off your bucket list, why not go the whole nine yards — or more accurately, 43 kilometres? This Intrepid tour will take you on the Inca Trail through the Amazon. Tracing the footsteps of the ancient civilisation, the four-day hike will have you gasping in awe and for air in equal measure. Resist the urge to power through to each rest stop with your head down. Instead, take note of the changing landscape from the tumbling hills to the lush cloud-forest, and get an unmatched appreciation for the Inca people and Pachamama (the Andean ‘Mother Earth’).  Along the way, you’ll also come across a number of ruin sites including Sayacmarca, the ‘Town Above the Clouds’. The trek is not for the faint-hearted, a truth most strongly tested on day two as you reach the dreaded ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ (Warmiwanusca) — the highest peak at 4200 metres above sea level.

Don’t be surprised if on the final morning your triumphant arrival at Intipunku (the Sun Gate), which provides the first glimpse of the finish line, is thwarted by heavy mist. Take the opportunity to catch your breath and wait for the fog to clear to reveal the resplendent Machu Picchu in dramatic movie-moment fashion. When it does, those four days of camping, cramping, sweating and swearing will instantly be worth it.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: SNORKEL WITH INCREDIBLE FLORA AND FAUNA

Much like Australia, the Galapagos Islands are prized for their biodiversity, and a trip to the Galapagos is all about the wildlife. Thanks to Charles Darwin’s voyage in the early nineteenth century, the region’s unique flora and fauna have been the focus of the world’s most globally recognised conservation effort. Here, you have the chance to see species you can’t find anywhere else, including a forest of opuntia cacti in Santa Fe, which resemble something out of a Dr Seuss book. Also on land, trekkers can expect sightings of giant iguanas, lava lizards and shoreside gatherings of sea lions and witness the flight of the supremely rare red-footed booby and Darwin’s famous finches.

Of course, the wonder in the Galapagos isn’t limited to the land and is perhaps best seen beneath the turquoise waters surrounding the islands. A snorkeller’s dream destination, Darwin Beach on Isla Genovesa is a much-loved spot to swim up close with sea lions, watch green turtles breeding and glide alongside diamond stingrays and manta rays.

The Caamaño Islet has calm currents and good visibility where you can snorkel and float alongside the Galapagos’ marine iguanas and become friends with a sea lion colony. Sea turtles, flying rays and eagle rays also call these spots home, and the pristine waters ensure that your experience will be like no other.