If you consider yourself a nature lover, adventure enthusiast, wine aficionado, dancing and music maestro or history and cultural nut, then you are guaranteed a good time in the wonderfully diverse South America. This is a continent that cries out for exploring and fortunately it provides a number of excellent bike trails for doing precisely that.

No visit would be complete here without checking out Brazil and its electrifying capital, Rio de Janeiro. This city is full of character, and you can easily hop on a bike to explore its famous beaches, colonial towns and fishing villages. Craving a party? Then visit during the world-famous Carnaval - the week before Lent - when the city explodes in color and holds incredible street parties and parades.

If you prefer the finer things in life, Argentina’s quaint colonial town of Salta will tick the boxes and is a gorgeous place to begin a multi-day bicycle tour. This route enables you to ride through the National Park Los Cardones and admire the fascinating red rock formations of la Quebrada de las Conchas, while taking in a wealth of quaint villages en route. Each guarantees glorious wines, fantastic food and excellent opportunities to meet the locals.

If you want to get that history and ‘oh wow’ fix then journey to Peru’s Andes Mountains to witness Machu Picchu. One of the seven wonders of the world, this Inca ancient citadel is mesmerizing. Peru has many other magnificent spots - all reachable on a beautiful bicycle adventure. A ride along the Urubamba River surrounded by 4000m peaks will have you gasping, while the Inca ancient capital of Cusco is vibrant and alluring.

Torres del Paine NP, Chile, South America
Glorious landscapes and mesmerizing wildlife

The same can be said for much of South America, but another of its calling cards is the wealth of wildlife to be admired. The two hottest destinations for this are the gorgeous Amazon rain-forest and the famed Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. The latter can even be cycled now and is world renowned for its high variety of animals, particularly ones not found anywhere else on Earth.

Finally, if landscapes get your blood pumping then look no further than the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina. The Carretera Austral is one of the world’s most epic and iconic bike routes. Lakes, volcanoes, fjords, glaciers, mountains and forests provide a feast for the eyes. With more than 1000km (622 mi) of route to explore, this region will leave you breathless and with a camera full of pictures. It is the perfect place to lose yourself on two wheels in sheer wonder at nature’s beauty.


Best Seasons:September - April
Popular Locations:Machu Picchu, Galapagos Islands, Rio de Janiero, Patagonia

DIG DEEPER

Explore amazing destinations within South America.