Feature: Immediate Release October 2013
Top five family adventures in South America
Looking for a family holiday with a difference? Chimu Adventures’ Travel Expert Meg Hall offers her advice on five of the best family friendly itineraries in South America.
For years South America has been associated with young and eager backpackers looking for a bit of adventure during their gap year. I guess this explains the puzzled looks I received when revealing family plans for a three week excursion to the far away continent. To many of my friends this seemed brave; to me it seemed the perfect opportunity to introduce my sons to a new culture while enjoying some of the world’s best wildlife. Having worked previously in South America, I already knew manly of the hotels are fantastic and guides second to none. To add to the excellent facilities, many local people travel with their families so almost every hotel caters well for children. The infrastructure itself is better than before and improving every day, so I certainly felt comfortable taking my precious cargo.
Even so, South America is a long distance destination and it is very different travelling with children. So, here are my top five South America destinations that will ensure you and your little ones enjoy an experience of a lifetime:
Wildlife and culture in Ecuador (Quito and the Galapagos islands)
For a relatively small country, Ecuador offers a wealth of diversity and is a must for nature lovers. Its charming capitol city, Quito, was founded on the ruins of an Incan City in the 16th Century and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It provides a great base to enjoy nearby activities such as exploring volcanoes before heading to the Galapagos Islands. Famous for their connections to Charles Darwin and giant tortoises, the Galapagos Islands offer some of the most fascinating wildlife experiences on the planet. The kids will love the constant activities from trekking and climbing to diving and snorkelling all the while marvelling at the impressive wildlife.
Incas and Amazon in Peru
With its impressive history, jaw dropping landscape and sprawling rainforests, Peru offers a plethora of activities that will keep even the most active of children entertained. In Cusco, days can be spent walking through the Andes to the Incan city of Machu Picchu or flying down the Tambopata River’s white water rapids. Just a short flight from Cusco lays the Amazonian town of Puerto Maldonado. The jungle offers everything that appeals to kids - butterflies, monkeys, adventure and mud. Families will love exploring the mighty Amazon by canoe, staying in a jungle lodge where the local children are the guides.
Waterfalls and the Garden of Eden in Brazil
Famous for Carnival and skimpy swim suits Brazil may seem a little too adult for the young ones but never fear there’s plenty of PG rated fun to be had as well. How about discovering the myriad of walkways around the effervescent Iguassu falls frequented by toucans and the ever cheeky coatis (South American Racoon)? Or perhaps the family would prefer exploring the backwaters of the Pantanal where howler monkeys swing from the trees, giant otters swim in the waters, caiman cling to the river banks and piranha are waiting to be caught.
Gauchos and Salt Flats in Argentina
A visit to the northern Argentinian city of Salta is a must for all horse lovers. Stay at a local ranch and live life like a Gaucho (South American Cowboy), riding each day in the foot hills of the Andean mountains. Just a short drive away through the impressive mountains of the Cordillera Oriental lays the Salinas Grandes Salt Flat. The whole family will enjoy experimenting with the strange perspectives offered by the landscape, taking some of the best holiday snaps of the trip.
Skiing and penguins in Chile
The slopes of Valle Nevado near Santiago de Chile offer some of the best skiing in South America. Popular with skiers and snowboarders alike the slopes will keep snow bunnies happy for days on end. There’s also fun to be had for the non-skiers with regular five day cruises from Punta Arenas to the Tierra del Fuego National Park. Most cruises offer family friendly services including personally led zodiac rides exploring vast glaciers and searching for penguins.
Chimu Adventures’ South America wide itineraries are now available exclusively for families from Galapagos cruises to rainforest expeditions led by local children. Each hotel is recommended from first-hand experience and tours can be tailored to suit each family. For more information about recommended family adventures visit https://www.chimuadventures.com/content/family-adventures.
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact: Meg Hall, Marketing Manager E: meghall@chimuadventures.com P: 1300 678 909 A: Suite 502/231 Miller St North Sydney2060 Notes to the Editor Founded in 2004, Chimu Adventures is an Australian owned company offering fully flexible, guaranteed itineraries to Latin America, plus cruises to Antarctica. Chimu’s philosophy is simple, “use specialised knowledge to work with our clients, accommodating their individual needs, at reasonable prices”.
With their own operations in Peru and Argentina and a member of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators, Chimu Adventures are committed to the destinations they operate in.