Sailing up the mysterious Amazon, exploring the wildlife in the Galapagos Islands, revelling in the delights of Rio, this is just a taste of the many extraordinary experiences available in South America. The most extensive of South American tours or cruises can even give you the unusual opportunity to experience all four seasons in just two weeks.

An adventure-filled cruise through the Galapagos Islands introduces you to a variety of birds including Galapagos Martins, Blue-footed Boobies, Flamingos, Nazca Boobies, Short-eared Owls, Red-billed Tropicbirds and Magnificent Frigate birds. There are also land iguanas, tropical fish, Galapagos penguins, green turtles, sea lions and Galapagos fur seals native to the islands. There are plenty of opportunities to swim, snorkel, or just relax on the shore.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a spectacular city, famous for the four-day festival Carnaval, yet there is so much more to see - the lush landscapes, the Brazilian food and Samba. From the beaches of Ipanema, Copacabana and beyond, there are numerous places to get your sun. But the striking vista of Sugarloaf Mountain towering over the city is what will leave you mesmerised. Take the aerial tramway for a panoramic view of the city, coastline and Guanabara Bay.

Peru is full of history and natural beauty. The capital, Lima, is close to one of the world's most desolate deserts which is home to the famed drawings of Nazca. These geoglyphs were created by the Nazca culture between 400 and 650 AD and the hundreds of individual figures range in complexity from simple lines to stylized hummingbirds, spiders, monkeys, fish, sharks, orcas, and lizards.

In Chile, Punta Arenas is a key destination point for cruises. The city is also the gateway to land-based adventures in Chilean Patagonia, a maze of fjords, rivers, steppes and mountains to the north.

Buenos Aires, Argentina is a cosmopolitan city featuring Parisian-style confiterias, cafes and popular tango clubs. Enjoy a romantic walk through one of the city's many pristine parks or along its wide boulevards in the ‘Paris of the South’.

Arguably South America's most iconic feature is the gigantic Amazon Rainforest, a region ripe for exploration in the form of a river cruise. Whether you choose Peru, Brazil or even Bolivia, an Amazon river cruise will be a unique experience that includes meeting people who thrive on the river's banks, going ashore in search of elusive wildlife and learning about the diverse flora all around you.