Travel insights from Latin America
Best School Expeditions in South America
The only difficulty is choosing where to go.
Here, we detail the best destinations to test your students outdoor adventure skills while connecting them to awe-inspiring natural wonders.
From ancient cities to glacial peaks, and from jungle adventures to wildlife expeditions, we’ll detail a wide array of trips for varying levels of difficulty.
The Lares Trek in Peru
Embark on a historical journey that will transport your students back in time to the ancient Inca Empire. Despite being in the shadow of its famous cousin, the Inca Trail, Peru’s Lares Trek offers epic landscapes, challenging ascents and a taste of real Andean life.
Choose from 3, 4 or 5 days on this trail that penetrates the Sacred Valley. Students will camp underneath the stars, pass Andean villages, and refuel on sublime Peruvian cuisine cooked by accompanying chefs.
How difficult is the Lares Trek? The Lares Trek is a challenge but more so for the altitude. It is important to acclimatize to the altitude beforehand with a few days in Cusco and then head on the trail. Days can be long but with the right attitude your students will be able to finish with a great deal of accomplishment.
Difficulty score: Challenging
Amazon adventure in Ecuador
Take your students into the heart of the Amazon Rainforest. Here they’ll witness the incredible biodiversity and learn about efforts to conserve the Lungs of the Earth.
Guided by local experts, expeditions can vary in style but will give students the opportunity to study the delicate balance of ecosystems while engaging in hands-on conservation projects.
Ecuador’s Puyo is an ideal place to visit. Here students can immerse themselves into indigenous lifestyles with a homestay experience with the Kichwa community. As well as trekking through the rainforest, students will cook like a Kichwa local and hunt like them with a blow dart and spear throwing workshop.
How difficult is an expedition in the Amazon? This really depends on where you go and what you do. You can raise the difficulty for your students with multi-day treks and include camping or you can visit towns like Puyo where hikes will be relatively easy.
The biggest challenge of any Amazon expedition is invariably the insects and heat. Ensure you and your students are prepared mentally for this and ensure you have the correct clothing for your trip.
Difficulty score: Moderate
Evolution Unveiled in the Galapagos
Channel your inner Charles Darwin as you and your students explore the Galápagos Islands, a living laboratory of evolution.
Witness captivating wildlife, from giant tortoises to blue-footed boobies, and engage in educational activities that shed light on the processes that have shaped these remarkable creatures.
The Galapagos boasts an array of activities for your students from hiking the highlands to snorkeling in lava tunnels. You can also plunge deeper into the ocean on a scuba diving adventure or rent bikes and cycle on the volcanic island of Isabela.
How challenging is a Galapagos expedition?
The difficulty of an expedition in the Galapagos will vary depending on your chosen activity. In general, hikes are short and easy for all students. The most challenging activities are in the ocean, whether swimming around Kicker Rock or scuba diving around Darwin Island.
Difficulty score: Easy to Moderate
Glaciers and Fjords in Patagonia, Chile
For the thrill-seeking students, Patagonia promises a spectacular blend of natural wonders.
From ice trekking on glaciers to kayaking through dramatic fjords, this expedition showcases the power of nature while fostering teamwork and resilience.
We recommend taking students on the “ruta de los parques.” This is a scenic route that extends over 2,700 km, beginning in the city of Puerto Montt and finishing in Cape Horn.
This fantastic route connects more than 17 national parks and over 60 towns. It is recognized for its pristine landscapes, wild life, and distinct local communities.
How challenging is a Patagonia expedition? An adventure in Patagonia can vary in difficulty. You can visit Patagonia in an easy fashion or test your students with long walks or even long horseback rides.
Difficulty score: Moderate
Discover Colombia’s Lost City
Uncover the mysteries of Colombia’s Ciudad Perdida, an archaeological treasure hidden deep within the lush jungles.
The Lost City trek has been compared to Machu Picchu but in truth is much more rustic, untamed and challenging. Students will be trekking for 4 days through Caribbean jungle, through rivers, and finally up to a lost city.
Along the way, your students will learn about the history and traditions of the indigenous communities still living here. They’ll learn about how Ciudad Perdida became lost and then found again by grave robbers and gain a greater understanding of sustainable tourism.
Each night you and your students will stay in jungle embedded camps in either bunk beds or hammocks. Along the trail students replenish their energy with fresh fruit and cool down with dips in natural pools.
How difficult is the Lost City trek? The biggest challenge when trekking the Lost City is the weather. The trail isn’t particularly long or high but hot, humid conditions make it a sweaty trek. Bring lots of water and prepare for biblical downpours.
Difficulty score: Challenging
Discover Otherworldly Ecosystems in Colombia
The Andes boasts incredible landscapes, fascinating communities and an ecosystem found nowhere else in the world. The paramos are essential to citizens of Andean countries like Colombia and your students can walk through these alien-like tropical tundras.
Head to Colombia’s Los Nevados National Park to walk among the paramos and, with a little extra effort, reach glacial peaks.
Treks in this stunning national park range from easy to difficult and you can also camp under the stars and amongst one of the world’s tallest palm tree species in Valle del Cocora.
You can also give your students a lesson in conservation with a visit to an award-winning project that is protecting 12 hectares of native forest.
Is Los Nevados difficult for a school expedition? Treks can be extremely challenging and you must plan well ahead of any trip. Altitude is one of the major challenges as well as muddy trails during the rainy season.
Difficulty score: Challenging to very difficult
Explore Bolivia’s Salt Flats
Head to Bolivia for a unique and exciting expedition to thrill your students. We suggest heading to the mesmerizing Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat.
Students will have the opportunity to explore the vast expanse of salt, take perspective-bending photos, and learn about the geological formations that make this area so unique.
Don’t miss the train graveyard and you can also stay overnight on the Salt Flats for the full immersive experience.
Is it hard to trek Bolivia’s Salt Flats? It is not challenging to visit the Salt Flats but long expedition days can be tiring especially when visiting different parts of this epic landscape.
Difficulty score: Easy