From the Galapagos Islands & Quito to Bananas and Cotopaxi, today we explore everything Ecuador is famous for!

When it comes to South America, we think of Peru, Argentina, Chile, etc. But there is another Country that is wildly diverse with a perfect mixture of rich culture, unparalleled natural beauty, and adventure on an adventure. That’s right, its Ecuador and believe You Us, this country is sure to become one of your favorites. Now you must be thinking, What is Ecuador Famous For? Our answer is; a lot of things! From the mighty Andes to old cathedrals and museums. From lush dense forests to beautiful beaches. This country begs to be explored. While outdoor enthusiasts can engage in bike riding and volcano climbing, others seeking a relaxing time can cruise around the beautiful islands or relax on the pristine beaches. And the best time to visit Ecuador? ALL YEAR AROUND!! Yes, Ecuador has an endless spring. Add that with delicious food, inexpensive accommodations and the sweetest, friendliest locals. We can assure, you cannot run out of things to do in Ecuador! Paints quite a picture, isn’t it? Ready to find out What is Ecuador Famous For?

#1. Galapagos Islands

#2. Amazon Rainforest

#3. Quito 

#4. Devil’s Nose Train Ride

Hold up! There are 5 more things on our list of What is Ecuador Famous for!

 #5. Cotopaxi Volcano

 #6. Cuenca

#7. El Cajas National Park

#8. Banos

#9. Bananas

 #10. Ingapirca Ruins

That is not all!

Did you love learning all about What Ecuador is Famous For? Stay up-to-date with all the latest South American News by visiting our blog!

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Be whisked away on a scenic sleeper train ride through some of Peru’s most beautiful landscapes on The Belmond Andean Explorer. This new luxury sleeper train takes passengers from Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, and the gateway to Machu Picchu, across Andean plains to Arequipa, a city immersed in Peru’s gastronomic renaissance and guarded by three dramatic volcanoes.

Sit back and relax, while the region’s highlights are put on display just outside your window. Marvel at the sparkling blue Lake Titicaca and one of the world’s most popular trekking destinations, the Colca Canyon. The Belmond Andean Explorer train does all the work; you just have to be there to enjoy the ride.

The Routes of the Belmond Andean Explorer

1. Peruvian Highlands (Cusco – Puno – Arequipa): The Peruvian Highlands is the most extended route, lasting three days and two nights. Begin in Cusco, pass through Puno and end in Arequipa.
2. Andean Plains & Islands of Discovery (Arequipa – Puno – Cusco): In 2 short days, travel through Peru’s most jaw-dropping destinations, including the majestic Lake Titicaca.
3. Spirit of the Water (Cusco – Puno): For a quick adventure, choose the Spirit of the Water route. Travel from Cusco to Puno in one day and one night. The most prominent part of this journey will be the beauty of Lake Titicaca.
4. Spirit of the Andes (Puno – Cusco): Lastly, the Spirit of the Andes is the exact opposite of the Spirit of the Water. Travel from Puno to Cusco and let South America’s beautiful terrain capture your attention for hours on end.

The Cabins of the Belmond Andean Explorer

Hop aboard the Belmond Andean Explorer for a South America Railway Tour! This sixteen-carriage train is equipped to hold 48 passengers in four cabin types. Each type of cabin features an ensuite bathroom and shower, and a decor that combines classic wood paneling with colorful, handwoven Andean elements. You might recognize some of the textures to those you’ve seen in the local markets of Cusco.

The Double Deluxe Cabin

The Double Deluxe is the largest of all the cabins on the Belmond Andean Explorer. Spread out in a double bed, lounge in one of the two seats in the sitting area, unpack your bags in a spacious wardrobe, and wash off in your private bathroom. Discover an additional dressing table, a large mirror, and a towel and coat rack as well. The total area: 13.1m2.

The Junior Double Bed Cabin

The Junior Double cabin is very similar to the Double Deluxe. Enjoy a double bed, a small sitting area, a wardrobe for your belongings, a small private bathroom, a small mirror and coat rack. The total area: 13.1m2.

The Twin Bed Cabin

The Twin Bed Cabin is perfect for friends or family traveling together. Two travelers can enjoy their own single bed (2 single beds in the room), a shared wardrobe, shower and washbasin, one banquette, and one chair for leisure. The total area: 7.4m2.

The Bunk Bed Cabin

The Bunk Bed Cabin is ideal for children or friends traveling together! This smaller cabin has a bunk bed with a day and night configuration. Fall asleep in one of the two single beds (upper and lower berth) at night, wash up in the shower and washbasin, and store your belongings in the shared wardrobe. The total area: 5.5m2.

Note: All cabins have a 110v/220v shaver socket outlet. 

The Interior of the Belmond Andean Explorer train tour

The interior of the Belmond Andean Explorer was designed by Inge Moore and Nathan Hitchins. These two designers have joined together to launch their London-based practice called Muza Lab. Yatzer.com recalls that Inge Moore’s vision for the Belmond Andean Explorer, “was to design somewhere to ponder and dream, a space where the beauty of the land can infuse the soul.” And, I believe the passengers agree that Inge Moore and Nathan Hitchin’s vision has become a reality.

The Lounge Car

Join your new-found friends and take a seat in the Piano Bar Car. Sink into one of the plush couches or chairs as a medium grand piano sets the musical tone of the car. Sip on a refreshing cocktail, marvel at the passing scenery, and discuss your day’s adventure with your fellow mates.

The Dining Car

Starting to get hungry for more than just spectacular views? The kitchen staff of the Belmond Andean Explorer provides fresh, seasonal dishes, made with locally sourced ingredients. Choose between the two elegant dining carriages and select a meal from the skilfully designed menus, created by Belmond Hotel Monasterio’s expert chefs. You will not be disappointed!

The Observation Car

The Observation Car is an oasis where travelers can decompress in the company of fellow passengers. Come here to make new friends and to sip on a traditional Pisco Sour, specially made by the local bartender. There’s nothing quite like breathing in the Andean air, which comes in from the open deck, as the train follows the tracks through gorgeous landscapes.

The Spa Car

The Spa will feature a wide range of services, designed to help travelers relax as much as possible during a busy South America Tour. However, the Spa will not be open until March of 2018.

Are you ready to board the Belmond Andean Explorer Sleeper Train? At SouthAmerica.travel, we are your Peru Travel Experts. Send us an email or give us a call today. Let us help you book your next Peru Tour on the Belmond Andean Explorer!

The 3 Most Scenic Train Travel in South America

Train travel in South America has been an essential part of the continent’s history and economic development. For many years, trains were the primary method for traveling long distances. Today, many tourists are accustomed to hopping on and off airplanes and can only enjoy the scenery from a bird’s eye view. Haven’t we all gazed longingly from the passenger seat of a car, wishing we could immerse ourselves into the scenery that we might never again lay eyes on again? If that’s you, consider train travel in South America and opt for a peaceful alternative to flying.

1. The Andean Explorer

Route: Machu Picchu, Cusco to Lake Titicaca

Duration: 10 Hour Train Ride

The Peruvian cities of Puno and Cusco are ancient lands, connected by their Incan roots. For travelers seeking to combine Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca, on a Peru and Bolivia tour, the Andean Explorer train ride is the perfect option. At one end of the train route, you have Cusco, this is the entrance to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.  On the other end, you have Puno, the city sitting on the edge of Lake Titicaca. Puno to Cusco is about 390 kilometers (240 miles). The Andean Explorer train takes you through the Peruvian countryside, exposing passengers to a side of Peru they many do not see. The train route passes through small villages along its path and provides rare glimpses into Peruvian life and the local culture.

The landscape alternates between sharp mountain peaks and rolling hills. Rivers run through the countryside where you are sure to catch a glimpse of alpacas and vicunas. Misty clouds travel between the emerald hills and straw-colored plains, a haze reminiscent of the enigmatic valley of the Incas. Peruvian music and entertainment, afternoon tea, and a gourmet 5-course meal are all included in the ticket price.

The seating is comfortable, and there are many opportunities to stretch your legs on board. Travelers can visit the bar cart, dining cart (with comfortable seating), or the open air car at the end of the train. Peru is an invigorating destination, and it can be exhausting to see everything in a short amount of time. The Andean Explorer Train offers a more relaxed pace and is a welcoming addition to any Peru tour.

2. Tren Crucero

Route: Quito, Ecuador to Guayaquil, Ecuador

Duration: 4 days/3 nights

The Quito to Guayaquil train line was first built in 1908. It was considered some of the most difficult terrain to lay train tracks over in the world, but trains have successfully carried passengers through the breathtaking Andes region for years. It connects the major cities of Guayaquil in southern Ecuador and Quito, in the north. This historic route has since reopened as the Tren Crucero, a steam train that travels through the breathtaking Andean countryside on an unforgettable four-day, three-night journey. The train takes passengers through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, providing surreal views of some of the country’s 30 volcanoes.

The Tren Crucero includes a daily evening stop for dinner, tours, and hotel stays in cities along the historic route. During the day, excursions are led by expert, multilingual guides. Some excursions include hiking, horseback riding, visits to thermal baths, and other local historical sites. One popular excursion that passengers love is the Devil’s Nose Train ride, this takes you on a thrilling switchback train ride that zig-zags down a steep incline and drops 500 meters over the course of 12 kilometers.

Though the Tren Crucero is not the typical method of transportation for local Ecuadorians, the coaches are all designed to celebrate the national culture and history. Incredible scenery, delicious Ecuadorian food, highly rated boutique hotels, and distinct cultural heritage sites are all included in the price of the ticket. The train is an intimate experience. During the holidays, tickets sell out quickly, so make sure to purchase in advance. The Tren Crucero is a convenient addition to a Galapagos Islands tour, with starting points in both Quito and Guayaquil. The best way to explore this rich diversity is on land, and the Tren Crucero is a fun and exclusive way to experience it.

3. Curitiba Express Train

Route: Atlantic Rainforest

Duration: 3 Hour Day Train Ride

Curitiba is a modern city in southeastern Brazil, with an urban landscape that famously coexists within its lush, rainforest environment. The city is surrounded by the Atlantic Rainforest. Appropriately, the environmentally-conscious city is the starting point for the most scenic train route in Brazil, the Serra Verde Express. Cruise through the Atlantic rainforest with open windows inviting the refreshing rainforest air into the train cars, while enjoying extraordinary views of the Serro do Mar mountain range. This experience is a delightful way to experience Brazil’s rainforests firsthand.

This 3-hour train tour weaves through Brazil’s prolific rainforest, offering picturesque views of its dark olive hills and glimpses into the incredibly diverse biosphere. The region is home to over 2,000 species of plants and animals, including 60% of Brazil’s endangered species.

After the train tour, consider visiting Morretes and Antonina. These are two small cities located one hour by car from Curitiba. Morretes, a quiet, riverside colonial town, is famous for its creamy beef stew and seafood dishes. The port city of Antonina is home to an abundance of colorful colonial architecture. Another option is to take a boat ride after the train, to the nearby island of Ilha do Mel. Ilha do Mel is home to plentiful sandy beaches, and wonderful views of the striking Serro do Mer mountain range.

View all of our Scenic Train Rides in South America and get started planning your own railway adventure.

The arid region of Northern Argentina and Southern Bolivia is chock-full of naturally epic arenas to explore. Think cowboys & horses in the Wild West, but substitute ‘cowboys’ for ‘gauchos,’ ‘horses’ for llamas (though there are horses too), and ‘Wild West’ for a much better-kept secret. In fact, remember Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid? After they robbed all those American trains, they escaped the law and ended up here. Hopefully when you think about visiting, it’ll be for different reasons. And there are plenty of them. Explore superb landscapes by train and sip wine in the areas surrounding two exemplary cities located where Bolivia and Argentina meet. Read on to find out more, or view our Argentina Tours and Bolivia Tours, as well as our South America Wine Tours. We can also combine Argentina & Bolivia Tours with a custom itinerary.

Tarija, Bolivia’s Wine Region

Sitting tranquilly at the foot of the Andes, and easily reached by plane from any of Bolivia’s major cities, Tarija enjoys a spectacular Mediterranean climate. And by Mediterranean, I do mean to imply wine and charming, romantic people. Back during Bolivia’s post-revolutionary period, Tarijeñans had the option to join Argentina or remain loyal to Bolivia. They opted for the latter, and as a result they are respected immensely for their patriotism and loyalty. Still, Tarija stands apart from the rest of the country. One of the reasons for this is best expressed in a local saying: “¿Si usted no va a beber el vino en Tarija, entonces por que venir a Tarija?” Translation: “If you are not going to drink the wine in Tarija, then why come to Tarija?”

Wine Tours in Tarija

The word is beginning to spread. Bolivia has a wine country! And if you have a hard time being in the moment, the knowledge that Bolivia does not export its wines should help you savor the first glass that reaches your lips. So is it any good? To answer this, start off at a bodega familiar with the local wines for some shoptalk and comparisons. La Vinoteca is just such a place, where they will open any of the dozens of different Bolivian wines they carry. Order a plate of picados—ham, cheese, pickled onion bits and olives arranged in a tapas-like appetizer—to munch on while you deliberate. When you have learned enough to further pique your curiosity, consider visiting any, or all, of the following: Campos de Solana’s tasting room glitters with medals earned in a variety of world competitions. Their Reserve bottle won a tasting competition in Atlanta, GA. Sip their selection before heading over to Casa Vieja, a 400 year-old Jesuit convent with a view of the Andes towering above their vineyards. Just getting there involves crossing gorgeous gorges and rock formations so strange you’re likely to forget about wine until you arrive at the door. Once there, imbibe from a spread of ten different wines: both sweet and light whites, tannic reds and less tannic reds, and a grape infused with singani (which is similar to eau-de-vie, or grappa if you prefer). If your teeth are still white, spend an afternoon with Jesús, the owner of Hosteria. Let yourself be influenced both by his wine—grown from Sangiovese vines—and his cheerful personality.

Getting From Tarija to Salta

After a couple days in Tarija, it’s easy to adjust to a new, relaxed normal. You’ve checked out the Bolivian wine country, but what about Argentina’s? The best part is that it’s only one bus ride to Salta from Tarija. Watch the pueblos come to life along the way. You will follow the river to Bermejo, with views of the tropical foliage filling the valley.  A light breakfast snack will be provided, and there will be a reminder to adjust your watch by an hour. You will be helped through customs before continuing through northern Argentina, arriving in Salta by midday.

Salta, Argentina’s Northern Wine Destination

I will never forget the vivid landscapes surrounding Salta, a sleepy, Andean city in the far north of Argentina. Though there are plenty of mountain peaks to gaze up at when you arrive, you’re already standing 7,000 feet above sea level. Brave the thin air, however, and your rewards are rich. Along with horseback riding, rafting, trekking and a visit to the ancient ruins of Tastil, travelers can ride the fifth highest railway in the world.

Train to the Clouds

El Tren a las Nubes boasts 29 bridges, 21 tunnels, 13 viaducts, 2 spirals (!) and 2 zigzags. Originally designed to provide a route between Argentina and Chile, American Richard Maury designed the railway to utilize the very turns in the tracks to sufficiently slow down or speed up the train. The train leaves Salta every Saturday morning (Apr.-Nov.) and returns around midnight. Meals are served along the way, and passengers can gaze out at small Andean villages, tobacco farms, dramatic gulches and the famous altiplano. And there’s more in store when your train returns. View our Train to the Clouds Tour.

Highest Vineyards in the World

What does a microclimate composed of high elevation and low humidity produce? Torrontes Riojano wine! A number of vineyards around Salta grow at nearly 10,000ft. First, spend a night in Colomé to enjoy the Cabernet-Malbec before moving on. Cafayate Valley wines have won numerous international awards for their fruity yet dry personality. Originally grown by the Jesuits in Mendoza, Torrontes wines are unique to Argentina. Pass through the exquisite Quebrada de las Flechas (Gorge of the Arrows) and visit four different vineyards in laid-back Cafayate, just don’t forget to take advantage of the cheese buffet. Ultimately, the joy of experiencing Tarija and Salta is a kind of dramatic, arid and decadent secret that begs to be shared later with friends.

We don’t have this exact itinerary listed on our website, so contact us if you are interested in seeing Salta and Tarija. You can also view our Argentina Tours and Bolivia Tours, as well as our South America Wine Tours.

Contact us for a free Argentina and Bolivia tour quote to Salta and Tarija!

Train to the Clouds Argentina

Have you ever dreamed of riding an old-fashioned train through winding desert landscapes, harrowing tunnels and bridges, and beautiful scenery? The famous Train to the Clouds in Salta, Argentina, is a dream come true for those interested in a South America train tour! Get off the beaten track and travel to Argentina on the Train to the Clouds, a spectacular train ride through the Cordillera de Los Andes mountains, that will make for a ride you’re unlikely to forget.

History of the Train to the Clouds

The Train to the Clouds (Tren a las Nubes in Spanish) was originally constructed in the early 1900s. Goods were shipped from the coast of Chile through the Andes Mountains to northwestern Argentina through this route. An American engineer, Richard Maury, developed the route using ingenious technology. Instead of using brakes, the Train to the Clouds twists and turns through the mountains in order to control its speed.

Train to the Clouds Itinerary

Today, the renovated train has become a tourist route that carries thousands of passengers along its vertiginous track. Departing at Salta early in the morning, travelers will take a van ride through the “Puna” or the altiplano Andes, and return around midnight.

In between, passengers enjoy views of tobacco farms, cattle fields, the Quebrada del Toro, altiplano, and small Andean villages. Two of the best lookouts are Campo Quijano and Viaducto El Toro.

Enjoy breakfast and snacks while you stop at several viewpoints to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Arriving in San Antonio de los Cobres, there will be time for lunch. Then, board the train for the main event: the famous ride over the Polvorilla Aqueduct. This is the highest point on the route, at 4,220 meters (13,850 feet).

While on the train, a local guide explains different aspects of the route’s history and its construction, from its engineer, Richard Maury. After stretching your legs and enjoying the views, return to the van and begin your journey back down the mountain. Depart from the clouds and breathtaking scenery to the sleeping colonial city of Salta once again.

Alternative Options for Travelers

There is also an alternative for those who wish to travel along the Train to the Clouds route a different way. It’s possible to follow the Train to the Clouds route by car, along with a zigzagging route in a 4×4 off-road vehicle. The advantage of this adventure based option is this tour also gets to visit the famous “salaries” (salt flats). These are not far from San Antonio de los Cobres. It is a perfect combination of the Puna and Salt Flats landscapes. Note that the train ride will not be included in this option.

Add on to Your Trip

If you are interested in traveling to Argentina to experience this fantastic Train to the Clouds Salta Argentina tour, then add on a day in Salta. Here, visit the museum, take a city tour, and visit the colorful Church of St Francis.

An extra day in Salta will also allow you to visit the North of the Province and Jujuy. This includes the famous “Seven Colors Mountain” in Tilcara. Or embark south, to the wine region of Cafayate. Here, sample some of the famous “Torrontes” wines that are typical of this part of Argentina.

Of course, you most likely will be flying into Buenos Aires, and there are plenty of activities for train and history buffs near Buenos Aires as well.  Find out more about how to maximize your Train to the Clouds tour.

In this exclusive interview for SouthAmerica.travel, the Man in Seat 61, also known as Mark Smith, explains how his love of riding trains went from hobby to career, muses on the romance of train travel, and shares his thoughts on the future of South America Railway Tours. “The Man in Seat 61” is the stage name for one Mark Smith, a British former Station Manager for British Rail and an expert-by-proxy on the subject riding trains. He started a website, seat61.com, a decade ago out of frustration at how hard it is for would-be train travelers to get relevant and helpful information on train travel. He must have been doing something right, because the website quickly blossomed into an authoritative resource for train travelers – and now The Man in Seat 61 is gearing up for a TV series that documents his journey from London across Europe into Russia, all by train. His stage name comes from his favorite seat in Eurostar’s first class, the well-positioned window seat #61. Inspired by Zaharoff “the notorious arms dealer who would always book compartment 7 on the Orient Express to and from Istanbul,” Mark Smith won’t ride on any other seat.

SouthAmerica.travel: Was it your original intention to provide practical train travel information, or to highlight epic train journeys, or both (on seat61.com)? A reader commented on the TV teaser, “Seat 61 is not just about taking a train, it’s about finding information on epic journeys on all continents.” Was that how it all started?

Mark Smith: It started very much as practical information, just because no-one in the commercial world was providing it. If the train companies themselves wouldn’t tell people how to get from the UK to Italy or Spain, let alone to Moscow or Istanbul, I thought I’d just have to do the job myself.  The first web page I put online way back in 2001 was a list of top European cities and how to get there from London.  It grew from there!

SouthAmerica.travel: How did your hobby turn into such an extensive resource for train travelers?

MS: The site was first started out of frustration – that it was so easy and practical to travel by train, and so rewarding, but so difficult (and often downright impossible) to find out about. The various organizations who run the trains often don’t market their services well, or (for example, where a journey consists of multiple legs run by different operators) they don’t see the big picture so don’t provide end-to-end information for travelers. That gap still exists today, and as the internet has become the first place people look for travel information, seat61 has found its niche plugging that information gap.

SouthAmerica.travel: What’s the most remote place you’ve traveled to by train? Vladivostok?

MS: It depends on how you define ‘remote.’ Yes, Vladivostok is a long way from Moscow, let alone London, but I think Rannoch Moor in the Scottish Highlands on a snow-swept February day looks even more wild and remote than Siberia!

SouthAmerica.travel: Why the romance of train travel? I watched the TV series trailer, and loved this quote: “Unlike air travel, nothing is stopping a train traveler from bringing a bottle of wine aboard.” Can you speak to any other reasons why train travel still has nostalgia and romance for the modern world?

MS: There’s a whole list…  First, you get to see where you’re going, unlike air travel.  You’re treated as a human being, sleeping in bed, eating in a restaurant, not strapped in, with space to move around.  You’re treated like an adult (so can bring that bottle of wine on board!) not like a suspect at the airport and naughty child on the plane.  Trains reflect the country you’re visiting; planes don’t. You may get to meet the locals, not just tourists, and businesspeople. And these days, trains are often low stress and low-carbon, flying is often high-stress and high-pollution.

SouthAmerica.travel: Where would you most like to travel to in South America?

MS: The train to Machu Picchu is high on the list!

SouthAmerica.travel: Thoughts on the future of train travel in South America?

MS: Unlike Europe and even parts of Africa and Asia, there seem to be oddly disjointed train services here and there in South America, but nothing approaching a coherent network.  Bus and air travel appear to be the norm.  But it will be interesting to see if Argentina does bring back an intercity rail network and if Brazil does join the select high-speed rail club with its proposed Rio to Sao Paulo line.

SouthAmerica.travel: Tips and tricks for train travelers (worldwide)?

MS: Oh, I have many – but then, that’s what seat61 is for, you’ll have to come and see the tips for whichever country you want to visit!  However, I’ll leave you with The Man in Seat 61’s top tip, “Never travel without a good book and a corkscrew…”

Have a hankering for a South America train tour now? Read our Best South America Train Tours blog post or contact us to start planning your trip!

Your suitcase is probably already stuffed to the brim, but if you have a few square inches to spare, consider packing a South America travel book that is time-tested and beloved by generations of travelers before you. Whether you’re hiking Patagonia, heading out on a railway tour of South America, or just wanting to brush up on your knowledge of Inca history and culture, here are the top South American travel books that we recommend.

Peru Travel Book

Exploring Cusco by Peter Frost

Hard to get your hands on, this out-of-print classic tells the story of the ruins around Cusco. Cusco is the navel of the world by the ancient Incas. It is essential, if you visit Cusco and the Sacred Valley, to explore its myriad ruins, museums, and other treasures.

The White Rock: An Exploration of the Inca Heartland by Hugh Thomson

This book is a delicious tale of the wild, unexplored regions of Peru’s Andes by a British filmmaker. It is another excellent read if you want to brush up on Inca history and retrace Thomson’s steps through the Andes in search of Inca ruins.

The Heights of Machu Picchu by Pablo Neruda

Although Neruda is a Chilean poet, he went to Machu Picchu and wrote a memorable book of poetry about the marvelous Inca city in the sky. Pack this light book of poems while you explore Machu Picchu, and enjoy Neruda’s gift for earthy, ancient language.

Argentina Travel Book

Ficciones by Jorge Luis Borges

The 20th-century Argentinian literary giant wrote Ficciones in 1944 as an anthology of Latin American literature, and it’s one of the seminal works of the century. You’ll find plenty of magical realism, essays, and more in this classic anthology.

Santa Evita by Tomás Eloy Martínez

Instead of watching Madonna’s take on the iconic Evita Peron of Argentina read Martinez’s strange and comic account of Evita’s embalmed corpse as Peronistas and others vied to get ahold of it during the political turmoil of the period. A great way to understand the enormous influence of the Perons on Argentina’s 20th-century history.

In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin

The explorer and travel writer Chatwin covered destinations as far-flung as Benin in West Africa to the Outback of Australia. And in the 1970s, he took a trip to Argentina and Chile‘s rugged, glacier-speckled Patagonia country. His years covering the glaciers, small Welsh farmer towns, and wild Tierra del Fuego led to the publication of In Patagonia, an important piece of travel writing that gets at the untamed natural beauty of South America’s nether parts.

Bolivia Travel Book

Death in the Andes: The Last Days of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid by Daniel Buck

There’s no better place to hide than the heart of Bolivia’s Andes. This is where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid snuck off once they realized their bank-robbing days were numbered. This account tells of their last stand in the high-altitude towns of Bolivia — a country that is still remote and difficult to navigate for foreigners.

Chile Travel Book

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

This book is perhaps one of the most iconic magical realism works of fiction. Allende’s The House of the Spirits tells the story of a family dynasty during Chile’s tumultuous political times in the mid-1900s.

Brazil Travel Book

Through the Brazilian Wilderness by Theodore Roosevelt

After his presidency, Roosevelt spent part of his retirement exploring the River of Doubt. The River of Doubt runs through the Pantanal in Brazil and Paraguay. The adventuresome president and his companions documented several thousand species of birds and animals. They pioneered history of environmental research in the Amazon and the Brazilian wilderness.