South America

South America runs from Colombia and Venezuela in the north to Chile and Argentina at the southern tip, with ten more countries in between: Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Uruguay. The Andes form the western spine of the continent, and the Amazon basin covers much of the north and center. Peru is the base for Machu Picchu and Inca ruins, Ecuador for the Galápagos Islands, and Argentina and Chile for Patagonia's glaciers and peaks. Brazil adds Rio de Janeiro, its Atlantic coast and Iguazu Falls on the border with Argentina.

Distances are long, and the seasons run in opposite directions north and south of the equator, so choose the season by region. The dry season in the Andes falls roughly from May to September. Many routes need domestic flights, and Cusco and La Paz sit above 3,000 metres, so spend a day or two adjusting before any hard hike. Two to three weeks suits a first trip to one or two countries. The continent takes months to cover, so pick a region and see it properly.