South America Trips

This trip is rated Vigorous [4]. Trip members need to be strong, experienced hikers in good physical condition and be able to hike 8 miles within about 4 hours at sea level. Most days are spent at moderately high altitude (8,000–13,700') and the trek includes a number of steep ascents and descents with gains and losses greater than 3000'. Much of the trail is on large stone stairs.

To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we strongly encourage participants to begin a conditioning regimen at least three months prior to departure consisting of hiking, walking/running or cycling. If you live in an area conducive to hiking, try to get out on those hills if possible and work some elevation gain and loss into your regimen. The better shape you are in, the more you'll enjoy all that this unforgettable adventure has to offer.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Trip members should be in good physical condition, capable of hiking up to 8 hours with distances ranging from 10-12 miles and 2,500-3,200' elevation gain. It is not necessary to be an experienced kayaker or cyclist although it is beneficial to have some previous kayaking and biking experience You should be at ease in a small boat and know how to swim.

The trails are well maintained, but can have steep ascents/descents with rocky, uneven terrain, scree and loose dirt. Some hikes will involve short sections of trail that are exposed.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. There are a variety of activities including moderate hikes, mountain biking and sea kayaking. In general, the island hiking is moderate in both length and terrain. We are not moving at a fast pace as our primary objective is to take time to enjoy the wildlife. The biking on Isabela Island is on unpaved, sand and gravel roads with some small rolling hills. You can choose not to bike this portion. Sea kayaking is broken up with stops to take advantage of snorkeling opportunities.

This trip is rated as Vigorous [4].Trip members should be strong, experienced hikers in good physical condition. This is a remote trip, with long (but spectacular) days of hiking and no easy access. Hiking trails may be muddy with numerous stream crossings and participants should come equipped with a spirit of adventure.

To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest beginning a regular exercise regimen at least three months prior to departure. Recommended exercises include hiking, jogging, cycling and/or swimming. Get out on those hills if possible!

This trip offers two activity options on most days ranging from easy active [2] to vigorous [4]. Each traveler can choose the activity they prefer. Options are listed in the daily itinerary.

For easy active [2] outings, be prepared to walk or hike 2–4 hours (up to 6 miles) on undulating terrain. To enjoy Moderate [3] hikes, participants should be able to hike 3–6 hours (up to 8 miles) without major discomfort over terrain with some steep grades. For vigorous [4] hikes, participants should be strong hikers in excellent shape and able to hike 6–8 hours (5–10 miles) on trails with steep ascents and descents. Much of the trip is between 11,000’–15,000’ in elevation, making activity more challenging.

This trip is rated Vigorous [4]. Participants should be capable of hiking up to 13 miles per day without major discomfort over terrain with some steep grades (elevation gains up to 3,000') for multiple days in succession.

This is a remote trip with no easy access. Trails may be muddy with numerous stream crossings, boulder fields or loose scree. The weather may also add to the rigors of this itinerary with high winds, driving rain and possibly snow. Long hikes for multiple days in a row, elevation gain/loss, and the weather all need endurance. Please keep in mind, stamina will have a great deal to do with your enjoyment of this adventure so train accordingly.

This trip is rated Moderate Plus [3-4]. Trip members should be physically fit and enjoy hiking, biking, and water sports. Most days will be moderate, but the hiking days can be strenuous given the rugged terrain combined with high altitude. In addition, there is a day of downhill mountain biking on rough country roads. You should be familiar with riding a mountain bike, braking and shifting between gears. No experience is needed for the rafting or ziplining portions of this trip.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. It contains a variety of activities including moderate hikes (up to 3 miles), mountain biking (5-10 miles), Class III rafting for half a day, sea kayaking for 2-3 hours, and snorkeling. Participants should know how to swim and be comfortable in moving water (you will be outfitted with PFDs).

Hiking is moderate in both length and terrain; we are not moving at a fast pace as our objective is to enjoy the wildlife. The optional biking is on relatively flat, unpaved roads with some rolling hills. Kayaking is within protected bay waters. Rafting is on a class III river (guides may determine that an alternative class II river is more appropriate). Roads are curvy and boat transfers can be bumpy; those prone to motion sickness should consider bringing medication.

This trip is rated Moderate Plus [3-4]. The trip is mainly a hiking trip with one short section of mountain biking. The mountain biking is on unpaved gravel roads with some small rolling hills (3 miles). The hiking on the Lost City Trek is difficult due to the hilly terrain as well as the climate. It is very hot and humid on the trekking route. There may be some exposed areas of the trail and mandatory river crossings. Trip members should be strong, experienced hikers in excellent physical condition and capable of hiking 5-7 hours a day (8-10 miles) on trails with long steep ascents and descents. Daily elevation gains and losses can exceed 3,000 feet.

This trip offers two activity options on most days ranging from easy active [2] to vigorous [4]. Each traveler can choose the option offering the level of activity they prefer.

For easy active [2] outings, be prepared to walk or hike 2–4 hours (up to 6 miles) on undulating terrain. To enjoy Moderate [3] hikes, participants should be able to hike 3–6 hours (up to 8 miles) without major discomfort over terrain with some steep grades. For vigorous [4] hikes, participants should be strong hikers in excellent shape and able to hike 6–8 hours (5–10 miles) on trails with steep ascents and descents. Much of the trip is between 11,000’–15,000’ in elevation, making activity more challenging.

This trip is rated Easy Active [2]. Participants should enjoy hiking/walking and arrive in good physical condition. Daily hikes/walks will be on-trail and may include some short, steep ascents and descents and climbing numerous flights of stairs at various ruins complexes. There is no experience required for rafting but participants should be able to swim. Please keep in mind that we spend all of our time at moderately high altitude (7,800' -12,500') where most trip members will feel the effects of the thinner air, especially during the first few days.

We highly recommend a conditioning regimen consisting of activities such as hiking, jogging, stair climbing or cycling beginning several months prior to departure to get in shape for the adventure. The better shape you are in, the more you will enjoy all this trip has to offer!

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Trip members may be novices to trail maintenance or restoration but they must be in good physical condition. Volunteers should be comfortable hiking up to six miles most days on rolling or mountainous terrain with some steep ascents and uneven trails. The work sites will vary but generally will be a 2 to 3 mile walk each way (up to 6 miles total), each day and then working for a full day on trail building or maintenance.

To maximize your enjoyment of the trip, to build up stamina and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest beginning a regular exercise regimen at least three months prior to departure.

This trip is rated as Vigorous [4]. Trip members need to be strong, experienced hikers in good physical condition. Most days are spent at moderately high altitude (7,000-15,000’) and the trek includes a number of steep ascents and descents with elevation gains/losses greater than 3000'. Upon arrival in Peru, you should be capable of hiking up to 8 miles without major discomfort over terrain with some steep grades for multiple days in succession.

To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we strongly encourage participants to begin a conditioning regimen at least three months prior to departure consisting of hiking, walking/running and/or cycling. If you live in an area conducive to hiking, try to get out on those hills if possible and work some elevation gain and loss into your training regimen. The better shape you are in, the more you’ll enjoy all that this unforgettable adventure has to offer.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Participants should enjoy hiking/walking and arrive in good physical condition. Daily hikes/walks will be on-trail and may include some short, steep ascents and descents and climbing numerous flights of stairs at various ruins complexes. Please keep in mind that we spend all of our time at moderately high altitude (7,800’ -12,300’) where most trip members will feel the effects of the thinner air.

We highly recommend a conditioning regimen consisting of activities such as hiking, jogging, stair-climbing or cycling beginning several months prior to departure to get in shape for the adventure. The better shape you are in, the more you will enjoy all this trip has to offer!

This adventure is rated Moderate [3]. Trip members should be in good physical condition, capable of hiking up to 8 hours with distances ranging from 10-12 miles and 2,500-3,200' elevation gain. It is not necessary to be proficient in kayaking or cycling although it is beneficial to have some previous experience. You should be at ease in a small boat and know how to swim.

The trails are well maintained but can have steep ascents/descents with rocky, uneven terrain, scree and loose dirt. Some hikes will involve short sections of trail that are exposed.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. There are a variety of activities including moderate hikes, mountain biking, and sea kayaking. The hike in Los Nevados National Park is a high elevation hike (12,780'). The round trip distance is 8 miles with an elevation gain of 900'. We are not moving at a fast pace as our primary objective is to take time to enjoy the scenery. The mountain biking is on unpaved gravel roads with some small rolling hills. You can choose not to bike this portion. Sea kayaking is broken up with stops to take advantage of the snorkeling opportunities.

This trip is rated as Vigorous [4]. Trip members need to be strong, experienced hikers in excellent physical condition. Most days are spent at high altitude (7,000'-17,000’). For the trekking portion, we will remain at elevations between 14,000'-16,986' and sleeping as high as 15,797'. Most days we hike 5–7.5 miles with average elevation gains of 1500' and elevation losses of up to 3000', some of which are quite steep. Upon arrival in Peru, you should be capable of hiking up to 8 miles, averaging 2 miles per hour, without major discomfort over terrain with some steep grades for multiple days in succession. To help combat the effects of altitude, incorporate hills and stairs into your training. Check out the Expert Advice tab on our website and click on the "Fitness Icon" for helpful training schedules and information.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Intermediate swimming and snorkeling skills are required. Participants should be comfortable hiking up to 9 miles over uneven, sometimes steep trails and mountain biking up to 10 miles on unpaved, sandy roads with some rolling hills. No trail maintenance, wildlife census or habitat restoration experience is required.

The longest hike is a 9-mile round trip hike on a gradually sloping trail with about 1,300’ of elevation gain. For the sea turtle research, volunteers will be snorkeling in relatively calm, but deep seas where you cannot see or touch the bottom. The snorkeling portion of this trip is required as it is a very important part of your volunteer responsibilities.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. This multisport trip includes hikes (up to 6-9 miles), rafting (2 hours with Class I-III rapids), optional mountain biking (6-8 miles), sea kayaking (3 hours), as well as swimming and snorkeling in ocean conditions.

Although not particularly strenuous, our hikes in Peru take place at moderately high altitude where trip members may tire more easily than usual. Hikes will be on-trail and may include some short, steep ascents and descents and climbing numerous flights of stairs at various ruins complexes. The two-hour rafting trip will include class I-III whitewater but is suitable for novices. The optional biking is on unpaved, sand and gravel roads with some rolling hills. Sea kayaking may include breaks for snorkeling. We will be engaged in activities for 3-6 hours most days.

This trip is rated Easy Active [2]. This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Daily excursions from the boat to the islands will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours round trip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. Snorkeling activities will either be from the beach or from Zodiac in deep water.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. There are a variety of activities including moderate hikes, mountain biking and sea kayaking. In general, the island hiking is moderate in both length and terrain. We are not moving at a fast pace as our primary objective is to take time to enjoy the wildlife. The biking on Isabela Island is on unpaved, sand and gravel roads with some small rolling hills. You can choose not to bike this portion. Sea kayaking is broken up with stops to take advantage of the snorkeling opportunities.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. It contains a variety of activities including moderate hikes, mountain biking, and sea kayaking. Although not particularly strenuous, the entire hike in the Otavalo highlands is above 10,000' and, as a result, can be more tiring than expected. In general, the island hiking is moderate in both length and terrain. We are not moving at a fast pace as our primary objective is to take time to enjoy the wildlife. The biking on Isabela Island is on unpaved, sand and gravel roads with some small rolling hills. You can choose not to bike this portion. Sea kayaking is broken up with stops to take advantage of the snorkeling opportunities.

This trip is rated Moderate [3], in a large part due to visiting areas located at 8,000'–11,000' in elevation. Trip members may be novice volunteers in good physical condition. Volunteers should be comfortable hiking up to 4 miles each day on steep, uneven stairs or on mountainous terrain with some steep ascents and uneven trails. To assess your fitness, you should comfortably be able to hike stairs with a day pack weighing approximately 10–15 pounds and work in your yard all day moving plants, shoveling soil and pruning trees.

To maximize your enjoyment of the trip, to build up stamina and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest beginning a regular exercise regimen at least three months prior to departure.

This trip is rated as Moderate Plus [3-4] and consists of a combination of moderate and more vigorous hiking days. Trip members should be capable of hiking 5-7 hours a day (8-14 miles) on trails with steep ascents and descents. Trails are often rocky and daily elevation gains and losses can range from 2,000 - 4,000 feet. It is not necessary to be proficient in kayaking or cycling although it is beneficial to have some previous experience. You should be at ease in a small boat and know how to swim.

The trails are well maintained, but can have steep ascents/descents with rocky, uneven terrain, scree and loose dirt. Some hikes will involve short sections of trail that are exposed.

This trip is rated Easy Active [2]. This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Daily excursions from the boat to the islands will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours round trip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. Snorkeling activities will either be from the beach or from Zodiac in deep water.

This trip is rated Moderate Plus [3-4]. Participants should have cycling experience and be comfortable in the saddle for 4-6 hours per day. Rides consist of a both moderate and more vigorous cycling days covering 35-50 miles. Terrain is predominantly hilly with some long, steep climbs. Daily rides have total elevation gains and losses ranging from 1,100'-4400' with hill grades averaging 4-8% and with short pitches up to 15%. Participants should be comfortable riding on a variety of surfaces. Vehicle support is available when needed.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Participants should enjoy hiking/walking and arrive in good physical condition. The Inca Trail portion and Incan ruins include climbing steep steps at high elevations. The varied weather conditions, changing elevations and remote locations are a combined stress physically and can make exploring the villages, climbing Incan steps, biking and walking short trails in the jungle more challenging than they normally would be.

We highly recommend a conditioning regimen consisting of activities such as hiking, jogging, stair-climbing or cycling beginning several months prior to departure to get in shape for the adventure. The better shape you are in, the more you will enjoy all this trip has to offer!

This trip is rated as Vigorous [4]. Participants should have cycling experience and be comfortable in the saddle for 5-7 hours per day. Rides consist of both moderate and vigorous cycling days covering 40-55 miles. Terrain is predominantly hilly with some long, steep climbs. Daily rides have total elevation gains and losses ranging from 1,100' - 5,200' with hill grades averaging 4-8% and with short pitches up to 16%. Participants should be comfortable riding on a variety of surfaces with light vehicle traffic. Vehicle support is available when needed.