The Best Places in South America to Visit in 2024

Ecuador is not short on natural splendour, as our eight-day tour from the Andes to Amazon showcases. There’s the volcanic landscapes of Cotopaxi and the immersive overgrowth of the Amazon rainforest, but for our money the most spectacular of the lot is the Baños Waterfall Route. Known locally as the Ruta de Las Cascadas, or Waterfall Highway, this hilly path passes as many as 12 stunning jungle waterfalls, including the largest in the Ecuadorian Andes (Agoyán) and Manto de la Novia – or the the Bride’s Veil, thanks to the pure white colour of its twin cascades. The 80m (262ft) drop of Pailon del Diablo (Devil’s Cauldron), meanwhile, creates a cascading sonic cacophony that will send shivers through your core. Our Ecuador trip includes a spectacular guided bike ride along the entire route – just don’t go too fast, or you might miss some of the waterfalls!