Must see travel spots – South America

If you’re looking for breath-taking landscapes there is no doubt that South America will capture your imagination, thanks to the majestic Andes holding mountains, valleys and volcanoes of sheer beauty. Its lush rainforests are bursting with life and hold a certain feeling of mystery. The following are must see attractions for when you’re having your own South American experience.

The Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands, located 1,000km (600 miles) off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, have been a great source of inspiration for poets and biologists alike. Cut off from the mainland, evolution has brought about some truly amazing creatures, including the giant tortoise and the sea iguana that will only ever be seen here. If a visit to Ecuador is on your agenda then there is no doubt that the islands will be remembered as a highlight.

Machu Picchu
For those of you who have an interest in history, Machu Picchu will certainly be appealing.

Machu Picchu, also known as ‘The Lost City of the Incas’; is a mystical and sacred place. Kissed by the clouds, the ruins are one of the most mysterious and striking ancient cities in the world. Discovered by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham on July 24 1911, Machu Picchu (translating to ‘Old Peak’ in Quechua, the language of the Incas) was thought to be a sanctuary for the preparation of priestesses and the brides for the Incas. The dramatic setting and remote location in the Peruvian Andes certainly enhances the mystery even more.

The Easter Island
The Easter Island (aka Rapa Nui) is the most isolated island that is still inhabited on our planet.

It can be found in the South Pacific, 3,600km (2,037 miles) west from Chile. The Easter Island is probably most famous for its 887 huge stone statues known as moai, the largest of which weighs in at a staggering 84 tonnes. To put it into perspective, that is equivalent to a herd of 12 seven-tonne elephants, truly an amazing feat of human engineering. The oldest known traditional name for the Island is ‘Te Pito’ or ‘Te Henua’, this translates as ‘The Centre (or Naval) of the World’.

These are just a handful of the attractions in South America; cities such as Rio de Janeiro, the setting for the film ‘The City of God’, and Buenos Aires are also definitely worth checking out. Also, the borders of Peru and Bolivia offer the magical experience of Lake Titicaca, the highest commercially navigable lake in the world.