An Eight-Week Odyssey

Start this epic odyssey in Chile’s capital, Santiago, spectacularly set against the snow-covered peaks of the Andes. From Santiago fly south to Punta Arenas and cross the open steppe to Torres del Paine, the flagship national park of Chilean Patagonia. At its centre lies the Paine massif, an imposing island of shark-tooth granite that blushes pink in the rising sun. Luxury lodges in and around the park offer a raft of excursions to choose from, from hiking to the base of las torres, the granite towers that give the park its name, to riding, fishing and glacier cruises.

Next fly north to the lunar landscapes of the Atacama Desert, one of the most hauntingly beautiful places on earth. Take your time to fully appreciate the flamingo-dotted white salt pan, jagged copper-coloured mountains and spurting geyser fields. Then at night, lose yourself stargazing beneath the clearest skies on the planet.

Of course, no trip through South America would be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu, Peru’s myth- and mist-shrouded Inca citadel. But on an eight-week trip like this, you’ve time to delve into some of Peru’s lesser-seen sights too.

First, discover why Lima is fast gaining a reputation as the gastronomic capital of the Americas. Then fly south to Arequipa to explore the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world, where condors stretch their enormous wingspans. Next, journey to Cusco aboard the Belmond Andean Explorer along one of the highest railway lines in the world, enjoying breathtaking Andean scenery and a stop en route at Lake Titicaca, from which, says local legend, the Inca civilisation emerged 1,000 years ago. Finally, from Cusco the historic sites of the Sacred Valley mark the way to Machu Picchu.

Colombia is the rising star of Latin America and the perfect destination in which to end your epic journey. From the Galapagos, fly via Bogota to Santa Marta, gateway to Colombia’s Sierra Nevada, the highest coastal mountain range in the world. Stay at Casa Galavanta, an intimate wooden lodge sandwiched between coffee fields and dense rainforest, with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea.

For a stylish finale, take a helicopter transfer to colonial Cartagena, flying over the ruins of the ancient ‘Lost City’, Colombia’s answer to Machu Picchu. Founded in 1533, Cartagena is one of the most picturesque cities on the continent, with stately mansions, palm-lined plazas and centuries-old churches all hiding behind its thick defensive walls. Take coffee in shady squares, stroll the city walls at sunset and follow the thrum of salsa late into the night.