South America rewards travelers who give it time. Not those who rush, but those who let a territory reveal itself: a hidden Inca trail above the Urubamba River, a volcanic crater opening to the Pacific, a valley in Patagonia where guanacos outnumber people.

This is the idea Explora was built on more than 30 years ago, when it opened its first lodge in Torres del Paine. Today, Explora is the World’s Leading Expedition Company and a Certified B Corporation, with lodges across Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia. Each lodge serves as an all-inclusive base for exploration, set within a remarkable territory and offering more than 30 guided explorations.

Here is the part first-time travelers often love most: there is no fixed itinerary. Each evening, guests sit down with their expert guide to plan the next day based on their interests, energy level, and the weather. Explora’s guides have spent years in these landscapes and bring a depth of local knowledge that transforms every exploration.

So the real question is not what to do, but where to begin.

Explora Valle Sagrado, Peru: For Families and Multi-Generational Trips

Set among working cornfields in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, nestled between dramatic mountain peaks, this lodge is a natural choice for families traveling together across generations. Explorations range from gentle village walks and cultural encounters to bike rides and hikes on lesser-known Inca trails.

That variety allows every traveler to experience the destination in their own way. Grandparents can explore local traditions while younger travelers venture farther into the valley, before everyone reconnects over lunch or dinner at the lodge. Machu Picchu becomes part of the journey as a guided experience with every detail thoughtfully arranged.

Suggested stay: Five nights.

Explora Rapa Nui, Easter Island: For Couples and Solo Travelers

Five hours off the coast of Chile, Rapa Nui is one of the most remote inhabited islands on Earth and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the moai draw travelers here, the island itself is what leaves a lasting impression.

Explorations combine archaeology, culture, and extraordinary landscapes. Watch the sunrise over Ahu Tongariki, walk among unfinished statues at Rano Raraku, hike to the ceremonial village of Orongo, or snorkel in some of the clearest waters in the Pacific. Along the way, guides share the living culture and traditions that continue to shape the island today.

Evenings bring a sense of calm that feels increasingly rare: open horizons, ocean views, and complete quiet.

Suggested stay: Four nights.

Explora Parque Nacional Patagonia, Chile: For Travelers Who Want Wild Patagonia

In the Chacabuco Valley of Chilean Patagonia lies one of the world’s great rewilding success stories. Former ranchland has been restored to nature, creating a landscape where guanacos, condors, huemul deer, and pumas thrive once again.

The lodge sits inside Patagonia National Park itself, allowing explorations to begin directly from the property. Travelers can hike past mountain lagoons, follow turquoise rivers through broad valleys, and experience Patagonia in a way that feels both remote and uncrowded.

Conservation is not simply part of the story here. It is the story.

Suggested stay: Four nights.

Putting It Together

For travelers new to South America, these territories combine naturally.

A multi-generational adventure might begin with five nights in the Sacred Valley, where activities suit a wide range of ages and interests.

A honeymoon could pair four nights in Rapa Nui with four nights in Patagonia National Park, combining Polynesian culture, dramatic landscapes, and some of the most remote places in the Southern Hemisphere.

Solo travelers may choose to focus on a single destination, embracing Explora’s philosophy of experiencing one territory deeply rather than many places briefly.

However the journey takes shape, the rhythm remains the same: explore by day, return to comfort by night, and plan tomorrow with someone who knows the territory better than any guidebook.

Reach out to your CTG Advisor to book your next Explora trip!