South America Travel Blog

Travel guides, packing tips and stories from South America. Expert advice for trekking Patagonia, exploring Atacama, skiing the Andes and more.

• How to Plan a Cochamó Trek: Complete Guide (2026) — Plan a Cochamó trek in 2026: 12km trail to La Junta (4-6h), mandatory reservations, packhorses, gear and best season — local guide tips.
• How to Handle Altitude in the Atacama Desert — San Pedro de Atacama sits at 2,400m and tours climb past 4,000m. Learn how to acclimatize, what to pack and how to avoid altitude sickness.
• Everything You Need to Know About Inca Trail Permits — Inca Trail permits sell out months ahead. Learn how many are issued, when to book, and the best alternative if they're gone.
• Why Cochamó Is Chile's Last Wild Valley — and Why to Visit Now — Cochamó is one of Patagonia's last road-free valleys: granite walls, ancient forest and community-led conservation. Why it matters and how to visit responsibly.
• How to Pack a Backpack for Trekking in South America: The ABCDE Method — Pack smarter for Torres del Paine, the Inca Trail and beyond with the ABCDE method: Accessible, Balanced, Compact, Dry, Everything Inside.
• A Traveler's Patagonia Story: Elan's Torres del Paine Adventure — One traveler's honest take on a Dip Your Trip Patagonia journey — Torres del Paine, Puerto Natales and Santiago's vineyards, in his own words.
• Peru Through a Traveler's Eyes: The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu — A traveler's account of a 7-day Peru adventure with Dip Your Trip — the Lares Trek, camping under the stars, Cusco and Machu Picchu.
• Andes Playground: 12 Years of the Andes Through Pato Díaz's Lens — Andes Playground is a 268-page photography book by Pato Díaz — 12 years documenting the Andes, from Patagonia sunrises to virgin-snow descents.
• Chile: South America's Adventure-Tourism Champion (Going for #12 in 2026) — Chile has won South America's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination every year since 2015 — and is nominated again for 2026. Here's why, and where to go.
• Why Dip Your Trip Joined Start-Up Chile — Twice — Dip Your Trip was selected for Start-Up Chile's Ignite program in both 2025 and 2026 — government-backed, equity-free recognition of our AI-native travel agency.
• San Pedro de Atacama: A Guide to the Driest Desert on Earth — Everything you need to plan San Pedro de Atacama — the world's driest desert. Top sights, when to go, altitude tips and how to do it right.
• The Best Adventure Destinations in South America for 2026 — Our pick of the best South American adventure destinations for 2026 — from Patagonia and Atacama to Machu Picchu and the Uyuni salt flats.
• Cerro Castillo Trek: The Quieter Alternative to Torres del Paine (2026) — Cerro Castillo trek 2026: the quieter 4-day alternative to Torres del Paine. Route day-by-day, difficulty, permits and how to get there.
• Volcano Ski Touring in Chile: Villarrica, Llaima, Lonquimay & Osorno (2026) — Ski tour Chile's volcanoes (Jul-Oct): Villarrica, Llaima, Lonquimay & Osorno. Skill level, gear, season and logistics from Pucón.
• Cochamó vs Torres del Paine: Which Patagonia Trek Is Right for You? — Cochamó vs Torres del Paine: compare cost, difficulty, crowds and access to choose the right Patagonia trek. 2026 side-by-side guide.
• Torres del Paine W Trek vs O Circuit: How to Choose (2026) — Torres del Paine W Trek (71km, 4-5 days) vs O Circuit (110km, 7-9 days): difficulty, cost, refugios and how to choose for 2026.
• Best Time to Visit Torres del Paine: Month-by-Month Guide (2026) — Best time to visit Torres del Paine: month-by-month weather, crowds, prices and daylight. Oct-Apr trekking season, sweet spots — 2026.
• El Chaltén Trekking Guide: Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre & Day Hikes (2026) — El Chaltén trekking guide 2026: Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre & top day hikes. Free trails, distances, season and how to get there.
• El Chaltén vs Torres del Paine: Which Side of Patagonia? — El Chaltén vs Torres del Paine: free Argentine day hikes vs Chile's multi-day treks. Compare and combine both in 10-14 days. 2026.
• Visiting Perito Moreno Glacier: What to Expect & How to Plan (2026) — Visiting Perito Moreno Glacier 2026: boardwalks (free), Minitrekking ($200) and Big Ice ($350). How to plan from El Calafate.
• What to Do in Santiago, Chile: 2-3 Day Adventure Guide (2026) — What to do in Santiago, Chile in 2-3 days: city highlights plus adventure day trips — Cajón del Maipo, wine valleys and Valparaíso.
• Rio de Janeiro Beyond the Beach: Adventure Activities & Day Trips (2026) — Rio de Janeiro beyond the beach: hiking Pedra da Gávea, climbing, hang gliding and day trips to Ilha Grande and Paraty. 2026 guide.
• Adventure Travel in Brazil: Where to Go Beyond Rio (2026) — Adventure travel in Brazil 2026: Chapada Diamantina, Lençóis Maranhenses, Pantanal, Fernando de Noronha and more beyond Rio.
• What to Pack for Patagonia: The Complete Gear List (2026) — What to pack for Patagonia: complete gear list and the layer system for wind, rain and cold. Footwear, sleeping bags + printable checklist.
• 10 Best Treks in South America You Haven't Heard Of (2026) — 10 best treks in South America beyond the Inca Trail: Cochamó, Cerro Castillo, Huayhuash, Choquequirao and more. Difficulty & season.
• Why Book with a Local Operator vs a Global Agency for South America Travel (2026) — Local vs global tour operator for South America: compare price, flexibility and local impact, plus how to vet a local operator. 2026.
• Torres del Paine Trek Guide: Everything You Need to Know (2026) — Torres del Paine trek guide 2026: W vs O, best season, costs, permits, refugios and how to plan. Everything for Chile's top trek.