National Park Days in South America: The 15 We Recommend

1.National Park & Train of the End of the World Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 811 reviews · 5 hours · from $111Our pick

This five-hour Ushuaia tour combines the End of the World Train with Tierra del Fuego National Park. A bilingual guide such as Martina, Aileen, or Jacky leads you to Lapataia Bay, Roca Lake, Alakush Center, and Ensenada Zaratiegui. Hotel pickup, transport, and train fare are included, but the AR$40,000 park fee is extra.

“Martina our guide and Vito our driver were fantastic. The trip was well organised and interesting. Highly recommended.”

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2.National Park and Train Trip End of the World Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 414 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $115

This six-hour guided outing combines the End of the World Train with Tierra del Fuego National Park’s best-known viewpoints. Expect bilingual commentary, hotel pickup, photo stops at Lapataia Bay and Lake Roca, a visit to Ensenada Bay’s post office, and a shared group of up to 24 people. Park admission costs extra.

“The tour was extremely well organised. I was picked up directly from my hotel at the exact time they scheduled. The tour guide Eileen was very knowledgeable and friendly and spoke fluent English so I could understand everything. I only had one full day to spend in Ushuaia and I am so glad that I chose to do this tour. It was definitely worth it. The scenery was breathtaking and the train ride was a lot of fun, with fascinating narration in several languages of the history of the train and the area. There are several hiking routes within the park - if I had more time I would definitely…”

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3.Cachi and Los Cardones National Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 285 reviews · 12 hours · from $30Best value

Spend 12 hours crossing Salta’s Lerma and Calchaquí valleys, mountain passes, and cactus-filled Los Cardones National Park before two free hours in colonial Cachi. A bilingual guide explains the route in English and Spanish. Expect about seven hours on the road, high altitude, photo stops, and a $30 price that includes transport and hotel pickup but not food.

“I went to a day trip with the guide Ximena and driver Raúl. Ximena is a very good guide, speaks fluently both Spanish and English. Raul drove comfortably on the mountain serpentine through the very dense clouds. Loved the tour and the program as well!”

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4.National Park, Train, and Beagle Channel Navigation

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 182 reviews · 510 minutes - 12 hours · from $190

Spend up to 12 hours combining Tierra del Fuego National Park, the End of the World Train, and a Beagle Channel cruise. Guides speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Martina and Jacqueline have been especially attentive guides. Check that your boat option includes Isla Martillo if penguins are a priority.

“Guide was lovely. Really interested and informative. Driver was also a lovely guy. We saw all the important sites in the park. The initial entry onto the boat was a bit chaotic and we were on a different boat for my ticket but the boat trip was fantastic and definitely worth doing Skipper made sure that everyone saw everything.”

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5.Shore Excursion – National Park Tierra del Fuego

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 169 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $60

From Ushuaia’s cruise pier, this 4 to 5 hour outing visits Lake Roca, Zaratiegui Cove, and Bahia Lapataia at the end of the Pan-American Highway. A local guide provides commentary, and pickup and return are arranged around the ship. Confirm the group size and train arrangements before booking, since some departures use larger buses.

“The tour bus was not in the best of shape. The windows were foggy for the first portion of the tour so we couldn't see much. The sound system was not working very well so we had trouble hearing the guide and her accent was very marked and combined with the broken sound system we had trouble understanding her. The park itself was very nice with some beautiful vistas.”

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6.Tierra del Fuego National Park, Ushuaia City Tour Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 154 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $119

Spend about five hours touring Tierra del Fuego National Park and Ushuaia in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English or Spanish speaking guide. Expect easy walks, lake and mountain views, the End of the Pan-American Highway sign, a snack stop, and photo stops around the world’s southernmost city. Park admission costs $25 extra and requires a credit card.

“There must be more spectacular areas in Ushuaia than the Tierra del Fuego National Park. Was a bit disappointed. Also, unfortunately we didn't have the best guide. Very nice man, English was a bit difficult to understand at times and talked constantly- a good guide knows when to shut up.”

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7.Tayrona National Park Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 131 reviews · 11 hours · from $77

Leave Santa Marta early for Tayrona National Park, then hike about four hours through forest and along Cañaveral, Arrecifes, Arenilla, and Piscina Natural. You get three hours at Cabo San Juan for swimming, lunch, and the viewpoint. Spanish-speaking guides, private bus transport, insurance, and park entry are included, but foreign visitors pay 55,000 COP extra.

“Experiência única! Passeio desafiador do início ao fim e ao final de una longa caminhada, uma praia maravilhosa, um Caribe em plena Colômbia. Recomendo!”

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8.Full-day Cachi and Los Cardones National Park from Salta

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 125 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $31

Ride from Salta through the Escoipe Gorge, Cuesta del Obispo, and cactus-filled Los Cardones National Park before two free hours in Cachi. A guide such as Fernando, Ximena, Vanessa, or Marcelo may lead the day, with hotel pickup, transport, park fees, and photo stops included. Expect about 11 hours on the road and limited time outside the vehicle.

“This was my fourth day of doing all day tours in the Salta region. This tour was my favorite. The tour guide Jasmine went out of her way to explain things to me, even though I was the only English speaking person on the bus. The scenery from start to finish was spectacular. It was truly a wonderful day. I would highly recommend this tour.”

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9.Tierra del Fuego National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 115 reviews · 5 hours - 330 minutes · from $40

Travel from Ushuaia along National Route 3 into Tierra del Fuego National Park. You will see Lake Acigami, Cormorants Island, a beaver dam, the Alakush Visitor Center, and Lapataia Bay. Shared transport, a professional guide, and hotel pickup are included. The End of the World Train or Redonda Island navigation may be added.

“Visita relampago al parque. Tiempos cronometrados en cada parada y mucho tiempo perdido esperando a los que llegan en el tren. Tour muy caro para lo que se ofrece. No repetiria.”

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10.Tijuca National Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 85 reviews · 4h 30m · from $79

You’ll leave Rio by car with a local guide such as Thalles, Dudu, Samuel, or Sylvio, then walk through Tijuca Rainforest to waterfalls, caves, viewpoints, and heritage buildings. The half-day trip includes hotel pickup, transport, photos, and wildlife spotting, with English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French available.

“I had an amazing time exploring Tijuca National Park with our tour guide Sylvio! He was incredibly friendly and full of fascinating knowledge about the park's history, wildlife, and nature. The tour was beautiful and fun from start to finish-we even spotted a monkey, which was such a highlight! Sylvio made the whole experience unforgettable with his warm energy and passion for what he does. Highly recommend this tour if you want to discover the magic of Tijuca with a great guide!”

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11.4 Day Tour to the Manu National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · from $389Top rated

Spend four demanding but rewarding days traveling from Cusco through the Andes and cloud forest into Manu National Park. Guide-led walks, river travel, bird watching, Machuhuasi Lagoon, a macaw clay lick, wildlife visits, swimming, night activity, and a jungle zipline fill the trip. Small groups are limited to 12 people.

“Beautiful amazon river .. excellent tour guide Especially the teams of Rossel Brayan Ugarte they did moa wonderfull job ..100% recommended we will definitely go back again”

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12.Tijuca National Park Small-Group Hike to Pedra Bonita

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 79 reviews · 5 hours · from $63

Ride from Rio’s South Zone into Tijuca National Park, then hike 3.5 kilometers through Atlantic Rainforest to Pedra Bonita at 696 meters. A bilingual guide explains plants, wildlife, coffee farming, and reforestation. The small group, limited to six people, also stops at Vista Chinesa.

“The guide was amazing. He knows English very well. He has extensive knowledge of the area he guides around and is a very nice and intelligent man.”

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13.Full-Day Torres del Paine National Park from El Calafate

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 73 reviews · 1 day · from $304

Ride from El Calafate to Torres del Paine in a 4x4 Overland Truck with bilingual guides, lunch, WiFi, and a toilet onboard. You’ll see Grey Glacier, Pehoe Lake, Salto Grande, Nordenskjöld Lake, wildlife, and Chilean Patagonia’s famous peaks. Guides such as Santiago, Gaston, Jaime, and Kati have led recent departures.

“This activity was really long 14+ hours turned into almost 17 because of an issue with someone's passport at the border crossing. It's beautiful but it's a realllllly long day from El Calafate.”

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14.Guided Hiking through Tayrona National Park and Cabo San Juan

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 73 reviews · from $45

Leave Santa Marta before sunrise for Tayrona’s El Zaino entrance. With a Spanish and English mixed guide, hike through tropical forest, mangroves, and several beaches to Cabo San Juan. You’ll have time to swim, eat lunch, visit the viewpoint, and return by air-conditioned vehicle. Foreign visitors pay extra park tax and guide fees.

“No vale la pena pagar este tour. Es preferible llegar al parque y uno mismos comprar el seguro y pagar su entrada. Ir al paso de un grupo es perder mucho tiempo, los guías estuvieron ausentes todo el recorrido, y al final iban el bus bebiendRead more”

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15.Manu National Park Tour 4days/3night

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $470

Travel from Cusco into Manu National Park for four days of river trips, birdwatching, jungle walks, hot springs, and wildlife spotting. Your private tour includes transport, meals, an eco-lodge, boots, boat, and a bilingual guide with binoculars and a telescope. Guides such as Saulo and Symond have earned praise for sharp animal-spotting skills.

“We just got back from the 4d/3n tour in Manu and had a fantastic time. First, we traveled with our 5 year old son and prior to leaving for Peru I contacted Percy via WhatsApp to confirm they would have a life vest and rubber boots that could fit our son (otherwise I’d try to pack them). He quickly responded and reassured me they had sizes that would fit him, which was wonderful as the rubber boots are a must for the muddy trails. Our guide Saulo grew up in the jungle and was very knowledgeable and quick to point out various wildlife. After heating toucans he quickly had them…”

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