South America was voted the hottest up-and-coming area for travel in USTOA’s annual member poll. And, when it comes to South America, the accent is clearly on experience. Your clients can stay in a private villa with a personal chef on the Galapagos’ Santa Cruz Island or in a 300-year-old Andean hacienda. Or how about a tango lesson in Argentina, snorkeling in the Galapagos, riding the Ecological Jungle train in Iguassu or tasting traditional Inca cuisine in Peru? Below are four examples of South America tours being offered by USTOA members, including an independent vacation, two tours for adults and one for students, that provide a variety of activities and learning experiences.

Galapagos Islands

Independent “Galapagos Villa” package

A group of friends or family can live in the lap of luxury at an exclusive Galapagos Islands private villa on Santa Cruz, complete with a personal gourmet chef and naturalist guide from International Expeditions. An eight-night “Galapagos Villa” custom vacation offers six nights of accommodations for up to 12 in a five-bedroom villa, equipped with modern kitchen, two sitting rooms, seven bathrooms, and an outdoor dining area with barbecue, swimming pool and Jacuzzi. All meals and beverages are included as are the services of a barman, a waiter, a concierge and maid. Also included are snorkeling gear, wet suits, transportation by land and speed boat, bikes, kayaks, Galapagos National Park entrance fee and transportation card and more. Two nights are spent at a Guayaquil, Ecuador, hotel with city tours. Additional customizable excursions can be arranged. Price, including internal flights with airport transfers, begins at $6,690 per person, land only, based on 10 people for eight nights, and varies according to number of guests and nights.