South America Small Group Tours
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10 best South America small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaSouth America travel expert at TourRadar
- Atacama desert and Uyuni salt flat - Group Adventure - Bolivia Chile and Argentina
- 10 Days Andes and Pacific Coast Small Group Tour for Gay Travelers
- 10 Days Andes Group Tour for Gay Travelers
- 8/7 Lima, Paracas, Nazca, Cusco, Machu Picchu (Small Group Tours)
- 7 Days Gay Small Group Trip Wellness Retreat
- 5-Day Atacama Desert Adventure: Explore, Discover, and Stargaze in a Semiprivate Group tour
- Full Day Otavalo Indigenous Market - Shared Group
- La Paz, Uyuni, San Pedro and Salta (15 Days)
- From La Paz to Buenos Aires via Uyuni (19 Days/ 18 Nights)
- Full Day Cotopaxi exploration on Horseback riding - Shared Group
Experience South America's wonders in intimate groups of 4-6 travelers, sharing 4WD adventures across Uyuni and Atacama. Smaller groups enjoy flexibility with local guides, while groups of 5+ benefit from a dedicated Argentine tour leader. Share accommodations at Campo Base Hostel and create connections with fellow adventurers.
Duration 10 days Destinations Argentina, Chile, Bolivia Age Range 5 to 95 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 11 Group Type Group Operator People Travel and Experience From
- US$1,560
South American expedition with 8-12 travelers creates meaningful cultural exchanges at Otavalo Market and Ingapirca ruins. The intimate setting allows for personalized attention during horseback riding at Cotopaxi and authentic experiences in traditional Andean communities.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, Otavalo, Cotopaxi National Park, Banos, Chimborazo Volcano, Cuenca, Guayaquil Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Ecuador Galapagos Travels From
- US$2,120
A small-group South American adventure led by LGBT+ guides offers personalized attention at Cotopaxi National Park horseback rides and Peguche Waterfall visits. Authentic moments unfold at Otavalo Market and Chimborazo Volcano.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, Otavalo, Cotopaxi National Park, Banos, Chimborazo Volcano, Cuenca Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Ecuador Galapagos Travels From
- US$2,230
8/7 Lima, Paracas, Nazca, Cusco, Machu Picchu (Small Group Tours)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“this tour was one of the best that I took in years, we got an inolvidable trip.”
Joseph, traveled in March
Small groups receive focused attention at Machu Picchu and Nazca Lines. Bilingual guides lead cultural encounters in Sacred Valley towns including Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Travelers share Andean buffet lunches and wildlife viewing at Ballestas Islands.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lima, Paracas, Ballestas Islands, Nazca, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu Age Range 6 to 80 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, Russian Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator ILE Tours From
- US$1,875
LGBTIQ+ groups, typically 38 years old, connect at Ecuador's Polylepis Lodge and Ibarra's spa facilities. Personal attention highlights Cotopaxi National Park adventures and Baños waterfall visits, with dedicated LGBT+ guides throughout.
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, El Angel Ecological Reserve, Ibarra, Cotopaxi National Park, Banos Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Ecuador Galapagos Travels From
- US$2,300
Duration 5 days Destinations Calama, San Pedro De Atacama Age Range 11 to 70 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 11 Group Type Group Operator Ecuador Galapagos Travels From
- US$2,079
Bilingual guides lead cultural immersions across South America. The intimate format provides quality time at Otavalo market and Cuicocha Lagoon, while maintaining flexibility for photo stops and local interactions.
Duration 1 day Destinations Quito, Otavalo Age Range 12 to 80 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Ecuador Galapagos Travels From
- US$80
Lake Titicaca's Inca ruins and Uyuni's vast salt plains await fellow adventurers. Small groups enhance cultural immersion at local communities like Yumani and Machuca Village. Guided excursions feature Cafayate's wineries and Tiwanaku's pre-Columbian sites.
Duration 15 days Destinations Bolivia, Chile, Argentina Age Range 18 to 70 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 6 Group Type Group Operator Hi Travel Argentina From
- US$1,366
Wonders of South America, from Uyuni Salt Flats to Buenos Aires' neighborhoods, shine in small groups. Personal touches enhance visits to Cafayate's wineries and Copacabana's archaeological sites. Intimate tours ensure meaningful cultural connections across three countries.
Duration 19 days Destinations Bolivia, Chile, Argentina Age Range 18 to 70 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 5 Group Type Group Operator Hi Travel Argentina From
- US$1,957
Full Day Cotopaxi exploration on Horseback riding - Shared Group
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Amazing experience in Cotopaxi! The wonderful time.”
Aissatou, traveled in August
This South American highland adventure welcomes travelers aged 12+. Guests share the thrill of horseback riding at 3,900 meters, while guides share intimate insights about Cotopaxi's ecosystem and geological history.
Duration 1 day Destinations Quito, Cotopaxi National Park Age Range 12 to 75 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Ecuador Galapagos Travels From
- US$155
Reviews of Small Group tours to South America
- Southern Divide
Fantastic tour! Perfect mix of activities and down time. All must do’s included with great optionales. Very well organised by G Adventures with the best tour guide! Absolutely recommend.
- Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro: Falls & Footy
Fantastic tour! Enjoyed every minute of it.
- From Buenos Aires to La Paz via Uyuni (15 Nights)
The overall experience with our tour, through Hi Travel Argentina was excellent. Every activity was well planned,all the guides very professional, specially Leonel, on the overland part of the tour. The Hostels very clean, with helpful and friendly staff, plus all of them very well located. It was nice to know that Stephanie was just a Whatsapp message away if we needed something. She was very helpful when I needed her.We really enjoyed our tour. Thank you TourRadar, and Thank you Hi Travel Argentina, thank you Stephanie, Leonel, and everyone who contributed to the wonderful time we had.
What our customers ask about South America Small Group Tours
What is the best way to experience the Galapagos Islands in a small group?
Small ship tours with 8-12 travelers provide close-up wildlife encounters in the Galapagos. The smaller numbers allow better access to naturalist guides and entry to less-visited islands like Floreana and Isabela. The daily schedule includes snorkeling at Las Tintoreras hiking Sierra Negra Volcano and exploring by kayak. One TourRadar traveler noted: "Having just 10 people in our group meant we could get closer to the wildlife and have more time to ask our guide questions."
What type of accommodation is provided on small group tours in South America?
Accommodations range from city hotels to distinctive local properties. In Lima guests stay at upscale hotels like Casa Andina Premium Miraflores while the Uyuni Salt Flats feature unique options such as the Luna Salada Hotel built from salt blocks. Lake Titicaca offers homestays with local families. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "the variety of accommodation really enhanced our experience - from luxury hotels in Buenos Aires to charming lodges in Patagonia."
What kind of cultural experiences are possible with small group tours?
These tours facilitate direct cultural connections through activities like sharing meals with families in Lake Titicaca and visiting indigenous communities in Colombia's Coffee Region. Groups can explore the Ccaccaccollo Community women's weaving co-op in Peru's Sacred Valley or join cooking classes in local homes. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Our small group was welcomed into a local family's home in Salento for a traditional coffee tasting - something that wouldn't have been possible with a large group."
How does dining work on small group tours in South America?
Tour packages include hotel breakfasts and select group dinners at local restaurants. Meals range from traditional Argentine asado in Buenos Aires to fresh ceviche in Lima and family-style dining in the Sacred Valley. The limited group size allows access to smaller authentic restaurants. According to one TourRadar traveler: "Being a small group meant we could eat at authentic local places and our guide could help us navigate menus and local specialties."
What kind of transportation is used on small group tours in South America?
Transportation combines private minibuses comfortable 4x4s for remote areas like the Uyuni Salt Flats and scenic rail journeys such as the Vistadome to Machu Picchu. Domestic flights connect major cities like Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. As a TourRadar traveler noted: "Our private minibus meant we could easily stop for photos and take scenic routes that bigger buses couldn't access."
How does accommodation differ on small group tours versus large group tours?
Small group tours select boutique hotels and unique properties that larger tours cannot access. Examples include the intimate Ibis Hotel in Cartagena and the historic Maytaq Wasin Boutique Hotel in Cusco. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The accommodations were perfectly chosen - we got to stay in characteristic hotels like the Floresta Hotel in Baños which really added to the local experience."
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