South America Small Group Tours
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10 best South America small group tours
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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
- Group Tour - Majestic Peaks of Patagonia
- 04 Day Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Small Group Service
- 7 Days Gay Small Group Trip Wellness Retreat
- Lima to Rio: Coast to Coast
- Full Day Otavalo Indigenous Market - Shared Group
- Full Day Mindo Cloudforest - Shared Group
- 8/7 Lima, Paracas, Nazca, Cusco, Machu Picchu (Small Group Tours)
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 $1,560
20% Off- US$1,248You save $312
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
20% Off- 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
20% Off- US$2,230
Groups of 6-18 travelers venture across South America's southern frontier. Bilingual guides facilitate glacier viewings and personalized hiking experiences. Accommodations include social hostels like Entre Vientos or private rooms at Hotel Francis Drake, with included meals fostering connections.
Duration 10 days Destinations Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine, El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier, El Chalten Age Range 18 to 80 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 14 Group Type Group Operator People Travel and Experience From
20% Off- US$3,305
04 Day Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Small Group Service
54 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The views from Phuyapatamarca and Warmiwauska were two of my favorite experiences from the trip.”
Layla, traveled in January
The Inca Trail welcomes intimate groups of 2-8, offering personalized attention at sites like Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca. Small group size ensures quality time at each archaeological site and comfortable camping with premium tent setups for two people each.
Duration 4 days Destinations Cusco, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Patallacta, Runkuraqay Mountain, Sayacmarca, Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes Age Range 8 to 60 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type Group Operator Inkayni Peru Tours From $850
10% Off- US$765You save $85
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
10% Off- US$2,300
Lima to Rio: Coast to Coast
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It is an easy way to travel. All in all it is a really good experience.”
Patricia, traveled in August
Groups of 12-16 young travelers access South American gems like the Ccaccaccollo weaving co-op and Colca Canyon condor viewpoints. Close attention from expert CEOs enhances authentic local experiences, from Andean homestays to Brazilian favela tours.
Duration 51 days Destinations Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type Group Operator G Adventures From $8,249
17% Off- US$6,847You save $1,402
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
17% Off- US$1,875
Reviews of Small Group tours to South America
- 04 Day Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Small Group Service
I booked the famous Inca Trail through this company, it was simply one of the best travel experiences I have had so far. I am a traveler who exercises regularly and hikes regularly, yet this route was quite challenging. To my great satisfaction, inkayni made the whole trip feel lighter. Every part of the trip was detailed and we were well taken care of. The motivation to continue and reach the camps was continuous. We had everything we needed to make our trek enjoyable and complete. The meals were taken care of. Our guide, Percy was considerate, attentive and resourceful. He briefed us carefully each night before our excursions and gave us many options to choose from. He has a great knowledge of Inca cultures and traditions and is quick to point out small details throughout the hike. Without Percy, this hike would have been much more difficult and not as much fun.
- Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro: Falls & Footy
Amazing tour and guide.
- Classic Inca Trail Trek 4D/3N to Machu Picchu (Group service )
Hiking the Inca Trail is an amazing experience that I will never forget. Everyone at Alpaca Expeditions was very professional and a joy to be around. The food was AMAZING, and the camping accommodations far surpassed my expectations. The company also promoted their activities in giving back to employees and local communities in the areas we were hiking, so we felt good about supporting this company. Please remember to bring adequate cash for tipping the porters and cooks. They work so hard carrying heavy packs and hiking ahead of the tourist group to make sure everything is set up in advance. I cannot imagine how hard it is to do their job, and a large portion of their livelihood is dependent on tipping, so please consider that before you go. There is also an opportunity to tip guides at the end of the trip. One thing I learned from this experience is to educate yourself on the ethical and legal issues for the porters before you go to make sure that you are participating in ethical tourism. Local laws may not protect people such as the porters to the extent that you are comfortable with, balancing that with supporting their livelihood is something to mull over.
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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