South America bucket list destinations

All of my other bucket lists are in ‘no particular order’ but there was only ever going to be one place at the top of my South America bucket list. My dad was born in Guyana so I have had its merits (and flaws) impressed upon me since birth!

Guyana

It would be great to visit the places that I heard so many stories about while growing up, like Georgetown (the capital), Kaieteur Falls, the rainforest etc. I’d also really like to visit Mount Roriama which is one of the oldest places on earth – it’s a flat topped mountain surrounded by 400-1000m high cliffs and is home to multiple endemic species. The summit of Mount Roraima is a different world above the clouds, is totally unique and definitely must be seen one day.

Brazil

I’d like to visit Manaus where the Rio Negro meets the light-coloured waters of the Solimões as the Amazon meanders through the rainforest. There are pink river-dolphins to spot, as well as wildlife everywhere. Much further south (Brazil is huge!) Iguazu Falls need to be visited too and while there the Tres Fronteras where Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina meet.

Argentina and Chile

I’m grouping these together as so much of what I want to do is shared between them. Tierra del Fuego looks amazing, it is rugged and strikingly beautiful. The Andes look remarkable too – in my mind they are like Switzerland on steroids! Specifically in Chile I’d love to see the Atacama desert and Salar de Atacama (salt flats) and also think I’d quite enjoy drinking Malbec and eating steak in Argentina. Finally for Chile – Easter Island and seeing the Moai statues/stone heads.

Peru

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and the largest in South America. It may have been the origin of the Incas and is also home to floating islands that people live on. While in Peru it would be silly to miss the chance to see Machu Pichu too!

The Falkland Islands

My fascination with British Overseas Territories continues with the Falklands. I love the isolation and would really like to discover the place in person one day.

Next up is Oceania, see this bucket list here.