As a senior traveler, you have the time and freedom to explore different cultures, meet different people, try different foods, and discover the beauty of creating connections to a place far from home. As a continent ripened by a flavorful mix of culture, traditions, ancient civilizations, and modern values, South America is the best destination for deeper senior travel experiences.

In this article, we explore the five best destinations for senior travelers who want to explore in a more deep and meaningful way. Not only do we share why each destination is ideal for senior travelers looking for deeper travel experiences, but we also tell you all about what experiences you could have in these destinations and the best places to stay while exploring them. Read on to find out which South American destinations you’d like to travel to in search of a deeper connection to different cultures, people, and places.

Senior Travel to Cusco & Sacred Valley, Peru

As the capital of the Inca Empire, the city of Cusco and the Sacred Valley have been woven together by the magic of an ancient culture. The empire may have fallen but those who have the chance to visit Cusco’s Inca-built streets and the Sacred Valley terraces will see that between the land, culture, and architecture, the Incas live on. 

Cusco skyline, Peru

Deeper Senior Travel Experiences in Cusco & Sacred Valley

Take a private walking tour at your leisure through the ancient Inca-built streets of Cusco with a native guide loaded with fascinating knowledge about the city’s and the Inca’s cultural history. Afterward, join a Peruvian chef on a trip to the Urubamba market in the Sacred Valley to shop for ingredients among the locals. The goods secured, you’ll be ready for a cooking class where the chef will teach you all about the traditions and flavors of local Peruvian cooking. 

From the Sacred Valley, board the train to the mighty Machu Picchu, the symbolic heart of the Inca Empire and one of 7 New Wonders of the World. On a private tour of the ancient citadel, you will find yourself with a deeper understanding of the Incas’ mysterious lifestyle, beliefs, and rituals by analysing the mind-blowing architecture with your local guide.

Where to stay in Cusco & Sacred Valley

For an experience that blends Cusco’s rich history with decadence and luxury, stay at the 16th-century monastery-turned-hotel Monasterio by Belmond Hotels. This palatial hotel centered upon a serene courtyard is best known for its grand art collection and atmospheric restaurants serving some of the city’s finest Peruvian cuisine along with tasteful live music.

Senior Travel to the Galapagos, Ecuador

Where better to deepen your connection with nature than one of the Earth’s most untouched islands, the Galapagos. This archipelago, formed by volcanic activity, was the Pacific Ocean’s best-kept secret for thousands of years until the first settlers came in the 19th century. As a result, these lush ocean-fed islands have created the planet’s most extraordinary ecosystem, supporting a plethora of endemic plant and animal species.

Galapagos Cruise for Seniors

Cruise the Galapagos archipelago on a luxury yacht for an exploration that takes you to the most spectacular locations in style. Choose between a four, five, or eight-day cruise, each of which will ensure you have beautiful opportunities to connect with the Galapagos’ extraordinary natural world while leaving plenty of time on board to relax and enjoy the yacht’s luxuries. The cruise will be accompanied by an expert naturalist guide who specializes in the unique geography of the volcanic islands and the endemic species that inhabit it. 

The cruise’s daily enriching tours involve snorkeling with Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, and fur seals, birdwatching for cormorants, waved albatross, and blue-footed boobies, and enjoying short hikes to the archipelago’s most scenic viewpoints. By the end of the cruise, your appreciation for nature will reach a whole new level.

Cormorant II Galapagos Cruise

Stay on the Cormorant II: 

Prioritize quality over quantity with a prized spot on one of the Galapagos’ five-star yachts. One of the most esteemed yachts in the Galapagos is Cormorant II, a 16-passenger yacht with a lounge, fitness room, sun decks, and super luxurious suites – two of which even have private jacuzzis. 

Senior Travel to Buenos Aires and Iguazu, Argentina

One of the most captivating cultural experiences in Latin America can be found in Buenos Aires. By immersing in this charming Parisian-style city, you’ll get a unique insight into the Argentinian way of life from its gauchos to its tango dancers. In contrast, the Natural World Wonder Iguazu Falls calls you to the mercy of nature’s most powerful waterfall.  

Lady enjoying the power of Iguazu Falls at Lookout point.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Deeper Senior Travel Experiences in Buenos Aires and Iguazu

Begin your Buenos Aires exploration with a historic private tour where your local guide will share personal insights into the history, politics, and art of the city whilst showing you the must-see spots. Highlights include Recoleta Cemetary, the Casa Rosada, Teatro Colon, La Boca, and the creative neighborhood of Palermo. Dive deeper into the Argentinian culture with a delectable dinner and a show at Gala Tango where you’ll get front-row seats to the best of the country’s national dance and a chance to learn some new moves. 

Next, swap the city for life on a luxury estancia, La Bamba de Areco where you will discover the lifestyle and traditions of an Argentinian gaucho. During your stay, you’ll ride horses the gaucho way, enjoy an asado under the stars, watch the national polo team, and have plenty of time to relax by the pool. Finally, spend a few days at a luxury forest retreat in Iguazu where the sight of the falls will mesmerize you by day and the sounds of the falls lull you to sleep each night. 

Senior Travel to Santiago Wine Region, Chile

In the mountains and valleys surrounding the capital of Santiago de Chile lie some of the best wine regions in the world including Maipo Valley, Colchagua Valley, and Casablanca Valley. In these regions, wine-making isn’t just an industry it’s a way of life. One that is quiet, free, and close to nature. One with a passion for simple things like good food and good company. Therefore, those who visit the wine regions surrounding Santiago won’t just get to taste good wine, they will get to taste the wine regions’ way of life. 

Deeper Senior Travel Experiences in the Santiago Wine Regions

From delicious Chilean cuisine and wine pairings at a local estancia to horseriding through valleys, there are many ways for senior travelers to immerse in the Santiago wine regions. In between all the wine tastings, of course! Visit world-famous wineries like Concha y Torro and Viña Undurraga in Maipo Valley and Casa Marin in San Antonio Valley. 

The peaceful valleys of Santiago’s wine regions also provide the perfect opportunity for some rest and relaxation. Between winery visits and nature excursions, spend quality time alone and with loved ones by enjoying a picnic amongst the vines, reading by the pool, sinking into treatments at the spa, and connecting with new friends over dinner.

Maipo Valley, Chilean Wine Region

Where to Stay in the Santiago Wine Regions

For an experience that perfectly combines the best Santiago wine region activities with time for relaxation, stay at Hotel Casa Real in Vina Santa Rita. The 16-suite hotel is situated in a 19th-century country estate within a 40-hectare park features a tranquil terrace, pool, and salons to relax in, as well as several dining rooms that promise an exceptional culinary experience featuring the best of Chilean food and wine.

Senior Travel to the Amazon River, Peru

Sail down the Amazon River in the northern reaches of the Peruvian rainforest in search of a connection with Mother Nature in our Earth’s most biodiverse habitat. With the help of a native Amazonian guide whose intuition with nature is ingrained from birth, not only will you be able to observe all kinds of willife but you will be able to understand its behavior and purpose in the ecosystem too.

Deeper Senior Travel Experiences in the Amazon

Join a luxury Amazon River cruise and sail slowly between the thick canopies of the world’s biggest rainforest to discover the wonders of nature like never before. With fascinating daily activities, each day on an Amazon River cruise is a new adventure. You could be swinging amongst monkeys in the rainforest canopy one day and learning how to identify edible and poisonous plants the next. 

Other activities include kayaking through mangroves, birdwatching, species identification, night walks, piranha fishing, caiman-spotting, and visiting a local Amazonian tribe. At the end of every day on a luxury river cruise, you can rest assured the dangers of the jungle are well out of reach as you slumber in a five-star suite. Between activities, take advantage of your cruise’s luxury facilities such as a billiard room, plunge pool, and spa.

Aqua Nera, Amazon Cruise

Stay on the Aqua Nera or Delfin II: 

For an Amazon River cruise experience that prioritizes outstanding service along with luxury, comfort, and space, stay on the 20-suite Aqua Nera or 10-suite Delfin II. Each of these two handsome river cruises promises the utmost excellence with an almost 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio, Amazon-inspired cuisine created by onboard chefs, attentive stewards, and local onboard naturalist guides. 

Plan your next vacation with our senior travel experts today

At Totally Latin America, we understand that as a senior traveler you want to travel in a meaningful way that enables you to deeply experience a destination rather than just see it. We also understand that as senior travelers, you prefer to travel at a slower and more relaxing pace.  Thar is why our travel experts specialize in creating bespoke once-in-a-lifetime trips specifically suited to the needs and desires of senior travelers who want deeper senior travel experiences. For more information and booking inquiries, message us here or call on +1 855 217 9045 to enquire further.

 

Loading