Skip to main content

3 Once-in-a-lifetime Wilderness Adventures in South America

After Africa, South America is the world’s wildest continent. It’s vast, rugged, and under-explored, even by today’s hardcore adventure travelers. Here are three of its most bucket list-worthy wilderness adventures to experience before you die.

Paddle the Amazon River

Tofino-Expeditions-3
Courtesy of Tofino Expeditions Image used with permission by copyright holder

The world’s longest river is home to some of the wildest outdoor adventures on the planet. The entire 4,300-mile stretch of water (and the lands that surround it) is inhospitable at best and nearly impassable at worst. But, with the highest concentration of plant and animal life in the world, it is also staggeringly beautiful. But, unless you’re Les Stroud, even avid outdoorsmen should undertake the trek with a proper guide. The 10-day Amazon Kayaking Trip offered by Tofino Expeditions is targeted at intermediate kayakers and hits many of the highlights of the river and rainforest. Beyond paddling the river, days are spent spotting the area’s unique species (like macaws, pink Amazon River dolphins, and endemic primates), professionally guided bird-watching, and spur hikes into the rain forest.

Recommended Videos

Best Time to Go: November to January or April to May

Hike Peru’s Huayhuash Circuit

Stock-Cordillera-Huayhuash
Cordillera Huayhuash, Siula and Yerupaja Mountains, Peru Image used with permission by copyright holder

Peru’s Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit is one of the most spectacular and under-explored hikes in the Andes. The circuit is remote by any standard — hikers should allow up to two weeks to complete the entire route. Only a single tiny town is available to provide restocking supplies and independent hikers need to carry at least a week’s worth of food on their back. But, it’s considered one of the most spectacular treks in the world and the rewards are staggering. Every day is greeted with near-20,000-foot, snow-capped peaks, brilliant turquoise glacial lakes, and not a single car in sight. The circuit is well-mapped and advanced hikers can confidently complete it on their own. Choosing a guided tour (some include donkey support to carry your pack) — like that offered by Go2Andes — is the easier, though still quite adventurous option.

Best Time to Go: June to September

Summit the “Mount Everest of Shark Diving” at Malpelo Island

Stock-School-of-hammerhead-sharks-in-malpelo-island
School of Hammerhead Sharks, Malpelo Island Image used with permission by copyright holder

Three hundred miles west of Colombia, Malpelo Island is a tiny, rugged, largely uninhabited island that’s home to some of the world’s best diving. It’s been called the “Mount Everest of Shark Diving,” as schools of hundreds of hammerhead, silky, and other sharks can frequently be spotted offshore. Whale sharks and massive schools of pelagic fish (tuna, jacks, and barracuda) are also typical. Liveaboard dive tours — like the 10-day sailing offered by Coiba Dive Expeditions — aren’t cheap, but they are amazing opportunities for wild diving. They typically start in Panama and require an intense, 36-hour open-ocean crossing. The currents can be strong and divers are required to hold a minimum Advanced Open Water certification with substantial experience under their belt.

Best Time to Go: Typically April to September (but the remote, open-ocean location means weather and water conditions are unpredictable throughout the year)

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
British Airways resumes flights to Bangkok
British Airways resumes flights from London to Bangkok
British Airways Bangkok airplane

On October 28, British Airways flew to Bangkok, Thailand, after a four-year hiatus. After taking off from London Gatwick at 9:15 p.m. (GMT), the flight touched down at Suvarnabhumi Airport a day later at 4:10 p.m. (GMT+7). Upon landing, passengers received a welcome from traditional dancers, along with local gifts and flower garlands. 
British Airways last flew to Thailand in 2020

Earlier in 2024, British Airways announced the resumption of flight to Bangkok, after a break of more than four years. To begin, the airline will offer three weekly flights, followed by five weekly trips in January/February, and four weekly trips in March. Passengers can choose from three cabins: Club World (business class), World Traveler Plus (premium economy), and World Traveler (economy). 

Read more
Delta adds Tampa to Amsterdam route this week
Delta debuts Tampa to Amsterdam route
Amsterdam houses and canal

On Monday, Delta Air Lines began flying direct between Tampa and Amsterdam, offering trips to Florida’s renowned beaches and the Netherlands’ historic culture. Delta announced the flight in May as a winter seasonal route, but over the weekend, extended it through May 2025. The trip takes place aboard the Airbus A330-300, with modern amenities and multiple cabin options.
Additional details of Delta’s new transatlantic route
Old Tampa Bay, Florida Will Clewis via Unsplash

The new flight offers convenience and connectivity, with manageable departure times and easy connections. Inbound flights arrive at Tampa International Airport (TPA) in the afternoon and depart for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) three hours later. After landing at AMS, travelers can branch out to more than 100 cities in Europe, Africa, India, and the Middle East via KLM’s hub at AMS.

Read more
In 2025, United makes it tougher to obtain MileagePlus Premier status
United updates requirements for MileagePlus Premier status
United Airlines Boeing 777

Uniteded Airlines' MileagePlus program lets passengers earn miles and use them toward flights, accommodations, rental cars, and more. Obtaining Premier status takes that even further, with free checked bags, access to Economy Plus, moving ahead in the boarding queue, and other upgrades. However, for 2025, United makes it harder to obtain Premier status, with recently announced changes to the program. Here’s what to know.
The changes to United’s MileagePlus Premier program
United Airlines Newark Club United Airlines

United offers four tiers to its elite MileagePlus Premier program: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Platinum 1K. In 2025, the qualification process is similar, with customers needing a combination of Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) or reaching an elevated PQP amount, including purchases from United or its partners. But this week, the airline announced higher thresholds for each tier.

Read more