Prehistoric lakes. Rare flamingos. Otherworldly vistas. The Uyuni Salt Flats and Atacama Desert is no doubt, an unforgettable trip.  It’s also one of the most grueling. Jungle trekking through the Amazon seemed like a cakewalk in…

Overview This itinerary offers the best of Bolivia in 3 weeks, combining independent and organized tours/activities. Wander the picturesque town of Copacabana on the Bolivian shore of Lake Titicaca. Take a day trip to Isla del…

Salta is an elegant colonial town with balmy weather, leafy plazas and an easygoing way of life. Known as Salta la Linda (“Salta the beautiful”), it was also the ideal setting for us to regain our…

In northwest Argentina, Cafayate is a charming wine town and the main tourist base for exploring the region’s plentiful wine bodegas. From Salta, we rented a car to make the incredibly scenic drive through the Calchaqui…

Chile’s main port city is geographically fascinating. In the winding streets and steep hills of its colorful neighborhoods, it exudes a gritty, Bohemian vibe. We arrived in Valparaiso (“Valpo”) after a short, two hour bus ride…

What’s not to love about a place known as “The Land of Sun and Fine Wines”? Located in the foothills of the Andes mountains, Mendoza is a cosmopolitan city with all the ingredients for enjoying life…

Elegant colonial architecture, bustling markets and the infamous lomito sandwich are just a few things that encapsulate Santiago. Visiting a capital city can often be intimidating, but for some reason, Santiago is manageable. Home to over…

Skiing, white water rafting, and even volcano climbing await in this outdoor adventure destination. That said, for budget backpackers like ourselves, none of those activities are very Cheap and Charming. Thankfully, Pucon’s stunning landscapes are free.…

An expansive beach, lush green spaces and old-meets-new architecture makes the “Garden City” an outdoor paradise. Viña del Mar is two hours by bus from the capital city of Santiago and just 15 minutes from Valparaiso,…