Our favourite luxury sailing trips and cruises in South America

We’ve partnered with the world’s leading luxury adventure cruises to showcase the best luxury sailing trips and cruises that the South American continent has to offer. From the volcanoes and glaciers of Patagonia to the utopian islands of the Galapagos, Lightfoot Travel’s cruise specialists have handpicked the most extraordinary ocean cruise itineraries to provide you with memories to last a lifetime.

Aboard the National Geographic Endeavour, follow the course navigated by Darwin’s HMS Beagle over two centuries ago, spotting endemic wildlife of the Galapagos islands. Go whale watching off Cape Horn – at the most southerly tip of the continent – and explore the mighty Patagonian fjords of the far south of Chile and Argentina. Sail past tabular icebergs and spot penguin colonies on a cruise through the Antarctic Peninsula. Travel deep into the remote Amazonian jungle on a river cruise with daily excursions to get up close to the flora and fauna of the jungle.

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Discover Patagonia

Argentine PatagoniaChilean PatagoniaBuenos Aires & The PampasChile

  • Discover Buenos Aires, one of the world’s greatest cities
  • Witness the stunning natural beauty of Torres del Paine
  • Go ice trekking across the Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate
  • Sail amongst the vast glaciers in the fjords of Patagonia
  • Spot Patagonian wildlife including penguins, elephant seals, condors and whales
ideal length 13 nights

Experience Peru and the Galapagos Islands

QuitoGalapagos IslandsLimaCusco, Sacred Valley, & Machu Picchu

  • Cruise around the Galapagos on a luxury yacht
  • Hike to the rim of Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela Island
  • Discover unique Galapagos wildlife
  • Visit the UNESCO town of Cusco in Peru's Sacred Valley
  • Explore the mesmerising Inca citadel at Machu Picchu, Peru
ideal length 14 nights

Overland Safari Through Patagonia

Chilean PatagoniaArgentine PatagoniaChile

  • Cruise the Patagonia fjord to the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers
  • Experience Patagonia like a local with a horse-riding excursion through the steppe
  • Explore the Perito Moreno Glacier on a cruise or ice-trekking trip
  • Discover the highlights of Torres del Paine, including the magnificent Grey Glacier
  • Witness the majestic landscapes of Chilean and Argentine Patagonia
ideal length 8 nights
Amazon-Clipper-Premium_Exterior

Amazon Clipper Premium

Brazilian Amazon

    Cruise the Amazon River in luxury aboard the Amazon Clipper Premium. This traditional riverboat offers spacious cabins and welcoming public spaces, but is small enough to dock at remote jungle locations and nimble enough to cruise to depths of only three feet.

    Accommodating 32 guests, the 16 cabins feature twin...

LightFoot Scale

family friendly
Yes
activities
Yes
The boat ribs of Aqua Nera in Amazon

Aqua Nera

Peruvian Amazon

    Traversing the mighty Amazon River year-round, Aqua Nera cruises the Peruvian Amazon and passes into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. The fleet’s latest addition, Aqua Nera boasts spectacular facilities and sumptuous interiors courtesy of renowned architects Noor Design.

    Sleeping up to 40 passengers, Aqua Nera's 20 suites are spread across...

LightFoot Scale

family friendly
Yes
activities
Yes
Aria-Amazon_Exterior-Cruise

Aria Amazon

Peruvian Amazon

    Take a luxurious journey into the Peruvian Amazon on the Aria Amazon. Designed and renovated by innovative Peruvian architect Jordi Puig, this exclusive river cruiser offers three, four, and seven-night journeys to witness the tropical wildlife and tangled jungles.

    The vessel accommodates a maximum of 32 guests in 16 spacious...

LightFoot Scale

family friendly
Yes
activities
Yes
small luxury cruise ship on the peruvian amazon river

Delfin Amazon Cruises

Peruvian Amazon

    Located in Peru, Delfin Cruises by Relais & Châteaux offers an intimate and immersive journey through the Peruvian Amazon aboard its two luxury expedition vessels—Delfin I and III. Guests can explore the vast Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the world’s largest protected flooded forest while enjoying...

LightFoot Scale

family friendly
No
activities
Yes
Endemic_Sailing in Galapagos

Endemic

Ecuador & GalapagosGalapagos Islands

    This luxurious and sustainable catamaran accommodates 16 passengers along with eleven crew members and a guide, providing an almost one-to-one service ratio. As the inaugural vessel in a new generation of catamarans, the Endemic boasts elegant exteriors and expansive spaces for upscale accommodation, socializing, and relaxation.

    Efficient and swift navigation between...

LightFoot Scale

family friendly
Yes
activities
Yes
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