Best Student Trips to South America – Educational Adventures of 2026

Student Trips to South America: A Checklist and Inspiration Map

To teachers and student group leaders: student visits to South America present a combination of cultural, biodiversity, history, service learning, and adventure in a most distinctive way. The diverse nature of the continent, including the Amazon rainforest and Andean highlands, makes it a good place to travel with an immersion curriculum. Here, you will find destination in-depths, safety measures, budgeting, sample itineraries, and real stories that can assist you in planning a high-impact and memorable vacation.

Many schools now consider student trips to South America because the continent offers a rare mix of culture, ecology, and immersive learning

For more student-focused travel guides, you can explore our Travel Tips for Students homepage

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Why South America is the Best Place for Student Travel

South America is not as well-travelled by school programs as Europe or Asia—but it is a treasure-trove of student learning. Here’s why:

• Geographic diversity: You can sightsee the Amazon rainforest, Andes mountains, Pacific Ocean, glaciers, wetlands, and deserts all in one journey.

• Cultural diversity and language immersion: Spanish and Portuguese are the main languages, which gives an opportunity to practice the language fully. And there is rich native tradition (Quechua, Aymara, Guarani, Mapuche, etc.).

• Archaeological and historical sites: Archaeological sites overlap with historical sites and pre-Columbian civilizations, colonial history, and contemporary social movements.

• Environmental education: The Amazon basin, Galapagos, cloud forests, Pantanal wetlands – all of them are existing living laboratories to be used as STEM and sustainability educators.

• Potential of service and community involvement: Most programs combine service with the local community, leading to cross-cultural learning and social influence.

• Adventure and character building: Strenuous trips, river explorations, fieldwork in the environment, and simple living all take students out of their comfort zones.

Most of the major student travel companies (WorldStrides, EF Tours, Educating Adventures) already have strong programs in South America.

• WorldStrides

• EASchoolTours

In comparison, several schools follow European or East Asia routes, making a visit to South America new, unforgettable, and highly effective.

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Popular Destinations & Trip Itineraries

The destination highlights, sample itineraries, and unique features are presented below:

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Sample Deep Dives

Peru & Machu Picchu

Among the most popular student trip routes, there is Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu – Amazon or Lake Titicaca.

Activities include:

• Colonial Lima and its markets walking tour

• Local artisan workshops (weaving, ceramics)

• Hiking part of the Inca trail

• Amazon lodges and cloud forest overnight stays

• High local service learning communities

• Trip to Lake Titicaca to see Uros floating islands

Ecuador & the Galapagos

Best for programs in biology, ecology, and environmental science:

• Monument of the equatorial line and historic Quito

• Local and native markets

• Galapagos exploration (boat-based snorkeling, wildlife viewing, geology)

• Comparative island ecology

Argentina & Chile

Sample itinerary:

• Buenos Aires (culture, tango, social studies)

• Iguazu Falls & rainforest walk

• Glaciers of Torres del Paine, Patagonia

• Atacama Desert, Andes passages, Valparaiso

Brazil & Amazon

• Manaus & Amazon river cruises

• Indian safaris through jungles

• Deforestation, biodiversity, river systems

• Urban centers Rio de Janeiro and coastal Atlantic forest

Multi-country Circuits

Peru + Ecuador or Argentina + Chile + Brazil allow opportunities to contrast ecosystems, cultures, and histories.

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Making Trips Curriculum-Linked

A student visit to South America should not be mere travel but tied to curricular goals:

• History & Social Studies: Inca Empire, colonialism, independence movements, indigenous rights, modern politics

• Language Studies: Spanish or Portuguese immersion

• Science & Ecology: Biodiversity, ecosystems, climate change, geology, glacial science

• Service: Volunteer work in schools, health clinics, conservation groups

• Art & Culture: Music, dancing, local crafts, storytelling

• Interdisciplinary Projects: Mini-documentaries, environmental research, collaboration with local youth

Best Practices:

• Webinars, readings, language preparation, project prep, pre-trip prep

• Reflective activities: student presentations, reports, community sharing

• Continuous connection: incorporate trip into classroom units pre- or post-trip

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Health, Risk, and Safety Management

Risk Assessment & Protocols

• Conduct country and region risk analysis

• Collaborate with well-established local agencies

• Take 24/7 support networks (medical, travel)

• Make contingency plans (flight delay, political, weather)

Health & Vaccines

• Yellow fever (Amazon), Typhoid, Hepatitis A/B, Tdap, routine immunizations

• Altitude sickness precautions

• Bring medical packs, first aid, emergency meds

Safety in Transit & On-Ground

• Use reliable ground transport

• Avoid traveling late in unsafe areas

• Hire local guides and get security if necessary

• Maintain student-to-staff ratios

• Implement buddy system and communication strategy

Insurance & Permissions

• Extensive travel coverage with evacuation

• Minor waivers, parental consent, medical discharge

• Emergency contacts, duplicates of documents

Cultural Sensitivity & Ethical Behavior

• Honor local traditions, holy places, wildlife regulations

• Avoid exploitative poverty tourism

• Collaborate with local NGOs or communities

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Fundraising, Logistics, and Budgeting

Cost Components:

• International flights

• Internal transport (flights, buses, boats)

• Hostels, homestays, lodges

• Meals

• Local guides, entry fees, permits

• Insurance, visas, vaccinations

• Pre-trip training, supplies, contingency

Cost Ranges:

• Average 10-day tour: USD 2,500–5,500 per student

• Example: 11-day Costa Rica & Peru tour ≈ USD 4,695

Fundraising Strategies:

• Bake sales, car washes, crowdfunding

• Local sponsors or foundations

• Sale of student crafts, calendars, photo-books

• Education/travel foundation grants

Logistics Timeline (Typical):

• 12–18 months: first idea, trip confirmation

• 9–12 months: provider/site visits, risk assessment

• 6–9 months: flights, accommodations, logistics

• 3–6 months: medicals, visas, pre-trip training

• Last month: packing, orientation, final checkups

• Post-trip: feedback, reflection, sharing

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Student Experience and Best Practices

• Pre-departure orientation: cultural norms, basic language knowledge, expectations

• Project-based learning: assignments, fieldwork, journaling

• Mentor pairing: older students with local guides

• Reflection / debrief: end-of-day sharing, presentations

• Digital storytelling: photo essays, video logs, social media journals

• Peer-to-peer exchange: collaborate with local schools

• Trips should be student-initiated learning processes, not formal tours

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Case Studies

Case Study 1: Leadership / Community Engagement (WorldStrides Peru)

• Students live in a village in the Andes (Ancoto), participate in nutrition programs, and learn about cultural heritage

• Outcomes: high student interaction, cultural empathy, and confidence

Case Study 2: Adventures Argentina/Chile Tours Education (Educating Adventures)

• Students visit glaciers, Mapuche communities, and learn geography through observation in Patagonia

Anecdote:
During a recent trip to Peru, a student observed erosion patterns on an Andes slope, likened them to class models, and suggested reforestation with native grasses. This inspired a year-long environmental project back home.

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Tour Providers and Resources

• WorldStrides: Peru, Argentina, Chile programs

• EF Tours: focus on Latin America (eftours.com)

• Educating Adventures / EASchoolTours

• Explorica: Latin America tours (explorica.com)

• Rustic Pathways: study in Peru, Ecuador

Additionally:

• Travel warnings (U.S. State Department, Foreign Offices)

• Education/travel insurance firms

• Local NGOs or education networks

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FAQ

Q1: How safe are student trips to South America?
A1: Vetted providers and protocols make most South America student programs very safe. Risk mitigations include health preparations, insurance, cautious transportation, and local familiarity.

Q2: What is the best South American destination for students?
A2: Depends on learning objectives:

• Peru/Ecuador: archaeology, ecology, language immersion

• Argentina/Chile: geography, glaciers, culture

• Brazil/Amazon: biodiversity studies

Q3: Cost of a 10-day student trip?
A3: USD 2,500–5,500 per student (flights, transport, lodging, meals, guide fees)

Q4: Pre-trip student preparation?
A4: Learn basic Spanish/Portuguese, study host culture/history, vaccinations, altitude prep, reading/project modules, reflective assignments

Q5: Can trips include volunteer/service elements?
A5: Yes, most programs incorporate ethical community service (teaching, reforestation, health outreach)

Q6: When to start planning?
A6: 12–18 months in advance

Q7: Common pitfalls?
A7: Altitude sickness, weather, logistical delays, language barriers, health risks, cultural misunderstandings. Mitigated via contingency planning, orientation, and support