South America

Travel through South America by country:

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

Travel through South America by popular city:

Bogota, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro

Travel through South America by popular things to do:

Adventures in the Amazon, Falkland Islands, Iguazu Falls, Tierra del Fuego

Tour The ‘Untamed Americas’ With National Geographic This Spring

by Kraig Becker on

The National Geographic Channel has announced an ambitious new miniseries set to air later this spring that explores the wild spaces that stretch across North, Central, and South America. The four-hour long show, entitled “Untamed Americas,” was shot entirely in high-definition and will be narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Josh Brolin.

The project, which has been in production for nearly two years, promises to take viewers on an epic trip from the snow covered peaks of Alaska to the wind-swept extremes of Patagonia. Along the way, they’ll witness wildlife encounters unlike any that have been seen on television before and visit remote destinations well off the beaten path. While filming “Untamed Americas,” the production crew braved rocky Peruvian cliffs, dense Ecuadoran cloud forests, shark infested waters and more. They also endured temperatures that ranged from sub-zero arctic conditions to triple-digit heat – and even managed to survive a surprise hurricane.

The miniseries will debut globally on the National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo Mundo, although dates for when it will begin airing have yet to be revealed. Keep an eye on NatGeoTV.com for updates on the status of the show and in the meantime, check out the “Untamed Americas” preview clip below.


Video: ‘Somewhere’ Time-Lapse Video

by Elizabeth Seward on

“Somewhere” from miadox on Vimeo.

“Somewhere” is the first installment of a time-lapse video series. Covering both natural beauty and man-made wonders, “Somewhere” is a fantastic start for an ongoing project. If the rest of the videos in this upcoming series are anything like this time-lapse, then we all have worthwhile time wasting via film-watching to look forward to in the near future. Created by Miadox, this video features stunning images – the kind that make you tear up a little bit at your desk and think positive thoughts about what a beautiful place planet Earth is. Crashing waves, skylines, sunsets, gigantic machinery, racing clouds, headlights and sparkling stars all make appearances in this juxtaposition-centered video. Enjoy Earth.

Hiking Los Glaciares Nacional Park In El Chalten, Argentina

by Jessica Festa on

During a trip to El Calafate in the Patagonia region of Argentina, I asked a local travel agent about trekking options. I was informed the best place to do this was in a town called El Chaltén. Nicknamed the “trekking capital of Argentina,” a traveler could spend days hiking around the beautiful mountains, forests and rivers of the area. Lucky for me, day trips are possible from El Calafate for 180 Argentine Pesos (about $41) round trip. The bus leaves from El Calafate at 8:00 a.m., and picks you up from El Chaltén at 6:30 p.m. Each way takes about three hours.

While I highly recommend spending a few days in El Chaltén to explore Los Glaciares Nacional Park and Mount Fitz Roy, it is possible to see a lot in just a few hours. In the gallery below, you can see my trek, which took me about four hours total. To access the Fitz Roy trailhead, cross town from the bus station via San Martin Avenue. Walk until the road ends and you’ll see a sign that says “Sendero al Fitz Roy.” Enter here, veering to the left, and follow the trail for Laguna Capri. You’ll be able to complete a moderately intense circuit with unbelievable views that will make you feel like you’re in a real-life Bob Ross masterpiece. From Laguna Capri, walk to Poincenot for excellent views of Mount Fitz Roy. Afterwards, continue walking in a circle in the direction of Mirador, another lookout point that makes for an excellent photography stop.

To see my experience, check out the gallery below.

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Astronomers In Chile Searching For Clues To Origin Of Universe

by Kyle Ellison on

Don’t look now, but in one of the world’s most inhospitable climates a hardy type of human beings are gradually beginning to thrive. Perched on the empty, windswept plains of the Atacama Desert, a high-altitude expanse of desolation that ranks as one of the driest places on the planet, astronomers and researchers are braving the otherworldly terrain for a chance to gaze deep into the fringes of outer space.

At elevations that push 17,000 feet above sea level, teams of international scientists in ultra-modern observatories endure the elements in a land where light pollution is virtually non-existent atop one of the highest plateaus in the world.

Now, after years of building these high-altitude, high-tech labs, some really wild events are starting to come out of Northern Chile.

Just last week it was reported on the Huffington Post that astronomers at the La Silla Observatory claim that, based on extrapolated findings, there could potentially be tens of billions of habitable planets in the Milky Way galaxy alone.

Whoa.

Now, as recently reported on the Economic Times this week, astronomers at the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) station, an outpost located 9,500 feet up in the Chilean desert, are actually setting out to search for the origins of the universe.Wait. Did you just say ‘the origins of the universe?’ That’s pretty heavy.

You’re right. It is heavy. According to the ALMA website, the project is going to be “the largest astronomical project in existence.” Using radio waves as opposed to optical light, researchers with ALMA are hoping to peer into the “dark” parts of space where traditional telescopes are unable to see.

In search of the ashes of exploded stars that existed a few hundred years after the Big Bang, astronomers hope to gather signatures of life from a time period collectively referred to as “cosmic dawn.”

It is all a bit mind-boggling for this travel writer, though I wish the astronomers the best of luck on finding the origins of the universe. In the meantime I recommend stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama, the backpacker hub of the Atacama Desert set beneath a nightly blanket of stars.

[Image: jurvetson on Flickr]

Magdelana’s Party: A Rare Dining Experience In Buenos Aires

by Jessica Festa on

When visiting a new city, it’s important to become familiar with the local foods in order to better understand the culture. However, there are times when you might want to try a restaurant that offers something truly unique. In Buenos Aires, Argentina, that restaurant is Magdalena’s Party.

Located in the Palermo SOHO neighborhood of the city, Magdalena’s Party offers a truly American and street food-style combination of cooking that is not easily found in Buenos Aires. Specifically, California native and restaurant owner John Deutsch describes it as “California cuisine” with a street food influence. The fusion cooking is heavily influenced by Mexican and American cuisine with a bit of Asian flare. Moreover, ingredients are organic and the food is made from scratch without the use of preservatives and microwaving. To add a local touch, dishes use many fruits and vegetables from the region, like chilies, avocados, olives and kiwis. For example, while their everyday burritos and tacos offer a fresh take on street food in California, their Wednesday night popup menu, called POKE, offers tapas-style street food dishes. Offerings may include Thai chicken satay, Peruvian kebabs or Colombian-inspired fish tacos.

“Popup kitchens are growing worldwide,” explains Deutsch. “We like it because we’re a huge fan of the style of food, and in California cuisine you’ll find quite a bit of Asian influence. POKE is also a very fresh style of food with all fresh ingredients, so it was a perfect match for Magdalena’s Party.”