South America is not polished. It is alive, unpredictable, and unapologetically real. Volcanoes rumble on the horizon. Jungles breathe with their own rhythm. Cities pulse with music, gasoline, and the smell of street food at midnight. This is not the place for travelers who want their vacations shrink-wrapped and sanitized. This is where you come to be changed.
In 2026, the best way to experience this continent is not with a bus full of strangers or a cookie-cutter itinerary. It is with journeys crafted to your measure — tours that connect you to the land, the people, and the uncomfortable beauty of life lived raw. These Custom Tours in South America are designed for travelers who want authenticity.
1. Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley, Peru
Machu Picchu is not a secret, but how you arrive there changes everything. You can march in line with thousands, elbowing for the same photo, or you can take the forgotten trails — paths where farmers greet you in Quechua and the mountains decide if they will let you pass.
A private tour in Peru means pausing in the Sacred Valley to share a pachamanca feast, slow-cooked underground the way Andean families have done for centuries. It means weaving workshops where grandmothers tell stories through colors and patterns. It is not about the postcard, it is about the heartbeat of the valley.
And when you finally stand before Machu Picchu, it feels less like a box checked and more like a pilgrimage completed.
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2. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Imagine standing on an ocean without water. A desert of salt so vast it bends your sense of reality. By day, the ground mirrors the sky, making you question which way is up. By night, the stars multiply until the universe itself feels close enough to touch.
A custom Bolivia trip to Uyuni is not luxury in the usual sense. You travel by 4×4 across rough terrain, sleep in salt hotels, and warm your hands with coca tea at dawn. But here, the definition of luxury is different. It is the silence that swallows you whole, the laughter of your guide who grew up here, and the moment when sunrise sets the flats on fire with color.
Uyuni is not comfortable, but it is unforgettable — and that is why you come.
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3. Atacama Desert, Chile
The Atacama is a place where nothing should live, yet everything feels more alive. Valleys carved like alien sculptures, geysers that roar before sunrise, lagoons so still they reflect the mountains like mirrors. Walking here feels like trespassing on another planet.
A tailor-made tour in Chile lets you choose your rhythm. Stargaze through the clearest skies on Earth with an astronomer. Float in salty lagoons that make you weightless. Hike among rocks older than time. And when the sun sets, the desert explodes in colors that defy belief.
The Atacama is not a backdrop. It is a confrontation with silence, with emptiness, with yourself. Few places strip you down so completely. Few places give so much back in return.
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4. Patagonia, Argentina & Chile
Patagonia is not a destination. It is a test. The winds cut through you like knives, glaciers crack with the sound of collapsing centuries, and mountains rise like gods too big to care about your presence.
On a custom Patagonia journey, you trek where the land itself decides your pace. Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, Fitz Roy — names that sound like myths until you stand in their shadow. Nights are long, cold, and filled with stars. Days are raw, exhausting, and magnificent.
Patagonia is not for everyone. But if you want to be humbled, if you want to feel small and alive at the same time, there is no better stage.
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5. Amazon Rainforest (Peru & Bolivia)
The jungle does not care about you. It has its own rules, older than any map or itinerary. Out here, you listen more than you speak. The soundscape at night is a symphony of chaos: insects, birds, predators, rivers.
A private Amazon adventure is not about comfort. It is about surrender. Canoeing down blackwater rivers, spotting caimans by torchlight, walking under trees so tall they block the sky. Eating what the forest gives, guided by people who know its secrets.
The Amazon reminds you of your place. Not as master, but as guest. And if you respect it, the jungle will show you wonders.
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6. Buenos Aires, Argentina – Tango, Asado & Chaos
Buenos Aires is contradiction on steroids. Elegant European boulevards filled with graffiti. Tango danced with precision and raw passion. A steak dinner so perfect it ruins all others, eaten in a city that smells of both perfume and gasoline.
A custom Buenos Aires experience goes beyond the tango shows designed for tourists. It means slipping into a neighborhood milonga, drinking Malbec with locals, and eating empanadas that taste like someone’s grandmother still runs the kitchen.
This city is alive, restless, and never apologizes. It will seduce you, frustrate you, and leave you hungry for more.
7. Mendoza & Cafayate Wine Country, Argentina
Forget Napa. Mendoza is wine without the pretension, framed by the Andes like a masterpiece. Vineyards stretch into infinity, and every sip feels like the land itself speaking. Here, Malbec reigns, paired with fire-grilled meats and sunsets that paint the mountains gold.
But head north, and you find Cafayate — Argentina’s quiet rival in the wine world. Roads wind through canyons of red rock and surreal landscapes before opening into valleys of Torrontés, a white wine as bright and aromatic as the desert air. The pace here is slower, more intimate, less polished than Mendoza, but no less powerful.
A tailor-made Argentina wine tour connects both worlds: the bold Malbecs of Mendoza and the crisp Torrontés of Cafayate. It is a journey of contrasts — lush vineyards against stark desert, refinement against raw edges. In both places, the hospitality is as genuine as the wine. You leave with more than a buzz. You leave with a memory bottled forever.
8. Lake Titicaca, Peru & Bolivia
On the surface, Lake Titicaca looks like a tourist trap: floating islands, souvenir stalls, photo ops. But if you stay, if you spend a night with a local family, the lake reveals its soul.
A custom Lake Titicaca tour can mean sleeping in a homestay, waking to the sound of waves lapping at the reeds, sharing potatoes and fish caught that morning. The stories of the lake — its myths, its gods, its spirit — live on in the people who call it home.
The sunsets here do not need filters. The night sky is a mirror. And the silence holds more history than any museum.
9. Altiplano Adventure (Northern Chile & Bolivia)
The Altiplano feels like the end of the world. Flamingos gather on lakes tinted red and green. Volcanoes smoke quietly in the distance. The air is thin, the wind relentless.
A custom Altiplano tour is not glamorous. It is dusty, raw, and elemental. But driving through these high deserts feels like entering a dream where the Earth shows off its extremes.
Here, the beauty is not gentle. It is harsh, demanding, unforgettable. And maybe that is why it stays with you long after you leave.
10. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galápagos are not just islands. They are a living reminder of how wild and unapologetic life can be when left alone. Giant tortoises lumber like prehistoric kings. Blue-footed boobies dance their clumsy ritual as if no one is watching. Sea lions sprawl on park benches, completely indifferent to your presence.
A custom Galápagos tour is not about rushing through a checklist of islands. It is about moving at the rhythm of nature. Snorkeling with penguins in waters colder than you expect. Swimming beside reef sharks under skies with no light pollution. Hiking black lava trails at sunrise, while frigatebirds circle overhead.
This is not luxury in the traditional sense. It is the luxury of perspective. The chance to see the world as Darwin once did — raw, untamed, and unapologetically alive. In a time when most places have been tamed for tourists, Galápagos still belongs to the animals. And that is exactly why you go.
South America is not a checklist. It is not about ticking off “top 10s” or snapping photos for proof. It is about eating with strangers who become friends. It is about being uncomfortable, amazed, and alive all at once.
These Custom Tours in South America for 2026 are not designed for everyone. They are for those who want rawness instead of routine, stories instead of souvenirs, connection instead of consumption.
From the salt flats of Bolivia to the sacred ruins of Peru, from a glass of Malbec in Cafayate to the wild symphony of Galápagos, the continent will not make it easy for you. But it will give you something better: truth. And in a world of curated perfection, that may be the rarest luxury of all.
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How to Plan Your Own Custom Tours in South America
Planning a custom tour in South America is not about picking from a menu of generic options. It is about creating a journey that reflects who you are and how you want to travel. Start by choosing what inspires you most — the silence of Uyuni, the ruins of Machu Picchu, the wildlife of Galápagos, or the wines of Mendoza and Cafayate.
Next, think about your travel style. Do you want private guides who open doors to local traditions? Do you prefer slow travel with time to connect, or fast-paced adventures that push your limits? A true tailor-made trip adjusts to your rhythm, your interests, and your comfort level.
Finally, work with local experts who know the land intimately. They will not only design the itinerary but also handle the details — hotels, guides, transfers — so you can focus on the experience itself. The best journeys are built with collaboration, curiosity, and a willingness to go beyond the tourist trail.
Benefits of Booking Custom Tours in South America
When you choose Custom Tours in South America, you move beyond the predictable group itineraries and into experiences that truly belong to you. Every journey is tailored to your rhythm, your interests, and the way you want to connect with each destination.
Instead of rushing through landmarks, custom travel allows you to slow down — sharing meals with local families, exploring hidden markets, or hiking trails few outsiders ever see. It is travel that adapts to you, not the other way around.
Another benefit is peace of mind. With local experts handling logistics — from guides to hotels to transfers — you can focus entirely on the experience. Whether it is watching the sunrise at Machu Picchu, stargazing in the Atacama, or sailing through the Galápagos, your trip is designed to be seamless, authentic, and unforgettable.
👉 The greatest benefit of Custom Tours in South America is freedom. The freedom to explore on your own terms, while knowing every detail is crafted with care.
Ready to design your own South American journey?
At Pie Experiences, we craft custom tours across Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and the Galápagos — tailored to your style, your pace, your dreams.
In 2026, the demand for Custom Tours in South America keeps growing
👉 Start planning your custom tour today
FAQ : Custom Tours in South America
What are Custom Tours in South America?
A: Custom Tours in South America are private, tailor-made journeys designed to match your travel style, interests, and pace. Instead of following a fixed itinerary, every detail — from destinations to guides to accommodations — is crafted around you.
Why should I book a Custom Tour in South America instead of a group tour?
A: Group tours can feel rushed and impersonal. Booking a Custom Tour in South America gives you freedom and flexibility: more time in the places you love, authentic experiences with locals, and the comfort of knowing experts handle all the logistics.
Which countries are included in Custom Tours in South America?
A: Our Custom Tours in South America cover Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and the Galápagos Islands. From Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley to Uyuni, Patagonia, and beyond, we create seamless multi-country itineraries.
Are Custom Tours in South America suitable for families?
A: Absolutely. Custom Tours in South America can be adapted for families with children, couples, or groups of friends. Activities, pacing, and accommodations are chosen to fit your needs — whether it is gentle hikes, cultural workshops, or adventure travel.
How do I plan my own Custom Tour in South America?
A: Start by choosing the destinations and experiences that inspire you most. Then, work with a trusted agency like Pie Experiences to design your itinerary. Our team of local experts will craft a personalized trip, so you only need to focus on enjoying your journey.
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