South America is a spectacular vacation spot for solo exploration. It is brimming with superlatives: with the longest mountain range in the world, the world's largest river basin, the driest place on earth, the second largest river (after the Nile), and one of the greatest concentrations of biodiversity on our planet.
Amazon River cruises bring you close to the rainforest and the indigenous people. The Galapagos Islands off of Ecuador are a go-to destination for outdoor lovers. And many more.
1. Silver sea cruise in the southern half of Chile
From the moment you arrive at the pier, the cruise is well organized and orchestrated. The ship holds about 100 people. You will never feel rushed or like you were part of a herd. Each Silversea cruise has a packed calendar of occasions designed with solos in thoughts: nightly get-togethers within the bar, singles' dinners hosted by senior members of the crew, or each day golf-putting tournaments.
A Ushuaia to Valparaiso cruise features a sail via the breathtaking Chilean fjords in addition to stops in Punto Arenas and the wildlife-rich Alberto de Agostini Nationwide Park.
Each day, you head out for excursions. Each excursion started in a zodiac, and you head out to explore an island, snorkel, kayak or visit a small town. Each zodiac had a guide who leads you through the excursion and takes care of the guests. The animals are a highlight of the whole trip: you get a very up-close experience with sea lions, birds, iguanas, fish, and so much more.
2. Aqua Expeditions cruise in the Amazon river
Bag a spot on Aqua Expeditions' August's seven-night Peruvian Amazon river cruise, and the ship's small dimension lets you mingle along with your fellow passengers.
The guides that will take you on skiffs everyday are extemely adept at finding animals and very knowledgable when it came to river life and the many mammals, fishes, and birds.
The best part of the boat is the common bar and seating area. The food offers good lunches and very good dinners.
3. Southern Treasures of Gran Canaria
TripGranCanaria is a smaller company and does tours on certain days.
The journey starts with a trip to the cave village of Barranco de Guayadeque. A man demonstrates the traditional way to get around the village with a wooden pole.
The next stop is the charming town square of Agüimes. There are a pretty church and lovely side streets and a shop, in case you need to grab some souvenirs.
The next stop is Puerto de Mogán, a pretty, busy beach town with lots of shops and restaurants.
The last stop is Maspalomas, where there is a beach with sand dunes and a town with lots of ice cream, shops, and a lighthouse with a museum.
4. Caribbean coast cruises
Cruises around the top of the South American continent are sparse but benefit from having to pass through the majestic Panama Canal.
Cruises are starting in Bridgetown and ending in Lima though infrequent are recommended, one of the highlights being the chance to stop off at the little-visited Colombia Pacific coast.
Remember to enjoy and soak up some culture in your next solo cruise.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
