Manu National Park in southeastern Peru is one of the earth's most biodiverse regions, stretching from the Andes to the Amazon basin. Recognised by UNESCO as both a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site, Manu is also a global research hub for tropical ecology.
Accessible only by river or small plane, the park is home to over 1,000 bird species, including the Andean cock-of-the-rock, as well as rare mammals like jaguars and giant otters and countless endemic plants and insects. Around 80% of Manu remains untouched, safeguarding both its remarkable wildlife and the traditional lifestyles of indigenous communities such as the Matsigenka.
Travellers can experience the dramatic altitudinal journey on a scenic overland route from Cusco into Manu, or combine it with domestic flights to Puerto Maldonado for a one-way or round trip. The changing elevation — descending from Andean mountain passes through cloud forests to the depths of the Amazon - reveals an extraordinary range of ecosystems, wildlife and vegetation.

 

 

Manu Tambopata Travel
With own eco-lodges across the park’s distinct ecological zones, Manu Tambopata Travel offers flexible packages for a complete Andes-to-Amazon experience. Guests can stay at the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge in the cloud forest — ideal for birdwatching and spotting Peru’s national bird — before continuing to the Manu Wildlife Center in the Amazon lowlands, known for macaw clay licks, oxbow lakes and tapir observation platforms. Each lodge combines comfort with sustainability and strong support of local communities.

Ecotone 

Located at the transition between the Andes and the Amazon, Ecotone's Manu Biological Station and Manu Learning Centre focus on conservation, education and scientific research. Both lodges offer immersive “Stay, Explore & Learn” programs, including guided nature walks, reforestation activities and opportunities to meet researchers. Innovative eco-tools such as EcoDroneView® and ForestWhisper® enhance the guest experience and connection to the rainforest environment.

Located along Ecuador`s iconic Avenue of the Volcanoes, the Chimborazo Wildlife Production Reserve protects the country's highest peak - the Chimborazo volcano (6,310m / 20,703ft) - and its distinctive Andean páramo ecosystem. The reserve encompasses fragile grasslands, glacial lakes, peat swamps and remnants of ancient Andean forests.
Home to wild vicuñas, llamas, alpacas, guanacos, Andean foxes and birds such as the Andean condor and the Ecuadorian Hillstar hummingbird, the reserve is also a haven for wildlife watchers. Indigenous Andean communities continue their traditional lifestyles, creating opportunities for cultural exchange amid spectacular highland scenery.
Chimborazo invites adventure at every level — from scenic hikes and mountain biking to challenging high-altitude ascents. Popular trails include the route from Hermanos Carrel Refuge to Whymper Refuge, while experienced climbers can attempt the summit. 
 
SAT Handpicked Stays:
 
Chimborazo Lodge
Founded by the mountaineer and conservationist Marco Cruz, Chimborazo Lodge sits at 4,000m (13,123ft) at the foot of the volcano in the historic Totorillas Valley, just steps from the reserve. Built on the base of a pre-Columbian tambo along the Pre-Inca trade road of the Yungas, the lodge features 3 cabins with 4 rooms each, heated and decorated with mountain-inspired décor, plus a main cabin with a restaurant serving breakfast and dinner.

In north-eastern Brazil, the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park and the Parnaíba River Delta form part of the famous Route of Emotions, connecting Lençóis Maranhenses and Parnaíba with Jericoacoara.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2024, Lençóis Maranhenses is renowned for its vast white sand dunes interspersed with crystal-clear lagoons which fill with rainwater between May and September, creating one of Brazil's most spectacular natural landscapes.

The main gateways to the park are Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro and Atins, all of which are accessible from São Luís airport. Visitors can explore the park on 4x4 excursions, guided hikes or multi-day treks, visiting small oasis communities hidden among the dunes along the way. Other highlights include boat rides along the Preguiças River, watching the sunset from the dunes as well as kitesurfing on the beaches of Atins.

Linked to Lençóis by the coastal town of Tutóia, the Parnaíba River Delta marks the point where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. The only delta in the Americas to open into the sea, it is also the third largest in the world, forming a maze of over 75 islands, dunes, lagoons and mangrove forests. The delta’s rich biodiversity includes capybaras, caimans, monkeys, herons and scarlet ibises, which are best observed on boat safaris — especially at sunset, when flocks of red ibises return to their mangrove roosts.

 

 

Oiá Casa Lençóis
Situated outside the tranquil town of Santo Amaro on the edge of the park, this boutique guesthouse offers an immersive, all-inclusive experience featuring creative cuisine and private guided excursions. Set on rural land, the property features 3 bungalows (each with 2 rooms) and a main house with 2 more rooms; all are designed in a contemporary Brazilian style. With direct access to the park’s most remote lagoons, Oiá offers a refined yet intimate retreat surrounded by nature.
 
Pousada Encantos do Nordeste
This charming riverside inn is located outside of Barreirinhas - the main gateway to the park - and offers a tranquil stay with 25 chalets, including larger eco-chalets with private verandas and hammocks amid lush gardens. Facilities include an outdoor pool, a massage area and an excellent restaurant with live music right by the Rio Preguiças – the departure point for riverboat tours.
 
Casa de Santo Antônio Hotel Boutique
In the historic centre of Parnaíba, the beautifully restored boutique hotel is housed in a 19th-century mansion and offers 22 individually decorated suites, a pool and a jacuzzi. Blending colonial architecture with modern comfort, the hotel is close to Porto das Barcas, where the Parnaíba Delta excursions begin.

In Chilean Patagonia, the Route of Parks — a pioneering conservation initiative by Rewilding Chile — connects 17 national parks along a scenic 2,735-km (1,700-mi) corridor stretching from Puerto Montt to Cape Horn.

Further north, in Chile's Araucanía Region, Villarrica National Park is one of the country's oldest, protecting one of its most diverse volcanic landscapes. Extending from Pucón to the Argentine border, the park encompasses 3 major volcanoes: Villarrica, Quetrupillán and Lanín, the latter of which is shared with Argentina's Lanín National Park.
The park's ecosystems range from Valdivian temperate rainforest, characterised by dense bamboo, ferns and evergreen trees, to Araucaria and lenga forests, alpine meadows and glacial valleys. Two rivers cross the park, shaping lakes, caves and lagoons such as Laguna Quillelhue and Laguna Huinfiuca.
The park's wildlife includes condors, black woodpeckers, foxes, pudús and the elusive puma, while birdwatchers may spot peregrine falcons, black-necked swans and Chilean pigeons.
The park's main attractions are volcano climbing, trekking trails and thermal springs, all framed by the dramatic Andes scenery.

SAT Handpicked Stays:

Das Dorf Boutique Hotel
Set within 4ha of native forest inside Villarrica National Park, Das Dorf Boutique Hotel is located just 10 min from Pucón. Founded by descendants of German settlers, the property offers private lake access, a waterfall trail and panoramic views of the Villarrica Volcano. Guests can enjoy forest hot tubs, a padel tennis court, pool and beach access and spa treatments inspired by traditional healing practices. The restaurant serves southern Chilean cuisine with local ingredients from the hotel’s garden.

Situated in north-western Argentina, in the province of Salta, Los Cardones National Park is named after the towering Argentine Saguaro cactus, also known as the cardón grande. The park's landscapes are characterised by rugged mountains, valleys and ravines. Elevations range from 2,700 to 5,000m (8,860 to 16,404ft), with a predominantly arid climate that has preserved prehistoric fossils and even dinosaur tracks.
Over 100 bird species inhabit the park, including the Andean condor, as well as guanacos, vicuñas, gray foxes and chinchillas. Highlights include the massive granite rock formation of Piedra del Molino, the highest point in the Calchaquí Valley at 3,600m (11,811ft); the landscapes of Valle Encantado; the panoramic viewpoint of Ojo de Cóndor; and the pre-Columbian ruins at La Paya with opportunities for hiking, wildlife watching and exploring unique geological formations.
Visitors can explore Los Cardones National Park on a scenic round-trip from Salta - available as a day adventure or an overnight journey with stays in Cachi and/or Cafayate. The route winds through the Calchaquí and Lerma Valleys, where striking mountain landscapes meet local culture, charming colonial villages and the vineyards around Cafayate.

 

SAT Handpicked Stays:

El Cortijo Hotel Boutique
Located in the charming village of Cachi, en route between Salta and Cafayate, El Cortijo is a colonial-style boutique hotel with 12 colourful rooms featuring traditional Argentine décor. Guests can enjoy the gourmet Catalino restaurant, the boutique selling local arts and crafts, and the gardens with a heated outdoor pool.

Estancia Colomé
Nestled among vineyards and mountains in the Calchaquí Valley, Estancia Colomé is a historic boutique hotel connected to Argentina’s oldest winery. The property offers just 9 spacious suites with private balconies, guided excursions and wine tastings as well as a restaurant serving regional farm-to-table cuisine and the James Turrell art museum on site. 

Located in northwestern Uruguay in the Paysandú department, the Esteros de Farrapos and Islands of the Uruguay River National Park protects wetlands, river islands and riparian forests along the Uruguay River. Designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, it is one of Uruguay’s most valuable natural sanctuaries and a haven for biodiversity.
The park is home to over 200 bird species, including the endangered saffron-cowled blackbird and marsh seedeater, as well as capybaras, otters, marsh deer and Uruguay’s last remaining pumas. Its mosaic of lagoons, marshes and forested islands makes it ideal for boat excursions, hiking, birdwatching, catch-and-release fishing as well as photo safaris.
The park can be easily reached from Paysandú, one of Uruguay’s main riverside cities, known for its relaxed atmosphere, the Guaviyú and Almirón hot springs, and its connection to Argentina via the General Artigas International Bridge.
Managed in cooperation with local communities, Esteros de Farrapos promotes sustainable tourism and conservation awareness, providing travellers with an authentic eco-experience amid peaceful river landscapes.
 
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Estancia El Cangüe
Just 15min from Paysandú, Estancia El Cangüe offers a charming rural retreat surrounded by natural reserves, thermal springs and the Uruguay River. This historic property features 6 rustic Victorian-style rooms with antique furnishings, cosy wood stoves and spacious bathrooms. Guests enjoy home-cooked meals, horseback or bicycle rides, a shaded garden patio and a private outdoor pool. El Cangüe is an ideal choice for travellers exploring Uruguay by rental car or seeking an authentic estancia experience close to nature.

Situated in Colombia’s western Andes at the heart of the Coffee Triangle, Los Nevados National Natural Park is home to 2 national symbols: the condor and the Quindío wax palm. It encompasses striking high-Andean landscapes, including the snow-capped volcanoes Nevado del Ruiz, Nevado de Santa Isabel and Nevado del Tolima, along with craters such as La Olleta and La Piraña.
Since its creation in 1974, this ecological corridor has safeguarded globally significant ecosystems, including 3 of Colombia’s remaining glaciers, unique high-Andean páramos, cloud forests and alpine wetlands, such as the Otún Lagoon — a designated RAMSAR site.
The park is home to remarkable wildlife — from the endemic Buffy Helmetcrest hummingbird and Andean condor to pumas, tapirs and eagles.
Accessible from Manizales, Los Nevados is ideal for birdwatching and high-altitude hiking. Popular trails include the moderate Potosí–Asomadera route (approx. 6h) and the more challenging Potosí–Laguna del Otún route (approx. 8h), both of which offer panoramic views of volcanic peaks and alpine scenery.

 

 

Visitor Center & Lodge El Cisne
Located at 4,050m (13,288ft) within the park amid dramatic mountain scenery, this high-altitude lodge offers basic yet comfortable accommodation with private bathrooms, heating and a restaurant. It serves as a convenient base for hiking and wildlife observation, with views of the Nevado del Ruiz and Santa Isabel volcanoes.
 
El Nido del Cóndor Ecolodge
Perched above a canyon about 1.5h from Manizales, this glamping ecolodge is accessible only by a 1h-hike or a short cable car ride - making the journey part of the experience. Named after a pair of Andean condors nesting nearby, the eco-retreat features 5 safari-style tents and a spacious tented villa, all with fireplaces and panoramic decks.