IMA South America Safaris and Treks

IMA Safaris South America organizes educational tours and adventure treks in Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru. With a focus on student and group travel, we integrate unique safari opportunities into study-abroad and cultural programs.

Partnering with award-winning guides and recognized lodges, we create once-in-a-lifetime experiences that foster cross-cultural learning and global perspectives.

Here are some of the top South America safari destinations to add to your adventure list:

At the foot of the active Tungurahua volcano, the small city of Baños is one of Ecuador’s most popular destinations. Named after its natural hot springs, Baños blends culture, adventure, and relaxation. Visitors can admire the Church of the Virgin of the Holy Water—famed for local legends of miracles—explore village museums, or visit Ecuador’s first Agroecological Park, home to llamas, alpacas, exotic birds, and more.

A soak in the La Virgen or El Salado hot springs, heated directly by the volcano, is a must. Known as the “Gateway to the Amazon,” Baños also offers jungle tours, horseback riding, and hikes to spectacular waterfalls, including the thunderous Pailón de Diablo. Whether for healing waters, cultural treasures, or outdoor adventure, Baños has something for everyone.

Highlights

To learn more about exploring Hot Springs of Baños, click here.

Located along the Amazon River, Iquitos is the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon and the world’s largest city inaccessible by road—reachable only by boat or plane. The historic center, Monumental Zone of Iquitos, features more than 70 cultural heritage sites, including the Old Hotel Palace, Cathedral of Iquitos, Cohen House, and the Iron House.

Visitors can shop along Jirón Próspero, explore the lively floating neighborhood of Belén—often called the “Amazon Venice”—and sample unique Amazonian cuisine. Just beyond the city lies the Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve, home to 1,900 plant species, 17 primate species, 600 bird species, and the endemic Iquitos gnatcatcher. Blending history, culture, and natural wonders, Iquitos offers an unforgettable Amazonian adventure.

Highlights

To learn more about exploring Iquitos, click here.

Take a flight over the Nazca Lines, one of Peru’s most remarkable wonders. Spread across the southern desert, this collection of nearly 300 geoglyphs includes geometric designs, plants, humans, and animals such as the spider, fish, hummingbird, and monkey. Many of the shapes are drawn with a single continuous line, some stretching up to 370 meters.

Preserved by the region’s dry, windless climate, the lines were created by the pre-Inca Nazca culture between 200 and 600 AD. Experts believe they may have been designed for deities to view from the sky. Located on the Pampas of Jumana about 400 km from Lima, the site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The best way to experience them is by taking a Cessna flight from Paracas, a seaside town along Peru’s southern coast.

Highlights

To learn more about exploring the Nazca Lines, click here.

Experience the breathtaking Colca Canyon, considered the deepest canyon in the world—twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Unlike its U.S. counterpart, parts of Colca Canyon remain habitable, with pre-Columbian terraces still supporting local agriculture.

Visitors can hike or trek the canyon trails, stop at Cruz del Condor for sweeping views, and explore the pre-Inca ruins of Uyo Uyo, once home to the Collaguas and Cabanas tribes. The region is also known for its natural hot springs, rich in minerals like lithium, offering both relaxation and health benefits. After a day of exploration, unwind at a nearby lodge, then continue your journey toward Puno with a scenic stop in Limón Verde—perfect for combining a Colca Canyon adventure with a visit to Lake Titicaca.

Highlights

To learn more about exploring Colca Canyon, click here.

Take a trip to the Uros Islands, a unique community of over 50 floating islands on Lake Titicaca, crafted entirely from totora reeds. The Uros, a pre-Incan people, build these islands by layering reed bundles over floating root-balls, with some islands large enough to house up to ten families.

The reeds are also used to create traditional boats, offering visitors a chance to ride across the world’s highest navigable lake and South America’s largest. Surrounded by abundant wildlife, including hundreds of bird species, the islands offer a glimpse into a way of life unlike anywhere else. A visit here lets you explore the floating villages, kayak on the lake, and even spend the night immersed in Uros culture.

Highlights

To learn more about exploring the Uros Islands, click here.

Explore the world-famous ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru’s most visited attraction and one of the New 7 Wonders of the Modern World. This 15th-century Inca citadel, perched 2,430 meters high in the Andes, blends seamlessly into its tropical mountain setting with walls, terraces, and stairways that showcase the Incas’ remarkable engineering and agricultural expertise.

Visitors can walk through its stone monuments, admire terraced fields, and watch the sun set over this awe-inspiring site. For adventure seekers, the multi-day Inca Trail offers a journey rich in history and nature, while the one-day option lets you hike the final stretch, explore ruins, and take in the iconic view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.

Highlights

To learn more about exploring Machu Picchu, click here.

Just two hours from Quito, Otavalo is renowned for its vibrant artisan markets and rich indigenous culture. The Otavalo people, known worldwide for their handicrafts and folk music, fill Plaza de Ponchos every Saturday with colorful textiles, jewelry, and carvings. The scenic journey also includes stops like the Quitsato Mitad del Mundo Monument—featuring one of the world’s most accurate sundials—and nearby natural and cultural attractions.

Highlights

To learn more about exploring Otavalo, click here.

Take an excursion to the Galápagos Islands, a “living laboratory” of evolution that inspired Charles Darwin and remains one of the world’s most pristine ecosystems. The archipelago, made up of 18 main islands and more than 100 islets, offers unforgettable experiences—from kayaking and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters to hiking volcanic landscapes.

Visit highlights such as Tortuga Bay, the lava tunnels, and the Sierra Negra Volcano while spotting wildlife found nowhere else on Earth, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, penguins, and playful sea lions. With its rare biodiversity and dramatic scenery, the Galápagos is a destination unlike any other.

Highlights

To learn more about exploring the Galápagos Islands, click here.

Take a weekend excursion to Cotopaxi National Park, just one to two hours from Quito. Home to the majestic Cotopaxi Volcano—an active stratovolcano rising 5,897 meters—it is among the world’s highest volcanoes and one of the few equatorial glaciers. The park’s dramatic landscapes, shaped by past eruptions, make it a favorite for hiking, climbing, horseback riding, and exploring nature.

Visitors can discover Rumipamba waterfall and caves, stroll the Limpiopungo lagoon trails for volcano views, and visit historic sites like the Pucará del Salitre Inca. Along the way, spot wildlife such as condors, wild horses, foxes, and even pumas. A trip to Cotopaxi combines adventure, culture, and breathtaking scenery.

Highlights

To learn more about exploring Cotopaxi National Park, click here.