and its arid northern coast, which boasts an incongruous but vibrant surf scene.  After Lima, follow the Andes, taking in its towering peaks, ancient Incan archaeological sites including Machu Picchu, the vast altiplano of Bolivia and its eerie yet majestic Salt Flats, and its complex and mysterious indigenous cultures, finish in Santiago with the snow-capped Andes as the city's backdrop.  

Throw in a few adrenaline activities, like sandboarding in the Peruvian desert, the wine country of northern Argentina, some bustling colonial towns, and cosmopolitan cities with great bars and restaurants and you've got a varied and packed adventure that gives you a genuine taste of South America!