Highlights of Across the Southern Cone

Below are some of the major travel highlights for Across the Southern Cone. For more in-depth attractions of each country on this route, click on the country names below or select a route to see the highlights on this section of the journey. Click on the icons below to focus on specific types of features (click again to return to all).

In-depth highlights: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay


Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Wildlife attractions of Buenos Aires - Rio

Pantanal
The Pantanal is a vast area of wetlands in central Brazil that is one of the best areas in South America for wildlife viewing. Covering some 230,000 km², it is one of the world's largest freshwater wetland ecosystems. The diversity of animal species in the Pantanal is staggering - over 650 bird species, 400 fish, 50 reptile and 80 mammalian, with the landscape ensuring they are much easier to see than in other parts of the continent. Animals include jacare, giant anteater, ocelot, jaguar, cougar, giant river otter, capybara and pamba and march deer while some of the bird species of note are the hyacinth macaw (the world's largest parrot), jabiru storks and roseate spoonbill. The wetlands can be explored on foot, horseback, boat rides or on vehicles depending on the terrain and time of year. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Pantanal Conservation Area

Pantanal

The Pantanal is a vast area of wetlands in central Brazil that is one of the best areas in South America for wildlife viewing. Covering some 230,000 km², it is one of the world's largest freshwater wetland ecosystems. The diversity of animal species in the Pantanal is staggering - over 650 bird species, 400 fish, 50 reptile and 80 mammalian, with the landscape ensuring they are much easier to see than in other parts of the continent. Animals include jacare, giant anteater, ocelot, jaguar, cougar, giant river otter, capybara and pamba and march deer while some of the bird species of note are the hyacinth macaw (the world's largest parrot), jabiru storks and roseate spoonbill. The wetlands can be explored on foot, horseback, boat rides or on vehicles depending on the terrain and time of year.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Pantanal Conservation Area

Ihla Grande
Ihla Grande is an island off the coast of Rio de Janeiro renowned for its beautiful beaches, rich vegetation and rocky landscapes. With no cars on the island, it's the perfect spot for relaxation and exploration on foot or by boat. The entire island is a protected area with an abundance of endangered wildlife that can be viewed on the 150km of trails through the pristine rainforest. The animal species here include red-browed Amazon parrot, broad-snouted caiman, maned sloth and brown howler monkey. Elsewhere the 6-7 hour hike to the Pico do Papagaio at 982 metres offers superb views of the island and surrounding waters while Antigo Presídio has the ruins of a once infamous prison for political prisoners.

Ihla Grande

Ihla Grande is an island off the coast of Rio de Janeiro renowned for its beautiful beaches, rich vegetation and rocky landscapes. With no cars on the island, it's the perfect spot for relaxation and exploration on foot or by boat. The entire island is a protected area with an abundance of endangered wildlife that can be viewed on the 150km of trails through the pristine rainforest. The animal species here include red-browed Amazon parrot, broad-snouted caiman, maned sloth and brown howler monkey. Elsewhere the 6-7 hour hike to the Pico do Papagaio at 982 metres offers superb views of the island and surrounding waters while Antigo Presídio has the ruins of a once infamous prison for political prisoners.