birdwatching

Best Birding Destinations in South America (that even non-birders will love!)

Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Destinations, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Travel Tips / heatherp

Serious twitchers can’t go past South America as the #1 birding destination in the world. Find out why!

Best Birding Destinations in South America (that even non-birders will love!) Read More »

TESTIMONIALS

Libby & Dari; Oct 2024

 5/5

Well we are finally back at home and over our jet lag. I wanted to write to say thank you so very much for all your help during our recent trip. It was probably one of the most stressful things that has happened to me over all my years of...

Alycia Burke (Hawthorn Travel & Cruise); Jul 2024

 5/5

Hi Hanna, Thanks so much, your attention to detail and documentation is fantastic. I just love dealing with you and your company, I just wish had more South American bookings.

Grainne & Anthony; Mar 2024

 5/5

We have arrived back from our travels around Chile, Ecuador, Peru & Bolivia and I wanted to firstly say a big THANK YOU to you for your wonderful booking and organising skills. The whole month was very well coordinated, and every detail seems to have been covered. I hope you...

Stuart; Apr 2024

 5/5

I did however want to take the opportunity to thank you both for such a wonderful trip. Some would say a “trip for the ages” and well they might. The effort, work, organization and the outcome were fantastic and the trip special to say the least. So, a special thank...

Andrea; Agent Fam Trip, Mar 2024

 5/5

I can’t believe that one minute I was exploring glaciers and tangoing in Buenos Aires to all of sudden wiping smooshed avocado off walls and doing in a mound of never ending laundry now that I am back home! I just want to sincerely thank you for having me on...

Barry, Sharon, Ray, Marilyn & Mark; Mar 2024

 5/5

We have fallen in love with Cuba! The travel has been everything we could have hoped for. Our guides have all been incredible, so passionate and knowledgeable. We ended up going down the beach last night for dinner and a swim with our guide. It was spectacular!. Again, we can’t...

Carol & Graeme; Apr 2024

 5/5

Just back from a fabulous 4-week holiday in Ecuador where, thanks to Heather’s comprehensive itinerary, we learnt that this country is much, much more than the Galápagos Islands. We paddled jungle waterways in the Amazon basin, saw spectacular birdlife in the Andean cloud forests, got a shower or two from...

Milton & Barbara; Mar 2024

 5/5

Heather planned our 45 day itinerary around our priorities for places and activities to experience. Everything, from the logistics, accommodation, guides and schedule was so well organised. Punctuality, safety, and friendliness were foremost considerations and everything occurred efficiently and seamlessly. It is so wonderful and stress free, to be met...

Janet, Sep 2023

 5/5

Yes, a fabulous trip! I have been straight back to work (unfortunately) but had on my list to get in touch with you to let you know that the arrangements went superbly. No problem at all with flights, transfers, hotels or tours – everything went very smoothly and on time,...

Barb & Ian; Feb 2023

 5/5

It was a fantastic tour and a marvellous experience. Thank you for putting it all together for us and for providing the pre-departure and ongoing support. We were very impressed with the incredibly smooth co-ordination, pickups and punctuality of all the drivers and guides. The initial hiccup with our late...

Hayden & Kate; Oct 2022

 5/5

Just arrived back into the country and wanted to thank you for arranging the trip – it worked out very well and the activities you arranged were perfect. The speed of the trip, places we visited and the quality of the guiding was great. Bolivia was by far our favourite...

Jan (Travel Agent), January 2023

 5/5

Christmas wishes to you all … and for an even better 2023 because you are such an awesome company! I just want to say “thank you” for all the help that you and your staff have given me over the years in looking after my clients. You are truly special...

Joe, February 2023

 5/5

Thanks again for the high quality service Contours Travel provided in constructing my itinerary including flights, accommodation, transfers, and on the ground the tours, the guides, the communication and attention to details.

Simon, Suzie & Family; Jan 2023

 5/5

We had a truly fantastic time, and I’ve got to say, the organisation from your end was absolutely flawless. The service you delivered was exceptional, and felt like great value too. You’re right that Atacama was a stand-out. Awesome hotel, with great activities. Overall, we had a wonderful mix of...

Catherine & Family; Oct 2022

 5/5

Everthing has been perfect so far. Transfers and flights worked like clockwork…the guides have all been great…Our favourites were Freddy (on the) Salt Flats… Freddy spoke so highly of you. Don’t want to come back to reality! Thanks so much for your sensational organisation skills.

Ruth; April 2022

 5/5

Thanks to all at Contours for a wonderful trip to Brazil and Buenos Aires. The hotels were all wonderful, activities suggested were informative and fun and the transfers went well. There were problems with airlines changing things and suddenly requiring forms to be filled in on-line which proved impossible but...

Brian & Adelaida; April 2022

 5/5

Our Galapagos adventure was wonderful! All the islands we explored with its abundant wildlife and plants are unique and amazing. We had a great time and all went well. Thank you so much for all the effort you have put into this Ben, for your patience and professionalism (10/10). All...

Megan, Travel Agent; June 2022

 5/5

Thanks Ted & Ben. You guys have been absolutely amazing and I cant thank you enough for all your amazing help putting this together for my clients. You have been a dream to deal with and I look forward to any other clients needing to head over that way.

Neal & Yvonne; April 2022

 5/5

You did an awesome job with the itinerary and we have been having a wonderful time. Everything has been going to plan and the Colombian Journeys guides and drivers have been excellent. Even talked them into an unscheduled visit to the gold museum this afternoon. We loved our cooking class...

Tara & Paul; April 2022

 5/5

What an adventure…. From dizzying heights, ancient adventures, walking amongst the clouds and the canopies of the jungle, loop tee loops in a quasi red bull air race above the Nazca lines and ripping down sand dunes in a dune buggy, this had a bit of everything! We have some...

Marina & Anthony; Nov 2021

 5/5

Wow what a trip!! After 2 years of not leaving Sydney, it was surreal to be exploring another country like Mexico, let alone jumping on an aeroplane. Anthony and I kept pinching ourselves that we were travelling again. We want to thank the team at Contours and Travel Associates for...

Chelsea and Gemma, 2021

 5/5

Thank you for all the work you put into our itinerary (and answering all our dumb questions!). It was so nice working with you as you quickly understood us and what we like/don’t like. You seemed to just know what we would love to do and see without even meeting...

Megan, Travel Agent 2020

 5/5

From my conversations while my clients were away they have been blown away with the service they have been receiving from all the ground staff. As a Travel Agent I have never seen such amazing service myself where you have all gone over and above what is required. I have...

Maria & Domenic, Peru, 2020

 5/5

Dear Contours Travel staff, We really want to formally show our appreciation for all your services, care and concerns during our recent (short) trip to South America. It was thanks to your capable staff (Heather, in particular), that we were able to safely return home to Melbourne from Peru. The...

Fiona & Ray, Argentina and Chile 2020

 5/5

Ray and I would like to formally acknowledge the support and service that Brett provided during our recent holiday to Argentina and Chile that was disrupted by the COVID 19 pandemic. Brett made himself available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and demonstrated outstanding professionalism and true compassion...

Janelle, Travel Agent 2020

 5/5

I recently booked an amazing 8-week multi-country itinerary for 2 of my clients. What they wanted was a little off the grid and Heather from Contours did a fabulous job. She ticked all the boxes making sure their needs were met and answer any questions before they arose. Which for...

Bridget, Peru 2019

 5/5

Hi Contours! It didn’t take too long to recover because we had such a wonderful & relaxing trip that we arrived home really feeling refreshed. The trip was wonderful, and we all agreed that there were many highlights. We would like you to know how impressed we were with all...

Pat & Mary, Antarctica 2019

 5/5

The trip was fantastic! Thank you and it was wonderful to see such a beautiful and pristine environment, in the presence of a great bunch of people young and old from many different countries. The ship was basic but most welcoming and the staff all incredible. Unfortunately, we were late...

Brett & Elvira, Cuba and Mexico 2019

 5/5

our trip was excellent and in particular, I must commend the performance of the representatives of Latin America Travel from the time we landed in Havana to when we departed Mexico City. Their greeting representatives, guides and drivers, were without exception, highly efficient, very communicative, knowledgeable and punctual. The quality...

Jo & Noel, Chile 2019

 5/5

A well rounded holiday experience in Chile! We have arrived in Valparaiso, we love it. All going well. Valparaiso is a delight. The locals have been fantastic in telling us where to be at certain times during the day.

Rose, Ecuador 2019

 5/5

It was my second time visiting Ecuador and the Galapagos which was lucky and it was just as wonderful as the first time! I absolutely loved the hotel in Quito the Casa Gangotena, great location, amazing service and inclusions. Monica our tour guide was lovely, very kind and accommodating....

Alex Lee, Ecuador 2019

 5/5

Hi Contours Travel, It was very hard to decide which photos to send from this trip, so I have just sent all of my favourites!! My top three photos if I have to choose… ‘Mashpi Lodge’ – relaxing in the lounge area and taking in the amazing views of the...

Margi, Patagonia & Atacama 2019

 5/5

“We had a great time on the trip! We LOVED Patagonia and Atacama. The Tierra Patagonia was amazing. We had the same guide for the four days we were there and he was fantastic. The National Park was gorgeous- I could look at those mountains forever – and the kids...

Tanya, Costa Rica and Mexico 2019

 5/5

Hi Heather, I haven’t had an opportunity to thank you as yet, to say how much I appreciated all your help on the Christies booking to Costa Rica and Mexico. THANK YOU! The Lonely Planet guide was a very special touch and they loved it ? Thank you so...

Debbie & Kevin, Ecuador 2019

 5/5

Heather, thank you for a marvellous trip. I thought you might like feedback on the various elements of our trip. Hotel Buenos Aires – Club Frances was very good and we thought it was much better than CasaSur Art Hotel which we stayed at last time. Club Frances is on...

Judy & Ron, Guatemala. March, 2019.

 5/5

Hi Heather, Just to let you know we absolutely loved Casa Palopo on Lake Atitlan… a very special oasis, beautifully located and run- fabulous room, view, food… Also here in Antigua, el Convento, has been an amazing experience- small, intimate, relaxing, gr8 food. Each location’s accommodation has been perfection, interesting...

Penny & Andrew, Chile and Argentina 2019

 5/5

Heather, Heather, Heather, All we can say now we are back in the deep north of Queensland is WOW!!! Thought we should drop you a line about our trip of a lifetime….which you designed :) There was not one part of the trip that was not amazing. EVERYTHING was amazing...

Suzanne & Bruce, Central America 2018

 5/5

Hi Heather, Our trip was just fabulous. Thank you so much for all the attention to detail. We loved it all. Too hard to give a favourite really. Panama was a great experience. I think the time we spent there was adequate and we even managed to organise a few...

Bob & Tina, Brazil 2019

 5/5

Ben, We would like to thank you for the work and attention to detail you put into our recent trip to South America. The trip went like clockwork with everything following the itinerary you set out. Your ability to foresee problems is to be commended and shows that you know...

Karen & Wayne, Patagonia 2018

 5/5

We had a truly wonderful time, you just can’t imagine. All the scheduled connections and tours in Patagonia worked out beautifully, accommodations were comfortable and the food everywhere was great. All-inclusive at Las Torres with excursions was so convenient and the staff & guides were all so friendly. Karen &...

The Martin family, Ecuador 2018

 5/5

Hi Ben We had the most amazing time. Our jaws were on the ground practically every day. Muyuna was great. We loved the schedule of activities and the food and accommodation were both terrific. We saw and did everything. New Year’s Eve in Quito was the most dangerous New Years...

Rod & Vicki, Mexico & Guatemala 2018

 5/5

Hola Ben, You work with fantastic people. Each and everyone has been so nice, helpful and totally lovely, eg. yesterday our computer would not play DVD’s. The gentleman at the inn downloaded a new program and woohoo, DVDs played. Our border crossing went very well. Our guide made sure all was...

Jill, Ecuador 2018

 5/5

Hi Heather, Thanks for your speedy response. We loved the Devil’s Cauldron yesterday and the walk down over the suspension bridges to the falls. The vegetation and the waterfalls were fabulous. Today we really enjoyed the Devil’s Nose train trip. Tomorrow we’re having a quieter day and are spending the...

Erika, Peru 2018

 5/5

Hi Brett, Thought you’d like to know that I just had Erika in from the Alpaca group and she said they had a ball, and that it was one of the best trips they had done. They will be going again in another 3-4 years. Thanks Kind Regards Gini

Carolyn, Travel Agent. November, 2018.

 5/5

Hi Brett, They came in last week. I can only tell you they loved everything and every minute. So thank you! Carolyn,

Johna, Chile. November, 2018.

 5/5

Hi Ben, My trip was spectacular! I had such a wonderful time. The process was seamless end to end (aside from being put on standby to Puerto Natales), and my tour guide made sure all was well on my end throughout the hike. Thanks for all your help in putting...

Heather, South America. November, 2018.

 5/5

Ben, well we went to Cafe Toroni on your suggestion. Beautiful! Noticed as we walked into the cafe they had photos of past dignitaries who have frequented the place. Again the flight into El Calafate was special being we were on the right side of the plane to see that...

Bob, Brazil. November, 2018.

 5/5

YOU HAVE DONE VERY WELL. Cheers, Bob Photo says it all!

Dinah, Peru. October, 2018.

 5/5

Hi Rod This is just a quick note to thank you for planning my trip. Your itinerary was perfectly paced for me and very well tailored to my interests. The hotels were very good, the guides were excellent, I had a fantastic time and I’d love to be able to...

Kelly, Travel Agent. November, 2018.

 5/5

Ben, I really thank you so much for your work on this – it was the hardest itinerary I have tried to put together and you saved my sanity!! Kel

Licence Number: 30145 | Suite 12, Level One, 520 Victoria Street North Melbourne 3051

birdwatching

Best Birding Destinations in South America (that even non-birders will love!)

TESTIMONIALS

Libby & Dari; Oct 2024

Alycia Burke (Hawthorn Travel & Cruise); Jul 2024

Grainne & Anthony; Mar 2024

Stuart; Apr 2024

Andrea; Agent Fam Trip, Mar 2024

Barry, Sharon, Ray, Marilyn & Mark; Mar 2024

Carol & Graeme; Apr 2024

Milton & Barbara; Mar 2024

Janet, Sep 2023

Barb & Ian; Feb 2023

Hayden & Kate; Oct 2022

Jan (Travel Agent), January 2023

Joe, February 2023

Simon, Suzie & Family; Jan 2023

Catherine & Family; Oct 2022

Ruth; April 2022

Brian & Adelaida; April 2022

Megan, Travel Agent; June 2022

Neal & Yvonne; April 2022

Tara & Paul; April 2022

Marina & Anthony; Nov 2021

Chelsea and Gemma, 2021

Megan, Travel Agent 2020

Maria & Domenic, Peru, 2020

Fiona & Ray, Argentina and Chile 2020

Janelle, Travel Agent 2020

Bridget, Peru 2019

Pat & Mary, Antarctica 2019

Brett & Elvira, Cuba and Mexico 2019

Jo & Noel, Chile 2019

Rose, Ecuador 2019

Alex Lee, Ecuador 2019

Margi, Patagonia & Atacama 2019

Tanya, Costa Rica and Mexico 2019

Debbie & Kevin, Ecuador 2019

Judy & Ron, Guatemala. March, 2019.

Penny & Andrew, Chile and Argentina 2019

Suzanne & Bruce, Central America 2018

Bob & Tina, Brazil 2019

Karen & Wayne, Patagonia 2018

The Martin family, Ecuador 2018

Rod & Vicki, Mexico & Guatemala 2018

Jill, Ecuador 2018

Erika, Peru 2018

Carolyn, Travel Agent. November, 2018.

Johna, Chile. November, 2018.

Heather, South America. November, 2018.

Bob, Brazil. November, 2018.

Dinah, Peru. October, 2018.

Kelly, Travel Agent. November, 2018.

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