Four ways to blow your bonus in South America

Tailor-made travel expert South American Explorations has created several bonus-busting holidays in South America and Antarctica, including an epic ski expedition to the South Pole and an exhilarating riding experience with Ecuadorian Cowboys…

Cattle Round-up with cowboys in Ecuador’s Andes

Confident & experienced rides can encounter the fighting bulls up close on this fast-paced riding experience - not for the faint-hearted. Join local Chagras on a true cowboy adventure and get the adrenalin flowing as you gallop across the rough and steep terrain, encountering herds of wild horses. This fast and furious equine adventure is a real one-off experience, where you’ll discover the Chagras’ adept horsemanship and ‘Lasso’ roping skills as they round up thousands of fighting bulls. Price is from £3,450 pp (two sharing - minimum group size of four) and includes seven nights’ full-board accommodation (excluding drinks) at local ranches, plus three nights’ B&B in historic Quito. Flights extra.

Puma Tracking in Chile

Go on the trail of the big cats on this adventure in Chile with the renowned photographer and expert guide Diego Araya. Puma sightings of these very elusive creatures are most likely in Southern Patagonia, and Torres del Paine National Park is one of the hot spots. Discover the most famous trail in Torres del Paine, the W Circuit, on a five-day private trekking programme past huge blocks of twisting granite turrets, giant glacier fields and opal-blue lakes, followed by a further five days in search of this solitary predator. Price is from £6,495 pp (two sharing - based on a group of four) and includes five nights’ trekking from Patagonia Camp (with two nights in mountain refuges) and five nights in the north of the park at EcoCamp, guided treks, puma tracking, flights (London), domestic flights, transfers and meals.

Ski to the South Pole

Experience first-hand the challenges faced by early explorers on this 12-day expedition to the South Pole. The journey begins at 89° South, where you are dropped by ski aircraft. Travelling by ski and sledge, this is an epic 60-mile journey to the most southerly point on Earth. The unforgettable adventure across the stark and beautiful emptiness on this Antarctic expedition will test anyone’s endurance, but the reward will be worth it. Price is from £39,750 pp (two sharing - based on a shared group) and includes five nights at Punta Arenas pre and post-expedition, 12 nights on the expedition, domestic and international flights (London), plus the return flight to Antarctica base camp, all meals and equipment and an expedition leader on the Antarctic expedition.

Luxury heli-skiing in Chile

Conquer the peaks of one of the best heli-ski centres in Chile - the five-star Puma Lodge. Hop on a helicopter to find untracked powder and backcountry bowls high in the Andes, where expert guides will be on hand as you descend 1,200m chutes. Later, be pampered at Los Cipreses spa and savour exquisite cuisine at Alto Las Leñas restaurant. Price is from £8,995 pp (two sharing) and includes one night in Santiago at Noi Vitacura, three nights’ all-inclusive at Puma Lodge - including heli-skiing and powder gear rental - plus two nights at La Casona at Matetic winery in Casablanca Valley, with all transfers. Flights extra.

Covering Antarctica, Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, The Galapagos Islands, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay, South American Explorations specialises in delivering the ‘e-factor’ – excellence, exclusivity and experience.

To book, visit southamericanexplorations.com.