South America offers rich pickings to travellers eager for adventure. This huge continent encompasses almost every habitat and climate zone imaginable – from lush rainforest to arid desert, fertile pastures to active volcanoes. These landscapes have outlasted millennia of different civilisations, many of which left behind a treasure trove of ruins waiting to be explored.

Whether your idea of fun involves climbing snowy peaks, exploring ancient temples or scuba diving on tropical reefs, South America has an experience for you. [...] Ciudad Perdida ©

Visitors to the Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona in Northern Colombiacan enjoy lounging around in lots of dense rainforest and beautiful sandy beaches. But those eager for an active adventure should look into the wild 5-day trek out to the “Lost City”, Ciudad Perdida.

Ciudad Perdida is thought to date back as far as the 7th century, but was abandoned soon after the arrival of the Spanish. Overtaken by forest, the remains of the city were undisturbed until they were rediscovered by grave robbers in 1972. While the archaeological remains of the city are not as breathtaking as Peru’s famous Machu Picchu, the hike out to the ruins take you on an unforgettable adventure through dense forest, up and down steep hills and finally a climb up 1,200 stone steps to the ruins of the city itself. The rough tracks and regular river crossings mean that this trek is easier during the dry season, which runs from December to March.

Pucón lies 780km south of Santiago in Chile’s stunningly beautiful lake district. Situated on the shores of Lago Villarrica, and surrounded by rivers, waterfalls and hot springs, the city offers a range of outdoor activities such as fly-fishing, kayaking and nature walks. But the hope of reaching the summit of the Villarrica Volcano in Parque Nacional Villarrica is what brings most visitors to Pucón.

The climb (usually over six hours) is physically demanding and should only be attempted with the help of a reputable tour company. Reaching the summit is not a forgone conclusion – adverse weather conditions and the volcano itself (one of Chile’s most active) can force climbers to turn back. But those who get to the top will be treated to spectacular views and (when conditions are right) a glimpse of a lava lake inside the crater. And after the hard work going up, the descent is less strenuous: an exhilarating 30-to-60 minute sledge ride down the side of the mountain. Although ascents are possible year-round, you’ll have the best chance of success between October and April.

Assinale V (verdadeiro) ou F (falso) para a alternativa.

A trilha para Ciudad Perdida é considerada fácil, porém deve-se evitá-la no período chuvoso, de dezembro a março.