Valerie Waterston

My first trip outside Australia was to South America back in 1991. Thinking I would enjoy a trip around and return home, I never imagined I would end up leading tours and living in this wonderful place for over 5 years. A life of travel in either work or play has seen me lucky enough to be able to add all 7 continents to my travel history. To this day South America is still my favorite.

My family is from Uruguay and it seemed a good excuse to visit them when I finished university rather than get a job. It wasn’t much more for a RTW ticket than a return to South America so that’s what I did!  8 years later after travelling and then tour leading in Europe, Middle East and Africa I returned to lead overland expeditions in South and Central America and found this is where my travel spirit truly resides. For many more years I escorted tours camping, and later 3 star, 4 star and luxury hotels. 

I would like to say there isn’t much I don’t know about Latin America.  Since I started at Chimu however that is no longer true. I have discovered endless new places and ways to travel on this remarkable continent. Chimu has such a diverse product range, every corner of Latin America is covered. 

From mountains and glaciers, to jungle, desert and historical cities. Waterfalls, the altiplano, cosmopolitan cities, ruins and endless highlights. Combined with amazing cuisine and friendly people this is not only a destination to discover, but a place to fall in love with and return again and again. 

I can’t wait to plan your trip to Latin America and hear about your experience on your return.