Excellent, well organized short trip taking in Iguazu Falls, Paraty and Ilha Grande as well as Bs As and Rio. Would suggest a little longer in Rio.
Leader was well informed and experienced so added to enjoyment.
Active and outdoorExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Il
Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Ilha Grande, Iguazu Falls, Iguazu Falls, Sao Paulo, Paraty
Crossing the geographical milestone of the Antarctic Circle is a moment to celebrate. In this frozen area of extraordinary beauty, powerful orcas and leopard seals patrol the waters, while ethereal snow petrels grace the skies against a backdrop of bristling mountain ranges and surreal icebergs. Threading our way through an intricate system of icy waterways, we aim for the glorious Crystal Sound at the mouth of The Gullet. Get ready for an exciting Antarctic adventure, complemented by powerful whales, shimmering mountain ranges and mesmerising icebergs.
A classic expedition voyage - exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
Celebrate the crossing of the Antarctic Circle - at latitude 66°33' South
Enjoy the freedom of Antarctica - being in the vast, ice-sculpted Antarctic wilderness
Hear sonorous blows - of feeding humpbacks
Cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
For expeditioners who prefer to focus their energy on adventures in Antarctica, flying over the Drake Passage in both directions is the ideal way to reach the Great White Continent. In the safe hands of experienced pilots, your pulse will quicken as you glimpse the first icebergs in the Southern Ocean, where your vessel awaits, ready to take you on an exhilarating adventure.
Venturing below the Antarctic Circle is about more than just earning bragging rights, it is the chance to enter a different world more rarely seen, it feels more isolated and colder than further north, with great swathes of pack-ice and dreamlike icebergs.
Celebrate the crossing of the Antarctic Circle - at latitude 66° 33&39 South
Visit some of Antarctica's historic huts - enjoy visits to scientific research stations
Get up-close - with humpback and minke whales
Enjoy the freedom of Antarctica - being in the vast, ice-sculpted Antarctic wilderness
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Ship Cabin, Hut
Age Range
16-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Antarctic
Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage, King George Island
Really enjoyed the variety of things to see and do.
Galapagos Islands were amazing and pleased to see that they are trying hard to protect the local environment and native animals and educate the next generation.
Loved the giant tortoises and the way local rangers are protecting them from extinction from hand rearing eggs to releasing them when they are older.
Blue footed Boobies were a highlight of mine to see, only wish I had seen the red footed boobies as well.
The visit to the rose farm was an eye opener as I hadn't realised that Ecuador was such a productive place for roses and exportation, the employees all looked happy and relaxed.
Interesting visit to Condor sanctuary and the way they are rehabilitating injured birds and introducing them into the countryside.
Active and outdoorWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, Guayaquil, Sierra Negra
Quito, Guayaquil, Sierra Negra, Isla Santa Cruz, Santa Fe Island, Tortuga Bay, Otavalo, Laguna Cuicocha, Mindo, Cotopaxi National Park, Galapagos Islands, Puerto Villamil
It's been an incredible experience. There was nothing missing from this trip: great company, incredible places, the challenge of hiking at high altitude, loads of food. Thanks to Rolo for being such an amazing guide.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Our accommodation in Rio Bamba was terrible, I felt I could not use the shower as it was so dilapidated. We only had one towel that had already been ripped in half. We felt it would have been hygenically unsafe to use the 'restaurant' and went out for breakfast. We were unsure why we went to Rio Bamba as it was not a nice place and it felt unsafe at night. Apart from 4 nights the accommodation was quite good. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and spoke to us for most of the time during the coach journeys. Nothing was too much trouble for him to do for us. The itinerary was very good apart from Rio Bamba (which should have been avoided) and a wasted last day in Quito. We could have caught an earlier flight to Quito, from Cuenca, the next day and not spent another day in a hotel that is a long way from Quito city which we had already explored.. Also it would have been better to have flown from Cuenca on the early morning flight to Quito then straight to Bogota and the to LHR.
Active and outdoorExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, Guayaquil, Riobamba, Cuen
Quito, Guayaquil, Riobamba, Cuenca, Otavalo, Peguche, Cotopaxi National Park, Tena, Misahualli, Misicocha, Banos
This was an excellent trip in every way. The leader Alejandro was outstanding- very caring, helpful , informative and well-organised. Peru is a varied and interesting country and although Machu Picchu was spectacular there were many other highlights to our tour. The itinerary covered a lot of ground but it was not too rushed with a good mix of organised activities and some free time. The transport by bus and train was comfortable and the hotels were good and well-situated.
Active and outdoorExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Carolina Escurdero our tour leader was fabulous and went that extra mile for the tour participant's. One of the best I have had. 5 stars.
The trip description as full on was accurate but could have said more about the fitness level required when doing the mountain treks as was challenging at times.
Great trip otherwise would fully recommend to all
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
16-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Perito Moreno Glac
Buenos Aires, Perito Moreno Glacier, El Chaltén, Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego National Park, Punta Arenas, Torres del Paine National Park, Torres Del Paine, El Calafate
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This was a fantastic trip that lived up fully to its billing, as we saw many spectacular and varied landscapes and we sampled many gorgeous wines. The guide Lucia was very knowledgeable and helpful throughout. My only observation is that it was a hard trip in terms of several very long days travelling of 8 or more hours - over 12 hours on one day - which meant we rarely had the chance to relax and/or enjoy the hotel facilities (e.g. pools in most hotels).
The Trip Notes highlighted this but even so, after more than a dozen Explore trips previously which we thought prepared us for a lot of time on the road , we were still surprised. Essentially the trip was 12 full days and we thought it could have been stretched to 14 to cover the same itinerary - maybe an extra day in Cafayate and in Cachi?
Why for example, did we travel from Mendoza to Aconcagua (a brilliant trip) but then back to Mendoza (3 hours each way) on one day, only to retrace our steps almost all the way back to Aconcagua on the next day, on the way to the next stop? This retracing of the same route wasted 6 hours, or almost a full day? Why did we not go from Aconcagua directly to the next stop, instead of back to Mendoza?
In summary, this is a great tour, but we recommend you review the itinerary and through better planning and some extra time make it a more relaxing tour spread over over one or two more days.
Active and outdoorFood tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Villa
Age Range
16-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Cafayate, Mendoza
Buenos Aires, Cafayate, Mendoza, Salta, Humahuaca, Barreal, Villa Union, Belen, Cachi
The South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula form one of the most spectacular wilderness areas on Earth. A remarkable collection of wildlife lives in the shadow of snow-capped mountains and blue icebergs; penguins, whales and a rich diversity of birdlife await you an this exploratory journey into the Great White Continent.
Travel into scenic Antarctica - explore the islands of the peninsula
Enjoy a variety of penguins - walk amongst vast penguin rookeries of gentoo, Adelie and chinstrap penguins
Incredible scenery - enjoy the freedom of being in the vast, ice-sculpted, Antarctic wilderness
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hut, Ship Cabin
Age Range
16-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Sh
Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula
In this frozen area of extraordinary beauty, powerful orcas and leopard seals patrol the waters, while ethereal snow petrels grace the skies against a backdrop of bristling mountain ranges and surreal icebergs. Get ready for an exciting Antarctic adventure on this condensed Classic Antarctica itinerary, complemented by powerful whales, shimmering mountain ranges and mesmerising icebergs.
Sail & Fly expedition - only one crossing of the Drake Passage
Penguin rookeries - see Adelie, gentoo and chinstrap penguin
Enjoy the freedom of Antarctica - being in the vast, ice-sculpted Antarctic wilderness
Observe extraordinary wildlife - including fledging penguin chicks
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Ship Cabin, Hotel, Hut, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Sh
Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, Punta Arenas