Embark on a 13-day tour of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, beginning in the historic capital of Quito. Explore the Cotopaxi volcano, hike around crater lakes, and immerse yourself in local traditions, including cooking with Andean women and discovering Ecuador’s textiles and chocolate. Then, travel to the Galapagos Islands, where you'll see giant tortoises on Santa Cruz, snorkel with sea lions, and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Spot wildlife like blue-footed boobies and manta rays on San Cristobal and Isla Lobos, before returning to Quito.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Quito, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Mindo, Otavalo, Papallacta, Puerto Ayora
Outdoor lovers will be in their element on this tour through some of South America's most outstanding landscapes. Chile is a land of extremes, showcasing barren desert moonscapes, dramatic granite spires and verdant farmland peppered with emerald lakes. We'll explore it all on this trip from the Atacama down to the mountains of Torres del Paine.
Atacama Desert - Walk in the Moon Valley and on the Salar de Atacama
Puerto Varas - Hike in Chile's Lake District, in the shadow of the Osorno Volcano
Torres del Paine - Discover the glacial lakes and mountain ranges of one of the most impressive locations on earth
Why not extend your trip? - Take a short stay on the mysterious Easter Island (trip code: EIE)
National parksAdventure
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
Santiago, Torres Del Paine, Puer
Santiago, Torres Del Paine, Puerto Natales, Valparaiso, Atacama Desert, Toconao, El Tatio, Calama, Osorno Volcano, Punta Arenas
If you love big landscapes, deserts, rock formations, volcanoes, geysers, remoteness and views that go on forever, then this is the trip for you. This was combined with very friendly people, local culture and good wine, making for one of the best trips I've ever had.
This was my first trip with Explore. (All the other members of the group had travelled multiple times with them). I would say the trip exceeded my expectations in every respect. Judging by the comments of the rest of the group, it was one of the best many of them had been on too. I have taken away memories that will last forever and met some wonderful people along the way.
There were six travellers in the group (all solo travellers) as well as Andres our guide, local guides and drivers. This was the first trip run on a new itinerary or at least one which Explore has not sold for a number of years. So in that respect our group were the guinea-pigs for the trip. I felt the group got on very well. I would say six was a good group size for the minibuses. It gave us room to spread out with our bags and snooze if needed on the longer journeys.
Itinerary:
The itinerary covers a lot of ground in a short space of time so is definitely full-on. However, overall, I thought it was well-paced with well-timed rest periods. Given that this was a new itinerary, there are a couple of "tweaks" I would make (mentioned below). However, they are minor changes only to what I found to be a well-rounded and balanced trip.
HIghlights for me included the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia. I loved the desert, lagoons, volcanoes, flamingoes, the salt hotel and of course, our meal with our wonderful Bolivian guides - which I'll never forget. Another highlight was the sunset and moonrise over the Atacama Desert near San Pedro. I felt the trip was a gift that kept on giving. Just when you had one experience which you thought could not be topped, along came another one. The trip was cleverly planned in that sense.
In terms of amendments, I would suggest the following:
HIgh altitude is a feature of this trip and perhaps needs to be emphasised and explained a little more fully in the trip notes so that travellers can take a view. However, for me, any discomfort was more than compensated for by the remoteness and beauty of the landscapes we saw.
I particularly loved Bolivia and perhaps Explore could consider adding that another day to this leg of the trip. This would allow more time to get to know this fantastic country and its people but would also allow more time to acclimatise.
We had a wonderful day in the wine region of Cafayate. Both wine and food were delicious and plentiful. However, I think we all felt the number of tours and tastings should be reduced a little to allow us to relax into one wine tour and the meal without worrying about time.
Guiding:
Andres was our Explore guide and I cannot speak highly enough of him. Most of the group had travelled extensively over the years with Explore and said that he was one of the best guides they had ever had. Andres was excellent in every respect - professional, knowledgeable, organised but relaxed and very person-centred, attending well to the different needs of the group. The trip ran very smoothly and to time. Andres paid close attention to detail, making small changes to the itinerary as needed, He found good places to eat, and timed visits to avoid any crowds in particularly popular places. As far as I am aware, there was one small logistical glitch during the whole trip. This was beyond Andres' control but he took it in his stride, dealt with it and it did not affect the group. Definitely 5* for Andres.
The local guides and drivers in each country were very friendly and efficient. I would say the guides in Argentina and Bolivia were particularly knowledgeable. The warmth and kindness shown to us was lovely. I would single out Wilbur in Bolivia for particular praise.
Accommodation:
Before the trip, I did not have particularly high expectations of the hotels, thinking that location would take priority over hotel standard and that budget hotels would be used to keep costs down. To a certain extent this proved to be the case. I would say in most places the standard was 3*. I found all of them were perfectly acceptable although some had variable hot water and wifi which is only to be expected really given the region. All hotels were very friendly and in a very good location. Some hotels stood out as having more character and better service than others. The Salt Hotel (Laguna Salada) on the Uyuni flats was something truly special. The stunning location, the hotel design and the friendliness of the staff there were something I will never forget. The Hotel Los Flamencos at the Laguna Hedionda was graded as "simple" and we warned to take warm sleepwear as it can get cold at night. However, I found the hotel to be warm and characterful and again, the location was stunning. Standing outside the hotel (albeit at about -5 degrees Celsius), watching the flamingos on the lagoon and the sun come up over the volcanoes behind was something truly memorable.
San Pedro de Atacama was the most touristy place we visited and I would say the hotel there reflected that. It felt a bit more generic than the others, although the barman was excellent and served some knockout Pisco sours.
Overall, I would give this trip 5* without hesitation. Unforgettable - in the best possible way. Any quibbles are very minor ones to me. I would highly recommend.
Sightseeing Tours
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, San Pedro, Santiag
Buenos Aires, San Pedro, Santiago, Salta, Cafayate, Purmamarca, Tilcara, Tupiza, Uyuni, Incahuasi, San Pedro De Atacama
Embark on a mesmerizing 13-day group tour through the unparalleled beauty of Patagonia, journeying across both Argentina and Chile. This adventure takes you to the southernmost reaches of South America, starting from Ushuaia and stretching to the iconic landscapes of Torres del Paine and El Chaltén. Explore diverse terrains featuring majestic glaciers, pristine lakes, and the vibrant wildlife that inhabit these remote areas. Experience the camaraderie of fellow travelers as you unveil the secrets of Patagonia, making new connections and lifelong memories in this breathtaking natural paradise.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hostel, Hotel, Tent
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
El Calafate, Ushuaia, Mount Fitz
El Calafate, Ushuaia, Mount Fitzroy, El Chaltén, Beagle Channel Cruise, Tierra Del Fuego, Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine National Park, Perito Moreno Glacier, El Chaltén
Travel from the beaches to the mountains of Peru, crossing mountain ranges and high plateaus, during this fascinating 13-day tour. Visit the main historical, cultural and natural attractions of Lima, Paracas, Nazca, Arequipa, Colca, Puno, Machu Picchu and Cusco. In addition to delighting your eyes with unique landscapes, challenge your palate with bold flavours and experience the essence of the most traditional villages. End your adventure with a visit to Machu Picchu, the impressive Inca citadel that captivates the entire world.
Art and architecture
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
6-99 yrs
Operated in
italian
Destinations
Cusco, Lima, Aguas Calientes, Pa
Cusco, Lima, Aguas Calientes, Paracas, Nazca, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Puno
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