Retrace Charles Darwin’s epic voyage to the ‘edge of the world’ on our Essential Patagonia: Chilean Fjords and Torres del Paine expedition, a comprehensive journey into Chile’s spectacular network of fjords and channels. Helicopter flightseeing and Zodiac cruises along this enchanting stretch of coastline provide awe-inspiring perspectives of some of the most remote and picturesque landscapes on Earth. From Magellanic penguin colonies and other seabirds to South American sea lions and southern elephant seals, the fascinating array of wildlife is as abundant as the majestic blue-toned tidewater glaciers. Join us in this enchanting wonderland and experience all the natural splendors of southern Patagonia. By coming aboard for this special journey, you will also be among the first guests to experience our pioneering new vessel, Ultramarine. This purpose-built vessel is designed to extend the boundaries of exploration and offer an unmatched experience, including a flightseeing tour you’ll never forget and a range of adventure options more extensive than any other ship in its class. We’re excited to host you on your unforgettable adventure! Please feel free to reach out to our team of Polar Travel Advisers, who are happy to answer your questions and provide assistance at any time.
Cruise
Tour Type
Cruise Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Ship Cabin
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Santiago, Canal De
Buenos Aires, Santiago, Canal De Las Montañas, Tuckers Islets, Marinelli Glacier, Bahia Brookes, Ushuaia, Cape Horn, Pia Glacier, Águila Glacier, Chilean Fjords, Torres del Paine National Park
14% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Climb Mount San Valentin (4058m) on this fully supported expedition on the Northern Patagonia Icefield. A truly epic climb in one of the world's most spectacular alpine environments.. World Expeditions are excited to announce an expedition to Mount San Valentin (4058m) - the highest peak in Patagonia. The location of San Valentin in the middle of the impressive Northern Patagonian Ice Field makes it a tremendous climb in one of the world's most remote and spectacular alpine environments. San Valentin is a serious expedition, with the likelihood of extreme weather, heavy loads to be carried and sled pulling required to access high camp. This expedition is for the highly motivated mountaineer, experienced with cold weather conditions, looking to make a summit attempt on this highly sought after mountain in a truly special alpine wilderness.
Climbing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Lodge, Tent
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Patagonia, Balmaceda, Terra Luna
Patagonia, Balmaceda, Terra Luna, Campo Italiano, Raton Camp, Terrace Camp, Mount San Valentin
Retrace Charles Darwin’s epic voyage to the ‘edge of the world’ on our Essential Patagonia: Chilean Fjords and Torres del Paine expedition, a comprehensive journey into Chile’s spectacular network of fjords and channels. Helicopter flightseeing and Zodiac cruises along this enchanting stretch of coastline provide awe-inspiring perspectives of some of the most remote and picturesque landscapes on Earth. From Magellanic penguin colonies and other seabirds to South American Sea lions and Southern Elephant seals, the fascinating array of wildlife is as abundant as the majestic blue-toned tidewater glaciers. Join us in this enchanting wonderland and experience all the natural splendours of southern Patagonia.
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Ship Cabin
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Santiago, Torres d
Buenos Aires, Santiago, Torres del Paine National Park, Isla Marta, Ushuaia, Cape Horn, Diego Ramírez Islands, Garibaldi Glacier, Águila Glacier, Puerto Natales
Begin your journey in captivating Buenos Aires, then explore El Calafate and the renowned Perito Moreno Glacier. Next, visit Lima for the Museo Larco, and journey to Machu Picchu by Vistadome train. Embark on an unforgettable adventure, with transfers, excursions, guides, and accommodations included
AdventureCity sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
1-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Cusco, Lima, Machu
Buenos Aires, Cusco, Lima, Machu Picchu, El Tigre, El Calafate, Estancia
Fantastic Beyond BA used Ruta 40 as a starting point then tailored it to meet our specific needs Nothing was ever too much trouble always super-responsive.
Road trip
Tour Type
Independent TourTypically a private tour undertaken by one or two travelers
Age Range
25-79 yrs
Operated in
English
Destinations
El Calafate, Ushuaia, Torres del
El Calafate, Ushuaia, Torres del Paine National Park, El Chalten, Patagonia, Buenos Aires, Punta Arenas, Tierra Del Fuego, Tierra Del Fuego National Park, El Chaltén, Perito Moreno Glacier, Puerto Natales, Torres Del Paine
GROUP TOUR (FOR AGES 18 - 55): Take in the best of Colombia and Peru on this 15-day tour from Medellin to Puno. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Cali, Bogota and Cusco, embark on a 4-day trek in the Andes to Machu Picchu and cruise on the shimmering waters of Lake Titicaca. Learn how to dance the Tango, cycle around Bogota and visit the magical Rainbow Mountain in Peru, plus so much more.
Combine two of the great adventure destinations in one trip: Machu Picchu, one of the New Wonders of the World, and the wildlife-watching haven of the Galapagos Islands. Starting in Peru, we explore the Inca empire, first visiting Cuzco and the nearby ruins, before taking the train through mountains and cloud forest to the once-lost city of Machu Picchu – hiking a section of the Inca Trail if you wish. It’s then off to the Galapagos, exploring land and sea in search of sharks, giant tortoises, sea lions and more with an expert naturalist guide.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
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
Cusco, Quito, Floreana Island, I
Cusco, Quito, Floreana Island, Isla Santa Cruz, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, San Cristobal Island, Isla Lobos
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Take in the highlights of Peru and the Galapagos Islands on this 15 day tour, which travels from Lima to Guayaquil. Explore enchanting Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Discover Machu Picchu - the incredible Lost City of the Incas and visit the Uros Islands on serene Lake Titicaca. Fly to Ecuador for a tour of Guayaquil before ending your adventure with a four night cruise around the beautiful Galapagos Islands, encountering incredible wildlife.
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
Lima, Guayaquil, Galapagos Islan
Lima, Guayaquil, Galapagos Islands, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno
Combine the captivating cities of Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, with the natural wonders of Iguazu Falls and the mighty Amazon Jungle, on this 15 day tour of Argentina and Brazil which ends in Manaus.
Explorer
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Lodge, Hotel
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Manaus, Puerto Igu
Buenos Aires, Manaus, Puerto Iguazu, Iguazu Falls, Rio de Janeiro
Discover the wonders of Peru and Bolivia on this 15 day private tour which starts in Lima and ends in lofty La Paz. Marvel at the legendary Machu Picchu - the Lost City of the Incas, meet the islanders on beautiful Lake Titicaca, explore the shimmering white plains of the Uyuni salt flats and more!
Explorer
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lima, La Paz, Sucre, Uyuni, Sacr
Lima, La Paz, Sucre, Uyuni, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Lake Titicaca
Discover South America's best-kept secret on this 15-day adventure through the verdant mountains and powdery beaches of Colombia. Head into the serene highlands of Colombia's famed coffee region and discover the sweeter, softer side of this misunderstood country. Fall in love with Bogota's heart, laze on palm-fringed stretches of Caribbean shoreline and hang with locals that redefine hospitality.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bogota, Guachaca, Tayrona Nation
Bogota, Guachaca, Tayrona National Park, Barichara, Salento, Hacienda Coffee Farm, Medellin, Cartagena
Fantastic holiday , A real adventure. We saw sights I had only dreamed about. Every day there was something new to wonder at, from the desert at Nasca , to Machu Picchu to Colca Canyon. Fantastic.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This tour operator organized a cultural, spiritual and community immersion for me, my husband, my adult daughter and her boyfriend for 16 days in late February/early March of 2023. It was the most exciting trip I’ve taken. This is saying a lot considering I have spent a lifetime of travel, both personal and professional, focusing on Latin America.
Everything ran smoothly, even with chaotic settings and complex logistics. A big part of this was by providing us with amazing guides, starting with Jahel Amaru, who met us at the La Paz airport to whisk us across the altiplano to Oruro for its truly spectacular Carnival. Jahel is knowledgeable, patient, down-to-earth, smart patient, funny, and an extremely enjoyable person to spend time with. She guided us through the hectic Oruro Carnaval during its culminating weekend - with boundless energy and contagious enthusiasm. We had the time of our lives cheering on the colorful characters as they paraded and danced thanks to Jahel knowing exactly where to go, when, and providing invaluable context.
Community tourism (where visitors are connected with everyday Bolivians to learn about their lives) - has started to blossom in Bolivia, and this company is one of its pioneers. We got to experience it in Potosi, where we had another excellent guide, Marlene Quispe. She took us through Cerro Rico mine, which was the world’s leading supplier of silver. Marlene has close ties to mining: her brothers, parents and even she has worked there. As we ventured deeper into the earth, we learned from her about the mining process and cooperatives involved with it. She also introduced us to one of the mine's “tios” (“uncles” who are believed to protect miners), to whom she made an offering as she explained his importance.
Marlene took us to the Quechua community of Phuto Phuto, one of several in the rural district Cabanias that welcomes visitors as part of its community tourism program. Families take turns showing visitors their homes and traditions, including cooking huts with steaming pots, whose contents you later share for lunch. Marlene and one of the family members we met then led us on a beautiful hike to a spot where they invited us to participate in a ritual offering to Pacha Mama (Mother Earth). It was an incredible day I will always remember.
Another wonderful community tourism experience was in the majestic Cordillera Real (Central Andean range), where we appreciated both the nature and culture of the region by staying near the town of Tuni with the multi-generational Quispe family (not related to Marlene). Family members share with guests Aymara traditions like placing fishing nets, spinning yarn, making quinoa flour, and shearing alpaca fleece. Patriarch Jaime is a charismatic host and a certified mountain guide who along with his adult son Denys, also a certified mountain guide, have expertise leading visitors of different ages and abilities. We loved staying with them!
There are a few other places that stood out on our trip:
Hostal Las Olas in Copacabana on the shore of Lake Titicaca with gorgeous, artistic “cabins” and lovely views
Templo del Retiro Espiritual Cruz Andina (the Andean Cross Spiritual Retreat Center), in Tiwanaku steps from the ruins and owned by spiritual and cultural guide Rosse Mary Vargas Vilela. It’s filled with cats and crystals and offers delicious vegetarian meals. This is not a stop for everyone, but worth visiting or staying in if you are interested in mindfulness, ancient healing, and/or new age spirituality.
Local culture
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel, Home-stay
Age Range
1-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
La Paz, Potosi, Uyuni, Copacaban
La Paz, Potosi, Uyuni, Copacabana, Sucre, El Alto, Yumani, Villamar, Bolivia, Silolio Dykuma, Tomasamil
